"and Hannah prayed and said: my heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies, because i rejoice in Your salvation." 1 Samuel 2:1

regardless of any situation we may find ourselves in, we can always rejoice

We're so busy telling others to have a relationship with God, yet so few of us actually help, explain, and show what that really is, means, and looks like. Just because you got it or understand, doesn't mean that they do. Someone had to teach you! Experiences also helped. It's time to reach, teach, & love. And then send them out to do the same! #discipleship

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Our worship is INSPIRED by our love towards God, our Father! When we worship, our hearts are connecting to His!! Find yourself at His feet daily, for this is what you were created for! Encounter Jesus in the midst of your worship!

WHAT ARE YOU HOLDING ON TO?: How many times have we heard the quote, “Let go and let God?” If only I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard that, right? Lol. But, have we ever sat and wondered, maybe we’re just not getting it or understanding that quote for ourselves? I ask, because even though we hear this phrase in songs, movies, conversations, messages, etc, we still seem to be holding onto things even though we have been told in the word of God countless times to just give it to Him and let Him have His way. Rather it’s the way we’re living, the desires of our hearts, certain issues, and etc. Letting go should be the easy part if we trust Him, right? So, I would say letting go isn’t the issue here. It’s actually a trust and control problem. Are we trusting Him with whatever we are holding on to? Of course not! Because, if we were, we would be letting those things go in a heartbeat when He says to drop it. But we’re not, often times because of fear of how things will turn out, or what if they don’t turn out the way we want the outcome to happen? Which rolls into control. When we are holding onto things that God is saying to let go, but we don’t due to fear of not receiving the outcome we wish for ourselves, results in control. We’re determine to e desire for ourselves. That my friend is called pride and control. How can we say we trust God, but because of fear or desire for control we refuse to let go and let God have His way? We can’t. We can only say we trust Him with certain things. But that’s okay, because this is an area we can grow and learn to trust Him more fully in our lives and live that abundant life He has always promised and desired for us to live! (John10: ) Growing in our Father is the BEST part of our relationship with Him, because in the midst we can discover just how much He really loves us, we can grow and know more about Him and His heart, and His truth and just why it is easier to let go and let God! Pray for your perceptions to be changed and focused on Him in your heart to better trust in Him in whatever area you are holding on to. I remember a time I was fresh in my walk with Christ and just now learning to hear His voice for myself. I was dating this guy, who at the time was awesome because of the way he treated me differently than the rest. I really liked him at the time. Well, we kind of hit a bump in the road, and I asked God should we continue, or just be friends. 3 times a soft whisper said, “Just be friends.” That was not the answer I was seeking. Lol. So I got up and denied it. One thing I love about God is that He doesn’t give up on us, because the next couple days I was reading this book He drew out to me, as I read the back of the book and inside, I felt so much conviction that I knew He was speaking to me that I needed to let him go. It was undeniable, plus the chapter I was reading was based on hearing the voice of God. That night and next day I cried and cried to the Lord and asked Him why does it have to be me to break up him. Can’t He just make him do it? All the others did. He made sure I knew He wanted me to do it. He then gave me a quote that I never forgot, “You must give up the good to get the better! I have better for you, Jennifer!” He was not the guy God had in mind for me. Long story short, we both fell inline with the Lord’s will. It wasn’t easy for me, but it sure was worth it! I had to be willing to let go of that situation and let God have His way in not only my life, but his as well. He also led me to this song a long time ago from Dewayne Woods , “Let Go” It simply says, “Soon as I stopped worrying, worrying how the story ends, I let go and I let God, let God have His way. That’s when things start happening, when I stopped looking at back then, I let go and I let God, let God have His way.” It blessed my life and decision to let go of the situation. 7years later, I am so glad that I did. You see, sometimes I can find myself being the person wanting to know the end of the story of everything that goes on within my life. But I have accept and be okay with the fact that God always has my best in mind, and because my life is in His hands, and I’m in His heart, everything will turn out ok..even better than ok. Better than my mind has ever imagined! Another thing the Lord has revealed to me, is to imagine both of your hands held out infront of you. (Go ahead and try it.) Now, close your right fist. That right fist holding on to something, right? Now, with the right fist still closed, close the left hand. Both hands are now holding on to something. Now, Imagine God saying He wants to bless you with something, but you must let go of fist number two, but you tell Him no, because of x y and z. Looking at your hands, how can you receive that blessing? There’s no other way than letting that left hand open to let go and receive more and better from the Lord Himself! What are some things or situations are you holding on to, that the Lord telling you to trust Him and let go, and let Him have His way? He wants to fight for you, but you must be willing to let go! He has nothing but the best for you, but you must let go! Because what you are holding on to can destroy that blessing. He sees all, He knows all, and He cares! So, let go and have trust that your best is about to come! *I have chosen Ruth as the character focus for this Challenge, because she was willing to leave all that she knew with her mother in law to another city and to serve her mother in law’s God. She let go, and let God had His way in her life. And in that courage and boldness, she met Boaz!* The Daughter: She has the courage to always let go and let God have His way in her life! She is forever growing in her trust in the Lord and understands the situations she has no control over and lets go of them and allowing her Father to have His way in her life. She trusts the outcome is better than what she has in mind for herself. She can trust Him in her heart without fear of the future, or things getting out of control. (Character Focus: Ruth –Her story is found in the book of Ruth) The Challenge: Examine your heart today seeing any issues you are not giving over to God to handle in His way. What are some issues or situations the Lord is leading you to let go? Any controlling issues? Maybe even change in your life that needs to happen? Be on the watch out for any new situations that tries to come. As you go throughout your day, pray and seek God that He helps you to give this situation completely over to Him and to help you trust in Him wholeheartedly. Journal: John 10: 10 says that Jesus came only to give us life abundantly. Journal what you think He meant. Also, journal about the time you actually let go, and let God have His way in your life. What was the outcome? Was it worth it? Are you still going through it right now? *This morning, set some time aside for you and the Lord today and pray. Journal as you feel led. Activity: Look into your heart and determine what is the main thing God is nudging your spirit to let go and trust Him fully. Now, Imagine both of your hands held out in front of you. (Go ahead and try it.) Now, close your right fist. That right fist is holding on to something, right? Now, with the right fist still closed, close the left hand. Both hands are now holding on to something. Now, Imagine God saying He wants to bless you with something that’s so much more and better than the two you have already, but you must let go of fist number two, but you tell Him no, because of x y and z. Looking at your hands, how can you receive that blessing? There’s no other way than letting that left hand open to let go and receive more and better from the Lord Himself! *Journal what this illustration has shown you about your life and your response to it. Write about this revelation and what you are willing to do differently. * *optional: Bonus: Feel free to share this within the group, or even on your timeline!* (Date W/Jesus) Tonight, at the end of your day, be sure to spend time with your Father, and Journal what took place. Seek and pray to God that He will open your eyes and hearts to see if there may be anything you’re not trusting in Him today or with your life. Write a prayer to the Lord asking Him to help you trust Him fully and to totally let go and let God have His way in your life!

