Live with a vision in mind and walk with a reason. The reason for your walk will lead you to accomplish what you have envisioned even though you have not seen it yet. To acquire a vision is a challenge. Are you willing to take it?
~ Alive ~
First of all, let me say that King David is one of my favorite characters from the Old Testament. King David was an amazing poet and I think that one of the things that gave him this title was the fact that he was able to understand so many truths about God that were unusual for men of his time to understand.
After reading Psalm 26 I noticed king David’s eagerness to ask God to vindicate, test and examine his heart and mind. I read this first verses a few times over and over and kept asking myself, why did David want to know his faults so bad if he knew he had a righteous walk before God?
If you see in verses 1 to 7 of Psalms Chapter 26 King David describes his life according to his own judgment but he still wanted to know God’s opinion about his life, that’s what thrilled me. So many times I have found myself afraid to listen and face my failures before God. I have been afraid of asking God to vindicate, examine and test my heart and mind, which is essential for the life of a believer.
Why is this essential? Because sometimes we build an image of goodness about ourselves, don’t we all? I have thought that since I don’t do “this”, “this” or “that” I am ‘good’; but what is ‘good’? If I have a sinful nature who cannot judge well how can I know that my views of goodness are actually correct?
Well, today I learned from David that I have the freedom to come to the Lord and ask myself about my ‘goodness’, I have the freedom to ask God if my ways are actually good and acceptable before His eyes. One of the things that I admire the most about David was that he rarely cared about what other thought of him, what he cared about the most was God’s thoughts and opinions about him. That is exactly what I want for my life, I want to worry less about what others think and focus my entire attention to be found acceptable before the eyes of my God.
My dear friend, let’s not be afraid of the Father’s judgment because He is righteous. Let’s ask Him to reveal to us what He disapproves from our lives. I must confess that I waited a while to do this myself because I was afraid to listen, but there was a moment when I realized that I rather be corrected from my ways now than later in eternity. I encourage you to ask the Lord to vindicate, examine and test your heart and mind; I know the Father will find in His heart to forgive us and reroute us from our wrong ways to what is perfect in Him.
On Saturday March 10, with roughly 70 in attendance, we carried Destino Familia Day. On attendance, Destino staff, Destino students from CSULB and CSUF, siblings, parents, even grandparents. Oh and don’t forget the home pets. We had food, worship, prayer, and testimonies. Students were trained to proudly introduce their parents, praising them right off the bat. Toward the end, they were challenged to – in front of everyone – make a covenant to their parents to honor and love them, and to be the best son/daughter and brother/sister each of them could be.
The Vision
The initial idea came from the desire to earn the parents’ trust so that they would let their sons and daughters attend retreats, conferences, and mission trips. We realize a major barrier for students to attending was that their parents didn’t know Destino enough to trust us. We don’t blame them. It’s what great parents do – protect their children.
However, as the day approached, the vision expanded. Now not only did we want to earn their trust, we realized this could be a day where parents and siblings could experience Christ. This could be a day where parents would resolve to become spiritual leaders of their home. We realized each student had the power of leading their parents to the Savior. This is something every movement should keep in mind… a lot of students don’t have parents in the faith, but they can’t be paralyzed by that. Their role can be proactive; they can indeed lead their parents to Christ.
The Process
Because of our limited budget, we made it a potluck, charging the students to bring the food. We asked them to not let their parents cook; this was for them after all. It was to honor them, we were serving them. We coached the students to introduce their parents. We coached them through their testimony. We prayed for it. We took some risky moves. But even with all of that, we don’t know how it all worked. There is no one right formula to pulling an event like this. It’s not the process that makes it all work. It’s our God and the people willing to trust Him.
The Result
Parents approached us to share how much more comfortable they felt with their sons and daughters attending Destino. Some said they would encourage them and support them to attend events as much as they could! Parents felt honored. Parents got to see the transformation Christ brings. And we don’t have a doubt, many parents have determined to become the spiritual leaders of their homes. This is proof… what happens in Destino doesn’t stay Destino. What happens in Destino goes beyond it - this time to our families.
