"If it were not for uncertainties, we would have no need to walk by faith." -Elisabeth Elliot.
"Show me the way that I must take;
to Thee I offer all my heart.
Teach me to do thy will for thou art my God.
Keep me safe, O Lord, for the honor of thy name." -Psalm 143:8,10,11
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
And He said to me, "Talitha cumi"
"Taking her by the hand He said to her, "Talitha cumi," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise."-Mark 5:41
I sometimes feel like that 12 year old girl. Whose father, Jairus, ruler of the synagogue, seeing Jesus fell at His feet and impored Him earnestly sayings, "my little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live."
Jesus along the way to go heal her, a women who had a discharge of blood for twelve years had great faith that if even by the touch of his garments she would be healed. Jesus perceived in Himself that power had gone out for Him. While He was still speaking to the women, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue (Jairus), “Do not fear, only believe.” And He allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when He had entered, He said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at Him. But He put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was.
Do not fear, only believe. Have faith in the Son of Man. Trust Christ. He is the ressurection and the life.
Jesus comes to me, takes me by the hand, and tells me, "Talitha cumi". Little girl, I say to you, arise!
I woke up this morning feeling like that little girl. Dead. In my case, bombarded by all the things that are currenting going on in my life.Organize my room, write a speech, send emails, reply to emails, write letters, gather letters. Overwhelmed with life decisions and conversations I need to have. Reconcile with a certain some in my life. But then I was reminded that Christ is with me. He takes my hand and tells me to get up. I wake up and live by faith. By the hope that I have in Him. He upholds me and under His shadow I abide. For it is written, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2).
"You take my hand, You guide me on, You show me the way to life. You lift my head, You give me hope, You show me the way to life."
I sometimes feel like that 12 year old girl. Whose father, Jairus, ruler of the synagogue, seeing Jesus fell at His feet and impored Him earnestly sayings, "my little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live."
Jesus along the way to go heal her, a women who had a discharge of blood for twelve years had great faith that if even by the touch of his garments she would be healed. Jesus perceived in Himself that power had gone out for Him. While He was still speaking to the women, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue (Jairus), “Do not fear, only believe.” And He allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when He had entered, He said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at Him. But He put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was.
Do not fear, only believe. Have faith in the Son of Man. Trust Christ. He is the ressurection and the life.
Jesus comes to me, takes me by the hand, and tells me, "Talitha cumi". Little girl, I say to you, arise!
I woke up this morning feeling like that little girl. Dead. In my case, bombarded by all the things that are currenting going on in my life.Organize my room, write a speech, send emails, reply to emails, write letters, gather letters. Overwhelmed with life decisions and conversations I need to have. Reconcile with a certain some in my life. But then I was reminded that Christ is with me. He takes my hand and tells me to get up. I wake up and live by faith. By the hope that I have in Him. He upholds me and under His shadow I abide. For it is written, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2).
"You take my hand, You guide me on, You show me the way to life. You lift my head, You give me hope, You show me the way to life."
Thursday, April 19, 2012
No One but Jesus Only.
A couple of my friends and I have made a goal to read a Gospel per week. This week I'm almost done reading the Gospel of Matthew. Although there is so much to learn and to apply from it, there is one chapter that really stood out to me. Two verses in particular.
I like to picture myself in Peter's/James'/John's shoes: I'm on a high mountain with Jesus and all of a sudden Christ transfigures before me. His face is as bright as the sun (I'm suprised they weren't blinded) and His clothes are white as the light. His glory on display. To top it off, these two famous (wish I could say dead) guys (one who never died really did here on earth and the other who no one really knows where his dead body is) appear and start talking to Jesus. I fall on my face and I'm terrified. But how beautiful is our Savior. He comes to me and touches me, saying, "Get up, have no fear." I lift up my eyes I see no one but Jesus only.
"And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear." And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only." -Matthew 17:1-8.
