Hell

I know I'm not the only Christian out there who has been threatened by the horrors of hell by another Christian for not obeying God's law. I've heard the salvation message preached where the focus is so much on the whole "it's a place where the fire never ceases and the worms never die!" etc etc part of hell, and it always ends with them asking the question, "Well which one will you choose...heaven a beautiful place or hell with its endless torment?" I always find that with this approach to salvation, you can get either response. The one where they're fearfully accepting the Lord just because they want to save their own behinds from this endless torment, or one where they just pretend to accept God and secretly think all Christians are clinically insane.


Back in 2011 (I can't believe it's been that long) I went to the Chicago Awakening Conference by Jesus Culture and I remember Pastor Banning preaching about our relationship with God. He talked about how if our relationship with God was based on fear, it will never last... but a relationship with God based on love will. That message will forever stick in my heart and it really has changed my whole perception on it all.


This was my first revelation about hell and salvation. God was about more than scaring people into accepting Him. The more I learn about Gods character and spend time with Him, the more I realize that God is always good. I know that He as a good Father, would never scare His children into loving Him. 


The second revelation I had was during a conversation with a couple of friends. A friend was talking about a book he was currently reading by Francis Chan, and he had said that Francis asked a question somewhere along the lines of, "If God were in hell, would you love Him enough to go there with Him?" It was a question made to challenge your true intentions for being a Christian. Do you really love God? Love His presence? or are you just afraid of God and going to hell? Do I love God so much that I'm willing to do anything for Him? Am I willing to die for Him? I was really convicted of my "fearful" mindset that night and it's another moment in my life that will forever mark me.


I know that for any type of self-improvement to happen and growth in my relationship with God, I need to ask myself those hard questions that are easier to avoid. The truth of the matter was, is that I was afraid. My walk in the Lord consisted of me just trying to be a "good" Christian. You know the type. Don't commit those "big sins," don't curse, be nice to people, listen to Christian music. If you do sin... ask for forgiveness right away or else. I was tip toeing around God, crossing my fingers and hoping that I didn't sin, and not realizing that God can see through any facade, and looks straight into our hearts. I didn't want to be punished. I didn't want my church to judge me. There was just so much fear in my relationship with God, and the Holy Spirit really convicted me that night. Yet another night to mark me, and change my whole life.

Side note: Can I just stop for a moment and give God the praise and the glory? Through it all He has never given up on me and is constantly challenging me (in the best way possible), constantly teaching me, and constantly lavishing his mercies and love on me. 

The last thing I realized is that the worst part of Hell, is God is not there. He can't make it light and bright, because He is the light. He can't put beaches and make it beautiful, because He is the creator of everything that is beautiful. Hell is a place where God does not reside, and it's a place that really really sucks. I know that in the bible, there are crazy depictions of what hell looks like and it does suck. I mean who would want to live in a place forever where your endlessly tormented, and worms never die? 

These past few weeks I'am going through the toughest time in my life, but out of this season I know God is working in me and creating something beautiful out of it all. I'm also realizing that no matter what is happening in my life God is always good. When I remind myself of who God is, I know that a good Father would never sit on His throne and throw people in hell because He wants too. "These people didn't accept me? Ugh... I hate them... Because you don't want me I'm going to make the worst place I can think of and throw them in there!" Common... does that really sound like a    good Father to you? It sounds more like an evil abusive spouse. 

The reason why He talks about it so much in the bible is because He wants to warn us. He doesn't want us to go there. He doesn't want us to be separated from Him, because in Him there is life. A Father will never want death for their children. Everything he says in His word about Hell, it's not to scare us into accepting and choosing Him. He says it because He just loves us and wants the best for us, and He knows that He is what's best for us. 

He gives us endless opportunities to choose Him in this life. God will never force anyone to choose Himself. It's why I never feel right about scaring people into salvation. If we don't want Him here on earth, why would we want to be in heaven will him forever? In heaven we will always be with Him. We'll walk side by side and see Him face to face. 

I know that this question gets thrown around a lot in the world and it's, "if God is so good why would he threaten me with hell into accepting Him?" I for the longest time was stumped on this question, but I just want to say that God will never threaten anyone or choose Him. Knowing that God is good and knowing how much God loves us, I know that love never threatens and coerces. It goes against His very nature to do so. 

The reason for Hell is because it's simply where the people go that don't want to be Him. Satan was the first one to go there because He didn't want to worship God. The people on earth sadly who don't want to spend time with God forever, go there. If you don't choose God now, why would you want to spend an eternity with God in heaven? 

