Five Minute Friday (If)

(DISCLOSURE:This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I may earn a small fee from qualifying purchases made through links on my blog. That being said, I will not endorse anything unless I honestly like the product.)

     The word for this weeks Five Minute Friday is "if." When I think of that word, I think of all of the what if thoughts I have had in my life. I sometimes catch myself feeling regret wondering what if I had made different decisions. How would my life look if a certain thing hadn't happened? I question and play those different scenarios over in my head until I am extremely discouraged. I wont lie and tell you that I snap out of it quickly and everything turns to sunshine, but eventually I do get tired of wallowing. I remember the goodness of the Lord and I pray for the strength to take things day by day. It takes a lot of hard work and faith to get out of a pit of despair. However, God wants us to direct our what if to the future, not our past. In Jermiah 29:11, God says "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." We can hold tightly to this promise of a future filled with hope. We just need to surrender to God and trust Him completely. What if you gave your all to Jesus today? Imagine the possible ways that He could use you for His glory. Your what if can transition from negative to positive with the help of the Lord!

     I just wanted to encourage everyone to give their what if moments to God. He is the only true source of strength and can restore your hope for tomorrow. Thanks for joining me for Five Minute Friday. As always, please feel free to start a conversation in the comments and link to your own blog post centered on this series. I look forward to hearing from you.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for times of transition. I ask that You would help me to always be hopeful in the possible what if moments that come with knowing You. -Amen

Suggested Reading: I highly suggest these books if you enjoyed my post for today. You can purchase them through the affiliate links below if you would like to do so.

Affiliate Links
  

Discussion Questions: What comes to mind when you think of the word if? What is stopping you from giving your what if regrets to God?

Five Minute Friday Link Party: http://fiveminutefriday.com/2018/06/28/fmf-link-up-if/

This is a song that speaks to me through my hard times and I hope it is encouraging to you as well. "Blessings" made popular by Laura Story

Summer Bible Study With Good Morning Girls (Psalm 13)

     Hey y'all! Our reading for today is Psalm chapter thirteen. I will be using the SOAK bible study method from Courtney at Women Living Well. More information on this bible study method can be found here http://womenlivingwell.org/2015/01/how-to-use-soak-bible-study-method-bible-coloring-chart/ on her site. This week you can find lots of awesome and helpful free resources that Courtney has provided for participants here https://womenlivingwell.org/2018/06/good-morning-girls-resources-psalms-11-15/. Now lets grab our bibles and get into God's word together!

Psalm 13

S - How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
 
² How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

³ Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

⁴ Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

⁵ But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

⁶ I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

O - I saw David crying out in despair. He then prays to the Lord to hear him. Lastly, he returns to rejoicing and trusting in God.

A - This chapter reminds me that the times when I feel the most discouraged are the times I should trust God the most. 

K -Dear God, thank You for always being there for me even when I don't always run straight to You. I ask that You would help me to always seek You first even in times of despair. -Amen

      I have found so many interesting things to think about by reading through the book of Psalms so far and today is no different. As I read in this chapter about Davids transition from despair into rejoicing, I found myself feeling encouraged. Verse six stuck out to me the most in this passage. In this verse David displays the attitude that we should all have during times of trouble. David makes the decision to pray and then trust in Gods mercy. He chose to manage his feelings and not let his feelings manage him. David rejoiced in God's gift of salvation and found confidence in remembering what the Lord had done for him in the past.

     This passage reminds me of the song "All Things" made popular by Nicole Binion. The lyrics of the song speak about trusting in God to see you through your circumstances. I love the lines "WHEN I CANNOT SEE IT, GOD I STILL BELIEVE IT, YOU ARE WORKING ALL THINGS FOR MY GOOD." It is definitely easy to get lost in despair and not be able to see yourself moving past your problems. However, if we can just have the smallest bit of trust, we can cling to the hope we have in the Lord. We have to remember to sing about the goodness of the savior and be thankful for His many blessings. I am learning to rejoice in the midst of my worries. God is teaching me how to be an over comer.

     Overall, today's reading helped me to see the importance of rejoicing despite our troubles and I pray it did for you as well. Thank you for joining me today and I hope to see you back here next week as we read Psalm 16-20. I will be posting on Wednesday. I will leave y'all with some discussion questions for today posted below. I invite you to fellowship with each other, share your thoughts, participate in the discussion questions, and encourage one another in the comment section below this post. Have a blessed day!

 

Are you in the midst of a trial? Despite your difficulties, what can you praise God for today?
 

"All Things" -Sung by Nicole Binion, Written by Joshua Dufrene and David Binion

Review of UPBOX Faith Based Subscription + Coupon Code

(DISCLOSURE: This box was sent to me free of charge for review purposes. That being said, I will not endorse anything unless I honestly like the product.)

