Him first

"Like a husband's first love for his young bride, that's how God feels about you. Like a loving parent desires his children to trust his guidance, God longs to lead you into life. But when we put things that are worth less first in our lives, before God, we end up feeling worthless ourselves. We can never feel secure enough, we can never get enough, because we've abandoned the fountain of living water to dig wells for ourselves that are full of cracks and can never satisfy our deepest thirst."

From Soul Revolution: How Imperfect People Become All God Intended

Grace

"God's grace is not a static attribute whereby He passively accepts hardened, unrepentant sinners. Grace does not change a person's standing before God yet leave his character untouched. True grace, according to Scripture, teaches us "to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age" (Titus 2:12 ). Grace is the power of God to fulfill our new covenant duties (1 Corinthians 7:19), however inconsistently we obey at times. Clearly, grace does not grant permission to live in the flesh; it supplies power to live in the Spirit"

Taken from: The Gospel According to Jesus
What Is Authentic Faith?
Revised and Expanded Anniversary Edition
By: John F. MacArthur

Not by our own might

If men can do God's work in their own strength, then it is not God's work at all. The Lord Jesus calls people who realize they cannot function at all apart from His grace and empowerment. Such an attitude results in complete dependence on God, and this is good in His sight. If we can accomplish tasks without God, then He will not get the glory. People will look at what we have done and give us the credit. But if we do something that is completely impossible apart from God's supernatural intervention, people have no choice but to give glory to God.

Taken from Living Water by Brother Yun

You are where you are for a reason

Taken from : When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box By: John Ortberg

"Esther did not set out to be queen, but once she was on the throne, she had to decide between a shadow mission of safety, wealth, and power and her God-given mission of saving her people (see Esther 4:6-16).

What is your position? Maybe it involves your job, your marriage, your tasks as a parent, or your friendships. Maybe your position includes going to school. Maybe it involves the neighborhood where you live, or volunteering, or your church. One thing is for sure: This is your time. Not some other situation. Not tomorrow or yesterday. We are often tempted to think that we are treading water right now, waiting for some other time, some more important position. You don't get to choose your time; your time chooses you. You are where and who you are for a reason."

This is also another interesting one, shall comment on it later aswell =)

Transforming Prayer....Watch the world change

Transforming Prayer

It’s been so long since I have written on my blog, and I miss it so much. But I have been so lazy,and things just got in the way of me writing… but guess what readers, I am back !!! =)

So to get back into the swing of things, I thought I would write about my experiences at Basileia. For those of you who don’t know, Basileia is a week-long conference/retreat that is hosted by Intervarsity Christian fellowship. There are a few tracks or programs offered [small group, servant leader, transforming prayer, engaging God’s world], I was part of Transforming prayer.

Transforming prayer….What was it like? Who was there? Why did I choose that track? What did God show me???

So during the registration process, I was really questioning what track to do. I had heard stories from people who had done the transforming prayer track in the past, and how they loved it, yet I wasn’t sure. So as I was struggling with this really little, yet important question, I went for a walk with my friend around 2 in the morning. As we were walking through campus God really made me realize I needed my prayer life to take a jump. And by the end of the walk, I knew in my heart transforming prayer was the track that would impact me the most.

So I was going into this week long retreat with my own agenda. I was going in expecting God to speak to me about my future. I wanted to know if med school was in God’s plans for me. I really believed in my heart that during that week God would come to me in a flash of light and be like “RENY MEDSCHOOL GO!” Yea I am silly I know, but you know if God wanted to, He could have done so.

With this giant burden in my heart I went on this 5 hour car ride to beautiful Lake Saranac. This was my second summer at Basileia, and I am telling you looking at the water and the stars and the mountains always leaves me speechless. Looking at that masterpiece always reminds me of the wonderful artist who drew it all into creation.

The first night there I just walked to the water stood there and just praised God for his beauty and I looked up and was just dumbstruck. I just forgot everything, and was just in awe of Him.

So now to the actual track, it started really slow and I was a little disappointed. But I am glad to say that changed quickly. The track really taught me many things and I was sure blessed by it. The thing I enjoyed most was my small group =) YEA!! There were about 60 people in the transforming prayer track which was divided into small groups of like 9 or 10 people, and I must say my small group was the best =)

David, Liji, Joan, Luka, Jen, Keesh, Boris and Dr. Ako, some of the coolest people I have ever met. Each person was unique and came from different situations in life, but one thing united all of us, and that was Christ. I really enjoyed the time I got to spend with each of them, learning about them, trying to relate and see how God has worked in our lives. I really saw the passion these people had for God, and I saw people change from day one to the last day. I feel like each of us were changed in some way and were not the same from start to finish. I saw people who were shy come out of their shells, I saw people gain confidence, saw people move closer to God. IT WAS GREAT. I knew that these were the people I one day will be spending eternity with, and I thank God I was able to meet them and fellowship with them.

