Author Archives: jilatia

Our firm foundation

If I ever want to know the character of God…. I should STUDY His WORD


-Tristin Matthews

Psalms 19 focuses on the perfect revelation of the Lord. In it we see the general revelation of himself- God revealed through creation and the special revelation Of Himself- God reveal through His Word. From this passage one can perceive the glory of the Lord
and the importance of Scripture.

The Glory of the Lord

 The heavens declare the glory of  God, and the expanse proclaims  the work of his hands. Day after  day they pour out speech; night  after night they communicate  knowledge. There is no speech;  there are no words; their voice is  not heard. Their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their  words to the ends of the world.

Psalm 19:1-4

God’s majesty is revealed in the beauty of his creation for you and I to see. Creation whispers His name and you and I should pause to worship God the creator.

The Importance of  Scripture

The instruction of the Lord is perfect,
renewing one’s life;
the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy,
making the inexperienced wise.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
making the heart glad;
the command of the Lord is radiant,
making the eyes light up.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are reliable
and altogether righteous.
They are more desirable than gold—
than an abundance of pure gold;
and sweeter than honey
dripping from a honeycomb.
In addition, your servant is warned by them,
and in keeping them there is an abundant reward.

Psalm 19:7-11

If I ever desire to know the character of God I should study his Word. David the writer of this passage takes the time to outline the characteristics of God’s word and the benefits we gain from following His word. God’s word instructs us. It is perfect, trustworthy, right reliable and righteous. It illuminates and warns us. From God’s word we gain renewed strength, wisdom, joy, and understanding. We learn just how valuable the word of God is and how there is an abundance of reward in keeping His Word.

Our Response

Who perceives his  unintentional sins? Cleanse me  from my hidden faults. Moreover, keep your servant from willful  sins; do not let them rule me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed  from blatant rebellion. May the  words of my mouth and the  meditation of my heart be  acceptable to you, LORD my rock  and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:12-14

We should be like David , humbled. The weightiness of scripture should humble us and help us to see our need for the Redeemer Jesus Christ.

In light of scripture, do we see our need for Christ and are we turning to him in light of scripture?

The Ever Present God

It’s amazing to see that as a grown woman, I still find myself battling the lies that Satan spews at me that says “You’re not worthy of love. You’re not beautiful! You’re the lowest of low. You’re not valuable.” In the lies that rang in my head daily lies the insecurities I allow to ring true in my heart over and over again. It’s also amazing to see how God almighty, gives me just what I need from His word to combat the lies being spewed. Today I find truth to combat the lies that Satan spews at me as I park it in Psalm 139. As I read this passage I plugged my name in so that it can be personal for me and I pray Lord give me the faith to hear your word and obey it.

What I gain from God’s word is far more VALUABLE than any lie that Satan tries to make me believe. Here is what the Lord reminds me as I battle my own thoughts. He says, ” Tristin I have searched and I know you. I know when you sit down and when you stand up. I understand your thoughts from afar and observe your travels and when you rest. Tristin I know all your ways and before you even speak I know all about what you’re about to say. Tristin I surround. I am your fortress and I have placed my Hand on you. ” He reminds me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. He tells me that when I was formless He saw me and all my days were written in His book and planned before a single one of them began.

I like David, can’t even began to understand God’s knowledge but I praise Him. I praise Him for his sovereignty. I praise Him because his thoughts about me are so VALUABLE. I praise Him because He is my protector. I also echo what David says when he says “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.”

To every lie Satan spews there’s God’s word to combat it! That’s where we find our tactics to fight and I was reminded of that today! Good day people!!!!

The King and His bride Sermon Series

Along with the scripture writing challenge, I with the permission from my pastor will be sharing the sermon audio and the devotional resources offered at our church  as an encouragement to shape our perspective during this Christmas season. As I listened to this sermon I asked myself the following questions:

1. How do I view Christ in my life?

2. Is Jesus worth my total surrender?

I hope you enjoy this sermon as much as I have. Just click the link below  to listen.

