In this blog post I will be discussing about God's plans for my future. I will discuss how he leads in the area of our his specific will in our life. God's will is detailed we just need to trust him to where he leads.
The main two areas of his will in our life are the general will and specific will. God's general will is abiding in him and following his word. It is also knowing scripture and having a desire to following God. Psalm 119:11 says "I have hidden your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you." God calls us to surrender in our general will then he will lead us.
God's shows us his specific will for us when we abide and him then he gives us his attitudes. Philippians 2:5 says "have this attitude in yourselves which is also in Christ Jesus." God can show us his specific will through changing our circumstances, giving his mind or desires, or giving us peace. God can open or close a door in the the area that he wants us to go by changing a circumstance. God can also prompt us by giving us his leading in giving us his mind and desires. God can also give us peace in certain hard circumstances.
In another area of God's will in making decisions we need to present all the options in our life. Proverbs 16:9 says "we should make plans counting on God to direct us." One of the greatest ways we can worship God is to step out in faith. Sometimes it is hard for me to abide in Christ when making an important decision. After college I was trying to figure out what direction to go it was hard to abide and depend on God then he ended up leading me where he wanted me to go even though it wasn't what I had planned.
I was struggle with waiting for God's timing in my life. Right now, I am waiting to see where God will lead after I graduate from seminary. At this time in my life I can trust God will lead where he wants me to go, though the hard part is waiting for the right ministry job or best fit for me. In the area of God's will, the journey is more important than the destination. It's hard waiting on the future but the thing we have to do is be desperately dependent on God in everything in our life.
What has God shown us in finding his will in our life? How can he grow us in our faith in showing his his will? Is waiting the hardest thing for us to do in life?
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
International YL staff
I arrived in Chiapas, Mexico in the afternoon of the 27th after a long flight that day. I helped the Young Life staff there Jay and Amanda Miranda get ready for the week we are going to have. Everyone didn't arrive until later that night.
When the Young Life international staff members arrived later that night we learned a little about Young Life international. We received a packet of information about the YL international program. Me, Kurina, and the YL international staff got to know each other that night until the last couple people showed up for that week later that night. We ate cookies until the last group came.
Today, we went to church, had a scavenger hunt, and have been learning about the different international ministries. After church, we ate at this restaurant we homemade tortillas from the North that someone the Mirandas' knows. God moved today at church and through the staff member we are staying at Jay Miranda. Some kids from the orphanage that knew the market well took us around on the scavenger hunt. The scavenger hunt was fun to explore the city and see the different sights and sounds.
Lastly, we are learning about the different international ministries. It has been cool seeing God is moving throughout the world. Our God is a big God.
I am excited for these last couple days. It will be awesome serving with those on the trip these next couple of days.
When the Young Life international staff members arrived later that night we learned a little about Young Life international. We received a packet of information about the YL international program. Me, Kurina, and the YL international staff got to know each other that night until the last couple people showed up for that week later that night. We ate cookies until the last group came.
Today, we went to church, had a scavenger hunt, and have been learning about the different international ministries. After church, we ate at this restaurant we homemade tortillas from the North that someone the Mirandas' knows. God moved today at church and through the staff member we are staying at Jay Miranda. Some kids from the orphanage that knew the market well took us around on the scavenger hunt. The scavenger hunt was fun to explore the city and see the different sights and sounds.
Lastly, we are learning about the different international ministries. It has been cool seeing God is moving throughout the world. Our God is a big God.
I am excited for these last couple days. It will be awesome serving with those on the trip these next couple of days.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
How faith changes us
Faith can change, transform, and leads us into maturity in Christ. Our level of faith shows how much maturity we have. When we trust God with more and more things our faith grows and our maturity in Christ does as well.
A life without faith is not pleasing to God. Hebrews 11:6 says "without faith it is impossible to please God." Verse seven continues to describe faith as taking place when we are earnestly seeking God. A growing faith has to go from our head to heart throughout our life and walk with God. The process of going from our head to heart happens when we first become a Christian and throughout our walk with God. This process takes place when we give credit to God where he deserves, it also shows a relationship instead of an obligation, it acknowledges God's presence in our life, and shows we are serious about what he says.
God has been faithful in various times in my life. During my the junior year of high school I was in a car wreck. God pursued me in my doubt, fear, and frustration during that time in my life. He provided me with some friends and a mentor to restore me back to relationship with him at the beginning of my senior year. At the beginning of the year I rededicated my life to him. From that time I was able to trust God with future things.
God answered a prayer when he gave me direction in leading me to seminary when the Broadcasting jobs didn't work out. He lead me where he wanted me to go not where I wanted to go. I didn't realize in hindsight that God was in control of the situation. He also answered a prayer when someone I was praying for a while finally came to Young Life club and heard the gospel.
He changed my circumstance in closing the door on this Young Life internship program and leading me to D-focus so I could grow in him. He used D-focus to show me how much I need to depend on him. This time in my life helped me grow in maturity in him. I was able to trust in faith and grow in maturity in him in the next year of my life. God changed me during this time in my life.
