God still cares

Are we really only four months away from a new year!! I can't believe that we are in mid- August! Time is flying by! 

This year has been a struggle, to say the least. I've been pushed and stretched during this season. I've allowed anxiety to overcome my mind and heart at times. I've felt like I was not enough, I've lost friendships that I thought would be forever. I thought that if I did not meet my plan or goals that I was not in right alignment and would somehow miss what God had for me. I struggled with depression and thoughts that were from the enemy. 

I want to be transparent with whoever is reading this. Life will not always look perfect. You will have mountaintop moments and valley days. It's in those valley days that your character is developed. It's in those times that you draw closer to God. For a long time, I did not see the mountaintop moments. I tried my hardest to overcome the feeling of sadness I felt day in and day out. I convinced myself that I would be able to fake a smile and pretend that everything was all good. I was wrong. I would muster up enough strength to feed my kids but would rather lay in the bed all day. I felt like a failure like I had no worth. I knew this was a lie but the enemy had control of my thought life. 

I did not realize how much anxiety I actually had in my heart which was causing my depression. Some of the causes:

I never fully grieved the lost of my Dad in 2016. 

I never fully grieved my miscarriage in 2016. 

I never dealt with my post-partum depression in 2017.

I quit my job of 9 years.

Became a Full-time stay-at-home mom of two babies under two.

I felt like this was the opportune time for the enemy to come in a wreck havoc in my life. I didn't realize that I was in a season of trust with the Lord. I could not find the joy in the little things in life. I was literally holding on by the grace of God. I did not realize that I was in a full-on depression until God brought me out and had me look back. I was in shock. How could I suffer from depression? I'm a Christian. I have a hope that the world does not have. 

I want you to realize that we are all human. We all have "life" happen to us. Sometimes believers in Christ experience worse things at times because of the hope that is within us. The enemy wants those who believe in Jesus to be bogged down with depression. If we are focused on that then we don't have time to tell others about Jesus. 

I don't know what you are facing or what you are going through. I don't know what has happened in your past or present, but I want you to know that we serve a God who cares. 

It may not seem like it. It may seem like you are all alone or don't have hope or don't know how to overcome. I want to encourage you and let you know that it's going to be okay. You are going to be okay. 

God is for you not against you. I've learned that in this life there are going to be things that trouble us, upset us, delay us and try to harm us. God's protection is greater than you can imagine. He knows where you are weak and he comes along and provides strength. 

If you find yourself in a season where you feel downcast or burdened turn to Jesus. Don't push him away. Don't allow the enemy to creep in. Don't allow him to magnify your problems as if you don't have a solution. 

Allow God to use your current season to develop your character. Also, let the Word of God be louder than the voice in your head. Speak his word over your life at every turn. 

If you are dealing with anxiety find scriptures to help combat this. Do the work! Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you. 

If you are dealing with any type of grief seek Godly counsel. Find friends, local church and surround yourself with a community who loves you. 

Don't be afraid to speak out and tell someone what you are going through. We are not supposed to do life alone. 

I want you to know that you are important your life has value and you were made to do great things!! 

With Love,

MrsJoyousBeauty

Fear

Its been a few months since my last post due to mommy duties! My hope is that you all are having a great start to your new year! Can you believe that we are now in March?? This year I believe is the year that I will stop being afraid and fearful of the unknown. I was listening to the radio the other day and the song was called "fear is a liar." I couldn't agree more. FEAR is a LIAR. It will rob you of everything that you've ever wanted to do because you are afraid of what you don't see. False, Evidence, Appearing, Real! It's not real. Fear is a tool of the enemy! It does not exist with God. Fear is not in God's plan for your life. I want to encourage you to fight through fear. Whatever is gripping you from fulfilling all that God is calling you to do. DO IT! Do it with all your might. Do not let fear have a stronghold in your life. God's spirit is FAITH. The substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. See the difference there? Faith is what we've been hoping for and although our natural eyes cannot see if we have faith to believe it then we will receive it. 

Whatever has had you gripped. My prayer is that you release it to God. Give him your burdens cast your cares. Understand that those dreams, plans, passions God will use it for his glory. Every day that you have breath in your body is a day to have faith. Is a day to give God praise and live how he wants you to live. Free and with faith! Lets put our full trust in Jesus today. Let's not let the enemy mess with our mind and give us all the reasons why we should be afraid. But let's trust all the things why we should believe. God is the head of my life so I know that he is fighting for me and no one can come against me. There is something that happens when you refuse to believe the lie. When you no longer believe that you are defeated. Your posture changes and the scripture I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me becomes real in your life. 

Don't let fear of the unknown stop you from living, stop you from dreaming and most importantly stop you from going.

You must trade in that fear for love. Once you realize how much God loves you and wants you to succeed you will start to walk like you know that you are his. Refuse to walk in fear in 2018. Don't allow fear to have room in your heart at all! 365 times fear is mentioned in the bible. So if you feel fearful find a scripture and refute it. Below are some of my favorite scriptures for walking in love and faith.