The King and His Bride Sermon Series Week 1

For the Advent Devotional- http://www.perryhallchurch.com/content.cfm?id=213&download_id=114

December Scripture Writing Challenge- Jesus Messiah

Good Morning everyone!!!!! This was supposed to be posted a couple of days ago, but the weekend got away from me. We’ve finished up our 90 day tour through scripture and now we’re preparing for the Christmas season. Christmas is my favorite time of year, not because I get to spend a lot time with family or show love to my family through gift giving, but because I get to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ. I get to reflect on what that means for me and what that means for everyone. So to prepare for Christmas we have some passages that we are going to go through. The Scripture writing challenge is simple for 5 minutes a day, You read the bible passage, write it out and reflect on it throughout the day. So today we’re looking at December 3rd. Let’s read, write and Reflect!!!! Have a great day everyone!!

December 1- Galatians 4:4-5

December 2- Isaiah 7:14

December 3- Malachi 4:5

December 4- Luke 1:45-49

December 5- Malachi 4:6

December 6- Genesis 15

December 7- Genesis 22:18

December 8- Jeremiah 23:5

December 9- Micah 5:2

December 10- Judges 13:22

December 11- Isaiah 25:9

December 12- Isaiah 60:6

December 13- Hosea 11:1

December 14- Isaiah 49:7

December 15- Psalms 119:99-100

December 16- Isaiah 40:3

December 17- Isaiah 25:5

December 18- Isaiah 91:1

December 19- Isaiah 6:5

December 20- Isaiah 40:11

December 21 – Psalms 34:11

December 22- Matt 20:17-19

December 23- Isaiah 53:8-10

December 24- Zechariah 12:10

December 25- Psalms 16:10

 

 

 

 

 

 

November Reading Plan

Good evening everyone, so we’re in the final stretch of the 90 day tour through the bible.  for the last 30 days we’ve focused on the rebellion of man, God’s redemption and restoration of his people. Starting on November 1st, we will continue to see how God restores us, how we should serve him and the hope we have for eternity. As we done in the past, we will be using the SOAP method as we explore God’s Word.

What is the SOAP method?

Scripture- what passage are you reading?

Observation- In reading the passage, what do you see?

Application- how does what you’ve read apply to you?

Pray- is there anything you need to confess to the Lord or any gratitude to show to him?

As always happy reading I look forward to hearing about how the Lord will transform your heart in the next 30 days!

Restoration

Day 62- 1 John 3
Day 63- Psalm 5
Day 64- Psalm 32
Day 65- Jeremiah 31
Day 66- John 9
Day 67- Psalm 51

Discipleship, Service 

Day 68- Numbers 5-6
Day 69- Joshua 24
Day 70- Deuteronomy 10-11
Day 71- 1 Samuel 12
Day 72- Matthew 6
Day 73- Luke 9
Day 74- John 13
Day 75- Acts 2
Day 76- Acts 8
Day 77- Romans 14-15
Day 78- 1 Corinthians 12-13
Day 79- Philippians 1-2
Day 80- Revelations 2-3

The Second Coming, Eternity

Day 81- Revelation 19-20,22
Day 82- Romans 8
Day 83- Matthew 24- 25
Day 84- Daniel 7-12
Day 85- Isaiah 63-66
Day 86- 2 Thessalonians 2
Day 87- Romans 5-6
Day 88- John 5-6
Day 89- 1 John 5
Day 90- Ecclesiates

I f you should miss a day, keep going and come back to the day you missed after the tour is over.



 


 


 

	


	





	

		
My Skincare regimen and how I use basic things from kitchen cabinet to take care of skin
	


	
			

				
			


			
	

		
Hello good people!!! Today I wanted to share some basic things I do to take care of my skin. As always there’s a background story to what I’m about to share…. ALL MY LIFE (really since puberty) I’ve struggled with acne and I also have very sensitive skin. Everything breaks me out! Over the years things have gotten better in some ways and worst in other ways. After having son, I’ve noticed my skin and hair are not the same (I’ll talk about my hair journey on another day today we’re talking about the skin!!!)Recently I’ve noticed that my breakouts were more severe and my face was dry. I talked to my mom and she gave me some advice and then I started researching  ways to take care of my skin naturally.  After much research on the properties of different oils and how they help your skin I decided to try some things out. Olive oil is the best carrier oil to use in anything from hair-care to skincare the benefits are AMAZING. I’ll get into the benefits in just a bit for now I will tell you what I’ve been using.


Twice a month (beginning and middle of each month), I use a lemon and honey face mask which brightens the skin naturally and gives it a natural glow.  For this mask you need 4 teaspoons of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of honey.  I apply the mask on my face and leave on for 15 minutes. I then rinse my face with warm water and continue with my skincare regimen.


