Missed Opportunities

Last Tuesday evening, some friends, Dan and I went out to rent a movie. Where we live is a "ghetto" area. Almost anywhere you walk, you will be given a story followed with the question, "Can you spare me any money or change?" Well on this particular night, a middle-aged man asked us if we had any money. Dan decided awhile back (since we rarely carry cash on us) that he would explain to a person who asked this question that he did not have any cash but would be glad to pray. Our guy friend said he had a few quarters and went to give them to the man. The man went on to ask if he was a spiritual guy and that we looked "peaceful" etc. He said he wasn't really into 'that stuff' but we could tell he was interested. The man also asked if we went to church. Our friend said a few things then came back to the car. I kept urging Dan to go pray for him… to not let this be a missed opportunity. Dan kind of shook it off and was pretty ancy about it. I kept thinking to myself, "Ugh why didn't he go pray with him? This was such a missed opportunity. I’m so disappointed in him." WOW did the Holy Spirit speak to me after that. I basically realized that it was just as much my fault than his. You see, I was justifying myself ministering by thinking, "Well mainly only men minister to men. So maybe it's not my place." I was waiting for Dan to make a move and help someone when I was just as much an open vessel to be used but blocked myself from it when needed. God is not looking for people who are qualified… He's looking for people who are available. In the Word Paul wrote, "He will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work" (2 Timothy 2:21). Referring to God’s children serving Christ in every situation needed. Looking for people to put aside the 'religious' points of views and ready to dive in. Don't let any opportunities pass you by. He calls us to, "Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day" (Psalms 96:2). No one is more anointed than another, you should never compare yourself. You're the one who choses how you're going to USE what the Lord's put in you. If you see people thriving in the Lord and get jealous... well then go get it for yourself! Don't sit there and have a pity party. Jump in! Jump in!

--Dan and I are friends with a married couple who go out every Friday evening on a date. (Fairly newlyweds). The husband told us that every time they go out; they enjoy each other’s company but always end up being able to minister to someone. How awesome is that? You can do anything anytime, only if you open yourself up.

AAAAND praise God He gives us chances to make up for missed appointments. Dan, myself, and some of our friends went out and fed the homeless last night (Tuesday). All we did was make 20 peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, add 3 juices per bag (which we've been able to get for free from our jobs--leftovers) and a snack per each bag as well with a 'tract' and our friends personal testimony tract. What a blessing! There was 7 of us total and we went down to the streets around a shelter. People just came up to us and said thank you and God bless. I actually got to minister to a beautiful woman. She believes in the Lord but doesn't have 'victory' in her life as of right now. Come to find out, a good amount of them knew about Jesus and a few actually knew the Word a decent amount. Although, they weren't working in the victory that's already been given to us. Also, they are great people but just don't have discipline or still have open doors. A lot of people have this problem. But honestly, it's just so easy to make a few sandwiches and go show some hurting people some love! If Jesus lives in us, He will show. They shouldn't be looking at us, they should be looking at what's in us, the only one who matters. Let HIM shine, not yourself. We can plant a seed and the Holy Spirit does the rest. Exactly why we are not to be dependent on our self but on Him who reigns. So like I said, take a step in doing something as simple as sandwiches and love... one step makes a difference. One life changed makes a difference. ITS ONE SOUL SAVED FOR THE KINGDOM!!! THAT NONE SHALL PERISH!

Insight

Last Friday I was putting a pencil up and it slipped and made a hole in my right hand. I am truly not a person who endures pain well. I was thinking... wow this pain in the middle of my hand from this small hole hurts and is sore. I began to think of how Jesus endured the pain from the thick nail that went through His right hand. By choice! Jesus knows all and He spoke to Judas at the last supper, "What you do, do quickly." (John 13:27). Thus proving He KNEW it was coming and He was following through with the crucifixion. How much more are we willing to endure for His sake? Such as through this scripture, we like the first part of it but would prefer to leave the second half out, "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" (Philippians 3:10). We want the power but would rather push away the ‘confronting sufferings’ part. Our Savior suffered for us… we need to do the same for Him THEN the resurrection power will come.

