About Me

Hey Guys! I'm Brittany :) Im 17 years old and one of God's children! Nothing can ever take away who I forever am in Him. Through this blog i hope to shine my light to the darkness! The swan symbolizes what i want to become, start as a "ugly duckling" small, and unstable to growing into a beautiful young lady with a quiet and gentle matter, which is very precious in the sight of God! That's my hearts desire As you wish!

Friday, February 27, 2009

Integrity- Proverbs 11

Okay sorry guys, i haven't been on here lately to type my quiet times so i'll probably have a lot today!
Proverbs 11 says:
vs.1 "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight."
The Lord hates dishonesty, He values a person with integrity. Integrity simply means "waht you do when no one else is watching." Cheating, lying is all characteristics of being dishonest. When we have integrity we won't even consider these things. God may overlook bad grades,but he won't overlook your heart, your integrity. His kingsdom and rewards are more valuable than an A. Be righteous! Righteousness will guide us! Dont fall into the wickeds mentality! Dont cheat! Take the extra time to study. If you need to rework you time, revaluate what comes first in your time. Move things liek computer, cellphone time to study time. For whatever reason you didn't take the time to do your homework, dont take someone else's! Be honest, your honesty is worth something to God! Your intelligence doesnt make God love you more or less, its your heart! He looks at the heart for all things.
Ephesians 4:15-"but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-christ."
When we are hypocritical sayign were something but acting another we could hurt others aorund us as well.
vs. 9-"The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered."
Are we different fromt the world? Can the lost see a difference in our actions com,pared to those arund us?
"Shine your light and let the whole world see, were singing, for the glory of the risen king......."
Be sanctified! Opposite of common!
Have integrity, for the Lord looks at the heart and not anywhere else!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Words we speak- Proverbs 10

Today after my quiet time i was just like wow! God really gave me a reality check on this one! I'm the type of girl who is an open book, and i speak my mind frequently, sometimes a little too frequently. I've been trying to just stop and listen, and guard the words from my mouth. Not guard it from filthy words but hurtful words. I try to not use sarcasm or joke too much because something i say could cut deep.
Proverbs 10 says:
vs.11-"The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked."
vs. 12-"hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins."

When we are quick to anger were not acting righteously. Were speaking like the wicked who like to hurt people by their words. Christians are supposed to be set apart from the wicked. Show a change, a difference, a light and a hope to the lost. Being wise is knowing to think before we speak. Ever heard "stick and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me?" Physically words can't hurt like a stone being thrown at you but spiritually they can hurt like a knife to the chest. Words can be very destructive, they can leave people damaged, bruised, scared, etc.
Christian's words are supposed to be uplifting, encouraging, allowing light to shine into the darkness or life into the emptiness like the well in vs. 11. Be careful what you say! Guard your lips!
Are we quick to get upset over the words people speak? Some things are best overlooked! Were called to overlook the little things, why "make a mountain out of a mole hill?" Love others because friendships and relationships with people are Gods gift to us, whether its friends, families, etc.
Romans 12:10-"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another."
Be kind to one another, give compliments, give encouraging words..
The world and society already bring enough turmoil to people with the words they say, they shed enough hurt throughout. Be the one to uplift someone!
Ephesians 4;29, 31-"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that may impart grace to the hearers..Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."Also.Lil side note when we are quick to anger, or when we "blow up' or "snap" at someone we usually say things we didn't mean or wish we hadn't said. The worse part once a word comes out of your mouth you can never get it back! God forgives and forgets, but many time people don't & wont. Next time someone rubs you the wrong way, don't be quick to tear them to shreds with your words! Instead replace your word with a soft and gentle one as
Proverbs 15:1 says-" A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
Be quick to forgive and forget rather than quick to anger..
Don't let someone rub you so raw you say things you know you shouldn't have.
Love others, and answer them in kind, and soft spoken manner!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Gaining true Wisdom- Proverbs 9

