The Door Is Open To Everyone

For those that lie. For those that kill. For those that bully. For those that steal. For the fatherless. For the gossip. For the sexually immoral. For the spiritually dry. For the cheater. For the abuser. For the people pleaser. For the broken-hearted.

Jesus opened the door for us all to enter.

Since yesterday the Lord was putting this scene from The Bible movie in my heart, where Jesus tells Peter that "the door is open to everyone.". I went back to the book of Acts this morning to study this because I could tell it was on God's heart for me. But before that, I found myself looking at the cost of being a disciple in the book of Luke and I was amazed by how the Holy Spirit revealed the passage to my heart. I've read it so many times before, but it completely ties in to the Acts verses that I'm going to share.

(Luke 14:26-27) If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 

Jesus was being fallowed by a huge crowd and he stops to explain to them the true meaning of being His disciple the cost of following Him. He didn't deceive them. Before He let them continue walking beside Him He made sure to let them know that this wasn't some kind of magic show...it was a lifestyle. He plainly told them that following Him would look bad to those they loved here on this earth and that they had to get to the point of passionately disliking everything in the world in comparison to Him. We are born into a temporary family here on earth but let us not forget that our eternal home is not here. Jesus told them that there could be no comparison between God and this world. This is hard for our minds to wrap around but we're not being asked to abandon "our lives" for an imperfect human or possession...we are being invited to lose our way of doing life for Him who gave us life, a mission, and unfailing love. Just like a police-man has the obligation to report a case even if it's his own family member, Jesus was trying to explain that following meant choosing Him at all times. He explained that the true weight of carrying ones cross was not a couple of wooden pounds...it's the weight of denying yourself. And that is why He said that if you're building something first you measure it's cost and if there is war ahead of you, chose to wave your white flag if you see you can't handle it. Basically Jesus was telling us to choose and to choose wisely if He and His example to be lived out was truly what we were willing to do. Are we willing to lose our lives for His sake? If He said study this because I need you to go reach those that would never step foot inside a church for counseling, would you do it even though you wanted to be a professional singer? What if tomorrow He told you to move to Mexico to rescue teens off the streets and teach them about the God that loves them and you had a wife and kids? Did it just get a little uncomfortable? It's suppose to. I'll be the first to say that this kind of thinking scared me a couple years back. But it's Jesus and it's truth. Of course it's going to freak us out because we're use to this earth and what it's taught us. The moment we fill ourselves with God's Word and His truth though, our mind is renewed and heaven thinking becomes natural, the way it's suppose to be. It feels like home because it's our true identity. I love the book that I'm currently reading right now by Francis and Lisa Chan because he states that the picture of Jesus and all that He did is beautiful to us, but when it comes to living it out it stops being so attractive. Forgiving our offender. Praying for the backstabber. Truly and sincerely loving people. Oh I know it's hard but if Jesus said it then it's legit. If my blameless Savior managed to show love and mercy after He was mocked and spit in the face then I know that I can do it. He became fully human and oh my gosh, we're fully human. He showed us that with the Holy Spirit's power it is possible to be set apart. We can try to make up all the excuses we want to in our earthly wisdom to get around it but the truth is painted in red. What Jesus did can not be erased or altered. He lived and modeled God's ideal love for us so that we could act on it. Trust me when I say that when we do not show mercy it will not be shown to us. But what I'm tired of always being the one to do this and no one returns the love or the patience. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Always keep Him in mind and continue. If you are always the one to apologize or forgive then continue to do it. The Word says to not grow weary of doing good because in due time you will reap what you've sown. Our mind set has got to change and the only way to do it is to spend time with the one who conquered this earth. Spend time with Jesus. It is our God-given assignment to forgive, to love, and to be merciful. After reading this I then hopped a few pages over to the book of Acts.

(Acts 10:15) The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

I love reading this. This was the moment that Jesus made it clear that He made a way for every single human-being, Jewish or not, to boldly enter. He called us clean even before we repented to show us that His love was first and that the rest was up to us. It's p to us to invite Him into our hearts and into the life we live so that He can have His way. Trust, His way is so much sweeter. He cleansed us with His blood and made us white as snow. Jesus fulfilled the law and paid our ransom with His very life so that no one could deny us entrance into God's presence. I've been saved for six years now and that deep deep fact will never cease to break and tear my heart. I melt at the thought of my Savior Jesus being hurt to the point of not appearing human anymore. I cry because that should have been me. I deserved that torcher, but He quieted me and took the beating for me. I can picture Him looking at me and saying, "do you believe I love you now?" I marvel at His goodness and kind nature. His surrender and sacrifice astound me. But I don't just want my mind to explode...I want my heart and body to act on it. That is the calling. The mission for why you and I were sent here.

