"Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."
2 Timothy 2:23-26
This has been so necessary to remember this week as I have spent time with family and lots of people who are of different mindsets than me. It is so helpful to remember what is truly important. When I get distracted with minor conflicts, my focus drifts away from God and my life purpose. I also lose the opportunity to be a bright witness to others. I am seeking to choose God's purpose and to keep my focus eternal!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Friday, December 21, 2012
Know your purpose!
"You must know clearly what your life purpose is if you are to be a part of God's purpose. You must define your life purpose and life goals so that in the midst of warfare Satan cannot distract you from what God wants you to do."
Master life Series: Book 3: The Disciple's Victory
I have definitely seen this truth manifested in my own life. Those times in my life when I have felt purposeless or aimless were the times when I was most prone to temptation.
When I finally understood what God was asking of me, His overarching theme, it helped me prioritize my life and goals on a daily basis. Jesus says in John 4:33-34 that His food was to do the will of God. On the days when I realize the only thing I need to care about is doing God's will I feel a huge burden lifted from me. I am open to whatever the Spirit leads me to do and it is always exciting and challenging work.
Make your life goals and life purpose to glorify God and do his will. You will be free, too.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Master life Series: Book 3: The Disciple's Victory
I have definitely seen this truth manifested in my own life. Those times in my life when I have felt purposeless or aimless were the times when I was most prone to temptation.
When I finally understood what God was asking of me, His overarching theme, it helped me prioritize my life and goals on a daily basis. Jesus says in John 4:33-34 that His food was to do the will of God. On the days when I realize the only thing I need to care about is doing God's will I feel a huge burden lifted from me. I am open to whatever the Spirit leads me to do and it is always exciting and challenging work.
Make your life goals and life purpose to glorify God and do his will. You will be free, too.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Samaritan Dr,San Jose,United States
Monday, December 17, 2012
Where is God in tragedy?
Philippians 2:6-11: "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothingby taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
This verse really brought to mind a couple of points about God that I felt compelled to share, especially in light of the tragedies of Friday. It is so easy for us to question where God was in the tragedy and why he allows these things to happen. Here are a few things that God showed me this week.
(1) Q: Where was God when this happened? He must not care.
A: God was weeping too. He watched his son die as well, in the most horrendous way. He knows what suffering feels like.
(2) Q: Why does God allow bad things to happen?
A: Look at what happened when God's own son died. He could have saved him but he didn't because he knew the only way for all of us to be saved was through the death of his son. From the first moment sin entered the world, God has been fighting it but has not yet vanquished it. This is not because God lacks the power, but because he has chosen the time is not yet.
I believe in the words of Luke 15. God cares so much about one lost sheep that he would sacrifice years of waiting for that sheep to come to him.
In the meantime he will use the devil's schemes for his good just as he did when the devil tried to kill Jesus and God raised him from the dead to fulfill his sacrificial purpose.
I don't have all the answers and will not until I reach heaven but God is showing me many ways to find comfort in him still.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
This verse really brought to mind a couple of points about God that I felt compelled to share, especially in light of the tragedies of Friday. It is so easy for us to question where God was in the tragedy and why he allows these things to happen. Here are a few things that God showed me this week.
(1) Q: Where was God when this happened? He must not care.
A: God was weeping too. He watched his son die as well, in the most horrendous way. He knows what suffering feels like.
(2) Q: Why does God allow bad things to happen?
A: Look at what happened when God's own son died. He could have saved him but he didn't because he knew the only way for all of us to be saved was through the death of his son. From the first moment sin entered the world, God has been fighting it but has not yet vanquished it. This is not because God lacks the power, but because he has chosen the time is not yet.
I believe in the words of Luke 15. God cares so much about one lost sheep that he would sacrifice years of waiting for that sheep to come to him.
In the meantime he will use the devil's schemes for his good just as he did when the devil tried to kill Jesus and God raised him from the dead to fulfill his sacrificial purpose.
I don't have all the answers and will not until I reach heaven but God is showing me many ways to find comfort in him still.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Do not be afraid
2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline/control."
