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:

Living the New Life :) Oh, how sweet it is!

Read this: Colossians 3 NLV

The New Life Lived by the Power of Christ

 1 If then you have been raised with Christ, keep looking for the good things of heaven. This is where Christ is seated on the right side of God. 2 Keep your minds thinking about things in heaven. Do not think about things on the earth. 3 You are dead to the things of this world. Your new life is now hidden in God through Christ. 4 Christ is our life. When He comes again, you will also be with Him to share His shining-greatness.

The Old Person Put Aside

 5 Destroy the desires to sin that are in you. These desires are: sex sins, anything that is not clean, a desire for sex sins, and wanting something someone else has. This is worshiping a god. 6 It is because of these sins that the anger of God comes down on those who do not obey Him. 7 You used to do these sins when you lived that kind of life. 8 Put out of your life these things also: anger, bad temper, bad feelings toward others, talk that hurts people, speaking against God, and dirty talk. 9 Do not lie to each other. You have put out of your life your old ways. 10 You have now become a new person and are always learning more about Christ. You are being made more like Christ. He is the One Who made you. 11 There is no difference in men in this new life. Greeks and Jews are the same. The man who has gone through the religious act of becoming a Jew and the one who has not are the same. There is no difference between nations. Men who are servants and those who are free are the same. Christ is everything. He is in all of us.
 12 God has chosen you. You are holy and loved by Him. Because of this, your new life should be full of loving-pity. You should be kind to others and have no pride. Be gentle and be willing to wait for others. 13 Try to understand other people. Forgive each other. If you have something against someone, forgive him. That is the way the Lord forgave you. 14 And to all these things, you must add love. Love holds everything and everybody together and makes all these good things perfect. 15 Let the peace of Christ have power over your hearts. You were chosen as a part of His body. Always be thankful.

 16 Let the teaching of Christ and His words keep on living in you. These make your lives rich and full of wisdom. Keep on teaching and helping each other. Sing the Songs of David and the church songs and the songs of heaven with hearts full of thanks to God. 17 Whatever you say or do, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus. Give thanks to God the Father through the Lord Jesus.

Think about it: After reading this scripture, think about how these few passages relate to what we talked about last night at POP in Ephesians 4. If you weren't with us last night, go ahead and read Ephesians 4:21-32.

How does Colossians 3 relate to Ephesians 4 and what are some important aspects of both?
How do both of these scriptures say we should be like as Christians and essentially women of God?

If you have a minute, take some time to reflect on these questions and what God said through Paul in both of the chapters of the Bible.

Also, if you have another translation of this scripture, try reading it too to get a good understanding of what is being said.

Now, ask yourself the question, "Am I living out Epehsians 4 and Colossians 3?" Why or why not?

Pray about it: Ask God to show you what you need to change in your life in order to truly follow him and to know him fully. Meditate on the things he has pointed out to you to change and ask him to show you how to change. Thank God in any way you can. Praise him for who he is. Finally, know that God has created each of us to serve him. Ask him to show you how you can use the things you read about in Ephesians and Colossians to serve His Kingdom.

Live it: The challenge continues... Work on that one thing that you know is keeping you from having a right relationship with God. Is it praying more? Reading your Bible more? Is it being more thankful? Is it showing compassion to others? Or is it just falling down on your knees and asking Christ to be your savior?

Live today knowing that you are loved by an Almighty King... The maker and ruler of all creation. He loved you so much that he sent Christ... His only son... To come to us here on earth and live a life just like us... Tempted by deceitful desires... But yet he remained without sin and conquered death after being crucified on the cross for our sins.

He did a lot for you and me. What can you do to serve him?

As a heir of the kingdom of God I pray that this week you will walk in his ways and practice living for him.

Love you girls!

Have a marvelous Monday afternoon!

An example to follow

Read this: 1 Thessalonians 1

Think about it: As you read this chapter think about how the church of Thessalonica relates to how we should be as a church body (and as individuals of the church). Think about how the people show others what Christ has done in their lives.

Do you think things would be different if we did the same as they did?

Why or why not?

Pray about it: Thank God for giving us good examples to follow to show us how we should be as Christians. Ask God to show you how you can be more like the Christians in the church of Thessalonica. Also, pray about whatever else comes to your heart while you are in God's Word.

Love you all so much!!! Have a thankful Thursday!!! :)

Wonderfully Made :) (for Wednesday)

Sorry I didn't get a post up yesterday! Love you all so very much :)

Today I want you to read Psalm 139. Before you begin, pray that God would open your heart and mind to understand how much He loves you and how valuable he thinks you are. While you are reading, focus on specific passages that stand out to you, and think about why they stand out. After reading, rethink about what you've read, and pray about what's on your heart.

I can't wait to see you all tonight at church! Hope you have an amazing day!!!

What are you thankful for?

Read this: 1 Timothy 1:12-17

"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, ¹³ even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴ Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.

 ¹⁵ This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. ¹⁶ But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷ All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

Think about it: After reading this passage of scripture I started asking myself a very simple, yet complicated question ... how thankful am I really about what Christ has done for me?

I'm always saying I'm thankful for my family, a roof over my head, clothes on my back, shoes on my feet and waking up in the morning ... and yeah, I also say stuff like I'm thankful for Christ and what he's done for me, but how thankful am I .... really?

Am I thankful enough to read His word daily?

Am I thankful enough to spend time with him daily?

To pray at all times?

Am I thankful enough to give him praise instead of always just asking for him to do things for me like he is a genie or something?

Thinking back at the scripture for a minute, think about Paul.

He was a real enemy of God and his people. He persecuted the church and killed thousands of Christians. (Acts 9)

So you see, God was so merciful to Paul and he realizes it and is thankful. He realized that he was a sinner and that Christ saved him from his old ways.

He is truly thankful for what Christ had done and was doing through his life.

So my question to you is .... are you thankful for Christ and what he did for all sinners and what he did for you?

Pray about it: Thank God for all he has so graciously given you, and ask him to continually help you to be thankful for his son.

Live: Today, really think about what Christ has done for you, and thank him for your salvation.