My revelations of Jesus this week

 Jesus is Lord and King. It is amazing how God can continue to rock my world with revelations of himself and His son. Jesus is Lord, period. Jesus is Lord over everything. He has power and authority over everything in heaven and on earth. Everything is under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Right now some people and things may not realize and recognize his Lordship, but at the mention of His glorious name, every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. It is not a suggestion, it is a command, and it is mandatory; there is no room for discussion or other options. There will come a point when everything and everyone will recognize Jesus Lordship. It will be two ways: one out of passionate love from his bride and moans and groans from those who have rejected him.

Jesus is King of kings. He runs this place we living in called earth. He is King of every town. The government ain’t got nothing on him, the mafia and gangs aint’ got nothing on him, the rulers of this world aint’ got nothing on him. Jesus’ Kingdom is advancing and nothing can stop it from advancing. His Kingdom is a Kingdom that will never know what it is to be defeated. What Kingdom do you represent? I don’t know about you, but I’m claiming my citizenship in Jesus’ Kingdom. My King rules with perfect love, perfect peace, grace, mercy, righteousness and justice.

The gates of hell will not prevail against Jesus’ church. We are the bride of Christ. Let’s think about this for a second. What groom will let some random guy come up to his bride and slap her or insult her? NEVER, all of heaven would have to come and stop that groom from beating every ounce out of that guy. The random guy wouldn’t even get to come close enough to even lay a hand on her or say more than one insulting word before he experiences holy anger from a man passionately in love with his bride. Same way that Jesus will not let his bride be abused or insulted. No weapon formed against his bride shall prosper. We are protected saints; we are guarded by the lover of our souls; our groom is interceding for us, he is keeping the innocence of his bride. WOW what freedom, what excitement. WOW, doesn’t this strengthen your heart. Perfect love cast out all fear.

Outside pressure, inside peace

It is interesting how the world around us can pressure us to: make decisions quick, to not hesitate by thinking twice, to not wait, to not be patient, to be anxious, to always be on the move. If you don’t do any of what the world says to do, then the fear of what will happen comes and tortures us to make sure we do what they say.

           But there is an inner peace. A peace that says, don’t rush, be patient, stay calm, rest, there is no need to be anxious, and fear not because you are loved and are never alone. I’m tired of rushing, I am tired of the outside pressure. I am choosing to wait, I am choosing to be patient, I am choosing to rest in the arms of the one who says “fear not, because you are loved and will never be alone, for I have conqueror the world”.  I choose perfect peace. My God is faithful, He is faithful to the end, He is faithful to my heart, He has made a home in me.

My Trip to Ireland

Last week was my first time to Europe and I loved it. Walking through Amsterdam was amazing, seeing a mixture of God’s beautiful people from all over the world walking through the airport. Hearing the sounds of many mysterious languages gave me the chills as I thought about how big God is and how much he loves each one of these people. And nothing will stop him from pursuing each one of them regardless of language, culture, history and ethnicity. The love of God can touch and reach anybody, anytime, anywhere.

                Ireland is a beautiful place and I can definitely see myself visiting and continuing to do missions work there. The Irish people are wonderful and friendly. It amazed me how vibrant the grass was when the weather was a little chilly and no leaves on the tree. It didn’t make any sense. Usually when there are no leaves on the trees, the grass is dried up and brown. Their grass was thriving with bright green colors.

                I am excited for the plans and future that God has in store for Ireland and the team of people he is using to help reach the nation for Christ. Even though it can be easy to be discouraged when you think of only one campus ministry on a college campus there, I am hopeful in a God that won’t relent until he has those he love to come to know him.

                The full time ministry team in Ireland was wonderful and very fun to work with. They are a bundle of joy; it was a great honor and pleasure to assist them in their ground breaking adventure in advancing God’s Kingdom in Ireland.

                This was my first international mission trip and it broaden my view of ministry. People are people no matter where you go, at the core we are all the same. Everyone wants to be loved and accepted. Everyone wants to know that their life means something, that there is a plan and future for their life, that they play a part in the big picture. Everyone is searching for that true joy and everlasting peace. And when they find it, they will take hold of that treasure. When truth is presented and it pierces their hearts and resonates with their soul, they come alive and become people of passion and purpose ready to walk out the destiny set before them.

I also learned the importance of settling into a community when you are planting a church. It is essential to understand the language and culture of the people, their mind set and way of thinking. It is a process that takes time and patience. But once you start seeing people within the community coming out to your events and accepting you, it’s a wonderfully amazing experience. 

Thoughts from the New Narnia Movie

Towards the end of the movie: The rat was walking towards Aslan’s country, he threw his sword on the ground and said “I won’t need this anymore”, this was so profound. I was like wow that is awesome. The very thing he had cherished and was good at, he realized he didn’t need it in the new world he was about to enter. This rat knew how to handle himself with the sword; it was like his own right hand.

Can you imagine a world with only good, and no evil, a world where we don’t have to fight and struggle, a world where there is no tears or hurts? A world of perfect love, joy, peace and resting from all toil that causes fatigue. All the natural and spiritual gifts and talents we use in this world are for this world. I kept thinking about when Jesus talks about storing your treasures in heaven. Our relationship with God is what will last, our faith and growth will last, the good work God has been doing in us will endure, and the lives we have touched will endure.

