For our God [is indeed] a consuming fire.

Everything in this blog is true. 

It’s stuff that you have to realize before you are able to truly walk in the freedom of Christ. Stuff I’ve learned and am still learning. Take this, receive it. Digest it and be blessed.

You are loved with the highest, purest and most perfect kind of love fathomable. You are loved with an everlasting love. It can’t go away or lessen in any form. God loves you so much that he sent Jesus. His perfect son. He took your place. He bled so that you don’t have to. He took all of the judgement that should have been yours and nailed it to the cross. He took the pain, the shame, the wrath, the condemnation, the guilt and the death away. Jesus came to the earth as a human…making him sin. Though he never sinned, he took on punishment for yours.

Jesus justified you.

You can live through him..

thank Him for that.

When you give your life to God, you’re a new person. The old life has been thrown out. Not recycled to bring back and live out again. You’re going to mess up, but that is where grace steps in. There isn’t a single thing that you could do to separate you from the love of God. Nothing can hold you back, because you have the spirit of the living God inside of you. You are free from the power of the enemy.

The Living Bible says, “For he has rescued us out of the darkness and gloom of Satan’s kingdom…”

That’s hell that you were saved from.

That’s good news, folks.

You don’t have to be controlled by your past. God doesn’t hang it over your head… you don’t have to either. God looks at your sins and says, “Hey, precious child, I love you. Come. Trust me. I want to do amazing things with your life… but I have to work in you before I can work through you.”

His plans for you are GOOD. They’re incredibly perfect.

You’ve been redeemed.

Redeemed = delivered.

Redemption is not just speaking about what you are redeemed FROM, but also WHOM you are redeemed TO. You are redeemed FROM sin, or the curse, and you are redeemed TO God.

Titus 2:14 says, “He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people…”

You couldn’t meet the standard on your own. There was a gap.

Jesus filled it.

You can run to God… and be free.

Speaking more specifically to the ladies,

That hole you feel in your heart for love is from the lack of God. Let His love overwhelm you on a whole new level. The right man will not distract you from your walk with God, he will only enhance it. Realize your beauty. If you aren’t happy with your outward appearance, then start working more on your heart. God will make you beautiful and pure from the inside out. But right now, it’s between you and Him. Run to your ABBA and let Him hold you. He longs to hold his precious daughter. 

Grow your roots deep, and choose freedom everyday.

“I call Heaven and Earth to witness against you today: I place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse. Choose life so that you and your children will live. And love God, your God, listening obediently to him, firmly embracing him. Oh yes, he is life itself, a long life settled on the soil that God, your God, promised to give your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

—- Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (The Message)

Dios te bendiga,

Jordan

quotes from “Discover Your Identity” and well, the bible of course.

My heart has reached an entirely new state. Although healed, it has been broken. Again… and again. Not because I’ve been hurt, but because of other people’s hurts. 

This world is so lost and dying. Thirty seconds spent in social media shows the truth. I so desperately want everyone to know that there is hope.

There is healing…

I was so greatly blessed with the opportunity to go to Mercy Ministries and learn about healing and freedom in Christ. But not everyone has that opportunity. Everything that I’ve learned has to be spread.

All that I learned fell on good soil, and must heed bountiful harvest.

I want to go.

I want to tell.

My biggest burden is working with teen girls. There’s more to life than what they can see.

I’m honestly at a loss for words.

I see all of this hurt going on around me, and have so many thoughts hit.

I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life, but for some reason, it seems like everyone around me is falling apart.

It’s hard to watch… and not feel… almost guilty for having joy and peace. 

Jesus is the only thing that can satisfy. THE ONLY THING.

I’m overwhelmed by the love of Christ. It’s so incredibly infectious in the best possible sense. Let yourself be loved by God. 

Pray the hardest when it’s hardest to pray.

I’m so convicted tonight…

just to pray for people.

If you’re reading this, you’ve been prayed for. Some of you by name.

Let yourself break before the Lord… he wants to build you back up into who He created you to be.

Start with forgiveness. Forgiveness is putting the past behind you. It’s a bridge to wholeness… the kind only found through Jesus.

