In Christ alone....

there is no fear in love..

2012-01-18T20:02:00.000-08:00

i have been thinking about how scared i am. about a lot of things.
mark has commented on it a lot too so i know its a problem. i love my husband and how gentle he is with me. He always points me back to the Word.....which is where i am tonight.
I have done a lot of word studies on the word "fear" and ill walk away feeling the Lord strengthen me...but then a few days or weeks later i feel back at square one. and it seems to be getting worse as the years go by.

i'm not sure the root of this fear though. i am praying about it and want it revealed so i can totally surrender this and let Him heal me.

its selfish of me to hold on. to put fear above Christ.

Psa 27:1 [[[A Psalm] of David.]] The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psa 27:3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this [will] I [be] confident.

Psa 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Psa 56:4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

so im in the middle of this "fear" study when all of a sudden i hear what sounds like 4 gun shots in our neighborhood. my heart jumped in my throat. i instantly panicked. Thank you Lord for that test. and for calming me down!

Psa 118:6 The LORD [is] on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

Pro 1:33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Pro 3:25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

Ecc 3:14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth [it], that [men] should fear before him.

Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.

Isa 14:3 ¶ And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve....

^
i needed to read that above verse! wow.....thank you Lord........

Isa 35:4 Say to them [that are] of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come [with] vengeance, [even] God [with] a recompence; he will come and save you.

Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isa 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Isa 43:1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called [thee] by thy name; thou [art] mine.

Isa 44:8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared [it]? ye [are] even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, [there is] no God; I know not [any].

Luk 8:50 But when Jesus heard [it], he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

Luk 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Luk 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

2Cr 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Hbr 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

well, thats all for tonight.
hope you were blessed as i was.
love, Gina

stretching...

2012-01-16T17:14:00.000-08:00

you know that moment you have right before something huge is about to happen? i have that feeling.

i have been praying for a long time, God use me. i want to do something big for You. i want to get out of my comfort zone. i want to help. Specifically, He has put the broken on my heart. the ones that are in such despair that they are thinking of taking their own life.

i have never been in that place personally but have struggled with depression. and have known a man that was and ended his life. i saw him a few months before it happened. he was popular. he had a lot of friends. he seemed happy the last time i saw him. but it was a lie. how many people are around me that are thinking of taking their own lives? that are too scared to reach out for help and talk to someone?

i found the Post Secret App for the iphone/ipod and i started seeing all the people that were trying to reach out for help on there. it was beautiful seeing all these strangers come together and try and help this hurting person. unfortunately you were at the mercy of that person and couldn't hold a conversation because the app would shut down or that person could just delete their post. or it could get flagged which would get it deleted.

after the App was shut down i was searching for ways to help. to get involved. thats how i found ImAlive. its a great idea. and i can't wait to get behind it. i have no experience in that field BUT more than anything i want to be there for anyone that feels that way. i want to be on the other end to love on this person and let them know they are not alone. that people care.

God created us with a purpose. i know its easy sometimes to get away from that and live for ourselves. when you get away from the truth and Gods word, satan will do everything he can to deceive you. to destroy you.

there IS hope.

ImAlive requires a commitment of 4 hours a week for training and volunteering. i started thinking about it...there are so many things i waste 4 hours of time on in just one week... i could spend 4 hours in one evening just watching my shows.

thats another thing--while watching said shows there was always this thought in the back of my head, this is so vain. i could be doing so much more.

its an honor to give up this things to train and grow and get to be there for these beautiful people that need help. It's a calling. i cannot not listen. i can't wait to get started. .

if you are interested in what I'm talking about, heres the link:

ImAlive

please pray for me as God leads me through this. I'm very excited about it and seeing where He takes me with this.

here are some verses that I'm coming to that i know is my reason:

Psa 78:7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

Rom 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

2Cr 1:3 ¶ Blessed [be] God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

2Cr 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

2Cr 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

2Cr 1:6 And whether we be afflicted, [it is] for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, [it is] for your consolation and salvation.

2Cr 1:7 And our hope of you [is] stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so [shall ye be] also of the consolation.

2Cr 1:8 ¶ For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

2Cr 1:9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

2Cr 1:10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver [us];

2Cr 1:11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift [bestowed] upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

2Cr 1:12 ¶ For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Psa 69:20 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked [for some] to take pity, but [there was] none; and for comforters, but I found none.

Psa 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

Pro 25:25 [As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so [is] good news from a far country.

and basically all of 1 Peter chapter 4.