These past few weeks have been challenging. There are so many areas in my life that I am not certain of. Not fully knowing things, not knowing what will happen next, not knowing if I'll pass a class..etc. It's in those moments when I struggle so much with the uncertainties of this life that Jesus comes and lifts up my head and tells me not to fear. Reminding me that He is with me, He will never foresake me. He will give me rest and His perfect peace. To just trust Him and focus on Him and His kingdom. Christ is all I need, He is all I have.
Running in Circles by United Pursuit Band has been playing on repeat:
"I'm so forgetful,
but you always remind me,
Youre the only one who brings me peace.
Lord I come,
to tell You I love you
to tell You I need you
to tell You theres no better place for me than in Your arms.
to tell You I'm sorry for running in circles
for placing my focus on the waves and not Your face.
You're the only one who brings me peace
in the storm."
With all the uncertainties in life, one thing I am absolutely certain of is that Jesus is with me and nothing can separate me from His love. I rejoice because there is no one but Jesus only.
By His grace I have passed all my classes with A's this semester. I'm officially done with school. I graduate highschool and I'm off to Kenya! Lord willing.
Only a month and 2 days before I leave!
I like to picture myself in Peter's/James'/John's shoes: I'm on a high mountain with Jesus and all of a sudden Christ transfigures before me. His face is as bright as the sun (I'm suprised they weren't blinded) and His clothes are white as the light. His glory on display. To top it off, these two famous (wish I could say dead) guys (one who never died really did here on earth and the other who no one really knows where his dead body is) appear and start talking to Jesus. I fall on my face and I'm terrified. But how beautiful is our Savior. He comes to me and touches me, saying, "Get up, have no fear." I lift up my eyes I see no one but Jesus only.
"And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear." And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only." -Matthew 17:1-8.
These past few weeks have been challenging. There are so many areas in my life that I am not certain of. Not fully knowing things, not knowing what will happen next, not knowing if I'll pass a class..etc. It's in those moments when I struggle so much with the uncertainties of this life that Jesus comes and lifts up my head and tells me not to fear. Reminding me that He is with me, He will never foresake me. He will give me rest and His perfect peace. To just trust Him and focus on Him and His kingdom. Christ is all I need, He is all I have.
Running in Circles by United Pursuit Band has been playing on repeat:
"I'm so forgetful,
but you always remind me,
Youre the only one who brings me peace.
Lord I come,
to tell You I love you
to tell You I need you
to tell You theres no better place for me than in Your arms.
to tell You I'm sorry for running in circles
for placing my focus on the waves and not Your face.
You're the only one who brings me peace
in the storm."
With all the uncertainties in life, one thing I am absolutely certain of is that Jesus is with me and nothing can separate me from His love. I rejoice because there is no one but Jesus only.
By His grace I have passed all my classes with A's this semester. I'm officially done with school. I graduate highschool and I'm off to Kenya! Lord willing.
Only a month and 2 days before I leave!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
The Application and Sacrifice
Last night I got an email from the founders of the orphanage I'll be working with. I've stayed in contact with the Laurel for about a year now. It's been such a blessing getting to know her. Her words of encouragement and comfort have helped me alot this past year. Laurel and David sent me a GOGCP application to fill out lastnight. I will officially be a part of the staff!
It's kind of official. I'm still in shock of it all. The LORD is so good. Every step of the way has been an answered prayer. He has made a way, I will go for Him. Words cannot express how happy and excited I am!
I have the list of what to pack, where I'll be living...etc.
I'm not gonna lie, I am a little sad that I'll be living everyone back home. Not seeing my CF family every weekend, not being able to hug my family and friends, not being able to have starbucks dates with Ash and Ana and talk about what the Lord has been teaching us. Not being about to go to Checkers and eat fries and cones with Ana and Grace. Not being able to see Domenique and Steph and laugh every minute of our conversation. Most of all, I'm gonna miss my mommy. I'm going to miss bothering Pati every second of my day, arguing with Luis about how to say things. I'm going to miss everyone's encouragement and rebukes.
but I count it all as lost, as a sacrifice to the LORD, who is so worth of it and much more. It's going to be hard being apart from everyone back home, but I'll be with Christ. In the words of Karen Watson, "There is no greater joy than knowing Christ and serving Him."