     UPBOX is a faith based gift box service from the company UPWORDS. Their boxes center around providing "practical, inspiring, and trendy encouragement tools, to uplift you and empower you to uplift others." This company offers boxes with awesome monetary and practical value in relation to the cost of their boxes. I highly recommend their boxes to anyone who is seeking to be encouraged or is looking for a creative way to encourage others!

The Details:

Subscription Box Company: UPWORDS UPBOX

Website: www.upwords.me

Products: Various item possibilities include encouragement cards, beauty products, jewelry, scripture cards, candles, and much more.

Cost: $39.95 per 1 month subscription / There are additional options for one time purchase boxes that range from $14.95-$34.95.

Shipping: UPBOXES ship on the 15th of every month. New orders ship immediately (and on the 15th thereafter).

Extra: UPBOXES donates 20% of each purchase to the Jesus Way Foundation. It is truly a gift to know that you purchase will help provide necessities for those in need.

     The contents of the UPBOX came in a sturdy orange box with the brand name and encouraging words printed on the front. The contents were wrapped beautifully and secured with a sticker that displayed a stunning image. The items were arranged in the box so that everything was protected during transit. Everything was brand new and in original packaging. The care put into preparing the shipment was obvious.

 

     The UPBOX includes an informational card each month. The card explains the overall theme of the box, the theme verse, and information about the UPWORDS company. The particular box I received was centered around the theme bloom. The theme verse for the box was Isaiah 35:2. Every item in the box related to this theme beautifully. I really enjoyed learning more about the idea behind the box and contemplating the message of it.

     The first thing in the box was a business card, two pack of mini encouragement cards, and envelopes.The business card displays all of the useful contact information for the company UPWORDS. The encouragement cards feature a nice graphic on one side and the scripture Isaiah 35:2 along with blank space to write on the other side. These cards are great for offering on the go encouragement. I am planning on writing a simple note of encouragement and passing them out as I feel led to do so.

    I was so happy to receive this vanilla mint rose lip jelly. The scent is delightful, it is a cruelty free product, and it is made from all natural ingredients. This would make a great uplifting gift for a friend paired with one of the encouragement cards.

     This luxurious key lime shea hand and body cream was included in the box I received. It is delicately scented and features naturally sourced ingredients. This would also make a great thoughtful gift for a friend paired with one of the encouragement cards.

     The box I received included these adorable dream life bracelets in various shades of green. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing but they also encourage the wearer to continue to reach for their dream. These bracelets serve as constant reminders that no dream is too big when you are striving to live a life inspired by faith.

     The box I received included this charming silver tone rose and mint chord bracelet. This was truly one of my favorite things. The packaging displayed the scripture Proverbs 31:25. The charm serves as an excellent reminder to cultivate your faith to bloom everyday.

      I received this cute and trendy two pack of hair ties in the box as well. It was great to get such a practical item I will use so often. The packaging also displayed the scripture Proverbs 31:25. These can also be worn as bracelets and serve as personal reminders of your faith.

     Last but not least, I received this two pack of scripture cards adorned with floral designs. One of the cards had Proverbs 3:5 on one side and an inspirational quote on the other side. The other card had Zephaniah 3:17 on one side and a quote from St. Augustine on the other side. These cards are the perfect size to take on the go and reflect on during quiet moments throughout your day.

     Overall, I really adore UPBOX. I was overjoyed by the contents and the thought put into building beautiful messages of encouragement into each item included. If you enjoyed my review and would like to purchase an UPBOX for yourself or as a gift for a friend, you can purchase one here. They also have a shop featuring single boxes, gift sets, and many other inspirational items that can be found here.  You can use code "BLOOMBOX" at checkout for 20% OFF here! I would love for you to leave any thoughts or questions in the comment section. Thank you for reading my honest review of UPBOX. I encourage you to check out the UPBOX subscription and the UPWORDS company. I hope you have a blessed day!

In His Presents Christian Gift Box Review + Coupon Code

(DISCLOSURE: This box was sent to me free of charge for review purposes. This post also contains affiliate links. That being said, I will not endorse anything unless I honestly like the product.)

     In His Presents offers faith based subscription gift boxes. Their boxes center around gifts that "encourage, inspire, and uplift the spirit" each month. This company offers great quality in relation to the cost of their subscription. I highly recommend this box to women who would like to be uplifted in their walk of faith!

 

The Details:

Subscription Box Company: In His Presents

Website: www.inhispresents.com

Products: Various item possibilities include books, journals, Christian music Cd's, tumblers, specialty gift ware, and much more.

