Be Content in EVERY Circumstance!!

        Something I have been working on lately is being content in EVERY circumstance. Its so easy to want what you don't have. For me, after moving to VA, it has been really hard not wanting something different. One thing, for example, is instead of me complaining that we don't have a church yet, I have to be content and look for the bright side - I get tons of time with my family. Everyone has different things that might not go exactly like planned. No matter what it is, be content. Everything God does is for a reason....a reason that you won't know usually until after the fact. I always think of Paul - he worshipped God while he was in jail! Now that is real contentment! Here are some bible verses about being content:

 

Philippians 4:11-12 "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

 

1 Timothy 6:6 "But godliness with contentment is great gain."

 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

 

In every circumstance, be content and trust God!! He will be with you all the way through it all!!

Loving The Ones Who Don't Love You

Its so easy to love people who love you, isn't it? But what about the other people? The ones who don't love you back? The ones who might even hate you? The ones who have hurt you? Well I have news for you - we have to love them too. God says that even fools can love the people who love them, but it takes somebody wise to love the ones who don't. Trust me, this is not easy. Sometimes we think we can only give the love that we FEEL in our heart, but this is not the case. Its not OUR love that we need to give them, its God's!! We have to show these people the same love that Jesus shows us. There are about 6 billion people in this world, and Jesus loves EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. He even loves the people who beat him and put him on that cross. Wow. The least we can do is show love to the few people we know who don't love us back. The first step to showing this "God love" to everyone, is forgiveness. Its so much easier just to hold grudges or just pretend certain people aren't even there, but....the easiest way is not always the right way. This is so, so, so hard for me and I'm sure for you too, but with God's help we can do it! Just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!

Salt, Light, Plants, And Dumb Sheep

         I am such a visual learner and I love how creative Jesus is with his words. I love when he tells us, "You are the....", and then uses visuals of things that we use or see almost everyday. Here are some of the things that Jesus relates us to:

Matthew 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." We are on this earth to bring meaning where there is no meaning. Everything is better with salt. (Ever tried not adding salt to a recipe? ewwww!!)

Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden." We are here to bring light to this dark world! People need the light!  

John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." Stick with Jesus and you can do big things! Without him we can't do jack.

Jesus is the shepherd and we are the sheep. We need to listen for Jesus' voice, so we know where to go...just like sheep do!!

       Jesus loves us and wants us to be all that we can be. So, he uses these real life things that we understand, to talk to us. Salt, light, trees, animals? The stuff we see everyday! I love that!!

Encourage Each Other!!



        I love to make people feel good. I love to make cards, write notes, send texts, etc. God says in Hebrews 3:13 (a), "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today'....." Encouraging people is a part of God's will. As Christians, we are supposed to build others up and honor each other. One thing I have figured out, is that by making other people feel good, you are also helping yourself - you are taking the focus off you, and putting it on someone else (this is humility). You never know if God will use your simple card or text for something really big in someone's life. Encouragement can be anything from writing long letters to everyone you know (I wouldn't recommend EVERYONE), to sending a nice "Good morning. :) Have a wonderful day." text to your closest friends. AND...there are so many people in this world to encourage: Your parents, pastor, teachers, boss, co-workers, youth leaders, friends, family, teammates.........and the list could go on for about 15 more lines..=). I don't know about you, but it sure does make me feel good to make other people feel good (does that even make sense? haha). There are SOOOO many ways to build people up....just BE CREATIVE!!!! (Comment on this post, or email me at hannahbnc@gmail.com,  if you need some ideas.)  :) 

Shine Your LIGHT, and Shine It BRIGHT!!

          Shine your light!! Jesus says in Matthew 5:16, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." I want Jesus to be evident in my life; to the point where I don't even have to tell people I'm a Christian, because they can tell by my life. Notice how Jesus says at the end, "and glorify your Father in heaven." - The purpose of us shining for Jesus is not to bring glory to ourselves or for people to say, "Look how good Hannah is," but to completely bring glory to God, so people will say, "Look how amazing God is." I want EVERYTHING in my life to point to Jesus - my attitude, the way I act, the words I say, the way I dress, etc. We are THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. Without Jesus and his followers, the world is full of pure darkness and evil. I always think about the whole "shining your light" thing like this - we are in a dark cave (life), and some people like the dark, because nobody can see what they are doing (non-believers), but some people want them and others to be able to see (Christians). Some of the ones who don't like the dark pull out their phones to shine a light for the people closest to them, thinking that will be bright enough. The other ones who want light, look all around for the brightest light they can find, so everyone can see. - I want to be one of the those who wants to shine the biggest, brightest light!!!! The small, dim light (like the phone) might point the one close friend or family member to Jesus, but what about everyone else around you? Do they see Jesus overflowing from your life?? Shine your LIGHT, and shine it BRIGHT!!!!