Perfect Faithfulness...

In Paul's letters to Timothy he truly encourages Timothy to keep strong, to be bold, to be faithful, despite the circumstances and suffering that he may have to endure. He also encouraged Timothy to not only carry the torch of truth, but to also invest in others, so that they may also one day serve in passing on Christ's doctrine and mission. God put this verse on my heart yesterday morning as a rememberance of the "Timothy's" in my life. "I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:5-7).

It really encouraged me to remain solid in the foundation that was set before me by my mother and before her, my grandmother. Those foundations are legacies that came from those before me. God reminded me to continue to "fan into the flames" the gifts he has given me; These past few weeks, have been a trying and difficult time for us; however, God constantly shows up and shows off. He has given us the strength, love, power, and discipline to continue standing strong in the faithful promises of Jesus.

He also reminded me that He always completes His promises. Like Isaiah these words ring true in my very heart, "O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done marvelous things, things planned long ago (Isaiah 25:1).

Lord especially in the midst of the storm, You are truly my foundation! For your son was sacrificied that I and all others may have life and life abundantly. I declare that no matter what attacks the enemy has planned against me that you will use them for my good, to perfect Your will in my life, and to sharpen the sword that you have given me. For even though, everyday, especially lately, life can be a struggle. I praise you and am reminded of your faithful promises.

God's Sovereignty...

Over the past several days I have dealt with headaches, neckaches, and tension in my body. The past couple of days it seems that I allowed myself to begin to focus on my circumstances and I permitted my thoughts to be consumed with the "what IF's, what are we going to do?, where do I begin?" All of these external circumstances that I focused on, began to overwhelm me and I felt as if my whole world seemed to be collapsing right in front of my eyes. I know that it may seem a bit extreme, but that seemed like my reality at the moment.

Oh how quickly we can get so wrapped up in our own little worlds and circumstances and soon forget that it is not us nor the world that dictate what shall happen over the affairs in our life, but it is our Sovereign God.
God used a friend of mine to remind me of that yesterday and this morning I read this scripture in my devotional.

In 1 Samuel 2:1 (New King James Version) it says, "And Hannah prayed and said:

“My heart rejoices in the LORD;
My horn is exalted in the LORD.
I smile at my enemies,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation."

When I read these words, they put a smile on my face and joy in my heart. They reminded me of what the true meaning of salvation was and what Jesus Christ sacrificed for me on the cross. It allowed me to be reminded of all of the blessings that the Lord has given me. These words brought forth the memories of all the things in life that I have to be thankful for. It gave me confidence in God's sovereignty over my life and reminded me to acknowledge His ultimate control over all things and all circumstances.

At times, when you are in the midst of a moment, it can be difficult to look outside of it, but reminded today of God's supreme control over your life. Ultimately, when we allow God to reign in our hearts, our minds, our thoughts, and our lives. We give him the power to bless us beyond our belief. He gives supernatural grace and blessings upon every circumstance and situation IF we allow Him into our lives. Praise God for all the good gifts in your life and acknowledge that He has you in the palm of His hand.

"supreme power"

Sweet Perfume.

Recently over the past several weeks I have been receiving an alternative treatment called Oxidative Therapy (e.g. Hydrogen Peroxide therapy). The treatment consists of being hooked up to an I.V. for about an hour or two depending upon the kind of day my veins want to have. In the I.V. there is a mixture of Hydrogen Peroxide, vitamins, minerals, and at the moment they have added a substance called DMSO(this is suppose to help heighten/exacerbate the effects of the treatments). This DMSO makes the body supposedly have a garlic-like smell quality, but those that have been around me soon after my treatment have mentioned that they can't quite describe what I really smell like. Regardless of what it is that I smell like...undeniably, it is a very unique smell. Somedays I resent the fact that I "smell" and that it seems at times that this whole cancer thing seems to take over my thoughts and at moments, I feel like it just takes over my life.
My devotional today lead me to think about what if this "fragrance" of mine, was that of my Savior...what if my "unique smell" was that of Jesus. This verse in 2 Corinthians 3:14, "But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume," made me think what if my life was always the "sweet perfume" of Jesus and everytime someone smelled that fragrance, it reminded them of Jesus.
My prayer is that no matter the times that I seem to be overwhelmed by life and all that it seems to entail. That I can be that "sweet fragrance" to those around me, to those that need to know who Jesus is and that when they look my way, they are able to smell His sweet love. At the end of the day, no matter what I smell like (LOL) I just pray that it honors God, that I reflect His image, and that it is evident that Jesus is at work in my life.
Lord, I pray that even in the times that we don't understand what or why things are happening, that we trust in you. Ultimately I am truly grateful that you know the beginning and the end. Thank you for holding me captive and leading me in Christ's triumphal procession. For it is your news that is the life-giving fragrance that we all need. I Love You Daddy. Thank you for using me to spread the news of who you truly are.

