~ Your Will, Lord ~

I am so thankful for my small Bible study group of young women! Hearing these girls, some are only 12 years old, share what God is teaching them from His Word blesses my heart. They are learning to become young women who say "yes" to God. In this day and age it can be extremely difficult. I am living proof of that! But is so necessary to live a full and abundant life. 

Last night we discussed how we know when God is speaking and how to discern if what we are hearing is God's voice. Going through this lesson with them was exactly what I needed! Though I committed to be a woman who says "yes" to God a couple of years ago, I needed to be reminded of this again. As I struggle with an area in my own life, desiring nothing less than God's will, I needed to be reminded that God will show me His way. What a huge reminder that its not always easy saying "yes" to God. Sometimes saying "yes" to God means saying "no" to other things in our lives and are we truly willing to give up our wants to be obedient and in line with God's will?

Wow! That's a lot to swallow! 

So, today, I bring my burdens and lay them at the feet of Christ. Surrendering, yet again, my will. Yes, it's still difficult for me to do but deep down knowing that when I release control God's mighty power moves! 

I will immerse myself in His Word for guidance.

I will kneel at his feet as I listen and pray.

I will look for his messages that He confirms all around me.

I will praise him for his sovereignty.

I will thank him for the journey.

AND

I will give him glory and honor his GREAT name!

So today, sweet Father, I say "yes" to you! All glory and honor are YOURS!

"This commandment that I'm commanding you today isn't too much for you, it's not out of your reach. It's not on a high mountain—you don't have to get mountaineers to climb the peak and bring it down to your level and explain it before you can live it. And it's not across the ocean—you don't have to send sailors out to get it, bring it back, and then explain it before you can live it. No. The word is right here and now—as near as the tongue in your mouth, as near as the heart in your chest. Just do it! Look at what I've done for you today: I've placed in front of you Life and Good Death and Evil. And I command you today: Love God, your God. Walk in his ways. Keep his commandments, regulations, and rules so that you will live, really live, live exuberantly, blessed by God, your God, in the land you are about to enter and possess."

Deuteronomy 30:11-16 (MSG)

The "New Normal"

Bombings

Earthquakes

School Shootings

Campus Lockdowns

Nuclear Threats

Bombings, earthquakes, school shootings, nuclear threats, campus lockdowns.

Just the sound of that makes me think of some epic film with people lining up at midnight for the grand opening show and lots sold out theaters. A major blockbuster movie with lots of action and excitement and a star studded cast known for their dare devil stunts and heroic acts. Yes, if this were ONLY a movie! But in reality, this is life on this earth we inhabit. Events so surreal that we wish it were only on the big screen. But then we realize....this is our "new normal".

What a stark reminder of the fallen world that we live in.

Since 2:50 Monday afternoon, my phone has been inundated with message alerts of breaking news and Internet and news headlines have been plastered with bloody images of a domestic war zone. Social media has been overloaded with prayers and well wishes and questions of "why?" and "who?" are on everyone's hearts. Conversations at the office and around town have all been centered around our "new normal". It's horrible, it's unthinkable, but sadly, it's reality!

The main thought on my heart is...this is not my home. My home will be in eternity with my Jesus! What glorious hope!

All I know is I'm not home yet

This is not where I belong

Take this world and give me Jesus

This is not where I belong

The lyrics of this popular song, by Building 429, have been resonating in my soul today and I am thankful that I have the confidence that I WILL spend eternity with my Savior in glory. There will be no more fear, no more crying, no more sorrow. It will be joy with my Jesus forevermore!

Over and over throughout the last 24 hours, God has so sweetly reminded me, in the midst of the devastating news, that He is still on his throne, He is still in control, He still heals, He still brings comfort, He still loves, and He still SAVES!

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

John 10:10 (NKJV)

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

John 16:33 (NLT)

So tonight, I stand on the promises of God's Word! His love and comfort permeate my soul and I give praise to him, praise for His presence in the midst of this storm. He is here and He is in control!

"My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

Psalm 121:2 (NIV)

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

“The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him."

Exodus 15:2 (NIV)

"The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad."

Psalm 118:24 (NIV)

"Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”

Isaiah 12:2 (NIV)

Beginning My Journey of Saying "YES" To God!

Saying "yes" to God doesn't mean a life of rules and boredom. Saying "yes" to God is a life of freedom and adventure. No, it's not always easy but it's always worth every second of giving your all to the very One who gave his all for you. 

This is the blog I wrote a couple of years ago shortly after I began my journey of saying "yes" to God. I cannot even begin to explain all the amazing things God has taught me along the way. But I can tell you that I will NEVER go back! This is my life and it all belongs to HIM! 

