Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

This week's study is on the 2nd Beautitude, from Matthew 5:4, "Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted." 

Here, to "mourn" doesn't refer to mourning over the loss of a loved one. Rather, it means to mourn for your sin. It doesn't mean that you wallow in guilt and shame day after day. It means upon the conviction of the Holy Spirit, we don't harden our hearts to His voice and keep living the same way we have been. Instead, we let God touch our heart as we weep with genuine repentance. We mourn over the pain we have caused God by disobeying Him. This place of mourning leads us to repentance, which means to turn away from our sin. Sure, we will still make mistakes, but we will do our best to turn away from our sins and run to Jesus.

Here's the good news: When we mourn, we will be comforted by God! HELPS Word studies defines the word translated 'blessed' as "describing a believer in enviable position from receiving God's provisions which extend His grace". Let me give you an example. About a year ago, I found myself in a place of disobedience. I started compromising in seemingly small ways that led to bigger things. In a "slow fade", I was drifting away from God and His plan for my life. Thankfully, God wrecked what would have destroyed me. Once it was all over and I repented, what broke my heart the most was I had compromised in ways I didnt even realize until God delivered me from the situation. What's so amazing about that? God's response. I told Him I was sorry, turned away from my sin, and became more determined than ever to do things His way. You know what He did? He enveloped me in His love like never before-- despite the fact that I had failed Him. I broke His heart and He restored mine. He kept my best interest at heart when put Him on the back burner. He rescued me when I had denied Him in some ways. He protected me from a situation that would have been beyond horrible. He removed me from the situation, drew me into His arms, and said, " No. Not her. She's mine".

It took me a long time to forgive myself for the mistakes I made during that season. In fact, I think I'm just now beginning to one year later. I knew better and I couldn't get past that truth. However, you don't have to waste your time beating yourself up like I did. That doesn't earn your forgiveness. Jesus paid the price for all of our sins on the cross. Just forgive yourself like Jesus and move forward! I realize now that I'm human and I make mistakes, just like everyone else. But you know what? It won't be my last mistake. I wish it was. But as long as I'm alive, I'm never gonnA be perfect. The important thing is that we run back to God every time we mess up. We embrace His love, forgiveness, faithfulness, and move forward in His plan for our lives. We all fall but don't stay down, we get back up and get back to work doing what God has called us to do.

So, as I mourned for my sin, He comforted me and demonstrated His love for me in such a powerful way that I will never forget. I'm forgiven. I'm restored. I'm loved. And I've moved forward in His truly amazing grace. That's what this verse means when God says BLESSED are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Forever Blessed,

Rachel Marie

The Beatitudes

Hey yall. I know I've been MIA for a while. My health has not been good, but God has brought me a long way from where I was! I'm so grateful for that. I'm praying to be well enough to make more youtube videos soon. Go ahead and watch some you haven't seen yet from earlier this year: youtube.com/rachelmarieministrie . I have kept up with my instagram the most Go follow me over there: RachelMarieMinistries). I plan to start blogging more again starting with this series and I will also share some updates on my health when I am able. Typing is often a challenge because of the RSD pain in my hands. If you wanna know more about my recent health struggles, look under #RachelMariesStory on IG.

So I feel like the Lord is leading me to share The Beatitudes with yall from Jesus' sermon on the mount. With each post, I will share one verse of it along with a few thoughts to expand on the meaning. So the first one in this series is this:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

- Matthew 5:3 NIV

So what does "poor in spirit" really mean anyway? According to my study, "poor" speaks of a financial state as well as an humble attitude. After my study, I think the New Living Translation most accuratelty portrays the meaning of this verse: “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs."  Lack of money is definitely something that makes one look to God. However, I believe it goes even deeper than that. To be "poor in spirit" is a condition of the heart. It is a heart surrendered to the ways of God, full of humility, recognizing that without Him we are nothing and can do nothing. On the flip side, we know that with Christ, we are co-heirs and that we can do all things through Him. May we be truly surrendered to these truths today and every day.

