A NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year!!!! Everyone posts, its all i see as soon as i open my news feeds on social media. A new year is defined by everyone according to their personal view. Some have a list of resolutions and wishes to fulfill, others just want the simple things.

 

Over the years i have learnt that having my new years lists got kinda tedious as i observed during half of the year that i didn't achieve some of the things i had put on my list. With time, this frustrated me and i decided from last year to keep things a little bit simple. So i shortened my list to three things:

1. More attention to Jesus
2. Better physical health
3. Conquer my fears.

I will say that fortunately i did achieve number 3, would have improved more on number 1 & 2. As we approach the new year 2017, today being the last day of the year, Christ spoke to me personally in my morning devotion. ITS TIME TO BE MADE WHOLE AND COMPLETE! time to GROW MORE and fulfill His purpose and plans for my life. Time to be more firm to principle and compromise only in preference. 

Sometimes in my anxiety i looked at what was around me, my colleagues, friends, environment, society, community, etc And in this day and age, people prefer to go along with the crowd and loose themselves. I saw that that was a danger and at the same time a temptation for me. I realized that the moment i shifted my eyes from God, i began to slip a little into the patterns of this world.

Don't get me wrong, the world isn't some nasty place, and neither am i an isolated alien. But according to what Scripture says, we are not of this world, we are in it, but not of it, We are not to be conformed to the ways of the world but are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, meditating on God's Word, spending time in prayer and baring His testimony will make us stronger and more firm.

To shine in the light I have been given and bloom where i have been planted, to advance and grow according as Jesus would want me to. To prepare daily for His second coming and choose to be sanctified and have my character worked on, being the person that He wants me to be. To not merely TALK the TALK but above all to WALK the TALK. To allow Jesus to fill me, fill me with His presence and may my life be a living example of His love. To both seek my growth and the growth of those around me,

A new year is a new opportunity, not just to start afresh, but to finish off from where you ended a

nd GLORIFY the name of YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER

God grant me!

¡AMIGO VERDADERO!

Me atrevo a escribir una nota en español. No lo hago frecuentemente por que no estoy acostumbrada a hacerlo y la verdad que tengo miedo de que mi gramática española me falle. En realidad debería hacerlo más para perfeccionar el arte, jeje. Hoy me pregunto, ¿De que estas hecho Sonia…? ¿A quién perteneces? ¿Con quién caminas? ¿Quién es tu compañero? Surgieron estas preguntas gracias a la meditación de hoy cuando Dios me llamó la atención para examinarme y realmente reconocer donde estoy. Es importante siempre hacer una retroalimentación y autoexamen para ver si uno está en el buen camino. Esto no nos nace naturalmente sino que es el Espíritu Santo que nos lleva a ese lugar, una invitación especial para reencontrarse y saber que acción tomar.

Hay una “apariencia de santidad” que es muy fácil de realizar, tan solo uno tiene que portarse bien, vestirse bien, hablar bien, caminar bien, cantar bien y tadaaaaaaaaa, soy un Cristiano, santo y puro!!! Ojala que las cosas fuesen así, sería muy fácil y alcanzable ser cristiano cada uno por su cuenta, pero ser cristiano va más allá de eso. Es ser un seguidor de Jesús Cristo. NO ES SER JESUS EN LAS VIDAS DE LAS PERSONAS! Sino ejemplarlo, imitarlo y aun con nuestra condición pecaminosa, nos llama a formar una amistad con Él. Y el hecho de que somos pecadores debería darnos más razón para acudir a Él y aferrarnos más a Él porque no lo podemos hacer solos.

Muy pronto el tiempo vendrá donde cada uno va a demostrar a quien pertenece, y pienso que ni hace falta esperar por aquel día porque de alguna manera hoy, demostramos a quien pertenecemos cuando estamos enfrentados ante una prueba o dificultad o cuando Dios en su infinita sabiduría decide no darnos lo que pedimos . ¿Qué actitud tenemos? ¿Estamos dispuestos a seguir a Cristo aun en medio de la dificultad?

Se define la amistad verdadera o a un verdadero amigo como aquel que siempre está a tu lado pase lo pase, en los buenos y en los malos. Aquel quien te es fiel y nunca te deja solo. Eso es un verdadero amigo!!! Y para los que dicen que no tienen esta clase de amigo, están equivocados. Si hay un VERDADERO AMIGO, solo que no LE DAMOS CHANCE a manifestarse por nuestra ceguera y falta de fe.

Hoy, la invitación está extendido hacia nosotros! Una invitación de hacer una amistad con Jesús. Con los brazos abiertos nos llama y espera recibirnos!! ¿ACEPTAREMOS SU AMISTAD HOY?

Welcoming a little one

Growing up

Boy do I have a load of things to say on this topic. Well I have come to see that growth or growing up is so diverse. We grow in various aspects of our lives; physically, morally, spiritually, emotionally, mentally........ you  name it. 