Faith occurs when we present a situation to God, he acts, we start to worship God because of this, then we receive more the faith the next time we present a situation. Romans 12:1-2 says to present our bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conformed by the patterns of this world but be transforming by the renewing of your mind so that you can test- God's good, pleasing and perfect will." God will ""unconform" us from the world's way when we surrender a situation to him. Faith enables to present ourselves to the Lord and trust whatever he brings into our life is for our good.
Our faith grows as we surrender more situations to God. It starts out as a thimble, then grows to a cup, then a cup, and lastly turns into a pitcher when we grow in maturity in Christ. Maturity in Christ is the ability to trust God more quickly and with more things than we did in the past. This maturity takes place as our reservoir of faith grows. This process takes place over time and helps us become who God wants us to be.
Here's a few questions to end this blog. What has your understanding of faith been in the past? What are ways that God has given you faith through answered prayer, changing circumstances, or changing you? Read Galatians 5:13-26. What are some of the ways you have tried to please God instead of living by his Spirit to give you the power?
A life without faith is not pleasing to God. Hebrews 11:6 says "without faith it is impossible to please God." Verse seven continues to describe faith as taking place when we are earnestly seeking God. A growing faith has to go from our head to heart throughout our life and walk with God. The process of going from our head to heart happens when we first become a Christian and throughout our walk with God. This process takes place when we give credit to God where he deserves, it also shows a relationship instead of an obligation, it acknowledges God's presence in our life, and shows we are serious about what he says.
God has been faithful in various times in my life. During my the junior year of high school I was in a car wreck. God pursued me in my doubt, fear, and frustration during that time in my life. He provided me with some friends and a mentor to restore me back to relationship with him at the beginning of my senior year. At the beginning of the year I rededicated my life to him. From that time I was able to trust God with future things.
God answered a prayer when he gave me direction in leading me to seminary when the Broadcasting jobs didn't work out. He lead me where he wanted me to go not where I wanted to go. I didn't realize in hindsight that God was in control of the situation. He also answered a prayer when someone I was praying for a while finally came to Young Life club and heard the gospel.
He changed my circumstance in closing the door on this Young Life internship program and leading me to D-focus so I could grow in him. He used D-focus to show me how much I need to depend on him. This time in my life helped me grow in maturity in him. I was able to trust in faith and grow in maturity in him in the next year of my life. God changed me during this time in my life.
Faith occurs when we present a situation to God, he acts, we start to worship God because of this, then we receive more the faith the next time we present a situation. Romans 12:1-2 says to present our bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conformed by the patterns of this world but be transforming by the renewing of your mind so that you can test- God's good, pleasing and perfect will." God will ""unconform" us from the world's way when we surrender a situation to him. Faith enables to present ourselves to the Lord and trust whatever he brings into our life is for our good.
Our faith grows as we surrender more situations to God. It starts out as a thimble, then grows to a cup, then a cup, and lastly turns into a pitcher when we grow in maturity in Christ. Maturity in Christ is the ability to trust God more quickly and with more things than we did in the past. This maturity takes place as our reservoir of faith grows. This process takes place over time and helps us become who God wants us to be.
Here's a few questions to end this blog. What has your understanding of faith been in the past? What are ways that God has given you faith through answered prayer, changing circumstances, or changing you? Read Galatians 5:13-26. What are some of the ways you have tried to please God instead of living by his Spirit to give you the power?
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Time of Fasting
Today I'm going to be blogging about a time of fasting that I recently. It reminded me of my utter dependence on God. Also, I will be describing of how I it was revealed to me that I need to surrender and consecrate myself to God daily and give up my life to him for my future.
The definition of consecration is to make sacred or dedicate to some purpose. I made sacred the time with God in committing to him my life and the nation. In the Old Testament, priests consecrated the temple and the things in it to God. In Strong's concordance, the words for consecration means nezer; something set apart, a dedication ( a priest or Nazirite), a chaplet of royalty, of hair, and a crown.
In this fast, I prayed for myself, our nation, the trip that I went on last summer to Thailand, and friends that are serving God globally. This time, reminded me of our destitute and sinful nature and we all need God. Also, God made me kneel at this feet throughout the day. He helped me see I am nothing at all without my relationship with him. Lastly, it gave me an overall perspective of my relationship with God.
The fast ended with God leading me to read the D-focus study of my sinful nature. He reminded me that I am sinful and couldn't do anything without him. We are eternally separated from God apart from our relationship with him. 2 Corinthians 3:5 TLB says Not that we are confident we can do anything on our own resources, our ability comes from God." I don't bring any godliness into my relationship with God.
God is growing me in daily. The fast taught me of that I need God at all times throughout the day and who he is to me in my life. Consecration is key to living in God's presence.
How does this post teach us about God's will in our life? Is there something God is revealing to us through this post? Apply this post today and consecrate yourselves to God.
The definition of consecration is to make sacred or dedicate to some purpose. I made sacred the time with God in committing to him my life and the nation. In the Old Testament, priests consecrated the temple and the things in it to God. In Strong's concordance, the words for consecration means nezer; something set apart, a dedication ( a priest or Nazirite), a chaplet of royalty, of hair, and a crown.