Rachel Marie

Return

For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling,
- Isaiah 30:15 ESV
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This scripture is on my heart today. I don't know who this is for but whoever it is, I pray he/she will not harden your heart to the voice of the Lord any longer. I pray you will turn whole heartedly to the Lord. I feel such an urgency about this that asking for fellow believers receive this message to stop for a moment and pray this as well. God is reaching out to someone tonight. Is it you?

P.S. - Due to my illness I don't get to blog as much as I'd like. However, I post frequently on instagram so follow me there: @RachelMarieMinistries

Hey guys! So, it's been a while. And yes, I dyed my hair a lovely chocolate brown. I've been seriously ill as my health took a turn for the worst over the last 2 years, so I just recently improved enough to record videos and post online again. God is good all the time and all the time, God is good!
For the last 9 years, I've fought 3 life-threatening, debilitating diseases that you've probably never heard of. If you're curious, I have my diagnoses listed below & you can google them to learn more.

- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) - a heart condition

- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) - a pain disorder that the McGill Pain Index rates as more painful than non-terminal cancer, childbirth, finger or toe amputation, and more but you get the idea.

- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) - a connective tissue disease

Anyway, I wanted to let you all know I have some new videos on YouTube and Instagram: @RachelMarieMinistries. Go check them out! I hope you all have a very merry Christmas and remember that Jesus is the reason for the season :)

Are You Prepared For Your Journey?

We need to arise from our "slumber" and "feed" more on the Word of God, or the journey ahead will be too much for us. Without feeding on the Word of God daily, we will not have the strength to stand against temptation, to stand for Christ in these last days, to be an effective witness, or endure the trials we go through in life. Our strength, joy, and refreshment is found in our time alone with the Lord. We must diligently seek Him daily in prayer and in the Word. We make time for what is important to us. So, if your relationship with God is important to you, you will make time for Him. Remember, if you have time for social media, you have time to read your Bible.

- Rachel Marie

Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again. Then the angel of the LORD came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God.

- 1 Kings 19:3-8 NLT

Single this Valentine's Day?

Single this Valentine's Day? Don't be bitter. Celebrate God's Love for you. There's no greater love story than the cross. ❤️

- Rachel Marie

P. S. - Don't go out with a random just because you're lonely or emotional. Find your strength, contentment, and fulfillment in Christ. Trust Him. Wait on His Timing to reveal your love story to you. He's already written one for you, He just isn't ready to show it to you yet. Rest while your grow in your walk with Christ. 

"...And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

- Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

- Romans 8:38-39 NIV

"This is real love--not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins."

- 1 John 4:10 NLT

"Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires."

- Song of Solomon 3:5 NIV

Where Are Your Priorities?

This is statement by Michael Kendrick is so incredibly true. The more time you spend with God, the more time you will want to spend with Him. I know when you first commit to seeking God daily, it's a discipline. But in time, as you remain committed, you begin to look forward to, thoroughly enjoy, and thrive off of your time alone with God each day. It's like you can't function without it. And that's how we should view God, as a vital necessity, a priority and not an option. ❤️

- Rachel Marie

You can read the devotion by Michael Kendrick on spending time with God by following this link:

https://www.facebook.com/RachelMarieMinistries/posts/933487506706227:0

How Your iPhone Can Help You Memorize Scripture

Here's a tip that will help you memorize Scripture fast: 

Make the passcode on your phone the corresponding numbers to the Bible verse you're memorizing. 

For example:

• if you're memorizing Jeremiah 29:13, your passcode would be 2913

• if you're memorizing Romans 8:1, your passcode would be 0801

• if you're memorizing Matthew 6:33, your passcode would be 0633 

A few other tips that help me memorize Bible verses are:

• writing the verse

• making the verse my lock screen

•  taping the verse I wrote on a place I look often, like on a mirror or a wall.

I was excited when God gave me the idea to memorize Scripture by using it as my passcode, because if you can't get into your iPhone or iPad without remembering it, you're gonna memorize it pretty fast.  Do this once a week, changing to a new verse weekly. Remember that while memorizing Scripture is very beneficial, applying it to your life is of utmost importance.

