iShineInMinistry

This week's devotion is from one of my favorite little middle schoolers, Dasia. She is filled with the love of God and quite wise beyond her years! Hope you enjoy reading this post as much as I did!! Happy #TheCharmedLife Sunday!

"And whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not human masters."

Colossians 3:23 NIV

I'm in middle school, and I love to do everything. And by everything, I mean everything! I've always love being part of sports, clubs, and the many things that come with school. I love that feeling of pride and involvement that comes with it, and the awesome people I get to meet. But this summer, I went to a Christian sports camp with my sister and friends and it really changed my view of doing things in my life. I learned how to compete and involve every part of my life to God, no matter what I do. If you ask me the word I heard the most all summer, it's the word wholeheartedly.

Before camp, I never would've even known exactly what that word means. But now, I know exactly. Sure, there are definitions of the word on Google and things like that; but in my book, it means putting everything you have into something for God. I feel that if God didn't show me camp and this verse of the Bible, I never would've learned to give everything I possibly possess. I didn't realize that I was really doing things halfheartedly in a lot of parts of my life. I need to put my blood and tears into things like Jesus did on the cross. And I'm not just talking about sports, work, and activities. I'm talking about life and Christianity.

Put all of your energy and heart into whatever you do for Him. He's going to show you a different outlook on everything, and it's all part of His plan. I get distracted and sidetracked from God a lot, but I know focusing my heart on Him and praising Him for everything can lead you to so many new things. So be a light to your coworkers, or classmates, or team and show them what God can show you…and find what God wants you to find in yourself.

Psalm 32:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

There have been so many life-altering transitions over the last two months. God is really shaking me up, making sure that my eyes stay on Him and I don’t get too comfortable anywhere. As I continue to get settled in my new job, new apartment and other changes around me, I realize that I am not quite sure this is it for me (again – oh my stars!). Do you ever get those unsettled feelings, like God is telling you, “This isn’t it either?” How does your heart respond in those moments?

Right now, I am mostly walking through each day, allowing Him to handle what’s right in front of me at the moment. I am surrounded by quite a few unsaved people, most of whom I can figure out with regard to motives. As I discern how to react, move forward and respond, all I can do is pray and trust. If you find yourself in this “interim” season as well, here is what we can all do as we walk with Jesus.

Pray that God leads us on the path He has and that we follow the directives He is giving. Trust that if things turn out differently than what we hoped or thought, He is still faithful. Remember that there are things that will happen that we do not understand, but He does and He is always going before us.

Now, with that said…how do we actually let this play out in our lives without teeth-grinding during sleep at night, stress eating or getting anxiety during the day when things seem uncertain? Well, the true answer is…sometimes we can’t. Some days will be great and we will be filled with trust, joy and expectancy. Other days, we will just want to throw in the towel, eat cake and hope for the best. We are allowed to have these feelings and process through the emotions and thoughts that crowd (and cloud) our minds. We all know that everyone has their moments of, “Why is this my season? Can it not be?”

David had his seasons as he was being chased by Saul and challenged by his own son, Absalom. Abraham had his seasons as he hoped for a son…and then had to take that promised son to the altar of sacrifice. Elizabeth and Hannah endured that season as they were literally barren and dismayed. Everyone has these seasons…no one is exempt.

This week, I encourage all of us to write down everything before bedtime. Every thought, hope, dream, desire, rant, annoyance…everything that is reeling. Then, surrender it to the Lord each night and keep giving it back to Him (no matter how many times it takes) and press forward so that we can keep living #thecharmedlife and giving all glory to God, no matter what comes our way! Have a wonderfully blessed week.

Hearts and Hugs,

Jacquelynn Marie

Psalm 121:7-8

"The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore."

Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

1 Samuel 2:35 (NKJV)

Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who shall do according to what is in My heart and in My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever.

I am currently reading the book of Jeremiah and the thought that keeps coming to mind is how many scriptures from that book we commit to memory. In our eyes, when we think about this prophet’s life, we genuinely say that Jeremiah was faithful and devoted to the Lord. He did great things for the Lord and proclaimed the truth no matter what. We strive to be like many of the people in the Bible; but as we truly think about how Jeremiah’s life played out…why do we place so much pressure on ourselves and our ministries to measure success by numbers and what we call results?

