GOD's LOVE

We are all familiar with the infamous Poem entitled "Footprints" written by Mary Stevenson, Margaret Fishback Powers, and Carolyn Carty.  I believe it's safe to say that when we all heard it for the 1st time and appreciate the point, it touched us all.  So I figured I'd bring in their concept along with my own.

I was out at the beach with one of my best friends taking some shots and it was Beautiful.  Ronnie was in front of me as we were heading to the shoreline to grasp a better shot of the Sunset.  As he continued to walk in front of me, I noticed his footprints in front of me and I immediately thought of the poem "Footprints".  I then began to think of GOD's LOVE.  So you ask... "How did looking at a bunch of Footprints make you think of GOD's LOVE?"

The very last line in the original poem of "Footprints" is... "The LORD replied, my precious, my precious, precious child.  I LOVE you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you".  That very statement displays so much of GOD's LOVE in so many ways.  Though I am completely aware that it is GOD that carry's us so many times in our moments of trials but then I thought to myself... GOD also walks with us directly and indirectly.

Ephesians 4:2-3

Always be humble and gentle.  Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your LOVE.  Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.  

When I took this picture it made me realize how thankful I am for my best friends and family.  That during my moments of failures or when I struggled with anything, not only was GOD himself carrying me and walking with me but other times, it was the people he put in my life that walked with me and carried me as well as an extension of his direct hand.  Anytime I've confessed and told my family and best friends about any of my struggles, every single one of them respond similarly with an attitude of NEVER judging me yet, pushing, supporting and motivating me to do better and holding me accountable for my actions from a place of LOVE just like our Heavenly Father.  

Romans 8:35

Can anything ever separate us from Christ's LOVE?  Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

How many times have you wondered... "I'm not good enough for GOD".  Or that, Salvation is for everyone else but you?  For it is Satan, NOT GOD whom accuses us.  We should NEVER use suffering as an excuse to drive us away from GOD but help us to identify with him and allow his LOVE into our hearts so it can heal us.  Romans 8:31-39 contain one of the most comforting promising scriptures in the book.  Being a believer in Christ, we face many forms of hardship from persecution, illness, imprisonment, and even death.  Things such as these can cause us to fear that we may have been abandoned by Christ.

Romans 8:37-38

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who LOVED us.  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from GOD's LOVE.  Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from GOD's LOVE.  

For when I look back in some of my Journeys, I end up seeing two or three set of Footprints, and none of them are mine.  For it is GOD himself along with the wonderful people he has put in my life that carry's me through the storm.  In Christ, we are super-conquerors, and his LOVE will protect us from the Powers of the Unseen Forces.  

GOD is LOVE

Trapped = Freedom

I have been back home for the past 3 weeks now and it has been amazing. So blessed to be back with fam and majority of my best friends.  I have truly been taking the little time I have here left to spend it all with them.  But during this time, I must admit, I have NOT been having the necessary individual personal devotion time I usually do have with my Heavenly Father.

Now, I definitely don't feel like I'm at my most spiritual low. Not at all, but I know I'm not at my highest (I say this in complete confidence because I have been better in my walk in Christ).  I have come to realize that sometimes during our time off, you would think because we have much more time on our hands, it gives us much more time to get closer to GOD.  On the other hand recently, I have fell on the other end of the stick. I have come to realize that though you may have all this free time, you have to much of it you don't know what to do with it instead of sticking to a usual set schedule.

Psalm 9:16

The Lord is known for his justice.

The wicked are TRAPPED by their own deeds.

It almost feels like as if your behind a closed door with no way out.  You feel because you've done so much for months or even years at a time that when you get a little break, you take to much of one.  I'm all for resting and gathering your thoughts together in order to recover so when the time is right, we can better serve for the Kingdom of GOD but at no point in time, should we use it as an excuse to not continuously grow in him.  So why is that at times we feel so TRAPPED with no other option?

Growing in the Kingdom can feel like a staircase.  We have our moments where we feel victorious and climbing our way to the top and at other times, we feel we spiral straight down to the bottom behind closed bars.  Yes... it is true that someone gets TRAPPED but allow GOD to encourage you to tell you that it is NOT YOU.  

Proverbs 12:13

The wicked are TRAPPED by their own words.

but the GODLY escape such trouble.

For Evil people and servants of the enemy twist the facts to support their claims.  Those who do this will eventually be TRAPPED by their own lies.  Not to be extreme but sometimes it's not necessarily "Evil People" but  even people we may serve in the Church with, family or friends may feed us lies in order to get us to a place where we can feel less than in order for us to bend to their will and do what it is they want us to do.  

