Beulah!

Beulah. May be a word you've never heard before, or a word that has no meaning in our English language, or a word that you may not understand,  but it is that very word that captivates me this morning. Beulah means 'married'. And the marriage I'm talking about this morniing is a marriage that never fades, a marriage that stands forever and a marriage that is based on the purest Love. You see, last night I was at a church event and at the end, the woman speaking gave an invitation for salvation, she asked if anyone in the room had never received Christ as the their Savior and would like to, to lift up their hand. Then she took it a step further and asked them to come to the altar, a part that is often uncomfortable for those receiving the invitation. She proceeded to tell them to come to the altar because that's how she married her husband, she walked up to an altar and said 'I do' and took on her husbands name. Then she related that to what Jesus wants to do with them right now. He wants to marry them, He wants to be commited, Jesus will never walk away on them, will never separate and will never divorce. He wants to be one with them, just like a husband and wife. He wants to give them His name. Death won't even separate them. She then held out her left hand in a fist to show her wedding ring and she said "this is what Jesus wants, and this is what you get, He's commited to you, He just wants your heart." She ended with "anybody else need to come up here or are you just shacking with Jesus? Cuz Jesus doesn't shack, He wants commitment." I loved the whole message. To me this was the most powerful invitation to salvation I had ever heard. It hit me hard and I wasn't even the one getting saved! It was one of those times that make you fall in love with Jesus all over again! Jesus, the King of kings, the Lord of lords wants to take my hand in marriage. He pursued me, married me and calls me His bride, and He is fully commited to me, never backing out or giving up. He's COMMITED. I love that word because it's used so lightly in our society, people make commitments and break them often. But Jesus...will never break a commitment He makes. And what I love is that He wants me, He sought me out (and you too) and wants to commit to me. To me.... a human that messes up, misses it and makes mistakes. But He's commited. He doesn't see me as the mess up, He sees me as His bride. Powerful. I hope this encourages you as much as it did me. It is the reason for the pep in my step this morning :) Just think about how giddy we get when that someone special texts us or calls us, why? becasue we are excited to hear from them. Well your husband has wrote you a love letter, He has poured His heart out in it and it is for YOU, open up His Word with anticpation and excitement because our someone special has something to say! Let's be giddy about our first Love. Excited...wanting to tell everyone about Him, and that they can have this Love story too. Walk in the light and Truth of who God says you are today, you are Hephzibah (God's delight) and Beulah (married)!

"You’ll get a brand-new name
straight from the mouth of God.
You’ll be a stunning crown in the palm of God’s hand,
a jeweled gold cup held high in the hand of your God.
No more will anyone call you Rejected,
and your country will no more be called Ruined.
You’ll be called Hephzibah (My Delight),
and your land Beulah (Married),
Because God delights in you
and your land will be like a wedding celebration.
For as a young man marries his virgin bride,
so your builder marries you,
And as a bridegroom is happy in his bride,
so your God is happy with you."
Isaiah 62:2-5

And the Love keeps on coming!

My last post shared all of the hearts that God shows me from time to time, and they keep on coming! It's always at just the right time too!

 

Bell Pepper 



 

Chip

 

 

Butter

 

 

Sunlight through window

 

 

Rock/pavement

 

 

Tear on tissue

 

 

"You keep track of all my sorrows.

    You have collected all my tears in your bottle.

You have recorded each one in your book."

Psalm 56:8

 

If you find yourself going through anything today, maybe you feel alone, lost or confused. Maybe you have a broken heart or are just plain down, rest in the fact that you are greatly loved by a perfect God. His love remains.....always!

 

 

 

 

 

 



Oh, How He Loves Us :)

From time to time God shows me random hearts that remind me of His Love for me, I try to take pictures of them when I can so I would like to share those with you :) You are greatly loved by a perfect God!

                                                                  

Tortilla Chip

                                                                     

Leaf

Stain on the sidewalk

Cherry

Leaf

Rock (I drew on this one to define the lines)

Banana chip

Leaf

Cherry pie filling (we fixed this one a little :) )

Rocks- This one is my favorite, God showed it to me when I was broken, and to me it looks like a broken heart put back together :)

"Praise the LORD, for He has shown me the wonders of His unfailing love."

Psalm 31:21

Brokenness can't tag along!

The other day I was face to face with some old brokenness rearing it's old nasty head back at me. This was frustrating me because it's something I know I've been set free from, so I want to continue walking in that freedom. After my encounter with that hurt that morning I was flipping through my Bible as I was working on an assignment for my internship, and felt led to look down at something I had underlined in Galatians. The Scripture was one I had read many times before but that day, it took on a whole new meaning, here is that Scripture.... "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthy body by trusting in the Son of God, who loves me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20 I usually always think of my old sin being crucified with Christ when I read that passage which is true but that day God showed me that my old brokenness has been crucified with Christ as well. And I am new so my old hurts and brokenness can't tag along! Now I live by trusting Jesus who loves me and gave Himself for me. People in my past may have given me up but Jesus loves me so abundantly that He gave Himself to keep me! He gave Himself to keep me! I can't get over that revelation, what an amazing radical love we have to embrace! So in closing, I just want to encourage you all if you are facing any old hurts or brokenness to remind yourself that it has been crucified with Christ, you are new and that means that stuff can't come along anymore, and if it attempts to- you remind it who you are and you are no longer broken! You are so loved and valued, and friend, YOU ARE WORTH IT! God's got crazy good plans for you and He will NEVER let you go....ever! So cling to your sustaining love that died so He could keep you. He won't let ya down! :)

God tends to show me random hearts in things around me, this is one He showed me as I was walking at the resevoir in Tulsa. He showed it at the perfect time, as He was mending my brokenness :) He really does heal all the way folks!

