To Christians, A Reminder

Okay, so I have been trying to compile a book... and well, you see I came across this writing I created back in 2010 and I would like to share it with you. It blew me away that I actually wrote it. I'm pretty sure it will speak to you. Please read the whole thing. It is very important... even in the basic sense.

What If We Had a Story in the Chronicles…

What Would Your Story be?

I have been thinking about “what if… our presidents, both past and present, were in the Bible and they had a book like I & II Chronicles! What would it say if you and I were in the bible? Would we be like Ahaz or Hezekiah? Would we do what was “right in the sight of the Lord” or what was wrong? Could you imagine the lasting impression on the world because of your actions? Well, you don’t have to be in the bible to impact a generations, altar someone’s thinking about life or even invoke a need for God… the fact is God has an opinion about each and everyone of us and that opinion is more true than what the world says. So what does God say about your life? What does He say about you personally?

What God Wants You to Know About “Your” Life

• It’s not really your life and it’s not really your life alone. God has purchased you with a price far greater than all the gold that you could ever find in all the world. The world doesn’t revolve around you and your selfishness, pride and arrogance isn’t good for the kingdom of God. If you want to impact your generation for Christ these fleshly characteristics must go.
• It is to benefit the Kingdom of God. You are meant to live a life worthy of the calling in which you have been called to live. He wants you to live in a way where people are in awe of God in “your” life.
• It is not for you to decide rather to live or to die. He brought you here to live or else you wouldn’t be here. He has a greater plan than you can see and as you trust Him, you will begin to live it out in the inward parts in such a way that your life is getting better because you KNOW the one whom you believe in.
• God has a plan, far greater than you can dream, think or even comprehend. Walk with Jesus, seek God’s face and He will lead you on the path in which He wants you to walk.
• God delights in your good, not evil. God hates evil and unrighteousness but delights in good and righteousness. He also knows that you can NOT accomplish righteousness without His beloved Son, Jesus. He knows that the only person who has ever walked the earth that has been perfect is and was Jesus Christ of Nazereth, His beloved Son. Through trust and obedience to the Word, you will begin to be purified--- which leads to the next thing.
• You are apart of the Bride of Christ, which is to be holy, set apart and purified, tested and true… so act accordingly. Jesus didn’t call you to be unrighteous or unholy, but indeed He has called you by His grace and mercy to be holy and righteous through His blood. Jesus will have and take His beloved Bride after she is tried, purified and true to Him alone. You are not any longer apart of the world, so don’t hold on to all of these things that are quickly passing you by.
• You are in a battle in which you are on the winning side if you stay with Jesus! We fight against the evil that is in this world, not flesh and blood. We fight against principalities, evil and everything that exalts itself against the Knowledge of God. Your resources are simple, but more powerful than you know.

Your resources are:

1. The Word of God, the Bible. Read it. Know it. Obey it. Meditate on it. It’s sharper than a double-edged sword.
2. Prayer. It’s the power behind the believer. Do it. Do it often with thanksgiving and thankfulness in your hearts to the Living God.
3. Worship the Living God, Jesus Christ. Worship is a battle in itself because you have to let your pride go and you have to focus on God. Become selfless and you will worship with all of your being. Be truthful and live with integrity. Rid yourself of all things that is a lie. Speak the truth in love and integrity.
4. Good, righteous deeds, that glorify God the Father. Do good works which glorify the Father… but be careful that you don’t get caught up and become legalistic.
5. The gospel (good news) of peace. Make peace where possible, but don’t let the enemy get a foothold, even a centimeter of space around you.
6. Stand on the foundation of Jesus’ gospel and spread the gospel as much as you can. Rest in His peace.
7. Your faith protects you. Trust in God. Not yourself or man or government, but God alone.
8. Being protected by your salvation in Jesus Christ, be sure to repent of all things against your life in Christ. Any sin is separation between you and God, creating a stronghold/open door for the enemy to take hold of you or enter into your life.

• Lastly, you are an example, a leader to those around you. You can be of any age, any background, any status, any size or color but you are apart of a family that is so diverse and you are to set the standards. Your life should set the standards high for all humanity, the world is looking to you and waits to see “what will the Bride of Christ do today?” The more you live out your talk, the more the world will believe what you say. Don’t be a hypocrite. Live out the words you speak and the faith you have inside.

