Confidence Is Contagious!

In Phillipians 1, Paul talks about being confident,

“…Being confident of this very thing that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ.”

Well today I have a simple question I’d like to ask you: Are you living in confidence?

You may be out of work and have been looking for a job for some time, you may be a single parent trying your best to look after your children and raise them up right, or you may have just received a report from the doctor that seems pretty much hopeless. But through it all… are you living in confidence?

Paul as he writes this letter is actually in prison… but even though he’s in prison this is what he had to say of his current situation,

“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel…”

I know that as humans its normal and very easy for us to not see what we’re going through as anything positive or good. But maybe… what if… you and what you’re going through right now is exactly what God’s going to use for the furtherance of the Gospel and His ultimate divine purpose!

Despite the circumstance Paul is currently in, he knows and believes that no matter what happens… it is all for the better and the benefit of God’s perfect will and kingdom. Which is why in verse 13 he goes on to say,

“… So that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ.”

To many of us prison is not the ideal place or situation for a christian to be in… but everyday aren’t we bombarded and stuck in our own little prison? Prison of insecurities, Prison of loneliness, Prison of finances, Prison of pain and sickness.. The list goes on and on! So let’s be honest, each and everyone of us in are in uncomfortable situations and are prisoned by something every single day.

Paul doesn’t see his circumstance as a negative, instead he has shifted his focus and see’s it as a positive.

Just like Paul we need to shift our focus and be able to look at the chains that have bound us into the prisons of our life and confidently say “MY CHAINS ARE IN CHRIST.”

We MUST believe that no matter what we go through… it is all for the glory of God and the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Paul looks at the chains on his hands as the will of God for him at that moment in his life. Therefore, Paul see’s his chains in Christ.

Paul also mentioned that “it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ.”

Meaning that Paul’s confidence in his situation… believing that God will use it for His glory… was getting noticed… to the point where the whole palace guard could see his confidence in Christ! And others!!!

I wonder if maybe his body language or way of speaking during the hard time he was going through had anything to do with it… hmm???

How you choose to speak and handle your current situation… be it negative or positive… whether you know it or not… is noticed by the people around you.

Your energy will either lift them up or bring them down.

When you shift your focus and see the negative things in your life as a positive… you’re not the only one who becomes confident… others do too.

Other people see how you tackle every bow and arrow the Devil throws your way and how you defeat him every time with the strength and confidence you have in Christ. They too start believing that just like you… they too can fight any battle by putting all their trust and confidence in Christ.

See, Confidence is Contagious.

Pauls confidence in Christ became so contagious that others began to follow as well!

“… and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are  much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

Are your chains inspiring others? Or are they making people turn away from the hope they’re looking for that can only be found in Christ Jesus?

Paul continues to say in verse 19-21,

“For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness as always, so now also Christ will be magnified n my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Know and believe that through prayer, the prayers of others, and the supply of the Holy Spirit, you too can earnestly expect and hope for your deliverance! Believe with confidence that no matter what you are going through right now is temporary. You will NOT be left ashamed and stuck in your prison forever. Know that in all things Christ will be magnified through every hardship and turmoil you go through in life!

And remember, as you believe… others will begin to believe… and their lives will begin to change with yours as well! Why? Because,

CONFIDENCE IS CONTAGIOUS.

REFLECTIONS: The Life of Jesus & Joseph

Lately as I was reading the Bible I came across the genealogy of Jesus Christ found in Matthew chapter 1. To be honest I usually skip out the names when reading my Bible because there’s just so many names! But this time around… I’m not sure why I decided to read them. I soon realized how similar Jesus and Joseph’s life was… right to the names! I was completely mind blown once I wrote down all the similarities of their life and looked back at it. I wanted to share this with you but didn’t know how I could write, and tell you about it other than making you this graphic picture!

I just love how the Old Testament always foreshadowed the life of Jesus… even before it was His time. Not one thing spoken about him has been left unfulfilled since His birth, and I do believe that all things spoken of Him and the future will come to pass as well!

Comment below and let me know if you found this reflection and foreshadow of Jesus interesting! And what other places of scripture in the Old Testament have you found that foreshadowed Jesus and the life of Jesus?

Sin Cripples

“Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”

And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”

But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” And he arose and departed to his house.