Wen we are wise, we are wie for ourselves alone. We may turn to another person for help or advice in a cirmcustance, but ultimately we decide. WE are supposed to turn to the Lord to gain wisdom in order to make the rigt decisions.
Proverbs 9 says:
vs. 12 "If you are wise, you are wise for yourself."
vs. 10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

When we are caught between a rock and a hard place or our backs are up against the wall, when making a big decision. More than likely its a bigger decision that we can handle, its bigger than us. These are the times we need wisdom! We need to learn to see tings in God's perspective and then decide what to do. In order to get wisdom we must respect God first! The more we learn to repsect and obey the Lord the more wisdom we gain. To fear God we must respect and obey Him. Respect and obey are two totally different aspects!
Respect is to know theat that the Lord has our best interest at heart! We should love and respect Him enough to care about His input in our lives, to care what He thinks! When were caught between that rock and a hard place seek Him out for the wisdom in which to decide.
Obedience is one step further thatn respect. To boey is to act on what He's told us to do. To not just listen to His advice, act on it!
Knowing God is alot deeper than knowing about Him.
We won't be like bam, "I have wisdom!" or "I know God" over night. You have to walk hand in hand with HIm! It's a learning process, as you walk you will learn and grow more by seeking His will, His word, and His heart.
We gain true wisdom and understanding when we
Just respect Him, Obey Him, and Know Him..everything else will fall into place!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Amazed- Proverbs 8

Wisdom is far better than any riches on the earth.
Proverbs 8 says:
vs. 10-11 "Receive my instruction and not silver and knowledge rather than choice gold; for wisdom is better than rubies., and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her."
When we gain wisdom and knowledge, that's more valuable of an attainment than any wordly posessions. We won't take the riches of the world to the Kingdom of Heaven but the riches of the heart.
vs. 22- "The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, before His works of old."
When the Lord made the earth and all its wonders, He possesed wisdom and knowledge. He was wise in His decisions of how to make this place we call home. He hand crafted it all..
This video came to mine during my quiet time..check it out.

On that note, something that amazed me about my quiet time, its kind of off topic but hey thats how God works. The Lord ultiamtely has control and He created everything!
vs. 29- "When He assigned the sea its limit, so that the waters would not trangress His command,..."
As we all know were surrounded by water, more than enough that it could flood us, but the Lord gave us His promise to never allow that to happen again. He told the oceans just how far they can come to shore, and then stop! Even when storms and hurricanes pass and stir up the oceans, bringing the tides farther in, the Lord draws a line and NOPE! And the oceans remain behind the boundary the Lord has given them. When i think about it really like that im amazed. Only our GOD!..Only our God!
WEll this quiet time was little off topic but this is what i thought about when i read it, it's how God works :)

