January 2019 Journaling: James

Happy January 1st! We’re starting 2019 with the book of James. In the midst of Paul’s many letters, we come across this gem. Written by the very brother of Jesus. He was the leader of Jerusalem church and writes to the Jewish Christians who have been scattered by persecution. He encourages them to indure their trials with Christian fortitude and to exhibit consistent Christian character. 

Before we begin, let’s first settle this truth: Mary and Joseph had children. You can reference Matthew 13:55 and Acts 15:13-21. During Jesus his public ministry, neither James nor the other siblings or followers of Jesus. They had even tried to end his ministry and bring him home to his responsibilities as eldest son (Mark 3:31-35; John 7:3-5). The resurrection appearances convinced James that Jesus was the Christ (1 Corinthians 15:7), and he was with the others in the upper room when the Holy Spirit was given on Pentecost (Acts 1:14, 2:1-3). James became the leader of the Jerusalem church after Peter’s arrest and departure from Jerusalem (Acts 12,15, and 21). 

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s dive in to the letter of James. It will help us understand how Christians should live when they are a minority group in the midst of an oppressive, non-Christian society. It is alive with godly counsel for us today. 

Get your pen and journal ready, open the word and dive in.  

Dayspring

Because of the tender mercy of our God, 

by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven (Dayspring)

to shine on those living in darkness 

and in the shadow of death, 

to guide our feet into the path of peace.

Luke 1:78-79

[photo credit]

Monday morning I read  Zachariah's song found in Luke 1. His song ends with these two verses. There is one phrase, one word that can not escape me: Dayspring (the first appearance of daylight in the morning; the beginning or rise of anything; advent). God has given Jesus to us as our Dayspring, this is an accurate and appropriate name for Him. For He is the first and only appearance of light in our darkness that can deliver hope, mercy, grace and truth. Through Him there is a rising from the shadow of death, and with it a new beginning. He is our only guide into the path of peace. 

I have to say, if there is a Christmas name for Jesus that I favor, it would have to be Dayspring. I pray that these two verses may never escape you, and be a reminder that in your darkest hour Jesus is your Dayspring! May you celebrate Jesus every day. Merry Christmas. 

Sentence Tuesday

Jesus was a revolutionary, 

who did not become an extremist, 

since he did not offer an ideology, 

but offered Himself instead. -The Whosoevers

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[photo credit]

Sentence Tuesday

Jesus prayed for the thieves on the cross 

and thus demonstrated that no one is beyond the reach of prayer. 

-Greg Laurie 

hungry?

Hi dear friends. 

It's taken me a few days to put into words the message God has placed in my heart to share with you. I am confident that if you are reading this, it is not by accident or chance but because it is the will of God. Be blessed. 

Have you ever been so hungry that your stomach cannot keep silent? 

Have you been so hungry that you cannot think straight?

Have you been so hungry that you eat the first thing you can, only to regret it later?

Hunger defined: 1. a compelling need or desire for food. 2. the painful sensation or state of weakness caused by the need of food. 3. a shortage of food; famine. It may very well be that you are not experiencing physical hunger yet experiencing all of the symptoms above. 

Do you have a compelling need?

Do you have an unmet desire in your life?

Are you encountering a painful sensation?

Are you found in a state of weakness?

Is their a shortage for a basic need in your life?

Are you going through a dry season, a famine and/or barely surviving?

If you answered yes to 1 or all of the above, you are hungry! 

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. john 6:35

Just like physical hunger, our spirit groans to be filled. That is why we search for fulfillment in so many outlets: friends, food, shopping, relationships, career, success, hobbies, etc... you name it! We all seek to be filled. Much like physical hunger, our spirit is restless and cannot think straight. Our minds are so focused on our current state that we miss out on life. We are a self consumed generation, "it is all about me... what about me... poor me!" And sad to say, we can be so spiritually empty that we intake anything and everything but Jesus to be filled, only to regret it later because it never truly satisfied. 

