Tag: christian life

Blog, Christian Ladies

TUNE YOUR HEART

Jennifer White

Folks often call me about wanting to sell or give away a piano, hoping I know of a good home for it. Most of the time it hasn’t been played in a while, but once it was a dear possession. Often bought for a child to take lessons, or passed down from a grandparent.  Usually I will sit down to play one of these pianos only to hear that it is so out of tune that the song I’m playing is unrecognizable.

A piano must be played and regularly tuned or it loses its beautiful sound and purpose. This concept reminds me of our relationship with God. When we neglect our daily walk with God it feels like that out of tune piano. We lose the beauty and purpose our walk with God brings to our life. We say we love God but rarely read His Word or talk to HIm. Our heart is out of tune because loving God is not always what we think it is.

Misconceptions about loving God.

I fear God- If I don’t do this or that, God might punish me.

I work for God- I can help if no one else will.

I need God- please fix this problem and give me comfort.

Truth about loving God. Joshua 22:5

Walk in His ways- have compassion on people, make a difference.

Cling to Him- we talk, a-lot..

Serve Him- how can I use my talent to bring glory to God.

Our hearts can be drawn away from God when we let anything or anyone take precedence over God in our life, and before you know it-we are so out of tune that our life no longer sounds like a song. You don’t have to stay out of tune. Talk to God today. He’s waiting to hear from you.

Blog, Christian Ladies, devotions

Rooted in The Word

Jennifer White
The new year is already off to a rocky start. More than ever the roots of our faith must be strong and deep in order to deal with now and the future. Scripture tells us that our world will continue to grow worse and worse.

So, what can we do to prepare for it? My advice is to strengthen our roots like never before. This is not the time to live carelessly, or in fear. It’s time to intentionally plant our faith deep in the ground, by the water. It’s time to grow, and it’s time to thrive!

In James 1:19-27 we find the answer to dealing with the temptations of the world around us and in us. James encourages us to control our emotions and our tongue. To put action into our faith and to implant God’s Word in our heart and mind.

Strengthening my roots looks like this. When someone speaks and I listen instead of jumping to conclusions, I strengthen my roots. Every time I choose to show self-control instead of wrath, I’m strengthening my roots. Every time I choose to control my tongue, when I’m tempted to say things I shouldn’t, I’m strengthening my roots. When I hear God’s Word preached, or I read or listen to it and choose to act on it, instead of doing nothing, I am strengthening my roots.

James tells us the key to victorious living in this crazy world is to know the scripture so well that it becomes engrafted into our life. God’s Word becomes as much a part of us as our arm, nose, or leg.

Let’s get rooted in God’s Word this year.

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Rooted in Faith

Jennifer White

Who is ready for a fresh start? I know I am. Normally we are hopeful for the new year. Making resolutions, and changes in our life for the better. This time last year I never imagined what 2020 would hold. I think the events of 2020 will affect our outlook on making plans for a new year for some time to come. If you are a planner like me, we got our socks knocked off. I tossed my calendar planner in the trash about July. I gave up planning events.

When the events of 2020 hit, it tested my faith. So many changes, uncertainty, and fear wrapped became part our lives. I sadly realized I needed to strengthen my faith. The roots were there and held me in place, however the uncertain times swayed me like the winds. I needed spiritual nourishment and growth.  How about your roots? Are they planted deep, or are they shallow? Are they too far from the water or dry in need of nourishment?

2020 was the year I chose to make some significant changes in my life mentally, spiritually and physically for the better. I’m so thankful that God gives us fresh opportunities to start again and to develop some new patterns and routines in our lives.

I’m not a gardener, but I have been around gardening my entire life. I learned a few thing from watching my grandpa, dad and husband. You reap what you sow, cutting and pruning allows for more growth, and a single seed can yield an abundance of fruit.

Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Trials of this life strengthen and mature us. When we are grounded in God’s Word our roots will reach the water and receive the nourishment needed to face the trials of life.

