Registration Opens Today for the "Beautiful to God" Conference!

You are invited to join us for a special time of encouragement in personally discovering the fulfillment of a relationship with Christ, the power of basing your life on the Truth of His Word, and the joy of living a life that is beautiful to Him!  (You can view the invitation video by clicking on the picture above.)

Who: Young women, their mothers, grandmothers, and mentors – ages 11-111
Dates: November 16-17th, 2012
Time: 6:30pm-9:45pm Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm Saturday
Location: Roseville, Minnesota
Cost: $25.00 per person before October 1st, $30.00 after October 1st
Registration: Brochure/registration form may be printed out at www.lovingthelordministries.org.
Hosted by: Loving the Lord Ministries, Inc.

Topics covered include:
~ Loving Jesus as Your Best Friend
~ The Heart of Real Friendship
~ The Importance of Inner Beauty
~ Finding Your Identity in Christ
~ The Influence of Your Thoughts and Attitude
~ The Power of a Pure Heart
~ The Impact of a Life that Is Beautiful to God
… and more!

For more information: www.lovingthelordministries.org!  
Contact us with questions: events@lovingthelordministries.org.
Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/437652142923879
Please invite your friends, family, and church to join us for this conference! 

Jesus created you to live a life that is fulfilled in Him, that radiates His beauty, and that impacts the lives of everyone you touch for His glory!  Our desire is that through this conference, you would be strengthened to embrace the life that He says is "very precious"!  (1 Peter 3:3-4)

We hope you can join us as we seek Jesus and discover the unparalleled joy of living a life that is beautiful to Him!

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”
~ Proverbs 31:30

As a little update for the Summer Pursuit

We have been receiving emails from those of you who are in other states and out of the country who are concerned about your charts arriving on time. This is what you can do - today either scan and email a copy of your chart to us or email us with your address and let us know that your chart is on its way. (You can email us at info@lovingthelordministries.org.)  We want you to receive your reward package - though of course it doesn't even compare to the best reward of knowing Jesus!!!  Blessings as you continue to seek Him!

A Summer Pursuit Testimony from a Sister in Australia

"I have been doing the summer pursuit with all of you, but being an Aussie girl my friends and I have been calling it the winter pursuit. I have been learning so much about my Father in Heaven through this that I have never imagined that I would be able to know. I have been looking at the “Beauty of the Lord” and “Falling in Love with Jesus” over the last three months. It has been a great challenge to keeping up with the reading and the memory work every week but with the Lord’s help I have been able to keep on going.  I have been able to learn heaps of verses - I am not very good at memorizing. I think that because I am willing to spend time with God each day, He has given me a good memory and lots to think about and do to get closer to Him and be more like Him... I have learned to really trust the Lord and see the hard times and the trials as the Lord trying to teach me to trust Him more and to seek Him when it is hard."  ~ Michaela, age 20

One of the verses Michaela shared that really helped her to keep looking to Jesus and seeking His beauty and not her own was Psalm 27:4, "One thing have I desired, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple."

Micheala did a lot of her Bible verse memory earlier since she would be working with sheep near the end of the Pursuit - above is a picture of her (in the middle of the picture with her hands out) at work.

The Summer Devotions Pursuit Ends Today!

Today is the last day of the Summer Devotions Pursuit - and we hope it will be just the start to a lifetime of seeking Jesus!

Every day we need Jesus.  His Word is the food for our souls.  Time with Him draws us closer to His heart and makes us more like Him.  It is a beautiful lifetime journey of walking with and growing in Jesus!

He is calling you to Himself afresh today.  He has infinite things in His heart to reveal to you about Himself and His Truth.  He wants to make this verse real in your life again today, "For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things."  Psalm 107:9  Will you daily receive His grace to respond?  As you do, your walk with Him will continue to grow - and so will your joy in Him!

Congratulations to those of you who completed the Summer Pursuit - please be sure to send in your charts by September 6th and we will gladly mail you your reward!  Below is a testimony from a young woman who took part in the Summer Pursuit and found the joy of meeting with Jesus!  Please stay posted here on the blog for more encouraging testimonies to come!

