Knowing the Bible and knowing the Author are two very different things

So in continuation, to building  a strong relationship with God we all have to make an effort to the the second step: reading the word! This is probably the step that is the most important yet challenging for people because the bible can be complicated and difficult to understand. I know that in my life, reading the bible was something that didn't catch my interest all that much. I didn't understand it, I ultimately thought it was the most boring thing I could have ever laid my eyes on. Naturally, this is the reality that most people face when it comes to reading the word of God. This really has to change! It's pretty sad seeing how lost this generation can be when they have the answers right in front of them. We tend to ask where is God, why can't I hear Him? Why doesn't He answer me? And I can only imagine Him standing in front of you scratching his head and pointing to the bible. These are His words, promises and answers to you. The bible is something that I've learned has an answer to everything and I mean EVERYTHING. But for you to obtain these answers you just have to take the time to read it. And I mean really read it, not just skimming through it 1, 2, 3 and you're done. I mean setting a time and forgetting about everything else in this world that worries you and meditating on HIS word for you. Thinking about what you're reading, and applying every promise and every word for comfort to your life. His word is meant to change you, and it will.

"Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do." -Joshua 1:8

It literally it says that if you meditate on the word, meaning going deeper into it's meaning and OBEY...that's a big one, that you will succeed in ALL that you do. I don't know about you but I want to succeed in everything I do. God gave the world the key to succeeding. How amazing is that? But how can we know of Gods promises for our lives if we can't spend time getting to know Him in the word that He himself has given us. I think its time that we develop a hunger and a passion for the word. Not in a way that is selfish, as to only acquire things such as blessing and success, but to really get to know and fall in LOVE with our Creator. Everything else will fall into place if you seek God. One of the things that has helped me fall in love with the word of God is starting by the book of Matthew. Reading all about Jesus, there's something about falling in love with the Son that makes you want to go back and read about times before the Son. It honestly makes you want to know why they call him Son of David and all of his descents. Reading the gospel will open a whole new desire to reading times before Jesus. You can relate to the Old Testament believe it or not, they were waiting for a messiah to come, aren't we waiting for Him to come back too?

"Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world."- James 4:8

So if you really make the decision that you want to be closer to God, and that you want to go deeper in your relationship with Him, I encourage you to fall in love with the word. Let there be a passion ignited within you that desires to know more.

My people perish from a lack of knowledge. - Hosea 4: 6

LOVE - MICHELLE

Fear....a Trust Issue?

  I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only one out there who's been afraid. Afraid of a multitude of things in this lifetime. Personally, I was so hooked on fear that it was starting to dominate over me, not letting me live my life the way I should. Now that's taking it too far I think. Of course, nobody's perfect and I'm still afraid of things such as public speaking (everyone's usually surprised by this one), but its something that I trust God will deliver me from slowly, but surely.
     But if there's something that I've learned over time it's that fear is a trust issue. Yeah, that sounds kind of weird right? Let me explain. I've come to realize that when you are afraid and fearful, it is because you aren't trusting God with the issue. There's this little thing called having faith, which is something that lacks if you are allowing fear to control your life.To overcome fear is to surrender it all to God. Like it says in  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 Christ Jesus."

    If you allow God to take control of your fear then what makes you think He won't? He will give you that overwhelming peace that surpasses all of our understanding. Who doesn't want that?! I mean really? But we have to understand that there are implications to this. God wants you to do your part too! Don't just wait around for Him to make your feelings of fear magically disappear. It doesn't work that way. You have to make an effort yourself to be more trusting of God, meaning you have to seek Him, and get to know Him for who He really is; a loving Father!

There are a few things that I think really help you to overcome fear. 

1) Prayer
If you haven't experienced the power of prayer, I encourage you to go deeper. Dedicate time to this because prayer is the key in this battle. God promises us in Matthew 7.7 :

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you."

Put it into practice and be amazed by Gods glory! I dare you.

2) Read the Word
This one seems like a no brainer.  Read the word and you can really learn a lot about Jesus and the Father. But something that I've come to realize is that the enemy has NO new tricks. So recognizing the attack of the enemy against your life gives you an advantage and an opportunity to use the word to overcome.

3) Counsel
Put up your hand if you've ever been that type of person who thought they could do everything on their own without needing anyone's help. Yeah I was that person for far too long. I'm almost 100% sure that God put people on this planet so that we could help each other out and flee from isolation. So tell someone you trust about what you're going through; someone who is on higher spiritual grounds than you are. I promise you, God will use them to give you words of comfort and wisdom.

4) Worship  
Chains are broken during worship.  Its a time where you can completely let go of whats bothering you, and wholeheartedly give it up to God. Worship is a time to set an atmosphere to let the Holy Spirit do His work. Surrender it all and trust God!

    Essentially what I want is for you all to walk in the freedom that Jesus has given us. His love overcomes all things, and He is GREATER than any and every fear that exists. So why not go out on a limb and surrender all fear within you up to Jesus? There's really nothing to lose. All you do is gain! Learn to trust God with everything that you are, every inch of your being; all fears included, and walk out in the love that is Christ. I pray that God will set you free of all fear that is trying to dominate over your life, and that the love and peace of God may just overflow in your lives! 

Written by Michelle♡