Isaiah 41:10
Psalm 56:3
John 14:27
2 Timothy 1:7
1 John 4:18
Psalm 94:19
Joshua 1:9
1 Peter 5:6-7
Psalm 27:1
Mark 5:36
1 Peter 3:14

God's Grace

This morning when I woke up all I could think about was the fact that God still lets the sunshine and the sun go down each day. For some, that may seem small but for me, it is so significant. The fact that God still lets the sun rise and set is so gracious. 

Grace: The free and unmerited favor of God! 

While people blaspheme the Holy Spirit by mocking speaking in tongues(Tyler Perry), while people deny his son and him being the only way to God(Oprah Winfrey), while people say they would use the holy scriptures as tampons(Beyonce). He is still gracious! He still lets the sunrise! Even though he is mocked and ridiculed in the world he created. 

Creation denies him but God still allows the sun to shine. It could just be me, but that sounds like a loving and gracious God to me. I know one thing for sure, if my children talked bad about me, ridiculed my name, denied my existence, treated me like an ordinary thing. I would be very grieved. 

This world needs to recognize that God is not always going to strive with us. Everyone wants to point out that Jesus said he was coming back soon so where is he? My answer is, you still have TIME to repent. Even in waiting to come back he is gracious. Don't become blinded by celebrity and fame. It's a mirage. The enemy wants you to be ensnared and enamored by it. Most celebrities are sellouts. Remember what Jesus said, if the world hates me, it will hate you. You should be worried when the world starts loving you. The time is now! Jesus is real! Jesus is coming back soon! 

Romans 10:9 "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead you will be saved."

 It's your confession and heart belief. You must believe that Jesus is Lord and that he was raised from the dead in your heart in order to truly be saved. It's not about praying the sinner's prayer. If you don't believe a word of what you are praying you are fooling yourself. 

Remember in Psalm14:1 "The fool says in their heart there is no God." Don't be a fool! It also says in Romans 1:19-20 "Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. Just remember that we are without excuse and that God is just and oh so gracious!

Til next time-

@MrsJoyousBeauty

Encourage one another

One of the most disturbing things I've seen is a defeated Christian. I mean someone who looks like life is having their way with them. They have no hope, peace or joy. They are utterly defeated. They walk around telling everyone about their woes and problems. They don't know how to smile because they forgot and they have also managed to surround themselves with like-minded Christians. 

If you find yourself like the above believer I encourage you to get out. I encourage you to remember who and what you are. You are a chosen vessel. Gods beloved child. You are the apple of his eye. Stop focusing on the storm like Peter did and just walk towards him. Don't let your mind take you to places that God never wanted you to be. You must mature in him. He is seeking mature believers because then and only then will you be able to receive what he has next in store for you. He is God, he knows all about our shortcomings but you must always remember that God hates complaining.

I know that at times this walk gets hard and sometimes it feels as though everything is going wrong. If you knew where the Lord has me some of you would bury your head in the sand, but I know better. God has been too good to me and I know that there is nothing too hard for him. I stand on his promises daily and when I feel overwhelmed I'm reminded of the last time he brought me out. It is important as believers that we write down the things that God has brought us from. Use them as a reminder when he brings you to the next test or season. I know in this season that God is pruning some things that no longer are bearing any fruit. I know that God has not forgotten about me. I know that he has things working together for my good. 

The next time you find yourself complaining and murmuring filled with defeat. Remember that Jesus has already overcome the world. Remember that this is not your home. Remember that you have a mission on this earth and it is not to worry about self. Become selfless in Christ. In Christ there is joy, in him there is hope and he steady remains our peace. 

God loves you and so do I. 

-Kristina 

A man named Reynold

I know I have been gone for a few weeks. So many changes in my life right now. I know God is taking me through brokenness in order to be effective for his kingdom. I'm also on a journey to finally lose this baby weight. I've been married for three years and in that time we've had two beautiful babies. I told myself no more babies so there are no more excuses for losing this weight. 

I headed off to the gym yesterday and had an amazing time. I was just basking in the Lords presence, reading his word and listening to worship music. I love his presence even while working out. I spent over an hour in the gym and was back on the treadmill when I felt in my spirit it was time to leave. 

I got off the treadmill and jumped in my car and looked up to see this man sitting in front of the gym. He had bags with him and was eating cookies.  In my spirit, I felt the Lord leading me to talk with him. To remind him that Jesus loved him and that he cared. I did what I know to do best and talked myself right out of that one! I mean Lord for real! You want me, alone, to walk up to this stranger and tell him that you love him. Ha! I literally out loud was talking to myself. "What if he is crazy?" "What if he tries to hurt you?" "You should have someone with you this is not sound." 

I told myself for over ten minutes why I should not go up to this stranger. Then the Lord told me that was all the enemy trying to get me to not say it. I knew that if I did not go up to this man that I would not be able to forgive myself. I wondered if I did not go up to this man and he had just prayed "Lord do you still love me?" What if I was that answer. The Holy Spirit reminded me that he requires obedience over sacrifice. So I asked the Lord to be with me and walked up to this man. 

