Amazing Love

In reading the book of Hosea with my www.shereadstruth.com community, I re-watched the movie Amazing Love on Netflix. It is about the book of Hosea. I watched it before but as always when you watch something again you get more out of it. The story of Hosea is so beautiful. It showcases a picture of God’s amazing love for us through the unfaithfulness of Gomer and Israel. God chose Hosea to love his unfaithful wife and preach the gospel to a rebellious nation. I wondered could I even muster up that much love for people who treated me so badly?

Through watching this movie I understood something huge, Hosea was feeling God’s pain. The people of Israel turned their hearts away from the Lord, just as Gomer did to Hosea. But Hosea was relentless. He loved Gomer and God’s people through it all, he would not stop showing others the Lord. I sat there and cried and cried because I was reminded that in my fifth God picks me up and lets me dwell in his strong arms when I am so unfaithful to him.  

God’s loves me and you because His love is not dependent on us. I could not do any good deed to win the heart of the Lord. He loves me no matter what I do and that is that. How great and amazing is this? Will we honor the Lord by being faithful in love to his people? Yep, that means ALL His people: the mean and unfaithful spouse, the lying friend, the parents who left us, the people who talk bad about you, or the kids that reject us? 

Sisters, we are all a work in progress and will never just “arrive”. But with this amazing reminder in our hearts and by faith through Jesus Christ we can be a Hosea to someone here on earth. We can show God’s love to others so that they know He loves them no matter what they do. Today, I encourage you to love so deeply without expecting nothing in return. Be a Hosea......

In Christ,

Monique Smith

Prayer Starter: 

O’ most gracious Father, you love me through it all. I worship your Holy name and I thank you for saving a wrench like me. Jesus, will you please live your life through me daily? I need you and cannot do this alone. May I love without expectation? Amen

~ By Faith...............

Three years ago I faced one of the most trying times ever. I had to make a life changing decision within my marriage and I was afraid. Would I put myself aside and let the Lord work in me? I struggled. To be frank, I did not want to do this as I knew that much would be revealed about myself. I was very selfish ladies. Life was all about me. I did not want to put aside all that was comfortable for me and step into the unknown. I was very scared. But I stepped out in faith and I told the Lord that I would obey. I ask him to change me, not my husband or the marriage, just to change me. Oh, how he answered the cry of His broken daughter. I did not know how the Lord was going to fix my marriage let alone me BUT I knew he was crazy faithful and that I could trust in Him.

What is faith ladies? Well, according to the word of God in Hebrews 11:1: Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. So in other words, we go wherever and do whatever without knowing the outcome. We put our trust in the Lord and can rest because we know that the Lord has our lives in the palm of his hands. Faith is not doubt nor anxiety in the waiting. You trust and believe every minute of the day with the Lord giving you strength and when you are weak you go to the Lord with it. 

If I was going to step out and trust the Lord in my marriage or anything in my life I needed to have faith, faith in the impossible. When I made a decision to step out in faith, the Lord provided supernatural strength that I could not obtain on my own. In my quiet time today, I was reading Hebrews chapter 11 & 12 and I was wrecked because the word showed me the many faith filled men and women who obeyed God and did not waver. I was reminded again that I need to have FAITH and believe. I was not to look at my circumstances I am to focus on the cross. 

By faith, Abraham obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going, Abraham went. God tested him through the sacrifice of Isaac and provided. By faith, the walls of Jericho fell. By faith, Abel offered God a better sacrifice and he was commended a righteous man. By faith, Sarah trusted that God would give her the son she always hoped for. Wow. Where is your faith Monique?

Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith, it is impossible to please God because any one who comes to him must believe. We must believe sisters! We must believe that even when the circumstance looks real bad that the Lord will do the impossible and work all things out for our good.

Today, is my marriage perfect? Am I perfect? Do we argue? Do I fail? Do we fail together? I am human and so is my husband and we are not perfect and we will mess up…But with test and trial we grow stronger because we believe the Lord is molding and shaping us. We will get to exactly where the Lord needs us to be together. My marriage is a journey. We are both a work in progress and the Lord will guide us. My faith is everything. I lived to long without Christ to not live every day for Him. God did not promise that we would not go through trial but He did promise that he would do the impossible if we would trust Him. I trust Him. Will you? 

