Big Colorful Blurry Blob

Psalm 25:4-5 Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me: for You are the God of my salvation; on You do I wait all day.

Yesterday I Rhia Nichole Ogle could not find my glasses. One might say it was because I am irresponsible in nature. I kept praying and praying that God would help me find them. I went thorough out the day blind. So yeah no luck. I believe God was giving me a wait. He gives me a wait from time to time to teach me something.

Yesterday I realized that though everything was a big colorful blur my heart could still sing praises to God. Why? I could still see. I noticed that a lot of things are extremely beautiful when you have a hard time seeing them. I had the opportunity to appreciate things from a different point of view. I also praised God because he gave me another gift. I had a hard time seeing but this allowed me to trust God all the more. I praised him because he did not allow me to walk into anything or stumble. He was there protecting me. He was there guiding my steps.

When I got home I knew I had a lot of homework to do. I just put my trust in God again. I could do my homework without my glasses but it would make things easier if I could see clearly. As I was looking for my highlighter I saw my black frames on my bed. I do have to say that I looked EVERYWHERE. I must have looked around my bed many times. I believe God placed them there when his purpose was met. I will continue to wait on the Lord.

Spinning out of Control

Psalm 62:6-8

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ⁶ He alone is my rock and my salvation,
      my fortress where I will not be shaken.
 ⁷ My victory and honor come from God alone.
      He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
 ⁸ O my people, trust in him at all times.
      Pour out your heart to him,
      for God is our refuge.

Yesterday I was on my way to praise team practice. While on the road we saw that this "guy" (It could have been a lady) got into a car accident. I've been in a couple myself. My question is could it be possible to see the blessings in a car accident? I say that it is very possible. The driver probably lost control of his vehicle and landed himself in the jungle. Okay so here are the blessings. First of all I said landed himself in the jungle. His car was in grass. See this dude could have hit a railing or a telephone pole but God's favor was upon him. The second blessing was right as this guy was spinning out of control a bus was passing or maybe cars were passing. Whatever the situation I know God placed people there to assist the people in the car.

Okay I know my fellow readers are probably like okay that is pretty cool. Now what is your point? I always have a point to everything I speak about. I believe that at times I can be this driver. I want to take control of my own life. So I get behind the wheel and start driving. I think I know the perfect speed to travel. I think I know the right places to stop at. Eventually I go too fast and I start to spin out of control. Yet because of God's great love for me he provides a safe landing for me. He provides me with people to surround and assist me.

I Rhia Jimenez do not know what is best for me. I cannot possibly grasp any of that. I do know that God does. He knows yesterday, he knows today, and he knows tomorrow. He was is and will always be in control. Landing in the jungle is a message from God. He is telling me here Rhia this is your second chance. Restart. Let me take the wheel and trust where I take you.

Psalm 57:7-11

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ⁷ My heart is confident in you, O God;
      my heart is confident.
      No wonder I can sing your praises!
 ⁸ Wake up, my heart!
      Wake up, O lyre and harp!
      I will wake the dawn with my song.
 ⁹ I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
      I will sing your praises among the nations.
 ¹⁰ For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
      Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
 ¹¹ Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
      May your glory shine over all the earth.

Bigot

 ¹ Have mercy on me, O God,
      because of your unfailing love.
   Because of your great compassion,
      blot out the stain of my sins.
 ² Wash me clean from my guilt.
      Purify me from my sin.
Psalm 51:1-2

“Bigot”

Lord Jesus a bigot is connoted with negativity. Right now it will hold a positive tone. I will not waver. I refuse to turn to a talisman supposedly teeming with magic. I will not depend on magic for help. Yes Lord a talisman would only offer an ephemeral joy. I would never grasp tangible happiness. The bliss gained from talismans is defined as counterfeit. Yet you Lord offer the real deal. Lord I am surrounded! This heavy darkness weighs in. Lord I am attacked on all sides with arrows. Lord they shoot anxiety, depression, and exhaustion into my mind. These weapons penetrate my body. As my blood pours out every drop screams insanity. I cannot take it anymore. Lord I surrender these noxious thoughts to you. Lord I lay them at your feet. Please remove them from existence. I abhor this constant battle and I am so close to giving up. These encounters hamper my ability to attain true exuberance. Lord remunerate me by answering my cry for help. Kindle my darkest days. Enfranchise me from the prison of hardship. Please bless me with a placid state of mind.  

