Testimony of the goodness of God

Over the years in my life, I now marvel God’s work in my life. He has changed me in such a deep and amazing way, bringing me to a fresh understanding of having an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit and growing through God’s Word. By his great love and mercy, the Lord has saved me, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast”(Ephesians 2:8-9). To be honest, it has been difficult in my journey as a Christian, but one thing I understand, that God is constant, being true to His word.
Growing up as a child, I loved playing video games. They were my heart’s desire. From fifth grade, I began playing, where hours would be wasted over purposeless actions. Video games became my safe haven, where I would look for comfort and entertainment. I would be completely mindless and at times neglect my own duties in school and at home for them. Trapped also in pornography at a young age, I was living the life as one “separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world”(Ephesians 2:12). In sixth grade, I earnestly desired to fit in. There were many cool crowds, and I felt that if I was in that group of people, my identity would be established, with good friends I am capable of relying on. Nevertheless, many times however, I was hurt by my friends. No matter how much I tried to fit in, I still did not feel satisfied with hope and purpose. Church was not something important to me; neither was God. However, during these years from 4th-6th grade, the Lord has been planting many seeds to prepare the time where I would turn my life over to my Savior.
That day in my life where I became saved was the turning point of my life. A pastor had been preaching there for quite a while, and stirring hunger for God in my soul as well as others. I felt the Holy Spirit convict me of my sinful lifestyle, and I knew that if I did not change, I would most likely go to hell. I knew I had said the prayer to invite Jesus into my heart as a child; nevertheless, I did not truly believe for I did not bring my life into complete submission to God. However, that day I did. I asked Him to come into my life, by my Lord and Savior, and to reign over me. From that day, I began to live my life for Jesus.
One thing I am most grateful for is the follow-up after. The youth director, as well as many other godly men and women turned to disciple and train me on how to live a life pleasing to God. That summer, Wendy, my youth director, told me to consider going to Brooklyn for missions. I prayed about it, and I felt the Lord confirmed that I should go. Before going, many of us would pray and seek God’s face. I learned to receive God’s healing, seek His face, and grow deeper with Him. Sharing my faith was not something I was an expert on, however, applying it changed my life.
Many struggles continued to arise after the missions; nonetheless, God was faithful, for He is always faithful, and brought me through. One thing I learned is to have a godly mentor to teach and guide you in knowing God more. In the Summer of 2009, I went to Asia to do missions and attend a conference. I was amazed and the Lord deeply challenged me in my character, passion, and how I do ministry. The Lord has molded me, broke me, and stretched me to teach, pray, and have compassion for those that are especially lost and weak.
Once a lost sinner, by His grace, I am now a child of God. Day by day by His mercy, I am able to walk in His ways, and I give Him all the glory.

The Word of God and its importance

¹²For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ¹³Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Hebrews 4:12-13

The Word of God is our standard for truth. It speaks in this passage that God's word penetrates and even divides soul and spirit. The Lord knows what is man( John 2:25), and because of this, He gives us the Word of God to discern what is what in our lives. Many times for me I have different emotions and different feelings, not quite understanding whether to follow them or not; nevertheless, God's word is "lamp to my feet"(Psalm 119:105) and will guide me into His ways for His word is inspired by Him(2 Timothy 3:16).

My challenge is that we will live lives of obedience to His word and His spirit.
1) Memorize Bible passages
2) Talk about Bible passages
3) Share about His word
4) Apply His word

God will guide us in His will for He is our Shepherd(Psalm 23:1), and it begins with His word.

Today is the day.

"for my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations."
Isaiah 56:7

During prayer meeting today, the Lord spoke many things in my heart. We're going to have prayer meetings now at FCA(Bible Club at shcool) and short prayers all around in life. This is my challenge for my life, and for my world. God has called us to be compassionate for the crowds. Jesus himself went to the crowd and had compassion on them. The Lord is challanging me to truly have compassion for my classmates, crying out to God for their souls.

Applications
1) Pray and cry out to God at FCA, and for FCA.
a. Pray for a deeper compassion and care
2) Act in deep compassion and love.

Outreach!

3/28/08 – Spring Outreach

Coming into church, I felt dry yet I still wanted to be joyful because I am a victor in the love of Jesus Christ. Today, God really showed me so much about His love for me and I believe I found my identity not in this world, but in my Father and Lord Jesus Christ. Coming into prayer meeting, I was encouraged to really believe in God’s word. When I really believe that God’s word is the Absolute Truth, and do take it into my heart and apply it in my life, God will change me drastically. I need help in doing that. In addition, the Lord showed me that I have to have a vision. A vision is a goal in which I looked toward. The Bible tells us the two greatest commandments. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Then, love your neighbor as yourself. I want to obey this and fulfill this in my life.