Grace.

Webster's dictionary describes grace as an unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification; a virtue coming from God; the quality or state of being considerate or thoughtful; disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency. Jim Burns, a Christian author, writes, " Grace is receiving something beneficial that we don't deserve." Ephesians 1: 6-8 says, "to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. (New International Version).

In the book of Ephesians, Paul explains the wonderful kindness ("glorious grace") that God poured out on us because we belong to his son. He explains how he purchased our freedom through the blood of Christ, along with that, our sins are forgiven. Scripture also says that "in accordance with the riches of God's grace" he lavished on us all wisdom and understanding.

Wow, when I truly meditate on this scripture, it makes me be more in awe of the God that I serve. God's grace and kindness on me some days is so overwhelming. I think to myself at times, "what, why, Lord? I don't deserve this grace that you have bestowed upon me." But He just reminds me and says, it is just because I love you! We can't earn God's love, He freely gives it...we can't earn salvation, for His son already paid the price for our freedom on the cross. Some days we just need to sit back and enjoy the grace that our God has given us.

As C.S. Lewis once said while at a conference of comparative religions (while experts from around the world debated what, if any, belief was unique to the Christian faith)..."Oh, that's easy. It's grace." It seems that only Christianity dares to make God's love unconditional. We (Christians) need not offer a way to earn approval...God freely gives us His grace. I have only begun recently reading a book on grace and it has made me think truly on how Christians (me included) have been given the gift of grace, yet we don't always portray that gift to others.

It makes me think...what would our world look like, if only we gave the gift of grace to the world around us. Give the gift of grace today to a co-worker (maybe they've had a rough morning and that is why they were rude to you), give they guy that just cut you off in traffic a break (maybe his mind is on his family that seems to be falling apart at the seams) or maybe just maybe you need that gift of grace today and have prayed to God for it. What better way to show God off than to gift that grace...so that your eyes will be open to the grace that God has given you today!

Pursue Me.

Focus on me. Seek Me. And you shall find me. These are the words that I have heard over and over and over the past few weeks.

I was reminded on Sunday by my pastor of how Jesus healed a woman of a bleeding disease that had plagued her for twelve years. She suffered for so long and spent everything she had to pay doctors to heal her, but she had gotten no better. She heard about Jesus and came up behind him to touch the fringe of his robe. She thought to herself "If I can just touch his clothing, I will be healed." Once she touched his clothing she was immediately healed. (See Mark 5:24-34 for the entire scripture verses)

Jesus said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. You have been healed." I will be truly honest with you...somedays I struggle and battle in my own mind and thoughts about my healing. Even though, truly in my heart of hearts...those words have already been spoken over me by my creator, my Father God, by Jesus himself.

I know that the lady that was healed was cured because of her faith. Her genuine faith involved action on her part. She had to fight her way through the crowd of people around Jesus and BELIEVE that once she touched the hem of his garment that she would be healed. This woman had to pursue Jesus, seek him, and then at last she was able to find him and be healed.I too have to continue to pursue God with all of my heart, my mind, my soul, and my strength. The days that I loose sight of what God has in store for me...I am reminded...seek me and you shall find me.

If our faith isn't put into action then it truly isn't faith at all. Like the woman in the scriptures we must seek and pursue Jesus fully so that we too can know what true "healing" is about.

If you are struggling with problems or fears today...know that Jesus is always ready to help. Don't allow your fears to keep you from approaching him. Pursue me...seek me...focus on me...and you shall know that I am God.