"Love is the root of missions; sacrifice is the fruit of missions." - Roderick Davis.
It's kind of official. I'm still in shock of it all. The LORD is so good. Every step of the way has been an answered prayer. He has made a way, I will go for Him. Words cannot express how happy and excited I am!
I have the list of what to pack, where I'll be living...etc.
I'm not gonna lie, I am a little sad that I'll be living everyone back home. Not seeing my CF family every weekend, not being able to hug my family and friends, not being able to have starbucks dates with Ash and Ana and talk about what the Lord has been teaching us. Not being about to go to Checkers and eat fries and cones with Ana and Grace. Not being able to see Domenique and Steph and laugh every minute of our conversation. Most of all, I'm gonna miss my mommy. I'm going to miss bothering Pati every second of my day, arguing with Luis about how to say things. I'm going to miss everyone's encouragement and rebukes.
but I count it all as lost, as a sacrifice to the LORD, who is so worth of it and much more. It's going to be hard being apart from everyone back home, but I'll be with Christ. In the words of Karen Watson, "There is no greater joy than knowing Christ and serving Him."
"Love is the root of missions; sacrifice is the fruit of missions." - Roderick Davis.
Friday, April 6, 2012
An Answered Prayer
My personal alarm clock:
This morning, I get a phone call from my mommy saying, "the airfare lowered! Go on the computer and book the flights now!"
I go online and it was true. The flight tickets had lowered from $1,400-$1,500 to the total of $1,234!
I had prayed about that same exact thing for the past 3 days. And He answered. He had lowered the airfare just enough so that my friend and I could book our flights.
I'm so overwhelmed by His love and goodness. I constantly have to remind myself, "this is really happening. Lord, you're really sending me to Kenya."
A.W Tozer once wrote, "God answers our prayers not because we are good, but because He is good."
Yahweh answered my prayers. Not because I'm good, but because He is sooooo good.
This morning, I get a phone call from my mommy saying, "the airfare lowered! Go on the computer and book the flights now!"
I go online and it was true. The flight tickets had lowered from $1,400-$1,500 to the total of $1,234!
I had prayed about that same exact thing for the past 3 days. And He answered. He had lowered the airfare just enough so that my friend and I could book our flights.
I'm so overwhelmed by His love and goodness. I constantly have to remind myself, "this is really happening. Lord, you're really sending me to Kenya."
A.W Tozer once wrote, "God answers our prayers not because we are good, but because He is good."
Yahweh answered my prayers. Not because I'm good, but because He is sooooo good.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
"Here I am"
This morning I woke up thinking about how much I miss waking up early and spending time with Jesus. Reading His Word and writing in my journal. Tuesday mornings are usually hectic since I tend to sleep-in. I wake up, get dressed, brush teeth, try and fix bed hair, gather my stuff, make myself breakfast, and on top of that I have to wake up my older sister so she could drop me off if she's going to need the car. I do all of this in less than 30 minutes.
I usually do my quiet time in the afternoon when I'm relaxed on my reading couch downstairs.
At midnight I listened to a couple of sermons by Francis and Lisa Chan, David Platt, and John Piper. I can't recall which one had mentions Isaiah 58, but I wrote the number 58 on my leg.
This morning, 4/3/12, was a little different. I work up with a craving for His Word. "I need to go and read my Bible on my reading couch. Now."
I didn't have enough time to journal but I got to read a chapter from Isaiah. And that chapter of Isaiah so happened to be that "58" I wrote on my leg.
Mediating verse of the day:
"Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am." -Isaiah 58:9.
That was just what I needed to hear from the Lord. He constantly reminds me that He is there. He answers my prayers. He is with me. He is for me. He is faithful. He is my Yahweh, my Abba. I need not to be anxious.
