I am back!!

Over the past two weeks,  I have been away. I have battled many struggles along the way.

It has been a really low point in my life for something that should not be. It was really tough to 

understand why I could feel so incomplete despite all the blessings in my life. Having a roof over my 

head, having an amazing God who cares for me. Pursuing a career that I am called to be a part of, a 

wonderful family. Yet there it was, this bone deep sadness. I lost my ability to talk to God for a 

while, but I am happy to say that despite all the troubled waters. God has been there. 

I just wanted to write this blog, to say that I am fine. God has been faithful and I am once more drawn

to his light. He reminds me in the scripture that he is always there for me and also I would like to

encourage anyone who is going through anything; Depression, anxiety, abuse, insecurity whatever it 

is. God has not forgotten so don't give up. 

Look at your situation as an opportunity to grow and learn about yourself. God is always near. 

When I began to feel God was distant, it was easy to remain in my downward spiral but as I found myself returning to the scriptures and this encouraged me to be strong and persevere. It encouraged me to seek God again in repentance and renewing my commitment to him. He is slow to anger and rich in mercy. This is the truth about God that I chose to believe and I hope that you too can find that in your situation. 

The book of Timothy 4:11-15 really spoke to me and for anyone in ministry who may sometimes feel discouraged. 

It goes like this; 

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young but set an example in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Do not neglect the gift which was given you through a prophetic message; Watch your life and doctrine closely and persevere in them because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers".

I just want to say that I am back!! and will constantly look on the one who is the light, to guide my path in order not to veer off course.

Reflections on Matthew 5:43-44

"You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 

Recently, I felt betrayed by someone that I trusted. We had formed closed ties and I held certain expectations about this person. The thing about me is that I trust people and their words. You may ask why? Well it is because I have always felt that how I treat others is how they should treat me. Also, when I give someone my word I often keep it. So for me, though it shouldn't, it still comes as a surprise when someone I trust breaks that trust.

So despite relying on this certain person, in a split second things changed. What was once in equilibrium seemed out of balance. I felt betrayed and hurt. There was also a feeling of disappointment and soon I recognised that my emotions started to hold bitterness towards that person. My reaction was to isolate that person from my life. Why? Well i'm human and incidents like this makes you wonder if you have any real friends or if there is anyone you would ever trust. It starts to hold true that sometimes strangers are better than friends, atheists are better than christians? I made the decision to remove myself from that individual and take certain action that would perhaps show that I really was angry by their actions.

In reading this scripture, I gained clarity on what loving your enemies was. This person was not an enemy but sometimes friendships can turn sour and strong ties broken. It made me reflect on the situation and by God speaking through his word, I no longer harboured feelings of anger and resentment. Instead, I offered up a prayer for that friend letting him know that I forgive that person. I asked God to help them find themselves, to help them find healing and peace that only he can give. Surprisingly this gave me a sense of peace and assurance of God's forgiveness for my own wrongs and mistakes. As difficult a step that was, my burden suddenly seemed lighter. One less load to carry, I could return to focus on the things in my life that mattered. I know now that despite how difficult it was, I realised before God, I had just redeemed myself.

Trusting God through the wilderness

The past month has probably been one of the most difficult journeys of my life.

Yet I am challenged to look at the positives of life. To believe that it does not end here, that God has a better plan for my life.

While I believe that, journeying through the wilderness is filled with it's pain and disappointments.

Relationships end, people disappoint you. Perhaps a part of you wonders if something is wrong with you. It leaves you in a fragile state of mind.

I find it harder to open up to people around me. What makes me think that they too won't let me down.

Even my own strength is failing me. I am losing the ability to believe in myself. There needs to be something greater than me looking out for me. I don't want to end up a failure. I know that I would continue to persevere through the storms of life. I will journey through the wilderness because I will carry my daily cross. The only way to do battle with the enemy within me and outside of me is to understand that it is a privilege to be in this time of trial. I choose to thank God for the opportunity to put me through testing. I know that my victory is at hand. If Christ could carry his cross then why can't I and so I will.

No matter how many times I fall, I would get up. So that in all things, in my weakness, the strength of christ is revealed.

This wilderness period of walking through the desert would soon come to an end. This as I continue to thirst for his presence to fill me.

