Criticism or Constructive Criticism?

Do you take criticism well? It is hard for me to hear someone tell me what I am doing wrong because I immediately internalize what they are saying. I begin to check my motives and question if that person is being mean-spirited, or if they truly want to point out my flaws in an effort that I may see it myself and thus change my behavior.

Constructive criticism. Someone decided to add the word constructive to the word criticism to soften the meaning. The critic, in this case, would be choosing to help build you up by tearing you down. It seems counterproductive, but it works most of the time, because we hear the word constructive and we change the way we receive what is going to come next, the criticism.

Some people in my life have meant well, but they came across as stern, uncaring, and judgmental. Others have not meant to help me, but their snarky remarks actually made me self-evaluate. The difference is in our perception of what is happening. The people who have meant well but did not succeed in making me look inside my heart to see if I should change, were not invested in my life. They had not contributed anything of value and therefore, their motives were good, but without that connection I did not choose to receive their remarks. Others who tried to hurt me with their mean-spirited comments, actually had been involved in my life in a greater capacity. I did not like what was said and I was attempting to prove them wrong when I took a closer look at myself. Sometimes they were right and I had some work to do to improve. Other times they were not, but I still chose to examine my heart.

JEREMIAH 17:9

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

According to Jeremiah, the heart is more deceitful than anything and very wicked. He questions who can know what is in our hearts. You may think you know what is inside your heart. You may feel as though you have a good grasp on your emotions and what you have let go of, or held on to, in your heart. The Bible tells us in this verse that it is deceitful and wicked. Even for a believer? Yes! Why? The reason our hearts deceive us and is considered wicked is that we can store things up in our heart and forget all about it. We do not dwell on the thing anymore. Perhaps someone has hurt us and caused us to harbor unforgiveness in our hearts about a particular situation and we do not even remember it anymore after a while. One day, something is said or done, and that feeling of anger or resentment rises up. The buried roots of bitterness have grown and now the problem must be dealt with.

Who can know our hearts? Jeremiah asks a great question. The Psalmist David seemed to have found the answer to this question. It will help us greatly today if we listen to the words he penned.

PSALM 139:23-24

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

David was a man after God's own heart, but he was not a perfect man. He was a terrific shepherd. He loved the sheep and took great care of them. He was responsible enough to leave them in the care of another shepherd he trusted when he had to run an errand for his father. David was a man of courage when he stood before Goliath armed with only a sling and five smooth stones. He came in the name of the Lord of Hosts. He was a talented harpist and psalmist. He praised God in the good times and in the bad. He was a noble king and did wonderful things for Israel. Yet he was not without fault.

David was also the man responsible for stealing Uriah's wife and then having Uriah killed when Uriah did not cooperate with David's plan to cover up the adultery. David was prideful when he numbered the people. He was a human being with faults and flaws just like the rest of us. He felt fear when he fled for his life when Saul tried to kill him. 

What sets David apart is that he was quick to repent and turn from wrong-doing. He received criticism and searched his heart for sin, so that he could make things right with God. Remember the conversation he had with Nathan the prophet after he had an affair with Bath-sheba, Uriah's wife. It went like this:

2 Samuel 12 King James Version (KJV)

12 And the Lord sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.

2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:

3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.

5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:

6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.

9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.

11 Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.

12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.

13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

15 And Nathan departed unto his house. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.

So Nathan gives David a parable to help David see how wrong he had been in what he did. In verse 7, Nathan said to David, "You are the man!" David was confronted with his sin. That is some sharp criticism. David reacts in verse 13, "I have sinned against the LORD. He does not try to excuse himself, justify what he did, blame someone else, or minimize the sin. He fully admits that he was wrong and that he did not sin against himself or someone else, but he did this against God.

Our family and friends should be watching out for us. They should be loving enough to tell us when we go off course. We may know we are doing wrong, but sometimes we don't face it until the only choice we have is to look in the mirror. We need to be like David, quick to own up to our mistakes and bad decisions. Don't let humiliation, embarrassment, fear, or anger prevent you from facing up to what you did.

