You Have Not Because You've Asked Not

If your children ask for a fish, which of you would give them a snake instead? 

Or, if your children ask for an egg, would you give them a scorpion? 

Even though you are bad, you know how to give good things to your children. 

How much more your heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! 

Luke 11:11-13

A father takes care of his children. A father loves his children. Let me be the first to say God is a good Father; if fact, he's an amazing Father! He sees us, hear us, and knows us. He longed to be so close to us he even sent Christ to die on a cross that sin would no longer separate us from him. In Luke 11, we are the children that ask our heavenly Father for things. God is not one to give us a snake or scorpion. He wants to give us blessings and prosperity. He wants to answer our call and be our biggest support.

Sometimes in life, things happen that make us doubt God. We feel that God has let us down or given a burden to bare. That's quite opposite. God works in the most mysterious of ways. The enemy works in the most ruthless of ways. When you let him slip past one wall, he can spread like a disease; filling us with doubt, disbelief, or even anger towards God. But God, so patient and loving, can take what the enemy intends for harm and make it good. You lost your job... you slipped up this week... you're not beautiful at all. Quit fixing your eyes on the circumstances around you and put them on the One who can change them and see our situations with a heavenly perspective. Just Ask. Ask him, pursue him, pray to him, simply just talk to him! You can't complain if you haven't asked. Don't work against him. God wants to bring joy into your life. Continually seek until you find what you're looking for. And even when find what you're looking for, don't stop just because you've obtained what you need. He's worthy to be praised always whether the circumstances around you are valley lows or mountain highs.

Don't be afraid to ask God for whatever it is that you need. Whether it's a need you want, help you seek, or even coming to him on behalf of another, ask him. We have not because we've asked not! What kind of Father would God be if he would not respond to his children? He loves us deeply enough that he is moved by our prayers, pleads, and cries for help. He is touched when we seek him genuinely for his help.

In that day you will not ask me for anything.
I tell you the truth, my Father will give you anything you ask for in my name.
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.
Ask and you will receive, so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy. 

John 16:23-24

And this is the boldness we have in God's presence: 

that if we ask God for anything that agrees with what he wants, he hears us. 

If we know he hears us every time we ask him, 

we know we have what we ask from him. 

1st John 5:14-15

Recently our church had our women's conference, DESIGNED FOR LIFE! It was an amazing weekend and so many lives were transformed! The theme was She Is the Revolution. We were all charged to be the revolution and change the world around us. Worship was incredible, the speakers were anointed, and the presence of Holy Spirit was so thick in that place it was undeniable. I was so thankful to be a part of it in any way I could. What a privilege to serve at James River Assembly and to take part in this historic weekend. I only pray that what God did in the lives of the women there continues to grow as they went back to their homes.

I hope your Monday has been a great start to an amazing week,
❤ Ariel Christine

Being the Prostitute

I used to be the prositute. Before God, my attention was fixated on other lovers. I would pursue them instead of the things of God. Instead of his heart, I longed for things, people, items, and idols that gave me no eternal satisfaction.
I was Gomer.

"Plead with your mother. Accuse her, because she is no longer my wife,

and I am no longer her husband. 

Tell her to stop acting like a prostitute,

to stop behaving like an unfaithful wife."

Hosea 2:2

When I was in high school, my passion was competitive dancing. I loved dance. I also loved cheerleading. I loved my friends. I loved being social. And not that those things were necessarily wrong. However, they just became a higher priority than God. He wasn't my first thought waking up or the last thing on my mind before going to bed. It was Who is tomorrow's game against? Everything was ranked higher than God. I became a prostitute to other lovers. I gave my life for other interests, hobbies, and passions. My heart wasn't aligned with the One who cared for it most. It was aligned with loves that did nothing to care for the wellbeing of my soul except bring moments here and there of happiness. Let me say that moments of small joy here and there and spurts of satisfaction don't mean a thing when your eternity is destined to be hell; literally hell.

"Their mother has acted like a prostitute;

the one who became pregnant with them has acted disgracefully.

She said, 'I will chase after my lovers,

who give me my food and water, wool and flax, wine and olive oil.'"

Hosea 2:5

In times of hurt and heartache, what would cheerleading do for me? What would spilling out my heart to a friend bring? Nothing but comfort for a moment. These other lovers would not bring me complete satisfaction. They wouldn't bring me whole salvation and eternal life with a Savior. I needed Jesus. I needed Him more than ever and I didn't even know it. I wasn't the student out partying and drinking my life away. I wasn't the girl who felt the need to dress scandalous for the attention of boys. I simply thought I was just being a good teenager who's time was well spent doing activities and participating in school.

It wasn't until the beginning of junior year I started to attend a new church, and there the experience happened; the experience that would rewrite the course of my life. There was the moment where I felt God's presence so clear and real, and it changed me for eternity. It changed me in a way that my heart was turned on towards the path God had desired for it to follow all along. I could suddenly hear his voice whispering into my ear; I would hear his Word and the letters would seep into my heart. It was Hosea 2 coming alive.

"So I am going to attract her; 

I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her.

There I will give her back her vineyards,

and I will make the Valley of Trouble 

a door of hope."

Hosea 2:14-15a

What before made sense no longer did. As a passion and love for Jesus began to foster, others died. Within a year's time my love for dance became so small; barely significant. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed dancing. However, I recognized a greater purpose and meaning to my life and I didn't want to spend four nights a week in the studio anymore. I wanted to run towards God. What held me back before and consumed my time and thoughts, no longer seemed to matter. I didn't care to spend my time there. And so I gave it up. It wasn't easy; my heart ached and I cried quite a bit. But what hurt for a moment gained me a lifetime of happiness and even into eternity. I wanted to pursue God. I wanted to chase after the things of God. My mindset had changed. I was becoming an entirely different being from the inside out. I was finally awakened to all that God had for me. I saw my priorities different, I saw high school and my friends different. No longer were there people I was trying to impress, but souls I wanted to experience salvation like I had. I stayed involved in a few things, but I now had a top priority and that was Jesus. My relationship with Him triumphed over everything else. And sure, I gave up things here and there and cut other lovers out of my life, but I didn't care. It was worth it. And thinking about it today, it was still worth it.

