I doubt it.

Its Bible time; get out your Bibles and read James 1:6-7!

     Harsh right? In case you aren’t able to get to your Bible right now we’re going to go over the first passage. “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” (ESV) I hate to think my faith is like a wave of the sea. I want my faith to be strong and stable but the truth is, we all doubt. When we are faced with trials, it’s easy to blame God saying, “If He loves me, why would he do this to me?”. Another kind of doubt is the one that denies God’s existence completely. No matter how you doubt or what you’re doubting about it can tear down your faith and kill the fire inside.

Often when I think about God having no end and no beginning I start to doubt. When a small child who never had the chance to live dies of cancer, I doubt. Things that are hurtful and don’t make sense to us make us doubt. Proverbs 3:5 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding..” (ESV) Trust in the Lord and have faith when you doubt. Put your doubts aside and realize we aren’t able to understand all of God.

     Matthew 21:21 “And Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’  it will happen.’ ” (ESV) Having doubtless faith allows you to accomplish much more. As we mentioned, doubt can ruin your faith that’s why it’s important to stay away from doubt, as far away as possible. If you’re dealing with doubt, pray. Pray specifically for the things that are causing this doubt and ask God to steer your mind back to confidence in his love. Another thing you can do is talk to someone about your doubt, don’t be ashamed of it because everyone deals with it.

     Our song today is by called “You Are More” by Tenth Avenue North. This song has endless meaning and in the second verse it says “..she tries to believe it, that she’s been given new life, but she can’t shake the feeling that it’s not true tonight.” I want you to know that it is true, He loves you. When listening to this song, keep in mind all the doubt that has challenged your faith. Give it up to God.

The Bible talks a lot about doubt, other verses are; Matthew 14:31 & Luke 23:38. Our God is a loving, understanding God. He knows when you doubt and He is not angry with you for that but He wants you to trust Him and believe His in His works. One of my most favorite and inspiring Bible verses is John 20:27 "Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” (ESV)


Dear Lord, 
Take my doubting heart and disbelief.

Jude 1:22,
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"Why?", "This is too hard." & "I can't."

      First of all, my up most apologies for my second broken promise. School has started and I have been so busy. I know, lame excuse but I'm done making promises, just goals. My goal is once a week, we will see. Thank you everyone for your patience and forgiveness. 
                                                                                                                              Get out cha HOLY BIBLES! Read Numbers 11:1-3!
     If you know me at all, you will be reading this thinking, WOW Larissa, how incredibly hypocritical of you! But I'm learning just like you. So if you don't know me that well, let me inform you, I complain about everything. Everyone complains sometimes. Why do we complain? I complain because it gets things off my chest, maybe it dose the same for you. Its like blowing off steam. What we don't realize is, when we complain we are spreading negativity. One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:8 and it says "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." (NKJV) complaining? none of the above.
     If that's not enough to convince you that complaining is wrong lets look at it in black and white. Philippians 2:14 says "Do everything without complaining..."(NLT) That's it. The bible tells us its a no-no, so lets refrain from it. Psalm 119:105 says "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (NIV) We do what our good Lord tells us through His word.
     In order to not complain, I definitely need another way to vent when things don't go my way. Here's my challenge for you, instead of complaining to the person next to you in math about how hard it is, pray. Yup, pray about math. The bible says pray about everything right? Pray about the things that frustrate you so you aren't complaining and spreading a bad attitude to others.
     There is something bigger than math class in our lives that we have to complain about.. Confession time, I have complained to God.. Something tells me you've done it to? People in the Bible have. Jonah did in Jonah 4:1-2 "This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. So he complained to the Lord about it..."(NLT) If you were to read further into Numbers you would see how God severely punishes His people for complaining, I surely want to avoid that!
     We have talked about this in our devos before, God sees the big picture. We may not understand why a certain thing is happening to us, we often don't, but complaining to Him about our struggles won't help us it will only bring us down further. As I mentioned in my challenge lets pray for patience and understanding to the things that make us say "Why?", "This is too hard." & "I can't.".
     Our song today touches on the hardships of the toughest parts of our days. The things that pull us way down and make us complain til we cry. This SUPERCHICK song Beauty From Pain says "I'll wonder why God lets me walk through this place", we all wonder, but let that not lead us to complaints.

     I did a lot of talking in this post so I encourage you to find some of these verses on your own. More verses that talk about complaining are: Colossians 3:8 and Psalm 106:25. We do go through tough times but complaining does nothing good for us, those around us, our walk or anything else in our lives so we should stay away from it. We should fill our days with prayer and other things pleasing to Him. Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (EVS)


Dear Lord,
Help me to be positive and understanding, keep my mouth from complaints.


James 5:9,
:]

Brag about Him.

