At The Foot of The Cross

This past 2 weeks have been my problem. I've been giving in. Into the world. Into the evilness of this realm. I've been ignoring God, and living my own life. A life that I knew cannot be fulfilled by myself. I've been partying, hanging out with friends, playing football, basketball, all sorts. But throughout the day, I have a whisper in my head telling me to go pray. Telling me to go back. I've been running the other way. I can either love the world, or love God. I cannot choose both. Holidays are a such a temptation in doing my own stuff while it gives me the opportunity to spend more time with Him. I'm finally sick of it. Sick of just the temptations. I am blind. I cannot see. I cannot find this Joy. But I know I can if I be still and know that God is God. That He Is God. I guess, it'd be great if you'd pray for me to keep my daily devotion and walk with Christ throughout my life.


Fearing the battle was over
And I'd already lost the war,
I was tired of trying and failing.
I just couldn't fight anymore.
So, dragging my battle-scarred body,
I crawled to the foot of the cross.
And I sobbed. 'Oh please, Father forgive me.
But I tried...I tried.. and still lost.'
Then the air grew silent around me.
I heard his voice just as clear as the dawn:
'Oh, My child, though you are tired and weary,
You can't stop, you have to go on.'
At the foot of the Cross , where I met Him,
At the foot of the Cross, where He died,
I felt love, as I knelt in His presence .
I felt hope, as I looked in His eyes.
Then He gathered me lovingly to Him,
As around us God's light clearly shone.
And together we walked though my lifetime
To heal every wound I had known.
I found bits of my dreams, long forgotten ,
And pieces of my life on the floor.
But I watched as He tenderly blessed them,
And my life was worth living once more.
I knew then why I had been losing.
I knew why I had not grown.
At the foot of the Cross came the answer:
I'd been fighting the battle alone .
At the foot of the Cross, where I met Him,
At the foot of the Cross, where He died,
Then I knew I could face any challenge
Together--just my Lord and I.


www.inspirationalstories.com

Influence

Affection. Desires. Love. Happiness. Joy.
We want all these. We search and search and search. Through the relationships we have, through the friendships, and through the sinful acts & deeds we do. We look through the darkest corners of our lives, something that gives us pleasure for our own sake. Not for God.
I've seen some of friends fall away. I've seen some of the people I dislike, become one of my good friends.

People hate getting caught. They hate to admit they are sinning. They hate to say, "I'm wrong". We're too scared to tell them that they are doing something sinful. Too scared to tell them because you feel like you're going to lose them through the process.
But if you don't, they'll just fall. and fall. and fall away from God.


"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted."
                                                         ~Galations 6:1


We search for joy in the world. Even though we know you can't find it here. We know we can't find love in this world. Because this world is too full of sin. It gives me grief and burden to see my beloved friends just seeking for that joy. Knowing that they helped me grow spiritually. Knowing one of the people I used to look up too, fall. 
Will they accept my humble and gentle acts and bring them back to God? 
What if they ignore you, and you lose your friendship to them, one of your very best friends?
I guess it's time to mature and grow spiritually and grow. Grow into the roots, the very soils of His Word. Even if I lose them, I'll still pray for and love them no matter what.


If you see someone fall away, don't let it slide. I've done that a billion times in my life. And I regret it. Bring them back to God. Pray. Pray for them. 


Influence. Don't be Influenced.

Hush, Be Still.

I'm the book of Ruth now, and I have a long way to go until I finish the Bible. I've read the entire New Testament and I'm trying to finish the Old. Though I run into obstacles and trials of this world, I know that my God is my Healer. For the past week, I've been learning about praying. How praying is so important in our lives. Pray for this. Pray for that. We always praise God, but sometimes we forget to praise the Holy Spirit. God uses the Holy Spirit in us to speak to this world. It's the Holy Spirit He uses, not us. I've learned to pray, to read, to pray again, and read again throughout my day. I've learned that if our God is with us, who can be against us. I've learned that God is Good. And with all these things...
...I've finally found this Joy. I finally found happiness.


I love too pray, I wake up early in the morning with excitement, knowing that my day is going to start with God. Knowing that I can spend the beginning of my days with God.
The very God that split the seas apart. The God who spoke and came to be. The very God who said "Hush, Be still". And the seas and the storms calmed down. Even the rocks cry out to Him.  Who wouldn't want to spend time with this God? 


He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm
                                           ~Mark 4:39
Immanuel - God with us.
God is with us. He roams through this world, everywhere at once, hearing everything, feeling everything, loving everything He made. Because He said "And it was good".


