These words are some of the most deep words I have read in the Bible, lately. Every sentence made me think about my relationship with God; how we relate to Him.
Romans 11
33]Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His adviser?”
35 “Or who has first given to God that God should be repay him?”
36 For of Him and through Him and to Him areall things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
In four books of Psalms there is a chain of blessings, check out what it says. I hope it blesses you in the way it blessed me:
Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!”
Psalm 28:6 &7 “Blessed be the Lord, Because He has heard the voice of my supplications! 7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.”
Psalm 29: 11 “The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.”
Psalm 30: 4-7 “Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. 5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comesin the morning.
6 Now in my prosperity I said, “I shall never be moved.” 7 Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; You hid Your face, and I was troubled.”
“Do you trust God? If you were asked this question, your immediate response would probably be, “Yes, I do trust God.” If you were also asked: Do you ever worry? Your answer would probably be, “Yes, I worry sometimes.” My friend, let me say that if you truly trust God, then you would never worry. If you choose to worry in any situation then know that you are not fully trusting in God.
Trust God or worry. Those are the two choices you have in every situation. Trust God and be at peace. Worry and experience stress. Your choices are that simple and you will make your life as peaceful or stressful as you choose to make it. Trust God and be at peace. This is all that is asked of you. Yet, over and over again, you choose worry over trust, and make your life a living hell.”
– James Blanchard Cisneros, You Have Chosen to Remember: A Journey From Perception to Knowledge, Peace of Mind and Joy, p. 128
“Therefore, let us trust in God and allow Him to work out things for good in our lives. Let us cast our anxieties on Him, and rest comforted in His love. By doing so, we will have our answers in due season, because God has promised that patience will indeed bring plentiful rewards to our lives.” -Unknown
Lately, I am not quite sure what has been wrong with me. Things are going well, don’t get me wrong, and God is always good. Sometimes though, we have a strange anguish that begins to drip into our souls until we realize later that is is completely at unrest and without peace.
I thank God that no matter what happens, I always pray to Him and ask Him for help. I ask Him for things I know I won’t receive because they are not for my own good, I ask Him for strength and peace, I ask Him for protection, and more than asking, I try to listen to Him speak to me when I pray. Prayer is not about asking, but instead about us changing.
Lately, not out of presumption but need, I have asked God for a message. Anything. I needed to know He was still listening to me. One morning I woke up and the minute I opened my eyes I opened my Bible and it opened to these words, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want,” Psalm 23. He reminded me I wouldn’t lack anything.
Then, at another occasion I needed reassurance and He sent me Romans 8:28
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
And so, I just wanted to share that when we feel so alone and weary, He continues at our side.
As one of my favorite Bollywood songs says, “So in the color of your dreams, Color your world too, I walk with you, What even if it’s evening When there is dark, you’ll find my door/path, On that door, it’ll be your morning, You are unaware that God surrounds you.” It is a song as if God is speaking to us His children.
He is always with us. If you feel alone or in need of a message, something to lift your spirits or tell you that He is there, tell Him to reveal Himself to you, and He will.
Ellen White, pg. 97-98 Steps to Christ says,
“Another element of prevailing prayer is faith. “He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6. Jesus said to His disciples, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24. Do we take Him at His word?
The assurance is broad and unlimited, and He is faithful who has promised. When we do not receive the very things we asked for, at the time we ask, we are still to believe that the Lord hears and that He will answer our prayers. We are so erring and short-sighted that we sometimes ask for things that would not be a blessing to us, and our heavenly Father in love answers our prayers by giving us that which will be for our highest good—that which we ourselves would desire if with vision divinely enlightened we could see all things as they really are. When our prayers seem not to be answered, we are to cling to the promise; for the time of answering will surely come, and we shall receive the blessing we need most. But to claim that prayer will always be answered in the very way and for the particular thing that we desire, is presumption. God is too wise to err, and too good to withhold any good thing from them that walk uprightly. Then do not fear to trust Him, even though you do not see the immediate answer to your prayers. Rely upon His sure promise, “Ask, and it shall be given you.”
