capable

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capable

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me
Philippians 4:13

This is such a familiar verse to many of us, but do we truly live this truth?

This capability is not in thinking we can do things like jump off a building and fly or some other crazy thing. It is not a replacement for learning and study of things we want to know.

This capability is that we CAN DO anything God has told us to do:

teach the gospel, be kind to people, show mercy, help people, be a godly wife & mother! etc. 

Let’s remember we ARE capable IN Christ …. to do these commands from God’s Word and then go and do them!

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me
Philippians 4:13

This is such a familiar verse to many of us, but do we truly live this truth?

This capability is not in thinking we can do things like jump off a building and fly or some other crazy thing. It is not a replacement for learning and study of things we want to know.

This capability is that we CAN DO anything God has told us to do:

teach the gospel, be kind to people, show mercy, help people,be a godly wife & mother! etc. 

Let’s remember we ARE capable IN Christ …. to do these commands from God’s Word and then go and do them!

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d31fb     d31insta      d31twi

a plug for my shop

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a plug for my shop

I try to keep my blog posts as much about spiritual encouragement as possible! But I wanted to share that I have a couple of shops out there too!

I have an ETSY shop where I sell hand-made jewelry sets, designed by me from reclaimed beads. The shipping is free to anyone in the continental U.S.–if you are outside of the U.S., please feel free to message me about working something out!

I have several sets currently available and am working on more, but definitely need to move inventory!

Be sure to check out my FACEBOOK page or weardesigning31 album to see sets not yet listed!

Here’s a sample of what you’ll find in my shop:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/586836753/turquoise-and-white-stone-bracelet-and
https://www.etsy.com/listing/586836753/turquoise-and-white-stone-bracelet-and
https://www.etsy.com/listing/579603941/black-and-white-silver-bracelet-and
https://www.etsy.com/listing/579603941/black-and-white-silver-bracelet-and
https://www.etsy.com/listing/573567642/lime-and-gold-bracelet-and-earrings
https://www.etsy.com/listing/573567642/lime-and-gold-bracelet-and-earrings

I am currently earning money for some specific activities for our family; but a minimum of 20% of all sales goes towards MISSIONS, foreign and domestic.

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lesson from an upholstery needle

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lesson from an upholstery needle

This is taken from my instagram… posted last summer. I found it again when browsing my old pictures, and I know not everyone who reads my blog is on IG.

Sometimes sewing tools offer some pretty interesting insights for me. What I learned this day from a rather large upholstery needle, that looked as though it could withstand any amount of tugging and pulling, especially through a small mending project on my couch, was that appearances are often deceiving.

[this shows it next to a normal sized sewing needle]

Looking at this needle before I began my project, I would not have guessed the stress of previous mending projects had caused it to become so fragile. And yet, it was. I pulled, hoping to break the thread because I was too lazy to reach for the scissors; and the needle broke instead.

When we, in our often self-centered lives (remember, I’m talking about myself), neglect to notice the stresses we cause on others- through: being habitually late, unprepared, unlovingly critical… then there’s the spiritual stress of not praying for friends, forgetting to check on those we know are hurting, and many other situations that are unseen, but definitely felt- we then fail to realize that the reason someone becomes broken is often not because they were weak, but because we were too lazy to get the scissors and cut the string. We just pulled… along with everyone else in their life, and they paid the price.

Do you have a friend that is just always there? Always in his/her place at work, at church, in your school activities…? Thank them. Hug them. Send them a card. And also, don’t be late when you’re going to help… be prepared, and don’t offer criticism without a loving word or gesture. And then: pray for them; text and tell them so! You may need to pull on them, but try not to be the reason they feel broken one day.

#sewingtools #randomthoughts #designing31

 

This is taken from my instagram… posted last summer. I found it again when browsing my old pictures, and I know not everyone who reads my blog is on IG.
Sometimes sewing tools offer some pretty interesting insights for me. What I learned this day from a rather large upholstery needle, that looked as though it could withstand any amount of tugging and pulling, especially through a small mending project on my couch, was that appearances are often deceiving.
[this shows it next to a normal sized sewing needle]
Looking at this needle before I began my project, I would not have guessed the stress of previous mending projects had caused it to become so fragile. And yet, it was. I pulled, hoping to break the thread because I was too lazy to reach for the scissors; and the needle broke instead. 
When we, in our often self-centered lives (remember, I’m talking about myself), neglect to notice the stresses we cause on others- through: being habitually late, unprepared, unlovingly critical… then there’s the spiritual stress of not praying for friends, forgetting to check on those we know are hurting, and many other situations that are unseen, but definitely felt- we then fail to realize that the reason someone becomes broken is often not because they were weak, but because we were too lazy to get the scissors and cut the string. We just pulled… along with everyone else in their life, and they paid the price.
Do you have a friend that is just always there? Always in his/her place at work, at church, in your school activities…? Thank them. Hug them. Send them a card. And also, don’t be late when you’re going to help… be prepared, and don’t offer criticism without a loving word or gesture. And then: pray for them; text and tell them so! You may need to pull on them, but try not to be the reason they feel broken one day. #sewingtools #randomthoughts #designing31