Where are you?

Psalm 50:14-15

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ¹⁴ Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God,
      and keep the vows you made to the Most High.
 ¹⁵ Then call on me when you are in trouble,
      and I will rescue you,
      and you will give me glory.”

"I'm coming back to the heart of worship and it's all about you Jesus. I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it when it's all about you Jesus." -Heart of Worship Hillsong

During lunch I was talking to my friend. She was talking about how she just gave and gave and gave to this guy. She would talk to him. She would listen to him. She loved him. He messed up so she gave him a second chance and he took that second chance and just messed up again.

Have you ever felt that what someone was saying was meant for only you to hear. It was like a message from God to me. My eyes were opened to what he was trying to say to me. He was like saying I talk to you. When you pray I listen to you. I love you. When you messed up I give you a second chance. Where are you?

Like have you ever felt rejected? Have you ever felt like you could give your all to someone and they just didn't give you the same? Imagine how heart broken God feels when we don't spend enough time with him.
I hope to make things better as time passes. I thank God for this revelation.

Reasons to be thankful:
1) God blessed me with strength all day today. Strength and energy.
2) My friends blessed me with laughter support and encouraging words.
3) I had food to eat. :)
4) Even if I had to run from c-wing to b-wing and then to the very first bus at least I didn't have to run from c-wing to b-wing and then all the way up to f-wing or something like that.
5) God blessed me my allowing me to make the bus and find a seat.
7) My friend sent me an inspirational bible verse.
8) I enjoyed Spanish.
9) I had the opportunity to go to Prayer tonight. Praise God.
10) I finished my homework.

Thank you Jesus. :)

Reasons to Praise God List

Psalm 42:5-8

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ⁵ Why am I discouraged?
      Why is my heart so sad?
   I will put my hope in God!
      I will praise him again—
      my Savior and ⁶ my God!
   Now I am deeply discouraged,
      but I will remember you—
   even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan,
      from the land of Mount Mizar.
 ⁷ I hear the tumult of the raging seas
      as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.
 ⁸ But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
      and through each night I sing his songs,
      praying to God who gives me life.


My heart is as frail as a dove
And my spirit is as weak as a rose
See my sorrow, feel my pain
You're my refuge, You're my reason,
My strength in this beautiful place
That's where I find God

[Chorus:]
You're in my heart, You're in my soul
You are my heaven, You're my home
You're my best friend, You're my true love
You are my treasure, You're my God

I watch as the mountains fall down
And the rivers part at Your feet
Your creation sings Your praise
Even winds obey and angels bow down
At Your beautiful voice
That's where I find God

[Repeat Chorus]

You're in my heart, You're in my soul
You are my heaven, You're my home
You're my best friend, You're my true love
You are my treasure, You're my hope
You are my peace, You are my joy
You are my Savior, You're my God
-You by The Afters

As I continue to read the book of Psalms I begin to see this pattern. King David talks about how much he is suffering yet while he suffers he still praises God. As he suffers he is not afraid to be real with God and tell him what is up. He is constantly pouring out everything to God telling him all of the details of what he is experiencing. Though the pain is sometimes excruciating and the battles discussed are often gory he continues to speak about God's mercy and unfailing love. He still sings praises.

Today was a hard day. I was extremely exhausted. If you see me now you will possibly notice that I have huge bags under my eyes. I just felt so out of whack today. It was hard for me to focus on anything. I kept zoning out. I felt disconnected and depressed. I could not pin point it.

I just posted a blog that spoke about how wonderful yesterday was. I also stated that I would give thanks to God even when the days are downers. It is EASIER said than done. I did try though. I found ways to be thankful. At one point I sat silently and repeated thank you Jesus thank you Jesus thank you Jesus. I said it over and over until I felt better. I was granted with peace.

