Today’s Devotional

Discovering God, Luisa's Posts

{Discovering God} My God wants me to Trust Him.

UYM

Written By: Luisa Parish

Our family has been brought into an interesting situation! A few months ago my husband, Corey, received a phone call out of the blue proposing a new ministry position in Southern Ontario. The new position sounded like a perfect fit for our new church and for ourselves. It also came with the added bonus of being closer to our hometown! (Anyone who knows me well will know that I often struggled to be in the North simply because I missed my family so much.)

After much thought and prayer, we decided to take the new job and after a few months we have moved down to Fergus, Ontario. It’s simply the perfect situation for us! Or is it?

Naturally you’d think that I’d be ecstatic over the move – an incredible new town, lots of amazing people, a great ministry position for my husband, and a much closer trip to be with family more often already even!

That would all be amazing if not for one small problem…we’re homeless! We do own a home, of course, but it is about five hours North of us in Sudbury where a very slow moving housing market has held off that coveted “SOLD” sign from our front lawn. Two adults can flow through seasons like this without too much trouble, but when you place our two toddlers into the mix it makes for a very stressful situation hopping from house to house as we wait for our permanent home!

We’ve received an outpouring of love from many people – especially a phenomenal couple who has graciously housed us for the first weeks of our move! – but we still find ourselves floating around and waiting as patiently as we can. Being honest, though, I’ve found myself to be impatient a few times so far as I hurl my questions to God. “Why haven’t You sold our house yet? If You brought us here, why hasn’t the move been made easier?”

Then I recall these words:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

 

I like to think I know what’s best. What’s best for me, what’s best for my family etc. But I can’t see the bigger picture. I’m not the center of the universe. Things don’t stop because I want them to. He is God and I am not.

Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,

to whom belong wisdom and might.

He changes times and seasons;

he removes kings and sets up kings;

he gives wisdom to the wise

and knowledge to those who have understanding;

Daniel 2:20-21

 

He knows what He is doing; He is taking care of every single one of us. He cares for the wellbeing of my children far more than I do. In these moments, I have to let go of the control and trust Him to take care of us, even if it requires waiting and walking blindly.

Consider these words which God spoke to His people when they, too, were in a strange land without a home to call their own:

 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

 

The more I do this bible study (What Do I know about my God? by Mardi Collier, see previous posts) the more excited I get! The more I read the scriptures the better I see and understand God. I have barely scratched the surface but I’ve seen him work and pull through time and time again. Sometimes we just need little reminders here and there that we are not alone. That He truly does love us, want what’s best for us, KNOWS what’s best for us etc. We just let go of the control and trust Him in all areas of our lives.

Whatever season you find yourself in, I encourage you to take this journey with us. Find out who God really is, so that you can develop a genuinely deep and profound relationship with the God of the universe!

Other scriptures to add to the category of My God wants me to trust him

Psalm 56:3-4; Proverbs 3:5-6; 16:20; Isaiah 26:3-4; Jeremiah 17:5-8; 2 Corinthians 1:9

Until Next Time,

~Luisa

Taylor's Posts, UYM

{Worth} Am I worthy?!

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Written By: Taylor Horner

Worth taylor august

This year has been one incredible year for me. I have managed to get engaged, graduate with my bachelor’s at a university, become an auntie, I am in the process of getting married, we are settling into our first home, and I was accepted into my Masters program at the university! After all these successes I cannot help but think- am I worthy of all these blessings? It is so strange how some years in our life can be filled with blessings, and others can be filled of heartbreak.

Our blessings and our heartbreaks are not based on whether God deemed us worthy to have an awesome year or not. Our God loves to bless us, but He also has to challenge us to grow in our relationship with Him, this can lead to us going through some situations that cause sadness, but bring knowledge.

So let me just say this first. YES, you are worthy of being blessed because God loves to bless us. This does not mean that you deserve every hardship you come across; we all go through rough times. Some rough times we bring on by our own actions, others happen for reasons of growth in our faith in God, but these hardships do not decrease your worth.

