New Idea

Just wanted to let  you guys know that I came up with a new and improved idea, with the help of Hope, but it's gonna take some time to get together. So I haven't forgot about the devotional challenge or anything..I gotta make some adjustments though and then we can continue with it. Thanks for reading! :)

Devotional Challenge Day #2

Today, my time in God's Word was focused on worry. It was talking about not worrying in life and trusting God to work all things together for good. We often worry about things in life such as a job, or a family member, or anything else really. But worry does absolutely no good! It is so hard to trust God sometimes. It's especially hard when it's a life changing decision. But God DOES know what is best for us in our lives here and now and He knows our future. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths." -Proverbs 3:5-6

Devotional Challenge Day #1

So today in my devotions, I read two different passages and both were talking about not worrying about the little things like food, clothes..etc..because we can so caught up in those things that we miss the more important things in life. We know that God will supply our needs. The first passage talked about how God provided for the fowls of the air and how God counts us more precious than those birds. But then in the second passage,  it talks about seeking God and His Kingdom first and all the blessings will be added to you. What really stuck out to me was not worrying about the little things but wanting to be a part of the work for my King. 1 Peter 5:6-7: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. This verse is really something that I struggle with a lot. Humility is a hard virtue for each and every  person because we are human and it's our fallen nature to be prideful. But we as Christians have the choice you turn away from it and walk in the Spirit.

A DAILY CHALLENGE

Yet again..another struggle we Christians face that I am feeling led to talk about is being in God's Word daily! It is such a hard thing to  me sometimes. I would rather do something else or I tell myself that I don't have time today to spend time with God. But that just for  back to my last post about how much God love us. We should love Him enough to spend a small portion of the time He gives us with Him daily. If I'm being honest...sometimes I let myself get get so overwhelmed with feelings, emotions, thoughts..etc..that I don't even talk to God about it. I think about the many times I did the wrong thing because I didn't seek wisdom and guidance from Him. But you do receive wisdom that you can keep with you forever from God's Word. There is no way to retain the wisdom wisdom you need from God's Word without reading and studying it. So I am going to CHALLENGE YOU and MYSELF to post on my blog what you read or what spoke to your heart every day. It's not an easy challenge. I will fail sometimes..I know I will. But let's encourage each other as much as possible. It doesn't have to be long but let your friends know about this challenge as well! :) I will start tomorrow Lord willing and I hope to read what spoke to all of your hearts as well in your time with God.

Struggling?

Do you ever feel out of place...even in church? What about in school? I know the struggle of wanting so badly to fit in. I used to do that all the time and still catch myself in that same cycle of wanting people to accept me. But something that comforted me was to know that I am accepted. God has accepted His children into the beloved. God called Jesus, in Matthew 3:17 (KJV), His beloved son. I looked up the word beloved, the dictionary defines someone who is beloved as someone who is greatly loved; dear to the heart. Jesus is God's only begotten Son, so you would assume that Jesus would be close to the heart of His father God. But what about us? In Ephesians 1:6 (KJV), it says, "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted into the beloved." So God, in His unconditional love, has accepted His children "into the beloved." EACH and EVERY child of God (one that has accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord) are loved by God and are dear to His heart. Can you imagine why God would love us so much not only to send His only Son to die for our sins, but that when we asked to become His child, He accepted us into the same "beloved" as His OWN Son? What love! I understand that it is difficult now, but this life will soon be past and only what is done for Christ will last. John 4:14 (KJV) states, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." I would hate to look back on life one day and regret not living life for my Savior, the person who really matters. It is a daily struggle for every Christian alive, but it will be well worth it in the end. One thing that I remember is that no matter how left out I feel, I am accepted and I am doing the work of my Heavenly Father who loves me and accepts me and holds me dear to His heart. It is the same for every believer! And just know that if the world accepts you and they can't tell a difference, there is something wrong. So lets stay strong together as the body of Christ and press toward our finish line!

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 3:14

Red Velvet Cheeseball

Red Velvet Cheese Ball

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes

Yield: 16 servings

The ultimate dip for red velvet lovers!! This sweet version of a cheeseball will have you going back for more!

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups red velvet cake mix, dry
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• assorted cookies and crackers (my favorite was Vanilla Wafers)

Instructions

• In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add in the red velvet cake mix, the brown sugar and the powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and combined.
• Turn the mixture out onto a piece of plastic wrap. Wrap up into a ball and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• Put the chocolate chips on a plate or in a shallow dish. Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator and unwrap. Roll in the chocolate chips. (This might get messy!) Place on a serving plate and serve with cookies or graham crackers.
• (Hope showed me this recipe and it looks amazing! We are gonna have to try this recipe soon!!) :D
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