Quote of the day

John 8:32 (KJV)

³² And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall MAKE you free.

“We're so engaged in doing things to achieve purposes of outer value that we forget the inner value, the rapture that is associated with being alive, is what it is all about.”

― Joseph Campbell

TEDxSinCity - Bruce Muzik - The BIG Secret Nobody Wants To Tell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkbWIfP3mLw&list=WL468504BD119A1D46

Best TEDTalk I've watched in a while.

Be blessed! 

Keep Pushing...

"I Am A Soldier"

I am a soldier in the army of my God.
The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer.
The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.
Faith, Prayer, and the Word are my weapons of Warfare.

I have been taught by the Holy Spirit,
    ...trained by experience,
    ...tried by adversity,
    ...and tested by fire.

I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity.
I will either retire in this Army or die in this Army;
But, I will not get out,
    ...sell out
    ...be talked out
    ...or pushed out.

I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable.
If my God needs, me, I am there.

I am a soldier.
I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered,
    ...petted,
    ...primed up,
    ...pumped up,
    ...picked up,
    ...or pepped up.

I am a soldier. No one has to call me,
    ...remind me,
    ...write me,
    ...visit me,
    ...entice me,
    ...or lure me.

I am a soldier. I am not a wimp. I am in place,
    ...saluting my King,
    ...obeying His orders,
    ...praising His name,
    ...and building His Kingdom!

No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me
handouts.
I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to.
I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around.
I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.
I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.

When Jesus called me into this Army, I had nothing.
If I end up with nothing, I will still come out even.
I will win.

My God will supply all my needs.
I am more than a conqueror.
I will always triumph.
I can do all things through Christ.

Devils cannot defeat me.
People cannot disillusion me.
Weather cannot weary me.
Sickness cannot stop me.
Battles cannot beat me.
Money cannot buy me.
Governments cannot silence me, and
Hell cannot handle me!

I am a soldier.
Even death cannot destroy me.
For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield,
He will promote me to a captain.

I am a soldier, in the Army, I'm marching, claiming victory.
I will not give up.
I will not turn around.
I am a soldier, marching, Heaven bound.

Prayer for today... and EVERY day

Psalm 119:4-8

⁴ You have charged us
    to keep your commandments carefully.
⁵ Oh, that my actions would consistently
    reflect your decrees!
⁶ Then I will not be ashamed
    when I compare my life with your commands.
⁷ As I learn your righteous regulations,
    I will thank you by living as I should!
⁸ I will obey your decrees.
    Please don’t give up on me!

Psa. 50:15

Funny how God delivers sometimes... :)

Cautious in Prayer

“Be careful what you pray for.” 

I don’t quite remember who the first person was that ever said that to me but man, did they know what they were talking about! Even though that’s true, I couldn't help but wonder, “why should I be afraid to tell God what He already knows is my desire?” If I’m “praying the wrong thing” doesn't God love me enough to protect me from myself?

Hmm… makes perfect sense right? God loves you and I so much so that He would NOT allow you to pray yourself into a mess that He leaves you in. Two things happen when you pray, either God answers, or He doesn't.

Disclaimer: His timing may vary results (lol)!

And when He doesn't answer YOUR prayer, His alternative is much better. TRUST ME… HIM actually. So, if He answers and your prayer got you in a bind, He’ll bring you out. And if He answers and you feel like you bit off more than you can chew, He’ll equip you! Acknowledge the anxiety and hand it over to Him. He’s just waiting for you to ask.

 And if He doesn't answer your prayer, lift your hands and say thank you for the better-blessing that’s coming. It’s that simple! It’s easier said than done but not impossible. Start trying…

Power of Prayer

Yet another nug'... God is so awesome for the words He gives others to share with me! 

"Every breakthrough has a Genesis and a revelation... There is a first breakthrough and a second breakthrough. 'The moment you began praying, a command was given.' See Daniel 9:23 NLT. The answer is given long before it is revealed. Do you realize that the victory has already been won? We're still waiting for it's future revelation, but the victory had already been won by means of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. "It is finished." This isn't just when God made good on GRACE; it is when God made good on EVERY PROMISE. Every single one is yes in Christ. Past tense. Present tense. Future tense. The full revelation won't happen till his return, but the victory has already been won, once and for all, for all time." ~Mark Batterson

Wonder Working Power

God has blessed me greatly with powerful spiritual mentors who send me encouraging texts and messages that I just can't keep to myself...

