Create In Me

Scriptural Focus: Psalms 51

Key Verses: Psalms 51:10-12,13; 16-18

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalms 51:10-12 (New International Version)

“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God is a broken spirit; a broke and contrite heart you, God will not despise.” Psalms 51:16-17 (NIV)

The Word In Focus:

Hearts broken at the altar; homeless hungry for food, friendship, and spiritual filling; children wandering around in a hopeless darkness, all these are types of people in need of the Gospel of Christ. Yet, how can one be a vessel of the Good-News, if their vessel is clogged with the worries of their life, the demands of the job, or stress of caring for a family? Everyday life can easily strip away the passion and joy we have in our walk with God. Before David was ever a king, he was a shepherd taking care of his father’s flocks. He learned as a young lad, that to be a vessel, he had to first be a broken vessel through submitting his heart to God.

Brokenness can be a scary place to be emotionally and spiritually, yet it is God’s desire to create in us a pure, steadfast, and joyful heart.  As we pour our hearts out to Him, and empty ourselves of anything that my hinder His loving flow to and through us; He gently cleanses away the residue of the day, the hurt of negative words, and thoughts that do not honor Him. The great thing about serving God is that He never leaves us the same way He finds us.

The word “contrite” according to the American Heritage Dictionary (2009) refers to “feeling regret and sorrow for one’s sins or offenses; penitent” or honestly sharing one’s heart without fear of condemnation. David shows that empting one’s heart to God not only cleanses it from sin, but also fills it with God’s love, truth, and forgiveness.  In order to pour into a person God’s truth of salvation, one needs to be full of His salvation and joy. David showed that this simple act of self-reflection and prayer is not done through works of service, a formula, or self-sacrifice, but by approaching the throne of grace with an honest and open heart.

No one will force you to empty yourself before the Heavenly Father, yet His Word promises that He will: 1) not reject you, 2) accept you, 3) forgive and cleanse your heart, 4) replace the brokenness with His love and forgiveness, and 5) restore the joy of Christ in you. It is a true fact of leadership or being a person of influence in a person’s life; that they will only walk as far as you lead.

With this being said, David gives us an example of this in Psalms 51: 13 right after he asks God to cleanse His heart, renew it, and restore the joy of his salvation, which states, “Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.” (NIV)

David’s heart for his sheep, and God’s sheep began at the altar of prayer where he asked God to create in him something new, something fresh, and something that would flow to all those whose lives he touched. The breaking of your heart is the beginning of a harvest for the Kingdom of God.

The Word in Reflection:

1.     What are you afraid of confronting in your own heart that might require brokenness or change?

2.      Honestly ask yourself if a spiritually hungry person would really want to be at where you are right now in your relationship with God.

The Word in Prayer:

Father,

     I thank you that You see my inmost needs and desires, and that I do desire to be a vessel of the Gospel of Christ. I know that I am in a place in my walk and relationship with you that needs your Holy touch. I ask right now that you cleanse my heart, mind, body, soul and spirit of anything that does not reflect who You are. Remove the hurt of the past, the worries of the day, and any barrier that may block your love through me. I submit my heart back to You, I lift myself as a vessel, and ask that you fill me with your love, peace, steady spirit, and joy. Renew my attitude, restore my hope, and refill my life with a new passion for You. Let me be an arrow pointing to Christ, and a vessel to those who are in need salvation. Thank you Father for loving and accepting me, and I give you the glory for all that you will do and all that you have done now.

     In Jesus Name,

     Amen.

List of References:

The American Heritage Dictionary of English Language. (2009). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scriptural References:

The Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Psalms 51:10-12,13; 16-18

Old Navy Splashes Into Summer

I had a great time hanging out with my friend Anna as we tried on swimwear for www.Crowdtap.com’s coupon offer. We both tried on four different bathing suits, and found one that fit. Anna’s first three were too big on the bottom and too small on the top, she finally found a grey one that looked fantastic on her, and fit her medium built.

