Give It To God

Hi all!!
Huge apologies for the last 6 months. It has been an incredibly busy six months for Meggie and I!
I had something on my heart recently and wanted to share it.

I've been struggling with some things lately and feel like Satan is tempting me everywhere I look. Why do I find myself sinning and lacking the strength to resist? I believe in God and know Jesus overcame sin, so if I believe in them then I should be able to overcome it too, right? Wrong.

I've learned the hard way that it's not enough to just believe God is real. There's more to it. To be truly Christ-like I need to be actively trying, day-in and day-out, to be more like Him. I need to be reading His Word so He can speak to me and make me stronger and wiser. I need to be praying regularly so I can communicate with Him and give him my problems. I need to be spending time in His presence so I can hear Him and His direction over my life. I need to be an example of Jesus so I can show Him to those that don't know Him. I need to be worshipping Him and giving Him the praise and glory He deserves.

In the business of the last six months I've found less and less time to give God. I can't just go about my day not recognising God and expect to have the strength that comes from Him when temptation strikes. Our relationship with God needs to be purposeful. It's extremely difficult to have a relationship with someone if you don't communicate, love and serve each other. So if I'm not doing that, I don't have any spiritual strength to get me through tough situations because I haven't been filling myself with God's Word, wisdom or unconditional love. I can't be staying put where I am in my busy life right now, doing the same thing and expecting different outcomes when I am tempted. God wants to live in close communion with me and with you. He loves us so much that He gave a way to be free of sin when He sent His Son (John 3:16).

A side affect of sinning is the self worthlessness and shame that follows. We feel like we don't deserve His love, like we have let Him down, like we are failures that cannot be forgiven and therefore rob ourselves of the gift He freely offers to us. When we sin, we fall short of what God wants and plans for us. We are sinner's, we are going to sin, but we can't use that as an excuse for our actions. If you love someone, especially The One, don't you want to do all that you can to make them feel loved and important, like they actually mean something to you? I know I do, and that means my actions, thoughts and heart need to change, now!

God has an amazing plan for us, and He wants us to fulfill those plans (Jeremiah 29:11). Don't sit in your shame, ask for forgiveness and it will be granted to you. Don't put a wall up between you and God. Let His hand be on your life and follow Him to the best of your ability. By always reaching out to God in our weakness and listening to His wisdom, He becomes our strength, the only Strength we will ever need to overcome anything the world and Satan try to through at us. In order to do that we need to be diligent Christians, actively seeking Him and being obedient to our Father. We will never be deserving of what He did for us, but we can say "Yes" to the gift He offers us through Christ Jesus.

Cast your burdens to God, ask for forgiveness and embrace the amazing plan He has for you.

Be blessed lovely readers!!
~ Taleisha 

Let Go

Sorry everyone for the late posting! Taleisha and I have both been very busy with church commitments and our studies. Thanks for your patience. We hope to get back into a schedule again sometime soon!

The past few months God has really been teaching me a lot about letting go, letting go and letting Him take control. I worry about everything I could possibly think about. Worrying so easily becomes a bad habit for me, and quickly saps me of strength and of joy. I worry about assignments, I worry about relationships, I worry, am I doing enough for God?

The worry, however, only comes into my life when I take control. I decide it is my turn to run my life, and I start to plan out my future exactly how I want it, I plan out to do lists to accomplish what I want to get done, and I dont stop to pray or even focus on God. 

God has been teaching me to dump that worry. To completely throw it out of my life, and replace it with the joy of the Lord. How do I do that? By letting God. Sacrificing it all back into His worthy hands, letting God plan my future, my to do list, and my life. Letting God take the wheel. 

Dont try to do life on your own. Trust God with your life. Let go, and instead, give God control. He is faithful, and will never fail you or give up on you. 

And you know what?
He is with you, right now, just as you read this.
And He loves you.
Not with a silly 'I want something from you' love, or even 'you need to become better' kind of love, but a steadfast love that looks into your eyes and says,
'right now, just as you are, you are beautiful and I love you'.
God loves all of you!

~ Meggie

If You Learn to Trust Me

This was my devotion this morning and I thought it was a good reminder to trust and rely on God.
He's got this. Whatever you're going through, He's walking the road with you.

May 7
If you learn to trust Me - really trust Me - with your whole being, then nothing can separate you from My Peace. Everything you endure can be put to good use by allowing it to train you in trusting Me. This is how you foil the works of evil, growing in grace through the very adversity that was meant to harm you. Joseph was a prime example of this divine reversal, declaring to his brothers: "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good." 

