God's Little Princess

Throughout my young life I have been blessed to have traveled around several parts of the world. I have been carefully placed by God in a position where I have had to learn new languages, go to international schools, learn dance techniques by some of the best teachers and meet some pretty incredible people on the way. Sounds amazing on the outside, but this little girl had a lot of growing up to do in the mean time.
Constantly being the "new girl" was tough on this scrawny little thing. I was often teased, made fun of and I was always a crier. My insecurities did not get better when I reached junior high. I had just moved to Paris from a tiny oil-producing town in Venezuela. My escape: dancing. I didn't really have a one on one relationship with God at that time, hence, I succumbed to peer pressure more than once. My mom's words of advice would just go in through one ear and out the other... I couldn care less what she (nor any adult) said. In my head, I was never good enough for anyone. Fortunately, things have changed for the better.

As girls, we have duties and responsibilities that are given to us to accomplish, and we have to be responsible to do these in order to carry out the mission that God has given us. I want to challenge all of you young women, to make it your goal to realize in your own self all the possibilities of womanhood, and to do the work that the Lord has designated for YOU (not the other girl) to do. Embrace being a girl, and to delight in it! Be strong and brave enough in your femininity to always be devoted to Biblical womanhood. But in order to do this, you must constantly make sure that your heart is in the right place. Keep your heart yielded and submissive to God. It all depends on where your heart is.

“The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is wrought of gold.”
Psalm 45:13

She is glorious within, and hence her clothing, her appearance, is covered with gold. Your inner self, your mind, heart and soul automatically affects how your external life is going to be, how you are going to live your life, and what you are going to do, because a covered heart is never going to produce a radiant life, and a selfish heart is never going to produce an selfless life. A sad heart will never make a cheerful life, and a discontent heart will never yield a content life. Be careful to guard your heart, and to keep it focused on Christ, for He will give you the strength to fulfill your duty.

Make it Count

Most days just seem to go by like every other day. Same old stuff. Same old everything. Blah blah blah. One day runs in to another one. You close your eyes and wake up to do it all over again. Doesn't seem to have much of a plan, does it?
Maybe not. But God has an exciting plan for your life. A plan that will give you purpose and fulfillment beyond your wildest dreams. Following God's plan takes commitment from you. You don't just accidentally fulfill what He's planned for you to do. You've got to seek God and ask Him to reveal His plan to you and to give you understanding about how you can fulfill it. Then, you've got to determine to make EVERY DAY COUNT for Him and for His plan.
As a distance-runner-in-training I have to step it up every single day I train. Building resistance means having to build tolerance to new things: adding some incline to the treadmill, running a little faster, a little more pain, maintaining my heart rate, stricter diet, etc. It is a lot to keep up with, but if I ignore a day, a time, a resistance... it's effort lost. Every second counts.
Pay attention to every decision you face... Even the ones that seem so insignificant. Take seriously every person you meet... Even the ones you don't like. Embrace every situation you find yourself in... Even the ones that seem to make no sense at all. They're shaping you, molding you, preparing you for the next decision, the next person, the next situation.
Lose yourself in doing what God wants with every aspect of your life. Live your life in light of His plan!

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

To Save a Life

Official Trailer

A must-see... for everyone.

When God Gives You Lemons

Personally, I think free will is probably the most amazing thing that God could ever offer us. There is a risk factor involved in every decision we make. We live with the fear of not only disappointing ourselves and those around us, but most importantly God. But, fear not...

"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 hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

If it isn't important enough to take a risk to go after, then it isn't important enough to obtain! (Side note: this is a huge step for single people to take. But, if that person you have an interest in lights up your heart, I think it's worth the risk of getting turned away then living with the thought of "what if...")

That is what faith is all about: taking that step without looking at the staircase. Like the phrase about the lemons. I have my own little version: When God gives you lemons, pray, grab a cookbook (Bible), follow the recipe that God has placed in your heart (scripture), and get to work! Don't be afraid. The world may be making lemonade, but God knows you are capable of doing much more!

Trust in the Lord his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:5 (NLT)

The 4:8 Filter!

I would like to introduce the 4:8 filter. It's an amazing way to live your life. It's not for a limited time, there are no gimmicks, no installments (the price for it has been paid in one single payment: The Cross), and it comes with the guarantee that you will please God. I give you the Philippians 4:8 filter:

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

Directions:
Place whatever thought or action you plan on doing through the 4:8 filter and ask yourself: Will God be pleased? He gives the ultimate approval.


*Not available in stores.
**Offer ends... never.