The Bible is full of wisdom and teachings to help us. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Open the Bible, let God lead you by His Holy Spirit and teach you the things you need to know. Let the Holy Spirit work on your heart as He reveals the thoughts and intentions of your heart. If you find unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, fear, or doubt in your heart, let it go and let God give you a heart to forgive, sweetness, joy, and faith. I will be doing the very same thing.

I hope something I have said has given you strength for your journey and light for you way! God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Ruth Chapter 3 Bible Study

Welcome back to the weekly Wednesday Bible study. We are studying the book of Ruth this month. I hope you are joining me for this Bible study series. Feel free to grab your Bible, a notebook or journal, and writing utensils to follow along and answer the questions as we go. Before we get started, be sure to read Ruth Chapter Three all the way through, and then keep your Bible close as we go through the verses together. This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. It is so rich with meaning, hope, inspiration, and love.

As you go through this Bible study, take your time to think about the questions and put yourself in the place of each character in the story to get an idea of where they are coming from. Allow the Holy Spirit to teach you what the scriptures are saying. I read from the King James Version, but you may have a different version. Just use the one you have and ask God to help you understand what you are reading.

I am excited to reach out to the kids in my Children's Church class from Indiana. I hope that kids and adults can follow along with me each Wednesday and we can learn and grow as we break the bread together.

Ruth is in the Old Testament sandwiched between Judges and 1 Samuel. There are only four chapters in Ruth. This is a great book to study to see the hand of God leading Ruth to a new location she had never lived in, and to see how God continues to bless Ruth as she trusts in God.

In chapter three, Naomi is concerned for Ruth. She wants to help Ruth. She wants to repay her kindness. Naomi wants to help Ruth find a new husband. Naomi's son is gone and will never come back. Sometimes it is painful to face that realization that someone we love is gone. We see that Naomi has come to terms with her losses and recognized her blessings. She says to Ruth, "My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?" The NIV says it like this, "My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for."

Naomi is playing the matchmaker a little here. She reminds Ruth that Boaz is one of their kinsmen redeemers. She tells Ruth, "Boaz is winnowing barley tonight in the threshingfloor." She is going to give Ruth some advice on how to present herself to Boaz so he will know she is interested in him.

Verse three, Naomi tells Ruth to get washed up, anoint herself, put on her nice clothes and go to the floor where Boaz will be. But, she cautions Ruth to not interrupt him. She says wait until he is done eating and drinking, and goes to lay down, and then you can let him know you are there. She tells him to uncover his feet and lay down and wait for Boaz to tell her what to do next.

Question: Has anyone ever tried to be a matchmaker for you? Do you think Ruth ever thought of Boaz as a husband? Would you listen to Ruth's advice?

Ruth could have resisted Naomi's help. She could have remained with Naomi, as she had when Ruth's husband died. Remember, Ruth has great respect for Naomi. She listens carefully to all that her mother-in-law instructed her to do, and she obeyed fully. Ruth said, "All that thou sayest unto me I will do."

Boaz was a man that loved God. He was a kind and generous man. He protected Ruth in his field from his workers and anyone that might want to harm her. He wanted to protect her innocence and be a gentleman. Boaz would be sleeping, so it was important for Ruth to be careful of how she presented herself. She was not to lie down beside him because that could have been misunderstood as something inappropriate. She was to uncover his feet, which would have woken him up. Then lay at his feet, in a place of humility and respect.

The Bible does not tell us when Boaz went to lay down. We are not sure how long Ruth had to wait for the precise moment to make her presence known. The Bible does tell us though, that at midnight, Boaz was afraid, which we would translate as being startled, because there is a woman laying at his feet.

When you get jerked awake like that, and no one was at your feet before you laid down, with sleep still in your eyes, it would be hard to know who was laying there. He asks, "Who are you?" She tells him, "I am Ruth thine handmaid." She asks him to spread his skirt over her because he is the one that has the right to redeem her family.

