New Year, New Job, New Journey

New Year, New Job, New Journey.

Last year I ventured on what I thought was going to be amazing! and It was.... in the beginning. It was fun and I really enjoyed being a part of my host family. Unfortunately this didn't last, I was treat unfairly and with a mutual agreement we decided we would be better if I left and went home. So after a horrible few weeks with them I left while I was home alone, I didn't even say goodbye. This was the best thing to do because I didn't want to end on an argument. I left and still haven't heard from them. Not even a thank you for the Christmas gifts I left for them.
My family drove 5 hours to pick me and my boxes of luggage up to take me home. 
I had no idea what I was going to do... No job... no income... no life.
After my 30 seconds of stressful thinking and doubting and panicking I asked God where he wanted me, where he wanted me to live, work, and rest. Within 1 day of being home I had an interview at a dream job, which I never thought I'd even be shortlisted for. After the Christmas weekend I was offered the job! To work with babies and toddlers at a day nursery! My dream job! (Don't get me wrong it's a challenge every day, but I think that's why God opened this door for me, I needed a challenge but be home and near family and my home church for support. 

Because while being away I had no family and only new friends who didn't know my story or my life. I am super blessed to be home and have supportive and positive people who surround me daily. I can't wait to get stuck back into Kids Church at Paradox Church and connect groups and study groups and food bank connect. I am so happy to be home. Thank you Lord. You brought me home where I belong. 
Thank you! 

When God closes a door he doesn't just close it, he slams it so hard you never go back again and he opens brand new doors for you. It might not be as quick as it was for me but he will definitely take and save you from the darkness and bring you into the light. He is the light. Call to God and he will answer you. Give him a call today! His phone number is P-R-A-Y-E-R. It's the quickest way to reach him. It's the hotline to God. Pray to him for change in your life, if you are in a dark place or stuck in a place you know you shouldn't be in or cant get out of. Call him for help. 


1 Thessalonians 5:5-8 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled.

Psalms 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Have a great week and do not be afraid, God is always with you and his light shines in you every day.
Love Jessica Louise Xoxo 

New Year, New Pages.

 2 0 1 5 ~ Happy New Year! 

New Year is known for the party scenes and making unrealistic goals and resolutions for the year ahead but by the second week of January you've already broken them all.
I usually set resolutions and goals for the New Year and they usually involve, stopping the naughty foods, starting the gym, and being healthier... these are broken by day 5. So what's the point? What is the point in creating goals which are pointless and selfish.
So what's the point? Seriously? C'mon! Shape up, get your head in the game and do something amazing this year. Be the faith impactor you were called to be. 
From helping an elderly lady in the street to donating to a charity. From a smile to a stranger in the supermarket to a hug to a friend in need. 
Let's make your resolutions realistic. Be more Christ like and be a true 'Christian' Be all that you were called to be. 
Leviticus 26 : 12 - I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.
Jesus walks with us, so whenever your about to do something 'not Christ like' just think would Jesus have done that? If not, then don't do it, simple as that guys.

This year make a promise to yourself and a promise to your God! Promise to commit more of your self to him. No one is perfect so we can all admit that we can improve on our faith and stop holding back. Jump into your belief with hands reaching out. Take that leap of faith.

Personally I  think I need to spend more time studying the Bible. And praying.... I pray every day but sometimes I get lost in the days and sometimes I even forget a simple thank you for the things he encountered for me, just so I could live a day to day life.
We need to plug into our faith and endure the prejudice and opinions of others who don't understand our faith. Put your foot down and lay down the fact that we are proud to be the Lords children as we know that he loved us so that he gave his life for us. 

So while your eating those left over Christmas candies and chocolates, remember to make realistic resolutions and Christ like resolutions.

Let your resolution be connecting more... invest in Christ for your life. 

Have an amazing year! Thank God for the new year in which he has given you. He's added another page to your book of life. Don't waste your time.

New Year, New Pages. Get writing some memories, and be a world changer.
Love Jessica Louise Xoxo

www.bibleforwomen.co.uk
@bibleblogwomen

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving to all of the American readers out their! 
I thought that with it being thanksgiving it would be a great opportunity to express what I'm thankful for and urge you to do the same. 
I wanted to tell you of F I V E things in which I am thankful for in 2014......