Do not fear what this day, or any day, may bring your way. Concentrate on trusting me and on doing what needs to be done. Relax in My sovereignty, remembering that I go before you, as well as with you, into each day. Fear no evil, for I can bring good out of every situation you will ever encounter.

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive." 

- Genesis 50:20 

"Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me." 

- Psalm 23:4 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." 

Proverbs 3:5-6 

I hope this encourages you as much as it did me. 

God bless! 

~ Taleisha 

The Ultimate Gift

We know we said we would only be posting once a month, but we just couldn't let time pass without at Easter post!! So with no further ado, here it is! 

Each year we hear a lot about 'The REAL meaning of Easter'. We all know what Easter is about. It's an amazing time when we get together and celebrate the death and resurrection of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. I think that's definitely a great reason to celebrate! So instead of taking you through the Easter story and telling you all exactly what went down some two-thousand years ago, I'm going to ask you all one question: How are YOU going to celebrate? 

Now I don't mean celebrate as is throwing a party and giving presents. I mean celebrate as in rejoicing and giving thanks to Christ. Are you going to go to the Easter Service at your church? Watch the Passion? Send up a quick prayer of thanks and get on with your day? Maybe eat some chocolate bunnies? While these things are great ways to remind us of what Christ did and are consistent with how Easter is typically celebrated, how sincere are we? It all means nothing if we don't mean it. 

Do we realise the full magnitude of what He did for us? How He rescued us from an eternity of damnation and the weight that should carry in our hearts? Do we fully understand the ultimate sacrifice and how different our lives would be without it? We would have no Hope. Jesus literally saved us and I know too many times I've taken that for granted. Where would you be today without Christ? Are you truly grateful for the price He paid? He gave us an alternative to sin and punishment. I know I am EXTREMELY and undeservingly, forever grateful for His mercy. Jesus didn't hang on the cross asking God to take away the pain, instead He said: "Father, forgive them. They know not what they do." He was begging and pleading on our behalf, to the point of death. But then He conquered it, that's how powerful, magnificent and amazing our God is. 

Let this Easter be a time of unconditional praise and worship to The One Who Saves as we turn the focus of this holiday back to our Redeemer and Father. 

So I ask again: How are you going to celebrate this Easter? 

God bless, 

~ Taleisha & Meggie 

Are you loving God?

Sometimes religion can burn us out and drain us of energy. We get to the point when we are just going through the motions and doing different things to 'be obedient' and 'to serve God' when in our hearts all we feel is tired, used up, and unmotivated.
I have been like this in the past. You sign up to help out at church, you try to serve in every ministry, you feel great for awhile, and then the aching weariness hits. You keep on doing it, going through the motions, with no heart- and after awhile you burn out. Your obedience has become a religion, and there is no love for God behind it.
I even found this happen when I tried to spend hours each day in devotions with God. It became a to do list that I went through each morning, just to get on with the day.

Its not meant to be like that.

Are you doing things for the Lord because you want too? Are you being obedient because you love Him?

I know that there are times in our walk when we need to be obedient even when we don't feel like doing it. But what I am saying is, take a look at your heart and make sure you are not burning yourself out. Maybe you are doing too much of one thing. Maybe you are expecting too much of yourself. Maybe your simply not getting enough sleep.

 

Matthew 22:37  Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 

 

We were meant to do things for the Lord because we love Him. Not because we feel we have too. Not because we think we should. We were meant to serve out of love and adoration for our Father in Heaven.

 

Take a step back, take a look at your life. Are you loving God?

 

 

 

~ Meggie

Attention UE Lovers!!

Hi all! We hope you've had a fantastic week. 

Meggie and I have news, and it may be hard for some of you to take ;) Now that we're both graduated from high school, Meggie and I have chosen to further our studies. Meggie is now juggling work and University as well as all her other responsibilities, and I am now studying full-time at TAFE. This means we won't have as much time to dedicate to Unfading Elegance. 

We appreciate the love, support and encouragement you've all given us over the years. Now you're probably thinking we're going to stop the UE blog. Well, we are very glad to say that's not true, but our posts will be reduced to one post a month, instead of once a week. But so you all don't have to wonder when the next entry is coming out, we can tell you that we will be posting in the FIRST week of every month. So you can still look forward to what we have to share! 

We are sorry for this, but know you will all understand. Meggie and I are very excited as this is a new chapter in our lives. But we also have to realise we now have more responsibilities. Thank you so much for every thing over the past years. You will still be hearing from us! Don't forget you can still  ask questions and email us at: unfadingelegance(at)gmail(dot)com(dot)au!! We look forward to hearing from you. 

