"Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, while it is said,

“TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE,
DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME.”

For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief."

-Hebrews 3:12-19

I feel beautiful today

THE MENTAL & PHYSICAL

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I’m curious, what does it take to make a woman “feel” beautiful? A lot of women are insecure of their bodies because they don’t realize who made them and why. When I was younger I was incredibly insecure about my body. I even hated my hair so much that I pulled it back so tight in a pony tail that I looked like a boy. Why was that so?

I was angry as a child, always looking for a fight and a sarcastic comment ready at bay, but my depression didn’t really hit until I was 16. My face started breaking out and I felt like it was a constant reminder that I was ugly. Then as I started growing, I became awkward and clumsy. I wasn’t graceful like all the other girls my age and they were all so much prettier and looked so put together.
My Grandpa came to live with us around the same time for 3 years and we became great friends. He would tell us stories of him going to the war and always had a joke ready. He was always kind and gave out whatever he had for those in need. Eventually, he died of a heart attack. I became angry at God for taking my Grandpa away and blamed Him for everything bad that had and was happening.

Depression and bitterness eats away at you, not just mentally but also physically. Hebrews12:15 says, See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;
I was rotting away. I was depressed, angry at the circumstances in my life. I became fully depressed when I hit the age of 18. I was an insomniac, I barely ever ate, and I was incredibly stressed about community college classes. I didn’t care for my body which wore it down so bad that I got hives quite a bit because my body couldn’t handle all the stress and anger. I went to work at a camp with one of my good friends. During that time I realized I was bitter. It never really dawned on me before that. I couldn’t believe how ungrateful and disrespectful I was to God. I had sinned against Him in holding onto what was an injustice to me.

Romans 12:18-20 -
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.
“BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.”
I had been taking matters into my own hands instead of giving it to God. I took care of that and it was like a huge weight was lifted off my chest.

Things began to get a little better, but I was still depressed about myself, my life, and everything when I went to college out of state. I wasn’t trusting God and it was evident. I began reading Job, which has become one of my favorite books of the Bible. I saw how he went through so much pain, loss and sorrow. In Job 38:2-7 God said this to Job:
Who is this that darkens counsel
By words without knowledge?
“Now gird up your loins like a man,
And I will ask you, and you instruct Me!
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding,
Who set its measurements? Since you know.
Or who stretched the line on it?
“On what were its bases sunk?
Or who laid its cornerstone,
When the morning stars sang together
And all the sons of God shouted for joy?
How could I question and distrust God when He was in complete control of not just my life but the whole universe? How could I be depressed when God was taking care of me, He who sent His Son to die on the cross for me because of my wickedness? He who has saved me from eternal damnation? The least I could do was be humble before God and trust His wisdom for my life. I began to learn how to trust God, slowly but surely.

During my time at college, I gained some unnecessary weight and bad habits. I already had a hard time with school and learning to get along with other people and this made me feel even more awkward, out of place and unattractive. I started exercising and trying to eat better. When I got home during winter break, I didn’t feel any better and the stress of everything made me sick and I couldn’t stand eating.
1 Corinthians 6:189-20 says,
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
I began to see that my body wasn’t mine. My body is God’s temple and I am His slave. It was a pretty bad, unhealthy temple at that and I was dishonoring God in how I was treating it. I did lose the weight and was determined to be more careful in maintaining the right weight. Exercising regularly and eating better helped a ton. I’ve not done an amazing job, but definitely have improved and am still trying to make sure that I take care of God’s property.

THE CONDITION OF MY SOUL

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My pastor’s wife started a women’s Bible class which I joined. We went over the CD’s from Quieting a Noisy Soul by Jim Berg and began learning Biblical truths about right thoughts, about God and our relationship with Him:
Do you realize that everything starts with what you’re thinking. By just a little thought, you can create chaos in your life. You have to ask yourself if those thoughts are true and right? Part of my thinking was that I was discontent with my lot in life; I failed to see just how much God was taking care of me and how much I deserved the opposite. Another one was self-pity. Instead of thinking of others, all I could think of was how awful my life was. How wretched I was!
Romans 3:10-11
as it is written,

“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
Do you know how much we all deserve God’s judgment? We are guilty beyond belief! I am so blessed that God has had mercy upon me, saved me and taken care of me.

Psalm 42:11-12
Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.

Part of my lack of security was due to the fact that I was afraid of what other people thought of me, not what God thought of me. If I am pleasing God and glorifying Him through my life than that is good enough. It doesn’t matter what other people think.
God has promised to carry your burden if you come to Him. What can be better than having God give you rest? The one who’s in control of everything?
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

God made us in His image. His! Our bodies are so complex with all the details, it’s just incredible! My body had gone downhill due to lack of not caring for it. I wasn’t exercising properly, eating well, getting enough rest and I wasn’t grateful to God how my body was.
I know a lot of people that others may think aren’t handsome or pretty but to me they are and I know to God they are too because of whom they are and their character. It’s not only the outside that makes one beautiful, it’s inside. How you think, how you act makes a huge difference. Ever heard of the phrase “all bronze, no brains”? Unfortunately it’s true for a lot of people. They focus only on their physical body, not their spiritual and mental.

Even if no one else loves me, I know that God does. No matter how I look, I know I am beautiful. Others may not see it, I may not even feel it sometimes but God made me this way! How can I be so ungrateful and complain about it?
Genesis 1:27
God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

I’ve had to learn to guard my thoughts, to challenge them through a Biblical view.
Acts 24:16
In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.

This has been so incredibly important for me. I know that I would not be in the same place today if God hadn’t helped me through my depression and bitterness. I am so grateful for everything He’s done for me!

(Source: valliegurl)

dannydoyle13:

eridansmatesprit:

Hi, my name is Skotty McMullen I mean McCall, and I am a Christian. I have been a Christian for as long as I remember, and I have always felt that equality between human beings is something everyone should believe in. Whether race, gender, or religion.

That being said, I do not believe God has intended for any one who is gay to ‘go against religion’. Now, we may not have the same religion OP, I don’t know. But my belief is that God is forgiving and kind, and He loves all of His children.

And now, I’m going to quote: Homosexuality is found in over 400 species, homophobia is only found in one. Which is unnatural now?

bless skotty’s post

Just because it’s found in other species doesn’t mean it’s natural in humans. We’re not made to be man with man or woman with woman. In the beginning, God didn’t make man and man, He made man and woman and said “be fruitful and multiply”. When God was going to flood the earth, He had the animals go into the ark two by two (male & female), so that they would be able to multiply afterward. It would be counterproductive to have two male animals or humans try and reproduce. Ever since the fall of man, the earth has been decaying which is why things are decreasing.
Also, it is against God’s Word. If you’re a Christian then you know that it’s wrong. It’s not going against “religion”, it’s going against God’s law.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,
nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Timothy 1:8-10
But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully,
realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers
and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,

He doesn’t allow sin in heaven. God is loving and kind and but He is also a righteous and just judge.

1 Peter 4:4-6
In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you;
but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.

1 Peter 1:16-18
because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”
If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,

Hebrews 13:4-5
Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”

Just because you as a “Christian” think it’s fine doesn’t mean God views it as so.
If you’re thinking differently and calling yourself a Christian, then you should be looking into the Scriptures and make sure your beliefs line up with God’s Word and not just your own opinion because it’s not going to matter at the seat of Judgement.

(Source: unpopular-hs-opinions)