Paddling through your past.

 

Life is so easy… Said no one ever! 

In todays blog I’d like to give you some advice and also tell a testimony of mine along with a prophetic word from God. 

A few months ago I published a blog named Steady your boat which was completely from God. If you haven’t read it thats fine, I’ll leave the link at the end. If you’ve been following my blog and instagram account you will know I’m struggling with anxiety and depression. 

The overview of the blog was that God had spoke to me and told me that I needed to steady my boat. It was a warning to prepare myself and my church for the journey and changes we where about to face. At this point I did not know that the church pastors where making decisions to move to a bigger venue. The words God spoke to me where about steadying our boats as the journey ahead is going to be on a stormy sea and we have to get past the rocky shores to get to beautiful sands. This was totally prophetic and a little confusing when I first heard it as I had no idea we were moving venue until I messaged my pastor with what had just happened to me, we then got together and I was told about the changes. 

This blog will be a recap of Gods words he spoke to me and it will discuss our past and sailing through to the sands as God doesn’t  want us to stay in the stormy sea he wants us to be happy surrounded with his beauty. 

The theme of today is renewal. What I’ve recently learnt is that if we truly want change, our hearts are ready for the renewal that only God’s spirit can bring to us. 

Acts 3:19 Repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. 

God promises to give you a fresh start. Which is great as a lot of us would really appreciate a fresh start. He will cleanse you.

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. 

Recently I’ve prayed for renewal. I prayed for energy to focus more on the Lord. 

I have noticed that the way God renews and revives us, is by inspiration, encouragement, and comforting us through his word. The more I read his word, the more I am comforted and excited to share the word with others. 

I have prayed for strength daily for the past few months as I am physically, mentally and emotionally drained. After being quite angry at God for not saving me from the horrors I have had to endure I am now feeling grateful but confused about my ordeal. I know I am not out of the woods yet but I also know that I am not alone on this journey and The Lord will renew my strength. And that he will guide me along right paths, which will bring honour to his name. - Psalm 23:3 

And even though I am struggling right now, God is showing a picture to me. A picture of myself paddling in the sea, I am in a boat and I am full of strength and I am strong. (Which is not how I feel right now) But I am in this boat paddling through all the waves and litter close to the shore. I have to paddle through the weeds which means having a lot of strength as the weeds are tough. But in this picture, I make it to the shore. I actually make it the shore and I’m singing on the sand. At the top of my lungs. I love it when God shares these pictures or words with me. Prophetic visions are special and I feel very grateful and humbled by this amazing encounter with the spirit. 

I urge you to pray to the Lord with your problems, he is the with you every step of your journey. Have faith in him and he will reveal things to you which you never even thought of before. The Lord is amazing! 

And Remember… 

Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the confidence that we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. 

Thank you reading this little sequel to Steady Your Boat. - Paddling Through Your Past. 

Be blessed. Stay Well. 

God Bless 

Love Jessica Louise Xoxo 

Spiritually Sleepy

Hello my lovelies, I'm sorry that I haven't posted any blogs recently.

I would like to quickly say I that I am going through a really tough time at the moment, I am struggling with depression and anxiety and horrible thoughts. But on the bright side I have God. Unfortunately I don't always think of the bright side.

Recently I have thought to myself;

-Do I really have to go to church?

-Do I really have to get out of bed?

-Why are these people being horrible to me?

-Why is God is putting me through this? 

-Is there any point? 

-Why am I so alone? 

And last night I attended a connect group (study group with some of the church) I really did not feel like going, I had horrible thoughts in my head which I could not stop. People always tell you to smile, it can't be that bad... well the truth is... it's worse. People who haven't been through your circumstances can never understand but the one person who can understand and listen you is Jesus. 

Last night I finally decided to attend the group but I was not even on the same planet as everyone there. I was in my own bubble of pain. I just wanted to break down, cry and lock myself away. I didn't want to attend but when deciding to go I packed my bag which consists of a journal, bible and 2 pens and a highlighter. Which is very organised for me.