To me growth is an active process of change, a better change, its progressive, ongoing. And in all cases, we don't feel it. I can almost say that growing has a lot to do with FAITH, for example, biologically speaking when the cells divide and differentiate or when there is cell specialization, the organism does not feel this ongoing process but finds itself in a superior position than before.

In science we learn that one of the characteristics of living things is their ability to grow. All living things grow, plants grow, people grow, animals grows etc.  But there's another side of growth that I have come to see, and that is "the higher you go, the more is expected." very different from the geographical theory of cooling that states " the higher yo go, the cooler it becomes." The more you grow, the more is expected. Things change and you begin to see things in a different way.

Its true to say that the person you were 2 years ago is not the same person you are today. Because everyday we undergo change, everyday we learn though we hardly realize it, we are surrounded by so many stimuli that stimulate us but we don't realize it. example, the day to day decisions we make, the little and simple things we do each contribute to our shaping and formation of character.

The greatest thing or priority in life is not so much the material things we may obtain by our human means. how many cars we would have driven, how many friends we would have made or how many houses we would have built. But the greatest treasure that we have whether we recognize it or not is our IDENTITY. our CHARACTER!!! Questions like who am I? what is my purpose in life? where am I going? what do I contribute to life??????? all these questions all have a root, a deep search within the human heart to find himself in this lost world.

Through out the ages, man has tried and is still trying to "find himself" but the search doesn't have to be that tedious. Because with Jesus by our side, we learn more and more about ourselves. In Jesus we have life, meaning, purpose and hope, In Him we have everything we need. The truth is growing up is not easy, they are challenges everywhere, battles from all corners. Horrible this may be, we have an assurance that our Savior and friend Jesus will always be there to hold us, mold us and love us till the end.

Growing up is believing even when you can't see anything happening AT ALL. Especially when it comes to the Christian growth. There is no meter or apparatus to measure our Christian growth but what we do have is the assurance and the wonderful promises of God. He bids us ABIDE! STAY! STAY IN HIM!!!! STAY RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE. And You will be fine! 

You WILL NOT FEEL IT!!!! but by Jesus just BELIEVE IT because HE SAYS SO! 

John 15:3,4

SNH

Service

What does it really mean to serve???? For the past few days I have been deeply contemplating on service, what it takes to serve, why should I serve? And am so glad on the impressions I have received concerning this topic.

First things first, the definition of service is to genuinely place the needs of another before your own. That definition kinda sounds familiar to me........ I personally think that service has a lot to do with LOVE, that high and holy principle that only Christ teaches us. Service isn't conditional, its a sincere willingness to do whats right and what would be best for the other according to the instructions of the Divine Master Jesus Christ. Now this "other" isn't always going to be a friend, a mother or someone thats very known to us, this also applies to strangers, in fact it highly applies to our enemies, those that do us wrong, those that hurt and bruise us.

When people here this, they quickly turn their faces aways as they remember and reflect upon the horrible memories that are linked to a person that wronged them, But as Jesus said, what good is it to love only those that do good to us? Mat 5:46. The whole point of love is to apply the principle on those that hurt us. But why????????? I asked this question always, until Jesus in His mercy, through His holy word, answered me and made it all clear.

In loving someone undeserving, you show the character of your Master and trainer Jesus Christ. In loving those people, you are used as an instrument to help them know more about Jesus. The truth is this world is very old!!! Its filled with people that are always after their own pleasures and this is all because of SIN, even Jesus said it in Mat 24:12 concerning the conditions of the close of earth's history. " And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will wax cold" we don't even need to prove this statement, just by looking around us, we can see that the words of Jesus are not void. He never lies.

There's more to life than getting what we want, achieving all our aims and goals, I am in no way against determination and the goals that one has in life, but I am saying that in all we do, we should consider others. We should seek to serve and help someone's life better. We won't be super heroes with super natural powers, but in the little done, we will make a difference in Jesus name because we are ambassadors for Him in this lost and dying world.

To serve is to love, for without love I can not serve as Jesus served. Jesus was moved with compassion for the people He met, He felt their hurt and knew their deepest cries. He sympathized earnestly with them and drew close to them because their situation got to His heart. Oh what an example!!! Without Jesus, I can not serve, my carnal heart is not built for that, but as Jesus promises me in Eze 36:26,27 He will give me new heart, He will take away this heart of stone an replace it with a heart of flesh. Its the only way that a human can actually make a difference, any other method apart from this one is false and will be in vain.

The Savior asked "How can you being evil speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." and He was right. A Chinese man can not speak Spanish naturally, he has to be trained, so it is with us, we can not serve genuinely, we have to be trained! trained by a master, the Master Jesus Christ.

