'I wanna live like that..'

Good Morning Ladies!! How is everyone’s week going so far? I know that some of us had a rough start to our week, but just know that it will get better. :)

So as you all know by now I am a HUGE fan of music! It can literally turn my entire mood around if I listen to the right song. Yesterday, as I was heading home from class this song came on the radio and it was saying almost everything that I said in my post yesterday and it also goes into what todays post is about, so I knew I had to share it with you! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0cMVmr11bY 'Live Like That' by Sidewalk Prophets! :)

When I hear songs like that it makes me have a reality check. I begin to question the way I’m living my life and wonder what ‘legacy’ I’ll leave behind. Like I said yesterday, would anyone be able to tell you had a relationship with God? This song proves that actions speak louder than words. When I heard it I was like WOW! Thank you Lord for letting me here that song! Then, this morning my devotion was about living like Jesus did. It all tied together and I knew that this was an area God wanted me to cover.

My ‘Daily Bread’, which I get my daily studies from, always gives a message and then a small scripture to follow up with that message. I don’t know about you ladies, but when I’m studying God’s word, one verse isn’t enough. I want to hear the entire story and I want to know more. I’m hungry for more of his word. I haven’t always been like this and some will never reach this point, but when you desire God and want to know more about him, it can change your life. I said that to warn you that today’s scripture is almost an entire chapter long. It was all just too good for me not to add! J


God’s Word

Paul says in Philippians 2:1-18 “If you find any comfort from being in the Anointed, if His Love brings you some encouragement, if you experience true companionship with the Spirit, if His tenderness and Mercy fill your heart; then, brothers and sisters, here is one thing that would complete my joy- come together as one in mind and spirit and purpose, sharing in the same love. Don’t let selfishness and prideful agendas take over. Embrace true humility, and lift your heads to extend love to others. Get beyond yourselves and protecting your own interests; be sincere, and secure your neighbors’ interests first. In other words, adopt the mind-set of Jesus the Anointed. Live with His attitude in your hearts. Remember: Though He was in the form of God, He chose not to cling to equality with God; But He poured Himself out to fill a vessel brand new; a servant in form and a man indeed. The very likeness of humanity, He humbled Himself, obedient to death- a merciless death on the cross! So God raised Him up to the highest place and gave Him a name above all. So when His name is called, every knee will bow, in heaven, on earth, and below. And every tongue will confess “Jesus, the Anointed One, is Lord,” to the glory of God our Father! So now, my beloved, obey as you have always done, not only when I am with you, but even more so when I can’t be. Continue to work out your salvation, with great fear and trembling, because God is energizing you so that you will desire and do what ALWAYS pleases Him. Do all things without complaining or bickering with each other, so you will be found innocent and blameless; you are God’s children called to live without a single stain on your reputations among this perverted and crooked generation. SHINE LIKE STARS across the land. Cling to the word of life (bible) so that on judgment when the Anointed One returns I may have reason to rejoice, because it will be plain that I didn’t turn from His mission nor did I work in vain. Even if my lifeblood is to be poured out like wine as a sacrifice of your faith, I have great reason to celebrate with all of you. And for the same reason, you can be glad and celebrate with me.”


God’s word is soooo powerful! Paul is speaking so much truth! If we feel comfort and encouragement and love from God and we have a special bond with him, why wouldn’t we want to share that with others? Why wouldn’t we want to share God’s goodness and portray his goodness to others?! Paul says “Don’t let selfishness and prideful agendas take over.” We are so busy worrying about us and what we have going on in our lives that we use that as an excuse not to be there for others. Have you ever stopped what you were doing and put your problems aside to reach out and help someone else? Your problems, stress and worries will still be there and you know what, you’ll probably look at them differently once you stop and look at what someone else is going through. There are problems bigger than what you’re facing today ladies. There are people out there that are struggling with things that you couldn’t even imagine and they need US! They need someone to listen, wrap their arms around them and pray for them and so much more.

I remember having a rough day and I posted something on Facebook about needing prayer. A friend of mine messaged me and asked me what was going on and I gave her the short version of a very long story and told her it was about my finances. She was sweet and told me that she would pray for me and that she wanted me to know she was struggling too. She told me about what she had going on and it made all of my problems seem so small. I cried out to God and thanked him for reminding me that there is always someone going through more than me. I should be grateful for what I have and I should continue to bless others because he will provide. Ladies, your situation may seem like the end of the world, but take a moment to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Reach out to them and know that your blessing from God will be greater than you could have ever imagined.

Paul reminded us that Jesus was in the form of God, but instead of using that to his benefit he decided to take the other route and live like a servant, just for us. I don’t know about all of you, but I want to do that. I want to live like Jesus did! I want to be so consumed with serving others that all my troubles seem small, because they are. God’s gift to Jesus was raising him to the highest place (Heaven) and giving him the name above all JESUS!! “So God raised Him up to the highest place and gave Him a name above all. So when His name is called, every knee will bow, in heaven, on earth, and below. And every tongue will confess “Jesus, the Anointed One, is Lord.” Do y’all get that? Even the devil has to confess that Jesus is the Anointed One! That is powerful in itself!

Paul also told us that we should obey God even when he’s not present. I don’t know about y’all, but my mom always told my sister and me that we better be on our best behavior when she wasn’t there. She expected us to behave like little Angels for our friends parents, even if we got home and acted crazy. She trusted that if she brought us up right that we would behave even if she wasn’t around. That’s what God is doing. He brought us up right and he is trusting that we will live for him and teach others his word without him being right by our side. Of course he is always present, but I think we forget that sometimes. Are you doing what Jesus would be doing? Are you leading by example?

“Do all things without complaining or bickering with each other, so you will be found innocent and blameless; you are God’s children called to live without a single stain on your reputations among this perverted and crooked generation. SHINE LIKE STARS across the land. Cling to the word of life (bible) so that on judgment when the Anointed One returns I may have reason to rejoice, because it will be plain that I didn’t turn from His mission nor did I work in vain.” Ladies I feel like we are all guilty of spending so much time complaining about the things going on in our lives that we forget to praise God for all the things that are going right. God has a plan and a purpose for where we are in our lives. You may not like your job, but you’re there for a reason. You may be unhappy in your relationship/friendship, but God put you in that person’s life for a reason! Have you ever thought that maybe you’re their path to God? That you going to work every day with a smile on your face and only speaking positive things could actually turn their attitude and that place around? Be the light for others! Let your light shine so brightly that people want to be close to you. They admire you and reach out to you for guidance and a good word because they know and trust you will do that for them! I know that I want to be that friend that everyone knows they can call anytime day or night and I’ll be there, because that’s what Jesus would do. WWJD! J If we can be there for them and love them and encourage them, they will wonder why we are like that and that’s when you can tell them that it’s because that’s what Jesus would do. Maybe that will make them want to turn their lives around and be that person for someone else.

My new bible ‘The Voice’ leaves this insert for a better understanding of what Paul is saying, “Paul describes a community where every person considers the needs of others first and does nothing from selfishness; it pulls together rather than pulls apart, and it is a body that knows its purpose and lets nothing interfere with it. It is an extended spiritual family where others line up to become part of this sacred assembly and to make it their home because they feel encouragement and know they are truly loved.” Ladies, this is the purpose of this blog! God wants us to join together and encourage one another. He wants us to build a bond in unity with his word and make this community of ‘WOMEN after God’s Own Heart’ to be a community that everyone wants to be a part of because they see the love and encouragement that we show one another. I pray that all of us changing from being selfish people to becoming selfless people will cause a train reaction and others will jump on board.

God is so awesome! He is doing so many awesome things in all of our lives, even the things that we don’t see yet. Just keep trusting him. The devil will try and steal your joy more and more when he sees that you are living for the lord. When you are changing your life and making God your focus something will happen to try and take your focus off of that. Please know that it’s just the devil. Stay on that path and keep trusting God and reminding him that you need strength to get you through all of this.


**Meeting Update**

We will be having our first “get together” on March 25^th at 3pm. We will be meeting at Uncle Julio’s in Grapevine to meet one another and just discuss where the blog is going and what ideas everyone wants to share. This will be a great opportunity for us to meet some of the readers and to just talk and get to know each other. I pray that everyone will put this date on their calendars and try to attend. Who couldn’t use more Women of faith in their lives? J As the date gets closer I will request a headcount so that we can make sure we have enough space. Please feel free to bring any and every woman you can think of! J 1301 William D Tate Avenue Grapevine, TX 76051
(817) 416-8416


Stay encouraged, inspired and motivated today and help someone else do the same.
 
Let someone see the Jesus in you! J

Raynisia Nagel

A Woman After God’s Own Heart