(Acts 10:28) He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.

God saw our hearts. He looked at the goodness that he planted that we let the world corrupt. His Son was not sparred, He was given up. The ultimate injustice on our behalf, but the ultimate justice on God's behalf. In our earthly thinking it's unjust to feel pain or to sacrifice but notice that while we think that we don't think about the injustice of the Son of God doing that for us. Mind-renew-check. So that we would never think that God was unjust He gave up Himself. Creator in exchange for His creation that He loved. We cry and become bitter when the things of this world are taken from us yet we don't think about the pain of an innocent Savior bleeding from the weight of his body on a cross suspended by a couple of nails. Gravity pushing Him down, His beautiful heart had to take His Father turning away from Him because He was drenched in our sin. That is why Jesus can look straight at us because only He could understand. Only He could stare sin right in the face because He overcame it. He took on all of our sins, every single one. And that is why Jesus told Peter to look past who we were and preach Jesus because Jesus tore the vail that separated us from God and humiliated the enemy. He went to hell and bought our souls with His blood and never did He regret it. Whether or not some of those souls would chose to say yes to Him, He gave us that much worth. Even the thought of the pain wasn't enough to turn our sweet Savior away. It is finished and now we have to carry His legacy until the end of our days.

(1 Peter 2:23-24) When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

(1 Peter 4:1) Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

Embracing The Unexpected

 

I haven't written anything in a long while but life has continued and I know it's the perfect time to return. I've missed this. The whole morning and hours to follow I could feel my Lord calling me to approach Him, to spend time with Him, to soak up His presence. Last night I grabbed a hold of my Bible, ran downstairs with Cody (our new puppy), found my pencil pouch that contains my highlighter and pen collection, and finally got to sit down on the living room couch. As I hugged my Bible tightly, I said a quick prayer (too excited and expectant I guess) and asked the Lord to speak whatever He wanted me to know. Without even thinking about it, the Holy Spirit brought to me one name: Joseph. I was like, huh? And again I felt it in my spirit. By then I was already flipping through pages and finding my way to the first chapter in the Book of Matthew. There I began to read about Joseph. 

This young man who loved God so much fell in love one day with a young God-fearing woman named Mary. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her so he asked for her hand in marriage and the pledge was made and they were happily married. Before they even got to come together as newlyweds, Joseph discovered that Mary was pregnant. I can only imagine the heart-ache, fear, and anger that was eating him alive. He loved Mary so much that He was even willing to divorce her secretly so that they both wouldn't have to suffer public humiliation and ultimately so that she would not be stoned to death. What Mary alledged was proposterous because it had never happened before...someone being impregnated by the Holy Spirit. Joseph's world was crumbling down and he thought Mary was crazy. Right when he was thinking about backing out he had a dream, a God moment, that changed everything. God's message to Joseph was to "not be afraid to take Mary home as [his] wife, because what [was] conceived in her [was] from the Holy Spirit." God was telling Joseph to not abort his God-given assignment because this blessing in disguise was going to change the world. 

God clearly spoke to me and said, Deya, do not be afraid to accept the challenge, this blessing in disguise, that I am giving you just because it doesn't look like what you envisioned. Because just like verse 22 reads: "all this (the public humiliation, doubt, and heart-ache) [is taking] place to fulfill what I the Lord [have] said." There have been things that we as God's children will have to face, challenging and hurtful, that are not meant to hurt us. These things are meant to give us a hope and a future. For me it's my relationship and my family but for you it might be something else. The love is there but times are tough and the enemy does not give the past any rest. Don't you dare give up (I am definitely preaching to myself here). What will come out of this hard thing is a blessing beyond measure. If you know God has spoken something to you and He has confirmed it then keep moving forward with your eyes fixed on Jesus, knowing that you are carrying something or someone that is near and dear to God. It's important. It won't always be easy and we might stumble but God is with us. God is with us!

