This year of 2015, I just want to help people and be a light. I know this is a couple days late for a New Year’s resolution post, but I did do one on Instagram on New Year’s Eve, so I thought I would also post it on here so I am able to share my resolution for this year. I am going to make a post tomorrow about how I intend to help others on the blog! Here is my post from a couple days ago:
"I know, I know, making a post at midnight of New Year's Eve is a little cliche, but I would really like to ring in the new year with a strong declaration. This year has been tough at times, and sometimes I didn't know what to do or say. From my grandpa passing away to family sicknesses to moving: this year has been a doozy! But by no means am I declaring that this year has been purely hard work. Some of it was, but most of it has been a time of discovery and deciding for myself what really is most important in this life. I have had so many amazing times with my family and friends, and I have had the ability to meet incredible new people with whom I will have lasting relationships. I am so grateful for all God has done in my life, and how He has really become apparent to me in every situation. Although I may not be overjoyed with every thing that comes across my path, I know in hindsight that I am really achieving an eternal glory that far outweighs any sort of hardship that I might have to face for an infinitesimal amount of time. I have so enjoyed the plethora of blessings that I have been given, and I pray that everyday I begin to see clearer and clearer how blessed I really am! So, my resolution for this year (again very cliche) is that I would be able to help those all around me. Whatever the Lord have me do, I want to be equipped and ready to stand for what I believe in, and help usher people into the light. Prayer is such an underrated thing, we can't even fathom the richness it holds behind it. I would really like to delve into that and pack myself with the Word so that I am able to help others no matter what situation! For me, this is the year of utilizing whatever experience I have and making sure that my actions point toward the King, the one who far outweighs anything in this world!! Who is ready to join me to stand for what we believe and be able to freely give all that we have, so that we may be able to see His love and perfect kindness being spread all over this world?!?!? Look out Satan, cuz here we come."
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Pride.. Oh pride... Why do you plauge me?
Hello all! Happy Sunday! I am sort of dreading going back to the drudgery of school (kidding of course, but then again maybe not). Sometimes the weight of all that I need to do just kind of overwhelms me, and I feel heavy burdened and uneasy. I do online school, and it is a very rigorous kind, so it can be taxing at times. At least once a week, I just collapse under the pressure I put on myself.
It is ridiculous of how much the perfectionist in me comes to light. But of course, that is my sin nature, because He does NOT want us to worry and stress over every little thing. He says that his yoke is easy and his burden is light! So why do we make it that way? Why do we force ourselves into thinking that IT MUST BE A CERTAIN WAY, and if it isn't, then we feel frustrated about it.
A lot of times for me, it is because of my impenetrable pride. I know that when I feel convicted of how much I rely on my abilities, I convince myself that God wants me to do my best, and He wants me to use all of my abilities. True, of course, but He doesn't want me to use the abilities He has GIVEN me to be my stronghold and my sense of protection. He is already there to do that, I don't even have to provide that for myself.
Or sometimes, I reassure myself that I have tried and tried and tried to change how much pride I have, and apparently all my hard work is just not cutting it. Oh well, better luck next time I think of it! Seriously? Give me a break. Yeah, probably the reason that I can't shake this pride is because I can't shake the wanting to always do things without help, which is the source of pride! It is a circle, round and round it goes. Although I think I do, in my heart I really don't want God to help me. I feel that it shows that I am not capable on my own, and that all I am is not sufficient. Which it is NOT.
With all that being said, pride is a hard thing to deal with just on your own. Chances are, if you do it by yourself, you won't let go of this putrid thing that is clinging to you. Think of it this way. You have a shirt that you love the design and the message it portrays, but it has never looked good on you, it was always kind of baggy! And as you wore it again and again and again, it started to look even worse on you. It was kind of becoming see through in some spots, and frayed at the edges. You tried to mend it and what not, but it wouldn't work. You even tried to shrink it in dryer, but it wouldn't work. Nothing would make it the same as it originally was (even though it wasn't great in the beginning). It is still the go to shirt of your wardrobe; but one day you just decide you HAVE to let it go. You do! But, you don't forget that shirt, and sometimes you regret that you ever threw it away. Although you think of all the fun times you have had in that shirt, you look back at the pictures of yourself with the shirt on and you gasp. They look TERRIBLE!
This long and drawn out metaphor is this: the shirt is pride. The design, or message of the "shirt" is that you have everything together. You try and show the world that you have no insecurities, that your life is in shape and you try to make your abilities shine through. But as this garment of pride keeps on being used, it gets holes in it where people can actually tell that not everything is great for you. They know that this isn't something that really is supposed to be on you, and that it does not fit your God-given personality. So, you try and shrink it! YOU try YOUR hardest to make it smaller so that it fits better within your life, and looks more attractive. But, because you are trying to get rid of it by yourself, it doesn't work. So, ask God to help you to throw it away, and He WILL! And one day, when it is something that is gone from your life, you will look back at the times when you exercised pride regularly, and remember how empty you felt after all the accolades had ended. And you are SO happy that you finally let it go.
Pride is something that I think we all have to overcome, and as I am not perfect, I struggle with it DAILY! It is something that really plagues my soul. But I know that if I truly surrender it, He WILL take it. But my worldly flesh tells me not yet, it's not quite time. And I believe the LIE. But there is redemption!
Here are some steps to overcome this!
1. PRAY. I know this either seems like common sense, or something that won't affect anything. But, the power of prayer is so crazy, you can't even believe it. Right now, just try it. Sit still, close your eyes, and think of Him. To get you "warmed up", just thank Him for everything you have! This will "posture" you, so that you can receive wholeness.
2. PRAY WITH AN OPEN HEART. Just ask Him to take it away. Don't make any excuses, and if you do, just ask Him to take those away too. This will clear everything up so that you can receive without any residue or resentment.
3. BE CLEAR. Be clear with what is going on in your life, and how you are affecting that. God already knows full well, but this will help you realize the situation without any bias.
4. WELCOME IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD. This will help you know what is right and true, because He knows all things! He can wipe away anything, or He can bring anything into your life. He can take away resentment, hatred, PRIDE, and can plant in love, happiness, HUMILITY, and peace.
5. KNOW THAT IT IS GOD. No second guessing here. We know He is here here in our lives, and we must recognize this. If we don't, how are we going to satisfactorily tell others?
6. READ HIS WORD. It is a salve for wounds, and will help take all hurt and unhappiness away. It will keep you life in the PRESENCE OF GOD.
Although this is not a poof all trouble is gone formula, it is something that will help you to gain confidence in who God is, and that HE IS the Perfecter of our Faith, the Grand Surgeon, the Prince of Peace. And He WILL reign in you life! Don't you want that! Then join me please, in taking this stand to what the world says is right, and hold the lamp of the light!
Here is the verse of the post:
"The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed." Isaiah 50:4.
Although this may not seem related, it is. If we trust in Him, and let us guide our lives and take away all infirmities, whether it be physical or emotional, than He will give us all His wisdom.
Just ask.
And you WILL hear the whisper.
He's calling your name.
Will you answer?
It is ridiculous of how much the perfectionist in me comes to light. But of course, that is my sin nature, because He does NOT want us to worry and stress over every little thing. He says that his yoke is easy and his burden is light! So why do we make it that way? Why do we force ourselves into thinking that IT MUST BE A CERTAIN WAY, and if it isn't, then we feel frustrated about it.
A lot of times for me, it is because of my impenetrable pride. I know that when I feel convicted of how much I rely on my abilities, I convince myself that God wants me to do my best, and He wants me to use all of my abilities. True, of course, but He doesn't want me to use the abilities He has GIVEN me to be my stronghold and my sense of protection. He is already there to do that, I don't even have to provide that for myself.
Or sometimes, I reassure myself that I have tried and tried and tried to change how much pride I have, and apparently all my hard work is just not cutting it. Oh well, better luck next time I think of it! Seriously? Give me a break. Yeah, probably the reason that I can't shake this pride is because I can't shake the wanting to always do things without help, which is the source of pride! It is a circle, round and round it goes. Although I think I do, in my heart I really don't want God to help me. I feel that it shows that I am not capable on my own, and that all I am is not sufficient. Which it is NOT.
With all that being said, pride is a hard thing to deal with just on your own. Chances are, if you do it by yourself, you won't let go of this putrid thing that is clinging to you. Think of it this way. You have a shirt that you love the design and the message it portrays, but it has never looked good on you, it was always kind of baggy! And as you wore it again and again and again, it started to look even worse on you. It was kind of becoming see through in some spots, and frayed at the edges. You tried to mend it and what not, but it wouldn't work. You even tried to shrink it in dryer, but it wouldn't work. Nothing would make it the same as it originally was (even though it wasn't great in the beginning). It is still the go to shirt of your wardrobe; but one day you just decide you HAVE to let it go. You do! But, you don't forget that shirt, and sometimes you regret that you ever threw it away. Although you think of all the fun times you have had in that shirt, you look back at the pictures of yourself with the shirt on and you gasp. They look TERRIBLE!
This long and drawn out metaphor is this: the shirt is pride. The design, or message of the "shirt" is that you have everything together. You try and show the world that you have no insecurities, that your life is in shape and you try to make your abilities shine through. But as this garment of pride keeps on being used, it gets holes in it where people can actually tell that not everything is great for you. They know that this isn't something that really is supposed to be on you, and that it does not fit your God-given personality. So, you try and shrink it! YOU try YOUR hardest to make it smaller so that it fits better within your life, and looks more attractive. But, because you are trying to get rid of it by yourself, it doesn't work. So, ask God to help you to throw it away, and He WILL! And one day, when it is something that is gone from your life, you will look back at the times when you exercised pride regularly, and remember how empty you felt after all the accolades had ended. And you are SO happy that you finally let it go.
Pride is something that I think we all have to overcome, and as I am not perfect, I struggle with it DAILY! It is something that really plagues my soul. But I know that if I truly surrender it, He WILL take it. But my worldly flesh tells me not yet, it's not quite time. And I believe the LIE. But there is redemption!
Here are some steps to overcome this!
1. PRAY. I know this either seems like common sense, or something that won't affect anything. But, the power of prayer is so crazy, you can't even believe it. Right now, just try it. Sit still, close your eyes, and think of Him. To get you "warmed up", just thank Him for everything you have! This will "posture" you, so that you can receive wholeness.
2. PRAY WITH AN OPEN HEART. Just ask Him to take it away. Don't make any excuses, and if you do, just ask Him to take those away too. This will clear everything up so that you can receive without any residue or resentment.
3. BE CLEAR. Be clear with what is going on in your life, and how you are affecting that. God already knows full well, but this will help you realize the situation without any bias.
4. WELCOME IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD. This will help you know what is right and true, because He knows all things! He can wipe away anything, or He can bring anything into your life. He can take away resentment, hatred, PRIDE, and can plant in love, happiness, HUMILITY, and peace.
5. KNOW THAT IT IS GOD. No second guessing here. We know He is here here in our lives, and we must recognize this. If we don't, how are we going to satisfactorily tell others?
6. READ HIS WORD. It is a salve for wounds, and will help take all hurt and unhappiness away. It will keep you life in the PRESENCE OF GOD.
Although this is not a poof all trouble is gone formula, it is something that will help you to gain confidence in who God is, and that HE IS the Perfecter of our Faith, the Grand Surgeon, the Prince of Peace. And He WILL reign in you life! Don't you want that! Then join me please, in taking this stand to what the world says is right, and hold the lamp of the light!
Here is the verse of the post:
"The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed." Isaiah 50:4.
Although this may not seem related, it is. If we trust in Him, and let us guide our lives and take away all infirmities, whether it be physical or emotional, than He will give us all His wisdom.
Just ask.
And you WILL hear the whisper.
He's calling your name.
Will you answer?
Saturday, November 1, 2014
First Blog Post
Hello! My name is Lina, and my soul is yearning to learn more of God, and who He is, and reach people's hearts with this profound message. I may be only a teen, and I may be small, but I am mighty because I have the Spirit of God in me! I have grown up in a very strong Christian home where the love of God is taught daily, and I have been so fortunate to have that. But, I realize that not many people do have this opening to who God really is. He is NOT some figment of my imagination, or something that has been shoved down my throat. He is a living God that has shown Himself to me in different ways, and I could never disbelieve. But, I will get to that in future posts.
I have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, but until a few weeks ago, I had not been water baptized. Although I don't think it is essential for salvation, I think it really shows the level of commitment for God, a consecration if you will.
Getting water baptized was not even on my radar, because I thought that I was already on my 'A game' with God (what a dumb idea!), until one day when my parents and I were watching a pastor preach on TV. I don't even remember what it was about, but I think the pastor must have mentioned something about baptism, so that set my brain a-firing. We were going to have some friends up to our house that weekend, very strong Christians, and I immediately came to the thought that I should be baptized in the lake that next weekend with our friends. As I was thinking all this, and letting it soak it, my mom looks at me and asks, "What are you thinking about?" Of course, I always say nothing, so I ask her what she was thinking about. And this is what grabs me. She said in a low tone, "You getting baptized in the lake this next weekend." I was so shocked that I just looked at her funny and was like "What?" And she repeats it, and it hits me, that if this isn't the Spirit of God working, then I don't know what is! So I tell her that I was thinking the same thing, and that basically finalized the fact.
My dad baptized me that next weekend in the lake by our house, and as I was in the shower washing off all the muck and grime of the lake, I realized that in a way, I felt different, and at the same time not. The muck and grime that was a residual from the lake did not reflect the muck and grime in my heart. I HAD been washed clean. Everyday, for that matter, but it was different this time.
As I was in the shower, I was just praying, "What next Lord? What do you want me to do?" And it just came to me. A blog! I love writing, I think it is one of my spiritual gifts, a way I commune and dwell in God. And I know that it is sooo cliche for a teenage girl to have a blog, but really, I am not here to look at what other people have done an shy away from it only because it has already been done! This is a 'journal' for me and God to look at, and for the people who are supposed to see this as well! This blog is mostly to help grow my spiritual walk, but I also think that it is going to be used in another way, hopefully to help those who need it most!
So, if anyone is seeing this blog, I hope it doesn't come across as braggadocios or vain. I just really want to tell my story, so then my readers can really understand where I am coming from. I hope that this encourages you in your walk, or maybe even helps you start your walk.
Every post I will leave you with a verse to think about; this one I have chosen for today has been on my mind a lot: the topic of fear. I will expound on a later post, but here is something that I thought was profound and someone actually read to me, but in the Message version. I know that the Message version is not literally the Word of God, but it really does illuminate things that may otherwise be hidden or obscured, especially when we are trying to get the 'message'! Ha.
Luke 12:29-32 MSG
“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.
Today, my prayer is that we would all be filled with the Spirit, and that we would come to such an overwhelming knowledge of God that we should NOT be afraid, but continually trust in Him, and "Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions." He is so mighty and faithful, he has our whole life planned out for us, so why do we worry? He is SO good, I hope each one of you will be able to really come to know His just HOW faithful He is, in every sense of the word. And me too! So if you are reading this, pray for me, and I will pray for you! It really works you know!
I love you my brothers and sisters of Christ, but more importantly HE love you! Wow.
One last thing. Cast your cares on HIM for He CARES for you.
I have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, but until a few weeks ago, I had not been water baptized. Although I don't think it is essential for salvation, I think it really shows the level of commitment for God, a consecration if you will.
Getting water baptized was not even on my radar, because I thought that I was already on my 'A game' with God (what a dumb idea!), until one day when my parents and I were watching a pastor preach on TV. I don't even remember what it was about, but I think the pastor must have mentioned something about baptism, so that set my brain a-firing. We were going to have some friends up to our house that weekend, very strong Christians, and I immediately came to the thought that I should be baptized in the lake that next weekend with our friends. As I was thinking all this, and letting it soak it, my mom looks at me and asks, "What are you thinking about?" Of course, I always say nothing, so I ask her what she was thinking about. And this is what grabs me. She said in a low tone, "You getting baptized in the lake this next weekend." I was so shocked that I just looked at her funny and was like "What?" And she repeats it, and it hits me, that if this isn't the Spirit of God working, then I don't know what is! So I tell her that I was thinking the same thing, and that basically finalized the fact.
My dad baptized me that next weekend in the lake by our house, and as I was in the shower washing off all the muck and grime of the lake, I realized that in a way, I felt different, and at the same time not. The muck and grime that was a residual from the lake did not reflect the muck and grime in my heart. I HAD been washed clean. Everyday, for that matter, but it was different this time.
As I was in the shower, I was just praying, "What next Lord? What do you want me to do?" And it just came to me. A blog! I love writing, I think it is one of my spiritual gifts, a way I commune and dwell in God. And I know that it is sooo cliche for a teenage girl to have a blog, but really, I am not here to look at what other people have done an shy away from it only because it has already been done! This is a 'journal' for me and God to look at, and for the people who are supposed to see this as well! This blog is mostly to help grow my spiritual walk, but I also think that it is going to be used in another way, hopefully to help those who need it most!
So, if anyone is seeing this blog, I hope it doesn't come across as braggadocios or vain. I just really want to tell my story, so then my readers can really understand where I am coming from. I hope that this encourages you in your walk, or maybe even helps you start your walk.
Every post I will leave you with a verse to think about; this one I have chosen for today has been on my mind a lot: the topic of fear. I will expound on a later post, but here is something that I thought was profound and someone actually read to me, but in the Message version. I know that the Message version is not literally the Word of God, but it really does illuminate things that may otherwise be hidden or obscured, especially when we are trying to get the 'message'! Ha.
Luke 12:29-32 MSG
“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.
Today, my prayer is that we would all be filled with the Spirit, and that we would come to such an overwhelming knowledge of God that we should NOT be afraid, but continually trust in Him, and "Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions." He is so mighty and faithful, he has our whole life planned out for us, so why do we worry? He is SO good, I hope each one of you will be able to really come to know His just HOW faithful He is, in every sense of the word. And me too! So if you are reading this, pray for me, and I will pray for you! It really works you know!
I love you my brothers and sisters of Christ, but more importantly HE love you! Wow.
One last thing. Cast your cares on HIM for He CARES for you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)