Even When You Miss It...

            Have you ever missed it? Like felt like you were in the right place at the right time only to find out you were wrong? Well since we are all human, I’m sure we can all answer yes to this question, the thing is what do we do and where do we go once we’ve realized we have missed it.  I can recall past times that I thought I had heard from God and was walking in something so confidently until it was pulled out from underneath me and I quickly learned that I hadn’t listened to God but to my own emotions.  I find myself in that same boat today, disappointed in myself that once again I have allowed myself to be led by my emotions and feelings instead of by the Spirit of God. Disappointed that it’s because of me that I am in this spot, that I once again have missed it. It makes me wonder why God would want to continue to speak to me, why should He keep directing me when in times like these I don’t listen. Why wouldn’t He want to just give up on me.  This is where some incredibly good news comes in- God will never give up on us! We are human, striving to grow in the things of God and to be more moved by the spiritual than the natural but we have not all arrived yet. These missed times don’t become wasted time but lessons learned. Times that we can draw even more near to God, repent of our disobedience and get out of our heads and back into the spirit. I found myself so upset that I hadn’t yielded to what God was trying to tell me, He knew best and if I had listened to Him I wouldn’t be where I am now. In the midst of my tears of disappointment I pictured Jesus looking at me across the room with love and compassion in His eyes telling me that He’s not done with me, He’s not taking back His plans for my life because I missed here, and that if I could just realize His love for me, the true depth of it I wouldn’t stay in the place of disappointment. I found myself wanting to look down from where I pictured Jesus because I was ashamed, but He lifted my head and wanted to see my eyes. Us missing it doesn’t make God love us less, He wants to pick us back up, dust us off, love on us and put us right back on track.   When I had missed it in the past this one particular time God had spoke to me one day and said “Kayla, it doesn’t matter if you missed it, or if they missed it, you’re not missing it now because you are walking in step with Me and I never miss it! You’re moving forward and it’s your turn, it’s your turn, it’s your turn to rise up and walk in what I have for you.”  You see, we can’t rise up and walk in what God has for us if our face is to the floor in despair and disappointment, we’ve got to peel our heads up, stand up and walk!  And know that just because you messed up   doesn’t mean God is leaving you out on your own.  He’s standing there with open arms and a forgiving and loving heart. I love that God cares about us so much that He gives us exactly what we need when we are hurting from our own mess. And for me yesterday that was John 14:27 in the Amplified “Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]” That couldn’t have been more perfect for what I needed at the time, and now I have something to stand on. If you have missed it, don’t keep your focus on that and stop letting yourself feel guilty and disappointed. Rather focus on what you do know you have heard God tell you, go back to the last time that you knew that you knew He was leading you some direction and go full force towards that. For me, that is going to Indiana this summer to do an internship with One Mission Society to work with their anti-human trafficking department.  God has blown me away with His confirmation that that is where I am supposed to be this summer so I have high expectations, and I know I will be stretched and I’m looking forward to the growth that comes with that! So now, I’m running with Jehovah full speed towards what He has asked me to do.  The enemy isn’t catching me in his traps to distract me anymore, so he best move out the way because God has plans for this girl! And she fully intends on walking in them. His plans for you are BIG too, even if you have missed it in the past, leave it in the past, move forward and walk in what God has for you!