The truth is I am still learning to serve, its not easy, sometimes I receive the worst of the worst treatment, and knowing my sensitive nature, I have wept a few times here and there, and sometimes, people are very receptive and warm, but regardless of the response, good or bad, its worth it, its worth it because Christ did it before I did and that's what gives me HOPE!

It was only a while ago

"It was only a while ago when I spoke to her and now she is gone!"

This is the phrase that most people say, I will admit that even I've heard it before.
When one looses his life and is no more, what becomes of him?!
Nothing but memories. whichever memories that only his loved ones will live to remember. But of course it wont also be long until some of them are forgotten.

Life moves on and people come and go
Change has always been, its not something unreal or new.
Like King Solomon said, "All is vanity".

But if all is vanity what is the purpose and meaning of life?
Is there anything to look forward to?
Yes there is, there are so many things to look forward to even in this lost and hopeless world.

Jesus has not left us alone,
He will never leave us alone not even for a second,
Life is meaningful and different when He is present at the center our lives.
For He Himself said it, " If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me" John 12:32.

It is HE that truly brings that unforgettable smile on your face,
It is HE that turns the sorrow into joy,
That brings forth hope and love,
purpose and eternal life.

One day this phrase will be said by someone concerning me "It was only a while when I spoke to her and now she is gone!"
I ask myself the hard stuff, " would I have done what was required of me?", " would I have shown one person the hope that lies in Jesus?", "would I have loved enough or been there enough?"

The questions go on, but whilst I am alive I have an opportunity to do what is required of me, to love and to be there for someone, as a friend, as a daughter, sister and as a stranger.
Be the change that Jesus wants to see!
*viaproposito* SNH

Our Father leads

As I reminisce on the numerous blessings given to me, I can't help but recall the words to the song "more than ever" by the Gaither Vocal Band. These precious words are a personal testimony and a remembrance of how and when I started my christian journey.

"
When I started my journey in fresh childlike trust
I believed that the Lord's way was best
I would read in His word how He mothered the bird
And grieve when it fell from it's nest
How I felt His delight when i chose to do right
And I prayed I would not make Him sad
We would meet on the way in the cool of the day
What a pure sweet communion we had
Oh but now more than ever
I cherish the cross
More than ever I sit at His feet
All the miles of my journey have proved my Lord true
And He is so precious to me."

The everlasting and wonderful God, the creator of all the universe who willingly gave His only begotten Son as a ransom for my sin still lives today and daily shows me my destiny, through salvation, I have access to Heaven, I have victory over sin, though my sinful nature is ever before me, Christ is working in me to will and to do of His good pleasure, thus the struggle and the conflict between my flesh and God's eternal will. He imputes in me His righteousness. By His grace I am His and He is mine.

Its good to take time and look back on how we started our journey, drawing back to the wonderful moment when we got immersed in the waters by baptism, professing to the world whose were and where we chose to belong, where we currently are in our christian walk and where Jesus wants us to be by His grace and love. Then and only then can we see the changes that Christ has made in our lives. We never feel the growth, just like we never feel the process of cell division, duplication and replication of our DNA, synthesis of our RNA and various proteins that make up a large component of our being. But as we can't feel the growth, we can see the change and others see it more.

I have come to see that only Christ gives identity, purpose, meaning, life, joy, happiness, peace.......... and the list goes on. A true and pure communion with Him is what He desires. As a mother gently leads her child through the walking process, so does our Heavenly Father, He never leaves our side and He will never forsake us. He is LOVE and He is our Father, our King, our provider and our God! We are not His robots but we have been called His children. There is a big difference between having your own child and taking care of stranger and I believe that this more profound with they that have their own offspring. In the eyes of God we are precious, wonderful, priceless and worth dying for. Now thats amazing!
THAT'S LOVE! SNH

Something I learnt.

In a midst of a busy schedule, running up and down, trying to get everything going well, perfect and exact, I see a danger, a red light strongly flashing in my face, its accompanied by a very loud and disturbing noise, a noise that I cant seem to shut. This alarm gets my full attention and I stop what I am doing, I stop, reflect and think deeply wondering what could be the meaning of this racket, but then i remember and it hits me, Its a WARNING FROM GOD!!
"A warning?" I say to myself, "But what did I do wrong?". I couldn't find the answers to that question on my own, I didn't have the strength, I didn't know where to begin, I wondered where on earth I would find the solution to this warning that I had received from God. It was then that I remembered that all the solutions and answers to my questions where found in God's word, His love letter to me. With emphasis on how much i desperately needed His word, I listened to sermon, I didn't choose the sermon based on the title or the speaker, but I was lead to hear it, and guess what the message was????? Yes, exactly, GOD'S WORD!!!! another confirmation from God to tell me how much I am in need of it.
Honestly speaking, I had been so worked up and "busy" trying things my way, thinking it was the best way, until i received the warning from my Father in Heaven, to stop doing things my way and do things HIS WAY! because HIS WAYS are best! Psalm 19:7,8 and Prov 30:5. Its very easy to try and help God, thinking that we are in the correct path, but clearly God doesn't need our help, He just needs our obedience and willingness to serve Him. A co- working partnership, a union between Divinity and Humanity.
Oh what a privilege, what an honor it is to co-work with the Great Physician, such ways none can fathom.
Just like me, maybe you have received a warning from God, his warning can be an impression from the Holy Spirit, from His word, etc. But when you do receive it, please, please surrender and ask Jesus to help you start over, fresh and clean!

