Done for the Momma O’s Challenge found here: https://oscraps.com/community/threads/vicki-stegall-designs-momma-os-february-2023-challenge.36943/

Journaling reads: When I think about “real life” and what that looks like to me, or should look like to me, I have to view it from God’s perspective. You see, since becoming a child of God, a Christian, my life is no longer mine to do with as I please. My life now belongs to Him, lock, stock, and barrel! So when I have God in the center of my life, as He should be, when I read “in Him we live, and move, and have our being” I believe that covers everything I do, everything I say, every place I go, my every thought, everything I look at, everything I touch. There should be no part of my life that He is not a part of – the center of. And the word of God, the Bible, is my daily guide book. So, when someone asks me, “Why do you go to church?” I have a clear answer…..Hebrews 10:25 tells me to not forsake the assembling of myself together (with other believers)…..go to church, in other words. When someone asks me why I pray before my meals…..1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells me to give thanks in everything, because it is God’s will for me (and you). When your enemy hates you, what do you do? Matthew 5:43-45 Jesus says, “you’ve heard you should love your neighbor and hate your enemy, But I’m telling you the opposite…..love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Why? Because you are the children of God and even He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the just and the unjust people! Our sinful nature wants revenge, but God says, “Vengeance is Mine…..I will repay!” Romans 12:19. Is it easy? Not on your life!
I understand that not everyone believes in God. Not everyone believes that Jesus Christ died to save people of their sins. Not everyone believes that Jesus rose from the dead. Not everyone believes there is a heaven and hell. Not everyone believes that the Bible is God’s word. I cannot convince anyone. I believe that is the job of the Holy Spirit. My job is to share what I believe and let God do the convincing. And I believe that we are all sinners. I believe that God sent Jesus from heaven to earth to be born miraculously of a virgin so He could live a perfectly sinless life (sin is passed to us through our fathers, not our mothers) that I could not live, and then die a death that I could not die…..one that paid for my sins – a sacrificial death, dying in my stead. I believe He arose from the dead and ascended into heaven to live forever more so I, as a believer, can live in heaven with Him forever after I die. But, until that time, I try (unsuccessfully most of the time) to live a life that is pleasing to God; a life that is an example to everyone I come in contact with – a life that is different because He made the difference in me! (cont. below)