I am currently waiting for my friend to get in contact with me so we can both book our flights to Kenya together. My missionary contact in Kenya gave me the thumbs up for the flight I was looking into. Which was such an answered prayer! Now it's just being patient.
Yesterday I had time to finish writing my support letter. While I was typing it up and sharing about the opportunities that the LORD has given me, chills ran down my spin. My eyes got a little watery. His joy abounds in me. It's such a privilege to serve Him and be a part of His great commission. He commands us. He commands us to go. To care for the orphaned and the widowed. When we serve the least of these, we are doing it until Jesus. Our Savior.
I'm not gonna lie, I do kind of freak out at times. I do get anxious. I do over-think. But the He reminds me that He is with me. He is here. He is my Helper.
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."-Isaiah 41:10.
"For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I am the One who helps you."-Isaiah 41:13.
So encouraging to know that it is the Almighty God that leads us and carries us through. He strengthens us and gives us His grace to do His will. "May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering.”
Me, Lord, living with orphans and loving on them, teaching at Cheptigit Primary School, and helping plant a church in Kaptagat, Kenya? Me? This little girl from Miami?
YES! YES! I will go. Send me, Abba.
In the words of Karen Watson (martyred missionary in Iraq), "There is no Joy outside of knowing Jesus and serving Him.”
I usually do my quiet time in the afternoon when I'm relaxed on my reading couch downstairs.
At midnight I listened to a couple of sermons by Francis and Lisa Chan, David Platt, and John Piper. I can't recall which one had mentions Isaiah 58, but I wrote the number 58 on my leg.
This morning, 4/3/12, was a little different. I work up with a craving for His Word. "I need to go and read my Bible on my reading couch. Now."
I didn't have enough time to journal but I got to read a chapter from Isaiah. And that chapter of Isaiah so happened to be that "58" I wrote on my leg.
Mediating verse of the day:
"Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am." -Isaiah 58:9.
That was just what I needed to hear from the Lord. He constantly reminds me that He is there. He answers my prayers. He is with me. He is for me. He is faithful. He is my Yahweh, my Abba. I need not to be anxious.
I am currently waiting for my friend to get in contact with me so we can both book our flights to Kenya together. My missionary contact in Kenya gave me the thumbs up for the flight I was looking into. Which was such an answered prayer! Now it's just being patient.
Yesterday I had time to finish writing my support letter. While I was typing it up and sharing about the opportunities that the LORD has given me, chills ran down my spin. My eyes got a little watery. His joy abounds in me. It's such a privilege to serve Him and be a part of His great commission. He commands us. He commands us to go. To care for the orphaned and the widowed. When we serve the least of these, we are doing it until Jesus. Our Savior.
I'm not gonna lie, I do kind of freak out at times. I do get anxious. I do over-think. But the He reminds me that He is with me. He is here. He is my Helper.
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."-Isaiah 41:10.
"For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I am the One who helps you."-Isaiah 41:13.
So encouraging to know that it is the Almighty God that leads us and carries us through. He strengthens us and gives us His grace to do His will. "May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering.”
Me, Lord, living with orphans and loving on them, teaching at Cheptigit Primary School, and helping plant a church in Kaptagat, Kenya? Me? This little girl from Miami?
YES! YES! I will go. Send me, Abba.
In the words of Karen Watson (martyred missionary in Iraq), "There is no Joy outside of knowing Jesus and serving Him.”
Sunday, April 1, 2012
In Faith I Jump and Shout: SEND ME! SEND ME!
In His presence is where I find rest, hope, purpose.
Without Christ, without the hope I have in Him and the Gospel, I have no life, I have no purpose.
Lord willing, I will book my flight ticket to Kenya this week! I would leave May 22nd.
Its been so encouraging to see how the LORD has opened doors and continues to confirm this trip.
My heart cry is that I would be obedient and go. That He would use me to bring glory to His name, that many would come to know Him and be saved. That the orphans that I will be living with will see Christ in me. That I would love on them like He loves me. That when I go and teach at the local primary school, it would be the Spirit speaking through me to those children. Teaching them about Jesus....reading them Bible stories, telling them of about all the awesome things God has done and continues to do.