Last night, as I was praying to God about the current circumstances that I am facing in life at this present time, the Lord had to put something in perspective for me. He said, "Your situations will never bring you peace. Only I can bring you peace. Keep your focus and your thoughts on Me. Then your clarity will come. Your joy and peace will be there also. It's only found in Me. Situations are around you everyday, even when they are answered. But so am I. And I am He Who works all things for your good, and think good thoughts towards you." - I knew what keeping our hearts and minds on Jesus and not our situations meant, but it wasn't until last night that I didn't know I wasn't doing that. He had to show me that I was trying to find my peace in the circumstances working themselves out. Getting a new job, I will be peaceful. Living in a new space, I will be happy. Finally meet my husband, questions and desires will be put to rest. - He had to show me that I HAD to change, not my seasons. But my thinking had to change. Because once I get the job I LOVED doing, living in the house and environment I've ALWAYS DREAMED possible, a godly husband who puts Christ before me and we're serving God together in ministry and ALL that I've ever desired, something else could go wrong. In that job, that house, and or spouse, or not. Situations always exist ALL around us. If it's not one thing, it's another. So, I have to keep my eyes Jesus, and maintain His TRUE peace within ME! Because if for a second it strays away, it will then notice another problem that needs fixing, and my heart is wearied, yet again. John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