I hope it blesses your heart..............

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I just love those times when the Holy Spirit prompts me to stop what I am doing and spend more time with him! This week has been one of those weeks when I have changed my plans many times to give my undivided attention to my awesome Lord! Sure things on my “to-do” list may not have been completed but I can tell you my soul has been nourished. From what I have received from those quiet times crying over the beautiful promises in God’s Word, my soul desperately needed that sweet nourishment.

For many months now, God has really been doing a work in my life. I felt as though he has been preparing me for changes to come but not quite knowing what he had in store. I have felt his presence so strong in leading me in new territories. I have asked Matt and a few close friends to pray that I would be open and obedient to what God had in store. Along this journey, he has called me to a time of “radical obedience”. You know when you hear either one of those words by themselves, they are pretty powerful but when put together it raises the meaning to a whole new level. Webster’s defines “radical” as “fundamental, extreme” and the word “obedience” as “submissive compliance”. Wow, put that together and you get “fundamental and extreme submissive compliance”. Okay, that just made obeying pretty serious!

As the Lord has tugged at my heart about this radical obedience it has not come without some resistance on my part. Just being honest here! Anything that goes against what feels comfortable usually tends to have some resistance, and I can assure you that some of the areas that God is directing me are definitely out of my comfort zone. But you know, comfort leads to complacency and I don’t ever want to get complacent in my walk with God! I want to continue growing in my spiritual life. I want to mature and have God mold and shape me even more. I have discovered that growth in Christ is not looking for comfort and complacency, but looking for purpose and perspective, God’s perspective! This week especially, I have seen Satan trying to keep my perspective at a place where it could be discouraged because of trials and challenges at bay. But praise be to God for his Word! His Word says to glory in our sufferings!

Romans 5:3-4 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

So long Satan! God’s Word is powerful and such a source of encouragement! God uses our times of suffering and trial to equip us for the journey ahead. The end result is hope! As God has so evidently called me to a time of radical obedience I know that the focus of my mind and my heart will shape the decisions and the actions that I take. So how do I keep my focus on him?

Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

My mind needs to stay steadfast in him and him alone! I have a choice. I can wake up each morning and dread what is in front of me or I can wake up and choose obedience! I don’t know all that God is calling me to do just yet. He is revealing those things in his time, not mine. This is his journey for me and I am just a willing vessel to be used for his glory! Scared as the road may seem sometimes, he will go with me. He will never call us to do his will without equipping for the journey and staying with us every step of the way! So I am in for the long haul….radical obedience!

Lord, today I choose to accept the tasks you have for me because I desire a life sold-out for you.Today, I say, “YES” to you! God, keep my focus on you alone so that I can complete the work to further your Kingdom. I choose to say, “Yes” even when my flesh wants to say “no”. I choose to persevere when times get tough and challenges seem overwhelming. I choose to trust you when the task seems uncomfortable. Lord, I choose you because there is hope! Lord, I choose you because I love you!

Allison

~ It's Not About Me ~

Self promotion = Jesus' demotion

Lord, help me to remember that this life is NOT about me. I am here for your glory. I want to display your splendor and speak your praises! I desire to lay down my life, pick up my cross, and follow you! I love you my Lord and Savior and this life I live is ALL about YOU!

"He must increase, but I must decrease."

John 3:30 (NKJV)

'Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."

Luke 9:23 (NIV)

~ YES! We are 'that' couple! ~

I love talking about my husband any chance I get! He is my best friend and love of my life. Our times together are precious whether on a date or sitting at home. I love how he makes me smile like no other and how the butterflies still gather in my stomach when he picks me up for a date.

One day as I was sharing a story about him to a friend. She stopped for a moment as she saw how I lit up talking about him and said, "Oh, y'all are 'that' couple." I wasn't quite sure what she meant but with the roll of her eyes and her nodding head, she proceeded to tell me that we were "that couple" who actually enjoy each other’s presence and "gooey love" stuff. Well, I took that as a compliment and began to ponder on the qualities that make us "that couple". Here are some of those:

We are the couple that enjoys spending quiet moments together at the end of a crazy day.

We are the couple that still loves to hold hands walking down the road.

We are the couple that finishes each other’s sentences.

We are the couple that leaves sweet comments on social media that cause my niece to roll her eyes.

We are the couple that slow dances in the kitchen even when there is no music.

We are the couple that puts our relationship second only to our relationship with Christ.

We are the couple that enjoys "grossing out" our children by stealing a kiss any chance we can.

We are the couple that still writes love notes to each other and hides them under pillows.

We are the couple that can find romance on a beautiful Caribbean cruise or even in a messy house after a tiring week.

