Blessed:)

Yesterday was my birthday, and wow, I am SO BLESSED YOU GUYS. I was blown away by how much my family cared enough to give me such wonderful things. Most of it was Hello Kitty stuff. Hahaha. But it was great. I'm so glad to have such wonderful people in my life. I also have a new Acer Aspire One netbook! Yeah! My parents blew me away with that. I had no clue. I thought the box was for a, like, picture frame or something. Ba ha ha. But it was amazing. I'm so thankful!

I'm so thankful to my Lord for the blessings He pours out on my life. They're not even necessary. But He gives me such wonderful moments and bits in my life because He wants to see me smile, because we've all had too many sad days. Sometimes, I think He just does things to make us smile for Him. ♥ He's so wonderful.

(*-And, Oh my goodness, my boyfriend just sent me a message letting me know He doesn't think I have big feet, and he only got me large slippers because it was slim pickin's. Ba ha ha ha.-*)

Because I was so tired this afternoon, even after my two hour nap, I decided I definitely needed to fight off the grumpy devil and his temptations to be too lazy to read my Bible, I punched him in the face and got some Bible time in. Man, when the Spirit leads me to read in the Word, I am always so very blessed by what I find there. I read Luke 6:6-11.

And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

 Okay, here's what has stood out to me in this: The Pharisees were so focused on keeping their own laws that they had made up, that they disregarded the idea of choosing to save a man from his pain and torment in favor of keeping their traditions that they had added to God's law. They considered healing to be practicing medicine, and practicing one's profession was against their laws. But Jesus, Who is the author of the Holy Laws, smacked them in the face with a simple saying. Which one is against the rules? To do good, or to do evil?

We have to ask ourselves, which is better? To keep up with the rules that we have placed into Christianity, or to do the Good works that God has placed us on this earth to do? Which life has purpose and brings Christ joy and glory? I think it's obvious. Think of ways to apply this to your life. Take a chance to minister to someone that you wouldn't want to be associated with. Don't condemn someone because they didn't feel the need to wear suit and tie to church services. Just praise God that they're there, and reach out a hand of friendship to them. Change your heart. Aim to be like our Beautiful Savior. This is what has been burdened on my heart from my time with Him today.

I'm so wonderfully blessed to receive such a loving message from the Lord. And very much burdened to make these changes in my own life. Thank You, Lord! ♥

Love and prayers,

Natalie.