May the Lord bless you all as you continue to seek Him and find Him to be what your heart is longing for!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Summer Pursuit Testimony:

"I am so thankful that I participated in the 2012 Summer Pursuit! What a blessing to have a daily accountability to do what I desire most deeply- to spend time with the Lord! Sometimes in life, I get so busy. But this summer, through the encouragement of Loving the Lord Ministries' challenge, by the grace of God, I was able to set aside a daily time to pray and meditate on Scripture, as well as commit much to memory. I am looking forward to continuing to practice my new habits as I seek the Lord first an foremost! Sweet are the memories of the past summer, spent in precious time with the Lord!"  ~ Rachel, Washington

The Lord takes pleasure...

"The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love."  ~ Psalm 147:11

What Matters Most

Dear Friends,

Last night I returned home from some time away camping with my family.  The time was filled with family fellowship, outdoor activities, working on writing the book, reading, campfires, and more.
 A very precious part of the time away were my times of stillness sitting by the water and listening to Jesus.  As I sat on the beach, gazing out at His creation and listening to Him, the noise and business of the world settled and what really matters came into focus so clearly.

These are the truths that are ringing afresh in my heart:
~ Jesus is what matters and the only place we will find true satisfaction.
~ His Word is the food our souls crave and is Truth that we can confidently base our life upon.
~ Time in His presence transforms our hearts and gives us the right perspective on everything.
~ Nothing is worth allowing in our lives that will hinder us from growing closer to Jesus.

These truths are so rich, powerful, and real.  They are meant to shape and be the heartbeat of our daily lives.  I find over and over that this requires daily receiving the Lord’s grace to remember them, live them out, and reject what will pull us away from our Jesus.  We all constantly need to remember them.

As the Lord spoke to me, refreshed me in His presence, and convicted my heart, He showed me ways to respond to these things.   It included:
~ Seeking to let Jesus have 1^st place in my heart at all times .  This includes: daily meeting with Jesus, walking through my day with Him, and looking to Him to meet all of my needs.
~ Soaking myself in His Word.  Some ways I do this: reading my Bible, memorizing verses, listening to the Bible on audio, and grabbing glimpses at my Bible throughout the day.
~ Setting aside special times with Him.  This is my daily devotions, as well as other times through the day when I can pause and meet with Him (in addition to walking with Him through the day).
~ Addressing the things that I feel hinder my sensitivity to Him or draw me away from Him.  Practically, one of the things that I realized that was threatening a growing sensitivity to the Lord’s voice was time spent on the computer.  This has meant setting more serious boundaries for my computer time - Nothing is worth hindering my relationship with Jesus!

These are things Jesus has been teaching my heart.  How needy my heart is to continually learn from Him – how needy my heart is of JESUS!  He is pursuing us, friends!  (Jeremiah 31:3) He wants us to know Him, walk with Him, and experience the fullness of joy that only His presence can bring!  (Psalm 16:11)

This morning as I embraced the fullness of normal life, the Lord gave me this precious verse, “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”  Psalm 105:4

Together let’s seek our Lord and His presence continually – allowing nothing to hinder us – and we will discover the joy that results from seeking what matters most!

Seeking Jesus with you,

Amy Vest

P.S. Here is a picture of me in the hammock in the middle of talking with Jesus and treasuring the Word…  I am so glad that we are able to seek Him together this summer!

Keep up the good work on the Summer Pursuit!!!

We have been blessed beyond words to hear from so many of you the amazing things that the Lord is doing as you seek Him in the Summer Pursuit!!!

Nothing compares to knowing Jesus and every moment you spend seeking Him is worth it!

May you be blessed and encouraged as you continue to faithfully seek Him! 

“So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord.  His going forth is as certain as the dawn;  And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.”  Hosea 6:3

A verse brought to life

"My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."  2 Cor. 12:9  The Lord has really brought this verse to life in a new way in my life this Summer.  He has asked me to go through some trying things recently, and just when I think I can't go even one more step, He gives me the grace to go two. Just when I feel all alone, He reminds me in a sweet way that He will always be there for me!  Just when I feel weak, He gives me strength!  He knows just what we need, right when we need it!  He is SO faithful! ~Isabella

Never too young to start seeking Jesus!

I have been so blessed to see my little six year old sister spending time with Jesus every day all on her own!  Once she found my sister and I were doing the Summer Pursuit that Loving the Lord ministries is doing for girls, she asked with excitement, "Can I do it too?"  Ever since she started this she's been having devotions all on her own!...every day!  You are NEVER too young to start seeking Jesus!  He will always be found of them that seek Him!  (Jeremiah 29:13)  

Announcing the "Beautiful to God" Conference ~ November 16-17th ~ Roseville, MN!

