Hi friends!
Welcome to my “Personal Blog”. It’s a separate section than my cake blog because I REALLY want to feel open to just talk about JESUS!!!!! :) I’m just throwing it out there now!! :) If you don’t want to hear about how much I love Him and how much He loves you…then head back over to my cake page, cuz it’s gonna get personal over here!!
Oh, man…He is SUCH a huge part of my life and I feel like I am discovering new depths and new truths constantly and I want to share them, shout them, and whisper them into the ears of whoever will listen. He is SO full of life and refreshment, joy and peace, grace and mercy…He is everything you’ve been looking for.
Rest…just by coming to Him!
We toil and toil and toil in this world. I think the enemy’s MAIN weapon against us is distraction.
Distraction from our true love.
Distraction from where our true peace lies.
Distraction from why we were created.
Distraction from where we will be able to find true refreshment…the well that will not run dry.
If we can stay distracted and “busy, busy, dreadfully busy” (thanks Veggie Tales for that song), then we can feel depleted, run down, lacking in love, joy and peace. A perfect place to feel alone and unworthy and plain ol’ grumpy! Yes…grumpy! I have my days. And…it’s because I can loose sight of what’s important.
Well, friends…that’s NOT the life Jesus wants for us. We need new eyes to see and that’s what this blog is about. It’s about drawing near to Jesus so we can learn from Him, just like the verse above says. For there at His feet, we find rest.
I want you to see “Glimpses of Grace” (the name of an AMAZING book I’m reading by Gloria Furman). I want you to see the cross before you so that you can remember how much He loves you, how deep His sacrifice was for you, and how He longs to fill you with joy unimaginable as you rest in who HE says you are.
Loved.
Chosen.
Holy.
Do you believe it?! If you don’t, I’m glad you’re here. Walk with me along this journey of life. Discover who God is and who He calls you to be in Christ and you will find yourself. The person God created you to be.
Beautiful.
Strong.
His beloved child.
I want nothing on this personal blog to be my personal opinions…but I want it to be personal. I truly want you to see how loved you are and for it to point to Christ and Him crucified.
I was reading this morning in “Mornings and Evenings” by Spurgeon, and here’s what I read…
“Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”—Luke 5:4.
We learn from this narrative, the necessity of human agency. The catch of fishes was miraculous, yet neither the fisherman nor his boat, nor his fishing tackle were ignored; but all were used to take the fishes. So in the saving of souls, God worketh by means; and while the present economy of grace shall stand, God will be pleased by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. When God worketh without instruments, doubtless He is glorified; but He hath Himself selected the plan of instrumentality as being that by which He is most magnified in the earth. Means of themselves are utterly unavailing. “Master, we have toiled all the night and have taken nothing.” What was the reason of this? Were they not fishermen plying their special calling? Verily, they were no raw hands; they understood the work. Had they gone about the toil unskillfully? No. Had they lacked industry? No, they had toiled. Had they lacked perseverance? No, they had toiled all the night. Was there a deficiency of fish in the sea? Certainly not, for as soon as the Master came, they swam to the net in shoals. What, then, is the reason? Is it because there is no power in the means of themselves apart from the presence of Jesus? “Without Him we can do nothing.” But with Christ we can do all things. Christ’s presence confers success. Jesus sat in Peter’s boat, and His will, by a mysterious influence, drew the fish to the net. When Jesus is lifted up in His Church, His presence is the Church’s power—the shout of a king is in the midst of her. “I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me.” Let us go out this morning on our work of soul fishing, looking up in faith, and around us in solemn anxiety. Let us toil till night comes, and we shall not labour in vain, for He who bids us let down the net, will fill it with fishes.
Ohhh, I love this! We toil and toil. We work and work. We try and try. Yet, our labor is in vain unless HE is in it…unless HE is in our boat, guiding our steps and using the gifts and strengths He has given us for His glory.