Let’s love and appreciate each other for who God has made us to be. Thanks to all the ladies and gentlemen who share the Love of God with me day after day. <3
The sweet sound of voices, strings and thankful hearts is way beyond human understanding, they coordinate in the same purpose and Spirit. The beauty of worshiping with your heart knowing that your serenade will reach the heavens has no comparison. There is nothing like a heart of worship.
Ladies & Gentlemen,
Check Out this blog post from my friends from Grace & Love!!! :)
Real Men Of God
Today’s message focused on the attributes of a real man of God. Don’t worry ladies, this message is for you as well. You should know whether the man in your life resembles Jesus.
There are 10 traits that real men of God have:
- A real man of God shows emotions but is not…
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” ~ Joshua 1:9.
The Lord just brought to mind a night in which I felt so fearful, confused, out of place and discouraged. That night the enemy tried to bring me down and I began to doubt myself. He was very clever, he used what I thought was my strength and tried to turn it into my weakness.
I was told in my mind,
‘Alice, you have really messed up things now, what are you gonna do? Nothing! You can do nothing because if you try to fix things you’ll make them worse. Just give it up Alice, you’re no one special for things to happen differently to you. You are just as messed up as everyone else.’
I cried that night, I couldn’t sleep anymore. I felt sad, disappointed, hopeless and worthless. Though I had not done anything to feel that way, the enemy had convinced me that I had. It was ridiculous to see how I had fallen on my face by his lies. I got up went to restroom, stared myself at the mirror and asked God why did I feel that way and couldn’t control myself. In silence I went back to my room and then it hit me, I need to pray, I NEED HIM! So I did, I began to pray and I felt the Spirit of the Lord taking away my despair, fear, sadness and disappointment. The Lord showered me with His mighty Peace that evening. Next thing I knew, I had knocked out and slept like a rock the rest of the night.
Why do I share this with you? Because tonight I just remembered that horrible experience I had. Listen up, the enemy used my strength to try to bring me down and he almost did. You know how there are things about ourselves that we know that they are our strong and good side, well my friend let me tell you that the enemy knows those things too. And he hates them, he wants to destroy them as much as he wants to destroy what God has for you and I don’t mean to scare you but this is the truth. However, greater is Our God, who fights for us and gives us the courage to keep it up. Hey! God is with you and me, He is mighty to defeat the enemy and to give you the strength that you need to overcome the enemy by His blood. And today He gave me this verse you see up there, Joshua 1:9. He commands us not to fear if we believe in Him, isn’t that amazing. He is asking us to rest in this word and let Him be Glorified. I get such a message of encouragement and peace every time I read this verse, but today after reading it over and over I realized that there is more to it. God is Commanding you and me to TRUST in HIM, it’s like if He knew we would doubt him at times. So let’s not doubt, fear and stop what He is trying to do in our lives. Let’s allow Him to fight for us. Let’s allow Him to deliver His rest and peace in our fearful and doubting hearts. Let’s allow His STRENGTH and COURAGE to be ministered to our lives.
I just received a text message; as I picked up the phone and read the name of the sender a smile was drawn on my face. I found a sweet greeting from a friend wishing me an awesome day and telling me how much she loved me. Her text message made my day, it made feel blessed and grateful of having such awesome caring people near me. This young lady is one of the many people God used to bless me at the Destino Winter Conference.
We have all experienced that feeling we get when we are in a place and we know we are meant to be there, well, that was me at the Destino conference two weeks ago. While I was packing I kept wondering what was going to happen at San Antonio that long weekend. My head was full of questions and no answers would come up, what stirred my heart to curiosity the most was the fact that it was a last minute trip. Those who know me well have an idea of how much of a planner I am; I usually plan all my trips and the events I will attend, but this time God tossed my decision away and had decided to send me to Texas. It was God who changed my plans and turned my last weekend of the winter break into one the best and most memorable weekends I have had.