 

Dan and I went on a run a few weeks back. Once on our run we turned a corner and spotted out a brown bird that was lying in the grass. Of course that is not usual for a bird so immediately I went to it and wanted to figure out what was wrong. Its eyes were blinking but it was not moving at all. I pushed Dan to pray for it to see what would happen. Once Dan and I heard a man named 'Bob Griffin' who gave a testimony that the Lord spoke to him that He could save the dead bird on Bob's porch if Bob had faith to pick it up and trust the Lord to "wake" it up. So Bob did as the Lord instructed and sure enough, the Lord revived the bird and it flew. The faith stirred in me with the fact that the Lord can restore all things and that there was no reason for that bird to die at the time so why not pray for it? Dan prayed for it and nothing... come to find out it was bleeding under its wing (supposing it ran into one of the pointy poles surrounding our apartment complex.) Dan told me to pray for it and once I got the courage to, I did. It moved some and I was in awe. But that was all. Sometimes I don't always understand why God doesn't do some things we think are right but we aren't supposed to understand. God is God and there are no questions. On another note with that situation... Dan ran back to the house to wash his hands. While he was gone, I couldn't just leave the bird... I stood there and watched it. I watched every person that walked by and didn't even NOTICE the bird lying down in the grass in the evening. It's not a usual thing! Most didn't notice and the one's that did, kept running. How many times do we do this in other situations? Someone we overlook because they blend in with their surroundings when they are actually hurting and need help. Yet we fail to actually just look around; we keep going on our way. Then other times we see a person who we wouldn't assume to be hurt and don't bother to check. We just continue to move on. So let's take a challenge and ask the Lord for a sensitive heart and discernment. Try to become unselfish in all areas and realize we are recreated in God to help HIS people. We are to love His people and creations. So next time simply check and ask how others are doing and don't assume everyone is always okay. Don't walk on by anymore.

 

Dan said about this, “It’s cool how small things that happen through a day that don’t seem significant end up giving revelation. Shows how most things that happen throughout a day really do have a purpose.”

Realization

Oh that we may come to know the Lord in a greater measure. We cannot enter the Kingdom in sin. We just cannot. Do we even REALIZE how many people out there are not accepting Jesus? How many people are going to the fiery pits of hell? Do we realize? Do we truly? Every person has somehow felt or heard about Jesus rather it be through Him revealing Himself, missionaries, church services, etc… Thus why we are still sending people out and inviting friends to church etc. We cannot keep trying to speaking to someone about Jesus if they will not accept Him. The free will that we have, gives us the right to choose.

Soo many don’t believe. Sooo many. My heart aches. I’ve been asking the Lord to show me how to love His people and love Him more. I watched a video by Jesse Duplantis who went to Heaven. How GLORIOUS! How WONDERFUL! Everything you could ever dream. Such pure love and hope and grace and wonders. Although Jesus weeps. He weeps for His people upon Judgment Day and who will be cast into the pits of hell. He weeps that His people have turned against Him. Jesse speaks on how the Bible states, “ever tear be wiped away.” “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4) Jesus is also talking about HIS tears. We HURT God. We HURT Him when we don’t obey Him. He weeps over us greatly and does not want us to die in sin, "But is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) Oh that we may come to know the Lord in a greater measure. He understands we are not perfect and we are human… unfortunately we are hindered by flesh but He is gracious to bring us into His presence whenever we will and be made whole in Him.

Later I watched a video about a man named Bill spending 23 minutes in hell. So explanatory. Why… why are we not doing enough? WE are under laziness and distractions! We sit around and post status’ but never really say anything. We show love but fail to say where it comes from. We come into the presence of the Almighty to receive something when we should strictly be there to just worship Him for giving us life and saving us from HELL by the most precious Man whom has ever walked the Earth.

Unfortunately I went to watch another video about this other man going to hell and how he was saved miraculously by Jesus Christ. I looked at 8 pages... EIGHT PAGES of comments of crude language, slander, etc. What the man said did not make sense to them for their ignorant ears were blocked by satan from the goodness and mercy of God’s word. They mocked Jesus… called Him an “average joe” compared to others. Others said it was fake, that all the stories were just as a fairytale, people cursing each other with bad language and breaking down one another. Are we blind people? All these comments have been posted within the last 2 hrs which I JUST read! All DIFFERENT people who basically agreed. They even taunted the man on the video. What is this world coming to? Won’t you ask Jesus to show you how to love His people and show you how to love Him so He can start working through us? According to Wayne Meyers, “ God doesn’t look at the qualified, He looks at the available.” All of US are available. Stand UP STAND UP. WAKE UP WAKE UP! Don’t let your eyes be blinded today. Bring GOD … tell everyone you can that HE IS COMING! Dive in and ask to hear His voice.