So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. 1 Peter 2:1-3 

So often, we are so hungry that we will eat just about anything. So it is with the spiritual hunger, we are so desperate that we turn to the first thing the world offers. The Word of God so clearly reminds us that in our flesh nothing good dwells, so I encourage you today: forsake the garbage this world offers and turn to Jesus. Many times, we seek the council of a friend or we rather go read what another Christian has to say, and to this I say, the Word of God cannot be substituted. As a baby desires milk, desire and seek to be filled with the Word of God. Then and only than will you be fully satisfied and quenched. "We cannot satisfy a physical hunger with a physical solution." -Pedro Garcia

Only Jesus can satisfy your hungry heart. So whether you are hungry for love, hungry for affection, hungry for romance- Jesus is the only source of fulfillment. If your hunger is for knowledge, wisdom or for purpose- only Jesus can fill you with these. Maybe your hungry for life, your hungry because life has not been easy and now you are empty- go to Jesus and you will never hunger again. Whatever your hunger may be, Jesus can and will feed you. 

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I leave you with these amazing promises in God's Word: 

How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the woman who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:6 

For it was I, the Lord your God, who rescued you. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things. Psalm 81:10

By the power of your hand, O Lord, destroy those who look to this world for their reward. But satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones.  Psalm 17:14

When you open your hand, You satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. Psalm 145:16

They will neither hunger nor thirst. Isaiah 49:10

The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. Psalm 34:10 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Luke 6:21

Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb (Jesus) who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:15-17

sentence tuesday

Until sin is bitter, Christ will not be sweet. -Thomas Watson

Lyrical Friday - Chain Breaker

Good Friday to YOU!
Very quickly, I forgot to share with all of you how much money we collected at UTH Nation for the 30 Hour Famine. Our goal as a youth group was $5,000. I would not believe the amount if someone told me. 42 kids and leaders raised over $11,000 for the hungry kids in Haiti!!! That's is over 11,000 meals. You read that number right. Thank you for praying and donating.  If you'd like to get involved with 30 Hour Famine and get your church group involved click HERE.

Carrying on with today, it's Lyrical Friday!!! So excited to share with you today's song by Charlie Hall. 'Chain Breaker' first caught my attention bu it's title. Chains represent being held captive, a stronghold, slavery and for those like me, it represents our past. Truly Jesus is our Chain Breaker, Heart Savior, Redeemer, Life Changer and Liberator.

I pray that these lyrics may be the song of your heart. I pray that you may know, with out a shadow of doubt, that as the redeemed of the Lord you have been set free. For who the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36). Drop your chains, sons and daughters. Come and run into liberty. Live as the redeemed of the Lord. Seek accountability, seek fellowship and sing freedom!

Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,

Bound in affliction and irons—

Because they rebelled against the words of God,

And despised the counsel of the Most High,

Therefore He brought down their heart with labor;

They fell down, and there was none to help.

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,

And He saved them out of their distresses.

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,

And broke their chains in pieces.

Psalm 107:10-14

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:1

Chain Breaker, Charlie Hall

Lyrical Friday - Safe Place

People brought anybody with an ailment, whether mental, emotional, or physical. Jesus healed them, one and all. (Matthew 4:23)

One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them. (Matthew 5:1-2)

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36


Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." Luke 7:37-38

Where is my safe place? In the presence of Jesus.
As you spend time in your Bible, you can read for yourself that I am not the only one who found safety, refuge and rest in Jesus. The crowds followed Jesus. The crowds brought to Jesus their sick, weary, thirsty, cursed, deamon possessed... the list goes on. People took themselves to Jesus, because only Jesus can give to them, to you, to me what our soul needs. Jesus is a safe place.

I pray that as you play Safe Place by Enter the Worship Circle, that you would find refuge and strength in the presence of Jesus. Though the world around may be crumbling down, know that Jesus can be your safe place. If the world has turned its back on you, Jesus can be your safe place. No matter where you find yourself today, know this very moment than Jesus can be your safe place.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,  my God, in whom I trust.” 

