Hi girls,

After much thought and prayer, we have come to the conclusion that it is time to say good-bye to iHeart. Madison, Becky, and I have very much enjoyed the time we had to share our hearts with you all and have grown so much in our relationships with Christ. This has been a wonderful opportunity for each of us and I know we will never forget these past few years. Thank you so much for all of you who have supported and encouraged us on this journey!

In His Love,
Jessica, on behalf of iHeart ministry

Without Love, I Am Nothing

1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 


I've been thinking lately about my life and the day to day actions that I take. You know, it's so easy to do all the right things with the wrong heart. I can go through the motions; read my bible, send up a quick prayer, and falsely portray myself as some perfect Christian. But I'm so far the opposite of that. Not only am I to act like Christ, I am to love like Him as well. Without love, my actions and my life is just an annoyance; a loud clanging gong or a resounding symbol. Without love, I can do as many "good" things as I possibly can, but make absolutely no impact on anyone. Without love, I have and am nothing. Only with the love of God can my life be fruitful and abundant. Once we begin to act out of love, we will see a radical difference in the impact of our lives. Make this your goal this week: to love. "We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19


In His Love,
Jessica

How much do you love Him?

 


Matthew 25:37-40
 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
    “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Though we claim to love Christ, our King, our love for Him is truly expressed in how we treat other people. We can choose to look after our own desires, or humble ourselves, help the "least of these" and uplift those who are hurting. Befriending the seemingly weird, poor, or not so popular people is not going to be the cool thing to do. But God says that whatever we do for others, we are really doing for Him.

The question is, how much do you sincerely love the King? Would you be willing to give up your bedroom if He needed a place to rest? Would you be willing to give up your clothing? Your time? Of course you would. If God Almighty was standing right before us, none of us would let him sleep anywhere less than the best we had to offer. We would fix the finest food, give Him our nicest things, and attempt to serve Him in any way possible. Just as we would treat the King, we are to treat the least of these. The unloved, the rejected, the homeless, and the poverty-stricken. Serving those people is not the most glamorous thing to do, but how could we treat them with anything less than our very best?

In His Love,
Jessica

What Are You Pursuing?

2 Timothy 2:3-5
Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 

We can easily get caught up in our day to day "civilian pursuits." I am so guilty of letting my day slip by without my focus on Christ. I think about what I want to get done and what I deem important rather than what I can do for God's kingdom. One thing I have learned from being engrossed in unproductive activities is that it is much easier to get myself entangled than to extract myself from a pursuit. Sometimes those little things are the ones that trip me up most. If I sleep in for just a few more minutes, or check my email really fast before I spend time with the Lord, I find those mundane pursuits cutting into my quiet time.

If I think even bigger picture to the other aspects of my life, such as friends, boys, and social networks, is my time being wasted, or am I really using it to God's glory? Hebrews 12:1-2 says that we should lay down and throw aside the sin that entangles us and run the race with perseverance, with our eyes fixed on Jesus. Good soldiers of Christ do not get entangled in sin. Their aim and energy is focused on the Lord and pleasing Him with their life. I don't know about you, but someday I want to hear my God say, "well done," because I was a faithful solider; not distracted by civilian pursuits, with my eyes fixed on Him.


In His Love,
Jessica

God's Word...

 
...but My words will not pass away.

Have you ever felt like the Bible doesn't really apply to your life today? That the things you encounter and struggle with in everyday life have nothing to do with what God's Word says?
While the Bible does not directly say whether you should go out with Josh or David, or where you should go to college, I can promise you that God's Word has answers for you. Answers that apply to your life right now.

Think about it this way, God is omniscient, meaning he is infinitely knowledgeable about everything. He knows what will happen in your life today. He knows the the questions you have, the decisions you make, and the number of your days. Don't you think that the same all-knowing God was considering your life when He inspired men to write His Word? Of course He was! In Luke 21:33 Jesus says, "Heaven and earth with pass away, but My words will not pass away."

God's Word will never pass away. It will never lose it's power or it's truth. It will always be applicable to your life, no matter what situation you encounter.


Ecclesiastes 1:9 says, "...there is nothing new under the sun."