Question: What do you think is going through Ruth's mind right now? Have you ever been like Ruth, feeling really vulnerable and risk being rejected? She knew Boaz was a kind man and would not have expected harshness from him, but what if he says no? Do you think she had prepared her for the worst? Do you think she even considered she might be rejected?

Boaz blessed her! He said this kindness that she showed him at this moment was even greater than she had shown him earlier. He commends her on not pursuing younger men whether they were rich or not. Instead of desiring to find a husband closer to her age, she had not even given it a thought.

Isn't this such a beautiful picture of when God writes the love story? Two sweet, kind people who were considerate of others, and wanted to bless others, find each other and God gives them a wonderful opportunity to live and love together.

Boaz tells Ruth not to worry. He said that he will do everything she had asked of him. He tells her that reputation around town is very good. He tells her that everyone knows she is a virtuous woman. But there is a small hitch. Every good love story has to have a hiccup, right? This story is no different.

Boaz tells Ruth it is true that he is one of the near kinsmen redeemers, but there is a relative that is closer to her than he is. I am sure his heart sank to realize this. He had to be honest with her. The man that was a closer relative had the option to marry Ruth if he wanted to!

Boaz instructs Ruth to wait there that night. He did not want her to go out into the streets late at night alone. He tells her to wait until the morning. Then Boaz reassures her that he will marry Ruth if the other man refuses. He promises it will happen as the LORD lives!

Ruth lay at his feet until the morning. The Bible says she gets up in the morning, really early before it is easy to tell one person from another. He wants to protect her reputation. He said, "Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor."

Boaz cannot let Ruth go away empty handed. Her heart was full, but he wanted to give her something. He was always wanting to bless her. He tells her, "Bring the veil that thou hast upon thee, and hold it." And when she held it, he laid six measures of barley on her. Then Ruth went into the city.

My goodness! I have butterflies, don't you? Ruth goes back home to Naomi and she wants to hear all about it. I can just imagine the giggles and excitement as she tells Naomi. She tells of what he had promised her and given to her. Ruth said, "For he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law."

Ruth must have been a little quiet, maybe preoccupied by the thought of another man having the opportunity to marry her. She may have started to worry about how things would go. She had come to love Boaz. He was so kind to her. He protected her. He provided for her over and above the others. He accepted her. She wanted to marry Boaz!

Naomi must have noticed Ruth's concern. She said, "Sit still, my daughter, until though know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until we have finished the thing this day." Naomi reassures Ruth that Boaz will not be able to rest until he takes care of that issue first. He cared too much for Ruth to put it off!

Question: What do you think Ruth is thinking about? Can you imagine feeling excited in one way because the man you love has promised to marry you? Can you imagine the sick feeling in your stomach at the thought that your future was held in the balance of whether the nearer relative wants to marry you?

What a great way to end this chapter! A cliffhanger, right? Wow!! Such a beautiful story. I have read this story so many times before, but I can hardly wait for next week to see how this story unfolds!

I would love it if you leave me a comment below and let me know if you are following along with this series. I am really excited about this book! I am so glad Ruth is the one God prompted me to start with.

I hope something I have shared today has been encouraging to you. May you find strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Be Careful Who You Oppose

Paul and I were careful about who we shared God's plan for our lives with. We told the Pastor of our church and Kadesia and I told her youth pastor. I shared with my Moms In Prayer group. They kept my confidence. Others started talking about us moving to Alabama and it started becoming a situation where some people in our church, who came faithfully, read the same Bible verses that I read, believe in and love God, would say hurtful things to us. Some were supportive, but there were those who questioned if I had truly heard from God. As if I would just make up a story, quit my job that I loved, uproot our family, cause my husband to leave a job he was advancing in, and leave our life for the complete unknown! That is not who I am. My husband loves me, but unless God moved on his heart, and the heart of our children, we would not have left everything in Indiana and moved to Alabama, trusting that He would meet our needs and provide for us like He has. Some even said they were praying against our move. They meant well. They wanted us to stay. They did not believe that we were leaving. It seemed to far-fetched. The Holy Spirit started talking to me and He comforted me with the Scriptures I am going to share with you today.