Here are things that I can be thankful for. Here are reasons I will praise God.
1) I am still a student at GW.
2) I got to see smiling faces.
3) My friends encouraged me today and entertained my want for attention. ( I love you guys, you know who you are.)
4) I survived the day without falling asleep in class.
5) I laughed.
6) God will make all things possible for myself.
7) I got to spend time with my sister on her birthday.
8) She had another birthday and I had the opportunity to sing her happy birthday.
9) I was able to take pictures of her before my camera stopped functioning.
10) I met a new friend.
11) God provided me with joy.
12) He has blessed me with ( I lost my thought I'm so tired) well he blesses me with tons of things. :)

I think I'm going to list things daily to be thankful list. I will call it the Reasons to praise God list. I don't know. As I was typing everything that God blessed me with today I realized that it wasn't as bad as I felt it was.

Dear Lord God,
                         Please help me to follow King David's example. Please help me to praise you in every single circumstance. Thank you for opening my eyes to all the good things you have done for me. Please don't let all the negative events blind me from seeing your goodness. Thank you so much. Praise God hallelujah. I love you. I love you. I love you Lord. In Jesus name I pray Amen

Praise The Lord Anyway

Day 8 8/22/2011

Psalm 30:11-12

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ¹¹ You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
      You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
 ¹² that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
      O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!

I'm in over my head
Right where I wanna be
I'm so lost within Your love
The love that always covers me
So high, so deep, so wide
A strong and cleansing tide
My soul has found a place to rest
I'm in over my head

I've been holding on
Now I'm letting go, just letting go
Gonna let Your love carry me away
I don't know where I'm going
But I'm surrounded by the truth
And I can feel the current pulling me
Deeper into You
Over my Head-Brian Littrel

hap·pi·ness

 [hap-ee-nis] Show IPA

noun

1.

the quality or state of being happy.

2.

good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy.

Origin:
1520–30; happy  + -ness

Related forms

o·ver·hap·pi·ness, noun

Synonyms
1, 2.  pleasure, joy, exhilaration, bliss, contentedness, delight, enjoyment, satisfaction. Happiness, bliss, contentment, felicity  imply an active or passive state of pleasure or pleasurable satisfaction. Happiness  results from the possession or attainment of what one considers good: the happiness of visiting one's family. Bliss  is unalloyed happiness or supreme delight: the bliss of perfect companionship. Contentment  is a peaceful kind of happiness in which one rests without desires, even though every wish may not have been gratified: contentment in one's surroundings. Felicity  is a formal word for happiness of an especially fortunate or intense kind: to wish a young couple felicity in life.

 

Today was absolutely blissful! The day went by so beautifully. I praise God for all that he has done for me today. This is how it started out. I woke up at 4:30 and I prayed and did my devotional. Then when I was done with that I got ready for school. My mom was up early making my sisters and me lunch. I was ready to leave my house around six so I thanked my mom and was about to leave but she said no let's pray first. So I said okay. I thank God for that prayer. I thank God for answering my mom's prayer. It's AMAZING what a few words of encouragement can do for a person's whole day. (So from here on out I will try to find people I can encourage so that they might experience a day filled with endless blessings and delight.)

 

So I left my house incredibly joyous and again I thank God for making it last. Even now as I have a headache I am going to praise God because he has the power to take away my pain. My dad also gave me money to buy water. Hallelujah!! Okay so I finally get on the bus and I am somewhat tired so I'm zoning out like real bad. I'm just letting my mind relax before I get to school. I'm nervous of what will happen and all the plans I have made but I continue to have a positive outlook. When doubts come up I just look down at my bracelet and allow the words to flow in my mind. WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. (Mark 10:27 btw thanks Ali for the bracelet it is one of the bestest gifts I have ever received.) I won't let anything get me down. When I look up God just proves to me that he has me. Out of the window I see a huge gray cloud and in the middle of it there is a hole of light shining through. I felt God was saying Rhia don't worry when darkness surrounds you I have the power to pierce it with my light. So yes that made me smile. When we got off the bus I had another reason to smile. There were two rainbows and they were beautiful another one of God's symbols for his promise never to flood the earth again. (Refer to Noah's Ark)

 

Things just fell into place from there. Chris helped me find my home base and I found out that a lot of my friends were with me in that class. I received my schedule and found out that not only did I have great classes I also had amazing teachers.  (I mean so I don't have Ms.Angeles for math I think I will be okay. I hope she is liking southern. I don't know how GW will do without her.) I also enjoyed seeing all the people I haven't seen in three months. I was all smiles and enthusiastic each time I saw a familiar face. 

