I. LOVE. PAUL.

Home sweet home...yesterday I took a mini get away trip from the fast pace life in Dallas to the SUPER simple life in Arkansas. Usually on my trips home, I read..think..think and think some more. Today, I got my nails done with my mom and nanny..had lunch with the baby sister...and now am hanging out at my grandparents house. I decided to do a little reading out of the best book EVER...the word of God. As I was trying to figure out what I wanted to read, I decided to just read over some of my highlighted scripture.If you go through my bible..you will notice alot of highlighting throughout the new testament. As most of us know, Paul wrote the majority of the new testament. As Ive read over the years, He has captured my heart. There are 2 characters out of the Bible that I must meet when I get to Heaven (besides Jesus), one being David...and one being Paul. My my my goodness...when I read throughout, I am amazed at Pauls passion towards Christ and love for the people. In majority of his writings, he was in prison, wrapped in chains...yet while in chains, he wasnt necessarily concerned about himself,or how he could be free..he was more concerned for others and their freedom. We could all learn a huge lesson from Paul...Today in my blog, I just wanted to simply write out some scriptures that have influenced me to be steadfast and strong...helping me to press on towards the prize :) Life is a never ending learning process. Its hard...BUT we have to keep on keeping on! There is nothing more refreshing than reading the word of God. His word is truth...His word is life. Our emotions are fickle...our circumstances change..Dont submit to your emotions...but stand on the unchanging promises of Jesus Christ. He came, he died so that we could walk in the authority of Christ...forgetting what is behind...not worrying about tomorrow, but embracing today. So be encouraged my friends as you eat from the bread of life...

"Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once i was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. BESIDES EVERYTHING ELSE, I FACE DAILY THE PRESSURE OF MY CONCERN FOR ALL THE CHURCHES. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?" **This scripture amazes me....its obvious that Paul is targeted by the enemy to be destroyed. If anyone has room to complain, its Paul...yet after everything, he says that he faces daily pressure of concern for all the churches...AMAZING**

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come.."

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but NOT crushed; perplexed on every side, but NOT in despair; persecuted, but NOT abandoned, struck down, but NOT destroyed! we always carry around in our body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed.."

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary trouble are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

"We put no stumbling block in anyones path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distressed; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as imposters; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yes possessing everything."

"In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of Gods grace taht he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reched their fulfillment-- to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ."

"Finally be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that i will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which i am an ambassador in chains. Pray taht I may declare it fearlessly, as i should."

"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

"Let your gentleness be evident to all. the Lord is enar. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content wahtever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. i have learned the secret of being conten in any and every situation, whether well fed of hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength."

"Since you died with Christ to the basic priciples of this world, why as though you still belonged to it, do not submit to its rules: do not handle! do not taste! do not touch! These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings."

"Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you will also appear with him in glory."

"Therefore, as Gods chosen people. holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. FORGIVE AS THE LORD FORGAVE YOU. And over all these virtues put on LOVE, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the mos of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so tha you may know how to answer everyone."

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easilty entangles, and let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT GROW WEARY AND LOSE HEART."