"Beautiful to God" Conference
~ with speaker Amy Vest ~
November 16-17th, 2012  

You are invited to join us for a special time of encouragement in personally discovering the fulfillment of a relationship with Christ, the power of basing your life on the Truth of His Word, and the joy of living a life that is beautiful to Him!

Who: Young women, their mothers, grandmothers, and mentors – ages 11-111
Dates: November 16-17th, 2012
Time: 6:30pm-9:45pm Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm Saturday
Location: Roseville, Minnesota
Cost: $25.00 per person before October 1st, $30.00 after October 1st
Registration: Registration opens September 8th, 2012
Hosted by: Loving the Lord Ministries, Inc.

Topics covered include:
~ Loving Jesus as Your Best Friend
~ The Heart of Real Friendship
~ The Importance of Inner Beauty
~ Finding Your Identity in Christ
~ The Influence of Your Thoughts and Attitude
~ The Power of a Pure Heart
~ The Impact of a Life that Is Beautiful to God
… and more!

An online brochure about the conference can be viewed at: http://bit.ly/MVFWeW.
More information coming soon - please visit us at www.lovingthelordministries.org!
Contact us with questions: ltlmevents@gmail.com.
Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/437652142923879

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”
~ Proverbs 31:30

Seeking Jesus Brings Fruit in Your Life

A dear young woman named Anna, who is taking the Summer Pursuit, shares:

The past few weeks the Lord has reminded me through answers to prayer that He is all knowing and never runs late. So often, I try to take things into my own hands if there isn’t an immediate answer to prayer. The Lord has been showing me that His timing is perfect and that He knows the desires of my heart and what is best for me.

Looking back, the times that I have set aside to seek the Lord intentionally have been the sweetest, most fulfilling times in my life. I am praying that this summer will be one of focusing on eternal things, rather than temporary things.

Psalm 119:36-37, “Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.”

Knowing Jesus

You were made to know Jesus.

Apart from Him, you cannot be satisfied.  With Him, you can be fully fulfilled.  Knowing Him is what you were meant for.

Jesus is calling you to know Him.  He wants your heart.  He wants you to know Him.  He will help you to do this.

Will you receive His grace to respond?

As you seek Jesus, you will know Him more and more.  No time spent seeking Jesus is wasted.  Knowing Him is the greatest thing you can do. 

Pursue Jesus with all of your heart, friends.

You will never be disappointed. 

“I am the LORD; those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.”  Isaiah 49:23

The Power of Memorizing Scripture

A precious young woman named Michelle shares with us what the Lord is doing as she seeks Him through the Summer Devotions Pursuit this summer:

Memorizing Scripture is one of my weaknesses. As pathetic as it may sound, the thought of memorizing a Bible verse intimidates me.

Have I done it before? Well, yes. I have.

Have I done it often? Shamefully, no. While I may have started on a passage, I’ve often felt overwhelmed and a “victim” of poor memory.

Without a doubt, I’m in for a big challenge this summer - a wonderful God-honoring challenge as I am pressured to memorize at least one verse per week. Already, I’m simply amazed at seeing, by God’s grace, the fruit of my endeavors to memorize portions of His Word. While struggling with the flesh and sin, it has been immensely encouraging and life-changing to see these verses flash into my mind as a reminder of Who I live for.

As a result, my love for God’s Word has grown. With a greater passion than before, I’m thankful for God’s Word. I’m thankful for the ability to read it, memorize it, and share it. I’m thankful that so many other girls and young women are on this journey of pursuing God, to know Him more. 

Clearly, we’re in for a delightfully life-changing summer with Jesus! (Is 55:11; Heb 4:12; 2 Tim 3:16-17)

A testimony of the joy of seeking Jesus

A sweet young woman named Isabella, who has found the fulfillment that comes from knowing Jesus through seeking Him, shares a testimony of time spent with Jesus with us:

"I've realized now more than ever that whatever you pour your time into, that's what you will start loving and desiring to spend more time on.  As I've spent time with Jesus and poured my time into seeking Him, that's what I desire to do now more than anything!  And that's what I most cherish doing! As I've spent time with the Lord, I have learned more of who He is, and in learning more of who He is, I can't help but not want to know Him more!  I have seen that  He truly is everything I need and so much more!  He truly, "satisfies the longing soul". Psalm 107:9"

We are so excited about all Jesus has in store!