Pro 12:25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

thanks for reading!

love, Gina

mercies are new every morning

2012-01-13T15:36:00.000-08:00

its 2012. I'm still having a hard time accepting this. this year is a milestone year. i met Mark 10 years ago this year. 10 years ago i re-dedicated my life to the Lord. i grew to know HIM so much in 2002. it was a beautiful year. Mark and i will be married 7 years this year.
but i'm also at a place where i don't like. I've been lazy and unappreciative. I'm SO blessed. when i think about it, i really can't complain. i have a roof over my head, food to eat, heat, I'm not in any pain....
there are so many people hurting all around me. in far worse situation than me.

i came to this verse a few weeks ago:
Psa 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

when i get into one of my moods i know i make it all about me. i am not focusing on the Lord and what He has done for me and this life he's given me. every minute i have is a blessing. time spent with my husband, with family, or friends. i should never take it for granted. if Christ lives and dwells in me, then there is no excuse for my attitude. its my flesh. God help me.

2Cr 13:4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

2Cr 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

by the way, it pasted that in bold. i didn't select that. that was very weird. God is trying to tell me something.

i have a list that i want to take care of. i want to cross these things off this year and will be blogging to myself about it. here they are:

take an hour (or more) out of my day for the Lord.

get my cholesterol down. take care of this temple He's blessed me with. lose all this weight i packed on. reverse the diabetes i got myself into.

i want to cook more healthy meals. i want to encourage my husband and make it easier for him to lose this weight too. (i plan on making a lot of meals from Pinterest. I'm finding a ton of encouraging and fun stuff on there.)

i want to RUN more! i miss running! i used to love it! i still do, Its just hidden down deep in my selfishness.

more than anything, i want to be thankful. always. God, give me a heart of thankfulness. take away this pride and selfishness. I'm here only for you and your plan for my life. its such a blessing to be a child of the King of kings! i should never take that for granted.

Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Jesus.

2011-12-19T20:42:00.000-08:00

i am overflowing with comfort tonight. i started this evening feeling defeated and broken. all lies. basically letting them get me down and starting to believe them.

i met this Godly woman on twitter that has been so encouraging. i sent her a message asking her if she would pray for me. that i was struggling and could use some encouragement. basically i said i was a mess.
i had been sitting here wasting time on other things but praying as well. i should have gone straight to the Lord but i didnt. but praise God he still got my attention and in the last hour he has totally turned my heart upside down. if that makes sense.

she immediately answered and said: "that does NOT make you a mess! we all have seasons like that.."
i was so thankful for her ....and wished that i could have a close sister here that i could just call or message and reach out to. the thought quickly passed as i was encouraged by the Lord by more songs and praises...
not even 5 minutes later a dear (local) friend messaged me on facebook and asked me how i was doing. i could hardly respond...it was just one of those God moments!..i was in shock... he knows our hearts and he put me on hers and she responded. i love it. so sweet.

instantly i felt God just comfort and take away all these "feelings" of discouragement. i was so thankful for coleen .. just that God put her on my heart to reach out to and she was available right then. God gave her the words he knew that would speak right to my heart. then putting me on Valeries heart..

so i realize im searching for things other than the Lord. so i start doing a word study on "search" and here are some of a few great verses that pierced my heart.

Jer 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Lam 3:40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.

Eze 34:6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.

its all about HIM. when i get down with these emotions or whatever you ant to call them...i make it about me. such a waste of time. God is worth SO much more. i need to RUN to the Word and renew and cleanse my mind. and heart.
one of the songs ive been listening to all week in my head is "Holding on" by Jamie Grace. its beautiful. and my life it seems. so i typed her name and that song in google to listen to it. it brought up myspace and played that song and then i guess its a radio station now and kept playing music. total God thing! the playlist was basically songs i needed to hear..some were ones i hadnt heard in a long time that was an old favorite. .....perfect timing!!

as i was sitting here just reflecting on my heart attitude and actions it hit me that im sitting here feeling defeated when there are so many people around me probably in the same situation and no one is reaching out to them. and instead of me getting out there and ministering to them im defeated here on my couch. well not tonight! praise the LORD!
Jesus you are enough. i love you.

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost...

2011-11-15T17:21:00.000-08:00

no matter where i go i want this verse to be said of me.

Act 14:7 And there they preached the gospel.

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

1Co 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

1Co 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

i have come to realize...

2011-10-21T15:54:00.000-07:00

..if someone wants to talk to you, get to know you, spend time with you...THEY WOULD DO IT.
these past months God has really shown me all i need is HIM.
people are going to let me down all the time.
actions speak louder than words.
im so tired of social networks.

i feel like im surrounded by tons of people but no one cares. wheres the love?

Lord, help me.

Trust

2011-08-25T18:06:00.001-07:00

(pssst..i hope you have a good 10 minutes!! this is a long one!!)

