Friday, December 19, 2008

We've hit 100!!!

Hello and welcome to the blog! Thank you for visiting today!

For the regulars…there is no Friday Challenge today…instead we are celebrating…

My 100th post…and He deserves all the glory for this blog.

I dedicate this post to my best Friend. He rescued me from my past to be in relationship with Him and He is teaching me how to live in the center of His grace and love.

We all have been called by the One who can cut the chains of slavery that bind us, the One who created us to live free. The One who paid a very large price for our freedom. He desires more than anything for us to live in this freedom.

who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time 2 Timothy 1:9

God sent His son Jesus on purpose. Jesus lived His life on purpose, and died for a purpose. That purpose is YOU. He came to save you from slavery, slavery to a life of sin and misery. He came to rescue you.

God asks us:
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

Once we accept our free gift of salvation blanketed in His amazing grace, He guides us in a beautiful relationship, bringing us close to His heart. He uses His word to reveal to us our purpose.

There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes and training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (The Message)

We need to believe we are who God says we are. We are a new creation and need to be living in that every moment.
Living: Doing everything in every moment intentionally
My Life: a gift of new life in Him; a progression of relationship, character building, and obedience.
On Purpose: Believing God is intentional, He created everything on purpose, nothing is useless in His eyes, and He brings purpose to glorify His name.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)

God works in ‘all things’-not just isolated incidents-for our good. Not everything that happens to us is good. Evil is prevalent in our fallen world, but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long-range good. God is not working to make us happy, but to fulfill His purpose. Once we are in a grace and love filled relationship with our Creator we are called according to His purpose. God has given us a new perspective, a new mind-set on life. He is teaching us to trust Him, not the people and things of this world; we look for our security in heaven, not on earth; we learn to accept, not resent, pain and persecution because we know God has a purpose, an eternal purpose.

May we allow Him to redeem us from our past, and to restore and renew us to live our lives on purpose.

Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time—pray that our God will make you fit for what he's called you to be, pray that he'll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (The Message)

14 comments:

Tracy said...

Congratulations! I just made 100 too!
We should get together & celebrate ;o}~your place or mine?

I reall enjoy reading your blog. I just wanted to let you know that. I appreciate how open you are and your honesty when it comes to sharing what is on your heart. I haven't been posting alot of devotions lately...it seems that when I do I have church members who take it as me talking to them ;o}~go figure.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Sharon said...

Congratulationsssssssss!!!!!
I am looking forward to that day as well. Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas my friend
God Bless
Sharon

Kimberly said...

Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!

Lord, I thank You for this precious child of Yours, Nichole! I thank You for how she loves You and points us all to You. I thank You that You see her heart to live on purpose for You and that You will continue to guide and direct her. I thank You that You hold all of her days in Your mighty, awesome, more than capable hands! May she hear You clearly, know You intimately, and truly fathom that she is treasured by You completely!
Amen.

Blessings, sweet Nichole! Looking forward to your next 100 God-honoring posts! :)

Anonymous said...

I love when you visit and leave comments on my blog! TY! :)
I need to visit with you more, huh??

Congrats on making it to 100. Here's to 100 more.

Have a great weekend.

Kelly said...

Congrats - I had my 100th a while back and it ws SO EXCITING to me! So congrats - I know the feeling!!

I love the Message version of the Bible. It is awesome.

Congrats again! Here's to the next 100.

LisaShaw said...

Praise the LORD! This is a wonderful message of honoring the LORD and so while I congratulate you for the 100th post I must really give GOD the praise for filling your heart and life with His divine presence and over flowing in such a way that you have much to share with us.

God bless you and Merry Christmas.

Kristi O said...

CONGRATS. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for listening to His voice and staying close to His heart and then sharing it with others.

Luanne said...

Oh, that does sum it all up. Thanks and congrats on turning 100!

Edie said...

You know, I hit 100 last month and didn't even realize it til now. LOL! Oh well. Congratulations to you!!

Rich Blessings to you and yours as you celebrate the Birth!

My ADHD Me said...

Thank you for 100 inspiring posts.
You have been such a blessing to so many of us.
I have a friend that struggles and I have, on more than a few occasions, sent her to your post to read it.

Not to mention, the many times you have spoken to me.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!!

My ADHD Me said...

I forgot to add, even today, Matthew 11:28-30, I'll be sending that verse to her and keeping it for myself too!
Again,
Thank You

Sue J. said...

Nichole, you are such an inspiration...sharing God's Word as you do. You cut to the chase, get to the heart, and if we aren't focused on what we need to do, and ready to take our prayers to God about it, then we've missed out somehow!

I know things have been tough for you guys, but God is good throughout. May He continue to be your Purpose; we are blessed!

Joy Junktion said...

Congratulations on your 100th post ~ I just hit my 50th the other day. I have a ways to go to catch up to you.

I always love reading your blog and taking your challenges. Though many times I may not comment on them - I do read them and attempt to accomplish them.

Blessings to you for another 100.

Cindy

LeeBird3 said...

Congratulations!

May your next 100 be glowing examples of a person experiencing the unforced rhythms of grace!

Love ya