(Psalm 73:26) 

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

The Calm During The Storm

We all have a storm. That period of time that stresses us, or frustrates us, or worries us. A little or huge rain cloud above us. Yes I have them too. But I really want to share my take on my storm. I feel lots of things but to quote the lovely Mrs. Joyce Meyers, I don't have to do what I feel. God has so shown me this and has patiently worked with me on this. Along the way through many attempts I have stumbled but no longer fallen thanks to God's right hand sustaining me. Though the storm and the rain clouds of life come, it's a good feeling knowing that God loves me at my worst as He perfects me for the best. The homework is there believe me, my ministry alive and running, and the every day does not pause nor take a break. There are no cut-me-some-slack days. The only thing that changes is how we view life. So my take on my storm is this: God has given me the power according to His word in the Book of Timothy (regardless of my age) to stay cool and collected. To be happy. to love. The free will to crack a joke to ease the tension and the right to choose to hunger for more of His presence. How I exercise these rights and blessings is up to me. See living in the moment is great for those who settle but I just don't want to be there. I'm not a let's go to a concert to hear beautiful music kind of girl, I'm a let's go sing and worship God as we sob of joy kind of girl. I choose the calm. I love the calm. The storm is there but I choose to see God's glory cloud above me raining down His Spirit to quench my thirst instead. I love what Elisha said to His servant.

(2 Kings 5:26)  But Elisha said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes—or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves?

I love that. Is this the time? Is this the time to be moping around? Is this the time to be rebellious? Is this the time to be wasting time? I love it. I love that Elisha had God's vision. When we have God's vision we see like eagles. We see the fullness of His plans. We don't know exactly but we are confident in that His plans are good no matter what. And I'm saying this, remember yall, in the midst of a storm. His plans are so sweet for us and so flawless. Now is the time to enjoy His presence and be completely, completely, submerged in His Spirit.

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I share some verses with you that really hit the spot today. I mean, God's Word is as sweet as honey and in our Spirit tastes like it too.

(Psalm 63:5) I will be fully satisfied as with 

the richest of foods; with singing lips my 

mouth will praise you.

(Psalm 119:2-3) Blessed are those who keep 

his statutes and seek him with all their 

heart—they do no wrong but follow 

his ways.

³ 

(Psalm 119:30) I have chosen the way of 

faithfulness; I have set my heart 

on your laws.

(Psalm 119:103) How sweet are your words 

to my taste, sweeter than honey to 

my mouth!

(Jeremiah 15:16) When your words came, I 

ate them;they were my joy and my heart’s 

delight, for I bear your name,

Lord God Almighty.

The Gentle Whisper

(1 Kings 19:11-13) 

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

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Sometimes I wonder, "God is this you talking to me? Is it really you?" The Lord has been showing me exactly what He sounds like. His voice isn't of confusion, of a big commotion, of violent storms, of furious ramblings...it's a gentle whisper. Shhhh...So gentle that your heart and mind have to be silent to hear it. In Spanish we call it a "susurro". I love that word, I connect with that word. You see, God has never been vindictive nor rough-hearted with me. He's been nothing short of loving, merciful, patient, and gentle to the touch. Why on His green earth would His voice, the very breath that gave me life, be any different? The enemy comes to try and plant so much confusion that He actually thinks I could fall for, but the living memory of my first love is always there to send him right back to where he belongs. The voice of truth and wisdom is a gentle whisper that comes to bring peace and direction. 

Very soon I will be going back to school, university life in all its splendor, and I can't wait for God to do school with me. Honestly, thank you Jesus for the Holy Spirit because He is the best study buddy. I do the reading and He does the reminding. So, with the spring semester coming up in a few days (4 exactly) comes new challenges  hopes, dreams, experiences that I feel ready for. Ready in the sense that I've strengthened myself with God's presence and the Word over the winter break. Like I said in my previous posts, a lot of changes are coming and I can't wait to testify about those. But in the mean time the preparation continues and I rest in God's peace knowing that all wisdom He has control of. 

If you're having trouble recognizing God's voice I'm going to share with you a little piece of advice that a wise woman shared with me: When God speaks to you what He says will bring you peace and not confusion. Even if God is asking something difficult of you, His peace will overtake you and deep in your spirit you will know exactly what to do. Ask for the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the Father's desires for you and He will because He is your comforter. 