I am getting my wisdom teeth taken out tomorrow morning (please pray for me!). well this has really opened up my eyes to how much i trust my Lord. something He said to me today:
...Why are you worrying about this? There are people all around you dealing with much BIGGER issues than a wisdom teeth extraction. ........
i know Lord...forgive me.
my life is in His hands. i dont need to fret. or worry. its worthless. it doesn't help. just TRUST!
that's when the peace comes...im thankful for this lesson and His Word he gave to us --its what i run to. where i find my answers. and that peace! my shelter. i never walk away from it feeling the same as when i opened it.
here are some verses on the topic:

2Sa 22:31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

Job 8:7 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
Job 8:8 For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:
Job 8:9 (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)
Job 8:10 Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?
Job 8:11 Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?
Job 8:12 Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.
Job 8:13 So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:
Job 8:14 Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web.
Job 8:15 He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.

Psa 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Psa 9:10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Psa 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Psa 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

Psa 36:7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

Psa 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
(Cara, every time i read this i think of you..and that saying "This too shall pass")

Psa 40:3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

Psa 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

Psa 56:4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

Psa 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Psa 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Psa 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. (this is one of my favorites..)

Psa 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Psa 143:8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

Pro 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Mic 7:4 The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.
Mic 7:5 Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.
Mic 7:6 For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house.
Mic 7:7 Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.
Mic 7:8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. (if you have time read this whole chapter...)

1Th 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

1Ti 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

if you've read down to here, God bless you!! :) if you know me well, you know i LOVE word studies..
i am sad i didnt use all my opportunites today to trust FULLY in the Lord and proclaim HIS peace. i just worried. and fretted. not anymore.
thank you Lord again for this lesson! God, be with the people all around me struggling, going through something silently, or maybe publicly......maybe they are going for a major surgery or just was diagnosed with something. God i dont know what it is, but you do. be with them and help them Lord. if they dont know you then i pray somehow you would bring someone to them that could share the love of Christ. or get them to a bible and have them open it. God i thank you for your Word. it is so powerful. thank you for your mercy. i woke up this morning and started my day worrying. it took the later end of the day to get me in check. thank you for your patience. help me to remember this and be patient with those around me. God i just want to be used by you. i want you to have all the glory. you are the one that changed my life. for the better! i praise you God for my marriage and thank you for everything you've blessed me with. God i pray for who ever reads this you would speak to them only the way you can. i have nothing to say Lord but to share Christ. you are where its at.

love you all In Christ,
Gina

longsuffering...

2010-03-24T17:26:00.000-07:00

i've decided to try this blog thing out thanks to Megan & Cara.....i always have a lot of thoughts and try to cram them in my facebook status which doesnt work out well sometimes....
and i figured if i was on here more sharing what i get from the Word and what God is doing in my life it would be time well spent rather than wasting hours on facebook not sharing anything...
so here we go...

first i wanted to share this question from the Ephesians study megan and i are doing.....it was very convicting to me...

The German poet Heinrich Heine once said to Christians: "You show me your redeemed life and I might be inclined to believe in your Redeemer." How do you respond to this statement? How does it challenge you?

i think our testimony is the loudest sermon we can preach. we can confess and tell people all day long that we are Christians and our LORD is number 1 and all the things He's doing in our lives but when 5 minutes later they see us do or say something that isnt the Christian thing to do..what are they thinking about my Jesus? that breaks my heart.

I pray that all the people around me no matter what situation i'm in, see the Lord Jesus Christ in me and not Gina in her flesh. thats the only reason why i'm here. to bring Glory to Him, the one who saved me and has set me free. i cant think of anything more important......

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness (MEEK DOESNT MEAN WEAK!!!), with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring (that word means to make effort :)) to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3

i love this Ephesians study...i love studying the Word period......I know when i'm busy i can find a million and one excuses to not get in the Word but when i do i can honestly say that i never walk away the same. It changes me every time. i love my Lord..He is so precious.....i cannot wait to be with him!

7 things just for cara

2009-04-11T16:25:00.000-07:00

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Share 7 things that people may not know about you.
3. Tag 7 people to share 7 things and link to them.
4. Let them know they have been tagged.

1. i was 3 months premature weighing 1lb 8oz
2. i love love love love love to sing! just not in front of anyone :)
3. i want to be a missionary! i cant wait to sell everything and GO!
4. im the meanest person in the world if im hungry and cant get to food. (im working on this!)
5. im seriously addicted to Quiktrips jalapeno cheddar hot dogs...i could seriously eat one everyday i let myself! (good thing they are only .99!
6. growing more in Christ and learning His Word is the most important thing to me. I love God more than anything or anyone in this world! (hopefully everyone who knows me knows this!)
7. i will buy anything just because its green. i seriously LOVE the color green. its sad.