Salty Christians...

I saw this church marquee a few weeks back that said "Salty Christians" and then had a doctor somebody or others last name on it. I thought to myself...hmmm...I bet that'll be an interesting sermon to attend.

In Matthew 5: 13-16 scripture tells us, 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

I later began to perpend the idea of what the world would actually look like if all the Christians in the world actually became "salty." And then I further pondered...what about me? Why not start with just me? What would it look like if I just even remotely touched what it was to truly be "salty" and to be the "light of the world."

We are just like seasonings...if we have no flavor, then we seemingly have no value. If we don't make an effort to affect the world around us, then what value are we to God? If we hide our light, then how can we show others what Christ is like? We should shine so brightly to those around us that people sense that something or someone is missing around them. If we shine our light like a "city on a hilltop" glowing in the night for all to see, it is then that we can stand out as Christians in this world. It is then that we won't just blend into the crowd like everyone else. We should affect others positively, just as seasoning brings out the best flavor in food.

I pray that today you will let your light shine...for like a city on a mountain top...God wants your light to be seen for miles. Live like Christ speak out, be "salty," don't go along with the crowd, explain your light to others, and don't ignore the needs of those around you. As my bible foot notes read, "Be a beacon of truth--don't shut your light off from the rest of the world!"

Atomic Activation

It is a New Year! As my devotional this morning said, "It is time to leave the past behind. It is time to embrace the inheritance I have set aside for you from the foundations of this earth. Receive now a new supernatural impartation of My love and breathe in deeply the fresh wind of My Spirit. It is yours for the asking. It is yours for the taking. Run with the vision," says the Lord. "Run with the vision and never stop running."

I love that! "Run with the vision...Run with the vision and never stop running." That phrase just gets me so excited about all the things that God has in store for us this year!

It has been interesting to Aaron and I to watch how "different" the parking lot at the YMCA has looked over the past couple of weeks. It is more full than ever now! We came to the conclusion of..."Ah, New Year's resolutions being activated(imagine a lightbulb popping into our heads at that moment as to why there were so many cars and why it was that we couldn't park closer to the door...LOL...I have to laugh because we were concerned about having to walk further to our car, even though we were there to go work out)."

Many have made or will make resolutions at the beginning of this year to do this, or that and it seems like throughout the year, we lose the vision of what we have "cast" out there to do. I think many times we don't "soak" ourselves on a daily basis of the visions, goals, and/or resolutions that we have set out to accomplish. Many times we get stagnant and procrastinate, I suppose for many reasons whether that be due to our lack of vision, fear, hopelessness, or the feeling that we will never attain God's will for our life and the goals we have set before ourselves.

But the great part of all that is that you already have a vision! Proverbs 29:18 begins by saying, "Where there is no vision, the people perish..." Therefore, if you already have that vision, pat yourself on the back, you're halfway there...and if you don't, pray that God births one in you. Have something that motivates and atomically activates you this year to grow and move to the next level in life. God has called us to be a people of vision, power, might and love. Take on challenges that God sets forth in front of you. This will help move you to the next level. Remember to continually "soak" yourself in this vision. Write it down...make it visual for yourself...keep it in front of you! Ask God to help bring it to the forefront of your thoughts on a regular basis. Don't waste this year away...have faith and a new hope that you will accomplish your goals this year. Always remember what 1 Chronicles 28:20 says,"Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly."

God is always there for you...so when you are discouraged or feeling a lack of motivation...seek His face...He is there for you! Activate and RUN with the vision...Run and never stop running.

When words cannot express...

Two of my close friends' dads passed away during this Christmas break. One on Christmas day and the other New Year's Eve. You know to be honest with you, I really didn't have the words to express to them how much my heart went goes out to them. The Lord then spoke to me, "just be there [physically] for them." So as much as I have been able to, I have just tried to literally just be there. As much as I felt that I needed to say "the right words" or "do the right thing"...the only peace I had was when I was just there hanging out with them and surrounding them with God's love.