I am one day late for the first week of September, please forgive me!
                                                                                                                               Get out your Bibles! Read Jeremiah 9:23-24.
     The Bible tells us clearly not to boast about ourselves. James 4:16 verifies "But you boast about your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil." (ISV) it can hurt others feeling and without meaning to we can give others the notion that we think were the best thing since sliced bread. I'm not meaning to break any hearts or kill any spirits today but I have news for you. You are not worthy to boast about anything, you have nothing to brag about, and friend, neither do I. That is another reason why we shouldn't do it.
     As humans we are all sinners. You and I Romans 3:23 "...have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (NIV). Because of this we still find ourselves boasting sometimes about we did or what we have, where we went and who we've met. Theses things are not as valuable as the world or our sinful nature tells us they are.
      So we've explored the very know facts, boasting about our own works is not holy nor pleasing to God. But if you have met my friend Jesus, you've got a lot to brag about! The deep stain that was left from sin is washed away because of His love like it tells us in Isaiah 1:8 "...'though your sins are like scarlet I will make them was white as snow. Though they are red like crimson I will make them as white was wool." (NLT) The point of boasting is to show others what we've got and it can be done in all the wrong ways by talking about things that have no real meaning. We find out just how pointless this boasting is when we read Philippians 3:7 "I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done." (NLT) With Him, it IS loss! What Jesus offers is so much more.
      Our song today is about that. How Deep Our Father Love For Us preformed by Skillet. It has beautiful lyrics but the one that we are looking at today states "I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no power, no wisdom but I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection." As you praise God through song, meditate on those powerful words.





     More verses that speak the truth spoke in this song include: Habakkuk 2:4 and Ephesians 2:8.
     As mentioned many times throughout this devo, bragging for the glorification of yourself is a sin, but bragging to glorify our Lord, in other words, lifting His name high couldn't be more right. 2 Corinthians 10:17 says "'If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.'" (NLT)


Dear Lord,
Let me not boast in myself, but in You and what You have done for me and in that let others hear about Your great love.


Proverbs 27:1,
:]

Have no fear, Jesus is here!

     Before our devo, I would just like to send my deepest apologies for not posting as much as I originally said I would. I have been very busy and these posts take a lot of time and prayer, I'm simply not able to keep up. But I'm making a new promise; once a week. No specific day, just once every week.
     Another thing, I just don't know how popular my blog really is. I know that a few of my readers became my followers and that is so encouraging THANKYOU! If you are a reader who hasn't subscribed, just send me a post on Facebook or Myspace letting me know your thoughts. I would really love suggestions!

MOVING ON! Its time for Jesus! Read Psalm 27.
     Fear doesn't just happen on Halloween or in a scary movie, fear appears in our everyday lives. Sometimes we can be afraid and not even realize it! Fear can take over our actions and keep us away from God. Just the other day I was talking to someone about a struggle I've been facing these past few months. I thought about sharing with them that God helped me through it but I got nervous because I was afraid of what they might say in response. Has this ever happened to you?
     The Bible talks a lot about fear. I think its safe to say that more than half the of the times the Bible uses the word fear it is soon followed by something along the lines of; He is with you.
     Let's test my theory. 1 Chronicles 28:20 says "'Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you...'" (NIV) I should have applied this when I was talking to my friend..
     Maybe your fear is bigger than the one I mentioned. There is no reason to be afraid of what people might say if you think of what people might do when you talk about your faith. In other parts of the world, you may be thrown in jail for speaking to others about Jesus. Every day I thank God that I am not in one of those places. But even when the fears seem too big for you to handle remember nothing is to big for our God. Deuteronomy 31:6 says "...He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." (NKJV) (<--Hakuna Matata?)
     Fear is just in our heads anyway. We sike ourselves out about a situation and we become afraid of the consequences. Its not real like the Bible in front of you or the computer monitor you're staring at. Its imaginary, at least it is to me when I really think about it. Try that, really think about the last time that you have had fear. Now think about these verses, did you really need to be afraid? In the Tenth Avenue North song Strong Enough To Save there is a lyric that says "fear is just a lie". Do you agree? 2 Timothy 1:7 says "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (NLT) God didn't give us fear, that's for sure, so it must be in our heads.
     Our song today is not by Tenth Ave. but by Matt Redman. You all know this one - You Never Let Go. Hebrews 13:5-6 says "...For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'". (NKJV) Our song agrees with that. "...What can man do to me?" & "Whom than shall I fear?". Who is greater than our God? Even though this isn't the first time you've heard this song, instead of singing along meditate on these words.



  
     We should not fear any evil, He is with us. More Bible verses that proclaim that include: Isaiah 41:13 and 1 Peter 3:13-14.
     Its time to think about what it is that you fear. What makes you afraid to share your faith or what scares you in general? Lift these fears to the Lord and ask Him to reveal Himself to you in these situations so that you are not afraid anymore. Exodus 14:13 tells us "...Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today..." (NIV)

Dear Lord,
I know that I have nothing to be afraid of but sometimes, I still get scared. Show me that you are there, help me to know You are near.