Jeremiah did not have one single person repent and turn to the Lord. He faithfully followed the Lord and ended up in a gross, underground “home” as Israel continued to disobey. When we speak to people and ask them how many they have led to the Lord, do we judge if we hear the number zero, but see genuine faithfulness in their life? Also, do we think lower of someone when we hear they have been in prison? If Jeremiah lived today and was a pastor…would you attend his church after you heard report of him?

I think our focus and thoughts need to shift. The main priority should be obedience to God; then, let Him decide what the results should look like in the end. We think success is measured by higher scores, higher numbers and what we perceive to be “higher callings”. This is not at all the way the Lord thinks. Let’s shift what we think a good ministry or faithful Christian life looks like and let our thoughts match up with what the word of God says. Remember, the faithful church in Revelation had just “ a little strength” and that was all it needed to be in the will of God and sincerely serve in spirit and truth. I hope and pray that we will do the same as we lived #TheCharmedLife.

Deuteronomy 5:32 (NASB)

"So you shall observe to do just as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right or to the left.

Revelation 3:8 (NKJV)

“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

Exodus 33:14

“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

A few weeks ago, while I sat on the floor praying in a church I gave the Lord complete and free reign over whatever plans He has for me. I said, “take everything away, even my ‘safety accounts’ if need be so that I can fully and completely trust, follow and obey.” In turn, my life has become one thing…totally unpredictable! I had to say no to another job in non-profit and I am now sitting in a temp role that seems to be a much slower pace than I’m used to. Ironically, I was doing more when I was not working at all - hahaha! It’s funny how the Lord works.

The reason I felt it would be great to share this with you is because I’m sure there are some of you in the “in between” wondering what the world is going on with your current life situation. While I do like the fact that I cannot depend on myself at all during this time, I sure would like to have some kind of inkling as to what could be in my potential future. Once again, the Lord has left me with two clues, recurring scripture and a promise that He has been giving me for over two years. Now, I do love a fabulous surprise as much as the next girl…but I would like to get to the “tada” or pot of gold at the end of this rainbow, joy-filled life He has me living right now.

Sometimes as we live #TheCharmedLife with God, we get fun, favorable moments and great little perks as we wait for Him to show us the way. However, we may begin to start to wonder when exactly we will know how to move or take the next step of faith. We know He’s there…He keeps giving us lovely gifts and promises to remind us; but we can’t quite figure out where this is all going to end up. Can I just tell you, ride out the wave and be okay when He gives you a little down time. Calm down, pray more, praise more and just let Him do what He wants to do…we know we won’t regret His plans in the end; but we may regret our actions if we step ahead of what He’s doing.

Take this time to enjoy the good and perfect gifts from the Father of Lights and stop trying so hard to “be” anything just so that you can have some kind of “title” or false security and comfort. You already have the most important title that you need…daughter of the King. Rest in that joy, stay faithful and see what He will do!

Hearts and Hugs,

Jacquelynn Marie

Psalm 62:5

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God: my hope comes from him.”

Psalm 116:7

“Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.”

Job 6:8 (NIV)

“Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for,

Do you ever have those moments where you know exactly what you’d like to be doing, but you just do not know how or where to begin? Are you bursting with ideas, hopes and plans without a “starting block” to begin at? Many of us find ourselves in these moments quite often…maybe even daily if you have a project-oriented job/ministry. Our creativity and joy to make things amazing for God’s glory seems to be at a loss; what is a girl to do?

Currently, I have been making Pinterest boards, lists and mini-game plans to get my new life adventure sorted out. I have a general timeline of how I think I should get things in motion…it’s obviously dependent upon God’s ultimate timeline, but I at least have an idea of where He is leading.

What things do you do to get your thoughts in order? Do you set aside a day to pray and fast? Do you make lists and check them twice? Do you have an accountability partner that reminds you to stay the course that you feel God has placed you on? You (and I) need to make some kind of effort to keep our lives and this journey moving according to the vision God has given us for this season of our charmed life with God.

This week as we continue “Pray May” take time to pray through the dreams and ideas that you have and what God’s actual plan for your life. You may have to surrender a few things and tell God that He can take them away if it’s not His will…are you ready for that? If not, make sure to pray for a yielded, obedient heart and a steadfast spirit that truly trusts that God’s plan is better than ours.

Psalm 16:8 (NIV)

I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.