Now when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.” (Matthew 9:2-8)

When the paralytic man was brought to Jesus… He first dealt with the mans sins and then his healing. This shows that Jesus desires and seeks very much for us all to be forgiven and set free from our sins.

Sin and the result of sin can cripple us far more than any disease or sickness can in this world.

The scribes had said within themselves “This man blasphemes,” But Jesus knowing their thoughts replied “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you’ or ‘Arise and walk’?‘”

For me personally, As much as I’d like for my body to be healed… I would much rather like to be forgiven of my sins and be able to walk into heaven… than to be only healed and never walk in due to my unforgiven sins.

God is equally interested in healing our spiritual body, as He is with our physical body.

Jesus has all power and authority on earth and heaven to forgive us from our sins.

“As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.

Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Matthew 9:9-13)

Jesus did not conform to rules and Law, instead He accepted all who came to HIm. He even called a tax collector named Matthew to follow Him.

It is stated in scripture that “many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.” 

And again when the Pharisees saw this they questioned this with the disciples. But Jesus hearing this responded to them by saying “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I dod not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentence.“

God no longer requires sacrifice, instead He has given us His grace… His mercy.

Because sin is like sickness to our physical and spiritual body… Jesus tells and explains to us that just like a doctor is for the sick… He is to sinners… which is why He said, “For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.“

Jesus is our Doctor.

Don’t let sin rule your life, seek the Lord in prayer, repent and ask Him for the forgiveness of your sins. He will not only heal you physically… but your spiritual body as well.

Running Your Race

Athletes dedicate so much of their time preparing and training for the Olympics. Specifically speaking of runners they go through 3D Gait Analysis, Cryotherapy, Gravity-Defying Running, Psychological and Wind Tunnel Testing to name a few.

Currently the fastest man on earth and in history is the Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt who holds the world record time of 9.58 seconds in the 100 and 200 meter sprints.

The reason to why I’ve shared with you this is that just like athletes you too are running a race. Yes you, me and everyone else on this planet.

So you must be wondering “What is my… or anyones part or purpose in this race?” Well we are called by God to tell everyone of the good news of the gospel and save the souls of those who have not heard or accepted Jesus. This is our mission, This is our fight, This is our race.

“Jesus drew near and said to them (the disciples) ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20 GNT)

Even though many of us are not aware of this spiritual race that we are running… the Devil is.

Wether you believe this or not, everyday and every moment of your day the Devil is on a hunt… on a mission to steal your soul from God for all of eternity.

1 Peter 5:8 says

“Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

Let’s be honest, sometimes when running our race we get hurt, distracted or even tired. When all the hurdles of life pile up on us… all we want to do is give up.

But Peter goes on to say in 1 Peter 5:9-10

“Be firm in your faith and resist him, because you know that other believers in all the world are going through the same kind of sufferings. But after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who calls you to share his eternal glory in union with Christ, will himself perfect you and give you firmness, strength, and a sure foundation.”

No matter how difficult life may get… staying your course and making it to the finish line is important. That’s what Jesus did for us, he went through all sort of hurt, pain and rejection right to the cross and still did not give up. His persistence and endurance to finish his race won our souls back from a much deserved eternity in hell.

“Do you see what this means – All these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running – and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – He could put up with anything along the way: Cross, Shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honour, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” (Hebrews 12:1-3 MSG)

And if Jesus Christ has bought us back by enduring the cross and paying the cost of our sins with His blood… how much more we to do the same and endure and be persistent in our race?

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (Romans 5:1-11 ESV)

Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (GNT)

“Surely you know that many runners take part in a race, but only one of them wins the prize. Run, then, in such a way as to win the prize. Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever. That is why I run straight for the finish line; that is why I am like a boxer who does not waste his punches. I harden my body with blows and bring it under complete control, to keep myself from being disqualified after having called others to the contest.“

“I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites. But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.” (Phillipians 3:12-21 MSG)