Keep an eye out for our next post in the first week of April :) 

Much love and God bless, 

~ Meggie and Taleisha 

Extending Love (Being God's Hands And Feet)

In a world full of 7 billion people, how is it that so many people live their lives feeling unloved? As Christian's we are called to a life of love. The Bible says; the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbour as yourself (Mark 12:35), to abide in faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13), love each other deeply for love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8), love comes from God and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God (1 John 4:7), there is no fear in love (1 John 4:18). "I love everyone!" You may say. But it's easier said than done.

My pastor on Sunday made a good point that we can love others, but only so much. I'm sure we've all reached a point where we love this person, but hate that one. It's conditional love. This isn't the love of Christ. The Word says that God is love. His love is agape and unconditional. So in order for us to love unconditionally, we have to have God. If we don't have God then we can't love like God loves us - with our entire beings.

When we invite Love into our hearts, the restraints are broken and there are no limits. Now that this Love is dwelling in is we are able to love each and every individual, regardless of their sins and our previous beliefs about them. If we can't forgive someone, how can we love them. If we can't forgive, how can we possible expect to be forgiven? In all of life's questions, God is the answer. Sometimes we forget that. We forget to call on Him when we stumble or are tempted. But our Father is the answer to everything.

God didn't die just for me. He died for all the sinners. The Bible often speaks of Christ's love for each of His children. If we want to live an abundant life, we need to welcome God inside us so we can radiate the unconditional love that comes through Him.

Love them anyway.

I Love You Anyway by Holly Starr is a lovely song about the love of God. Click the link to have a  listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrF0-8TY7U4&list=PL45DF8A3624D11E2E

God bless,

~ Taleisha 

An Amazing Woman Of God

A while ago I stumbled across something my Mum and Dad wrote to me in a birthday card. One tiny line kept repeating over in my head.
They said:

“...you’re maturing into an amazing young woman of God!... ”

But am I? Am I an amazing woman of God? Am I truly trying to become a woman of God? Not just by going to church regularly, but by digging deep into His Word and seeking Him, not only because I should, but because I hunger for an intimate relationship with my Father? Often it's difficult to hear directly from God. But a question I've had to ask myself is: "Am I looking in the right place?" 


... An amazing woman of God? Me? 

When I think of what an amazing woman of God looks like, I imagine someone who sincerely tries to please Him and not man, someone who is constantly in communication with Him because He's genuinely her best friend, someone who seeks time in the day just to soak in His presence, someone who knows what God wants her to do so she does it with fearlessly. She is someone of continual growth who yearns to know His heart and be used in His glorious plan.  

When I look at myself and my life, I find it hard to see that ‘amazing woman of God’. In fact I feel like the complete opposite sometimes. I feel like there is a candle in me that just wants to burn bright. This candle is God. I know I have Him in me. But sometimes it's hard to make a flame. I can't find the matches. Where are the matches? Am I looking in the right place? God's Word is the right place. Through meditating on the Bible we can light the candle and be ignited into something incredible.

I believe this 'amazing woman of God' is inside me, but it's up to me to bring her out and let her reach her full potential. What kind of things are holding her back? Is it lack of trust? Lack of confidence? Is she scared of being judged? Is it guilt? Shame? Hurt? Fear? Whatever it may be, God has the power to take away those things, to uncover the beauty within. In Him all things are made good. So when we first seek Him, this amazing woman of God can come out of hiding.

You have an amazing woman of God in you too. And maybe it's time to let her shine! Let God strip back the chains that are binding her, and let her be all that God made her to be.

"My chains are gone. I've been set free!" 

- Chris Tomlin 

God bless you, sisters!

~ Taleisha 

Seeing What God Sees

When you look at the girl hiding behind her hair, with the glasses and braces and out of fashion clothing, what do you see? When you see that girl in the mini skirt and low cut top flirting with guys, what do you see? In our modern world today, it can be so easy to judge. 

Ever heard the phrase, "Don't judge a book by it's cover"? Even as a Christian it can be a struggle to refrain from making quick judgments about someone and forming your own (and not always correct) opinion about someone, without even knowing much about them. We can't only look skin deep. There is so much more to a person than what's on the outside.

So what does God see? I'm not God, but I'm sure that when He looks at those girls He sees someone who is so dearly loved. Someone who, if they only knew how much He loved them, would start to love them self. He sees His daughter, His love, His joy.

