O What Joy That Fills My Soul- The story of a clean conscience

Dear sisters in Christ,
 Greetings on a bright and beautiful Missouri day! I hope your day is as beautiful as mine. Well, I have some very good news. I am rejoicing in the Lord's goodness in leading me in forgiveness and repentance. I've had some struggles (and am still dealing with them) in different areas in my life. My heart has been misleading me and I have fallen head first into different areas of sin and rebellion to my Lord- being discontent with my life right now, covetousness, rebellion to my parents (in subtle hidden ways), being unsubmissive, vainity, love of self, and a judgmental heart. Praise the Lord He shows mercy to those who call on Him! I know that many if not all of these areas gained strongholds in my heart and so it will be a battle to overcome them, but  "because greater is he that is in you [me], than he that is in the world" I can have victory through Jesus my LORD! 1 John 4:4. As you can tell I'm very excited.

I just want to encourage every girl to maintain a pure and clean conscience before the Lord. We must remember that He is holy and requires us to be so as well. I hope to continue "in well doing" and apply my heart to godly things. Here are a few good things I can do, we all can do, to continue and press on in the Lord.

~ Learn to love the LORD with all our heart. I can do this by finding joy in His will- things like obeying my parents, loving my siblings, being modest inside and out, controlling what I see and hear, speaking only good and pure things, watching what my mind thinks on, and offering my life as a living sacrifice. These things seem so simple, but they really require an effort on our parts. Good works do not always come natural to us. Find practical ways to improve in the good works God desires of us!

~ Have a daily quiet time and prayer time. Oh the joy that comes from having a quiet time! I've neglected this many times and have learned that it does not pay off. Something I've learned is to make your quiet time your own. Enjoy it. I've been trying to read at least one chapter from the Old and New Testament each day and then I write down any lessons I've learned. . .this has helped really soak in what I read. I've really enjoyed this and look forward to pressing on! :)

~ Think on good things. Oh the difficulties that plague me when I choose to think on ungodly things! Let's remember that we are not our own and that God requires us to be clean in the heart. He alone can see our  impure thoughts (sin) and it grieves Him dear sisters! Let's remember Philippians 4:8 which says,
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

These are just a few things that I know I can improve on. God has given us such an important opportunity and privilege in serving Him. Let's do it with all our hearts dear sisters!!

God bless you as you press on!
 With love,

"And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." 2 Tim. 4:18