2 Corinthians 3:16 - 18

But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.  For the LORD is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is FREEDOM. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the LORD.  And the LORD who is the Spirit makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.  

Ephesians 1:6-7

So we praise GOD for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.  He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our FREEDOM with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.  He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.  

We are FREE to roam the streets in which GOD has a plan for us where we can prosper and gives us a HOPE.  Though I have been blessed with parents whom speak positivity into my life, they both come from divorced families where they DID NOT have the greatest relationship with their father.  It is because of that very experience, they know what to NOT do.  They made a conscious decision in spite of what they may have lacked, to not be a victim and feel TRAPPED as if there was no HOPE to have something far greater.  And as an Individual, though I have had a positive influence, I CHOOSE to think of myself with much confidence because I am a child of the most high GOD.  Not because of what I have done because I am NOT saved by DOING good works, but AM saved BY good works.  And that's the blood of Jesus Christ.  

Though I may fall, though I may struggle in continuously growing in him, I'm not TRAPPED, I am FREE.  For I am NOT the same person I was last year or even 6 months ago.  This is to not at any point in time to belittle SIN or say it's ok when we know it's not.  This is to say we can not let our SIN be a reason on why we stunt our spiritual growth in Christ.  This is to say irrelevant to what the Nay Sayers have told us, we have the ability to make a conscious decision to choose to believe the words of the "Wicked" or what GOD has to say.  

1 Peter 2:15-16

It is GOD's will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.  For you are FREE, you are GOD's slaves, so don't use your FREEDOM as an excuse to do evil.  Respect everyone, and LOVE your Christian brothers and sister.  Fear GOD, and respect the King.

GOD is LOVE

Lifetime Resolution

Well... it's a brand new year.  Many times, we are thankful for a new day which is definitely something to not be taken for granted but to make it through a whole other year? Is more than a blessing.  When ringing in the new year, many of us want to have a New Year Resolution.  We start the New Year with different goals and try to have a certain mindset when in actuality, it should be more than just a New Year "Resolution" but should be... a "Lifetime" Resolution.

Last year I attended Winter Camp with my Church back home in the Bay Area at Lake Tahoe and it was more than what I bargained for.  I would like to share with you what I learned as I entered the new year at this time last year.

Our weekend verse was...

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of GOD's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to GOD - this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what GOD's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will

Are you going to let your past effect your future? Are you ready for change?

D - DISABLES OUR FEELINGS

E - ENERGY THAT IS LOST (Worrying about the past and NOT Thinking about the future, can ruin the plan GOD has for you)

N - NEGATES GROWTH

I - ISOLATES US FROM GOD

A - ALIENATES US FROM OTHERS

L - LENGTHENS THE PAIN

DENIAL is the very thing that extends our pain however, the Revealing of Feeling is the Beginning of Healing.

Ephesians 4:25-27

So STOP telling lies.  Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.  And "don't sin by letting anger control you."  Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Throughout the weekend, not only were we ministered to by receiving great words of wisdom, but we did many exercises in which got us to really see us the way GOD sees us.  We did whats called a 5 word Story and Pastor Lem asked us to write 5 things down in which we really felt about ourselves in the eyes of GOD.  My words were... Unworthy, Screw Up, Scared, Sinful and Idiot.

In Romans 12, there are only two types of formation.  You decide whether you are being Conformed or Transformed. Translation: You choose whether you want to like JESUS, or Not.  You can be conformed by the external forces of the World, OR you can be transformed by the Holy Spirit with the renewing of your mind.

At the end of the weekend, we did another 5 word story except... we were to give our book to 5 other people and they were to write 5 positive things they saw in you.  I looked back in my book and my friends wrote... Compassionate, Gifted, Talented, Loving, Humble, Encouraging, Strong and Humorous.   I can honestly say, I had no idea that the same people I look up to in all ways of life, saw that in me.  My eyes began to water because I didn't see myself as many of the things they labeled me as.

