Keep trusting that God has a plan and is still working

With this interview this past week for this part-time Building Associate position, God has been reminding me that he still has a plan for my life.   Also, in that he has been reminding me that through it all he is still working things out of my good.   He showed me through this process what my passions are and to pursue them and he will work everything out in his timing.  Through other people on staff at churches and various organizations, God has been reminding me that he will use me where he wants me.  God wants me to know that his Son, Jesus Christ, is in control of everything in my life and will work all things for his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Keep Trusting the God will open a door in the waiting

This week God has been reminding me to trust that he will open the door to the perfect ministry or ministry related opportunity in his timing.   It says in Romans 12:2 that God has a good, pleasing, and perfect will for our lives.  In Jeremiah 29:11,  that God has a plan for us to provide for us and give us a hope for the future in him which he provides everything for us in our lives.  God has been reminding me that he knows what he is doing in my life and he need to keep trusting him.  Though I may know what God is doing at the time, I need to trust him every step of the way.

Trust in God's power to move in the waiting

Another aspect of God he has been reminding me of is his power.  Our God is strong and mighty.  He is worthy of all praise.  God is great, glorious, and independent in his power.  God will move in my life in his greatness, glory, and power in his timing.

He is in the waiting

God has been reminding me that he is in the waiting.  God is still with me in the times of waiting he is still working in my life.  He is still showing me that he has a plan for my life.
God has showed me he loves me and cares for me in the waiting.  He is still passionately pursuing me.   His presence goes before me all day in all that I do.  I was reading me Hebrews today of Jesus knows our struggles and what we do through.  This shows how much God loves and cares for us.
Lastly, God has been using other ministry leaders to show me God has a plan for my life.  Even when a position does not work out ministry staff leaders are still encouraging me.  Also, those I am interviewing with are encouraging me in finding a ministry position.

God is sovereign and still moving

God has been reminding me that in the midst of waiting he is still moving in my life and he is in control.  When I was seeking out possible connections on Wednesday, the Association director from the Conroe Baptist Association called me and said he is sending my resume to a guy he knows in the San Antonio area.  The position that he sent my resume for I am not sure of.  He just said it was Youth/ Family Ministry related position.  This instance just reminded me that God is still in control and moving in our lives even when we are waiting on his direction.  Sometimes when we do not know where God wants us we just have to trust God knows what is best for us.
The story of Joseph and his brothers reminds me of how God is in control in all of our circumstances in life.  When Joseph was thrown down in the pit by his brothers, God was still in control.  When the cupbearer told Pharaoh that Joseph could interpret dreams and he told Pharaoh back his dream, God was still in control.  In Genesis 50:19-20, Joseph acknowledges God is still in control in all circumstances in his life.  He says, "Don't be afraid? Am I in the place of God.  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish what is being done, the saving of many lives.  So then, don't be afraid.  I will provide for your children."
In whatever circumstance we are in, we have to remind ourselves that God is in control and still working.  God has a plan even if we do not see it at the time.

God is sovereign over all

God is sovereign over all things in our life.  He is sovereign over jobs, life, family situations, and elections.  Sometimes we do not think God is in control over certain things in life.  We have to remind ourselves that God is still in control.  God can and will move we just have to trust in his timing in our life.
In Ephesians 1, Paul talks about how God's purpose is sovereign over all things. Ephesians 1:11 says, we also having obtained an inheritance according to his purpose who predestined according to his purpose who works all things after the counsel of his will."   James 4:12 talks about how the Lord wills we will do this or that, when describing God's sovereignty when making plans.  Psalm 93:1 talks about how God is sovereign in his majesty over all the heavens and earth.  Revelation 4:11 discusses God's sovereign over creation.
In another aspect, God is sovereign over his power.  In Psalm 115:3, it says "God is in the heavens, he does whatever he pleases."  In Daniel 4:35,  Daniel talks about how God does whatever he wills.   Also, God is sovereign over all the seas and earth in his power.  Psalm 135:6 says, "Whatever the Lord pleases he does, in Heaven and Earth, in the seas and the deeps."
I have to remind myself God is sovereign over everything at times.  Even in this crazy election season, God is sovereign.  God is still in control and working in our life.

God is sovereign

God is teaching me that is sovereign and in control.  This is a truth that I learned in the past but he is teaching me in the present in seeking a ministry position.  1 Chronicles 28:11 says "Yours O Lord is the greatness and the power and glory and honor.  David gives God the praise that his son, Solomon will help build the temple. We have to give God the praise at all times in our life.

