Youtube Series: Christ-Centered Relationships

Happy first day of September! I'm a little bias though because it is my birth month. Anyway...I'm really excited to share with you guys what preachings I've been listening to on-line. A week before I got engaged, I began to pray about marriage and for God to make me into the person that He wanted be to be. Like I said in my previous posts, the Lord told me to delight in Him so that I could let go of anxiety, worry, and frustration to experience His joy. I went on Youtube last week and stumbled upon Pastor Francis Chan and his wife Lisa Chan talking about what marriage truly looks like to God and the purpose that God has for it on earth. Let me be honest you guys...I love them. I mean, I felt like I had just eaten a full meal and felt satisfied. I didn't get to finish them all in one day so I broke the three videos into parts by watching at home, before class, or before bed. I knew God had intended for me to watch these videos all along to confirm what He's doing in my life. I was so moved by the Lord that I even ordered their book (which I'm leaving y'all a link to the best deal I could find), "You And Me Forever: Heaven In The Light of Eternity", that recently came out a few days after I watched their videos. I totally love these videos and the message that I know is on God's heart for His kids who are planning on getting married and who already are. You might watch these and think that they're meant for married couples but truly I tell you that if we as single gents and ladies prepare our minds for this before-hand, we will be walking in with God's beautiful vision for this. Hope y'all enjoy and feel free to comment. I myself am taking a a lot of notes for myself and also for some good Facebook posting. Have a good labor day!

Christ-Centered Relationships Series: Pastor Chan & Lisa Chan

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Focus On The Promise Through The Journey

Sometimes, when we've been walking through our journey for so long we can end up losing the focus of our actual destination. God gives us a promise, but when more time than we were expecting passes, it becomes harder to see "it". We question, we cry out, we even lose hope for a sec., but we never give up. I've always had a saying ever since I gave my life over to Jesus and encountered Him: There's no turning back anymore no matter what, no matter how hard it gets my only option is to move forward.

"If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward."  -Martin Luther King Jr.

God never said the journey of this life would be easy, but he did say that the arrival would be worth it! -Max Lucado

I've been asking God the same question over and over and over again for quite some time (years) and today I was just stopped by Him. He reminded me of a prayer I made when I was 15 years old and how He answered the beginning of it during that time. To me the little sign I asked God for at the end of my prayer was just a quirky inside joke between me and God, but he answered it. I joke with what I ask and He jokes by responding super quick. You see, the problem is that I expected that my whole prayer list would be answered and packaged up to be delivered to me all at once, but God's ways were different. He said it would be given to me but He didn't say when or how. My journey to the promise has been a rough one, I can't deny it, but I have come out a stronger woman who God intends to make stronger.

One Winter day during the Festival of Dedication, Jesus was confronted by the Jews who were also walking along in the temple courts. They surrounded Jesus and asked him "how long" he planned on keeping them "in suspense" and to just tell them "plainly" if he was the Messiah. While I was reading this story this morning in John 10:22-30 I knew without a doubt in my mind that God was talking to me. I had been crying out asking God to please just speak to me in such an obvious way because I couldn't get it, but He said to me that He already answered my question many times but I just wasn't seeing what He wanted me to see. I just wasn't getting it. When I started my walk toward the promise I was so sure, but then things got so scary bad that I let my gaze become foggy. I felt frustrated like those Jews did (of course I wasn't going to stone my Savior but I let anger and confusion get the best of me) because though they had heard the promise of Jesus' coming written in scripture, they let their gaze become foggy by what was said to them:the scriptures said that a Messiah was coming in a humble manner but it didn't say his name or the fact that he was going to be a carpenter's son.  The promise was delivered to them in different circumstances than they had expected in their hearts so they closed up their hearts and refused to see that God was living among them. The signs and wonders made it obvious but to believe meant that they had to be closer to faith and farther from their expectations. I knew that I couldn't take my anger and frustration out on my God, so instead...I took it out on the promise. That's a big no,no. I was so busy comparing my walk to others and asking God why others were happy with their promise fulfilled while mine seemed to be getting crazier and even more unpredictable. The thing is: God is not a cookie-cutter God, so He created individual people with individual stories. It's easy to buy into a one-for-all solution but that's just not true. We have to seek God's counsel directly from Him and then wait for His confirmation (through His word, dreams, people...etc). This whole week my seeking an answer for my question really escalated, and I see now as I write this that God has been answering me. Every morning with what I've been reading in the Word He's been answering me. It all connects. How God showed me in the Book of Genesis that he had to open Hagar's eyes to see the well of water so that she wouldn't let hopelessness in the middle of the dessert kill her and her son Ishmael, how God protected and cared for Ishmael as his only Father after he was rejected and sent away as God's plan to create him into a strong nation, and also how God looked into the heart of Rebekah and predestined her to be the wife that would say yes to an unpredictable marriage to Abraham's son Isaac. God spoke to me in detail about these stories all week long and finally I understand. Jesus was obviously the Messiah and my answer has been obviously staring me in the face for years. Jesus' answer to the Jews in the temple was this:

