Set Apart For Him

Being set apart is being different than others. It's when people look and wonder why you're so different than them. What do we have that others want or don't want? In this case I am referring to being set apart as Christians. As a follower of Jesus, we should want to be like Christ-our goal should be to love Him and spread His light into all the world. When others see you, do they see HIM? When others see you or I do they think "I wonder what's so different about him/her?" Every moment and every day is an opportunity to make a difference in someone's life, to be the change you're desiring to see in others. When given the opportunity to speak the truth of Christ and what He's done in and through you and others, don't take those moments for granted. You never know if that's the last time the person you're talking to will have a chance to hear the truth and the light and life of Jesus. You are called, you are chosen and you are made for something greater-Christ and His Kingdom and life! Don't be afraid, don't back down! Jesus is Your strength and Your help. He is there and will guide you to the right people and give you the courage to speak and act at the right time! Pray that Jesus will make you set apart and bold to speak and act when given the chance! The glory goes to Jesus and He is there to work in and through you! Don't be afraid to stand out, that's how the lost get found! :)

Set Apart For Him,
Traci

Strongholds

What are strongholds? It's really simple, it's something that has a STRONG hold on your life. It's anything that is SUPER hard for you to work through and get over. Something the Devil uses against you because you are really weak in an area (or more than one area). It's not a good thing to have, but we all have strongholds in our lives somewhere. Strongholds can only be conquered through Jesus. He has broken every stronghold and everything that sets itself against God's Word. In conquering a stronghold I believe that there are some things that one has to do to get through strongholds in their life. The first thing is ADMITTING the stronghold/problem, this is important because without admitting and saying you or I have a stronghold we will never get over it. The second thing I believe is important to get over a stronghold is CONFESS. the stronghold/problem to a strong Christian who can help build you up in your faith, normally talking to someone of the same gender is best unless it's like a serious/legit leader of an opposite gender or something like that, but I believe that it is more safe that way. The third thing I think is important to conquer a stronghold is get PRAYER as much as possible. Get prayer because with prayer and faith that you can conquer the stronghold on your life, it can and will be done. The fourth thing I think that one should do is  CONSCIOUSLY make and effort and decision to NOT do or say or think those things again. FORCE yourself to resist the temptation when it rises. Don't let others or Satan or ANYONE tell you that you can't get over it because it's NOT true. You have the authority to tell it NO. Start making right decisions in the right direction and don't do or think or say those things that you know is wrong. Even when it hurts and is REALLY hard-resist and prove to everyone and yourself that you are an overcomer and you have God on your side and He will help you. Let Him live in you, don't do it on your own or you will fail. Even if you fail-ask God to help you every day. Think on things above, change your thinking, change your thoughts and actions. It's easier said then done, but the more you or I do it, the easier it will get because every time one resists temptation they are conquering the strong hold on their life. The next thing I think should be done is SPEND time with God daily and even multiple times a day. Instead of playing games or watching t.v. or going shopping or other things, spend time with God-it will grow you up. Listen to Godly counsel and walk in obedience out of a heart for Christ and the love He has for you. Realize you are weak and He is strong and without HIM you can do NO thing at all! He is all you have and can live for! He's GREAT and I know you can conquer these strongholds. There are some other steps and if I think of all of them I will make another post on it, but for now I think this is a good start. I am praying for you! :) <3 God is on your side, don't let the Devil lie to you and try to lead you off the track that God has for you! KEEP LIVING FOR JESUS. HAVE A RELATIONSHIP with HIM! IT'S THE GREATEST GIFT EVER!!! :)

Hand Picked

I think something that I want to share with you that I think is amazing and wonderful is that God knows exactly who you are going to marry or did marry. God made that person JUST for you. I am so amazed at how God does that. It's so amazing and fascinating to me. We don't have to make things happen, they just will and in His timing and hopefully we are wise in hearing His voice and we go to the right one. It is our job to grow in Christ and build and be the kind of person we believe God has made us to be. As we seek God and if our future spouse is seeking God-it's like a triangle and we will meet at the top-in the center of God's will. Everything will work out right and good if we are TRULY seeking Jesus. It's in His hands the outcome of the relationship if we are seeking Him. Our job is just to obey Him in all we do. God really does care VERY much about who we marry and our lives. He cares about our future children and He even cares about what we eat and how we act and everything about our lives. He doesn't want us to be a "fan of Jesus" but a true follower of Jesus! Jesus wants us to take up our cross and our lives and lay them at His feet-trusting Him in all areas and in all things. Our life-once given to Jesus is not our own, but God's. If we are a true follower of Jesus, our lives will be evidence of it and it will show, there will be fruit of that in our lives. We will be set apart and different. We won't casually date because we know that the heart and life of someone is serious-but we do it out of respect and the intention of marriage in mind. We seek God and His plan for our lives without question. We study His words and His life and we do what's right because it's right, not to make someone happy or any other reason. We do what's right because we want to please God and because it's right. Humbleness is a key to all of this. Humility and trust in Christ is important to any follower and child of God! So I encourage you to grow in your faith, grow strong in Jesus and do not give into sin, don't go to the things of this world because they can't satisfy you. It will be hard at times, but the reward in the end is worth it all! Jesus is the best thing and once you really know Him that's all you will want to know-is how to please and honor Him in all you do and say.

Please wait patiently and seek Jesus and His will for your life. That is one thing that I am learning every day and I hope you learn that as well! God will work all things out for your good if you seek Him with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength! :)