God is teaching me

God has been teaching me lately that he is still God and he is still working in my life.  He has been encouraging me through other people in various interviews I have had.  God has been showing me that he will still use me in his timing.
I have been reading the book of John and how Jesus pointed to the Father throughout the book. Jesus did miracles that he did the show his deity.  He wanted his disciples and the smaller group of Jews that followed him to see that he is/was the Messiah/ Son of God.   God is always with us in the form of his Son and the Holy Spirit.  Jesus is our Messiah, Lord of all in our life.  We have to remind ourselves of that daily.

Remember how God has saved us

In 2 Chronicles 22:1-30 and 2, David gives thanks for God for what he has done in his life.  This section is from Psalm 18 as well.  In this verses, David thanks God for saving him and protecting him for people that want to destroy his life.  At this time, Saul was going after David trying to kill him.  David is recognized as being the son of Jesse his family line.  Also, he was described as man who was raised on high; which described how he feared God.  Another aspect David was described as was an anoited of the God of Jacob, which means in Jacob's family line.  Lastly,  David is described as making an everlasting covenant with God that his house will stand strong.
In these chapters,  David praises God for being his shield and his rock.  He also praises God for being his strong fortress.  David repeatedly praises God for being his protector in times of need.  He remembers how God has saved his from his enemies.  He acknowledges that God's presence his with him at all times.  Lastly, David trusted that God would deliver him in these trials.
These chapters and Psalm 18 are a reminder to me that God will deliver me in trials in my life.  God is rock, fortress, and protector.  We have to constantly praise God for who he is and how he has saved us in the past like David did.  Our God is our deliverer and savior from anything we may face or go through.  He knows the situations and circumstances that we face in life.

Trust in God's Timing

Other mentors and church leaders have been reminding me this week to trust in God's timing.  God has a plan and purpose for my life.  God will accomplish it in his timing and work it out for his good.  Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."  God has been reminding me that he still has a plan for me.  He will work it out in his timing in my life.
It is important that I keep presenting my requests to God.  It says in Romans 12:1-2, "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." This is a reminder that when we are on the altar presenting our requests to God, his Son Jesus Christ will conform them to his image.  God will lead us to his specific will for us in his timing.  Lastly, in Philippians 4:7, it says the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds." When we trust God's leading in our life, he will give us peace about where he is leading and guiding us.
Lastly, God has been showing me that he is still working things together for my good and he will still use me.  Romans 8:28, says, "And we know that God works all things together for those that love him, and have been called according to his purpose." God has been showing me that he still has a plan and purpose for my life.  Lastly,  he has been revealing to me how he has used me in the past and will continue to use me in the future in a bigger opportunities.  I will close with Philippians 1:6, "For I am confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

Identity

God has been reminding me that my identity is found in him alone.  My identity is not in my politics, race, religion, but God alone.  My identity is not if I am married or single but it is in Christ alone.  When our identity is found in Christ alone,  he can unite us from all different types of political backgrounds and beliefs.  Also, we can trust who God says he is even in waiting for his provision in our life.  As Christians,  our new identity is that we are new creatures in Christ.  It says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come and the old has gone." So, let us live in our new identity in Christ today.

A Passion for Ministry

God has been using other people in ministry and seminary to encourage me in my desire to seek God's will for a place of ministry.  They are encouraging me to keep seeking God's will for my life.  Other ministry friends are reminding me that God will use me in ministry and God has a plan for my life.  A former BYX brother in ministry encouraged me to keep serving at church and God will open up a door in his timing and he patiently serving in the church until God's timing.  A pastor at Gateway church in the DFW area told me he served at the church for five years before he found a ministry job.
Also, my dad has a friend that is looking into connections for some job possibilities.  A few other people in ministry are looking into possible ministry jobs for me.  Lucas Paz and Bruce McCoy from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary are looking into connections for ministry jobs as well.

In summary,  God is encouraging me through other people and reminding me that he will use me in ministry in his timing.  God's timing is good, pleasing, and perfect.  God has a plan for my life, I just have to wait for his leading.  Proverbs 3:5-6, reminds us to trust God with all our circumstances and he will lead us where he wants us to go.    I just have to trust that God knows what he is doing.

Contentment

God has been showing me that I need to be content in my singleness.  Contentment is very hard thing at times.  It is a reminder that we need to rest in our identity in Christ.  Jesus loves us for who we are and not our singleness or the fact that we are married.  Contentment also involves a sense of rest in Christ that he is all that we need.  Lastly,  it is a trust that he will provide for us and the ability to rest that he is all we need in whatever our lot in life. 