(John 10:27-30) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

I am so sure of my salvation in Jesus and that He abides in me and I in Him by His grace alone, therefore my ear is in tune to what He's saying. The devil sometimes wants to make us doubt that, actually, the enemy always wants to make us doubt that because His mission is to kill, steal, and destroy us. I truly believe that Jesus wasn't just answering the Jew's questions...He was making a bold statement and letting the devil know that what belonged to the king of kings could not be taken from Him even by the thieve of thieves. We belong to Jesus and the devil has no right to touch us and our God who is greater can not be over-powered. I realized that the reason that I haven't responded to the many voices around me for years telling me to go this way and that way is because I've been fleeing from the other. I was once told a great truth: the devil takes no breaks and shows no mercy. He will use whatever he wants to use in order to kill you because your purpose threatens him. That goes for all of us. The enemy has tried to make me believe that I'm crazy for not listening to who I "should" listen to, dumb for "failing" those who I shouldn't, or just plain disobedient and worthy of receiving God's punishment when that is not true. Because the people around me have also seen the dessert that I have walked through with my promise in hand, they give advice out of hopelessness when I have been called to walk by the amount of faith that God has given to me. My walk is mine, entrusted to me by God and nobody will ever confuse me enough to snatch it from me. I am to complete my mission until I see the fulfillment of what God has promised me. I encourage everybody who reads this...stand strong and firm in the faith. Keep pressing forward with your eyes focused on the promise as you walk this life-long journey. May faith arise and I pray that hope sustain us through.

Springs in the Struggle

(Psalm 84:4-7) Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

There are so many times where I've just gotten a super quick reply from God. I'm talking in the blink of an eye type of fast. But other times it feels like forever. I had been praying for the Lord to speak to me. Now I know this sounds so under decorated but why not be real, right? I prayed. Days past. I opened my Bible. God spoke. As I began to read through Psalm 84 my spirit leaped inside and I just knew that this word was for me. What I've gone through in the past few months did change me. It changed me for the better. God made me stronger. The way I think, the way I talk, and the way I see life has changed. I've learned that "the struggle" is inevitable so one can either be obliterated by it or empowered by it. There is a true and beautiful promise in this scripture and it is that when we maintain a close relationship with God He gives us the strength and power to even bring forth blessings in the midst of every battle and valley of tears we walk through. What He showed me was that if I set my heart on, if I focus on, continuing and pursuing through the journey that he has mapped out for me then when I go through tough times He will be right there with me showing me that it is possible to have His joy that isn't all smiles and giggles, yet powerful and fulfilling. Not only will I dig and create a dry land a place of springs but He will also send his rain to overflow the season that I am going through. What does that look like? For me it was discovering true friends that prayed with me and encouraged me, to be able to finish two semesters victoriously when the odds were against me, and to receive the answer to my prayers. I continue my journey and I still face many struggles and I know that there are future struggles but I also know that God gave me the power by His Holy Spirit to dig until a spring comes gushing forth to bring life to what was dead. Hang in there folks. Our God is right beside us.