Decisions

When the time comes to make decisions, don't be afraid and take another route, the route that seems to be the best, but only for a moment, the easy way out, is not always the best. Many times in life we will be faced to make some decisions and most of the times, these decisions will affect the ones we love and the ones that are part of our world, be it friends, family, neighbors, etc. Some way, some how it is inevitable to make a decision.
 Decision making is an everyday thing, the question is, by what criteria do we make these decisions? Is it according to how I feel as a person or do we truly seek for something more, do we look at the welfare of others or maybe its a win and take situation.
Honestly its not easy especially if the decision made will affect the ones around us. Paul tells us that we are to look not unto ourselves but unto others Romans 12:3, this means that in decision making, we are to always consider others as they will one way or the other be affected.
Above all things, we are to always put God first for we are bought with a price, we are not our own 1 Corth 7:23, for Romans clearly states that we are of the LORD Romans 14:8, Colossians 3:23.
Seeking first always the kingdom of God and its righteousness above every other entity. Then only can we be safe and sure to say that " I MADE THE RIGHT DECISION!"

Who truly can satisfy?

The other day I was sitting in the prayer garden of the university campus, as the beautiful sun's rays gently hit my skin, i looked to the sky and it was amazing, the clouds were as clear as fresh pure water and the birds were singing their wonderful melodies, if I could only understand what they were singing about :).

 As I sat there with the my eyes raised up to the sky, i begun to meditate, the weather was perfect for my meditation, the cool and gentle breeze lead my to automatically do it.As the sun struck my eyes, I begun to feel the effect of the rays and the partial discomfort that they brought me, so i quickly put on my second pair of eyes for protection, if you wear glasses then you know what I mean.
Once comfortable, a thought came to my mind "who truly can satisfy?", I asked as i begun my session with God.

According to my own definition, to be satisfied is to be content, to not lack in anything, to be comfortable, to be okay.......etc.As i continued to break down this word "SATISFY" I remembered 2 verses from God's word that say "And the LORD shall guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in the drought and strengthen your bones; and you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring whose waters fail not" Isaiah 58:11 and Psalm 37:18,19 which says "The LORD knows the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be forever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied". From there my answer was found, only my LORD has the ability to satisfy my soul, only HE has the ability to strengthen my bones and truly give me meaning and purpose to life.
There are so many unclaimed promises in God's word, not because they are dead, but because we DON'T search for them and CLAIM them. So for that session of meditation i left feeling SATISFIED, knowing full well with all my heart that only JESUS can TRULY satisfy.
And praise God through my personal experiences have I come to appreciate this inevitable FACT.

Just like you promised.

Each and every day that passes by is an opportunity to learn, an opportunity to grow and become a better friend, sister, daughter, student, aunt, niece, granddaughter, neighbor, and the many other roles we have been given here in on this earth, but above all these roles and responsibilities, I have come to see that everyday is an opportunity given to grow more in our Christian walk, to develop our character.

As the days go by and as everyday turns to a week, week to a month, month to a year and year to more years, I see my broken nature standing right in front of me, its with me and in me. And sadly it is so because am part of Adams fallen race and in me dwells no good thing. However there are 2 sides to it, and the very thing that determines where I stand lies within me. its called MY WILL POWER!

God granted me this powerful gift out of the LOVE He has for me. The choices I make determine all. Whether I choose to live and sob in my broken nature or rush quickly to the foot of the cross where lies a compassionate Savior, willing to give me hope, wisdom and meaning in this little life of mine likened unto a flower that withers and quickly fades away. Its a choice, a very big desicion that I need to make every single day that I am given life by the Almighty.

I choose to live with Christ, in Christ, for Christ, by Christ and always for Christ, even if my very nature rebels and protests against it. With such an important decision, I need all the strength I can get to live by and stick to these principles. This is why I CAN NOT dare be apart from Christ, the author and perfecter of my faith. My sustainer and provider!

Truth is we are a broken people, a broken and hopeless world that is in desperate need of saving, we are selfish sinful beings that are in need of cleansing, in need of purification. May the LORD have mercy upon us as we daily learn to surrender to Him our entire lives.

She took a jorney.