“Finally, receive your power from the Lord and from his mighty strength. Put on all the armor that God supplies. In this way you can take a stand against the devil’s strategies. This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world. For this reason, take up all the armor that God supplies. Then you will be able to take a stand during these evil days. Once you have overcome all obstacles, you will be able to stand your ground. So then, take your stand! Fasten truth around your waist like a belt. Put on God’s approval as your breastplate. Put on your shoes so that you are ready to spread the Good News that gives peace. In addition to all these, take the Christian faith as your shield. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Also take salvation as your helmet and God’s word as the sword that the Spirit supplies. Pray in the Spirit in every situation. Use every kind of prayer and request there is. For the same reason be alert. Use every kind of effort and make every kind of request for all of God’s people.” (Ephesians 6:10-18 GW)

“And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” (Ephesians 6:10-18 MSG)

“So don’t sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle! Help each other out. And run for it!” (Hebrews 12:13 MSG)

And on that blessed day when we finally see our Lord Jesus Christ face to face let us say

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith!” (2 Timothy 4:7)

The Constant, Moving, Breathing & Living Word of God

“The earth and the heavens will disappear, but my words will never disappear.” (Matthew 24:35)

The picture above was a little experiment I did with both my mom and sister. I picked a verse from the Bible and for 5 days beginning from Monday and ending on Friday we were to read the scripture every morning when we woke up and write down what the same scripture spoke to us in that moment. On Friday we read what the scripture meant to us throughout the week week, and It was so cool to see how the see scripture spoke to us in so many different ways! The very same scripture had comforted each of us equally even while we didn’t go through the same problems as each other!

I love how the Bible… (which I see as a love letter from God)… is able to speak to us, reach us in every area of our life no matter what we or the person beside, behind or in front of us is going through! The Word of God has no favouritism.

It is living, breathing and alive. Even today the Word of God has the power to build, destroy, heal and change hearts of all mankind.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

What scripture have you read today and how did it speak to you in the moment? How has the constant Word of God moved and breathed in you today?

The Scarlet & the Forgiven

I can’t tell you the amount of times I do or say something silly and think to myself “Ugh I did/said it again” and shy away from asking God for forgiveness. I often feel like apostle Paul when he said

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.  For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” (Romans 7:15-19)

Few years ago I was walking in the snow and took a picture of the railway sign. The red color and the snow reminded me of a Bible verse from Isaiah 1:18

“Come now, and let us reason together, ‘ Says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.’ “

I was reminded of the love our heavenly Father has for us.

We don’t deserve it… But still he loves us unconditionally.

I know that no matter how hard I may try to be perfect for God… I won’t be.

“Going through the motions doesn’t please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you.” (Psalm 51:16)

But that shouldn’t give me a reason to be sad! Instead I should be happy! Because God told Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9

“My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.”

Paul goes on to say

“… So I will brag even more about my weaknesses in order that Christ’s power will live in me. Therefore, I accept weakness, mistreatment, hardship, persecution, and difficulties suffered for Christ. It’s clear that when I’m weak, I’m strong.” ( 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 )

“Now that we have God’s approval by faith, we have peace with God because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done. Through Christ we can approach God and stand in his favor. So we brag because of our confidence that we will receive glory from God. But that’s not all. We also brag when we are suffering. We know that suffering creates endurance, endurance creates character, and character creates confidence. We’re not ashamed to have this confidence, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Look at it this way: At the right time, while we were still helpless, Christ died for ungodly people. Finding someone who would die for a godly person is rare. Maybe someone would have the courage to die for a good person. Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This demonstrates God’s love for us.

Since Christ’s blood has now given us God’s approval, we are even more certain that Christ will save us from God’s anger. If the death of his Son restored our relationship with God while we were still his enemies, we are even more certain that, because of this restored relationship, the life of his Son will save us. In addition, our Lord Jesus Christ lets us continue to brag about God. After all, it is through Christ that we now have this restored relationship with God.” (Romans 5:1-11)

“With one sacrifice he accomplished the work of setting them (humans) apart for God forever. The Holy Spirit tells us the same thing: “This is the promise that I will make to them after those days, says the Lord: ‘I will put my teachings in their hearts and write them in their minds.’”

Then he adds, “I will no longer hold their sins and their disobedience against them.”

Brothers and sisters, because of the blood of Jesus we can now confidently go into the holy place. Jesus has opened a new and living way for us to go through the curtain. (The curtain is his own body.) We have a superior priest in charge of God’s house. We have been sprinkled with his blood to free us from a guilty conscience, and our bodies have been washed with clean water. So we must continue to come to him with a sincere heart and strong faith. We must continue to hold firmly to our declaration of faith. The one who made the promise is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:14-23)

We must believe that when we pray God listens, When we tell him our sins and ask for forgiveness he forgives.