Do you want to have a strong faith? Do you want to be in a different place spiritually a year from now than where you are today? Then make every effort to get rooted in God’s Word. Sow now and you will begin reaping the benefits. Remember, a little seed of change can produce a great harvest.

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Thank You 2020

Jennifer White

Thank you 2020! Chances are you haven’t heard that one unless it was said sarcastically. 2020 can be described in so many ways. Many want to forget it, but some want to cherish it. It’s been a curse and a blessing. 2020 has been one of the most difficult years for some people. Sickness, death, loneliness, depression, unhealthy, anger, frustration, financial hardships and fear. 2020 has been one of the best years for other people. Slower pace, more family time, cooking at home, improved health, new found focus, money saved, things cleaned out, and peace.

No matter which description fits your 2020, one thing is common for all…we won’t be getting 2020 back. Some of you are saying hooray to this news, and some of you are sad to see it go. Let me remind you of how the Bible describes our time here on earth. The scripture says our life is like small particles of moisture that suspend in the air for a few moments and then POOF they disappear.

I don’t know what 2020 was like for you and none of us know what is to come in 2021. I don’t want to be ungrateful for any year, day, hour or minute that God gives me here on earth. All of it is for my good and His glory. Our job is to live for God all the way to the finish line.

So thank you 2020 for the lessons I’ve learned, the reminder of how fragile life is, and for helping me realize that I need to live more for others and God.

Blog, Christian Ladies, Uncategorized

God’s Promises in the Fog of Life

Jennifer White

Growing up in the hills of East Tennessee, I have driven through the fog numerous times. It seems to get hung above the creeks and rivers and in between all the mountains and valleys. It’s always worse at night and in the winter time. You can be driving along and suddenly become surrounded by thick, smoky clouds of fog. Frantically you begin looking for lines on the road to guide your way. The road lines become your only source of getting through the fog, unless you happen to get behind a big truck. If that happens, you start praying that the trucker can see the road ahead because you are putting your life in his hands!

Driving in the fog reminds me of the problems in life. You can be going along the road of life and suddenly you find yourself in a spot that seems foggy. The road that was once clear, becomes hard to see. Feelings of fear, and helplessness surround you. Survival mode kicks in. You begin looking for something stable and reliable to depend on, just like the road lines.

God’s promises are just like those road lines, they are dependable and will guide your way through foggy times in life. Sure, we read His promises in the Bible. We know they are true. We even tell others to rely on them, but so often we are afraid to trust them. In the Bible God promises that He will fight for you (Exodus 14:4), that He loves you (John 3:16), that He gives strength to the weary (Isaiah 40:29), that He will never leave you (Deuteronomy 31:8.) and hundreds of other promises. What we do with God’s promises determines how we get through the “fog” in life. The area between believing and receiving God’s promises is faith. When we put our faith in God’s promises, He will lead us right through the trouble in life that seem so unclear.

We are not promised a “fog” free life, but we are promised that God will guide us through it. Unlike following that big truck and hoping the truck driver can see, we can rest assured that God sees what’s ahead and He will not lead us wrong. Put your faith in God’s promises. Eventually the fog will lift and you will see clearly again.

This post was inspired by a Sunday school lesson my very talented mother in law taught.   

 

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Make Bright the Arrows

Jennifer White

I used to be fascinated to watch my dad practice shooting his bow and arrow in the backyard. He was a skilled hunter and it looked so easy…. until he let me try it. It took so much strength to draw the bowstring back, control the arrow and hit the target.  My arm shook as I pulled the tight bowstring back and when I let go of the arrow, the string popped me in the face and the arrow landed only a few feet away from me. I wasn’t hurt except for a sore arm and wounded pride. Archery is a skill that must be honed in order to be successful. It was a necessary skill for warriors in the Bible days. In Jeremiah 51 Babylon had fallen and the Israelites were told to get ready for battle. I found some life lessons in these verses about bows and arrows.bow and arrow girl

 

The Arrow

The Shaft- Made from common wayside brush. The Fletcher straightens it and polishes it and makes it useful.  Believe it or not an arrow bends as it leaves the bow. The shaft is flexible and meant to take the force of shooting without breaking. Some are designed to take even more force, but will have a farther reach. We are common people with twisted lives. He makes us righteous and straight by His power. We are able to do more than we can possibly imagine through God’s strength.

