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

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 

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 

Heads Up! - Part 1

Heads Up, this series will explore a few situations when we need to lift up our heads in life and be confident and positive.

Today I was super stressed and upset and just so emotional as I was off to meet with a friend I haven't seen or heard from in 4 years, this girl was my best friend through secondary school and music concerts and everything, and then we both moved on to college and just lost contact and I was so scared and nervous to meet her again, my tummy was turning I felt sick, I felt like I was burning up and was going to pass out, then I sat down calmed myself to the best of ability and then enjoyed a weird catch up for the past 4 years, it was crazy, it was emotional and I'm still feeling poorly from the stress of it all and I'd like to say to you today that if something is so important don't let the stress or doubts in your head allow you to be poorly and unwell with it because it will be worth it in the long run, I have enjoyed meeting up with her again but also I'm emotional and just praying for peace on the situation as I need peace and I need courage from the Lord if I am to meet her again which I do hope happens and maybe not wait 4 years again!

Sometimes the devil can place these horrible thoughts and seeds of doubt in your head. The bible says
Proverbs 3:5-8
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Pray to God to reveal what your path is, and what you need to do, pray for a peace if your unsure, when you ask for something from God it is given. He loves you! He gave you his only son, he will give you a peace about something if it's right.

James 1:6
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

Don't let the doubts in! Be strong minded by following the next few tips;
-Study the bible DAILY
-Pray DAILY
-Worship Daily
-Encourage others DAILY
-Wear Love DAILY

By following these tips you will be strong minded, your self-worth will rocket, and you will know the Lord so you know when the devil is trying to get at you. You know his method is through your weakness so be strong and make that weakness and strength.

C’mon I urge you all today to be strong minded, keep your head up! Be Christ like!
Thank you for reading today's first part of Heads Up! I hope you enjoy the next part of series let me know on
jessica@bibleforwomen.co.uk 

Love Jessica Louise Xoxo 

Heads Up! Part 2

Hey everyone what a week it has been! In 2 weeks I will be venturing to Gran Canaria with Kieran (boyfriend) and I am super excited to get away and escape the day to day pressures and stress. Recently I have been letting things get on top of me and my self-confidence has been like a rollercoaster, some days I’m great, and my inner dialogue is I’m a daughter of the king I can do anything. But some days I’m not so good and my inner thoughts are maybe I shouldn’t do that because of other people’s opinions. Well today I’m here to talk you through my situation and hope it helps you overcome yours.

My situation is work based, we all know the main pressures in daily life is our jobs, maybe because you might be the only Christian or maybe because your life is totally different to people around you, or maybe you just don’t get along with the people you work with. And I’m here to tell you I understand! I understand because I am the only Christian girl in my work place and sometimes it is quite negative the comments from people around you. You know the problems, gossip and lies, just trouble.

The past few weeks I have had to develop a positive mind set, because if I didn’t I would not be working in the job I am right now. I have needed strength and courage. And lots of it.

Firstly I’m here to tell you to be bold! Get that heavy head of yours which might be filled with negative thoughts and shake the negativity away, you don’t have to live like that. When I was thinking about this blog these lyrics came into my head

‘Now my debt is paid in full by the precious blood that my Jesus spilt, the curse of sin has no hold on me, whom the sun sets free, is free’ from Man of Sorrows by Hillsong. Give it a listen, it is uplifting.

You are reading this because you want a stronger relationship with the Lord and you are wanting to follow his word… His word says this…

Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

That is his truth! Be STRONG, COURAGEOUS, NOT AFRAID, and NOT DISCOURAGED. Listen to the word, and do something about it. I have noticed the more I read the word the more I become stronger and less inclined to listen to negativity. I now have a filter in my head and heart and when people speak to me I know in the first few words if what they are speaking is truth or trash.

(I did a study a few weeks ago and loved the idea of filtering your thoughts therefore I gave it a go and 2 months on I am finding it very easy now to decide if I am going to listen or ignore it.)

Sometimes we all have a bad day, a dark season, a challenge but we are all made in the image of the Lord and he knows what you’re capable of and he would not give you opportunities like this if they weren’t important or to be used in the future maybe in a testimony to help others.

Matthew 5:16 - In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

-                                                      -                                             -         

Psalm 18:2 - The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

And that's just it isn't it? It all comes down the Lord who is your rock, stick with him and he will help you to keep positive and guide you in the right place.

Try to find at least 3 positive scriptures to read each day and meditate on them and just live through them. Live positively, live courageously and live strongly with God at the centre.

Thanks for reading the second part of the series Heads Up!

Have a blessed week!

Love Jessica Louise Xoxo

Under Attack

Hey everyone, this week has been very busy, I feel like I am constantly busy, and that's great we all should be busy with whatever life throws at us but sometimes I sometimes feel like I would like to just escape from it all. And today I would like to ask you all, are you suffering? are you alone? do you feel like theirs no hope? Do you feel like ending it all? If you answered yes to any of these I would like to just take a moment to tell you that I pray over these blogs and I pray for the reader to receive whatever healing you are in need of.

