brokenbonesandlonelysouls

[brokenbonesandlonelysouls]

Imagine what the disciples went through when following Jesus. What a huge honor. But also they had to suffer because of following Jesus. That's what our lives should look like as disciples of Jesus. We have such a great honor, joy and excitement to follow him. But we are also have suffering and persecution because of it. As Christians, we should embrace both parts of following Jesus. We shouldn't be afraid of suffering for the sake of Christ. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. - Matthew 16:25 #Jesus #blessed #God #holyspirit #quiettime #Ilovehim #ilovejesus #joy #suffering #adventure #happy #smile #rejoice #bible #yas #lit #tyj #photography #sky #blue #tree #leaves #bluesky (at Auckland, New Zealand)

[brokenbonesandlonelysouls]

Soz for the #typicalchristian post about Easter. 😂 But I think it's important to remember the reason for the season! Jesus is the only one who proved that he is God by rising from the dead! Jesus is alive and he lives in us today 💕 #easter #celebrate #jesus #God #bible #risen #savior #tyj #reasonfortheseason #helives #eternity #peace #love

[brokenbonesandlonelysouls]

So grateful for God being in my life. Also so grateful for the people in my life ❤ you all are beautiful and amazing and ily 😍 Don't forget to value and spend time with the ones you love 😊💕 bc #yolo 😂 #thankyoujesus #Godisgood #allthetime #beautiful #creation #scenery #sky #clouds #blue #white #photography #love #thankful #grateful #godsplan #Jesusismyhomeboy (at Auckland, New Zealand)

[brokenbonesandlonelysouls]

"I see the world in light, I see the world in wonder." ❤😃 Over a year ago, I made the decision to give my life to the one true king Jesus. I've lost a few friends but gained the most amazing family in Christ! I've gone through the most unexplainable amazing things that words cannot describe. I was told in this photo to think of the time I saw Jesus face to face.. And this is me. So so so thankful to him who brought me from darkness into light. Everytime I think of Jesus I smile and cry, thinking of how my life was such a mess and he turned my mess into a message, that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Here's to another year with my everything and many more to come. 😊😍❤❤❤ #jesus #God #holyspirit #truelove #wonder #lifechange #testimomy #amazinggrace #thankful #cry #laugh #blessed #journeys #mylove #myeverything #relationshipgoals #photography #auckland (at Auckland CBD)

[brokenbonesandlonelysouls]

Show me your friends and I'll show you your future. Surround yourself with people you aspire to be and soon enough you will start to act and reflect them. Bad company corrupts good character. But good company molds a better version of yourself. Want to be a leader? Surround yourself with leaders. Want wisdom? Learn from those that are wise. Want to be funny? Come and be my friend 😉😂 Who are you surrounding yourself with? Are they a reflection of who you want to be? #goals #friends #surround #wisdom #character #reflect #fellowship #devotional  #God #bible #blessed #holyspirit #love #learning #scenery #sunset #photography #sky #pink #clouds #pretty #creation

[brokenbonesandlonelysouls]

Expect to be blessed What do you do when you're reading the bible everyday, praying and not hearing or feeling God. What do you do when God feels distant You wait and be faithful. Seasons change, storms don't last forever. Wait and be faithful for he is faithful. Don't look for the things that are seen, for we walk by faith and not by sight #God #bible #Jesus #blessed #seasons #wait #faith #tree #sky #red #scenery #devotional #christian #love #flowers #redflowers #pray #faithful #expect

[brokenbonesandlonelysouls]

You don't always feel love for someone or from someone all the time. But you always love them no matter how you feel or what feeling they give you. It's the same with God. Even if you don't feel his love/presense all the time that doesn't mean he doesn't love you. Love is not a feeling, love is an action. God showed in action how much he loves you on the cross, he suffered and died for you. He gave you eternal life, never forget that he pulled you out of darkness into light. #Holyspirit #Jesus #God #loveisnotfeeling #loveisanaction #bible #blessed #morethanafeeling  #cross #eternallife #freegift #photography #scenery #nofilter #love #light #peace

[brokenbonesandlonelysouls]