"God's Spirit, was given to you in His entirety at the moment of your salvation. Not some of the Holy Spirit, not the preliminary taste in anticipation of getting more of the Holy Spirit. ~Priscilla Shirer

2 Peter 1:3 "His divine power has granted to us EVERYTHING pertaining to life and godliness."

Start moving like you have all His Spirit, all His power, all His wisdom, all His counsel, all His encouragement, available to you ALL THE TIME. Walk in your God given authority like the beautiful Queen or King you are!

Spiritual Nugget - Purpose

"For individual professed Christians, if we fail the purpose for which God created us, then we had better never have been born.

          How utterly and unspeakably tragic to be forever a broken vase. How utterly tragic that God should make me to be a vase in which He would place the flowers of paradise, the Lily of the Valley and the Rose of Sharon, and out from that simple earthly vessel there would go forth a fragrance that would fill the universe of God. Then I allow that vase to be shattered on the floor, and it cannot be used for the purpose God had intended.

          How utterly tragic to be a stringless harp and to have all the shape, outline and form of a Christian but have no strings that the Holy Ghost could play over.

          How utterly terrible to be a barren fig tree, with nothing but leaves and no fruit!"

The Purpose of Man: Designed to Worship by A. W. Tozer.

How do we overcome??

"...by the blood of the Lamb and the word of [our] testimony." Rev. 12:11.

I've known that verse for a while but still for a long time I was a firm believer of "your future has no room for your past." 

All that's changed. Pretty recently I may add. It finally clicked! I can't just talk the talk, I have to walk it too. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying go back to the old you! Nah-uh! But don't shy away from remembering and thinking on, and rejoicing in where God has brought you from and where He is taking you to!!

Shame, guilt and condemnation were my everyday companions when I though about my past. Yet I was in denial of the positive influence it had on my life as a believer. "Oh Lord, I haven't REAAAALLLYYY had an opportunity to share my testimony with people."

Lies and propaganda!!! Bottom line: I was too scared and too ashamed to open my mouth and share the good news of Christ's redemption power. But recently, on my mission trip to Uganda, I was able to voice, for the first time a lot of the ghosts I had silenced from my past. And the 10+ women who were there did nothing but listen intently and encourage me.

"...where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" 2 Cor. 3:17

Oh, I tasted a slice of that freedom, baby! And it was good. How dare I remain silent for so long??? But Thank God for His grace and mercy... and PATIENCE!

Moving forward, I pray that I continue to "taste and see that the Lord is [indeed] good (Psa. 34:8)." and to desire to use my story for the betterment of others, rather than be silent at their soul's expense. I pray the same for you too.

It's not about you...

It's not about me...

It's not about us, It's about God.

Today was just one of those days where I was yearning for companionship; intimacy... not sexual (get your mind out of the gutter :P) Along came Louie Giglio's It's not You, It's Me video (click to follow link)

"I am designed and desired by God"

That one line right there did it for me :)

Oh he was speaking to me boy! I pray it encourages you too!

No Excuses

                I’ve already shared on Facebook what book I’ve started reading now that I’m a graduate… see how I snuck that in there? (haha)  It’s official, I hold an MSW degree and that’s it for me in regard to classes. Well, for now at least…

                The awesome book currently helping me with my idleness is “The Skin You Live In: Building Friendships Across Cultural Lines” by David D, Ireland. God created us all in His image therefore we are to embrace one another regardless of race, ethnicity, country of origin, sex, gender etc. regardless of the circumstances facing you or another person, love the sinner and hate the sin. Love them into relationship with Christ; God is drilling me on this currently so I must encourage others to do the same.

                One of the many awesome quotes in the book that I’m meditating on as I get ready to go on my first mission trip (woohoo) states:

It takes courage to publicly voice your agreement in favor of diversity. If you hope to have any influence in today’s racially diverse society, you have to wear your courage like a well-tailored suit: with confidence and pride.

                Self confidence stems from knowing you’ve adopted the right position. How can loving and embracing other races be wrong? How can wanting the best for every race be considered an incorrect perspective? It would be silly for anyone to consider your positive opinion detrimental to the betterment of society. You have every reason in the world to square your shoulders with self-confidence and pride.

                Like a five-year-old ring bearer dressed fashionably in a black-and-white tuxedo, square your shoulders and walk proudly down the center aisle to the altar – the place where vows and commitments are made for life. Your new life is about to begin – a life committed to building relationships across cultural lines. Take pride in obeying Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself. It’s the right thing to do! You will not be disappointed.

                Biblically, this concept is evident with the gospel no longer being restricted to just Israel/ the Jewish people, but through Peter, it was extended to the Gentiles as well (Acts 10). Also, the great commission! What does it say? “Therefore, go and make disciples of ALL NATIONS baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19).”