 

So yes everything is falling into place nicely. I was very inspired today. I know there will be a lot and I mean A LOT of things that will need to be done this year. I know that it will get hard. I know that I will have to make choices that will determine where I will be in the future. For as many times as I thanked God I also asked for his will to be done. So I am going to fully trust in him. I know he knows what is best for me. He will get me through whatever life will throw at me. 

 

Another thing I have to keep in mind is that I must be grateful for everything that happens. I must search for a reason to be thankful when things are not looking up and I want to quit. I must always sing praises to God because he will never give me anything I can't handle and everything I go through serves a purpose. 

 

Psalm 37:7

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ⁷ Be still in the presence of the Lord,
      and wait patiently for him to act.
   Don’t worry about evil people who prosper
      or fret about their wicked schemes.

 

Joy in the best form

 Day 7 8/21/2011

 Psalm 30:1

New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 30

A psalm of David. A song for the dedication of the Temple.

 ¹ I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me.
      You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.

Psalm 30:5

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ⁵ For his anger lasts only a moment,
      but his favor lasts a lifetime!
   Weeping may last through the night,
      but joy comes with the morning.

Psalm 30:11-12

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ¹¹ You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
      You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
 ¹² that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
      O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Blessed by Your name- Newsboys


When I read anything I tend to play a movie in my head. I try to picture what is going on. I love to dive into a good book and escape my surroundings. On the way to church I read Psalm 30:1. I was hit with the words so I read them over and over again. I pictured the Lord holding my enemies back so they wouldn't harm me. Now I picture myself bowing to praise him as he does this. It's just a reminder that no matter what happens in my life I will be able to survive. The Lord will continue to rescue me from my enemies. He will not let them triumph over me.


During worship we sang the song blessed be Your name. It is such a beautiful song.The song speaks about praising God through everything even when it gets tough. There is one point where we start singing YOU GIVE AND TAKE AWAY my heart will choose to say Lord blessed be your name. I then thought that when things are hard and when I feel like I'm crazy because I'm so sad I must praise God anyway. He calls me to give him all my trials and give him all my sadness so that he may takeaway the load from my shoulders and give me strength and peace to get through each day. Though I fight battles all the time God will never let my enemies triumph over me.

Yes when all else is going south God will give me a reason to dance with joy and sing praises to his name. He will take off the cloak of darkness and clothe me with his satisfying joy.

Something to smile about

This is day 6 8/20/2011

I was feeling down and out today. I was mad and felt like giving up for a while. God saw my distress and sent me little things to make me smile. One of those things was a bible verse. I should have read my bible before I did anything this would have helped me. I do believe that the timing was right when I read my bible though. I believe that if I read it this morning I would just skim through everything and not really relate. The bible verse the entire chapter of Psalm 27 hit home. Here are some of the verses that just stood out. I can't exactly explain why. I asked God to reveal something to me and these verses seemed to be standing on a pedestal.

 ¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation—
      so why should I be afraid?
   The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
      so why should I tremble?

 ⁴ The one thing I ask of the Lord—
      the thing I seek most—
   is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
      delighting in the Lord’s perfections
      and meditating in his Temple.
 ⁵ For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
      he will hide me in his sanctuary.
      He will place me out of reach on a high rock.



⁶ Then I will hold my head high
      above my enemies who surround me.