When you are blessed rejoice, and when you go through hardship- continue to rejoice, just like Job in the Bible. Your worth should not decrease because you have had a bad day, bad week, bad month, or a bad year. There are plenty of people who see you as very worthy of their love, attention, and joy. God sees you worthy enough that He let His son die for you, even though none of us deserved it. How incredible!

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.”

Remember today, no matter your past, present, or future. There is a God you can lean on. You deserve blessings, you deserve love, and you deserve to grow in your relationship with God. You deserve all these things because you are worthy.

Until Next Time,

~Taylor

Kerrington's Posts, {Love}

{Love} Worth the fight. 

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Written by: Kerrington Sweeney
In the beginning, God gave man and woman the joy and pleasure of having sexual relations within the bounds of marriage, and the Bible 
is clear about the importance of maintaining sexual purity within the boundaries of that union, between only man and wife. 
 
Look at what God says about sexual purity.
“You should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 
not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God.”
“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life” 
(1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, 7). 
These passages outline God’s reasons for calling for sexual purity in the lives of His children. Many young people are super confused about where to ‘draw the line’ and it’s easy to understand why. We live in a world that constantly bombards us, with impure behaviour and encourages participation in it. We live in such a sex-crazed culture where sexual temptation is literally everyone’s battle. 
 
These battles we all face come even more swiftly, especially when you start to fall in love and enter into a courtship, it’s absolutely natural to want to express your love in many physical ways. 
 
But on the other hand we also know that God wants us to remain sexually pure, in both our actions and our thought life. Sometimes this is an extremely tough battle and balance, but showing love for another, while remaining pure is totally possible. Even though our culture tells us, that love always has to be in physical ways. 
 
Sexual sin, is a dark plague that is over-taking our generation. 
It’s a secret part of our lives…something we don’t usually tell anyone about, because we are too ashamed. Even with this Sexual Sin Plague among us, Purity is still attainable and It is sustainable. Purity, is where true radiant freedom is found. The freedom of knowing that your Heavenly Father has your life story all planned out and he will protect you and give you the desires of your heart!!  
 
Maintain your sexual purity through the power of our Lord, Jesus Christ! 
The same power that conquered the grave, lives in us…so therefore we have the power to over come the temptations of this fallen world! 
 
I’ve heard many of my peers say that “God’s Standards are too high.” 
This Brothers and Sisters is completely wrong.   
We are all ‘called’ to live holy lives but, He will never set a standard that is too high for us to meet. He provides the power to live true purity out. 
 
Sexual purity for some, is just an impossible dream… If God calls, for a standard to be lived out – when a person surrenders his/her life to Christ, it is made possible. 
 
Always remember…
“You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body” 
(I Corinthians 6:20). 
When you came to Christ, when you affirmed Him as Lord of your life, 
you surrendered your entire self, including your body, to God. 
He paid the ultimate price for it, 
shed blood of God Almighty!
 
Use your bodies to serve the Lord and keep your bodies clean and pure as a temple of the Holy Spirit. Sexual purity is a total commitment of sexual needs, desires, thoughts and actions to God. Making a commitment to sexual purity is easy. Keeping that pledge can be a little more difficult. Sexual purity is 100% possible when God is in control of your life…Your Purity is worth fighting for! 
And remember is never to late to start living a life of purity. 
 
Until Next Time, 
 ~Kerrington 
 
Kerrington's Posts, {Life}

{Life} The struggle of saying “No!”

UYM

Written By: Kerrington Sweeney


Recently, I was asked to take another project on. The project was so very wonderful and I would have loved to have been apart of it…but the timing was just not right and I felt that it wasn’t what God, was calling me into at that season in my life.

The struggle and harsh battle that went on in my mind to say “No” to being apart of that project was a tough one. After awhile, of contemplating different ways to say no…I just flat out and told them I was unable to be apart of the project. Saying No, was a very difficult step for me.