She took a journey, she didn't really know what it was all about, she was  willing to learn, willing to live and willing to die............so she thought until the worst came upon her. She cried, could not understand, she wondered and thought what went wrong, why she supposedly did the opposite of her beliefs, until it was shown to her her real nature, her vulnerable and hopeless state. Her broken form could not mend things.

As the famous saying goes "Words are cheap,but actions speak louder than words", it was more than enough to express her real carnal nature as she realized that her promises were as ropes of sand, she had no power what so ever to fulfill any of the sweet promises that came from her mouth. Thinking all was well,she forgot on whom she totally depends.

Allowing the enemy access to the situation, doubt and fear crept in, fear of the unknown, fear that she was all alone and that NO ONE understood her. God never forsakes His own, even when they sometimes forget that. Sin has poisoned our thinking, it has destroyed us and separated us from our loving and good Creator, we have memory problems especially when it comes to God's promises,one minuet we read and rejoice in Gods word, the next we are found doubting His very pure and precious words.

We must realize always that we are broken, but through Christ we have hope, hope of being once again restored to the wonderful image that was robbed from us. Knowing this and only this will keep us on track, will keep us in line with the God's ways, as the Comforter promised to us by the Savior Divine desperately comes to our rescue, ever working to mold, shape and from the broken human into the perfect image of God.

As she daily battled, she realized that the strength lies not in her, the urge and power don't come from her, but from her Loving Savior who promised to ever be with her as she begun her journey. She then realized that the more she grew, greater was demanded from her and the greater the demands, the more grace and power was given to her..........But the story doesn't there,........its continues with joys, sorrows, ups, downs, highs, lows, mountains, valleys, you name it,but all through her journey is present a Loving and Merciful Savior who walks with her all the days of her life on Earth.

She took a journey, she cried during her journey, she grew during her journey, but best of all, she's learning to embrace her journey with Jesus Christ!

Can't we see?

I wouldn't imagine my life without Jesus. What a toil, how miserable I would be without hope, without purpose and ultimately without life! Truth is although this thought is terrible to imagine, this is the exact reality for those that do not have CHRIST in their hearts and lives, unknowingly they groan this very message through there brokenness, through their pain and misery, they don't realize that the very thing that they are looking for, better said, the very ONE PERSON that they are looking for is the MAN that saved them from their sin and has given them a chance to live again, has given them HOPE!

Aimlessly they wonder, seeking for answers but the ONE ANSWER that quits that grande and long chase stands in front of them, its like being in a vacuumed glass box placed in the world's largest city and you screaming at the top of his voice and no one hears you but they totally can't deny seeing you. Every day I am amazed at how much JESUS wants to reach out to us through so many mediums and He guaranties us that Heaven is ours only if we DO what HE wants.

Going back to the previous description, a thought comes to me,"Just how will people know?" Jesus will not send angels to come share the gospel, He instead send us, YOU and ME into a lost and broken world, not to be "superior" or "holy in our own sight" but to be mended also in our brokenness.

JESUS wants to use ME! He wants to use US to spread and share HIS GREAT LOVE.
Matt 28:19,20.

Lo, I am with you.........till the END

I  remember telling God that I wanted to be a missionary, well it didn't take too long before i was given an opportunity to go for my "first mission", it was so cool and awesome for me, I really loved the experience as I got to do two of my favorite things, make new friends and share Christ with others. What an amazing experience it was. Rising as early as 4 a.m to have our morning devotion, walking long distances and for long hours without feeding, singing happily and joyfully with my team mates as we visited our targeted locations, cooking with my brothers and playing with the little children. This was the perfect experience.

When that beautiful week finally came to an end, my heart was grieved as I returned to city life, fast cars, traffic, noisy music and a horrid busy atmosphere where everyone just seemed to care about getting business done I missed those wonderful sunrises , I missed the cool and fresh air that entered my lungs and thoroughly oxygenated my cells, the water was okay at the time of consumption but later affected me when I got back home, The experience was amazing, one that I will never forget.

Looking back at that precious moment, i thought to myself " wow, I m a missionary" with my head raised high and my hand beating my chest proudly, I considered myself officially as a missionary, and the truth is I am a missionary. The only thing I forgot is that I have always been a  missionary, Jesus made me a missionary the day that I got immersed in those waters and publicly announced my profession and faith in Him, I just needed to be trained.

Along came the training that I thought was obviously going to be easy, but little did I know that its one of the toughest struggles that I have ever faced, I speak in the present tense because I'm still being trained, everyday is training day. And everyday is different, its beautiful in its own way and comes with its own blessings.

With the little years blessed me by the Lord, I have come to see that being a missionary is being like Jesus, its reflecting Him in everything I do, its representing Him in the best way that I can knowing that my flesh and carnal nature will battle against His will, its putting His will before mine and totally living in surrender and obedience to Him, its seeking to please Him even if the whole world wishes to stub me for choosing Him, because He was not of the world and the world knew Him not John 15:18.19, now more than ever do I understand the words of my Commander and Chief, He was right and there is no shadow of doubt in His words. His words are pure and true.

