You Belong to Me

“So I went on writing. The story was writing itself and I was having a hard time keeping up with it. […]I’ve seen you, beauty, and you belong to me now, whoever you are waiting for and if I never see you again, I thought. You belong to me and all of Paris belongs to me and I belong to this notebook and this pencil.” Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast pg.17-18 (Restored Edition by Scribner)

just-write-to-me.tumblr.com

By: Gabriela Yareliz

In life, there are certain moments where things are intensely–yours. You can be walking down the street, and a child gives you a smile–it’s yours; you may walk into a beautiful place, and you are the only one there–it’s yours; you may be sitting, not expecting a single thing and someone beside you shares your silence and ordinariness–that moment is yours, and that person is your partner in sharing it; you could be discovering a city in your own way–it’s yours; you could be writing, thinking or studying and be so immersed–you belong to it and it belongs to you. That moment. That person. Like a drop of water that slowly falls from its surface of origin.

When you call something yours, it’s a powerful expression. Usually, we think of this symbolic ownership in romantic love. People even change their last names. Then, we have the family context. A child belongs to his or her parents or guardian. A pet belongs to its loving owner. A piece of art belongs to who created it.

When someone or something belongs to you, you have a deep relationship with that person. It’s like this person is a part of you. When you belong to someone, you matter to that someone. This person loves you. It’s like you are a piece of him or her.

Belonging is something we all seek. We want to feel wanted; loved. The power of belonging and acceptance enthralls us. Often times, there is a distinguishing feature or mark that shows belonging or ownership; a name, a signature or an image etched on the surface.

Currency usually has a face or some distinguishing mark that shows where it belongs (or to what country).
Humanity was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).

In Mark 12, we find this exchange:
13 Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him [Jesus] in His words. 14 When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 15 Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?”

But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.” 16 So they brought it.

And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”

17 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”And they marveled at Him.

Jesus said, give to God what is God’s. Whose image or marks do we find on ourselves, if not God’s?
God said:
“But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.‘”
Isaiah 43:1

He has called us by name, and we are His.
Because we belong to God, He cares for us.

“26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his ispan of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.”
Matthew 6: 26-32

God has promised us that His eye is on the sparrow, so we should not be anxious for anything. Instead, with faith, we bring our petitions to Him, not because He doesn’t know what we need, but because He wants us to come and approach Him.

“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” Matthew 6:7-8

Keep asking, seeking, knocking.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:7-11

God wants you to know, He’s got plans for you:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;”
Philippians 4:6
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11

God says, “Try Me.”

“Bring all the tithes (10%) into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.”
Malachi 3:10;

And be assured:

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19

God does not want you to worry or be afraid. Instead trust in Him, bring your worries and problems to Him. Ask Him in faith, and know He is listening. The birds of the air are fed, and you are more than a bird.

God unfolds His will for your life day by day. Your story is being written, and your purpose is established and sure. It’s you and God, walking together through this journey called life. He has promised to never leave or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6). He sees you and calls your beautiful, chosen and precious.
Make a moment with God a daily experience.
He says to you, “You belong to me.”

For the Seeker

By: Gabriela Yareliz

The city was bustling with visitors from all over; it was Passover time. The priests had arrested Jesus, and wanted to “get rid of Him” in the most discrete manner, while the people were preoccupied with Passover.

Pontius Pilate was the Roman ruling in Judea, and his wife came to him disturbed one morning. She had a dream that an innocent man would die. “While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: ‘Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.'” Matthew 27:19

“A message from God warned him from the deed he was about to commit. In answer to Christ’s prayer, the wife of Pilate had been visited by an angel from heaven, and in a dream she had beheld the Saviour and conversed with Him. Pilate’s wife was not a Jew, but as she looked upon Jesus in her dream, she had no doubt of His character or mission. She knew Him to be the Prince of God.