What's Growth....Without the RAIN?! As I was sitting in church on Wednesday night for Bible Study, I remember the pastor mentiong to stop complaing about the rain. He said what happens when it rains? Things grow. That's when God gave me the revelation about the 'rain' in our own lives. We can look at this question both physically and spiritually. Let's break it down! Physical- We can see that when it physically rains, things grow. Food, grass, flowers, the earth gets the water it needs. It also REFRESHES the ground/earth. We see that altough it rains, the rain is still a blessing. We may not see it WHILE it's raining, but it BRINGS FORTH the blessings to come. It produces the things we need in the future. Its watering the things, because the rain is part of the growing process. Spiritual- Now we can use that same question to pertain it to the Spiritual view of life. “Whats Growth...Without the Rain?!” The rain [spiritually] are the issues or trials that we go through in our lives. There are things that we go through and we continue to whine or complain about them instead of seeing the other side of it. The blessing side of it. I, too, am like this at times in my life. But, God reminds me about the many things I have ALREADY gone through and how those things alone has helped my growth in Him. I remember, at one point in my life time, not too long ago, that I was going through something soooo deep that I have never experienced before in my life. I remember always complaing about it to my friends, and crying about it to God. I was staying focused on the rain that I saw at that time, not even remember the God that I served. 1Thing God pointed out to me is that He doesn't like to see His children like this, and when we hurt He hurts, but He knows what this rain will produce in the near future, and He already knows that once our eyes are opened we will fall flat on our faces praising Him, and have grown in yet another maturity level with Him. Things cannot produce with out rain. For if it is not so, how can I know how to trust God with a dying member in my family if no one has ever died? How can I know that God is a heart fixer if my heart never needed a fixing? How can I tell you that He is a delieverer if I never needed an delieverance? How can I say He is a Father to the fatherless if Ive never grown up in a fatherless home? You see, its one thing to read and know that God is Who He says He is...but experiencing it takes AWHOLE NOTHER MEANING! How can I sit here and tell you how to trust God when someone is taking your house away, and I've never expereinced that? TAI! It takes growth in our lives and the lives of others.. The things we go through[rain] is not just for our health or our growth, but the growth of our sisters and brothers in Christ who are going through of what we have gone through. Jesus said in Luke for us to go strengthen our brothers, and that is what we must do!. Sometimes the rain refreshes our spiritual lives. It helps remind us the God that we serve! Because Jesus is the Living Water. Water does so much in our lives! It refreshes us, it satisifies our thirst, half our body is made up of water, water is imporant[needed] for our body, and its FREE! So next time when you go through rain[which is made of water] in your life[spirtual/physcial] Praise God and thank Him knowing the BEAUTY that it will bring forth. The fruit that it will produce. He is Jehovah Jireh[our provider] and He provides the rain where rain is needed!! LYRICS To The Song! I know that faith is easy when everything is going well But can you still believe in Me when your life's a living hell? And when all the things around you seem to quickly fade away There's just one thing I really want to know Will you let go? (I'll trust you, Lord) Will you stand on My word? (I'll trust you, Lord) Against all odds will you believe what I have said? (I'll trust You, Lord) What seems impossible (I'll trust You, Lord) Will you believe? (I'll trust You, Lord) Every promise that I made will you receive? (Yes, I will trust You, Lord) I know how bad it hurt you when that loved one's life came to an end And when they had to leve you you said you'd never love again But will you trust that I can help you and I'll never turn away? Will you trust Me, child, no matter, come what may? What if it hurts? (I'll trust You, Lord) What if you cry? (I'll trust You, Lord) What if it doesn't work out the first time that you try? (I'll trust You, Lord) What if you call My name (I'll trust You, lord) And you don't feel Me near? (I'll trust You, Lord) Will you believe in Me or will you fear? Oh, my child? (Yes, I will trust, You Lord