Free/Good Deals · Lifestyle · Love and Life

The Greatest Gift- Eternal Life

Today I want to share with you what I believe to be the purpose of our lives here on earth.  I believe that God gave us life so that we can love and glorify Him.

Many people believe that eternal life in Heaven is something that we earn through good works, or something we inherit because our parents are religious, or possibly we can attain it through good intentions.  While all these things sound good, the Bible tells us that eternal life is not something we can earn or buy, but instead, it is a gift.

God’s gift is eternal life with Him.

Romans 6:23 | lookingjoligood.blog

The thing about this gift is that before you can get it, you first have to realize that you need this it. Romans 3:23 tells us that “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

All of us have sinned by breaking God’s rules.  Some of the rules are broken by things that we have been doing, and some of the rules have been broken by things that we haven’t been doing.  We have all sinned in one way or another.Romans 3:23 | lookingjoligood.blog

Romans 6:23 tells us that the price for those broken rules is death.  That death isn’t just talking about our physical body dying, but about our spiritual body as well.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When our physical body dies, our spiritual body will go to one of two places, either an eternity in Heaven or an eternal death apart from God in Hell.

God doesn’t want to be separated from us! Romans 5:8 says “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” 

Christ died for us | lookingjoligood.blog

The price of our sin is death, but Jesus Christ already paid the price for our sins when he died on the cross.

Jesus came to earth as God in the flesh. He lived a perfect life and voluntarily took our place on the cross, all because He loves us!  He took your place, He took my place, He paid your price with His life. He loves you!

The Bible tells us in 2 Peter 3:9 that “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9 | lookingjoligood.blog

Any time you get a gift you have to accept it in order to own it.  It is no different with the gift of eternal life, you have to turn to Christ and place our full trust in Him alone.

Romans 10:13 tells us that “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:13 | lookingjoligood.blog

 

If you have never trusted in Jesus Christ to be your personal savior, you can do it right now! It is as simple as believing in your heart that Christ is the only way to have eternal life in Heaven and saying a prayer that is something like this…

“Dear Lord God,
Thank you for the sacrifice you made in sending your only perfect son to die on the cross for my sins!  It should have been me sentenced to that horrible death, but you Lord, gave Jesus to save me from the punishment that I deserve.  Thank you for this free gift of salvation! Amen!”

Jesus is the greatest gift | lookingjoligood.blog

You will never regret that decision! I know how much this decision has changed my life!  If you have just trusted Christ and received the gift of eternal life, I would love for you to tell me!

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on TwitterInstagram,  Pinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all four.

Free/Good Deals · Lifestyle · Love and Life

The Greatest Gift- Eternal Life

Today I want to share with you what I believe to be the purpose of our lives here on earth.  I believe that God gave us life so that we can love and glorify Him.

Many people believe that eternal life in Heaven is something that we earn through good works, or something we inherit because our parents are religious, or possibly we can attain it through good intentions.  While all these things sound good, the Bible tells us that eternal life is not something we can earn or buy, but instead, it is a gift.

God’s gift is eternal life with Him.

Romans 6:23 | lookingjoligood.blog

The thing about this gift is that before you can get it, you first have to realize that you need this it. Romans 3:23 tells us that “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

All of us have sinned by breaking God’s rules.  Some of the rules are broken by things that we have been doing, and some of the rules have been broken by things that we haven’t been doing.  We have all sinned in one way or another.Romans 3:23 | lookingjoligood.blog

Romans 6:23 tells us that the price for those broken rules is death.  That death isn’t just talking about our physical body dying, but about our spiritual body as well.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When our physical body dies, our spiritual body will go to one of two places, either an eternity in Heaven or an eternal death apart from God in Hell.

God doesn’t want to be separated from us! Romans 5:8 says “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” 

Christ died for us | lookingjoligood.blog

The price of our sin is death, but Jesus Christ already paid the price for our sins when he died on the cross.

Jesus came to earth as God in the flesh. He lived a perfect life and voluntarily took our place on the cross, all because He loves us!  He took your place, He took my place, He paid your price with His life. He loves you!

The Bible tells us in 2 Peter 3:9 that “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9 | lookingjoligood.blog

Any time you get a gift you have to accept it in order to own it.  It is no different with the gift of eternal life, you have to turn to Christ and place our full trust in Him alone.

