Purpose Driven Life Day 15

Day 15, May 15th, "Formed for God's Family" 

  - God wants a family and created each and every one of us to be a part of it. Ephesians 1:5 says, "God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure." God didn't need a family He desired one. When we place our faith in Christ, God becomes our FATHER and we are apart of His family. This means all other believers become our brothers and sisters and the church our spiritual family. Rick Warren says, "Every human being was CREATED by God but, not everyone is a CHILD of God." In order to become a child of God you have to be born again. This means believing that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. "You become part of the human family by your 1st birth, but you become a member of God's family by your second birth." Rick Warren. The invitation to be a part of God's family is universal, it is having faith in Jesus. I know we think that our family here on earth is very important and they are but, our spiritual family is even more important because that family will last forever. Our family here on earth is fragile, the family can be broken from divorce, distance, growing old, and/or death.

BENEFITS OF BEING IN GOD'S FAMILY
   - The benefits of being in God's family are simple:
        1. We are given the family name
        2. We are given the family likiness
        3. We are given the family privilages
        4. We are given the family intimate access
        5. We are given the family inheritance
   - Galatians 4:7b says, "...and sense you are His child, God has made you also his heir." Heir is defined as a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death. "Here on earth we are given the riches...his grace...kindness...patience...glory...wisdom...power...and mercy but in eternity we inherit even more." Rick Warren. The 5 things we inherit when we go to heaven are:
   1. We will get to be with God forever
   2. We will be completely changed to be like Christ
   3. We will be freed of all pain, death, and suffering
   4. We will be rewarded and reassigned positions of service
   5. We will get to share in God's glory
Rick Warren says, "The eternal inheritance, not retirement, is what you should be looking forward to and working for." We need to look forward to eternity in heaven more than our retirement.

BAPTISM: IDENTIFYING WITH GOD'S FAMILY
  - Baptism is publicly proclaiming your faith. It signifies your inclusion in God's family. Baptism symbolizes your death to your old life and announces your birth to your new life. When I was growing up I grew up Lutheran, we were "baptized" as infants. Once I got in college and after college I started going to other churches and really felt that I had not truly been baptized. I did not have the choice when I was a baby, my parents chose for me. When I was doing a internship at Newberry College in Newberry, SC my baseball players invited me to church. I did not know they were doing baptism that Sunday but they were. I felt the tug in my heart to go up and get baptized. I went in my jeans and a t-shirt and was baptized right then! It was the greatest feeling! Now, baptism doesn't make you a member of God's family, only faith in Christ does. If you have not accepted God into your heart then being baptized doesn't mean anything. You have to accept God into your heart first and then get baptized. Baptism is like an act of initiation. It should not be delayed, once we accept God into our hearts we can be baptized that very day.

LIFE'S GREATEST PRIVILEGE
  - Jesus makes us holy. Being included in God's family is the highest honor and greatest privilege you will ever receive. If you have not accepted God into your heart and believe Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior you can say this simple prayer:

   Dear God, Thank you for loving me, enough to send Jesus to die for my sins. I believe he rose from the grave. I believe he is Lord. Come into my life and save my soul. Thank you for loving me today and receiving me into your family. 
    Amen


If you prayed this prayer please comment!  I'd love to hear from you and help you grow in your faith.

Point to Ponder: I was formed for God's family.
Verse to Remember: "His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by brining us to himself through Jesus Christ." Ephesians 1:5a
Question to Consider: How can I start treating other believers like members of my own family?

Purpose Driven Life Day 14

Day 14, May 14th, "When God Seems Distant"
   - I don't know if I am the only one but, I feel closer to God when I am going through a storm. Most people feel close to God when everything in their life is going good, for me its the totally opposite. I draw closer to God when I'm going through a storm. I feel the most connected when I am going through a difficult time, I turn to prayer and to the bible for answers. The deepest level we can get with God is praising Him in spite of our pain. Sometimes God seems distant to us. This is for a reason. God becomes distant to mature our relationship with him and help us grow spiritually. Just like our earthly relationships are often tested with separation, you will not always feel close to God. God never leaves us though, He is always there for us. Psalms 37:28 says, "For the Lord loves what is fair and right. He does not leave the people alone who belong