We are SO excited about all that the Lord has in store as you seek Him!! 

It is a delight that so many of you across the world that are taking the Summer Devotions Pursuit!  There are sisters in Jesus from the USA, Romania, Mexico, Australia, Canada, Tasmania, Switzerland, and more seeking Him with you this summer!

It has been amazing to hear beautiful reports from some of you of what the Lord is doing in your hearts as you meet with Him already. 

We are looking forward to sharing testimonies of many of you here on the blog in the days to come, as well as encouragement and ideas as you are seeking Jesus!  Please stay posted!

Know that as you continue to seek Jesus, He will become more and more real to you!  He is so incredible and is worth seeking for with all of your heart!  You truly will never be disappointed as you seek and know Him!

"...Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing."  Psalm 34:10

Announcing the Summer Pursuit 2012

Join us for the Summer Devotions Pursuit 2012!

Dear Friends,

Each of us is always pursuing something. What are you pursuing? We pursue what we think will make us truly happy. We were created for a close relationship with the Lord and there alone will we find true satisfaction and joy. It cannot be found anywhere else.

Our life should be about pursuing Jesus - and since this is the case - so should our summer! Summer can be a special, but irregular time of year. In the midst of the varied schedules, activities, etc. it can be easy to let our time with the Lord become shortened. As a result, our soul and most important relationship with Jesus, suffer. The Summer Pursuit is designed to help us draw and keep our hearts close to Jesus this summer and walk in the joy that results!  For many this has been the start to that amazing journey of truly knowing the Lord and to a life-long pattern of meeting with the One we were created to know - Jesus!  He is so amazing!

I would like to invite you to join me for the 2012 Summer Pursuit - a special time of seeking Jesus from June 1^st - August 31^st. You can watch the "Summer Pursuit 2012" video (above) and visit the website (www.lovingthelordministries.org) for more details. You can contact us at info@lovingthelordministries.org with questions.

Here are the basic details:
Who: You and Jesus
Where: Wherever you are
When: June 1^st - August 31^st, 2012
What is involved: 15 min. of devotions a day, memorizing 1 verse a week, choosing and contacting an accountability partner once every 2 weeks... and an amazing summer with Jesus!
When you complete the Summer Pursuit: You send in your chart by September 6^th and you receive a reward in the mail - in addition to the best reward of knowing Jesus!
Reward: In addition to the best reward of knowing JESUS, this year's reward will be a special package that includes: a special bracelet beaded by LTLM staff, a CD of Amy Vest speaking on "The Power and Potential of Your Youth", a journal to use in your devotions, and more!

This is going to be an amazing summer of pursuing and meeting with Jesus! Pursue Jesus with all that you are this summer, friends. He will meet with you - and you will never be the same!

"He satisfies the longing soul…” Psalm 107:9

Looking forward to pursuing Jesus with you this summer,

Amy Vest

P.S. For special help in having powerful devotions, you can watch the latest videocast "Having Devotions that Change Your Life." (http://vimeo.com/23062783)

Summer Pursuit Video Coming Soon!

We had so much fun filming the "Summer Pursuit" video! You can watch for it soon! It is going to be a wonderful summer seeking Jesus!  Psalm 107:9

Jesus is always the same

 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."  Hebrews 13:8

Amy Vest had the privilege of speaking to a group on the topic of "Guy/Girl Relationships to the Glory of God" yesterday in Buffalo, MN. The Lord and His ways are so amazing! We are encouraged to see a hunger for Him and embracing this important area to His glory!

A Note from Amy

Sweet Sisters,

I think of you and my heart is blessed. It is so beautiful to know that so many of you are seeking our Jesus across the miles, finding the true joy that only He can bring! He is truly amazing and we will never find true satisfaction apart from Him. We need Him so much every day!

Thank you to all of you who write, email, and post – I LOVE hearing from you, knowing what the Lord is doing in and through your lives, and praying for you. Please know that even if I cannot answer, I love you very much and am so glad to hear from you!

