Strengthening

Do you ever feel like a certain words describes the season of life you are in? I do, and right now I feel like the best fit for what can describe my life is a period of strengthening.

Over the years I have found a common strand in prayer for me and it is that God would be “strength to my bones.”  I have had that just come out of my mouth in prayer for as long as I can remember and I feel like right now it couldn’t be more fitting.

Last year was a season of trial and let me tell you there were more than a few things that were hard to go through.  It was a whirlwind and some days I felt like the biggest emotional wreck..  But let me tell you, after I came out of that year having simply survived… I feel STRONG.

Dramatic, I know right.  But seriously, I think there are spans in all of our lives where we go through the wringer in some aspect or another.  It may look completely different from one person to the next, or even from one situation to the next in the same life, BUT it doesn’t take away from experiencing a trial.

I will say though, God is always, always victorious.  If you are a Christ follower, then he already took the sin and pain and trials in your life and defeated them on the cross.  So on your most down days, you can remember “Praise be to God who always leads us to triumph in Christ Jesus.” 2 Cor 2:14

And if you are not a believer, I respect you and thank you for taking the time to listen to my beliefs.  I am always available to talk further via email!

Happy, happy day to you and may the Lord give you strength to your bones and victory over your trials!

xo, Kelsey Belle

Strengthening

Take A Moment

Can I share with you something that's been on my heart lately?  I have been listening to the album Endless Years by Will Reagan & The United Pursuit Band non-stop lately.  On top of that I even got the chance to go see them lead worship a few nights ago.  One song that has been echoing in my heart is called Take A Moment.

Take a moment to remember

Who god is and who i am

There you go lifting my load again

No longer am i held by

The yoke of this world

Come upon you the yoke of jesus

His yoke is easy and his burden is so light

Your love carries

Your love carries me

Out of valleys and the darkest places

I so often carry the weight of the world on my shoulders.  Don't we all try this at some point or another? Well this song hit me like a ton of bricks because it is referencing the verses Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

We were never meant to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders.  I believe in a God who acts as a father, and whether you have a had a good father or not, we all know the role of a father.  He wants to take care of us as his sons & daughters and until you let him help you, there will forever be striving in your life.  I don't know about you, but when I find myself striving I'm not at my happiest.  Scripture says, "his yoke is easy and his burden is light."  Wow.  What a gift to be able to put on the yoke WITH Jesus instead of trying to carry it all by ourselves.  You have this opportunity.  Every. Single. Day.

xo, Kelsey Belle

Take A Moment

Happie Christmas

A few hundred years before our Savior Jesus was born, Isaiah prophesied this:

"The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
    on them has light shone.
You have multiplied the nation;
    you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
    as with joy at the harvest,
    as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
 For the yoke of his burden,
    and the staff for his shoulder,
    the rod of his oppressor,
    you have broken as on the day of Midian.
 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
    and every garment rolled in blood
    will be burned as fuel for the fire.
 For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon^[d] his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called^[e]
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9: 2-6

Enter in Jesus 2012 years ago and this prophecy was finally fullfilled.  What a beautiful passage highlighting the One who came to save us all.  And he came in the most humble way, as a baby.  Today I hope you remember the greatest gift we could have ever received is the gift of our God putting skin on to come down to this earth to purchase our salvation.  May we also look ahead to the day that he will return a second time to carry us into Eternal life where we have the joy of spending forever and ever in his presence.

Hug your family today.  Love them well. We get super caught up in the gifts and hype of it all... trust me I do too. But Christ is what its really all about.  Merry Christmas!

Happie Christmas

Light

If you think about it, light is fascinating. There can be the tiniest spark of it, yet it pierces darkness in a way that is unavoidable. I love words that encompass light, such as: illuminate, brilliant, radiant, shining, etc. I think there is a powerful theme of light throughout the Bible, that to me is un-ignorable. Do you ever have themes that God highlights to you when reading his Word? I do, and light is definitely one of them.

Jesus spoke of John the Baptist saying, “He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.” (John 5:35) Woah. Jesus spoke that about His dear friend & cousin who is known for paving the wave of making Jesus known. What an honor, for Jesus to describe John as a burning and shining light. I hope that I could be known for that- although I would never compare myself to John the Baptist!

The Bible actually has a lot to say about light. John 1:5 says, “..and the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” If I thought the above statement about John was powerful, well this one his me like a ton of bricks. Darkness can never, EVER overcome light. This resonates both in the physical AND spiritual realm. On a physical note, even the tiniest spark of light will be seen in the midst of darkness. As for the spiritual realm, well… “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” God is triumphant in EVERY situation and has already won the victory by defeating Satan on the Cross. So yes, in the spiritual realm, God who is light, will always defeat darkness as well.

Here are a few scriptures that stick out to me regarding light:

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The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14

No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. Luke 11:33

That was the true light which gives light to every man coming into the world. John 1:9

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Also, I thought it would be fun to include a few pictures from a night of light painting last summer. 

xo, Kelsey Belle

Light