Next, Aslan told Lucy that she was brought to Narnia for a short time so that she would know his name in her real world. Now, this really blew my mind, I was so excited. I almost scream on the airplane as I was watching this. I couldn’t believe it. That was another profound moment. Every knee will bow every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. There is no sweeter name than the name of Jesus. No other name holds so much power and significance.

(Hahhaha woooo hoooo God is awesome. I am a Narnia fan after that last movie. I am actually planning on reading the book now. )

Wanting to be noticed and recognized

Where does this desire or want of recognition and praise from man come from? I find myself wanting people to notice me. I want people to recognize the gifts and talents that I have. I want people to see the beauty and amazing-ness that God has made me to be. How can God be glorified by my life if people are not recognizing me? How can they give glory to God for who I am and what I do if they are not praising me? If I go unnoticed than God can’t be glorified by my life; he is unnoticed too. This is what goes through my mind, but is this true? I find myself wanting to get credit for things I say and do. I want to make sure I get the credit I deserve for coming up with something or being the first to think or say or do something. There is a lot of pride and love for what comes from me that I share and do in the world. Is it wrong to want to be noticed? Is it wrong to want to be recognized? Is it wrong to want to be praised and given honor for my life and the things I say and do? Where does this come from? How can I hide it? Why is it so hard to fight it? I want to do great and mighty things. I don’t want to just go through life, I want to make an impact in this life I live. I want people to notice God in me working and doing amazing things in me and through me. Since I am a new creation in Christ, is this desire wrong? Is this an old part of me that needs to be renewed?  There is a desire to be excellent and great in everything that I do. But how does this look like? How do I respond to it?

Why is it so hard to not say anything when the opportunity comes to say ”I was the one that said this” and “I was the one that done that”? “It was me, hello can’t you see that it came from me, I said it way before anyone thought of it”. When I first brought it up it was dismissed; it was pushed aside. And now when it comes up again, someone else receives the credit or credit goes to no one. Why do we or shall I say, I, have a desire to want my name to be attached to accomplishments and good things?

I wonder if it is because I always in need of encouragement, especially when it comes to knowing my worth and value.  I struggle at times believing that I am important and that I am valuable in the world around me. My significance is always being attacked. Negative thoughts creeps into my mind that compares me to others and makes me feel worthless. But God continues to tell me: I am his masterpiece, I was created for his joy and fulfillment, I was created for a purpose and future, I was created perfectly for his enjoyment and he loves to hang-out with me. Why should I call myself worthless when God, the lover of my soul, calls me precious and useful?  

I don’t need the recognition and praise of man, because I have the lover of my soul, the creator of everything rejoicing at my life. I have the most important person in the world loving me and encouraging me. I don’t need to grab onto worldly accomplishments and things to find my worth. I don’t need the words of man to lift me up, even if it does give me a quick fix. But true everlasting words that plants life, comes from God through a chosen person around me, that see’s me the way God the Father see’s me. They sense the Father’s heart for me and are compelled to demonstrate that love towards me. I am loved and accepted, I am never alone, I am precious, I am a masterpiece, I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank you Heavenly Father for your love that continues to heal me and bring me towards your truth.

The Joy of Submitting

I love how God can put words together that is usually looked at as contradicting or viewed as opposites, and making it into something beautiful. God has this special thing he likes to do in transforming something old, which was misunderstood, into something new, where he reveals truth. How can there be joy in submitting? What is fun about submitting? Aren’t you putting yourself in bondage or slavery? Where is your “freedom”? Why do I need to submit? Who are they that I need to submit myself to them? These are the deceptions that the enemy tricks us in thinking submitting is evil and not freeing.  

                I am here to tell you that there is joy in submitting and it is actually freeing. Submitting to authority is not so dreadful but liberating. Submitting to authority is not about agreeing with the person and calling that submitting, it is while you are not in agreement you submit to their authority and leadership. When you are submitting you are honoring the call and anointing on that leader or authority figure’s life. Through this you can receive the blessing and benefits of this person or persons in your life.

                They are responsible for you. I am so grateful for the authority figures and leaders that God has placed in my life to watch over me and guide me. I am truly blessed to have the privilege of serving under the leadership of my local church. There is something powerful when the authority figures and leaders in your life give you the blessing to use your gifts and talents. There is something especially beautiful when God speaks to those people and lets them know how much He loves you and then they demonstrate that love and grace to you.

One of the most powerful and beautiful things I have heard said to me that I will forever cherish in my heart, is when my Dad said “ Now you are a man…” and he went on to encourage me and send me out into the world. Wow, the power, freedom, courage and boldness that filled my heart was overwhelming. The man that was the authority over my life, the man who raised me and guided me, saw that I was fit and ready for the real world. He blessed me and anointed me in being a man. It was official when my Dad had blessed me into manhood. Only now I can confidently call myself a man. Because the man in my life saw that I ready.

Who are the authority figures and leaders in your life? Who are you honoring? Who are you allowing God to use to love you, guide you and bless you? Don’t miss out on this blessing and joy of submitting to authority and leadership. Your pride is not worth it. Allow God to pour out his love and the many blessings from the people he is eager to place over your life.