If we take counsel with our doubts and fears, or try to solve everything that we cannot see clearly, before we have faith, perplexities will only increase [p. 97] and deepen. But if we come to God, feeling helpless and dependent, as we really are, and in humble, trusting faith make known our wants to Him whose knowledge is infinite, who sees everything in creation, and who governs everything by His will and word, He can and will attend to our cry, and will let light shine into our hearts. Through sincere prayer we are brought into connection with the mind of the Infinite. We may have no remarkable evidence at the time that the face of our Redeemer is bending over us in compassion and love, but this is even so. We may not feel His visible touch, but His hand is upon us in love and pitying tenderness.”-The Privilege of Prayer, Steps to Christ
I saw this at the I like, I wish, I heart blog, and I smiled. Don’t we all feel like this at some point or another? It is spring break for me, and I’ve been alternating between doing assignments and watching foreign films. I’ve discovered Bollywood films make me happy while French films leave this weird tarte aftertaste and leave you in a state of hopeless despair.
Bollywood films tend to be about innocent love, family and joy. French films are usually portraying love as obsession, something that can drive you mad. Plus, many of the actors don’t seem to like hairbrushes. Maybe it’s just me, being over the French thing (except you Roman Duris-you are still my favorite) since I’ve been around it for so long and embracing something novel.
I have watched some good films lately though, “Contagion” was interesting, “Heartbreaker” or L’Arnacoeur was excellent (as far as latest French films go) and The Adjustment Bureau was interesting (I loved the true portrayal of Love being able to conquer all), and “Free Zone” about women who develop an extraordinary friendship at the Free Zone between Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq and Syria.
Anyway, this isn’t film review.
I have been thinking about life. How complex it is, and how depending on where you are in the world, how much more complex it can become. I’ve been reading biographies about people who were child soldiers (Ishmael Beah) or Debbie Rodriguez who started a beauty salon in Kabul; all of these stories have fascinated me. They show hope, humanity and love at its best.
I am often tempted to think my life is maybe boring or lame, but then when I really think of every detail and how God helps me in everything, from finding subjects to interview or helping me find grace in people’s sight who end up helping me, or the amazing people he places around me who become my friends–I can only realize how extraordinary my life really is.
Perhaps, if we all looked at our lives with a magnifying glass we would see the same.
1 Peter 5:7 tells us: “Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.”
Luke 12:7: “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Sometimes in life it seems things get worse. It begins to pour rain, but it is then that we often fail to realize that maybe the person who comes and stands beside us with the umbrella changes everything in our lives, and they would have never gotten there if it wouldn’t have been for the rain.
In an instant a stranger can come and change everything in our world, and nothing is ever the same.
Just know, God is in control always. Follow the one who made the path, because like this it is impossible to get lost.
Yay, for Christine Lagarde, Angela Merkel and (most of all) Hillary Clinton! Click on the link below to watch. These women rule. Queen Rania of Jordan was missing. 😦
Yesterday I saw tents being set up. It was a windy day and because the tent had no stakes, it went rolling. Everyone chased it as it rolled across the north lawn. Later, some young women came up to me to do a photo survey about social justice and spirituality. The beautiful cards went flying more than once. It made me smile. So many things in life are like that. Winds blow and we run after whatever flies, hard. Somethings are meant to be let go of, others are so important we don’t let them get away.
I encourage you today, to look around you and express love toward someone. Love is not a tempest, but it comes in the small, simple things in life, said Aisha’s Maasi. Reflect it even in the small things that seem so insignificant. In a smile, or a conversation with someone that shows them you care.
Instead of focusing on life’s negatives, think of how blessed we are to have what we have. One of my professors is so sick she may not return to continue teaching us. It breaks my heart, because she is not only an excellent teacher, but she is so kind and bubbly. So many people who wish they had what we have.
Pinky: “This is Delhi, not paradise…All you can see is smog, and if you can see one star in the sky at night, then that is enough.”
Today I heard about Dean Du Plessis, and he is a man in Zimbabwe who is one of the best cricket commentators in the world. He is also blind. How is that possible?
It is stories like these that remind me that anything is possible. I think it is people like this that should encourage faith in us. God can take us wherever we are and make us extraordinary.
Lastly, I wanted to share these quotes.
All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired. Martin Luther
“There are thoughts which are prayers. There are moments when, whatever the posture of the body, the soul is on its knees.”Victor Hugo
Love, trust, obey, chase, desire, ask and receive. Have a blessed day!
I was driving this morning. It was raining. I saw this mom and her two little girls at the bus stop. The mom and youngest girl with thick round glasses were standing under the umbrella, while the other girl with the wild curly hair was standing out in the rain because she wanted to.
It made my smile to see them on that side of town. I know them because they used to take the bus with me on the other side of town. It is kind of funny the people we see over and over again, and it’s like we know them, but not really? They become a part of your life and they may not even know it.
The rain is lovely because it is warm. Everything is humid. It is horrible for crazy, wild hair like mine (and the little girl at the bus stop while I am at it), but it feels so amazing. It almost looks dark outside, the budding trees are outlined in a strange pale pink because of their small flowers.
Today, I was thinking about the world, politics and people. I was thinking about Jesus. Who was Jesus? Often times we who carry His name as Christians don’t reflect half of what He is and showed to be during His ministry on earth. I wanted to share these quotes. They are glimpses of God as Jesus the Son. God with us.
“From His earliest years He was possessed of one purpose; He lived to bless others, ” (Desire of Ages; Ellen G White, 70).
“He labored earnestly for humanity,” Ibid., (86)
“So utterly was Christ emptied of self that He made no plans for Himself,” Ibid., (208)
“Jesus did not count heaven a place to be desired while we were lost,” Ibid (417).
“In His contact with men He did not ask, What is your creed? To what church do you belong? He exercised His helping power in behalf of all who needed help,” Ibid., (86)
“While He does not palliate sin, nor lessen the sense of guilt, He seeks not to condemn, but to save,” Ibid., (462)
Luke 19:9 “And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Today, and everyday, we should keep in mind Christ’s great sacrifice. We should think of who He was and how we can reflect that same love toward others.
Love, compassion, tenderness, empathy, truth– all of these should rain from us over all who surround us.
Lastly, I wanted to post this song. It is a song spinning in my head. Natasha Bedingfield is a true poet.
Neon Lights
Everyday there’s a thousand things
That somehow pass us by,
Go cut through the noise So you can know what love sounds like
I’m comin’ to your frequency,
To 106 point me
So there’s no
Distractions
Take a breath
Take it in Love has no expiration date
My heart will always beat for you
At a constant rate It will outlast everything
You think is set is stone
It goes on and on and on and on,
On and on and on and on…
Spastic like
Neon Lights
Can you feel my love?
Loud and clear
Pulls you near
Can you feel my love
We got all the memories
So much more we can see
Better than our first kiss
Snow falling at Christmas
Like sleeping in on Sunday
Laughter we never faked
Bob Marley in Summer
One love for each other
Oh it feels like…
Fireflies
Day and night
Can you feel my love?
Everyone is looking for a special connection
But it’s like your compass points
A million directions
Do you need me to buy you
A telescope so you can see
How good
This could be
Spastic like
Neon Lights
Can you feel my love?
Loud and clear
Pulls you near
Can you feel me love?
Oh!
We got all the memories
So much more we can see
Better than our first kiss
Snow falling at Christmas
Like sleeping in on Sunday
Laughter we never faked
Bob Marley in Summer
One love for each other
Oh it feels like…
Fireflies
Day and night
Can you feel my love?
(Can you feel it?)
And I’ll wait for you
As long as it takes
Until I get through
And it hits you right in the face
Can you feel my lo-o-ove?
Can you feel my love?
We got all the memories
So much more we can see
Better than our first kiss
Snow falling at Christmas
Like sleeping in on Sunday
Laughter we never faked
Bob Marley in Summer
One love for each other
Oh it feels like…
(One love for each other…)
Spastic like
Neon Lights
Can you feel my love?
Fireflies
Day and night
Can you feel my love?
Have an amazing day, and if it rains- dance in it.
By: Gabriela Yareliz
GABRIELA YARELIZ 