She saw Him on trial in the judgment hall. She saw the hands tightly bound as the hands of a criminal. She saw Herod and his soldiers doing their dreadful work. She heard the priests and rulers, filled with envy and malice, madly accusing. She heard the words, ‘We have a law, and by our law He ought to die.’ She saw Pilate give Jesus to the scourging, after he had declared, ‘I find no fault in Him.’ She heard the condemnation pronounced by Pilate, and saw him give Christ up to His murderers.

She saw the cross uplifted on Calvary. She saw the earth wrapped in darkness, and heard the mysterious cry, ‘It is finished.’ Still another scene met her gaze. She saw Christ seated upon the great white cloud, while the earth reeled in space, and His murderers fled from the presence of His glory. With a cry of horror she awoke, and at once wrote to Pilate words of warning.

While Pilate was hesitating as to what he should do, a messenger pressed through the crowd, and handed him the letter from his wife, which read:

‘Have thou nothing to do with that just Man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him.’
(Page 733) Pilate’s face grew pale. He was confused by his own conflicting emotions[…]

Pilate was troubled. He had not thought it would come to that. He shrank from delivering an innocent man to the most ignominious and cruel death that could be inflicted. After the roar of voices had ceased, he turned to the people, saying, ‘Why, what evil hath He done?’ But the case had gone too far for argument. It was not evidence of Christ’s innocence that they wanted, but His condemnation.” The Desire of Ages, by Ellen G. White, pg. 732-734

When Pilate comes face to face with Jesus, he takes him apart to where they are alone and asks him some questions.

“Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’

Jesus answered him, ‘Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?’

Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?’

Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’

Pilate therefore said to Him, ‘Are You a king then?’

Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’

Pilate said to Him, ‘What is truth?’ And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, ‘I find no fault in Him at all.'” John 18: 33-38

“Pilate was astonished at His [Jesus’] bearing. […] Hoping to gain the truth from Him and to escape the tumult of the crowd, Pilate took Jesus aside with him, and again questioned, ‘Art Thou the King of the Jews?’

Jesus did not directly answer this question. He knew that the Holy Spirit (Page 727) was striving with Pilate, and He gave him opportunity to acknowledge his conviction. ‘Sayest thou this thing of thyself,’ He asked, ‘or did others tell it thee of Me?’ That is, was it the accusations of the priests, or a desire to receive light from Christ, that prompted Pilate’s question? Pilate understood Christ’s meaning; but pride arose in his heart. He would not acknowledge the conviction that pressed upon him. ‘Am I a Jew?’ he said. ‘Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered Thee unto me: what hast Thou done?’

Pilate’s golden opportunity had passed. Yet Jesus did not leave him without further light. While He did not directly answer Pilate’s question, He plainly stated His own mission. He gave Pilate to understand that He was not seeking an earthly throne.

Christ affirmed that His word was in itself a key which would unlock the mystery to those who were prepared to receive it. It had a self-commending power, and this was the secret of the spread of His kingdom of truth. He desired Pilate to understand that only by receiving and appropriating truth could his ruined nature be reconstructed.

Pilate had a desire to know the truth. His mind was confused. He eagerly grasped the words of the Saviour, and his heart was stirred with a great longing to know what it really was, and how he could obtain it. “What is truth?” he inquired. But he did not wait for an answer. The tumult outside recalled him to the interests of the hour; for the priests were clamorous for immediate action. Going out to the Jews, he declared emphatically, ‘I find in Him no fault at all.’
[…]

Pilate at this time had no thought of condemning Jesus[…]Justice demanded that Christ should be immediately released. But Pilate dreaded the ill will of the people.” The Desire of Ages, by Ellen G. White, pg. 726-728

It always gets to me how Pilate asks Jesus the most important question “What is truth?” (John 18:38) Yet, Pilate immediately leaves after asking and does not wait for the answer. Ultimately, Pilate delivers Jesus to be crucified. He “washes his hands” of the matter (as if that really exculpated him); yet it was by his authority that all of the events unfolded from there on out.