There is nothing that you will ever encounter that God doesn't already know and understand. The Bible doesn't tell us exactly who to date, but it does give us godly examples and standards for us to hold men up to. God doesn't say that you should go to a certain college, but He does say that His Word is the highest truth above all other things, and that ultimate learning and wisdom comes Him. God cares for us; for every hurt and worry. He will not let us down. God's Word is truth that we can always count on, no matter what.

In His Love,
Jessica

Engraved

As children of God, we are so precious to the Lord that we are not written, but engraved in the palm of His hand. I find it amazing to think that the same God who created all things and is all-knowing and all-powerful loves me that much. Today, share with someone about how special they are in God's sight and what this verse says about believers. Tell a lost friend about how much God's desires a relationship with them. The Word of God is meant to be spread to all the ends of this earth, but that will only happen if we share and encourage one another with what we learn!

Have a fabulous Tuesday, girls!

In His Love,

Jessica

Never Give Up

Sometimes you are just going to feel like giving up.  Maybe you are getting sick and tired of always being the "nice girl" who follows Christ.  Maybe you just want to fit in for once in your life.  I know what this feels like.  It's easy to feel sorry for yourself when you get rejected or when you feel like no one even likes you.  You ask, "I'm always being nice and loving on others and THIS is what I get in return? Really God?"

Sometimes you just want to forget the whole following God thing and focus on getting in on the popular group, doing whatever it takes to get there.  Well I'm here to tell you it's not worth it.  Trust me, it's not.  No matter how many friends you have, God will always be so much better.  I'm here to tell you not to ever give up.  Don't give up on being the girl who always has a smile on her face.  Don't give up on being the girl who the hurting people are drawn to.  Don't give up on being the girl who has younger kids looking up to her.  Don't give up on being the girl beaming with Christ's confidence.  Don't give up.  People are noticing.  Trust me, they notice.  Little girls are looking up to you.  Friends are wondering what you have that they don't.  You, my friend, are a beautiful witness for Christ.  You have the power to encourage others and lift them up towards Christ.  How amazing is that?  You have the opportunity to influence and change the world!
That encouraging word you said to the outcast girl in your youth group?  It let her know that someone cared.  That smile you gave the old lady at the grocery store?  It lifted her up after a rough day.  The help you gave your little brother with his homework?  It gave him confidence to ace his test the next day.  You hold so much power to encourage in your hands.  Use it.

Galatians 6:9
 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Don't let the world tell you that you aren't cool or pretty enough.  You are just who God created you to be and he is so proud when you choose to show his love to others.  Never, ever give up.  Press on, because Jesus is so worth it.  He gave his life for you, don't you think you could do this for him?
Your sister in Christ,
♥♫•Madison

Abundant Grace

John 1:16-17

Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Acts 15:11

We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved.

So often we forget about the grace that was undeservingly bestowed upon us by our Lord. We have a place in Heaven secured for us, but not because we have done anything to deserve it. Only because of grace do we have eternal life.

Over the course of your lifetime, you will most likely hear the gospel numerous times. If we allow it, the gospel easily becomes something of boredom that we know it our head, but don't fully appreciate in our hearts. I don't think we will ever fully comprehend the sacrifice that Jesus made and how completely unworthy we are of His grace. We should be on our faces in thankfulness and praise of our Lord Jesus every single day. Yet, I must admit, I find myself guilty of letting days go by without expressing my gratitude towards my Savior. Maybe today you and I will take time to thank the Lord for the abundance grace He has given us.

In His Love,

Jessica

Jars of Clay

Do you ever feel like you just can't live up to the standard? Like you aren't good enough to be where you are, doing what you're doing? Like everyone would look down on you if they could read your thoughts, if they could know what you struggle with? I do; and those feelings are hard to deal with, especially since they are true. None of us can measure up, especially not to God's perfection. We're flawed and unworthy without Christ; but there is good news: with Christ, you are a precious princess. You are worthy, you are sanctified, you are treasured. We may not look like much, but we aren't supposed to. God puts His treasure in jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7) So that the world will look at the inside, the power of God inside, instead of the outside, you; His avenue to reach the world. If, like me, you don't look like much, rejoice, and let the light of Jesus Messiah shine through you.