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

- James 1:22 NLT

Relentless Pursuit

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

- Jeremiah 29:13 NIV

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”

- Matthew 22:37-38 NIV

Our relationship with Jesus should be a relentless pursuit, a passionate pursuit. Jesus should be the love of your life. The song lyrics below perfectly capture what God wants our relationship with Him to look like. If you don't feel this way about your relationship with Jesus, move closer until you do. Walk with Jesus daily in prayer and in the Word, even when you don't "feel" like it. Ask God to give you spiritual tastebuds for His Word and for prayer. As you make this investment with God's help and self-discipline, in time you will feel like you can't function without your time alone with God each day. You will look forward to it. And before you know it, you will be passionately, relentlessly pursuing Jesus.

- Rachel Marie

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It's a relentless pursuit, relentless pursuit

I will not stop chasing after you

It's a relentless pursuit, a passion in pursuit

I will not stop chasing after you

I won't hold anything from you

Every part of me I've surrendered to you

And I am not afraid to run after you, oh

To run with all my strength, run into you

It's a relentless pursuit, relentless pursuit

I will not stop chasing after you

It's a relentless pursuit, a passion in pursuit

I will not stop chasing after you the love of my life

Oh you the love of my life

Oh it's you, you, you, you, you

Of my life

I can't take my eyes off of you

I can't take my mind off of you

I'm hopelessly crazy in love with you, you, you, you

You've taken the keys and you've opened up all of me

And now I'm running, I'm running after you

The love of my life 

Oh you the love of my life

- Kim Walker-Smith, "Relentless Pursuit"

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Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for each person who reads this. I pray they would pursue you passionately. I pray their hearts would leap for joy at the sound of Your Name. I pray their time with you each day will be their favorite time. I pray they would grow closer to You each day. Speak to them through Your Word and let Your ears be attentive to their every prayer. I pray any who aren't saved are released this day from the bondage of sin and released to run after You. I pray each one would be a doer of Your Word, not a hearer only (James 1:22). I pray they would deny themselves, take up their cross daily to follow You (Luke 9:23). I pray they will fall madly in love with you every single day. I pray they seek nothing more than Your Presence and to please you rather than people (Gal. 1:10).

In Jesus' Name.

Amen

May God bless you and your daily effort to relentlessly pursue Jesus with me.

Rachel Marie

A Prayer for the New Year 2016

Just to give you a little background for today's post, in Ezekiel 34, God is calling out the shepherds of Israel for not doing what He called them to do. In verse 4, He says, "The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them (NKJV)". In Israel, the Church was not doing its job. 

As disciples of Christ, we all have an important role to play, whether or not you are specifically called to pulpit ministry. That part is spelled out in Ezekiel 34. How can we do this?

• We can strengthen the weak by encouraging them.
• We can heal the sick by laying hands on them in prayer, taking Jesus at His Word in Mark 16:18,"They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover". Who is "they"? Not just ministers... Jesus said believers (See Mark 16:17-18).
• We can "bind up"or "bandage" the brokenhearted by comforting them and praying for them.
• We "bring back what was driven away" or "bring back the strays (NIV)" by doing what Jesus instructs in Luke 15:3-7. We need to go after those who have walked away from the Lord until we find them and joyfully bring them back into His Presence.
• We need to seek the lost, as Jesus did, for that is the purpose He came for (Luke 19:10). We can do this by sharing the Gospel with them individually, or bringing them to church with us.

God promises in verse 16, "I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice (NIV)". The Amplified Bible explains that the ones He will destroy are those "who have become hardhearted and perverse".

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for your heart of compassion. We repent for the opportunities we have failed to use to search for the lost, bring back those who have strayed,  heal the brokenhearted, and strengthen the weak. Take out our hearts of stone and give us a heart of flesh. Give us hearts filled to overflowing with compassion. Let us make the most of every opportunity you give us to minister to the lost and the hurting. Point out people who need our help, people we can bring your salvation and healing to. Let Ezekiel 34:16 be our description of ministry. Bring this Scripture to life in each of Your willing vessels. May each of us do our part also, to provide food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, and clothes for those who need them. Bless each ministry that does this. Bless each person who contributes to this type of ministry. Help us minister to widows and orphans in their distress and keep ourselves from being polluted by the world, for this is religion you accept as pure and faultless (James 1:27). In 2016, may each member of the Body of Christ fulfill these commandments. May we passionately, relentlessly pursue Jesus every single day of our lives. May we be like Jesus to the least of these.

Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from your relatives who need your help.

- Isaiah 58:7 NLT

Now, take action. Begin to fulfill the Scriptures we discussed in your daily lives in 2016. 

A few thoughts on ways you can help those in need according to Isaiah 58:7:

• Make a monthly donation to a local food ministry in your area and/or volunteer your time to help
• Volunteer at a soup kitchen
• Donate clothes to ministries who provide for those in need
• Start a homeless shelter in your area
• Keep blessing bags in your car with basic necessities in them; hand them out when you see someone in need

Happy New Year! I pray you all have a wonderful year filled with blessings, health, provisions, and spiritual growth :)

4 Ways to Practice Thankfulness

Photo credit: Google

Being thankful is popular around Thanksgiving, but quickly dwindles away in light of Black Friday sales. However, gratitude should be integrated into our daily lives. God's Word commands us to give Him thanks. There's always something to be grateful for. If the ONLY thing you have to be thankful for is Christ making a way for us all to have a relationship with God, that would be more than enough! Most of you reading this, though, have numerous reasons to be thankful. In today's post, I am going to be sharing some ideas I  have learned from others on how to reflect on things we are thankful for daily.

1. Give thanks to God each day. 

First and foremost, we should begin our prayers daily by giving thanks to God. Psalm 100:4 tells us to "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." It's easy to go to God and unload our laundry list of things we need/want, but His Word commands us to give Him thanks for what we already have first. Give thanks to Him for all He has done, all He has given you, and simply for who He is.

2. Start a gratitude journal.

This is something I have just started doing again. A friend shared this with me a while back. Write down 5 things you are grateful for each morning and each night. Here's the catch: Never write the same thing twice. This makes you really dig deep to think of things you are thankful for.

3. Create a Habit of Giving Thanks Instead of Complaining 

A bad habit I really want to break is complaining. I don't want to complain at all, about anything, ever because Philippians 2:14-15 says:

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.

Not complaining is a huge way we can shine for Jesus. Believe me, people around you will see your light shining if you never complain. Someone who never complains is going to stand out. (Of course, you can still pour out your heart to God in prayer about things that bother you.)

Something I love that Joyce Meyer said is that it is easier to form a good habit than break a bad one. So.. in my case, I can form the good habit of being thankful and break the bad habit of complaining. So, every time I am about to utter a complaint, I give thanks instead. I just started doing this and it is amazing how quickly it can change your perspective.

Below are a few examples that Heather Lindsey posted on Instagram that will also help you look at things in proper perspective:

I am going to add a few things to this list:

• In heavy traffic? Thank God you are physically able to drive, have gas, and a vehicle to get you where you are going!
• Didn't get a close parking spot? Thank God you are able to walk.
• Dislike the weather? Thank God you have warm clothes, central heating & air, and insulation in your home.. AND that you have a home.
• iPhone, iPad, or laptop going dead? Thank God you have these items. In 3rd world countries, these are unheard of and many right here in the states cannot afford these items.
• Power outage? There's nothing like a power outage to remind us what a blessing electricity is! There's very little we can do without it.
• Living paycheck to paycheck? In comparison to people in third world countries, you live a luxurious life. Things that we often take for granted as "basic needs" would be luxury items to them: safe home, clean water, food to eat (choices of what to eat), hot water (baths/showers), a car, medical care.. Just to name a few.

4. Start a blessing jar!

Photo credit: Pinterest

 I just started this a couple months ago. I saw this idea on Pinterest one time. The idea is to use a jar (decorate it all you want-- the above is not mine -- I decorated mine with red ribbon!) and every time something good happens (big or small), write it down, and stick it in the jar. On New Year's Eve, review all the good things that have happened this year. Praise God for each thing as you jot it down, as well as when you reflect on them as you read them on New Year's Eve.  So, although I started mine very late in the year, I knew God would do many great things before the end of the year. My jar is already pretty full. I am sure this will help me remember many things I might have otherwise forgotten! As full is my jar is from a few months, I can imagine how full it will be New Year's Eve 2016 (if Jesus tarries) when I have things in it from all year!