I have been feeling a lot of fear lately. I know I'm not the only one because I look at what is happening in our world today, especially in the US with all the shootings, and I know that we all have a lot to fear. There isn't any safe place anymore and it's scary. These are the times when I have to rely on the promises that God has made. Why did he tell us not to fear 365 times? That's one time for every day of the year. That means we can trust him.
The verse above was sent to me by three of my friends this week so I have really felt God making it resonate with me.
Two things stand out to me. One is that God says I have power through his name. I can't fight evil alone and I will feel hopeless if I try. God has all the power I need.
The second thing that stands out to me is the word self-discipline. This especially resonates with me because the times I am most lazy are the times when singlets in the most. That creates even more fear because I find myself in situations that God does not desire for me. Look at David and when his biggest send creeped up into his life. He was lazy laying around his house not fighting with his men. That is a true lesson for me this week.
I pray that God helps me to be disciplined each day to seek him and to seek truth in his word.
God did not create us to be timid.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline/control."
I have been feeling a lot of fear lately. I know I'm not the only one because I look at what is happening in our world today, especially in the US with all the shootings, and I know that we all have a lot to fear. There isn't any safe place anymore and it's scary. These are the times when I have to rely on the promises that God has made. Why did he tell us not to fear 365 times? That's one time for every day of the year. That means we can trust him.
The verse above was sent to me by three of my friends this week so I have really felt God making it resonate with me.
Two things stand out to me. One is that God says I have power through his name. I can't fight evil alone and I will feel hopeless if I try. God has all the power I need.
The second thing that stands out to me is the word self-discipline. This especially resonates with me because the times I am most lazy are the times when singlets in the most. That creates even more fear because I find myself in situations that God does not desire for me. Look at David and when his biggest send creeped up into his life. He was lazy laying around his house not fighting with his men. That is a true lesson for me this week.
I pray that God helps me to be disciplined each day to seek him and to seek truth in his word.
God did not create us to be timid.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:San Jose,United States
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Why do I push Him away?
“We were designed to be distracted by something greater than ourselves. That something is God. So until we are with Him, we watch television.” – Donald Miller
What is the use in waiting for God when he is already here, ready to connect anytime? I have made the mistake of ignoring His presence so many times and I end up feeling drained and alone.
All it takes is acknowledging Him- just start with hello. When I worship Him for who He is, He changes my mindset and opens my eyes to the Holy Spirit's truth. The very act of worshiping Him connects me to Him. As soon as I do this, my mind is closed to the enemy and I am closer to God than ever.
I pray that God makes me a woman of holy pursuits.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
What is the use in waiting for God when he is already here, ready to connect anytime? I have made the mistake of ignoring His presence so many times and I end up feeling drained and alone.
All it takes is acknowledging Him- just start with hello. When I worship Him for who He is, He changes my mindset and opens my eyes to the Holy Spirit's truth. The very act of worshiping Him connects me to Him. As soon as I do this, my mind is closed to the enemy and I am closer to God than ever.
I pray that God makes me a woman of holy pursuits.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Protected
"He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life." Psalm 121: 3-7
The Lord showed me today how beautiful his protection from the enemy is. I take for granted how often he saves me from true harm even though my own decisions can be poor ones. I was mulling over the stress I am feeling at work today and God assured me that, no matter the circumstances, he will protect me from evil. His plans are not to harm me but to allow me to thrive and praise him. I am his child. When I think of the amazing stories I hear from believers all over the world, I am constantly encouraged by how much God cares for each one of us. The other verse I have been reading this week is 1 John 5: 14-15, which states that what ever we ask, according to God's will, he will do. This is the amazing promise we have in Jesus Christ!
Praise God that he never sleeps and his eyes are always open.
Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life." Psalm 121: 3-7
The Lord showed me today how beautiful his protection from the enemy is. I take for granted how often he saves me from true harm even though my own decisions can be poor ones. I was mulling over the stress I am feeling at work today and God assured me that, no matter the circumstances, he will protect me from evil. His plans are not to harm me but to allow me to thrive and praise him. I am his child. When I think of the amazing stories I hear from believers all over the world, I am constantly encouraged by how much God cares for each one of us. The other verse I have been reading this week is 1 John 5: 14-15, which states that what ever we ask, according to God's will, he will do. This is the amazing promise we have in Jesus Christ!