I Promise. Don't Look Back Anymore.

 Me: But Lord what about—?

God: Shh shh...

Me: But God I don't get—?

God: Shh... It's ok. I get it.

Me: So how is this gonna work out?

God: It just will. Just love me.

Me: God I do love you...but it's so confusing!!!

God: I'm not confusing beloved...I'm what you need. I'm what you've always needed, really.

Me: You are God. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry. I've let my questions come between us. Forgive me.

Jesus: I already did baby 2,000 years ago. I took care of your doubts, insecurities, and rebellions. Be free!

Me: Aww, my sweet Jesus please don't even start with that because you know I'm gonna start balling out. I love you! I love you! I love you!!!

Jesus: I love you more! I promise. Everything will come together so beautifully. We've planned it since before your birth in the secret place when you laughed and sang with us. We looked at you, smiled and wrote with true love in mind. You don't remember those things but it's all been taken care of. Don't look back anymore.

Holy Spirit: Didn't I tell you that you were dearly loved? Girl, we're crazy about you! Face it. Your heart is ours and we aren't letting go. We love you! Just remember who loved you first.

Me: I feel better. You guys always know how to make me feel better. The truth is, what's behind me is both good and bad so I find myself thinking about the good things. But then I think about the fact that You said in Your word not to look back and desire to return to the good old days. Lord I want to go from glory to glory. Why? Why do I sometimes feel like what's behind and past is as good as it's gonna get? How do I tackle that Lord?

Holy Spirit: The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Keep feeding your spirit the way you have and every doubt and fear will flee. If you find yourself traveling back in your thoughts: Stop, think about my love, declare what I've promised you. Talk to me. When you're silent because you feel overwhelmed just talk to me. We've got this battle won. I know this world tries to pull you away from trusting me but don't let it! Remember I love you. Never forget. How can you, right? I will always keep reminding you.

Me: My heart is Yours. Lead the way...Oh, wait! Can we have breakfast first?

Holy Spirit: Oh yeah you eat! Sure let's go!

Me: Ha! I love you...

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(Luke 1:37) 

"For no word from God will ever fail.”

(Luke 1:45) 

"Blessed is she who has believed that 

the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

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His Glory Rained Down

And then came Sunday. I drove off to church. I warmed-up. I prayed. I did a mike-check. Met some new people. Worshiped my King. Our service is called Tardes De Gloria (Afternoons of Glory) and that's exactly what we all witnessed. We felt God's glory rain and pour out over us. Some missionaries and prophets from Oklahoma came to pay us a visit and from the moment I stepped foot inside the church I could perceive something new, something big coming our way. Sunday after Sunday after Sunday all of us have been seeking and pursuing the Lord's presence, Worshiping and poring out songs before his throne and we finally saw and felt the overwhelming overflow of our Father's glory. It was unbearable. So unbearable that at one point I just left my mike and went over to the corner of the alter to just break down, kneeling before my God. The only living God was there but this time we just FELT Him push through us and walk among us spiritually. Our eyes could not see it but our spirits were so out of our control and completely under His control. I mean, not one person was left out...everyone drank on their own because that's what the service is all about. Getting into God presence individually as one to drink from the well. Each and every single person just making the most of the three hour or four or how ever long it takes to get satisfied. We sing and praise and worship until we burst with uncontainable life. Each person received a prophetic word from The Lord. When we finally finished the first part of our time of praise and worship (approximately one hour and a half) The man who came to release the prophetic word over our service and congregation introduced himself and gave the word out:

(Jeremiah 9:23-24) 

This is what the Lord says:

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom

or the strong boast of their strength

or the rich boast of their riches,but let the 

one who boasts boast about this:

that they have the understanding to know me,

that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,

justice and righteousness on earth,

 for in these I delight,”

declares the Lord.

