Treasure.

Life is but a moment. At least sometimes that is how it feels compared to eternity; especially when we cannot even fully wrap our minds around how long eternity truly is. And if life is so short compared to our afterlife in Heaven, then why do we do what we do?
What do we do?
Everything we do on this earth should be to glorify God. It glorifies God to exalt His name by spreading the Truth...His love.
Therefore, if life is so short, then every single thing we do here is pretty much worthless unless we have somehow affected our eternity or another person's eternal position.

What is the point of friendship unless you encourage and build each other up to do the Father's will?

What is the use for marriage unless the person you are joined with strengthens and further aids you in growing in the Father's love?

What is the point of going to school unless you are taking what you are learning as valuable and learning to apply it to life to somehow take others with you to Heaven?

What is the point of a job unless you are showing the love of Christ to your coworkers and using your money to support God's children?

I think the point has been clearly made.

Everything in this world is useless...unless it is being used to GLORIFY GOD.

What are you doing? Where are your thoughts? Where is your motivation? Where is your treasure?

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:19-20

Trust.

God knows others more than I do. He knows their hearts, needs, and desires more than I do. Above everything, He desires even more than I do for them to know Him and His overwhelming love. Therefore, I am called to trust God. I can't mend broken hearts. I can't make a rebellious person become faithful to God. I can't break strongholds off of others' lives. So I choose to trust. I choose to love God above worrying about if I am adequate to help others. Trust.

Satisfaction

Stop seeking the things that satisfy you temporarily, and start seeking the One who will satisfy you for eternity.

Brother

I love my brother, and yes, that alone was worth a blog post.

Prayers.

I pray that even if distance or time separates us, God would have touched my heart strong enough to touch yours...leaving a footprint that cannot be erased by such things.

I know that I am not perfect. Not anywhere near it. I think sometimes that scares me because I know in a way that humans are always capable of destruction. However, I also know that God's grace is sufficient for me, and that in my weaknesses, He is made perfect. No matter where in life you are...if you seek God, He covers you with grace. I have made many mistakes, oh so many. And I can either sit here in shame or believe that God has covered me. Believe that God has helped those that I have hurt forgive me or at least me be free from my past. Your past influence you, but it does not determine you. I believe it.

Anyway, I pray that even those who I do not speak with much anymore were somehow affected despite my weaknesses by Jesus Christ in me. I know they were, and I will trust God.

Dreams.

You think you have dreams that you would die to fulfill? That hunger...that urge to see something completed...that desire...that is a piece of God's heart. If we can feel the effects of His desires as much as we do, I don't believe we can even wrap up in our minds how much more He fights for those dreams to come to pass. Therefore, we can be still and trust. Stillness in our hearts.

For my ladies...

I have a word for you...
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23

Guard your heart. Don't let your heart be deceived by anyone or anything.
Sometimes the only person who can see deception is Jesus, so follow after the convictions He places in your heart. Don't smother your convictions with your desires. It grieves the Holy Spirit and leaves you uneasy and out of protection.
I urge you to follow after Him and what He says no matter how extreme it seems. He sees more than you. He protects you. If He asks you to let go of someone in your life, do it. You don't know others' hearts the way He does. He sees everything, and you, being the apple of His eye, are worth protecting to Him. Follow Him. Never look away. For the moment your eyes are captured by something else, is the moment you step into unprotected territory. Stay covered.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Psalm 91:1-4

"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
Psalm 91:!4

Girls, you are loved by a PROTECTOR.