So today, October 29th is a special day. Not only because it's the first day it snows in Pennsylvania (this new year), but because I have a message to give to whatever teen or young adult that decides to come to the Youth Service at my church today.
A few days ago I was told about the service by my pastor. And by the time my pastor and I exchanged texts, I went to the computer and words, videos and verses made their way to a Powerpoint Presentation. God is good.
I practiced the message a couple of times in front of my mirror and I was satisfied. I thought, "Yeah, this could touch some folks."
The subject is TRASH.
I plan to begin speaking on how we often go to church or any spiritual gathering and we don't understand anything and end up leaving exactly the same way we came in. Sure, I'll blame some speakers who seem to think everyone understands preacher jargon, lets be honeset sometimes speakers don't think about the background knowledge of every one else.
However, I will continue by stating that many times it is our OWN fault that we don't understand or pay attention. Why? Well, its simply because of all the TRASH we're carrying. It's because the things that we prioritize in our lives are so LOUD and DISTRACTING that there is NO way we can hear God in his attempts of reaching us. We're blocked by so many things, whether material things or acceptance or our image or whatever. These things don't allow us to focus for half hour to hear what God has to say.
I'll continue with what kinds of things are the ones that block us from seeing God's plan for us, then will go on about the things God has to offer and how he will help us let go of our TRASH.
So, this morning I'm in my room taking some time to worship God and to get lost in prayer. And this rush comes over me and my voice cracks and I start to shout my prayers along with a river of tears. I shouted to the Lord that he would help ME let go of all my trash and concerns that have nothing to do with HIM. And I prayed fervently for my family and friends who I knew lacked a whole-hearted relationship with HIM. But I was so moved by the Spirit that I realized, before I speak about this I need to ask Jesus to help ME let go of my trash.
How can you ask people to let go of something that you're still holding on to?
God has a way of speaking. I was currently blocking what God was telling me by being worried about delivering a good speech. Yet, the whole time God was showing me that in order to lead people to HIM, I need to be led by HIM.
Praise the Father for his works, let us let go of whatever is blocking us from receiving his word and blessings.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Third Droplet: SEEKING
These past couple of days, I've been thinking a lot about the passage where Jesus says, "Seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened..."
This passage reveals a promise from our heavenly savior. Like I've written in my previous posts, when we get used to hearing something, it won't make so much effect.
Take a moment and just think about God and all the blessings He has given you. Think about the size of the Earth and the greatness of our universe. If you believe that He exists and has created all of this, then you should trust His word and believe that He will be faithful.
Seek and you will find. How many times haven't you thought, "God, isn't listening" or "I don't feel Him." Sometimes, we must understand that God makes us wait to produce patience or sometimes it's just not the right time. But other times, be honest, you haven't really sought!
Many times that is the problem. We expect God to come through instantly, but we don't do our part. As I told my friend yesterday, Jesus didn't say "Sit and I'll do all the work."
I know most if not all of us, have met people who physically reflect their purity and their peace. They are on "another level" of spirituality. We can admire these people, but we shouldn't limit ourselves thinking that we can't experience God as they are! The key is to insist, I mean: not pray once a month and read the bible once a year. I mean, really learning who God is, walking in integrity and seeking His will above all.
God calls us to seek, to knock. God desires to hear you, to become a part of you. Jeremiah 33:3, another well-known passage says "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you don't know (NIV)."
These scriptural promises should be more than sufficient encouragement for us to step up and seek God. We cannot just think about what it would be like to seek God.
Let's stop imagining and put God's promises to the test.
Remember that God was faithful before He'll be faithful again. Seek and you WILL find.
This passage reveals a promise from our heavenly savior. Like I've written in my previous posts, when we get used to hearing something, it won't make so much effect.
Take a moment and just think about God and all the blessings He has given you. Think about the size of the Earth and the greatness of our universe. If you believe that He exists and has created all of this, then you should trust His word and believe that He will be faithful.
Seek and you will find. How many times haven't you thought, "God, isn't listening" or "I don't feel Him." Sometimes, we must understand that God makes us wait to produce patience or sometimes it's just not the right time. But other times, be honest, you haven't really sought!
Many times that is the problem. We expect God to come through instantly, but we don't do our part. As I told my friend yesterday, Jesus didn't say "Sit and I'll do all the work."
I know most if not all of us, have met people who physically reflect their purity and their peace. They are on "another level" of spirituality. We can admire these people, but we shouldn't limit ourselves thinking that we can't experience God as they are! The key is to insist, I mean: not pray once a month and read the bible once a year. I mean, really learning who God is, walking in integrity and seeking His will above all.
God calls us to seek, to knock. God desires to hear you, to become a part of you. Jeremiah 33:3, another well-known passage says "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you don't know (NIV)."
These scriptural promises should be more than sufficient encouragement for us to step up and seek God. We cannot just think about what it would be like to seek God.
Let's stop imagining and put God's promises to the test.
Remember that God was faithful before He'll be faithful again. Seek and you WILL find.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Second Droplet: WALKING IN THE SPIRIT
Aren't our planners crammed with things to do and errands to run? I know mine usually is. Sometimes being so busy is detrimental to our growth in spirituality.
How so?
When I think about days where I'm really overwhelmed with work, I get so focused on getting things done, that I completely ignore everything else around me, even people.