God stops at nothing when it comes to the salvation of all of humanity. Each person seals his or her destiny with a choice that they make either accepting or rejecting God; but God is just, and He reveals Himself to each member of the human family. Each person’s heart is spoken to by the Holy Spirit, and each makes an informed decision.

In the world, there are some of us to whom God reveals Himself in small or abstract things. Maybe a dream, music, nature–but we know it’s Him. Like Pilate’s wife, we may not know the fullness of the matter, but we recognize Him for who He is, and accept His message to us and His presence with us. She said she had “suffered” in her dream.

When God reveals himself to us, it may not be roses and rainbows. It may be a sharp wake-up call for us, but we can either take it or ignore it. When we accept it, we not only accept His presence, but we tell others, as she warned her husband. Even though she told her husband, her husband chose not to listen. Accepting conviction and salvation is an individual matter. Pilate’s wife had a conviction of who Jesus was, her husband chose to ignore the wrestling of his soul, and he took the easy way out.

There are some of us that come face to face with God, as Paul did on his way to Damascus (Acts 9) and as Pilate did in this passage. There are bold turning points in our lives where we are face to face with God Himself. Even when we come face to face with God, we have a choice. He says to us, “Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.” Pilate was curious, but he didn’t wait for the answer to his question and decided to walk away and succumb to pressure from leaders and those surrounding him. He thought of his position as a Roman and not his soul.

“Here Pilate showed his weakness. He had declared that Jesus was (Page 732) innocent, yet he was willing for Him to be scourged to pacify His accusers. He would sacrifice justice and principle in order to compromise with the mob. This placed him at a disadvantage. The crowd presumed upon his indecision, and clamored the more for the life of the prisoner. If at the first Pilate had stood firm, refusing to condemn a man whom he found guiltless, he would have broken the fatal chain that was to bind him in remorse and guilt as long as he lived. Had he carried out his convictions of right, the Jews would not have presumed to dictate to him. Christ would have been put to death, but the guilt would not have rested upon Pilate. But Pilate had taken step after step in the violation of his conscience. He had excused himself from judging with justice and equity, and he now found himself almost helpless in the hands of the priests and rulers. His wavering and indecision proved his ruin.” Id. pg. 731-732

As we ask God to guide us, it is so important for us to ask God to help us see Him more clearly in our lives. We must ask God to help us not ignore our convictions and to not live in violation of our conscience. We must be still, and recognize God for who He is. We must plead for the Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts every day, and to guide us in the way we should go. We must make a choice, daily, of what we will do with God when He reveals Himself to us through the small or when we encounter Him in a bolder “face to face” moment.

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” John 16:13

God, in the form of the Holy Spirit, seals us, guides us to all truth, and tells us of things to come. Be aware of how God reveals Himself to you on a daily basis. Ask for the Holy Spirit. Choose how you will respond to God’s presence; you can act like Pilate’s wife or Pilate. Live conscious of the fact that you are in God’s presence, and ask with faith.

“If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”Luke 11: 9-10, 11-13

For more information on the Ten Days of Prayer, visit:

http://www.tendaysofprayer.org

or

Home

Day 10: Pleading for the Spirit

Source

http://www.soundtrackcollector.com

By: Gabriela Yareliz

One of my favorite writers, Marcel Pagnol, wrote Manon des Sources. It’s part II to Jean de Florette. It’s a story about a “source” (spring) that is blocked off, which starts all kind of trouble in a small French village for a family, and it costs the family’s father his life. The daughter of the deceased finds the source and blocks it from the village and those who stole the water. Everything, even the villagers’ very lives, depends and revolves around the source.

The source/spring is a symbol of life and power; and the word “spring” means new life and awakening.

God is a source and spring of unlimited power. A power that gives new life and awakens our souls.God has power:

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Matthew 6:13 (Luke 11:4)

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, Jude 1:24

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Luke 11:9-10

In Manon des Sources, not finding the spring caused death, anguish, mystery and pain. Don’t block the source of power from your life; don’t ignore it. Find it and let it bring life, power and joy.