Running with Jehovah,

Kayla Jo

When Green And Red Seem To Make Blue

Do you ever find yourself dreading the approaching holiday's? Or maybe you just want to rush through them and go through the motions and get it over with. We are probably well aware that for many people this season brings up pain, lonliness and heartache. I was suprised to start to sense myself in that category this year. I love the Christmas season, all of it, the meaning, the hope, the light, the music, the quality time etc. and I have never been one to be bummed of it's coming. Until this year. I found myself teary with every Christmas song and decoration. You see....I started dwelling on the past, the memories and the reality of how things are now that left me feeling broken on the inside once again, not only the brokenness but other stresses that kept coming to surface. I went through a few days where I couldn't face the Christmas season, nor did I want to, I couldn't see the real reason for Christmas past my cloudy vision of my current circumstances. I was hurting, and was having a hard time feeling jolly when the enemy kept reminding me of past hurt and brokenness that I have already been healed from.I was not a fan of feeling this way! So how did I get over it? A lot of the time I get frustrated because I know what I'm supposed to do to get better it's just the application of that that is the hard part. But one day as I was driving home from work I was feeling really down and out, things and emotions were piling up. I started thinking about how all the things I was dealing with were a LIE in comparison to what the Word says about me. God wants me to believe His report, and in His Word/report I am NOT broken, sick, lacking or alone! So that tells me that all of those things are subject to change and the Word is not. So I told God that I will believe His report regardless of what I'm seeing in the natural. Then I yelled at the devil, as the Word says he should have NO place in my life, he has to take his hands off in the name of Jesus! Then....I made myself blast praise music and sing it like I've never sang it before. And guess what?! It worked! Then I started thinking about one of the things that minutes before would have brought me down...a Christmas song. God Rest Ye' Merry Gentlemen, the part that really got a hold of me was "tidings of comfort and joy" that's what Jesus brought when He came and that's what He has for me this season still. Comfort and joy :) And what I loved about all this was my circumstances didn't change, but my attitude did, because God filled me with His joy. The joy of the Lord truly is our strength :) If you are fiinding yourself a little blue this Christmas season, cling to God and believe His report! Give no place to the devil and don't let  him steal your Christmas spirit like I started to allow him. Jesus gave us authority over that sucker but it's up to us to use it. And most of all...remember the real reason for Christmas and why Jesus came and when He did He brought comfort and joy and that comfort and joy is still for you this 2011 Christmas season. Lay those burdens down and be blessed!
"Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased." Luke 2:14

"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor,^[a] Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuRu-4OI9dw One of my favorite Christmas songs! He Has Come For Us! (not too sure how great the video is :) )

Me getting into the Christmas spirit for a Christmas event at Church

We matched :)

The pretty Christmas tree and lights Britt put up

Britt and I watching the Grinch....she for a change was the one that fell asleep. Love my roomie sister!

Restless

I work at a preschool in the class with four year olds and everyday at naptime we pat the kids that have a hard time falling asleep. Well there is one little boy Cole, who I probably spend 15-20 minutes patting to sleep everyday. Cole is restless when it comes time to go to sleep, he can't be still or quiet for that matter, he constantly has to be turning over or tapping his foot or making a clicking noise with his mouth. I know that if he would just be still...he'd be out. Today as I was doing my routine trying to get Cole to sleep, patting his back and rubbing his head I felt God tell me that how Cole acts at naptime with me is how I act with God. I will go through something hurtful or difficult and beg God for peace, comfort and rest but I won't be still long enough to recieve it. Like Cole, I get restless and I start to worry and panic and try to figure things out on my own. When all the while God knows that if I would just be still, I'd be peaceful, calm and rested. But because I get restless, the process to peace takes longer, God will 'pat me' until I find rest, whereas if I would just be still from the beginning, I'd have it.

I remember one night a while back someone who I deeply cared for was mad at me or frustrated I don't really know but they were not responding to me. And if you know me- you probably know that I'm not one for confrontation, and I'm not a fan of when I disappoint someone. Who is for that matter. Bedtime approached and I could not stop thinking about this person not responding to me and being upset, I wanted things to be right again before I fell asleep but that wasn't the case. I remember picturing Jesus sitting on my bed and rubbing my head and telling me to close my eyes. And everytime I opened them Jesus said "Do you trust Me?" and I would reply with "Yes" and He would say "Then close your eyes" That went on til I finally fell asleep.  I believe that rest comes with trust, if we are trusting God to handle whatever it is we are not going to remain uptight and restless.

A few weeks ago something came up that brought up a lot of pain and it really hurt me, and I thought it was something that could affect my future. When I found this out I was eating dinner and immediately lost my appetite, because I was sad and I was worried and concerned...and well, hurt. My roommate was quick to be the crying shoulder I needed. She encouraged me and prayed with me and then off we went to a college Church service. In the past finding out something like this would have really affected my evening, let alone my week. I would have camped out in fear and worry. But this night after we prayed I had peace and I really didn't understand it. I remember when we were in the car on our way to Church my roommate looked over and said "It's going to be okay Kayla" and I was thinking "I know! I don't know how I know but I am so peaceful and it doesn't make sense" Church was the same way....instead of balling in despair it was an amazing time of worship, and I just kept reminding God that I do trust Him. And in return...He reminded me who I am in Him. It was amazing. I pictured Jesus standing in front of me holding my face with tears in His eyes telling me "You are no longer rejected, you belong". Guys...God cares about the condition of our hearts, He cares about what concerns us or hurts us. I think that's why I saw tears in Jesus' eyes, because it hurts Him when I feel rejected and broken, and He so badly wants me to know who I am in Him. That's when I will be complete. I'm made whole because of Him, regardless of what this world throws at me.

I just want to encourage you guys to be still....don't fight the rest that God has provided you. Trust Him and you will remain at peace. We serve a trustworthy God, David says in Psalms "Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread." (Psalm 37:25) Just a few verses ahead of that one we are told that the Lord delights in every detail of our lives and that though we may stumble, we will never fall because God holds us by the hand. He doesn't fail us....ever! So trust Him with whatever is concerning or burdening your heart today and get some rest!

"Then Jesus said, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28