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d31fb     d31insta      d31twi

free

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free

Freedom… such a concept we seem to prize in our American culture… but it has also become a bit twisted in our current society.

Often it is seen purely as a release from restraints, an ability or even right to make our own decisions or to take something without consequence.

But let us read a few verses that speak of our FREEDOM in CHRIST:

17~But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18~Being then made free from sin ye became the servants of righteousness.
Romans 6:17-18

and

1~There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2~For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1

Did you notice anything about this being FREE in Christ?

We are not free FROM Christ! We are free from SIN!

We are no longer slaves to the law of sin and death!! What comfort!

What a FREEDOM!!

But with this freedom comes another obligation, another master. We are to walk after the Spirit. We are to be servants of righteousness. What a privilege! What a TRUTH to cling to!

This world thinks that freedom is in having the right to choose things like how they want to live or what they want to wear and eat, regardless of others’ thoughts or desires.

But true, complete freedom is only found IN Christ… in serving Him and in striving to live for Him!

Freedom… such a concept we seem to prize in our American culture… but it has also become a bit twisted in our current society.

Often it is seen purely as a release from restraints, an ability or even right to make our own decisions or to take something without consequence.

But let us read a few verses that speak of our FREEDOM in CHRIST:

17~But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18~Being then made free from sin ye became the servants of righteousness.
Romans 6:17-18

and

1~There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2~For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1

Did you notice anything about this being FREE in Christ?

We are not free FROM Christ! We are free from SIN!

We are no longer slaves to the law of sin and death!! What comfort!

What a FREEDOM!!

But with this freedom comes another obligation, another master. We are to walk after the Spirit. We are to be servants of righteousness. What a privilege! What a TRUTH to cling to!

This world thinks that freedom is in having the right to choose things like how they want to live or what they want to wear and eat, regardless of others’ thoughts or desires.

But true, complete freedom is only found IN Christ… in serving Him and in striving to live for Him!

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confident

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confident

3~I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4~Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
5~For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
6~Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
7~Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
Philippians 1:6

When I think of the word confident I usually think of being self-assured or certain about something… in a self-centered way. But here, our confidence is NOT in self! Our confidence is [and should only be] found in the work that Jesus has done and will do!.

We can be completely assured that Jesus’ work on the cross was enough for our salvation.

We can be certain that He has begun and will continue a good work in and through each of our lives.

We can walk through the day, not in self-centered optimism that the world proclaims, but in the humble, hopeful certainty that God is with us and Jesus is doing a work through us… to make us more in His image.

3~I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4~Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
5~For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
6~Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
7~Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
Philippians 1:6

When I think of the word confident I usually think of being self-assured or certain about something… in a self-centered way. But here, our confidence is NOT in self! Our confidence is [and should only be] found in the work that Jesus has done and will do!.

We can be completely assured that Jesus’ work on the cross was enough for our salvation.

We can be certain that He has begun and will continue a good work in and through each of our lives.

We can walk through the day, not in self-centered optimism that the world proclaims, but in the humble, hopeful certainty that God is with us and Jesus is doing a work through us… to make us more in His image.

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d31fb     d31insta      d31twi

secure

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secure

Do you ever worry about things?

{{HAND RAISED HERE!}}

This truth is one that should erase ALL worry from our minds!

We {as believers} are secure in our position
before God through Jesus Christ!

Just read through these verses below and see if they don’t help you today….

31~ What shall we then say to these things? IF God be for us, who can be against us?
32~He that spared not his own Son, but delievered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33~Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? it is God that justifieth.
34~Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35~Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36~As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37~Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38~For I am persuaded, that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39~Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:31-39

I think the list of things we might think could separate us from God is quite complete and all-inclusive! There is nothing we can even imagine that could separate us from the love of God…and in this brief and fleeting life on earth, does anything else matter?

There is really nothing more I can say here. Just read those verses again {meditate on them!} if you feel worry creeping up!

