Day 5&6

I had a very blessed night with the high school group at church tonight and was reminded of all my responsibilities and this caused me to say that I am honored to be serving my Lord in so many awesome ways! I read my 40 day challenge (for not only today but yesterday too) and I had to dig deep with God. Yesterday talked about asking for forgiveness to those I might have hurt or disappointed. I wrote a friend a letter and asked the Lord to help me handle situations in a way that King Solomon would have handled them. This wisdom is an area I will continue to seek the Lord for. 

"Therefore, if you...remember that your brother has something against you, first go and be reconciled to your brother..." Matthew 5:23-24

I also had to come face to face with God when reading day 6 knowing that I have held onto grudges or have felt like people have hurt me. And many people don’t know that I often take personally things that sometimes I just can’t help. So tonight I gave up those difficulties to God and allowed myself to forgive those that I might have a wall up with that really shouldn't be there at all. The Lord is soooo good in reminding me just what I need.

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your heavenly Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15

Day 4

Tonight I was flipping through my days in my 40 day challenge book and realized I have missed praying before my meals. While I may feel like a failure I must know it is a conscious effort with one small thought causing me to learn to prayer before every meal (not that this is a Christian rule but it's still something I really want to work on and give to God). It is a way to appreciate all that the the Lord has given me not only in the present moments but also the past moments. Tomorrow I will not only work on not complaining (which I forget to work on sometimes) but I will also do my best to consciously pray before my meals.
To follow Day 4 of my challenge I am to do something for my family. For mom and dad I am going to call them, for brother and sister I am going to text them. I want to keep up a relationship with them in a way that even they, who know I am a Christian, can see my light shining for Jesus. :)
Will you treat your family better than you do? I know I must work on this as my friends normally are treated better than the ones I love most. This is grace and this is where I will be Christ-like.

Day 2&3

Yesterday was a really tough day...I cried, complained, grumbled and majorly stressed.
I didn't even do my devos/day 2 because I was so tired and busy doing homework.
This just wasn't okay.
I needed to dwell on this verse,
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
Ephesians 4:29

and while that didn't really happen...

Today was a day without make up!

...and way less complaining than yesterday. :)

 I seriously rode on the awesome strength of my God all day today. He provided for me in so many ways and I can't be more thankful that I serve the One who made today even a possibility for me. I did both of my devos/days for 40 day challenge tonight and I'm feeling so blessed. God is my strength in my weakness. 

"...let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."

2 Corinthians 7:1

Oh my love...

My verse for today comes from 1 Corinthians 13:7, 

"Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance" 

(New Living Translation).

 My roommate tonight was helping me get through some homework and after she took my phone, she changed my password I got really mad…to the point where I knew that my anger was similar as to when I vent and complain. This is not what the Lord wanted from me. I did not act in the way the Lord would want me to, nor did I act as though I would hope to act for a 22 year old who is growing in her faith with Christ. 

My roomie texted me to apologize and I cleared up my rudeness and difficulty of the situation with her. The Lord taught me to be patient. I must remember what it means to have a posture of love rather than a posture of anger. These are the moments that cause me to understand why I am doing the 40 day challenge. 

May you live life to God's standards by choosing to love rather than to lash out in anger. 

<3 Easton 

40 Day Challenge

The Lord has revealed my new forhisloveneverends post topic...

my 40 Day Challenge!!!!!

I started to help out in the high school ministries at my church last year. It has been a huge blessing and one that the Lord is teaching me so much about. It was a nonchalant decision about 3 weeks ago to do the 40 day challenge with the youth group; and today it is an exhilarating reality to actually begin living out!

My challenge is to

Signs: left hand "complain",
right hand "no"

fast:

~complaining

~make-up one day a week

and in place, my new habits:

~dwell on one verse a day

~pray before my meals

"X marks the spot - I am living each moment for the Lord and leaving nothing to chance."

Esther 4:14

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?

Will you pray for me as I begin this challenge?
And…

Will you be praying alongside me for my students as I walk beside them, encouraging them to stand out just as Esther did? We are here to stand out, stand up, and stand steadfast for our lives with Christ.

All for Him

<3 Easton