Today is a new day!!

Remind yourself how blessed you are to have a roof over your head, food to eat...  to be alive! Yesterday I spent some time in a graveyard..... just sitting and looking at the gravestones that each represented a life lived.... a loved one gone. I was reflecting on the thought that each one of these people that now have passed away also had trivial problems..... insignificant now eh? I must remember that life is but a mere breath, and I must spend my time growing closer to God, imitating Him in my ways...... loving others unconditionally... and always remembering that I am blessed and grateful for all that I have... most importantly, that I found Christ and I have Him for eternity. Sometimes doing something weird as sitting in a graveyard can put things in perspective. I shouldn't need to do that, the Word of God is significant enough to have me rejoice, praise and fill my heart with joy and peace. Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ultimately I feel I disappoint myself, because I am in the driver's seat.  By telling myself that everyone disappoints me, I place the locus of control outside of myself and I don't accept that... there is no experience that compares to the misery of truly being disappointed in yourself. It feels like something breaks inside you. I think it is much worse than when someone else disappoints you. In those moments you know that you couldn't act according to your own principles, and this makes you feel weak.

 Stop, pray, ask for guidance and be honest with yourself.
Forgive yourself. Move on.
Make a plan that is according to God's will.
Don’t let it happen again, pray for strength, maturity and wisdom.
Start now.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR.ROBERTO!!!!!!!!

Today is the 77th birthday of a great Man. His commitment to a life of service and to the Lord is an incredible thing to look up to. His patience, grace, kindness and love are unmeasurable. I pray that the Lord may one day give me a husband that will be even half of who Dr.Roberto is. Often times, I have looked upon him as a father figure and have thought how blessed his wife and children are to have him. He is a Godly Man... a Man of strong faith..... a Man of beautiful integrity. Have a blessed Bday Dr.Roberto!! I admire and love you.

God's Love Never Fails....

Good Morning,

I know I must cling to the Word of God as I face many uncertainties, anxieties and sadness.... but always still rejoicing in Christ because I know that ultimately He is in control. I am in the process of letting go.... letting go of the past which also includes those I hold so dearly close to my heart. I am opening myself up to letting God take the steering wheel and take control.... which is at times hard because I catch myself making plans for myself. Therefore, I must stop, be still and wait patiently for Him which He commands me to do. Yet, I am merely human and it is a painful thing to do.... to let go of what my heart tells me to fight for. God has my best interest and fullest potential in mind, thus I must simply obey and trust. To make this process easier, I must commit my time and focus to my bible readings so that the Word of God can rejuvenate my soul, filling me with hope, joy and excitement for the future....this is where I shall find my strength. I know He has set forth a great plan and purpose for me that holds splendid surprises that my heart has not even imagined. I must trust. I must have faith without any doubt. I must completely surrender and focus my attention on my love for God and not my love for a man.... for God's Love Never Fails... I am praying at all times for this.... and for those I must leave behind.... finally.

Surrendering completely to God......

I recently proclaimed that I have completely surrendered to God... I have surrendered to His will for me. That was a lie because I am still making plans for what I desire, what I want in life. Am I really listening to God, or am I speaking for Him? What does it mean to really surrender to Him? And how do I do it? I must also prepare myself that what God wants for me.... and where He wants me to go may not be what I want..... it might not even be pleasant, BUT I must remember that even Jesus, the son of God did not want to be crucified and pleaded with His father to get out of it. Yet, He obeyed. I too must obey, because God has my best interest and purpose in mind. It may not make sense or even be appealing "in the moment," but I MUST obey. No one said that following Christ would be easy........ remember that this world teaches us to "follow our dreams", "do what makes YOU feel good"..... it all sounds great, but remember that this way of thinking and doing is all about YOU. There is no room for God with that way of thinking and pursuing. Living for God is the greatest journey for a Christian..... I pray I gain the strength, courage and self control to venture into this journey... always keeping eternity with Christ as my focus, my purpose, my pursuit........ Have a wonderful week everyone!! Blessings!