Because we've been seeking God we found Him. It's all about His presence. After the word, which was amazing because God was just speaking, the prophet and my pastor began to prepare for the altar call and the second round of our congregational worship. I was drinking out of my water jug and reaching for my mike when I heard the prophet say, "bring me that young lady." I was sort of confused because of the spiritual Ephesians 5:18 drunkenness I was experiencing. The man walked up to me and began to release the prophetic word. Most of what I can remember him saying is that I was being given a fresh anointing because I had the gift of prophecy and that The Lord wanted me to begin to release that. He said that I would hear God sing to me and that all I had to do was repeat that because God wants to speak to the church through me. I was just receiving it, over joyed, knowing that the Lord confirmed to me something that I've been acting on that His Spirit has taught me but now God gave His public approval before the whole congregation. My heart was so full because it's been a long walk and God has seen me pushed aside but He made that man walk up to me first. It's like when you have a boyfriend who's parents are talking bad about you and then he sticks up for you. I felt my groom publicly exalt me for being humble in the secret. This place though is something special filled with people who have been rescued from the darkest depths and now seek more and more to walk in the light. We stumble but we no longer fall through the power of The Holy Spirit. I'm only 19 y'all but trust me when I say...it's been a long...long walk. Through the desert and up the mountain but it's brought me closer to my God. I can't even describe anymore how I feel because it's too much to contain in words to the point where I can honestly say that words would do this experience no justice. Talk too you all soon.

Speechless...

Love Trails

I love, love, love, love, love...love my God. My sweet Daddy always knows what's best for me. This girl right here typing away wanted to be an architect and was ready to head off to Austin TX to make that plan happen, but (God loves this word) the Lord had something higher in mind than I could have ever imagined. He left me trails of love to follow. Because you see, when your so out of your mind passionately in love with God your eyes are so unshakably fixed on His eyes that through that intimate relationship you come to know the desires of His heart and what He loves. Those desires become your desires because Jesus no longer has to pursue you now, that hunger is born and that desire causes us to pursue Him and press through anything and everything to get to Him. I was (an still am) so love sick that just like Elisha I burned up all my desires that I had clung so tightly to and simply followed my love with a love that is so powerful that one doesn't have to be blinded to follow. You see, I followed Jesus with eyes wide open knowing that my reality was crazy but His reality for me was perfectly planned. And that's been my journey up till today. I've been following those love trails especially through my whole college career. Things haven't always been so clear as to what I should do next but what was clear was that every time I had to take a step the Holy Spirit met me right there, reached for my arm, and guided me on forward to my next task. So now here I am almost two years later in the second semester of my second year of college seeing the fruit of my trust. I love what God has placed in my hands. Because I love Him, I love what He loves, and because I love what He loves, I just simply love. Rehabilitation with a Concentration in Addiction Studies. If words could express the passion and joy that I feel as I drive to school to just soak up the lectures my words would run short. I love it with all my heart. Now I see. Now I understand.

Trust God. Follow His love trail. Cling to Him. Give Him the glory. You will discover. You will fall in love with God's plans. Because you love Him. You will be victorious. His plans are higher. Trust. Follow the love trail.

(Romans 8:28)