I have been in church my whole life. I have been "around" God and have always heard that he loved me. But it wasn't until I really began to lean in, that I tasted and seen what the goodness and love of this Father really was. In the book of Hosea, God told Hosea to go and marry the prostitute, Gomer. He did. And she would constantly run off to other lovers. But Hosea loved Gomer. He was always in pursuit of her even when she didn't know it. Hosea was to Gomer and God is to me and you. And when we turn our eyes away from God and fix ourselves on other "lovers," we are acting as the prostitute. It's a difficult spot to be in because, like me, I wasn't aware the things that consumed my time were top priorities and passions over God. To me, I thought I was just being a good teenager who just loved to be involved. Dance is great to do! Cheerleading and being social in high school is absolutely fine to do! It's just when it takes priority and love over God, it becomes a lover. 

Jesus. He came to the world for God's children; God's sons and daughters. Through His death and resurrection, we have the choice to choose life with Jesus. And when we do that, we gain eternity with Him. I choose Jesus. I believe in His life. I accept His love for me, and I pray only that mine would grow daily for Him. I want to love Him back with every fiber of my being! I want to serve Him! I want every person in my life to just know from talking with me that my heart belongs to Christ. I'm ready to change the world around me for Him; to start a revolution in my life that'll have a ripple effect on anyone who crosses paths with me. He's worthy of everything I can give Him and even more. I'm so grateful that even in my times of acting as the prostitute, He still loved me. That He still wanted me even when I was hurting His heart and chasing after other lovers. How amazing is that?

And I will make you my promised bride forever. 

I will be good and fair;

 I will show you my love and mercy.

I will be true to you as my promised bride,

and you will know the Lord. 

Hosea 2:19-20

Life has been REALLY great, but just as busy as great! And that's okay. I love keeping busy. I want to celebrate my best friend, Ashley! She was recently married and I had the opportunity to be her maid-of-honor on the big day. Seriously, what a year it has been though! So many things have transpired, but God grace has just been so sufficient his blessings all around. 

Have an amazing day!

❤ Ariel Christine

Living Carefree Before A Careful Father

Where to begin...?

`

Life has just been happening. One busy day passes off it's load onto the next and then the next and the next. Rare is a moment of rest and when I find it, I can't help but to just sit there and eventually fall asleep. It's as if all of life around me is happening, but everything going on in my own world is all that my eyes are aware to. And it's not necessarily a bad thing; I love all that I do. What a season it has been! Really, what a summer it has been. I've started a new job, moved into a new apartment, threw a bridal shower, made a trip back to Ohio in a weekend, went on my 1st visit to Kansas City, and so much more while maintaining a social life (a somewhat small social life). I pretty much wake up, get ready, pray, go to work, come home, work out, then depending on the night maybe hang with friends, go to rehearsals, or just sit alone for a while just to process the day. Oh, but how I adore the busyness. I really do love it; it always keeps my mind off the things that can consume it and distract me.

Through this busy season, so many little distractions have thrown themselves into the midst of the train track that my life is on. And as the training moving forward, I can't help but to notice those things in my way. They can range from the most silliest of things to the most serious. I just consider myself such a thinker and I can tend to dwell on thoughts for hours. Where is my life going? Will I get the audition? Are my dreams going to come true? Why can I not connect with this person? Where is my so called Prince Charming? Where will I live next? Questions, worries, doubts, fears, and more! Can't they all just go away? And there's another question. God, can you help me get through this? Push these thoughts out of my mind! And I almost feel guilty because it's been such an amazing season of my life; I have so much to be grateful for. I feel that the good things that have happened, in a sense, should out weigh the thoughts of my wondering mind.

If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, 

it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at meal times 

or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. 

There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, 

more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. 

Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, 

careless in the care of God. 

And you count far more to him than birds.

Matthew 6:25-26 MSG

Here's what I've come to learn: God is limitless. Limitless, I say! His perspective is so much different from our own. Not only does he see a wider perspective of reality right now, but he even knows what is to come. He knows the plan he has for us and how he wants to use us. I believe there are two things that are needed simply in order to live carefree before the Lord: "God, I give you my life. And I trust you."If we understand our lives are in God's hands and choose to live for him, where could we ever stray away? In living for him, we lean in to listen for his voice and feel his Spirit guiding us. In trusting him, our hope is in nobody else, but him to lead us through life. I trust you, God, means so much: I trust you with my life, my dreams, my heart, my salvation, my worries, my fears, my family, my friends, my finances, my everything! God knows our heart and he knows our dreams and he has amazing things planned for his children. Living carefree before God removes those little questions and distractions because we know our heavly Father has a handle on it. And by saying the word "carefree," I don't mean doing anything we want and getting away with every sin. No. It's living our lives for Jesus, but carefree to the everyday worries and fears that can try to cross our paths. God is for us and he will take care of us. He loves us so much and tends to His sheep because they are, in fact, HIS sheep! We have chosen Jesus, and for that He tends to our needs. It's like a daycare. When parents choose to put their children in the hands of the daycare workers, of course those daycare workers are going to take care of the children! It's their job and what they love to do. They are going to tend to the needs and watch over the children who were placed in their care because the parents choose to place their care and trust in them.  The Lord will take care of those who place their trust and hope in him. Live carefree before him because he is most careful with you!

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers 

― most of which are never even seen ― 

don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? 

What I am trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, 

so you can respond to God's giving. 

People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, 

but you know both God and how he works. 

Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. 

Don't worry about missing out. 

You'll find your everyday human concerns will be met.

Matthew 6:30-33 MSG

Many verses in Matthew 6 have been speaking to me through this season. I am choosing to trust God with my "everyday human concerns" because I know he can handle anything and everything. I have decided to live carefree before him because I know he is caring for me. He is watching over and listening to me. I am choosing to steep my life in "God-reality:" the reality of who is is which is God-almighty, creator of the universe, he who can do anything because he is all-powerful. That's my dad. I'm trying my best to not be "preoccupied with getting, so I can respond to God's giving." This I take as focusing on all that he has already given me! I have enough and Jesus is enough for me; I have all that I could ever need. Anything above and beyond that is my Father's blessings and goodness. My new job that I never thought would of been possible, I believe, came because of God's goodness. Where I am at in life and the opportunities I find are because of his favor and greatness. It's his giving-nature and I adore him even more because of it. I can live my life carefree. My Father is with me and has gone before me. And because of that, I can focus on his will and living my everyday for Jesus. I can give attention to all that He is doing and serve Him wholeheartedly. What a life; what a season. 