to Him. They are kept forever. But the children of the sinful will be cut off." God says he will never leave us BUT, he did not promise we will always feel His presence. Just because you may not feel His presence does not mean God has left you. You are not alone. Every Christian goes through it at some point in their lives, it is vital to our development and our relationship with God. God tests are faith through these times. Rick Warren says, "The most common mistake Christians make in worship today is seeking an experience rather than seeking God." We should go to church to seek God rather then seek and experience or an emotion. "Faith, not feelings, pleases God." Rick Warren. I feel, from experience, the situations that stretch you the most will often times be the biggest blessing in your life. Pastor John Ryser at Damascus Friends Church in Ohio said, "Whenever God is going to do something big in your life you will be stretched. Whenever God wants to do a great thing in your life you will have a difficulty. He confronts people with difficulties because he's got something great planned." How do you continue to praise God when He seems distant or you feel you are being stretched? There are four ways:
   1. Tell God EXACTLY how you feel
      - When you are going through a storm and have anger, doubt, and fear. Tell God. Unload all your emotions on God. He can handle it and he wants you to. Rick Warren says, "Admitting your hopeless is a statement of faith."
   2. Focus on who God is - His unchanging nature

   - V. Raymond Edman says, "Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light." Often times we doubt what God has told us when we are going through a storm. If God laid something on your heart and told you something, he will make it happen in due time. In the meantime you can always find things to praise God for. Praise God for allowing you to wake up. Praise God for your health, education, family, friends, etc. I recommend if you are having a hard time doing this to start the 100 happy days challenge. For 100 days post a picture of something that makes you happy that day and then praise God for that.
   3. Trust God to keep His promises
     - When we are going through hard times we need to be patient and realize that God is taking us to a deeper level of maturity spiritually. TRUST ME I am the most inpatient person, this is very difficult for me. It's funny though because my patient's often tell me how patient I am with them and I always tell them, I am patient with you but when it comes to my own life, I am extremely inpatient. Rick Warren says, "When you feel abandoned by God yet continue to trust Him in spite of your feelings, you worship him in the deepest way." Sometimes we just have to let go and let God take control. Trust in his promises.
   4. Remember what God has already done for you
     - If you can't think of anything in your life right now to praise God for remember what he already has done for you. He sent His son Jesus to die on the cross for you so that you would not have to spend eternity in hell.

Pondering the question of the day, I need to remain focused on God in the good times as well as the bad. Everything happens for a reason and we need to praise God in the storm and on a clear sunny day!

Point to Ponder: God is real, no matter how I feel.
Verse to Remember: "For God has said, 'I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.'" Hebrews 13:5
Question to Consider: How can I stay focused on God's presence, especially when He feels distant?

Everything I am, YOU helped me to be...

Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's out there!
 

  - A blog about my mother. I know everyone says they have the greatest mother in the world but I think I do. 😍 Let me tell you a little bit about my mother. My mother was adopted at a very young age. She was physically and mentally abused by her parents. When my grandma adopted her she was skin and bones and afraid. You see, my mother is the toughest most resilient person I have ever met. She has been through so much in her life but still manages to get up and help others. From a very young age my mom taught me so much. She was the one that put me into gymnastics and helped develop me into the person I am today. When I was 11 and broke my arm in gymnastics and wanted to quit she was the one that pushed me to stay and push through it. I'm so glad she did! I ended up making it to the highest Junior Olympic level you can accomplish and made it to state, regionals, and nationals, picking up several medals along the way. When I went to college she never forced me to stay close to home, she allowed me to choose where I wanted to go and supported me every step of the way. Once I graduated college and decided to move farther away, she continued to support me. Yeah, she was sad I was farther away but she never made me feel guilty for following my dreams and desires.

 - Don't get me wrong my mom and I do not have a perfect relationship. We have been through our battles. Things I don't understand about her and things she doesn't understand about me but, she has always been there to support me. They always say, mother knows best and growing up and still sometimes now I question that but it really is true. Mother knows best! We should really take what our moms have to say and really listen to it and
apply it to our lives. There are so many times in my life where I wish I would have just listened to my mom, I would have been a lot better off. Sometimes it takes us finding out the hard way for us to learn.