Romans 10:13 tells us that “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:13 | lookingjoligood.blog

 

If you have never trusted in Jesus Christ to be your personal savior, you can do it right now! It is as simple as believing in your heart that Christ is the only way to have eternal life in Heaven and saying a prayer that is something like this…

“Dear Lord God,
Thank you for the sacrifice you made in sending your only perfect son to die on the cross for my sins!  It should have been me sentenced to that horrible death, but you Lord, gave Jesus to save me from the punishment that I deserve.  Thank you for this free gift of salvation! Amen!”

Jesus is the greatest gift | lookingjoligood.blog

You will never regret that decision! I know how much this decision has changed my life!  If you have just trusted Christ and received the gift of eternal life, I would love for you to tell me!

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on TwitterInstagram,  Pinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all four.

Lifestyle

An Unrushed Christmas… Peace Be Still

As Christmas approaches it seems we have to go faster and faster!

The traffic keeps getting worse. The lines in the stores keep getting longer. The calendar is full of special events, parties, and gatherings with family and friends.

Programs. Parties. Shopping trips. Baking days. Cookie swaps. Wrapping nights. Office Dinners….the list goes on and on.

The song says that we are Dreaming of a white Christmas. But in reality, most of us are dreaming of something else entirely… a Silent Night!

Silent Night | lookingjoligood.blog

Our calendars become overloaded and we become overwhelmed.  Instead of enjoying the spiritual significance of the season, we find ourselves just trying to get through the rush. We rush here, hurry there…

At every turn, there are people to see, things to do, stuff to buy. The hustle and bustle of this happiest time of the year can take the holly-jolly right out of our holidays and replace it with a go go go splitting headache instead.

 In Luke 2 we meet a group of shepherds that were “on the clock” working in the fields. Suddenly when an ensemble of angels told them that Christ had been born they immediately left their work and went to find Jesus. Luke 2:16 says “And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”

Maybe we should do the same today. In the middle of our holiday rush and hurry and hustle and bustle, we should stop and leave our work to go find Jesus. We should slow down long enough to hurry in another direction… towards Jesus. We could be calm, quiet, and settled in Jesus’ presence.

As a result, we might discover an unrushed unhurried holiday: a season that will strengthen us spiritually instead of draining all our joy and energy.

How can we be unrushed during such a rushed and busy time of year?

In Matthew 11: 28-30 Jesus asks us to be unhurried with him.

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

matthew 11:28 | lookingjoligood.blog

In Mark 4:9 and Matthew 11:15  He tells us to slow down and listen… Whoever has ears to hear, listen…“And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

In Matthew 6:27 He tells us to calm down our thoughts… “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

In Mark 4:39 he tells us Peace! Be still…”And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”

Mark 4:39| lookingjoligood.blog

In Luke 10 He tells us to stop our busy work to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to His words…Luke 10:40-42 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

The Lord Jesus lived by his own teaching: he was never in a hurry except to go the cross and die for us! Mark 10:32 and Luke 19:28 tell us that When His Father said it was time he turned and headed straight for Jerusalem, leading his disciples with great resolve.

If we stay yoked to Christ then our only hurry will be to listen to God and obey him

peace be still Ps 46:10 | lookingjoligood.blog

We all want to be unrushed and enjoy the holidays in God’s presence.  How can we do this?

“Abide” in God’s blessing by repeating Jesus’ words, “Peace… Be still…”

Pray “Peace Be still” over your calendar.

Pray “Peace Be still” over something you’re stressed about.

Pray “Peace Be still” for a loved one.

Pray “Peace Be still” over situations that you feel rushed.

Pray “Peace Be still” in your life and in your heart.

The parties and wrapping and baking can wait while we stop hurrying to be present with the One whom the holiday is really about.

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on TwitterInstagramPinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all four.

 

Lifestyle

Thy Will by Hillary Scott

I love the word to the song The Will by Hillary Scott! One of my favorite lines is “It’s hard to count it all joy distracted by the noise

Too often I let the noise of what is happening around me take away my joy.