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, 

and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. 

God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Matthew 6:34 MSG

 

Happy end of Summer! I think... (I'm at least ready for Fall)

❤ Ariel Christine

Commands

This is how we know we love God's children: when we love God and obey his commands. 

Loving God means obeying his commands. And God's commands are not too hard for us,

1st John 5:2-3

And God gives us what we ask for because we obey God's commands and do what pleases him.

This is what God commands: that we believe in his Son, Jesus Christ, 

and that we love each other, just as he commanded. 

The people who obey God's commands live in God, and God lives in them. 

We know that God lives in us because of the Spirit God gave us.

1st John 3:22-24

"Obeying God's commands" honestly makes me think of Old Testament, trudging through the dessert, following God's commands and offering animal sacrifices. Just a little extreme... But the fact is, God's commands still stand today. We are to love God above all else; there is to be no other God than him. We are to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, respect our parents, not kill people and steal from them. God can even command something to just you alone; maybe he's spoken to you to go here... do this... speak to that person. And it's not that God is high in the sky ruling sternly over us with his mighty staff. His commands are there to help us, to guide us in a path of holiness pursuit. 

What I love about these 2 passages from 1st John is that there is reward and promises received in following God's commands. We are to first and for most love God for him alone and all that he is. We then follow his commands because we love him; regardless of reward or not. And in following those commands, we receive the things we ask for because of our obedience. That's how amazing of a God he is! 

As it says in his word, that his commands are not too hard for us. Chapter 5, verse 4 of 1st John goes on to say, "because everyone who is a child of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world — our faith." Adversity may come and the enemy may try to set up road blocks in our ways of following God and keeping his commands, but we can do it. Have faith. His commands are not hard; it can be done. When the enemy tries to trip us up, it's him that makes it difficult. It's the enemy that makes following God seem harder. But we can rise to the challenge because it is our faith that will conquer. EVERYONE who is a child of God conquers the world. Are you a child of God? Then you CAN do it. You can keep his commands, you can conquer the world, you are more than a conquerer through Christ Jesus, and in keeping God's commands there will be blessing for obeying.

 

I had a really amazing past week! It was very eventful and filled with awesome people. I've been exploring new places, swimming in lakes, and soaking up all the sun my pale skin can handle. Summer in Missouri has been rewarding and God has already done more than I've imagined in the month that I've been back. The best is yet to come and I couldn't be more excited about it. I hope your 4th of July was celebratory and you have an awesome week ahead!

❤ Ariel Christine

Moving Mountains

There's those moments we feel like we're just trudging through mud and rocks to climb up a mountain side. It's a struggle; it's adversity. Some mountains we've come across before. Others present themselves as new monsters to face. There's monster of mountains in finances, insecurities, relationships, etc. 

I will go before you and make the mountains flat. 

Isaiah 45:2a

I will make my mountains into roads, and the roads will be raised up. 

Isaiah 49:11

I can think of multiple circumstances in my life where I was trying to attempt to climb a mountain and the struggle was so difficult. I wasn't sure if I'd ever conquer it. My prayers would be consistent… God get me through this. Help me to succeed, to move past this moment. And by the grace and power of God, he turned a mountain into a road. A road! A flat, easy-going, nothing but straight forward road. How, why God? I'll tell you… simply by his pure goodness. By his love for a daughter he was so loving looking out for. He saw the struggle, knew the need before I even spoke a word, and he provided. It was a mixture of my prayers to him and his sovereign hand providing; a relationship that got a treacherous mountain turned into a road. 

Jesus answered, "Because your faith is as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 

Move from here to there,' and it will move. 

All things will be possible for you."

Matthew 17:20-21

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will be able to do what I did to this tree and even more. You will be able to say to this mountain, 'Go, fall into the sea.' 

And if you have faith, it will happen. 

If you believe, you will get anything you ask for in prayer."

Matthew 21:21-22

If you have faith, it will happen… If I have the faith, it will happen! Jesus is telling us that if we have the faith to believe for the impossible we can move mountains! We can tell them to fall into the sea.  It reminds me of a verse in Matthew 10:8 where Jesus is telling His disciples He has the power to cast out demons, heal the sick, and raise the dead to life. Then He says, "I freely give you these powers." In John 14:12, Jesus states that whoever believes in Him will do even greater things because He is going back to the Father. 

This is how I see it: In the Old Testament, God says he will be the one to make the mountains flat. As the New Testament unfolds, Jesus comes along. His power lives inside us and we become a vessel of His glory. Just as He freely gives us His powers, so we are freely given the power to move some serious mountains through our faith! We can be mountain movers. And it's nothing of our own aptitude, but God working through us and in our lives. His power is displayed in us and through relationship with him comes the strength and ability to move mountains. 

I say no more doubt over that mountain I've been climbing! I will prevail and I will succeed. God is on my side, and he can do the impossible. The power of Jesus is alive in you and it's alive in me to move mountains, and we have a God on our side who can flatten them completely! With God, anything can happen. So rise up mountain mover. Whether you've been climbing a mountain or standing at the feet of one, God can do some pretty amazing things through your faith and belief in him. You can do more than you think. You are a conquer and therefor you can conquer that mountain. 

(Pic via Pinterest)

Have an amazing Friday! I hope only that you would be inspired today to face your mountains with faith and perseverance. 
❤ Ariel Christine

You vs. The World

Comparison: The biggest killer of spirit.

It's a tactic the enemy is always on the prowl with. It can get in our heads; eat away at us. It can make us feel unnoticed, useless, inferior, even ungifted.

But that's a big lie.

Do not give the devil a way to defeat you.