I hope this reminded you something you needed to hear. Maybe not. But if you ever need a reminder, I hope you read this!

Brittany Michelle

Prayer Please

So I'm sitting here thinking and my mind is again brought to my daddy for the billionth time this week. I can't help but just cry. I know with all the confirmations and such that it is and was possible that he repented in time... but it doesn't stop me from saying "I really wish I had gotten to see him one more time and hug him and kiss him and tell him I love him." It seems like it's been forever since I heard him say "I love you baby" yet I can hear it like he was here with me tonight. I do miss him and I know that will never change.

If he hadn't passed away, I would never probably have met my niece (who is her mom's mini-me lol in a good way). I probably wouldn't have seen my stepmom#1 and my stepmom#2 or grandma. Or my lil bro or my stepbro or my aunt or any of them. I had a feeling the day we released his ashes... not only peace and sadness but of "this is how daddy would have wanted it. All of us in one place". I didn't know him well but I knew that he loved all of us- friends and family.

Tonight, I started listening to an Encounter Jam Session off of a website (Christian) and I heard this song, so I decided to post it up here... Kari Jobe doesn't do a great job at it like the girl on the website, but hey, I'm guessing it's her song, so I'm gonna suck it up and put it up here anyway! Alright, here it is: http://youtu.be/UbSMfL5LuSo

I know that You are for me, I know that You will never forsake me in my weakness... In addition to my dad's death I've really been struggling with some stuff- yes the same sins but yet intensified. I need prayers, prayer warriors. Also, let me be transparent for a second. I'm struggling in my walk, someone today told me I need to lose weight (which I do but I don't wanna be a skinny twig either) and I'm stuck in the one thing I've always dealt with. I know it's not going to be easy to break my own will and walk with Christ. It never has been, nor will it ever be. My faith has to be my own and no one else's. Someone said my daddy would be proud of me, and I don't think so-- not really anyway. Not if he knew the secret struggles and the problems and such. Not really. Because I know I'm not proud about how I've acted and handle somethings or even how I am acting and handling somethings.

I've been thinking a lot about the future; who I wanna be and who I am etc. This culture is so annoying because I don't see how in the world anyone could ever think of who they are and who they are suppose to be. We're always told do this and do that yet this and that contradict each other. I don't like that. Yes, I know I'm being all negative. Get over it. I'm done now, though.

Goodnight

Brittany ♥

Love, It is Not Puffed Up

A note about the title: It is apart of I Corinthinas 13 verse 4 is "... love does not parade itself, is not puffed up"

Two scriptures to keep in mind: I Corinthians 4:1-21 (emphasis on verses 6-8 and 16-21) and John 13:1-20 (emphasis on verses 12-17)

We all have recieved what we have now. Rather we "worked for it" or not, it is a gift. The time we have, the clothes we have, the job, the car, the money, the house, the dog, the cat, the kids, the spouse, etc. It's all a gift. Life, as precious as it is, is a gift. Yes, a gift from God indeed. So, why is it that we get "puffed up" about what we have? The abilities/talents we have? What makes it any different from the talents/abilities of others? I mean seriously-- I know we all have different talents and abilities but they are (all) suppose to be for the edification of the Body of Christ, right?! Jesus even said to follow His example, in John 13. Let me talk about that story for a second okay?!

He reached out to the dirty... did you know that? I mean other than mentally knowing that, do you really know it? Well He did. He took time to disciple His disciples and He reached out to the dirty. Could you imagine dirty feet smell? Gross. Sorry, but gross. No one wants to smell feet, right? Okay, atleast I don't. Anyway, Jesus went low and washed their feet and dried them too. A couple of nights ago, my feet were dirty because I had sandals on and I had been walking through the sand/dirt with them on. So, you see when Jesus did that He was humble. He didn't care that their feet stunk. He didn't care that they were dirty. He cared that He loved them and could serve them, even in this "little" way. Jesus said we should wash one another's feet. I just thought about this: we go out into the world and get dirty-- we proclaim the gospel, we get persecuted, we are inflicted by pain, etc. and then we are to wash one anothers feet-- help each other stay the course, point each other to Jesus, encourage one another and exhort each other to live holy...