ACTS 5:12-39

12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.)

15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,

23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

31 Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

32 And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him.

33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.

37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found to fight against God.

This is the Scriptures that the Holy Spirit comforted me with. He said to me, "They better be careful! If you are doing this all in your own strength and in your own power, it will never turn out to anything. But if you are obeying the voice of God, they better not try to stop or hinder what God has told you to do!"

I know that it seems crazy to most people. Some days we just cannot believe this is happening, but it is! God really called me on seven fasts from January through July. He really told us in January that He was calling us to Mobile, Alabama. He really said He would make provision for the kids' schools, for our church, for a place to live, and for our jobs. He has done that. We know we are still waiting for a home of our own and jobs in addition to the work we do at our church, but God's timing is best. His timing is not my timing and as impatient as we can be, we just simply trust God to keep His Word. We know He will.

I still love my church family, and those who said they didn't believe I had heard from God, and those who said they were praying against our move, are still important people to me and to God. I continue to pray for the church we attended in Indiana. I pray the ministry grows. I pray that perhaps there will be those in that church who choose to step out in faith to obey the call of God on their life regardless of what that might look like to everyone else.

I know they meant well. I know they did not want us to move away. They appreciated what we meant to the church. They did not want to see us make a move like that and discover it was not ever in God's plans for us. They were not trying to be mean. Those words still stung. We have great friends we remain in touch with in Indiana from that church who pray for us, wish us the best, rejoice with us in things God has done for us, and continue to believe with us for the rest to come.

If you are trying to decide if you heard from God, He will reveal the answer to you in a way you have no other choice but to know YES! If you are not hearing His voice, He will gently tell you that, too, and lead you in the path He is calling you. If you have been fortunate enough to have a friend or family member confide in you about big plans He has for them, please do not nay say. Do not put them down. Do not tell them they are wrong. Do not question if they truly heard from God. Just pray for them. Listen to them. Ask God to keep their minds clear, their ears open, their eyes focused, and their hearts alert to the prompting of the Holy Spirit who will lead and guide us into all truth.

For many years, I remember singing "Where He leads I'll follow. Follow all the way." It would be a lie if I sang that each church service as I lead the congregation if I did not mean every word. Yes it was hard. I had a very hard time accepting that we had to move somewhere we knew no one. We had no family here. No friends, except for a brief encounter with a divine connection for our journey. And before July we did not even know her. It was difficult to think of all the reasons why we should go, when it seemed so crazy. No jobs lined up. No home to go to. No big savings account to sustain us. Where would the kids go to school? Where would we attend church? How could we honor God with our time, money, and effort? What was the purpose of the move? What was He calling us to do in Alabama that we couldn't do in Indiana. 

Not all of our questions are answered. Some are being answered as I compose this post. Some questions have been answered and it blew my mind. Some answers are not for right now. I must wait. Have patience. Keep my eyes on Jesus and trust that He will keep His Word. He has never broken a promise to me. He has never lied to me. He has never been unfaithful. He has been a loving, generous, gracious, merciful Savior and King. I could not do life without Him.

I hope something I have shared today has been strength for your journey and light for your way!

God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

God Limits The Waves

Paul said, “I found a really pretty park today. Do you want to go?”

My answer was, “Yes!”

I didn’t expect to see the true beauty I was met with. Paul found a treasure!!! To the people of Mobile, they would probably not be surprised, but we are still learning our way around these streets and this was a wonderful surprise!

Javan was with us and he loved it! This is at a fishing pier. It is just gorgeous and the views are so spectacular! Sometimes I want to pinch myself because we really get to live this life here!!! It’s so beautiful here. Javan and I were thanking Jesus for this gift! If you look, you will see the beauty surrounding you, too!

