Where is the modern Enoch?

I don't know if you have ever felt this way, but there are times I read the Bible and I become envious of the Faith of our fathers, or the patriarchs and the prophets. They had so much faith in God. They walked in the directions that God led them and made great nations, sure they made mistakes and were human like the rest of us, but they left such a huge impact in this world and they are one of the reasons that the gospel is still alive today.

Somewhere through the passing of these torches we have had a slowing down of faithfulness to God, its like we all have lost grasp of the gospel and are trying to understand what got lost along the way. We've lost the fervor. 

Where is the gospel? I know TV shows and movies and MTV are not really helping, Facebook and Tumblr have cool pages about Jesus that I can follow. Yet, there is something that is still missing. Where is the grand revelation of God? Where can I find that? 

Why are there no kings, like Nebuchadnezzar, that look at our faith and say "wow, your God is the true God."

Lets take a look at Jesus, He had the most amazing relationship with God. He spend most of His life (about 30 years) working a regular job, but there was something about Him that kept Him fully connected to God. When He started His ministry He would pray often and draw away spend time with God and in between He would serve others, perform miracles, preach, and travel. I remember this one verse that really struck me. 

"Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

Jesus didn't make a home here, He was just a passerby, His thoughts were eternal not carnal. If Jesus would have gotten caught up in His earthly life then we would have no hope. He was the hands and feet of God on Earth. Although He was clothed in humanity He was so connected with God that He was obedient even when it came to suffering. He was so connected to the Father that in Gethsemene he suffered to the point of sweating blood because of serious separation anxiety. It was painful to not be in the full presence of the Father. Jesus experienced a piercing pain as the guilt of the world laid upon Him, the sins of the world were separating Him from God. 

Jesus is our prime example, He spend more time with God than with anyone else (especially when He was ministering), His vision, His life, His walk are steps that we are able to follow. We might say that He was God and that it is impossible for us to ever be like Him, but God is not the God of the finite, the possible, but the impossible. Jesus said that every miracle and every word was not His own but His Fathers. Jesus was extremely dependent on God.

You tell yourself, sure I accepted Jesus as my Savior but why haven't I experienced that full presence and communication with God like Moses did when he spoke face to face with God? I want to be able to hear God's voice wherever I go, so I can obey His every call, and join hands with God. In fact, there are times you just want to jump into the Bible and experience what it was like to be one of the disciples, the stresses, the pressure, the tense atmosphere. What was it like? 

Why have you not attained a better relationship with God? Why are you not walking with God like Enoch, or preaching the gospel to many nations like Paul? 

This is why, you've settled. For some reason you have told yourself that you cannot do what the prophets did, or be like the patriarchs. Because "things don't work that way anymore" and "I'm in school." Excuses. Excuses.

God is alive right now, Jesus is enthroned with the Father. The Holy Spirit is working in you and me right now. God promised us so much, if Peter and John who were apostles after the resurrection of Jesus could do it, then we could do it. The Bible is not fantasy, it is the breath of God that is to give us life so that we too can partake in the story of redemption. 

No, I'm not here to offer you a solution, I'm here just to tell you to wake up. It's time you stop settling in your faith, thinking its sufficient and that it will slowly grow over the next ten years...

You don't need time. You just need to experience Jesus, submersed yourself in Jesus. Listen to Jesus, tune your ear to hear, warm up your voice to speak, and open your eyes to see the work that Jesus is doing and will continue to do in you. 

Jesus said that He would send us the Holy Spirit, the only thing is are we accepting the Holy Spirit? Do we even want the Holy Spirit? Do we trust the Holy Spirit? 

Don't settle. It's time we stop thinking that we can never be like the patriarchs because then we are limiting our God. God is doing greater things today but you just haven't experienced it yet. Just prepare yourself to receive the spirit. Because its time that we allow ourselves to be the hands and feet of Jesus. To shake the world up and hasten His coming. 

Texts used: (2 Corinthians 5:21) (Luke 22) (John 14:16,26) (Galatians 5:16) (James 5:7)

This message is strongly for myself. Pray that I too accept this call to get out of my stagnant state. #prayerappreciated

Why its impossible to get yourself into heaven.

A few months ago there was a speaker at Southern Adventist University that was concentrating on the end time message comparing twin institutions established at eden. His presentation was definitely for bringing the students to repentance. He made powerful statements that I am sure changed the lives of many, but there were a few things that really impacted me and have ever since stuck to my mind.

He said homosexuality will deny you an entrance into heaven. At first when I heard it I was shocked to hear such a blatant statement and I was almost offended at the lack of tact used in his speech. Of course, I realized I was attacking his style over the message. I tried to look past it but then I realized how big this statement is.