Ephesians 4:27

One way I find very useful to deal with comparison, is to look at the bigger picture. What does comparing myself or my abilities to somebody else do for the Kingdom? It does absolutely nothing. It doesn't help anybody or anything except tear yourself apart inside and drive you mad. You are your own person. You're not ever going to be the person to the right or left of you because you were designed uniquely to be YOU! And if you're trying to make yourself more like another, who will play you? Or if you're trying so hard to be better than somebody else, you're striving and that tells the world you are not at rest in your heart. I once read in a book that a woman in Christ does not "strive." A woman in Christ is at rest her heart because she knows who she is in Jesus.

Don't get me wrong; it's not wrong to want to improve yourself and try harder. But if you do, do it for you. Don't do it in a competitive spirit to try and out-do somebody else. You are uniquely you and in the eyes of God, you are equal with that exact person you are comparing yourself against. He loves you both equally; you're both his child. The world needs you to be you. God needs you to be you. He needs you so he can lead you in his ways to fulfill the purpose he has for your life. Your very own distinct purpose that was designed for you before you were even born.

I definitely understand comparison can be one of the biggest mountains to climb. It reoccurs in my life from time to time. It takes prayer and consistency to keep it away, and when I do that, it really does. I won't let the enemy get in my head and make me look down upon myself. I won't allow him to make me feel inferior. There's a reason God did not make anybody the same. There's no other Ariel Christine like me and there is no other person like you. No matter how similar we may get at times, it's not worth the comparison and competition because for a fact, we are different. And we are all called to the same body for the same purpose. Remember, what eternal purpose does comparing yourself with another do for the Kingdom? Nothing good. There's a world out there in need of light. If we are to spend our time dwelling on our jealousies and resentment of one another, we are simply misusing our time. A kingdom divided against itself cannot go forward. We need to be united and have our eyes set rightly upon Jesus.

My suggestion: Try praying to have genuine love in your heart for the people you compare yourself to. Pray not that you would be envious and jealous of them, but genuinely excited for the great abilities and opportunities God has blessed them with. See them through the eyes of God and think of them as Christ would about His fellow brothers and sisters. Sometimes it just takes a shift in mindset and seeing people through a different light. Besides, you might not see beyond the surface the struggles and valleys others have tread through to get to be where they are at. You just be you and set your eyes on Christ. He is the only One whose opinion of us truly matters.

If each part of the body were the same part, there would be no body. But truly God put all the parts, each one of them, in the body as he wanted them. So then there are many parts, but only one body.

1st Corinthians 12:18-20

The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the foot, "I don't need you!" No! Those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are really necessary. And the parts of the body we think are less deserving are the parts to which we give the most honor. We give special respect the parts we want to hide. The more respectable parts of our body need no special care. But God put the body together and gave more honor to the parts that needed it so our body would not be divided. God wanted the different parts to care the same for each other. If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it. Or if one part of the body is honored, all the other parts share its honor. 

1st Corinthians 12:21-26

Together you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of that body.

1st Corinthians 12:27

I hope this post has encouraged you. As I wrote this, I feel like I am preaching to myself. Have an amazing week! Truly, the best is yet to come. 

❤ Ariel Christine

Taking the Road Longer Traveled...

When the king sent people out of Egypt, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was the shortest way. God said, "If they have to fight , they might change their minds and go back to Egypt." So God led them through the desert toward the Red Sea. The Israelites were dressed for fighting when they left the land of Egypt. 

Exodus 13:17-18

Recently hearing a podcast reviewing the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, this particular verse jumped right off the page to me. One verse it may be, but it speaks heavily.

God did not lead the Israelites through the shortest, most convenient way. He knew if he took the people through the Philistine country, there was a chance they would turn around. If they turned around, they would of never gotten out of Egypt and traveled to the Promised Land! God had great things in store for the future, but he didn't go about the easy way of making it happen. 

So often we look at our futures and want things to happen now. I'll be the first to admit it; so many of my plans and dreams I just want to pop into existence now! But God sees the bigger picture. He can see how it'll effect me if his plans for my life would happen as soon as I asked and he made them appear. I could be underprepared, wouldn't learn a thing, won't grow, or maybe not even reach my fullest potential. Sometimes to take the route of the easy way, we skip out on so much more. Sure things happen quicker and faster, but it might just end up being unsatisfying and nowhere near what it was meant to be. Great things take time. It's like a garden: a garden only gets better with time. Every season, it becomes bigger and more fruitful. It doesn't start off that way. 

Don't be disheartened if you feel like God is leading you "out of your way" or taking longer than expected. He already knows the plans for your life and they're already set in action! Each moment he leads you to is preplanned to take you in the direction he has for your life. Yea, it might seem long... but the Israelites were in the desert for 40 years! God took them the really long way around, but it was for their own benefit and to take them where he wanted to bless them. He has a reason for every action he takes in your life; you never know what tribulation God is protecting you from by taking a longer path. He wouldn't want you to face adversity and run back to a place of no freedom or excitement.

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June is the anniversary month of Eternal Bride! It's been an amazing year to blog and speak the things God reveals to my heart. I hope every post has been nothing but encouraging, uplifting, and insightful. I am constantly growing and it amazes me to read over my blog post from this time last year. SO much has happened between then and now. God is faithful to his promises and sensitive to the desires of my heart. No place else I'd rather be than in his will and for Jesus in my heart.

Have an amazing Thursday everybody!
With much love and appreciation,
❤ Ariel Christine

Peace ― Be Still In Your Heart, Mind, And Life.

Should I apply for this school or that school? 

Do I need to start preparing now? Is the future now?? Can't I just relax and be 21? 

Should I give him a chance? Will I ever get married?? 

Do I want hot or iced coffee....?

Do we ever know what we want exactly? Life decisions can be such a stressor. They can cause us to snap, bend-over backwards, doubt ourselves, and they almost seem to be a burden. We can make some of the greatest decisions in our lives which should be exciting moments become biggest burdens to carry! Why is that?