1st John 4:18

Such LOVE has no FEAR, because perfect LOVE expels all fear.  If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have NOT fully experienced his perfect LOVE

Notice in this picture, on the left side, it's more dark and cloudy where as the other side, it more clear and bright.  Like this picture, there is a pattern to a transformed mind.  After every storm, the sun always comes out.  Being a child of GOD, you can overcome the world... because of LOVE.  For the Inner voice of a transformed mind is KNOWING that GOD says "You are my beLOVEd".  I write and share all this with you today to say that though what I learned took place around this time last year, it still rest fully in my heart.  That what I learned and what I use to beat myself up for, I did not want it to be just a New Years Resolution, but a Lifetime Resolution.  So know and be encouraged that all you've been through doesn't have to be just for the year of 2011, it can be for the rest of your life.  

GOD is LOVE 

Perspective

2010 has been a TRIP! If you rewind the clock all the way to January 1st, 2010 and look at where everything is now? Wow! This has been an extremely blessed year.  Of course, nothing is always perfect but I have witnessed so much growth this past year. Not just in myself but in others as well.

2010 was the year where I realized how broken I am without Christ

2010 was the year where I realized that I was given one of the hardest positions in my ROTC Program

2010 was the year where I realized that some of my family members struggled with health issues

2010 was the year where my Uncle passed away due to Muscular Dystrophy

(He was Paralyzed from the Neck Down)

2010 was the year I planned to take a trip outside the country and didn't due to my Financial Situation

2010 was the year where my sister struggled to apply for nursing school

2010 was the year where one of my best friends felt unappreciated

2010 was the year where one of my best friends struggled bonding with his family

2010 was the year where I constantly prayed to do my passion and didn't see anything come to past

2010 was the year where I didn't know if I would graduate because of issues with my classes

One thing I've come to realize in life is that we don't have control over EVERYTHING that happens to us in life. We can control MANY things but not EVERYTHING and when things don't go our way, like what you see below, it's all in your PERSPECTIVE.

2 Corinthians 5:17

This mean that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.  

The old life is gone; a new life has begun.

It's so easy to look at things sideways and because of our PERSPECTIVE, things can be worse than what they really are.  This is NOT to ever under any circumstances belittle anyones situation or circumstance but I ask you this... What are you Magnifying?  

2010 was the year I realized how COMPLETE I am in Christ

2010 was the year I realized because of my leadership position in ROTC, I grew as a Leader for when I lead as an Officer in the United States Army

2010 was the year I realized that while my family members struggled with their health, they still maintained their Joy

2010 was the year that after my Uncle passed, many continue to do their passion because of my Uncles encouragement, influence and positive attitude he remained regardless of what he didn't have.

2010 was the year I ended up taking a trip to Las Vegas, stayed in one of the finest hotels on the strip to witness the very best of Hip Hop Crews from all over the World under one roof Compete

2010 was the year my sister not only got accepted into Nursing School but just completed her 1st semester pulling off a 3.6 GPA

2010 was the year where one of my best friends knew she was appreciated because of GOD's direct LOVE and in addition, the LOVE she receives from her family and friends.

2010 was the year where one of my best friends spent a full Thanksgiving Meal and Christmas for the 1st time in years with his family

2010 was the year where not only did I do my passion for the one I LOVE most, but grew as a dancer myself by participating in two Dance Performances in which one of them included "tWitch" from "So You Think You Can Dance/Step Up 3" with my Church Fam.

2010 was the year where I not only graduated, but commissioned as an Officer in the U.S. ARMY

I say this to say, all of what you read is true, the good and the bad.  Though it is unfortunate I endured some of the things I went through, the positive that happened definitely out weights the negative.  We can't change what's happened in the past; We can't change how people will act in certain situations; And We can't change what ever unfortunate thing may come that we have no control over but... we CAN change... 

our PERSPECTIVE.  

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, "says the LORD."  They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a HOPE.

Like looking at a bug through a Magnifying Glass, the subject looks larger through the lens.  The size of the object itself is not changing, but the Magnifying Glass gives it the APPEARANCE that it's bigger than what it really is.  I thought to myself... how many times in life do we blow things out of proportion and make things bigger than what they really are?  When we magnify GOD, Our PERSPECTIVE of our Heavenly Father is Bigger than what it really is.  The Beautiful thing about Magnifying GOD though, is that... he really is bigger than what we think he is.  There has been some downs this past year but 2010 has been nothing but a RIDICULOUS, PHENOMENAL, OVERWHELMING BLESSING!  So I ask you... 

Are you Magnifying your Situation, Or Magnifying your GOD?  

