With God all things are possible

#Matthew 19:16-30 enlightened me, on what seems to be, a very controversial issue........ money.

Some people have a lot of it, most have experienced a lack of it, yet some have so much that it loses it's purpose! Here in this passage, a very wealthy man asked Jesus a very good question: 'What good thing must I do to get eternal life?' Now, Jesus goes on to remind Him of what the young man already knows, to obey God's word; but the man says that he has kept these commandments since his youth, but still persists and asks Jesus 'What else can I possibly do?'
Let's focus on this part, before the man gets challenged by Jesus with a task.
The man has a surprisingly good attitude. This man is striving for... perfection. Quite often we too have a similar attitude like this, just coming out of the service; when we're praising God; even when we're saying our vows! (I still have a long time to go on that one) But it's true! Those times when you believe you can do absolutely anything with God on your side! Life is bliss.
Yet when we are faced with a trial, why do we let our peace so easily be stolen from us? Let's take this young man's situation for example; he is a wealthy man. He keeps God's commandments in his heart! In other words, he's heading in the right direction! Here he is willing to serve the Lord, so he wants to know what else Jesus requires from him.... Now this is when Jesus really challenges him by telling him to sell everything he has, because Jesus knows what this man holds as a treasure in his life. He treasures his possessions. Previously in #Matthew 6: 21 ,it says 'for where your treasure is, there your heart is also.' So in the case of the young man, Jesus clearly sees his true heart's desires, from what he chooses to follow. Jesus offers this man a way out of his own guilt. He said 'If you want to be perfect, go and sell what you own, give to the poor, and come follow me.' But the man leaves saddened and fallen into a trap of guilt, that for many for us can be SO easy to fall in to! But don't be discouraged, the Lord your God will always provide you a way out of your sin, if you choose to accept his guidance.

I would like you to think if there is anything that YOU may sometimes choose to follow before God (your career? your friends? your 'wallet's desires')?  It's easy to see that money is not the only worldly object that will trap us in situations that seem to make us become selfish, angry or annoyed. Sin is all around us! You just need to sharpen your sword, and everyday choose to be a true witness of God wherever He may lead you in life!
Everything He has given you in this life, can be used to bless others or break others. But it's not anyone else's choice on how you choose to use your money, or your time. So make a decision, to make wise decisions! :) Because this life is not about how much money you have, or how many people you can impress. It comes down to it being the greatest opportunity that God has given you. To laugh, to help, to love, to bless! God is only interested in what your heart's desires are, and the funny thing is.... He already sees them.

Going on a Prayer Walk

As you can tell from their facial expressions, It was freezing.

Today I went on a walk with a few members of my Church in Harlington, all the way from Boston Manor station, to Greenford Park. What a great way to start the new month! No ordinary walk though, but one packed with singing and praying to God! Today also really got me thinking about many aspects of my life, which is probably the best thing about taking a long walk... You get A LOT of 'reflection time'. One of the biggest questions I asked myself, was 'Am I giving enough of my time to God?' or am I making him sit on the sidelines, waiting to 'get his turn'? After the homework, and the chores, and the events... By then, the day has ended and I'm already worn out from all the stress and struggles of my life.

But that's not the way it should be! 

 Joyce Meyer  asked in one of her recent sermons: "Do you know what makes God really laugh?, when we have a plan." By this I took, that if I am constantly planning every second of every hour of every day with my 'to-do lists' or social agendas, then I am limiting what little territory that God already has over my day, rather than allowing myself to be led by the Holy Spirit in every situation that may be too overwhelming (e.g. studying, pressure of succeeding, bad influences, relationships - all sound familiar?), even circumstances in school, church, or home, where I feel at my weakest, and usually are times that I tend to rely on my own understanding. 

#Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) says: "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." You see, God doesn't want us to worry about the future or what's to come, because he tells us he's got it all under control. Worrying won't get us anywhere! I mean "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?" #Luke 12:25 (NIV) No. They take them away, they eat away at our peace of mind. God wants us to "meditate on his word, by day and by night" #Joshua 1:8 (NIV), so that it builds our trust in the Lord! I want to end with this verse: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." #Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

I hope this word has benefited you in some way, and if you're like me, still in High school, starting your A-Levels soon, or GCSE's even, and still a bit unsure of where God wants to lead you, then I just want you to remember, that whatever it is, whether it's music, arts, sciences or psychology ... Do not aim to be the best at what you do, because life is not a competition as some people may seem to think, but always do everything you do to the best of YOUR abilities, for the glory of the One who made you.

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Just marching in the light of God

P.S If you ever get the chance to go on a prayer walk with your church or even a friend's church, I highly recommend it!

Lots of love from me and my peeps, Peace out xxx
       
 ~Jen and the HBC Gang (below)
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Look who we found just hanging around...

My idea of a Warm Welcome

Hey all peoples of the world, since this is my first blog, I want to give you a quick detour of how my blog will work...

• If you see a #Bible verse (they're bold and red, you can't miss them) then that means, pull out your Bible, and get reading up on those scriptures! 
• You may also see  Names  looking like this, which means I would highly recommend you searching them up, because it will most definitely be worth your time, whether it be a preacher on the radio, television, or even people of the Bible! 
• If you see writing that is highlighted in a palish-red colour, then this is food for thought, and something that I want you to think about or remember during the day
• And lastly this, this and THIS, just means, I want you to listen carefully and read this a hundred times, if that's what it takes for you to remember it.

I think I've covered pretty much all of them, but if there are any more symbols or highlights that I want you to look out for, I'll be sure to update you!

~Peace out, Jen