My guess would be that we're wanting to be in God's will so much we're scared one wrong move and suddenly, we're out of his will. I for one, can become one of the most stressed out people ever when it comes to major decision making! I'm miserable to be around; I admit it! (Haha... ugh). But when I picture God in heaven looking down at me during this time of "misery," I would think he doesn't want that for me. That's not what he intended. Life with him is to be life liven free of burden and shame. I've been reading in 1st Peter lately, and it talks quite often about suffering for Christ. If we are suffering for Christ, we have good reason to be suffering and will be blessed because of it. However, I don't think it's talking about the suffering I face for deciding if I want to intern with this person or that person... Yet in my mind, I'm thinking whether I intern here or there, there will be outcomes and both will take me in different directions. What direction do I want? I must choose now! I also have this tendency to race against the clock. Everything must be done now while I'm young or else. Stressing can literally ache my heart some days! But reading further into 1st Peter and coming across 5:6-7, there seems to be something relevant.

1st Peter 5:6-7 

Be humble under God's powerful hand so he will lift you up when the right time comes. 

Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you.

My thought: Why the rush? God already has an amazing plan for my life. He already knows the outcome; he knows my thoughts and decisions and the steps I'll take. Not one decision will surprise him! His timing is not my timing, and his timing is perfect.

Let's start with the day-to-day decisions. God, I pray you would guide my footsteps today! Lead me in your direction today! And may I learn just a little bit more about your will for my life all while operating in the peace of Christ. Philippians 4:7 tells of how incredible God's peace is that we cannot even fully understand the concept of it. But it's there! And when we learn to just rest our hearts in Christ and know God has it all under his hand, we will make it through. He knows all, sees all, has the plan, and cares for us! The Message version of verse 7 says to, "Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you." He would never want us to struggle and wonder about the rest of our lives! Wait in patience for God to answer and be persistent in prayer. In his timing, the answer, the day, the opportunity, or whatever it is that us crazy women seek for from the Lord, will reveal itself! Patience is the key and resting in Christ. God is faithful. His word says that and his word also says he cannot be false to himself. He will always come through and in his PERFECT timing.

Rest easy today! Your future is in God's hands.
❤ Ariel Christine

Birthday Post

Where to begin??....

It's been a busy last few weeks! I'm very excited to share that I have graduated from college! A 1,000 Thank You's is not even enough to give God for all that he's done in me over the past 2 years. Looking at myself from the first day of college till now, I have changed enormously. It's funny to be back here in Ohio and hangout with old friends. I feel like they have no idea about all that has transpired in my life while in Missouri. And they really don't know! My explanations are not enough to explain every thing that has happened. But I can feel the change; I know I have changed from the inside out. My growth as a worship leader has advanced, my view of the world around me has changed, and my passion and love for the Lord has grown to overflowing, spilling over the edges. I'm new. I'm more. I'm closer to the woman of God he is always in constant pursuit of molding me into, and I'm in love with it.

I'm going back to Missouri at the end of May to continue interning at the church my school is within. It was crazy how it all went down. In short, a week before graduation and leaving MO for a month, I was so upset over another internship I had back home. I hadn't felt God's peace about it in months and I was freaking out because I had to give an answer now if I was all-in or not! Then an internship arises, what seemed like out-of-the-blue, right in Missouri. Instantly, I knew this was of God and it was where I was to remain. After months of not feeling God's peace and constant prayer to the Lord, he provided a way. I'm still a little in confusion how why it all took so long to come about; Why God did it take so long to feel your peace? I could have been saved from so much stress and heartache. It doesn't matter now. God has answered and what I have learned from this is that if the clock is still ticking, there's still time for God to move. Nobody knows what will happen within those last few moments so continue to trust God. Trust God with every thing inside you because you just don't really know what or even when he will do what he does next! It's amazing. Stressful, but amazing! Haha. How thankful I am for the Lord. Don't ever give up on him because he never gives up on you.

And now for the most exciting thing happening... today is my 21st birthday!!! Hooray!!! It feels great to finally reach 21. I just have this excitement that it'll be a banner year; the best is yet to come. Last night I was already declaring to God that I give him this year of my life. I feel so blessed. I feel so loved; I feel it from my family, friends, and Jesus. I want to give all that I can for Him. Whatever He places in front of me I wan to do with the highest level of excellence I can giving it all for His glory. 21 is going to be amazing! This day has already been amazing! Sorry I'm just overly excited, but it's my birthday and I can let out all the excitement I want. It's been an incredible year so far, and I just know God has big things ahead.

Let me leave you with this: Psalm 40
It's been stuck in my head and heart all week, and I hope it brings you joy in anyway possible! It's a good one. I'm not going to write the whole thing, but I try to pick and choose the best parts from The Message Version.

Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God, turn you backs on the world's "sure thing," ignore what the world worships; The world's a huge stockpile of God-wonders and God-thoughts. Nothing and know one comes close to you! I start talking about you, and telling what I know, and quickly run out of words. Neither numbers nor words account for you.

Psalm 40:4-5

I've preached you to the whole congregation, I've kept back nothing, God ⎯ you know that. I didn't keep the news of your ways a secret, didn't keep it to myself. I told it all, how dependable you are, how thorough. I didn't hold back pieces of love and truth for myself alone. I told it all, let the congregation know the whole story. 

Psalm 40:9-10

But all those who are hunting for you ⎯ oh, let them sing and be happy. Let those who know what you're all about tell the world you're great and not quitting. And me? I'm a mess. I'm nothing and have nothing: make something of me. You can do it; you've got what it takes ⎯ but God, don't put it off.

Psalm 40:16-17

Have an incredible day! Enjoy my birthday ;)
❤ Ariel Christine

A Servant's Heart

But it should not be that way among you. 

Whoever wants to become great among you must serve the rest of you like a servant. 

Whoever wants to become first among you must serve the rest of you like a slave. 

In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served. 

He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people. 

///

Matthew 20:26-28

I want to succeed! I want to be great! I want people to look at me and think I am just the absolute best at what I do and there's nobody better. When in help, I want them to run to me. I want this position; it will be the ultimate dream.

We think that. You know it's true. We may not verbalize it, but the thought will occasionally entertain itself across the front of our minds. Why? Because we're human. We have qualities in us that are ugly and far from perfect. We love the spot light and we love being noticed. It makes us feel good about ourselves. It can be pride, arrogance, self-centeredness, competition, or even just desiring so much to do well it becomes an unhealthy obsession.