God is bigger than our struggles

God has been reminding me through reading of Isaiah that he is bigger than the things we go through in this world.  He is bigger than our idols.  He is bigger than even the simple things in life.  Lastly, his in his bigness he has the power to redeem us bring us back to him.

Unity: binds us together

I was watching the Justice League movie the other day and I was reminded of the unity in a team binds us together.  I will be seeing the new Avengers Infinity War movie in the next week. Unity binds us together  and allows us to work together as a team to accomplish purposes we cannot perform on our our own.  Unity in these instances brings people with different abilities to accomplish a greater purpose.  Unity helps bring people together that normally would not work together.
When unity binds us together, we are able to accomplish something greater than ourselves.  This type of unity helps take out any enemies that may come our way.  Unity accomplishes these tasks by coming together in a way that we would not normally think.  This unity comes together in a way that uses different types of gifts and abilities.  Unity brings to full circle these gifts to produce a type of bonding in this team of unity. 

God is faithful

God reminded me this week that is faithful to provide.   I had two interviews this week for possible ministry jobs.  The first was an actual job and the other one was a paid internship program. 
God gave me the strength and ability to recall key theological concepts in the first interview.  Also, I was able to show the interviewer my passion for ministry.  During the interview,  I discussed my blog and rapping as well.  Lastly,  I was able to recall my training in seminary for a pastoral care question.  I was able to use Scripture well to answer the question. 
In the other interview, we discussed the paid internship program on Skype.  We discussed a few things we had in common.  Specifically, we discussed the impact Johnny Derouen had on our lives.  It was a great joy taking his classes during my time at Southwestern seminary.  He spit out so much theological truth in his classes.  Lastly,  I showed the interviewers my passion for ministry as well as my calling to serve God in ministry. 
God reminded me through these interviews that he is faithful.  He also reminded me of the fact that he is still working in my life though at times I do not see it.  Lastly,  he showed me that I just have to keep trusting him that he will lead me where he wants to go. 

The second concept we learn in I can Only Imagine.

Another important concept we learn in the movie I Can Only Imagine is forgiveness.  This is one of the most important things we can do as a Christian in life.  Jesus died on the cross and forgave us of our sins. 
The leader singer of Mercy Me who was struggling throughout the middle of the movie with forgiving his dad from abusing him in the past.  He was mad at him throughout the movie and harbored this anger and guilt toward him.  It almost felt like he hated his dad.  It took him a while to forgive his dad of his dad's past sins.  He did not really forgive his dad until he remembered what Jesus did for him on the cross. 
During the last half of the movie, the leader singer saw his dad's sickness and his dad was slowly following God.  The lead singer then remembered who Jesus was in his life and the camp experience from the past and how we are supposed to forgive those that wrong us because of what Jesus did on the cross.   He remembered this moment then was able to finally forgive his dad.  At the end of the movie, he forgive his dad and started a new life with him.  He brought his dad to church and his dad's heart changed to the dad he wanted all along. 
Lastly,  it was eye opening to see when he asked his dad for forgiveness and healing his dad changed so dramatically.  His dad encouraged him to follow his dreams.  After that time,  the lead singer started writing and Mercy Me exploded.  This is when his hit song "I Can Only "Imagine" song was released.    This was the first real Christian band that I listened to. 

I Can Only Imagine

I will do a short two week series on the movie I Can Only Imagine.  Today I will discuss the first thing the movie showed me.  It is something pertaining to my life. 
The first concept the movie showed me was to chase my dreams.  It deals with the lead singer's dad wanting the lead singer to follow in his foot steps and play football.  The dad abuses the lead singer throughout the early part of his life.  The dad tells the son to follow his dreams to get enough to make a living.  When he was in a play in high school and pursuing music, his dad was not interested in what he was doing.  His dad pushes him away because he was following his dreams like his dad said.
Then later in the movie when the dad comes to Christ and they reconcile, this pushes him to follow his dreams.  The lead singer writes the now famous song "I can Only Imagine."  At the end of the movie his dad pushes him to lead into his passion of his music career and follow his dreams.  It reminds me of my life and how I cannot give up my dreams to serve God.  God wants me to keep pursuing my dreams and passions because he has a plan for my life.

Abide in him and he will lead us.