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this. Don’t put out the Spirit’s fire. Don’t despise what God has revealed. Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil. May the God who gives peace make you holy in every way. May he keep your whole being—spirit, soul, and body—blameless when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.“ ( 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24)

 “We need to hold on to our declaration of faith: We have a superior chief priest who has gone through the heavens. That person is Jesus, the Son of God. We have a chief priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he didn’t sin. So we can go confidently to the throne of God’s kindness to receive mercy and find kindness, which will help us at the right time.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Shying away from God with our sins and not repenting won’t do us any good. I know you must be thinking “But if I tell him… He will attack me with lightning!” Haha! Nooo trust me He wont!

I thought I share this picture I took from my bible that talks about repentance

We need to repent. And if you’re wondering how does one repent? It’s simple! You just talk to God like you would to any friend… out loud or in your heart! But if you don’t know it’s okay! Just pray the prayer Jesus taught His disciples when they asked Him to teach them how to pray:

“Our Father in heaven, let your name be kept holy. Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Give us our daily bread today. Forgive us as we forgive others. Don’t allow us to be tempted. Instead, rescue us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:9-13)

I was going to write more… but now looking over I think the Bible scriptures have done a good job on their own… so no need to add more! But I do want to end by saying, Believe and surrender your sins to God. And rejoice for the Lord is your strength! 🙂

Ignorance Aint Bliss

PSALM 116

When I was 5yrs old my mom and I became christian. I loved Sunday school! I thought that the idea of having school on a Sunday was so cool and I would go back to school on Monday telling everyone about how I have school on Sundays!

My Sunday School teacher would always have us remember Bible verses and then we would get these gold stars on a chart. If we got 10 golden stars we would get a prize from this big blue bin!

There were so many cool prizes in there! Toys, games, and even candy! But I had my heart set on the beautiful navy blue coloured Bible.

When I finally reached 10 golden stars I was so happy! Everyone was telling me to get that toy or candy… but i reached over to the Bible holding it in my hands with a big smile on my face!

Later that night before bed my mom and I decided to read from my new Bible, I opened the Bible and it landed on Psalm 116. My first Bible chapter.

To this day Psalm 116 is my most favourite chapter in the Bible. Every time I read it and no matter whatever the situation I am going through… it always seems to speak to me and comfort me through the difficult time.

When I read it, I remember all the things the Lord has saved and healed me from! Asthma, both my legs always hurting from growing pains because I have knocked knees, my left leg that hurt so much and i was bed bound for 6 months in 7th grade and doctors didn’t know what to do… and the leg cramps that i had from grade 10 to 3 yrs after high school.

Psalm 116 reminds me of our God who has healed me from all the things the doctors could not help me with. It always brings me to tears just thinking back to how amazing our God is, how He always listens and saves us even when we are at our lowest and no one else is there.

For me Psalm 116 is my praise chapter, it takes me down memory lane and brings me back to a heart full of thanksgiving. It’s not just a chapter in the Bible to me anymore, it’s i guess you can say… hmm… my life song.

Every time i go through a tough time I read it and remember that if God helped me conquer my last struggle… He WILL get me through this one too 🙂

Read Psalm 116 here

 

 

Hell or Heaven?

So i was on Youtube watching some videos until this ad came on… and caught my attention.

By the end of the video all i could think of was… what if the signs on the doors were “Hell” and “Heaven” … How many of us would walk through the door that says “Heaven?”

How do we judge ourselves? How do we judge where we think we’ll spend eternity in our afterlife?

Hell or Heaven is a personal choice. If Heaven is a choice… why do we always condemn ourselves and choose the other?