Okay, so back to the puffed up thing...

Like I was saying, why do we get puffed up and prideful over thing's in our lives? Even in our walk with Christ (you or someone you know) has likely said "_______(insert some sin you do) isn't as bad as __________(this other sin that just seems way worse than the first and someone else does); therefore I'm better than _______(the person who does the second sin)." Okay, you know you've heard this statement before "I'm not that bad" but this statement is only true when we compare ourselves to others, not Jesus. Compared to perfection, we fall very short and we are (quite honestly) very bad--- however there is hope. Simply because we all fall short of the glory of God--- because all have sinned (Romans 3:23). Sin is sin-- period. It's all equal in God's eyes. God can save all. Period. No matter what we think or want to think. There is however no gray with God unlike what we hear so often in our day-to-day lives. "Why can't I have both?" It doesn't work. God's called us to obedience, wholeheartedness and love. Radically. Literally. Everyday. This means denying ourselves, taking up oour cross, crucifying our flesh, & laying aside our selfishness and our pride. Especially our pride. Pride seperates us from God. It doesn't allow us to ask for help or direction. It doesn't allow us to acknowledge our faults, instead it makes us avoid them for our own detrimental state. Pride says you're better than another when Jesus literally said, follow me. Jesus wants us to lose our pride so we can go low in humility--- when we go low in humility and we are walking in total surrender to God's will, we will serve and see God lifted up.

Read Pauls warning of being puffed up in I Corinthians 4. We should instead be thankful for all we have, humbling ourselves before God (not just man but also in our hearts). Let us press on, let go of pride and continue to fight the good fight of faith.

Life... Moving... Just A lot of Stuff...

I have to confess something: I'm not ready. I'm not ready for life. Life has hit me in my vulnerability. I have to say I want to be discipled. Not just have friends. Or head knowledge, which I have plenty of! I'm really tired of that, if I'm honest. In all sincerity, I try to eat on last weeks bread or yesterday's crumbs; I try to drink of yesterday's rain when today it could just as easily pour down again (even right now)... that is if I'm honest with myself. Problem is I'm not always honest with myself. I'm not always this brutally honest about my life. I am not ready for bills and jobs and family and friends. I'm just not. I don't think I could truly be ready anyway. I do think that it would be awesome to know God like I use to... and not in a pretend-like-I'm-a-goody-goody-two-shoes-because-I'm-around-Christians-right-now-kinda-way. Not that I always do that, but I'm serious because we all do it at one time or another... It's time however, to get back to me and God... and it looks like God is providing the PERFECT opportunity, very soon.

This is a simple writing I wrote earlier tonight about what's been going on in my life... but since you don't really know what's been up: let me clue you in for a sec. I've been wanting to go to Africa since I was 13. Seriously been considering going to Africa since I was 15.

My heart breaks knowing it isn’t time yet- for me to go to Africa. I understand that I’m not ready. All that is within me is crying out that "I wanna go God, I really do!" I understand that I’m not prepared for the spiritual battle… Lord knows I’m not even ready for the one right here in my house. My heart is crying because it hurts. It hurts to lay down my own desires and my own will for God’s will. Everything inside me wants to say “nevertheless not my will but yours be done Jesus.” But it does hurt… if I'm being brutally honest. In the midst of this God has given me “kind-of” a better dream/vision for my life. But I don’t know if I can do that either. I just thought of how BJ (from a book I've been reading...) said that we do this [preaching the gospel that is] in God’s strength, not our own. So in the same way, I think we must live our lives through Christ and His love and His strength not our own strength, love, etc. I could see myself just loving on the children in my neighborhood. Considering recent thing’s that has been going on, it may not be long before this opportunity closes it’s door, and that (truthfully) scares me, a lot. What if I miss this opportunity? What if I miss sharing Jesus or His love? I don’t even really know how to do that… not really. I’ve heard it a thousands times but never really had to do it but like once… and that was terrifying too… This breaks my heart and my spirit. Simply because I feel like a failure in this area. Which means I must also pray for guidance and help in this area. Unfortunately, this is me being brutally honest and I don’t really know what else to say. I miss how I use to be… back when it use to be only me and God. I miss it really bad, but I don’t know what I would do without a home church… because God has truly blessed me through these people. They have encouraged, rebuked, and exhorted many times--- both knowingly and unknowingly. I guess it’s time for me to seek God’s life plan for me… and to throw off EVERY hindrance.