So what did God show me? Did I see that giant flash of light? Did I hear God?

Yes and……….. no.

I went in wanting to hear God, and I did…. just not the way I thought I would. The biggest thing that I learned and God revealed to me was being silent and still. God really taught me to be patient and just sit and listen for Him. I was so used to just jumping into prayer, but during that week, God really taught me to be still and just listen. “Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10. And for sure that week God really did speak to me as I just sat and waited in His presence.

Now to answer the question about my future…….

“Look around you, see these mountains…see the stars….Hear the waves in the water….see the trees sway in the wind….breathe the air…I made it all…..I brought you this far, I carried you, I hold every tear you cried in my hands…I am your God….Trust me and walk…I WILL LEAD YOU”

Another thing that I learned was the concept of Intersession. I must say just like most of us, I am really selfish when I pray, its always” Lord give me this or I need that”…..But God really showed me that It’s not about me, it’s about Others…it’s about Gods glory.

The quote that popped into my head was...

“Ay I ain't living for myself, no it ain't about me. Everything the Lord do, He can do without me”

It’s so true.We as Christians are called to think more about others, and put ourselves to the back. So then should it not be the same when we pray? Shouldn’t we pray for those who don’t have a voice, for those struggling ----- Humility is not us thinking less of ourselves, but thinking about ourselves less. God really gave me the chance to pray for others at Basileia, in fact most of the track was focused on praying for others and the world. I really was blessed.

And now here am I sitting in my school lounge listing to music and just chilling…about 3 weeks after Basileia.....

My prayer life has been very interesting…I find myself out of nowhere praying for people and things around me…In fact when me and my friends were driving back from Basileia, there was this discomfort in my heart, and I tried praying and I kept seeing an image of a car and water. I had no idea what was going on, all I knew was, “Get out and pray” and we stopped the car, while it was pitch black, around 11 at night……on the side of the road. Then we held hands in a circle and prayed. I still have no idea who we prayed for, I just know God made us get out and pray lol…weird yet really cool.

Then like I find my self just being urged to pray for people…..I don’t know exactly why, but I feel God saying pray for this person now…Like I was sitting on the LIRR and …out of nowhere I just had the urge to pray, for the people sitting next to me. And I started to pray for them. Then the other day I was driving and I saw an ambulance rushing to the hospital, and God put it in my heart to start to pray for whomever was inside…Things I’ve never really done before…God has put a burden in my heart to do…Which is amazing and I just praise Him.

"The power is unlimited, and the source is a continuous stream. Avail yourself to drink to your satisfaction." -Dr Ako

Prayer is powerful, it moves mountains… My life is not my own, I live for He who died for me….praying for someone is the least I can do…….

Prayer is power and through prayer we can transform our hearts, our campuses and our world.

With Love All-4-His-Glory

-Reny

Love....

Hey guys, so here we go, My friend sent me this, I am not sure where she got this from... read it first then I will explain..


"Everyone longs to give himself or herself completely to someone, to have a deep and committed soul relationship with another, to be loved thoroughly and unconditionally.
But God says: No, not until you are satisfied, fulfilled and content with being loved by Me alone, with giving yourself totally, unreservedly to Me alone.
I love you, My child, and until you discover that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found, you will not be capable of the perfect human relationship that I have planned for you. You will never be united with another until you are united with Me; exclusively of anyone or anything else; exclusively of any other desires and belongings.
I want you to stop planning, stop wishing, and allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan existing -- one that you can't imagine. I want you to have the very best. Please allow Me to bring it to you.
Just keep your eyes on Me, expecting the greatest things.
Keep experiencing that satisfaction knowing that I AM.
Keep learning and listening to the things I tell you.
You must be patient.
Don't be anxious.
Don't worry.
Don't look around at the things others have.
Don't look at the things you think you want.
Just keep looking up to Me, or you will miss what I want to give you.
And then, when you are ready, I will surprise you with a love far more wonderful than you could ever dream. You see, until you are ready, and until the one I have for you is ready (I am working even this minute to have both of you ready at the same time), until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me and the life I have prepared for you, you won't be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with Me .. and this is perfect love."

When I read this, all I could think of was WoW.

I have been going through allot lately dealing with the whole being with someone and dating issue and such. I just sort of got out a "relationship" ( if you want to call it that) where I really started caring about someone, and it just sorta fell apart at the end.