Let me say it's not wrong to want to succeed and do well. I try for that all the time; sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't. I tend to get really aggressive when it comes to doing well. I want things to happen and for plans to succeed so much it can literally place a huge ache in my heart. Then I walk around in emotional instability. I think of my dreams. I want them to happen so bad! I desire so much to get where my heart longs to go. 

Here's the deal through... As I was reading God's word today I came across Matthew 20:26-28. It struck a chord with me. How can I be so avid on moving forward and striving to be something great? There's a total lack of me serving. Now, I love to serve; I really do. However, I've noticed at times I want my dreams and aspirations to happen so much I forget where to start. It's all about serving. To take myself from attempting to be the greatest and thinking the least of me. And it's not serving just so I can become great. Jesus came to the earth and lived a life as a servant. I want to follow in the foot steps of Jesus; as He served so should I. I need to serve people around me, the body of Christ, and the Lord's house. How dare I be so consumed with other things than the Lord's path for my life? I want to be a servant! I want to follow God's will more than anything. The cloud blocking my vision of Christ right now needs to disappear because my eyes need to be on Him. I am here to serve. If it's God's will I be promoted then so be it, and in his timing. I want to serve just as Jesus served while walking here on earth. 

I remember during a chapel once, one of my leaders said a leader must have a servant's heart. A leader strives to help others and do all they can for the people around them. Their heart is for the service and well being of others. And they are a leader because they are the ones who choose to step out and get down to serve. It takes courage to see a need, step out, and do it. Imagine that... a leader who is a servant. It's a beautiful image. It's an image of Jesus and can be one of us, too.

My challenge for today is to become the servant; to think less of our needs and more of others. It can be hard at times because we may want to be in the spotlight. In all reality, we just need to serve. We need to be there for people as support. We need to serve our teams even when we don't get to do the things we want. As the body of Christ, we call ourselves followers of Jesus. We follow His life and His footsteps. If Jesus came as a servant, then we are to follow out of faithful obedience to God in being servants. I believe that if we really love the body of Christ and we love Christ Himself, a heart for serving will flow out of us and we won't be so consumed with our needs and wants anymore. And if that comes a difficulty, pray about it. Ask God to remove whatever it is that holds back from being a servant. I will be the first to say I do it. I ask God to give me more of a servant's heart; to remove envy, greed, pride, and everything not of him. And he does it because he loves me.

Happy Saturday!
❤ Ariel Christine

Scripture That Speaks

I have Bible verses all over my apartment! Every area... my room, the bathroom, the kitchen, anywhere I go... there they are. There's certain verses I can look at and remember the moment I found them and what circumstances they spoke to. Sometimes, I'll even have a couple verses for just one moment.

I feel that there have been a few verses God has revealed to me lately and they just continue to remain in my heart. Yet, I've been praying, seeking, and asking God just to give me an answer of some sort for things pertaining to the future. Then it just hit me today like a ton of bricks: just as God has given me Scripture to encourage and guide me in moments of time before, he is doing it once again. I just didn't realize the verses stirring in my heart all meshed together and totally brought me peace now seeing the bigger picture. To some people it could have been obvious, but this realization just came to me.

Week by week, I would find a verse I felt that just spoke right to my spirit and would continuously run through my mind. What brought me to the realization was this past weekend I wrote each bit of scripture on a notecard then taped them to my wall. I stepped back, stared at the verses all next to each other, and just felt good about each verse. I felt they belonged on my wall for me to see daily; for me to remind myself this is what God is speaking over me. They were just exactly what I needed.

      To my future desires:

And this is the boldness we have in God's presence:

that if we ask God for anything that agrees with what he wants, he hears us.

If we know he hears us every time we ask him, 

we know we have what we ask from him.

1st John 5:14-15

      Trusting God with the now and the future:

Enjoy serving the Lord, and he will give you what you want.

Depend on the Lord; trust him, and he will take care of you.

Psalm 37:4-7

      I may not have all the answers, but my praise will go on daily:

The power of the Lord has won the victory; 

with his power the Lord has done mighty things.

Psalm 118:16

Then today, I added one more verse. What's a little comical to me is that this verse I found before the other three. So I wrote it on a notecard, tapped it to the wall, stood back, and felt even more confident; confident in God's word. His word is so right and brings me joy. It speaks comfort and direction into my life.

      God can do anything, even beyond my requests and dreams:

With God's power working in us, God can do much, much

more than anything we can ask or imagine.

Ephesians 3:20

Sometimes, I think I write posts that make no sense to anyone but me; kind of like I don't convey very well what's really rattling around in my brain. This is one of those post. If anything, my hope is that you would be encouraged to look deeper into the Scriptures for comfort. When it's hard to hear God's voice, we have a resource that is physically present in our hands. His word is a tool; we are to use it, study it, and live it. As you live it, I promise it'll breath life into you. It'll renew your mind and spirit with strength and truth. Have a hunger for God's word. It's so important to be reliant upon God's holy scriptures.

How can a young person live a pure life? By obeying your word. 

With all my heart I try to obey you. Don't let me break your commands. 

I have taken your words to heart so I would not sin aganist you. 

Psalm 119:9-11

I wear myself out with desire for you laws all the time. 

Psalm 119:20

I hope your Sunday is fabulous and the week ahead to be amazing!

❤ Ariel Christine

Post-Easter Report!

Hello! I hope your Easter was exceptional and now April begins! I just can't even fathom the thought of it being April 1st. I graduate in a month from leadership college and I'm just so incredibly excited! Yesterday, our church had our Easter Production and it went amazing! Three services between two campuses, and with each alter call more and more people kept coming forward for Jesus. It was truly amazing to just be a part of and witness the kingdom of God grow in size. We also had so many people get baptized! Easter was just absolutely amazing. It made every rehearsal, every decoration, every hour spent on preparation, and every prayer worth all the lives that were changed forever.

Now it is Monday: a new day of a new week. My stress level and busyness have completely dropped. As I prepare for school and get ready to begin my day, I spent my time dwelling on some of the Psalms.

He spoke, and it happened. 

He commanded, and it appeared. 

Psalm 33:9

The Lord looks down from heaven and sees every person. 

