So I bet you’re wondering what I’m talking about right??

In Genesis 3:12-13 “ Then the man said, “The women whom you gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” 

And the Lord God said the to the women, “ What is this you have done?” 

The women said, “ The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

So think of it like this….

Snake = Sin (in your life)

God = The voice in your head telling you not to eat of the tree (not to commit the sin)

 In verses 12 & 13 Adam and Eve begin playing the blame game. Instead of Adam taking full responsibility and owning up to his mistake, he begins to blame Eve and then instead of Eve taking responsibility for her mistake she begins to blame the snake for giving her the fruit. Thing is God told both Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of good and evil. So they were both responsible for the decisions they both made. When we sin we try to hide because we know we were in the wrong or we were doing something we weren’t supposed to be doing.

Just like when a child breaks something, their immediate reaction is to blame their sibling instead of taking responsibility for their mistake. The child knew you told them to stop running around the house, so therefore they felt the need to hide behind their mistake knowing they were in the wrong.

You’re wondering how does this apply to my life? 

When we often commit sin in our lives, we choose to blame things or people for our mistakes. Instead of taking full responsibility for them. Before we get ready to sin, I feel as if God always gives us a way out. We sometimes listen to that little voice and sometimes we choose to the very sin we are told not to do. Sometimes at that very moment the pleasure that sin gives you seems worth it. But the truth is, that feeling that sin gives you, only last for moment and soon after you begin to have deep regrets about it. 

So is sin truly worth it??

The answer is NO!! The sin in our lives should never have a louder voice than God. The only way to hear God’s voice and have it become louder over your sin, all comes down to which spirit your feeding the most. If you’re wanting to hear God’s voice, you are going to need to make some changes in your life. Starting with spending more time in the word and with God, so you’re feeding the holy spirit.

As we start the week, ask yourself this question each day.  Is sin really worth it? The only way you will continue to learn and grow in Christ is to find out those problem areas in your life and to begin to work on them. You are not alone, we are all faced with sin but learning to listen to God’s voice above all else really makes the difference in our lives.

Self Reflection :

What problem areas do I have in my life?

What can I do to begin to work on those problem areas?

Photo Credit: Rob Strok

Have you ever wondered what makes a person unique or what makes a person tick?

Isn’t crazy how 7.3 billion people on this earth all have different fingerprints, smiles and dreams. Matthew 10:30-31 “ And the hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” God has created each and everyone of us to be unique and created us with a special purpose.

So why do we so often hide who we really are, instead of being what God has called us to be?

God has created so many unique gifts and talents within us. We should each be able to fulfill our special purpose on earth for Him. Like Jeremiah 1:5 says “ I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

It’s funny because the very failures we feel are holding us back, are what God is using to fulfill his purpose in us. When are we going to stop being afraid, and start sharing those talents like He intended for us.

All the failures, successes, dreams, likes and dislikes and your past experiences, make up who you are  today. Stop looking at failures as a disadvantage, look at as more of advantage. Just like how you should view the glass as half full instead of half empty. God knew exactly what He was doing when created you. Because God has called you out from the other’s to fulfill His purpose.

Which leads me ask this question…

How are you going to begin to fulfill his purpose for your life this year?

Photo Credit: Rob Strok

I hope everybody's 2016 is going great so far. We all know the saying, new year, new me right? It seems as if each year we say the same thing  but then we go back to our old habits, that we struggled with last year. Maybe there’s a reason for it…..

Have you ever truly thought about why sometimes we can’t keep those New Years resolutions for very long? The answer is simple, as I have discovered. It’s not just about saying it, but it’s about holding yourself accountable to those goals each and everyday. 

In 2 Corinthians 5:17 “ This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

This means forget your past sins, this a new year to become whole and right with Christ. Stop holding on to whatever happened last year, 2016 is a clean slate for you to start over.  Meaning leave all the problems, sin, bad attitudes and the old thought process in 2015. 2016’s slate is clean and is a brand new start for you.

So here are somethings I’m using to start my new year’s off right ..

1. Do a fast

It doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of food, you could fast from whatever takes up your time. Then give that extra time to God and watch your relationship with Him grow!

2. Write what you’re fasting from and what you hope to achieve by doing this and stick it on a board so you can see it everyday!

3. Make a vision board of all the things you want to accomplish this year or even what you’re working on this year to move closer to that accomplishment.

Remember make 2016 your year!! I hope you found this helpful in some way. Tell me what your goals are for 2016!

Love,

This Christian Girl

Photo Credit: Rob Strok

As we go into this new year one thing that has been weighing heavy on my heart is being content. Becoming content is the hardest lesson I’m learning right now. I’ve been feeling stressed and be honest sort of frustrated. 

For some odd reason I thought at the age of 21 I would have life all figured out. But as I started learning more about life and how it’s more of an uphill battle and not just a straight shot to the finish line, things have been becoming clearer to me.

 So I began looking at areas of my life, where I could start making changes? Instead of living in the moment and being content with where I was in life, I just complained. Looking back at that area of my life I found myself getting frustrated realizing just how much time I wasted.