1. Jesus! I am so thankful for Jesus. If Jesus hadn't sacrificed his life for me and guided me, I wouldn't have anything to be thankful for. 

2. I am super thankful for my Au Pair Job, I have asked God to help me with this for over 3 years and now I am super blessed to living in a beautiful city, five and a half hours from my hometown. But I am enjoying it, it's challenging 90% of the time but I am excited and blessed to be on this life changing journey.

3. I am thankful for my boyfriend. We met in New York 4 years ago and dated for less than a year and then didn't speak until January this year. And we started dating again in February. I never thought in a million years that this relationship would ever happen. But our God is unlimited in love and amazement. God Amazed me when my boyfriend came back into my life. It was something I never thought would happen. It was a miracle and I'm so blessed to say that were planning a future together and if it wasn't for God we wouldn't be here. So thank you GOD! THANK YOU! 

4. Health and Safety of my family. Most of family are happy and healthy and I am thankful to have them all and that they all have there health. 

5. I am thankful for my life. I am thankful for every day I get to wake up and have meals, hot meal to eat, to have clean water to drink and shower in. I am thankful for the roof over my head, the bed I sleep in. I'm thankful for my daily life which Jesus sacrificed himself so I could live my life. I live my life in his name because he reigns forever and ever. 
His love never fails for us. He loves us.

What are you thankful for today?

Thank you for reading my thankful Thursday / Thanksgiving Blog.
Have a great Thanksgiving. 
Love Jessica Louise Xoxo 
E: jessica@bibleforwomen.co.uk
@bibleblogwomen

Studying Joel : Bible Study

Hey everyone welcome to the Studying Joel blog. 

I recently decided to write a study every month (hopefully) on a different person or book or theme. This idea came to me when I was reading through my bible and realised that even though I've read the Bible cover to cover I still don't understand certain things. Therefore I hope you enjoy these new blogs, they are written in a simple way so you can get a little information and hopefully leave the blog and do some scripture finding yourselves. I pray that these future blogs bless you and enriches you with wisdom and understanding. Thank you Amen.

Outline of the book of Joel.

- He didn't say that much about himself

- Resident of Jerusalem

- His message is timeless

- Disaster strikes

- Son of Pethuel

- Preached to the people of Judah

- The locusts he mentions in Joel 1:4; Joel 2:25 are best understood as real insects

The theme of this book is Restoration. 

- Restoration and blessing will come only after judgment and repentance.

Joel 1:1-12- An Invasion of Locusts

Joel 1:13 - A Call to Repentance

Joel 2:1-11 - The Day of the Lord

Joel 2:12- Return to the Lord

Joel 2:18 - The Lord Had Pity

Joel 2:28 - The Lord Will Pour Out His Spirit

Joel 3:1-16 - The Lord Judges the Nations

Joel 3:17 - The Glorious Future of Judah

Joel 1:13

13 Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests;
wail, O ministers of the altar.
Go in, pass the night in sackcloth,
O ministers of my God!
Because grain offering and drink offering
are withheld from the house of your God.

14 Consecrate a fast;
call a solemn assembly.
Gather the elders
and all the inhabitants of the land
to the house of the Lord your God,
and cry out to the Lord.

15 Alas for the day!
For the day of the Lord is near,
and as destruction from the Almighty it comes.

16 Is not the food cut off
before our eyes,
joy and gladness
from the house of our God?

17 The seed shrivels under the clods;
the storehouses are desolate;
the granaries are torn down
because the grain has dried up.

18 How the beasts groan!
The herds of cattle are perplexed
because there is no pasture for them;
even the flocks of sheep suffer.

19 To you, O Lord, I call.
For fire has devoured
the pastures of the wilderness,
and flame has burned
all the trees of the field.

20 Even the beasts of the field pant for you
because the water brooks are dried up,
and fire has devoured
the pastures of the wilderness.

Confronted with this crisis, he calls on everyone to repent: old and young (1:2–3)

drunks (1:5), farmers (1:11) and priests (1:13).

He describes the locusts as the Lord’s army and sees in their coming a reminder that the day of the Lord is near. The locusts are known to be actual insects and not representations of the Babylonians, Romans etc.

