Attributes of God
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My Favorite View ♥️
Out of all the views in the world — the endless ocean, the magical sunsets, the beautiful forests and mountains — this is by far my favorite one.
The first thing my husband does every morning is sit with his Bible. He knows that every answer, ounce of strength, instruction to live, and secret to everlasting joy is found in these words — found in his Maker.
And because he takes this time serious, our daughter and I get to reap the benefits. I have a man I can trust, honor, and yes, even that controversial “s word” — submit to.
Obviously not submit as a doormat like the culture thinks of the term, but let him have the final say as the leader of our home.
Why?
Because I trust the Lord. I trust what God is doing in Matt’s life. I trust that He brought Matt and I together. I trust God’s design for the home — a husband and wife, equal in worth and dignity, yet carrying two distinct roles.
I can trust because I see Matt not only read the Book of Life every day, but he also implements it. He follows Jesus which ensures me that I can follow him.
Single ladies, wait for a man who dedicates his life to following Jesus. I promise you it will be worth it. Even if it takes much longer than you could ever imagine (like it did for me).
IT.WILL.BE.WORTH.IT 💗
Faith Worth Replicating
I think the life of Daniel is so inspiring. He faced extreme obstacles — many were even life or death, and yet his faith stood strong. He would not bow down to the gods of the culture around him. He continued to worship the one, true living God.
And what was God’s response?
He protected Daniel, gave him favor, even elevated him to some of the highest ranking positions of the kingdom.
And do you know what else God did?
He used Daniel’s faithfulness to bring faith to others.
God’s glory was on display through Daniel because he trusted the Lord with his whole heart.
He had many opportunities to compromise his commitment to God in order to save his life.
And honestly, life would have been a lot easier for him if he just lived like everyone else was living.
But he didn’t.
He knew who God was. He knew the power of God. He knew the character of God. And he trusted that whatever God had in store for his life was the best thing for him.
What about us today? Where is your faith in the Lord? Are you trusting Him? Following Him? Committing every decision to Him?
God says in Proverbs 3:5-6 that when we trust Him with our whole heart and acknowledge him in everything we do, He will show us where to go.
Every choice we make either brings glory to God or glory to self. There is no in between.
Every choice we make either brings glory to God or glory to self. There is no in between.
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We can take the wide path and live like the world is living — it’s not a big deal right? Everyone else is doing it. Everyone else is watching it. Reading it. Listening to it. Laughing at it.
But what if there was another path? Something greater? Something a little harder. Something more… narrow?
Perhaps the life lived around us isn’t real life at all, but a mirage.
Perhaps true life is found in the small, unnoticed acts of obedience to the Creator of all things.
Perhaps life is experienced in the ‘no’ to flesh and ‘yes’ to what we know to be good, true, and right.
Perhaps real life is found in the trust of the One who made the stars and the moon.
Perhaps real life is found in nail-shaped holes and an empty tomb.
We serve a God who can do anything. Look what He did with the life of Daniel. An ordinary man that the Lord used in extraordinary ways, thousands of years ago — one act of faith, trust, and obedience at a time.
And we’re still talking about it today.
11 Years as a Christian
Today marks 11 years that I have been a Christian!! I am still so grateful that God saved me. My life has been forever changed.
Jesus truly is the answer to everything and He is our unshakable hope. I was once dead, but now alive. I was blind, but now I see.
I can’t wait for Him to come back and redeem all things to Himself… soon.
If anyone is interested in learning more about Christianity, my inbox is always open!! 💗
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”—Romans 10:9
He Who Calls You is Faithful
Have you ever noticed that in much of Paul’s letter to early Christians, he doesn’t pray for their suffering or persecution to go away, but for God to work in it?
In 1 & 2 Thessalonians Paul encouraged the church to continue to grow in their faith and love for one another in the midst of their persecution for following Jesus. He didn’t ask God to take the persecution away, but quite the opposite. He asked that God will “enable you to live a life worthy of His call,” and “give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.” (2 Thessalonians 1:11 NLT)
Why does Paul pray this instead of asking God to take the persecution away?
So that “the name of our Lord Jesus may be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with Him.” (2 Thessalonians 1:12 NLT)
We are so quick to pray our hardships away. We don’t like discomfort. We don’t like it so much that we will do anything to avoid it — hence the rampant addictions to drugs, alcohol, social media, video games, gambling, pornography, buying stuff we don’t need, food, entertainment, etc.
We like to numb. To unplug. To turn-off.