The Gospel Of John

Incredible the amount of times the word "believe" and "seek" are used in the gospel of John. The word "believe" is used more than all the other gospels combined. I catch myself reading... rather skimming my bible trying to pick out what pops out to me... NO. I must gaze and read intently... word by word, for it is not I who must pick out what I want the Bible to say to me... but rather I must read and listen to what God wants to say to me! Learn how to read your Bible..... I'm still learning how to.......

9 DAYS AND 9 BIBLE VERSES MEMORIZED!! HOW IS IT GOING FOR YOU.....?

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOUR DECISIONS ARE ALIGNED WITH GOD'S WILL FOR YOU?... THUS PLEASING GOD.

He knows the motives behind your actions, your secret thoughts and your future. Since only God has all knowledge and knows the future, He is the only one who can give you the correct advice in making your decisions.

You will learn God's will from the Bible, from the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and from the doors He opens and shuts. But great care must be used, for Satan uses the Bible for his own purposes. He will speak to you in temptations trying to get you to disobey God. And Satan can arrange circumstances which will lead you in the wrong direction.

God’s Word is the Christian’s guide for making godly, successful choices in life. The Bible says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path” (Psalms 119:105). Before you make decisions, compare your desires to what the scriptures say, and ask yourself the following questions:

1. Would you be able to ask God to bless it?

Would your decision be something that you can take before God with a good conscience and ask Him to bless? Or is it something that you know the Lord would not be enthused about? “The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22).

2. Could you thank Him for it?

Would your decision be something that you can openly express gratefulness and thankfulness to God? Or would it be something which would seem inappropriate to thank Him for? “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col. 3:17).

3. Would it be to God’s Glory?

Would your decision be something that can bring Glory and honor to the Lord? Ask yourself how the Lord would be lifted up or blessed by your plans. “...whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).

4. Would it be of the world?

Would your decision be an indulgence upon worldly, carnal appetites or lusts? “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

5. Would it be a stumbling block to others?

How would your decision affect the lives of your brethren in Christ? Even if you don’t feel it’s wrong, could it offend or harm the sensitive faith of those who don’t share your convictions? “...beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak” (1 Cor. 8:9).

6. Would it be a weight or hindrance?

Would your decision be something that would drag down your Christian life or influence you toward disobedience? “...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).

7. Would it please God or man?

Whom do you hope to please by your decision? Will it bring pleasure to God, or will it appease self or man? “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Col. 3:23).

8. How would the Devil react?

Would your decision or actions be considered a victory or a defeat by the Devil’s forces? Would Hell celebrate your choice as a fulfillment of Satan’s desires, or would the enemy be angry and disturbed? “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

9. What would the consequences be?

What kind of long-term ramifications would you have to face for your decision? Remember, God will forgive sin and poor judgment, but you may have to live with the results of your decision for the rest of your life. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7).

10. Would it edify you?

Would your decision or actions bring you closer to God or pull you farther away? Will it edify (build you up) in the Lord, or will it weaken your confidence of the Lord’s strength in your life? “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify” (1 Cor. 10:23).

11. Would it serve the right master?

Will your decision require you to yield to the demands of someone or something other than Christ? Will it cause you to compromise your submission and obedience to Jesus? “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt. 6:24).

12. Would His indwelling presence agree with it?

Would your decision bring peace to your inner man, or would it create discomfort or distress? Is your choice directed by the promptings and leading of the Holy Spirit, or by the appetites of the flesh? “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth...” (John 16:13). “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16).

13. Would you want to be doing this when Jesus Returns?

Would you want to be doing this when Christ comes again? If Jesus would appear to inspect your decision or actions, would you be embarrassed or delighted? Would His presence make you comfortable or insecure? “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matt. 24:44).

14. Would it promote love?

Would your decision or actions express love and harmony, or would it reflect retribution, jealousy or injury to your neighbor? “Owe no one anything except to love one another... Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Rom. 13:8, 10).

15. Have you sought the Lord about it?

The Lord promises to give leadership and direction to our life. Consult Him in prayer. Remember, God will never speak something to our heart that contradicts his written Word. “In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:6). “There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel; that will stand” (Prov. 19:21).