I remember having a friend in high school who would joke around about how in heaven he'd be sipping alcohol on a beach with tons of girls around him. It just goes to show you how twisted people think heaven is like... because that's not what heaven is like. 

Heaven is a place where God is 24/7. It's His home. It's the place He wants us to enjoy with Him forever. There is constant worship and praise to God. It never stops. Every tear is wiped away and there is joy forevermore with God. 

Everything God does flows out of love for us. He is love and He is incapable of evil. God is always good. I want my walk with Him in this life to always flow out of my love for Him. I don't want to be afraid of God. I just want to walk with Him and be in His presence. He is my Father, and with Him is where I belong. 

Don't let this world and the devil twist who God says He is. It took me years to learn this about God... and for years I questioned God's goodness because of the "fear hell and torment" message I've always heard. 

I know that a lot of people are living their walk with God in fear, but I just pray that I help spread the message of God's goodness, mercies, forgiveness and His love. There is never fear in love. I want to make a change in the way people perceive God, because I know that God is so good, He is such a loving Father, and I just want people to experience His love and presence.

To see people choose God because they just love Him...
this is real salvation. 

Self-Improvement

The best project you'll ever work on is you

I can overcome negativity

I can overcome shame and guilt

I can overcome hate

I can overcome because He has overcome

I want to do better…be better

I want to love people like You have loved them

Lord, change me from the inside out 

Trusting in the Lord

Every time I’ am going through a tough time, I re-read the book of Job. I just love his story, and I never fail to be inspired and encouraged by it. This man was highly regarded and had everything he could possibly need or want, and he lost everything. Through it all he never sinned against God, and still choose out of his suffering to praise God.

Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.

And he said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

And naked shall I return there.

The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;

Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

Job 1: 20-22

Ideally I’d love to be on a beach somewhere, drinking from a coconut, and reading a good book, but I’ am not. Instead I’ am here struggling to make ends meet and still looking for a stable job, which honestly is something I though my diploma would help out a lot more with. I’ am not trying to be negative, because there is so much in my life to be thankful for, but I can’t admit to life being exactly the way I want it right now. Life isn’t easy. I know I probably haven’t even gone through the worst of it and I find myself getting angry with God sometimes that my life doesn’t “look” the way I want it to look. It sounds so ridiculous saying it but I’ am so mean to God sometimes.

The truth of the matter is, is that God never changes.  He is the same yesterday today and forever. I know that God is always good, and that part of Him will never change. What ever God decides and whatever God does is good. There are times when I don’t understand what’s going on or why things are happening the way that they are, but I need to remind my soul of who God is and the fact that He is good. He is a good Father. I always want to strive to have that Job attitude no matter what comes my way. I want to be able to say, “God you give and take away…but still Lord I will bless your name.” I won’t speak ill of you. I won’t curse you. I’ll love you no matter what, even though I don’t understand. Please, give me that peace that surpasses understanding.

Now it’s time to get out of this funk I’m in. Stay positive. Take heart. God is good, He will deliver me, and He is always worthy of praise.

Love Came Down by Bethel Music

If my heart is overwhelmed

And I cannot hear Your voice

I'll hold on to what is true though I cannot see

If the storms of life they come

And the road ahead gets steep

I will lift these hands in faith I will believe

I'll remind myself of all that You've done

And the life I have because of Your Son

Love came down and rescued me

Love came down and set me free

And I am Yours I am forever Yours

Mountain high or valley low

I sing out remind my soul

That I am Yours I am forever Yours

Response

I once read a quote online that says, "You can't always control what happens, but you can control how you react." I'm not too sure who said it, but I know it's a quote that has resonated with me ever since.

There's a lot of things in this crazy world that can bother you. It be a certain crappy situation or even when somebody does or says something that hurts you. I've realized that you can look at all these negatives and be grumpy and angry about it for the rest of your life, or reframe, think differently and stay positive. I want to be the kind of person who chooses the latter every time.

Something I've also realized that is so important when we respond to people especially, is to always think the best and see the best in people. I remember getting into arguments with friends/family/the fiancé, and seeing that I could of either avoided them or softened the blow of them significantly if I just saw the best in people every time. It's so easy to say, "that person doesn't care about me because they're constantly late" and thus get upset because your feelings were hurt, when in actuality them being late has absolutely nothing to do with you. They love you and they care about you, they just seriously have issues with their tardiness and don't have any intention of hurting you. This is a weird example, but you know what I mean. Don't always assume the worst when somebody hurts you.

Think the best, see the best and understand people. It would go a long way. 