Today in basketball, near the end, I couldn't find my keys. I looked and looked. While people were playing basketball, I was looking for it with some people. Finally, they started asking everyone if they saw a red lanyard with keys on it. To my complete surprise, basically everyone started looking for it. They looked everywhere for it. The restroom. The kitchen. The bags. The tables. Everywhere.
Eventually I found out I left it in my trunk, which was locked.


But that wasn't what it was about. It was about a group of people, who cared for me. Willingly giving up their time of basketball to help me look for it. I felt so loved. Loved by the people of our Church. Even though it was just a simple thing, knowing that these people care, warms my heart. Maybe having brothers and sisters in Christ is all you need. You don't need to hang out with the cool people. Or try to act cool so people will like you. You just need people who know who you are, accept you, and love you no matter what.


So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
                                                ~ Galatians 6:10

Prayer Flares

It's been a week since I last blogged, being so caught up in school, grades, homework, test, I have no time for extracurricular times for myself. 
Having an excessive amount of homework and test, workouts, sleep, my schedule has no time to fit in worship practice. I am leading worship this Friday, but since I've been so busy, I didn't have time to gather my team, my songs, and practice on Sunday. I decided my songs today, and even though everything feels like a rush, I'm not scared for this Friday. This time, I decided to do something different. My perspective on true worship, and why we have the Holy Spirit has changed over the couple of weeks. Realizing that God doesn't just use US, but the Holy Spirit within us, I decided to prepare my time of worship by praying.
Praying. Focused and Humbled. Placing everything I have, my desires, my pride, myself, to God. Asking that He will truly use the Holy Spirit in me, not me.
I have been praying in the mornings, waking up earlier and earlier so I can spend more time with Him. I feel like I'm beginning to find this Joy and Peace God provides. I wake myself up because I want to pray. I'm so eager, so excited to pray, to read His Word. His Holy Word. 
Rejoice through the sufferings. Rejoice through the pain. For I know my God is with me no matter what.



I am, still burdened and weary from school and stress. And I do ask that, you guys pray for me for this Friday, that I am lead with a passionate heart.


Still reading through the book of Judges, I read chapter 18, and this one verse, spoke to me.


The priest answered them, "Go in peace. Your journey has the LORD's approval."

~Judges 18:6

That made me smile. It gave me hope, that all that I have been praying for, for the past 1/2 year, God is listening. I've been praying about me going into ministry, doing missions, worship, becoming a youth pastor, anything. And even though I feel like my prayers have not been answered, I still continued to pray.
My discipler told me, that you just have to keep praying, and in the end, God will be glorified. Staying faithful when times are meek. Staying strong when hope is all lost. 


Though I have much too learn, much to see. Though I am immature. Though I am a sinner.
I know God awaits. I know God still loves. I know God still pushes me onward, telling me not to look to the left or right, but walk straight. Walking not by sight, but by faith.

Trust

I've been struggling with Trust, thinking I can go through this walk with Christ mostly by myself. But going through the Bible, I found this.

Proverbs 27:17
“As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”

Realizing that God gave me brothers and sisters for a reason, I ask, you guys, as a prayer request, that I'd be more open and trusting with my fellow peers.

Encouragram for All

A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was leaving the room after paying a visit, and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side." Very quietly the doctor said, "I don't know." "You don't know?" the man said. 

"You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"

The doctor was holding the handle of the door, on the other side of which came a sound of scratching and whining. As he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. 

Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear."

"I know little of what is on the other side of death," the doctor continued, "but I do know one thing: I know my Master is there, and that is enough. And when the door opens, I shall pass through with no fear, but with gladness."

Through the trails and changes, God's love never fails, nor His grace or promises.

So for all you reading this, including me - remember that Joy and Peace can be found through Him. I know I've fallen and strayed away for the past week, but I'm back up, on my feet walking with Christ again. We all fall away, stray away, looking left & right. But don't ever. EVER. forget what Christ has done. How HE became sin who knew NO SIN. How He tore that veil, so that we, us sinners, may live with Him eternally. 

KEEPING THAT PASSION FOR CHRIST.

KEEPING THAT FAITH.

THROUGH THE TRAILS AND CHANGES.

THROUGH THE BUMPS AND OBSTACLES.

KEEP THAT FIRE BURNING.

because in the end,

He will say,

"Well done, Good and Faithful Servant."