• One thing we have to realize as Christians is that "gay" people should not be marked with the identity of "gay." People have names that were carefully chosen by their parents and should not be labeled for the actions they perform or the things they believe but instead they should be viewed as normal human beings that are God's children. They are to be honored, and loved, and taken care of. There is no reason for us to think that they are the leprous sinners that should be cast out of towns and societies because of what they practice. They should be lovingly embraced into your home, into your bible studies, into your churches, into your family events. The last thing that I would want is for people to cast me out and judge me because of my struggles, and my sins. God never casts out those who diligently seek him, instead He invites them into sit and dine with Him. 

• Second I saw the magnitude of sin. Sin has no measurement, its not small, nor is it big. It is just sin. We have no right to zone in on one particular sin just to elevate it to a level that makes others feel better about their own sin. A christian should know he/she is a sinner, and should be able to be specific with their sins. What do you mean specific with your sins? Pointing out the sin of homosexuality is very specific and a struggle for many christians and non christians alike. So if one is to point out homosexuality specifically, then when you refer to your own sin, be specific. The generic mention of "yes I am a sinner too" is not enough. Be vulnerable and say your specific sin! Allow yourself to be judged if you will be exposing others to judgement.

• No one is able to get into heaven...This was the last and final thought that came to my mind. I was thinking so much about the denial of sinners into heaven and all I saw was a big "DENIED" sign on my head. If homosexuals cannot get in, then there is no chance for me either. If the Bible says that no sin is greater than another then all my "small" sins of jealously, envy, anger, selfishness, vanity, and arrogance would have to be seen side by side with sexual immorality. With murder. With Abuse. I am unworthy of entering the holy gates that require a spotless person. A perfect being. I cannot enter heaven.
  Yet, thats the beauty of the gospel. All of our struggles, all of our sins, all of our impurities are not counted against us, because we have a mediator. There is only One person that can enter heaven, and that is Christ. So we cling to Him when the day of judgement comes because no one can stand proudly before the Mighty Pure King but only the Spotless Lamb can stand before Him. 

So yeah its pretty unfortunate that we cannot make it past the Pearly Gates, but thats not our job. We are only to accept the guidance and love of the Savior. So the next time you feel like you need to condemn someone else for their sins, think about the last time you were not nice or the last time you did something selfish and repent, because we will never be able to share the love of Jesus unless we experience our own necessity for Him. When Jesus washed the feet of sinners it was an act of humility an act of love. He came to be a servant so that YOU a sinner might humble yourself before him and others. To show the true love that the gospel brings, and that is servanthood to one another.

This speaker is one of many that are beginning to be more open about sexual sins. Something that many people struggle with. No, a sinner cannot make it into heaven, a homosexual, a liar, a selfish and  evil person cannot make it into heaven... but a Person that washes the feet of another, a Person that humbled Himself before humanity even though He was God can make it into heaven. So if you are struggling with homosexuality, porn addiction, or any other lack of control in sexual desires. There is Someone that would love to help you and serve you: His name is Jesus.

The Explanation For Our Difficulties

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22

2013

. . . that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us . . . —John 17:21

If you are going through a time of isolation, seemingly all alone, read John 17 . It will explain exactly why you are where you are— because Jesus has prayed that you “may be one” with the Father as He is. Are you helping God to answer that prayer, or do you have some other goal for your life? Since you became a disciple, you cannot be as independent as you used to be.

God reveals in John 17 that His purpose is not just to answer our prayers, but that through prayer we might come to discern His mind. Yet there is one prayer which God must answer, and that is the prayer of Jesus— “. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . .” (John 17:22). Are we as close to Jesus Christ as that?

God is not concerned about our plans; He doesn’t ask, “Do you want to go through this loss of a loved one, this difficulty, or this defeat?” No, He allows these things for His own purpose. The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, and nobler men and women, or they are making us more critical and fault-finding, and more insistent on our own way. The things that happen either make us evil, or they make us more saintly, depending entirely on our relationship with God and its level of intimacy. If we will pray, regarding our own lives, “Your will be done” (Matthew 26:42), then we will be encouraged and comforted by John 17, knowing that our Father is working according to His own wisdom, accomplishing what is best. When we understand God’s purpose, we will not become small-minded and cynical. Jesus prayed nothing less for us than absolute oneness with Himself, just as He was one with the Father. Some of us are far from this oneness; yet God will not leave us alone until we are one with Him— because Jesus prayed, “. . . that they all may be one . . . .”