Psalm 91:1-2

Safe Place, Enter the Worship Circle


You whisper the song over me.
I’m slow to answer,
slow to speak.
I found a safe place.

[chorus]
How wide is your love?
How wide,
How deep,
It's untouched.
Am I not enough?
I’ve found a safe place in you
I’ve found a safe place in you

Remember the day you called my name
I was a stranger but you loved me the same
I found a safe place

You are the one my heart is waiting for
You are my treasure,
You are my king,
You are the door
You hold me tight,
You hold me quiet
You hold me safe

How wide is your love?
How deep,
How high
It’s untouched
Am I not enough?
I found a safe place in you
I found a safe place in you

birthday surprise! It's Andreina.

Hi Friends.
Today's post comes from Andreina. It was a sweet surprise for me to read her words. She was actually replying to an email that I had sent her. Andreina's response was so profound yet so simple, I knew then and there that God wanted me to share this with you. May the Lord bless you richly.

First let's read the portion of scripture Andreina will be writing from.
Luke 9:28-35
Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”

From Andreina:
I was just reading my Bible study about how Peter, just like us, thought that he was able to figure out the "spiritual", and because of that He missed the point. He put Moises (law) and Elijah (Prophets) in the same level as Jesus (the cross) . We too do the same, when the only thing we know is that God loved us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us in the cross....and we should listen to Him, because He is the only One that pleases the Father, not us .....humbling!!!! ONLY the Son's work satisfied the Father's justice, and we have to land (like Peter) under the cross and under His grace every day, knowing that He already has done everything we are unable to do (ever) because our rebellious and arrogant hearts.

The only thing we have to offer is to believe in the Gospel of His Son...FOR EVERYTHING to get to heaven and for our journey to heaven. We are to serve Him based on that truth; in response to HIS LOVE FOR US, for what HE HAS DONE FOR US and IN US. AY,AY,AY!!! He has already satisfied...are we listening??? That is a good news for me in the sense that it liberates me, but is not so good for my pride .

*I love her God-given wisdom.

Thank You Jesus.

Let's keep the main thing, the main thing. And the main thing is always Christ! 

birthday surprise! It's Denise.

Hi dear friends.

Today you will be reading from my cousin Denise. I have seen with my very eyes the transforming work of God through her life. You know that verse that says, "you have taken me from the miry clay and set my feet upon a rock?" Well... Denise is a display of that verse in Psalm 41. God saved her from a dark world and brought her into the marvelous light. It's amazing to witness God doing miracles today! Here is her post:

Trials and Adoration

Life is difficult on our own and my story is proof. I wasted many years of my life in isolation, imprisoning myself, stuck in a bubble that wouldn’t break. Until someone came and burst it for me. A savior, a king, Jesus.

I was always the quiet girl. I went through high school with no friends. I always thought that this was part of my personality until later when I realized it was something much more than just painful shyness. I was suffering from severe depression and anxiety. Life got better though. I met Jesus and He told me that I would not have to worry anymore. I started making friends and I gained confidence but most of all, hope. The years went by and there were days where I would doubt and I would start drifting away from God. But He never ceased to remind me of His wonders and how awesome He is. This past year has been a very long year for me. My mother passed away after eight years of battling with cancer and my father left to Afghanistan to work, leaving me and my younger siblings behind. That doesn’t even begin to describe all the trials I have been through just this past year. But one thing I do know, I have a God who loves me and He is more powerful than anything I could ever go through.

While my mother was in the hospital, I felt my world flipping upside down very quickly. The verse the Lord gave me was, 1 Peter 5:7, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” This verse kept coming up over and over and I had this overwhelming feeling that God would get me through this. When my mom died, I felt like I needed God more than ever now, and I just wanted to cling to Him for dear life. How could I do this or anything for that matter without Him?
It’s during times like these, that a lot of people feel the closest to God. We get so caught up in life that God needs to slow us down so we can hear Him. In Hosea 2:18, it says, “But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her to the desert and speak tenderly to her there.”

