I'm BAAAAACK!! :) 'a little piece of my heart'

Hey All!

Sorry again I have been gone so long... I have been trying to stay away from 'computer devotionals' so that I do not get distracted from time apart with God... but then I realized that others may have been blessed by the devotionals I post. So I am truly sorry. :)

Well, today's post is kind of a random one, one that is in regards to my heart... what I am thinking of, what I have been kind of 'struggling' with in regards to decisions, etc... what can go on in my life, what is going on with life, and more... There are a lot of GOOD changes coming, and I am excited. I love CHANGE! :)

I have a lot of DREAMS, visions, GOALS, and more that I have just sitting in my heart and in my mind... I dwell on some of them, some of them I have let fizzle a little, and some I am trying to accomplish... BUT, I need to seek God and fulfill some of those. Because while I am supposed to be helping people find their DREAMS & GOALS and rise to the occasion and fulfill some of those through their walk with JESUS, I need to LIVE by that same viewpoint & be an example. What help am I to others, if I am not living up to my greatest potential either. As a Christian, I am inspired & called to help teach, train & equip young children, tweens & teens (but any age for that matter) find out more about God, Jesus and their love for us (& to have a right relationship with Him) As well I am inspired to help them find the M.E. that God has created them to be, and to walk out & work out their faith. M.E. = Maximum Effectiveness! The army calls you to 'BE ALL YOU CAN BE' and that's exactly what God wants in His army. We fight not against the world, yet we fight against our enemy. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12 NIV (1984)

I have a tendancy to put others needs and desires ahead of my own, as I enjoy helping others by raising their self-esteem to believe in themselves, and to see them reach their goals. But I need to step back and think about ME too... I realize that is part of my calling, as I need to see what and where exactly God wants be to be 'FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS'. There are many desires and dreams in my heart & mind; some family-related, career-related, Church Ministry-related, hobby-related, and more. I need to awaken those desires and set aflame the ones that I know that God is calling me towards. I IMPLORE YOU to do the same. Get a JOURNAL, and write down dreams (physical & spiritual dreams, but even just the thoughts you have about what you can see for your life - NO DREAM is too big for God!) or even some goals you might have for reaching some of those dreams & visions. God-given dreams & visions are always the best... but Holy Spirit can give you some insight even while you are writing. Creative Writing was always a favourite of mine, but I didn't journal alot. I enjoy writing, and would love to write & illustrate Children's Books (but would also like to write ministry style books or blogs that would help teach/train/equip young leaders). This is why I started the 'blogging' experience... not to showcase my talents or 'me', but to glorify God in what is written and shared. Everything I have, everything that is part of me, and everything I do is from God. All my talents and giftings, whether it be writing, art-related, or hobby-based is from God. I seek to glorify Him in all that I do and say. Other dreams/visions/goals are job related or Ministry related, and I am working towards those as well, and I will share more about those in the future.

As a JR YOUTH LEADER, a CHILDREN'S MINISTRY TEACHER and a REGISTERED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR I know that I have a love for children, and a passion to see them grow in Christ & His love. But my JOB and MINISTRY WORK do not define me. I walk by FAITH and want to see others do the same, especially the next generations behind me. (But also my generation and the ones before me, as we/they are the examples that the next generation has to follow. They are not the generation of TOMORROW, they are a generation for TODAY! They have been said to be the 'LOST' Generation, but I know that they are a part of the 'CHOSEN' Generation, and want them to know that too. All of God's creations are called to be children of the Light, but it is their decisions, life-patterns, consequences, and choices that can lead them astray. A high percentage of the world's population DO NOT even KNOW Jesus or have a meaningful RELATIONSHIP with Him.