I was reading the start of 2 Samuel the past couple days and God reminded me that he calls to simply abide in him and depend on him.  God showed me that when we do abide in him and depend on him, he provides for us in his timing.  Even during the whole time that David was being hunted by Saul,  he still was abiding and depending on God.  David had to go through running through a cave then staying with the Philistines that he formerly hunted before he could become king.  In the same way, God has been showing me that he wants to increase my dependence on him more and more. He will lead me to the job that is the best fit for him in his timing.  Also, God wants me to abide in his Son, Jesus Christ for everything in my life and listen to his Spirit daily.  Our relationship with God is a growing process.  Philippians 1:6 says, God will keep working in us until the day of Christ Jesus.  This shows that God will keep maturing in me until I do come face to face with his Son, Jesus Christ.

Why is the culture and world against God

Why is the culture and the world so much against God?  Is it because of their perception of who he is? Is it their perception of Christians?  Or is it just an all-out hatred against God? The last question I will discuss in these next few blog posts why do people say when one is sharing the gospel stop talking about religion.  God is not some religion, God is three in one.  God is love.  God is the Trinity.  Following God, his Son, and his Spirit is a way to live life. 

Trust him more

God has been showing me how much I need to desperately depend on him.  He has been reminding me that he is trust worthy.  We have to trust him with the little things then he will provide the big things.  God desires us to depend on him for his leading and guidance in our life.  When we look to him, he reminds us how much he can provide for us. 
God showed me that I need to daily remind myself of Proverbs 3:5-6.  We have to keep trusting God with all of our heart then he will lead us where he wants to go.  This type of trusting is a daily trusting, where we are surrendering our plans to God for him to lead us where he wants us to go. 

Billy Graham's life- what to learn and gain.

Today, I will be discussing what we can learn and gain in our life from Billy Graham.  I will be looking at a few important concepts that he implemented in his life that are important for us as believers in Christ.  I will be detailing how and why these are important for us to live out on a weekly basis in order to grow as Christ followers and keep us centered on Christ.  The main two concepts I will be discussing are Billy Graham's integrity/humbleness, dedication to prayer, and his passion to preach the gospel wherever he went.  It is important that we implement these two concepts in our lives on a daily basis.
First, Billy Graham came from a humble beginning.  He was a simple farm boy from North Carolina.  After he preached, he always deflected the praise to God alone.  Also, I remember hearing stories of how he kept himself pure in his integrity.  He was always above reproach in everything he did.
Second, concept was his dedication to prayer and a his daily walk with God.  I heard a story that he always ended the day and began the day with prayer.  He put his walk with God before anything else in his life.  Another story was that ordered the TV out of his room before he would preach and do revival so he could spend time with the Father in prayer.  He considered prayer and his time with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ of upmost importance in his life. 
Lastly, it is important to remember to share the gospel.  Billy Graham just preached the simple message of God's love for us.  All he preached was that God sent his Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins and rose again from the grave.  If we believe in him, we will have eternal life and a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Billy Graham wanted to be remembered that he lived his life for his Savior Jesus Christ alone and was faithful in serving God all of the days of his life. 

Pray Passionately

This morning at church Dr. Dean reminded us of how much we need to pray fervently and passionately during the dark times of our life.  He used the story from Luke 22:39-46 when Jesus prayed passionately during a dark time in his life.  When he prayed, sweat dropped from his brows.  This showed how passionately he was praying to the Father during this time.   Dr. Dean also reminded us of how Jesus prayed for his companions/disciples during this time.  In our dark times, we are to have prayer partners who are with us during these times in our life.  In this same respect, Dr. Dean painted a picture of how we need to pray with passion, diligence, fervency, and desire during dark times in our life.  All in all, God revealed to me today that I need to have a passionate dependency on him this coming week for him to lead me in some important areas in my life.  I know that he is in control and he is working in my life.  The main thing is that I need to cry out to him more to lead me to the right job for me.  We are desperately dependent on Jesus for everything we need in life and he is all we need.  God reminded me of how much I need to daily depend and abide in him: John 15:5. 

Surrender your plans to : Psalm 37

This next step of prayer that I am discussing today is the surrendering of our plans to God.  When we surrender our plans to God, then he will provide for us in his timing in our life.  Also, we are to wait on God when seeking his leading in our life. 
First, committing our ways and surrendering to God in Psalm 37:5 shows our trust in him.  Our ability to surrender helps God see that we trust him and his ways.  When we surrender all our plans and desires to God, then he will act upon our behalf through Jesus.    Jesus hears our cries and requests when we go to him.  Lastly, in 37:4 when we delight in who God is then he will provide for us in his timing. 
Second, it is important that we wait patient on God for all things in life.  The Psalmist first mentions this important concept in first seven when discussing waiting on God to save the saints from trouble.  The Psalmist also mentions waiting on God in verse 34 when discussing waiting on God to inherit the land. This shows us the when we exalt God and wait on him he will provide for us.  Overall, this theme of waiting on God shows the importance of waiting on God and he will provide and protect us. 
Thirdly, this Psalm shows us that God leads us when we rest in him.  When we are abiding in him daily, God leads us in his will and ways.  God then gives us the ability to surrender our plans to him.  Also, when we abide in God and see his leading in our life, he will protect us.  Lastly,  when God leads and when we rest in him, God reminds of his law and his ways. 