Understanding who you are in Christ is the key to putting your past where it belongs.

Stop settling for an ordinary, unfulfilling, lie encompassed, joy-less life.

Jesus came to give you life and life more abundantly!

This blog is a bunch of randomness.

Mostly filled with stuff that I wanna tell people…

I just wanna grab some people’s faces and shake em around a little bit… in the most loving way. 

I am the way, the truth and the LIFE… no one comes to the Father except through me.

-Jesus; John 14:6

Sorry if this blog doesn’t make sense.

I’m in rare form right now… just… overwhelmed by Jesus but on the flip side, broken for those around me. I guess those do kind of go hand in hand.. right? It’s just never been this strong before. 

Gosh, people.

Go show the love of Christ to someone… anyone.

You never know the difference it can make.

Don’t even know..

-Jordan

P.S. 

I’m probably about to blog… AGAIN. Right now. Yep.

I want to sing you a love song. You are the thief of my heart.  Rhythm and rhyme try to describe it, no matter how hard, I can’t hide it.  Faithful  you are faithful and when you found me, i know you love me, I know you’ll never leave me alone.  I want to sing you a love song. you are the love of my life. Rhythm and rhyme try to explain it.  no matter how hard i can’t contain it.  i can’t contain it.  faithful you are faithful.  i have found nothing but good in your heart.  thankful i am thankful i have been running away on my own.  and when you found me, oh how you loved me.  i know you’ll leave, leave me alone. 

God is SO good.

<3

Peace & Blessings,

Jordan

You owe someone money. Lots of it. In fact, it’s so much money that they’re out to kill you because you’re unable to pay them back. The last few seconds before they pull the trigger with the gun up against your skull. You’re sweating profusely and your heart is pounding, questioning how you managed to sink this far into a pit of hopelessness.

God, WHERE ARE YOU? You question in your mind, as you hear the click of the hammer to prepare for the shot. The only shot needed to take you off this earth.

“Any final words?” He asks demonically with a smirk across his face.

“No, take me instead.”

The words of a perfect stranger ring into your ears yet don’t escape passed the cranium and into your brain.

Congratulations.

You’ve escaped death. How will you live your life from now on? A perfect stranger paid the price that you couldn’t pay, yet you still choose to live as though nothing ever happened.

He took YOUR place.

Because YOU were unable.

That, my bloggers, is salvation.

I’ve never been in any situation like what I described above, but I know that if my life came that close to ending, it’d be a wake-up call.

Wake-up America. Wake-up world.

You were once dead, but now you can live. How does that fail to bring you joy and peace? Christ has set you free, yet you choose to live in the bondage that so entangles you. Never again let anyone put the yoke of oppression upon you, because Jesus has taken that bullet.

You know what that’s like? That’s like a released prisoner choosing to walk around society in handcuffs. You’ve been enslaved long enough by your sins, Christ has set you FREE. Let him take the cuffs off.

He took more than a bullet.

And He didn’t owe anybody anything.

Now that I’ve got you thinking, how will you let it affect you?

He took your place so that you might have life and have it more abundantly. To the fullest. I think people confuse “abundantly” and “to the fullest” with earthly treasures and meaningless pursuits of joy. Joy is found only in Christ. Everything else in meaningless when compared to knowing Christ.

For those of you who have already “grasped all of this,”

why aren’t you telling people?

Jesus tells us to. A lot. Go and make disciples.

God called Jonah to Nineveh to proclaim the good news. What’s he calling you to do?

Be a servant.

Be willing.

Be humble.

Love others.

I’m preaching this same message to myself, don’t worry.

I’m so excited about serving the Lord both now and the days to come. I’m ready to up and go NOW.

But God has said not yet.

Greater things are still to be done here.

-Jordan

Society has a messed up view of beauty. It’s kind of making me mad… because it’s been getting to me lately. Women naturally struggle with comparing themselves to each other. It often starts at a young age… I remember some of my friends telling me about how when they were younger they’d stand in front of mirrors and compare body shapes…. at very young ages. It starts with the small things… most stuff does, right?