First of all, I had lost my job and had no way to afford my trip to Texas which is why I had decided not to attend; but the Faith of my dear friend Olivia kept encouraging me to at least try to attend. I followed her advice and gave it a try. Amazingly, in just two days the money was gathered the night before the carpool was leaving to Texas. I received donations from some kind hearts that heard about my story and my desire to attend the Destino Winter Conference. I was speechless and kept asking myself, how did this happen?! I must admit that my Faith levels were running kind of low that day because I still could not believe it. The conference had not even started and my life was already being blessed by the prayers and donations of my friends. And then by getting to know the students that rode in the van with me. I hardly knew a couple of people riding with us, but I sure can tell you that when the conference was over I felt like I knew them from years ago.
While at the conference I began to hear testimonies and stories that truly moved my heart. It was amazing listening how God has made a difference in the lives of so many young people that one day chose Jesus over their own lives. Their stories helped to encourage me, it reminded me of what God had done for my life and family, it brought back to my mind the idea of letting God do His great plans a reality in my life. At the same time it motivated me to keep going, to keep running the race, to keep serving God, to keep the fellowship and to keep an open heart for others. I had the privilege to share room with three amazing young ladies, -Bev, Alyssa & Marisol- they truly showed me how the love of God can unite unknown hearts and bond them with trust and sincerity through the love of Christ. Spending time with them was such a blessing, I learned so much from each one of them and I hope to carry that memory and blessing with me the rest of my life. During this weekend God taught me how necessary it is to be a little more open about myself and express my opinions with freedom. I was able to share my thoughts with my dear roommates, with a few new friends at the conference and I also shared my testimony with my van buddies. God taught me not to be afraid because is Him who gives the words to speak, is Him who prepares the hearts of the listeners and is Him who establishes the right time and place for these things to happen. Words by themselves are powerful, but when you allow God to speak through you it’s like when a mystery unfolds and the truth is finally revealed to you. God can speak through us in His own words, from His heart to ours, and the blessings of listening to His Words are much greater for the listener and the speaker.
Personally, the closing night of the conference was the most meaningful time of the weekend. I am sure that God listened to our hearts as we prayed for each other to close the conference. And even after, during women’s time, something else happened. God spoke to me and in a very personal way began to reveal things that had been holding me back from His Freedom. I took a small rock and wrote each one with a red maker, representing the blood of Christ over me, and then placed it at bottom of the cross. This was all part of the activity that Olivia had prepared for us during women’s time, but it came to hit me so personally that I could not hold my tears while God kept revealing to me one by one the things that are keeping us apart. Think about it, it is never cool to hear someone telling us what they think is wrong with us, but having God being the one telling you what’s your problem is not easy. My heart felt embarrassed, disappointed and sad to see how much I’ve failed the one who gave it all for me; but at the same time I knew that it was best for me to know it that way because He was offering His blood for me to receive forgiveness. He did, He forgave me. He washed my sin with His blood and renewed my heart that night and though I still struggle with my sinful nature and myself I am still running.
I remember that when we were starting the journey to San Antonio, Daniel asked everyone what were we expecting to get from the conference that weekend. My answer was, “I just want to acquire some knowledge, I want to come back home and bring something that will help me in my walk.” And indeed, it happened! God taught me about sharing with others and not keeping things to myself. He taught me that the Spirit could illuminate my mind to the things of His mind. He taught me that I must have a little more Faith and rely on His plans, not mine. He taught me that I must be a little more sensitive and aware of the well being of my brothers and sisters in Christ and of those who don’t know Him. He taught me that I could serve Him with every single aspect of my life, including my career. He taught me that there are many others like me, that seek Him and run along by my side and my job is to encourage them and help them out whenever is in my possibilities. He taught me that He provides the Freedom that all humans seek and that the Freedom has been acquired at the cross.