-Oswald Chambers

I Am Still Alive to Fulfill a Purpose

With the recent misfortunes that have been happening lately in the lives around me, I can assuredly say that there is more to this life that what we think of it.
A friend to this campus has recently passed away. I know that this is a tragic time for his family and his friends. But I have to say that his life is a testimony and an example of what the Lord has in store for us.
This boy had a purpose in his life and praise God he fulfilled it.
His last deed on Earth was to save another's life. 

My friend told me something incredible about his death (I know it might sound wrong to call it incredible but wait!). She told me that the autopsy showed that there was no water in his lungs from drowning, instead his heart just stopped while he was in the water. She told me that he might have died that day from a heart attack whether he drowned or not.
That made me stop and ask myself...did he suffer? did God stop his heart while he was in the water? Wow God, you never leave us! Its amazing to think that perhaps he was meant to save his friend from drowning by risking his own life. Imagine if he would have not saved his friend and they both ended up dying? Lord have mercy! Was that his purpose? was that his last work on earth?
This is such an incredible lesson for us all, Why are we still alive today? Do we still have a purpose to fulfill here on earth? Lord, I pray that we find our purpose and fulfill it. I know we might be scared to leave this earth, but your purpose is much grander than ours.
Give us the courage to do your will. 

Where Am I and How Did I Get Here?

I feel like I am in a perfect place.
I wake up every morning I get together with my friends and have a morning devotion.
I eat a tasty and healthy breakfast.
I go to class where the teachers are enthusiastic and passionate
I eat again with friends
I work out in a really nice gym
I go to a Bible Study and learn more about God
I do some Academic Studying
Then I eat dinner with friends
I go to sleep after talking with friends.
I end the day with Prayer.

I don't know exactly what God wants to do in my life but He is so involved in my life that I cannot doubt Him. He won't let me doubt Him. I feel like He leads me to places and shows me what is most important. I am so thankful for His involvement in my life. I feel like He is only involved in my life though. I don't see other people thanking the Lord for small things and people don't often tell me how God has personally intervened in their life.
In Jeremiah 23:23 it says "I am a God near at hand. . . and not a God far off," God dwells within our life and He is within a hands reach. God is not far away dealing with other world and not being involved in our lives. HE IS HERE. He is within an arms reach and yet we don't see His presence in our lives? How can that be? I think before I came to Southern I began seeing Gods presence in my life. I began to realize how much God had blessed me. I don't know if before I thought my life was insignificant...but I know now for sure that I have a purpose. And that Purpose is to Fulfill Gods Will.
Looking back, wow, God has been with me all of my life. When I say all of my life, I mean ALL OF MY LIFE. As I write this, I now have become to realize that I have never been alone and I have never felt alone because the Lord has walked me through every horror of my life and every amazing moment of my life. Now all I want is for the Lord to take me home, show me the way, and never let me go.

I know that I may feel this way and others might not feel that way, But I promise you brother or sister, that God has never left your side. Look at your life and be amazed at His presence and involvement to keep you as his son or daughter. Open your eyes and see what a Loving God he is. 

Trust in the Lord

Today I took a Theology test that is required for all theology majors at my university and half way through the test I realized that I didn't pray before taking the test.
I immediately stopped and closed my eyes. I begged that I recall anything that I may not remember.
There were a few questions that I had to guess on because I didn't remember.
I knew that I would pass the test because I knew the majority of the questions, but I knew that the ones I guessed on would be wrong.
Later in the day I looked up the answers, and the guesses that I did on the test were correct guesses.
Amazed and laughing I had to write and say, Glory to God, trust in Him and he will show you the way.

Proverbs 3: 5,6
is the only way to describe my feelings at the moment.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall make your paths straight. 

Friends will bring us to the Cross

Today I had the pleasure of encountering someone searching for God. It took me by surprise and I wasn't sure if I was ready for it, but I was immensely pleased with being presented with a random prayer with a good friend.
Prayer, I believe, is very important in daily life, and to have the honor of praying with another was something that brought warmth to my heart. After praying I thought about the effects of prayer and my friendship with others. Then I began to think of going the extra mile.
Yes, prayer is a beautiful thing, but action is also a great thing. perhaps after praying with someone you could take them out for ice cream or go bike riding. Whatever the action is, it will go well appreciated.
My walk with God is definitely a compelling one with action and a love that I must share with others. So when a friend comes to me, I could only hope that I can bring them to the cross.
Not show them what I can do, but the wonders that God can do in ones life.
Become that loving friend that prays
become that loving friend that takes action
become that loving friend that shows support
become that loving friend that brings him/her to the cross

Who's in Control?

