Encouragement for the day

First of all I want to start off with some pictures I have been taking over the past few days. I picniked them, which I love doing (so fun! :) ), and am now posting them...

First off... Krstianna=Cute :)

Second... Daniel=Adorable :) This one I took for Valentine's day but never posted it. I thought it was neat. :) This one I took a while back, as you may be able to tell, it is icicles hanging from a grocery carriage. lol :) Sorry, I can't get it to rotate.

A rose; of course! (:P)

See the shadow outline of the ring? It looks like a heart. I saw this on another blog, and thought it was so neat, so I did it myself. This is not my purity ring, but a different ring I got for my birthday from my Auntie Jenn. :)

The other day I went outside with the camera, cause I saw lots of birds coming for food, so I figured I would go and snap some shots. I really liked how this one turned out (ahem, with a little help, I zoomed it in. :) Is that cheating? lol) I thought it was neat how it had something in it's mouth. :)

I also liked this one (and no, I didn't zoom this one in at all. :) )

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Give God ALL the glory and praise! What a magnificent God we serve! Spring is on it's way, and I am so looking forward to it. The snow is almost all gone, and it has been beautiful weather for the past couple days or so! I can't wait for more and more like this. :) I think the couple pictures of the birds truly do show how great and powerful God is. (at least they do to me. When I was taking pictures of them, and listening to the joyful songs they sing, it made me feel so happy, and joyful. I just loved and enjoyed it.) :) I am in love with Jesus Christ. Just thought I'd tell you that. :)

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Psalm 103

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are opressed. He made known his way unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our trangressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remebered that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that exel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

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I read verses 1-10 today of this chapter for Daily bread (and then just read the rest for myself), and was once again encouraged by reading it. I read this a while back for part of my devotions, and was greatly encouraged by it. I'm not sure if I read it for something specific or if I came across it "accidentally". Anyways, the commentary in my Bible was good, and I wanted to share it with you.

It says: David's praise focused on the good things God was doing for him. It is easy to complain about life (oh, so easy), but David's list gives us plenty for which to praise God for-his forgiveness, healing, redemption, loving-kindness, tender mercies, providence, righteousness, justice, grace, patience. We receive all of these without deserving any of them. No matter how difficult your life's journey, you can always count your blessings-past, present, and future. When you feel as if you have nothing for which to praise God, read David's list.

This was just really good for me to read, because sometimes, life can get tough, and hard, and I feel like "Why does this have to happen to me?" We may feel like at times that there aren't many things-if any-for which we can praise God for. But this chapter reminds us that there will always be something to praise Him for no matter what. I need to remember, that when God allows trials and difficulties to come my way, I need to, instead of saying "Why me, Lord?" say, "Use me, Lord."

I read something one time that I thought was interesting. We rarely ever "notice" that our clothes didn't rip, that the car started or that we got home safe. Yes, these are little things in life, but we need to remember not to take them for granted, and praise God and give Him the glory, even in the little things, such as this. This was a great reminder for me as well, to not just count "big things" as blessings from God, but look for even the smallest ways in which God blesses us each day. You cannot go a day without God giving you some kind of blessing, even if it is something as small as you having clothes to wear or a drink of water, or having your clothes not rip, etc.

The story from the Daily bread was encouraging as well, and so I am writing that below.

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Joyful shouts filtered into our house from outside and I wanted to know what was so wonderful out there. I peeked through the curtains and watched two young boys splashing in a thick stream of water that gushed from a fire hydrant. The overflow reminded me of how God pours out blessings on His children, and how important it is to recognize that "the Lord...daily loads us with benefits" (Psalm 68:19). Although I know He has furnished countless good things for me, when the car blows a gasket, when the flu infects my family, and when relationships threaten to unravel, dissatisfaction threatens my view of God's blessings-they seem more like unfrequent drips from a faucet rather than a flood of water from a hydrant! Maybe that's why in Psalm 103 David reminds us to "forget not all His benefits" (v. 2). And then, to help us, he lists a torrent of blessings for believers. He reminds us that God forgives all our iniquities, heals all our diseases, redeems our lives from destruction, crowns us with loving-kindness, and satisfies our mouths with good things (vv. 3-5). Today, let's take time to acknowledge God's abundance instead of overlooking the overflow of His blessings. -Jennifer Benson Shuldt

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We're loaded with benefits daily,

Sent down from the Father above;

His mercies and blessings abounding

Are gifts of His marvelous love. -Anonymous

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Adding up your blessings will multiply your joy.

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Wow! This is such a great reminder to all of us. Let us never forget to praise and glorify God in everything we do, for every blessing He gives us!