As I write this, I am preparing in my heart and spirit for KIDS CAMP, of which I have the joy of being a part of 2 camps this year... Jr High Camp with the tweens (9-12 yrs old) in my church {my ABLAZE Jr High's} (and surrounding area churches) which happens in 2 weeks (11 more sleeps!!); and, Kidz Camp (for kids/tweens 7-12 years old) which happens in 5 weeks (30 more sleeps!!!). I know that these 'environments' make it easier on our children/tweens & teens; easier in the way that there are NO worldly distractions (other than 'crushes' - LOL!), and they can see other teens living the life for Jesus, worshipping Jesus at their own pace, and in the ways they can without anyone looking down on them because they are young. A camp experience can be life-changing, and although I am a CRAZY CRAFTS leader at the first one, and a PHOTOGRAPHY/WACKY GAMES leader at the 2nd one, I know that through those I can still impart God's love to the children/tweens that God has set in my path! The theme for the 1st camp is 'There's An Army Rising Up!' and the theme for the 2nd one is Circus Related, yet is important as well 'God Has BIG Plans For Me!'. The world is a circus, everyone wants to be the RING LEADER, but we all have to play the roles that God has intended for us, while each of us in our roles are serving on the FRONTLINE in an ARMY against the devil and the wickedness of his schemes in the world around us.

I pray that YOU will find fresh vision TODAY, and seek God for what He is calling you do be and to do (not as a job or a ministry title, but as a life-changing experience, one that you live out each day you are alive to do it!) <3

BE BLESSED and have a FANTABULOUS Day!

"Roamin' Through Romans"... Part 5

"Nothing but the blood of Jesus..." As I write this devo' thought I am listening to the newest JESUSCULTURE CD 'Awakening'... and the song 'Nothing but the Blood of Jesus' is on it, and it was just playing. A great reminder that NOTHING but the BLOOD of JESUS can wash away our sin. We can turn to those 'sins' mentioned in our last Devo', but they only give a temporary fulfillment. JESUS fills every void!!

Well today's journey begins in Chapter 2... and it's basically a continuation of our last chapter.


New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
Romans 2
God’s Righteous Judgment


1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will give to each person according to what he has done.” [a] 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism. 12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15 since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

WOW! How many times a day can we catch ourselves in judgement against others... it goes along with the verses found in Matthew 7. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."  God is the only true righteous judge. For He is the only perfect one, that can be compared to. We need to gain our righteousness through Him, and Him alone, not through things we do. In some cases we are doing the same thing (which makes us hypocritical), or we are sinning in other ways, making it look/seem like our sin is less than theirs.

Verse 6, which I have underlined above, is the 'kicker'... the answer to those questions we hear, and even ask ourselves. What about the 'bad' people who get off, who aren't getting charged or blamed? Why do the 'bad' seem to prosper? etc... "God will give to each person according to what he has done.”  God is in charge, and He will see that we are judged fairly as to what we have done. If we have unrepented sin in our lives, He knows that already! We don't need to 'tattle-tale'. :)

...to be continued!! :)

GOD BLESS YOU!
check out this video from one of the songs on JESUS CULTURE Awakening...

  

"Roamin' Through Romans"... Part 4

Welcome back... let's get back into the Word and see what God's message is for us today! :) We are continuing in Chapter 1 with verses 26-32; The words ring true of much of the world today. We have certainly exchanged the truth of God for lies... lies that our lusts will give us what we need & desire. Parts of our Scripture today are a bit 'touchy' subject, but they are all sins against God, and need to be dealt with accordingly. ALL of them need to be repented for, even the ones we do/did when we thought we were doing 'right'.

26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. 28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

