Graciously Adorned: September 2018

Friday, September 21, 2018

*Chosen

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10

Do not forget that you are Chosen. God hand-made and hand-picked YOU to do His work. He knows all about your limitations and your struggles yet He still chose you. He isn't about to give up on you. You are a special possession! You are Royal. You are not common but you are unique. You don't look, talk, walk or act like everyone else because the King lives inside of you! You have something to offer and something to give. Even though you feel like maybe you don't know a whole lot or that you have messed up in the past; you know enough to make a difference in someone's life. You have a testimony that is in progress and it isn't to keep to yourself..it is to give away. Holy. You are holy...not perfect but you are set apart and you walk in God's mercy and grace every single day. You are dedicated to God and you belong to God. There is nothing you can do and no depths that you can go to change that. You are His. So hold up your head and walk with that authority that has been given to you and conquer your day. You are on assignment to change the world and you are not alone.

You are Graciously Adorned,

❤Jonna Gibson

Monday, September 10, 2018

*Chatterbox

Have you ever been around anyone that just talks endlessly? I mean about EVERYTHING and ANYTHING? It can be quite challenging to keep your attention in these situations. I mean, you really do not mean to be rude...but what in the world are they thinking??? Plus you can't get a word in even if you wanted too!

When you talk too much, you don’t listen. You only listen to your own voice. It is actually kinda dangerous to love to hear yourself speak because you start valuing your own opinion and you do not allow yourself to hear, listen or learn from others.

The content of what you are saying is also important. Is it lifting up someone, is it valuable or honoring? If not then you need to check yourself. Vain babbling actually dilutes your testimony. WHAT? Yes. When you talk endlessly about things then it is like crying wolf...when you actually have something great to say...people do not want to listen! They run from you.

The best avenue to take when you are in a group is to be AWARE. If you realize that you are babbling then stop and apologize and then ask questions...or better yet just be silent. Some people have problems with silence and think it needs to be filled. Silence is actually a greatly underestimated source of power. In silence, we can hear not only what is being said, but also what is not being said. We all know how to be silent. The question is: "Can we withstand the pressure to speak?”

God gave us this great muscle in the tongue that can hurt us, help us or can define us....it all depends on how we use it. Unlike any other muscle in the body....the tongue is stronger when it is used the least. Let me encourage you today to measure your words and make them count. Don't be a chatterbox...be a person that speaks simple life-giving truth that makes a difference. Now that is powerful!