God spoke so powerfully through the worship, led by Jensen ( really Holy Spirit =) He showed me how I have to give it all up to Him and really worship Him with all my heart. We sang The Time has Come. It shows how the time truly has come for us to take a step of faith and live our lives for Him in worship. The next song was In the Mystery. It showed how God died for sinners gain.

Then the Lord spoke through Pat. God showed me that my identity is in Him.

God then spoke to me through Dan. A lot of times we’re confused and we feel like we don’t know what’s going on. However, Moses felt the same way. He was confused; yet God brought Him through. We have NO excuse to surrender to the Lord, because the train will leave without us. Surrender. Seek. Apply.

Exodus 15:25-26

²⁵ Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.
There the LORD made a decree and a law for them, and there he tested them. ²⁶ He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you."


God is righteous. God is holy. God is a healer. In times of trouble, God will heal you. By obeying God, and His laws, God will bring healing upon you for God is righteous. Yet, if you rebel, God will provide consequences and destruction. God's love is amazing, holy, and righteous.

Love

As the summer comes to a close, I just can't explain how God moved in my life. Here's a little summary then. Coming into the summer, my main goal was just to draw closer to God. I thought that in my head, but not in my heart. Over my life, God has been working in my life in such an amazing way. That way is called love. From the warm embrace of my mommy, to my sister tucking me into bead, to talking to my dad online, or to just the noogies from my brother Shawn, Jesus showed His love for me through other people. It's been so awesome, how my family, friends, and everyone were always there for me, regardless of how bad i was, they were there, but the most of all, the One who was behind all of it , was my Daddy, Jesus Christ. This is a bit personal, but i hope that's ay okay with youo, somethings you have to get personal =] Jesus showed me so much on just relying on Him this summer, from just the brooklyn missions, which i ll get more later into, to His fatherly love at the agape conference, all the way to the commitment and love of Jesus, it's been so great what Jesus has been doing. I just can't imagine, His love for me and this world. That He was willing to take all the pain, shame, rejection, suffering, and sin on the Cross for us. He offered himself as a living sacrifice to set us free. Just feeling His presence is just so awesome. How He humbled himself to the point that He became a common criminal for us, and how He gave His life so that we can know of His great splendors and of His love. Today at worship , it's just been such an honor worshiping God. Soaking in His presence , and just feeling just waves of His love has been so great. God showed me a lot about humility , and just putting Him before anything else. Before hat other people think about me, before what the person beside me is doing, but truly just magnifying His glorious name and feeling His love and to glorify who He is! and just how awesome my Daddy really is. God has been great. I want to encourage you just to seek His presence and to sing and to glorify of His victorious love, and How much He wants you.

The Times of Jeremiah

What is happening to our nation once under God? I can barely watch the news anymore, it's the same thing over and over again. People getting murdered, the rich getting richer, more scandels, poor getting more depressed, it's the time of Jeremiah. The Lord is breaking forth calamity over our nation. Who is willing to take the stand, to rightfully proclaim this nation under God? For Christ? I really want to encourage you guys to look at the life of Jesus, and His life, and truly living up to who were called to be Sons and Daughters of God, disciples, Christians. Let us get out of the comfort zone , and allow God to take control of our life. Where are the Daneils of this generation? Where are the Isiah's? , the Elijahs, oh where. Instead of always huddling in the our selective cliques, let's break the cliques. Why can't we love one another? Are we not in the Body of Chrsit? Truly, why cannot we be unified? And then take the Gospel outsidse the 4 walls of church. To love all who come nears us, to be a Jesus to people, healing the sick, prophecying in Jesus name, and most of all, laying our lives down to do Christ's will for us. I see how our Heavenly Father is crying, everytime someone dies from a driveby shooting or a scandel, oh how corrupt is our generation. Lord God, we need you. These are your children O God. I see how so many times we clap, we dance , we say amen, but how many times do we deny our selves, pick up our cross , and follow Jesus Christ!Oh Fire fall down on us we pray. Father, reveal yourself to your children. Rise up a generation with selfless faith. There will be struggles, difficulties, temptations, but Lord i know that you've went through them and through the power of the Cross, i can over come them. Through the loving body of Christ, i can rely on one another and share and pray and read your Word, and love , and live for You oh Jesus. Come Father, We are so hungry for your name, come and change this generation. Fire, fall down. Reveal your love DAddy, reveal. by your grace Father, the time has come.