And the reality is, it’s okay to not like persecution, suffering, or discomfort. It might be odd if someone did!
BUT what if there was something valuable to be found in the midst of these trials?
What if the very thing stealing your comfort is the very thing that could lead you to the everlasting Comforter?
Paul knew this as he wrote to the Thessalonians. The church decided to turn away from their old life and follow Jesus; to live a life pleasing to God. And with this new pursuit came persecution from their communities, families, and friends. It also meant dying to self.
They no longer lived for the short pleasures of the flesh, but lived for eternal pleasure that awaited them in Heaven.
Paul reminded the Thessalonians that Jesus was coming back soon and although things were tough, by God’s power they had the ability to “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV)
They developed an eternal perspective. They knew that that although they may experience momentary affliction, something more valuable was happening inside of them.
They had a stronger, deeper faith in the finished work of Jesus and by the power of His spirit, they could get through anything.
They looked and lived more like Him.
They were being prepared for their eternal home of no more pain, sorrow, or suffering. But joy forevermore with Him.
It’s only by pain that we know pleasure.
It’s only by sorrow that we know joy.
It’s only by death that we know life.
It’s only by darkness that we know light.
I don’t know what trial you might be facing today (we’re all facing them at some point), but I do know that God is not a life waster, but a LIFE GIVER.
He makes beauty from ashes.
He brings to life that which was once dead.
And He will redeem all things to something more glorious than before.
If you’ll follow Him, He will make everything in your life beautiful in its time. How do I know? Because…
“He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:24
How to Overcome the Fear of Loss
Have you ever been let down in a big way?
Maybe a failed relationship.
Perhaps childhood experiences that left you unable to feel as though you could trust anyone.
Or even a death of a parent, friend, or child.
It changes you doesn’t it?
The slow sting of brokenness and death almost become paralyzing.
Will I ever love again? Will I ever trust again? Is it even possible for me? I am afraid to get hurt. I’m petrified of experiencing loss and grief again. It’s easier to stay back in the safety and comfort of isolation.
I struggled with these feelings A LOT. The experiences of brokenness in my home as a child led me to believe I should expect the worst will happen to me. And then as an adult, sometimes the worst did happen. The death of my father in my 20s was at the top of the list.
What do we do when we’ve experienced loss after loss and disappointment after disappointment?
It is easier to stay safe and not open ourselves up to the opportunity of another loss.
It’s easy to say we’re a “strong independent woman who doesn’t need anyone.”
But what kind of life is that? What if God was offering you more?
I met Matt (my now husband) in the late summer of 2019. We dated and sadly most of the time I was waiting for the next shoe to drop.
My previous relationships clearly didn’t work out, so why would this one? There were times I struggled with a deep sense of fear of loss. In a weird way, I looked for the “red flags” and reasons for it not to work. Reasons for me to to stay in the “safe, dark, motionless, airless” casket as C.S. Lewis would say.
But the red flags weren’t there. The reasons for me to walk away weren’t there. The self-preservation wasn’t needed. God was with me.
I had to ask this very serious, but simple question:
Where does my trust lie?
If my trust lies with myself or in man, it will always be broken because this world is broken. I will get hurt again. I will be let down. I will be disappointed. We live in a fallen world and even our best friends will fail us.
But do you know what will never fail us?
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.—Psalm 18:2
You see, we can’t go through life trying to be our own refuge, our own shield, our own deliverer.
Jesus makes it very clear what will happen if we try to save ourselves:
“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” — Matthew 16:25
The moment we attempt to play God over our life, is the moment we’ve lost; we’re out of step with the will of God.
Can the will of God for my life be heartbreak? Or grief?
Well, if you believe that God is the creator of all things, that everything holds together through Him, that He knows the number of hairs on your head, the days of life you will live, that He thought of you before the foundation of the world, and named every star in the sky… If you believe in this almighty, all-powerful God who is in full control of all things – then yes.
Of course we know from scripture that He hates to see His children suffer. But for reasons that are above our understanding, He allows certain events to happen in our life (even horrible, terrible, seemingly pointless ones) that ultimately weave together into the promises that He has for those who follow and trust Him.
What good could come out of such loss and suffering? is a question I’m sure the disciples thought as they watched their Lord get crucified. But little did they know the good that really was to come from that horrific event!
Job experienced more tragedy than most of us will ever face in a lifetime. He had every reason in the world to develop a hard heart. But look what God did through his life and how much the story of Job has helped millions of people throughout history.
