A Truly Virtuous Heart

Hello, beautiful readers! 

I was listening to a podcast by @reviveourhearts just the other day called "Develop Virtue by Being Rather than Doing" and when Nancy said this, it totally impacted me. It reminded me of 1 Corinthians 13:1-3...In this portion of Scripture, there's so much virtuous behavior, but all this, without Love, is described as "clanging cymbals". Just noise that'll fade away. It's so so important that we serve the Lord out of LOVE and not out of OBLIGATION. Because what happens when we serve out of obligation is this...an outward transformation, but never one that is heart-deep. This makes people resent God and feel burdened with their checklist of good deeds. Serving out of Love is different. He gives you the strength to serve with joy, and as a result of knowing Him, virtue begins to flow out of your life. And instead of condemning those who don't live out your definition of virtuous, you're able to truly love them with the Love of God, and inspire them to want to know Him for themselves. ❤️ 

The Pharisees of the Lord's day were quite virtuous- on the outside. But on the inside, they were envious, boastful, prideful, and self-righteous. They believed they were better than others and looked down on those who weren't like them. The Lord Jesus didn't appreciate that; He loves a humble and contrite spirit more than any impressive list of good deeds. If you're up for a challenge, keep reading. It's time for a heart check😊 If you'd like to know if you have a virtuous heart, read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. 

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."  

Wherever you see the word "love" or "charity" being described, substitute your name in. Now be honest with yourself. Would those at home (those who know you best) describe you this way? [If not, don't be discouraged, we all have room to grow! Just commit to not staying the same, but letting God work in your heart. ❤️]

Let's remember to cultivate a virtuous heart, from the inside out. 

God bless you! -Jas

Fear Not

Hello friends. I haven't written on my blog in so long and I believe it's time to tell you the truth. I've been dealing with fear, crippling fear, that won't let me write what's on my heart. Fear of not measuring up, of not being good enough, fear of inadequacy. I'll be the first to tell you that my life is far from perfect. I can resonate with the apostle Paul, when he says in Romans 7:19, "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do." Yet, like he says in verse 22, "I delight in the law of God after the inward man." The Lord has sustained me unto this day, and His Word is my DELIGHT, His grace has lifted me time and time again. I just read a blog post this morning titled "Who Am I Among So Many?" (You can read it here: https://callmejewels.wordpress.com/2018/06/08/what-am-i-among-so-many/) and it hit home. Jewels mentioned the little boy with the five loaves and two fish; the disciples even wondered, "what are they among so many?" We can choose to see how little we have to offer on our own & just keep it to ourselves OR we can choose to give that little to the Lord and let Him multiply our efforts for something so much greater than ourselves, to bless others. From this day forward, I will walk hand in hand with Him, not comparing myself to my beautiful sisters in  the Lord. I will not focus on the best others can do, but the best I can do. Because at the end of the day, it's not about perfection, but personal excellence. I will speak from my heart, knowing that it is God who can use those words to bless even ONE soul. And that makes it all worth it. From this day forward, I choose to let God's perfect love cast out all my fear. 

I will strive for the smile of my Lord Jesus. So that in the day that I am face to face with Him, He will say (not "well done, good and perfect eloquent servant) but "well done good and FAITHFUL servant." ❤️

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind... He hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." 2 Timothy 1:7-9

My sisters, if you are dealing with fear, insecurity or inadequacy in ANY part of your life, remember this. He has called you to do a special assignment, one that is uniquely yours. He will equip you for the job and His grace upon grace is with you. You are exactly what the world needs, right this minute. Whether He's calling you to write, to do children's ministry, to go on a mission trip, to write letters to widows, to play an instrument, to help a cause, to feed the homeless, to lead a girl's bible study, or to _______________ (you fill in the blank), it's something you have the talents and heart to do. Go for it in the name of the Lord Jesus, knowing that He is the One who has already, and continues to equip you. To God be all the glory! 

I'd love to hear from you in the comments. Have fear, insecurity, or feelings of inadequacy ever held YOU back from doing something God called you to do?