The book for young women is coming along. I am so excited for what the Lord is doing and all that He intends for the words He is giving! Writing a book is a very long process – but will be worth it in the end, just like everything Jesus calls us to do!

While the book is taking much of my time right now, the Lord is unfolding some exciting things for the days to come. I look forward to seeking Him together! Stay posted!

Know that I love you, am praying for you, and am so excited for what the Lord has in store as you continue to seek Him!

Jesus is what you are longing for. His Word is the Truth we can stand on. His will for you is perfect.

May you find such joy today in Jesus as you look to Him and walk in His ways!

Jesus is worth it,
Amy

There is none like the Lord!

"...there is none like You, O Lord." Jeremiah 10:6

Having Devotions that Change Your Life

We want to encourage you as you continue to seek our amazing Jesus!

We encourage you to watch this video and be strengthened as you see that seeking Jesus is the best thing you can do!

"Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!" Psalm 105:3-4

A Testimony on Keeping a "Who Jesus Is" Journal

After receiving the idea from Amy a few years ago, I started a “Who Jesus Is” journal. This study has been very prominent in my own spiritual growth and should be important to all believers as He is our focus, priority, and Life…”I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”-Gal. 2:20 If we are to die to self and live to Christ, we should desire to learn His person for the purpose of conforming to His image. In this pursuit I have been blessed in several ways, which I hope will encourage others like myself who are striving to make Christ their total fulfillment and only necessity.

Without fail, studying Christ’s Character has increased the amount and fervency of my love for Him. As a result it has deepened my faithfulness to Him and ignited in me so much more praise. Often I think we put God in a box or see Him as we want to. Searching the scriptures to find His personality prevents this serious mistake and increases my faith and joy in Him. Getting to know Him better also helps me have more profitable conversation by sharing how He’s displayed a quality of Himself to me in a certain way. I would really encourage my sisters in Christ to make a journal of “Who He is”. Use His Word as your source…Time spent on your Savior is never wasted! ~ Anna

“30 Days of Loving Jesus by Looking at Who He Is” - Completed!

Dear Friends,

This week, the “30 Days of Loving Jesus by Looking at Who He Is” has officially come to completion. It has been amazing! If you have not had the chance to read all of the posts here on the blog, we encourage you to do so!*

We hope that for you this is just the beginning of a life of seeking to know and love Jesus more!

I want to encourage you in continuing this amazing journey of knowing Jesus yourself by sharing one thing that has been a big blessing to me in seeking to know and love Jesus for Who He is. This has been to keep a “Who Jesus Is” journal.

Ideas for keeping a "Who Jesus Is" Journal:

~ Write down qualities you know about Him. You could probably name a lot of qualities off the top of your head – and from your heart! For example, “loving, faithful, forgiving, patient, holy…”
~ As you read your Bible, write down qualities of Who He is and verses/reference that tell you that. For example, “righteous and kind - Psalm 145:17, “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.”
~ Write down every time you discover something more about Him. This can be in reading His Word, in seeing Him real in your life, in someone sharing about Him, etc. Record how you saw it real in your life.
~ Use what you have written in your journal in your prayer time to worship and praise the Lord for Who He is. It is so beautiful to go through your journal and praise the Lord for all that He is! It glorifies Him and it blesses you as you focus on the amazing Lord you belong to!

My friends, it is SO important that you know Jesus and Who He is for yourself! That is when your life will be transformed. Don’t rest with just hearing about Him from others, but know Him for yourself! Someone wisely said, “What comes to your mind when you think of God is the most important thing about you.” This is because you will live your life in line with what you believe about God – What you believe will shape your life. Earnestly seek to know the Lord for yourself, friends! As you do, you will never be the same!

Psalm 9:10 is so true and is a beautiful promise to claim as you seek the Lord, “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.”

We would love to have you share testimonies of what the Lord does and shows you as you seek Him by emailing us at info@lovingthelordministries.org!

Blessings as you seek to know our amazing Jesus for yourself!

I love you, sisters, and I love loving Jesus with you,
Amy Vest
for Loving the Lord Ministries

* A big thank you to every young woman who contributed a blog post on a quality of Jesus that they love! It was such a blessing to hear Who you have seen Him to be and to love Him more together!

Jesus is ~ All Powerful

What I love about Jesus: That He is, and always will be, all powerful.

A verse that talks about this: Psalm 62:11 "God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belonged unto GOD."