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 1 Chronicles 29:11-12

For the LORD of the Heavenly Armies has planned, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? Isaiah 14:27

Have faith, and pray for Him, who has unlimited power, to act on your behalf.

For more information on the Ten Days of Prayer, visit:

http://www.tendaysofprayer.org

or

Home

Day 9: Unlimited Power

Restored in Victory

Image from: http://laymanator.com

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Have you ever been in a situation where you feel like you are doing everything in your power to accomplish something, and it’s still not enough? I think we all have. Whether it’s a school project, trying to break a bad habit or simply making changes in our lives.

Apparently, some water fuse blew up today and caused flooding in some buildings along a popular avenue in NYC. Imagine the desperation and puzzled faces of those who work in the buildings when they see all of the random water spewing out. They can do all they want with a mop and try to stop the water, but until a professional with the right equipment comes in, repairs and stops it, there is only so much they can do (even if they have all of the willpower in the world).

Yesterday, the topic was about cleansing, and how we need to approach God with clean hands and a pure mind. I wrote about how the process of purification is not always fun or pain-free. I think it’s worth mentioning that when you clean yourself or anything else, you are aided by soap or something that cleanses, it’s not something you can do alone.

Having victory in life over small or big things starts by recognizing that we are finite beings. There is only so much we can do alone. Humans are known to be social creatures that need one another. Similarly, when we want victory, we need help.

Inside of us we have a power, the power to choose. We must combine our choice, will and disposition, the most powerful things we have, with the help God offers us to be overcomers.

Luke 11:4 says, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” This does not mean God tempts us. God tempts no man (James 1:13), but He can often allow trials to come to our lives that He uses to strengthen our faith. Sometimes trials come as consequences to our choices and mistakes. Also, our choices in entertainment, lifestyle, recreation, etc., often bring us face to face with evil and temptation. When we pray, “Lead us not into temptation”, it can be a form of us asking God to help guide us in the way we should go, so we will not needlessly place ourselves on evil ground. Instead, we ask Him to “deliver us from evil.”

If you feel hopeless or frustrated, pray for God to help you, to strengthen you and to deliver you. Find friends who can inspire and uplift you.

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57

A big part of having victory through Jesus Christ is having faith; faith that He is able to keep you from falling (Jude 1:24).

God’s law is like a mirror that shows us where we are not right and filthy; then, Christ is like the soap, His sacrifice cleanses us from all of our wickedness.

“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Isaiah 1:18

He does not condemn us:
1 Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.

4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”

6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.

9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

11 “No, Lord,” she said.

And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8:1-11

God has promised us not only forgiveness but power to overcome. He wants us to have enough faith to ask for that which we need from Him: “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Luke 11:9-10

When Jesus forgave the woman who came to Him and anointed Him at a dinner party (many scholars say it was the same woman caught in adultery in John 8:1-11), others were standing by judging her as she sought for healing and adored Him who had showed so much compassion to her.

Jesus said to her, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:50

Today, as you pray, rest in the hands that want to give you victory in ALL things. Stay at the feet of Him who does not condemn you, but instead wants you to live empowered. Above all, pray in faith, so that when you pray, God may say to you, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

For more information on the Ten Days of Prayer, visit:

http://www.tendaysofprayer.org

or

http://www.adventist.org

Day 8: Victory in Jesus

Squeaky Clean

Image from: http://www.couponing101.com

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Cleaning up is not always fun. It can be relaxing (bubble bath) or hurt it can hurt (paper cut and hand sanitizer–anyone?). Those of us blessed with showers have it a lot easier, but cleaning can be complicated and require heavy buckets, a well or an unpleasant cold experience.

Whatever the case may be, cleaning up is necessary if we want to be a part of society as it is today. When we go to a gala or some big event (Milan Fashion Week, happening right now), you don’t show up without showering and cleaning up. Before attending these events, we spend time (sometimes too much time) getting ready. We all love it when we “clean up nicely” (like a boss).