Her hair is straighter.      Her legs don’t rub together when she walks.

Her eyes are brighter.     She’s more tan.

Her hair is curlier.         She has bigger boobs.

Her eyes are darker.      She has cuter freckles.

She’s smarter.               She’s skinnier.

                         ………………………………….   I’m not good enough.

Most of us probably have that mentality starting in elementary school. Maybe not ALL of these at that young of an age, but the comparison/inadequacy mindset is definitely prominent.

These are all Satan’s lies. He knows that if we can start believing the lie that we are inadequate, then we will limit the work we allow ourselves to do for the Kingdom of God. We won’t feel capable or worthy of doing anything big.

I get this feeling a lot, and sometimes it starts to push my dreams of ministry to the back burner. I can’t keep feeding the lies of the enemy. Let all of Hell tremble…. cause Jesus conquered the lies and defeated the enemy. HA. I know that the God of peace crushes Satan underneath His feet. DOUBLE HA. :)

I know… it’s a New Year and people have resolutions and stuff like that… but this is a lifelong battle… for all of us.

Hold each other accountable.

Stop comparing.

Stop pointing out flaws, and encourage the positives.

Ladies, you are not beautiful based on what society says. Those standards are unattainable. Rest in the fact that you are beautiful because YOU are God’s MASTERPIECE. You were created pure, perfect and completely lovely in His sight.

It doesn’t take a man to tell you that you’re beautiful. Open up the Word of God and read it yourself.

“You are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in EVERY way.”

                                        - Song of Songs 4:7

Don’t believe you’re beautiful? You’re not alone. Even the seemingly most confident women of the world feel inadequate  and ugly if they don’t allow God to define their beauty.

Want to feel beautiful?

Let God show you what true beauty is.

Don’t know how to do that?

Dig in the Word and spend time with your creator…. that will start to make the inside beautiful. And inner beauty is reflected on the outside.

Stay beautiful,

Jordan   <3

How to Handle Temptation

Temptation, or giving in to temptation, has been a serious problem since the beginning of time and is still a very real part of our lives today. Like it or not, we all have to deal with it. Most people may not really understand temptation and its purpose. In Luke 17:1, Jesus said, …Temptations (snares, traps set to entice to sin) are sure to come….

Why do we have to deal with temptation?

It strengthens our faith, our spiritual muscles. If we didn’t have to stand against temptation, we’d never know our own spiritual strength. Facing temptations will either bring out the best or worst in us. Sometimes God allows us to be tested because He’s preparing us for promotion. Facing temptations increases our confidence in our ability to recognize and resist the lies of the enemy. 

The Many Faces of Temptation

Temptation comes in many forms. Too often we think of being tempted as being enticed to do big things like stealing, murdering or committing adultery. But most often we’re tempted to be impatient, stingy, jealous, greedy or any number of other things that we consider lesser sins. Satan strikes at our points of weakness.

To develop spiritual strength, we must pass all kinds of tests of temptations both large and small. In Luke 4, we find that Satan also tempted Jesus, hoping to find an area of weakness to invade. But Jesus stood strong and defeated the enemy. I believe God knew ahead of time that Jesus would pass the test, and I believe He has confidence in us that we’ll pass many of our tests too. 

Stay One Step Ahead of the Devil

I believe that understanding temptation and aggressively resisting it is the only way to stay one step ahead of the devil. James 1:12 says, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life… To endure temptation means to go through trials without giving up…to outlast the devil. Enduring also means going through a time of temptation without letting it change your attitude or commitment. Jesus never treated people differently when He was being tempted, and when we have Christian maturity, we can follow His example.

Jesus understands exactly what we’re facing in temptation. For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning (Hebrews 4:15).

Sometimes Jesus allows us to face temptations so He can bring attention to areas of weakness in our lives and help us overcome them. He knows how important it is for us to know the truth about ourselves. Even though it may be painful to acknowledge that we have tendencies to be jealous, greedy or prideful, if we’ll deal with it and overcome it, that truth will set us free. The only way you can have all that Jesus wants you to have is to be what He wants you to be. And that maturity comes in stages.

