Pray like there's a God who cares! Wait...there is! :)

Read This: Psalm 116:1-2
I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. 
Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!

Think about it:
Some days I wonder if God even listens to my prayers, and then there are days when it's so obvious he listened. He especially likes to answer my prayers in creative ways, ways that will test me and help me grow in my faith. Like today for instance, he answered a prayer I had last night. I prayed, "Lord, please help me to really love others, no matter what! Help me to embrace their quirks and annoyances, their abrasive remarks and rudeness. Help me to have BIG grace when there's so LITTLE everywhere I go!" Sooooo...today, my husband and I were eating at a Japanese steakhouse, and we were seated at a table with several interesting people. LOUD, PICKY, COMPLAINING PEOPLE. At first I was outraged....my lunch is supposed to be RELAXING! And then it clicked! "Jessica, you said you wanted to love others...so here's your chance!" "Thanks, God," I said under my breath with a smile...and then chuckled and looked at my husband. I said, "I prayed a prayer last night, and..." He looked around at the table and said, "Don't worry, I think I have an idea what you prayed about." We both laughed and then tried our best to make the most of the LOUD, PICKY, COMPLAINING lunch. The next hour I tried conversing a little bit with a very quirky lady to my left, and while it was somewhat difficult, hah!, I did it better than I usually would, all because God was at my side, helping me along in my request to love others. Makes me think about a time when I worked at a camp, and one of the cabin leaders prayed for patience. Well, the next week, Patience Smith arrived! All 5 feet of her! And boy did she test your patience! Anyway, I want to encourage you that God LISTENS! He listens to everything, and answers in his own way and in his own time...why? Because only He knows what's best for us! If you're like me, and you're praying about some weightier issues...keep praying! He hears YOUR voice! Never give up hope! Pray as long as you have breath! :)

Pray about it:
Got something weighing on your heart? Take it to the God who bends down and listens.

Live it:
Don't just pray when things are BAD...pray when things are GOOD! Thank Him for all he has done, and all he will do!

I hope you had a Marvelous Monday!

Sincerely,
Jessica :)

Show a little love...and some tenderness :)

        

Read this: As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory, and God will be glorified because of him. And since God receives glory because of the Son, he will soon give glory to the Son. Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:31-35 NLT)

Think about it: Isn't it interesting that most of us want others to love US, but we all to often neglect loving others. Unfortunately, I find this to be something that happens at church...shocker, I know... And I know that I'm very guilty of this...Too many times I take the easy way out of having to meet new people by not making eye contact as I walk briskly by or making small talk because I don't feel like using up my time to get to know the other person...I'm just..."too busy." But deep down I know that I just don't feel comfortable. I don't want to come out of my comfort zone and get to know the other person. It's awkward getting to know someone. It's all "small talk, small talk, small talk." And besides it's much easier to just go talk with the people you already know. But here's the thing...God calls us to LOVE others...not just pretend to (Romans 12:9). He tells us not to neglect others...to treat them with brotherly/sisterly love (Hebrews 13:1-2). He calls us to love others as He as loved us (John 15:12-15). He calls us to love others at church and outside of church.

Now the struggle with not loving others doesn't apply to everyone... I know many wholehearted, welcoming people who have no problems loving others and opening themselves up to new friends. In fact, I love those people! They know what's up! I admire them for their Christian love, and I hope someday to be just like them. But for those of you who are like me, who find it hard to mingle with others and make new friends, let's get out there...let's start taking risks and letting others know they're loved. Let's show them what Christ's love looks like through our welcoming attitudes. Let's not cling to our cliques and our comfortable circle of friends. Let's really love others and not just pretend to love them. Imagine what all church's would be like if we showed love to the new people that come to our Sunday morning services, our Sunday school classes, our youth groups. Let's be the hands and feet of Christ, loving others even when it's uncomfortable. You were the new person once...what if someone hadn't taken the time to talk to you? I wonder what your life would be like then? For me, I would have missed out on a lot of God-sized moments in my life if someone hadn't taken the time to show me sisterly Christian love. Just think about it...when we love others we are not only allowing God to use us, we are playing a HUGE part in God's story. We are experiencing God on an intimate level while also inviting someone else to experience their part in God's story. Wow! I know! It gets me every time I think about it.