Let's make "thanksgiving" a way of life, not merely a holiday. 

If you enjoyed this post, please share it :) Thank you to all my readers out there! God bless you!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

In God's Crazy Love,

Rachel Marie

You Can Be Fashionable & Modest: the Proof is in the Pics!

I had someone comment on my "Modesty Matters" video and ask if I would be willing to show examples of how I dress modestly. I love dressing modestly AND fashionable, so I would love to show some examples. The keys are: cover-ups, tank tops, and cami secrets. With these tricks, you can make ALMOST any top modest (unless it's too tight or see through). Obviously, cover ups are for anything strapless or spaghetti straps and tank tops/cami secrets are to wear under anything too low cut.

Some of these are not full length, keep in mind that I didn't originally take these photos for this purpose. These are just a few random photos from my 2.5 year ongoing modesty journey :)

High/low skirts are my absolute favorite!! They are modest, stylish, and fun. This shirt is a valuable piece for making other pieces modest or a standalone. You will see it better in the next pic. It blends beautifully under a dress or a shirt that needs adjustments to be modest :)

This dress has spaghetti straps, so I added this beautiful top (ok, for some reason you still can't tell, but there's black jewels all along the top of it). It serves 3 modesty purposes: it covers the back, makes up for the straps that are thin in the dress itself, and covers  he front where the dress was too low... And just for fun: adds a little extra glam :) 

Spaghetti strap high/low dress with cover up

Aztec shirt that was made super short, but added a tank under it and pair it with high/low skirt.

Sequin cami under this dress :)

Added a cami & cami secret to cover the top better with high/low skirt

Sweater cover up: you can use to winterize a summer shirt or one that's not modest by itself. Oh, and meet my Maltese: Barbie :)

Finally found a picture where you can see the details of the shirt in the first 2 pictures. I wore it under this shirtsleeve shirt because the neckline was way too low.

My favorite modesty guidelines are from purefashion.com:

To me, the main rules of thumb from above are that necklines should be no lower than 4 fingers below collarbone, skirts/dresses/shorts should not be shorter than 4 fingers above the kneecap, nothing see through, and a cover up for tanks & halters.

And if you don't know what cami secrets are, they are wonderful when you don't want to add a whole extra layer to be modest in the summer, you simply attach to undergarment and voila, looks like you have on an entire cami! They have these in all different colors (more than what's shown above) and some in animal print. You can buy them online.

I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

1 Timothy 2:9-10 NIV

Note: I don't believe this verse literally means you can't wear jewelry. It just means your beauty should come from your relationship with Christ and the fruit of it.

So.. There you have it. I hope you will all join me in dressing modestly! To find out more about WHY you should dress modestly according to the Bible, watch my video, here: http://youtu.be/z3dM6DiDliI

Let God Write Your Love Story

I always say that if you can't accept someone the way they are now, DON'T marry them. You have no guarantee that they will EVER change.

Don't even go on one date with someone who isn't a Christian. It's easier to say "NO" now than it is to break up with them after starting a relationship. Don't risk falling in love with someone you already know you won't be equally yoked with (2 Cor. 6:14). Don't be with someone who merely says they are saved-- make sure their life shows the proof of a daily walk with God.

Focus on growing closer to Christ. HE will show you the right one when it's the right time (Song of Solomon 3:5).

Jesus Intercedes for God's Children

Photo credit: Sid Roth

El Roi, the God who Sees, never abandons His children. Especially when we feel overwhelmed, overlooked, undervalued, unappreciated, and without hope. He not only sees us but also finds us and intercedes and provides for us.

- Excerpt from First 5

To me, one of the most amazing things about our relationship with the Lord is that we have Jesus AND the Holy Spirit both interceding for us, pleading on our behalf before the Father as we pray (See Romans 8:26, Romans 8:34). That's 2 of the 3 in the Holy Trinity and we already know that as children of God, God is on our side, because He gave up His only Son for us (Romans 8:31, John 3:16).

