Serving. Such a "churchy" word isn't it? Something you do maybe once or twice a year, most likely

because you feel like you have to. Or maybe it is required. Either way, when looked at it in this light, it carries a pretty negative connotation. It's not inviting, it's not exciting, nor does it carry love. It's more of a duty than a desire.

 "You have been called to live in freedom, but don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love." ~ Galations 5:13

The next verse is where the famous "Love your neighbor has yourself" comes from. Serve one another in LOVE. What a thought to chew on. When I serve, sure I probably could say that I love whatever IT is that i'm doing. For me it is serving with the kiddos in children's ministry. But when we serve are we serving IN love, or in obligation? Are we serving because its what naturally flows out of our hearts, or are we just checking another item off of our Sunday "To-Do" list?

This past weekend I traveled the 5 hour trip home to where I grew up. My parents still live in the same house and we still have the same neighbors. As I sat writing one morning, looking out the window, I experienced beauty. Utterly amazing, natural beauty. What I saw was a small neighborhood of people gather together to serve one another. I looked out the window and saw them mowing, raking, and cleaning up eachothers' yards. Some where on ladders up in the gutters, some were loading leaves up to be taken away, I even saw a little boy with rake in hand. Now this, I said to myself, is true serving. They didn't plan it, didn't need to make a Facebook event, didn't need to use any bribes to round up any willing souls; they simply saw a need and chose love. This is what serving looks like. It shouldn't be another mark in our schedules, it should flow out of us naturally. True serving is done in love, and love is an uncontrollable emotion that overflows out of us onto those around us. It doesn't take much effort, and doesn't put a damper in our schedules.

I read the book "Love Does" by Bob Goff and he pretty much took my perspective of living a christian lifestyle, crumpled it up and flushed it down the toilet. One of my favorite quotes is when he says something along the lines of- "Perhaps the reason our autocorrect so often changes the word "love" to "live" is to give us a gentle reminder to live love, not just type it". LIVE LOVE. I like that. I don't want to just talk about love, I don't just want to learn about Jesus and simply read His word, I want to live it out. I want to walk it. breathe it. have it overflow out of me uncontrollably. I want to look for ways to add love to my schedule instead of whitespace. (If you're anything like me and your schedule has everything but whitespace, you'll know exactly what I mean).

Now, I don't mean start saying "Yes" to every single need that places its ugly self in front of you. That will surely be enough to wear you out. It's ok to say "no" sometimes, we need rest for our souls too. But what I do mean is to stop "serving" out of duty and start serving out of desire. If you're not serving out of desire maybe it's time you step back and get on your knees and spend some time with your Papa. Because most likely, if you're serving out of duty, your prayer life has been suffering. Jesus doesn't want serving to be a burden. He came to take our burdens. Jesus served out of complete humbleness and compassion, and I don't know about you but my only real goal in life is to become more and more like Him. He wants to change your perspective of serving into something holy and beautiful. Serving that comes out of our heart in this way will never be a burden.

About the Author: Rebeccah Ahlrich is a 23-year-old college graduate from Minnesota where she is now a full time nanny and also involved in part time ministry in Africa during the summer. Rebeccah is growing a love for writing that she would like to share and encourages others with on her journey with Christ.

There are times in life where we pass through valleys and it seems like God isn't present. During those times, the enemy will have us believe that God has deserted us and will not come to save us. Well, it is a lie. Unfortunately, as humans, we have a tendency to feel abandoned when our lives turn into tornadoes and the path before us lacks transparency. We also have a tendency to base the outcome of a situation based on what we currently see instead of we know to be true. According to the Word, we know that God "gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV). 

We also know that we can do “all things through Christ who strengthens us” (Philippians 4:13 NIV). It is the truth, the foundation of what we believe as disciples of Christ. That is a truth that must be so engrained in our spirits that we won't even flicker when the lights go off in our lives.

I remember when I was in the midst of a wilderness and havoc was running all through my life on every level: spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally. I couldn't catch a break. I would cry out to the Lord every night, sometimes screaming at Him, "Where are you?", "Why aren't my angels watching over me?", and "Do something Lord." I was torn, confused, and broken. Destitution plagued my life and I was nearly destroyed mentally. But through it all, I still kept attending church. I still kept believing that He would deliver me. I still kept moving.  And I still kept tithing.

