Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
For the last few weeks I have been writing a series on seeking God's guidance. I wanted to share points that will help when you are at the point of making a decision. We all know when God is in the decision, it's always better for us and others. If you are just now joining us please go back and read part 1 (introduction), part 2, part 3, part 4.
Meditating on God's word is the 4th thing we need to do when seeking God's guidance. I often like to say marinate on God's word instead of meditate, because we need to dive into God's word, rolling and bathing ourselves in it. Or in simple terms, spend more time reading our Bible. All answers we need in life are written there. God's word is living and breathing, and it has a power so powerful that our little minds can not understand. The more time we spend in God's word the clearer our path will become as it lights our path. So don't remain in darkness, fretting over what you should do, but meditate in God's word, letting it lead you from the darkness to safety.
1 John 5:14,15 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
For the last three weeks I have been writing a series on seeking God's guidance. I wanted to share points that will help when you are at the point of making a decision. We all know when God is in the decision, it's always better for us and others. This is part two in seeking God's guidance. If you are just now joining us please go back and read part 1, part 2, part 3.
The third thing we need to look at is asking. God promises that when we ask according to His will, He hears us. And when we know that He hears us, we know He has answered, even though the answer may come over a long period of time.
I have to point out a key point in these verses. These verses are often used out of context, leading people to believe they can ask for anything and God will supply. God is not a genie. We can't ask and poof, we get it or it happens. God doesn't work that way. It says, "according to His will." God has a plan for each of us, and He knows what's best for us. His will often doesn't coincide with our wants. Just keep in mind that God loves you more than you can imagine.
1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
For the last two weeks I have been writing a series on seeking God's guidance. I wanted to share points that will help when you are at the point of making a decision. We all know when God is in the decision, it's always better for us and others. This is part two in seeking God's guidance. If you are just now joining us please go back and read part 1, part 2.
The second thing we need to do before we go before our Creator is surrendering. Submitting to the will of God is both a humbling and uplifting experience. I will also say it is essential. We have to give God control of our lives. In today's society this is not always easy. Not submitting to God and trying to control aspects of our lives is stemmed from good ole pride. When I thing of pride, I always think of the fallen Lucifer and his pride. It is the same for us. Our pride always causes us to fall.
So go to an altar, your living room, bedroom, where ever you feel comfortable, and kneel or lie prostrate (although this is not required, it is very humbling), freely give you life to God. Submitting your life in every area; the future of your job, your marriage, your finances, your health, etc. Trusting God that no matter where life takes you, whether easy or tough, God's will will be done in your life. I have to say to the mothers, this includes our child's lives too. We tend to try to emit motherly control over our children. This can be relevant in young children, but as they get older we have to submit their lives to the Lord. Remember, even as much as you love your child, God loves him/her more, and He has a plan for their life too. I do not want to be the one who gets in the way of that plan.
Submitting to God can be easy when life is going our way, but what happens when the road gets rocky? Trusting God, and not jumping in trying to control and twist things to work out the way we want is not easy (especially for us control freaks). How you deal with these trials will either cause you break down, or it will cause you to mature as a Christian. When we submit and seek God's will in these situations, we are being molded to be more like Jesus.
I've been learning about BNR and BNS treasuries on Etsy. I have to admit, I've seen several, and have been confused in the instructions. My learning has been a trial and error experience. I'm no guru by all means, but I finally feel I have a grip on how these things work.
Here's the definitions I took of one of the teams on Etsy:
A BNS means “Buy and Stay.” A curator, the person who makes the treasury list, will set up their BNS round. It will feature shops that you may buy from. In general, you can buy anything from those shops, unless the rules state otherwise. Once you buy from those shops, you will get put on a list to be featured in the next round. The pros to BNS? You have an opportunity to make more than one sale per round.
A BNR means “Buy and Replace.” A curator will make the treasury list for their BNR round. It will feature shops that you may buy from. In general, you can buy anything from those shops, unless the rules state otherwise. Once you buy from those shops, your shop will immediately replace the purchased from shop. The pros to BNR? They are often quicker moving than a BNS. The cons: You make one sale per purchase.
A few things I have learned (some the hard way):
1. It's very important to read the instructions. Each BNR/BNS are different, depending on the curator's specifics.
2. If you are not sure, ask the curator! In my experience, they have all been helpful and patient with my "silly" questions.
3. You don't have to purchase the item displayed, but anything from that shop.
4. Promote! Promote! Promote!
Why would you want to be a part of a BNS or BNR? Sales!!! The shops participating will be promoting too so your shop exposures is great. In the last few weeks, I have participated in 4. My sales have increased and my shop and items have been hearted a lot. Hopeful those hearts are for future holiday purchases. I also think they are fun. You get to meet more creative, like-minded people as yourself.
My panda purse is displayed in this wonderful treasury. Check it out!
NO minimum after coupon/before shipping 5+ is an extra spot Every $5.00 over that is an extra spot. Buy from 30MinuteVacation or CKDesignsUS for one additional spot. No call outs needed. Rounds not always but possibly consecutive.
1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Last week I started a series on seeking God's guidance. I wanted to share points that will help when you are at the point of making a decision. We all know when God is in the decision, it's always better for us and others. This is part two in seeking God's guidance. If you are just now joining us please go back and read part 1.
The first thing we need before we go before our Creator is cleansing. We need to ask God (and ourselves), "is there anything in my life that is hindering me from hearing what You are saying?" If so, cleanse yourself with confession and repentance.
Even Christians sin. Sometimes the sin is from a habit of our old flesh, or it could be from a new situation in our life, but it is still sin. When we have sin in our life, we sometimes feel like God is nowhere to be found, and question if He hears us. This feeling causes us to feel discouraged and shameful. Satan loves to have us here. He will often tell you "God doesn't love you," or "God will never forgive you." That is so far from the truth (exactly where Satan wants us...far from the truth). 1John 1:9 shows us how big a liar Satan is.
Take a moment to sit and cleanse yourself, restoring your relationship with our mighty God. A restored relationship means the communication lines are open. Be prepared to hear what God has in store for you and your life.
Magnificent God by Big Daddy Weave
Yes, I did it. I opened another Etsy store. I know several people that have multiple stores, and I always wondered why. I mean, I sometimes find it hard to keep up with one store. I have read that if what you sell varies greatly, it is better to open another store catering to that niche.
So, what changed my mind? Well it was my husband, and... a little me. Let me explain. My husband loves those reality shows like American Pickers, Pawn Stars, and Storage Wars. He has always loved going to auctions and yard sales too. So he has decided in his spare time, he was going to purchase storage units and sell the goods out of a local building. He is doing pretty good at it, but the main thing is he loves it. I'm not really an auction person, but I love to yard sale. To find that one piece that fits is always exciting. That is what has happened here. He buys a unit and I rummage through the stuff, looking for that perfect piece. Well, I have found several nice vintage pieces.
These pieces are why I opened another store. We are a husband-wife team in this adventure. He travels and brings in the goods, and I take the pictures and list. Our stash is growing on a steady basis. In fact, I don't know how much more we can store here in our home. I recently went to an estate and came home with my Ford Expedition full. In that lot was a very large bag of very nice vintage fabric. It has taken me a while to sort through, measure, and photograph each piece. There is about 50 pieces ranging from 1/2 yard to 3 yards. The biggest challenge has been not to hoard the fabric all to myself.
Mountain Attic is what we decided to call it. Our love for these beautiful mountains seems to find its way into all aspects of our life. But I think it has a catchy ring to it. The shop is slowly being filled with lovely vintage and primitive treasures.
