Mothers (of the Bible)

           

"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." ~Luke 2:19

Who remembers making those crafts for their mom? You know the ones that have our hand prints in it and normally go on the fridge. Every year your mom received one of these gifts, she loved it and kept it. As you got older, you started picking out other things for her that she could actually use. Maybe something she'd been wanting for around the house or a piece of jewelry.Well, I'm thankful for my mom and all she does for me. Moms have a special job and no one, here on earth, is going to love you like your mom does. With that, let's look at some moms in the Bible.

Sarah: She wanted a child, but as each year approached and passed she and her husband weren't able to have children. She took matters in her own hands and her female servant had a child with her husband (I know this is weird, but back in the day this was kind of like adoption.) This plan didn't work out the way Sarah wanted and she still had no child. In her old age God gave her a son and she became a legacy of a nation! Sarah shows us that God has better plans than us and He reveals those plans at the right time. (Genesis 16, 18, 21)

Jochebed: This was Moses' mother. This woman also had amazing faith! She knew her baby boy would be killed if she didn't do something. So, she puts him in a basket in the river! She trusted God to keep that baby safe in the water and safe with who he ended up with, which happened to be royalty and he was used by God in a huge way! I truly believe that because of this woman's faith, her children turned into the Christian leaders that they were. (Exodus 2)

Pharaoh's Daughter: She was the woman who found Moses (Jochebed's son). She showed love by "adopting" and raising Moses as her own son. Step-mothers and adopted-mothers are a gift from God too! (Exodus 2:510)

Hannah: She was the woman who prayed to God for a child and when her child was of age she gave him back to God so he could serve God. She knew children are God's amazing gift. (1 Samuel 1)

Mary: She was chosen to be Jesus' mother. She was blessed to get to raise him and teach him. She also had the blessing of him dying for her sins on the cross when He died for all of us. This had to break her heart and I've always wondered if God allowed her to know what was going to happen. She's a perfect example of a loving mother who puts her faith in God and never walks away from her child. (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)

There are many other mothers in the Bible who set great examples. God loves you enough to give you a mother, but His love is 100% better than a mothers love! Take time to thank God for the gift of your mom and to tell your mom thank you for everything. 

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come....Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:" ~Proverbs 31:25, 28

Psalm 86: A Prayer of Protection

I love Psalm 86. I've been sharing the verses of this chapter on my twitter (@itsbrandirose) and my facebook page (A Traveler's Thoughts). Now, I would like to share with you what I've learned from this beautiful chapter.

"Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you.You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, For I call to you all day long." ~Psalm 86:1-3
We can tell God we need Him to hear us. We are poor and needy people because we are designed to need God! I love that! The Maker of everything loves us so much He just wants us to want Him! God is our Protector we don't have to be afraid! God wants us to talk to Him contently. It's okay to call on Him all day!
"Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy." ~Psalm 86:4-6
God is FORGIVING! God is GOOD! God is ABOUNDING IN LOVE! Just call on Him.
"When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. Among the gods there is none like you, Lord, no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God." ~Psalm 86:7-10
God answers, so when I'm troubled that's Who I need to turn to! Nothing can compare to God! God is GREAT! God does MARVELOUS DEEDS! HE ALONE IS GOD! WOW!
"Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." ~Psalm 86:11
This has to be my favorite verse in this whole chapter. Let's read it again, but this time slower.
Teach me YOUR way LORD. Ask and allow God to teach you. He will and it's amazing the blessings you feel and see.
That I may rely on YOUR FAITHFULNESS. This world is going to bring pain. But don't cling to a person or thing. rely on GOD's faithfulness. This will be enough!
Give me an UNDIVIDED HEART, that I may fear Your Name. This is the part of the verse I like best. I allow the world to pull me in many different directions. But every time I spend time with God my heart is so happy. This is the best part of the prayer and is what I pray for you and me. That we'll have an undivided heart!
"I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead. Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me— they have no regard for you." ~Psalm 86:12-14
I may be repeating myself here, but praise God with all of your heart! He is amazing! People will try to bring you down, but...
"But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant;save me, because I serve you just as my mother did. Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me." ~Psalm 86:15-17
God defeats the people after you. He protects you. He is compassionate. He is gracious. He is slow to anger. He is abounding in love. He is abounding in faithfulness. He has mercy on you. He shows you His strength. He gives you signs of His goodness (just look outside.) He helps you. He comforts you.
I don't know about you, but I'm so thankful I serve a God Who is all of this!