⁷ Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
      Be merciful and answer me!
 ⁸ My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
      And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

 ¹⁰ Even if my father and mother abandon me,
      the Lord will hold me close.
 ¹¹ Teach me how to live, O Lord.
      Lead me along the right path,
      for my enemies are waiting for me.
 ¹² Do not let me fall into their hands.
      For they accuse me of things I’ve never done;
      with every breath they threaten me with violence.
 ¹³ Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
      while I am here in the land of the living.
 ¹⁴ Wait patiently for the Lord.
      Be brave and courageous.
      Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

These verses encouraged me to keep going on. God also blessed me with the opportunity to spend time with my niece who brought so much joy to my heart. I loved holding her and singing to her and playing with her. Oh my gosh when she started to smile and laugh that was the best. Then God continued to show that he was there for me when I spent time with my friends. They brought a lot of happiness into my day or rather night. We enjoyed each others company as we played games, danced in the rain, and laid out on the grass to watch the stars. It was a beautiful night. I believe this was God saying that no matter how hard the day is there is always something to be grateful for. No matter the degree of the trial there is always something to live and fight for. I thank God for all that he gave to me. I thank him for giving me strength to keep moving forward. I love you love you love you JESUS!

Proverbs 15:13 - "A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." (NIV)

Well

John 4

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman

1  Jesust knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus himself didn’t baptize them—his disciples did). 3 So he left Judea and returned to Galilee.
4 He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.
9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans.t She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”
10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”
11 “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”
13 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”
15 “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”
16 “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.
17 “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied.
Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband—18 for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”
19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim,t where our ancestors worshiped?”
21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
25 The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
26 Then Jesus told her, “I AM the Messiah!”t
27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” 28 The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29 “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” 30 So the people came streaming from the village to see him.

"Higher than the mountains that i face
Stronger than the power of the grave
constant in the trial and the change

One thing remains

Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me

Because on and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelmes and satisfies my soul
And i'll never, ever, have to be afraid

One thing remains

In death
In life
I'm confident and covered by the Power of Your great love

My dept is paid
Theres nothing that can separate
My heart from Your great love"

One Thing Remains -Jesus Culture
 
I know it is a lot to read but it is an amazing story.  I am imagining myself as the woman at the well. I have been seeking the wrong things to satisfy my thirst and it is pointless. I go to the well alone at the hottest part of the day because I am ashamed of myself. I don't want to feel people's stares or hear their judgmental whispers. Everyone knows what I have done. Yeah I'm the outcast. I do not believe I can be loved because of all that I have done. I have this emptiness and I keep trying to fill myself but the more I try the emptier I'm left. I am about to give up. I don't want to look anymore. So I go to the well alone at the hottest part of the day. It is dangerous but I'll do this anyway. I am thirsty. 

Jesus knows all of this. He sees all that I have done. He knows that I am thirsty for something that will satisfy this overbearing dryness in my life. So he sits at the well and waits for me to come along so that I may be truly satisfied. He sits there and waits because he loves me so much that he wants to offer me the best. He confronts me and lets me know that he knows. He knows it all yet he still wants to offer me this living water. I am uncomfortable because this stranger just revealed something very personal so I try to change the subject with a religious question which he provides an answer to. Then I say well we will all know these things when the Messiah comes. He takes this moment to take my face into his hands look straight into my eyes with a gaze that holds so much grace mercy and love and replies I am He. 

I am so excited that I drop my bucket and run back home to tell everyone what just happens. 


I feel like this Samaritan woman. I am thirsty so thirsty for something that will satisfy. I am as dry as a desert. So I run to many things to fulfill that thirst. The only problem is that I run to wells that are filled with impure water. I place my bucket into the water bring it up but it is empty because there are holes in the bucket. So I am left thirsty. Yet I keep running back to these things to gain satisfaction. 


I go alone because I don't want people to judge me for the things I have done. I go alone and Jesus sits at the well and waits for me. He says Rhia why must you keep coming here? Why don't you go to the source of the living water? I will truly satisfy your thirst. You will never be thirsty again. I see what you have done but I still love you. Here take a sip of this and taste the greatness I have to offer you. You will never want to turn back again. 


My mind is haunted with thoughts. A lot of times I am tempted to do wrong. I know I should be focusing on God but sometimes I just want to talk to that one person. To satisfy my thirst for love. Yet time and time I am left out of whack. I am left sad because I am disappointed. I feel like I am a reef blocking that person from feeling a tsunami of love. I just don't want to be that. God replies you don't need to hide from me just be real. I will help you through this. I love you. Don't settle for this when I offer you way more than the best. Wait on my perfect timing and you will truly be blessed. 


