He Makes All Things New

I've been volunteering at Vacation Bible School at my church this week. I have a 3rd grade class full of high energy children! I thought I was blessing them with my presence but I now realize I have been blessed by them and the message of Jesus Christ all over again. God's Word is so fresh and new every time I hear it. I got choked up today in our missions class when the teacher showed videos of people's testimonies and gave her own. It is something about a person's testimony that touches my heart each and every time. Testimonies are so personal and cannot be refuted. The teacher did such an amazing job of teaching the kids that God loves them and wants to be a part of their lives. She explained to them they are fearfully and wonderfully made.

The best part of today was that my son Kolbi was in the class with me. As many of you know, I had Kolbi when I was 15. Kolbi heard the teacher say that no one is a mistake and that God knew him before he was even in my womb. He listened to Scriptures about how important he is to the Kingdom. God has done a miraculous work in my life, and I thank Him daily for my testimony. God loves me unconditionally. He loves ALL of us unconditionally. Yes that means "YOU TOO". No matter what you have done you can always run back into the arms of God and turn your life around.

I pray that everyone reading this knows that God wants a relationship with you. He wants you to trust Him with all your heart. Believing in Him is not enough... He wants you to TRUST Him and follow Him daily. By following Him, your life may not look like you planned but you will have a testimony that is sure to touch other's hearts and hopefully lead them to Christ. Look at me, I've gone from a teenage mom to a seminary (bible school) student who wants nothing more than to show others the transforming life Christ gives. He has made me new and will do the same for you!

I truly love all of you and hope God has revealed something to you through this post.

In Christ,
Alissa

Using the Gifts God Gave You

God has been speaking to me lately in a variety of ways about using the gifts He gave me. For a long time I never thought I was talented in anything. I thought since I couldn't sing, dance, draw or any of the normal things people think about as talented then I didn't have much to offer. After diving into scripture and realizing we are all God's workmanship, I now have a new outlook. God has equipped me with different abilities, talents, and spiritual gifts. Actually, He has equipped all of us. The circumstances and situations in our lives have built us into the people we are. God wants to use our stories for His glory. He wants to use our talents and gifts to show others His way. Everyone is unique and has a special role to play in God's plan.

God has given me the gift of encouragement and authenticity. Many people may not see these attributes as gifts but I know the power in them. I am at this point in my life due to the encouraging words of others who told me not to give up or give in to the enemy. These individuals kept it real with me and explained the importance of following God.

I am passionate about showing girls and women their worth in Christ. I want them to know that God can use them no matter what has happened in their lives. I need them to know they are special to God. My prayer is that all of you use your God-given gifts. Pray and ask God to reveal to you how you can use your gifts and talents for His glory. You do not have to be a preacher or teacher of the Word to be useful in the Kingdom. God needs you to play your part.

Are you willing to be "all in" with the gifts God has so graciously given you? Step up to the plate and allow God to work through you to change lives. You never know how God will use you. He will do exceedingly and abundantly above what you can ask or think. Believe me I know!

Saying Yes to God

God is really dealing with me about this obedience thing! I read What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst over a year ago. God keeps taking me back to that book and the richness found therein. God wants us to follow His will for our lives instead of trying to make our own path. I know many godly women, including me, who are fervently praying and asking God to show up in our lives. We sometimes get discouraged when it seems God does not answer. I've learned God indeed hears our prayers and He will answer them in His way and timing. We all are notorious for praying to God to reveal the next move. Did you know that sometimes the next move is to stay where you are in the present? The truth is you may not have learned what God is trying to teach you during this season. Don't be quick to want to move ahead of God's timing. Believe me that is not what you want (been there done that!). There is a reason God has you where you are and you need to learn the lesson before moving ahead. When the impatience settles in and you want to go on to the "next thing"instead of praying for God to move you, pray for God to reveal what He is trying to teach you. Once you learn and apply the lesson, God will take you where He wants you to go.

For those of you who think you have missed a Word from God, please know you will not blink and miss what God is trying to teach you. As long as you have a willing heart He will continue to show you the way. If He needs to He will beat you over the head with the lesson. I am a witness that when you ask God to reveal something and you are open to receiving an answer He will use every possible way to get your attention. Do I have a witness?!

Lets all resolve to say yes to God no matter what He reveals to us. Lets pray together as Lysa TerKeurst does in her book, "Right now I say yes, Lord. I say yes to You before I even know what You might ask me to do. I simply want You to see a yes-heart in me."

I'm praying for all of you! I can't wait to hear how God shows up in your lives because I KNOW He will.

Intimacy with God

God is teaching me all kinds of things in this season of my life. The pastor of the church we are attending now is going through a series titled "Intimacy with God." Pastor Joey has a great way of bringing the Word to life and bringing application to the forefront. I've realized that in certain seasons of my life I've walked closer with God and have soaked up all the wisdom and knowledge I can. I'm on fire and no one can stop me. Then all of a sudden I get to that point where I dismiss Him from my everyday life. I get so "busy with life" that I do not make time for an intimate relationship with God. I can make the case that I'm too busy (wife, stay at home mom of 3, seminary student with 4 online classes) but at the end of the day God should trump all of that. God wants a relationship with me and I NEED a relationship with Him in order to make it through the day. Why do I often forget this? Taking time out to talk with the Lord is never wasted time. I'm sure many of you are like me... you ask God to change a situation or ask Him for your purpose in this season, you talk talk talk but you never listen for the answer. Let me tell you something, if you will actually talk WITH God instead of talking TO God He will reveal to you His answer. Take a deep breath and wait for God's answer to your question. I promise you He will answer. It may not be the answer you want but it will be the answer you need to fulfill God's will for your life. He wants to show you the way. He wants an intimate relationship with YOU. Remember, once you hear His response be obedient to His word. Do what He says! He has a plan and a purpose for you. No one can fulfill your purpose but you! I love you all and am praying that you experience a truly intimate relationship with God.