We are the couple that gets teary-eyed while reminiscing about our dating memories.

We are the couple that still writes, "I ❤ U" on post-it notes and leave them on the bathroom mirror.

We are the couple that looks toward our golden years and hopes to be like the sweet elderly couple we saw walking hand in hand on the beach.

We are the couple that laughs at each other’s corny jokes because we actually think they are funny.

We are the couple that falls in love with each other over and over again every time we look at our children.

We are the couple that sees our wedding covenant as a sacred blessing even after 21 years of marriage.

We are the couple that joins hands and hearts as we pray together to our awesome God.

We are the couple that studies God's Word together for wisdom navigating our marriage and family.

We are the couple that understands that Christ has to remain the center of our marriage as we are one in him.

We are the couple that still says, “for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, till death parts us."

Yes, we are that couple! We will have it no other way and we give all glory to God! 

"My beloved is mine, and I am his..."

Song of Solomon 2:16a (KJV)

~ BIG NEWS ~

Wow! Next month I will be turning 40! I know, for most people, that may sound like a death sentence, but for me, I'm actually excited. Yes, it's true!  The BIG 40!!!

Today, The Lord brought to my heart a real desire to help a dear family as they are in the "paper-pregnancy" phase of bringing home a sibling set of 7 children from the Philippines. You saw that correctly.....S E V E N!! Now this is already in addition to their 3 biological children and 3 other adopted children. This family is truly an inspiration to me and our family. They love The Lord and are committed to being obedient to God in bringing home these precious children. Of course, the cost is extremely high, as we know personally. The cost of adopting a child is astronomical and when you multiply that by 7 children it is overwhelming. But the beauty and blessing of obedience in adopting a child far outweighs any cost because with God ALL things are possible! 

Here's the 40-40-40 plan:

What God has laid on my heart is to begin tonight and continue over the next 40 days, till my 40th birthday, to raise money to help this precious  family.  I am asking for those of you that know me, love me or even just like me a little (haha!) prayerfully consider making a $40 donation, in honor of my 40th birthday, to the Bestul family. My goal is to get AT LEAST 40 people to donate that $40. 

40 days....... 40 people ......... $40 

I know that $40 is a huge commitment and maybe even to someone you don't know, but please know that this is money to bring hope to the lives of 7 children who have already been through more in their short lives than we may ever have to deal with. I know tis family. They love Jesus, they love His Word, and they love the orphans! 

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

James 1:27 (NIV)

Ok, so here's how you can donate:

Checks can be made out directly to:

"Christian Adoption Services"

Please write their names in the memo field to ensure it is applied towards their adoption: "Dustin & Andrea Bestul's Adoption"

Mail to:

Christian Adoption Services

624-134 Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

Their phone number is: 704-847-0038

ONLINE DONATION INFO: Christian Adoption Services Website for Donations

http://christianadopt.org

and selecting DONATE NOW

Please write "Dustin and Andrea Bestul's Adoption" in the purpose box to make sure the funds are credited towards their adoption.

All donations are tax-deductible! 

If you donate that way please message me and let me know so I can keep up with all the generous donors and send a sweet "Thank You". 

Thank you so much for prayerfully considering this huge endeavor God has called me to! I am confident that we can see at least 40 people donate and maybe even more! NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!

Lastly, here is the link to the Bestul Family blog. Please take some time and get to know this amazing family and I know you will love them just as much as we do! 

http://thebestulfamily.blogspot.com/

Thanks for making my 40th birthday the BEST ever! All for the glory of God! 

(And please feel free to share this as well!)

Blessings for bringing home the orphans~

Allison 

~ Breaking News ~

Yesterday around 1:00 I received 3 breaking news alerts on my phone from FOX, ABC, & NBC. I thought it was something major like an earthquake, bombing, or something life altering. Well, it just so happens that it was news that Jay Leno will be leaving the "Tonight Show" in 2014 & Jimmy Fallon will be taking over. So disheartening to know that is what is considered "breaking news" in our society.

Now true life-altering, breaking news would have been if on Sunday they would have reported the AMAZING news that "JESUS IS ALIVE!"

That has real merit!

~ Love Him With All Your Heart ~

I received a phone call last night from a sweet friend who has been struggling through a difficult

situation in her life. This phone call was completely different than the one I received from her a few weeks ago when she was sobbing and desperate for hope. As I prayed with her that night, she wept because her circumstances seemed hopeless and God felt far away. I encouraged her that night to begin reading the Word and making time to spend time with God. I gave her a book that was near to my heart about being a woman after God's heart.