In a strange way, I am thankful for many of my hardships. They have not only humbled me and shaped me, but they have shown me the love of God in deep and tangible ways — ways I may have never have understood had I not suffered.
So how do we overcome the fear of loss?
Like any other fear — we face it head on. We surrender it to God. We trust that when we get hurt, disappointed, or lose a loved one, God will never leave us nor forsake us. We remind ourselves that this world is not our home. It is a dim depiction of what is to come.
We can hold loosely to the things of the earth because we are held tightly by the arms of our father.
Life is fallen and broken here. We can choose to hide and protect ourselves OR we can put our faith in the one who calms a storm with the mere sound of His voice.
You get to decide every single day.
My days look different now. 🙂
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” — 1 Corinthians 2:19
Read Through the Bible in a Year
Yesterday I shared on my Instagram story that one of my biggest goals for 2022 is to read the Bible again from Genesis to Revelation. I have done it multiple times in the past, but haven’t read cover-to-cover in the last few years.
After I shared that, I had quite a few gals message me asking questions like what Bible version I use, which reading plan I’m following, am I using a journal, tips, etc.
So I thought it might be helpful if I shared a few tips and resources in hope that it might encourage you. 🙂
TIPS
Consistent Time: I know this one can be challenging for some. But I like to read early in the morning before my day starts. I know if I don’t spend intentional time with the Lord in the morning, it probably won’t happen as my day gets going. I hate saying that, but I know how I am. So that means I wake up extra early to read and pray. Some mornings are harder than others, but I am always glad I did it. Mornings are helpful because I know that no matter what the day brings, I started it with Jesus. My mind isn’t cluttered with the world yet and I often think more clearly and focus. Some folks thrive at night! Which is great! Some have spare time when their kiddos are napping. Whatever it looks like, I have found that being consistent with the time of day has been beneficial to my walk.
Heart Check: One thing I have found helpful before starting a goal (like reading the entire Bible) is to remind myself of the intention. I don’t want to read just to say I’ve read the entire Bible. I want to spend time with and learn about GOD! I read the Bible to know HIM! Having a goal in sight (like reading the whole Bible in a year) is wonderful, but ultimately, even if I go over a year, it’s okay. I just want to be with Him. I think that is helpful to remember and takes the pressure off.
Don’t Give Up: I think it’s fairly common for a Christian to take on a big endeavor (like reading the entire Bible in a year) and feel motivated and excited at first. And then, by the time they get to a book like Leviticus… they’re bored, busy, missed a few days… and then throw in the towel. DON’T! Spending time with God is not a race and it doesn’t have to look Instagram-worthy. If you miss a day (or a week), pick back up where you left off. Consistency is key. Just like any other goal, we must work through the challenges.
The “Boring” Books: Yes, I’ll be real. Some books you may find less exciting than others. But one thing I say to myself is, “If it’s God’s words, then it must be important for me to read.” I don’t think God is a time-waster. He is the creator of time. I think about the verse in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” He says ALL SCRIPTURE, not some, not most, but all. So when it comes time to read the “boring” parts, ask God to show you Himself in those and teach you for the training of your righteousness.
Pray: I pray before and after every time I open my Bible. It reminds me to rely on HIM to teach me and it focuses my heart on Him. If I don’t understand something, I pray and ask Him to help me understand. I often will ask Him to point me to a commentary or help it “click” as I re-read the passage a few times. And I’ll be real, He answers.
Here are a few more answers to the questions I received….
What Bible do you use?
I enjoy reading from the ESV Study Bible mostly. I love study Bibles because it helps me understand the cultural and historical context of the text. Other translations I will use at times are NKJV, CSB, and NASB. I have found these to be the closest word-for-word translations to the original Hebrew/Greek/Aramaic. You can find any of these translations, including the ESV Study Bible on Amazon, ChristianBook.com, or just do a Google search!
Aside from a study Bible, I will sometimes use a commentary. Commentaries are amazing as they will often breakdown keywords and/or verses. I like to use a few different ones as I sometimes will get different theological perspectives. I currently use The Moody Bible Commentary and The MacArthur Bible Commentary.
Do you follow a plan? If so, which one?
Well, if you read 3 chapters a day, you’ll finish the Bible in about a year. But yes, this year, I am following a plan by The Daily Grace Co. Here is a link to the plan. I am enjoying this one so far because they also have a Facebook group of over 25k women doing the same plan and sharing thoughts. They also have a new Podcast where they review the daily reading each day. So for instance, today is January 2 and they reviewed Genesis 4-6. I like it! BUT there are all sorts of plans out there! You can read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, Chronologically, or even a mix of Old Testament and New Testament. If you click on the links, it will take you to a few I found. 🙂
Do you journal? If so, how?