Being a missionary doesn't en tell leaving my country and going into the deep and dangerous zones of Africa or the Amazon jungle as most of God's children think, instead its about being like Jesus wherever I am, wherever He takes me, in what ever position He places me, Its about giving my all to Him regardless of the circumstances, regardless of the consequences, its not being a fanatic, its expressing and showing how much I love Him by doing all that pleases Him, even if i risk loosing what I want and think is best. Its about giving my heart to Him and letting Him take ownership of it without claiming it back.

We live in a broken and lost world that is need of knowing the truth, well what truth? The truth that sanctifies us, His HOLY WORD, the true character and image of God, a loving God that did all that He could just to save us, a loving Son that gave His own life to be sacrificed as an atonement for sin, The world must know the truth, and you and I have a responsibility in this great work, enough talk and lets actually DO the will of our Father, lets DO the work of Him that sent us.

Being a missionary is about humiliating myself to the world for Jesus and being persecuted for His name sake. Being a missionary is being for Jesus and like Jesus until the END, that they that are in darkness may know Him through His disciples of light. Knowing this ONE thing, that "LO, I am with you until the very END" Mat 28:20

Beautiful things

When we take the time, like seriously take the time to sit down and look, we will truly see that many things around us are beautiful. We often grumble and complain about many things, not bearing in mind and remembering the wonderful and beautiful things God has given us. The human being, naturally ungrateful and never satisfied can only find true satisfaction and joy not in things that he posses, or the things that he holds most dear, but only when he learns to put God first in all he does and allows Him to shape and mold him according to His will.

Jesus told us that if we seek first the kingdom of God and all its righteousness, the rest shall be added unto us, Mat 6:33. Its only when we see things through the eyes of God, see things the way God wants us to see them through the Holy Spirit, that we will see things to be beautiful, God's children should never dwell on the negative, we must always look for the good and positive side of things and people regardless of the circumstances.

Beautiful things are everywhere, but sometimes hidden, beautiful things exist, but we are too blind to see them, most beautiful things are right in front of our eyes but we just don't see them, sometimes we choose not to see them because we choose to see things our own way.

I want Jesus to teach me to see things beautiful and embrace and appreciate them while I have the breath of life in me. I want Jesus to teach me to have a grateful heart regardless of the circumstances, to be content in whatever lot. I want to see things the way Jesus sees things and DO things appropriately, according to His awesome will, Ecc 5:18,19.

I know that even in we live in a hopeless world there are still some beautiful things, people, places, books, animals, you name it but above all the REAL BEAUTY in things is not categorized by their color, their form, their appearance, but by GOD'S PRINT OF LOVE in them!!!! Ecc 3:11.

Love

Hmmmmm....... when I look at this 4 lettered word, I have great respect and fear for it. Well that wasn't the case a few years ago, in fact up to now, I don't know how many times I have used this word but all I know is that in the most times, I abused it.

When I sit down and reflect through the true meaning of LOVE, I am amazed by how much the human race has cheapened and degraded this great and powerful word, not only is it a word, but its an ACTION too. Many times we tend to use it without even knowing what it means. There's a old saying that goes, "If you don't mean it, don't sing it", and I'll substitute some words there and come up with my own saying, "If you don't mean it, don't say it."

And its true, I mean, why on earth do we need to pretend and show the world what we are not, to me it makes no sense, it makes no sense to smile to people when we don't mean it, when were are not sincere in heart, it makes no sense to be there physically for a person when deep down in my cold and stony heart I am complaining to death. IT MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL!!!!!!!

Seeing that this makes no sense, what should we do???? If we are truly God's children as we claim, we definitely know that world's way of doing things should not even be an option on our list of "possible solutions", and exactly what is the "world's way" of resolving this problem??? The world's way of resolving this problem is being cold and selfish, its totally ignoring and forgetting that we are brothers and sisters in Christ, that we are one body. And we know that that is NOT the Lord's way!!!!!

If we really want to know the true meaning of LOVE, we should seek its source, we should seek its initiator or its author. And thank God that we have it both documented and demonstrated in His word! 1 John 4:7,8 says "Beloved, let us LOVE ONE ANOTHER for LOVE IS OF GOD, and everyone that LOVES IS BORN OF GOD and knows God.He that loves not knows not God; for GOD IS LOVE." and  there it is written right in front of our faces.

1 John 4:16  "And we have known and believed the love has God has for us. GOD IS LOVE; and he that DWELLS IN LOVE DWELLS IN GOD and GOD in him" its quiet clear what God is trying to tell us, He's trying to communicate to us that HE IS LOVE, without Him, I as a sinful human being can never love anybody, without JESUS, I don't know what LOVE is. More so, how dare I claim to LOVE GOD but yet hate my brother 1 John 4:20?????? again IT MAKES NO SENSE, God wouldn't do that and as He children, we should never do anything that HE wouldn't do.