Today I was praying that my life felt like a desert. I asked God to drench me in his holy spirit. He heard my cry and blessed me with a message that really related to everything I have been going through. Tonight I walked to the store and when I was on my way home it started to pour. I felt like God was saying here is the rain. :) I am enough for you. 


"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen."
1 Timothy 6:12-16

Don't be deceived by the title

Day 5 8/19/2011

s:

Psalm 25:4-8

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ⁴ Show me the right path, O Lord;
      point out the road for me to follow.
 ⁵ Lead me by your truth and teach me,
      for you are the God who saves me.
      All day long I put my hope in you.
 ⁶ Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love,
      which you have shown from long ages past.
 ⁷ Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.
      Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,
      for you are merciful, O Lord.
 ⁸ The Lord is good and does what is right;
      he shows the proper path to those who go astray.

O: This bible verse just relates to my current situation. It says all that I want to say for me. I have gone astray lead me to the place you want me to be. You are the only one who can save me. I put my hope in you because you never fail me. Please forgive me for my past and forget it. Show me your way.

A: I must always keep in mind that God doesn't have to but he does. He simply does. He loves, he forgives, he leads and protects, because he LOVES me so much. He just does. No ifs ands or buts about it.

P: Lord Jesus,
                     Help me always to come to you with a heart of thanksgiving. You don't have to do anything but I thank you for your great love that you do anyway. Please continue to lead me down the right path. Have your way in my life. I love you Lord in Jesus name I pray Amen

Enough

I am enough. I am enough. I am enough.
Lord my heart is breaking. Lord my heart is weary. Lord my heart is tired of chasing after the wrong things. Lord the past is coming back to haunt me. Lord have I made the wrong choices? Right now it feels that way. Lord I know I can't have one foot in the world and one foot with you. I need to be all in or all out. Lord God I live for you. Lord my heart sings JESUS JESUS JESUS. Lord I am sorry for putting other things in front of you. Lord guide me down the right path. Lord when I am too tired carry me for I am your child. Lord I cannot do this without you. Lord it is getting more and more difficult. Lord I need your strength, for the spirit is willing but Lord my flesh is super weak. Lord refine my faith through the fire so it may become stronger. Help me to endure these trials and still shout out praises. Lord fill me with your unfailing love. Fill me and allow me to be satisfied. Lord because and I thirst and hunger for something to satisfy this emptiness and Lord only you can truly satisfy. Lord let me turn to you always. Lord help me. Lord whom do I run to? Lord I am running after you. I am chasing after your love. Bless me with patience to wait for your promises. I love you Lord I love you I love you. Thank you for being enough.

Day 4 8/18/2011

S:Psalm 16:2 I said to the Lord You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.

O: Sometimes I feel like God is asking me why do I settle. It's like he says why settle for this when I have so much more for you? Sometimes when my life is dry I ask God to quench my thirst. It's like I've been settling for salt water for so long that I don't even notice the fresh water in front of me.

A: I must open my eyes to see that I will always have something to be joyful and thankful for. He gives me every good thing and he has so much in store for me.

P: Dear Lord Jesus,
                              Please open my eyes to see all the blessings you have put in front of me. Lord give me strength to not settle for anything less than what you have for me. Please grant me patience to wait on your promises. I love you Lord so much in Jesus name I pray amen

Raining on the parts I want to cover with an umbrella

James 4:17
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

Hillsong
The Desert Song lyrics

Verse 1:
This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

Verse 2:
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames

Chorus:
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

Verse 3:
And this is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

Bridge:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

Verse 4:
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow

 

I remember one night at camp during worship we were praying and praying for the rain. Kat and T were leading us in worship we asked for rain and God let it pour. We kept asking God to rain in our lives to drench what had become a desert. Oh and he was there pouring into each and every dry part. His holy spirit rained down and everyone was filled. I remember what Kat said. She said that we're asking God to rain in our lives and he was going to rain in places we didn't want him to rain in but we just had to give it up. 