A scripture to reflect on

Written by Elizabeth Etta:

This past week, I have been reflecting on the words of scripture

Luke 4:18-21

“The spirit of the lord has been given to me

for he has anointed me

He has sent me to bring good news to the poor

TO proclaim liberty to captives

And to the blind new sight

to set the downtrodden free

and to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour

He then rolled up the scroll gave it back to the assistant and sat down. And to all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to speak to them. This text is being filled today even as you listen…

 Acts 1:8

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses

Jesus was filled with the power of the holy spirit when he made this bold proclamation about his purpose before all the people in the synagogue. In order to realise what God’s purpose for our life is, we need the holy spirit. In Acts 1:8 the Holy Spirit was promised and then given and today like Christ, we now have received the power of the holy spirit to be his witnesses.

Our mission as spirit filled christian is to reveal God to others.

How we may ask? It can start by telling them about the good news. We are not to shy away from telling others about the saving power of Jesus Christ. Are there people in your life that you know will benefit from knowing Christ? Why not get to know them more and share the amazing knowledge that you have of the gospel with them.

We have the power to heal others through our words and by our actions. This could include outreach programs, alms giving, pastoral work etc.

The bible says that God’s word are spirit and life. When I read the words, “the text is being fulfilled today as you listen”.

It made me realise that the will of God for us is to have an abundant life here. A great life is possible as long as we trust in God’s words for us his children. When we trust God, even when things are not going as we or others think they should. We still have the confidence in knowing that our father will work to perfect us and bring every situation for the greater good of us and others.

The words of scripture that stood out to me was “to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.

In that statement, I see God’s promises of abundant kindness and grace for me this year. I boldly claim these year as a year of favour. His ability to help me fulfil the desires that he has put in my heart. One of the difficulties of trying to live according to God’s will is that you face opposition, disbelief, your own inner fears and doubt.

Despite the challenges, I feel I am beginning to identify more with Christ. As much as I would want to refuse any responsibility for my own personal reasons, I am reminded that God will grant me the graces I need. God’s year of favour is my opportunity to take on the challenges in order to grow in spirit and draw closer to him. I see it as God’s way of reaching out to others, through me if only I accept my cross and follow him so that in the end he is glorified.

The question, I put out to you now is; What context does the scripture apply to you today? How is it being fulfilled in your life; Are you letting God work through you?

Prayer

Lord we have received your Holy Spirit through our baptism, through declaration of our faith and through the hearing of your word. Help us to activate those gifts that we have received, in order that it may lead to the salvation of our souls and those of others for that is your will.

Amen

What is My Time?

by Elizabeth Etta

What is my time?

“There is a time for everything,

    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,

    a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

    a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

    a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up,

    a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

    a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

    a time for war and a time for peace…

He has made everything beautiful in its time”.

ECCLESIASTES 3: 1-11

I came upon this scripture verse in my bible reflection time a week ago and went about trying  to understand why God led me to this verse and what He was trying to say in my life?

Life as we know it is always in season. There are times when we are happy, sad, fearful, conflicted, angry and other varying emotions depending on the circumstances we find ourselves in. If a situation is often difficult or unexpected, we find ourselves wondering where God is in those moments.

Ecclesiastes mentions a season. God allows seasons in our lives to achieve a greater purpose than we can imagine. This chapter draws me to examine the current seasons of my life and how I choose to respond to the experiences in it.

The time of waiting

In the time of waiting it teaches patience. As I experience longing and loneliness, this waiting season encourages me to seek a deeper intimacy with Christ, the One who is the lover of my soul. I also have a greater opportunity to fellowship with others and dedicate my time to doing what God has called me to do. So in my season of waiting, Lord, let it bring glory to You.

The time to build

God has put plans in my heart through the talent He has blessed me with to use to build His kingdom on earth. Lord, let me take on the challenge to build Your kingdom as You see fit.

A time to embrace

This season sees doors opening for me, and I am called to embrace the opportunities that God presents in front of me.

A time to laugh and dance

The past year till now, there has been a lot to celebrate. Nothing significant has happened to cause me grief. I feel like I am living in a state of grace where there are more things to laugh about. I have a great family and friends. In fact, I am thinking of doing more dancing this year.

A time to speak

It’s my time to speak. I’ve had my season of silence, but this year I feel that I am called to use my voice for a greater calling. To speak truth in the lives of others. To speak truth in the lives of my family and members of my church.

A time to Love

I am called to a greater love. One that is self-giving like Christ. To love even when I feel unappreciated. To love even when I feel unloved. In this time to love, I find that the areas in which God pointed out I needed to exercise love is by being;

  Less critical of others

  Not compromising in confusing lust with love

  Less selfish or taking those who love me for granted in the way I treat them or make them feel.

