Daily Devotional: 12/26/2018 - SCRIPTURE SERIES PT. II (JG)

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

This is a continuation of a series that I started back out towards the end of July, The Scripture Series. I was inspired after going on an encouragement date with a sister from Long Island and one with from our region. Usually at the end of these dates like the next day, later or whenever they have the chance the sisters will write a card. And because I am me and I feel if someone gets me something I have to get them something in return, so I decided to combine the love for art and Scripture into one. But then I was like "BRAIN BLAST" why not make one for all the sisters in our campus for an encouragement for the upcoming semester and year. That was how The Scripture Series was created. We are now on Part Two with one more part to come so we can encourage and give sisters hope all across the world for days to come.

• Women have it hard no matter where they go or what they do. They lack equality in every aspect. They are constantly objectified and are constantly being taken advantage of. It is our job as men and as human beings to treat all these women with respect, love and the dignity they deserve.
• I am going to try and keep these relatively short, but if God leads long we go long. Going to throw some fun facts and some scripture and call it a day.
• The last series was all to sisters in the church (plus one very special woman outside the church). This series is dedicated to the people I call family, whether they be actual blood or women that help keep me sane at school.

Here are a couple fun facts for you, the first being that Tsar Peter the Great was so fascinated by the sunny flowers he saw in the Netherlands that he took some back to Russia. They became popular when people discovered that sunflower see oil was not banned during Lent. By the 19th Century, the country was planting 2 million acres of sunflowers every year. The other fun fact is that the color pink is known to have a calming effect on people. It is used on prison walls in order to reduce erratic behavior of inmates.

Have you ever sat there and felt that you are not enough? You ever think and wonder when all the pain is going to stop? Have you ever sat there and cursed God for "not being there" for you when you need him the most? Have you ever sat there and cried so hard that you no longer have any tears left? Or you do not know whether you hate the situation you are in or yourself more?

• Because same.

This was my mood most of my life and I still catch myself going back to this stage.

There are many reasons why I write these devotionals. I have been through a lot in my life when it comes to depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, but in the end God has lifted me up through it. God gave me this gift to write and to connect with people on this kind of level. I write for God first, to glorify him with every letter and with every word. I write to spread his word and his love. But there is also another reason why I write these devotionals, I do this for my people (JG, KK, AC, SC, MR and my boys). Every devotional that I write is a letter to them, whether they read it or not every single one of devotionals I have them in mind while I write.

Growing up baseball was everything, it was my god. I ate, slept, and breathed baseball. Day and night baseball was on my mind. Every team I played for if I was not the best, I was one of the them. I started on every team. Every single coach I played for loved me, teams feared me. So of course it was a shock, when I came to college and God put me in my place. I was not playing for him I was playing for me, I was not giving him the time I was giving baseball. I did not get the playing time I was use to and the coach I and did not get along and connect on anything. It was safe to say I lost a lot of love for the game (and I am still trying to get it fully back), but I found a new love. A love in something bigger, God, I found Jesus through the hot mess of my life.

• I found a bigger purpose in life. When you feel some area in your life being diminshed take advantage, fill that area with God.
• But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)

We are called to praise God. There is so much in life to be thankful for. There are countless verses telling us to praise and worship God, and only God. He is a jealous God.

• He made us and we worship other things, I would be jealous and mad, too.

There are countless examples in the Bible on how to worship and praise God. Just look at David in 2 Samuel 6. After defeating the Philistines, David came back and celebrated, but this was not an ordinary celebration. He went around dancing in the streets, he danced so hard that his clothes fell off.

• I would not suggest doing that in today's day and age, but you get the point.

If the Tsar of Russia loved sunflowers so much that he brought them over and not there are 2 million acres annually being planted, how much more can our God do. How much more can we glorify him, we should spread the Word to give him the thanks he deserves.

• Follow the example of the Tsar and plant the seed in the heart of someone and let God water it (Even if the person refuses do not give up, be the Light in their life).

God has the ultimate calming and loving effect on people. Go to him, for his arms are always open and he is always waiting for us. We are "fearfully and wonderfully made", what other reason do we need. He makes us full.

Lord, thank you for all that you do. You made us in your image. Your beautiful and perfect image. I am truly thankful for all you do, I can not thank you enough. Take the toxic out of my life and fill it with you. Fill my cup. Allow me to reflect your love, grace, mercy and your Light. I pray all this in your son's glorious awesome name, Amen.

• Life is too short not to be full of God and his love. Allow the Light shine bright through you.

#LetsBeAMovement