No Exceptions

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/deathbymu5ic/3420744648/

Know any people who think they are just too far gone for Jesus? Maybe they think their sins are too big or their lives too ugly. They think God couldn't possibly save them. They think God is probably mad or that He has given up on them by now or that He's too holy to want them around. Is that you? See for yourself:

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, 'Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.' Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
-Romans 10:9-13 (NLT)

God delights in saving the unlovable, the lost and the ones who think they could never be saved. To think that God couldn't save you because you're too far gone is to say, "I'm bigger than God. I can do something so evil that He can't forgive me. I have more power than God." The truth is that everyone is hopelessly lost without Him and every sin is repulsive to Him. But Jesus died for everyone...NO EXCEPTIONS. Anyone who calls out to Him will be saved. Yes, even you...even me.

Your Body: God's Temple

A temple is a place where God is worshiped. God says that your body is a temple for Him. After all, He did create you. Think about what you do to your body. If you could see God dwelling inside you, would you treat your body the same? Putting unwanted substances in you body tears down the place God lives in you. You are making a mockery of His home and His creation. Would you go to an actual temple (building) and tear it up? No. Neither should you throw trash in to your own temple, turn it in to a house of prostitution, or cover it with graffiti.

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;"

- Corinthians 6:19 (NIV)

The God who loves you deserves better than a crack house for a temple. He wants to glorify Himself in you. Drugs, for example, are pointless and kill. We already know that. But did you know that Satan uses drugs to destroy as many temples as possible? Practice self-control and keep your temple pure and healthy. Exercise. It's like a ritual cleansing of your house. But, it has to be consistent. You stop, and the dust just keeps piling up. Need help? Ask God to dwell richly in you and commit to being a good temple for Him.

"Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires."

-Romans 6:12 (NIV)

Passion 2010 - Review - Part II

Part II:

Day 3: "It is a mistake to establish what you want to do before you establish who you want to be." This was the main focus Andy Stanley wanted to establish. In other words, who you want to be will impact what you do. Who you are in the inside will impact who you are on the outside: your relationships, your work, your health, etc. Hence, your doing will flow from your being. A good example would be Daniel. (Daniel 6:3-5) He had such a good persona, he couldn't be prosecuted. His outside was reflected by his inside. A good way to evaluate who you are and the reflection it makes on the outside would be to ask yourself the following question: What would you want said at your funeral? Break it down to just words. Then, ask why do you want to be remembered that way? What is affected if you are not remembered that way? What remains? What is at stake? Also what you do on the outside reflects inside. You throw away intimacy, you throw away purity. You attach yourself to material things you throw away generosity...etc. "Be the leader you are willing to follow." This is the best advice you could give yourself and others. We need to remind ourselves that what we want to become is what God wants us to be. The last thing we want is to fail God. What kind of a leader does God want you to be?

The evening session was covered by John Piper, an incredibly wise and straightforward speaker. God is perceived as an egomaniac: we must love Him more than anything. God is jealous. We are demanded that we love Him first and foremost. (Exodus 34:14) We are to love Him and only Him. Seek Him and only Him. (Deuteronomy 4:24) What is the center of Christianity? Do everything for Him! (1 Corinthians 10:31) At first, I had no clue where he was going with this, but surely enough, Mr. Piper had a point. Are you self-centered or God-centered? Saying you will be God-centered because he is YOU-centered is the same as being self-centered. God made us to magnify Himself. To be His glory. For His namesake, His power, for our salvation. (Isaiah 43:6, 48:9) God has one purpose: to redeem His people.
Eternity past: God planned our salvation. (Ephesians 1:46) For His namesake. God demands praise. There is no other way we can be happy. Remind yourself that the best moments in life makes us feel insignificant. We are presented with absolute greatness! You were made to know somebody, not to BE somebody. We were made to feel magnificent about what God has done.
Eternity future: Jesus prays for us. (John 17:24) Jesus wants us to be with Him, and experience Him.
The cross (center): God put Christ forward to take our punishment. (Romans 3:23-26) God condemned sin when Jesus was crucified. The question is why? Why did He do it like this? To show God's righteousness. H passed over former sin. "All have sinned and fall short from the glory of God." He sent His son so we could value His glory. The foundation of our salvation is based on His value. "For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great." (Psalm 25:11) "I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name." (1 John 2:12) Our sins are forgiven for His Glory.

Day 4: "Lord, we will keep our eyes on you so we can set our hearts on you." This has to be my favorite verse in all the praises we sang. The final session of passion 2010 was a reminder of what we need to leave with once we part our ways around the world. We should have the same mindset as Jesus. Life is not about being better. It is to grow and think like Christ. Imagine reacting to all situations like Him. Think about it: Jesus didn't come in to this world like a king. He didn't boast about Himself. He came and humbled Himself for all of us. He was obedient to death. To the glory of God, the father. Often we celebrate the day we became a Christian, when in reality we should be celebrating the fact that we are still following Jesus. One of the purposes for Jesus dying was to put God in the highest. We are to obey Him in His presence and His absence. (He is always there. You can't hide) We don't need anymore input from God, we need more output for Him! Forget the whole re dedication bit. Give it ALL to God and stop making so many excuses and promises. We can't, only He can... so give it all to Him! Also, we are to do everything... did you read correctly? EVERYTHING without complaining. He emptied Himself and became nothing for you and me. We are to reflect God's love in our actions, our faces, our words. What do other see in you? Can they read "God"? Remember: live a life in which those who surround you will WANT to have what you have... and I don't mean material things. Shine the love of Jesus in your face. Share the love of Jesus with others. And last but not least, praise. Praise Him at every moment everyday. Passion hasn't ended... this is just the beginning.
God bless.