2 

The Adventure Has Been Great So Far

February 24, 2008 my life changed forever. I had been having a rough time for awhile. These rough times came from not agreeing with friends, a few bumps in the family road, and boy problems. It just so happened that the boy problems were what was going to open my eyes to God.

I was 13 years old, getting ready to turn 14 in a few months. I had my heartbroken over a guy on that February day. I honestly don't know what had happened between the guy and me, but it was the best thing that had ever happened.

My mom and I went to a Christian bookstore on February 24th and, as I was browsing the Bible shelves, a Bible caught my attention. It was an NIV True Image Bible and my mom bought it for me.

That night, as I was sitting in my room and looking through this new Bible, I found a page in the back labeled "Christianity 101." I was curious do I read it.

This peace came over me and I felt truly happy for the first time in a long time. I realized in that moment that God was with me even when no one else wasn't and Jesus is my True Prince Charming and He had someone planned for me!

I thought I had been saved about two or three times before that. But that night at 10pm, I KNEW 100% sure that I had started a relationship with God!

A lot of things hit my family all at once after that and it was a storm. Instead of questioning God about why these things were happening I clung to God as hard as I could! God knew that I needed Him at that time more than ever.

Now, seven years later there have been tons of hard times, but billions of amazingly happy times! I praise God that He never gave up on me and continued to pursue me and pursues me now. Life is hard, but a life with a relationship with God makes everything sweet and beautiful in the right time! By the way, God loves you and is pursuing you too!

 The Roman Road to Salvation 

The True Image Bible 

Dear Daughter of the King,

Dear Daughter of the King,

Do not listen to the world! The world is going to try and tell you that you're not pretty enough if you do not wear revealing clothing and cover your face with a bunch of makeup. The world will say that if you don't lose your virginity at a certain age you are wired and an outcast. The world will say that if you aren't skinny then you are ugly and no one will ever want to date you. The world will say that everything is your fault.
But your King, who gave His life for you and loves you, says that "You are all together beautiful My Darling. There is NO flaw in you." (Song of Solomon 4:7). Your King says that to dress modestly is the most beautiful thing in the world, you are respecting yourself and your body. Your King says that beauty should come from what is in your heart, not how much makeup you wear. "The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7). Your King says that keeping your virginity and staying pure is RADIANTLY BEAUTIFUL! Your King says that no matter what size you are, you are LOVED! "Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you," (Isaiah 43:4). Your King says that no matter what happens HE is there for you and HE can fix any problem! "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew11:28). Just remember, Daughter of the King, Your King loves you and is always with you!

Being God's Princess

I've been reading His Princess Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd. She wrote this book as though God is writing a letter to us personally and a Bible Verse that goes with it. There are eighty-seven "letters" in it. This book has helped me so much. I want to take the first six "letters" I have read so far and focus on the Bible Verses.