The locust plague and severe drought was known to be the 'great and dreadful day of the Lord'.

The main idea throughout this scripture is ' Repent. for the day of the Lord is near'.

Joel 2:12-13 - Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and boundless in loyal love.

Define Boundless - Having NO Boundaries 

How amazing is that? His love has no boundaries. He is boundless in loyal love for us. Repent your sins, and return to him, your creator, your author, your father, your Lord Christ Jesus.

Christ in Joel

The coming of the Holy Spirit, who applies Christ's redemption, is predicted in Joel 2:28. Jesus Christ is the only one who judges nations but who also restores his people. [Trust me, I know this as a fact, I have been restored].

In Joel 2:18-20 Is Gods response, his agricultural blessing, his promise. He informs us of our glorious future. The people of Judah repented and God restored. There is no restoration without repentance. 

The promise of God follows in Joel 2:25-32 This promise is the greatest promise of hope in the Old Testament. Restoration is so important as a Christian. We need to leave the dignity and proud outer characters out of the picture and just be true to God and ourselves. And ask him for guidance and speak to him about your own pros and cons and he will help you be the person he created you to be. 

Define Restoration - The action of returning something to a former owner, place or condition. 

We need to be restored and returned to God.

Emphasis in the study

Joel 1:1- 2:11 Desolation

Joel 2:12 - 17 Exhortation

Joel 2:28 - 3:21 Restoration

This book shows that no matter what we go through in life, no matter how dark and challenging things might turn, God will always be there to restore you. In the future remember your past and when he has pulled you through a messy time and then have hope for the future as he's helped you before so why wouldn't he help you again? He wants your companionship, your friendship, your communication and obedience. He wants to be in a relationship with you and by repenting your old ways and habits, he can restore you 'The sins I haven't already forgiven, I'll forgive' God has moved into Zion for good'.

Scriptures to check out-

The book of Joel [it's not that long so if you have time, just sit and study, meditate this book, it's such a great book]

If not check out these:

- Joel 2:12-14

- Joel 2:18

- Joel 2.25-27

Thank you for reading this study I hope it helps you in your studies and bible reading. 

Enjoy your day. God bless

Love Jessica Louise Xoxo

 

Goodbye Autumn : Lifestyle Blog

It’s official! Autumn is OVER!

Yes that’s right! Christmas is on the way… The red cups have made a comeback, our shops are filled with Christmas jumpers and dozens of decorations. My favourite time of the year! December!

I love autumn and winter because the cold brisk air when you go for a morning walk and the shorter days which means it gets darker earlier which also means for me, it’s harder to get out of bed. But I don’t mind as I love the dark nights and dark mornings. I love days where you can just stay in bed all day or lay on the couch snuggled up into a fluffy blanket watching Christmas films.

I have already watched Home Alone and Polar Express! That’s how excited I am. I think I’m most excited this year because I’m going home from being away since August and I worked in a pub on Christmas last year which meant no Christmas dinner for me and no family and this year I get both! How amazing is that! 

#JessicasAuPairYear

This year is my first Christmas with my boyfriend too! So I can’t wait for Christmas and lots of yummy food and my little going away trip to a lovely 5 star private birthday treat!

I turn 20 on the 27^th December and usually my birthday isn’t anything special but this year I get to go away and just escape for a night or two! It’s certainly going to be amazing!

The only things I shall miss when I leave Chelmsford when I go home at Christmas are Starbucks and Paper chase and the boys I look after in my au pair job.

I have enjoyed autumn but let’s get excited because the season is upon us. #JesusIsTheReasonForTheSeason #JesusBirthday

Don’t forget to be grateful this Christmas and the real reason for Christmas.

Love Jessica Louise Xoxo

E: jessica@bibleforwomen.co.uk

@bibleblogwomen

Diary of an Au Pair

[7th October 2014]     //    Diary of an Au Pair 
    #jessicasaupairyear

6:30AM : Rise and Shine 
 - Get ready 

7:00AM : Wake Children up
 - Make sure they have all their uniform sorted 
 - School Bag Check 

7:15AM : Breakfast

7:30AM : Brush Teeth
 - Make packed lunches 

8:15AM : Children set off for school

8:30AM : Dog Walk along the river 

9:30AM : Hoover and Dust the house 
 - Hoover Up stairs once a week 

10:00AM : Quick kitchen and bathroom clean 
 - Daily to keep on top of it

11:00AM : Bike Ride
 - Cycle to coffee shop to have a snack of lunch

1:00PM : Home - [Laundry and Ironing on a Monday]

2:00PM : Website Maintenance 
 - Write blog pieces or publish blogs.