So I'm reading Genesis. This is like my third or forth time reading the bible and there is always something new to learn! In the story of Cain and Abel, Abels offering was regarded best because he gave his first born, he gave his best. Cain on the other hand, did not give his first fruits, he didn't give his best to God. Put God first don't give him your leftovers, give him your best. #jesus #holyspirit #God #bible #genesis #best #photography #sky #blue #tree #love #blessed

[brokenbonesandlonelysouls]

So this is something I don't often talk about but I really would like to talk about because it's not talked about enough tbh. Growing up I went through mental illness, I know how painful it is. This illness even kept me bedridden and physically unable to move. I love to think about how God delivered me from all of that pain, I can't thank Jesus enough! When people ask me for proof of God's existence, the best proof I can give is that I'm alive today. Living life in abundance. It's not all butterflies and rainbows of course, life's not easy. Jesus said in this life you will have trials but take heart, I have overcome the world. I'm a survivor, I am proof that God transforms and changes lives. I never imagined I would be this happy. When people said "it gets better" they left out the most important thing, that it gets better, only with Jesus! That emptiness inside can only be filled with God, just give him one chance, he will never let you down. Taste and see that the Lord is good. 😊 #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalillness #survivor #lightattheendofthetunnel #itgetsbetter #depression #selfharm #anxiety #suicide #suicidesurvivor #anorexia #bulimia #therapy #metal #emo #saved #peace #happy #truehappiness #joy #Jesus #God #holyspirit #bible #testimomy #lifechanging #freedom #athiest #proofofgod #scenery #rain #sunset #orange #photography #beautiful

[brokenbonesandlonelysouls]

Bit of a testimony. I feel soooo super blessed after seeing my beautiful church fam today. I have been going through a bit of a dry season but could not give up pursuing God because of his faithfulness and goodness in my life. Every Sunday always lifts my spirit and gives me so much faith and hope and everyone makes me feel so loved! Church is not just a place you go to on Sunday but it is a lifetime family that sticks with you through thick and thin. Where two or three are gathered, God is there. If you're not going to church or maybe you stopped going. I would deffinatly encourage you to come back! You will not regret it. God's love for you never changes no matter what. He loves you more than you can imagine. 💕 #thefathersarmsareopenwide #church #family #forever #love #God #Jesus #Holyspirit #bible #blessed #loved #clique #testimomy #lifechanging #yas #sunset #beautiful #photography #scenery #sky #creation #orange #loveGod #lovepeople

[brokenbonesandlonelysouls]

One thing that I always recommend you everyone is to look at yourself in the mirror and declare truths about yourself. It has helped me so so much! Say things like "God has made me fearfully and wonderfully. I am his masterpiece, I am his child" God makes no mistakes, you may see flaws but God sees you as his precious and loved child. He is so proud of you. I am his Princess, I am his little girl. As I say these things, the lies that I have been told about myself start to fade away. If anyone is in Christ they are a new creation. I caught a glimpse of myself and for a brief moment I saw how God saw me and nearly cried because I never see myself that way. God sees you in such a way that we often cannot see. #Jesus #God #holyspirit #truth #heaven #Father #fatherdauther #childofthemosthigh #kingofkings #lordoflords #love #proud #beautiful #confidence #youareloved #fearfullyandwonderfullymade #bibleverse #bible #devotional #flaws #perfect #newcreation #letthedevilknownottoday #christian #scenery #sky #wispyclouds #wispy #photography #tree #blue #blessed #forever #eternity

[brokenbonesandlonelysouls]

The word of God is living and active, sharper than a two edged sword. The bible is more than just a book, it's more than just religion. This book is a love letter given to you by the lover of your soul, the one who created this earth, pure and perfect. The one who created you for a purpose. Look at the stars, mountains and seas. Now look at yourself, you are God's favourite thing he made! He gave us dominion and authority over this earth. When we read the word, we are being changed, our soul is being fed. How long can you go without eating? Now think about how long can you go without reading the word of God. Set your priorities. 🔥💯💯💯 #soulfood #bible #wordofgod #powerful #changing #active #steadfast #holy #God #Jesus #holyspirit #neverreturnsvoid #photography #christian #green #newzealand #grass #nature #beautiful (at Auckland Region)

[brokenbonesandlonelysouls]