Forgive & Forget

Trust.
5 short letters that demands faith, commitment, and love.


I care about what people think, I care what they say about me, I care about all these things. I try not to care, I try to ignore it and live my life as happily as I can. But I can't. There's just some things you can't change. 
Trust is a big issue for me. I trust no one. Expect two.
I've been betrayed, lied too, forsaken, by people who I thought I could trust. But now I try. I try to give them a chance and become transparent again.
We all make mistakes, we all lied, gossiped, sinned against each other.
But if the ones we love, the ones we care for, came to the picture, what happens?
Anger. Rage and sorrow come. But this past day, I've been telling myself.
Forgive and Forget. Forgive the sins that people committed, for I too, am a sinner found by grace. Forget. Forget the sins and keep no record of wrong, for God doesn't judge. He doesn't condemn. He loves.


For He has written in the Holy Bible,
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins."
                                   ~ 1 Peter 4:8


Don't care. Don't care what people think. Don't care what people say about you. Who cares if you aren't smart. Who cares if you can't sing well. Who cares if people judge you because of your looks. 


God cares.
God. Cares.


He cares for the weak, the poor, the broken. He cares for the unloved, the lost, the meek.
I'm praying that God will give me, the ability to forgive and forget. And instead, love. Love deep. Love clean. Love unconditionally.
Putting my trust, my life in the hands of God.

"In you, LORD my God,
I put my trust.

I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me."

                ~Psalm 25:1-2

Abba Father

Abba Father, My Defender

You are Holy, I surrender.

For in my weakness You Protect me.

And When My heart strays, you correct me.

Abba Father, I love you

Abba Father, I love you

Abba Father.

"We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps"

Proverbs 16:9

REIGN IN US.

Faithfulness

God provides. He shows his abundance of grace and mercy throughout our lives. He is faithful and compassionate. He never broken his promises.

Finishing the book of Joshua, and moving on toward the book of Judges, left me a small note on how great God is. God was faithful to the Israelites and helped them conquer their enemy and land. God showed that if you serve Him, if you stay faithful to HIM, His promises are made. He promises are kept and held bound. His promises never fail.

 "¹⁶ Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods! ¹⁷ It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. ¹⁸ And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because he is our God.”

                                              ~ Joshua 24:16-18

Our God is faithful. He is just. But He is also a Jealous God.

Our God has been faithful to us, but have we been faithful to God?

Have we been serving Him wholeheartedly and truly living out our life as a Christian?

⁶ “Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left. ⁷ Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. ⁸ But you are to hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have until now."

                                       ~Joshua 23:6-8

It's the end of the Thanksgiving break and school is coming around back into our lives.

Lord, I thank you, I thank you for your everlasting love.

I thank you for your mercy, your forgiveness, your grace.

I thank you for your son dying on that cross to save us.

I thank you for never letting us down.

I thank you for my family, friends, and everyone that's been in my life.

I thank you for my home, food, and a nice place to sleep in every night.

I thank you for those who inflicted my life and helped me grown spiritually throughout my bumps and turns in my walk with you.

I thank you for my worship team.

I thank you for my discipler, accountability partner, and my best friend.
I thank you for everything I don't even notice you've given me throughout my life.

I thank you for being our Lord of Lords.

I thank you for being our King.

Let me, oh Lord, be faithful to you as you have been faithful to us.

"Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds."

                                                                     ~Psalm 36:5

Promises Never Broken

Too know that we fail, and we always fall down. Too know that we break our promises, we stray away. It's the times of temptation, the times when we lose hope, the times we really need God.
As I am still reading the book of Joshua, it talked about the allotments and all these things I thought was just boring stories about things. But it's not. Everything in His Word is precious. It's secure. It's holy. So I told myself, this is God's Words I'm reading. These are the very little pages that God gave us so we can read and learn.
So I opened my eyes, my heart and my mind. I told myself, get up, don't let the devil tempt you. Go and learn. Go. Don't fall away.
I've been reading the bible constantly everyday for the past many months, and sometimes, I do get bored. I lose my passion for Him, I lose sight of my goal. Doubting my faith, doubting what God's promises are yet to come true, a verse did speak to me.


So the LORD gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. The LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the LORD gave all their enemies into their hands. Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.
                               ~Joshua 21:43-45


Not one of God's promises failed for Israel. He helped the weak conquer the enemies. Not ONE. NOT ONE of their enemies withstood them. His promises are TRUE.(:


He is faithful. He is just. He is God.

He is our King.