Well, last night even though she is still in the midst of this trial, her voice sounded lighter and there was a difference. I asked her what was different and she said that her relationship with The Lord was growing stronger. She had not realized how much she was neglecting her time with The Lord. Yes, she would read a scripture and go to church. She would even read through devotions she would get online. But, the difference was now she was being intentional about spending time with her Heavenly Father. She is searching the scripture, she is feasting on his Word, she is looking for his guidance, and she is enjoying his presence! Hallelujah! 

You see, her storm is still active but she has found hope! The hope that comes from finding Jesus in the midst of the storm. She isn't focused on the storm because she is redirecting her focus on her Jesus! Wow! That is powerful! 

God can take your mess and turn it into a beautiful message! That is what he is doing in this precious friend's life. She's got it! It's all about HIM! 

My desire is to see more and more women find that passion for Christ! Don't let it take a traumatic situation in your life to bring you to this passion. Start today to be intentional about spending time at the feet of your Jesus. Enjoy his presence and soak in his glory! Feast on the pages of scripture for nourishment! Love him with all your heart and serve him only! 

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."

Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)

~ Empty Me ~

Precious Father, 

Today, I come before you in thanksgiving for all you are! You are life and breath I long to praise you! 

I pray that you empty me of everything thing that gets in the way of my relationship with you. Every hindrance, every prideful thought, every sin that entangles, every selfish ambition, every fear that cripples, every complaint, any and every thing that keeps me from focusing on you and your will. 

Fill me with your Spirit and let your grace and mercy flow from every fiber of my being. Let my lips speak only of your praise and my heart be full of joy. Let those who I encounter today, sense your presence and long to know you more, love you more, and praise you more. 

May my life be a living testimony of your unconditional love and forgiveness. You are my Lord, my Savior, my Redeemer, my Provider, my Healer, my Comforter, my EVERYTHING, and today is all about YOU!

In the mighty name of Jesus I pray,  AMEN and AMEN!

Stop Doubting and Believe!

What a blessed day it was! Easter Sunday is such a time of celebration as we praise our Risen Savior! The whole weekend was a time to focus on the ultimate love of our Jesus as he suffered and died for us but then conquered death and the grave and rose again! It literally makes me want to shout! I love this special weekend and I think that most of us can say the same things.

Now that Easter Sunday has come to a close for this year, what do we do now? I was studying through scripture as all the disciples began to see Jesus after his resurrection; it says, “they were overjoyed” (John 20:20). As you read a little further and realize that Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus appeared, you can almost hear the conversation as the disciples began telling Thomas what had happened. I have to chuckle a little as I can imagine Thomas’ response to the disciples telling him that Jesus was alive! There was probably some “NO WAY!” or “Ya’ll are crazy!” (by the use of ya’ll, I’m assuming Thomas was southern like me! Ha-ha!)

Of course, scripture records Thomas as saying in John 20:25

“Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

No wonder he is nicknamed “Doubting Thomas”. He earned that nickname! Lol! Oh, but the best part is yet to come as a week later and the disciples were all hanging out at the house and Jesus comes through the door. Now, mind you, Jesus could have knocked on the door that was locked, but instead he came through the door…that was locked and looked at Thomas and said,

“Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 

John 20:26-27

 I love it!

Though Thomas had been with Jesus before his crucifixion just as the other disciples, and had listened to all that Jesus told him would happen, he still did not believe it. He wanted physical proof that it was Jesus before he believed. But as Jesus walked right through that locked door and stood before him he told Thomas “Stop doubting and believe.” Awesome!

Thomas no more doubted that it was Jesus, NO; instead he looked at Jesus and said, “My Lord and my God!” He knew it was his Lord! And as Jesus looked at this disciple, this friend that walked so closely with him, he said,

“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29

What struck me about all this, is if Thomas could doubt even after walking all that time with Jesus, knowing Jesus as he did, how many now still doubt Jesus? We have his Word, we know the whole story, and we know what happens at the end! We say, Yes! Jesus is alive! But how many times do we doubt his presence in our lives? How many times do we ask, “Where is he?” “Are you there, Lord?”

Well, my friend, Jesus is ALIVE! Jesus is here and active! He says right here in scripture that

 “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

It is time to put away doubts, get into God’s Word, and spend time talking and listening to your Savior! His love for us is so great! It is hard for me to fathom the vastness of his love for me, but I know that he stretched out his arms and died for me, rose again, and IS alive and active in my life! Hallelujah!

Easter Sunday is over but a new day is here and life to be lived for our Risen Savior! Celebrate this life that he sacrificed for! There is so much to do! Souls out there that don’t know, don’t believe that we can share the good news to! The time has come!

I pray that you all have an awesome week of celebrating and serving our Lord! And in the words of my Jesus…”STOP DOUBTING AND BELIEVE!”