In Him,

Becky

Without Void

God's Word is a huge part of my everyday life. Precious words from my Savior are hung on my walls, written on various note cards, read around my family dinner table, and studied in my quiet time. Though I am almost constantly surrounded by His many promises and commands, sometimes I tend to look past it all. I lose sight of the impact and richness that God's Word brings to my life.
Isaiah 55:11 (English Standard Version)
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
God's Word will never return empty and void. It will never lose it's power or it's purpose. Wherever the Word of God is spoken, read, taught, or seen it will always be used the way God plans. Though from an unknowing, human perspective it may seem that God's Word doesn't accomplish the purpose we think is best, God says that His Word "shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it". That is why we never stop sharing His truth with even our most stubborn friends, why we never stop reading the Bible, and why we never stop treasuring His Word in our hearts. Because no matter how many times we encounter God's Word, it will never stop working in our lives. It will never cease to make an impact on everyone it encounters. Isn't it wonderful to serve a God whose mere words have such power?


In His Love,
Jessica

Quotes: Joy

"Spiritual joy is: the settled conviction that God sovereignly controls the events of life for the believers' good and His glory. Spiritual joy is not an attitude dependent on chance or circumstance. It is the deep and abiding confidence that regardless of one's circumstances in life, all is well between the believer and the Lord. No matter what difficulty, pain, disappointment, failure, rejection, or other challenge one is facing, genuine joy remains because of that eternal well being established by God's grace in salvation."

John MacArthur

Where do I go?

Psalm 143:8, 10
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul...

Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit lead me
on level ground!


Knowing and understanding my future seems to be a requirement these days. Where are you going to college? What do you want to major in? Sometimes I just feel like screaming, "I don't know! Leave me alone!" But then I begin to wonder about what God wants me to do... and then I'm not sure. I don't know. It's very easy to worry and stress over something that isn't really in my control.

Interestingly enough, David, the same guy who defeated Goliath and the same guy who was king over Israel, didn't know what to do either. In these verses He asks God to show Him the right road to take, to make known to Him the level paths. Yet when He talks to God about His uncertainty, He isn't down and depressed. Rather, He praises and exalts the Lord, and trusts. He doesn't worry or stress, but He asks the Lord to lead and guide Him on the right path, fully assured that God can do what He says He can do.

You do know that God has plans for you? Plans to prosper you and not to harm you? (Jeremiah 29:11) Then believe it. Know that God is faithful. Don't worry about tomorrow; instead, pursue the things of God. Fill your life His Word and be obedient to what God asks. He won't leave us hanging, God knows how we feel.

In His Love,
Jessica

Trusting God

Trusting in God is honestly one of the hardest things we EVER have to do. It doesn't just mean that you are a Christian or go to church on Sunday. No, it's so much deeper than that. Trusting God means trusting his plan for your life so honestly and completely that you never back down. When life lets you down or you are confused about why something is happening you can either fight back and try and change things or trust in Jesus.

Recently I had a moment in my life where everything was upside down and I started to doubt God's ultimate plan. However, I told myself that I was just going to dig threw and trust God. Wow, it was hard, but I know that he has everything completely under control. He will never let me drown. Everything has a specific purpose under his will. Say you failed a math test- maybe that's because God needed you to be humbled. Say the guy you like suddenly likes your best friend- maybe that's God's way of showing you he's not the one. Say your friend lets you down- maybe that's God's way of making you strong. Say your dad looses his job- maybe that's God's way of drawing you closer to him.

Whatever you are going through, I just wanted to let you know that no matter how hard it maybe, trusting God is always best. He has everything planned out perfectly and he loves you.

Ecclesiastes 3:1
[ A Time for Everything ] There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

Your sister in Christ,
♥♫•Madison

Be a Blessing!

"Be a blessing!" I can't ever leave the house without my Mom reminding me of that simple truth. So often I easily respond, "Yes, Mom! Bye!" and hurry off without actually thinking about what she told me. Proverbs 10:7 says that, "The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot."

Every time we encounter other people we leave some sort of impact on them, whether good or bad. While you may not necessarily be leaving a bad impact on someone, are you really blessing them with your words and actions? This week, try to intentionally bless people; you never know how much that may brighten their day!

In His Love,
Jessica

God loves to say yes.

Any time you pray for God's will, He will always answer "yes" to your prayers. (1 John 5:14-15)

A few prayers God loves to answer:

• Prayers for salvation (1 Timothy 2:4)
• Prayers for His Spirit (Luke 11:13)
• Prayers for needs (not wants!) to be met (Matthew 6:31-32)

Want to be sure your prayers will be answered? Obey God, search His word for what He wants, then ask for it! You'll get it every time.

they had everything in common

Each of us is unique. We all possess certain qualities or character traits that are different from one another, just as God created us to be. However, I find it interesting that in the book of Acts God describes the new believers not by their difference, but as having everything in common.

