Freedom of Choice

God gives us freedom of choice. When we invite God into our lives, He delights in the fact that we choose to come to Him, whether for help, guidance, strength, or love. He is always there for us, but it is our decision whether to have a relationship with Him or not. God doesn't want a forced love, just like you don't want a forced love with your spouse, significant other, or friend. You want them to choose you. Of course, you can pressure them into buying you gifts or giving you attention, but when it is forced it doesn’t come from the heart. You want them to call because they randomly thought about you. You want them to buy a gift for you because they genuinely want to put a smile on your face. It's the same with God—He loves us and He wants our hearts to truly desire Him. Be intentional about your relationship with God. Spend time with Him daily (Read His Word). Talk to Him daily (Pray). Share with your friends and family all the good things He has done for you (Testify). Thank Him and tell Him you love Him (Praise and Worship). The love He has for us is the best example of how we should love and have healthy relationships with the people in our lives. Choose to have a true relationship with God because His love is so good, forgiving, and unfailing.

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

Proverbs 8:17 “I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me.”

John 15:12-15 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” ​ #FreedomOfChoice #RelationshipGoals #LivingThroughHope ​

Joy

When it came to deciding what I wanted for 2019, one word came to mind—Joy. Like anybody who has struggles and pains, there are moments when I feel sad, get depressed, feel overwhelmed and underappreciated. But, from this point on, I no longer want to focus on the negativity in my life. I want to focus on enjoying my life. I want to have Joy! The difference between happiness and joy is that happiness is conditional—it is a feeling that comes and goes because of a moment, a person, a specific happening. Joy is unconditional—no matter the circumstances, you chose to be hopeful and positive because you know things are going to work out. There are things I can’t prevent from happening, things I am still not certain of, or things I still want and desire that I don’t have yet, but I know God has my future in His hands. I can put my trust and hope in Him. He can turn it all for good. Make the choice to find Joy in every single day of your life. Find joy in waking up each morning. Find joy in having food on your plate. Find joy in having a job to go to everyday. Find joy in the family that is still here with you. Find joy in knowing God loves you and that He is still in control of your life. Let these truths fill your heart and motivate you to choose Joy each day. Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT) “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

Isaiah 35:10 (NLT) “Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.”

Romans 15:13 (NLT) “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” ​ #Joy #2019 #LivingThroughHope ​

You are Loved

Sixteen years ago, I gave my life to Christ. Even though I was young, I heard God speaking to me, and I thought I knew what it meant to be saved. Growing up, I didn’t always walk in God’s ways. I didn’t always go to church, I didn’t always pray, I didn’t always do the things He wanted me to, but I still felt that He was with me, waiting on me to fully give myself to Him. It wasn’t until years later that I was fully confident in saying I’m a believer and choose to intentionally live a Christian life. I’m thankful to God for being patient with me and for being faithful, because I now know I couldn’t live my life without Him. Many people feel that they have to be in a perfect place and that they have to be this perfect person doing everything right to accept Jesus in their lives, but that is a lie. He loves us, no matter where we are in our lives. He knows we are not perfect, and yet, He accepts us with open arms. He says, "You belong to Me" and tells us to “Come as you are”. Jesus paid the price for all of our sins, and so we can come to God at anytime for anything. In His eyes, we are loved, forgiven, and accepted. In our lives, we strive to be complete, to be whole, but you are not fully complete without God. Everything that you are lacking, missing, or in need of, He is the answer. If you haven’t already, give Him a try. His love, protection, guidance, anointing far outweighs anything we can ever have in this world. It is never too late and never too early to call on His Name. He loves you and will never give up on you. ​ John 3:16 (NKJV) “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Romans 10:9-10(NIV) “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Isaiah 43:1 (NKJV) “But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.” ​ #YouAreLoved #JesusChrist #LordOurFather #LivingThroughHope ​