A guilt overcame my heart for awhile that I wasn’t being apart of it…God stopped me in my tracks one day while I was still carrying the guilt and popped a thought into mind:

“If I was to sacrifice my own time for this project, when would I have my own time to read and mediate on God’s word? When would I be able to dig deep into the Word. When would I be able to simply listen and wait on the Holy Spirit? When would I have a chance to stop everything and simply pray?”

These were some, of the many thoughts deeply pressing in my mind. Truly, God has placed this on my heart to share and that is this…

Just because the project or opportunity is so amazing and it will do great things for the continued expansion of God’s Kingdom, doesn’t always mean it’s yours to take on. We each are called with a certain Life Ministry. Some busier, than others.

The next project you are asked to be apart of…step back and think twice about where your priorities are. I challenge you to take time, and pray deeply about these projects, before accepting the opportunities.

It takes a bit of courage and strength to say “No” to projects…but sometimes it’s God’s best for you to simply say “No.”

Thanks for joining me today! I hope you enjoyed and were encouraged! Bless you!

Until Next Time,

~Kerrington

Joceline's Posts, {Faith}

{Faith} Magic Number.

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Written By: Joceline Sweeney

It seems like there are a lot of things in life that can only be done when you reach a certain age, a magic number sort to speak, often set by our parents, schools or government.

When you are younger you look forward to the day you when you are finally old enough to wear make-up, finally old enough to have your first sleep over, and finally old enough to go the mall without your mom.

When you become a teenager you are finally old enough to go to high school, possibly during those teen years depending on your parent’s rules, permission is finally granted for you to start dating.

As soon as you turn sixteen you can finally start out on the “getting your license journey.” When you turn eighteen you are finally allowed to have say in how your country is run. So many things in our lives always seem like we have to wait for, for that distant day in the future, for a magic number to be reached, finally.

How many of you feel limited because of your age? I’m here to tell you today there is something so wonderful you can do, you don’t have to wait for that distant day in the future, it doesn’t have to be a magic number, or a finally old enough achievement!

Today, right now at this very moment in every situation you are in…You can be an example to everyone around you, younger and older! God is no respecter of age! He has on more than one occasion used the youngest and least likely to lead others.

You can be an example with your life, in how you trust in God to lead you and direct your future.

You can be an example with the way you speak, the way you show love and kindness to those around you, not getting caught up in the latest gossip, but speaking truth and love.

You can be an example of how a godly girl acts around boys, being treated with respect, as you are a daughter of the most-high God. Not lowering your standards just to fit it.

You can be an example of a girl who saves her purity for the man God has handpicked for her. You can have that beautiful love story of dedication and sacrifice.

You can be an example of how to pray for others, right in your youth group or even at your school. You can be the light. You can be filled with grace and wisdom, even at a young age.

One of my absolute favorite verses growing up was 1 Timothy 4:12,

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, your faith, and in purity.”

How awesome is that? You don’t have to wait for a distant day, a magic number and a finally, to be a part of the kingdom of God. Not even just a part, but an example, a leader. God has called each of us no matter our age to be world changers, so don’t wait for a distant day, a magic number or a finally.

Today, right now at this very moment in every situation you are in…be the woman God has called you to be!

Until Next Time,

~Joceline

Kerrington's Posts, {Beauty}

{Beauty} Unfading Beauty. 

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Written By: Kerrington Sweeney


“…but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which in God’s sight is very precious.” -1 Peter 3:4

Beauty, something often thought of something completely opposite of it’s true meaning. Whenever I personally hear the word ‘beauty’…I am always brought back to my 1st Family Vacation to Walt Disney World! When I seen the beautiful princess belle walking the park grounds greeting all the little children. There she was. True beauty right before my 7 year old eyes. I stood in amazement and awe.

She was dressed in a big sparkly yellow ball gown. With her hair done just perfectly. Her face was a master-piece of elaborate make-up. She had the perfect princess body. All around, she was a true beauty. She glowed with pure happiness, as she politely greeted each young child. A spirit of a great-self confidence oozed from within her. Of course, she was just payed to portray the perfect princess but, it was something else that made it so very realistic.