Passion 2010 - Review - Part I

PART I:

Wow! I have been slowly working on this post for about a week and finally here it is:
Passion 2010 has been one the most incredible experiences of my life. In metaphorical terms, I can compare it to a giant slingshot. I feel like I was pulled back and shot across the world praising God's never-ending love. The best part is that Passion didn't end. It was just the beginning. The praising, praying, learning, and spreading of God's Truth continues within this so called "lost generation". We are the CHOSEN generation.

"Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws;
our heart’s desire is to glorify your name." - Isaiah 26:8

Day 1: Tens of thousands of students and leaders unite to worship and glorify Christ's name. Our first main session was incredible. I had no idea what to expect, but God never ceases to amaze me... and once again, He surpassed my imagination. Louie Giglio spoke about how we should trade our lives for the story of Jesus. Some of us have fallen asleep and need a huge wake-up call. We have to set aside what the world may offer us, thus take a chance to live for something that is REAL. We have to move whatever is keeping us from God's awakening. He is not offended by your past, your mistakes, your error, your scars, your humanity! Also, we need to take off the bandages from our eyes so we can see the world through His eyes. Wake up and praise the one who has raised you. Let the world see it in your actions and words. Not some of the world... ALL of it. Don't be ashamed. Jesus wasn't ashamed to die. Why? Because He wanted ALL to see and notice God's unfailing love. Would God be "famous" if Jesus would have said no to the cross? Of course. But, because He did give in and died, we glorify Him more!!

Day 2: Beth Moore is one of my favorite speakers ever and her message at Passion left my mouth and mind open. God is wanting for us to infiltrate the world with His truth. (Hebrews 13:20-21) So, here comes the most popular question: What is it that God wants me to do? How will I do it? Well, in short, God's will for you is always good and beneficial. Like we train to be good at something when we go to college, God will equip and "train" us for His purpose. When we leave this world, it is all that we have left. The material "things" will fade and be forgotten. So how does God equip us?
First, he prepares us: He has been preparing us since before we can imagine. He has been planning out our works for Him. (Ephesians 2:11) Through this preparation God puts us through a certain amount of hardship. It was all for good. It prepares our testimony, so stop despising it. (Romans 8:18, 28)
Second, He adjusts us: Many times God puts us in situations where we have to adjust to the environment. People will make you adjust. You're constantly in a new situation to be a new person. And at times, we will be surrounded by people we cannot stand. These individuals bring out the worst in you until it's all out and then God can bring out the BEST in you.
He repairs us: Wherever God has called us to be, we need to surrender to be whatever He wants us to do. (Galatians 6:1) Don't think you're good enough? Let Him restore you. Think you're too good? Let go of that pride. Jesus humbled Himself to the lowest of lowest so you can reach the highest of highest. (Hebrews 4:16)
Last but not least, he fills us: Whatever you were called to do you cannot do alone. The only person who can aide you is Jesus and those who He places in our lives to help us along the way. But, remember who rules this world... evil. Beware of those who will cross your path to deviate you from it. There is NO high like the MOST high! Run in your own lane, do not imitate anyone but Jesus.

In the evening session, Francis Chan's dynamic message made a clear point that the Holy Spirit is like a GPS: it will guide us in the direction God wants us to go. We may not want to go the way it leads us and decide to take our own little path, but the reality is, it will "recalculate" the route always leading you to where He wants you to go. It might take longer than expected, but you will get there. Like the sweet, gentle, patient voice of the GPS, God doesn't get mad, nor irritated, nor will it give up on you. In Isaiah 66:2 it is stated that God will look at those who are humble and tremble at His word. We have something more than life it self. We have the prophetic word. (1 Peter 1:24-25) Our flesh will wilt, but His Word will remain forever. We need to stop being consumed by this world. People often complain that we don't have an example to follow. Start living a life that reflects Christ's and SET the example. Christ gave the same righteousness to each and every one. We have equal standing with God. Stop looking at your actions, look at Christ's actions. He wants us to experience grace. (2 Peter 1:1-7) God has granted all that we need to be Godly. So, who's fault is it if you live a worldly life away from Christ? Confess your mistakes, don't make excuses for them. He will forgive you always. But, for those who escape sin and return, it is worse than if you have never known the truth. (2 Peter 2:20) We have to change completely. Just remember always that God has been kind, He is constantly "recalculating" our route and will lead you to repentance. (Romans 2:4)

Day 3 and Day 4 coming up in Part II.