3:30PM : Children are home
- Planners on the table

4:00PM : Start cooking dinner 
 - Children complete homework meanwhile 

5:00PM : Dinner is served 

5:30PM : Children are showered and in Pajamas

6:30PM : Host mother is home from work 

7:00PM : My duties end 

I then have the night to my self which I can either chose to watch television with the family in the living room or retire to my bedroom and do whatever I please. 

My day as an Au pair is structured well, I have chores to do but they are not difficult chores and only a few are time consuming. 
I have heard stories of Au pairs who are treat like cleaners... I'm very blessed in that I am not treated as a cleaner, I am respected and I am mainly here for supervision while the mother is working. 

I shall be uploading a few other blogs very soon! 
Thanks for reading 
Love Jessica Louise Xoxo 

Christian Love In Each Women - Guest Writer

Welcome to another guest post from our weekly blogger - Josephine Wolley from Indonesia. I hope you enjoy another lovely piece by this amazing lady of the Lord. 

Where can we find real love–the kind of love that doesn't ask for anything in return-the kind of love that loves without conditions and stipulations? Is there such love in our world? The bible tells us throughout scripture what real love is, and my heart tells me what real love is through God’s love for us. We know what real love is, but more important where is it?

Real love comes to us through our relationship with God and His Son Jesus Christ. If we have a personal relationship with Him we will feel God’s love in our life. We will come to know what it feels like to be loved with the wonderful blessings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God shows us how much He loves us through His blessings. God’s blessings are proof that He loves us! In fact the greatest blessing we have been given is that of His Son Jesus Christ – the Redeemer of the world! (John 3:16)

We show just how much we love God through our actions. Are we willing to follow Him even if we don’t feel like it? Are we trusting in what God says for our life? Are we telling others about our love for God and the abundance we have been given? Are we telling people about the glorious blessings that God has poured out to us? These are ways in
which we show God how much we love Him. (Psalm 91:14)

God does let us know in order for us to be with Him in the eternal we must throw off the old selfish ways, and follow Him. But, even if we decide not to do that, and we continue to go our own selfish way, He would still love us! Wow! But who would want to do that? No one would but Jesus. Why? The answer is "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him." (1 John 4:16)

And a question comes in mind "What if there's always a trial that looks hard for myself to love people around me? How could I keep loving them same as Jesus has done?"

Well, the answer is we all have personality traits that irritate or offend other people. When you surrender to God, he files down your rough spots. He carves away any pettiness or smallness in your life, and ironically, your personality isnt diminished, but is softened and beautified. Jesus knew when He surrendered to His Father's will, God's limitless love would flow through him and into others. 
When you empty yourself enough to be a conduit for God's love, God will reward you not only with His love, but with the love of other people as well. There's nothing wrong with wanting others to love you. Loving others always takes a risk that you won't be loved in return, but when you know that God loves you no matter what, you can love like Jesus: "A new command I give you: Love one another," (Jesus said). "As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)

Over time, however, God showed me that if I'm worthy of His love, I'm worthy of the love of other human beings too. But that can be a big step to take. We will be more lovable by becoming more like Jesus. We can do that by surrendering our life to God!

- Josephine Wolley 

WOW! can I just say that this is personally my favourite blog this lady has shared with us! It's amazing! Like seriously awesome. It's jam packed with really amazing pieces of scripture. I love hearing the word of God and I think Josephine has made this blog relate to a lot of women. 

Thank you Josephine my lovely! Everyone Josephine has twitter go check her out....@Yossie_98
For everyone who wants to know, I have recently moved house and that's why the blogs and website aren't up to date, i apologize but I'm back on track now and I'm currently sat in Starbucks writing this to you. So have a lovely day and speak soon.

Lots of Love 
Jessica Louise Xoxo

E: jessica@bibleforwomen.co.uk 
Twitter: @bibleblogwomen
Instagram: @bibleblogwomen