For I know the plans I have for you.

For I know the plans I have for you.

      This one is truly inspired by God because I had no intention of writing anything till at least the end of the summer, but I think everyone needs to be reminded that God has a plan for everyone, and it is always great and never what you expect. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11. 
       I have talked before about having a close relationship with God, about walking in faith and righteousness and keeping your head held high in times of hardship, but I never really explained why it was worth it, and why we should keep preserving through it all. It is an important thing to cover because without purpose we as humans tend to lack hope. If we have nothing to strive for we lose our way and become lost.
      From the time of our inception God had a plan for us, He had a plan before we were even thought of, before time and the earth even existed. That is an amazing thing to think of, everyone has a purpose and no matter what it is that you are going though, God's purpose will prevail."Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered." Matthew 10:29. God has a plan for everything, nothing happens without His will and it is all about YOU! 
      This is why it is so important to have a close relationship with God, He has nothing but your best interests at heart. You may think that what you are going through is hard, unfair, unjust and has no rhyme or reason but it all happens within the will of God, and it all has to do with plans He has for you. God wants you to succeed and prosper, He wants all of the best things for you. He doesn't want you to give up hope and live like the world wants you to live. HE LOVES YOU! 
      This is why we persevere, this is what we strive for everyday. To carry out the will of God and follow the plans that He has for our lives. "Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21. God's will and plans will always overcome whatever man has in mind. 


      Keep that in mind as you go through your day to day activities. God has a plan for you, in all that you do. Whether it is great or small, know that you have a purpose, that God loves you and that always has your best interests at heart.


      Be blessed and keep the faith!

When your faith gets tested

When your faith gets tested

      Some recent events have inspired this blog post, and it may not be for everyone to read this but we all go through a period where someone or something tests what we believe in, challenges our faith and exposes some deep truths that we probably never even thought of before. These tests can either make or break you, you either grow closer to God through it or question His very existence.

      I will be honest with you, I have been there many times before and I haven't always come out on top either. I have been down to the point of exhaustion, and pushed into a wall with no where to turn and no one seemingly to turn to. There has been a conversation going on on facebook for the past few days now, between several people of varying faiths, and at times many things that have been apparent to what the church is doing to people has been brought to light. 

      A lot of people who no longer believe, have been hurt by the church in some way shape or form. They have either felt like an outcast, feel as though they are being judged by others or have been burnt out by being over used and under appreciated. Now I am not saying that church is the only cause of people turning from their faith, but it is point that needs to be covered, as taboo as it is. We tend to bury the truth that even the church can turn people away.

      If you are one of those who has been hurt by something that the institution of church has done, I encourage you to keep pressing through it as hard as it may be. The church is a building, it is full of sinners and imperfect people who are going to make mistakes. Being a Christian is not about going to church, that is Religion, and I for one cannot stand that word and all it implies. I am not religious, I am in a relationship with my Lord and Saviour. 

      Pray, and pray over the things are going wrong, pray for the people that are wronging you. You cannot change people, only God can do that, and it is not until they feel convicted of what they are doing that they can begin to change. "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" Matthew 5:44. 

      Talk to those around you about the struggles that you are going through, you might not be the only one going through these things. You can find strength in others and encourage each other through the difficult times. 

      It may be hard, and I know that road is tempting that tells you to just walk away from it all. But I am telling you now, that the grass may look greener on the other side but it is often filled with poison ivy and thorns. Satan loves to use our imperfection against us, and it is evident that he can use the church, and the people in it to carry out what he wants. Fight the temptation to leave, to turn your back on God. God is love, people aren't always love. 

      Be encouraged, and keep your head up. God will bless you for your perseverance.

      I hope that this encourages someone out there, I try hard to listen to what God wants me to write and I think that everything has purpose and person that is supposed to be reading this.

      Keep the faith, and God bless!