As I was revising my research paper my mother was talking to me about how I am going to pay for college, the idea stressed me out to the point that I began researching bank loans and financial aid. I even started filling out my FAFSA. My body became tense as I started to worry about being able to do all of this in time for me to transfer. My mom helped me calm down and apologized for making me stress about money while I was studying for my finals. I then got back to studying. 

Why did I worry so much? Did I not feel that I was prepared? Did I make a mistake by leaving so quickly? 

Psalms 46: 10 says "Be still and know that I am God "

Such a short verse but it really calm your nerves. Here I was going crazy and being anything BUT still because I forgot that He is God. He is in control and I can relax now. I did my part. 

Sometimes we can get angry and stress out about life because of deadlines and money. But take a step back and realize that God there with you and watching you stress out and just waiting until you pray for his help. All He needs if for you to have a little faith in Him to help you in your situation.

Defeat through Jesus

I have been struggling

I kept telling myself that in order to change my ways I had to stop thinking about it and keep away from certain things.

But last night, I had a horrible nightmare about me being evil.

I woke up frightened and felt like I was indeed unable to escape my evil ways.

I felt like crying, I felt hopeless.

I kneeled side my bed and began to pray, "God I cannot do this on my own, I am a sinner, I cant keep myself from my evil ways. Lord Help me, Please."

I began my regular activities and felt like I had unpacked a huge load.

Here I was, trying to carry this load myself and not asking for help. Instead I tried doing it all on my own. God was just begging me to give him my burden but I kept refusing and refusing.

Last weeks Sabbath lesson was about depending on God.

I told myself that I knew that already and not depending on God was not a problem for me.

I was totally wrong. Sometimes I think I am okay and that I don't need certain advice or help

but I am quickly shown that I do need it. I need God.

everyone does, we are all sinners falling short of the glory of God.

I thank God for taken that burden off of me, I felt free

Ones spiritual life is an everyday dedication

You can't do it one day then not another because then you find yourself lost and say "how did I get here?"

Take Gods hand and He will help you

Dont try to carry your own burdens because one day we will become exhausted and give up

with the help of God we can walk freely, without load, without worry.

Wedding

Today was my cousins wedding and to my surprise I was at awe with the theme, decorations, ceremony, and reception. EVERYTHING was so original and sweet. The wedding was so personal, you could really tell that they took the time to think of the cute ideas that appeared in the wedding. My mom and I couldn't get over the fact that they washed each others feet at their ceremony and had a bit of praise with good worship songs by hillsong united (:
Overall I give it a 4.0 on a 4.0 scale. It was simple yet very very cute.
I loved every minute of it.
Listening to Josh's vows were so touching.

They are a couple dedicated to God and that it the way it is supposed to be.

God really did make them like puzzle pieces.

He created marriage as a partnership in encouragement and achievement of better things that one could not do on their own. If God is at the center of your relationship/marriage then it is guaranteed to be a success. Never does God promise that it will be perfect, and He outlines the basis of a legitimate reason to divorce. Marriage is not easy, but it will be a lot easier when God is who you both look to. 

Something the pastor said "When you have God in your heart, you are whole and you do not need another to complete you, but when two complete people come together it makes something spectacular"

Love each other and grow together in God

Today I watched I.Q., it was a great movie. It really made me want to expand my knowledge and take the higher level maths. Although, I think it would be unnecessary because I wont be applying it to anything. I think it would be cool to try something that most people don't have the courage to do. It also reminded me of how Einstein was actually very philosophical and had advice for the common individual. He never took life too seriously. He was also very aware of the fact that science was nothing without a divine creator. There is way to much order in this world to accredit it to chance. Anyone can be as great as they wish to be, only if they allow themselves to. Most of us believe that we might not be able to handle our dreams, we are scared that we cannot achieve them. We can achieve many things if we believe we can. Don't let anyone ever tell you you can't.
I know that laziness can really be a big part of the reason why we don't achieve things, but tell yourself that "great minds do not become great until something extraordinary has come out of them" (that's my own personal quote, it took some thinking). Challenge yourself and force yourself to get moving and start thinking. 
Now, if I could spent one day with him...or just have his brain. That would be nice. 