Monday, February 16, 2009

Worth the wait- Proverbs 7

Okay so back on the subject of adultery and marriage.
proverbs 7 says:
vs. 26 "For she has cast down many wounded, and all who were slain by her were strong men."
Even the strongest fail! The woman who seeks men, she knows their weakness, she has a devious plan. It is not okay to lie with her then, now, or ever! Even if your not married you can committ adultery. Sex before marriage is kinda like premarital adultery. You have to take in the future aspects of your choice. A wise friend once told me that "When making choices, think not about the here and now but the now and later. the choices we make today don't neccesarily affect the today, but moreso the later."
Let's say scenario wise your in a dating relationship. Maybe you only kiss, maybe you only hug or hold hands, or maybe just maybe its more in depth than the surface. Your doing things that the Lord would not honor. How will that affect the future? If you give yourself away before you marry, its just like committing adulltery. True, you don't know the future someone yet, but your still giving away something that should belong to them to someone else, and taking away that something from someone elses someone. I'm sure you've heard stories about the wedding night, finding out the spouse didn't wait or did wait. They can be happy nights or be hurtful nights. Not only do we take away from one another when we have sex before marriage but we could also affect the future by giving ourselves away mentally and heartfully. One wednesday night a coupld years ago we did a lesson on dating. A woman stood up and did a skit, the just of it was she had a flower. Each guy that came along she gave it out to him, the first guy appreciated it, smelt it and felt the silkiness of it and handed it back. Then another guy came along and took it, he took a few petals from it and went on his way. Then 2 more came along took some petals away, one even threw it down. She picked it up and on the night of her honeymoon she handed this wilted, beaten flower to her husband and she said "It's all i have left." It made me cry, to think that we do give our hearts out so easily, we want to find love so badly either because its a desire or we need to feel secure. We feel liek realtionships will bring that, therefore we give our heart to each guy or girl that tells us they love us. WE think they are the "one" then finally when we meet the one we no longer have anything to give at all if very little. You can never get a peice of your heart back once you give it away, its always stuck to that person. Kinda like when you stick ducttape on your arm it pulls some hair off, and then it gets no longer sticky, after you keep pulling it off and putting it on. Lately among the whole kissing dating goodbye for now, i chose to save myself completely. Not only my body, but my mind and heart. If i do date someone i don't want to let my heart be taken, let kissed be stolen. Every time i think of dating, kissing or holding hands ill store the feeling and action in my piggybank of my heart that way i can give it all to my future husband. Preventing the hurt now, to prevent it for the future. Looking at the bigger picture that a guy could get mad or choose someone else over me because i won't give them what they want, but i know that my future husband will aprreciate i saved my self completely for him and him alone. This may not be for everyone but it is a challenege that i think could be worth it! I know i'm worth the wait, so the future someone should be worth the wait as well.

Dangerous Promises- Proverbs 6

This was yesterday's quiet time, i just didn't get the chance to type it. I was struggling all weekend with a decsion. It could have been really simple yet, girls and their emotions make "mountains out of mole hills." I was struggling with choosing my heart's desire over a freinds. I wanted desperately to make the friend happy, and not hate me, to please them. Not taking in consideration of my own feelings or heart. They asked something of me that i wasn't sure i could promise, and if i did promise it, i knew it only to be a placeholder. It wouldn't stay true forever and that was deceitful of me. I felt really selfish, and deceitful, i wasn't being loyal, not at all. How could i possibly sleep knowing i was hurting a friend? Im not a mean girl, i don't act out in wickedness to hurt someone, i care about others a lot, i don't give up on someone when they hurt me, i hold onto them. Well, to please the friend i made the promise.
However Proverbs 7 says:
vs. 1-3 "My son, if you become surety for your friend, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, you are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth. So do this, my son, deliver yourself; for you have come into the hand of your friend: Go and humble yourseld; plead with your friend."
When we make a promise to a friend we are basically playing God. Both the asker and the promiser are playing God. Telling God what he can and cannot do. Who are we to stand in the way of God? We can't promise someone something, because we ultimately don't know what the future holds. God has written our story out and knows tommorrow. If we decide "oh God sorry i promised i wouldnt, or i would then its liek blowing off Gods will for us." Were limiting God, playing God and that's worse then going after our own heart or trying to please someone. We have to tell people im sorry but i cant promise you that, i dont know the future. Were not accountable to people on earth only God. Now that is not to say go and defile against a friend or rub it in their face. Just say it in kind words, and still hold onto them, love them and be honest with them. Don't try to hurt them, just be liek this is the middle ground between my feelings and yours. Letting go and letting God! One of the things God hates the most is a lying toungue. If i were to promise the person what they asked and secretly did what i was asked not to thats lying and being deceitful. So i delivered myself from the promise and was liek it will happen when and only in God. So no need to worry for today or tommorrow, or ever for that matter. God knows and he'll show!