We are so often told to always remember that beauty comes from within the heart. Which yes it should. Just like the verse we started with today in 1 Peter 3:4. “…be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty…”

Yes, this is true. But, we don’t need to dress sloppy just to for the ‘hidden beauty’ criteria. We as Christian women are supposed to be an example to all the world. We are to be presentable. Honourable, and showing that having Christ with you, is that most incredible thing ever in this crazy world. Which yes it is 🙂

In conclusion today ladies, never be ashamed to wear a fancy dress and get your hair and nails done. God doesn’t look down on you in anger just because you decided to dress up and wear a pair of heels. If that is something that makes you happy, then God is happy too. Live beautifully my dears!
Until Next Time,

~Kerrington

Sienna's Posts, Soul-Searching Sundays

{Soul-Searching Sundays} SHINE!

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Written By: Sienna Ducharme

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“…Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” ~Matthew 5:16 NIV

When Kerrington announced the #SHINEproject, I was excited at the prospect of a new project that would further encourage the wonderful women that follow Uniquely Yours Ministries. But this new project was not about the women we have already reached. It was about the women we haven’t. Now, I don’t know about you, but when someone tells me to shine, I don’t immediately have a plan of action on what I will do. I don’t know how to flip that hidden switch. Should I be smiling more? Should I give more hugs? Should walk up to strangers, tell them that I’m shining and ask if they would they like to shine too?

Well, when someone told me to shine, I shared the post about it on Facebook and then quietly waited for someone else to take the lead. Most of us will recall a tune called ‘This Little Light of Mine’ often sung in Sunday school. It not only tells us not to hide our light, but it also says to stop Satan from blowing it out. Still no word on how to shine in the first place, but now I knew I was doing it wrong by laying low.

So I threw aside my ‘bushel’ and turned to the leading expert on most things: Google. (My Google search turned up a lot of articles on how to shine shoes, if you’re interested.)

Here is what else I found: “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true, and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.”  ~Ephesians 5:8-10

Ah ha! There isn’t a light switch after all. He is the light, and we are His children. This means that by doing good works, and acting in a way pleasing to Him, we are shining His light. Every day, whenever you are doing something good, you are a brightly shining example of Him. Your actions don’t have to be showy or heroic, they just have to be good, with good intentions. Whether you knew it or not, you were shining His light. But now you can be a little more aware of how bright and sparkly you are.

Until Next Time,

~Sienna

Amy's Posts, Angela's Posts, Crystal's Posts, Guest-Writers, Joceline's Posts, Kerrington's Posts, Krystyn's Posts, Luisa's Posts, Marnie's Posts, Rachel's Posts, Sienna's Posts, Taylor's Posts, UYM, UYM Bible Study, {Beauty}, {Faith}, {Life}, {Love}

{UYM Bible Study} Registeration!!!

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BIBLE STUDY UYM

Coming September 2015…With Guest-Writer Crystal Cyr, we will be on a journey together, discussing in depth, the book of Ephesians. In the form of an online Bible Study! This is our very first UYM online Bible Study. We hope you will join us, early every Saturday Morning, as we learn to constantly cling to the powerful words, of Our Heavenly Father.

Registration begins TODAY!

To Join us, click this link to the: UYM Bible Study Facebook Group.

In this online group, we will have discussion topics and also have time for prayer requests. If you have any questions…please message us here:

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Thank you for your response. ✨

 Until Next Time,

~The UYM Team

Life in the Spirit, Rachel's Posts

{Life In The Spirit}

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Written By: Rachel Shaw

Life in the Spirit

Life in the Spirit…

“The word convict is a translation of the Greek word elencho, which means “to convince someone of the truth; to reprove; to accuse, refute, or cross-examine a witness.” The Holy Spirit acts as a prosecuting attorney who exposes evil, reproves evildoers, and convinces people that they need a Saviour.”