During the night I was asked if I had 2 pens to lend to someone for an activity, so I said yes and willingly gave them to people. But when the message was being shared later that night I didn't have the confidence or words to ask for them back. So by me being prepared and bring 2 pens I still ended up with nothing. I couldn't write any notes during the message. I sat in my chair and just stared at my empty paged journal. 

And asked God how am I supposed to equip myself and be prepared by bringing several pens when you knew that I still would not be able to write anything. And I felt God saying, Jessica you were prepared in body but you are not prepared in spirit. You are being unfaithful by not trusting me and letting me provide you with the correct tools in which you need to study the message. I felt God saying talk to me when planning because I am the senior planner and your plans go through me. This made me quite frustrated but I turned my voice recorder on my iPhone and today I listened to the message a friend had shared and I felt little better because I prayed and prepared myself to absorb the word and just open myself up bit more.

My goal now to focus on daily is to be spiritually awake and to be faithful by trusting in what god has promised me and trust that he will prepare me for the journey ahead which I know is going to be worse than this. 

I urge to today to read the following scriptures and meditate them in your own bibles. Be awake. Don't be fast asleep in your own judgement. 

1 Peter 1:13  Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:14 For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 

Colossians 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Have a blessed week 

Be Well

Jessica Louise 

Founder & Head Writer of BFW

A Message to Kenya

Hello my lovelies! 
Recently I've had a lot of views from Kenya and now a lot of messages from Kenya! I am replying to all your supportive messages right now and also your advice seeking messages. Remember to stay strong in your faith and don't let your situations determine your faith. Your faith is a rock and your situations are the weather. Sometimes the weather may rain on your rock but your rock still remains. Love you all speak soon. Be Blessed.

Jessica Louise Xoxo 
Founder and Head Writer 
bibleforwomen.co.uk

Run.

Hello my lovelies, today's message is all about running to God when we feel lost. Sometimes you may feel lost but God has placed you on a journey which he only knows the way it's heading. 

But that's okay. Sometimes we need to just stop and take it all in, 

We need to take a deep breath in and out. And then sprint to him. Run as fast as you can to him. When your in need, when you feel lost, when your self worth is questioned. When you feel useless and pathetic. That's when you run to him, and that's when you bow your head and kneel before the Lord and pour your heart out. 

Do not bottle your emotions inside! Do not hide how you feel from God because he can give you wonderful gifts of peace and healing. He can provide greatness for you if you just let him. How straightforward can it get? 

Recently I was reading Psalm 31 and I just love it! I love how pure and passionate that scripture is. 

I'll include it below if you haven't read it before. 

Psalm 31 : 

1In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. 2Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. 3Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. 4Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. 5Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God. 

6I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord. 7I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. 8You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place. 

9Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief. 10My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction,and my bones grow weak. 11Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors and an object of dread to my closest friends— those who see me on the street flee from me. 12I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. 13For I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side!” They conspire against me and plot to take my life. 

14But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” 15My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. 16Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. 17Let me not be put to shame, Lord, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and be silent in the realm of the dead. 18Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous. 

19How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. 20In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues. 

21Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege. 22In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. 

23Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The Lordpreserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full. 24Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

Recently I have had to run to God, I've ran from bad decisions which were nearly made. I've had to run away from the past and the people in my past as I know they are not on the journey God has planned for me. I have had run to him and show my faithfulness to him by dedicating time for his word and his message. Sometimes we get caught up in then busyness and our day to day routines and forget to include him at all.
But God is right there with you and he always has and always will be. So include him and be grateful for everlasting love and wisdom he has gave you by giving you his word. I urge you all to run to the Lord and read the Bible. Read his words, its the truth and the entire truth. Live by his message. Thank you for reading todays blog! Have a blessed day! Be Well.Jessica Louise Xoxo 

Bag Baggage

Hello my lovelies, todays message will be on baggage, and not just any baggage but bad baggage. Today I will not be sharing a blog about baggage on a trip on this world, but on our spiritual world. 

I may not make sense at times but just stay with me, recently I took a trip and long story short compared to other people in the airport, I travelled light and didn’t have a lot of bags and when walking through the airport I felt free and happy. I felt a joy and peace about how I could enjoy the trip because I wasn’t being weighed down by anything. 