These pictures remind me of God speaking to Job out of the whirlwind. He asks him:

JOB 38:1-11

1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou Me.

4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?

9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,

10 And brake up for it My decreed place, and set bars and doors,

11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

Friends, I love this chapter! It is full of awe and wonder. The majesty of all creation spoken into existence at the very Word of God. God tells Job to get ready for the LORD to question him. Those are some serious questions. I love that it gives us a peek inside creation in addition to what Genesis tells us. He says He fixed His limits for the ocean. The water is only allowed to go so far. The waves rise, fall, and break at their limits God set in order.

These pictures really cannot do it justice. We had a wonderful day together. It was relaxing and refreshing. I felt the tension and stress fall away as I fully had my mind on the LORD. He is great and worthy to be praised!

 

I hope you enjoyed today’s post! Let me know where you have seen the beauty of God’s awesome creation!

God bless you!
~Bridgett Owens

Does God Send People To Hell?

I have heard comments about eternity, especially in regards to Hell, that it is cruel, unfair, and unjust for God to send someone to such a horrible place. Let's just think about that statement for a minute.

It is cruel, unfair, and unjust for God to SEND someone to Hell. Okay, well, good news! He does not SEND anyone to Hell.

He does not SEND anyone to Heaven. That might not be such good news!

God is not at the door of eternity choosing who gets in to Heaven and who goes to Hell based on His preference. If that were the case, guess what!? NO ONE would go to Hell if it was simply based on God's preference.

JOHN 3:16

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

I love people! I do! I am a people person. I care about humanity. I am a sensitive person and the needs and cares of others truly pulls at my heart strings. I will donate my time, my money, my possessions, but there is NO ONE including myself that I would let my son die for! NO ONE! Humankind would be out of luck! But God loved the WORLD, every single person in the whole world from the beginning of time until the end of time, and He sent His Son Jesus to die on a cruel cross to redeem us and save us. That does not sound like a God that wants anyone to go to Hell.

The Bible tells us from the mouth of God how He really feels. Let's see!

EZEKIEL 18:23

Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the LORD GOD: and not that He should return from His ways, and live?

It does not bring God pleasure that the wicked die in their sins. He would much rather they repent and turn away from their sin and live! He offers eternal life for those who are born again. Maybe you think the wicked is different than a "good person" who just chooses not to accept the free gift of salvation. Um, okay....

So, I have a scripture for that, too!

John 3:36

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

It is so clear! The one who believes in Jesus has eternal life. They are sealed! They are going to live forever! It's a beautiful verse of hope and love! Conversely, the one who does not believe in Jesus will not get to experience an eternity with Him. Instead, the anger of God will stay with that person. Why? Because this is the time to accept Him. Now! Today! You can be a good person but that self-righteousness is as filthy rags in the sight of God. We can never be good enough. That is not a slam or a mean-spirited attack. This is the Truth!

The world says you are powerful enough, you are good enough, you are in charge of your own destiny, you are basically God! But that is a deception from the enemy! So many people are believing the lie! One girl broke my heart! She said was turning her back on God and everything the Bible teaches because she felt it was judgmental. She has been deceived and I pray for her because I know that the subtle messages of society have crept into her heart to teach her that the message of the cross is too judgmental!

NO! The message of the cross is about grace! We do not deserve to go free for the wrong things we have done. We deserve to pay the price of the sin we commit, but Jesus paid the price for our sins. The message of the cross is about love! Jesus loved us so much He was willing to go all the way to the cross so that we would not be punished! The message of the cross is about mercy and forgiveness. Jesus took all our sin on His shoulders and paid the price with His precious blood so we would not have to die and be lost.

We can choose. God will not make the decision for us. He does not have puppet strings so He can jerk us any direction He chooses. No! He wants us to want Him. He does not leave us. He does not forsake us. He does not abandon us. He does not condemn us. He does not hate us. He does not want us to go to Hell. He went to great lengths to make a way so we would not have to.