I don’t know about you…but I toil and toil.
I work and work.
I’m a project person…big time! – if you can’t tell. I LOVE to create and love to design. I LOVE to be busy. It’s a blessing and a curse sometimes. I get too busy and work too quickly that I don’t stop to realize my Savior is not in the boat with me. I’ve left Him on the shore.
That’s when fatigue and disappointment settle in.
That’s when expectations get crushed.
That’s when relationships start to fall apart.
All because we left our Lord behind.
Our first love is standing at the shore, waiting for us to return. And I do eventually. But most of the time, it’s when I’m broken and tired. It’s when I’ve bashed my head up against the wall and realize it hurts. But GOD…HE heals us, HE forgives us, HE love us, HE takes our hands and shows us the way to go. And when we walk with Him, we may not know where we are going, but we know HE is good, and HE is with us, and HE is for us…and who can come against us.
So, today…ask yourself, “Am I toiling…for what am I toiling?”
Is the Lord in it…Is He with you? For if He is, then you will have strength and peace. It might still be a little crazy and tough. But that peace that passes understanding will be there. The strength you need to do the work He has called you to will be there. The disciples had the strength to go fishing again after a very long and weary night and were able to pull up that GIANT load of fish because HE was in their boat and because they obeyed His voice and did it His way. Success. Peace. Joy. Amazement. All for God’s glory.
So, whether it’s wiping stinky bottoms, staying up until 2am working on a cake, fixing leaking pipes, sitting in a cubicle, working two jobs, sitting with a loved one while they breathe their last breath…do it all with Jesus otherwise, you will not find strength, you will not feel peace, you will not see the hope before you or the joy in the hard work. You will end up bummed out and disappointed.
“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”” (Matthew 19:26)
Today, this week, this year, I pray that you would practice the presence of God and feel the joy and peace that comes from being in His word, and being in His boat!
Anchors Away!
What a blessing and encouragement to read this, thank you for sharing your heart!! I’m so excited for all the little treasures that are sure to come from this site!
That was so beautiful . How many times we just go ahead without Him and wonder why things turned out the way they did. This is such a practical reminder how much we need Him in all areas of our life. I love that you are doing devotional, I’m excited to be part of this journey.
Love this blog, Jessica. So glad to know we are sisters in the Lord! Blessings to you and your family. Denise T.
Love love!!! So glad I found your blog!!! Who knew looking for cake ideas would lead me to not only great cake classes but a fellow mommy and believer! I mean God is good!!!
Yay!! Glad you’re here! Yes…God is SO good!!
You mentioned the book “Glimpses of Grace”. The women’s Bible study group that I’m in is studying “How To Become A Woman of Grace.” God’s grace and love is so powerful. I hope all can experience the power of his love. I’m going to look forward to this part of your blog in addition to the cake decorating.
Yes! Amen! God’s grace and love is SO powerful. I’m so glad you’re here! I hope we all can understand more of that part of Christ as we dig in deeper!!
Nice page – – and this is the first section I checked out. God is good!
God bless you for sharing your heart for Christ with all of us.
Thank you for this encouraging personal blog. My husband and I have been taking care of our autistic son with a severe lack of support from family and have just learned that our youngest son is autistic, too. Your blog reminded me to walk through these challenging times with Jesus. Thank you for this much needed blog!
Oh praise the Lord! I love how He sends us His love through the encouragement of others! It’s so nice to know we are not alone!! He sees you and is with you!! He is your adversary and will come to your rescue. Climb in that boat girl and hang on! – He’ll take you to deep waters where His love will become so real and so beautiful even in those rough times!
Thank you so much! You’re truly a blessing!!
What a mighty God we serve! Thank you for posting this; I am intrigued with anything about cakes and God.
