What is a friend?

What is a friend? What really is a friend? A lot of people think friends have to have the same interests, get the same grades, share the same religion, of the same gender, and believe in the same values. Although this is all important, what really matters is if they make us happy, help us become better people, help us get past our insecurities and help us love who we are. I had a friend, who I thought was picture perfect, she seemed perfect, I saw us being friends forever. But, it's when you need them the most, you find out if they are really a true friend. I was always there for her, I was always going the extra mile to be there for her, but then when it got hard for me, or if I needed her, she was only there for me if it was convienent for her. It took a long time letting go. For some reason I didn't want to lose her, but she was always the one that made me cry. Isn't it funny how you have such a hard time letting go of someone who has hurt you the most? Finally, I let go of the past, and allowed God to bring the right friend to me. It's amazing how the friend that is meant for you, was right in frony of me, I never even saw him being the right friend. Shortly after we started hanging out and becoming better friends, we both went through similar trials in our lives. We were both having a hard time making friends and fitting into our different friends. Some people thought it was very strange that we were there for eachother, and encouraging eacherother. One day I asked one of them why they though that, and they answered, "because you are of opposite gender, and why would you be that close if you not dating?" The answer was simple, God wanted us to be friends, He knew we were going to go through similar trials in our lives, it really doesn't matter the gender, as long as you can lift eachother up, encouarge eachother, and just be there for eachother. God has a specific plan for everyone. I never expected one of my best friends to be a guy, but God's in control, and it is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Trust God, and He will reveal His plan to you. Even if you don't think it's the best, God will work it out, He know best, He knows every hair on our head, He knows our future, He just wants us to trust Him. 

Blessings, 

Olivia <>< 

Forgiveness

“Forgive others as quickly as you expect God to forgive you” Wow, as I read that, I myself had to take a deep breath. Forgiveness is not an easy thing, and in top of that, forgiving as quick as you expect God to forgive you, now that’s tough, but is it really? Forgiving is a very difficult and hard thing, but do we make it harder than it is? If you think about it, if someone did something that upset you, for example mocked you in front of people you love and care about, but I am sure that you have done that, or something along the lines of that before, I know I have. Instead of pointing the finger and hesitating to forgive, be like Jesus. You always

expect Jesus to forgive instantly, so why can’t we? Yes, it is definitely easier said, than done. But when you forgive you feel happier, you feel free. I think i know what you’re thinking,  but wait, they are the ones who need forgiveness, shouldn’t they feel free after I forgive them? No, you both should feel free. Free to be friends again, free to love, free to forgive. Jesus forgives you, and you expect him to, so why is it so hard for us to forgive? I, myself am not perfect by any means, but I know for myself, when I forgive, I feel free, I feel happy, I feel like I can try to be like Jesus. Although we will never be like Jesus, no matter how hard we try. But, if we try and push to be like him, we can be the happiest, the most loving, and the most forgiving we can be. As I work on forgiving this week myself, I challenge you to forgive someone who haven’t forgiven, and in the future to be quick to forgive. Let’s look at what the bible has to say about forgiveness. Ephesians 4:32 says “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” How amazing is that? Christ forgave us. No matter how many times we ask God for forgiveness, he giving it. We, as christians need to forgive, we need to be the bigger people (without thinking or acting like we are better then them) and forgive, even before they ask for forgiveness. I hope I challenged you, but also blessed you.

GOD BLESS,

OLIVIA HAGELE

 

Love One Another

There is a quote by Victor Hugo, which says “Love each other dearly always. There is scarcely anything else in the world but that: to love one another.” Us, as Christians need to set an example to the world and love one another. No matter what they have done to you or if you don’t agree with what they do, you just need to love. Love isn’t one of those things where not loving someone is an option. You must love because God is love. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7a it says “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” If you say have love, but aren’t patient, and kind; if you envy or boast, you don’t have love. Yes, not everyone is perfect, and neither am I; but if you really think, I say I have love but I am not kind, I am not patient. At least try, if you find yourself keeping record of others wrongs and being easily angered, just tell yourself “this is not love.” God is love; God does not boast, He does not dishonor others. I am even guilty of this myself, I am the type of person to be easily angered and I just need to tell myself “this is not love, God is love, be like your Father in heaven for He is perfect.” There is nothing wrong with love, you can never love at the wrong time. As long as you just love everyone in your life, you be loved as well. God will place people in your life that love you, yes you will have people in your life who maybe aren’t that loving when you first meet them, but if you love them, most of the time they will love you right back. “Love is contagious” it’s hard to be loved and not love back. But think about this; Jesus loved us all enough to die for us, but not a lot of people chose to love Him, so don’t be discouraged if not everyone you throw love and kindness at love you as much as you love them or not at all. In 1 Corinthians 16:14 it says “Do everything in love.” So no matter what you do, do EVERYTHING in love. No matter the situation. “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:11) I challenge you; don’t become trapped in the worldly ways, but set an example for you peers, set an example for those older than you, set an example to your own church, and lastly set an example to those who younger, so that they may be like Jesus.