"You didn't choose Me, I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using My Name." ~John 15:16. Think about this, GOD choose you! He wants a relationship with you and to hear about your day and your problems! He's NEVER too busy for you! He has a job for us. We are His hands and feet to bring forth the fruit "other Christians" and it'll be forever!
"Am I not trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." ~Galatians 1:10. We are not meant to fit in with the world. So, we can't win the approval of people who don't believe in God. But why would we want their approval over God's approval in the first place? A friend of mine once told me, that in one of their college classes the professor assigned a book full of foul language and inappropriate scenes and also talked about how God wasn't real. This friend felt condemned of reading this book. So they went and told the professor they could not read this book. The professor said they had the option of taking an F on the assignment or reading the book. My friend took the F. They chose God's approval over man's.
"'And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters,' says the Lord Almighty." ~2Corinthians 6:18. God is our Dad. He created us. He wanted a relationship with us. He planned our lives. He watches over us. He cheers us on. He comforts us. He loves us. Therefore, we can call Him Father.
"The Lord said: 'It isn't too late. You can still return to Me with all your heart.'" ~Joel 2:12 (CEV). Anything you have done, no matter how bad, you can still have a relationship with God! He still loves you!
"You are the light of the world-like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all." ~Matthew5:14-15. Someone is always watching you. It could be a teacher, a student, a friend, or a complete stranger. But someone always sees how you act and what message you are sending. Also, you could be the only form of the Bible someone sees. So shine for God!
"Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win." ~1 Corinthians 9:24. The world is going to judge you on a lot of different things. People are going to expect too much out of you sometimes. You're going to put to much pressure on yourself. Stop. Breathe. Remember that you have already won if you have a relationship with Christ. You are Heaven bond!
Here is a link to Sheri Rose Shepherd's website and here's a link to the book I am reading on Amazon.

Let My Life Be The Proof, The Proof Of Your Love

 

"Something altogether great and amazing must be waiting on the other side of this mountain... otherwise, the journey wouldn't be so hard." (From Redemption) by Karen Kingsbury

 Today I wanted my blog post to be about the book and movie Heaven Is for Real, but God had other plans. As I sat outside with blue stained fingers listening to worship music is when I was finally quite enough to listen to Him.

Today started out as a huge mountain that I had to climb. I had a family problem right when I woke up. Thankfully it wasn't as serious as everyone thought and everyone is okay! Next it was buying a new lawnmower and getting things to make a high school graduation gift (hence the blue stained fingers.) While getting things that were needed my mom and I ran into an old friend.

Now at this moment is where climbing this mountain got extremely difficult. I had so many emotions running through me that I went numb. The one thought that continuously running through my head was "show the light of Jesus. He is here with me." So after talking for awhile Moma and I left and when I got in the car the emotions finally started hitting me like bullets. Needless to say I cried and I was angry. When we got home I threw myself into working on the graduation gift.

So, as I was waiting for the paint to dry I sat outside and listened to worship music. I had it on shuffle and as I started crying again "Press On" by Mandisa came on followed by "Listen to the Sound" by Building 429. I closed my eyes and just worshiped. As I was doing this the sun broke through the clouds to shine on my face and a small and gentle wind picked up. It felt like God Himself was beside me gently wiping away my tears.

I happened to look down and laying at my feet was the picture above. Two sticks in the shape of a heart! I knew this was God telling me "My Child I know you are hurting, but I AM right here holding you and I have this planned out." Then, as if that wasn't strong enough, "My Desire" by Jeremy Camp came on and my tears turned to happy ones!

As I sat down to write about God comforting me tonight; I noticed my Karen Kingsbury quote book and today's quote fit perfectly! Just another way God was telling me He is here with me! I turned on Spotify and "Proof of Your Love" by For King & Country was playing and then "Busted Heart" by them came on and I know God has this planned and soon the pain will heal for something so much better!!

Don't take more than what you need

 

"When the turn came for Esther to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her." ~Esther 2:15 (NIV)

    Sometimes prom can feel like a beauty pageant. You have all these other girls dressing up in beautiful dresses with their hair, makeup, and nails done. So you look for the dress that's going to make everyone keep their eyes on you all night. Well, Esther was in a beauty pageant. A beauty pageant for the king's heart! When it came time for her to pick beautiful things from the king's palace she didn't take everything she could carry like the other girls did. She let her inner beauty win the king's heart!