For my facial wash I use two thing a black soap from a company called yes to tomatoes. The soap is really great, but it dries my face out,  so I couple it with an honey and olive oil face wash. For the honey and olive oil face wash you need  1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of olive oil mixed together. I leave the face wash on for a couple of minutes. Next, I take a hot(not super hot) facecloth and put it on my face. When the facecloth is cool I  wipe my face and repeat this 2 more times. I use my face wash twice a day.


Olive oil  helps to nourish and clean the skin. It is infused with nutrients and antioxidants like vitamin A and E. It penetrates the skin moisturizing it and protects it as well. Honey has  antibacterial properties in it that help to fight acne and pimples. Honey also retains moisture.  Honey rejuvenates the skin and keep it looking young and fresh. Honey slows down the ageing process and prevents wrinkles.


After applying my face wash, I use an olive oil and castor oil acne scar treatment moisturizer. For this treatment you need 2 teaspoons of olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of castor oil. After blending the two oils together I apply it to my face and leave it on for 5 minutes. I then rinse with warm water.


I already listed the benefits of olive oil, but castor is just as beneficial for your skin. Castor oil works to restore and rejuvenate the skin while acting as a conditioner. I also use this treatment twice a day.


After the scar treatment, I use just olive oil as moisturizer. I apply this at night before bed! Since changing my regimen my skin is not as dry and I can see the benefits of using natural products on my skin.




What do you think?????

	


	





	

		
October Reading Plan
	


	
			

				
			


			
	

		
Hey ya’ll so we’re 29 days into our 90 day tour! How are you enjoying it so far? So far, we’ve explored Creation and the beginning, what the bible has to say about our sin and our rebellion… I know it’s been pretty somber but I promise it gets better as we continue. During this tour, we have to explore the truth about who God is and who we are in God’s sight in pursuit of finding hope in Christ. This month we continue our tour by continuing to look at our rebellion, God’s redemption and restoration. We will do just as we did last month we will use the SOAP method as we explore God’s word.


What is the SOAP method?


Scripture- what passage are you reading?


Observation- In reading the passage, what do you see?


Application- how does what you’ve read apply to you?


Pray- is there anything you need to confess to the Lord or any gratitude to show to him?


As always happy reading I look forward to hearing about how the Lord will transform your heart in the next 31 days


Rebellion


Day 31- Proverbs 21


Day 32- Numbers 14


Day 33- Deuteronomy 13


Day 34- Jonah 1-4


Day 35- Jeremiah 5


Day 36- Ezekiel 18


Day 37- Hosea 10


Day 38- Micah 2


Day 39- 1 Timothy 1


Redemption


Day 40- Exodus 12


Day 41- Leviticus 16


Day 42- Ruth 1-4


Day 43- Hebrews 9-10


Day 44- Psalm 49


Day 45- Luke 1-2


Day 46- Romans 2-4


Day 47- Colossians 1-2


Day 48- Luke 13


Day 49- 1 Peter 1-2


Day 50- Revelation 5


Day 51- John 3


Day 52- Isaiah 53


Day 53- Matthew 26-28


Day 54- Matthew 1


Day 55- Romans 11


Restoration


Day 56- Psalm 80


Day 57- Lamentations 5


Day 58- Psalm 23


Day 59- Acts 3


Day 60- 2 Corinthians 13


Day 61- Revelation 21

	


	





	

		
Just what we need
	


	
			

				
			


			
	

		


Three years ago, my husband and I had been engaged for four months and we didn’t have much. I can remember combing over our budget for our wedding and thinking about what we can cut and what we didn’t need. I remember being STRESSED out. I also remember being at work super early and sitting down to read my Bible. That day I read about Jesus feeding the 5000. The passage of scripture was Matthew 14: 13-21. I had read that passage so many times before but on that day that passage became practical for me. I messaged my then fiancé and told him we might not have much but we’re going to give the Lord our fish and bread watch him do the rest.


Giving the Lord our fish and bread became our motto while we were engaged and the Lord provided in ways I couldn’t even begin to imagine.


Fast forward to three years later and we’re still giving the Lord our fish and bread and He is still giving us just what we need. We still don’t have much but we have an abundance of what we need in Jesus. As I sit with my 17 month old, I can’t help but praise the Lord for being faithful to my family and providing our every need. I praise the Lord that I can rest in knowing that all we need and could ever want is in him.


Will you give your everything to the Lord and trust him to provide for you?