When I walked up to him. I said, "The Lord wanted me to let you know that he still loves you. I don't know why you are sitting here, by the way, why are you sitting here?" He said that he lost his job in March and did not have a home. He asked me for my name and I told him and asked for his and he said Reynold. We spoke for about ten minutes. We shook hands and he thanked me for telling him that and coming over. I gave him the cash that I had on me and he thanked me for it. We exchanged numbers and I told him that I would keep in touch. 

I say all of this to say that God requires our obedience. He wants to know that you will be obedient to do what he instructs you to do. He is not moved by our sacrifice he is moved when we obey. When we say "Yes Lord I'll obey." God wanted to reveal to me that if you will obey me not only will this please me but I have something in store for your obedience. You will never know what is on the other side of your obedience and how that will help someone else.

I encourage you to choose to obey what God is telling you. If he is instructing you to move then do that. If he is telling you to trust him then do that. Whatever God is telling you to do, do it.

-Kristina 

Enjoying the rain

So I don't know about you but I love the rain. I also love the sunshine and probably would prefer the sun over the rain because I love sunny days. However when it does rain I actually enjoy it. I know that nature needs the rain and it helps things grow. The flowers need it, the grass needs it. The crops need the rain to bloom and to create a harvest.

As believers there are times when it rains in our life. We can call this the storm. It's raining, thundering and all you want to do it hide from it. Trust me I've been there. If you don't have an umbrella its almost impossible to walk outside and not get wet. If you don't have on proper shoes you might even get water inside of them. But what if I told you that just like the rain is meant in nature for things to grow it is also the same for believers. The rain is meant for you to grow. It's meant for you to overcome and get through somethings. Its meant to soil the ground so that the seeds that you have planted can create a harvest.


Rain helps things grow. Sometimes when you are going through it's because God wanted you to come through on the other side. At times God allows things to happen in order to help someone else overcome. That's why testimonies are so huge. There would not be a testimony without a test. God knows what he is doing. He makes everything, not just some things, not just little things but everything work together for our good to those who are called according to his purpose. I know at times the storms can hurt. I know the pain of a spouse cheating or your parents not loving you hurts. But God can take that hurt and mend it. He can give you a new heart if yours is broken. God is in the business of repairing brokenness and making it whole. Don't forsake God because you are walking through a raining season. God is in control. He has it all figured out. Sometimes it's not even about you. He knows that six months down the line there's going to be someone who does not have your strength on how to get through their test and storm. They're going to be looking for someone to help them, seeking someone who's been what they are going through and that person may just be you. I know it does not seem like it now but trust me you will get through the storm. You will grow from the rain. God is not done with you. We would not be able to grow if it was sun all the time. We need the season of rain.

Refuse to stay a victim and become the victor. The enemy would love for you not to grow so that it can hinder you. Don't let him! Choose to be an OVER COMER and enjoy the rain!

The Lord loves you and so do I!

-Kristina

So.. It's been a long time since I posted any blogs. Especially on this site. However that all changes now! I had a blog under kdawkins.blogspot but for some reason I'm not able to sign in! Oh well! I'll start a new one. God is so good and he has been on my heart to live on purpose and with purpose for him! To trust him in every season of my life. I want to share with you revelations that God reveals and make sure you are blessed and highly favored!


The other night I was laying in my bed and I realized that my phone battery was dying. I was super annoyed because I always do that! (Need to establish better habits) It was at 2% so I asked my husband to charge it for me. When he took the phone from me the Holy Spirit prompted me and reveled thats what we need as believers to be charged up. We need to make sure that we plug in to the Lord and that we get charged back up to do his will. How often do you plug your phone in? If you're like me it's daily otherwise I won't be able to use it the way I need to.What good would it be if I plugged it in to the charger but never plugged the charger into the power source. The word of God is our power source. We must stay plugged in to him.

What happens when your phone is at two-percent? We start doing things to save as much as we can. We turn it on low battery mode, turn it on Air plane mode. We do whatever we can to save it until we are able to plug it in to the power source. You can not be effective at two-percent your phone will not have optimal performance. It's the same as believers. We cannot operate at two-percent in God's kingdom.

 We need to connect to the power source. It does us no good walking around with a closed bible that's like walking around with your cell phone charger but it's not plugged in.

Most Christians get a recharge on Sunday when they go to church. So they get recharged to let's say fifty-percent. On Monday they don't consider the word, spending time with the Lord. Now you're down to thirty-percent and Saturday at five-percent. We cannot be effective in the kingdom if we think we only need to be charged in on Sunday.

The person that plugs in everyday that person gets recharged everyday. On purpose plug yourself in to the power source.  The person that plugs in daily doesn't go down to two-percent because they make every effort to stay above eighty and when they see it go down they search for a charger so they can plug in.
Stay connected. Jesus said I am the daily bread. Daily! Not every other day. Not only on Sundays. Not only when you feel like it.

If you are his disciple make a decision on purpose to live for him and to plug in and stay charged up!

What are some ways you stay charged in the Lord. Comment below!

Until next time,
Kristina