We need to learn to see behind what is right before us, but learn to see deeper and past the mask that people put on. Maybe they're hurting and don't know how to disguise the pain. Maybe they struggle with self worth and feel insignificant. Maybe the world as they know it is crashing down around them and they're trying to put on their 'brave face'.

Don't be quick to judge but be quick to look past what we physically see. We need to remember that we don't know their story. We don't know what they're dealing with or have gone through. But what we do know is that God loves them so. And as part of the Body Of Christ, it's our duty, and hopefully our joy, to love them as well and to show them how much they are cherished. Imagine how you would feel if a person came up to you and told you how much you are loved. Wouldn't that be enough to make you at least smile, or maybe even your day? Even the smallest acts of kindness can speak volumes! 

Love is something we can all share with no cost or sacrifice. So why not share it to those who need it most? The Bible says that love is demonstrative. Our love for God is shown by the degree we show love to others. "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." - 1 John 4:11 (Also see: Matthew 25:40, 1 John 3:23) Love is active - an act of will, not an obligation. (See: 1 John 3:17) Love is responsive. We are able to love because we have been and are loved by God. This love causes us to respond lovingly to others. (1 John 4:19) 

Let me encourage you all this week, to put a smile on someone's face by telling them how much they are worth, not only in our eyes but in the Father's. I will do the same. If it is you reading this that needs to know how important you are and how loved you are, then here are a few songs to encourage you:

Nobody Ever Told You by Carrie Underwood (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO3pzvuQ-wc)

Gold by Britt Nicole (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9PjrtcHJPo)

God bless!!

~ Taleisha 

You Are Not A Failure

A few months ago I was at church and we had a guest speaker. I can't remember his name but he came to preach about failures. Something he proved he knew a lot about. He had been through so much and so many times felt like he had let down the people he cared about. But over a period of years God was teaching him that 'just because you have a failure, doesn't mean you are a failure'.

Failing is not something I'm unfamiliar with. Many times I have disappointed my parents, siblings, friends, myself and most definitely God. I'm not going to go into specifics, but I can honestly tell you that in those times I felt like I was a failure, like I had hit rock bottom and didn't deserve to be forgiven. When I heard this man speak (I wish I could remember his name!) it was right after a time when I had really let my parents, my best friend, myself and God down all at the same time. I was definitely not feeling very good about myself. But when I heard him preach, it was like he was speaking straight to me and telling me that I had failed (ouch), but that didn't mean I was a failure.

There is something else I learned from him. His message taught me that even though I messed up, God was still there waiting to pick me up again and help me continue along rough road ahead. But just because He was going to walk this with me, didn't mean my actions were free from consequences. That was probably the lowest point in my life. I apologised to those I needed to and God has continued to be the constant comfort I need. Our God is a god of endless second chances and new beginnings. And for that I am so thankful. Repenting to those I love and had hurt was no easy feat but I have never been more grateful for the love and forgiveness of all those involved.

Failure doesn't need to define us. Instead we can learn from it, get back on our feet and continue living a life where forgiveness is only one apology away. Don't forget that God is the ultimate Comforter and NOTHING is too big for Him! Everything we do should bring honour and glory to God.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9 

God bless,

~ Taleisha 

Finding Our Identity In Christ

Most of us go through a time in our lives when we question who we really are. What do we believe? Why do we believe it? It's a journey we go on. A journey of self discovery. Now that I am heading off to start my next chapter of life in Australia, I'm planning on using this time to discover what I am about. What I like to do and believe - not just because it's what I've been taught and brought up to believe. 

A short while ago a friend was sharing his testimony and saying how a time after he moved out he turned against God  and started to do his own thing, trying to find himself. This lasted for a few years until he realised that he needed God. Something he said stuck with me that day. He said that he not only found who he was, but that he needed to continue searching to find who he was in Christ. This got me thinking of who I really was. 

I've heard pastors preach that without Christ we are nothing. Without God what can we accomplish. In our own power things are imperfect and there is an endless void in our hearts that we try to satisfy with the wrong things. But when we have received the Holy Spirit and He lives inside us, that void disappears. We know that with God we can do all things and if we follow His leading in our lives, He leads us towards greatness. I've come to realise that I don't need to find who I am, I need to find who I am IN CHRIST! Without Christ I am nothing. It isn't about me, but it's about God and everything I do needs to be an example of Him and His love.

May God bless you all as you continue to discover who you are in Him!