EEK... doesn't that sound like much of the worldliness that is going on now in the 21st Century? That list of characteristics is certainly not one I would like to hold on to, nor would I want a spouse, best friend, family member, or co-worker to be. But, verse 32 hits it on the head...  "Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." Some people are in the thought process that 'God can save me, so it doesn't matter what I do. I can do all of these things mentioned above, and then ask for forgiveness and God has to forgive me.' They think that they can call on God in the 11th hour, and then all will be well. What happens if God came at 10:30?? Eek! (That line is from a Christian T-shirt I have - 'Many who plan to seek God at the 11th hour, die at 10:30'.) It certainly does get you thinking... and it certainly does answer the questions we all ask like, 'why does God let this bad stuff happen?' He will allow you to be ruled by your depraved mind... He would much rather love and rule your hearts and minds, but he allows you to make the choices to be involved in things like sexual immorality (which is unfortunately rampant in the world, and some stars think it's funny to 'come out of the closet'). But there are also those that gossip, slander, murder, and those that are arrogant and boastful. These are definitely not characteristics that I would be proud of, yet that is what is happening in the world. They see the power in tearing down others, in boasting & being arrogant and rude. We as CHRISTIANS (true believers/followers/disciples of Christ) need to step above this darkness, and SHINE the light of TRUTH, the Light of God for the world to see. When they see the blessings that we receive for obedience, honesty, integrity, encouragement, humility and more, they will want what we have. They will desire the truth. Too often the world sees the 'so-called' blessings that last a moment, yet they don't realize they are missing the ones that last for eternity. Let's read verse 32 again, "Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." Do you see the words 'they know' (this answers the question regarding the people who have never heard the Good News or the Gospel or the truth of God... although they know... therefore, the ones who 'don't know' will not be judged as harshly. God will look at their hearts... well that is what I believe anyway.) They know that what they are doing will bring them 'death', now most of them think, 'well we're all going to die'... but this is more of an eternal death... and we have been set free from death. Jesus took our place ONCE and FOR ALL... did you read those words, 'FOR ALL'. People do have a chance to turn their lives around, they do have a choice because Jesus still died for them, whether they take up the option, or believe it, it still has been done. Are you reading between the lines for the last sentence... 'they not only continue to do these very things, but approve of those who practice them', meaning they are involved in the sins, and now approve and are trying to make the behaviour seem right. THIS IS A LIE... it is an ABSOLUTE TRUTH that God does not like these sins mentioned above. HE does however love the sinner themselves. Now what about those who may not be 'involved' or 'continuing' to sin... if they still APPROVE of the practice they are doing wrong, and basically sinning themselves. EEK!! Are you getting this?? YOU MUST LOVE THE SINNERS... but HATE the SIN! We cannot approve of that which we 'know' is a sin, trying to make it right. Even a little white lie, is still in fact a lie. And a liar is just as much a sinner as a murderer. All sins are the same size in God's eyes, and all sins no matter how big or small you think they are, are able to be forgiven... (well technically except one, 'blasphemy against Holy Spirit'-- but if you are repenting of that one, then you certainly haven't done it!) You just need to TURN AROUND. God never went anywhere, He is always with us and will never ever leave us or forsake us... even when we leave or forsake Him.

check out this song by Matt Maher, 'Turn Around'... it's actually pretty cool and goes exactly with this devotional (AND IT'S JUST FOR YOU -- or someone who is reading this -- SOMEONE right now will make that decision to TURN AROUND -- GOD BLESS YOU! We will be praying for YOU!!) <3



Here's the lyrics...

Young man on the side of the road
Lost and beat up with no where to go

Smells like a hangover from days ago
He does what he can to survive

Single mom with a dead end job
Ninety hour week just to keep what she's got
With the bills that add up and down she's caught
She does what she can to survive

Well, let me say

That love won't take away the pain

But don't be afraid

'Cause it will never walk away



(Chorus)

If you're scared that you don't matter

If you're lost and need to be found

If you're looking for a Savior
All you gotta do is turn around

Some turn to a bottle
Some turn to a drug
Some turn to another's arms

But it seems like it's never enough
Well I won't say, that you will ever fail again

But there is grace

To wash away your every sin


Chorus
No one listens to you anymore
And your heart has broken down
You don't need to move
Love has come to you
All you gotta do is turn around
All you gotta do is turn around
Turn around
You don't have to take the broken road
You can turn around and come back home
(X3)
Chorus


No one listens to you anymore
And your heart has broken down
You don't need to move
Love has come to you
All you gotta do is turn around
All you gotta do is turn around

May you be blessed TODAY...