What I didn't understand was while the enemy was having a field day in my mind causing me to lose my hope, peace, and joy, God was right there all along. He was the one that gave me strength to get up every morning. HE was the one that gave me the power to hold my tongue when my then job was spinning out of control with an irresponsible boss. He was the one who prompted me to get up every Sunday and go to church. He was THE ONE! He didn't desert me; he stood by me and within me the entire time. He was delivering me the entire time from the hand of the enemy even though I thought He wasn't going to deliver me. He was the ONE! And my dear, if He stood by me though the enemy was running havoc in my life, He will surely stand by YOU. In fact, He is standing by you right now. Forget what it looks like; I know it may be hard to take your emotions out of it, but try. God promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us in Deuteronomy 31:8.  And that is a foundational truth you must understand and believe in your heart, mind, and soul. Though the enemy may attempt to trick you as he did with me, it's important to know that truth so when he throws a trick at you, you can immediately throw that scripture right back at him. Believe it. Accept it.  You can't change that fact; it's certified gold in His faithfulness. So take courage into your heart. As the Lord told Joshua, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. " (Joshua 1:9 NIV).  No matter what it looks like or how you feel, He is there. Stand firm on the truth.

About the Author: A St. Louis native, Jerrica Patton is a model, musician, and inspirational speaker.  Though hearing impaired from birth, she has managed to set out to see her dreams come true despite her hearing loss such as walking in New York Fashion Week for several seasons. Jerrica is determined to live out her God-given purpose in inspiring others, particularly young girls and women to live authentically in who God-created them to be and to pursue their dreams in spite of any challenges they may have. Her life motto that she lives by is:  if a door doesn't open, find another one.

Society will have you really confused if you let it.

If you’re always smiling, then you’re too nice.
But let the day come when you’re not smiling, and then there must be something wrong with you. You must have a chip on your shoulder.

If you cut your hair, you must be going crazy!                                                            
If you wear extensions then you must not be comfortable with your own hair.

If you speak up for yourself, then you’re too strong, too outspoken. If you say nothing then you’re too passive. If you express something about yourself that you don’t like then you have low self-esteem. But if you like yourself then you’re conceited.

If your praise to God is loud then you’re doing too much.
If your praise is quiet, then you’re not praising hard enough.

If you start a business, you’re risking too much.
If you work a 9-5, you’re a slave and have no dreams. Nobody stops to think that you may really enjoy your job.

You’re either too much of something for somebody or not enough for someone else.
How do you handle it? 

How do you keep from going crazy from everyone trying to fix you, telling you what you should and shouldn’t be, do or have? Stop feeding into it!!! Know that you are enough for God. He can handle everything about us. Be happy! Be yourself. If you’re eccentric, then be it! An introvert, be it! An extrovert, be it! God knew all about your personality before you were born. I’m not saying be the things that cause you or others harm and are displeasing to God. You like to dance, but have two left feet? Dance anyway! Do the best you can! Those who laugh are just holding up the wall, scared to live their life. You like being a home- body and a bookworm? Enjoy it!

We are accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6) If we will just be, we’ll soon come into contact with those who accept and celebrate who we are. Until we have those amazing connections, let’s celebrate who God made us to be. Let’s give Him the praise and thanks for how He knitted us together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13); for how He summoned us by name and we are His (Isaiah 43:1) No more looking to the left or the right to see who’s watching; searching for approval from others who will snatch it all back the moment you do something that doesn’t please them.

What did God put in YOUR heart? What vision did God give YOU and for HIS glory? Go be it! Go do it! Without apology. Afterall, we’re God’s workmanship! Not men.

Ephesians 2:10 – For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 

About the Author: Roshaunda Hayes is from Santa Monica, California. A mother of two children

ages 20 and 17 who enjoys reading and writing.  She is currently a full-time insurance professional and a part-time Life Coach. Roshaunda is an aspiring author who wants to help people love themselves God's way. In a world where people are taught to hate themselves, she believes her purpose in life is to help women, young and seasoned, to accept themselves as Christ already has.