So, when you get overwhelmed, picture this: Jesus, in all His glory --at the right hand of God, pleading for YOU. :)

More than a Conqueror in Christ,

Rachel Marie

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

- Psalm 139:14 NIV

You are NOT a mistake! You are fearfully and wonderfully made! You are created in God's image (Genesis 1:27). He knit you together intricately in your mother's womb (Psalm 139:13). He knows everything about you: the good, the bad, the ugly YET He still loved you so much that He sent His one and only Son to die for your sins and sicknesses (John 3:16, 1 Peter 2:24, Isaiah 53:5). He put on human flesh to redeem you, to rescue you from the dominion of sin. 

Your body is God's handiwork. Therefore, it is flawless. Don't let the number on the scale, the color/style of your hair, the color of your skin, the size of your jeans, the brand of your clothes, or anything else about your appearance define you. Find your identity in Christ alone. Allow Him to fill your every void. Ask Him to help you see yourself the way HE sees you. It will blow your mind. Jesus is crazy about you. He wants a personal relationship with you. Spend time with Him daily in the Bible and prayer. Allow Him to transform your self image. 

Read Psalm 139 for more amazing truths about how God created you. 

Cleansing

Can I ask a personal question? When was the last time you showered?

If someone told you he hadn't showered in a week, you would be pretty grossed out right? In fact, you would have known beforehand... the stench would have been the tell all. 

When is the last time you read your Bible? Prayed? Repented? Worshipped? Don't take your spiritual shower only on Sundays or you will stink spiritually. As the saying going, "Going to church won't make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car". Just as we shower daily to cleanse ourselves, we must take our spiritual shower daily by spending time alone with God. 

Allow God to cleanse you, to make you whiter than snow as you confess your sins to Him daily, as you spend time with Him in His Word and in prayer, and then, put His Word into practice.

Photo credit: Google

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

- Psalm 51:7

Scripture Reading:

1 John 1:9

Isaiah 1:18

Ezekiel 36:25

Autumn Leaves

Don't you just love the color of the leaves changing in the fall?

As I sat outside one morning, praying, enjoying the cool breeze, admiring the paints God had chosen for the leaves, He brought my mind back to a quote I read the night before. It read, "It's funny how beautiful autumn is when everything is dying".

Allow the green leaves represent the unsaved and the autumn leaves represent the saved. 

As Christians, we are to die to ourselves and live for Him. Just as the leaves are most beautiful as they are dying, we are the most beautiful to God when we die to ourselves.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

- Galatians 2:20 NIV

What's one way you can die to yourself today?

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To read more Bible Verses on dying to self, living for Him, hover over the below Scripture references:

Ephesians 4:22-24

Luke 9:23

John 3:10

Photo credit: Memogram, instawrite

He's Waiting for You

God devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from Him.

- 2 Samuel 14:14d NLT 

How amazing is this? When we are separated from God because of sin, He is in Heaven making plans to bring you back to Him. I mean, seriously, think about that. When you've messed up, while you're beating yourself up, thinking about how you missed it (when you need to just repent, turn from it, and RETURN TO HIM)... God is considering how He can win you back. It may be with that still small voice He uses to speak to you. It may be a song, a sermon, a friend or family member that brings you back to Him. How beautiful it is that He relentlessly pursues us because He is crazy in love with us.

So.. If you've walked away from God, willfully or ignorantly, run back into His Presence right now. Repent. Then let the rays of His glorious presence make you whole. What are you waiting for? He's waiting for you....

Rachel Marie

God is Calling You to Himself

Faithful is He who is calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you].
- 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (AMP)

Wow. Just let that sink in for a moment. God is calling YOU to Himself.

Maybe you've turned your back on God. Maybe you have never come to Him at all. Maybe you think you have messed up too bad, done too much wrong. Maybe you've been rejected and abandoned by so many people, you can't imagine why a holy, flawless God would want you.

But He does. God did not create one single person He did not want a personal relationship with. Let me reiterate: Faithful is He Who is calling you to Himself. Yes, you!

Maybe you're thinking.. "What if I'm addicted to drugs? Porn? Gambling?.... What if I've committed adultery? Been divorced? Had sex outside of marriage? Practiced homosexuality? Prostitution?"