From his throne he watches all who live on earth. 

He made their hearts and understands everything they do.

Psalm 33:13-15

God has created all of heaven and all of earth, he uniquely designed you and me, and he fashioned every detail of our lives. He spoke and so it will be. He is almightly God and his words do not drop to the ground. If he commands, it will appear. What I love about that verse is that it makes me think God has spoke my life into being and a plan for it. Then reading verse 13 through 15, he sees me and knows my heart. He created me just as I am... sometimes I'm shy or sometimes I'm very determined. He knows these things and understands cause he created me. And though I am uniquely created, sometimes those qualities can bring about weaknesses. How am I to be bold when I am shy? Then I am reminded of God's power that he can do anything through me if I am willing to give of my all to him. God can do greater in me then I can do for myself. And it's not though as God wants to change how he has designed me, but he wants to take me and all that I am to a higher level in Christ Jesus for His glory. And I love that! I want to be all that I can be in Christ and for God to maximize my abilities and talents for him. Greater is He in me. By giving myself to God to be used by him, I become like an Ariel on steroids... holy steroids which get their power from God's Spirit. God's Spirit is strong and alive in me and he can be just as much as alive in you! God knows me and he knows you, and he created us with potential to awaken. By giving ourselves to him, he can fulfill the potential. It is his power that is greater in us. 

Have a happy Monday!

❤ Ariel Christine

Just One Is Enough For Me

I don't know what it is about being a girl and struggling so much which confidence, security, and the future! It can be a daily battle that never seems to be fully lifted. Maybe it's just me that feels this way a whole lot... I mean the enemy will try to attack our weak spots and these just happen to be mine. He will do everything in his power to break us apart, shake us down, and squander the work God is doing in our lives.

The enemy is constantly at work. What I find helpful everyday is when having my morning prayer time, to declare God's goodness and His Holy Word over myself before the day really begins. Before I walk out of the door of my apartment, Christ renews my spirit through prayer. I know who I am in Christ. I know what He has called me to do. I know I am greatly loved by Him, He has a great, prosperous plan for my life, and just as His word says... Those who trust him will not be disappointed. The enemy can try and attack, but as I'm sure we've all heard (and it's so true), the battle is won in prayer! The best way to defeat the enemy and begin our day confident in God is to get alone with him before it even starts. We have to know who we are in Christ and our confidence must come from him before even facing a mountain. If not, when trials, struggles, and storms come, we will falter right from the start.

One verse that has been brining me comfort lately is the last few lines of Isaiah 49:23 "... Then you will know I am the Lord. Anyone who trusts in me will not be disappointed." The Message version claims, "No one who hopes in me ever regrets it." I can't ever recall a time in my life where I have trusted God and regretted it! I can say there's times I haven't trusted God completely and have regretted it.

One thing that makes it so hard to trust God sometimes is that I think I can just do better on my own. Not that I think I am better than God, but there's circumstances I look at and say to myself, "I can carry that load." It usually always ends up being too much for me; no matter how small or big. Last night at our church's prayer service, Pastor discussed how we tend to think we can be our own savior. We think we can do everything for ourselves. Then in our college Chapel earlier that day, one of our leaders talked about how Christ is enough. Getting the idea? We cannot be our own savior. We cannot be our own healer. We cannot be our own redeemer and meet our own every need. Even the needs of others are too great sometimes for us to meet on our own! Without God, there is never enough. He is all-suffient; he is enough. With him, there will be enough. Our strength, time, resources, capabilities, and much more all run out. And when there's nothing left of us, God will still be enough because he is enough.

The biggest lesson I am learning right now is that I don't know what the future holds. I don't like uncertainty. I have problems with my security and the future. My answer is to control whatever I can because trusting other people to do it might cause something to go wrong. And there's the fault. I think I can make it all happen on my own and that way it'll all go perfect. Reality: I am not enough.

Trusting man with my future is detrimental, as well as trusting myself. Only is Jesus Christ enough. A mountain to high or a storm to rough? He is enough. Can't see how to get out or don't know what's ahead? He is enough. We may not know the answer to everything, but if we truly put our trust in God we will not be disappointed. All his ways are good and he only desires to make our lives prosperous and fulfilling; that fulfillment only comes from him though. He will be enough for you and enough for me. Look at your circumstances, even if it seems impossible, and declare "He is enough."

Isaiah 49:15-16

The Lord answers, "Can a woman forget the baby she nurses?

Can she feel no kindness for the child to which she gave birth?

Even if she could forget her children,

I will not forget you.

See, I have written your name on my hand.

Jerusalem, I always think about your walls. 

Happy Thursday!

❤ Ariel Christine

If He Gave It, He'll Help You

Exodus 4:10-12

But Moses said to the Lord, "Please, Lord, I have never been a skilled speaker. 

Even now, after talking to you, I cannot speak well. I speak slowly and can't find the best words." 

Then the Lord said to him, "Who made a person's mouth? 

And who makes someone deaf or not able to speak? Or who gives a person sight or blindness? 

It is I, the Lord. Now go! I will help you speak, and I will teach you what to say."

Moses felt he was not able to carry out the task God had in store for him. Moses was to go before the king of Egypt asking for the Israelites' freedom. That is a huge mountain to face! I could only imagine how he felt. I too would feel speechless and timid before the king, especially asking for him to let all his slaves go! God, however, knew Moses was able and only with His help! The Lord would walk with Joseph and give him every tool necessary to accomplish this task. Exodus 4:12 even shows that the Lord tells Moses he would give him to words to say. 

Reading on into Exodus, Moses does every command the Lord gave him. There was always a battle between Moses and the king. One moment the king would say he would release the slaves and then change his mind. I constantly found through out the Scripture that God was the one making the king stubborn. Then God would say he would rescue the Israelites and they would see that he is God. All these circumstances God used to show the people he was God All-Poweful, and Moses was used as an instrument in the midst of it all.

This passage only reminds me to truly believe that God can use anybody! Moses didn't even feel equipped to be used by God for this task, but God still used him! God can do anything and through anyone. He just wants our willingness. Moses thought he couldn't do it, but God assured him he would give Moses the words, and so Moses went for it. He was obedient to God and look at what happened: all the Israelites were rescued out of Egypt and they all knew it was the Lord. 