Cost: $44.95 per 1 month / $134.85 per 3 month prepay / $257.70 per 6 month prepay

Shipping: First time subscriber subscription boxes will ship within 3 - 5 business days. The remaining boxes in your subscription will ship on or before the 21st of each month. One Month subscription boxes automatically renew on the 16th of each month. Three and six month subscription boxes do not automatically renew.

     The In His Presents subscription contents came in a sturdy box with the logo printed on the front. It was detailed with a cute ribbon and bow. There was also a small card attached with the scripture Psalm 16:11 and contact information printed on it. All of the items were new and in the original packaging. I really appreciated the attention to detail in getting the box ready for shipment.

     The In His Presents flyer has lots of useful information on it. It provides a detailed breakdown of everything included in the box. The title also includes the theme for the particular month. This months theme was Believe and all of the items centered around the scripture John 3:16.

     The first thing inside the box was a cute polka dot envelope. There was a welcome card, business card, and promotional card inside the envelope. I was happy to see that the promotional card displayed a discount code (NEW001) for ten percent off your first box!

     This inspirational travel mug was one of my favorite things that I received. It is adorned with a beautiful black and white pattern. The words "Love trusts hopes never fails  I Corinthians 13" grace the front and back of the mug. This tumbler makes for a wonderful way to display your faith while on the go everyday.

     I was overjoyed to receive this exquisitely crafted gold tone bracelet. It is engraved with the words "For God so loved the world John 3:16." It is embellished with a pearl and a golden cross charm. This is a great statement piece to share your faith with others.

     This trendy black and white striped journal was included in the box I received. It references Jeremiah 29:11 on the front and back cover in gold lettering. This is a delightful book that could easily be used as a prayer journal or bible study notebook.

     The album Kingdom Inspirations by Percy Bady was included in the box. This a gospel album with songs focused on Christ centered lyrics. The album features many other voices such as Jermaine Richardson and Neicey Robertson just to name a few. I would recommend this album to anyone who loves positive and uplifting gospel music.

     The box included this black and white striped door hanger with gold accents. It displays the scripture John 3:16 on one side and "Prayer Session Do Not Disturb" on the other side. I really enjoyed receiving this cute and practical item.

     The book The 3:16 Promise: He Loves. He Gives. We Believe. We Live. by Max Lucado was included in the box as well. This book takes a deeper look at the scripture John 3:16. The author helps the reader to better understand God's word. I would recommend this book to both seasoned and new believers.

Publisher's Description:
Building on stories and illustrations from his 3:16---The Numbers of Hope bestseller, Lucado leads seekers on a word-by-word journey through John 3:16. His warm easy-to-understand writing style makes this the perfect tool for introducing God's grace and plan of salvation to your friends and neighbors.

     These adorable black and white striped note cards were included in the box. They are adorned with gold accents, arrows, and the word "Believe." This set of five cards also came with five white envelopes. I think these would work great for sending encouraging notes to loved ones throughout the year.

     I was so happy to receive these great faith based stickers. One of my favorites is the sticker that features the phrase "Fear not, for I am with you always." These stickers would be awesome additions to a faith planner or for Bible journaling.

     This simple John 3:16 magnet was a great addition to the box. I love this scripture and this serves as a wonderful reminder of God's love for us. This would also be a great little encouraging gift for a friend paired with one of the note cards that are included in the box. 

     Last but not least, I received these two pouches of yummy goodies. The berry flavored teas were delicious and had scriptures written on the packaging. The chocolate biscotti's were also very tasty treats.

     Overall, I really enjoyed the In His Presents Box. I loved the variety in items and the core theme of faith that was apparent in everything included. If you enjoyed my review and would like to purchase a In His Presents box for yourself or as a gift for a friend, you can purchase one here. Don't  forget to use the promo code "NEW001" for ten percent off your first box! I would love for you to leave any thoughts or questions in the comment section. Thank you for reading my honest review of the In His Presents gift box. I encourage you to try out the In His Presents subscription and hope you have a blessed day!

Bette's Box of Blessings Review + Coupon Code

(DISCLOSURE: This box was sent to me free of charge for review purposes. This post also contains affiliate links. That being said, I will not endorse anything unless I honestly like the product.)

     Bette's Box of Blessings is a faith based subscription box service. Their boxes center around gifts that help you grow and share your faith. This company offers boxes with values of at least double their subscription cost if not more. I highly recommend this box to women of faith who love to be encouraged but also love to encourage others!

The Details:

Subscription Box Company: Bette's Box of Blessings

Website: www.bettesboxofblessings.com

Products: Various item possibilities include greeting cards, worship music Cd's, faith based coloring books, devotionals, Bible study books, and more.