Would you want someone to live with you for any length of time that did not know you? They just show up one day out of the blue and announce they are moving in. You protest because you do not know them. You have not had any conversations with them. You have not shared meaningful life experiences. You do not know who they are. You would tell them no. You would tell them they could not live with you.

Think about it. Do you want them raiding your refrigerator? Sleeping on your couch or in your guest room? Taking a shower in your bathroom? Hanging out with you and your family? No! You would not invite total strangers to live with you. Well, they are good people though. Still, no! You would not do that! Yet, society says God is not a loving God because He does not want to live with people who have rejected Him over and over again. People who made NO time for Him. People who ignored His voice calling to them. People who chose the cares of this life and the world's pleasures over time with God. People who spent their time blaming Him for everything and never thanking Him for anything. Why would they even want to spend eternity with Him if He is such a mean God?

God is love. He is not just loving; He is love. His nature is love. He is giving. He is merciful. His mercies are new every single morning. He is good. He is kind. He is loyal. He is faithful. He offers unconditional love. He offers grace. He offers peace. He offers joy. He offers life more abundantly. What more do you want? What more can He do or offer or give or be that would make us want to serve and love Him all of our days on this earth and all of eternity?

I love Him. I thank God that He was mindful of me. I thank Him for His love and forgiveness. I thank Him for accepting me and adding me to His family.

If you want to be in His family, it's not too late. As long as you have breath in your body, you have a chance. Just acknowledge you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Repent of your sin. Confess that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross and rose again on the third day and now is at the right hand of the Father. Thank Him for the free gift of salvation and ask Him to be the Lord of your life. You will never regret it. Welcome to the family of God!

I pray something I shared today has been strength for your journey and light for your way!

God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

God Is All Around Us

Today I have a special guest on my blog. I am so excited to have my sweet, wonderful, amazing husband, Paul, share his thoughts with us today. He is a shy, kind guy who feels more comfortable hanging back and checking things out than being the center of attention. He has been growing in his faith EXPONENTIALLY this year and these past 9 months have changed our whole family! Here is my Paul:

And here is his contribution to my blog today:

We can strengthen our relationship with God through faith and experience. Faith is to believe what you do not see. The reward of this faith is to see what you believe.

Mark 11:24

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Ephesians 3:16-17

That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; ...

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

People who experience more inspiration in their lives tend to be stronger believers in God.

Isn't that so good? He is not a man of many words but what He says is so good and fruitful. If we are looking, we will see God truly is all around us. He has His hands on everything in our lives. Each step we take is because He ordered it. I love that! What are you believing God for? Do you have the faith to believe that He wants to give it to you?

I know this was a HUGE blessing to me. We pray that it has been to you as well! Feel free to comment and share this post to help others.

God bless you!
~Bridgett Owens

Rejoicing In Rejection

The email notification sounded on my cell phone. I looked at it and was instantly excited. I saw the name of the company I had applied for a job with, and the first words were congratulating me on my new job. I was overjoyed! I showed my pastor and we hugged and she and I got so excited! This is what I had been praying for, hoping for, and it seemed to come at just the right time. We were so excited.

A few minutes later I got another email from the same company. My heart sank. My countenance fell. She wanted to know what was wrong. I told her. There had been a mistake. The system sent that email to me in error. I was not selected for the position and they were not extending a job offer to me at all. I felt so sad and disappointed. I called the woman who sent the email. I wanted to be sure. She confirmed it. The job was not mine and never was. They had given the job to another applicant. It had been a mistake.

It felt cruel. My heart sank further. Reality set in that I am still without a job. I thought I would have a job by now. God told me that I would not be working as a nurse when I came to Alabama. He told me ahead of time that I would instead be writing books. I still have looked into jobs for nursing because it's safe and it's what I know, but He has blocked every opportunity I seek. Maybe I should just give up the search. I thought maybe I could do some work as a nurse until I could get my book published and then maybe scale back, but that is not His plan. I have to remember that He is the Watchman over my heart and He knows what is best for me and for our family.