It’s sometimes difficult to see the bigger picture when you find yourself in an unexpected season. Perhaps your season looks a lot different to mine. Ecclesiastes reminds us that God is aware of the seasons we are in. We are placed in those seasons for a reason to discover our purpose, to live a richer life. In all seasons of your life, let God in. It is the only way to experience beauty in your season. It takes the difficult seasons in life to fully appreciate the beauty of a “fruitful season.” Whatever season you are in, be it good or bad remember that God is in control. He has made and will make everything beautiful in His time.

New Year Reflection

by Elizabeth Etta

 

 

As the new year's celebrations came to an end, I made the conscious choice to embrace 2016, with a new enthusiasm and determination that was somewhat lacking in the later half of 2015.

While I looked back on 2015, I felt my walk with God wavered greatly. Despite that, I could still reflect on the many ways in which God sustained and blessed me of which I am immensely grateful.
 

I had a lot of challenges in 2015 but there were also positives to take from. One of the things I was grateful for  in the past year was the fact that I was extremely healthy. I also accomplished certain things that I did not think I could. I gained a lot of self confidence that I felt had eroded in previous years due to certain circumstances.
 

It’s the start of the new year, and often times it is when we begin to make resolutions that would carry us through the entire year. I unfortunately never stick to mine and it often leaves me discouraged and disillusioned.
 

However I want to be able to look back on 2016 and feel the most accomplished I have ever been. The only way that it would be possible to feel that way, is in knowing that I am carrying out the will of the Father for my life. I need to gain clarity and perspective on the journey ahead. In order for that to be possible, I am starting afresh with God. I am not going to do the “new years resolution” that I have done in the past because I have had 100% failure throughout.
 

How I want this year to be different is that when I say, "I put my trust in God", I want to mean it in every possible way. I want every action and decision to reflect that. I want to do it all by his grace and mercy. I want to rely on God as my source of strength and not my own supposed ability. Every time I fail which I know would be a lot of times, I will choose not to dwell on the supposed failure, because I am more than my failures. I would choose to dwell on my strength instead of my weakness. My freedom rather than my guilt.
 

One of my favourite quotes that I will rely on for this year is Mt 6:33 which says “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added onto you”.
 

This to me sounds like a promise from God, to bless those who truly seek to bring his kingdom on earth. It is my great desire this year to make full use of the gifts that God has given me and see them come to fruition.
 

One of the many goals that I want to set for myself which I will hope to be kept accountable for are as follows:

1. To put in more time for prayer and scripture study daily.
2. To spend more time doing things beneficial to my health and well being such as exercising more often, better eating habits.
3. To blog regularly, this means once a week to be able to share some of the insights God has given me.
4. To volunteer at least once a month.
5. To use my talents in the arts

I have no clue what 2016 holds for me, but I know that every goal is possible through God’s grace that is sufficient for me.

Until the next blog stay tuned~~

 

 

 

Receiving People of Other Faiths

by Elizabeth Etta

I have always had people knock on my door wanting to share their faith and beliefs about Christ. These people are mainly the Latter Day Saints people aka Mormons as well as Jehovah Witnesses. I have made it clear to them that I believe in Jesus, however they use that as a good starting point to begin a faith discussion. So there I am welcoming them into my home as they share their belief systems, in the hope that they can try to convert me. I would admit though that most times, it helps me find answers to questions that I had never really pondered on. 

I am always a firm believer in not being ignorant but knowing the practices of your faith, so in a way, having someone come to talk to me about the Jesus Christ they believe in forces me to engage and study scriptures more to ensure that I am not being misled.

For the past year, I have not had any experiences with people knocking on my door, until recently two young men dressed in white shirt and black, knocked on my door saying they are from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and would like to share their faith about salvation, and about their book, which they called the book of Mormon another testament of Jesus Christ. We arranged for them to come over the following week to talk to us more. In the meantime, they said that God has a plan for our salvation, that they believe the book of Mormon is true, it complements the bible as they received a revelation from the holy spirit. They also said that if I pray and ask the holy spirit about the credibility of the book, and I truly want to know the truth then of course by all means I should pray about it.

Now, I didn't want to make judgements about a book I had not read and also if they clearly believed it to be true and saying it is another testament of Jesus Christ revealed by God and Jesus to a man named Joseph Smith. I couldn't doubt that knowing God reveals himself to whoever He chooses and gives His message to whomever. So I promised them, I was going to pray about it and read the book for myself. They seemed satisfied.

So that very evening, I decided to open the book and began to read. The spirit immediately prompted me to read Jeremiah 29.11 because they had talked about God's plan of salvation earlier in the day. Jeremiah 29.11 states, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

While reading this verse, the spirit automatically took me to Jeremiah 29: 8-9 which says:

"For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the Lord".