So be determined to resist the enemy and take authority over him. Trust and obey God, and rejoice in the promises found in Psalm 94:12-13: Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whom You discipline and instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law, that You may give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity, until the [inevitable] pit of corruption is dug for the wicked. Through Christ you can remain steady in the storms of temptation. 

Don’t Ignore the Warnings

For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him (Romans 12:3). God has chosen many anointed preachers to give us warnings and instructions about how to handle certain situations we may face.

We usually don’t like it when someone tells us that we’re headed for trouble unless we change our direction. We mistakenly believe that when we attend church or do good things, the preacher should encourage us, and certainly this is true. However, our spiritual leader is also responsible for exhorting or warning us about impending dangers.

“Tempted” to Do Good

One thing that draws us into temptation is thinking too highly of ourselves and trusting ourselves too much. This is an attitude planted by the enemy, but 1 Corinthians 10:12 warns, Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin]. We need to realize that Satan tempts us to do evil, but God tempts us to do good. God says, …I have set before you life and death…therefore choose life…(Deuteronomy 30:19).

The Bible warns us about thinking we can hang out with ungodly people and not be affected. Pride causes people to ignore warnings; they think they won’t be the ones to get caught. But this prideful attitude has damaged many lives. We must choose to separate ourselves from people who could poison our temple.

God is trying to save our lives. He wants to strengthen us so that no matter what happens in these last days, we’ll be preserved and protected under His covering. 

How to Win the War

We tend to get too much of our information from the world instead of listening to the inside information from the Holy Spirit that’s available to us. There’s a war going on between God and the devil for the use of your soul. …the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do (Galatians 5:17).

Temptation is not a once in a while thing; we deal with it day in and day out. But God has provided us with tools to fight: (…the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God…(2 Corinthians 10:4-5). These verses indicate that we need to keep increasing our knowledge of the things of God if we’re to stay ahead of the devil and win the war.

Sometimes we try to make Christianity too complicated—we think we have to follow certain formulas to stay out of trouble. Psalm 37:3 says, Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed. This verse makes it pretty simple: Trust God and do good. That’s it! 

Resist, then Receive the Reward

So often God prompts (tempts) us to do something good, and immediately Satan attacks our mind, causing us to reason it out. When we fall for that, Satan steals from us the opportunity to do good and be blessed. It seems that we’re better at resisting the temptation to do right than we are at resisting the temptation to do wrong. It’s time to give in to God’s temptations. He will never guide you wrong. James 4:7 says, …be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. It’s a twofold thing. You can’t resist the devil without submitting to God. And you can’t submit to God without resisting the devil.

Ephesians 5:18 tells us to …ever be filled…with the [Holy] Spirit. When you’re full of the Spirit, you can drive the spirit of depression out of your house before it attaches itself to you. But never forget that you’re in a war, and you must use the tools God has given you to fight and resist the devil.

Get a grip and face reality—the devil is alive and well. He wants to steal everything you have, but through the Spirit of God, you can resist the devil and win the battle! But now since you have been set free from sin and have become the slaves of God, you have your present reward in holiness and its end is eternal life (Romans 6:22).

When we serve God, we receive the reward of holiness. That doesn’t mean we’ll do everything right. I still have my share of “mess-ups,” but I am so happy and peaceful. I love my husband, and although he still does some of the things that used to drive me crazy, they don’t bother me at all anymore. I’m enjoying the benefits of a holy life, and I’m peaceful and fulfilled. 

The High Cost of Low Living

Satan tempts us to live a low life, but God tempts us to come up higher. One of the worst mistakes we can make is to get complacent, thinking that what we have right now is okay. A mindset of low expectations holds us back because God can only do through us what we believe for.

Be careful that you don’t get in an “okay place” spiritually. I don’t want to be average because I don’t serve an average God. God is a God of excellence, and I want to follow His example. Matthew 16:25-26 says, For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting]. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life [his blessed life in the kingdom of God]? Or what would a man give as an exchange for his [blessed] life [in the kingdom of God]?