Pray about it: If you're like me, and find it hard to welcome others and show them love, pray that God would open your heart to see others as he sees them. Thank God for loving you for who you are and ask him to help you do the same for others. Ask Him to give you courage when stepping out of your comfort zone. Ask Him to give you the right words to say to that new person. You can even ask Him to point you to the right person to open yourself up to...to form a friendship. Ask Him to help you not neglect others and to show them hospitality and love.

Live it: Now go...be loved by God and because of His great love...love others...

As Paul said to the church in Corinth, "If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!" (1 Corinthians 13:1-8 NLT)

Here's to a beautiful new beginning for you and me.

By the way...I love ya!

Sincerely, your sister in Christ's love,

Jessica :)

P.S. I owe the title of this article to Hootie and the Blowfish...some of you will know what I mean ;)

Bee Encouraging :)

Read this: Proverbs 16:24


Kind words are like honey—
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.


Think about it: 
Why do you think the Bible says "kind words are sweet to the soul and healthy for the body?"


Well...


*Kind words are like honey because honey is sweet and when we are kind we uplift people and bring sweetness into their life.
*Kind words are like honey because honey is healthy and when we are kind we not only bring emotional well being but also physical well being.

• When someone is having a hard time or even if they're not, our words can help them feel better both emotionally and physically because when we are stressed out about life we are also physically drained not just emotionally drained.
• The same goes for when we say hateful things to people or put people down through our sarcastic tone or even behind their backs... We hurt them emotionally and then that can take a physical toll on their bodies.

Ephesians 4:29 "Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."


Kind words are also like honey because honey is sticky and when we say kind words to people those words stick with them. They can think back and have hope because someone cared enough about them to say kind things.


For example, when I was in high school and my parents were going through their divorce, and my father was all of a sudden out of the picture, I was really depressed ... emotionally and physically drained ....


I had no hope and was filled with bitterness toward the entire situation, and I blamed God for letting such a terrible thing happen in my life and especially my mother and brother's lives.


I had never really had any problems in school, but at this point I was so depressed that I didn't care about my grades anymore and they began to slip.


One day I got to my chemistry class and found out we had a test that day and (insert doom's day music) I DIDN'T STUDY!!!


I was so upset and started to cry, then my teacher Mr. Hethcox came over to me and said not to worry, that I could take the test the next week. He didn't even know my situation, yet he spoke kindness into my life.


Then at the end of class as everyone was turning in their tests, and I walked out the door still angry with myself because I had forgotten to study, Mr. Hethcox handed me a piece of paper.


I thought, "This probably says, 'You're a failure.'"


But instead, on the letter he had written words of encouragement, telling me that everyone was in God's hands and that God would take care of my situation. He also put some scripture verses on the card for me to look up.


I cannot tell you how encouraged I felt. Someone who didn't even really know my situation dared to show kindness toward ... not caring if I would reject his kindness or not.


And that little bit of kindness has STUCK with me all these years.


So you see... when we are kind to others, they remember it. It sticks with them, and just might change them for the better. And it will definitely point them towards Jesus.


*So why do you think it is important as a Godly woman to be encouraging to people instead of tearing them down with our words?


*Do you make it a practice to speak kind words to and about people? Or are your words harsh, judge mental or cruel towards people? Do you encourage others by cheering them on or praising them for their good qualities? Or do you use sarcasm or demeaning words to strike up conversation?


As you think about these things think about how your words - either words of encouragement or words of destruction - can really hurt or uplift someone.