When we approach God, this is a bigger deal than Milan Fashion Week.
When we approach God, we repent for that which we have done that violates His holy and eternal law (Luke 11:4). We not only say we are sorry, but we turn from our bad ways and ask for deliverance from evil. We realize that our sin hurts God.

Do you know that feeling when you know someone is about to make a huge mistake, but it doesn’t matter that you see it or that someone else sees it, what matters is if the person about to make the decision sees it. It’s agonizing to watch someone make the wrong move. Imagine how God feels when He watches us, in our free will, choose crazy paths that only end up hurting us.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5: 8

“Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place? He that has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul unto vanity nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Psalm 24:4

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8

As we draw near to God, He will come closer to us. He instructs us to cleanse our hands (our actions) and to purify our hearts (minds and thoughts). As we pray for God’s blessings and Holy Spirit, let us take time to make sure we are right with God and His precepts (Exodus 20).

The cleansing may be a good experience (who doesn’t like to be clean?), but often times when we purify something, it is painful (see gold being purified and refined by fire). Allow God to purify your life. It’s time to get serious, to reform our ways, because it’s only when the gold is purified that it can reflect the image of He who holds it.

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” 1 Thess. 5: 23-24

For more information on the Ten Days of Prayer, visit:
http://www.tendaysofprayer.org

or

Home

Day 7: Clean Hands, Pure Heart

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month

freethemblog.wordpress.com

By: Gabriela Yareliz

This is something I am very passionate about, and I want to share that January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Please check out the links below, which have fact sheets. More importantly, read some survivor stories.

Let us raise awareness and join together in prayer for those who are victims of modern slavery.

http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/category/the-facts/

For more information:

The National Institute of Justice

CNN Freedom Project

Free the Slaves

International Justice Mission


Made by Survivors

Free Them

International Justice Mission Video Still
Stop Human Sex-Trafficking IJM ad
http://myhumble-abode.com%5B/caption%5D

[caption width="480" align="alignnone"] International Justice Mission

Becoming a Blessing

By: Gabriela Yareliz

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?…” Matthew 6: 25-27

Even the birds are provided for; won’t God provide for you?

When I was a child, my favorite part of church was Sabbath School, and more specifically, the mission story time. That was the time when we would read a true experience/story from a missionary or from people located in the featured mission field abroad.

I will never forget the story of a little boy and mother in an Asian country who decided to walk to church one morning knowing that when they returned home, after walking miles, they would have nothing to eat. That day, when they were walking home on a path through a wet and humid jungle type terrain, there was a small bag at the end of the path near their home. In that bag was fish.

Okay, so it’s not a box of chocolates, but life isn’t about getting what we want, it’s about our needs being provided, sometimes even by miracles. I can say that in my own life, I have lacked nothing. My mother taught me that no matter what happens or how tough times become, God will provide. He will provide in the future because He has provided in the past. Even when we seemingly “earn” what is ours, it is God who provides us with the ability, the possibility of employment and grace in the eyes of those who employ us.

“Give us each day our daily bread.” (Luke 11:3)

My focus today, on the sixth day of prayer, is blessing. God provides for us and gives us blessings. God doesn’t bless us just for the sake of blessing, instead, blessings change us. Blessings make us realize God is Creator, Provider, we realize our helplessness and how dependent we are on God, we shed selfishness, and we decide to share.

God told Abraham:
“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.”
Genesis 12:2

God said He would bless Abraham, but the promise doesn’t end there; Abraham would be a blessing. God wants us to take our blessings and become a blessing.

We must give expecting nothing in return. Giving is better than receiving, and often times, giving means receiving something even if it’s not material. We are blessed when we give.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Luke 6:38

Today, as you pray for God to intervene and bless your life, pray that He will bless you and help you see how you can continue the chain of blessing. God will reveal to you how you can be a blessing.