                The next verse follows with Christ telling the disciples to teach these new disciples how to obey. We cannot teach that which we don’t do. Christ led by example and so should we in order for us to fulfill the one direct purpose we have on this earth. There is no excuse for you not to “love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31).” The same God who created you, created them. And the same Jesus who dies for you, died for them as well. Therefore, the same Spirit that lives in you CAN, and longs, to live in them. This can only happen through our continued efforts to spread the gospel boldly, unashamed and without discrimination.  

Just ask God to show you how; prayer changes things.

Maybe I Deserve?

Acts 13:46 - “… It was necessary that the word be spoke to you (Israelites/ Jews) first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.”

Is it just me who finds this scripture deep? First of all, I don’t remember noticing this passage the many other times I’ve read Acts before. Praise God for new and constant revelation in His word! But it got me to thinking; how many other blessings from God do I hinder because I judge myself unworthy? And in the past too, what did my behavior then say about what I thought/felt I deserved?

Everlasting life and many/any other things in The Word that God says is ours to have is a promise. Love, joy, peace, abundant life, prosperity, you name it! It’s yours for the asking! However, there’s a process to the promise! Phil 3:14 states: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” The pressing is the process and the mark is the promise. God never changes and neither does His divine order of events. There’ll always be a process. Now, how long that process takes and what it entails is a whole other story!

Sometimes God reveals the process to you but more often than not, He doesn’t. One, if we knew what trials lay ahead, we probably wouldn’t persevere until the end. Keep it real! Two, His lack of giving us the details is meant to cultivate our faith in Him. I always try to remind myself that whatever I ask from God, He usually doesn’t give it to me directly, but He give the opportunity to get that which I asked for. Let me clarify, if I want more patience, He will give me opportunities to practice being patient. I mean, you can’t measure patience with a ruler so…

Therefore, if faith is “… the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1),” then God will give you opportunities where you are blindly following Him towards the mark, trusting that He will not let you fail. That’s faith! Do you believe that God will see you through? Do you believe that you are worth getting ALL that God has promised?

If you don’t, that’s ok. Ask God to help you get to that point. But be ready, He’ll give you the opportunity to show that you believe you’re worth it. In the end, remember the test is really for you; so that YOU can see the progress of your relationship with God.

Welcome the tests, YOU DESERVE IT!

Bible Talk

2 Timothy 2:15

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

My prayer for you is that you get to know God and allow Him to know you. And that you continue to seek Him as He continues to reveal Himself to you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Simply Profound

"Our faith is only as deep as the time we spend digging" Selah

Whatever it takes Lord, I will do. Help me Holy Ghost!

He's an on time God, Yes He is...

How does God always know what i need to hear??!!! I love Him for that.  I don't even have to add anymore to this post :)

Well, let me explain where i got it from at least, right?? So I'm at the office this morning and chatting with my sister from another mother in Kenya and she sends me the link to this women's devotional site. the calls weren't coming in that often so i start reading.... then the previous one... then the previous one... and they are ALL RELEVANT!! God DID say His word shall not return unto Him void, didn't He?? Anyway, long story short this one on waiting did it for me! I REFUSE to engage in the "sit around checking my watch" type waiting, I will serve and cater to my Lord and King instead. #NuffSaid #TooBlessedToBeStressed (Link at the end).

February 22, 2013
Wait Training 101
Karen Ehman

"... but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)

Ever feel like God signed you up for an intense "wait training" class?

You pray. You ask. You anticipate God's answer, but like an Internet page taking a long time to load, you must wait.

And wait.

And wait some more.

I had to wait years before I became pregnant. During that time I attended baby showers while choking back tears.

I had to wait nearly three years for our too-expensive-for-our-new-financial-situation home to sell. During that time, I pinched pennies and lost sleep.

And I'm still waiting on many prayer requests: for a spiritually lost loved one, a family friend in ICU, a plan for my high school son's future. Waiting, waiting, waiting ...

But just as physical weight training builds strength, so does spiritual "wait training." We are promised this in Isaiah 40:31:

 

"... but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

How can waiting renew our strength? After all, doesn't waiting seem to sap our strength as we worry and fret and drum our fingers impatiently? It's exhausting playing the "What if?" game in our minds:

 

What if this doesn't work out?
What if God's answer is "No"?
What if the thing I fear the most actually happens ... what then?

All of this worry-laden waiting drains rather than strengthens. How can we turn this around and actually find ourselves renewed?