It's happened to me... when I was tired or angry at someone else and I've snapped at people. I didn't have any intention of hurting you, but I did. It happens, I fail. Not one of us is perfect. We will all eventually fail, hurt one another, mess up... but let's just love and forgive one another. See the best in one another. Instead of saying "that person is poison, she's no good...I don't want to be her friend anymore." Be humble enough to say... you know what... I'm not going to respond with hate... I know that person is not evil, I've seen the good in her...I choose to forgive and love her.

There is always another way to respond, so choose love every time. 

Fuelled By Love

Let all that you do be done with love - 1 Corinthians 16:14

On Sunday night I attended a Jesus Culture worship night event and the preacher spoke about how some of us get stuck in this routine when serving God, we try to check all these boxes because it's what we "think" Christianity looks like. We would go to church, we read the bible for x amount of minutes or hours a day, and we just focus on the the "do," but don't realize that we should do it through Christ.

I volunteer every single week for the Church and even more so when certain events come up that need help in. It can get so easy to get stuck in this routine and feeling like I just HAVE to do this or else I'm not a "good" Christian. My heart was definitely convicted of this that night and God just ignited that fire and reminded me again of how much He loves me. I always know God loves me, I mean you hear it every single Sunday, but when God breathes on His word and breathes into you and you encounter His presence...I'm blown away. I know I'll never be the same.

God loves me so much. It's more than I can fathom and it's more than I can even comprehend. I don't know why He loves me as much as He does... I just know that He loves me. Suddenly... worship band practice on Friday nights don't become about routine or something I grudgingly "sacrifice" time for...It's because I just love Him. He loved me first...and I'm simply responding to His great love for me.

I focus too much on "omg what am I going to do?" and stress about the things I'm doing but I just need to breathe, take a step back and work with God and work things through Christ who gives me strength.

With this new revelation that the Lord has shown to me, I can feel a shift in the way I lead the rest of my life. God is going to accomplish and do what He said He will do, He just wants us to come along and work with Him.

--

God, I know that you have an amazing plan for me and You have this amazing plan to restore this lost  and broken world and restore your glory here on earth. I want to just work with you... be apart of what you're doing here on earth. I want to see your kingdom in heaven come down here on earth, and God I want to see Your glory. Thank you Lord for constantly moulding my heart and teaching me new things. Let all that I do be in love. Let the way I live, the way I speak and the way I treat others be in love. With the love that you first have shown to me. Help me to share Your love with everyone I enounter and change atmospheres by carrying Your presence with me wherever I go.  Thank You Lord for breathing life into my soul once again and igniting the fire in my Heart.

I Don't Know

You know... I really don't know. I don't know how I'm going to pay my next bill. I don't know what my tomorrow would look like and as I lay in my bed depressed and saddened that my life didn't "look" the way I wanted...I felt hopeless. I started to pray and God immediately began to remind me in my heart of who He is and His word.

Philippians 1:6  - Being confident in this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

2 Samuel 7:28 - And now, O Lord God, You are my God, and Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to your servant.

NTS: Just remember that God will never leave you. Trust in who He says He is. His words are true. Declare it everyday that God is good all the time and His plans for you are always for your good. Trust in Him even though you don't see the promise yet. It will be ok... It will be more than ok. It will be amazing.

Waiting

1 Corinthians 13:4
Love suffers long

God is taking me on this journey and through this season of waiting. It's honestly been one of the hardest seasons I've ever had to ensure (but I feel like I would say that every time I'm going through a difficult season). Learning how to wait to marry E, for that perfect job, for my dream. It's been rough. I know we can all relate to wanting things so bad it feels like torture having to wait for them. God not only wants me to learn how to wait on His timing, but He wants me to wait in peace and with true patience. Waiting while complaining and moaning about life definitely isn't what He wants me to learn. To be the woman who can wait and still smile and see the good in everything I don't have everything I want yet and that's ok.

I need to learn how to be ok with whatever God gives me and see the beauty in the world around me every single day.

Thank You God for your love and your kindness. Thank you God for everything you have done for me and everything I know you are doing for me. Help me to see that the plans you have for me are even greater than I can ever imagine. Help me to see the beauty in all that You are 


1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you

Psalms 34:1
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 

NTS: There's just so much to be happy about and so much to be grateful about. Thank Jesus everyday and learn to be grateful and appreciate everything He Has blessed you with. Be positive, be kind and stop complaining about what you don't have. Focus on Jesus, keep your eyes on Jesus even when the waves are crashing all around you. Seek Him first and go after God's heart. Everything else will be added unto you