This is it! Life is here! Live the dream!

Sunday, May 23

The Grace of Giving!


Do you live to give? What is the GRACE OF GIVING in my your life? What is your view about giving/tithing? Read: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 or Malachi 3:7-10

God said to Abraham in Genesis, “I will bless you, so you can blessing to others.” Joseph titled 20% to Pharaoh in Genesis. Moses said God is going to bless my people. Trust in God and follow Him. In the Old Testament they were declaring their blessing so the Lord would bless them in return. By sacrificing a lamb and presenting the lamb to God so He would bless them that year and forgive their sins. The Egyptians brought an offering to Pharaoh to declare that he had AUTHORITY over the people. Declaring authority or reign by titling is showing TRUST.

Declaring their king- this is who has control over me. The PURPOSE of titling is about authority, trust, and declaring your king! Some people worship debt. Some people worship their credit cards like American Express. Where is your TRUST in God? Their needs to be some much trust and obedience knowing that God WILL provide your ever need. Maybe even after you give up every cent and trusting God will provide. The Church is the hope of the world give to your home Church not The Red Cross or Habitat for Humanity. When the money goes to the Church, the pastor and elders will answer to God.

ADOPTED BY GOD! Acts 4:32-35 says, "and there was much grace on them all." The gospel was being preached in Eph 1:1-6 and God adopted us into the family and it is undeserved mercy. Only by God’s grace! We are adopted and are sons and daughters of the God most high!

THE SENSE OF UNITY! Ephesians 4:1-7 says, "make every effort to keep the unity" -Give grace to others. We need to desire the unity and oneness in the body.

REMEMBERED THE POOR! Acts 4 says that they sold their land and put it at their leaders feet to be distributed to those in need. This was because they were so filled with God’s grace and were overflowing with love and mercy towards others. Luke 19 teaches that Joseph was filled with God’s grace and mercy that he sold his land God gave him a city in return. We may sometimes have things like royalty because of what God gives us.

Luke 16:10-13 Can you be trusted in handling worldly wealth? “You cannot serve God and Money.” All of North Americans money put together is more than the whole world. 1 in 4 Christians don't give any money. Is our confidence more in the dollar than the kingdom? Titling 10% should be the minimum is my view but it makes me sad to think that some Christians don’t give at all. In the Bible they gave themselves first to God and then to others! Grace takes me just as I am, empty-handed but filled with His love.

John 15:5 God dares us to declare our king and watch what He does! To see that He is in control and we can TRUST Him with everything. If God is blessing you, then you should be a blessings to others because of God has given you. Only By God’s Grace we can give to others!


Sunday, May 16

SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!!!!!!!!


Blessed be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your Name


Blessed be Your Name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your Name


Every blessing You pour out I'll
Turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in


Blessed be the Name of the Lord
Blessed be Your Name (Jesus)
Blessed be the Name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious Name


Blessed be Your Name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be Your Name


Blessed be Your Name 
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your Name


You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord Blessed be Your Name

Thursday, May 13

Roommate Weekend!


A few weekends ago I drove to Bakersfield, California to catch up with my old college roommate! Rachel is now married to Brandon, who is another college friend. It was amazing to catch up and talk about past crazy memories that we shared together. Rachel is one of my partners in crime during my college years. She is one best friends that I respect so much! She is so brilliant and has her masters in Education and is teaching high school in Bakersfield! I am also so thankful for Rachel and all the papers she proof read for me in college. She turned my "C" papers into "A" papers! Thanks girl!

Rachel and Brandon moved right after getting married to plant a new Church in Bakersfield! They are such a bold couple to leave everything on the east coast and move to the west coast! After going to Church with them and hearing about all the different ministries, I truly was blown away with how God is using them. Brandon is so gifted in leading worship, leadership and most of all discipleship! I was so blessed to spend time with them and hear and see of how God is using them!

Brandon and Rachel you are such an amazing couple and I am so proud of you ! You are impacting so many lives!