Moving Forward…

What has God asked us to do but we declined and let fear paralyze our faith?

How many times has God position us to succeed and opened doors but we just sat there?

Sometimes we may find ourselves just sitting in neutral when God is ready for us to move. We are not moving forward in life and even risk being able to be pushed backwards by the enemy through negative thoughts, a negative tongue and fear. We can’t let our God given opportunities pass us by.

Personal Change is so important to succeed. Let’s change the way we think. God is BIG, so lets think BIG. It’s not cool putting God in a box. Let’s become more positive thinkers. Let’s speak life into ourselves and others. The bible says there is power in the tongue. Let’s step out of our comfort zones. Comfort zones will lock our doors of opportunity for growth.

With God being the head of our lives and through discipline, hard-work, love and faith we can change. Change can be a wonderful gift. Change can make a positive difference in our lives! I know I have some things I can change.

Let’s move forward in life! What will you change today?

Peace!

Outcast

Have you ever let a person’s outer appearance determine whether or not you speak or love on them? As sad as it may seem, I know I have been guilty of this and God dealt with me big time on it. I’ve even said to God at times “there are some crazy people out there and I don’t want to get caught up in any mess.” It was like I was trying to find any little reason to back out of stuff. I do believe God gives us wisdom and the Holy Spirit will compel us to approach those that are in need. But sometimes God may make us do something out of the ordinary. 

In todays society there are so many people dealing with AIDS, addictions, prostitution, colts and all sorts of other problems. It is sad to know that some people, even believers have rejected these people. 

In Mark 1:40-41 it reads; A man with a skin desease came to Jesus. He fell to his knees and begged Jesus, “You can heal me if you will.” Jesus felt sorry for the man so he reached out his hand and touched him and said, “I will. Be healed.” NCV

A simple touched from Jesus made a world of a difference in that man’s life. Jesus was not concerned by the man’s apperance, character, sickness or anything. He just saw a man in need who was depending and believing in Him. 

We have the opportunity to make a huge difference in our community if not the world! But as Jesus did, to make a differnce we have to be willing to be different and do things that may take us out of our comfort zone. Let’s be filled with the same compassion Jesus had. We have to do things with the love of God. Without God’s love we are nothing (1 Corinthians 13: 1-2).

Let’s Love everybody and not shy away from those in need!

Peace!

Random

Some of the things Ripka talks about in his book, “God Out of The Box” definitely parallels to some things I’ve gone through and am currently going through; especially patience and being obedient. God will not just give us patience or obedience but he will create opportunities for us to face the situations and learn to develop these characteristics in our lives. That can be a challenge.

Sometimes I also struggle with making decisions. I can be very indecisive at times. I also like things to be in order and all mapped out. When it seems like things are off course or going in a totally different direction my mind can get all jacked up. That’s why it’s so important to just stay focused on God and the word. Applying these principles will always bring clarity to what God is directing anyone to do. In Proberbs 3: 5-6 it reads, ” Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. We just have to let go and let God do His thing.

Ripka also mentions in his book that when God opens a door it is our job to walk through it. God knows the correct path for our lives. He knows which doors to open and which doors needed to be closed. Ask, Seek, Knock — Matthew 7:7 says “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

I am learning that following the Lord’s path can sometimes take me to a place I’ve never expected or imagined. It can also force me out of my comfort zone. Being uncomfortable doing things for God is one way to know I am growing in Him and that God is trying to do something fresh in my life. It also allows me to put my faith into action like never before.

As long as we follow God, we can never go wrong.

Thursday Night

The service tonight at Embrace was off the chain. Pastor John R. preached an incredible message tonight. If you didn’t make it out tonight you missed an awesome service. From praise and worship to the word God delivered, the night was truly amazing. Pastor John has been preaching a series on transformers and finally tonight, the young adults were able to experience the teaching.

He spoke on how we have the power to transform. Here is a very brief run-down.

1. Getting Plugged in: How do we get plugged in? Prayer, The Word, Resisting Temptation, Being Obedient.

2. Understanding the Power: God has given us access to the same power He used to raise Jesus. (Ephesians 1:19-20): and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms. The enemy is after us because he know that we have the ability to destroy him.

3. Flipping the Switch: We have to follow God’s will for us. Some of us have been Christians for a long time and we stay in our word, we pray, we have an understanding of the power but we remain closed.

I pray that God will allow us all to realize our value in Christ. Through Christ, we have the power to make a difference. Let’s put it into action!

Thanks Pastor John!

Peace!

Out Reach!

What an incredible day so far! Today the Shine Team and many other volunteers gathered together in the Calvary Gymnaisum. We were celebrating the Back to School Bash! Hundreds of kids were bused in from different neighborhoods. As they made their entrance into the gym, they were welcomed with cheers, screams, and excitement from the Shine Team and Leaders. This particular Outreach event gives kids the opportunity to come to know God if they don’t already have a relationship with Him. The event is full of Praise and Worship, Games, Dancing and just lots of fun with jesus. At the end of the service the kids are equipped with backpacks and supplies and most importantly, Jesus Christ. What an awesome way to start off the school year. This event gets Larger and Larger every year. God is so awesome!

Shout out to Pastor Jennifer and everyone who was involved!

Peace!

We Are Rising Up…

Check out Embrace!

Laughter

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Laughter is one of the great gifts God has given us. We often take life and things way too serious. Truth of the matter is, there is a time to be serious and a time to Just have fun but I just wanted to encourage everyone to be happy and laugh a little. Even in our difficult times we must rejoice in the Lord always. Don’t let the daily stresses of life take your joy.

The joy of the Lord is our strength!

Peace!

overcoming

We all know that the enemy is out to destroy us and our destiny. The last thing he wants us to do is to go to a higher place in God. He will boldly lie to us. He will temp us. He will cause fear and try to rip apart our passions. He will try to convince us to just be comfortable where we are in life or to even step back a little bit, because we have so many responsibilities. Sometimes the enemy’s approach is not always so evident. It can be a slow and steady process, like carbon monoxide. It seeps into our bloodstream, and before we know it, we are asleep and now numb to God.

Jesus will always give us the grace to make the right choices in life. We may be hurting or discouraged, but His hand is always available and reaching out to us, to guide us through the difficult times. We just have to stay focused and keep our eyes on Christ by spending more time with Him.

If you are reading this and are struggling with any issues whether past or present, be encouraged that there is nothing too difficult for God. In the pass, there are some things that the mercy and grace of God has broken from my own life. We can not let sin distract us from the amazing plans God has for us. In Christ, we have the power to change.

Scriptures that have encourged me…

Luke 1:37: For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.

Romans 8:37: Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.

1 John 4:4: You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Isaiah 54:17: No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Be encouraged!