Words are Weapons

Recently I have been through a roller coaster of events from changing my job to my health changes. If you have followed the blog and website from the beginning you will know that I have suffered from depression and anxiety for many years but for the past year and a half I have been free of this illness, until now.

Depression is like the devil it can strike you at any time especially when you let your defences down. Your faith is your defence from evil but sometimes it can tiring and you can feel exhausted from being a ‘good Christian’ I try every day to be a ‘good Christian’ and I know that I can’t be perfect but I am a perfectionist which makes it harder to understand that I can’t be perfect at something which will make me feel down and when I say down I mean rock bottom.

In my life I have been a butterfly when it comes to friends and the reason being is that I would take offence to a lot of things spoke to me and sometimes I ‘overreact’ so I have moved on from friends because of this but I think that this is a great thing as it has gotten me to where I am today. With a strong bunch of friends are fellow Christians who surround me and support me.

Recently I've decided to try not to focus on people’s words as words are really powerful and can tear you down.

In the news this week, I've heard a lot about 'Hate Preachers' and Donald Trump to be exact, and my one question is this, why do we listen. He has no power over any of us. The one who has power and almighty love for us is God. Why do we keep listening to other people who we know are going to poison us with their hate words and hate opinions and evil plans? When we could listen to a higher being who is the definition of love.

That is exactly what they want. When I was as a primary school I was bullied and sadly many of you will be reading this and can agree with me in saying that you were bullied also. And when I was bullied I would be called hurtful names and I would get upset and ask for help from others to solve the problems. And that to me is a lesson. It was prepping us for adult life. We need to ask for help from the one who can help, the one and only Lord Almighty. We need to ask him to help us, and pray for guidance. 

When we grow up we tell ourselves that we can’t be bullied but were wrong. We can be bullied, with social media causing most of the problems in today’s society. Sadly many people try to cope with cyber bullying and people using words as weapons towards them alone, just remember you are never alone, God walks alongside you, and he is always there. So next time you put a photo on twitter or Instagram with a cup of coffee and your bible and the caption states ‘I loves Jesus’. Do not be ashamed, do not feel like you are going to hurt anyone. 

Sometimes you may be ridiculed for taking a stand for Jesus. Sometimes you suffer. Sometimes we will suffer but mainly from other people’s sins, take Adam and Eve for example. Eve took the fruit initially and they both were banished. - Genesis 3:6, 23. 

James 1:3 - When your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 

Also take challenges as opportunities.

Be Christ like and do not follow the crowd. Be the leader. Lead people to the cross. Lead them to salvation. When people are writing mean and hurtful words to you or aiming them at you. Just speak to God. He already knows what’s going on but speak to him for clarity and wisdom. 

Don't listen to hate words, they just poison your mind, when you listen to people speaking hate, or gossip, pray to the lord for redemption and forgiveness. He will purify your mind and give you peace. Instead of listening or speaking hate words, speak words of thanks and praise to God, it is much more productive.

When you listen to words which aren't good for soul, they stir your thoughts and the people around you use your tears as instruments in their band of hate and suffering.

Sometimes we will suffer but mainly from other people’s sins, take Adam and Eve for example. Eve took the fruit initially and they both were banished. - Genesis 3:6, 23. 

I urge you all not to listen to hate preachers and words used as weapons on the news, social media and even from people who surround you. Be Christ like and speak words of truth and love from the heart and the gospel. 

Thank you for reading this blog, I pray this blog helps you in your daily life.

Jessica Louise xoxo 

Founder and Head Writer of the Bible for Women

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.

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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