GOD is LOVE

The Source

Last night I wanted to have personal time with Christ.  Many times when I do devotion, I look over my notes from Church, write in my personal Journal and then read a book from Christian Authors such as "Every Man's Battle, Every Woman's Battle, The Dream Giver, Boy Meets Girl, Battlefield of the Mind etc" I am currently reading "Life without Limits" and it is very inspiring and encouraging.  However as I wanted to have my personal time with the Lord, I could not find my book. I began searching my room, my suitcase, living-room, my parents car, I began to look everywhere I could think of and could not find it. I began to get a little frustrated because I was really eager to read more of the book and see what I could learn from the author.  It then occurred to me that sometimes I get so wrapped up in reading books of Christian Authors, I tend to pull away from the very SOURCE that even gives Christian Authors the proper information they use to express their words.  It has, is and will continue to be known as "The Bible".

I remember going to Bible Study at my church which was preached by Pastor Marcos Witt and he entitled his sermon "Why is the Bible so Powerful?" It was amazing and really motivates you as a child of GOD to really know the importance, the history and the power of the Bible.  Much of what will be said comes from what I learned that very night.

Psalm 119 is the longest book in the Bible and it speaks about the Bible. 

Psalm 119 vs...

9 How can a young person stay pure?

By obeying your word

11 I have hidden your word in my heart,

that I might not sin against you.

24 Your laws please me;

they give me wise advice

54 Your decrees have been the theme of my songs

where I have lived.

66 I believe in your commands;

now teach me good judgement and knowledge.

74 May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy,

for I have put my hope in your word.

80 May I be blameless in keeping your decrees;

then I will never be ashamed.

98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies

for they are my constant guide

104 Your commandments give me understanding;

no wonder I hate every false way of life

105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet

and a light for my path.

165 Those who love your instructions have great peace

and do not stumble

The Bible is the most sold, quoted and proven book in the History of mankind.  To us (followers in Christ), its the living, breathing and very word of GOD.  It's powerful because it testifies to its own power.  The proof of content and continuity proves its very worth.  Knowing that the Bible was written in over 3 languages, different continents from Palaces to even Prisons and that thousands of manuscripts have been found and compared to match verbatim takes Coordination.  And only DIVINE Coordination can pull that off.  The Bible is POWERFUL and part of that proof is our Testimony.  Just as we endure trials and have our seasons of being in the valley, we overcome by the blood of the lamb and the words of our testimony.  

GOD's word is true and wonderful and our SOURCE.  Stay true to GOD and his word no matter how bad the world becomes.  Obedience to GOD's law is the only way to achieve real happiness.  Everyday across the entire world in all nations, people transform completely because of the power that comes from scripture.  There is nothing wrong with reading books from pastors at all.  If anything, I believe that is an excellent way to continue to grow in Christ.  It is key to not forget the very thing that fuels the other books that we do read and come back to the SOURCE.  For the TRUTH will set YOU free.

GOD is LOVE

Redeemed

I currently struggle with an issue.  Something that holds people back from fulfilling GOD's overall purpose. I still hold some mistakes I have made recently this past semester when knowing the person I have wronged has forgiven me, my best friends and family whom I've confided in has forgiven me and most of all, knowing GOD has forgiven me so I ask this... Why haven't I forgiven myself?  To put it simply, it's guilt.

Guilt:  A feeling of having done wrong or failed in an obligation

That's the very feeling I have or... had.

I spoke to my dad just now on what has been weighing on my heart and it was that very thing I am speaking of right now.  For I know that if I don't forgive myself, I am short changing and putting limits on GOD already because I have not surrendered myself fully to his will.

Psalm 32:5

Finally, I confessed all my sins to you

and stopped trying to hide my guilt.

I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the Lord."

And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

By confessing my sin, I am admitting my mistake and admitting my imperfection and acknowleding the very fact that he is right and the only one worthy to judge me of my wrong sinful desire I crave so much.  That in order for me to follow GOD, by me confessing my sin, I am against the very action I just committed.  

Romans 3:25-26

For GOD presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin.  People are made right with GOD when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood (on the Cross).  This sacrifice shows that GOD was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time.  GOD did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

A song by Hillsong really convicted me and it's entitled... "We the REDEEMED"  

There is nothing like Your LOVE

No exchange for all You gave

To be welcomed into life

So I can know the LOVE that saves

Now forever to be LOVED

To walk with You for all my days

There's no greater LOVE than this

You are the Author and the Way

This is the sound of the REDEEMED

Rising up to praise the King

Our HOPE is in You

This is the sound of the REDEEMED

Rising up to praise the King

Singing Glorious Glorious One You have saved us

Honor and Power and Praise to the Savior

You are the Answer You are the Answer

You come with power come with fire

As we lift Your name on high

And join with all the saints to sing

In Bringing Honor to the King

We the REDEEMED

Hear us singing

You are HOLY

You are HOLY

Isaiah 35:9

Lions will not lurk along its course,

nor any other ferocious beasts.