At the time I was all for it. I kept praying yes Lord let it rain. Let it rain. Let it rain even in the places I don't want you to rain in. Although I have to say I was like things are good right now. What could he possibly rain in? 

Now I know. I started talking to this guy again. I'm trying to set boundaries so that I don't cross anything. I have committed this year to God. It is looking messy. I am confused. I don't know what to do. I'm scared, but I must trust with all my heart that God knows what is best for me. He will take care of me. If my heart breaks in the near future he will restore it again. I must allow him to rain in the places he needs to rain in. I need him to drench every dry spot, to purify everything, and to wash away anything that blocks clarity. 

I live for God. He is enough. When this year is up I'll trust that he will put me where I need to be. 

Psalm 37:7-9

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ⁷ Be still in the presence of the Lord,
      and wait patiently for him to act.
   Don’t worry about evil people who prosper
      or fret about their wicked schemes.
 ⁸ Stop being angry!
      Turn from your rage!
   Do not lose your temper—
      it only leads to harm.
 ⁹ For the wicked will be destroyed,
      but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.

Day 3 8/17/2011

Psalm 12:5

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ⁵ The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless,
      and I have heard the groans of the poor.
   Now I will rise up to rescue them,
      as they have longed for me to do.”

Evermore
Lost for words with all to say
Lord you take my breath away
Still my soul, my soul cries out
For you are holy

And as I look upon your name
Circumstances fade away
Now your glory steals my heart
You are holy
You are holy Lord

Evermore my heart, my heart will say
Above all, I live for your glory
Even if my world falls I will say
Above all, I live for your glory


S: Psalm 12:5

O: A lot of people come to me and ask what happens to the people who are starving? What happens to the people who are in poverty? Here's what I have to say, we are called to help such people. In anyway possible we must help these people. It can be as simple as putting your change in one of those red cross boxes. It could be buying a meal for someone who claims to be hungry. We can donate to canned food or toy drives. We could go on a mission trip. There are so many ways we can help. If we see that we can do something we shouldn't just sit there. It's time to be proactive. We must back up what we believe with our actions.

A: I'm going to find ways to help people out. Even if it's just volunteering my time. We are put here to help people and to love. By our actions I know people will see that Jesus lives in us.

P: Dear Lord God,
                            Please show me ways to help the people around me. Please guide me to do silent services. Even if I don't have much please show me what I can give. I love you Lord. In Jesus name I pray amen

I am A LOT of things

Mark 12:30-31

New Living Translation (NLT)

³⁰ And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’^{[a] 31} The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[b] No other commandment is greater than these.”

Let now our hearts burn with a flame
A fire consuming all for your Son's holy name
And with the heavens we declare
You are our king

We love you Lord, we worship you
You are our God, you alone are good

-Savior King Hillsong 

On Sunday I stopped by my friends house before church to grab my stuff. As I was exiting her house she said Rhia you are so irresponsible. I said yes I am but God still loves me! Don't judge me! There is only one judge and he is God. Life brings me many opportunities to meet various types of people. Every single person I meet is unique. The differences poses a risk in my mind. JUDGEMENT. When I see something I don't necessarily like or when I am around something new I must be quick to shut every thought up. 

I have no right to judge anyone. Who am I to ever say that I am better than someone? I am not. I have my own flaws. I fight my own battles. Yes I am irresponsible. Goodness I am a lot of other things too. The good news is that God sees every crack and crevice in my personality and features yet he loves me. His love is unconditional. UNCONDITIONAL. That means he knows every mistake I have and will make and he loves me. He loves me enough to forgive me when I sin. He loves me enough to take my broken dirty bonded heart and wipe the stains away. He breaks the chains. He puts the pieces back together. He looks past it all and loves me. His love is true love. His love works in me and changes me each day. 

So when people do something I don't like or if they hurt me I will look past it all and choose to love. For every judgement that decides to creep up behind me I will tie a cement block to those words and throw them into a DEEP lake. I will replace those words with love. I will not judge I will love. The world needs more love and I'm going to give it a heavy dose. Let God's will be done. 