When I saw this verse yesterday, I really did not want to blog about it today. That scripture means something more than what it appears, though, and I have to share it with you today. Do you want to feel joy down in the depths of your soul? Simply do what this passage says. It will change everything. The circumstances may not change. The email I got yesterday is not going to change. The situation may not improve, but joy is mine when I do this one thing.

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Do you know who said that? It was the apostle Paul. He was in prison and he penned this verse. I worked in a jail and I did not see many people rejoicing in there. I cannot even think of one. No workers were rejoicing. No detainees were rejoicing. The officers were not rejoicing. I can imagine there are not that many people in prison who are rejoicing either.

What does it even mean to rejoice in the Lord? To feel joy or great delight. I can understand rejoicing in the Lord when things are going great. It is easy to feel joy or great delight when God has answered our prayers, a bad situation turns into good, a missed opportunity turns out to be a blessing in disguise, our loved one recovers from an illness, the check comes in and it's bigger than we expected. We can get on board with rejoicing in the Lord then, right?

What about in the prison cell? What about when we are on the job and the coworker is speaking rough to us? What about the person who cuts you off in traffic? How much will you feel like rejoicing when the bills are due and the money is gone? How will it affect the way you rejoice when your child decides to rebel and live a lifestyle completely opposite from what you raised them to believe is right? What about when you get the job offer and they take it away?

Last night was prayer service. It is a one hour service to pray to God and be in His presence. Nothing extra going on. Just one hour alone with God as He is in the midst of us. I walked in feeling down and sad. I walked in feeling rejected and dejected. I felt like I was inadequate. I allowed one mishap with my email to steal my joy. Have you ever been there?

I walked to the second row and sat down. I felt low. I closed my eyes and began to just get my mind on God. I started thanking Him for just being God. I started praising Him and telling Him I love Him. I started singing softly to Him along with the music playing over the speakers. I just started leaning into Him. I told Him from my heart, "I just want to sit at Your feet. I don't want to know why this happened. I don't want You to explain it to me. I don't want anything from You. I just want You." I just felt peace. I felt joy start bubbling up in the depths of my soul. I did not ask for comfort. I did not ask for peace. I did not ask for joy. He freely gave me those things. I just wanted Him. I just wanted to be with Him. I knew if I was with Him I would be okay.

You see, we do not rejoice in the Lord because things are good. Paul did not tell them to rejoice so they would be blessed or receive something in return. No, we rejoice in the Lord because He alone is worthy of praise and honor. He is worthy of our great delight. He is still God no matter what situation comes against us. Regardless of the obstacle or the setback or the bad break, or the wrong doing, He is still God and worthy of all praise, honor, and glory.

He is a wonderful God and I love Him so much. I love Him more and more, minute by minute. I do not want to go through this life without Him for even one second. He is more important to me than the air I breathe. He is more precious to me than all the world's fortunes. He is more costly than rare treasures hidden in the earth. He is my all in all. He is my everything. He is all I need. I will rejoice in the Lord. I will say it again. I will rejoice in Him!

I am glad Paul wrote such a powerful reminder to us from the walls of a filthy prison. In the worst of circumstances, Paul knew the secret to real joy. Paul had experienced a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ and he was never the same. He had unlocked the mystery of obtaining joy that settles down deep in your soul.

Once I shifted my eyes from my sad situation and put my eyes on my great God and King, I was able to see what truly matters. God is in control. He will give me whatever job I am supposed to have. He will see me through every setback. He will supply all my needs. He always has and He is not about to stop now. He did not bring us this far to forsake us now. I know great things are just up ahead and regardless of the bumps and bruises I may get along the way, I will rejoice in the Lord. All that is within me, I will bless His Holy name!

God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens