Earthly things for Eternal gain

At church the sermon was on how we spend our money.
It was really challenging to me to think 'do I use my money for earthly purposes, or eternal purposes?' I hadn't ever thought that I could use money to help others learn about God, but really it seems silly that I hadn't.
Matt (the preacher) showed that while earthly possessions aren't bad, they have been given to us from God and we should use everything He has given us to further His Kingdom.

It's amazing to think that my little donation to Bible Society or to a missionary can lead to someone hearing the gospel and then we will see each other in heaven!

So this is my challenge to other young, unmarried women, to use this time God has given us (without much financial responsibility) to use what He has given us to further the work of the gospel.

Looking onwards

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Rather than copy and paste, I'll just say go read my post about about how each season in our life should be focused on God and where He wants us to be.

What will 2008 be a season of for me?

A season of uprooting?

A season of healing?

A season of Dancing?

A season of crying?

Am I willing to take the bad if it is to be used to build up qualities in me that God wants? Will I only praise Him for the good, or will I 'Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for [me] in Christ Jesus.'(1 Thes 5:16-18) ?

May it be so.

I have made a decision. No more romantic movies for me. They are meant to be harmless fun to relax with on a Saturday night, but really I just end up feeling awful and depressed and angry at God because I want a family of my own so badly.

And it's not about what I want, it's about God's perfect timing and will for my life. And being willing to accept that whatever he has planned.
So for me, it's easier to just stay out of temptations way.

When doubts creep in

Dear Sister

Today, in my devotional time I was reading Luke 7:18-35. John sent messengers to Jesus to check if Jesus was the Messiah (v 19-20). And I'm thinking 'Um, John aren't you the prophert sent to prepare people for Jesus? Didn't you just baptise Jesus? (Luke 3:21-25) Shouldn't you know who Jesus is?'
I guess it shows that everyone has doubts at times. It's not the doubts that are the problem, it's what we do with them. John took his doubts to Jesus. Jesus reminded him of who HE was.

When we have doubts (and I mean when, not if) we need to go to Jesus. We need to be remined of who He is. Read the Bible, remember times he has been faithful in your life, listen to others tell of when he was faithful to them. Then cling to the truth of who Jesus is.