Once you renew your heart and are actually truly living a repented and true lifestyle from your old ways, He will show up. He will not deny you. He will give you the desires of your heart. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire , and it shall be done for you." (John 15:7-8). He will have your treasures stored up in Heaven for you. "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven , where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:20-21). He will love you. What will you do for Him?

Lord I pray right now that an overwhelming love hits every person reading this. I ask for an outpouring of your spirit and wisdom comes upon them. I ask that you set in them a burden for unsaved people. I ask that you equip them with every tool necessary to reach each individual you set them up with. Lord, speak through them and raise them up from anything that may hinder them. I ask that you keep them safe, whole and glorious through your image. Oh Daddy, allow them to learn to love you and your people rightly. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Links to the two videos I discussed:

23 minutes in hell: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=vv8pLUMDVRc

Heaven Testimony: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=lfPrHVxsPxs

Know that you were bought at a price. You were DIVINELY PURPOSED and BEAUTIFULLY MADE.

(Don’t just sit there and feel sad for His people... do something about it.. He did something for you.)

Let's Get Real

Being a first blog on here, let’s go into some deep realization to start off with. A testimony God has granted to me to share. All things are turned around for God’s good which was originally intended for evil (Romans 8:28).

I grew up in a single house hold with my dad. My mother passed when I was two from cancer. Even though I might not have had a biological mother with me my whole life, I’ve had awesome women to pour into me time after time. I was involved in church when my dad converted to Christianity when I was around age four and up. When I moved to Kingwood, TX at age 11, I strayed away from the Lord on and off through middle school. Then when high school hit, life hit.

I met a very special person dear to my heart which I spent all my growing up through high school with. Her mother pushed us to live right. She used to just praise God in the car to KSBJ and I would get so aggravated thinking ‘okaaay lets just listen to 104.1KRBE already!’ Also, things as she(my friend) was not allowed to see PG-13 movies when we were over 13 or sometimes she just could not go do things that I could. I use to get annoyed by that. But praise God, He has let the scales fall from my eyes and now I can see that that one mother kept me from so much that I could have fallen into.

I have dealt with depression, boys, insecurity, loneliness, confusion, etc. A few brief stories… I had boyfriends ALL the time! (Without any discernment or direction from Christ). Saying the “I love you” a week into the relationship then breaking up a month later. I have felt the pain of being cheated on numerous times by different guys and going back to the same thing with no changes.

Let’s hit these problems. I think back, “Why?” “Why did I put myself in that position over and over again for no reason?” Honestly, it’s because of my insecurities and false hope. Girls, STOP trying to find who you are through the opposite sex. Also, oh well they cheated on me so, “What’s wrong with me?” “Am I too fat?” etc. Thus, I have gone through lots of mental warfare, believing I was not good enough. I had problems with decisions in becoming anorexic or bulimic. I HAVE made myself throw up just so I can feel better about my body. NOT HEALTHY. Now I’ve never had a true problem but it was an on and off battle. It’s not worth it! The devil is a LIAR and it’s time to step up for these girls in this generation. Stop trying to be the image that the world expects, and become the image that CHRIST expects and wants you to be. Yes, you should be healthy and keep up with yourself. The man ordained for YOU, will love you and embrace you the way you are. If you do not think you’re beautiful, then you are basically slapping God in the face because we are created in HIS image. Haha-ouch. When I heard that one, it hurt.