"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go,things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right,you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust noone but yourself,and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."

To think I actually was looking forward to Valentines day this year, and all of that, but I know everything happens for a reason.... God's got plans.... But, yes, I read that up there, and all I could do was just think how amazing our God is, and in all things, HE WANTS US TO FALL COMPLETELY IN LOVE WITH HIM, before we take on any task. If we are not totally satisfied with our father in heaven, then how can we expect to work for him fully, as he wants us to, and to find joy in the people he has placed in our lives.

As a Christan's we know we have this amazing father, yet at times we go to other things trying to find satisfaction. I know it sounds crazy but we do it all the time. Just think about how many things in your life you allow to get in the way of God, it can be a relationship, a hobby, a job, school work, or what ever it is. Find true satisfaction in God, and trust him, and in His perfect time, all things will work out.

So this Valentines day lets just completely be in love with the God that loves you and cares for you so much.

With Love -Reny

True Courage

Hey guys, if you scroll down, you will see a post I wrote about confidence, and it was taken from the book Character Makeover, well heres another little excerpt from the same book about courage. I bolded the parts which really hit me. Let me know what you think.

"Courage is an outward display of the inward character quality of confidence. Courage is the strength to take risks, face danger, endure difficulty, or withstand fear. Notice, I didn't say courage is an absence of fear. Rather, it withstands fear—you have to experience fear in order to be courageous!

Courage seems to follow when you take God at his word, believe he'll do what he says, remember his protection in the past, and place yourself in his care. The more faith you have in God's power, the more courageous you'll be."

-This is taken from Character Makeover by Katie Brazelton, Shelley Leith

With Love -Reny

Random thoughts about Christian Dating

So I have been dealing with and talking to people about the whole Christian dating/relationship concept. I went to a few people, and got to hear their say on it. And here are some points you might want to think about before entering a relationship. (Special thanks to Ashley, John and Reeja for contributing their ideas. )

-The more people you date and attach yourself with before finding the one God has destined for you (not just physically but emotionally also), the less you will have to give to the person you end up with in the future.

-When entering any relationship both sides must be able to contribute to the relationship the time and attention it deserves. Relationships are draining, and require allot of energy. If you can’t afford to give the time and energy it is probability best to just wait.

-Before entering into any relationship plan out what your priorities and goals are at the present moment. Maybe you are a student, maybe you are working. And assuming you are a Christian, your number one priority is God. What ever the situation make sure that this relationship will benefit you when it comes to your priorities and goals. If you know a relationship will hold you back or move you away from your goals or priorities, it is probably best not to enter into it.

-Christians really shouldn’t date for the sake of dating, or just for the fun of it. True Christian dating should always be approached by looking at in the sense of what this relationship could lead to in the future. What I mean is, if you can’t see yourself marrying the person one day, why are you dating them?

-And since you do look at things in the long term, might want to evaluate your own age and how close you are to even thinking about marriage. If you’re in your late teens, you still have a few years before you even think about marriage. So getting into a relationship at that age would mean you are saying you want a long term thing. For example, you start to date at 19 and you would like to get married around lets say 25. That would mean you are looking at possibly a 5 year relationship with this person. Long term dating can really be dangerous. A few things happen in long term relationships. 1 if the relationship breaks off, both sides usually end up hurt more since long term dating usually leads to some emotional attachment. 2 the longer a relationship the more willing you are to compromise your own needs or wants in order to keep the relationship going. You will be less willing to break off the relationship even if you find out this person is not the one for you mainly because the relationship has been going on for so long. So if you do chose to date at a young age, do it with caution and always guard your heart.

So here you go, you might not agree with all of this, and I know there are allot of other things to consider, but these are just a few. Just always remember to GUARD YOUR HEART

God is love -Reny

Self-Confidence

I was reading an excerpt from Character Makeover and I wanted to share what I read with you guys.

"Self-confidence comes not from believing in yourself but from having faith in God. Pervasive self-confidence is not self-confidence at all, but God-confidence. That's another one of those spiritual paradoxes, like losing your life to find it, or the last shall be first.

Confidence is only as good as the one in whom you place your confidence. A radical shift from self-confidence to God-confidence makes all the difference."

-This is taken from Character Makeover by Katie Brazelton, Shelley Leith

With Love -Reny

VID2 Da Truth "I Need You"

Happy New YEAR!!! Heres a new vid to ring in the new year. Da Truth ft IZZY "I Need You" If you have not herd to much about the Christian hip hop scene, den check out some of the links in the great music section =)