1 Corinthians 16:13,
:]

PrAy

Bible time! Read 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
     In John 15:14 Jesus says "..you are my friends." (NLT) Think about your friends for a moment. When was the last time you talked to your bff? Before you opened this right? You texted them, or called them. I cant go a day without talking to my best friends! So why is it than we can go weeks without talking to God?
How can we forget to talk to our friends? That just doesn't happen. Jesus doesn't forget you. I'm not trying to make anyone feel guilty but lets face reality, prayer doesn't always come before texting. Proverbs 15:8 says "... He delights in the prayers of the upright." (NLT) Jesus likes to hear from us!
     Prayer is doing business with God. Matthew 6:6 says "...When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."(NIV)
     Just like you vent to your friends, vent to God. Theres a difference here... Your friends can't always help you with your problems, they can give you advice and be a shoulder to cry on, but Jesus can do so much more. John 14:13-14 says "I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." (NIV) Although it tells us in Matthew 6:8 "your Father knows exactly what you need before you ask him!" (NLT) He still wants to hear it from you! "...ask me..."And doesn't it feel good to get things off your chest?
     It is important to remember that prayer isn't all about "can You?" and "will You?" its also about "thank You!" and "praise You!". 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us "Give thanks in all circumstances..." (NIV) Which brings us to our song today.
Supernatural by Flyleaf is a song about praying and waiting patiently for the Lord. Its about talking to Him when things are great and when things are tough. Because you wouldn't only talk to your friends when you have good news,.






     Praying to God is such a beautiful thing. We get to talk to our creator! Some more verses in the Bible that talk about the importance of prayer include: James 5:13 and Proverbs 15:29.
    I'll ask you in every entry to take the verses I mention and mediate on them. Close this devotion with prayer but don't let it be the last time you pray to him until the next time you read an entry. Pray in the morning when you wake up, pray at night before you go to bed, and every time in between. Psalm 55:17 says "Evening and morning, and at noon, I will pray and cry aloud; and He shall hear my voice." (NIV)


Dear Lord, 
Let me not forget the importance of prayer.


Colossians 4:2,
:]

Hakuna Matata

Minimize Facebook and get out your Bibles! Read Matthew 6:25-34
     Future, making money, success, being an adult. When I read these things, I squirm. This partly because all of them involve planning which is something I really can't stand but more so because they worry me. What collage am I going to attend? What will my career be? Will I be able to support a family one day? My mind runs with questions. I get nervous. What if things don't work out the way I've planned? Then I have to stop and think,. My life is in the hands of God, the creator of the universe. In John 14:27 Jesus says "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust also in me." (NLT) & Psalm 23:4 says this "...I will not be afraid for You are close beside me..." (NLT) So why does tomorrow scare us? Jeremiah 29:11 declares "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" (NLT) God has a plan for my life and yours. It doesn't have to make sense to us upfront but God sees the big picture, so don't worry.1 Peter 5:7 tells us, "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." (NLT), God's got our back!
     I am going to share a song with you. Your Love Is Strong by Jon Foreman is a song full of facts, God is strong and He loves us! But the part of the song that directly applys to our devo is found before the first chorus. It says "So why do I worry? Why do I freak out? God knows what I need, You know what I need."
As you listen to this song, meditate on the lyrics. Lift it up to God in praise.

     All over the Bible we are told not to worry, some more verses that state this are John 14:1 and Psalm 55:22. I encourage you to look these up on your own. Also, look up the verses I mentioned earlier, go to a quiet place, clear your mind of all distractions and apply these words to your life.
    Close this devotional time with prayer, and when you pray think of the things that worry you daily. Philippians 4:6 tells us "Don't worry about anything, instead pray about everything..." (NLT)


Dear Lord,
Help me remember Your love IS strong. Take the worries of my days away, and replace them with confidence in You.


Proverbs 3:5-6,
:]

In the Beginning..

     I'm not sure where to start here people. I really have no idea what I'm getting into at this point.. First of all I'd like to apologize about my constant babbling. Where ever this blog takes me I promise there will be much rambling occurring. Spelling and grammar mistakes will be ever present also.
I suppose I'll start off with what my intentions are with this. See, I have many friends who struggle with reading their Bible everyday and setting aside time to spend with God. It seems unless a devotion is laid out before them, it won't happen. Please note, I am not pointing any fingers. That was me for quite some time but through prayer and growing closer to Him, I guess you could say it got easier for me. Even if that isn't something you struggle with, this blog can be something you keep up with along with your daily reading. However my initial thought for doing this was to reach out to those who sometimes find reading God's word a challenge.
     I'd like to make it known that I am no Bible scholar. I am young and my faith is new but I love God with all my heart and my intentions are good. There may be times when I may interpret the Bible differently than you and that is Okay! We can talk about it. I'd like this environment to stay safe, and clean and open for discussion. I'd love for people to add to my ideas and say how this verse said that to them and reminded them of this story, and what have you. I am trying to make reading God's word and talking about God's word less of a chore and more of something we look forward to at the start or ending of our day.
     Just a fair warning, I am very new to the idea of "blogging". I don't know that I've ever read a blog, let alone write one! My plans for my first blogging experience are to post 3 times a week. Maybe I will love it and want to do it more. Maybe God will give me a bunch to say and I'll blog everyday. Maybe I will hate it and only do it once a week, only time will tell.
     I'm kind of excited to see how all this turns out and how people react. I can't say how soon I will start posting my devos I am going to ask for advice from other bloggers and pray about it, so keep your eyes open for my next post. Thankyou so much for taking time out of your busy day to read all my nonsense.
God Bless,
:]