There will be no other dangers.

Only the REDEEMED will walk on it.

The thing about being REDEEMED, it is not something we earn but simply given by our Heavenly Father whom sent us his one and only son.  And by choosing to believe that Jesus is THE Way, THE Truth and THE Light and that he died for the sake of mankind, and are assured in knowing the LORD rose Jesus from the dead, GOD counts us as righteous.  

Me not forgiving myself is a weapon the enemy uses against me because he know's that once I find the courage and will to overcome my disappointment, I become a threat.  That the very moment I realize my chains are broken, and that I am forgiven and have been given another chance, I can worship GOD freely as I was born and created to do, I can and WILL do damage.  Me not forgiving myself is just as bad as me not forgiving someone else.  For if someone did me wrong, I'm not forgiving for their sake, I'm forgiving for my own and that as a follower in Christ, I am to do so as he does.  I want to be restored so it's about time that I get on GOD's payroll.  For forgiveness is about not missing the very thing you need that may be a blessing.  And there is nothing more that the enemy LOVES than to see GOD's children miss their blessing because of lack of un-forgiveness.  So... I'm done!  Done with feeling sorry for myself and putting on the vibe of me being a victim and not feeling worthy enough for anything or anyone.  And truth is... though I'm truly not worthy for any of the many great things GOD already blesses me with, I just accept it and thank him for it.  I know it's nothing that we have done, but out of the grace, mercy and LOVE our Heavenly Father already holds for us.  And it is THAT, which gives me the ability to forgive myself and know, that I am REDEEMED.  

GOD is LOVE      

Focus + Discipline = Peace

Many times in life, we come across something that we want.  Something we desire and feel is of great importance of our life and that if we don't have it, we will miss out on the best thing that may be going for us.  So in the mean time, what do we do if we don't get what we want?

Now believe me, I am definitely a person whom believes in receiving a blessing from GOD and that if you ask, you shall receive BUT, everything has it's season.  Still maintain FAITH and HOPE that you can and will achieve whatever it is your heart desires (especially if it is GOD sent) but understand that with that vision, it may require patience.  And patience requires FOCUS and DISCIPLINE.

Matthew 6:33

Seek the Kingdom of GOD* above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 

FOCUS:  The center of interest or activity.

• The state or quality of having or producing clear visual definition
• Another term for FOCAL POINT
• An act of concentrating interest or activity on something

It's so easy to FOCUS on the very thing that's right in front of us.  At times we may get so caught up in what's near, we forget to look past the obvious when we need to be focusing on what appears to be distant.  And you may find out that what you thought was far, wasn't so distant in the 1st place.  Once you've established your focal point, you then DISCIPLINE yourself to stay on track of the very thing you want to grasp. 

DISCIPLINE:  Activity or experience that provides mental or physical training

Hebrews 12:5-6

... My Child, don't make light of the Lord's DISCIPLINE,

and don't give up when he corrects you.

For the Lord DISCIPLINEs those he LOVEs,

and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.

Praise GOD we serve a GOD whom will punish us to correct us for the betterment of his Kingdom.  For it is through punishment, correcting and training that we can and will learn what is right.  It's not always pleasant when corrected by GOD but by him DISCIPLINing us, it demonstrates proof of his LOVE.

  

Hebrews 12:11

No DISCIPLINE is enjoyable while it is happening-it's painful! But afterward there will be a PEACEful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.  

I don't know about you, but I want to live such a peaceful life.  I realize I have definitely had my moments where I knew what I wanted but what I wanted wasn't always in my best interest.  And maybe it is, but it may not be the right time.  I have to be patient enough to know when GOD is doing a work in me and continue to be FOCUSed and DISCIPLINEd on the only one thing that matters.  My Savior, My Refuge, My Redeemer, My King of Kings, My Lord of Lords and above all else, my Heavenly Father needs to be my main focus (hence to seek 1st the Kingdom of GOD).  To fill your thoughts with his desires, to take his character for your pattern, to serve and obey him in everything, to put GOD first in your life.  For HE IS the BEST thing going for us.

GOD is LOVE