Many times, especially among my fellow youths, we ask God for companionship, sometimes when things don't go our way, we take up the stirring wheel, move God from the driving seat and cruise through with our own miniature plans, forgetting that HE IS THE AUTHOR OF LOVE!!!!! when we finally come to our senses and reason with Him, we will see that IT MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL, If I don't know GOD, the author of LOVE, how on earth am I supposed to truly LOVE my fellow human being?????? and this is not just the " hollywood" type of love because clearly, that is NOT LOVE, TRUE LOVE is a HIGH and HOLY PRINCIPLE and if any claims to love, He ought to check diligently its source.

Thank God that He has not only documented this but demonstrated His great love for us in that while we were yet sinners, CHRIST DIED FOR US Romans 5:8. Because " for God so loved the world that HE GAVE his ONLY begotten SON that whosoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have EVERLASTING LIFE" John 3:16. And He is most definitely willing to TEACH US and INSTRUCT us His awesome and marvelous ways of LOVE, we are not alone in this, God is exceedingly wise and merciful and He remembers that we are dust, He is willing to help us only if we surrender and allow Him to transform our lives.

I personally want to learn more about LOVE, more about GOD, that I may best reflect my Almighty Father of LOVE, that I may give without expecting to be given in return, that just like HIM, I may put the needs of others before my own, that I may BE what He wants me to be, dying daily to self and my selfish desires because I know that there is much more than what the human eye aims , there's much more to life that achieving my goals and desires, there's much more to life that having all my dreams fulfilled. And that's BEING WHO GOD WANTS ME TO BE!!!!

Today.......... I ABIDE!!!

Seconds turn to minuets, minuets turn to hours, hours to days, days to weeks, weeks to months and months to years, years to many more years and the list goes on............

I am amazed at how much time flies and passes us by quickly, one moment we are found in one situation and the another moment we are found in another. Only God the giver of time, knows the true mystery behind the ticking clock, it never stops, it keeps moving and moving and keeps ticking and ticking.

The sun rises, the birds sings their songs, later it goes down again and waits for its time, its time to begin another day and do the same thing over and over again.

Under the command of time and Gods never ending mercy and Love, I rise and live to see a day, not knowing whats in store for me, what surprises await me or what blows I'll receive from the day. Although I have a plan laid out and certain objectives to fulfill, there is only ONE person in the control room, my captain Jesus, well, this does not mean that Jesus has a remote control and I have batteries built within me that follow His every command. Instead He gives me the keys and allows me to drive......... while He seats in the front seat with me. He tells me which directions I should follow and which ways are safe and which are not.

Some days, I don't even want to listen to Him, I just want to go my way and choose my direction, those are the worst days I will admit, but every time I stumble and almost hit into a big tree, He takes the wheel and leads me in the safe path. There is always this struggle, this fight against His sweet and loving voice, something that naturally doesn't want to obey Him as Commander and it  always lands me in trouble.

But thanks to His word, I am told that "I am made clean through the words that He speaks to me" John 15:3, Great joy dwells in my heart with this good news but there's only ONE thing that's lacking, and that is ABIDE! Jesus says "ABIDE in me and I in YOU"  John 15:4 its this simple instruction that brings chaos between us because my sinful nature does not allow me. although this is so, my WILL will obey because I CHOOSE JESUS! Romans 7:22.

Doesn't matter the struggle, doesn't matter the conflict, its tough and rough but all the matters is I CHOOSE TO ABIDE in JESUS! even if my weak sinful and carnal nature does not agree. 1 John 3:2

So Today........I abide,  i fell, i stumbled, i made Him sad and am not glad, but today.......I ABIDE in JESUS!!!!!
*this will go on until the day He comes to take us home, until we are transformed from these bodies of sin. 2 Corth 16:52, 2 Corth 5:17, Gal 2:20.

Decisions!

When the time comes to make decisions, don't be afraid and take another route, the route that seems to be the best, but only for a moment, the easy way out, is not always the best. Many times in life we will be faced to make some decisions and most of the times, these decisions will affect the ones we love and the ones that are part of our world, be it friends, family, neighbors, etc. Some way, some how it is inevitable to make a decision.
 Decision making is an everyday thing, the question is, by what criteria do we make these decisions? Is it according to how I feel as a person or do we truly seek for something more, do we look at the welfare of others or maybe its a win and take situation.
Honestly its not easy especially if the decision made will affect the ones around us. Paul tells us that we are to look not unto ourselves but unto others Romans 12:3, this means that in decision making, we are to always consider others as they will one way or the other be affected.
Above all things, we are to always put God first for we are bought with a price, we are not our own 1 Corth 7:23, for Romans clearly states that we are of the LORD Romans 14:8, Colossians 3:23.
Seeking first always the kingdom of God and its righteousness above every other entity. Then only can we be safe and sure to say that " I MADE THE RIGHT DECISION!"