Praise God that he never sleeps and his eyes are always open.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Revelation
Hello again. I haven't blogged for quite some time but the Holy Spirit has been nudging me recently to start again. This time, though, my goal is different. God has asked me to use this venue to share what God is showing me everyday, though His word. This past year has been an extremely challenging year and, with God's grace, my faith has grown in a way I never imagined it would. The Holy Spirit reveals new things to me everyday and now I am eager to share this with others.
Please feel free to comment and share what God shows you, too!
Please feel free to comment and share what God shows you, too!
Leaving my 20's Behind
As I pause to reflect on the past decade of my life that I am now leaving behind, I can't help but be grateful for all the wonderful adventures I have already had. I have been to exotic places, I have made new friends, and I have learned many lessons along the way.
Sometimes it's scary to embark on a new adventure, but it can be exciting, too. When I reflect on this year alone, my 29th year of existence, I can't help but feel it was the hardest year I have ever been through. That said, it was the best year I have ever been through.
I am in love with my Savior more than I have ever been. I am the best version of myself I have ever been. I am more free than I have ever been.
Losing loved ones to death or disagreement can leave a hole in your heart. I have experienced loss but I have also experienced gain.
This year, I have seen my family under great adversity and I have also seen us under great blessing because we kept believing in God's promises of deliverance. Guess what? He kept his promise.
I have lost friendships that were quite dear to me. I have seen my mom experience stroke and an arduous recovery. I have lost one grandpa and almost lost another. I have seen my grandparents leave their home of 60 years and adjust to a new life in an unfamiliar place. I have witnessed my sister get married and have had the blessing of welcoming a new brother into my family. I have shared the excitement of a first pregnancy of a close friend.
God has been using me to help lead a bible study group of amazing young women as they get to know their Lord better. I have been blessed to be used in leading another group of amazing women in my job as they work to reach their full potential.
I have learned so many valuable lessons this year and I have learned to discard so many of my insecurities. Yes, I have a long way to go because I am human but I have come so far because of my Lord. I am finally learning to give every aspect of my life to Jesus. I am seeing the fruit and reward of doing that.
As I am on the cusp of a new decade, my 30s look so inviting because I know that I have tools I will need to encounter the great difficulties I will probably encounter.
I feel that I am learning wisdom. this is the greatest gift I could have been given.
" Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:3-6
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3
Sometimes it's scary to embark on a new adventure, but it can be exciting, too. When I reflect on this year alone, my 29th year of existence, I can't help but feel it was the hardest year I have ever been through. That said, it was the best year I have ever been through.
I am in love with my Savior more than I have ever been. I am the best version of myself I have ever been. I am more free than I have ever been.
Losing loved ones to death or disagreement can leave a hole in your heart. I have experienced loss but I have also experienced gain.
This year, I have seen my family under great adversity and I have also seen us under great blessing because we kept believing in God's promises of deliverance. Guess what? He kept his promise.
I have lost friendships that were quite dear to me. I have seen my mom experience stroke and an arduous recovery. I have lost one grandpa and almost lost another. I have seen my grandparents leave their home of 60 years and adjust to a new life in an unfamiliar place. I have witnessed my sister get married and have had the blessing of welcoming a new brother into my family. I have shared the excitement of a first pregnancy of a close friend.
God has been using me to help lead a bible study group of amazing young women as they get to know their Lord better. I have been blessed to be used in leading another group of amazing women in my job as they work to reach their full potential.
I have learned so many valuable lessons this year and I have learned to discard so many of my insecurities. Yes, I have a long way to go because I am human but I have come so far because of my Lord. I am finally learning to give every aspect of my life to Jesus. I am seeing the fruit and reward of doing that.
As I am on the cusp of a new decade, my 30s look so inviting because I know that I have tools I will need to encounter the great difficulties I will probably encounter.
I feel that I am learning wisdom. this is the greatest gift I could have been given.
" Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:3-6
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3
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