 

Immediately, I prayed about this, and kept asking God, can this be real? I wanted truth and this is where God was leading me? What could this possibly mean?

 

My spirit again spoke within me saying do some research and I started doing some investigations. It made me realize many Christians today are being misled because they do not find the truth for themselves in God's word. We sometimes allow ourselves to be spoon fed, or taking someone else's word for truth instead of God's and I felt God was speaking to my heart that the answers are in His word. So this are some of the talks that I had with the Mormons and my beliefs in regards to that based on what scripture has to say. I wanted to share this with you so that if you ever find yourself in a debate or even generally question what it is you believe about your faith, look up the scriptures to help you out.

1. The Mormons believe that just as they had prophets in the ancient times such as Moses, Abraham, Jonah etc, God has called prophets to lead the church in today's times, they have a current prophet today. They quoted Amos 3:7

 

My response, we don't need prophets today. Jesus Christ is our living prophet. He is alive today and forever. John 6:14, Acts 3:22-23 and Hebrews 1:1-2.

Also God is calling people not just prophets from the LDS church. He is calling people from all over the world to be preachers, teachers, healers, all according to His divine purpose.

 

They also say their prophet will never teach anything contrary to the will of God, yet further research led me to find some things about their past prophets and prophecies.

 

Joseph Smith prophesized that the New Jerusalem will be built in Missouri within his generation(didn't happen)

Brigham Young prophesied that the civil war would fail to end black slavery (he was wrong)

They are many other prophesies.

 

They believe God's plan of salvation is becoming an eternal family and returning to God's presence: In fact this is sort of their enticement to join their faith, if you talk to any Mormon.

 

However God's plan of salvation in the bible states in John 3:16 is to deliver us from sin and death: John3:3, Hebrews 2:10, 1Th3:9 acts 4:12

 

They also quoted James 1:5 which reads: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." This was to persuade me to read the book of Mormon and ask God if it is true. Someone mentioned to me that wisdom, is the application of known facts while knowledge is the known facts. If we know that the book of Mormon contradicts the bible, we do not really need to pray about it's authenticity. The bible has never told us to pray about the truthfulness of  any book, so I even had to ask for forgiveness trying to pray to ask if the book of Mormon is true or not. Rather this is what the bible says about it. 1john 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Jeremiah 17:9 also says

The heart is deceitful above all things
    and beyond cure.
    Who can understand it?

So if the heart wants to believe that a book is a true word of God like the book of mormon, it can believe it and claim that the spirit revealed it to be true

 

Another question, I put to them is that the bible testifies about Jesus Christ. Why do I need the book of Mormon?

 

Their answer, the book of Mormon gives the complete testimony of Jesus Christ. You understand the bible better when you read the book of Mormon, it is complementary. "No sir, sorry I'm not buying what your selling"

 

Latter day saints believe that their founder Joseph Smith was confused about different denominations, so he prayed and asked God which church to join. God told him none of the churches, as they were all wrong. God the father and Jesus appeared to him. They claimed that the original church of Christ established after Christ death, resurrection and ascension went into apostasy. Apostasy is when individuals or groups of people turn away from the principles of the gospel, they are in a state of apostasy. One example is the Great Apostasy, which occurred after the Christ established His Church. After the deaths of Christ and His Apostles, men corrupted the principles of the gospel and made unauthorized changes in Church organization and priesthood ordinances. Because of this widespread apostasy, the Lord withdrew the authority of the priesthood from the earth. This apostasy lasted until  the Father and His Beloved Son appeared to Joseph Smith in 1820 and initiated the restoration of the fullness of the gospel.

 

Mormonism clearly contradicts the bible. There has never been recorded any complete apostasy. (I'll call it the non-existent great apostasy). This is what the bible has to say about apostasy.

 

Concerning the apostasy this is what the mormons quoted to me Amos 8: 11-14:

However to counteract that this, I would say that bible verse was referring to ancient Israel and not after the death of the last apostle as they believe apostasy is. Also the bible has always talked about they always being a remnant Amos 9 : 8-10

 

To further counteract the apostasy theory there are 3 main arguments.

 

1. How can God have allowed for 1800 years after Jesus death and resurrection for people to be misguided and many people belonging to error-filled churches with no apostolic authority?

2. Ephesians 3:20-21Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. This means that the church is here to stay for all generations forever eliminating apostasy

3. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. mt. 16:18

 

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Mt 28:18-20.

 

To conclude, God promised to be with us till the end of the age and there will be no end to the kingdom of God here on earth.

