Category: spiritual

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!

Wednesday Night

Pastor Troy you ROCK! Great message tonight. It is so true that the more we seek and follow God the more clear everything will get. Each day I realize more and more how important it is to ask God for his desires and not my own. You also hit home with me when you spoke about prayer. In dance rehearsal last week we were discussing how it is important for us to listen to God when we pray. Understanding that Prayer is communicating with God not just to God.

Thanks!

Laughter

smile.jpg

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!

More than Just Noise

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if i have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13: 1-2

Today when I arrived home from dance rehearsal, I was just thinking about the how talented people are in the world. From athletes to artist, singers, actors and of course, the dance crew “HYPE” 🙂 There are so many talented people out there, but it is so much more to it than just being a gifted individual. It is important for us to be filled with the love of God. To walk with a pure heart and mind. We can possess so many talents and be so great at what we do, but without God’s love, we are nothing.

God I thank you for the talents you have blessed me with. I pray that your love will continue to grow stronger in all of your children’s lives so that we will be much more than just a clanging cymbal.

What the Heck!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dance2.jpg

Man..! My boy Hok was eliminated last night on “So You think You Can Dance”. The judges were pretty much giving him a hard time throughout the entire season but it was America that was keeping him alive on the show by votes.

Well now the show begins the competition with the “Top Ten” and the heat is on! The judges will still critique the performers but now America has full control over who stays.

Make sure you vote for your favorite next week!

Be Blessed!

Have Fun!

Smile!

Laugh!

Reach Out!

Spend time with Jesus!

Spend time with Family!

Spend time with Friends!

and eat…eat…eat… this weekend!

One!