Recently I have beeen finding Romans 12 to be a great encouragement to me! In about May of 2010, in Sunday School, I was told to read this chapter, and I really liked it. I underlined the whole thing. Well, more recently (the last 3-4 weeks maybe), it seems like God is finding any way He can to make this verse come into my reading. When I was doing a devotional book study on the book of Titus a couple weeks ago was when it first started. Within a couple days, I came across different parts of Romans 12 a bunch of times! After those couple days it didn't come up quite as much, but God still had me come across it a bunch of times (and I still am coming across it often). So, needless to say, I decided to dive more deeper into this chapter, study it, and see what God would have me learn from it. I just started, but when I get more into it, I will be sharing/posting what I have learned and what the Lord has been teaching me through it all. I love Romans 12!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) It is such an encouraging chapter to me. Read it and be prepared for my thoughts on it, hopefully soon!

Today I got an email from the Ludy's advertising the Set ApartGirl conference. I was reading it, thinking, "I really wish I could go to this! It looks and sounds like so much fun, and I know it would be a huge blessing as well (to any girl who goes)". Anyways, not this year, but I hope, maybe, that I will be able to have that experience someday. (And I want to go to Ellerslie as well. If Christ doesn't come back before I am able to go to that, I will do anything I can to go. Haha). :)

Well, that's about it for now I guess. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. :)

Joyful In Serving Him,

~Karissa~

My True Love

I saw this on a couple of blogs I came across recently, and it was really encouraging to me! It reminds that God should/will always be enough for us, no matter what. He should be The True Love of our soul, our All in all, and fulfill our deepest longings. If we always look to a mere man to fulfill these things, we never will find what we are able to find when we look to Jesus Christ! Of course these characteristics are things I do want my future husband to possess, but of course he won't be perfect, and this reminds me that God always has been, is, and always will be; and if God doesn't have it planned for me to get married someday, I can come back to this and remember that He can be the perfect husband of my soul forever! I hope I'm getting across what I'm trying to say, and hopefully this "poem" will explain things a little bit better as well!

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I prayed for a man committed to God. Jesus smiled, “I and my Father are one.” John 10:30

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I prayed for a man that would be a spiritual leader. Jesus unashamedly declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

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I prayed for a man of hight standards and integrity. Others testified, “He did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth.” I Peter 2:22

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I prayed for a man of the Word. Jesus opened up His arms with love as He whispered, “I am the living Word, and I came to live with you.” John 1:14

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I prayed for a man that knew how to be a servant. Then I heard others whisper with amazement, “Jesus made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:7

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I prayed for a man that was full of spiritual life. He smiled again, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

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I prayed for a man of faith and prayer. Then I watched with amazement as He went out and spend all night in prayer...for me! Luke 6:12

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I prayed for a man that would provide for my needs. He not only fed the five thousand long ago, He also feeds me today! Mark 6:41, Philippians 4:19

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I prayed for a man that would be the head of the home and a leader. Someone I could look up to and respect intellectually and spiritually. Then I realized that not only had Jesus been knocking on my door begging to be allowed to be the head of my home, but He was so far ahead of me intellectually, I would have all eternity to learn from Him. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

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I prayed for a man of steel and velvet...someone that could be strong but also tender at the same time. Then I remembered Jesus’ words as the mails were driven into His hands, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:24 And how, when dying upon the cross, some of His last thoughts were to make sure His mother would be cared for. John 19:26 I also remembered how that when even a little sparrow fell, He noticed and cared. Matthew 10:29

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I prayed for a man that knew how to love others...even the unpleasant outcasts. Jesus replied, “In that while you were all yet sinners [the lowest outcast], I died for you.” Romans 5:8

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I prayed for a man that would be the head of the home and a leader. Someone I could look up to and respect intellectually and spiritually. Then I realized that not only had Jesus been knocking on my door begging to be allowed to be the head of my home, but He was so far ahead of me intellectually, I would have all eternity to learn from Him. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

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I prayed for someone that I could share my deepest thoughts and dreams with, someone who would walk with me through joys and through sorrows. Someone that would not only hold my hand, but would hold my heart. Someone that I could stand behind, love, respect and serve with all my heart. I looked up in awe as He not only began to walk beside me and hold my hand (Isaiah 41), but also to share with me the hidden riches and secrets of eternity...heart companionship and beauty that I had never had with another. (Isaiah 45:3, Psalm 34:8) And I just knew that He was someone I could not only love, but stand behind and serve for the rest of my life!

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I prayed for someone that would help me walk closer to God. And the more I got to know him, the closer I drew to God. Psalm 23, Matthew 6:33

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I know this may be frivolous God and it’s a small thing, but could you also send me someone romantic,” I had prayed. “Someone that will love me so much, that he’ll want me and only me! That he’ll be willing to do whatever it takes to win me...even bring me chocolate?” Jesus said nothing as He lay down His heavenly honor to come to earth to win me. Although I doubted His love and resisted His advances at first, He slowly, sweetly, tenderly won my heart and love. Then He led me to His great banqueting house, and the banner He put over me was LOVE. (Song of Sol. 2:4) “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good” He tenderly whispered. (Ps. 34:8) And as He looked deep into my heart, I knew that nothing would separate us... (Romans 8:35-39) for He had won my heart forever!!