Christmas Package

I wish all of you a merry, peaceful, and loving Christmas! From my heart to yours accept the warmest of greetings and of course a little something for being great friends. I really do hope you all enjoy this Christmas package, check it out you just might find an unexpected surprise. Most important words to say ummm...yup these are perfect: Jesus is the ultimate and legit reason for this beautiful season and any other season that may follow. Hugs and smiles! God bless!

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"Do You Hear What I Hear? (What Does It Sound Like)" 

- Steffany Gretzinger & Jeremy Riddle

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Have a moment to meditate on the tremendous
love package sent to us here on earth. Think
about our Savior who came to set us
free and share this life-changing message
with those you love.

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Jesus came to restore the relationship

between God and humanity and to

demonstrate with His own life

what true Worship is.

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Gaze at your Christmas tree and have a grateful heart.

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Wear your favorite sweater in this chilly weather.

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Be sure to journal! Always have one at hand...you never
know what the Holy Spirit wants to say & reveal.

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Have a homemade cookie and hot chocolate on me:)

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May you celebrate the birth of Jesus exuberantly!

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A fun, super easy snack recipe.

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(Isaiah 9:6) For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;And the 

government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called 

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

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A sneak peek into a little of what I do...My family, 

friends, and I playing music for the glory of the 

Lord in our garage. I don't come out on camera but 

I am the one singing in Spanish (Perfume A Tus Pies).

Fasting And Confirmation

Ten days!!! Today is the tenth day on my Daniel Fast and can I just say that I feel amazing! I feel, feel, feel God moving! I reached this life-changing point in my spiritual walk where God confronted me lovingly to say that He wants to give me more freedom than I already have on a platform in public as well as off a platform in the quiet and secret. Let's face it ladies and gents...when we feel insecure because of our weight we just can't jump as high as we want to or face public situations with the proper authority and confidence. God wants to take His children out of that "false-contemptment" mind set and move them into an active lifestyle. I feel stronger spiritually and physically thanks to prayer, the Word of God, and exercise. Though my flesh wants to collapse from exhaustion at times I continue toward the finish line and declare the blood of Jesus over myself each day. I have inherited my Dad's unfailing strength. If my tummy grumbles I'm almost immune to cravings. To me this is God confirming how much He wanted me to trust Him on this. Fasting and prayer are two important keys for the children of God that will unlock doors and make the gates of heaven burst open.

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Right now I'm reading in the second Book of Samuel and what is making me relate and meditate is this:

{Background Story: Saul's son, King after his father's death, has also been killed. David has been anointed as King and is going up against a tribe who inhabits Jerusalem.}

(2 Samuel 5:1-3) Then all the tribes of Israel went to David at Hebron and told him, “We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, when Saul was our king, you were the one who really led the forces of Israel. And the Lord told you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be Israel’s leader.’” So there at Hebron, King David made a covenant before the Lord with all the elders of Israel. And they anointed him king of Israel.

(2 Samuel 5:6-7) David then led his men to Jerusalem to fight against the Jebusites, the original inhabitants of the land who were living there. The Jebusites taunted David, saying, “You’ll never get in here! Even the blind and lame could keep you out!” For the Jebusites thought they were safe. But David captured the fortress of Zion, which is now called the City of David.

(2 Samuel 5:10-12) And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies was with him. Then King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar timber and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built David a palace. And David realized that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel and had blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. 

Whenever God speaks to us He will always send confirmation. God spoke over David the plans of royalty and leadership that He had over him and thus, activated David's true purpose. Many years later David comes to be handed the position and responsibility of King of Israel. For more than seven years David knew the plans that the Lord had for Him but during his "waiting period" he ruled over what God gave him for that particular time and season. He did it exceptionally, loved and adored by many. This is what God is showing me right this very second. The palace being built confirmed to David what the Lord had activated many, many years ago. During this "waiting period" God is calling us to reign over that which is momentary until He hands us our true destiny and ministry. Keep on moving forward my friends as I will do also. God has spoken over your life and will fulfill each and every promise. The confirmation is coming! 