- I get my kindheartedness from my mother. My mom is the most loving and giving person I know! My mom is one of those people that will give you the shirt off her back if it meant making you happy or keeping you warm. My mom loves all things Disney and she loves to run! The races she runs in are typically for some kind of charity. She is running a 5K in Disney next year in honor of a family that lost their kids in a house fire. She is raising money for them and running in honor of them. If you would like to donate to this cause here is the link

http://sophieandmadigansplayground.org/runnerprofile.php?r_id=1068&race=23. My mom on Thanksgiving and Christmas went to the soup kitchen to help wash dishes to help others. She is such an amazing mom and person! I love her so much. This is my favorite picture of my mom, look how happy she looks,  I want to see this smile on her face all the time. She often times does not understand her worth. She is priceless and you can not replace her! God gave me you and created you to be my mom, without you I would be lost. I love you mom!


- Another great woman that has been like my second mom for the last 3 years is Brenda Uribe. This woman is incredible. She, like my mom, has been through so much and has come out more resilient then ever. She raised two incredible children and is helping raise two incredible grandchildren. I know I could go to her with my problems and she would give me a honest answer and we could talk things out together. She has the confidence in herself that I wish I had. She doesn't let the little things bother her and has a kind heart. She has taught me a lot of things these last 3 years on how to be a good mom, once I have children of my own. She loves the Lord and raised her kids and grandchildren to love the Lord as well. Thank you Brenda/Gommy for the last three years. I love you and miss you. You are incredible! Hugs and kisses to the babies for me.

Purpose Driven Life Day 13

Day 13, May 13th, "Worship What Pleases God" 

   - Mark 12:30 says, "Love the Lord your God, with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." God wants us to love him with every part of our being. He doesn't just want parts of you, he wants all of you. He wants full devotion to Him. The kind of worship that pleases God has four characteristics:
   1. God is pleased when our worship is ACCURATE
      - "Worship must be based on the truth of scripture, not our opinions about God." Rick Warren. We cannot let our opinions interfere with the truth of the scripture and how we worship God. We must worship God in an accurate way to be pleasing to Him.
   2. God is pleased when our worship is AUTHENTIC

     - God designed out spirit to worship with him. Rick Warren says, "Worship is your spirit responding to God's spirit." We must worship genuinely and heartfelt. We must mean what we say when we say it or sing it. If we worship heartlessly we are insulting God. Sometimes you see people in church or you see in yourself worshipping God but it is not genuine. They are doing it for show or to please someone else. Growing up my father was like this, he pretty much just went to check the box saying he went to church. God sees the attitude in our hearts. He knows how we are feeling and what emotions we are expressing. Worshipping brings out emotions that God gave you. We were all created unique so the way you worship may not be the same as someone else. My dad now goes to a more contemporary church and for him its not about checking the box anymore, he enjoys and craves it. Rick Warren says, "Your biggest distraction in worship is yourself - your interests and your worries over what others think about you." We have to do what is authentic to us and shows authenticity to God. There is no "one size fits all" for worship. We were all created unique, you have to find what
works for you. Thats why we have so many denominations in christianity. If you want to worship God on your hands and knees or you want to worship God singing and dancing you can. Find what fits you and be yourself. Be authentic!
    3. God is pleased when our worship is THOUGHTFUL
     - We have to love God with all our mind too. If we worship mindlessly it is meaningless. We have to be thoughtful in our worshipping. For me that means me taking notes in my prayer journal. I get more out of a sermon by taking notes. I am a very studious person and by taking notes I understand the material more and it keeps me focused. When we go to church the message should be understandable for unbelievers. Cascade Hills Church in Columbus, GA is "The Church for the Unchurched." They pride themselves on finding the unbelievers and bringing them to Christ. All of there messages are very practical to life today and are very understandable. This is how messages should be so we can reach those unbelievers.
   4. God is pleased when our worship is PRACTICAL
 

  - So many times people say, "I'm sorry I can't make it but, I'll be there in spirit." This is not true. Your spirit can only be where your body is. We need to live for God, not just on Sunday's but everyday. This is not always convenient for us or comfortable. Sometimes Sunday's is our only day off and we don't want to go and get ready and go to church. Again, its not always comfortable or convenient. When I was living in Arizona I didn't have a day off. I worked 7 days week so I went to church on Saturday nights because I worked in the morning on Sunday's. There were days when I did not want to go but I did every time and I am so glad I did. We need to make worship a priority in our lives. Somedays will be easier then others.