Today I decided to rest. I took about an hour and sat in the front yard with my bible and the book, Crazy Love by Francis Chan (BUY IT, LIVE IT, IT'S AMAZING). I also had a notebook and a pen. I started writing down my prayers and I simply started asking God to help me walk in the spirit.
After this I continued to read Luke, I'm determined to read all gospels (two down, two more to go). And I noticed in chapter four verse one it said, "Jesus, led by the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit..."
God has not set us out alone in this world to suffer for our sins. He has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us and to bless us.
Galatians 5:22-23 is a text most people know, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
It's such a beautiful thing to experience these fruits!
Today as I prayed to walk in the Spirit, I looked at everything around me and began to reflect. And after reading a couple of chapters of Luke, I got up and just contemplated the great hill filled with trees in front of my house and then the sky.
I paused. I saw the great beautiful sky with different shaded clouds. All I could think was, "How in the world could someone believe that this beauty and the diversity of the Earth was created by molecular collision or explosion, or whatever nonsense it is...?"
And I was just so filled with joy and I praised God in my heart, because I knew the Spirit within me was revealing the blessings that we ignore when we don't take the time to pause.
"Cristina, filled with the Holy Spirit, got up from her chair, and led by the Spirit contemplated the beauty that her God has created..."
Can you walk in the Spirit and make your version of this verse?
Praise God for the blessings we receive through the Holy Spirit.
How so?
When I think about days where I'm really overwhelmed with work, I get so focused on getting things done, that I completely ignore everything else around me, even people.
Today I decided to rest. I took about an hour and sat in the front yard with my bible and the book, Crazy Love by Francis Chan (BUY IT, LIVE IT, IT'S AMAZING). I also had a notebook and a pen. I started writing down my prayers and I simply started asking God to help me walk in the spirit.
After this I continued to read Luke, I'm determined to read all gospels (two down, two more to go). And I noticed in chapter four verse one it said, "Jesus, led by the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit..."
God has not set us out alone in this world to suffer for our sins. He has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us and to bless us.
Galatians 5:22-23 is a text most people know, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
It's such a beautiful thing to experience these fruits!
Today as I prayed to walk in the Spirit, I looked at everything around me and began to reflect. And after reading a couple of chapters of Luke, I got up and just contemplated the great hill filled with trees in front of my house and then the sky.
I paused. I saw the great beautiful sky with different shaded clouds. All I could think was, "How in the world could someone believe that this beauty and the diversity of the Earth was created by molecular collision or explosion, or whatever nonsense it is...?"
And I was just so filled with joy and I praised God in my heart, because I knew the Spirit within me was revealing the blessings that we ignore when we don't take the time to pause.
"Cristina, filled with the Holy Spirit, got up from her chair, and led by the Spirit contemplated the beauty that her God has created..."
Can you walk in the Spirit and make your version of this verse?
Praise God for the blessings we receive through the Holy Spirit.
Friday, June 17, 2011
First Droplet : LOVE
God is love. Amen. Amen? Sure, we've heard this since we could remember.
God is love. When we grasp just a droplet of the meaning of His love, our lives will be transformed.
God is love. This love is not just any love. It's a love that hurts. A love that makes a sacrifice. A sacrifice of a son. Unfortunately we aren't as sensitive to the idea since we're so used to hearing it.
God is love. You and I have life because He is a loving creator.
I am reading a book called Crazy Love by Francis Chan. This book has ministered to my life. It speaks about loving God.
When I say "loving God," what comes to your mind?
"Ugh, commandments?" "Darn it, I have to pray more?" "I don't like reading scripture...?"
The love that I am searching for with God, is an honest love. Where I fall in love with WHO He is and EXAMINE His positive attributes.
Falling in love with God should be the ultimate goal. Once you fall in love, sacrifices will come naturally to you.
Matter of fact, it won't seem like a sacrifice. When I say love, I mean LOVE. I mean getting to know the creator and building right relationship.
Receive this spiritual droplet and pray.
God, I pray that you would help me learn who you are and fall in love with you. God help me so that I can spend time with you and do what you want in my life. Let me experience real love. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
God is love. When we grasp just a droplet of the meaning of His love, our lives will be transformed.
God is love. This love is not just any love. It's a love that hurts. A love that makes a sacrifice. A sacrifice of a son. Unfortunately we aren't as sensitive to the idea since we're so used to hearing it.
God is love. You and I have life because He is a loving creator.
I am reading a book called Crazy Love by Francis Chan. This book has ministered to my life. It speaks about loving God.
When I say "loving God," what comes to your mind?
"Ugh, commandments?" "Darn it, I have to pray more?" "I don't like reading scripture...?"
The love that I am searching for with God, is an honest love. Where I fall in love with WHO He is and EXAMINE His positive attributes.
Falling in love with God should be the ultimate goal. Once you fall in love, sacrifices will come naturally to you.
Matter of fact, it won't seem like a sacrifice. When I say love, I mean LOVE. I mean getting to know the creator and building right relationship.
Receive this spiritual droplet and pray.
God, I pray that you would help me learn who you are and fall in love with you. God help me so that I can spend time with you and do what you want in my life. Let me experience real love. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Psalms 18: 1 I love you, LORD, my strength.
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