In Christ,

Monique Smith

Prayer Starter:

Father, you perfect my faith. You are my hope. I worship you right now. I praise your glorious name. Today, I give my all to you, I lay it all at your feet. I believe that you are working on my behalf and I am yours forever Jesus. I fix my eyes on you Lord. I will not lose heart nor grow weary. You are my stronghold. Nothing else matters nothing in this world will do. You are my center. Amen

Is Jesus Your Center? How Do You Respond To Life Challenges?

Much has happened friends. I have been busy with much: packing, moving, getting ready for school, family and marriage commitments, and homework has been just a tad bit demanding. Now, that I have vented may I share with you some things?   

One day as I was sitting with my Father just having a grand old time, I heard Him ask me a question in the middle of my planning session. He asked if I would worship Him in both joy and suffering. I cried out instantly: “Yes, Father. I will Lord! I will worship you through whatever comes my way”. In my typical Monique fashion, I immediately responded to Him and did not think. Was that not what I was supposed to do?  Ladies, God asks me something, an important question? Was I not supposed to be obedient immediately? Well, my sisters I should have been honest with my Savior saying “In my strength no, but with you, I can, yes”. It is not like He doesn’t know my every thought. It is not like He doesn't know that when trial comes that I can be a spoiled brat. It is not like He doesn't know that I would cry, complain and pout first when adversity strikes. I continued my praise and studying with him that day and went about my business. I did not know nor understand why He asked me what He did but I knew it was for a reason and deep down I was scared. I knew something was coming.

Shortly after this conversation, what happens? Yep, you guessed it: CHAOS……all hell broke loose, my friends. I got hit with much: in my marriage, with my older son, school, my thoughts were weak, I was super emotional and irritated all while trying to move. I mean you name it, it all just kept coming. I did what I knew to do. I prayed and prayed. I listened to every sermon I could get my hands on. I went to quiet places and sat, read, worshipped and I just could not hear my Father. He was silent, so I thought. Now, in the past (after getting saved) when trial came I would stop reading my Bible, would not go to church, and stop praising my Father. To be honest, I would get mad at Him. I would say something like: “really Father, why are you doing this to me”. I would act like a little brat like how DARE God inconvenience me. HA, what a hot mess. Thank God he has changed me a little. :/

When all this was happening to me I told myself that this time I would keep pressing. I had passion miraculously, even when I thought my Father was silent. Even though life was real bad for me, I vowed to sit at His feet  and thank Him for His love and all the blessings he is doing for me and the family. I remembered the conversation I just had with the Lord and it was my motivation. I started speaking God’s promises over me, over my marriage, over my kids and over the situations. In the midst of all the struggle, He was there. He was in me. He was the reason I was able to keep going. Ladies, he never went anywhere. I was the one that moved, not Him. My thinking changed for a little there. I had to purposely switch it to faith filled responses. Will you worship me Monique? Will all this move you? I lifted my hands with tears in my eyes and said: “Yes, I will worship you, my precious Father. All this will NOT move me, I will live for you, I will stop this endless cycle of luke warm Faith”. I started worshipping, singing, shouting, and fell to my knees. I refused to let the enemy think he got me. I wanted to show him who I served.

When my husband said, “I am leaving”, when my oldest son said “I have better people in my life than you”, and when my sister started accusing me of wrong doing, I stood in faith. I stood in faith because I knew that my Father would turn this all around for my good. Has he worked out all the kinks? Nope, not yet. Will he ever? I don’t know, but what I do know is that He loves me and nothing will ever change that. Why? Because He says so. You see, I did not want to be that unstable Christian. The one who lets her feelings rule her. The one who runs when trials come and complains when things were not perfect. I wanted to learn how to have faith in my sufferings. I wanted more of Jesus and less of me. I prayed it all time so it was time to put my faith where my mouth was. 

Just because every trial known to man comes our way sisters, doesn't mean that Jesus is not with us. It may “feel” like He is gone BUT sisters He is right there with you. He did not leave me. He was not silent. That was what I “felt”. Truth is I did not want to face the harsh reality of what the Lord was trying to teach me. He wanted me to recognize that my immediate reaction to trial must be faith. I must answer trial with “I trust you Lord”. I need to stand with my head held high with Jesus as my shield not buckle. 