I'm going to break this blog into parts to make it easier to process and dissect. 

Part 1 // When we are going through a dark place and you feel you need to escape from your circumstances and you feel like theirs nothing you can do. Well your wrong. When you feel alone in your circumstances whatever they may be turn to The Lord. 

Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place; protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.

When you feel like things are getting on top of your, and you can't cope anymore and you need to escape from it all. Escape by running into the arms of your loving and protective Lord and Savior. 

Recently I've started new and exciting journeys within my church and when things where starting to pile up and get on top of me, I ran to him. I sprinted and didn't look back. I know my place is with him and surrounded by the Holy Spirit. 

A few weeks ago I felt like I wasn't coping very well at all with anything, just walking down the street would bring anxiety and dread. I honestly felt alone and down in my faith, but while I down and saddened God came to me in a thought and gave me his idea. This idea was a mad idea and something that I took from a simple but wild idea and turned it into an action. Sometimes God places ideas and thoughts in you and it will help you escape from the darkness into the light. 

I feel much better now for running to him, and just giving him all my worries and burdens. 

Part 2 // God doesn't just provide us with ideas and thoughts on how to escape when were under attack from the devil. He can provide physical and literal ways to escape. 

I was thinking about ways God uses to help us escape from our situations and Noah came to mind. I love Noah! What a Godly man! #RelationshipGoals. 

Genesis 7:6-10 Noah was 600 years old when the floodwater covered the Earth. Noah and his wife and sons and their wives boarded the ship to escape the flood. Clean and unclean animals, birds, and all the crawling creatures came in pairs to Noah and to the ship, male and female, just as God had commanded Noah. In seven days the floodwaters came.

11-12 It was the six-hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month that it happened: all the underground springs erupted and all the windows of Heaven were thrown open. Rain poured for forty days and forty nights.

13-16 That’s the day Noah and his sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, accompanied by his wife and his sons’ wives, boarded the ship. And with them every kind of wild and domestic animal, right down to all the kinds of creatures that crawl and all kinds of birds and anything that flies. They came to Noah and to the ship in pairs—everything and anything that had the breath of life in it, male and female of every creature came just as God had commanded Noah. Then God shut the door behind him.

I love this scripture - My interpretation of this relating to escaping is that when your in a bad situation God will send you help whether it be instructions to build a boat or a thought on how to get out of the situation maybe strength and courage to help you along the way. And when your out of the situation and your safe away from your situation - the floods, God shuts the door he stops the floods from harming you. God guides you, if you simply just ask him. Pray to him. Talk to him, speak aloud, speak in your heart, just communicate with him and he will always be their for you. 

So next time you are lost and don't have any idea on how to escape your problems, just think of Noah and how brave he was trusting in the Lord and how amazing God is for guiding Noah away from the terror of the world, he gave him and his family a fresh start. A new beginning of life. 

Part 3 // Temptation is a huge topic for this blog. Because when you are tempted in whatever way God helps you escape from temptation so you can live a free and pleasing life. 

1 Corinthians 10:13 God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 

Next time you are tempted, just tell yourself, God knows your limits and he knows how strong you are and whatever attempts to tempt you you are stronger that this and you can just simply walk away from it in because God wouldn't let anything you couldn't handle come your way. You are his children and you are protected. 

People think because your a Christian or Christ follower you life is easy and you live in happy land and we don't sin. Which is all false!! Life is never easy! We struggle, we have hopeless days, but you know one thing, Gods love lasts forever and whatever problem we face we can turn to him for guidance and he will help us escape from whatever situation we have gotten in. We need to face reality just because we are Christians doesn't mean we are happy every single day, our twitters and instagram might show us smiling and posing with out friends but only God knows our hearts and he knows how we truly feel inside, we might be frightened we might be thinking about ending it all, but God sees that and he will put in place an escape route you just need to turn to him and trust him, he is a faithful God.

So today girls I pray that you will escape from your floods and keep safe and just pray for an escape route because God has one for everyone and every situation all you need to do is ask. 

Thank you for reading, have a blessed week everyone. 

Love Jessica Louise xoxo 

Lori Darks Love Blog {Valentines Week - 13th February}

Today's Love blog is from Texas!! Yes that's right! 
This girl is fellow blogger but she does it a different way... She is a YouTuber and blogger. 'I'm married to my better half. I am a lover of vintage, lace and Jesus'.This is just a little snippet about Lori. Their is a video blog under this text, check it out. Especially if you are single! 

13th February Love Blog
As many of you know Valentine's Day is here! Some people love this holiday, others hate it. I'm impartial. I've never really hated it or loved it. Even though I'm married now, I had a fair share of Valentine's Day as a single lady. I hope my tips and pointers help! Ladies, always remember your worth and how beautiful you are on this Valentine's Day and every single day.

Social Media

YouTube: www.youtube.com/gracefulandlovely
Blog: www.iamgracefulandlovely.com
Instagram + Twitter: @loridarks

Make sure to tune in tomorrow for the amazing Kerrington Sweeneys Valentines Day Blog!! It's not to be missed! 
Love Jessica Louise Xoxo