Point to Ponder: God wants all of me.
Verse to Remember: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Mark 12:30
Question to Ponder: Which is more pleasing to God right now - my public worship or my private worship? What will I do about this?

Purpose Driven Life Day 11-12

Day 11, May 11th, "Becoming Best Friends with God"

   - When you feel like you have no one, God is there. God is our creator and maker, Lord and master, judge, redeemer, Father, Savior, etc., but what God wants most from us is for us to be his friend. Rick Warren says, "Friendship with God is possible only because of the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus." We need to have friendship with all three forms; God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Jeremiah 9:24 says, "If people want to boast, they should boast about this: They should boast that they understand and know me. They should boast that they know and understand that I, the Lord, act out of faithfulness, fairness, and justice in the earth and that I desire to do these things." Knowing God is the greatest thing we have. We need to become best friends with God. We should crave spending time with him. When I was a senior in college, bachelors degree, I made God my best friend. I would get excited to have the night off to spend time in God's word and learn more about him. This blog and this book are really helping me get back to that. I crave reading God's word again and I crave to blog and learn more about my purpose. There are 6 secrets to friendship with God, today the book goes over two of them and on day 12 the other four will be talked about.
    1. Through constant conversation

        - Rick Warren says, "You will never grow a close relationship with God by just attending church once a week or even having daily quiet time." We need to share all our life experiences with God. We should carry on a conversation with Him all day long every day. We should pray without ceasing, ALL THE TIME. This helps us to stay aware of his presence. By changing our attitude toward what we are doing we can become closer to God. What we do for ourselves we should be doing for God. God is with us all the time, every second of the day. Brother Lawrence recommends praying shorter conversational prayers continually through the day rather than have long complex prayer sessions. I do this often times I'll just send up a "prayer flare" to God. I'll ask him for guidance or ask him to help me trust him. Like anything else this skill is something you need to work on daily and make it a habit.  We have to train our minds to do this. Putting little reminders throughout your home or work place can help.
    2. Through continual meditation
 

    - Rick Warren says, "Meditation is simple thinking about God's word through the day." This could mean recalling verses, recalling lessons learned in a sermon, or bible study, etc. Meditation is simple focused thinking. "When you think about a problem over and over in your mind, thats called worry. When you think about God's word over and over in your mind, that's called meditation." Rick Warren. If I turned all my worry into meditation, I would have the closest relationship with God. I am a constant worrier and its not healthy or righteous. I need to switch my worry/fear into Bible verses! "God will share his secrets with you if you develop the habit of thinking about his word throughout the day." Rick Warren. The more time we spend with God and reviewing his word the more "secrets" of this life God will reveal. Psalm 25:14, "The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant." Rick Warren sums it up by saying, "Prayer lets you speak to God, mediation lets God speak to you! Both are essential to becoming a best friend of God." I have just recently unlocked the power of mediation. I turn on some quiet nature music and I lay down/sit in the presence of God and I just listen to him, I ask him questions and listen for his voice to answer me. Sometime I get answers sometimes I don't. I listened to a sermon by Pastor Bill Purvis and he said God answers prayers in 5 ways;
    1. God says "No" I want whats best for you
    2. Yes, but wait! (The best things are worth waiting for)
    3. Yes, but the answer is different then what you thought
    4. Yes, and more
    5. Yes, I thought you'd never ask, I've been waiting on you to just ask.
He also said, "If you see activity, that prayer is working." The activity could be what you want or what you don't want but any activity shows that God is working. What answers is God giving you in your life right now?

Prayer and meditation are powerful tools, I can't wait to read tomorrow to see how I can become an even closer friend with God!

Point to Ponder: God wants to be my best friend.
Verse to Remember: "Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him." Psalm 25:14a
Question of the Day: What can I do to remind myself to think about God an talk to him more often throughout the day?