The following is written by contributing writer, Kalu Jane . Before reading sisters let us remember

that courting and dating are totally different. God never inventing dating. He invented marriage. With that said, be prayerful in your decisions while courting someone. You and the young man you're courting should be on the same page spiritually.

Boy meets girl...

They fall in love, boy and girl lives happily ever after. Right? That's not always the case.

Sometimes, we ladies get into a scene/relationship which gloomes at the beginning, but this particular guy forgets about the "happily ever after" bit altogether due to a problem or may be no problem at all and leaves you emptied, heavy, broken, and a desperate ache that makes it hurt to breathe. Venom of regret rushing through your veins each day, and killing every remnant of self worth you have left.

 Sister, before you kill yourself for someone who doesnt know your worth,take a moment,spend some quality time with your maker, in Him you will find peace. Heartbreak shouldn't have to be your purnishment; but an opportunity to draw closer to Jesus. Pour out your pain and trust Him to bind you up. It is the same saviour who promises to mend every rip, tear and hole within us. He is longing to set you free. 

 

JUST LET JESUS!
SOURCES: Isa.61:1, Jn.10:10

I am sharing bits of my book with you, as I touch on a very important lesson that God taught me on a rough, sour but worth it journey. I can say in my lifetime I have had the privilege of sitting on the front row of God’s classroom as He taught on marriage.

God had to break my heart in order to get me ready for my assignment, for five years and five years only I was married. I saw so much, I learned so much and I will forever treasure the memoirs. Waking up to midnight calls from concubines, packing and cleaning after they messed up my bedroom yes matrimonial bedroom, attending to them when they felt to rub it in my face, some confessing and others apologizing; are some of the tests you will endure when you are destiny driven. It made me bitter, it broke my self-esteem, I suspected everyone and my duty was of an investigating officer. I jangled between calling hotels and lodges to find out bookings under my husband’s name, some were real and others weren’t I was a call center for follow up’s of every strange number I found on my husband’s phone screen, I became what I was not because of what I wanted to remain, I wanted to remain a wife even well after I knew I had assistants in the position.

The moment a vacancy is filled, it is no longer available. If a supervisor appoints someone for a vacancy that is already filled, it’s either someone is about to get fired, someone is about to be replaced or the current incumbent is not competent in his or her job. If I had gotten this revelation long enough, I wouldn’t have had plenty pages to write on but destiny brought me here and I am grateful for it.  Day after another I would prepare great warm meals and end up eating alone at times the food will be left on the counter but even that did not stop me from preparing fresh food for the next day, I kept to my wifely duty of picking the very best outfit for my husband because his image represented me as well and it shouted the palace is not falling apart.

I manage to hide anything from everyone that would give them an idea that I was not happy, I would cover up and tell my friends he is out of the country and in just a split of a moment one of our cars would drive by with one of my assistants being the driver. One afternoon while I was busy with my lie statements of cover up, before I could finish saying his travelled out of town he just drove past us, I continued as if I did not see him thou I knew my crowd did, I was being nothing but a godly woman except that I was a lying one for my marriage sake. Later on I started isolating myself from anyone or anything that exposed my husband’s infidelity or recklessness because I chose not to see what was there but what is not there. I resolved to see a great, changed and godly man. I avoided and delayed anything that could lead me into divorce, time and again I was given ultimatums to move out and move on with the reason that it was all "a mistake" I cried, I grieved and yes I had a mental disorder I was sandwiched by a psychologist and a psychiatrist, I was on tranquilizers and my life was slowly but surely crumpling down, I remember walking past a lady seated on a bench in a mall and I overheard her phone conversation she was talking to someone with a similar name as my ex-husband’s and I walked straight next to her waiting for her to finish so I ask her who she was talking to and I wanted to also see on the screen to verify the number, seconds before she hanged up she switched languages and spoke in a language that my ex wouldn’t understand it was then I picked my shopping bag and walked away because then I was assured it’s not him she was talking to, the sad part was this happened when I was not on my medication and should I have been on my medication I would have just laughed and not felt a pinch because that was the side effects because the tranquilizers numbed my feelings. I started confronting, questioning and locking myself up to demonstrate my anger and hurt in cry for a changed man, he remained the man he is while I was losing who I was.