I am so thankful for a Father that teaches and loves me. A Father who has my best interest at heart. Ladies, whatever is going on in your life that is making you “feel” hopeless right now, remember God is with you. God loves you and ALL of it will work out for your good. Wait a little longer. Give it to Him and step aside. Cling to His promises. Worship Him through it all. Praise His wonderful name. Count your blessings. He must be the center of your life. Answer the trial with faith.

In Christ,

Monique Smith

Prayer Starter:

Father, I give all my anxiety and fear to you. I surrender my hold on them and release them into your hands. I life my eyes to you, for you are my help in time of trouble. I will praise you in the midst of all that happens in my life. I do not need to be anxious or afraid of anything because I find hope in you. Your love comforts me. Your power gives me all the strength I need. I will remain faith filled. Thank you for giving me the courage to go forward and fulfill the destiny you have for me. In Jesus’ precious name.

Amen

~ Be Consistent ~

How do you know you are growing? How do you know what you are learning that you are applying to your life and most importantly your walk with the Lord?

Recently, life took a huge blow and it left me feeling confused, sadden and with a broken heart. But there was purpose in that blow. May I share?

Someone near and dear to my heart told me that I was not practicing what I preach with them. That I was not practicing love, patience, kindness, goodness or self-control. Immediately, I was on the defense because I thought I was doing a wonderful job. In fact, I decided to point out specific times where I felt growth was ever so present and compared the times where significant growth was not present. But what was I trying to prove? Was I even listening to their concerns? Did I let this person talk? Did I take the information they gave me and question it or aligned it up to what God’s says? No, I just blurted out all I wanted to and said my peace leaving that person hurt and sad.

Was this person right? Did this person see through me? Was I not where I thought I was? I was so ashamed and sadden. After about 5 hours of feeling sorry for myself. I went to the Lord. Why did I take so long? Well, quite frankly I knew this person was right and I knew the Lord would confirm it so I was scared. I wanted to sit and have a party for myself for just a little.  :/

The Lord pointed me to Galatians chapter 5. As I was reading I could not swallow. I had a dry mouth and my palms were sweaty. I knew that I was in fact not showing the Fruits of the Spirit with this person that I was doing the opposite. Some days I was nice, kind, patient and loving and some days I was rude, mean, and impatient and did not listen. It just depended on what kind of day I was having, now that I look back in retrospect. How hypocritical was that Monique?? I tell you this because your friends and family are the first people that will see the fruits you bear when you follow the Lord and vice versa. They are also great people to ask and get some feedback from if you want to gauge your growth. 

See ladies, God doesn't just stop giving us his grace, mercy or love one day and then the next day he stops because he is having a bad day. No, the Lord constantly gives His grace, love and mercy to all His children. Yes the Lord is not of flesh, He is the Lord of Lords and is not fickle with His emotions. I am of him. I was made in his image and I am his child. I should look a little more each day like my Savior, not worse off. That is how you know you are growing. So the results were in and I was not growing in this area with this person like I thought I was. I refused to stay sad. I took this pain to my Heavenly Father and left it there and apologized to this person. 

Maturing in Christ takes time. But when you are truly living for the Lord you die to yourself daily and don’t take others down with you in that process.You love people ALL people and that love requires self sacrifice. You enrich their lives. Build them up. Not choose different days to do that. We all fall short of the glory of God every second but for me personally, I know God wants more out of me. He wants me to soar and I cannot soar when I choose to make the decisions that are not of him on different days of the week. I need to be consistent. 

If you mess up, which you will. Be humble about it. Talk to that person. Let them know you are sorry. Don’t wait until they come to you. Treat others how you want to be treated.

Together we will grow and together we will be about our Father’s business.

In Christ,

Monique Smith

Prayer Starter

Lord, forgive me for my selfish ways. I am truly sorry for how I treated your son/daughter. Father, I desire to grow in you and I do not want my ways to increase so that you decrease. I want more of you Jesus. I am a lover of your presence. Please continue to teach me and convict me when I am not treating others right. With each step I take I know you are there by my side. May I live this life honoring you with my words and decisions each minute of the day, not when I pick and choose to. Thank you for your love, mercy and grace. Amen.