I love God so much and I am humbled to know that the creator of the universe loves me and cares about me. We think our problems are huge and overwhelming but compared to how huge God is, even our greatest problems are minuscule.

“Then King David went in and sat before the Lord; and he said: “Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that you have brought me this far? And yet this was a small thing in your sight, O Lord God.....” 2 Samuel 7:18-19a

We may go through periods where we are in the desert but then there are periods where we think we have it all under control. We get caught up with day to day life and we may even stop thinking about God completely. We are doing well at work or at school and we make sure everyone knows what a great job we did. We forget about the One who got us there in the first place. This is called pride and it’s a very ugly thing. We begin to worship ourselves and our possessions and we put other things before God. But what a lot of us forget is that there is another kind of pride. This is the pride that I was caught up in, and often, still am. It’s the kind of pride that turns up when we are not doing well. When we start having a pity party with ourselves and start asking questions like, “Why me?” and, “No one cares about me” and “Why does it always have to be me?” The common factor here in both types of pride is, Me. It’s always about “Me” and not “He”. He is the one who should receive the glory. He is the one who is going to pull us out of this.

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.” Psalm 115:1

What I have learned through all of this,is to not to do things my way, but to do them His way. I need to trust in Him and He will be able to handle everything for me. We need to praise Him when we are up and praise Him when we are down.

My prayer for you is that the Lord would pour His spirit upon you and that you would see Him for who He is. He is more than we could ever ask for. He sent His only Son to die for us on the cross so that we might live. God bless you and may you seek Him so that He can be the filler of that empty space in your heart that you have been searching for.

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

la luce

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

This passage reminds me of that song, "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine". But the truth is, that the there is nothing little about the light given to us by Jesus. Yesterday, during worship at church we sang Mighty to Save by Hillsong United. I worshipped Jesus in Spirit and in truth for He is mighty to save. Then Nate, our worship leader, began to sing the bridge:

Shine Your light 

And let the whole World see

We’re singing

For the glory of the risen King

Jesus

There I stood with hands lifted up, not in worship, but in prayer asking Jesus to shine His light. The bridge was repeated and suddenly Matthew 5:14-16 came to mind. It was as if it was being unwrapped right before my eyes, from a tightly closed giftbox (with a pretty little bow on top) to that signature piece that I could wear for years to come. To be light, is a command that I have always understood. I have to confess though, that at times I have been apathetic to it. But yesterday I was reminded, we are the light that He shines for the whole World to see!
 
In my last blog, I challenged you to speak and to encourage. Today I am challenged to shine and not hide the light of Jesus. I challenge you as well. Are your actions bright lights or are they dimmed? Are your conversations and words a beacon of light or do they fade away with the mundane talk of this world? How can you shine for the glory of the risen King? Where can you shine Jesus? Are you aware of who around you is in desperate need of His marvelous light? Let us not lose the opportunity to SHINE Jesus everywhere.
 
Be the light to a dark and dying World.
You are a city set on a hill, which cannot be hidden.
Allow Jesus to take you from underneath the basket and to set you on His lampstand, so that you can give light to everyone around you.
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Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
1Peter 2:9

A New Thing

Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth, shall you not now it? I will even make a road in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 (NKJV)

Welcome dear readers to this new blog.

To be very honest with you I really don't know what I am doing, but that is not strange coming from me. For some time now God has been prompting me to do a new thing. That "new thing" has come in the form of a blog... Ta Da! I am not a writer, but I am a messenger of the Most High. Through this blog, I hope and pray that both you and I may become true lilies among thorns. In this world of darkness, wastefulness, of valleys, thorns and hopelessness I invite you, encourage you to:

Be the light of the world.

Be the salt of the earth.

Lead many through the valley to Jesus.

Be a lily among thorns.

Live a life that speaks the Gospel.