In this fast, I prayed for myself, our nation, the trip that I went on last summer to Thailand, and friends that are serving God globally. This time, reminded me of our destitute and sinful nature and we all need God. Also, God made me kneel at this feet throughout the day. He helped me see I am nothing at all without my relationship with him. Lastly, it gave me an overall perspective of my relationship with God.
The fast ended with God leading me to read the D-focus study of my sinful nature. He reminded me that I am sinful and couldn't do anything without him. We are eternally separated from God apart from our relationship with him. 2 Corinthians 3:5 TLB says Not that we are confident we can do anything on our own resources, our ability comes from God." I don't bring any godliness into my relationship with God.
God is growing me in daily. The fast taught me of that I need God at all times throughout the day and who he is to me in my life. Consecration is key to living in God's presence.
How does this post teach us about God's will in our life? Is there something God is revealing to us through this post? Apply this post today and consecrate yourselves to God.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Snoop's life: Hebrews 10:24-25: using what God has given us for ...
Snoop's life: Hebrews 10:24-25: using what God has given us for ...: In the recent sermon at church, God has reminded me of his calling to use my gifts for his glory. Lately, I have been trying to use my gift...
Snoop's life: Hebrews 10:24-25: using what God has given us for ...
Snoop's life: Hebrews 10:24-25: using what God has given us for ...: In the recent sermon at church, God has reminded me of his calling to use my gifts for his glory. Lately, I have been trying to use my gift...
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Hebrews 10:24-25: using what God has given us for his glory
In the recent sermon at church, God has reminded me of his calling to use my gifts for his glory. Lately, I have been trying to use my gifts more and discern how they can be put to use in a ministry context. This is evidenced in the passage Hebrews 10:24-25.
Hebrews 10:24 says "And let us consider how we can spur one another on toward love and good deeds." God calls us to use the spiritual gifts he has given us to serve others in ministry. He calls us to be an encouragement to others through serving in various aspects of ministry. As disciples of Christ we are to use our gifts to further advance his kingdom. By finding out what our gifts are, God will better use us in whatever ministry or area God has called us into. Through this search, God's will can be shown through us.
Some of my gifts are prayer, encouragement and patience. I also enjoy hanging out with youth. Lately, I have been helping with an encouragement ministry that someone from the church I go to started. I am trying to pray more for people across the world to know Jesus as well as using this gift for God's glory.
There are passages regarding spiritual gifts Romans 12:3-8 and and 1 Corinthians 12.Romans 12:3-8 KJV says 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:4-6 describes how we are all apart of the body of Jesus Christ and we have to use our gifts for God's glory whatever they may be. God has blessed us with unique gifts so we should use them Paul reminds us in the passage in Romans 12.
In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 God gifts us many spiritual gifts that are empowered by the Holy Spirit. Corinthians 12:4-12 says this about the spiritual gifts that God gives us 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. God gives us all different gifts that the Holy Spirit can us for his glory.
In order to help us serve others well, we have to keep encouraging one another. Hebrews 10:25 says, "And let us not stop meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another all the more as you see the Day approaching." God calls us to use our gifts to serve others in the body of Christ as well as encouraging and leading others to a relationship with him. 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 ESV says "that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one members suffers then another members suffers, if one member is honored then, all rejoice together." God can use us in order to build up and encourage others through the whole body of Christ.
How did we see God's will through this passage in Hebrews? Is there a way we can best apply this to our lives? Why did God give us spiritual gifts?
Hebrews 10:24 says "And let us consider how we can spur one another on toward love and good deeds." God calls us to use the spiritual gifts he has given us to serve others in ministry. He calls us to be an encouragement to others through serving in various aspects of ministry. As disciples of Christ we are to use our gifts to further advance his kingdom. By finding out what our gifts are, God will better use us in whatever ministry or area God has called us into. Through this search, God's will can be shown through us.
Some of my gifts are prayer, encouragement and patience. I also enjoy hanging out with youth. Lately, I have been helping with an encouragement ministry that someone from the church I go to started. I am trying to pray more for people across the world to know Jesus as well as using this gift for God's glory.
There are passages regarding spiritual gifts Romans 12:3-8 and and 1 Corinthians 12.Romans 12:3-8 KJV says 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:4-6 describes how we are all apart of the body of Jesus Christ and we have to use our gifts for God's glory whatever they may be. God has blessed us with unique gifts so we should use them Paul reminds us in the passage in Romans 12.
In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 God gifts us many spiritual gifts that are empowered by the Holy Spirit. Corinthians 12:4-12 says this about the spiritual gifts that God gives us 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. God gives us all different gifts that the Holy Spirit can us for his glory.
In order to help us serve others well, we have to keep encouraging one another. Hebrews 10:25 says, "And let us not stop meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another all the more as you see the Day approaching." God calls us to use our gifts to serve others in the body of Christ as well as encouraging and leading others to a relationship with him. 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 ESV says "that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one members suffers then another members suffers, if one member is honored then, all rejoice together." God can use us in order to build up and encourage others through the whole body of Christ.
How did we see God's will through this passage in Hebrews? Is there a way we can best apply this to our lives? Why did God give us spiritual gifts?
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