Allow me to let you in on a little secret: No matter what you've done, if you come to God, He will make you whiter than snow. Yes, all of the above are sins. The wages of sin is death (hell- see Romans 6:23). BUT GOD.. sent His son Jesus.. to condemn sin in the flesh... to pay the price once and for all for your sins so that YOU might be saved. You can come to Him, repent, and turn from your sin today and start a new life. You don't have to clean your life up BEFORE you come to Jesus. Come to Jesus as you are and He will help you clean your life up. Without sin, we wouldn't be in need of a Savior. Fact is, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Without Jesus, every single one of us would be headed straight to hell, myself included. Jesus has the power to set you free from any and all of the sins listed above, and any of the ones I failed to mention.

"Come now, let's settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool."
-- Isaiah 1:18 (NLT)

Jesus was questioned by the "religious people" of His day for hanging out with the drunks, the tax collectors, the "especially wicked sinners (AMP)". His reply was that, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick" (Matt. 9:12). Jesus came for people exactly like this to bring salvation.

Guess who anointed Jesus with her alabaster box? A sinful woman. Because of her repentance, her many sins were forgiven. She had such a beautiful, unbridled worship of our Lord Jesus, as she washed His feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. I imagine that out of gratefulness, she lived a life filled with dedication to Jesus, after this encounter. Jesus said, "Whoever is forgiven little loves little (Luke 7:37b)". We know that this woman was forgiven much and loved much.

Jesus deliberately went through Samaria In John 4 to meet the woman at the well. Her background? Previously, she had 5 husbands and at the time of her encounter with Jesus, she was shacking up. He sought out this woman to save her and set her free. Through her testimony, many others came to hear Him and were saved.

Paul killed Christians prior to His encounter with Jesus. He ended up leading many to Christ, as well as writing 13 books of the Bible. Clayton Jennings puts it like this: "I serve the same God who turned a killer into an Apostle". This same God is calling on you today.

Jesus already paid the price for your salvation. The only question is: Are you willing to accept it?

10) And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and [especially wicked] sinners came and sat (reclined) with Him and His disciples. 

11) And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, Why does your Master eat with tax collectors and those [preeminently] sinful? 

12) But when Jesus heard it, He replied, Those who are strong and well (healthy) have no need of a physician, but those who are weak and sick. 

13) Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy [that is, readiness to help those in trouble] and not sacrifice and sacrificial victims. For I came not to call and invite [to repentance] the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), but sinners (the erring ones and all those not free from sin).

- Matthew 9:10-13 (AMP)

Find Your Identity in Christ

Have you ever been called names? I know I have. Maybe no one's been criticizing you lately. Maybe YOU have been the one putting your own self down.

In Daniel 1, when the Jews are deported to Babylon, one of the first things they do is change the names of Daniel and his friends. Identity theft is a common scam today, but in Daniel's case, they desired to steal their identity and faith in God. They were determined to force them to serve pagan gods.

In a She Reads Truth devotion, I saw this chart that depicts the original name and meaning of their names, as well as what their names were changed to. Below is an excerpt from Raechel Myers on it.

Each of the four Jewish exiles were given names by their fathers which relate with the one, true God. But, as a part of their acculturation—in order to make them forget the God of their fathers—the chief official gave them new names that reject their upbringing and instead savor the idolatry of false gods.

Of course translations of the names will vary slightly from commentary to commentary, but look at the wildly intentional similarities! Matthew Henry says the name changes were intended to “wean them from the [religion of their fathers] and instill [that of their conquerors] into them.”

- Raechel Myers in Daniel via She Reads Truth

Your identity is not based on financial status, your career, your education, your race, your height, your weight, or anything else. Just like we see vividly in Daniel, it is not about what people call you. It's not even about who you call yourself. It is about who you are in Christ.

In Christ, you are forgiven, loved, treasured. You are a child of the King. You are whiter than snow (Is. 1:18, Ps. 51:7). You are healed and made whole (1 Pt. 2:24, Is. 53:5). You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14). You are more than a conqueror in Christ (Rom. 8:37).

In Daniel, it is clear that their name changes did not affect their character or their devotion to God. Their minds are made up that they are going to serve God no matter what the cost. Have you?

Thought for the Day: Decide today to focus on who the King of kings says you are, not the opinions of mere human beings made of dust. 

More than a Conquer in Christ,
Rachel Marie