My family, friends and acquaintances had gotten eviction orders because if they came close they would break my husband and me, I built a wall around me to protect my falling home. The fake gifts, fake flowers and fake love that was displayed in the public was for onlookers that scrutinize too much and reveal people’s evil deeds and yes all this worked because some in my world believed in it and thought mine was the idea of what marriage should be. I kept allowing the cycle over and over again, I was stuck in a mental draining, loveless, sexless and no support marriage all in the name of "what will they say" to date I look behind to see who the "theys" are and I do not see any, when in a four walled room all you know is; pain, tears, hurt and fear; you do not break the cycle because it has now become a full part of you. A lifeless season lived within me and I would not do anything to end it because it has become my life. I have seen many people stuck into marriages that are not fruitful, holding on and waiting for a change at some instances the change they waited for was death and that is very sad.

One awesome week while on vacation and counselling at a resort in South Africa I did a lot of thinking, I replayed a lot of films in my mind, I got back home and every evidence I found as proof that my assistants came by meant nothing to me anymore because even whom they visited did not matter anymore, when you push your spouse to a point of "ENOUGH" there is barely almost nothing, anyone or anything that can reverse that, yes God can do all things and nothing is impossible with Him but do not get caught in losing yourself, you fear God and your spouse does not, so why give him godly benefits? When all he or she returns to you is abuse. We need to know when to say enough. I carried burdens and cried myself to sleep every night and after I realized what all this did to me I was not afraid of the world anymore, then the "theys" ceased to exist in my mind and I looked forward to the walk of shame I had to take ahead of me, I must say I was excited. I have never been to prison but I believe it feels the same way when your prison cell is opened up and you are free to go home it was at that moment when my mind was set free, free from mental and emotional abuse. I was going home, where love was waiting for me. On that Saturday afternoon right and there I fell before the Lord, poured my heart out and what had been my home for five years was now just a residential address and I was delighted about the next chapter of my life, I foresaw a joy that awaited me that no one could quench, I saw a strong woman walk out of a prison cell, I must admit it was not by my strength but God held my hand, I got out of the tears, the pains, the long nights of waiting for someone that wouldn’t come, all this miseries had ended and all that was left was my destiny, my purpose and it cried for fulfilment.

Yes I have had the legendary sit in the classroom of marriage and divorce taught me so much about marriage, I am better now than I was…

I do not at all advocate for divorce but VERY IMPORTANT "SAY NO TO ABUSE"

-Sticking to abuse and an unhappy marriage or any relationship does not define your strength and there is no reward to it-

There is no compensation from words such as; he or she is such a strong man or woman, what it in turn means when someone tells you that they are saying you can take in so much garbage they wouldn’t dare do that!

The words that were uttered to me on a daily basis became me, they were as sharp as a sword, it burned like fire, the lips that uttered them turned into a saw that cuts deep through to my heart, they cut through as an arrow would, the tone that was used to communicate to me alone could draw tears from my eyes, it was so scary and traumatizing. Abuse is not only physical, abuse can be emotional, mental and this is even more painful. Do not at any time give in to any sort of abuse; it can cause you your health, your mind, your life and your all. SAY NO TO ABUSE be it you are a man or woman, never mind what society will say.

-I would rather hear society talk in my normal state of mind then hear their voices from behind of an asylum wall-　
 

Yes I have been "In the Chambers of Marriage" today I have a reputation and a tale to tell everyman before they fall in love with me, when I meet my future in laws my introduction now involves I am a divorcee but I am grateful Lord, I am grateful that I do not need to depend on tranquilizers for the rest of my life.

-There came a time when the picture I had drawn about myself through God’s words did not match my situations at hand but still I did not erase it, not because I could not but because I know I am in pursuit of my destiny and I did not want to skip any lesson-

About the Author: Alina Letushila is a woman that has lived 31 years full of grace. She was born in Windhoek Namibia, Africa and is currently a full time Administrator and Part-time Writer and Paralegal Student. Alina is also currently finalizing editing her book "Destiny brought me here" The Debutant of a Christian Divorcee, I have two other books that I have my notes being put together on, titled: "Ann, the Covenant Child of God" and "Don’t trade your stiletto for flops." She is a godly woman, passionate about love, marriage and purity and doesn't advocate for divorce. She  writes to share her  lessons as inspired by the Spirit of God.

https://www.facebook.com/Haileka.Alina

https://instagram.com/firstladyshailah/ 

hailekaa@gmail.com

As many I am sure know, have heard of the common phrase, "Never judge a book by its cover." 