Dreams {I Lay Them At Your Feet}

I've received God's word for me this year and suddenly all these dreams have been born in me. Desires that I am surrendering to God and praying for. One of my dreams, that I just can't shake off because I have been asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to me the desires of my Father's heart for me, is attending the "Bethel School of Worship". It's like I shake that dream loose and then, like a boomerang, it just keeps flying back to me through other blogs, articles, songs, and random sorts of events. The truth is, we can't run from what God has called us to do and in this case, trust, I would love nothing more than to jump on a plane and fly off to Redding, California. But... the Lord's timing is perfect. In the mean time my preparation continues. My Spring Semester starts on Monday and Psalmist School two weeks after. I'm soaking up everything I can and making the most of every teaching that The Holy Spirit is providing me with. It's amazing though, how God keeps confirming my dream. Yesterday, a woman from the financial-aide office called me in the morning to tell me that after checking my fafsa she thought their might be some errors that I could fix so that I could be given a Pell Grant in addition to the grants that I already have. You see, ever since I started attending the University I never had to pay anything out of pocket, my God has opened every door and has overflowed His blessings on me by leaving me with ridiculously surprising amounts of refunds. I call it our love relationship: I give Him the glory and He makes a way for me. Well...being notified of this blessing of course my heart became too full of thanks to handle because, "there we go" I thought, more confirmation. I was saying a few days back about attending BSW, "God, this is expensive for me and I don't have this kind of cash lying around." Bam! He answered me. It's like He's always telling me, "Deya, what more do you need? What more can I do for you?" And I'm like, "No, no, God...What can I do for You?" I'm going to continue to save up and set an amount of money aside for whatever the Lord has in mind for me. God has an amazing way of doing things a gagillion times infinity times better than me, but since I'm a planner at heart (it comes from Him, I know it) I'll share my plans.

• I plan to continue faithfully leading worship at church when University life is not all too hectic. 
• I plan to enter my rehab program and rock that to bring glory to my God.
• I plan to Graduate from Levi School of Psalmists (Levi Escuela de Salmistas), completing my six semesters in December 2013!!!
• And...I plan to apply and God willing attend Bethel Scchool of Worship in the Summer of 2014.

Even to me, as I re-read these little bullets I think, "Dang, that's so far away!" But, I truly know that God will guide me and keep preparing me. If He told me to begin reading the bible from beginning to end in the beginning of 2012 and it is now 2013 then time will continue to go by in the blink of an eye. God's timing has always been perfect and I see now how he's worked everything out. Getting into the word of God sparked by hunger, the 21 day fast led to breaking unhealthy chains and getting healthy by seeing a naturopathic doctor, I mean God holds everything in His hand. I even think, how could I have hike me some mountains in California if God wouldn't have pushed me to change and to start getting healthy. ALL things work together for our good. I'm going to enjoy the now so that even when the later comes my past and present will have warm greetings when embracing my future. So...let God's amazing plans begin. My prayers start now. Anyone who wants to pray for this with me, please feel more than welcome because it is so deeply appreciated.

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(Psalm 37:4-5) Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give 

thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; 

trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. KJV

(Psalm 32:8) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you 

should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. NIV

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.

*~*~*

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! 

At All Times

"Bless the Lord, oh my soul... Sing like never before, O my soul, I'll worship Your holy name."

This song by Matt Redman is at the top of my playlist; It sums up all that a worshiper should be. We should worship the Lord at all times: during the storm, in the desert of our lives, when all goes good, and when all goes south...when we feel faint and when we win the victory...In the morning when the sun rises and also as the stars and moon blanket the sky. My soul will bless the Lord at all times.

(Psalm 103:1) Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

God's Promises Are As Sure As The Stars

(Jeremiah 20:11) "But the Lord stands beside me like a great warrior. Before him my persecutors will stumble. They cannot defeat me. They will fail and be thoroughly humiliated. Their dishonor will never be forgotten.

When I was 15 years old I found myself reading something that I did not fully comprehend. Now, 3 years later, I see what the Lord was saying to me. He was preparing me, reassuring me, and uplifting me. It was past midnight and I got up from bed and went into my parent's bathroom where I saw a miniature open bible by the bath tub. My eyes hovered above one particular scripture and something tugged at my heart, making me feel like I had uncovered a hidden treasure. God spoke to me through His word and let me know that He would always be making a way for me. Up until today I see this word coming true...God's promises are sealed once spoken and will continue until the day that I find myself face to face with my Father, my Protector, my Warrior, my Love, and my Everything. When God promises something He fulfills it. What He has promised you will come to be, and I say again and declare it in the name of Jesus, What God has promised you will come to be. Hold on tight to His words and remain firmly planted on the rock that is Jesus. Trust me, the desire you have in your heart will come true because God put them there in the first place. God's promises for you are as sure as the stars in the sky.

Stars in the Sky- Kari Jobe