16. Have you sought Godly counsel or advice?

Ask the advice of those who live Godly lives and have a track record of experience and wise decision making. Avoid the counsel of those whose Christian life is questionable or who have experience of failure in making sound decisions. “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Prov. 11:14). “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly...” (Psa. 1:1).

A Great Realization. A Great Responsibility.

It hit me today that God has given me the greatest privilege and the greatest responsibility in my hands...... The greatest blessing I have ever known was to come to know Christ after only knowing Islam all my life. God planted a seed in my life that will grow and bear fruit for generations to come. God knows who are His. Because God so graciously plucked me out of the darkness, filled me with His light and wants me to spread His glory and Truth.....now my children, my children's children, my great grand children and on...........will know, believe, love and follow our Lord Jesus. What a responsibility and privilege I have!!!!! I must remember to stop and reflect at this reality often! For it is in me, my choices, my firmness in faith and my complete surrender to God that will shape the spiritual existance of generations of my children. Thank you Lord for such an honor.... and I pray that the seed that the Lord has planted in my heart will grow, flourish into great vines and bear fruit for righteousness and His glory....  I have realized that the key I hold and this spiritual formation journey is not just about me, my faith, my growth..... but it is also about the salvation of many people that will come to know our Lord through me..... And at the end, it is all about Him. Amen.

REIGNITING YOUR PASSION FOR GOD

5 BIBLE VERSES DOWN!!! ... 95 TO GO.......... FEELS GREAT! XOXO

I FOUND AN OLD SERMON FROM 2003 FROM PASTOR RICK WARREN (SADDLEBACK CHURCH - CALIFORNIA) TITLED: "REIGNITING YOUR PASSION FOR GOD"  A FRIEND TOLD ME THAT AS HE IS TRYING TO REIGNITE HIS PASSION FOR GOD... HE "THOUGHT" HE NEEDED TO CHASE A "FEELING".... A FEELING HE SAID HE HAD WHEN HE WAS GOING THROUGH GRIEF AND SADNESS, WHEN HE FELT CLOSEST TO GOD....THEREFORE CLINGING TO HIM TIGHTLY. THAT IS UNDERSTANDABLE... FOR SOME TO 'FEEL' LIKE THEIR PASSION IS ON FIRE MOST WHEN THEY ARE SUFFERING, BUT THROUGH GRIEF OR JOY, THE PASSION FOR CHRIST SHOULD BE BURNING. I SENT HIM THIS SERMON.... http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/reigniting-your-passion-for-god-rick-warren-sermon-on-attitude-general-127082.asp

I "think" I am clinging to God..... but then I sin, stumble and fall... forgetting....

 Personal Note: Even though I continue to cling to God and His Word.... surrendering to Him.... when it comes time to act, I shamefully watch myself fail... putting away the peace, love and strength He has placed in my heart and I jump on assumptions, anger and retaliation... hurting those I love, but ultimately, afflicting pain and damage to myself. I pray that these moments of weakness will be imprinted in my mind so that I may remember them often, using them as "markers", so that I may have control to overcome them the next time.... and there will always be a next time! "Set up road markers for yourself; make yourself guideposts; consider well the highway, the road by which you went" Jeremiah 31:21 Self-control and spiritual maturity are key! Remember "Be angry, but do not sin... Do not give the devil any opportunity........" These moments of shame, weakness and disappointment of myself, will not stop me from my spiritual mission..... God has forgiven me, I must forgive myself... I must remember and reflect on the shame and be stronger next time..... No excuses.

Article:

What do you do when you fail — when you sin — as a child of God? There is hope because God is God. Recognize that God did not restrain you from failing either because you deserved to fail since you did not choose to obey Him, or because He wanted to teach you something, to cleanse you, make you more like Him. It is part of the discipline, the "child-training" of those who belong to the Lord. 

If it is moral failure, do as David did in Psalm 51. Throw yourself on God's mercy, on God's grace. Cry...

Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your loving kindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. (verse 1)Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.... Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. (verses 10 and 12)

Those who keep looking back at their failures will never win the race set before them. We can evaluate where and how we failed for the purpose of learning and growing; however, the past is never to be our focus. If it is, it will cripple our future. As we look at failure, we need to understand why we fail and when we fail.

We also fail when we try to do it "our way," when we don't follow and live by God's precepts, His commandments, or when we think we are smarter than God, or don't need to involve God...this time. The will of God is discerned by knowing the Word of God (Romans 12:1-2). We need to put ourselves on the altar and tell God He can direct us any way He desires. The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord.

The secret to recovering from failure is to continue to cling to your God. We are here to teach you to cling to Him...and not let go. I urge you to go deeper into His Word this year. Number your days, discipline yourself to be a man or a woman of the Lord. When the test, the trial or the temptation comes, you can overcome. "...This is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith" (1 John 5:4).

Good Morning!

I woke up early this morning thinking about grief....Rejoice in suffering! For me.... suffering draws me closer to God which gives me full confidence that I will praise, rejoice and cling to Him through sadness and joy... through laughter and tears. How about you?

Do not surrender your grief so quickly

Let it cut more deeply
Let it ferment and season you
As few human or divine ingredients can

Something is missing in my heart tonight
That has made made my eyes so soft
And my voice so tender
And my need of God so absolutely clear.

Hafiz

Waiting for Love...... Waiting for God

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY....

Dedicated to RRR

We know that it is the Lord's will for people to have a mate if they desire one. In the beginning when God created Adam, God Himself made this statement:

"... It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him" (Genesis 2:18 KJV). 

The Lord wants to bring a mate to those who will ask Him and have the patience to wait for His choice.

There are some single people who are constantly out looking for a mate, and they are miserable because God has not sent them one yet. They have prayed and prayed, yet they still have no mate. Some settle for Satan's provision instead of asking God for the patience to wait for the one whom He would send. If they would look to Jesus and seek to please Him, rather than being concerned about a mate, soon they would find the right one crossing their path. Looking for a man or woman to just keep them from being lonely or just to fill their needs or to be a father or mother to their children should not be the only reasons for desiring a mate. They also need to be concerned about what kind of husband or wife they would be for a mate. These single people are still much in the flesh if they just want their own needs met. They should ask the Lord to fill them with His love and peace.

Being single is an important time to prepare us for marriage. It can also be a time to experience a closer communion with God. As we seek God to cleanse us of the world and help us become the kind of wife or husband that would bless someone, we will soon find that we are not lonely. First, the Lord would begin using us to bless others; then we will find we are content in Him. Eventually, in God's plan and timing, He will bless us with a wonderful mate so that both lives can be a witness for Him. We believe if a marriage cannot glorify the Lord, then it would be better to remain alone. There are worse things than being alone. One of these is to be out of God's will by compromising and marrying someone who does not feel the same way we do about the Lord.

Marriage is the second major choice we make in our lives, and we should never enter into it without much prayer. To rush into a marriage can be disastrous. The most important decision of our lives, of course, is our decision to follow the Lord. This decision is not a one-time declaration, but a daily determination to follow Jesus above all. If we allow the emotional or soulish realm to dominate our lives we become more susceptible to the enemy leading us astray through someone. This area of the flesh should be brought under the Lord's subjection so that Satan does not get the advantage and consequently destroy our lives and ministries. So many have failed the Lord because they chose a man or woman over the Lord.

We find this true throughout the Bible, too. Solomon's heathen wives led him into idolatry. Samson lost his eyes because of a woman, Delilah. David committed murder because of passion for Bathsheba.

Our emotions need to be cleansed as they are not the sign of love. The true definition of love is "God is love." If God is not in a relationship it is not true love. What this world calls love is really lust since it is built on what the other person does for me, not what I can do for him or her. If the other person fails to keep up his end of the bargain, a divorce occurs because the offended mate is no longer pleased. This is the attitude of the world's so-called "love." God's love loves without receiving back; God's love is forgiving and patient. God's love is gentle and kind. God's love waits. God's love sacrifices.