Many church members, who come to Manhattan, live in New Jersey and in outside areas. I have heard stories of when someone has gone to a toll, and it was paid by the person in the front because the person in the front had his or her toll paid for. It’s a blessing chain.

Everything counts, and there is no telling how far a small gesture will go.

Be blessed, and more importantly, bless.

For more information on the Ten Days of Prayer, visit:

http://www.TenDaysofPrayer.org

or

Home

Day 6: Filled to Overflowing

Walking in step

By: Gabriela Yareliz

We often think about genuineness. We think about and try to define true success, true beauty, true fashion, true love, true art, true fame, true athleticism, and even how true the weather prediction will be for the next day.

Sometimes, I think we worry about the genuineness of things and concepts that are really not life or death or eternally important. But perhaps, I am wrong. I suppose many of us ask ourselves deep philosophical questions about life, and true purpose and belief.

In the book Destiny, by Dr. Tony Evans, he writes about Ecclesiastes 3:11, which says, “He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart.”

Dr. Evans wrote: “All of us have eternity in our hearts. We know there must be more than just what we are experiencing right now. Even people without God spend a lifetime trying to answer eternal, philosophical questions. Who am I? Where am I going? Where did I come from? They ask these questions because God has placed eternity in their hearts.” Destiny, by Tony Evans, pg. 81 (Harvest House).

“If you seek your purpose from the perspective of time rather than the perspective of eternity, life will be flat. It will lack meaning because God has set eternity in your heart. You were made for eternity. If what you are doing is focused solely on temporal results and not also on eternal results, you will be dissatisfied simply because your soul is not temporal.” Destiny, by Tony Evans, Id. (Harvest House).

Jimcook317.tumblr.com

True spirituality and true religion is about being conscious of the fact that we have eternity set in our hearts, and it’s about being instep with that which we believe. After all, someone once said, “The best sermons are lived not preached.” My favorite Gandhi quote says “My life is my message.”

Our belief must transform us from the inside out–if not, there is no point of prescribing to something that is powerless. So, as I thought about real religion, it’s really all about being “in step with Jesus”… It’s about not taking lightly: lifestyle, health, language and the other elements of life. As we fulfill God’s purpose for our lives, we come into contact with other souls, and they come into contact with our soul.

Life is like some giant silk road where we all give pieces of ourselves to each other.

Something I like that Dr. Evans also wrote is, “Whatever God has called you to do will have eternal repercussions.” Destiny, by Tony Evans, pg. 66 (Harvest House).

This is why it is so important to stay in step. It’s one thing to walk with someone, but if you lag behind, those around you may no longer know you are with the other person. Being in step shows unity, it shows you want to be together.

Do you ever remember as a child when you got angry at your siblings or maybe your parents? You’d strut behind everyone maybe subtly mad or more dramatically pouting, with your arms crossed because you were fed up with the person or people in front.

We often behave like that with God, even when we don’t realize it, at times.
We may take out some frustration or self-centeredness out on God. Our attitude with God reflects in the way we either keep Him at a distance or keep Him close. When we keep Him close, He guides us.

“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” (Matthew 6:10). A way of being in step with God is allowing and praying for His will and guidance in our lives. The fact that our lives have eternal repercussions is no light matter. Let us ask God in which way we should go and keep close to Him, and He will direct our paths.

Luke 11 gives us ideas as to how we can relate to God. It begins with praise and the recognition of God’s power, sovereignty, and His place as our Heavenly Father, and then it goes into verses 3-4.

“Give us day by day our daily bread. (3)
And forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.(4)”

These texts reflect that God is a provider (3), and that He is merciful and forgives our sins and delivers us from evil (4).