Before God. Again. Again. and Again.

I'm sitting here thinking. Probably overthinking thing's again. However, right now inside of me, I can feel the Holy Spirit stirring inside of me. I can't fix the bad situations in my life. I can't escape problems in my life, matter-of-fact I'm not looking for an out--- well not anymore. Tonight I've realized something. I miss those nights of being before God on my face. Nothing to say at times. Other times too much talking and not enough listening. Sometimes in tears. Sometimes in joyful laughter. I miss that. I don't miss however what drove me to my knees. Bad part is not much of what drove me to my knees has changed.

I also thought about NCMC. I can't help but ask myself what is stopping me from going! Is it fear? Fear of failure? Fear of not being able to pay for it? Fear of not being good enough? Fear to leave my mom in some pretty sticky situations and not be able to help her? Isn't this all excuses that don't exceed God's hand. Nine months seem like a long time but it's already been six months since my first mission trip and it still seems like yesterday. Time has flown by. Anyway, back to the whole why am I not going? I'm not hearing anything from God about not going or going. So, truly I need to get on my face before God. Again. &&That is truly okay.

I've also been thinking about mission trips. Should I go on another one? If so when? Where to? Also, what was and is my motive for going on the mission trip? What about school? When will I be done with school? I only need two more classes to get into OTA?! But should I be an occupational therapist assistant? Do I really want to do that? When my heart is telling me I want to help kids in my community... what should I do?!

So, I guess it all comes down to this. It's time to get before God. Again. Again. & Again. I need to rediscover intimacy with Him again. Even if that means being alone. Even if that means losing all my friends again. Even if that means going low and serving my enemies (I remember the night I told God thank you for preparing a meal in the midst of my enemies... Psalm 23:5). Even if it means suffering scoffing, persecution, and loneliness. I'm truly starting to remember why I had to stay in Christ to begin with. I can't make it to heaven without him, but more importantly I wouldn't want to and I definitely don't want to do so.

For those who pray in Jesus' name: please pray that I find the direction I need... I'm tired of walking aimlessly. I'll appreciate it much! Thanks.

Live of the Gospel

"Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." I Corinthians 9: 14

Even though other texts reference pastors and apostles making a living from the Gospel, for me I feel like it's saying, "live of the gospel". So, what does it mean to live of the gospel? Living from the inside out. Living your life in a way that glorifies God himself. Everytime I read the I Corinthians 9:14 verse, I am reminded of Ephesians 4:1-6, where it talks about living worthy of the calling you (and I) have in Christ. Everytime I think about that, I also think about this verse from I Corinthians 4:

For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. ¹⁰ Weare fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! ¹¹ To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. ¹² And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; ¹³ being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.¹⁴ I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.

O how I use to want to be a pastor! How right the man of God was to point me to the Bible and say, it's not as easy as you think it is young lady! Oh, but the joy is in Christ and Christ alone. Does he not know that? (Yes, he did; yet he also knew the hardships and the pains of being a faithful pastor as well.) Do I not know that? I see myself as someone who isn't where I need to be in Christ. Even more so I'm still working toward that place of complete intimacy and love. I want to be where I use to be--- but then God's like, no you don't want to be back in that place because you want to be even farther than where you use to be. It's about time for me to stay on my face before God again. It's about time for me to truly face every lie and every chain. It's time for me to stand in the gap again for my family. No one else will, except Jesus - right now He is pleading for them. So even as Paul warned those at Corinth, I warn you also: life isn't ever going to be easy. Simply put we're in need of God to move in our lives so that even when the flood waters start rising, we will see God lifted up in our lives. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of the "Gentiles" blaspheming God because of me, when I'm suppose to give glory to God. Anyone else with me out there? Yes, I'll stumble; yet, no excuse. Yes, I'll mess up; yet, no excuse. I will do the best I can but the best I can do is simply staying before God in prayer and in love and in intimacy and abandoning every part of me for the glory of God. The truth is simple: I must live of the Gospel- simply by abiding in Chirst and He in me.