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Last, but not least, I prayed for a man that would not be afraid of pain or trials. Then it was that I realized it was He, Jesus, that was carrying my cross and making the ultimate sacrifice of love...for not just anyone, but for me! (Matthew 16:24, Hebrews 2:9) Tears rolled down my cheeks as I stood in awe. And my heart melted...

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Let us say with Asaph the Psalmist, “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.”

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Because of Christ, Karissa

Good times at Winter Carnival 2011

We are finally done making the video with pictures and videos from Winter Carnival, but I have sad news... It will not post on here. I have tried it three times, and every time it says it is having trouble and to contact blogger support. I have tried this, and am hoping for an answer, but who knows! I am wondering if it won't go on because it is 25 minutes long. Oh my! Haha. But, anyways, I am going to write about some of the fun things we did, and I'll keep trying with the video. We had a blast at Winter Carnival! It was soooo much fun.

We got there at about 4:15 on Friday night, and were pretty much the first ones there. We got unpacked, did a couple other things, and made the chili for the potluck. We went to that at about 6:30, and had a great meal with lots of food and fellowship! We didn't do too much game playing Friday night, just visited with friends we hadn't seen since summer! It was great.

Saturday morning, we got up, and had a good breakfast, and the little children went over to practice for Juniour choir, while the adults went to the Bible study by Mr. and Mrs. Hanson. It was very good, and I felt encouraged by it. Thanks to them for doing that for us!

After that, was playing and eating and fun until it was time to go to the pool at Gunstock. Only some people went to that. From our family, Susanna, Caleb and I stayed home from that, plus a couple other people. I'm sure they all had a blast, while we had a great time back at the campground.

We went over to check and see if Beacon was good for snowboarding, but no such luck. We were disappointed since we had so much fun on that hill last year, but oh well! So we decided to try out Mitchell, and that seemed pretty good, even though snowmobiles went through there a lot. So, Amelia, Susanna, Caleb, I think Trevor was there, and me went snowboarding. It was a pretty good hike up the hill, so a couple times Trevor took us up on his snowmobile, which was way better. :)

So, that was a blast, and after everyone else got back, it was just more sledding, snowboarding, playing, etc. 'til supper. That night was a "talent night" in the chapel, and that was really good, and fun. Then, it was playing games time. I stayed up 'til about 12:30 or 1:00 probably, but I'm not sure about everyone else. :D

Sunday morning was of course Church, and then eating lunch, and more fun activities throughout the day. Sledding, snowboarding, ice-skating, playing in the youth center, and more fun and games. Unfortunately, the annual NH Winter Carnival on the ice, was cancelled because of the ice not being frozen enough I guess or something, so we were disappointed in that, but oh well!

That night again was playing games, hanging out, and just having fun! Amelia slept over that night, and it was one of the best nights ever! Definitely the best sleepover ever! We had such a blast, an awesome time, making great memories, that we will remember and cherish forever! We were literally (Amelia, Susanna, Caleb and I) all in bed next to each other (the beds were all lined up, see if you can just picture this in your mind), and we were all texting each other! It was soooo fun... We did that, talked and laughed (a LOT) 'til about 2 'o clock a.m. It was the best! Okay, sorry but I just have to keep saying that, cause it was such a great time, and I haven't had that in a long time!

So then, Monday morning, we got up (tired, but we made it :P ), and some people went to the Bible study prepared by Vickie House. This, too, was a very encouraging time, and the prayer time meant so much to me! The prayers that were offered up for my family and I, were such a blessing, and a huge encouragement to me! Thank you!

After lunch, we went snowboarding and sledding once more, and then packed up to head for home. The goodbyes were tearfully sad, but we are all looking forward to the summer time, when we will see each other again! :)

Well, that is it for now, and I hope all of you have a wonderful night, and a Christ-centered week!

Ephesians 2:1,

Karissa

Psalm 34:1-4 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

"His Way is Perfect"

Sometimes I feel as though my heart is broken into a million pieces. I feel as though the devil has grabbed hold of my heart, tore it out of me, chewed it, spit it back out, and then put it back into my soul. It is then that I have to come before the Lord, and ask Him to heal my broken heart; give my heart to Him knowing He will fix it, and fill me up again with His wonderful love and joy, and that peace that passes all understanding. Then, from then on, I must remember and try hard to not get discouraged, or down, knowing that the devil likes when that happens, cause it is another chance for him to do that same terrible thing he did to me before. I must resist the devil, knowing he will flee from me if I do, and draw nigh to God, knowing that when I do, He will draw nigh to me! (James 4:7-8). There are some things I don't understand why God allows to happen, but the one thing I do know, is that His way is perfect, and will always work for His honor and glory... And I must give Him the glory, honor and praise no matter what. These are the words to a song that pretty much sums it up for me. I love this song, and it is pretty much how I feel (the whole way through). It is from the Wilds book... I hope it encourages you like it has me.

