iShineInMinistry

This week, as we begin the month of November, each iSparkle website will feature the same devotion. As women that serve in full-time ministry, I think we need this wonderfully amazing reminder...enjoy!

Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)

The Lord your God is in your midst…

I'm not sure if you realize this or not, but you truly live the charmed life when your heart is completely surrendered to the Lord. Having your eyes firmly planted on Jesus allows you to walk through life, day in and day out, filled with joy...just waiting for Him to show up in every circumstance. It's almost as if nothing the enemy does can take your eyes off the lover of your soul!

I realized this as I kept encountering moments that could be seen as inconvenient. I know that I could do one of two things: grumble and complain or not sweat the small stuff and remember that God is ALWAYS in control. Let me just tell you on days when I have chosen the former, my attitude can quickly go south, but in days when I chose the latter, everything was a blessing and I found God giving me glimpses of His glory at every single turn.

Each day we have the chance to look for those ways that we live the charmed life...I encourage you to change your outlook this week by doing the following:

1) Look for the Majesty and Glory of the Lord throughout your day: I have the privilege of walking everywhere since I live in New York...can I just tell you I find myself smiling at the sky quite often as I look at His creation or sweet little babies in strollers? God's beauty is literally EVERYWHERE!

2) Look For Ways to Change Your Outlook: Did you have to work late today? Great, God is allowing His provision through the gifts and talents He has given to you. Did you get sick and can't seem to get out of bed? Fantastic! You needed some extra rest and now you have a little extra down time to read that devotion you skipped over yesterday. Is everything around you crumbling and you just can't find a way out? Maybe you have faith like Job and God knows that you are the one that will be faithful and loyal to praise Him no matter what your circumstances...there is always a better outlook when we aren't looking at ourselves only.

3) Find Your Joy: My newest joy is singing in the shower and I have a playlist for it! It's filled with some of my favorite Christian music and some random songs mixed in between. I sing at the top of my lungs and try to take in the words that I'm singing about the glory, power and faithfulness of my Lord and Savior. This is particularly fun on days that I've had crazy mayhem at work...which is most days. Those seem to be the times I sing louder and praise the Lord more (my poor roommates have to hear me singing!). When we are singing about the goodness of the Lord, it's harder to focus in on the things that are driving us crazy, because our hearts are enamored with Him. Do you know Who you belong to?

Do you know the promises He has for you? Do you know that no one can take that away from you...unless you let them? If you (and I) know these things we need to stop being down in the dumps and act like highly favored women that belong to the Creator of the universe. He is our rock, our refuge, our strength, our friend, our husband, our Savior and our Redeemer. How could we not live the charmed life with God on our side? Please remember that and be joyful always!!

You, little miss, live the chromed life; now go out there and act like it. Sparkle for Him and be a light to this dying world!

Hearts and Hugs,

Jacquelynn Marie

Luke 1:28 (NKJV)

…“Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”…