In The Stillness We Come To Know God

God does amazing things when we give Him the right of way. When we stop in the natural and our hearts slow, and our mind quiets down, God can speak and be heard. I've recently been reading the Book of Samuel and let me just say that it is definitely one of my favorites. These true events in particular I just had to share because I know that as worshipers there are times when quiet is not an option. I've already talked about resting in the Lord all the days of our lives, in every moment, but this post is more about responding to those moments of stillness that we do have in our lives. These moments are the times when God is really trying to communicate with us. Sometimes we might not even know that it's Him because we haven't gotten accustomed to perceiving His presence and discerning His heart's words. Painting the picture of the scene: Samuel, merely a young boy, has gotten used to His spiritual guide, Eli, teaching him how to minister before the Lord. At this point, Samuel had never really had a personal encounter with God even though He served the Lord; However, Samuel was in the right place at the right time. Meeting God isn't like a blind date because God takes His time, patiently loving on us until the day comes when we turn around and finally see Him...finally fall in love with Him who first loved us. This precious moment was just about to take place in Samuel's life because he was finally still and all was quiet. In the natural and in the spiritual...all was still.

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(1 Samuel 3:2-11) One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel! ” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle.

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My advice to you, my fellow worshipers, is to start fighting for those quiet moments. For a while silence your phone, turn off the T.V, sneak away from the hustle and bustle, and literally be still. Even when we express our worship to God through music make it personal time where you just stay quiet for a bit. Let your fingers rest. Gently set the mic down. Let God's presence take you away into that secret place where it's just you and Him. There, He will say the words that you've been waiting to hear: "Yes, it is me." In that stillness, in that silence we come to really know God.

When We Go On Our Own

Beginning to read the Book of Joshua one portion stuck out at me and caused me to re-read a few times. When this happens I know God wants to show me something, I know He's speaking into my heart.

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(Joshua 9:3-8)

But when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they resorted to deception to save themselves. They sent ambassadors to Joshua, loading their donkeys with weathered saddlebags and old, patched wineskins. They put on worn-out, patched sandals and ragged clothes. And the bread they took with them was dry and moldy. When they arrived at the camp of Israel at Gilgal, they told Joshua and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land to ask you to make a peace treaty with us.” The Israelites replied to these Hivites, “How do we know you don’t live nearby? For if you do, we cannot make a treaty with you.” They replied, “We are your servants.”

(Joshua 9:12-18)

“This bread was hot from the ovens when we left our homes. But now, as you can see, it is dry and moldy. These wineskins were new when we filled them, but now they are old and split open. And our clothing and sandals are worn out from our very long journey.” So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord. Then Joshua made a peace treaty with them and guaranteed their safety, and the leaders of the community ratified their agreement with a binding oath. Three days after making the treaty, they learned that these people actually lived nearby! The Israelites set out at once to investigate and reached their towns in three days. The names of these towns were Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. But the Israelites did not attack the towns, for the Israelite leaders had made a vow to them in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel.

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There are times in our lives that are harder to swallow than others, yet there are also situations that we face that seem fine. We think we can handle the little things in life. The truth is...we need God for everything. We need to consult God before our decisions, whether we think we can handle them or not because His ways are not our ways. Why put ourselves in the situation to be surrounded by wolves. Just because Jesus promised to rescue us doesn't mean that we should step out on the limb. I would rather just cling to Him always. I cling by reading His word, through prayer, conversation, and Worship. It's because he loved me first that I want to hold tight to Him. I encourage you my bloggers to do the same. At that moment you will tast and see that the Lord is good and you will experience the tremendous joy of taking refuge in His loving arms. It might feel like we're about to drown beneath the raging currents but they will not drown us. Because he is our refuge the situations in our lives will not overcome us. Because of Christ. It's all because of my sweet, sweet Jesus. When we decide to go on our own we run the risk of hitting a wall or being deceived  But I love this and truly live for it:

(John 10:27-29) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.

Here Comes The Bride

You Are Cordially Invited To: Isaac and Rebekah's Wedding       Well although you can't actually attend their wedding I have decided to share this beautiful love story with you. Desperate, Adam makes his oldest servant swear that he would not allow Adam's son, Isaac, to marry one of the local Canaanite women. Does that sound familiar readers?? How many of our mommies and daddies think that no guy is good enough for their little girls or that no girl is good enough for their baby boy? Adam felt the same way. He didn't want just any wife for Isaac. He wanted a wife from his own family to marry his son. Here God shows us the importance of marrying someone with your same beliefs that loves God with all their body, mind, soul, and heart. (1 Corinthians 6:15-20) Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 

