Ahmad birthday was a little over a week ago, and we decided to take a trip to Cabo to celebrate. We always travel but this trip just felt different. We actually relaxed! There was no true itinerary that we were following except dinner reservations of course, and we just chilled. Ahmad even took a nap
I was introduced to Mara Hoffman brand when I worked at Moda a few years ago. Let me just say I love everything from the brand. I’m on the site monthly to see what is launching because everything is so good! The fit, the style, and the silhouettes are so good, and if you are
I still pinch myself every time I even think about that fact that we own a curated home decor online shop. Sweenshots Studio Collection was born after we continuously received so many questions about the furniture and home decor pieces that were at the studio. If you haven’t already, make sure to check out the
Even though as I am typing this its freezing here in Houston, I am dreaming of the sun to come back out so I can wear sandals and enjoy the sun! I am a boot girl in the fall, but sandals also have a special place in my heart. My go to sandals are always
I still pinch myself every time I even think about that fact that we own a curated home decor online shop. Sweenshots Studio Collection was born after we continuously received so many questions about the furniture and home decor pieces that were at the studio. If you haven’t already, make sure to check out the
View PostDevotionals
Here’s my favorite devotionals to help
strengthen my relationship with God.
There are so many stories in the Bible that proves to us over and over again that God takes care of His people. From feeding thousands, too dying on the cross for our sins, to leading Israel to the Promise Land, there should be no doubt in our heads that God doesn’t have our back. I always think about how God continues to show out each and everyday in our lives. Even us just waking up this morning is a miracle. This week really focus on trusting and believing in God and his power. When you don’t see how something is going to get paid for, or how you are going to make it out of a situation just put your focus on Christ. Open your Bible and read scriptures and if He can give David the strength to fight Goliath, He will give us strength to fight and get through whatever we are going through.
Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
You have probably heard or read this verse before, or if you haven’t it is a great reminder that we should not be fearful or anxious but give those worries to God as He will give us peace. Even though that is one of my favorite verses, today I want us to focus on verse 4. We often read certain verses but it is always good to read before and after the verse to see the pretext and get a true understanding of the meaning of the verse.
Philippians 4:4-5
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your [b]gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
The main word is REJOICE. If we rejoice we will have no need to be anxious because our mind will be on thanking and rejoicing how good Christ is!
John 8:12
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have light of life.
We must trust Him with everything that is inside of us! God is with us so we have nothing to fear. The world may be full of darkness, but God is the light of the world.
Can you imagine being on a boat with Jesus and the waves and winds are shaking the boat and He is asleep and at peace? I’m the girl on the plane that holds on to her seat when the plane hits turbulences. Jesus told the disciples, “Quiet! Be Still!”. I often wonder was he talking to the storm and to the disciples as well. We are so frantic at times that we miss the be still part and know that He is in control. This week I challenge all of us to BE STILL and find peace in knowing that God got us. When the storm comes there is no need to worry because our faith is in God. When our day isn’t going as planned, take a moment to just be still and praise Him in advance because He is a God who never fails us.
Mark 4:35-41
Often times when I pray I realized that my prayers can be very one-sided and all about self. The Bible tells us that love is one of the most important things we can do, and if I am only praying for myself and my needs then am I really loving others? We all have family and friends that may be going through things, or maybe everyone in your circle is doing just fine; we should pray for them in whatever state of their life they are in at this time. I challenge you this week to really dig deep and pray for our loved ones. Pray that they may find joy and peace in their circumstances. Pray that the Lord shows them that they are loved. Pray that God gives them the endurance they need to fight another day. Pray that God continues to bless them and that their request are known by God.
Check out 10 Days of Praying for Your Friends devotional in the Bible app and hone in the daily prayers that are at the end of the devotional. SHARE them with your circle, and lets start the journey of praying for each other and with each other!
Surrendering is one of the hardest things for us to do, even though God has the whole world including our lives in His hands. Another word that I struggle with is relaxing, but I’m learning that surrendering and relaxing go hand in hand. We should surrender all of ourselves to God and then relax in knowing that He got us! This world teaches us that we have to do it all. We have to be superman/superwoman. We have to be the hero in every aspect of our life. We have to constantly strive for more and more, and want what others have. Surrendering to God is the complete opposite of what the world is calling us to do. So who do you pick? I’m choosing to surrender to God, building my relationship with Him, and RELAX in the fact that God can supply all my needs. No need to worry, and feel anxious, but surrender to His LOVE! You know the saying, Let go & Let God! Let’s act on that this week!
A prayer from the YouVersion Bible App:
I see now that this is a vicious cycle, one that keeps me away from YOU- and I want You to break it for me. I want to change. I am ready for change. I am ready to let YOU work in me. I am ready to let go. I am ready to relax and let Your power work in my heart. i am ready to surrender. I trust you.
Come, Jesus. Do in me, whatever you want.
Amen
December is when we are all reminded of the miracle of Christmas. Then January hits and we shift gears and our focus is on our personal goals and new year resolutions and less about Jesus. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t make goals but we should incorporate God into our plans. The fact that God thought of us even before Jesus died on the cross show that He is not only a planner, but loves us so much that he sent His son to earth to live a life in human form to pay for our sins on the cross. So as we are planning out our year let’s be like Christ and plan to incorporate Him in our everyday life, and lean on him.
Draw Near to Him
1. Spend time with God
2. Get more comfortable living in the unresolved because we know the one who knows how its going to workout! Surrender to Christ.
3. Recognize God is in charge and that we are aren’t. Hope is restored when we recognize anything can happen with God, He has a plan!
John 15:9-11
1. Remain faithful to Christ’s LOVE
2. If we obey God, He will continue to Love us
3. Being Faithful to Christ is how we can completely be Happy as He is!
4. Follow the example of Jesus & stay obedient
“Jesus didn’t issue commandments to control and dominate us but to offer them as paths to true happiness. His sole intention is that “my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11). The mark of a true Christain then surely is joy. There is no purpose in setting out to love others without first trusting in how much we love ourselves. That is how Jesus went about it. “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you”. We need to abide in Jesus’s love to learn how we are to love others.”
YOUVERSION BIBLE APP
My #1 app I use daily. Great devotionals, daily guided prayers, verse of the day stories led by people in ministry, and videos.
DAILY PRAYER APP
Prayer app that leads you in prayer up to 3 times a day. A great app to use that prompts you to pray even in the middle of the day.
BOOKS
⚫️ Leveling Up by Ryan Leak
⚫️ Draw the Circle by Mark Batterson
⚫️ SOAR by T.D. Jakes
DEVOTIONALS
⚫️ 7 Habits to Develop Spiritual Growth
⚫️ Chasing Failure
⚫️ Worship is My Weapon