I think back to my middle school years where boys didn’t matter yet and I just had fun hanging out with my best friends and enjoying who I was and what life had to offer. I didn’t come back to that place till college. Thus, wasting all my time in high school trying to figure out who true friends were, the right guy, and where I fit in. In high school I became somewhat conceited during my freshman year. Sophomore year I became more self-conscious. Junior year I became confident/insecure at the same time and started partying due to the influences around me. I didn’t act right with boys nor did I act right with partying. I drank a lot at get togethers and parties, never really had a “stopping point.” It’s only by the grace of God that I never got alcohol poisoning or pregnant. Luckily I had a good friend who watched over all my dumb descions and helped in any way possible.

Once the summer before senior year came, I stopped drinking and tried to come into the things of the Lord. I really started pursuing God and believed for “the one” to enter my life. I was prophesied that he’d come soon, etc. So the first guy I truly “talked” to after that became my fiancé during most my senior year. Little did I know, this was NOT the man God planned for me. We have to have true discenerment and follow the voice of the Lord… not what we think we want. We shouldn’t give up God’s will in our life for temporary feelings. Luckily God brings all darkness to light, “For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light” Luke 8:17. I was freed from that relationship and of course.. you guessed it… found a NEW one. That summer after graduating I got back into the partying scene. After ANOTHER failed dating experience in the summer, I found a steady nice relationship. Once again, failed. After that, I honestly couldn’t take anymore.

My brother (who helped lead me back to the Lord-the only reason I am where I am today)… spoke a WISE WISE word to me. He said… “Erica, why don’t you just stop dating anyone for a year and dedicate yourself to the Lord… even two years… just something.” DING DING DING. Thoughts, of, “Oh, I can’t do this… going to be too hard… etc.” came into my mind but I really did want it! I wanted to be free from being emotionally dependent on others. (You see, I’m very independent in my exterior but emotionally I’m very dependent.) I was raised starting in middle school to wake up on time, walk to school on time, pick out clothes, make my lunch, make sure my homework was complete, make sure I showered, etc. at a young age. Therefore that really shaped me into how I am today. Although I’ve always been very close to others. Any who, I found myself constantly at my brothers, hanging out with my niece Kayla and becoming more involved with church. As time passed, I grew. For this year I will say that I liked a few people in the beginning and at the end but promised I would have no emotional commitments/ attachments. I would recommend to any girl… try to avoid even talking to the opposite sex when pursuing a stronger walk. Distractions cause delay in maturity, growth, and purpose. After a year of figuring out who I am in Christ, what my morals are, what I want and how to get it… I met my husband. A year and a week after my commitment to the Lord, I had a young man come to my job to work for me. He was later switched over permanently to my program and I became his boss. Oh my goodness, during the year of commitment I use to always think, “Oh I wonder if that guy might be my future husband” or “wow I wonder if he’s a good Christian” would come into my mind. I had to constantly push those thoughts out of my mind so I could focus and know HE has a plan and I need to allow the man to pursue me in HIS timing. When I saw my husband (Dan) for the first time, all I thought was “wow a high schooler, I bet he parties.” (Ashamed for judging). Come to find out his parents were ministers; he was very innocent in his past compared to mine and pursuing football. WOO did that change. To make it short and simple, not everyone agreed with our deciosn to get married but we did because we knew it’s what we wanted and what GOD wanted. We’ve never taken any steps without consulting God in the matter. We had a beautiful wedding, a sweet honeymoon, and now living in Dallas, TX while attending Christ for the Nations institute pursuing a degree in Youth. PRAISE GOD!

Because I listened and was obedient to my Daddy God, I was blessed beyond my wildest imagination. And don’t get me wrong, I know at times you probably think “oh why can’t I know now God! Why can’t this, why can’t that?!” What I’ve come to find out is that God can only show us certain things at certain times. He gives us a certain amount of grace and faith for seasons that come and go. Thus, if God were to show us His amazing plans in a few years from now we might not be able to handle the thoughts because we do not have that grace on us right now for that season because it has not yet come. (Wisdom of Sarah Taylor-Mighty woman of God!!).  So girls (and guys) keep on fighting, keep pursuing God and if you’re not, come to know the mighty Lord of Lords. He will fulfill your heart when you have a void. He will bring peace and restoration to your mind and heart. Sometimes He has to break us and set us apart so He can put us back together. He WILL provide. Don’t be impatient. He might not always be “early” but He’s always on time. Remember, there are different realms. He is not on OUR time.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” - Matthew 6:33