Pray about it: If you need me to pray with you about those feelings, please feel free to text me, call me, message me and I would love to pray for your heart to be changed to show others kindness through Jesus' love. ALSO, pray now and ask Jesus to be with you every step of the way throughout every single moment of your day. Ask him to put kind words in your mouth so that what you say lifts others up and encourages them instead of tearing them down and breaking their spirit. Ask God to help you examine your motives ... if your words are used to intentionally hurt others, ask God to give you kind words to say and positive things to think about others instead of words and feelings full of hate. Know that you can't control your tongue and the words that come out of your mouth, but with God all things are possible. So pray and ask him to change your words and how you say things, and BELIEVE that he can do it.


Remember I love you all, and He loves you even more!


Have a great day/night,
Jessica Hargett

And we're back!

Hello ladies! So I am so sorry AGAIN that I haven't posted anything on here for awhile. I'm also sorry that it somehow got "deleted." I'm not sure how or why, but I've gotten back up on the Internet, and hopefully I can be consistent enough to post a devotional at least every other day. I think posting every other day will help you all to keep up with the devotionals, too.

Anywho, know that I love you all, and I hope you are having a good start to your week.

First things first ... here's a reminder to visit YouVersion.

You really need to check it out if you haven't already. Sign up and then have tons of fun finding Bible reading plans to jumpstart you on your walk with God.

Also, below is a tiny devo to get us back into the swing of things!

Read this: Psalm 119:105-112

 ¹⁰⁵Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
      and a light for my path.
 ¹⁰⁶ I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again:
      I will obey your righteous regulations.
 ¹⁰⁷ I have suffered much, O LORD;
      restore my life again as you promised.
 ¹⁰⁸ LORD, accept my offering of praise,
      and teach me your regulations.
 ¹⁰⁹ My life constantly hangs in the balance,
      but I will not stop obeying your instructions.
 ¹¹⁰ The wicked have set their traps for me,
      but I will not turn from your commandments.
 ¹¹¹ Your laws are my treasure;
      they are my heart’s delight.
 ¹¹² I am determined to keep your decrees
      to the very end. 

Think about it: Take a moment to really think about what this passage of scripture is saying. Search your heart and ask yourself, 'Is this scripture a reflection of my life or is God's word not that important to me?"

In this passage of scripture the psalmist is praising God for his word (his regulations, instructions, commandments, laws, degrees).

The psalmist is basically saying, "God, you know best. I want to follow your ways. I will keep your word (in our case the Bible) close to my heart. I am excited and happy about  doing what you ask of me. I will not let anything get in the way - not sin, not sinful people, nothing - of my relationship with you."

So again, think about this scripture and ask the question above, "'Is this scripture a reflection of my life or is God's word really not that important to me?"

 Pray about it: If you answered, "Yes, this scripture is exactly how I am," then I'm so happy for you! Keep it up! Don't back down and let God continue to guide you along life's path while you follow his word. Pray to God and thank him for his word and for being able to obey him. BUT ... if you answered, "God's word really isn't that important to me," then ask God for some guidance. Ask him to show you why his word is so important. Thank him for all he has given you, and ask him to remind you why following his ways should be your heart's delight.

Live it: I've said it one and I'll say it again ... READ YOUR BIBLE! I gave you a way to find reading plans at the beginning of this post so THERE'S NO EXCUSE. Today/tonight ... DON'T BE LAZY! Find time to spend with the Creator of all things. Spend time with the one who took time to create you. Trust me, YOU WON'T REGRET IT!

P.S. If for some reason you can't get on the Internet to get on YouVersion, then text me or Facebook me and we'll figure something out for you. PLEASE don't hesitate to ask because it is so important you start getting into a routine reading your Bible.

Check back on Thursday!

With His Love, Jessica

Reading His Word...on a regular basis

Hey ladies! I know, I know. I haven't posted consistently again. But never fear, a devo is here...today! Mainly I want to focus on reading the Bible and why it is so important that you do read it.

Read this: Psalm 119:9-16 says...