Day 12, May 12th, "Developing Your Friendship With God"
   - "You are as close to God as you choose to be." Rick Warren. God desires to have a close intimate relationship with each and every one of us. Just like any earthly relationship, our relationship with God requires the desire, time, and energy. We have to be honest with God and share our feelings with Him, trust him when he asks you to do something, and care about what he desires. Yesterday we talked about the first two secrets to a relationship with God and today we are going to talk about he last four.
   3. Be Honest with God

      -  We have to be 100% completely honest with God. God doesn't expect us to be perfect. God wants us to say what we want to say to him. He doesn't mind us complaining, accusing, or second-guessing him. Rick Warren says, "Genuine friendship is built on disclosure." We must be completely honest with God and tell him what is on our mind. We should be in constant conversation with him daily. "What may appear as audacity, God views as authenticity." Rick Warren. By being 100% honest, God sees us opening up to him and showing what we really feel. "Until we mature enough to understand that God uses everything for good in our lives, we harbor resentment toward God over our appearance, background, unanswered prayers, and past hurts, and other things we would change if we were God." Rick Warren. Bitterness is a barrier for friendship with God. We have to learn to talk to God and tell him about the hurts we are having. I know this is hard, trust me! When I am hurt and don't understand things that are going on in my life, trust me I do have some resentment towards God but, I need to bring that to God and tell him! I have gotten a lot better throughout the last couple of years though. Often times we blame God for hurts that others have caused us. God always acts in our best interests, even when we don't think so. The book of Psalms expresses so much emotion. We should not hold back anything from God. Bring it all to him.
   4. Choose to Obey God in Faith
 

   - We need to be obedient to God and what he wants us to do. This may be scary at times but we need to be obedient. "Every time you trust God's wisdom and do whatever he says, even when you don't understand it, you deepen your friendship with God." Rick Warren. This is hard at times, but we need to trust in Him. There are times in my life where I disobeyed God and paid the price. God is our friend but not our equal he is our leader and we need to obey Him. We need to obey Him because we love Him and trust Him because he knows whats best for us. The closer we become the deeper the friendship we have with God. John 15: 9-11 says, "Just as the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you. Abide in My love! If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and your joy may be full." We have to do what Jesus says, even when its not what we want. Trust me this is just as hard for me as the next person. It hurts at times but God does not cause pain without allowing something new to be born. Rick Warrens says, "Great opportunities may come once in a lifetime but, small opportunities surround us every day." Obey God every day even with the small things.
   5. Choose to Value what God Values
    - We need to care about what God cares about. God cares most about the redemption of His people and he cares second about us sharing His word with others. We need to spread God's word all the time, no matter who you are with. God placed you where you are at for a reason. Use where you are at and who you are around to spread His word.
   6. Desire Friendship With God More Than Anything Else
    - We have to want a relationship with God and desire it more than anything else. "God isn't offended when we wrestle with him because it brings us closer to Him." Rick Warren. Wrestling is an activity that you are up closer and personal with another person. God doesn't mind us wrestling with him because it brings us closer to Him. Again, we are as close to God as we choose to be. We have to intentionally seek a relationship with him. What is it worth to you? Rick Warren says, "If you've been going through the motions spiritually, don't be surprised when God allows pain in your life." WOW! This one hit me hard. I felt like I was just going through the motions before and have recently seen pain been brought to my life and then I become closer to God. C.S. Lewis says, "Pain is God's megaphone." This is so true for me in my life. Whenever I'm in pain or have fear I run to God and I'm so close but when things are going well in my life, I am more passive with my faith. Pain is God's way of waking us up. It is not a punishment, it is just a wake up call from God. "God is not mad at you, he's mad about you and your actions, and he will do whatever it takes to bring you back into fellowship with him." Rick Warren. We need to pray to know God intimately.

Having a relationship with God is the most important relationship you can have! 

Point to Ponder: I'm as close to God as I choose to be.
Verse to Remember: "Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you." James 4:8a
Question to Consider: What practical choices will I make today in order to grow closer to God?

Purpose Driven Life Day 10

Day 10, May 10th, "The Heart of Worship"
 