I have found that to shift my perspective in the waiting times replenishes my strength. I try not to think of those times of seemingly silence from God as waiting in the sense of sitting and anxiously anticipating a response. But as in waiting like a butler, maid or restaurant server.

Those who "wait on the Lord"—as in serve Him, cater to Him, help Him accomplish His work; those who take His order and bring Him what He wants—they are the ones who renew their strength.

 They mount up with wings as eagles.

They walk and do not faint.

As we serve, we become more aware of what the One we are waiting on desires. We become alert, attentive, and in tune with His wishes. We begin to take our eyes off of our problems and fix them on the Lord instead. As we do, we get a glimpse into His heart.

Then, instead of the wait sapping our spiritual strength, it is renewed as we seek to do the Lord's will ... to make Him famous ... to give Him glory. Even in those long, hard times of waiting for an answer, we continue to serve Him.

Will you sign up with me for Wait Training 101?

You'll grow stronger spiritual muscles if you do. But we must commit to this perspective: we won't just "wait on the Lord," we'll wait on Him. Trust me, the tips He leaves are out of this world!

 

Dear Lord, teach me to shift my perspective during those times of waiting and doubt. May I stop fretting and worrying, and busy myself serving You instead. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

from:http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/encouragement/wait-training-101-encouragement-for-today-feb-22-2013.html

 

By Faith...

Excited does not begin to explain how I feel about being in my very last semester of grad school!! MY goodness, it’s here! If you would have asked me a year and a half ago whether I even thought this program would come to an end, the answer would have been “N to the O, NO!” Honestly, it felt like it would never end but… here we are, CLASS of MAY 2013 *Woop Woop*! (or June; the school is yet to post a date smh)

Nevertheless, behind all this excitement is a teenie, beanie, weenie bit of FEAR! I have to grow up! No seriously, I’m going to have to start paying real bills and thinking about rent and car payments, insurance, a husband, kids…. Ahhhhhh! And off course, the million-dollar question: how will all this come to pass without a J-O-B? *faints in horror*

*Revives* Thank God for God! I have come to know that He speaks to me through His Word. I think every single devotion and scripture I have read this year has touched on faith and/or trust. I mean, “… without faith it is impossible to please Him (God), for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6). Then a friend from school sent me an encouraging text message:

Eph. 3:20 – “Faith without works is dead.” Sometimes our works should simply be letting go!! God will take care of it no matter what the ‘it’ is… and He MOST DEFINITELY doesn’t need our help! All He needs is our surrender; to His perfect will and purpose for our lives. Only then can He work in you, for you and through you. 

So! Like Nike, “Just do it!” Surrender and Trust Him… #ThatIsAll!

Fear Not...

Practice makes perfect right? If at first you don't succeed, try and try again! I have to remind myself that this applies in my spiritual walk as well. Most of the time I may not 'feel' God but I 'know' He's there because His word says so and He is not a liar! 

            Continuing with the theme of Obedience, I’m coming to realize that two things are at the root of being disobedient; fear or rebellion. That’s it. All the excuses we can come up with for not doing as we know we should falls under these two categories UNLESS you really don’t know any better and grace and mercy have got that covered.

I’d like to go even as far as saying that rebellion falls under fear too. No matter the circumstance(s), I really believe that being afraid of what it may mean for there to be a ‘Higher Power’ that is in control as opposed to you being in control of your life is scary to most people… even for some declared Christians.  

            But thanks be to God’s because in His presence is fullness of joy (Psa. 16:11), and the joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh. 8:10) because He is our refuge and fortress (Psa. 91:2). All He asks is for us to trust Him with all our hearts (Prov. 3:5) and He can AND will help us overcome our fears!

Simply meditate on His simple request and promise to:“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” Isaiah 41:10.

Then take a stand and declare that: “I will fear NOTHING because NOTHING is greater than my God. #30WordsBook” (by Jarrid Wilson)

Vulnerabilities

                I have a hard time being vulnerable with just anyone. With my sisters, biological and not, I can pretty much lay my heart out in the open but not with/to a stranger or a mere acquaintance. How many agree with that? But see, therein lies the problem: the Word says that we overcome “by the blood of the Lamb and the word of [our] testimony” Rev. 12:11.  I got the “blood of the Lamb” part down pat (with the help of the Holy Ghost off course)! I have believed and received the Lord Jesus Christ into my life as my personal Savior but umm… do I REALLY have to share what You’ve brought me out of Lord? Are You sure???