I love this verse, "So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance (Romans 8:26 Amplified version). It just reminds me that even in those moments when you don't have "the right words" to say or you just don't have words, God never leaves you alone, He sends the Holy Spirit to pray with and for you. And so sometimes allowing the Holy Spirit to intercede for you in harmony with God's will, allows your requests to be heard by the Lord and it allows God to work on your behalf.

One thing I have truly learned over the years is that as much as I thought I wanted to be isolated and alone at times of my life... God has shown me that, "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)."

These verses ring so true in my heart. God created and designed us for companionship, not isolation. He designed us to lean on one another, so that we may help each other up in our time of need. God designed you and I to be servants of one another...as Christ did for us.

Today, take time to think of a friend or two that may need you a word of encouragement, or for you "to just be there." Serve them by being what God designed you to be...a friend, a companion. And allow the Holy spirit to speak on your behalf in those times that you do not have the words to express.

Celebrating the True Reason for the Season...

It's Christmas Eve today and I read my last blog entry [about God being in control and us being here "for such a time as this"] and this morning I read my daily devotional [by Bonnie Chavda] and this is how it began, "Have you ever stopped to think about the scenes leading up to Jesus' birth in their very human terms? We often wrap the Christmas story in a halo-like glow of wonder and the comfort of knowing the end of the story! But in between the awe of angelic visitation, the shining star and the rich gifts from the Magi, there was an impossible promise, wagging tongues of a scandalized community, a confused fiance, heartbroken parents, a bony donkey's back and a very dirty stable. Mary's blessing came with a lot of contradictions! God's promises are often like that."

Some days it can be difficult for us to understand and wrap our head around the thought of, how even in the midst of difficult and trying situations, God has a plan...and in fact a PERFECT plan. I can't help but think, 'what if Mary hadn't accepted that she was having God's child?' and 'what would have happened if Joseph had dismissed the angel that came to him?' Well I praise God that those scenarios never came to pass for Mary and Joseph were placed "for such a time as this." God obviously perfectly planned who would be "the parents" of His son. Even though the scenario seemed imperfect in so many ways...God perfected it with the birth of His son. He perfectly chose those who would carry out His plan.

I love the fact that we can celebrate this Christmas season with such joy and peace because God's son was born! I pray that your focus this season is to remember the true reason we celebrate Christmas. Enjoy tomorrow by celebrating the birth of Christ.I pray peace, joy, and love over you and yours!

God is in Control...

yet we must act! It is difficult for us to understand sometimes how both can be true, yet they are. It is just like the story of Esther where God positions her in a place to be able to set her people (the Jews) free. At one point her uncle, Mordecai, comes to her and says, "14 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die. (Esther 4: 14-16)”

Esther had to act in order to be obedient to what God wanted her to do. In those times, if you approached the King, without him calling upon you, you could be sentenced to death. Esther risked her life to save her people and because of her faith in God [her faith that he would save her], He honored her by not only saving her people, but also by crowning her queen.

I think there are times in all of our lives where we come into situations that we would rather avoid instead of confront. It is in those times that we need to ask ourselves, "has God put me in this place, for such a time as this?" It could be situations in which we must face a hostile audience, confront a friend on a delicate subject, or even talk to family about changes that need to be made. It is in those moments, that you can choose to either obey God or run from Him. I have found in my life...that when God impressed upon me to do something and I haven't done it, He always finds a replacement to do what I never did. Those moments in your life, whether or not you know it at the time, can be the defining moments that God wants to use you to shine His light. It can be those moments in which could mean life or death to someone and you may not ever know it.

A friend of ours shared a story with us that really touched my heart. She spoke of her sister (lets call her Judy) who had passed away and how at her funeral a lady (lets call her Sue) told of how Judy had "saved" her life. Judy was part of a group that helped people with addictions. One night Judy stayed afterwards to welcome a newcomer (Sue) to the group. She spent time talking with her and asking about her situation, etc. Well Sue told how because Judy took time out to talk with her and get to know her...that she decided NOT to kill herself. It seems to me in those "defining" moments in life...we can be a light to those around us.

Remember today to take time to risk yourself, put yourself out there...especially in the difficult moments that you dread. Take action, step out in faith and be confident like Esther. Allow her inspiration to take you to a new level of obedience and faith! And always remember that God is in control and he may have place you where you are "for just such a time as this!"