How I have seen this in my own life: Ultimately, I've seen His power first hand through my salvation. Before I was born again, reading Bible verses that talked about God's omnipotence, His supremacy, and His extreme Sovereignty would make me cower and fear, knowing what He had the power to do whatever He willed, and He would do it. It kept me awake at night, knowing that He had complete control of the universe, and had the power to end my life at any time. In the end, it was His power, that same power that I had so feared, that saved me. It was nothing that I could have done. He flooded me with conviction and a love for Him and His ways, saving me and giving me a whole new view of his magnificence. Now I look at Jesus' power as a blessing, knowing that my life and my future are solely in His hands. For a TRUE BELIEVER that is the best place to be ~ right in the center of HIS power! ~ Ruth

Jesus is ~ Peace

What I love about Jesus: His ever-present peace.

A verse about this: "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Do not let your year be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27

How I have seen this in my own life: I never cease to be amazed by how the Lord constantly gives me His peace right when I need it most. No matter how stressed I get or how difficult a situation may be that I’m walking through, He’s right next to me, holding my hand. He promises to never leave us or forsake us and I have seen this played out in my own life countless times! The Lord reminds me of His presence by showing me something in His Word that morning, by an encouraging message or conversation with a friend or even the comforting feeling that I can always turn to Him in prayer! The peace of the Lord truly does pass all understanding. ~ Katie

Jesus ~ Never leaves us

What I love about Jesus: He is always faithful and He NEVER leaves me NO MATTER WHAT!!!!

A verse about this: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

How I have seen this in my own life: Sometimes when I'm alone I feel scared and then I'm reminded of that promise and a great PEACE just comes over me and I'm no longer afraid. ~ Rose

Jesus is ~ Compassion

What I love about Jesus: His Compassion

A verse about this: John 11, verse 33 - "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled."

How I have seen it in my own life: It is extremely comforting to know that Jesus holds my hand through all the sad moments of this life. I have felt His relieving touch and I have heard His consoling voice during all my troubles and griefs. His powerful presence eased all the pains of my heart. ~ Tabita

Jesus is ~ Truth

One thing I love about Jesus: He is Truth

A verse about this: John 14:6 ~ "Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me."

How I have seen this in my own life: My name means "Truthful One" and so it has always been a main focus in my life. Jesus is Truth, He cannot lie. Amidst a world of inconsistency, Jesus always remains consistent with His character. There is a right and a wrong, there is righteousness and sin. I'm so thankful for the Holy Spirit Who works with my conscience to warn me of falsehood and show me what is Truth. Satan would love to have me buy into the many lies in this world, so I need to always be on guard, filling my mind with the Truth of God's
Word. Oh, to be able to cling to Jesus Who is Truth and His promises which are Truth in a world of lies and falsehood! I cling to His promises when going through hard times and thus am able to go through trials with Joy. Jesus is always true to me, may I always be true to Him. ~ Alyssa

Jesus is ~ Fearless

What I love about Jesus: He is Fearless

A verse about this: "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

How I have seen this in my own life: Recently God's really been impressing on my heart how fearless His is. He was persecuted but never did He cower in the corner in fear. He cried out to God for strength, but He never said "God I am afraid; I can't." He faced death without fear; why would He? He knows He is going to conquer all. It is so good to be lead by a fearless leader. Because He has no fear, I know I have no reason to fear. ~ Savannah

Jesus is ~ Forgiving

~What I love about Jesus: His Forgiveness

~A verse about it: "...saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." Jeremiah 31:34

~How I have seen this in my own life: It's so easy to see Jesus' forgiveness towards me, in my life, everyday, because I know I couldn't make it through one day without it!! :) And it's so incredible to me that no matter what mistake I make, such a perfect, righteous God is ALWAYS ready to forgive me, even knowing I'll make many more! ~ Maddie

Jesus is ~ Peace

One thing I love about Jesus: He is the Prince of Peace

A verse that talks about this: “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

