Be still & know | The Christian girl's gide to 2020

For the 20-something struggling - from the 20 something struggling!

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

    I will be exalted among the nations,

    I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

Hey girl! So, y'all know we´re in a social distancing and self isolating season and I know it's been hard for all of us but, having a little extra time in my hands (I bet you do too), I've been thinking about this whole "Christian life" thing and realized, as I'm locked up, I'm feeling a little trapped: The Lord Jesus said to go and be His witnesses and preach the Kingdom unto the world, how am I supposed to do that while staying at home 24/7!? As I prayed and asked The Lord about this, here's what he said: be still and know. Yes, as simple as that, his grace is still upon us and this is a season of stillness for most of us, lets take an advantage to get ready and armed because, remember, for Christians, life is war! So, here's your guide to 2020:

1. Schedule your day (on paper) and set alarms on your phone

And make at least three of them to spend time with The Lord.

If you're like me, not used to working/studying from home, you might find that you are wasting a LOT of time, eating, insta-binging, cleaning, you name it, however, even if it seems like it, remember: life is not on pause and wasting time right now might be more damaging than you realize now. Again, if you are like me: you find it really hard to actually do the things you planned for so here's the deal: set alarms girl! get tech on your side and make it work for you insted of letting it hipnotize you!

2. Plan for rest!

Actually plan for rest, if you get crazy and plan to clean and workout all day, everyday, you're just not going to acomplish it! Keep it real: plan for lazy & active rest.

Lazy rest: literally set time apart to just lay in your bed or sit on the couch and just take a 20 minute nap, instagram, do nothing and talk to Jesus, literally plan to do nothing -- but not for longer than 20 minutes, you want to save some time for your active rest.

Active rest: do the things you love but you don't exactly need to do: I consider myself to be a maker and baker (lol) so here's what my active rest would look like: Adobe Illustrator, cricut, decals, wood signs, fixing a little something to drink or baking a dessert for the family, I also have a couple of books I read whenever I can (Whiskey in a teacup by Reese Whitherspoon and a million novels by John Grisham) and last but not least (defly) Jesus time, you could actually pour hours into active rest so, play some worship music, talk to your heavenly father, to your friend and to your counselor. 

3. Gear up!

Literally gear up, Kingom princess:

1. Podcasts (I highly recommend Elevation Church with Steven Furtick).

2. Devotionals and Bible studies (Love First5 app - which works online too - by Proverbs 31 ministries and reading plans in YouVersion Bible).

3. Put on the armor of God.

4. Prayer journal or war binder.

4. Give more: without envolving a paycheck:

Giving is a Biblical practice and as Christians, we believe that giving is actually an act of giving back to the one who blessed us in the first place. Here's a new giving perspective: I invite you to make this exercise:

Make a list of the things God has given to you:

1. Material goods: a house, a car, a bed, food, clothing, money, etc.

2. A family

3. Love

4. Forgiveness

5. GRACE

6. This list could go on for a while..

Now, look at each of the items and think of ways you can give back to God from what He's given to you in every category, tithe to your Church of course but also, give extra GRACE to that person who drives you crazy, give extra love to the one who's suffering, emphasize in the "extra" part because there's a chance you're already a forgiving, grace giving, loving or kind person but seek to give that extra.

5. Step into your truth Kingdom Princess!

"Be still and know that I am God." Remeber you are something far more important than a teacher, a student, a worker, barista, receptionist, whatever it is, remember that is WHAT YOU DO, NOT WHO YOU ARE! (which means even if you fail at it every now and then, it doesn't decrease your worth) You are a daughter of The King!!! Walk into that truth and remember it always, everywhere. (I encourage you to do a "my identity in Christ" scripture challenge, you'll find them all over pinterest!)

Sending you so much love and in Jesus' name I declare freedom,

in the life of the girl reading this post!

Love,

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Bloom where you were planted + free challenge/study printable

Hello everyone! I wanted to share something that might relate to you, maybe not a 100% but I'm pretty sure it will ring your bells, so, I've been a little above the average creative person my whole life which means I've always been confused about it beacuse there's always the one who is waaay better and makes you feel like your own skills are insignificant and sometimes that fear and that lie that te enemie gets in my head, stops me from doing things I want and developing my creative skills, so, you may not be a designer but I'm pretty sure that there's something you enjoy and think you have a chance to be good at but you never really allowed yourself to get into it because of a fear caused by comparison.

Let's talk about comparison...

Comparing yourself to others has the power you allow it to have: either you compare yourself to upgrade yourself or you do it to bring you down and fear about if you are good enough. Stop comparing your body, your hair, skills and overall your life, because whatever you have and wherever you are is exactly where good wants you: bloom where you were planted!

Whats the action plan?

Challenge time!! What you'll need:

• A peaceful place and a moment! Grab your planner and schedule a time & place to spend with God. 
• Notebook/ Journal/ Binder... whatever you please, as longs as you can take notes (I'd suggest not to use your phone as it can get you distracted really easy... trust me, it does).
• Pens, markers and highlighters, of course.
• Your HOLY BIBLE, girl this is a must!!
• Your Bloom where you were planted challenge printable:

DOWNLOAD HERE "BLOOM WHERE YOU WERE PLANTED CHALLENGE/STUDY"

Follow the instructions and let God; go for it loved one!

Lets chat! Contact me for questions, suggestions, prayer requests or help!

Pin it!