If you’re feeling that you’d walk through the door that would say “Hell” and are feeling really crappy about it right now… I just want you to know that JESUS LOVES YOU. He loves you so much that he paid your sins price by dying on a cross for you! Pray, ask for forgiveness and His help and guidance to live this life the way He has planned and wrote for you! You don’t have to live condemned! Don’t believe the Devil’s lies! Instead believe in Jesus’s promises for you in the Bible and walk through the doors that say “Heaven” redeemed and forgiven! 🙂

I was going to write a long post about this… but i think i should leave this as is… and something for us to ponder on… But i do leave you with…

Further Bible Readings in order 🙂

Romans Chapter 5

Romans Chapter 6

Romans Chapter 7 

Romans Chapter 8

AND…! I have to tell you that this sentence thats being written is written exactly 11:04PM at night, everything else above this was written during the day. The reason to why I mention this is because I SHOULD BE SLEEPING RIGHT NOW. My family is asleep… but me. I mean i’m tired and have lazy eyes right now… but i kept feeling in my heart that there’s something missing… there’s something God wants me to add to this post. Not sure of what exactly i just obeyed and listened to nudge in my heart. Given no other direction as to what and where to look… i decided to visit my vimeo account because i haven’t been on the site for a while. While there i went through all the different accounts that I follow. I watched a few videos and thought i’d click for one last page of videos to see if i find one last video of anything of interest to watch. (I hope i’m making sense writing this half asleep right now haha!)

And to my surprise i came across this video! It totally goes with this blog post!! The video is titled and talks about “How do you rise above the condemnation of your failures?” – When i found the video i was stunned as to how God speaks to us in our hearts at times, how a nudge and an act of obedience listening to Him leads us to greater things! To be honest… when I wrote this post earlier today I wasn’t sure if it was ‘God Led’ … I wasn’t sure if I should even publish this post… i was actually a little bit scared to… i don’t know why. But i posted this up anyway and left it. I thought i was done… but little did i know God wasn’t. The beauty of our God is that He doesn’t leave us confused, doubting or second guessing who He is and what He can do… and what He can do through someone with an obedient heart. Earlier i was scared and not sure if i should post or if this was just a random blog post for the sake of a post… but God is beautiful and wonderful and really does care for and loves us sooooooo much! God being the amazing God that He is gave me His confirmation that this post was His idea by leading me to this video 🙂 He is truly such a good God and there is no other God like Him ❤

Before i start rambling… here is the video 🙂

It Finally Happened!!

I finally passed my road test yesterday! Yesterday April the 8th, 2015!!! If you said to me 4yrs ago that i will pass my road test… i wouldn’t believe you! Because 4yrs ago even the thought of driving a car was a big NO NO. I mean how could i drive a car when I had cramps/spasms that came to me without warning?! Last thing i want is to put someone’s life in danger or mine!

But after God healed me I decided to begin learning how to drive. I’ll be honest, i failed 4 times and passed my 5th road test. It didn’t come easy. Every time i failed i always felt like i will never pass it! And I always failed by ONE silly mistake! Which obviously frustrated me even more!!

As i was preparing to leave for my road test i prayed to God saying “God I don’t know if I am going to pass today or not. But i believe that whatever happens is all happening for a better reason that i may not understand. You’ve written all the days of my life into your book… and if whatever happens is how it’s been written by you… then I accept you will. Let your will be done. Amen.” After finishing my prayer i left for my road test.

My road test started off with my first mistake which was turning my wheel and reversing out… when you’re actually supposed to reverse straight out first from a parking stall. Before i completed the turn and knew it be too late… i asked the instructor if i can fix it and she said “yes.”

After that my entire road test was as if someone else was driving the car but me, and while driving i felt so much peace in my heart! Usually my past road tests i would be in constant worry with every turn i made!

Not only that, the road test instructor was SUPER nice! My past road test instructors were all very mean and rude! She would talk kindly with me and would tell me exactly where she would like me to safely park on the side of the road! When my past instructors would just say “Park where it’s safe.” After i parked, i looked at her and said “You just told me where to park! All the other instructors never do!” and she replied “I know, but it’s so much easier if i just tell you! And i saw a safe spot and thought i tell you to park there!”

During one of the left turns at an intersection i was waiting to see when it’s safe to turn, in my head i was thinking that i have to rush this through… and without her obviously not knowing what i was thinking she says to me “You know… I don’t mind waiting for you to turn… you can wait until the light turns yellow.” And in my head i was like “WHAT?! CAN SHE READ MY MIND?!!” and i said to her “Oh okay, thank you!”

