Pain's Purpose

Do you ever wonder why God brings pain into your life? Death in the family, divorce, doubt, disappointment, and failure to succeed. These are all examples of problems that we face in this world. However, do you ever wonder what if my pain has a purpose? What if the pain that I endure brings God glory. Many times I question and wonder why something happens the way it does and than later on I realize hmmm maybe God does have a plan for me after all. C.S. Lewis said, "Pain is God's megaphone." It is God's way of waking us up. All He wants is for us to want and desire fellowship with Him. I love reading the Message Bible and I love the way it said this verse, Jeremiah 29:13 "When you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you want be disappointed." Our God has a plan. A plan that surpasses all of our understandings. Romans 5:3-5 says "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that sufferings produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." God sent his Son to die on the cross for YOU and ME, so that we may live. He gave the ultimate sacrifice, so that one day we will no longer have pain. Praise the Lord that in heaven there will be no more pain and sorrow. Our God is greater!! Today, I pray that you will give it all to him. He already knows what your going through, so just let him take control. 

Jesus says "Come to me all who are weak and weary and I will give you rest." Matthew 11: 28

Shine Your Light

Just a challenge for the day:
"If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?" Galations 2:14

Can people tell that you are different? Can they tell who/whom you follow? The Lord wants ALL to know that we follow him, the one true living God. This is just a challenge for Christians to always live to honor and glorify Him. Let his light shine.

"This Little Light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine let it shine let it shine let it shine."

New Experiences

Over the past month my life has slightly changed. Not in a bad way, just experiencing a lot of new things. A New job, new apartment, new discoveries, new bed time, new memories, and so many other things that have recently came my way. Last month I moved back to Starkville and what an experience it has been. The day before I came back I found out that I was diagnosed with Celiac disease. I had no idea what that meant, but thankfully my dietitian did. Unfortunately, it means I am allergic to food with gluten in it (rye, barley, and wheat). So for those of you who know me well that means I can no longer make quick McDonald runs. However, praise the Lord that there are so many alternative foods. I have recently fallen in love with Crunch N Munch, Flinestones Sherbert Push Pops, Chex Gluten Free Cereal, and so many other interesting foods. I am also so blessed and thankful to have friends who continuously send me Gluten Free Recipes and who bake me Gluten Free goodies. I also LOVE having a friend who has the same problem as me. It has been such a blessing to have her and let her teach me the ins and outs. For those of you out there who have Celiac too, call me we can learn together! During this month, the Lord has taught me so much about his Love. I have been amazed that He continues to give and give. He has taught me to trust him and he will provide. Although there are some days when I just don't understand and wanna give up, I am forever grateful that there is Father who says He will NEVER leave or forsake me. I pray that today no matter what you are going through that you will Trust in Him. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understandings in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight."

Thank you Fen for my cupcake Recipe

http://www.endlesssimmer.com/2009/05/27/cupcake-rampage-gluten-free-chocolate-mint-cupcakes/

Purpose Driven Life

Do you ever wonder what your purpose in Life is? Today I started the "Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren and was so encouraged. It amazes me that the Lord already knows our steps and where life is going to take us. Jesus knew before we were ever born what our mission in life was going to be. Colossians 1:16 says "Everything got started in him and finds its purpose in Him." A lot of times I don't understand what I am doing with my life and I can just hear God saying "Allison just trust me. I am your creator and I know everything about you." Our Lord wants our full attention. All he wants is for us to trust in Him and Him alone. Today, I give my life to him fully. No longer trying to do what I want, but instead, doing what He wants Because Our God is greater! Today he wants you just to trust him and his plan.