The servant, traveling back to Abraham's native land, arrived at the town and made the camels kneel beside a well. As the women of the town began to come out of their homes to draw water the servant began to pray to the Lord for guidance in choosing the wife for his master's son. He told the Lord that he would know who the right woman was if she gave him and his camels water. This is where Rebekah came in. As she was walking to fetch water, the servant asked her for water and she politely gave him a drink from her jug and offered to do the same for his camels. The servant pondered over whether the Lord had come through for him but then when he asked whose daughter she was and she answered Bethuel, who was the son of Abraham's brother Nahor, there was no doubt. He praised the Lord for taking him directly to one of Abraham's relatives and stayed at Rebekah's parent's house until Rebekah agreed to go back with Abraham's servant. Like all parents and siblings, Rebekah's brother and mother wanted her to stay a few days more at home before she departed to marry. Sound familiar? Hee Hee. After the servant talked them out of their wish Rebekah agreed to go see her future husband and left her family, as all girlies have to one day. Imagine how Rebekah felt before all of this? A virgin young woman getting a sudden marriage proposal on an ordinary day. I'm sure she must have been thinking how heavy the jugs were or how beautiful the sky was but out of the blue her life changes in an instant. She goes from being a mama's girl to being the fiance of the son of Abraham who has been highly favored by the Lord. No pressure. Like many of us girls she must have been thinking, could this be it? Could he be the one? Finally...I've found my one true love. Talk about blind date central. She knew nothing about Isaac but all she did know was that it was the will of God. And this is why she was chosen. She could have easily told the servant, "No way! I'm not traveling miles and miles on a camel to marry someone who might not even be that cute! I have to look at this person every morning for the rest of my life!"

On the contrary...She boldly left her family with her servant girls and mounted on the camel to meet her beloved. And here comes my favorite part!



Isaac was returning from Beer-lahai-roi to his home in Negev meditating and coming from a time of prayer with the Lord when suddenly...Evening fell and Isaac spotted some camels coming closer toward him in the field. I'm sure he was taken back after spending time by himself and then suddenly seeing a group of camels approaching. Could it be (he must have thought)? When he looked up, Rebekah also laid eyes on him. This was love at first sight because the bible says that Rebekah quickly dismounted from her camel when she saw Isaac. She asked the servant who that man was coming up to meet them and when he said that it was Isaac she quickly covered her face with her veil. She must have said I do a thousand times in her head as he was walking toward her. Isaac took a hold of her hand (improv) and then took her into the tent to marry her. The word of God said that he loved her deeply and he must have if it only took one look to fall in love with her.

At Last! My Other Rib

(Genesis 2:20-24)

He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him.So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man. “At last!” the man exclaimed. This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’because she was taken from ‘man.’”
This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.

When reading how the Lord created Adam and then Eve I began to think about how romantic our God is. We've all heard the phrase, "the other half of my heart," but in this case the Lord made it so that Eve was given life from the other half of Adam's rib. Literally she was made beside him and from a part of him. Many of us girls have also heard the saying, "behind every man there is a great woman," but the Lord made it so that "beside every man there is a great woman."

According to Google, " ribs surround the chest, enabling the lungs to expand and thus facilitate breathing by expanding the chest cavity. They serve to protect the lungs, heart, and other internal organs of the thorax. "

Our God is so romantic that He sealed what the love of a man toward a women would be for life by giving one of Adam's ribs to Eve. This act symbolized how a man's job is to protect a woman physically and emotionally. Oh how you think of everything God!

When Adam saw Eve I bet his eyes sparkled and that his heart lept inside of his chest because he said, “At last!”This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh!" God had created Eve just for him and from him. Today we might here something sweet like, "I finally found the other half of my heart that I've been looking for my whole life!" You see, God created Eve because he saw that it was not good for the man to be alone. The Lord recognized that Adam needed a partner-- someone to share those beautiful moments with that would complete him in the natural sense. God occupied Adam's eternal heart but He knew that a woman would occupy his heart on earth and that this woman would be good for him...she would be a "helper." A partner in life. You see even though Adam completed the work that God had for him, God himself saw that something was missing. The man could work and work and work but at the end of the day Adam needed a companion to share his life with. At the end of the verse the word says that,"This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one." There comes a time when Adam and all men say, "Finally! I found the missing piece!" God created this beautiful blessing and gave birth to the closest kind of love that symbolizes how He loves us: a true love between a woman and a man. Just like the Lord has created us to be one with our future husband, (or if you're a guy reading...with your future wife) God wants to be one with us. He wants to spend time with us because He knows that alone, separate from Him, we just can't live complete.