My Father came through me

I remember this incidence just like it was yesterday, the story of how my Father in Heaven came through for me during my preparations for the Medical Entrance exam here in the University i study.

Before I came here, i always wanted to study Medicine and do it for the good and benefit of others. I remember vividly telling God that I would be His servant and always serve Him if He took me the UAP. In my promise, i forgot to tell Him that He had to allow me to enter Med school to have the whole desire complete and finally when the time came to be here,i took the Spanish lessons that were a requisite for my studying here because I am a foreing student and spanish is not my first language.

Arrived here in September and begun my Spanish lessons and at the same time, begun studying for the Medical Entrance Exam that was coming up in February, both had to be in Spanish and I remember that almost eveyday I would tell Jesus how much of  a challenge it was to do this but many times God would remind me of how much He loved me and that He was with me throughout that tedious journey. I trusted, I studied His word, clinged on to His promises and left the rest in His hands and I told Him that If it was His will I will definitly enter the Faculty of Medicine

Februaury finally came as I did all I possilbly could to sum up my studies and keep relaxed and focused on Jesus because I knew that He was with me at that point. During that time, many of my friends showed their support and love by praying for me, speaking words of encouragment and they also sent me verses, just what i needed at that crucial point. God sent people, i love to call them blessings because they are, He sent new people that i now call friends to be by my side during that time, He positvely spoke through the mouths of human beings as they told me me with a doubt that would enter the faculty and be a good doctor. He even sent one young lady to give me the books and materials for the first year of Medicine..........., now that was amazing, One other young lady and friend gave me her lab coat as a gift, but that was after i received the news.
I wondered and thought deeply just how God communicated to me duting that time, He used so many mediums to tell me and show me His will and i was really humbled, but sometimes i would seat down and think to myself "what of i dont make it?" So many questions run through my mind and heart as I saw just how much faith and support i received during that time, my family prayed for me as the days approached to the exam, my Spanish teachers prayed too. So many times, i told God that i didnt want to disappoint my parents and waste the money that they had invested in just to ensure that my dreams came true, i told Him that above all things i didnt want to disappoint Him and bring shame to His name because almost everyone in this place knew that i came all the way from Africa to achieve this and knew me to be a God fearing person,not that i glory in self but Christ's light is inevitable to see wherever you go even if the people speak a different language from yours. Those are some other lessons that i learnt, will share more on that. I knew that i had to do my best for God, do my best for His glory, i knew that His name was at stake if i didnt glorify Him appropriately especially in my academics. So we talked openly about the situation and He assured me through His word and i felt His blessings everyday through the mediums that He used to communicate to me His will.

The day for the exam arrived,it was on a Wednesday. I wasn't really nervous because that morning Jesus and I spoke and I surrendered everything in His hands, that His will may be done. The morning session was quiet a challenge especially with Physics, and well, knowing my personality, i just couldnt hold back my tears, i needed to cry and that made me feel better,a dear friend and sister of mine prayed with me and i felt much better, the interview was good, thanks to God, before i went in to be interviewed, i asked God to give me the right words to say because i was really being sincere and honest and my intention for entering the faculty are purely unselfish and are to the benefit of others. The second part of the exam was way better than the first and i wrote the exam knowing that i was going to receive an email form the faculty on their final decision.
The days went by as we all anxouisly waited for the results, they told us that they would be out on a Wednesday the following week. During the wait, rumors had been spreading that they would be out  a little bit earlier than Wednesday, and as soon as i heard that i begun to e anxious. Friday morning was the day that i had to sum up with the Spanish courses and prepare to seat for my final paper for the Spanish course, and by God's grace i aced the Spanish Final Exam. I had to sent an email to my coordinator Romina Rivarola, so i opened my mail an found 2 new messages, one from Romina and another form a new contact, I opened the one from the new contact first and found that it was from the Faculty. I MADE IT IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I screamed and jumped for joy, i immediately sent an email to my Mother who had been patiently waiting for the response too.I praised my Father and remembered that Psalm from Psalm 43:5 that says "Hope in the Lord, for i will yet Praise Him..."

Me during my first weeks here in Argentina.

That marks my testimony of how God my Father in Heaven came through for me. And now i know that this is His will for my life, this is the path that He has set out for me and i will gladly follow it, knowing fully well in my heart that the road is not easy and  i will definitely learn so many things while in this profession and that's what i love about it. It will teach me to utterly and wholly depend upon my Father in Heaven, my friend and Savior Jesus Christ. 1 John 4:14,15!

Celebrating with the girls after receiving the good news.