Day 3 Daily Time Tithe

Can I just say how much I love my church family! I am so blessed to be part of such an amazing, passionate, loving church! If you are searching for a church home, please check out Highpoint City Church. Come for a visit and see for yourself!

Ok enough with the shameless plug. Service was awesome today (it is every Sunday). The subject today was faith. I don't want to go over the details of the sermon but it got me thinking more about where I am at with my faith. Faith means trust in a person or thing. I started thinking, "how much do I trust Jesus with ALL my needs, problems, etc."? I have to say it's not where I want it to be, BUT I am getting there! It takes practice and discipline to completely trust 100% in someone I've never seen. That's faith friends! I find that as I trust Him more and more, He always shows up! In some amazingly great way, He is there! Sometime right in the nick of time.

So if you are going thru a particularly rough time and it feels like nothing is going to ever go right or there's no fixing it...try to give Jesus more trust. He knows what you are going thru, He just wants you to give it to Him and trust Him. I know it may sound corny but just say to yourself, "I trust you God." And say it over and over again until you BELIEVE it! Let it sink in!

I've been thinking about a person I know who has hit rock bottom. She's gone thru some serious heartache and pain. She's seriously hurting. She thinks something is wrong with her. After briefly turning to Jesus she decided to walk away for whatever reason. I don't know why and it doesn't matter, I am trusting Jesus will bring her back. I am praying Jesus will bring her back. And I am praying for those who need more trust.

Sweet Jesus, I pray for those who are hurting and fearing their circumstances. I pray for them to have the courage and strength to trust in YOU and to keep on going. Show them Your grace and your love. Thank you for always having my back, Dad..In Jesus' name. Amen!

Peace, Love & Blessings!
Nikki

Day 2 (July 6th, 2013) 30 Day Time Tithe

Had a headache tonight. I was expecting something like this to happen. I somehow knew my flesh would act up or expected the kids to be extra cranky but I was prepared. I didn't let my pain be my focus and again went into praise and reading. I decided to read a book that is somewhat new to me. I chose Ecclesiastes. I read specifically chapter 5:1-7.

How many times have I promised God to do better or to change and then fall right back into my old ways whether unintentional or intentional. Today's reading really got my attention. I don't want to make anymore promises to the One who saved my soul. He deserves my best, not my half-way attempts or pathetic try-to's.

So friends if you have been only putting forth a miniscule effort into your relationship with Jesus, stop making empty promises and give it your best effort! Yes we are human and will slip up and make mistakes. We don't have to be perfect 100% of the time. No one is capable of that. Just brush if off, ask Jesus to forgive you and forgive yourself and keep pushing in harder.

Back to the headache that was trying to bother me. Funny how when I get the focus off my flesh, how the pain goes away. It's definitely going to get easier with practice. I feel like saying "Hey, I really am stronger than my flesh! I can really DO this!" And you can too.

With that being said, Jesus I pray for more strength over my flesh. I pray for each reader to take control over their flesh and to keep the focus on You. Thank You for always showing up when I need You. Please keep us all safe and healthy in Jesus' name. Amen!

Jesus knows you can do it! I believe you can too!

Peace, Love & Blessings!
Nikki

Day 1 of 30 day Time Tithe

Ok so I officially started the 30 day time tithe yesterday... and decided today to keep a blog to share my journey as I go. If you want to know more about the 30 day time tithe you can view the event on facebook here. I hope this also helps keep me accountable, so here goes...I hope you enjoy, learn and maybe even laugh a little along the way with me!

So I was trying to figure out where and how I was going to do this time tithe. The kids were starting to work my nerves. I was becoming frustrated that I couldn't get any quiet time. I normally would have voiced my frustration loudly and given up but I decided instead of doing that, to go to my little office area. I grabbed my bible and turned on the praise and wow did it work great! My favorite way to get the praise flowing is to go to youtube. I love it! It's like my own personal radio and only I control what I hear! I am always open to new praise songs so if you have any suggestions, please feel free to either leave them in a comment or message me on facebook.

The reading started off a little rocky. I kept flipping around from new to old and back to new testament. Then as I praised more actively, the reading became easier, and it was sinking in. I became so relaxed and happy I had tears welling up in my eyes. I just love how we can't out give God. We give him just a little bit and He shows up and gives us even MORE! 

I have been struggling to stick with any kind of routine like this. I can expect my kids to stick to a routine but yet I completely fail at it?? There's something outta whack there. So that's something I was praying for God to change in me. I just started talking (ok it was more like whispering, because by that time everyone was in bed).  I just put it out there and asked for help to change. What happened next really caught me by surprise. I was praising with my arms in the air, looking up to heaven, (I don't remember if I had my eyes closed or open) but then I saw a quick glimpse of myself in the future only I was different. I was changed! It's really hard to explain in words, but I knew it my heart that it was me, on a routine, gone deeper and more into Jesus! 

I know that not everyone will experience but it is my prayer that you, the one reading this blog, will either come to know Jesus or go with me deeper into the faith, love and happiness that Jesus has for us! All we have to do is show up! 

Jesus I pray for the people reading this blog. That you will use this new format for Your glory and reach those who need to be reached. I pray for those reading this that do know You, to grow deeper and become more passionate for and in You! In Jesus' name. Amen!

Peace, Love & Blessings to you!
Nikki