1 Corinthians 13

Love Is the Greatest

 ¹ If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. ³ If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it;^[a] but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

 ⁴ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud ⁵ or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. ⁶ It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. ⁷ Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

 ⁸ Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages^[b] and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! ⁹ Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! ¹⁰ But when full understanding comes, these partial things will become useless.

 ¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. ¹² Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.^[c] All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

 ¹³ Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

Day 2 8/16/2011

S: Psalm 9:9-10

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ⁹ The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed,
      a refuge in times of trouble.
 ¹⁰ Those who know your name trust in you,
      for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.

O: I feel like God is saying that I can always run to him when trouble comes. He will always be there for me. When I'm going through some type of trial I know God will send someone to help me out. After reading one of my previous blogs my friend wrote me a poem. Part of the poem goes God is in all shapes and forms he comes in your friends to assist you. I thank God that when things are going down hill he places people in my life to uplift my spirits.

A: I will remember this verse when my smile is downcast. No matter what I do God loves me and will never leave me.

P: Dear Lord God,
                            I thank you for never failing to hear my cries for help. Thank you for always providing joy in the times of sorrow. Thanks for sending people to assist me in times of need. Thank you Lord for always being right next to me. I love you Lord. In Jesus name Amen

Dead Faith

James 2:14-17

Faith without Good Deeds Is Dead

 ¹⁴ What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? ¹⁵ Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, ¹⁶ and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? ¹⁷ So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

"It is not a song that replays over and over in my head. The words hold not a musical tune. They just hold a message to live by. Faith without works is dead."

Hebrews 11:1

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

Yesterday in church I learned about faith. See faith is more than just knowing that God exists and believing that his son died for our sins. It needs to be shown by our actions. What is the point if I say I love Jesus or I believe in God if I do not model the principles of Christianity. 

I must prove my faith by my actions. Today those words just replayed in my head. Faith without works is dead. Every time I would get lazy it would replay again. I must show the world who I live for. How? I must love with no conditions. I must bite my tongue. I must practice self control. I must forget and forgive. I must be kind to everyone especially the people hardest to get along with. I should find ways to help people in need. How do I help someone who is hungry with just words? If I have something to give I will give it away. Silent works I don't need any recognition. I hope to grow in faith not just by believing but by putting those beliefs into actions.

Galatians 5:6


What is important is faith expressing itself in love.

Day 1 8/15/2011

Starting today August 15, 2011 I will read through Psalms in addition to my other devotional. When I am done reading I will do soap. I will continue to post these devotionals until September 15, 2011. You might be like whaaa?? What in the world is soap? The stuff you use to clean your hands? Not exactly. Soap is just another tool to use for a devotional.

S: Scripture: Out of the daily reading I will write down the one scripture that stands out to me; that I feel God is trying to point out to me.

O: Observation: I will apply my reading to see why God chose to make this scripture stand out to me.

A: Application: I will then take that day’s reading and that day’s scripture and figure out how I can apply it to my life.

P: Prayer: I will pray that God guides me in the right direction so that I can apply that scripture effectively to my life in the way that He sees fit.

I will also do the other blogs that I usually do. I hope this will help and encourage people.

S: Psalm 3:1-6

New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 3

A psalm of David, regarding the time David fled from his son Absalom.

 ¹ O Lord, I have so many enemies;
      so many are against me.
 ² So many are saying,
      “God will never rescue him!”
                         Interlude^[a]
 3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
      you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
 ⁴ I cried out to the Lord,
      and he answered me from his holy mountain.
                         Interlude
 ⁵ I lay down and slept,
      yet I woke up in safety,
      for the Lord was watching over me.
 ⁶ I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies
      who surround me on every side.

O: There are a lot of times when I am left scared. There are several times when I feel discouraged. These verses just give me hope for today. He will keep my head held high. He will protect me and I don't have to be afraid.

A: I will apply these verses to the moments in my life when I am too scared to try. I will know that God has me and everything will be okay.

P: Dear Lord Jesus,
                             I thank you for another day. I thank you for these verses. I pray that you would allow me to be confident in your word. I ask that when it feels like so many enemies surround me and I feel discouraged and scared you would allow me to return to you word to find peace. Yes Lord allow me to have peace in knowing that you always protect me. I love you Lord so much. In Jesus name Amen