How I have seen this in my own life: The Lord has shown me time and again that true peace comes from living in harmony with Him, that it isn’t the absence of conflict but the fullness of dwelling in His presence. Over the years, He has made me content to live with a brittle bones disease. He has kept me joyful after nearly five years of living with a constant headache that no one can ease or even explain. And He has helped me to stand firm as a crisis threatens our family. The Lord has filled my life with many things I wouldn’t have freely chosen. But now I can’t thank Him enough, because through them I have come to see Jesus as my Prince of Peace. This doesn’t mean I won’t feel pain or grieve or cry out in anguish. But it does mean that no trial will ever take me beyond the reach of His peace and joy. ~ Grace

Jesus is ~ Unconditional Love

One thing I love about Jesus: His unconditional love

A verse that talks about this:
Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

How I have seen this in my own life: The fact that Jesus’ love for me is unconditional is so comforting. Romans 8:38-39 reminds me that nothing and no one can stop God from loving me. Events and circumstances in my life don’t determine His love for me. No one will ever come between us to stop His love or to convince Him not to love me. I can’t even stop Christ’s love for me. Because I am forever saved from sin and wrapped in Christ’s righteousness, nothing I say or do can make Him love me less or more. It’s not based on my performance or merits. Even when I don’t love Him as I should, Jesus still loves me. I have come to love to rest in the knowledge that nothing can separate me for Christ’s unconditional love for me. ~ Brittany

Jesus is ~ Lovingkindness

One thing I love about Jesus: His Lovingkindness

A verse that talks about this: "Show thy marvelous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them." Psalm 17:7

How I have seen this in my own life: Even though I sometimes do bad things, I have to remind myself that no matter what I do, He still loves me a whole lot! ~ Lydia

Jesus is ~ Wise

What I love about Jesus: His Wisdom and Guidance

A verse that talks about this: James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

How I have seen this in my own life: This character trait and verse have been very meaningful to me for a long time because I have always "lacked wisdom". I think God made me this way, so that I would learn to trust him and His wisdom instead of my own! It is so amazing to me that all we have to do is ask for it and he will give it to us. I have seen God work through my gullibility and show me how to make good decisions for his glory and my joy! ~ Nadia

Jesus is ~ Always Near

What I love about Jesus: He is and will always be near

Verses about this: "The Lord is near..." Phillipians 4:5b, "I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20b

How I have seen this in my own life: It is such a comforting thought that I am never alone. He is always with me. NO EXCEPTION!! If I am doing work at home or worshipping Him at church or going to sleep, I am never alone. If I am in the United States of America or Australia, on the ground or in the air, awake or asleep, I have a friend that sticks closer than a brother who never leaves me or forsakes me (Heb. 13:5b). I praise God that no matter what I am facing, whether it be joy or sorrow, He will never leave me to face it alone. Thank you, Lord, for always being near to me! ~ Alyssa

Jesus is ~ Holy

What I love about Jesus: His Holiness

A verse about this: "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." Psalm 66:18

How I have seen this in my own life: There are times and choices in my life where I am tempted to "take advantage" of the mercy, and grace and sacrifice of our Lord and instead of thirsting after righteousness, I search for gratification. When I think on the holiness of our God, and his great, loving, indescribable redemption, the things of this world truly do grow dim, if even for just the time I am pondering and I am grateful for His grace to me His great worth and holiness, driving me to rest on and be confident in Him and nothing else. I'm grateful that the above verse is followed, thanks alone to Christ Jesus, by verse 19: "But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer." Hallelujah! ~ Bethany

Jesus is ~ Trustworthy

One thing I love about Jesus: He is SO trustworthy!

A verse that talks about this: Proverbs 3: 5-6 "Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

How I have seen this in my own life: Jesus continues to teach me that I can put my trust in Him, and in Him alone. When everything else feels as though it is falling apart in my life, God puts His arms around me. He reminds me that He is still there for me, and that I am His princess. Jesus really seems to enjoy surprising me throughout my day, and I love Him for it!! ~ Hannah

Jesus is ~ Compassion

One thing I love about Jesus: His Compassion

A verse that talks about this: Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

How I have seen this in my life: This characteristic of the Lord has grown so dear to me, especially recently. There have been many changes in my life, and I am realizing in a much deeper way how much I need my Shepherd every single moment and depend on Him for everything. He is merciful with His children and delights to provide for our needs. It is humbling because I see my own weakness and constant reliance on Him, yet He does not give His grace begrudgingly! On the contrary, He tenderly loves us and, as I said earlier, delights to help us in our weakness. What a gracious, loving Lord and Savior He is! Praise the Lord! ~ Cara