When we enter our local bookstore, we tend to gravitate towards the more bold covers that grab our attention. Sadly in certain circumstances when you open the book, the pages do not seem to quite match. While on the other hand, the book with the more plain cover that most would pass up, could in fact have had a colorful interior. 

But I ask, why is that? Why do we gaze upon and are attracted to what is eye catching rather than what is truly beneath? 

I can answer this question with one simple word. 

Judgment. 

We judge one another when it is not our job to do so. Only The Almighty God who reins above us is worthy of judging us, his creation. No human being has that power over the other. 

For example, Psalms 58:11. 

"Surely, the righteous are still rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the Earth." 

Continuing further, I gather to introduce the ending pages of the first book I have written by the title of, "Internal Possession". 

"Personally speaking, a human being to me is very comparable to a book. Some have tough hard covers, some soft paperback. Each and every one of us has a cover also known as a story. The famous phrase (stated above), "don't judge a book by its cover" I find to be extremely accurate. Many people have the tendency to sadly do so, not bothering to even open the book. Even the selective few who do, sometimes only skim through the pages and fail to read thoroughly between the lines. We are all quite different but yet in some odd way the same. For we do have feelings, whether plentiful or minuscule. They still reside somewhere, somehow deep sow inside. A person and their feelings need to be respected and cares for, not bashed or humiliated. Instead of trying to "fit in" with this twisted society of not caring, extend a helping hand. Kindness is free and you never know the impact you may have." 

 

I wrote "Internal Possession", a year ago when I was eighteen years old. It is composed of poetry I had written during my unpleasant depression of many years. Mainly stemming from multiple traumatic incidences I have been through in my young lifetime. Thus, as I say in the beginning, I am a fighter and I learned that I can conquer this war. And so can you. 

In the traumatizing aspects and never ending misjudgments that presently occur in this world, we can continue to be pure women of Christ. To love one another and be there to extend a warm helping hand to another in need. With a clear conscious and the positive energy of accepting others, we can TOGETHER, slowly turn things around one step at a time. 

 

About the Author: Tayler Hirstius is a full believer in God and was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is currently an author and is pursuing her journey of dreams and to inspire. 

Did you know that there are 25 MILLION orphans in India? Orphans who are not cared for, find themselves in a frightfully vulnerable position. They usually end up in one of 3 heartbreaking places:

~Forced child labor
~Begging for food
~Sold for sex trafficking.25 million. The number is staggering, and to be quite honest...completely overwhelming. As Author Katie Davis (missionary to Africa) wrote, "Sometimes, trying to change the world feels like you're emptying the ocean with an eye-dropper."

We can't change this whole world all at once. But for one child, we can TOTALLY change their world.

We are so excited to announce that Crown of Beauty is partnering with Angel House Orphan Rescue to build a home for orphans in India!

That's right, we are building an orphanage. Who is we? You. Her. Us. Every girl who reads this magazine. We've been talking about being world changers for quite some time now..

Isn't it time for us to stand up in our God-given calling as His Princesses, and rescue His royal children?! With this project, you have the opportunity to touch the lives of 12 precious gems on the other side of the ocean, these abandoned children who desperately need our help. Tonight, there are 12 children fighting for their lives in the streets, without parents, or even a comfy pillow to rest their little heads on.

I don't know about you, but I am not okay with that.

So, I'm going to do something about it.

And if you're on board for this adventure, then so are you! Let's change these children's lives together!

Be one of the first to donate here: missions.me/crownofbeautyorphanage
Or read on for more amazing ways that you can get involved! 

CHANGING THE WORLD: THE GAME PLAN

There are SO many ways that you can get involved!

1. Give a Gift!
Visit https://missions.me/crownofbeautyorphanage
to donate right now! Even the smallest gift helps!
Consider sacrificing a trip to Starbucks or a night out at the movies, and see how a simple gift can make a huge impact!