Do you ever worry about things?

{{HAND RAISED HERE!}

This truth is one that should erase ALL worry from our minds!

We {as believers} are secure in our position
before God through Jesus Christ!

Just read through these verses below and see if they don’t help you today….

31~ What shall we then say to these things? IF God be for us, who can be against us?
32~He that spared not his own Son, but delievered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33~Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? it is God that justifieth.
34~Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35~Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36~As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37~Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38~For I am persuaded, that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39~Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:31-39

I think the list of things we might think could separate us from God is quite complete and all-inclusive! There is nothing we can even imagine that could separate us from the love of God…and in this brief and fleeting life on earth, does anything else matter?

There is really nothing more I can say here. Just read those verses again {meditate on them!} if you feel worry creeping up!

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complete

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complete

Colossians 2:9-10
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power…

This passage is so encouraging!

Earlier we are cheered by the reminder of our access to ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge found in God through Jesus. Then we are admonished to walk in Christ with thankfulness and to beware of false doctrines! We can best interpret faulty teachings through THOROUGH study of TRUTH!

Then we are emboldened to know that we are COMPLETE… in Jesus.

The fulness of God dwells in Jesus… and He is our head–the head of ALL principality and power!

We may struggle each day to find our focus, even find our motivation…
but remembering that we are COMPLETE in CHRIST should help us do all we do!

He is right here with you, completing all you need to accomplish your daily tasks…

what JOY!

Colossians 2:9-10
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power…

This passage is so encouraging!

Earlier we are cheered by the reminder of our access to ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge found in God through Jesus. Then we are admonished to walk in Christ with thankfulness and to beware of false doctrines! We can best interpret faulty teachings through THOROUGH study of TRUTH!

Then we are emboldened to know that we are COMPLETE… in Jesus.

The fulness of God dwells in Jesus… and He is our head–the head of ALL principality and power!

We may struggle each day to find our focus, even find our motivation…
but remembering that we are COMPLETE in CHRIST should help us do all we do!

He is right here with you, completing all you need to accomplish your daily tasks…

what JOY!

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d31fb     d31insta      d31twi

one year writing plan: for KIDS

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one year writing plan: for KIDS

I love browsing the internet for all the Bible Study resources out there. I’ve spent a few dollars here and there, and am ever so thankful for free printables, but one thing I have not found many of is Bible verse writing plans for children… specifically plans having just 1 verse per day. You see, I have a couple of children that struggle with writing-the actual physical act of writing; yet I really want them to have a plan and create a habit of writing Scripture! (as well as reading it!)

The book of Psalms is a particular favorite of many believers I know. 

And what a book it is! …so full of descriptions of God’s person and attributes! With so many truths packed into this one book and a whole year having so many days, I thought this would be a good pairing! I combined this desire and this love together into a 12 month writing plan for kids!

I have wanted my younger children to have a very simple writing plan as well as reinforce the powerful truths about God and His power, mercy and grace found in the book of Psalms for quite some time; so as I read through and saw so many verses I had marked over the years, I decided to create a writing for us plan that I hope can be useful to you too!

The actual plan is labeled only by numerals, and not a year, so you can use it many times over the years of young ones growing up. Simply save the file on your computer and print as often as you need.

Head over to Etsy to find it at a very reasonable price….

along with a few other printables I have for sale.

I love browsing the internet for all the Bible Study resources out there. I’ve spent a few dollars here and there, and am ever so thankful for free printables, but one thing I have not found many of is Bible verse writing plans for children… specifically plans having just 1 verse per day. You see, I have a couple of children that struggle with writing-the actual physical act of writing; yet I really want them to have a plan and create a habit of writing Scripture! (as well as reading it!)

The book of Psalms is a particular favorite of many believers I know. 

And what a book it is! …so full of descriptions of God’s person and attributes! With so many truths packed into this one book and a whole year having so many days, I thought this would be a good pairing! I combined this desire and this love together into a 12 month writing plan for kids!

I have wanted my younger children to have a very simple writing plan as well as reinforce the powerful truths about God and His power, mercy and grace found in the book of Psalms for quite some time; so as I read through and saw so many verses I had marked over the years, I decided to create a writing for us plan that I hope can be useful to you too!

The actual plan is labeled only by numerals, and not a year, so you can use it many times over the years of young ones growing up. Simply save the file on your computer and print as often as you need.

Head over to Etsy to find it at a very reasonable price….

along with a few other printables I have for sale.

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d31fb     d31insta      d31twi