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Wisdom in marriage

Well, this doesn't pertain to me really, so i don't have a story to go along but ive watched enough lifetime tv to know this goes on. Adultery as the Lord calls it and cheating as the world calls it. Society dims the term down to a sweater sounding version to make it appear its "okay"..that it's "normal". But newsflash it isn't! When we get married and say our vows to the person, were gving ourselves over to them and only them. You don't share them with another person or give yourself to another person when your betrothed. It's wrong, and you will get caught by the Lord.
Proverbs 5 says:
vs. 20-"For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman, and be embraced in the arms of a seductress."
Being wise comes in a marriage too. Wisdom helps you to be faithful in a marriage. A lot of men and women these days cheat on their spouse, if they're not "getting what they want at home, they'll find it else where." That's the WRONG attitude to have! In verses 15-20 it tells just how to love and cherish one another in a marriage..(you can go read that part). Ever heard the saying "What they don't know won't hurt them?" Well, in theory the spouse may never know that you cheated on them, but you, the woman/man you were with and most of all the Lord knows! If the spouse doesn't know whats going on then in theory it won't hurt them, but surely it will hurt you!
vs. 11- "And when you mourn at last when your flesh and body are consumed, and say: "How i have hated instruction and my heart despised correction."
Adultery comes with a price. You will be caught..caught by the Lord.
vs.22-"His own iniquities entrap the wicked mand and he is caught in the cords of his sin.
vs.23-"He shall die for the lack of instruction, and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray."

As christians when we marry we make a promise at the altar, before God, before friends and families, and to our loved one. We promise to give ourselves completely and ONLY to them. We don't promise to give ourselves and then share ourselves, or let the other be shared. No one else is entitled to get the promise..not the secretary at work, not the young babysitter, not the handsome lawyer, or multibillionare boss. We are no one's but our spouse's.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Shining brighter than the stars and the sun

I found my peace! :) It's not about me, my wants, my likes, my desires, my hurts..its all about God. In the end he has my best interest at heart! He loves me for me and wants only the best. Who am i to tell Him what I think is best? Ridicoulous! Letting go & Letting God!
Proverbs 4 says:
vs.18-"But the path of the just is liek the shining sun that shines ever brighter unto perfect day."
When we asked God into our hearts and lives a match was lit in our hearts. Have we ignited a forest with that flame, is it dimmed or slowly fading out? When we walk closer to God that flame grows brighter! We will grow, give grace, forgivness and love to others, jsut as Jesus does for us. As we walk hand in hand we become just like Jesus, we look more and more liek him. When our light shines brighter our life shines brighter. Lord where you lead i want to follow.
vs. 11-"I have led you in the right paths.."
We are not to astray from the path God paved for us, He has chosen and made it safe.
We aren't called to give in to wicked ways, they seek to hurt others so they can pride themselves on it. Nor are we supposed to "give them what they deserve"
We give them grace, forgivness and love them liek Jesus.
Daniel 12;3 says: "Those who are wise shall shine liek the brightness fo the firnament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever."
When we walk hand in hadn with God and come to understnad His will for our life, we will shine our light brighter than the sun and the stars.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Trusting & Loyalty- Proverbs 3

Well, yesterday this was my quiet time and coincendtentally enough i was faced with a situation. It wasn't easy, i think it was a test and im not sure how i measured up to God. But i can say i let go of my desires and wants to not hurt a friend. I felt so selfish and basically watched a friend hurt because of a choice i wanted to make. so i bottle up my feelings and selfishness and did the right thing. I was loyal, even when it was hard! I don't feel peace mainly because my selfish pride didn't get what she wanted, but i decided to put someone else above me. I beleive God will honor my promise, because He hasn't let go of me or broke his promise to me.
Proverbs 3 says:
vs. 5-"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."
When we trust in God and seek His path for us, we will have peace in our hearts.
vs.1-" My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; for the length of days and long life and peace they will add to you."Good people usually make good friendships. In a great friendship loyalty is the foundation. We usually treasure friendships with people who stuck with us when the going got tough. Loyalty means your committed when its tough. You look past little things and forgive, forgive, forgive. You go the extra mile. People will see your loyalty and admire you.
Proverbs 17:17- "A friend loves at all times, a brother is born for adversity."
Proverbs 18:24- "A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.'
Proverbs 27:5- "Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed."
A person who finds wisdom and gains understanding is more profitable than the riches of the earth. We are more precious "than rubies." Friendships are valuable, but at times your going to fight with one another, love one another, things happen. But God is always there! He sticks closer to us than a best friend.
vs. 26 "For the Lord will be your confidence..."
When we life a Godly life he promises us two things:
1) He will lead us to the right path
He will show us what we are supposed to do with our life, the stops and gos, turns and slows. He's the ultimate stoplight!
2)He will clear our path of obstacles
He will fill in the holes, smooth the rough edges, so we dont trip up.
At the end of the day he knows our next step, we don't. we have to completely trust in Him and walk hand in hand. Friendships comes with being loyal..ever heard "To have a friend one must be a friend?" You don't let go when they wrong you, you forgive and hold on to them, show them Christ love through you. Don't give up on the ones who need you the most. For we are the most precious treasure when we hold on when all the world lets go. Keep holding on to Him and his children, they need Godly friends to uplift and love them like he loves them.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Blessing Advice-Proverbs 2

