First Love

Happy February, with this being the "Love" month I thought it would be fitting to share with you the 

Love of Jesus. 

For God so Loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish by have eternal life. -John 3:16

I totally believe with all my heart that "before" we can have Love from another or give it to another we first need to receive it from the source of Love, which is God. God is Love. And He sent his Son Jesus for us. Once you receive Jesus Love and He becomes your "First Love" He will fill you with His Love and that is when we are able to give it to others. If you don't receive His Love first, you can't possibly Love another the way God wants you to. At best it's Love that is self-seeking at the core. We received Jesus by faith, like completely and so our Love for one another is the same. There is no agenda. There is no motive, it's pure. It's unconditional. Why? Because His Love is freely given, so we do the same. Your true identity is in Jesus, no one else. It's not in your spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, pastor, mom, dad, kids, your job, your money, your weight, nothing but in Him. All you need is His Love. Sure, we all want that "True Love" that kind of Love that will Love you no matter what and never leave you, but unless it's Love that comes from God it's better to remain in His Love, because it's truly enough.  Please don't ever settle for anything less than God's best for you. When you fall in Love with Jesus and He is truly your first Love, He will let the right one come in and that right one will Love Jesus.  His life will reflect Jesus in all He does. 

He will be like King David, "A man after God's own heart."

Stay with God, take heart, don't quit, I'll say it again; stay with God. -Psalm 27:14

Is anything to hard for the Lord? -Genesis 18:14

Pray for your future spouse if you desire one. 

"Righteousness and peace kiss each other.

His mouth is most sweet, Yes he is altogether lovely, 

This is my Beloved And this is my friend. -Song of Solomon 5:16

I Love these lyrics from a song called 

"More" by Matthew West.

Take a look at the mountain 

Stretching a mile high

Take a look at the ocean

Far as your eye can see

And think of me

Take a look at the desert

Do you feel like a grain of sand?

I am with you wherever 

Where you go is where I am

And I'm always thinking of you

Take a look around your

I'm spelling it out one by one

I Love you more than the sun

And the stars that I taught how to shine

You are mine and you shine for me too

I Love you

Yesterday

And today

And tomorrow

I'll say it again and again

I Love you more

Just a face in the city

Just a tear on a crowded street

But you are one in a million

And you belong to me

And I want you to know

I'm not letting go

Even when you come undone

I Love you more than the sun

And the stars that I taught how to shine

You are mind and you shine for me too

I Love you

Yesterday

And today

And tomorrow

I'll say it again and again

I Love you more

I Love you more

And I see you

And I made you

And I Love you more than you can imagine

More than you can fathom

I Love you more than the sun

And you shine for me

How beautiful! Just Love, Love, Love but first Love Jesus, and keep Him your First Love no matter what. 

God will give you the desires of your heart if you delight yourself in Him. -Psalm 37:4

Dreams DO come true. Why? Because only He could give such Love. Wait for it. True Love Waits.

"Love Never Fails in Jesus Name"

The Vine

Many of you reading this post today are getting out of prison soon and stepping into a new season of your life. I am excited for every single one of you! I love you affectionately! And I love you enough to share some truth and wisdom with you of what I've experienced in the last 8 years in prison ministry. 
First, let me say WITH GOD all things are possible!

1. Put God first in everything you do. If HE is truly at the center then everything will come together. Live for Him first and seek Him in all you do. (Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean NOT on your own understanding, but in ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path)

2. Some of you getting out shouldn't go back to your families home. If you've made Christ the love of your life, your first Love in prison, getting out and going to an environment that doesn't share the same Love for Him will corrupt you. (1 Corth 15:33 Bad company corrupts good character) Seek out a Christian transitional home, if you need help we can research some for you. I've seen time and time again girls getting out and going back to the homes of family and slipping right back into a ungodly lifestyle.

3. Jesus is your Love. Let Him guide you into healthy Godly relationships. A man will not save you. Do not look for a man to rescue you. Your worth is found in Him alone. Take time to get to know the new free world you've walked into rather than running to the arms of a man. I've seen many get out and fall from a broken heart of promises of a man. Wait on God. True Love waits. 

4. Plug into Godly friendships, your old friends, old places will do nothing for you but get you in trouble. Join a church within the first week of getting out so you can develop relationships that seek to know Him. You are always welcomed to call or text me anytime for prayer or just to talk. I have many that do this. 

5. A job-some of you are highly motivated to get a job into awesome careers. But be wise, it will only be with God that you will be able to do this. Depending on your record you may not get many jobs you hoped for, know this in advance. One girl got out and wanted to be a nurse and the state boards of nursing wouldn't allow her with her record. If you want to work with children, teens, young adults and have a serious record perhaps you should consider another field of work. However if God wants you in this particular sector He will open the doors, but it can only come from His favor. Please know this before getting out, this particular girl was heart broken. 

These are just a few things I've watched unfold and hope it helps you make healthy decisions before and after you get out. And remember this scripture..
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing".  John 15:5

Stay connected with Him no matter what!

Love you so much!
Trachena