YES! I am a HUGE FAN of interacting with God’s word. I have journaled every single day I’ve read the Bible for over 10 years. I often write out my favorite verses, summarize sections, write out prayers, confessions when I feel convicted – anything that goes on in my mind while reading. It’s really helped the Word sink in deep. This year I’m using the Give Me Jesus Journal from Well-Watered Women. It’s my first time ever using it and I love it! I’ll be real, it’s a bit pricey ($30), but they have sales sometimes! I got it for around $20 during Black Friday. But if you can spare the $30, it’s worth it to me. The sections are fun to write in and they encourage me to think even deeper about what I’m reading. Before this journal, I would use just normal notebooks and they worked fine!
This year I also starting Bible Highlighting! I have always underlines verses and wrote a few comments in the margins of my Bible. But I decided to create a highlighting guide and get a few Bible highlighters. It’s been so fun as if makes me pay even closer attention to the text to ensure I highlight with the correct color. You can find Bible highlighters that don’t bleed through pages on Amazon or Google. I use the ones from The Daily Grace Co. and they have worked great.
FINAL THOUGHTS
These are just some tips and resources that have been a blessing to me in my time with God’s word. But the reality is you don’t need any of these things but a Bible to have a rich time with the Lord. He can do so much in and through your life just be sitting down and reading the words He wrote to you! That’s how I became a believer! I literally ordered a Bible off Amazon and started reading it. No joke!!
I pray that whoever might stumble upon this post will be encouraged and motivated to spend time with our God. He is better than we could ever think, hope, or imagine! His mercies are new every single morning. How great is our God!
P.S. I’m not sponsored by any of the ministries or authors listed above. Just some resources I have personally found helpful!
Read Psalm 40 With Me! :)
Are you half-hearted?
I love this verse so much! It tells us who Jesus is (Lord over our lives), it tells us our purpose in all things (to honor Him), and it tells us who we are (we are the Lord’s).
There is no better way than to live our lives for Him. And I don’t just mean the times when it’s easy, I mean the times when it might cost us something – our reputation, our sleep, our time, our resources, our friendships, our jobs, or even our life.
“That sounds extreme…”
We are either a Christian or we’re not. There is nothing in the Bible that encourages half-hearted Christianity.
In fact, Revelation 3 speaks to lukewarm Christianity:
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm…I will vomit you out of my mouth.”
Wow. It seems like Jesus would rather people choose Him or not, and it would be worse to be in the middle!
Could you imagine if you were “kinda committed to someone?” Oh wait, we have a lot of that going on in the horrendous dating culture of 2021. It never ends well, does it?
BUT God… being rich in mercy gives us the ability everyday to pursue a life with Him through the Holy Spirit!
Anytime I’ve tried to live life my way, it never ended well or be what it could have been if I would have relied on God. The moment we step out in faith and give our life to Him, everything changes.
Whether we live or die, we get to belong to Him. And that is the best news we will ever hear. 💗
Bible Study Tips for the Serious Christian
Here are some tips I often use in my personal time reading God’s Word. This is by no means the “perfect” or “right” way to read the Bible. But I started incorporating these things almost 10 years ago (which was the first time I read the Bible), and I have seen much fruit in my life!
You’ll need a Bible (I encourage you to get a good study Bible) and a journal.
I often hear people wanting to get closer with God, and well, the best way to do that is read the words He wrote for you. And read them everyday.
His word truly is LIFE! It is full of truth, love, mercy, forgiveness, kindness, thrill, excitement, and surpassing joy.I think about how privileged we are to freely read the Bible; many countries don’t have that luxury.
What a gift.
There will be nothing more important in this day than the time you’ve spent with God.
We try to fit God around our life, but shouldn’t it be the opposite? Shouldn’t we schedule our day around the non-negotiable time we spend reading His word, praying, and worshipping Him? I know it can be a challenge because we are “always busy” – but we make time for what we love.
Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. He will never leave you nor forsake you (no matter what your circumstances may bring). He is the Alpha and Omega; beginning and end. He created all things and holds all things together.
The culture has Christianity very wrong. It’s sad. But for those who are seeking truth, open the Bible today. Start with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). God bless you!
Ashlyn Lanni 