2. Share Via Social Media!
It only takes a second to share this link via Facebook & Twitter! You never know who might see it and give!
 https://missions.me/crownofbeautyorphanage

3. Join the #PrincessAwarenessProgram
Everyone likes taking selfie's right?! Why not take your selfie game to the next level, and change the world while you're at it?
Simply take a photo of yourself wearing a tiara, a fancy dress, your favorite high-heels or doing something totally princessy and girly! Use the hashtag #PrincessAwarenessProgram & post on Instagram. Include the
link:  https://missions.me/crownofbeautyorphanage
Tag some of your friends, and challenge them to do the same!
We will look at all the pics with that hashtag on Instagram and post our favorites on the site!
(Follow us on Instagram @crownofbeautymagazine)

4. Host a Princess Party for Orphans!
Invite your friends over for a regal bash! We can help you choose a theme, and supply you with ideas, or you can use this as a fab excuse to get on Pinterest & do your own brainstorming! Contact Us (crownofbeautymagazine@yahoo.com) if this is something you'd like to do!  If you'd like, we would love to share pic's from your party on our site, and promote what you're doing to change the world! 

Other Fun Theme Ideas:
Disney Movie Watching Marathon
A Board Game Bonanza
Minute 2 Win It Night
A Dance-A-Thon
Karaoke Night

5. Have a 1950's Ice-Cream Social With your Youth Group! Contact us if you'd like more details!

6. Gettin' Crafty!
Do you love making homemade treasures? Whether it's sewing, knitting, scrap-booking, jewelry making, etc... Contact us to find out how you can use your gifts to build this orphanage!

7. Donate Your Next Birthday (or Christmas Celebration!) To Someone Who Has Never Celebrated Their's Before!
Ask friends and family to use the money they would typically spend on gifts, to donate instead! Let us know what you're doing and we'd love to feature you on our site!

8. Make It a Music Night! Use your musical talents to host a concert fundraiser at your church. OR for a hilarious spin on this sweet idea, have an American Idol Wannabe party, and let those who wish they were superstars, have their night in the spotlight!

9. Send Sponsor Letters to Family, Friends, Churches & Local Businesses, and pray about coming on the trip with us to India, to open up our Angel House in December 2016! We would love to have you! 

10. Little Princes Penny Collectors is a fun way to get young girls involved. Our little sister generation must know that they are never too young to change the world. If you're the leader of a Sunday School group, girls club, or love volunteering and connecting with younger girls... ask us about this! It's going to be such a rewarding experience! (For you, and the girls.)

11. Skip a Movie for Missions! 
Ask your friends and family how much they typically spend on a trip to the movie theater, including their ticket, popcorn, candy, etc. Then ask them to consider donating instead!

12. Sacrificing Starbucks

...Ouch, this might be a hard one! Challenge yourself to give up Starbucks, extra candy bars, or some other guilty pleasure for either a week, or a month, or even longer! Challenge your friends and family to do the same! Let us know how it's going, and we'll feature you on our social media or website!

About the Author:
Crown of Beauty Magazine is an online magazine for princess warriors and world changers. Featuring fun interviews with your favorite Christian artists, advice for teen girls, and full magazine issues to read for free. Come connect with us at www.crownofbeautymagazine.com 

Most, if not all ladies want to get married someday. I for one dream of getting old with the love of my life and retire in a nice, quiet neighborhood near the sea.
         

The reality however, not all women will walk down the aisle or have the privilege of bearing children. Sadly we live in a fallen world. Some might wake up and find themselves in the shoes of Leah, trying so hard to please a man who is in love with another woman. Some like Anna find themselves single and devoted and serving God all the days of their lives or maybe you find yourself 16 and pregnant like Mary. Maybe you have never found validation from within, you have a deep void and thirst that you have tried quenching by hopping from relationship to relationship like the woman at the well and you are still thirsty. Just maybe you have decided marriage ruins things and you live with a boyfriend. The woman at the well did that too.