How can a young person stay pure?
By obeying your word.10 I have tried hard to find you—
don’t let me wander from your commands.11 I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you. 12 I praise you, O LORD;
teach me your decrees.13 I have recited aloud
all the regulations you have given us.14 I have rejoiced in your laws
as much as in riches.15 I will study your commandments
and reflect on your ways.16 I will delight in your decrees
and not forget your word.

Think about it: You see, when we read God's word and when we know God's word then we know how to follow him, obey him and ultimate have a deep relationship with him.

Now, I know it's hard to get into the habit of reading the Bible on a daily or regular basis. Soooo, I have a plan! Besides trying to keep up with this blog, I want to challenge you with something else ... doing a reading plan.

And how can you do this, well they've made it really easy at a website called YouVersion.com.

There you can sign up through your Facebook account, or if you don't have FB then you can just sign up with an email address.

Once you are signed up there is a tab at the top of the page that says Bible. Click on that and then go down the list of options and click on Reading Plans.

There you will find a ton of options to choose from such as reading the Bible in a year or reading the New Testament in 85 days. There are even smaller reading plans with short goals like reading the book of James in two days.

Anyway, I really encourage you to try this website out because it really keeps you accountable about reading your Bible.

I've been doing the Psalms and Proverbs in 31 days reading plan and have loved every minute of it. Every time I'm done with a Psalm or Proverb I check it off and then my progress is tracked.

It's making me really challenge myself and I really want to complete all 31 days.

 

So go ahead, try it out! I PROMISE you will not be disappointed with what God will do through you and in you if you do.

P.S. I'll be talking about this on Sunday at P.O.P if you are confused. Or if you want to give me a call and have questions...please feel free!

Pray about it: We've had this talk before, but if you know deep down in your heart that your relationship with God is not at all real or if it's on the fritz...then you should really pray about focusing more on spending time with God in his word and in prayer. Ask God to show you the best way to spend time with him. Also, pray for your other sisters in Christ who are struggling with the same issues. 

Live it: Today, take just a moment to sign up with YouVersion and get to reading! LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Guard your heart (for Monday)

Read this: Proverbs 4:23-27

23 Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.

24 Avoid all perverse talk;
stay away from corrupt speech.

25 Look straight ahead,
and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
26 Mark out a straight path for your feet;
stay on the safe path.
27 Don’t get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following evil.

Think about it: We've talked about this before and it has even been on this blog, but I think it is very important for us to understand what this passage of scripture is teaching us... That we should be careful what we let in our hearts because our heart id usually what guides our decisions about life.

So with that in mind, think about how this scripture applies to your life and also think about what path you are on.

Pray about it: Ask God to be the guiding force in your heart and in your life. Praise him for who he is and pray about whatever else came to mind while reading.

Let His light shine through you!

Read this:
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." - John 8:12


"The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." -John 1:4-5

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." -Matthew 5:14-16


"Your sun will set no more, and your moon will not become less. For the Lord will be your light forever and ever, and the days of your sorrow will end." -Isaiah 60:20


"For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life." -Psalm 56:13


"The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?" -Psalm 27:1

"You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light." -Psalm 18:28


Think about it: 
There are over 100 verses in the Bible that mention how God is our light in this dark world.


If you're near a computer and can search some of them, just type in "scripture about light" in Google's search bar.


You are sure to find hundreds of scriptures referring to His light.


The reason I want to focus on God's light is because since God is light, if we know him, we are also light.


We can be the light that shines in the darkness. When people are in dark despair, we can guide them onto the right path, by shining our light to them so that they too can see how wonderful it is to be saved by God's grace and loved by him unconditionally.


Pray about it: After reading as many passages of scripture you can about God's light, ask him to show you who you can can share His light with. Thank him for sending Christ to us because if he hadn't we would not know what his light is. Whatever else comes to mind while reading God's Word, meditate on those things and praise him for all he has done.


Live it: Let you light shine brightly for all to see. Share God's love through your words, your actions and your life.


*Remember to keep working on that ONE thing that keeps you from having a right relationship with God! Love you all so very much! Have a wonderful Wednesday!


Watch this: