A Heart For The Nations

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Romans 1:16

The other day I went to visit the other daughter works of North Cities UPC after service ended.    I was amazed at the atmosphere of worship created during service even though there were not many of us. It reminded me of a Full Gospel Church I had the pleasure of visiting once while touring the motherland. There were people literally on their knees crying out to God and praying in the spirit over there which moved my heart. I feel that God is developing a heart in me for the nations which is something I never thought would happen. I have felt a burden for a while to support missionaries although it is hard to imagine myself doing the exact work of a "missionary." Now I understand why I grew up with so much diversity around me at the schools I attended and through my friendships. I have always loved learning about other cultures and languages growing up! Now the Lord is slowly opening doors of opportunities in front of me and making the right connections. I can't wait until I begin visiting other nations all over the world one day. Nothing beats two hours of unstructured praise and worship outdoors! Right now, I know God is training and preparing me where He has currently placed me. I now feel comfortable sharing the gospel and love of God with random strangers. 

I know I'll feel right at home being in their midst one day!

Update: My Progress

Earlier this week I couldn't sleep, so I began to type. As I laid in bed, I began to reflect on major changes that I have noticed in my life recently- whether some may perceive it as a good thing or bad. I feel like an update is looong overdue! I realize that I have been slacking BIG time on writing, but who reads blogs anyways. ;)

1) I have officially become somewhat of an introvert

Ha. I guess this is not really news... :)

2) I've matured in the way I handle and approach situations

As an old friend of mine would say, we thank God!

3) I've grown a little more in patience

Every growth in patience is an achievement for me because I can see the progress and growth I'm making in God with His guidance. I noticed that I have become more tolerant of people. For the most part, I've always had a calm demeanor...but lately I have been feeling a deep calm-stillness in my spirit. I don't know what to call it, but hey- I like it!

4) My love for God has grown as well as my attitude of gratitude

I guess this is pretty much self-explanatory...

5) I've grown in a deeper love for people...even strangers

I guess I should attribute my love for others growing as I'm learning to fall in love with Jesus all over again. It seems like I'm meeting new people every week or so and I LOVE it! The only down side to my growing heart of compassion is that I often feel more vulnerable to get hurt easily.

6) I prefer listening as opposed to speaking

It's funny when I think about this because I remember back in High School how several of my friends and siblings would say: "Priscilla, you talk too much!" Lol Now- I do not concur! Oh, how things have changed! Today I was reminded of the scripture in James 1:19 "...let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak..." I believe God has been teaching me this. If I seem suspiciously quiet now-a-days, it is not because I have a lot on my mind or that I have nothing to say. I would just rather listen.

7) I've become more lady-like...no more tom-boyish ways

I grew up in a household with brothers. This resulted in me sharing a lot of the same activities with them from video games to sports as well as friends. In fact, majority of my close friends growing up were guys. I guess I felt that I could relate and be more transparent around them. Something has changed in my spirit this past year that even if I tried willingly to resort to my old ways, I can't. I believe women can still be fun and maintain their femininity. I'm not going to lie. There are occasions that I miss interacting with the opposite sex, but then I realize the importance of setting and maintaining boundaries. I can't believe the day has come where my female friends outnumber my guy friends! Through it all, one thing still remains the same. I can still count the number of my genuine friends with the fingers on my left hand.

Change is not something that happens all of a sudden overnight. It took years for some habits to form, and it may even take some years to break. By the Grace of God I am not the same person I was about 5 years ago when God began to do a work in me and thank the Lord He's not finished yet! 

Disclaimer: Playing video games, sports, or preferring male companionship does not necessarily make one tom-boyish.

When I Say, 'I Am a Christian'...

I Am a Christian

When I say... "I am a Christian"

I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'." 
I'm whispering "I was lost, 
Now I'm found and forgiven." 

When I say... "I am a Christian" 

I don't speak of this with pride. 
I'm confessing that I stumble 
and need CHRIST to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian" 
I'm not trying to be strong. 
I'm professing that I'm weak 
and need HIS strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian" 
I'm not bragging of success. 
I'm admitting I have failed 
and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian" 
I'm not claiming to be perfect, 
My flaws are far too visible 
but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian" 
I still feel the sting of pain. 
I have my share of heartaches 
so I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian" 
I'm not holier than thou, 
I'm just a simple sinner 
who received God's good grace, somehow.” 