Happy Father's day! Shout out to the most amazing father EVEEEER! Thanks for sticking with me through think and thin and all my mood swings 😉😂😂😂 love you heaps Uncle! Hope you all are having an amazing day!!! So thankful for family 😍 #dontforgetyourroots To those of you who don't have a father this father's day, I want you to know that I can relate, you are so loved and so worthy of love because your heavenly Father loves you so so much! He is always there for you and no one can ever love you as much as Jesus. He gave his life up for you so that you could have a relationship with the creator of this world.❤❤❤❤ #Jesus #father #fathersday #love #bible #truelove #happyendings #allthingsnew #jesusisamazing #joy #answertolife #God #holyspirit #fun #family #faith #mourningtodancing (at Auckland Region)

[brokenbonesandlonelysouls]

This is for YOU! I pray for blessings to come your way.

GET READY! :)

[brokenbonesandlonelysouls]

[brokenbonesandlonelysouls]

[brokenbonesandlonelysouls]

Wait, why does sin even matter?

Sin just doesn’t always seem that… evil. I get it. There are times when I get away with my sins, and no one seems to get hurt at all. It almost feels like it doesn’t matter what I do anymore. Sure, murder is pretty bad, but not keeping the sabbath? Not using God’s name in vain? It just doesn’t feel all that bad!

One of the faults I often make when sharing the gospel is either downplaying or exaggerating the role of sin in the salvation story. We can go to the extremes of “God’s wrath will descend upon you because you’re going to hell for sure you heathen” or “You can do whatever the heck you want now that Jesus died. Bye!” Both of these options are superficial readings of scripture, leaving out the depth of who God is. They take our focus away from Christ and onto ourselves. One condemns, the other excuses, but both are about the technicalities of our sin, rather than the character of our God.

Here’s the thing- sin is a BIG DEAL. Every tiny little decision you make has an impact on both your own soul, and on the lives of others around you.

Here’s why, it causes death and destruction. Sin may look good and even feel right at first, but ultimately it destroys us. It fails to fill the void that we’re always looking to satisfy. It disappoints us and distracts us from the truth of God. When Adam and Eve first ate of the tree in Genesis 3, it looked good, tasted good, and seemed that it would give them something they wanted. Yet moments later, they only felt shame. But sin doesn’t just impact our own hearts and lives. When you sin, there is always another victim. Someone is always being betrayed, disappointed, and hurt by our bad decisions.

Let’s look at the consequences of sin on both spiritual and relational levels…

Sin breaks the relationship between us and God. God is holy. God cannot sin. In his very nature, God cannot tolerate the presence of sin. When Adam and Eve sinned, they were driven out of the garden, away from the presence of the Holy God (Genesis 3:22-24). They were not being excessively punished or unjustly charged with a punishment for eating fruit, they were driven out because what they had in Eden was broken (though not beyond repair!). They were no longer able to live in a place that was created in perfection because they were no longer innocent nor vulnerable.

Sin brings shame. The shame of our past decisions often weigh on us so heavily that we feel unable to change our actions. It feels hopeless and we feel like utter failures, beyond repair.

Sin is addictive. Once we give into one temptation, it’s like a waterslide down. For example, the first time a person uses drugs, they impact the individual to their full capacity. The next time this person uses drugs, it takes a higher dose to get the same response. Gradually, the person becomes so accustomed to the impact of drugs that the higher doses destroy their capability to stop. All sin works the same way. A white lie can so easily lead to compulsive lying mentality. One experience with mild porn soon becomes a necessity for more and more extreme versions.

Sin is inherently selfish. When we sin, we take away from other people. Sin drains, love replenishes. Lying = taking away truth, murder = taking away life, etc.

Sin changes our thought processes towards the people around us. When we sin, we put ourselves first, which leads us to exploit others for our own benefit or neglect people that needed us. For example, The more we misuse our sexuality, the more we begin to objectify others around us, leading to sexual harassment and (in extreme cases) sexual violence.

Sin is evil and it does matter. There is no wiggle room on that truth, but here’s the second thing we understand about sin- sin is a big deal, but it is not the biggest deal. The grace of God is victorious over sin always and forever. The grace of God covers over our sin completely. “But he said to me, my grace is sufficient for you..” (2 Corinthians 12:9). There is sufficient grace to cover big deal sins. And that is where we find our gospel.

Sin matters, Christ matters more.

-31Women (Beth)