  The word surrender is almost always used in a negative way in our society. Surrender typically implies losing and no one likes to be associated with being a "loser." Rick Warrens say, "If winning is everything, surrendering is unthinkable." Romans 12:1 says, "So then, my friends, because of God's great mercy to us...offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer." We as Christians need to fully surrender to God and live our lives the way he wants us to. Often times this is hard and we think we know best for ourselves but we don't. There are 3 barriers that block our surrender to God.
     1. Fear - Can I trust God?
         - This is hard for a lot of us. I struggle greatly with this but why? Has God ever let me down? Has God ever steered me in the wrong direction? No, he hasn't everything he does for me is for a reason. We can not trust God until we know him better. We need to get to know God on a deeper level so that we can trust him more. "Fear keeps us from surrendering, but love casts out all fear." Rick Warren. We need to fall in love with God like we fall in love with our spouse, children, significant other. An example given in the book is, "If you want to know how much God loves you, look at Jesus with his arms stretched out on the cross, saying, 'I love you this much! I'd rather die them live without you'" That is a powerful illustration and one we should think about more often. We can't let fear get in the way of fully surrendering to God.
     2. Pride - Admitting Our Limitations
         - A.W. Tozer said, "The reason why many are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven't yet come to the end of themselves. We're still trying to give orders and interfering with God's work within us." So often we as humans try and be God. We try and fix all of our problems when we can't. We have to understand out limitations and accept them and surrender to God.
     3. Confusion
        - A lot of people are confused an don't know the Lord. If they don't know the Lord how can they surrender. Sometimes people are confused about things and seek other sources but God.

  What it means to SURRENDER? 
     - Surrendering means sacrificing your life or suffering in order to change what needs to be changed. C.S Lewis says, "The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become - because he made us. He invented all different people that you are and I were intended to be...it is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality that I first begin to have a real personality of my own." When we turn to God we become more of the person he intended for us to be. I know just by going through these 10 days that I am looking at thinks differently, I am seeing the world differently, I am seeing people differently. SURRENDERING IS DEMONSTRATED BY OBEDIENCE...even when it doesn't make sense. Do you think I want to be back in Northeast, Ohio? No, I don't but I am surrendering to God and letting him take control. Rick Warren says, "You know you're surrendered to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation." I don't have a job right now, but I am trusting on God to get through school and provide me with a job so that I do not have to blow through my savings. This is always a test for me and this time I've just fully surrendered and I am letting him guide me and lead me and figure it out. You also know you have surrendered when you don't react to criticism and try and defend yourself. Surrender is like warfare against our self-centered nature.

   The Blessing of Surrender
      - We all eventually surrender to something or someone but it should be God! If we do not choose God we will choose some other idol to surrender to. "We cannot fulfill God's purposes in your life while focusing on your own plans." Rick Warren. We really need to have a relationship with God. We need our quiet time with him and we need to be able to hear him and communicate with him. Prayer, mediation, reading the bible. We need to be like the song by Carrie Underwood, "Jesus Take the Wheel," we need allow him to take the controls. Surrendering to God is not a one time thing, its a lifelong journey. We have to practice surrender and make it a habit. When you completely surrender you will be tested. Things will come up to test you to make sure you are fully surrendered to God.
There still are several areas of my life where I have not fully surrendered to God but I am not perfect and I am working on it. One step at a time. Here is a song to listen to.

Point to Ponder: The heart of worship is surrender.
Verse to Remember:  "Surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes." Romans  6:13b
Question of the Day: What area of my life am I holding back from God?
      

Purpose Driven Life Day 8-9

Day 8, May 8th, "You were planned for God's Pleasure"
 

   - When you were born God was there smiling in delight. He didn't need to create you, he chose to create you for his pleasure and enjoyment. Bringing pleasure to God is our #1 purpose! Rick Warren says, "When you fully understand this truth, you will never again have a problem with feeling insignificant." This is an area I need to work on. Often times I feel insignificant, past relationships endings have made me feel this way. This "singleness" time in my life, I need to work on myself and develop a deeper relationship with God that is going to give God more pleasure. We are wired with 5 senses and emotions to experience pleasure. Rick Warren says, "The reason you are able to enjoy life is because God made you in his image." We are all made in God's image. God feels emotions just like we do. "Anything that we do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship." Rick Warren. This may be going to church, singing, dancing, laughing. Worship is more then just music. Every part of a church service is worship and you don't have to be in a church to worship God. "If we fail to worship God we will always find a substitute." Rick Warren. This is so true, I see this in myself at times and in others. Yes, I worship God and I attend church but when I get into a relationship my worshipping of God lessens. In this season of being single, I am beginning to realize that. Before I met my ex-boyfriend, I attended bible study every Wednesday and of course church on Sunday's. Once we met I stopped going to bible study on Wednesday because I wanted to spend more time with him. That is not right at all, I should never put a guy before God and my time of worship and praise with him. We all make mistakes and we either repeat them or learn from them and move forward.