As we continue in these Ten Days in Prayer, think about how you can be more “in step” spiritually speaking.
This is in no way an exhaustive list, but it made me begin thinking:

1. You can only be in step with God if you are willing to follow His will. It’s time to actually read and find counsel in the Holy Scriptures. Don’t put a question mark where God put a period, people say. God has established many things and counsel in the Bible, and for everything else there is a combination of prayerful Biblical interpretation, prayer and Godly counsel.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.” (Psalm 1:1-6)

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” 2 Timothy 3:16

2. Just as God is our provider (Luke 11:3), take time to give from what the Lord has blessed you with; share your blessings with someone who needs a helping hand or compassion.

3. Forgive those who wrong you, and measure others by the same standard you would like to be measured by. (Luke 11:4)

“For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Matthew 7:2

4. Love those around you. During His ministry on earth, Jesus had love and compassion for every soul, and He was a friend of every soul who accepted His friendship.

5. Pray. Pray for God’s will to be fulfilled in your life as each day unfolds.Pray for God to direct your steps.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3: 5-6

Let us pray:
“Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” (Psalm 143:10).

As you continue to walk in your spiritual journey, and as you make decisions and pray, remember:


God saw something special in you; in your character, in your personality, that He has chosen you to mirror His image to the world. Pastor Jeffery Rosario–Paraphrase (Sermon from GYC 2014).

For more information on the Ten Days of Prayer, visit:

http://www.TenDaysofPrayer.org

or

Home

Day 5: Walking In Step with Jesus

First Place

By: Gabriela Yareliz

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” Matthew 13:44

The passage above speaks of a man who finds treasure on a property that is not his. Essentially, he is trespassing. When he finds the treasure, he doesn’t remove it from the property but instead works hard and buys the property. This parable illustrates the “if-you-want-it-how-bad-do-you-want-it” concept.

God’s kingdom is ours through the sacrifice of Jesus, however our obedience and desire to obtain and promote it play a role in our lives, and our dedication to working for the Kingdom shows what is important to us and our purpose.

Our priorities are illustrated by what we spend time and money on. Our priorities reflect our perception of our purpose in life.

“Your purpose isn’t just about you. It’s about God and His kingdom agenda (pg. 28)…The foundational principle for your destiny is this: God created you to put Him and His kingdom first (pg.34)…If He is truly before all things, He will hold all things together (pg.35)…When you are clear about your purpose, you will not allow circumstances to dictate your decisions (pg.47).” Tony Evans, Destiny: Let God use you like He made you.

Priorities take sacrifice.
Runway models restrict eating. Runners and boxers train. Fashion icons wear only what would look good through the lense of their personal photographers. Makeup artists spend incredible amounts of money on new product hauls and hours testing gifted products. Lawyers spend hours in the office, and they have Snuggies under their desks. Law students don’t sleep for three years. Advertisers never leave the office because competition is fierce. Missionaries sleep in humid jungles with no bodyguards.You get the idea; we sacrifice for what we care about.

Paul wrote in his last letter to Timothy:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished my race, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

At the end of his life, Paul knew he had fulfilled the purpose God had for him. He had finished his “race.” Paul went through a lot of hardship as he fulfilled his purpose, but God guided and protected his steps.

The key to success in fulfilling your purpose and God’s will in your life is:

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

When we seek God and His kingdom first, everything else comes and falls into place. God gets first place.

“And he said into them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” Luke 11:2

When we pray “Thy kingdom come.” We play a role in God’s kingdom. We have a purpose to fulfill, and no one can do what God has purposed for your life in the way that you can.

God has an eternal reward for those who “love Him and are called according to His purpose.”

You have found treasure in a field. Will you give up all you have to put it in first place. How bad do you want the treasure? In life, it’s often not about whether you want something. That is not enough. It’s about how much you are willing to put from your part to promote that which you want and have.

In this new year, how can we reform and give God the place He deserves in our lives, desires and time?

A Christian’s life should be about service and expanding God’s kingdom, no matter what the field or career. It’s about reflecting the image of God to the world.

For more information on the Ten Days of Prayer, visit:

http://www.tendaysofprayer.org

Or

http://www.Adventist.org

Day 4: Kingdom Work First