Acts 2:44 (ESV)
And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

Acts 4:32 (ESV)
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.

Those people could have focused on themselves; their talents, their abilities, what they could do better than someone else; but they didn't. Instead they corporately focused on Christ and on spreading the gospel. They were united and selfless, generously giving to meet the needs of others. The awesome thing about all this is what came from it. God mightily blessed their efforts. Acts 2:47 says, "And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."

They could have separated themselves by who had the nicer clothes, who made the most money, or who seemed to be more talented. But if they were focused on such worldly, superficial things, thousands of people would not be in Heaven today. I pray that right now in our churches, our youth groups, our circles of friends, we won't be separated by things that have no eternal significance. Rather, I pray that we will be united in Christ and make a wonderful impact for His Kingdom.

In His Love,
Jessica

Book Review: Peace Child

Imagine encountering a people group who has never heard of running water, let alone the name of Jesus. People who live by their own law; with no sense of morality, who betray, kill, and eat their own friends.

That is exactly what Peace Child is about. It is a true story from the 1960's that gives an account of the time missionaries Don and Carol Richardson spent among the Sawi people.
As I read this book, I was stunned by the havoc that Satan can wreak and how truly evil mankind really is. Without Christ, we really are depraved and sinful people. What is most amazing about this story is how God took the awful situation and lifestyle of this people group and completely changed their lives.

Even today, 2,000 years after Jesus came, there are people who have never heard of Christ. While we live in oblivion, people across the world are dying and going to hell without Jesus. Peace Child is a compelling read that reveals to us the desperate need for Christ on this earth.

His name is JESUS

Who created this world so complex and perfect?
Who believes each human being is completely worth it?
Who knows every hair on my head?
Who knows when I'm awake and when I'm in bed?
Who cares about every last sheep?
Who has my heart to always keep?
Who holds the power of life and death in his hands?
Who can calm a storm with his powerful commands?
Who can heal the sick and the broken?
Who gives us his love as a free token?
Who never leaves my side?
Who is always there for me to confide?
Who knows my every thought and hears my every prayer?
Who lets me know that he will always be there?
Who makes the oceans tremble at the sound of his name?
Who yesterday, today, and forever will always be the same?
Who deserves all honor, praise, and glory?
Who has written my life story?
Who is my refuge and rock?
Who is holding my hand throughout my walk?
Who is my example of how to live?
Who found it in his heart to forgive?
Who took the world's sin upon his back?
Who undeserving felt every beating from the Roman's attack?
Who defeated death and rose from the dead?
Who proclaims truth in every word he's ever said?
Who holds all power in his control?
Who has complete devotion from my soul?
There is only ONE man who fits this claim.
Only ONE who deserves the whole world to praise his name.
Oh praise the ONE who freed us!
His name is...JESUS!

Your sister in Christ,

♥♫•Madison

Beyond Understanding

Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV)
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

As Paul wrote the to the believers in Ephesus, he prays and asks the Lord to give them strength to comprehend God's love. It is amazing to think that on our own, as mortal human beings, we cannot grasp the unconditional love God has for each of us. Only with divine, out of this world power can we understand the magnitude of the love of God. Yet even with immortal strength, the understanding of God's love surpasses our human knowledge. Wow. What an awesome God we serve!

There will always be things about the Lord that we cannot fully comprehend or explain. But what an incredible thing that is! If I could fully understand every aspect, detail, and reasoning about my God, what kind of God would He be? I am mere man, made from the dust of the earth. I am nothing in comparison to Christ. The reason I am so undeserving of salvation is because I am nothing, yet Christ died for me anyways. I am so thankful that I cannot understand my Lord, because that is what makes Him ever deserving of all praise.


In His Love,
Jessica

Truth is...

"Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' be 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." -Matthew 5:37

Speech is an area that is tough to become truly Christ-like in. I've realized lately that my flippant answers and quick promises don't please God. As His children, He wants us to speak the truth, always (in love, of course!) and to mean what we say. It's challenging to really honor the Lord with everything you say, but try and take a step back today and think before you speak. It will make a difference!