    - Worship is not for our benefit it's for God's. The goal of worship is to bring pleasure to God not ourselves. Saying you didn't get anything out of worship/church service is wrong and it means you did it for the wrong reason. I am a victim of this. Sometimes I will go to church and be like I really didn't get anything from that, it happens less and less now but I used to say it a lot more. Worship should not be a part of your life; it is your life! The first thing you should do when you wake ups is worship and the last thing you should do before you go to bed is worship. This could me prayer, singing, reading your bible, etc. We should have continual conversation with God all day everyday. Lately I've been waking up with christian lyrics in my head and its nice because it reminds me to praise God each morning I wake up.

    - Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,as working for the Lord, not for human masters." We should always do things at 100% effort for the glory of God. Whether this be in our work, recreation, or relationships. Give everything 100% effort.

    - Our relationship with God should be like a new relationship you get into. You know what I'm talking about, where you are constantly thinking of that person, you can't get them out of your mind. We need to fall in love with Jesus like we fall in love with people.

Day 9, May 9th, "What Makes God Smile?" 
     - Do you every wonder what makes God smile? The goal of our lives should be to make God smile. There are 5 acts of worship that make God smile:
  1. God Smiles when we LOVE HIM SUPREMELY

   - God wants a relationship with each and every one of us. He wants us to get to know him, spend time with him, and love him. Our main objective in life should be learning to love God and be loved by him. Matthew 22:37-38 says, Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your should and with all your mind' This is the first and greatest commandment. We should never love anyone or anything more then God. Yes for all you mothers and fathers out there that includes your children. God should always come first.

  2. God Smiles when we TRUST HIM COMPLETELY

              - This is an area for me that I make God frown a lot. I am working on it but often times I fail. I need to fully surrender to him and his will. "Trusting God completely means having faith that he knows what is best for your life." Rick Warren. Man oh man do I struggle with this and God constantly puts me through a test to see if I am trusting him completely. Again, why am I in Northeast Ohio? There is a reason, I need to stop questioning him and trust him. Why did I go through heartbreaks and have cancer? TRUST HIM, SURRENDER! This is my most difficult area.

      3. God Smiles when we OBEY HIM WHOLEHEARTEDLY
          - This again comes with trust. We need to do whatever God asks without reservation or hesitation. We shouldn't say let me pray about it more. We don't need to procrastinate, we need to just obey him wholeheartedly and just do it! Rick Warren says, "We will never understand some commands until we obey them first. Obedience unlocks understanding." We can't pick and choose what commands God gives us that we are going to obey. Partial obedience is the same as disobedience. God commands us to tithe, give 10% to the church, we shouldn't just ignore this and say well I'm attending church thats good enough. We shouldn't just say I'm going to read my bible but I'm not going to forgive those who hurt me. It doesn't work that way. We need to obey all the commands God has laid out for us.

      4. God Smiles when we PRAISE AND THANK HIM CONTINUALLY 
          - We should continually offer God praise and thanksgiving to God. We should wake up and go to sleep thanking God. Rick Warren says, "When we give God enjoyment, our own hearts are filled with joy!" Continually giving God praise and thanking him puts joy in your heart as well.

     5. God Smiles when we USE OUR ABILITIES 

        - "Every human activity, except sin, can be done for God's pleasure if you do it with an attitude of praise." Rick Warren. God gave each of use unique abilities and personalities. We should use our abilities to bring glory to God. We should never hide out abilities. We need to be OURSELVES! Anyone that makes you hide who you are or hide your abilities is not right for you. Rick Warren says, "Anytime you reject any part of yourself, you are rejecting God's wisdom and sovereignty in creating you." Don't hide your abilities use them. God gave them to you for a reason.

Pondering the question of the day I need to trust God more in my romantic relationships and I need to trust God more in my finances. To be honest I really just need to fully surrender and trust God wholeheartedly in all areas of my life. What areas do you need to trust God more in?

Point to Ponder: God smiles when I trust him.
Verse to Remember: "The Lord is pleased with those who worship him and trust his love." Psalm 147:11
Question to Consider: Since God knows what is best, in what areas of my life do I need to trust him more?