              

                True story: so I’m doing my daily devotional just a few minutes ago using Jarrid Wilson’s book 30 Words: A Devotional for the Rest of Us (only $3.99 on Amazon.com and sooooooooooo worth it). The challenge of the day was to HONESTLY list three sins that I am currently struggling with AND… this is the clincher right here, AND share it with someone close with whom we can pray together about gaining freedom in these areas. Can we say instant PANIC ATTACK! So what you’re saying is I have to be open with someone else while I can barely be open with myself? Hmm….

                Oh, but that’s not it!!! What was my first post on? OBEDIENCE!!!!  Doing what God says WHEN He says it. Yup, I’m right there between ‘Rock Street’ and ‘Hard Place’; I had to do it come rain or high water. But then who am I really calling at this hour? No one! The Lord sent me here. Yup, to more than one person… God got jokes!

 My close circle already, to an extent, know my testimony and therefore do not need it. It is those people who do not know about Jesus; those who are going through EXACTLY what God brought me AND you out of that need to hear about the victory we have in Jesus Christ, that can also become their reality! It is also for those who know Jesus but STILL they struggle in a particular area of their Christian journey. I had to ask myself why I feel I’m too good to talk about my dirt that I wasn’t too good to do in the first place. #RealityCheck.

 Isn’t it sad that we are more ashamed of what people will think of us than what God will think? No I won’t go into the whole “He has a hell to put you in but man doesn’t” shpiel because we already know that and yet here we still stand in this predicament.

So what does this mean for you and me? Simply put, we need to start talking… being open with one another. You don’t have to force it to happen, but don’t shy away from the opportunity to share a vulnerable piece of you when it arises. You never know whom it may bless. And if we can’t be open with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ then who can we be open with? We have to put the mantra “be the change you want to see in this world” to work, especially in our churches.

“Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne” Heb. 12:2. Jesus saw the bigger picture. Did it hurt Him? YES (You try wearing a crown of thorns and see how it feels - Mark 15:17). Did he want to avoid it? Yes (Luke 22:42). But the end was greater than the means; our salvation was worth His suffering and pain. And in this day and age, His lost sheep’s salvation is worth OUR brief suffering too. Since to be like Christ is to suffer like Him, let me start us off then:

1.       Impure thoughts

2.       Lying

3.       Procrastination

What are your big three? (No you don’t have to list them so breathe easy).

Automatically I wanted to justify my sins and you may too but don’t fall for that trick of the enemy! Simply acknowledge them, confess them, repent and FORGET!!! God will too… just as soon as you say amen!

For “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Count your Blessings…

Name them one by one. I really love that phrase! I’ve used it countless times in conversation, on Facebook statuses, etc. But I think I failed to grasp the significance of exactly what I was saying. Picture it. How long would it take you to LITERALLY count and name your blessings? One hour? One day? One month? One year? Five? Ten? Even longer?

It’s a new year and new years signify new beginnings! I try not to come up with resolutions per say but a theme or two that can carry me through the next twelve months. One of them is Gratitude. If you’re like me, then you can relate to being able to make petitions in prayer 24/7 for everyone and everything around you. But I can’t say the same for praise and thanksgiving.

The Bible sates: “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thes. 5:18 (NLT).

Soooooo... in trying to practice being grateful, I started a “memory/ thank-You box.” A jar can work too, but each and every day I have to write something I am grateful for that took place or that I thought of that day and drop it in the box. Big or small, I MUST write something. By small I mean “thank you Lord for that last seat on the bus cuz I was wearing stilettos… AMEN!” I know you are laughing but imagine the agony I would’ve been in standing for 45 minutes; possibly longer in traffic, and still having the rest of the day to endure!! Nothing is too big or small for God, He did say “…ALL circumstance,” right?

Anyway, I’m only a week in and I am finding myself appreciating so many more little things and struggling over which to write down and which to skip… Yes, I still thank God in prayer for the skipped ones (just in case you were wondering). I can’t wait to see how full the box gets by the end of the year. Maybe I’ll have two boxes… or more! (Check back in December :P)

How many boxes/jars will YOU have?

Delayed Obedience

“Delayed obedience still equals disobedience.”

            That’s the best way to describe what I have been doing lately with regard to starting this blog; being disobedient by procrastinating. I have been searching; Youtube, Blog after blog, Google-ing, Bing-ing, Yahoo-ing… for a Christian inspirational channel or blog that I connected with. Yet I never took the time to listen to that still little voice telling me to start my own… hmm.

So, now I’m listening. Not only that, now I’m obeying. For to love God is to obey His commands (John 14:15). I have no clue how to proceed but I know He shall direct my path. “For God has not given [ME] a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7). Therefore I will embark on this journey and follow Him as He leads me throughout this year and beyond.

Follow me as I follow Him.