So what exactly does contentment mean? Contentment means to be in state of peaceful happiness.

So yes that means being content with where you are in life, even though it’s not what you planned or even dreamed of. Just remember you are exactly where God wants you to be, I can’t stress that enough. There are lessons and trials that God wants you to go through first. I never quite understood that part of life until now.

Philippians 4:11- “ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

It’s not that God wants you to stay where you’re at, he wants for us to be grateful and to be content with where we are on our journey. Since God has shown this to me I have been working on this daily. 

Trust me it’s not easy, but I find myself smiling more throughout the day. The enemy will try to attack you at this time. Just remember to talk to God, ask him to keep your eyes focused on him and to let his light shine through you.

Here are a few questions to start helping you look at your life, and the areas you could change.

What areas in your life could you start making changes to become content with life?

What do you need to do to start making those changes?

Photo Credit: Rob Strok

Hey ladies! I know I haven't posted in a while; it's been a busy few weeks.

I will be honest with you guys; I don't like writing post without first talking to God about it. It is critical that I keep God at the center of this blog, which led me to write this post.

One of the things I noticed I've been struggling with lately has been putting God first in my life. As our lives become increasingly busier, the first thing we put on the back burner is God. Why is that?

So here are 5 easy steps to put God first....

1. As Soon As You Wake Up Pray!

I know for me the first thing I do when I hit the snooze button is check all my social media. But by starting your day with prayer, you're putting God first in your life.  It doesn't matter what time you pray, you just want to start your day with God.

2. Do A Devotional!

Whether it's 5 minutes or an hour, just spend some time reading more about Him and getting to know the Bible. Just like any other relationship you have to spend time cultivating it.

Here are some devotional's I use..

First 5 (Proverb 31 Ministries) app, Whole Magazine app

3. Talk To Him Throughout The Day!

Remember it doesn't have to be formal just let Him know you love Him, and that you are thankful for every blessing He has given to you.

4. Let Go And Let God!

Bring all your stress, worries and burdens to God. Remember this when praying, pray the solution or answer rather than praying the problem.

5. End Your Day With Prayer!

As you can tell by this point prayer is essential in any Christians life. Prayer is communication between you and God. Just like you talk your family and friends, God just wants you to talk to him.

Here are a few scriptures about prayer...

1 Thessalonians 3:10- Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.

Philippians 4:6-7- Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Jesus Christ.

Photo Credit: Rob Strok

Read: Matthew 14:22-33

          Keeping your eyes focused on the Lord when all chaos breaks out around you is the hardest thing for any Christian to do. Just imagine yourself surrounded by problems as tall as mountain, doubt and confusion are swirling around you like the winds of a hurricane. We start to worry about what's going on around us , and every type of question is popping into our head. Questions start coming up like these; Am I going to make it out ok? Is God even listening to my prayers? Where is God when I need him the most? How could He leave me alone? Why is this happening to me?

          I know for me these questions pop into my head continuously, but God reminds me of who He is. Finally I began to see the light at the end of this long dark tunnel. He reminded me of the story of Peter, if you don't remember or you haven't read the story of Peter that is something you should do right now Matthew 14:22-33.

          Many of us can relate to Peter, when our faith is strong when everything is going great. But what happens to our faith when problems begin to arise? Peter took his eyes off  Jesus when he saw the wind, and he became fearful and began sinking. Even one of Jesus' own disciple's took his Him of Jesus and became fearful when he saw the wind, I mean he was able to see all the great miracles Jesus did firsthand. So to help you in this time when you feel like your drowning in your problems, I will give you what God gave to me to put my focus back on Him.

          Keep your eyes focused on the Lord knowing that he is the Great I               Am.

          Keeping your eyes focused on the Lord for that is where you will find           strength and peace in the midst of the storm.

          Keep your eyes focused on the Lord for he gives you certainty in                   uncertainty.

          Keep your eyes focused on the Lord for this storm will past but only             by Faith.   

          Keep your eyes focused on the Lord for nothing happens in your life that God didn't let happen, to build you up strong  and to prepare you for the great things your father in heaven has in store you.

          You may be in a transitional period in your life, where he is breaking you down, but only rebuild you better than before, transforming you more in his image. I personally call this the "cocoon stage", but you will soon flourish into the beautiful butterfly you were made to be. As you go through many more problems where you feel like your drowning and you're calling out for God to save you just like Peter. 

          Just remember this one thing if nothing else, God is reaching out his hand to you.The funny thing is that  God never left your side, you just need to take your eyes off the wind and mountains and focus on Him again and you will see you were safely in  His arms the entire time. Just like He told Peter " You of little faith," " why did you doubt?". It's  crazy how in Matthew 14:32 as Peter got back into the boat, the winds stop that's how the enemy works. The enemy will do everything in his power to distract you from God.

          When He explained this to me it explained so much of what was happening in my life , and that it was all happening for a reason. Those problems weren't as tall as mountains anymore; they were more like hills, and the winds that felt like a hurricane became more of a soft breeze. 

Blog Post Photo: Rob Strok