Again there was this road we were going down and she says to me “There’s something at the end of this road that you will have to see… I’ll let you decide on what you’ll have to do.” When we reached the end of that road, remembering what she told me I noticed that the only option i had was to make a right turn! And I made the right turn! Yay! I mean yah i know that when you see the right turn sign it’s a right turn… but I felt so good… relaxed having her help me and warn me ahead of time!

The parking I hate the most is parallel parking! Please do tell me I’m not the only one! haha! I dread the parallel parking. BUT for the first time ever… I did the BEST parallel parking EVER. I couldn’t believe it! I couldn’t even understand what was going on! My one nemesis I CONQUERED! (Thanks Jesus!) I was soooo happy and excited that I had the instructor hi5 me haha! 😀

Pulling back out from my parallel parking I forgot to put down my emergency brake! Silly Me! While driving i notice the emergency break light on the dashboard ( i think thats what it’s called haha) and put the break down… to which the instructor responds “We’ll just pretend that never happened.” And I with a big smile on my face say “Yes, let’s do that.”

The entire road test was just so easy! The roads were all clear with few cars and she would tell me of lane changes early so I was well prepared to change lanes when needed… just everything was… amazing.

When the instructor told me I had passed… everything she said to me afterwards was a blur! The Hallelujah chorus began playing in my head and all i could say to her was “Are you for real?! Really? I passed?!! You mean I actually passed?!!” I just couldn’t believe it!

While waiting to get my picture taken for my drivers ID, I felt the Holy Sprit speak to me in my heart. He said “Because you prayed this morning telling God that you accept His will despite whatever the result of the test will be… you passed.”

In other words, because I accepted God’s will over what i ultimately wanted and desired… I passed.

I know it took me to my 5th road test to finally pass, but i now understand the reason why this entire process took longer than it should have. God was teaching me a little lesson that all came from the simple act of me humbling myself before God and accepting His will for me in my life.

I learned that no matter where you are right now… you’re exactly where God want’s you to be in the story of your life. If God is the author of your life and you believe this with all your heart… trust in Him. If the storms of your life seems crazy… remember that nothing is a surprise to God… He wrote it that way! We just need to accept God’s will for our lives and know that if He wrote it and brought you to it… He WILL get you through it.

An example that i can give to you is from the greatest teacher of all: Jesus

When it was almost time for Jesus to go to the cross He had prayed to the father

“Then Jesus went with the disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to them, “Stay here while I go over there and pray.”

“He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons with him. He was beginning to feel deep anguish. Then he said to them, “My anguish is so great that I feel as if I’m dying. Wait here, and stay awake with me.”

After walking a little farther, he quickly bowed with his face to the ground and prayed, “Father, if it’s possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. But let your will be done rather than mine.”

When he went back to the disciples, he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you stay awake with me for one hour? Stay awake, and pray that you won’t be tempted. You want to do what’s right, but you’re weak.”

Then he went away a second time and prayed, “Father, if this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, let your will be done.”

He found them asleep again because they couldn’t keep their eyes open.

After leaving them again, he went away and prayed the same prayer a third time. Then he came back to the disciples and said to them, “You might as well sleep now. The time is near for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinners. Get up! Let’s go! The one who is betraying me is near.”

– Matthew 26:37-44

If you’re a visual learner like me… here’s a video 🙂

Jesus prayed 2 times to the Father, nonetheless even when He asked for a way out… He said “Let your will be done” and accepted God’s will despite the end result.

What i learned was that God always has my best interest in heart, and for whatever reason i’m going through a difficult time in life… i must know and remember He is in control. Knowing that he is in control I must allow Him to be in control and have His way with me and my life. We just have to pray to God and ask him to help us accept His will, accept it, let go and trust in Him.

Because

“Also, the Spirit helps us. We are very weak, but the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We don’t know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit himself speaks to God for us. He begs God for us, speaking to him with feelings too deep for words. God already knows our deepest thoughts. And he understands what the Spirit is saying, because the Spirit speaks for his people in the way that agrees with what God wants. We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. These are the people God chose, because that was his plan. God knew them before he made the world… –” Romans 8:26-29

And lastly, always remember what God says to you in the Bible

“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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.“ – Jeremiah 29:11-13