At the End of the Day

Review your day, see what you liked, see what you didn't.
Then realize that you just completed an entire day and if you did not smile the entire day
take the time to try it!
A simple smile can transform your entire day, it allows you to express yourself quietly.
Whether a half smile, a full teeth-showing smile, or a closed mouth corners of your mouth reaching towards your ears smile. Whichever is your preference
Take the time to make someone else smile, if you haven't yet
Because if your truly know that a smile can change your own day then perhaps it can brighten another's

Unhealthy Relationships

Today as I was washing my car, I found something so disturbing that I almost spoke unkindly to someone. He was outside talking on the phone with his girlfriend and they were arguing. . .fine people are argue all the time. Its normal. The one thing that set my eyes wide and made me look over at him was that they were cussing at each other, to the point were he was yelling. By that time he stepped back inside the house so that his yelling could be muffled. I heard it all. He began calling her a dumb ass and began telling her how worthless she was and how she had no life. I am sure that she reciprocated with hurtful words also. I was so close to knocking on his door and telling him "that is not the proper way to speak to a lady," then leaving. I am still currently compelled to do it. Writing here is the only way to express my disapproval without getting myself in trouble.
I then also pondered my own relationship and thanked God for Christianity and SDA's.
Honestly, what would the world do without it?
Obviously it would be normal to treat your significant other with disrespect.
My mother and grandma would always repeat the same phrase to me when I was younger,
"A person will only respect you as much as you respect yourself" 
Its true. If one does not respect his or herself enough to not let people treat you a certain way, then people are going to disrespect you all the time.
Thank God for giving us morals to work upon and showing us that disrespect is not the way to handle situations.
Kindness all the way!!!
Hopefully I will be able to speak to this person about his actions and maybe inform him about the proper way to converse. 

Anger and lack of appreciation

At times we may find ourselves angry for some reason. Whether a good reason or not a good reason. We must remember that what we make of the situation determines the next set of circumstances. If one reacts with harsh intent then the situation may get even worse.
Thoroughly think through your actions because at times it may not even be worth the anger.
Sit down relax and examine the situation. This actually may increase your anger but wait until the feelings have settled. If you then realize that the reason you are angry is not a serious reason, then I say, ignore it.
Yet, if the situation seems like it might affect future your relationship with that person if not confronted, then fix it.
The problem with anger over silly reasons is that tomorrow may not come.
Its really scary to think that, but it helps me in certain situations.
If you really care, you will try to fix it. Whether that means that you simply ignore it, you confront it, or you just be patient.
Also very important is that patience is something that must be consistently practiced. it is not a simple thing. If you find it difficult to do, then ask for help from the most patient person ever, God.
We may fall into a hissy fit and only concentrate on that particular problem, and we tend to forget that there are many things in this life that are to be thankful of.
Look around and appreciate what love we have from others, what accomplishments we have made, and what delicious food we have eaten.

Psalms 4:4
Be angry, and no not sin.
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.

Proverbs 16:32
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city

Psalms 30:5
For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life.
Weeping may endure for a night.
But joy comes in the morning.

Dep Bug

Ways to Kick the Depression Bug,

1. Eat your favorite foods, but make sure they are healthy foods

2. Listen to classical/inspirational music (stay away from songs that you think Appeal to the way you feel. i.e. sad love songs, hard core rock songs, etc. ) Those will just encourage the negative emotions

3. Read a book that you really like, Water for Elephants is a good one, maybe try the Bible, or Mr. Darcy's Diary. Whatever your preference might be.

4. Take the focus off yourself, go do something for someone else. Maybe some community service work. I remember reading in an article that you feel better and its actually physically healthy for you to help others gladly. It gives you happiness and satisfaction. It sure beats depression!

5. Act a bit wacky. SHAKE IT OFF! Just goof off and be yourselves. Sometimes we just need to loosen ourselves up and have fun. Not in a Party Hardy kind of way, but in a Dancing in your room by yourself kind of thing. Talk in a British accent, or American accent if your already British! Do something funny with your hair and wear extreme sunglasses. Do what your heart pleases.

6. Take sometime to cheer yourself up. maybe listen to a Disney song (A dream is a wish - sleeping beauty), or just a good classical or upbeat (clean) song and take a walk. Take time to look at your surroundings. Notice the air running through your lungs and tickling your nose. Study the trees and the colors that surround you. Look up to the sky and think about the great world out there and the small world we live in.

Think about life itself and how its so incredible and complicated! but it works! I hope that the day you are depressed is a sunny beautiful day because great weather helps.

If its gloomy outside, maybe open a window and listen to the wind and the rain while you drink some hot chocolate and savor a danish. Wear your favorite Jacket, sweater, socks, shoes, scarf!

TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF! and put your feet in the sand, grass, water, or concrete. There are nerves on the bottom of our feet that are supposed to make us happy and more aware.

7. Pray Sincerely