Man's emotions are not a reliable gauge upon which to establish a marriage relationship. We must know in the Spirit that it is God's will. It is much better to marry for character than for emotion. Emotions fluctuate; character doesn't. Emotions are in the soulish realm, and unless the carnal mind has been renewed, Satan can give us emotions or feelings of love for someone of his choosing. (If he did not have this in his power, he could not split up marriages.) Love is bigger than simply falling for someone. Certainly, the Lord gives us a wonderful emotional feeling for the one we are to marry. However, this "feeling" without God's direction can be disastrous as Satan can tamper with our emotions and feelings too. 

Marriage, in a Christian's life, should be based on a decision directed by the Holy Spirit. A Christian's love for another is a commitment. Of course, the Lord will supply the emotions for the mate He sends, but that should not be the criterion for making the decision to marry. The Lord should be sought, and whatever He speaks to us we should do. He knows the future and what is best for us. If we trust Him He will not fail us in this or any other important area. Women or men who allow emotions to rule them will never be victorious Christians. Emotions should always follow, never lead.

The Lord wants to bless marriage unions and see His plans fulfilled in both mates' lives. What a glorious plan He had from the beginning for both male and female. We can trust Him in this important decision. If we will totally commit to do His will we will never be disappointed in the one He sends into our lives. 

AND YOU WILL FIND YOUR KING..... OR QUEEN........ 


XOXO

Train Your Mind to Remember God

By Rick Warren - Saddleback Church

“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 NLT)

The Bible tells us to “pray all the time” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 MSG).
How is it possible to do this? One way is to use “breath prayers” throughout the day, as many Christians have done for centuries. You choose a brief sentence or a simple phrase that can be repeated to Jesus in one breath: “You are with me.” “I receive your grace.” “I’m depending on you.” “I want to know you.” “I belong to you.” “Help me trust you.” You can also use a short phrase of Scripture: “For me to live is Christ.” “You will never leave me.” “You are my God.”Pray it as often as possible so it is rooted deep in your heart. Just be sure that your motive is to honor God, not control him.


Practicing the presence of God is a skill, a habit you can develop. Just as musicians practice scales every day in order to play beautiful music with ease, you must force yourself to think about God at different times in your day. You must train your mind to remember God. At first you will need to create reminders to regularly bring your thoughts back to the awareness that God is with you in that moment. Begin by placing visual reminders around you. You might post little notes that say, “God is with me and for me right now!”


If you are seeking an experience of his presence through all of this, you’ve missed the point. We don’t praise God to feel good, but to do good. Your goal is not a feeling, but a continual awareness of the reality that God is always present. That is the lifestyle of worship.
Talk About It -

• Try using breath prayers to worship God throughout today. Do you notice a difference in your attitude and your interactions with other people?

• What visual reminders will best help you be aware of God’s presence?

• Talk about the way you learned to play an instrument or a sport. Are you applying the same disciplines and energy into developing a lifestyle of worship?

Knowing God's Will - The Key to Everything!

Christ taught us that knowing God's will and living in obedience to that will is the key to it all! God is the potter; we are the clay. God keeps us spinning on His potter's wheel, shaping and reshaping us as He bathes our lives in tears to make us more Christ-like so He can use us for His will. Surrender daily. Keep your clay moist through daily prayer - prayer that's in accordance to His will. 

Knowing God's Will - Insight from George Müller
When it came to knowing God's will, George Müller (1805-1898), an English evangelist and philanthropist, was remarkably and humbly gifted. A man of faith and prayer, Müller established orphanages in Bristol and founded the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad. The following are wonderful excerpts from one of his essays.

Knowing God's Will - How to Ascertain the Will of God
Knowing God's will is the key to prayer, spiritual growth and fruitfulness in our individual lives. Here's how George Müller set out to ascertain the will of God on a daily basis:

• I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are over come when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.
• Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions.
• I seek the Will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also. If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.
• Next I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God's Will in connection with His Word and Spirit.
• I ask God in prayer to reveal His Will to me aright.
• Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters, and in transactions involving most important issues, I have found this method always effective.