                                                                  ― Maya Angelou

I Choose Life.

To watch the Official October Baby Trailer: Click here 

October Baby is inspired by one of few abortion survivors who make it alive outside of abortion clinics---Gianna Jessen. I've been avoiding watching this movie for a while because I don't like talking about controversial subject matters unless it comes to what God says. In the movie, actress Shari Rigby plays the role of the birth mother who had an abortion in the film. Little did the directors know at the time that she had a past abortion before choosing her for this role. After watching October Baby, I watched 22 weeks---another movie based on a true story.

During my Junior year of High School when a new candidate was running for President, I was presented with the terms Pro-Life and Pro-Choice without truly understanding what either one meant. I thank God for my having a Child Development teacher who took a stand and taught us that Life begins at Conception. We also know this to be true because the Psalmist David wrote: Behold I was brought forth in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me. If we truly can grasp all the things our body goes through just for conception to happen and all the things that can go wrong, it truly a miracle any of us makes it outside the womb alive!

I cannot understand how anyone can say I am For God and not be For Life. Speaking for myself, I cannot truly say I am a Christ-follower and make another individual whether they be in Christ or not feel condemnation or judgmental towards them whether a child was conceived in actual sin, or life beyond their control--- it's not my place.

I have a lot more respect now for women who carry their babies to full term even if they decide to give him or her up for adoption. I do not condone pre-marital sex, however; it is not ones place to look down on an individual if they are not married to the father of their child when he or she is conceived. If the person truly repents, God is just to forgive.

Most women who were asked why they went through with the abortion procedure ironically respond by saying they felt they had no other choice. Four weeks after conception takes place, the baby now has a heartbeat with blood pumping through its system. If you know anything about blood, THERE IS LIFE IN THE BLOOD. It is not anyone's place to play God whom is the only one who can kill the body and soul. In other words, He is the only one who gives life and takes it away [Job 1:21].We can see in scripture women who were barren because God is the one who can shut and open their womb.

If the word of God says having anger in my heart towards an individual is as committing murder, then what about intentionally putting an end to an unborn life? Every good and perfect gift comes from above. I came to the conclusion for myself,  birth control is one of the most selfish choices I can make when I have kids one day because I know that children are an inheritance from the Lord, blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. [Psalm 123:3-5]

In 2002, the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act was passed unanimously in the U.S Senate House of Representatives and signed by President George W. Bush Jr. Regardless, Silent genocide still occurs everyday. Approximately 3,500 babies are aborted daily (1.3 million yearly). Out of those aborted daily, approximately 1,270 babies are born alive in the U.S. and are still killed despite the BAIPA passed in 2002. There are everyday instances of which abortion still occurs such as in the movie 22 weeks. Due to negligence in a Florida Abortion Clinic the baby died 10 minutes after delivery despite the mother wanting the baby to live.

"Born Alive" is defined as the complete expulsion of an infant at any stage of development that has a heartbeat, pulsation of the umbilical cord, breath, or voluntary muscle movement, no matter if the umbilical cord has been cut or if the expulsion of the infant was natural, induced labor, cesarean section, or induced abortion."

The thief which is the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Christ came so that we may have life and have it more abundantly. [John 10:10] Our God is the author of life and you can see His hand in all of creation. In Psalm 139, David states that he was woven and knit together in his mothers womb. I know God does not make mistakes, otherwise He would not be the One true God. People can give into temptation or even have situations beyond their control in life and find themselves with child. I believe a major reason of an individuals choice to have an abortion is selfishness.

The enemy will twist the Word of God to ones demise or destruction. In this case, it may come in the thought:

• Fear or shame
• No one will ever find out
• A child will only make things complicated
• I'm not ready to be a mother
• I don't want children
• It will only put strain on my body to carry to full term
• I don't have a support system
• My career has just begun
• I don't have any other choice

And the list goes on...