Today after church, an old dear friend of mine named Tai and I went to starbucks to catch up in life. I had shared with her my plans to go to Kenya and what I'll be doing over there...the opportunities He has provided...how I would be serving...etc. As her and I were talking...an old passage in the book of Exodus came to mind. "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Beautiful. I ran to my car and got my ESV...and started reading to her:
"Moses said to the Lord, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.’ Now therefore, if I have found favor in Your sight, please show me now Your ways, that I may know You in order to find favor in Your sight. Consider too that this nation is Your people.” And He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to Him, “If Your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not in Your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and Your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in My sight, and I know you by name.” Moses said, “Please show me Your glory.” And He said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you My name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” He said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see Me and live.” And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by Me where you shall stand on the rock, and while My glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.”" -Exodus 33:12-23.
Our God is so faithful, so gracious, so loving towards His children! Even though Moses had no idea what he was asking for when he said "Please show me Your glory," Yahweh was so merciful towards him...He didn't give Moses what he has asked for...God didn't show him His face...He didn't kill Moses! The reality is this: I wouldn't want to go to Kenya if it weren't God who was leading the way. If it wasn't Him who continues to confirm that He is sending me there. Yahweh's presence will go with me, and He will give me rest.
The Hope in Christ - Matumaini yetu katika Kristo.
My hope is Yahweh, my hope is in Christ, my hope is in the Gospel.
I am nothing. He is EVERYTHING. I am just a speck of dust that He chooses to use for His glory. The Creator of the universe give His children the privilege to go and share what Christ has done! To go for Him.
Like Isaiah, I simply shout, "SEND ME! SEND ME!"
Without Christ, without the hope I have in Him and the Gospel, I have no life, I have no purpose.
Lord willing, I will book my flight ticket to Kenya this week! I would leave May 22nd.
Its been so encouraging to see how the LORD has opened doors and continues to confirm this trip.
My heart cry is that I would be obedient and go. That He would use me to bring glory to His name, that many would come to know Him and be saved. That the orphans that I will be living with will see Christ in me. That I would love on them like He loves me. That when I go and teach at the local primary school, it would be the Spirit speaking through me to those children. Teaching them about Jesus....reading them Bible stories, telling them of about all the awesome things God has done and continues to do.
Today after church, an old dear friend of mine named Tai and I went to starbucks to catch up in life. I had shared with her my plans to go to Kenya and what I'll be doing over there...the opportunities He has provided...how I would be serving...etc. As her and I were talking...an old passage in the book of Exodus came to mind. "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Beautiful. I ran to my car and got my ESV...and started reading to her:
"Moses said to the Lord, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.’ Now therefore, if I have found favor in Your sight, please show me now Your ways, that I may know You in order to find favor in Your sight. Consider too that this nation is Your people.” And He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to Him, “If Your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not in Your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and Your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in My sight, and I know you by name.” Moses said, “Please show me Your glory.” And He said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you My name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” He said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see Me and live.” And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by Me where you shall stand on the rock, and while My glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.”" -Exodus 33:12-23.
Our God is so faithful, so gracious, so loving towards His children! Even though Moses had no idea what he was asking for when he said "Please show me Your glory," Yahweh was so merciful towards him...He didn't give Moses what he has asked for...God didn't show him His face...He didn't kill Moses! The reality is this: I wouldn't want to go to Kenya if it weren't God who was leading the way. If it wasn't Him who continues to confirm that He is sending me there. Yahweh's presence will go with me, and He will give me rest.
The Hope in Christ - Matumaini yetu katika Kristo.
My hope is Yahweh, my hope is in Christ, my hope is in the Gospel.
I am nothing. He is EVERYTHING. I am just a speck of dust that He chooses to use for His glory. The Creator of the universe give His children the privilege to go and share what Christ has done! To go for Him.
Like Isaiah, I simply shout, "SEND ME! SEND ME!"
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