Not through just words only- like I'm so use to doing... but seriously being before God for our country, our schools, our workplaces, etc. We need intercessors, preachers, lovers of God, friends of the Great King, and people willing to be sent and to go forth... In the Power of the Holy Spirit and in the Truth of the Gospel.

Live of the Gospel. Not from it. Of it. Understand that Jesus was persecuted and you will be too. When you do, endure it. You will be despised because Christ was also despised, in that bless those who despise you. Do good, not evil. Live out the Gospel. Live of the Gospel. Rather your a pastor or an "ordinary person".

Okay so, I went to Campus Preview weekend (for NCMC) from April 16-17 with one of my friend's parents. God gave me encouragement, especially concerning my family. Everything has been in such chaos lately that I just forget to slow down, breathe; you know? Anyway, while I was there God said that He would speak to me there- and boy, did He ever?!

You see before going there, their was family issues going on. Yes, all families have issues. If you say yours doesn't you're

a. unaware b. in denial c. disconnected

Everything felt like it was falling apart. My faith felt shaken. My household felt even more like it was falling apart than normal. Some other crisis' had come up. Work, family, school-- just felt like a complete burden. (Notice I said "felt" a lot.)

Don't get me wrong, all of that is still there. So I'm learning to build my faith again. I'm learning to be the change in my household-- not just another person to complain about needing a change in the home. I'm searching for answers to the "crisis" that had come up. I'm learning to hand it over to God. I'm learning. That's what life is, a big learning process.

Anyway, those are just some of the thing's that was "up against me" going to NCMC that weekend. While there I had to be pushed out of my comfort zone. Again. That happens a lot. I don't talk much. Thus why I write too much. Let's see... I really like it there. I think it's just not time yet for me to go. I didn't fill out an application for that reason. It wasn't even all the stuff going on that made me decide against it. Not even the cost of going. It was simply "not the time, maybe soon, but not yet."

I do know I need discipleship. My family doesn't really talk about God. More so, someone in my house is utterly against God and openly so. I hope my actions speak loud enough. I know they haven't been in the past. But I hope they will now-a-days. I really want to keep that commitment. I know I'll fail. I know there is grace when I do. Even so, I still want to strive for it.

I really like the whole set-up of it. The daily prayer. Communion with God. Really connecting with Him. Not just in worship. Not just in song or dance. But in prayer. In talking with Him. By connecting with God. If we don't connect with God, how then can we minister to God or to others? We can't. We shouldn't. I won't. You know what I mean? God can only use someone who is willing and has been in His presence. This reminds me of what it says in Jeremiah 23:22--> "But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings." (KJV).

I really like the fact that you don't have to have a car. I know I should get a car. I know it's a blessing. I hate driving. I would prefer not to. However, I realize I need my license. I have my permit. I'm getting there. I know God's working on me. Including the fear that is there concerning having a car, having a licence and the whole issues.

I love the people. I love the ministries. I love the church they have partnered with. I love the family aspect of it. I also know that if and when I go, it has to be for God and my relationship with Him. It can't be for the people there or anything else. Not to rid my life of problems, because I'll always have problems. Not to escape any of the issues of home or work.

I've been thinking a lot lately, though. The fact is I do need and want something like this. Maybe NCMC isn't right for me. but there is plenty of MC out there. Even more so, there is TM and they have an internship in Africa. Which is one place I've wanted to go since I was thirteen. Also, there is the OneThing internship in KC with IHOPrayer. I do feel called to MC more though. I'll keep praying. I'll keep waiting until God says "GO". Until then, I'm still the ambassador God has called me to be.

I have much more to write. So, I'm gonna take a break right now, I want to tell you about what happened there, not just what I thought about it. But for now, I have to go and work on finding something-- that I just thought of. :-) I'll be back later... Until then, Keep seeking the One and Only King!

God Speed

♥Britt