I have lost 25 pounds the past three months, and plan to continue doing so, so finding a swimming suit that fit my in-be-tween shape was hard. I finally found a one piece that fit me in the right areas, and showed the right places where I have thinned out. I was so excited to see that I no longer wore an x-large but a large! I have not been a size large for over five years!  As you will see in the pictures, we both settled on a grey one-piece, that complimented our skin tones and figures. I worst part of the experience was that the store we went to only carried black, grey, and blue swimming suits, and a majority of the suits were either for small, or X-Large.

Overall we had a great time, and are very thankful to Old Navy and Crowdtap for giving us this experience!

~Jessica Smith

Old Navy Gone Wild

Old Navy Gone Wild

We had such a ton of fun headed to Old Navy! After eating lunch together, my friends Katie R. and Liz headed to the store. We each picked two or three outfits we liked, tried them all on, and picked our favorite. Below you will see our adventures in the form of pictures!!!

Always lots of fun!!! Thanks Old Navy!!!

A Simple Truth

God is more than enough, so if you are empty, He will fill you up, to overflowing with peace, joy, growth, understanding, and will guide you to the right path.

Psalms 23

Crowdtap and Old Navy Strike Again

Greetings All,

So this afternoon I took my friend Katie to go with me to Old Navy. Thanks to Crowdtap.com I was able to once again find the perfect outfit. It took about an hour to find the right fit, color, and jacket. The jacket was harder to find because it was in the back of the store, and there was not that many left. I am thinking that is a good problem to have, even more so if you are an Old Navy store. I finally chose the Woman’s Color Block Compression Jacket in purple. If fits great, moves with my body when I jog, and easily can be worn for errands and weekends out going grocery shopping. It is very warm, and in Oklahoma, cold Novembers and wind are the norm, and although this jacket looks thin, it holds its own. Very warm. I also chose the Women’s Premium Active Boot-Cut Pants in Purple Iris, it matches great, are also warm, and can be used to work out, run, errands etc. It can also be matched with other tops. Very cute outfit!!!


Katie chose Women’s Color Block Jacket in purple with a half-zipper and the Women’s Premium Active Boot-Cut pants in black. She had to find a smaller size since she has lost so much weight. I am proud of her. She had a blast trying on different styles, but we both agree that the longer pants are better for colder weather in the fall. Below are the pictures of our final choices, and we look great. Thanks again to Old Navy and http://www.crowdtap.com/

Blessings,
Jessica Smith

New Old Navy Jeans

Greetings,

Once again, I was picked to test out Old Navy Pants and share my little outting.

My friend Constance and I arrived at Old Navy, and there was hardly anyone there. This was a

good thing, because we like to take our time and enjoy the shopping process. We each picked out

three pairs of pants to try on. Constance went first and looked wonderful in all three, but chose

the second pair she tried on. She chose the Sweetheart Slim Fit pair of jeans, which added to her

lean legs. I tried on three pairs, and only the new Women's Flare Slim fit pair fit me, and looks

awesome! I only had Constance take on picture of the two that fit me, believe me , you do NOT

want to see the third option!

I got the first pair!! Very Cute and Form Fitting.

Thanks Old Navy and www.crowdtap.com for trusting me to follow through and enjoy these jeans!!!!

~Jessica Smith

Old Navy Shorts Adventure

Once again I have been given the privialge to host an old-navy party, this time it was to take several friends out and try on different types of shorts and looks.

We arrived at the store early, only to find that manager was a bit rude and did not believe that we were actually with the Old Navy Style Counsel, however with some research, he finally believed us. He only allowed us to take pictures around the dressing room areas. So we had to make the best out of a horrible start.

The first model is my friend Constance, she tried on a BBQ Look, a serious look, and a playful date at the beach look....below are her pictures.

Next was Liz, She did a super cool with sunglasses look, a BBQ look, and then an everyday girl going to the grocery store look.

I was last, I ended up doing business casual, casual, and funky monkey purple. We each ended up getting the last outfit we tried on, and had a blast except for the mean manager.

Once again, thanks http://www.crowdtap.com/ for this wonderful chance to have fun.

I had one more friend who did this, but I am awaiting the pictures.

~Jessica Smith