    Now there is nothing wrong with getting dressed up and having good, clean fun with friends. Just remember that it's your true beauty that will win hearts. Esther was modest even though she became queen. She was there to save her people and help be a great leader for God. When you are at prom you are still working for God, so shine for Him. Read the book of Esther and keep her kind spirit and modest beauty while you are picking out your dress.

Unfading beauty

"When they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." ~ 1 Peter 3:2-4 (NIV)
    Okay, so lets continue our talk about modest prom dresses for this year. Also, I know this verse is very long. So, lets break it down verse by verse.
    "When they see the purity and reverence of your lives."(V2) So this verse is telling us that what should draw people to us is our purity and reverence. Pretty much our love for God and how we respect ourselves.
    "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes."(V3) Remember, outward beauty will fade, but inner beauty will last forever. Think of the most beautiful older lady that you know and think about what makes her beautiful. For me it is how she always has a smile on her face even when she is having a hard time. She has this smile because she trusts in God fully. So don't base all your beauty on clothes, jewelry, and hair. Base it on your relationship with God.
  "Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."(V4) Wow! Lets just take a minute and let this verse soak in. A gentle and quiet spirit is of GREAT worth in GOD'S sight! Wow! The Creator of the whole world and galaxies thinks YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! How could you not think you are beautiful with modest clothes on when the King of kings says His Princess is beautiful in modest clothing!
  Now with that being said, here are some more modest prom dresses:

This is beautiful and very elegant. 

Sweetheart with a beautiful lace covering!

Simple with some sparkle.

The defamer ion of a princess ball-gown with a jacket cover up.

This dress was made for the girl who wants modesty and has glitter running through her veins!

Elegant, pink, and slight sparkle.

The Ultimate Valentine

"We love because He first loved us." ~1 John 4:19
        Today is Valentine's Day. A lot of people will be receiving flowers, chocolate, jewelry, and other beautiful gifts form people who love them. Some people will wish they could just go back to bed and let this day pass because it's "single awareness day" and they don't want to see what they don't have. Then some people will be planning a friends night so they are not alone on this day and at least have friends with them. Finally, some people will just see this as another Friday and not a special holiday.
       When I was young, Valentine's Day was about getting to hand out those cute Valentines to my class mates and getting candy from said class mates and parents. My parents also had this tradition of sending me flowers to school to just let me know that they love me and are always there for me. I can't tell you when that tradition started, but it was something I always appreciated. As I got older I went through a phase where Valentine's Day was "single awareness day" for me and I just wished it would pass. Last Valentine's Day my sweet and loving boyfriend took me to the Cove for a Brandon Heath concert and it was so special and I'm so thankful for that.
     This year I am single, but I am not upset and thinking about how horrible Valentine's day is. I'm not handing out those cute little Valentines to class mates. Instead I am drowning in the love my God has for me! I mean think about it.. GOD LOVES US!! As the verse at the top reminds us, the only reason we love is because He loves us!
"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, God died for us." ~Romans 5:8
       My God is SO amazing! He planned me. He has my life mapped out. He is always on my side. He died for me even though He knew I would reject Him for a long time!!
"and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." ~Ephesians 5:2
      God is all about love. I don't see how we could not want to show love when we learn about what Jesus did for us at the cross! Maybe this Valentine's Day you can also think about the strangers that you can show love to with just a simple smile while showering your family and friends with love!
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." ~John 3:16
     I really think this verse speaks for itself about God's love. So Thank You my Ultimate Valentine, God for Loving Me!
    Guys, God love YOU! Strive to seek and serve Him and the right girl will come into your life! Now one more point that I want to make, girls this concerns you who are looking for prom dresses. Girls remember the Bible is filled with tons of verses about how much God Loves YOU. So with that in mind, please pick out prom dresses that would please your Heavenly Daddy!

Kari Jobe in a beautiful and slag rnt red dress.

So beautiful!