I want God to use me as an instrument of his glory whether I feel equipped or not! Whatever it is he calls me to do, I want to believe with such faith that I can do it through Christ who is my help, strength, and rock. Our God is a God who makes all things possible. When I wake up each morning, I think myself, "Today is a new day and God can do anything. He can use anyone, including me! There is no challenge God can't face and no problem he doesn't already know of. He is all knowing, and he will fight for me. He is with me, enough for me, and gives me every tool I'll need." That's how awesome of a God he is. He can do anything and can do all things through his people. Today he has given each and every person the tools they need. They can be tools such as our mouths and hands or abilities and talents or our resources! He can even give us new ones and they will become developed in our lifetime. All things are able to point towards Christ and giving God glory if we would use them for him. 

We are creatively-fashioned instruments of the Lord and he is our orchestrator of music. Let us be willing to say the words, use the gifts, do anything the Lord has given to us and he will show us how to use it all. 

❤ Ariel Christine

Joseph the Dreamer

Joseph is known as the dreamer. He was a great guy and walked faithfully with God in relationship. He had dreams of his future and ruling over his family; he envisioned his brothers bowing down to him. Now Joseph was already hated because his father loved him more than the other brothers. It probably wash't the greatest idea for Joseph to then tell his brothers that he would rule over them... I can see where their anger comes from. From the situation, Joseph's brothers then proceeded to sell him into slavery. He was sold to an Egyptian named Potiphar.

Genesis 39:2-3

The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man.

He lived in the house of his master, Potiphar the Egyptian.

Potiphar saw the Lord was with Joseph and that the 

Lord made Joseph successful in everything he did.

Joseph had favor with his master because the Lord was with him. Potiphar recognized the Lord's Spirit upon his slave. Potiphar trusted Joseph so much that Joseph was placed in charge of everything the master owned. Because the Lord was with Joseph, even all of Potiphar's family and workers were blessed. Unfortunately, Potiphar's wife lied saying Joseph tried to have sexual relations with her; this caused him to be thrown in jail. While in jail, the Lord was still with Joseph! He had such favor there that the prison warden let him be in charge of every other prisoner. Everything done to the other prisoners and whatever else happened in the jail Joseph was responsible for.  Part B of verse 39:23 states, "... because the Lord was with Joseph and made him successful in everything he did."

To think because Joseph walked with God, God was always with him and it was evident to others. This makes me recall Proverbs 3:6, "Remember the Lord in all you do, and he will give you success." Yes, Joseph went through some serious circumstances, but the Lord's favor upon his life is what brought him through. Even in the midst of slavery and prison, Joseph still succeed because God was with him.

Thinking of great heroes of faith in the Bible sometimes seems like they are just so holy and have come so far to be where they're at. The matter of fact is that what Joseph did... which was walk closely with God... is available for all of us to do. We can walk with God just as Joseph did. We can walk with God in such a way that it is evident to others around us. There is no one like our God; nobody beside him or even close in comparison. This great God of ours even redeems us to be his children. You can count on it that when you give God your life for his glory, he will be with you and his favor upon you. I would think to even be considered God's child is already favor enough. Then he goes above and beyond giving us more. What a great Father he is.

As you go about this weekend and into the following week, I suggest to read these following verses. Even say it outloud replacing Joseph's name with your own. You are a child of God who holds within you the everlasting truth; the well-spring of life is within you. The enemy may attack you, but your God makes you strong and gives you favor in any circumstance!

Genesis 49:22-24
Joseph is like a grapevine that produces much fruit,
        a healthy vine watered by a spring,
        whose branches grow over the wall.
Archers attack him violently
        and shoot at him angrily,
but he aims his bow well.
        His arms are made strong.
He gets his power from the Mighty God of Jacob
        and his strength from the Sheperd, the
        Rock of Israel.

Happy Friday!
❤ Ariel Christine

We Are Chosen

Girls. We can be so emotional. I know I can dive right into something I love and instantly throw my emotions along with it. And it's not a bad thing at all! In fact, I think being emotionally connected with something shows just how passionate we can be. 

I can remember in middle school the typical "school girl crush" existed. It was the kind of crush when a girl would think a certain boy was just the absolute cutest in the world; a boy who practically descending from the dating heavens. He was perfect. He had the perfect clothes, smile, personality, the whole package! Just one problem: he never knew she existed (Come on, let's all admit it... we've been there!). And she would give and give and give, then try and try some more, then maybe give a few more times. Anything to make him notice her! She would lay everything on the line even knowing he might not ever notice her. Why? All because she was head-over-heels for him. 

What I think one of the greatest things about Jesus is that He chose to die on the cross for us knowing that there was a possibility we wouldn't even choose Him. He was willing to give it all because he was (and still is) head-over-heels, crazy in love with us. Of course Jesus is much more extravagant in His love for us than a silly little school girl having a crush on a cute boy. Her "undying" love for her cute-as-a-button classmate eventually fades and evens comes to the realization it's part infatuation and part puberty. Jesus has been in love with us before our lives on earth even came about.

From the beginning of time, God has designed humans for relationship. It's what we yearn for; it's natural for us to desire partnership. He also designed us that he alone would be the only one who can completely satisfy our need for relationship. No other desires could ever suffice our hearts. Think about this: God has no need for us; no need for humans. But he had love that was so great and he desired so much to share it that we were created. His love for us is wild and runs deep within him. 

When sin came into the world and separated us from him, he had a plan all along for us to be redeemed. God wanted his children back, but sin blocked him from us. And so Jesus, who is 100% God, came giving His life in our place at the moment of death. He took what we deserved because of His great, wild, and extravagant love for us. He chose us. He chose us knowing that He would be the only way we could ever be connected back to our loving Father whether we choose Him or not. He knew He was the only way. Jesus gave everything for me and everything for you.

You did not choose me; I chose you. And I gave you this work: to go and produce fruit, fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name."

John 15:6

A motivation for serving Christ in my life is knowing that he gave all for me; how could I not give Him my all? 

❤ Ariel Christine