PRETTY PLACES #1

Hello! 

Welcome to PRETTY PLACES #1;  in this series I'll show you some of the pretty places I get to go to every once in a while! A couple of weekes ago, my boyfriend and I went to have breakfast in this pretty restaurant located in Guatemala City called Saul L'Osteria, the place has its own vibe, there are like 3 different moods you can find there, the first one was my favorite, it had some farmhouse vibe, everything was very bright and somewhat shabby-chic.

The breakfast on its own was very nice too! I had some french toasts topped with berries and a nice orange marmalade and just plain water to drink! You an spot my boyfriend's orange juice in there lol.

Highly recommended!

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Ephesians 2: 8-9

See you next time, 

J.

ROMANS 8:28

AND WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD, TO THEM WHO ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.

Romans 8:28

It's fall ya'll! Im a little late, I know, but: I've been way to busy drinking pumpkin spice lattes and eating all sorts of fall baked goods! Lol, anyhow, I wanted to pop in here real quick to write about something I've realized over the past weekend: "Even when I don't see it you're working", this is a line from a very famous song from Leeland - Way Maker - and it just happened to me that, I was in a season of praying, waiting, praising, being thankful for the Lord's amazing Grace and just being content with Him and all of a sudden many things started to happen and I transitioned to a harvest season and all of the sowing had happened without me even knowing. The Lord did amazing work in my relationships, my job, college and my heart. 

Keep close to the Lord, not for the outcome but for His glory and who He is; 

it will all work for your good (sometimes that may not mean for your instant happiness but for your good). Trust the Lord and do according to His purpose.

Sending love and fall vibes to you!

Love,

J <3

GOD SPEAKS #1 + SERIES INTRODUCTION

HEY THERE! Today I'm introducing a series in the blog called #GodSpeaks and here, I'll share with you the words that God speaks to me. I'm pretty sure that sometimes, when God is trying to speak to us, we don't listen or we don't pay attention or we simply don't realize and, I've always prayed for clarity and that He would never let me miss His voice in the midst of a busy life and I have felt that most of the messages I receive come when I'm worshipping or driving alone and some of them might not be as clear as others, however, I will share with you what The Lord puts in my heart.

So the other day, I was driving and listening to Elevation Worship's new album: At Midnight, just worshipping The Lord when it came to me this thought, The Lord knows everything, God already knew Abraham was going to offer his only son at His command, but then, God wasn't testing if Abraham would.

GENESIS 22:1-19

WOW. So many things to learn here, lets break it down:

#1: Obedience

I always tell God, "if You say so, it is so." but, would I take it as far as offering my own child? I can only imagine how hard that commandment must be, however, Abraham never questioned The Lord, and was quick to obey. I laugh at this because it just exposes me... "Why me, God?", "Take this away from me Lord" those are some expressions we use when something isn't going our way and after reading the story, I think we can agree that even when Abraham doesn't verbally say "Your will be done", his actions speak those exact words even louder. The outcome of the obedience was God's great blessing.

#2: Tests, trials & lessons

Sometimes we think God is testing our faith or our obedience but, there's a chance He's not, even when we have free will and He doesn't take decisions for us, He already knows everything, He knows if you're staying or not. Abraham's situation might have look like a trial but more thant that it was a lesson and a confirmation; a lesson of obedience, calm, faith... and a sure confirmation of God's faithfulness. Some situations might come to us in the shape of a trial, but it is only a trial to us, not to God, sometimes we need to be brought to were feet may fail so that we can rely on Him only & knowing that the battle is won.

#3: God is greater than the highs and the lows...
I'll only explain "the highs" part; once Abraham got interrupted by the angel God sent to tell him he didn't have to kill his son, first thing he did was finding another offering to burn and praise the Lord. So often when we get delivered from a situation, we receive a blessing, achieve a goal or get a nice surprise we forget to give thanks and praise the Lord when that should be the very first thing we do.

It's important that we learn and know about the promises God has made to us, I have a reason to believe that it was because Abraham knew and trusted God's faithfulness that he never doubted, even through the things he didn't understand.

Let's remember: God is faithful.

-J

FREE WALLPAPERS!

Hello there! Hope you're having a wonderful day! Have some free phone wallpapers to remind you of many good reasons to rejoice! 

Daughter of the King

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. (Galatians 3:26)

ByGrace

For by grace you have been saved through faith. (Ephesians 2:8)

Beloved

For God so loved the world ,that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

There you go! Enjoy!

DOWNLOAD HERE!

WHY?

 "For By Grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Ephesians 2:8-9

Because this is what makes me rejoice, what makes me grateful, what makes me free, what gets me through; The sacriffice that Jesus made for me and you in the Cross is our confidence.

Why a Blog?

I cannot say I felt called to blog (specifically) but, oh did I feel called to share the Gospel of Salvation and I figured a way to reach more people would be starting a blog. I want people to know, specially college girls, that life is good when you abide in Jesus and His Grace. Let me start by unveiling a secret that will get you through anything & everything, source of unshakeable confidence...

God is greater.

There you have it! Jesus overcame the world, He overcame sin and everything must bow at His name, God is greater than the highs and the lows, let me explain a bit,

Got a low grade? God is greater.

Got the best grade in the class? God is greater.
Your mom/friend/boyfriend/teacher/whoever acting up? God is greater.
Struggling with something? God is greater.
Got a raise? God is greater.