Seasons

How many of us are tired of school? Maybe this college experience was not what you expected? Maybe you fell to peer pressure, and/or you walked away from God. In short, you are not where you saw yourself being. How many of us, are in a storm, and cannot seem to find a way out? Things went from bad to worse, and you cannot seem to find any good, or God in the matter.

Rest assured because God knows exactly why you are in this position. He may have put you there in the first place or He may have allowed you to be there. Whatever the case… YOU will overcome, this obstacle, this storm, was not put forth to cripple you… but to make you stronger.

I think the key to surviving predicaments like this is contentment. Be content with the situation, know God has everything under control, no matter how hopeless you feel, no matter how broken you are; it is COVERED. Be still, and know that HE IS GOD… and this situation is for HIS GLORY. When going through it remember that your suffering is not in vain, there is a purpose.

Romans 5:3-5

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

I know what you are probably thinking, “yeah that sounds great and dandy… but it’s hard to think like that when you are going through it!”

I UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY!

 I would be a fool to say I always remember that God is in control when life throws jabs at me. I forget, I fall, I stumble… I scream. I’m not telling you this to convict you, but to motivate you… to encourage you. Sisters, WE ARE GOING TO FALL, but when we fall seven times STAND UP EIGHT! Keep moving forward… Yesterday’s mistakes are YESTERDAY’s. TODAY IS A NEW DAY. A CHANCE TO BE RENEWED… A CHANCE TO GIVE GOD THE GLORY HE DESERVES. 

I want you to (after reading this) be able to look your storm in the face… to be able to tell your mountain… that YOUR GOD IS GREATER. I want you to not let life KEEP YOU DOWN. Yes it’s going to knock you down… BUT GET RIGHT BACK UP.

Don’t ask God… “WHYYYYY??” You already know the answer… be content, and know that in every season of your life; good and bad, HE IS GOD.

                            

                               God Bless you sisters,

                                                Cassie 

                                                          

Verses to Remember

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

                               A time to be born and a time to die,

                               A time to plant and a time to uproot

A time to kill and a time to heal,

A time to tear down and a time to build,

A time to weep and a time to laugh,

A time to mourn and a time to dance,

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

A time to embrace and a time to refrain,

A time to search and a time to give up,

A time to keep and a time to throw away,

A time to tear and a time to mend,

A time to be silent and a time to speak,

A time to love and a time to hate,

A time for war and a time for peace.

Phillipians 4:10-12

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Hebrews 13:5-6

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

                   “Never will I leave you;

                   Never will I forsake you.”

So we say with confidence,

                   “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.

                   What can man do to me?”

1 Timothy 6:6-8

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Doing what is right

It is so easy to go with the crowd. "Everyone is doing it and I do not want to look Un-cool." When did doing the right thing become un-cool? When did standing up for what you believe in make you the black sheep, the outcast? Ladies not only do we have the best role model to look up to (Jesus) but we have many noble women in the Bible to look up to, also. Women who by their actions, by their faith, followed God/believed in God enough so that they went against the grain, went against the norms in order to please the Father. One Heroic woman that comes to mind is Esther.

Esther could have been killed for what she did (admitting that she was a Jew) especially after the edict was passed that allowed for their “destruction.” However that did not stop her, she did not allow fear to get in the way. We can see that it was a constant battle, but Mordecai reminded her that God might have put her in a royal position for just this reason. Esther was without a doubt…stuck, could she throw all God gave her back in his face, just to save her life or would she give up her secret and risk being killed all the same (talk about being stuck in between a rock and a hard place.)

Most likely ladies we will not be stuck in a situation exactly like this , however the principle remains the same. When God calls us to do something, IT WILL BE DONE. Having said that we may be required to leave all we know and love behind, to step out of our comfort zone into the unknown, or even to appear as a “weirdo/un-cool” we might even be required to do a combination of all three. Whatever God has called us to do, we should make that our first priority. It takes a whole lot of courage to do what Esther did, but most importantly Esther had faith that God’s plan for her life was for the best. She knew that He was with her and that he would not forsake her.

My Sisters, there will come a time where we are called to stick up for the bullied, a time to right the injustices and or a time to “Be different and look weird” compared to everyone else. I want to encourage you to stand your ground and BE DIFFERENT… we are not of this world… we just happen to live in it. knowing that, let us start acting like it…and let us not conform to the ways of the wicked. Sisters when God tells us to make a move … we better move! Who knows..... we could have been put in the situation by God for a very specific reason.

God Bless My Sisters,

           Cassie 

 

Verses to Remember:

1 Chronicles 19:13

Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the Lord's will be done.”

Psalms 23:4

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

Luke 12: 4-5

I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

 

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

When God speaks... LISTEN

            God speaks, no doubt about it. Ladies we all know we try to ignore him. Whether it is consciously or unconsciously. His way is the right way, but according to us... It is OUR WAY. We have to learn that God's way is ALWAYS better and he knows what we need. We tend to do things that cater to what we "want" (at the moment) but our Father sees the bigger picture. I know this from personal experience.
     
            Over spring break I got the opportunity to go down to West Virginia with Habitat for Humanity, I should say that I was blessed with the opportunity to go down to West VA. It was just a humbling experience. I got to experience God with new eyes. Every night we had a "reflection" period; where we just think about the day. I would say this was the time when God SPOKE to me. With everything going on in my life, it was great to hear my Father confirming, reassuring and just telling me what I needed to do.
       
           Ladies what I'm trying to get at is, when He speaks LISTEN! Even if we don't  get the answer we want... sometimes we wont even get an answer... God might just be telling us to trust in him. It can be frustrating, trust me I know, because that is basically what he said to me and I was like..... "okaaaayyy... that's all ??" But see I'm now realizing that, that in itself, is THE ANSWER. God has got EVERYTHING covered. Just TRUST that His plans are to prosper you not harm you, and to give you hope and a future.

                     God Bless Sisters,
                           Cassie


                                                           Verses to Remember:  
Proverbs: 23:18

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.



Phillipians 4: 6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Jeremiah 29: 11

...For I know  the plans I have for you," Declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future...

1 Peter 5: 7

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you