Cost: $29.99 per 1 month / $79.99 per 3 month prepay / $154.99 per 6 month prepay
( + $4.99 shipping & handling)

Shipping: First time orders will ship to you within 2 to 3 days of purchase. Subscriptions renew on the 1st of each month and new boxes begin shipping on or around the 10th of each month.

     The contents of Bette's Box of Blessings came in a sturdy white box with the brand logo printed on the front.The contents were neatly organized in the box so that nothing would be damaged in transit. Everything was brand new and in original packaging. It was evident that the contents were prepared for shipping well and thoughtfully with extreme care.

     Bette's Box of Blessings includes an informational letter each month. The letter explains the overall theme of the box, the theme verse, and information about each of the items you receive. The particular box I received was centered around the theme of being overwhelmed. The theme verse for the box was Psalm 16:11. Every item in the box was tied back to this theme beautifully. I really enjoyed reading the letter and it truly is a lovely addition to each box.

     The Bible Promise Book for the Overwhelmed Heart: Finding Rest in God's Word by Janice Thompson was included in the box I received. It is a beautiful inspirational book filled with verses to help you focused on various life themes. For every theme there is a prayer, multiple related Bible verses, and lines from a relevant song. If you enjoy turning to the Bible to see what God has to say on specific subjects we deal with, I would recommend this book to you.

Publisher's Description

     "Barbour’s Bible Promise Books are perennial bestsellers, with millions of copies in print. Now, The Bible Promise Book is available in a brand-new Rest for the Overwhelmed Heart edition. Featuring dozens of timely topics—including comfort, faith, trust, God's love, grace, and dozens more—readers will encounter hundreds of verses from God's Word guaranteed to speak to their daily needs. The Bible Promise Book: Rest for the Overwhelmed Heart is ideal for personal use and for ministries."

 

     The book Prayers to Share for Hope - 100 Pass-Along Notes published by DaySpring was included in the box I received. It is a small book filled with 100 detachable notes designed to give to others. One side of each note displays a prayer, scripture, or quote. The other side of each note is designed to be written on. This book is beautifully decorated and incredibly useful. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys lifting up others.

Publisher's Description
     "Whether you know someone facing disappointments or just needing a little encouragement, Prayers to Share for Hope, 100 pass-along notes from DaySpring are a great way to remind others of the beauty of God's hope! Filled with inspiring quotes, meaningful Scriptures, heartfelt prayers, and beautiful artwork, these inspirational pass-along notes are a wonderful way to brighten someone's day. The pages make it easy—just tear and share a prayer!"

     The album Sand and Stars by Covenant Worship was included in the box I received. It is full of worship songs that seek to encourage and elevate the soul. This album features the melodious voices of Nicole Binion, David Binion, Joshua Dufrene, Colin Edge, and Nathan Walker. A few of my personal favorite songs on the album are "All Things" and  "Persuaded." I would recommend this album to anyone who enjoys contemporary songs of praise and worship.

     The box I received included an adorable trinket dish from DaySpring. It is stunningly decorated in shades of blue and yellow. It is adorned with the phrase "Do justly, Love mercy, Walk humbly." This is a lovely decor piece that doubles as a sweet reminder of faith. This would also be a delightful gift for someone in need of encouragement.

     The box I received included a bookmark. It is magnetic which makes it very useful. This particular bookmark is enhanced with the scripture Jeremiah 29:11. This serves as a practical daily reminder of the Lords goodness to us. This would also make a great inspirational gift paired with one of the included cards.

      I received these inspirational book marks and wallet cards from Fair Hope Notes. One of the bookmarks included the scripture Psalm 68:3, the other included an encouraging phrase. One of the wallet cards stated the scripture Hebrews 10:23 and the other two included inspirational phrases. They all included beautiful artwork as well. These cards are the perfect size to take on the go and hand out to inspire someone in need.

     Last but not least, I was happily surprised to receive quite a generous amount of greeting cards from Fair Hope Notes. I received three large cards and nine smaller cards with matching envelopes. The cards included themes such as birthday, condolence, thinking of you, get well, sympathy, encouragement and thank you cards. I think these cards were a greet addition to lift someone up in the Lord and show them the love of Christ.

     Overall, I really loved Bette's Box of Blessings. I was overwhelmed with the value of the box ($87.64!) and the thought put into the curation of each item. If you enjoyed my review and would like to purchase a Bette's Box of Blessings for yourself or as a gift for a friend, you can purchase one here. They sometimes offer single boxes for purchase and those can be found here. If you use the coupon code "FEATHER" you can get $5 off any subscription! This includes subscriptions only, not single boxes. I would love for you to leave any thoughts or questions in the comment section. Thank you for reading my honest review of Bette's Box of Blessings. I encourage you to try out the Bette's Box of Blessings subscription and hope you have a blessed day!