The reason I am writing this is not to give some convincing argument on my view on abortions, but due to God growing a greater heart in me for the least of these: orphans, brokenhearted, homeless people- the poor and needy. Watching this movie broke my heart because I know God died on the cross and rose from the grave in 3 days so that the enemy no longer has the sting over death. I cannot truly say I love God and not choose LIFE.

I remember an another amazing teacher I had my Senior year of High School and her story about her brother. I'll refer to him as Jimmy. When Jimmy was asked by his family if given the option of resuscitation or do not resuscitate if a medical emergency were to occur, he would choose resuscitation even if he were given 1% chance of living because he knows God will take care of the rest. I have been dwelling on that thought for the past week. If I were placed in a similar position where I had to make the call, I would not be able to. Give me 1% chance of living and I know my God is more than able to add 99% to that!

In High School, I always wanted to participate in a Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event, but due to the legal requirements, I never had a chance to. This Pro-Life Day of Solidarity is something even closer to my heart and I hope I can participate in one day. I thank God He has given me a heart for the least of these from a young age. When I say I am pro-life, I'm taking a stand to choose LIFE and life more abundantly. I choose life, not death.

The Power of Forgiveness

In the image above, the Power of Forgiveness was demonstrated by the Amish Community after the Nickel Miles School shooting. I was wondering why for a whole week straight, forgiveness seemed to be the theme of the day and now I finally understand.

Something God taught me recently is that forgiveness is a choice and it's not easy. You can choose to either hold on or let go! When I told God today I will choose to forgive everyday those who wrong me, either knowingly or unknowingly- I literally felt a weight lift from my spirit. You see, un-forgiveness will either keep you bound or weight you down and that is what the enemy wants. Jesus is LORD of all and the only one with the authority on earth to forgive sin. We are to forgive one another as Christ has forgiven us continually because love covers a multitude of sins. Whoever covers an offense seeks love. If you are truly a man or woman after God's own heart and desire to please Him, the wicked will not go unpunished such as in the life of David. God fought His battles for him because he was a man who sought to do the will of God no matter what. His Word says: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. James 2:12-13 also states: "For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment." Despite all those individuals who wronged David, he learned how to show mercy to his enemies.

Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed! No more shackles, no more chains...no more bondage- I AM FREE. Do not let un-forgiveness, anger, or bitterness dwell in your heart because if you do, there will be no room for the love of Christ to grow or to be made perfect in your heart. It doesn't matter if you loose everything overnight like Job: your children, home, wealth, health etc because God is still sitting on the throne and in control. I'm just now realizing even if you know some things by the Spirit of God, what you choose to do or how you respond is also a test. Without Faith, it is impossible to please God. He wants you to truly see how much faith you have in Him as He allows you to go through some trials and tests because He already knows. In the end, though some may have thought that both David and Job hit rock bottom, they were ultimately blessed with more than they started off with.

"If you repay evil for good, evil will not depart from your house." Proverbs 17:13

30 Days of Prayer for that Special Someone

Recently, a friend of mine inspired me to start a daily prayer journal for my future hubby in order to cover him and our ministry with prayer. Instead of wasting time serial dating all the wrong guys, start investing time in prayer for the right one! I believe it is important to learn how to be kingdom minded (Matt. 6:33) and put the Lord first before marriage so that He will remain the first priority during marriage. You can start by having devotionals together and investing more time in spiritual things such as prayer which will discipline you both spiritually. In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. I don’t know about you, but I want a kingdom marriage and mindset which glorifies God and that can only happen when He is the head of our household and the center of our lives. Take Aquila and Priscilla for example; everywhere in scripture you see them together, complementing one another in ministry. :)

Starting this prayer journal has allowed me to exercise spiritual discipline and consistency on a daily basis. No matter how busy I may get or how late it is in the night, I have learned to always make time for Him! I wasn't planning on sharing this journal, but I felt parts of it may help someone who reads this one day so please keep that in mind. :)

I believe this Journal entry may expand into prayer for my children and nation as well in the future, so stay tuned!

Click here to read my online prayer journal or the tab above labeled: Journal Entries: 30 Days of Prayer