Wow. What a task the Holy Spirit has.

The conviction of the Holy Spirit has been overwhelming me lately. There have been several moments this week when I stepped back and thought about the conscious decision I had just made that was totally inexcusable.

I willingly made a wrong choice and oh my… did I ever feel guilty. I did my absolute best to ignore the constant knot in my stomach and hide my sin from God and act like it never happened (although I know better than that).

The guilt-filled knot in my stomach and my mind wasn’t there for no reason. It’s the Holy Spirit reminding me that the sin in my life is not something I should be comfortable with and I have to change!

After you’ve made a mistake (whether it be big or small) do you feel guilty? The Holy Spirit doesn’t intend to make you feel bad about yourself and the wrong choice you just made, but instead wants you to feel uneasy so you can fix it and learn for next time!

“You however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.” – Romans 8:9

This passage doesn’t mean that we don’t sin anymore.. but that we are not controlled by sin anymore. Our sinful nature does not reign over us have us in shackles but instead, we are able to stand up with the Spirit and change.

What a blessing the Holy Spirit is to our lives. The conviction we feel is to help us… not to hurt us.

Thank you Lord for the gift of the Holy Spirit and his conviction in our hearts. Help us to learn more about being controlled by the Spirit and not of the sinful nature. I ask that you allow us to become sensitive the conviction and guide us to making the right choices. We love you Lord and we devote our lives to you. We ask all things in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Until Next Time,

~Rachel

Kerrington's Posts, UYM

{Worth} Give up.

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Written by: Kerrington Sweeney

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A weary, defeated, ragged soul stood before me. A soul that was in pieces scattered around, limp with no life left within her. Failure. Defeated. Worthless. Were the words so often spoken in her mind, on a vicious cycle that seemed to never end. She was numb to the Lord’s presence. She had no emotional balance. She was in a place of utter chaos and complete ridiculous confusion…A season of wandering, searching, and questioning, if she even had a purpose anymore was set before her. Would she begin to take up the quest in hope of finding true purpose once again or would she continue to lay limp, life-less in a state of dark defeat?

This weary soul felt no reason to pray. No reason to read her Bible and not even an ounce of reason to attend a Church service. She was tired. Weak. Ready to honestly… give up. What was the point anymore? She thought.

This soul, sad to say…was my own. Spiritually, physically, and emotionally collapsing on a daily basis. No strength to fight against the fiery attacks from the dark enemy. He came attempting with all his might to steal, kill, and destroy me. Oh, and did the attacks ever come…In these moments, tears of overflowing abundance came rushing in. As I sat up in bed one night, sharing this stressful struggle with my Mum, I felt so ashamed not being able to get through this season on my own.

My Mum though, shared such great amounts of profound wisdom with me. It was said in such a way of Love and never at all made feel shame or defeated. She was a true beacon of Light and Hope that night. I now step back and look at the entire situation and the healing process journey, I am now on I stand in awe, The Lord was with me every single moment.

Romans 5:8 “I loved you, at your darkest hour.”

A realignment and complete shift was taking place in my Life. A brand new purpose and an intimate calling was being birthed directly into my weary heart, into my very spirit. I would either embrace this, with open arms wholly surrendered or I would be shaken to the very core and tested on my every move. God was calling my heart deeper and I honestly was struggling trusting Him through it all.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans of prosperity and not for evil. Plans to give you a hope and a future.”

This verse was a bright light to me. I sat in awe of my Heavenly Father, as He showered me with such great amounts of His tangible unending love…All the moments of chaos and the many feelings of utter defeat…I didn’t even need to worry, because God has special plans and a great purpose in mind for my life before He even knit me together in my mother’s womb. He had and still has plans for me. He knew that I would go through this season and He knew that I would come out of it a stronger woman in my Faith. For everything there is a time and a season. Trust Him…As hard as it gets. Trust God with everything you’ve got and NEVER Give up!!

Until Next Time,

~Kerrington