Jessica, Thank you so much for this. I feel like God has answered my prayer for a friend through you doing this. Although we don’t really know each other, it’s like a virtual friendship. You are someone who loves cake as much as I do, but even more importantly, you and I both love God. I’ve been praying for a friend like that. I’ve been praying for someone that I can share my love of both with. I’m beyond happy that I’ll get to meet “my friend” at the Cake Fest in Lafayette, LA in February. Thank you and I pray many blessings upon this for you.
OH so fun!!! Can’t wait to meet you then too! Planning on going and praying through teaching a little bible study while I’m there on Sunday morning!! So, you can pray for me…that the Lord would give me wisdom and direction for that!! Thank you for your sweet words and encouragement and for being a virtual friend and support! Looking forward to meeting you!
May the Lord always have you in His arms and full of blessings. Thank you for being a blessing to all of us. I love the Lord and He is an Amazing God!
Thank you so much Graciela for your blessing!! I pray HE is glorified in all things!!
I am so thankful for you Jessica! Thank you for sharing your walk with the Lord here on your personal blog. It is truly an inspiration to me as I restart my cake business and do it fully trusting the Lord and with the right heart this time. It was so hard trying to do it on my own strength first time around! You are a blessing. Thank you for inspiring me to continue doing the cake biz with your excellent teaching and love for the Lord. -nk
Ohhh it IS so hard to do things in our own strength!! So glad you have your eyes fixed on Jesus and are letting HIM lead you! Blessings to you!
WOW! When I first saw you in Crafsty I felt you were different, and when I read your first lines on your personal blog I was in tears praying for you and your life and family. Thank you for being that open and remind me I need to carry on and do it as well!
IT´s very difficult to share the gospel here in Spain (I´m Mexican) as people are very close to the gospel and christianity.
May the Lord bless you more and more, and use this blog for His kingdom.
Blessings from cold Madrid…
Paola
Thank you so much Paola!! I appreciate your prayers so much!! May the Lord bless you richly and surround you with His loving-kindness. May His light shine through you and give you boldness to love on those around you so that they may see your Father in Heaven!! xo!
You are awesome my sister, and I call myself blessed to follow you not only as a fellow caker but a fellow believer. Thanks for sharing your faith with the world and allowing the Lord to bless you in order to bless us. Not only with your amazing cake decorating tips (I have all your Craftsy calsses!) but with your words of wisdom and encouragement. When I think of you Jessica I think of the scripture Proverbs 31 Have a super blessed day my sis!
From a woman who strives to be the woman from Proverbs 31 (thank God for His grace and mercy LOL!) Glenda
Ohhh aren’t you sweet Glenda!!! Thank you for such encouragement! May the Lord be glorified in everything I do! Blessings to you!!
Thank you for sharing Jessica. We serve an awsome God. Thank you for sharing. so unselfeshly your Love for our Lord and the talents He has blessed you with. May God richly continue to bless you and your family. Bernadine
YES! We do serve an awesome God!! So thankful for His grace and presence in my life!! xo!
Im soo impressed to meet a ‘Caker’ friend and a Sister in Christ! God bless you for sharing HIS love. im your fan SIS…..
Thank you Nike!! God bless you richly in your cake journey!! xo!
Okay so I’ve been away for about 1 year from your Cake Blog and come back to see A WHOLE NEW WEBSITE & BLOG & EVERYTHING yaaaaa whooooooooooooooooooo!!!!! I love it!!!!!!! Jessicaaaaaaa!!!!!!! Ok ok ok I’ve missed you, haven’t made even one cake in 1 year as an opportunity came up for my other craft and gave it a go….wanted to say TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR THE THINGS HE HAS DONE!!!
I’ve been a blog subscriber and pupil every since you came to craftsy.com and I Love You in Christ I’m so proud of you Jessicaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!! Ok ok ok bye now lol.
Oh you are a sweetheart!! Yay! So happy you found me again and have checked back in. Truly may God be the glory for anything I have done that is remotely good!! LOL! He has done great things. My HE bless you and keep you this new year!