~ Taleisha 

Right (But Not Always Easy)

Some of you may recall reading that I live in Cambodia with my family. We have been here for nearly 3 years now and have had the most amazing adventure. We have been able to be God's hands and feet and share His unending love with many girls and young women who didn't know Him and the comfort of His love. About three months ago I made the decision to move back to where I was born and raised - Queensland, Australia.

I've been longing to move out of home for a while now and find my independence. Yes, yes, I'm only 17 years old (soon to be eighteen), but when your family members are the only people you really communicate with, a life outside of it seems very appealing. Don't get me wrong, I love my family to bits. They're the people I know will always be there for me. And though I am young, I was still faced with a pretty huge decision (one that would require moving countries!). I graduated from Year 12 last year and needed to really think about what 2014 was going to bring. Was I going to stay in Cambodia and continue to live off others generosity? Or was I going to go back to Australia, finish studying or study further, get a job and discover who Taleisha really is? This was no easy choice. If I stayed in Cambodia I would continue to live a life without my friends near me, and if I moved and got a job, it would mean leaving my wonderful family. Still, I knew in my heart that my season of service in Cambodia was going to end someday, and that God didn't plan on me being here much longer.

Although this decision comes with many new and exciting things, it also leaves behind the life that has become normal. I leave in 18 days and despite all the things I will miss, I know God has a bigger plan for me. Plans to prosper me and bring me a hope and future. (Jeremiah 29:11) I will never forget my time in Cambodia, nor my loved ones that will stay here. God has told me what to do. He didn't promise it would be easy, but He has promised to walk the journey with me. I can walk this path confidently knowing that whatever obstacles I may face, God is holding my hand and leading me to where He needs me.

So on a final note, I want to encourage you all, when you face your big decisions in life (and even your small ones), hold tight to God and the knowledge that He will never leave you nor forsake you. Continue to seek Him in the midst of all your problems and follow His light.

"'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are My ways your ways', says the LORD. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.'" - Isaiah 55:8-9 

May I ask you all to pray for me as the final preparations are happening, ready for me to start my next adventure in Australia.

May God bless you all!

~ Taleisha

If You Could Ask God One Thing

If God was sitting right in front of you and said you can ask Him one question about anything you wished, what would you ask Him? The Creator of the Universe, The One who sent His only son, The God of miracles, The Healer, The Comforter, The King, Father; what would you as Him? 

Let me share a little story with you. In December 2005 my dad went on His first trip to Africa. One night he visited a night camp where hundreds of children came. They would walk kilometers in the evening to get to this place that would allow them a safe place to sleep, and then walk kilometers back to their villages in the morning. While my dad was there he found three orphaned boys; James, Denis and Fred (all young men in their mid-teens). It was only days away from Christmas and Dad asked them, "If you could have one thing for Christmas, what would it be?". Their response broke his heart. All three of them said they would ask for a pair of shoes. A pair of shoes! While so many of us wish for iPads, phones, computers and laptops, these boys only wanted shoes for their feet. Doesn't it make you wonder if your priorities are in check? It begins to put into perspective what's important and how much we take for granted. 

So if God was giving you the opportunity to ask Him one single question, what would it be? Would you ask for better grades, a new car, friendships to be restored, a loved one to be healed? Or perhaps you'd want to know how He made the world, why He let Adam and Eve sin, why He sent His son to die instead of finding another way to save humanity, or when Jesus is coming back? Would you ask for earthly things or for spiritual things? Would you ask for anything at all? 

When I ask myself this question, I don't find myself thinking of the sick people I know, of all the injustice in the world, or for more possessions. Instead I think of things like: God what is Your plan for me? How can I use my gifts to glorify You? How can I be a better Christian? How can I change the world? How do I tell others about You in countries that grounded in other beliefs? I don't know the answer to these questions. Sometimes I really wish I did. Maybe one day God will reveal His plans to me, but in the mean time I need to be a faithful servant. I can do that by digging deeper into the Bible and continue to grow in my knowledge of The Word, showing love to others, keeping my prayer life active and communicating with my Heavenly Father. 

So I will leave you with one question. Only one, and I want you to really put some thought into it: What would you ask God? 

In His love, 

~ Taleisha 

God is not angry with you

You.
You sitting there, reading this. God is not angry with you.
He might be angry at the sin in this world, He might be angry at the bad you have done, but He loves the sinner.
He loves you, no matter what you have done and no matter what you will do.
He sees your past. He knows what your doing right now.
But- He is not angry with you.






Just a reminder for you today. I felt like I needed this reminder, and so I thought I would pass it on.

~ Meggie