Thy Will by Hillary Scott | lookingjoligood.blog

Thy Will by Hillary Scott

I’m so confused
I know I heard you loud and clear
So I’ll follow through
Somehow I ended up here

I don’t wanna think
I may never understand
That my broken heart is a part of your plan
When I try to pray
All I got is hurt
And these four words
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done

I know you’re good
But this don’t feel good right now
And I know you think
Of things I could never think about

It’s hard to count it all joy
Distracted by the noise
Just trying to make sense of all your promises
Sometimes I gotta stop
Remember that you’re God
And I am not

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on Instagram, TwitterPinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all four.

BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS · Lifestyle

Birds On A Wire

I absolutely adore Karen Stubbs and her Birds on a Wire Ministry. She is so real and genuine! If you are looking for a great devotional I recommend her book Moments With God for Mom’s, it’s one of my favorites.

Moments With God for Mom's | lookingjoligood.blog

Moments With God for Mom’s

“Whether you are a first-time mom of a newborn or a seasoned mom of a teenager, Karen Stubbs knows that you need encouragement and a little time out. This year-long devotional will meet you where you are and accompany you through the rewarding, challenging and God-ordained journey of motherhood.”

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on TwitterPinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.

Lifestyle

Joy is a Choice

If I’ve learned anything in these last several months it’s that joy and contentment are a choice.

Today I will choose to have contentment and be joyful!

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
Psalms 30:11‭-‬12

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16‭-‬18

Joy is a choice! | lookingjoligood.blog

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Romans 15:13

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Philippians 4:11

At my LOWEST God is my HOPE.
At my DARKEST God is my LIGHT.
At my WEAKEST God is my STRENGTH.
At my SADDEST God is my COMFORT.

Today I choose JOY!

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on TwitterPinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.

Lifestyle

Feeling Overwhelmed?

I wanted to share something with you that I read in my devotions the other morning….

“When you feel overwhelmed, ask yourself, “Am I sacrificing my sanity or family to make this happen?”

Pray about how God wants you to spend your time. What is best for you? Your marriage? Your family? Creating healthy boundaries removes control’s talons and anchors them in freeing permission. Along with God’s prompting, only you are in charge of your calendar. Fill yourself with Him first before pouring yourself out.”

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28‭-‬30

screenshot_20180710-0831563754689003901887730.jpg

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on TwitterPinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.

Lifestyle

The Blessing of the Storm

The other day was a hot humid summer day. As I was out in my yard in the evening, I noticed the flowers in my garden were all wilting from the heat.

That night as it started to rain, I listened to the thunder and watched the lightning, it made me think… Sometimes the storm turns out to really be a blessing. It cooled off the air and brought the rain my flower beds needed.

Sometimes in life, it takes storms to bring special blessings too. When everything goes the way we’d like, we often forget how much we need Jesus. But when we go through difficult times, we learn more about Him and about how much He loves and cares for us. No matter how fierce the storm seems, He loves and cares for us more than you can even imagine.

I don’t like the “storms” in my life. I don’t like to be unhappy or uncomfortable or disappointed. During those times, I need to learn to stop questioning why God sends storms into my life, and just trust Him to be with me and see me through them. (Proverbs 3:5-7)

Having faith in Jesus and trusting Him will give us the strength to brave any storm that comes our way. Then just like my flower beds, after the storm has passed, we’ll be refreshed.

Heavenly Father, help me to search for you in the storm.  Guide me with your strength. May I search for the blessings among the pain.

james 1:2-3 | lookingjoligood.blog

James 1:2-3

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Psalms 46:1‭-‬3 | lookingjoligood.blog

Psalms 46:1‭-‬3

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Proverbs 3:5‭-‬7 | lookingjoligood.blog

Proverbs 3:5‭-‬7

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord , and depart from evil.

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on TwitterPinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.

Lifestyle

“What About The Things You Can’t Change?” A Devotional by Anna Light

I really enjoyed this devotional by Anna Light entitled “What about the things you can’t change?” It spoke to my heart and I wanted to share it with all of you!

Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Psalms 37:4 | lookingjoligood.blog
“We can’t change another person’s heart. We can’t change the past. We might not be able to change or control our circumstances. But do you believe, in His divine understanding, that God has placed you in this life with your issues, relationships, and station, for a specific reason? Could He be using those things that are out of our control, to teach us absolute trust in His perfect plan for our lives? God doesn’t waste anything. He doesn’t waste a hardened heart, tough circumstances, or things outside our control. What might He be showing you through the things in your life that you don’t like, but cannot change?”
Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

“Another question to ask ourselves: are we enduring the things we can’t change or embracing them?
There’s a big difference between enduring and embracing and the difference is in our attitude. Enduring means we do just enough to get by while embracing elevates us from survival to thriving, even in the midst of our hardship.
When we choose to embrace instead of enduring, nothing might change in our circumstances, but the change will be in our heart. He can use those unmoving circumstances to soften our heart, which might not have changed otherwise.
Psalm 37:4 can help us understand this idea a little better. “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Growing up I always thought that meant if I did all the right things I would get what I wanted… only later did I learn the true meaning of the word “delight.” The Hebrew word translated “delight” literally means to be delicate. It carries the idea of being pliable and soft. So when God says to delight ourselves in Him, He’s saying, “Let Me mold and shape your desires. As you delight in Me, your desires will become My desires. What I want will be what you want.”
Is He asking you to dive into what He’s given you so that through the things that cannot be changed become the things that change you?
Mark 11:24 | lookingjoligood.blog

Mark 11:23-24 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Lord, there are some things in my life that I do not like, but I have no power to change. Show me what it is I can do to change my attitude and mindset. I want a heart of flesh, molded and shaped by your loving hands. Help me trust You even when I don’t understand what I’m going through. I place this difficult, unchanging situation in Your hands and ask that Your will be done.”
lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.

Free/Good Deals · Lifestyle · Love and Life

The Greatest Gift- Eternal Life

I have been writing here on Looking JoliGood for almost three years now. (Wow, does time fly!!!) I have shared many things about all kinds of different topics, some beauty related, some health-related, some related to spiritual things.

Today I am sharing with you what I believe to be the purpose of our lives here on earth.  I believe that God gave us life so that we can love and glorify Him.

Many people believe that eternal life in Heaven is something that we earn through good works, or something we inherit because our parents are religious, or possibly we can attain it through good intentions.  While all these things sound good, the Bible tells us that eternal life is not something we can earn or buy, but instead, it is a gift.

God’s gift is eternal life with Him.

Romans 6:23 | lookingjoligood.blog

The thing about this gift is that before you can get it, you first have to realize that you need this it. Romans 3:23 tells us that “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

All of us have sinned by breaking God’s rules.  Some of the rules are broken by things that we have been doing, and some of the rules have been broken by things that we haven’t been doing.  We have all sinned in one way or another.Romans 3:23 | lookingjoligood.blog

Romans 6:23 tells us that the price for those broken rules is death.  That death isn’t just talking about our physical body dying, but about our spiritual body as well.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When our physical body dies, our spiritual body will go to one of two places, either an eternity in Heaven or an eternal death apart from God in Hell.

God doesn’t want to be separated from us! Romans 5:8 says “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” 

Christ died for us | lookingjoligood.blog

The price of our sin is death, but Jesus Christ already paid the price for our sins when he died on the cross.

Jesus came to earth as God in the flesh. He lived a perfect life and voluntarily took our place on the cross, all because He loves us!  He took your place, He took my place, He paid your price with His life. He loves you!

The Bible tells us in 2 Peter 3:9 that “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9 | lookingjoligood.blog

Any time you get a gift you have to accept it in order to own it.  It is no different with the gift of eternal life, you have to turn to Christ and place our full trust in Him alone.

Romans 10:13 tells us that “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:13 | lookingjoligood.blog

 

If you have never trusted in Jesus Christ to be your personal savior, you can do it right now! It is as simple as believing in your heart that Christ is the only way to have eternal life in Heaven and saying a prayer that is something like this…

“Dear Lord God,
Thank you for the sacrifice you made in sending your only perfect son to die on the cross for my sins!  It should have been me sentenced to that horrible death, but you Lord, gave Jesus to save me from the punishment that I deserve.  Thank you for this free gift of salvation! Amen!”

You will never regret that decision! I know how much this decision has changed my life!  If you have just trusted Christ and received the gift of eternal life, I would love for you to tell me!

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on TwitterInstagram,  Pinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all four.