Feathers guide the arrow, give balance and stability. We have “feathers” in our life to keep us on the right course. The Holy Spirit, Bible, Godly friends, teachers, parents, and our pastor are the feathers in our life.

The Nock fits the arrow to the bowstring so the power can be applied to the arrow and released. God’s power is applied only when we are under His authority and in His will.

The Arrowhead the business part of the arrow. Set goals and aim for them. Sharpen your talents and skills so you can make a difference in this world. What you learn, develop and study today will be used in the future.  “The battle is won the day before because that is the day the archer makes bright his arrows”.

Make Bright the Arrows (Vs. 11)

11 Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the Lord hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the Lord, the vengeance of his temple.

The order given to the soldiers meant they were to prepare their weapons. Making bright means to shine and sharpen their arrow.  In a certain sense, every believer is an arrow in God’s hands. God has a mission for each one of us to accomplish and a mark for each one of us to hit. The whole purpose of an arrow is to hit a planned target. The purpose of our life is to hit the mark that God has ordained for us.

Draw Back Your Bow (Vs. 12)target bullseye

12 Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the Lord hath both devised and done that which he spake against the inhabitants of Babylon.

Set up the Standard– This is to protect you. What standards are set up in your life? The life of your family? The life of your children? Do you have a standard for clothing, television shows, movies, social media, music, friends, and speech? If there are no standards set in your life, you will regret the decisions made in the heat of the battle. There must be a preparation time.

Make the Watch Strong-How can we strengthen ourselves for battle. Are you tired, run down, negative, not reading your Bible, praying? Strengthen yourself spiritually and physically by praying, eating healthy, exercising, being positive and reaching out to others.

Prepare the Ambushes- Have a plan of attack for when evil comes your way. Fellowship with believers who are strong in their faith, mentor someone who needs help, use daily check lists to keep yourself on task. Too much free time allows for unwanted things to creep in such as depression, and selfishness.

The phrase “Make Bright the Arrows” encourages us to allow God to sharpen us but it also reminds us to mentor others. We should have a quiver full of people we have help “sharpen” or influence in our life time.

Get ready warrior to draw back your bow and aim for the target God has for you!

 

 

Blog, devotions

February Scriptures

Jennifer White

                Theme: Love

During the month of February I will be focusing on the theme of Love in the scriptures.  Here is a link to a printable document you can put in a notebook or check off daily.

FEBRUARY_SCRIPTURES_LOVE

1. Write the scripture out daily. 2. Meditate on what the verses mean. 3. Ask yourself, what changes do I need to make to apply this to my life? 4. Go a step further and memorize the scriptures.

New Galleries in February - Photos by Nanci

Below is the same list of scriptures that is in the link above.

FEBRUARY (LOVE)
Day 1: I John 4:18-19
Day 2: Romans 5:8
Day 3: Romans 8:37-39
Day 4: Galatians 2:20
Day 5: I John 3:1
Day 6: Matthew 5:43-48
Day 7: I John 4:7
Day 8: Mark 12:30-31
Day 9: Luke 6:35
Day 10: Romans 12:9
Day 11: Proverbs 3:5
Day 12: I Corinthians 13:4-5
Day 13: I Corinthians 13:6-8
Day 14: John 3:16
Day 15: John 15:13
Day 16: Colossians 3:14-15
Day 17: Matthew 22:37-39
Day 18: Psalm 18:1-2
Day 19: John 13: 34-35
Day 20: John 14:15
Day 21: Psalm 116:1-2
Day 22: Ephesians 4:2
Day 23: Matthew 6:24-25
Day 24: Psalm 63:3-5
Day 25: Proverbs 10:12
Day 26: Proverbs 4:23
Day 27: I John 4:8
Day 28: I Peter 4:8
Day 29: II Timothy 1:7

1. Read & Copy the Scripture.
2. What is being said about Love?
3. How can I apply this to my life?