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This is James 4, which I memorized a couple years back. I don't know if I would be able to say it straight through for memory for you right now, but I could do some. Anyways, this is the chapter with the verses I mentioned above, and the whole chapter is really good, so I looked it up on Christ notes, and it was good. It can be found here: http://www.christnotes.org/bible.php?q=James+4&ver=kjv

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Friendship with the World:

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1. From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2. Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 4. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6. But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

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Judging a Brother:

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11. Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

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Boast Not of Tomorrow:

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13. Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14. Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Makeover

Well, as you can tell, I have done a lot of things to my blog! I am still working on it though, and doing some more. So keep watching. I am still looking for a background that is just totally me, and will work for me as well! :) I am adding pages (at the top), and about page, I am going to add a photo album, Quotes I love, and also blogs and websites that I like to visit. So.... Keep watching cause I am still going to be doing lots more! I think I am also going to change the name of my blogspot... It is going to be http://www.setapartgirl4christ2.blogspot.com/ But I am not going to change it just yet, so that people will be able to see what it is, so they don't have any trouble finding it. :)

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Have a wonderful day! :)

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Karissa

Eric Ludy - Depraved Indifference

His Hands and Feet...Amazing! God calls us to be the Hands and Feet of Jesus Christ! Just think about that for a moment. It deeply impacts me in a great way! It is so amazing! A tear rolls down my cheek as I watch the little boy (in the video below) flash across the screen, knowing that he has no clothes, food, house, or anyone to love and care for him; realizing that there are many more (more than I probably even know) children out there with no hope for the future!

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It makes me want to run to them, tell them I love them and will take care of them, if no one else will, not caring what anyone else thinks of me, and plant a seed of hope in their heart (the hope only found in Jesus Christ), and watch it grow into something beautiful, something only the hand of God-The God that made heaven and earth, that made everything else beautiful, The one and only true God, MY God-could create!

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Brothers and Sisters, when you share the gospel with other people, there are some that will not take your advice, they will have a hardened heart, and despise and reject you and the truth. But do not be discouraged in the face of ridicule, my friends... Be encouraged by God and His Word which says, Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. (Matthew 5:10-11)

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He also says in that same chapter, later on, Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:43-45)

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So when you are faced with persecution, rejection, and are despised, do not give up hope! Continue sharing Christ's love with them, and most of all pray for them. Pray that Christ will work to soften their hearts, so that they may accept the truth of God's Word. Cause ultimately, He is the One that does the convicting. You would never get through to them by yourself. Jesus Christ is the only One who will soften their hearts, and give them salvation! This video is what made me say all this, even though I did get a little off of where I was going... But I just wanted to share all that with you anyways. This video touched me deeply, and I hope it touches and encourages you to share His Word with people, and bring glory to Jesus Christ with all that you do and say. Have a wonderful day, my Brothers and Sister, Friends and Family, and whoever else may be reading this. :) Enjoy! :)

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~Karissa~

P.S. I am in the process of redoing my blog, as you maybe can tell, so bare with me as I get it all set up to how I want it to be! :) I couldn't decide on a verse, so I did all three. :)

1 Peter 4:11

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 115:1

Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.

1 Corinthians 10:31

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

My "speech" :)

This was my "speech" that I said in front of everyone at Church a couple of weeks ago. I thought I would share it with you. I hope you all have a great night! :)

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My memory verse for 2010 was Mark 16:15 which says: And He said unto them, go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. This verse was a good one for me this year, and after I picked it out, I kept hearing messages from various people that were talking about sharing the gospel with people around the world! I felt like God was telling me something… This is something I should be doing… Bringing the gospel to every creature… Just like the verse says! I felt like I kept on hearing time after time of how we should be spreading the gospel and sharing the love of Christ. We watched a couple movies that really touched me as well, and made me realize how many people are out there that need to hear the message of Christ, and who need the Saviour’s forgiveness. And I just think how great it would be, and how happy it would make me feel to lead someone to Christ! I just feel like there would be no greater joy than knowing that I lead someone to Him. I should go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature!!!! I don’t know exactly what God has in store for my future just yet, but I know it includes some great things done for the glory and honor of His name, and also bringing the gospel to people for the furthering of His Kingdom!

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~Karissa~