Today has been a good day. I just feel like God has made me more alive! I'm no longer just doing the motions and wondering how i can have a closer relationship with Him. I'm making it happen, it's so real to me for the first time. Ultimately i view him as my Lord & Saivour, but now i see Him as my friend, my daddy, and my first true love :)
Proverb 2 says:
Who do we search for advice from? When we get the advice can we truly discern if it is good or bad? The Lord says that if we seek Him, He will give us the wisdom and knowlede, and common sense we need. All we have to do is ask, becauase He is the only one who truly can help us. He takes care of us and shields us from the evil's of the world. Once we listen to God and actually open our ears to hear wisdom, we can have understanding. When we truly understand ful heartedly we will be able to discern advice, and see temptations clearly. Listenign to God lets us gain and appreciate knowledge, we learn to understand and therefore we are wise. We will be wise in our actions, thoughts and judgements. Not only are we wise when we listen to God but we are blesed. Luke 11:28 says-But He said," More than that blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it." We are obedient when we listen, and therefore blessed to be obedient. God's blessing will pour down on us when we are obedient unto Him. We have to:
1)Listen to God
2)Read God's word
3)And Obey it!
When we seek and obey Him first everything else falls into place. We are blessed in riches, fame, love, education, and friendships, and happiness when we obey God first. Were liek a "blessing magnet", most men and women in the bible who were blessed in any of these ways were walking hand in hand with God in obedience. 1 Samuel 15:22 "To obey is better than sacrifice."

Monday, February 9, 2009

True Wisdom-Proverbs 1

I'm starting a new page with me and God today! I'll always remember that Febuary 9, 2009 was the day i started the journey of walking hand in hand with God. I started fasting today, something the Lord placed on my heart, so that i'll leave worldy possessions alone for 31 days to follow after God's own heart completely. 31 days is a chapter each day in proverbs, i desire to grow closer to God and fall in love with my first true love all over again. To be lightened of my load, and shine "brighter than the stars in the sky"!
Proverbs 1 says:
We are to fear the Lord, because that is the beginning of knowledge. God has created a path or a storyline for our lives, we are supposed to trust Him and just keep walking that path. People who surcum to evil don't walk in God's path, they astray and try to convince us to do the same. Solomon tells us we are not to walk with them! Picture a boardwalk, like the one in Fernidina at Fort Clinch beach. That's the path God has set for us, if we were to be "adventerous" we'd try to jump off and make our own path, only to get scrapes and cuts from the cactus and weeds. It will cause blood shed much like the people following evil ways in the world. Were on unsafe journey by ourselves, but with God he's our shelter and protection. Solomon was known for his wisdom, people would travel all over to hear him speak. As christians we are to listen! A person who is wise will hear and increase his learning. We are called obey our parents.
We are wise when:
1)We hear and listen to God
2)Listen to and obey our parents
3)Not conforming to the world
Were just called to listen, to be still and know He is God.
Wisdom comes from listening!
To be wise we have to fear God, hear God, obey and listen!