City of Refuge

I read the book of Joshua today, and it talked about the City of Refuge. How those who accidentally murdered, or sinned against another could come and hide from the people chasing him. And it made me think.

What is our City of Refuge? When times of troubles and times of danger come about, who protects us? When we fall down, When we stray away, Who correct us? Obviously it's God. 
Obviously it's Him. The Lord of Lords and King of Kings. The God of Wonders who provides us with the abundance of Grace and Mercy.


Grace.
&
Mercy


If He provided all this love, all these things money cannot buy, all these things this Earth cannot provide, why. Why. Can I not spend a little more time with Him? 
I feel so selfish, so greedy, thinking about all the desires and fun I want to have for this Thanksgiving break. There's a party and a worship discipleship dinner at the same day, same time. I mind says go to the party, but my heart says go and Learn. Learn more about Him. Learn and grow.
It hit me hard. Just thinking about how selfish I am. So I pray. I pray for God to just come and purify my heart, my soul. Asking for Him to truly REIGN IN ME. RULE MY THOUGHTS, WORDS, AND LIFE.
Just spend a little more time with God. Just to thank Him for all the things He's provided.
When I fall, when I feel like I'm not worthy to even to talk to God, I know He cares for me. I know He loves me. He doesn't condemn, judge, or discourage me. He gives out His mercy and grace. He loves me. And you. And every single person out there.


He Is My City Of Refuge. My Stronghold.


"The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble"
                                                                  ~ Psalm 9:9


Seven Wonders of The World-

A group of geography students studied the Seven Wonders of the World. At the end of that section, the students were asked to list what they considered to be the Seven Wonders of the World. Though there was some disagreement, the following got the most votes: 1. Egypt's Great Pyramids 2. Taj Mahal 3. Grand Canyon 4. Panama Canal 5. Empire State Building 6. St. Peter's Basilica 7. China's Great Wall While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help." The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:" 1. to touch 2. to taste 3. to see 4. to hear She hesitated a little, and then, 5. to run 6. to laugh 7. and to love  We tend to find the wonders of what man has built. What we have accomplished. Yet, God made us, the mountains, the planets, stars, the universe in just like that. He spoke, and it came to be. That's all it took. This story truly shows how thankful you and I should be. We don't need the World, we just need the simple things. The simple things of life that creates Joy.  "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful."                                                                           ~2 Timothy 4:7 Finish the race because HE IS THERE AT THE FINISH LINE WAITING FOR YOU.

God is at the Window

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of  impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head, and killed it. He was shocked and grieved. In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood  pile, only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said  nothing. After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes."  But Sally said,

"Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes. Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper. " Sally just smiled and said," Well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help." She whispered again, "Remember the duck?" So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help. After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he finally couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug, and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you,  I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."

Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done ... and the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.) whatever it is. You need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you. The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness, He not only forgives you, but He forgets.

http://www.amazingsigns.org

Why. Why?

There's so much going on around my life. My friends. Their Friends. Our Friends. So much pain and burden on their shoulders. There's divorce, relationship problems, trust, illness, drama, death. It's all so hard to contain.

One of my friends, my best friend, told me about the problems going on with his friends and he was just so mad on how bad things happen to such good people. Innocent people who don't deserve to suffer so deeply. There's absolutely no reason at all, none, for these things to happen. Maybe there is, maybe it's all part of God's plan. Who knows.

I replied back saying, this is why we need to shine as Christians. To show those lost, those broken, that God's love, His love can mend any broken heart, even if it's shattered into billions of pieces. It's God. A God who can move the mountains, split the seas apart, turn a river into blood, and heal the blind and sickness. 

It's a perfect time to share. But what if they're already Christians? What if they already know about Christ and go to church all the time?

I think it's the perfect time to show them that I care. I think it's the perfect moment for me to show love just like God showed His Love towards us.

"We love because He loved first."

1 John 4:19

We are a body of one, and I want to show them that I do care for them, I don't really know how to show love because I'm not really that type of guy, but I do know I can pray for them. I can pray and encourage them daily.

"If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."

1 Corinthians 12:26

So, I guess, wondering why, why on earth does all these things happen to the people we love, and care for? I really don't have an answer.

But I do know that if me, you- ALL of you, as a loving brother and sister in Christ, can help them continue to seek God with all their strength and that they may trust in Him with all their soul even through the darkest times, that they will find joy and that they know those holes can be filled up by the Lord's love and grace.

Pray. ALL THE TIME.

Hope. FOR THE BEST.