Thankful for the Cross

This morning I was sitting on the couch and I was led to listen to a sermon that I heard about on Sunday morning at church. Bryant May, a family friend, led a sermon on Forgiveness and it was evident that the Lord was speaking to me. One statement that he said that I hope will stick with me forever is that "Forgiveness is not an emotion, its a choice." Have you ever had bitterness to a person and just not cared enough to solve the problem or even forgive the person? I have these feelings a lot. Sometimes I feel like "Oh one day we will be friends again or Oh they hurt me so much that they do not need to be forgiven." WOW did the LORD teach me something today. Matthew 5: 44 says "But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." That seems to be such a hard command, but when I think about the Lord and what he did on the cross for you and me I am in Awe. How can he be so quick to forgive and forget our sins, but me and you hold grudges and bitterness towards people for years. Praise the Lord that he is a just and righteous God who is the ultimate healer and provider. 

Today, I pray that we will forgive the people who have done us wrong. Our Father has already forgiven us. Thank you Jesus that you have already have forgiven me for when I fail you. 

Happiness

Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open.  

John Barrymore

Psalms 103

1 Praise the LORD, my soul; 

   all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 

2 Praise the LORD, my soul, 

   and forget not all his benefits— 

3 who forgives all your sins 

   and heals all your diseases, 

4 who redeems your life from the pit 

   and crowns you with love and compassion, 

5 who satisfies your desires with good things 

   so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The LORD works righteousness 

   and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses, 

   his deeds to the people of Israel: 

8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, 

   slow to anger, abounding in love. 

9 He will not always accuse, 

   nor will he harbor his anger forever; 

10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve 

   or repay us according to our iniquities. 

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, 

   so great is his love for those who fear him; 

12 as far as the east is from the west, 

   so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children, 

   so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 

14 for he knows how we are formed, 

   he remembers that we are dust. 

15 The life of mortals is like grass, 

   they flourish like a flower of the field; 

16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, 

   and its place remembers it no more. 

17 But from everlasting to everlasting 

   the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, 

   and his righteousness with their children’s children— 

18 with those who keep his covenant 

   and remember to obey his precepts.

19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven, 

   and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Praise the LORD, you his angels, 

   you mighty ones who do his bidding, 

   who obey his word. 

21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, 

   you his servants who do his will. 

22 Praise the LORD, all his works 

   everywhere in his dominion.

   Praise the LORD, my soul.

Blessed and overjoyed that my Savior is a compassionate and loving God who loves us even in the midst of our failures. He is the ultimate forgiver and healer. Was humbled and in awe of Pslams 103 this morning. Thankful that my God provides. Be JOYFUL today.

Blessings

Do you ever wonder why you don't feel blessed? Is it because you are not admiring the things around you or you aren't stopping to consider something pure joy? When driving home from Mississippi State, about two months ago, a song came on the radio that truly opened my eyes."Blessings" by Laura Story is one of the most magnificent and JOYFUL songs that I have ever heard of. Maybe a lot of you are like me sometimes, skip over blessings received. Some of us seem to not notice when God blesses us or may think that something good has happened from your own doing. Thanks be to God that I heard John 1:16 "From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another." 


Because of His grace and abundant love, you and I can receive blessings. One blessing that I have cherished over the past couple of days is friendship. Being able to fellowship with Christian friends. What a JOY is it that two years ago I was blessed to meet a group of girls who wholeheartedly love the Lord.The Lord declared in Genesis 12:2-3 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you,and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." 
I hope that today you will thank the Lord of the blessings you have received.

"Blessings" by Laura Story

"Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights 

Are what it takes to know You’re near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise"

Leaning on the Lord

I have been pondering over the past six months whether or not I should start a blog, and after reading Ruth Grahams today I insisted. Isn't it crazy how the Lord shows you something exactly when you need it. Tonight I was filled with JOY after hearing that the "Lords sovereignty rules over all."(Psalms 19:8) All I can say is WOW! My prayer for the week is that I will constantly lean towards the Lord and rely on his power. One thing that Ruth said that really stuck with me is that when your going through difficult times lean on the Lord. Dive into the word, pray for peace and guidance, and realize He is still sovereign. I hope that today you will be joyful and lean on the Lord.

Psalms 97:12 "Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his Holy Name."