Ask Specifically

Dr. Dean's sermon today reminded me that is important for us to be specific in our asking.  When we ask specifically, God hears our prayers and cries.  Also, it is important that we are bold in our asking.  When we are bold in our asking he hears us through Jesus.   He also helped me see that we are to be confident in our asking in boldness.  In this confidence, we are to be persistent in our prayer to God.  This implies an asking, seeking, knocking, then we will find an answer.
It is also important we pray specifically.  In the verse that are used for this asking in prayer it specified a specific number.  It is important we keep a prayer journal. He reminded us that God never gives us on his children or does anything that is harmful to them.  When we ask specifically God may say yes or no. 
Lastly, we are to ask expectantly of God. In this manner, we are to pray with a hope that God will provide for us.  God knows what we need before we even ask of him.   

Trust God and ask him!

God has been reminding me with today service at Travis Avenue Baptist church that I need to trust God and ask him.  When I trust God and ask him he will lead me in his wisdom.   God reminded me he will guide me to the specific full-time job for me. 
In this trusting and asking, God wants me to commit my plans to him as Dr. Dean said this morning.   It says in Proverbs 16:3, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.  This is a reminder that when we surrender our desires to God he will lead us where he wants us to go.  Also, God will let us know if our will is God's will.  God will give us specific direction and leading where he wants us to go in his timing.
God has also been reminding me that I need to confirm his calling to ministry.  I need to listen to his leading and his voice.  I know God has called me to ministry.  I need to remind me of his presence and power in my life.  Lastly, in this listening it is important that I look to Scripture.
Another part of this trusting/asking his looking to the counsel of others.  When we look to the counsel of others it will be easier to trust God.  Others can lead and guide us back to God.   Looking to others can also keep us focused on God's plans for our life.  Lastly, looking to others can remind us of what is true in our life.
Lastly, taking a step out in faith and listening to the consequences will help give us courage to trust God.  Grit is something God gives us over time.  Our grit and courage increases as we grow and mature in life.  Taking a step out in faith and trusting God grows our courage then we become mature.  In life, it is all about who we are becoming and whose we are in Christ. 
God is using circumstances to grow and mature us in Christ.  Our courage and grit increase with every challenge and trial.  We have to remind ourselves to trust God and trust the process at times.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi's motifs the to rest of Star Wars

There a few motifs in Star Wars: The Last Jedi that pertain to the other movies in the Star Wars universe.  These motifs pervade the whole Star Wars universe.  They are specific themes that go throughout Star Wars as a whole. 
The first important theme is the "rebels" reference that pervades the Star Wars universe as a whole.  It is mentioned by Finn in the mine scene towards the end of the Last Jedi.  Also, "rebels" reference is mentioned at the very end of the film by Rey to Leia to comfort her that she will be able to form a new "rebel alliance."  In the original trilogy Leia forms the original rebel alliance out of a small band of people then Luke ends up joining the alliance at end of the first movie.  The "rebel "alliance morphs and forms into what it is over time. 
Luke's legendary act at the end of the film is a reference to Luke's overall legendary character arc and a theme of be legendary to save others out of darkness.  Luke's legendary act at the end of the film gave hope to others in the galaxy.  When Luke destroyed the Death Star at the end of New Hope he gave hope to others in the galaxy.  When Luke was able to take down Vader and turn him to light through destroying him and the emperor in the process gave hope to the galaxy.  Luke's other amazing legendary acts too much to mention gave hope to the galaxy.  Lastly, Finn's heroic acts that turned into legendary by Rose's point of view.
The last theme/ motif that pervades Star Wars and the Last Jedi is the them of Hope.  These theme is in all the Star Wars movies.  Throughout the movie the Resistance is on the run from the First Order but Luke's legendary act provides hope to the Resistance and others in the galaxy.  This act keeps the Resistance focused on finding a way to escape the mine they are trapped in.  It is a reminder to ask the question what do we put our hope in? or who do we put our hope in?