And this is the same in our spirit, we need to let go of the baggage holding and weighing us down, we need to pack lightly and enjoy the journey.

So as we travel through the new year, let go of the bad baggage which you don’t need which is getting in the way of your relationship with the Lord, leave the anxiety, leave the depression, the grief, the loss, the jealousy, the greed, the illness, don’t accept your baggage, your baggage isn’t permanent, the only thing permanent on this planet is Jesus and he is not baggage, he is love, life, and liberation. 

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.

Today I urge you all to write a list of your baggage, whether it be emotional, physical, or mental, just write it down, and then meditate on them, and give them to God. Give your baggage to God he’s waiting, he waiting to carry all your bags willingly. Hand them to him and let him heal you. Our God is a God who heals and doesn’t want you to be inflicted with negativity and things which bring you down. 

• Write a list of baggage
• Meditate on them
• Give them to God
• Leave them with God
• Be liberated, be free, be well.

Have a blessed day! 

Love Jessica Louise Xoxo 

Situations and Resolutions

Hello my lovelies today is like to share with you some nuggets of wisdom. Relating to my current situation. 

Recently it seems like every bodies moving forward in life and I'm just staying where I am. 

All my friends are either engaged married or have babies. And I'm standing in the corner like huh? What's wrong with me? And to be honest it's made me question my self worth and confidence and I know this is not a good thing. It's the devil using my situation to get to me. 

I trust in Gods plan, theirs no doubt about that. But do you sometimes feel like your life is not as exciting as others around you? 

I write this knowing I'm acting irrational but venting and writing this is a healing tool. And that's the same for many bloggers we use words to vent our feelings and thoughts. Then mull over them before publishing. But I know that this one is going to be published because it's the most truthful blog I've wrote. 

Before I noticed everyone's situations around me I was perfectly content and happy with my life. But seeing what others have makes you think about what you don't have. And from this day I will not look at the lack in my life, I will focus on what I have. For example a loving other half who cherishes me and wants nothing in return. Someone who I know will be my future husband. But sometimes Gods plan and his timing takes his time. 

I've left it with the Lord. I have so many wonderful things in my life, Paradox Crèche the day care facility in my church which I launched. Being a freelance photographer well that's just amazing! Getting to visit amazing and beautiful places and capturing those moments. Not forgetting my new job! My perfect new job! Working in a school has always been my dream and I'm living it now! God works in strange ways but I trust him. I trust his plan. I trust in his perfect timing. I trust in my relationship with the Lord. 

So from this day forward and in the new year my realistic resolution is to look at the amazing things and people I have in my life and not other people's situations and people. I will not look at what I don't have. I will not envy others situations. I will be grateful to God for all he has given me and all he will give me in the future. 

I also aim to write everyday part of the #write365 I was asked by a blogger friend of mine if I'd like to join and I obliged of course! It will be challenged but I will not be writing polished and proper blogs every day but even if it is a photo on Instagram with a short message I intent to write every day for the next year! How cool is that! I'm so excited! 

So everyone be safe tonight as I know it's New Year's Eve! Don't get caught up in the crazy! Have a blessed and extraordinary new year! You all deserve it! Be well! 

Love Jessica Louise Xoxo 

Scandinavian Christmas

Hey Guys, as many of you already know I've recently taken a trip to Sweden, Stockholm for Christmas with my other half Kieran. We had such an amazing time. And it was so lovely just spending time with him and planning our future together in our cosy little cottage (cabin).

We plan to spend every Christmas together from now on which is amazing. 
Next year we plan to visit Sweden again or maybe even Austria... which would be amazing. 

When we were in Sweden we did a bit of sightseeing for example we went into Stockholm and Skansen, the outdoor museum which had reindeers and quirky little cabin shops where we bough a beautiful red throw blanket for the future for our own home. We also walked around the lake at the farm we stayed on. 
Ive shared some photos from the trip on this blog so I hope you enjoy them. 
Roll on next year for the Swedish Christmas Markets! It was just truly beautiful and so scenic. 
Have a blessed new year! Love Jessica Louise Xoxo