God Bless 

Olivia <>< 

"Will they know we are Christians by our love?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CobNWUXb1M

How difficult is it for you to love your fellow Christians? Really, how difficult is it? I’m challenging you to dig deep in your heart for the truth. Not the Sunday school answer, but the God’s honest truth. Are you at odds with other believers? Has someone in the body of Christ hurt your feelings and you are hauling around a grudge the size of a elephant? Do you ever think to yourself that Christians act just as bad sometimes as nonbelievers? Have you considered the hurt and pain you caused Jesus, yet He forgave you and showers you with love everyday? In light of that, would you be willing to reconsider your feelings toward that brother or sister in Christ? Matthew 5:44-45a says this “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” Love those who persecute you? This is hard to swallow sometimes. Ouch! But people have no idea what people so-and-so did to me; Why in the world would I pray for such a person like that? Why would I forgive them after all that? I think back to the gospels where Christ consistently chose to dine and socialize with the sinners over the religious. He loves all of us; even those of us who are making choices that are not aligned with his “teachings.” He said in John 8:7 “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw stone at her.” Christ did not call us to cast stones at each other. Rather, he called us to be loving, merciful, and compassionate. If we want to be Christ to others and bring others to Christ, we need to be love to others. So, the next time you are about to voice your opinion, I urge you to first ask yourself this crucial question. “Will they know I am a Christian by my love?”

Written by: Carmella Lopez

We are all Beautiful

Ladies!
We are all beautiful. No matter what you think of yourself. Every time you compare yourself to others. You need to remind yourself you are beautiful, and made in the image of God. I am not saying to be "full of yourself" and think you are prettier or smarter than other. But not bring yourself down or compare yourself to others. You have to be secure in yourself or you will always have that depressed hole in your heart. Yes, we aren't perfect, but we still need to  think of ourselves as beautiful and a daughter of God who was chosen. Don't worry about your outward appearance (just a little) worry about the kind of person you are, your heart.

First of all, you shouldn't judge about the outward appearance of anyone PERIOD!, even if they are judging you hardcore. there is always some one to talk to (God) and he already knows.

God is always listening and even though He already knows what is going on in your live He is always there to give a listening ear.

If you have been thinking you aren't beautiful on the outside or the inside, or have been judging people because they have been judging you and have even been in tears because of them. Don't think you are a bad person because of this...CHANGE...if you think you need to change. Stop talking about it and DO IT!

I will be praying for all of you!

God Bless
Olivia <><

Social Media

Social Media can be a big blessing or a huge problem for teens, young adults, kids, parents, and even elders. Something I love a bout social media is being able to get in touch with your friends and even people you haven't talked to in a while and see what they are up to now a days. Just recently I found one of my friends I was in 3rd grade with on Instagram. I haven't talked to her since 3rd grade, and it was such a huge blessing to talk to her again. I wasn't really sure if she still knew Jesus or chose to follow him after she left our Christian school and went to public school. But I come to find she was a little shaky with her faith and it was Jesus who called me to bring her back to Him. It was such a blessing to watch. But it can also cause some problems as well. A little while ago there where these posts going around that would say "Repost this and tag your friends, including me if you really care" and for me someone tagged me in it. But I knew for myself I wasn't going to repost it because if I did and forgot to tag someone or chose not to, someone was going to get hurt. Although I didn't repost it, someone still got hurt. The person that tagged me was all offended that I didn't repost and tag her, she thought I didn't consider her as a friend. I felt bad, of course as anyone would. But, I had to tell myself that so many more people would get hurt if I would have posted it. For me, my friend that got all offended that I didn't repost should know better, I am not blaming her, I am just saying that she should know me better than that. That I am her friend no matter what, that our friendship shouldn't depend on some silly Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter post. The bible says in 2 John 1:12 "Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete." 

To me what that is saying is to go out and get together with your friends. If you are offended by any way, instead of writing some nasty comments and say things you will regret in the future. Just tell them something like this "Hey...I was a little hurt by something you said/did, cane we get together or facetime (if they live far away) and talk it out?"

Today I challenge you with this: Take a break from social media and most something about it challenging others to do it as well. Spend more time with God and your friends instead of social media and even after you get back on social media after say (1 month or whatever goal you set for yourself) and try to limit yourself and most importantly try not to limit your time with God and your friends..... 

God Bless

Olivia <>< 

Purpose

~ PURPOSE~ 

   

Everyone has a purpose. Remember that, we may not all have the same purpose, but God created each of us to fulfill something according to his plan...maybe you don't know that purpose yet....maybe you don't think you have a purpose....but let me tell you this....I have always had a purpose to fulfill for Jesus, but I never thought I did and missed out on so much....my purpose is this....sharing the gospel and the love of Jesus through my words and my writings. In Psalm 16:11 it says "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence." 

You have been known to God and if you find that purpose God has given you you will fill Him with joy. Trust me when I say this..."Once I found my purpose...I live life a lot fuller....I have more JOY in my life and love more.......YOU HAVE A PURPOSE! LIVE IT AND LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!! 

God... I pray over everyone who just read this little devotion on "purpose" I pray that each and everyone of them will find their purpose and just be blessed that they did. That they will live life fuller, have more joy in their life and love more....Bless them.....

Love....your children in Christ <3 

Amen

God Bless,
Olivia <><