 

In the end, I came to the conclusion that while there are differences within Christian denominations, the bible should be our main point of reference to be the guide for us here on earth. Our salvation is dependent on our acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as our lord saviour and understanding that we are saved by grace and not by our works, but still understanding that faith without works is pointless.

 

 

Love & Faith

by Jeremy Pierce

During our lives we all seem to have our highs and lows, like waves crashing against the seashore and the ever changing tide coming in and going out. Our faith is so much the same, sometimes I feel the Highs, being so close to God and feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life and sometimes the Lows, feeling alone and abandoned.

I know when I feel the lows I feel like I’m being punished, like I haven’t been good enough, haven’t obeyed the commandments or I have offended God in some way or the other.

A few months ago I started this part-time job, initially colleagues would show me a task, watch me do it, then I would slowly learn more and more of the task until I was able to do it on my own. Nowadays I find myself telling them “Hey, do you want to go away? I've got this!”

The trials and tribulations of our life are no different to those of many in the bible, how we choose to react to our situations or circumstances can however change the outcome.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Sounds like a great piece of scripture but believing it and walking by faith in God's words, is never easy. Well faith and easy shouldn’t go in the same sentence really...

Exodus 12 -13

We read the story of how Moses promises the Israelites that he will lead them out of Egypt to the promised land, one evening Moses is summoned by Pharaoh and asked to leave Egypt, with all the Israelites. One can imagine how excited they all were. We see miracle after miracle of God's work in their lives, walking through the Red Sea, God providing food, water and shelter for them, (over a million people) in the desert.

On the way to the promised land we see the Israelites complain that they would have rather stayed and died in Egypt where they at least had meat to eat, and God provides quails for them. The Israelites wander in the desert for forty years before their hearts are changed and they reach the Promised Land.

Well we don’t have Moses or clothes that will last forty years but we do have the bible, and the Holy Spirit. Just like the Israelites wandering through the desert we sometimes get purified in our lives, we have this emptiness that we feel inside, the feeling of abandonment, of being alone. When we walk with God and feel that intense presence, then stillness, I know that it’s not because He has abandoned us, it is because He's taught us something and is sitting back watching how we react on our own, I guess it's like me telling my boss at work “Hey, do you want to go away? I've got this!” or maybe a dad who has taught his child how to ride a bicycle, letting go of the bicycle, I can see that protective dad still there, but letting go, watching, looking and will catch you if you fall.

How are we going to react to our situation? That proud dad wants  to see his child ride on her own, and he's there.  She can cry, insist on dad holding the seat and never know what it feels like to be on her own. She may stop and decide to jump off the bicycle, however, she could try and with dad's help she can succeed and could maybe teach a friend how to ride a bicycle too.

What are we doing with what we have been taught or nourished with? What do we learn at mass, at STAY, from reading the bible?........the trials of our lives, are scary, we want to give up, we want to stop!

But we have to believe that God's word is true, that there is a Promise land (a purpose for our lives) that in  Jeremiah 29:11 is true in our lives.

We need to set our eyes on God and fill ourselves with His world while we wait, while we journey like the people through the desert, through our trials. We may not have all the answers but God's word does tell us in Psalm 119. / ¹⁰⁵ Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Proverbs 18, ²¹ The tongue has the power of life and death,  and those who love it will eat its fruit. Talk life into our lives and dreams into our promise land, let us learn from the Israelites and not complain.

So how much faith is required to move mountains?

How big is your mountain, how big is your trial? I wonder, if your problem was bigger would it require more faith than someone who has a smaller problem?

Today’s reading,  Matthew 20, The Parable of the master getting workers to work in the vineyard, they come to work at different hours in the day and still get the same wage. So if the master is the Lord (God), the Vineyard is Heaven, then the wage they get paid is grace.  God would give us all the same amount of love and grace; it wouldn’t be based on our own efforts, all that is required of us is to  believe.

So the Bible is so contradictory to how we would in our every day culture, think or reason. One would expect if you worked longer you would get paid more in your wage, than one who worked less than you.

So what if less is more?

-    You relied less on yourself and more on God.

-    You just need to believe, God will give you the Grace and Faith you need to move that mountain.

-    A little faith can move the biggest mountain.

Romans 10, ¹⁷ Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

So what are you hearing?

-        Your trials, not good enough, can’t do it, never, fail,.....

-        Gods words, love, future, sufficient, great, mighty, conquer?

So what are you hearing?

                                            So what are you hearing?

                                                                                         So what are you hearing?

                                                                                                                                      So what are you hearing?

So what are you hearing?????

*** I Will Give You Praise (Only You)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6c6xCiPaeE