12/18/11

Today I was reminded of how precious 'child-like faith' was. It was the annual Christmas celebration at my church this evening and we always have a raffle. My parents think I'm lucky because I always seem to win things in these luck-of-the-draw games, while I know that it's not luck, but God's gracious blessing. I was sitting with the cutest set of 6 year old twin boys and of course they eagerly wanted to win a present. Julian the smaller twin bowed his head and said a little prayer. When I asked him what he prayed about he told me that he prayed that his ticket would be called but not only his own. He prayed that his brother, myself, and my friend would also win. It was just the cutest thing. By no means am I renouncing God as a genie where wishes come true, but I know God honors the pure untainted faith of a child, like it states in Mark 10:13-16.
Before the next round of raffle picking began, his mom came and told them they had to go because they had school the next morning. Julian quietly got up out of his seat, handed me his ticket, and followed his mom. The other twin, Jaden, on the other hand...fussed and complained, but eventually they both came back because their mom let them stay just a little bit longer. Long story short, Julian ended up winning a present, as well as Jaden. Oh, and I won too (: YAY! God really heard his prayers. Oh, bless that cute little boy hehe.

As for me, I learned to share my gifts. I won a box of my favorite Ferrero Rocher, but my mom gave away about half of the box to other church members. Of course everyone loves them because they are so delish! I was just reminded to share my gifts and not be selfish. God did not bless us so that we can be selfish, but to bless the world, therefore bringing glory to God.

All Because I Thought I Could Handle it.

Lesson learned tonight...

"I think when Eve began her dialogue with the serpent, she probably thought, This is no big deal. I can handle this little snake. He's hanging from a tree--what can he possibly do? I can just imagine the scene. Do you do the same? Do you think, A little conversation with the world won't hurt?  And just like that, you 've been deceived into having a dangerous dialogue with this present evil world. You watch the movie, or you go into that bar. You enter into that relationship that grieves the heart of God. All because you thought you could handle it. That's where an unregenerate mind leads you."
-Pleasing God: Chapter 8 Renew Your Mind


Today, I engaged in conversation with the serpent hanging from the tree. I thought it was seemingly harmless. I thought, "This TV show won't hurt. I can handle it. What is it going to do to me?"
The Vampire Diaries. This was the hanging serpent. I was extremely bored and I grabbed the apple and took a bit. I thought that this TV show was going to be the best pass time. Some people around me were talking about and tumblr always seemed to feature the couples on the show. Not to my surprise, I liked this show and soon became a little addicted. (By soon, I mean in the timespan of a day)


"It doesn't take hours to conform to the world's system. It only take a moment. In just that time--an unguarded moment when you've allowed yourself to watch or partake of something you shouldn't--seeds can be planted. And those seeds, if left to take root and grow, can bear fruit that will destroy your life."

I knew I should have stopped my marathon, but the suspense kept leading me to watch episode after episode. The things in the show started getting scarier. So long story short, I probably watched like maybe seven or so episodes until I just got creeped out. I know that by watching that show, it gave the devil a foothold and he was able to use the 'evil spirits' in the show to scare me.
I definitely had to pray and ask the Lord to protect me and to not let me be scared because I have no need for fear. My Lord has already conquered death so what more are we to be afraid of? 1 John 4:17-19 helped me.   ¹⁷ In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

 ¹⁹ We love because he first loved us.

But then again, I should always be on guard with me heart and not give Satan any opportunities to plant seeds of doubt in my heart.

"...Joshua 1:9"

⁸ Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

I came across an email an hour-ish ago that really discouraged me and stressed me out a little. As I was letting myself get boggled down with worry, this verse popped into my head. This verse comes with quite some history.
I was first reacquainted and familiarized with this verse freshman year, Spring quarter, finals week. I felt really discouraged with a final grade I received in a class that I had studied extremely hard for. A certain friend and dear brother in Christ, who I had studied all night with for the final saw the discouraged me, came into the big study lounge of Covel and whispered "look up Joshua 1:9". Through the thick stale silence, all I could make out was "look up Josh...". So I opened up Facebook in a new tab and gave him a perplexed look, but he took my laptop, typed "Joshua 1:9" into the Google search bar, clicked on the first result link, then left the room to return to his studies. I read the verse and fell just a bit speechless. I had never meditated on that verse before. I had always thought that feeling discouraged was a natural, harmless emotion that was all but the cycle of life's disappointments. Never had I realized that God commands us not to be terrified or discouraged and that by doing so we sin against him. How encouraging it was at that moment.
God works in miraculous, even humorous, ways. Let me fill you in on how I met this brother. I met him Freshman year zero week at the Lambda house. The week where every freshman lives it up at parties. Long story short, our first impressions of each other were 'party girl' and 'Lambda boy'. We by no means were we ambassadors of our Lord Jesus Christ, but still God used us in our most wretched form. I don't recall how we remet and discovered that we were both believed in the same Savior; I believe it was by divine appointment. God can take our wrong decisions and turn it into something good. I was so encouraged by his care in redirecting me back to the Word that finals week. Honestly, I thank God for brothers and sisters that continually encourage and point me back to the Cross. It is so encouraging to see my dear brother and friend grow in the ministry CCM. Also thinking back, there were plenty of other times where he has encouraged me to strive for good throughout the year that I have known him, and I give all the praise and glory to God above.

P.S.- I've now got this verse memorized :) yay!

Joy.

Today's KSGN encouraging text: Joy doesn't simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.

I lololoved this text this morning (: because truth be told, the topic of joy has been placed on my heart for a while now and it's been coming up like eeeverywhere and ever since spending a weekend with my lovely discipler Vicky-icky last month I was just so encouraged by how she seemed so happie and joyful all the time. I realized that I was mega lacking joy in my life so I set out to invite joy into my life. Plus it isone of the Fruit of the Spirit, therefore I should have it (:

roarr (hehe I was trying to copy the nutcracker)

Things I am thankful for today-11/09/11

• My first red holiday Starbucks cup
• Doing goodygood on my midterm
• Being warm and cozy in my bed
• Being joyful & thankful!

HAHAHA okay, bye. I'm just in a goodyyy mood <3!

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

-Philippians 4:4 

At the age of 30...

what is going to matter? Will these frivolous pursuits of “happiness” and senseless worries of fitting in benefit me as I head full into adulthood? What I consider seemly important is rudely put into perspective when I elongate my gaze. I know what is going to matter. What is going to matter in the longrun is my relationship with my Heavenly Prince, the friendships I invest in, and the education I discipline myself to have. The almost-terrifying, and outright disgusting, truth is that I know, but somehow there is still a big part of me that wants to be a rebel, to live in the moment because it is all too appealing. I’ve always considered myself a low key rebel, but the things I engage in now will have either repercussions or rewards in my future which I had never really considered like around this time last year. I know what I need to do, but it is all too hard for me to accomplish alone. I need strength Your strength.

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. -2 Timothy 2:22