Fear

So, a close friend of mine just fell into temptation that really scared me. I told the person you can't expect to make out with people and not get turned on. And its hard to stop once you've gotten started. Not impossible, but hard. And I kind of for-saw what would happen but now Im really scared...for myself. What if I fall? I've worked so hard...and I know I shouldn't say that. God has protected me so I don't fall in ways where I would be able to recover.But Im scared because I no different from my friend. What if I fall the way that they did? I think it would kill me. Not literally but spiritually. I just need to make sure I'm praying and reading my Bible everyday so I can be alinged with the father.

Don't be Discouraged

A year and a half ago one of my best friends said the struggles temptations, and challenges will increase and get worse. I can definitely feel that now. Today I spoke to one of my good friends and she sounded really down. This was sad to hear because she's such a fireball and has no need to feel discouraged. She has a bright future ahead of her and the only one who can stop her from achieving her dreams is she. When you're in the faith nothing can stop you because you have Jesus on your side. Obstacles and limitations are only a mirage. I definitely feel I have a duty to encourage my brothers and sisters at this time especially if I'm in a great state of being. I'm dedicated to reminding them of the life they have in Christ. The problems they see aren't problems and they just need to ask God to help them see past them. Sometimes, something can seem like a problem and later you realize it wasn't a problem at all. I do feel like the devil can use this to his advantage though. So it’s important to stay alert.

In Christ,
Friend of God

Limbo

Right now I'm in limbo. I say that because I'm waiting for some of God's promises to be actualized. He's already told me what He's going to do, but now I have to wait for it and believe it. This actually takes lots of work. its easy to believe things God's says when you see it right in front of you, but its alot harder when you don't see how it will work out. And during these times the devil tries to steal whatever faith you do have. But I'm just being patient, which can be pretty hard and itso temptingto complain. :( But God has nevr failed me before so theres no reason to give up hope now. :)

Best,
Friend of God

Aren't You supposed to be a Christian?

Today was a pretty interesting day. When I check my email I saw that I had been invited for an interview for a scholarship program that I really wanted. Needless to say I was ecstatic. I already knew I was going to get it because God told me I would but it was still awesome to read the email.lol. And I wondered why I was so excited since God already told me I would get it. I guess it really is all about the journey. However later that day I found out that I had to give my room because my family was having company spend the night. Needless to say I was NOT ecstatic about giving up my room. I was really upset because I really wanted to sleep in my bed. But I wasn't yelling or screaming or anything. I just pouted.:( lol



But what really made me upset was when my relative said and I quote “Aren’t you supposed to be a Christian? I thought you were enlightened or something?" So because I'm a Christian I can't get upset? I'm still a human and selfish like you. I just realize it and the spirit of God helps me to control my fleshy desires better.



So because I'm a Christian I can't make mistakes or want to have things for myself. Apparently I'm supposed to be Jesus reincarnated. I almost wanted to cry after that because I didn't want it to be a big deal and for some reason it was. I mean its just a bed right?

After that I realized the company had a baby and I got to play with it so I felt better. Its so wierd how my days have so many ups and downs. And the guest bed is actually really soft. :)

In Christ,
Nydia

The Fall of Man

I never really paid much attention to the story of Adam and Eve. I've heard it a million times but it never really held much weight for me. I guess because it wasn't until today that I understood why the end of the world began a long time ago. It was a really big deal when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. They were changed immediately. And there was no going back to the way things were.



Scripture says:



Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Genesis 3:7



Something changed. Obviously they knew the knowledge of good and evil, but they had a new nature now. They felt guilt and shame. So much so they needed to take action and cover their "nakedness".Hmm nakedness? Were they always naked?


The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

Genesis 3:21



So they didn't have skin or clothes until after the fall? What would that look like?



Anyway, I'm getting off topic. Adam and Eve were perfect before they ate the fruit. Perfect as in being just like God. There was no different between Adam and Eve and God. But when they sinned they screwed it all up. They actually died. Just like God said they would.



And the Lord commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree of the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

Genesis 2:16-17



God gave Adam specific directions and consequences. But when Adam eats the fruit he doesn't fall to the ground and die but a more pronounced death takes place. A spiritual death. As soon as he eats the fruit emotions he never had before takes over. Emotions such as shame and guilt are felt. Before he was perfect so he didn't feel these emotions but now he's fallen and most importantly he separated from God. God didn't even have to leave him because Adam hid himself. That’s what sin does to us. It makes us shameful and we run from the one being that can save us. Because of sin things that God never intended for us came into the world. Sickness, death, pain sorrow despair, disabilities. All these are the consequences of sin. And we see the effects of sin ever day of our lives.



I was watching 60 minutes tonight and it was sad to hear that in Japan there isn’t enough living to take care of the dead. This is all a result of the fall. And when we fell we really fell. We gave complete power to satan and everything has been going downhill from then.


This is why we needed a Savior. This is why we need to be born again. Because we’re all dead. This is why the only way we can live is through Christ.

Love Always,


Nydia

Milestone!

Recently I've been trying to master obedience. As you might have guessed I've been having a really hard time obeying God. And I've noticed the reason I've had such a hard time is because I'm not trusting God. And obeying God would be giving Him all the control. And for me obeying God is taking a giant leap of faith. So a couple of days I took a giant leap of faith and did this crazy thing God told me to do. And you know what? I felt...free. I felt like I was invincible. I guess I felt this way because if I'm doing what God wants to do, I simply CAN'T FAIL. And from them on I wanted to obey God more and more. I guess because I felt like I could mess the program if I took the lead. Which is probably what would have happened.
Since I'm started to actively obey God, I feel SO much closer to Him. I feel like He understands me and I'm understanding more and more about His character.I really feel like this is milestone in my walk with God and I'm excited to see where God will take me. I feel so honored that God is using me to change lives and bring forth His kingdom!


In Christ,
Friend of God

Prayer Works

Today was a great day. A couple of weeks ago a friend told me he wanted to be a musician. So of course I encouraged him to follow his passion and forget about being practical. God put us all on this earth for a reason and we all have a special purpose so I felt compelled to hep him achieve his goals in any way that I could. Today he told me he played at a cafe in our city last weekend and now some record producer at a very high profile record company wants to work with him. I was amazed! I had been praying for him but this was more than anyone could ask for! And it happened so quickly! And all I did was encourage him and ask him questions about his vision. I felt really blessed to be apart of his journey (even though he still has along was to go) and be the one to encourage him.








On another note, I wanted to encourage people to NEVER stop prayer. Prayer really does move mountains even if you don't see anything happening. I've been Christian for almost 2 years and during that time I've been getting lots of slack in my family for being too overbearing. They think I'm a fanatic and extremist. We'll it is true. I mean when you understand the power of Gods love IT MAKES YOU WANT TO SCREAM!!! lol. Anyway, some members in my family have recently started going to church. :) And get this....The same person who asked me why I'm always listening to those "televangelists" and couldn't understand why God was the center of my life found themselves watching a biblical message on tv today. But the amazing thing is they remembered the book of the bible that was quoted and actually understood how relevant it was to their life! This was amazing to me because I can see God working right before my eyes! And I'm encouraged to continue to be a good example of Christ and show humility because I know it wasn't me who initiated this change, but God. So encorage other and never stop praying!

In Christ,
Friend of God