Love. UNCONDITIONALLY.

"Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying."

1 Corinthians 12:12

24/7

It's a good start of the week. I have barely any homework, my sleeping schedule is going off just fine and I'm in a happy mood.

I'm in the book of Joshua now, and this morning I read Joshua 9-10.

It talked about the amendment made to the Gibeonites and how he helped save them from the enemies that attacked them. It's very fascinating to read and analyze the stories in the Bible. God can do many works and wonders. Even today, throughout our lives.

This Friday, I'm leading worship, and I guess, I would say I'm in a "lazy" mode. I don't feel like practicing, or just suiting up myself to lead the youth to the heart of worship.

I'm so relaxed, with barely any drama going on in my life, I feel the need not to do anything.

I guess this reminds me that we tend to go to God only when we need something. When, I need something. Instead, it should be when I can do something to glorify God.

I still do my daily devotions, my spiritual walk throughout my life, but I need to know that I need God everyday. Every second of my life, I need Him. Because this world is so filled and in depth with sin, with the Satan, ruler of the world, that I need God to help me resist the temptations out there. I need God, the provider and ruler of the universe and beyond.

So, if you're short on prayer requests, I have one. Just pray for me for this Friday, that I may truly lead with a pure and humbled heart. That no distractions will come between me and God.

We do need God. 24/7. 

"Trust in the LORD forever, 
   for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal."

                                      ~Isaiah 26:4

Time never stops

God is good. He is gracious and He is Abundant. Lately, I’ve been thinking about my future. What am I going to do in my future? In just 2 years, I’m going to be in college, then 4 years later, I’m out independently. I’m on my own. Me verse the World. The World verses Me.

 I’m scared. I’m really scared on how I’m going to survive. But I guess this is where God comforts me. I’m giving my life to God, and I know He can Provide. That He is all I need. But still, doubts and the uncertainties come about. What if I’m not successful? What if I don’t live a happy life? I know that my life is going to be based on God. My future is all in God’s hands, and if he wants me to become a missionary, I’ll go. If He wants me to become a teacher, I’ll be. If he wants me to be a businessman, I’ll do. I wish my childlife would stay forever, never having to worry about the future, never worry about anything, because I know my parents have my back. But I guess, you have to grow up someday.

“Put God first, and everything will fall into place.” 

That’s what I’m leaning on. That’s my foundation, my fortress. I’m placing everything I have at God’s feet. And it’s hard and scary, but this is where faith steps in. Life is going to go on, whether I like it or not, so instead of wasting my time, my desires on the simple things that give happiness, I’ll give my time, my life to the One who can provide eternal Joy.

Encouragram

Leading worship is hard, sometimes even stressful at times when you're not prepared. You have to practice, learn the order, PowerPoint, chords, get your team together, know the beat, know the songs, prepare your heart, pray, have the heart of worship, be able to lead people, not get distracted by school, homework, when someone shows up late for practice, what songs to choose. It's hard. But seek peace and pursue it. Pursue it with all your heart with all your soul and with all your mind.

I don't know what you're struggling with right now, I don't know what's been going on in your life, but I pray, that you will have the heart of worship this Friday. That you will be able to sing and shout out His Name, Knowing that because of His Grace and His Mercy, you can stand there, in front of the crowd, UNASHAMED.

You have an amazing voice and God gave you that voice to lead His children into worship. So that everyone can glorify Him. Use the gifts He's given you to use it for the Kingdom of God. "Don't prostitute your gifts" (Z). I see your eagerness of learning more about God. Learning more about Him. Giving up everything in your life for Him. You welcome everyone and you never bring anyone down when something goes wrong. You're an amazing worship leader, and you always encourage people. You have a passion for God and a passion to find His Everlasting Love. I know I tell you this all the time but I know that God is going to do something great with our worship team. Our entire worship team members. I know that, if we continue to seek Him, truly with a pure heart, He will use us. I really love the small worship team and how we can all connect. I find happiness in being a worship leader by your side. It's the 5th week of this six weeks and I'm busy with a load of school work. So you probably have a lot of homework and tests too, so I hope you make time for God and that you'd continue to be an AWESOME WORSHIP LEADER!

                                                   Your Friend,

                                                                 Josh

"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD"

                                     Psalm 150:6

"Be Still, and know that I am God"

God is good. God is good.

His love never fails, it never gives up.

We ignore, while he calls.

We fall, He picks us back up.

We're called Sinners, as He's called Father.