Just maybe sex is just a game you can relate to Rahab the prostitute, every man knew the way to her house even the Israelites locked outside the walls of Jericho knew how to find her. Some are like the woman with the issue of blood, a disease or physical disability has pushed you out of the courtship scene and you have no hope for marriage. Maybe like Tamar you are a victim of rape, a greedy and selfish man took your most valuable gift and your dreams and energy were shattered. Let us not forget Rebecca humble, beautiful and loved by Isaac, when it comes to dating and marriage you are blessed in every way. Good news is there is redemption and hope for everyone despite who you are in Jesus. All broken vessels can be beautiful vessels, when mended by the delicate hands of Jesus.

Our lives are different, we run different races. I don’t expect you to live the way I live but I can certainly tell you in whatever you do, in whatever season you might be may the grace and the will of God abide. May you find fulfillment and joy. All these women, their lives were different whether tragedy or happiness they were used by God for His purposes. They were part of God’s master plan to redeem the world. Whether it’s the desert or promised land praise Him, there is purpose in pain. May your pain serve Him, may your challenges minister to a sister, may your blessings empower the young and may there be joy and contentment in every heart. He is faithful. You are His heartbeat, His love is steadfast, gentle and sweet and He loves you profusely and He wants to use you, yes even you. You are a vessel of honour! 

About the Author: Constance Mutekeri is a  23-year-old pharmacy student and blogger at Scarlet Romance| Deeply Loved by Jesus. She enjoys writing and teaching the word of God . Constance is also the president of Reading University Bible Study Society.

I received a subtle reminder of why I strive daily to live for God. Is it easy? Nope! Can it be uncomfortable at times? Most definitely!!! Do I fail at it, sometimes? Yep, most days!

What I am learning is that it is IMPORTANT for me to allow the HOLY SPIRIT to LEAD me; I’m not supposed to try to lead the HOLY SPIRIT. I have the tendency to get ahead of myself…to make decisions without consulting God…to take my life into my own hands, forgetting that this life is not my own. I realized that I needed to take a FEW SEATS BACK…to FALL BACK…to PUMP the BRAKES…

In all honesty, it was time for me to be reminded of a few things, like:

Why I CHOOSE to WALK this CHRISTIAN JOURNEY…

Why I CHOOSE to SERVE GOD and FOLLOW CHRIST…

Why I CHOOSE to DIE to SELF DAILY…

Anytime, we try to take matters into our own hands and start to depend on ourselves, we will always find ourselves in a place of confusion.  It is so easy to lose sight of God’s plan for your life when you take your eyes off of him!   

This Christian journey is not meant for us to walk it alone, which means God is always there to help guide us and keep us on the right path.  All we are REQUIRED to do is SEEK his COUNSEL.

This came to me one morning when I was listening to Pastor Riva Tims and Majestic Praise song entitled “Incredible God.” This song is such a beautiful, worship song and the message is simple yet profound. The lines from “Incredible God” that touched my spirit are as follows:

‘Who placed the stars in the heavens 

and who set the sun and the moon in the sky?

The Incredible God.

Mountains bow down before you

Seas roar at the sound of your name.

The Incredible God.'

While worshipping to this song, I was reminded of why I serve God. Why I strive daily to be pleasing in his sight. Why he’s the head of my life and why I am completely in love with him.

To be honest, this song gently reminded me of why I can't give up on God. It helped me understand why I can't give in to the desires of my flesh. It provided me with clarity on why I must press towards the goal. The lyrics to this song reminds us of the great God we serve! See, even when we do wrong, he loves us. He sent his only son to perform the ultimate sacrifice God is omnipresent-all powerful… gracious… incredible. It’s not about what he has done for me  or what he’s doing or what he’s going to do.

           I praise him…

           I worship him…

          I love him…

           Simply, because of who he is…

It's true...If God doesn't do another thing for me; he has already done enough!!!

Let us continue to keep god first and allow the holy spirit to lead us on this spiritual journey!

1 Chronicles 29:11:

'Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power

and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,

for everything in heaven and earth is yours.

Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;

you are exalted as head over all.'

About the Author: 
Lauren Ashley is a believer of Jesus Christ; he's her everything! Lauren is just trying to make the best "Convicted: Living Life with Daily Convictions." To read more encouraging words from Lauren, visit www.dailyconvictions.blogspot.com. 
of this life's journey and tread on the path God has created for her! She currently has a blog entitled,