Spring is here and I have been loving every minute of it. I have been getting outside as much as possible and enjoying the lovely 60-70 degree weather that we have had so far this month. I have been walking, jogging, and running outside each week. I have also danced inside either to music or my dance video game. And last week I even worked out at a local gym with a friend of mine.
Last week, I exercised in all four days in a row. I walked and ran a little over three miles last week. The week before that I walked and ran a total of six miles. Even though I felt tired by the time the weekend rolled around the last two weeks, it also felt great to get lots of exercise and sunlight. All of which is much needed and appreciated by my body and spirit. Oh yeah, I almost forgot I think I even lost 2 or 3 lbs. finally!
All of this is also due in part to the fact that I've been trying again to stick to a healthy overall diet. This diet includes: lots of fruits, veggies, nuts/seeds, and lower carbohydrates, fat, and meat. I eat about every two or three hours and usually snack on fruit, granola bars, or healthy trail mix that has dried fruit, nuts, and sunflower seeds in it. It's a lot of hard work with the extra exercise and involves me bringing my lunch to work more often and eating out less, but it's proving to be worth it. And when I do eat out, I try to make healthy choices. For example, I might eat a meal with lean meat, veggies or a salad as side and no dessert.
I've also been enjoying doing some spring cleaning in my closet and room. Last Sunday afternoon, I cleaned out my closet and gave away seven bags full of clothes, shoes, scarves, and purses to Servant's Heart. Servant's Heart is a local food pantry, clothing, & furniture donation organization that helps needy families on the south side of Indianapolis. It felt good to get rid of unwanted things taking up space in my room and to help others by giving away things that could be better used by those in need.
I have also been enjoying spending time with my wonderful boyfriend Michael who is a blessing and encouragement to me. He makes me want to be a better person, a better servant for God's kingdom, and to be more Christ-like in all I do. I am truly thankful to God for bringing him into my life. I have been waiting for God to bring a man into my life like this man and I feel so blessed to be getting to know him better all the time.
Isaiah 64:3-4 speaks about waiting on God's timing and direction in your life in regards to His will and how He rewards us in return for being patient and trusting Him. Isaiah 64:3-4 says, "3 For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you. 4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him." God acts on our behalf if we are willing to wait on Him, be patient, and trust Him.
I just watched a sermon online tonight by Dr. Charles Stanley and that is what inspired me to share those verses. These verses spoke to me about where I am in my life right now and where God is taking me. I am trusting in Him to guide me in His will for my life, whatever that may be. I pray that you will do the same and be willing to allow God to touch your heart and impact your life.
He loves you, even if you don't love Him or know Him. God sent His only begotten son to come to earth, die for your sins and mine, descend into hell to pay our sin punishment, to rise again, and ascend into heaven. Jesus is the Savior of the world and the only way to heaven. No amount of good works, good thoughts, or monetary donations to good causes can buy your way into heaven. John 14:6 says about Jesus, "6 I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
So the question is where do you believe you will go when you die? We all sin and fall short of the glory of God and do not deserve to go to heaven. That means that we will go to hell for all of eternity unless we confess our sins and ask Jesus to forgive us. I pray that God will speak to you through this message and convict you of your eternal destination. And I hope that you will turn to Him because He is waiting with open arms to receive you and share His love with you.
John 3:16-18 says,"16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."