We speak out lies, deceitfulness, hate. He speaks with wisdom, forgiveness, love.

He shows us the ways, with his Grace and Mercy.

He's our Abba, our Father.

He's the Lord of Lords, King of Kings.
He created the heavens and the earth.

He Spoke And It Became.

He named each and every star out there

He knows the number of hairs on our head.

World, the Universe, Everything, is just in his palm.

The demons shudder because they know He's Real.

Real.

Real and as True as can be.

He's our Defender. Our Saviour.

He is Mighty to Save, because he CONQUERED death. 

Satan tempted Him, but Jesus prevailed.

Jesus came into this world, humbled and in human form.

He talked like we talked, he felt what we felt, he walked like we walked.

He got whipped, beat up, punished for the things we did.

He became Sin who knew No Sin.

The World may hate Him, but He continues to Love.

He came to save, not to condemn.

He is compassionate, righteous beyond all compare.

He is our Yahweh, Yahweh forever and ever.

Our God is good. Yes, He is Good.

(:

Management.

It's going to be one long week. I have 5 projects or so and some reports due this week. I'm already stressed out and I'm doing poorly in school. My sleeping schedule is messed up, I barely get any sleep, and I feel so crammed and tangled in school. I do my studies and homework in the morning, before devotions, but everyday, I wake up later and later, doing my homework. I stop my homework at 5:30 and start my devotions, even if I don’t finish. But I’ve been waking later than 5:30.

My eyes are dry. My mind is heavy. There’s a voice that tells me too go back to sleep. Just shut my eyes for a second. Just a second. But then I’ll wake up an hour later, I might sleep longer than a second. I have homework. I have studies.

I’m just simply tired.

School seriously consumes me. I have to mange my time. I need too. I am going too. I need more time with God. I’m busy with friends, school, church, and all these things. I’m just running around everywhere.

“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

                                                  Psalm 46:10

Be still. Yes. Know that God is our Provider. Lover. Defender. He is our God.

Honestly, I feel like I don’t have time. I still have tons of homework left.

Manage Time. That’s important. Make time for God. For God has time for us. He carries this whole world in the palm of His hands, yet he still listens to the very soft voice of each and every one of our prayers. How amazing is that.

I’m going to manage my time. No more caffeine. No more long naps. I want more time with God. That’s what I want.

Passion

Pastor Jason came back a few days ago. He was on a missions trip in India for 10 days. He shared his testimony today instead of doing a sermon and just listening and looking at the pictures in India convicted me to continue to live my life for God. I’m being discipled by Z. Not mentored. There’s a difference. Being discipled means that I’m taking a path toward ministry. I don’t know what. But I’m in that path. When Pastor Jason (PJ) first said that he was going to India for missions and that he’d be glad to take anyone. I felt so compelled to go. Even though it’s during a school year. I talked to PJ about it and he said they were looking for an adult, someone older instead. That he wasn't exactly doing missions, but searching to find an organization they could reach out and connect to.

Yeah, of course I was sad when I knew I couldn’t go. But I continued and I still continue to pray. Pray that I’d be ready for anything God has for me.

He said next year. Next Year. They will send a team out there next year. I talked to Jason and thanked God for protecting him and his family. I said that I’m always open and ready if you need an extra member on your team.

Yeah, I’m young. I’m 16 going up to 17. I’m still in high school. But in thte living and holy Word, it has spoken:

¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

                                                ~1 Timothy 4:11-13

When you see The Poor. The Lost. The Wicked. The Sinful. What do you see?

I want to share. Share the love that God has given to me. I want to reach out. But fear creeps in. PJ had fear too. Fear of illness. Food. Hospitality. Low-quality of everything. You have to give up everything. EVERYTHING.

Either you love God or you love the World. You cannot choose both, because

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

                                                ~Matthew 6:24

I pray everyday, every morning. Asking God to use me whenever there is a chance. An opportunity. That if there is anything in the way, Anything, take it away…

That is a hard prayer. I couldn’t even say that when I first started devotions. I’m scared that I won’t be happy. I’m scared of the unknown. But as I live and walk my life with God, I can say it with confidence. That if there is one thing that I love, one thing that separates me and Him, that’d he take it out of my life, Because I want to truly live my life for God.

So I guess today’s testimony was a little boost in my confidence in serving God. I want to help those Kids. I know God gave me the gift of connecting with kids. They’re innocent. Oblivious. Always out there and never caring what other people think.

Pray

Seek &

Discover

from a pure heart.