Low living has a high cost. Nothing is worth giving up the wonderful, peaceful, joyful, righteous, holy life here on earth and the promise of eternity in heaven. If your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, yet you spend your life resisting the will of God and living according to your mind, will and emotions instead of operating in the mind of Christ, you are living the low life.

God wants you to be blessed, but He doesn’t want you trying to provide it for yourself. He doesn’t want you to seek things or put things ahead of Him. He tells us in Matthew 6:33, …seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

So know yourself and know your problems. Recognize your strengths and ask God to take care of your weaknesses. Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor’s] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him (James 1:12).

Something just hit me. WHAM. I’ve been asking God lately why I’ve been going through so much pain these last few weeks. I’m seeking His will. I’m spending more time with Him NOW more than I ever have. So I’ve been confused as to why I’m still experiencing pain. It’s not a pain from my own sin or lack of relationship with God. It’s a pain from the growth. 

As you become fused with Christ, you’re obligations change. You realize things about yourself because your eyes are opened. You mature. You wean off of baby food and onto a full-course meal, tough to chew. The more aware you become (through seeking the Lord) of God’s plan for your life, the more responsibility you have. 

When Jesus healed the lame man, he didn’t stay laying down on his mat. He was HEALED.

When Jesus heals you and sets you free, you have to rid of any hindrance to following His will. 

That’s where it gets hard.

You have to surrender control. All of it:

Love life- whether you have one or not, it’s up to God. Trust His timing. He knows better than you.

Friends- Be careful about who you let in your circle of influence. Nobody will come out and say that they’re trying to get you off the right path, but most of them will if you let them. Not everybody is out there to lift you up…. despite what they claim.

Those are my main two things right now. I feel like my feet are planted. My roots run deep now. But everyone around me seems to be falling…. or getting distracted from the race that they’re running for Christ. I exaggerated… not everyone. But the people that were once very dear to my heart. My best friends. 

My circle is changing.

Because I’m changing.

We all are.

It’s up to you if it’s for the better or worse.

The depth of your relationship with Christ is entirely up to you. So if you feel far from God, it’s you that moved. He is always constant and true… unchangeable, unshakable and unstoppable.

God is bringing wonderful people into my path. 

I’m so blessed and thankful for the Godly young women in my life.

Your friendship means so much.

God’s timing is truly perfect, yall. 

I can’t say that enough.

Stop trying to fill His shoes and just let God be God.

I’m very tired now. I led a bible study group at a DNOW weekend for youth. I’m low on sleep, low on energy, but extremely high on the joy and peace found in Christ alone.

On that note, I’m going to cuddle up in my bed, find something interesting to watch on TV, and drink some hot chocolate before calling it a night.

Go in peace.

-Jordan

God has been God before time even existed. He doesn’t need us. God is God, no matter where I am, & what I’m going through. He is always sitting on the throne of my heart. I have to trust in Him… even when it gets hard. Even when I feel alone. Good times & bad… HE IS GOD… I am not.

Oftentimes, we find ourselves longing for control. We try to manipulate, attempt to dictate and call it love. Right now, I’m letting go. I know I can’t control what’s going on in my life. It seems out of control…. but when things seem out of control.. all you can do is grow closer to the one who is IN control.. and that is God. I feel grounded. I know I am secure in my faith. I know that God has amazing plans for me. 

I will not be held back.

I will not settle for less than God’s best.

I will put God’s plan first.

I will cast my cares to Him.

He cares for me.

You never realize how strong or weak your faith is until it’s tested.

Alright God, I surrendered a long time ago, it’s time to walk it out and give you this situation.

Thank you for never letting me go, and always showing up to meet me where I am.

“You are God alone, from before time began. You were on your throne, you were God alone. Right now in the good times and bad, you are on your throne and you are God alone. Unchangeable, unshakable, unstoppable… that’s what you are.”

“I’ll praise you in this storm, and I will lift my hands. You are who you are, no matter where I am.”

RUN TO GOD.

My creative juices are really flowing tonight… wrote some songs, now I’m dying to paint. I haven’t let myself go in painting in about 8 months. 8 months too long.

(Source: teenagewasteland995)