I believe Him...

prom-ise 
noun, verb, -ised, -is-ing.
Promissa


1. a declaration that something will or will not be done, given, etc.

2. an express assurance on which expectation is to be based

3. something that has the effect of an express assurance; indication of what may be expected.



I the Lord have called you for a righteous purpose and in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and will keep you; I will give you for a covenant to the people, for a light to the nations. To open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness from the prison...

...And I will bring the blind by a way that they know not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known. I will make darkness into light before them and make uneven places into plain. These things I have determined to do; and I will not leave them forsaken.

Isaiah 42:6-7, 16

Good stuff from quiet time...

In these last couple of months, I've felt like, as a believer and a God follower, I've been challenged in some many areas . My calling, my vision and my faith have really been tested and it's been INTENSE. I've prayed "God, strengthen my faith, so I may walk in confidence on the path you've chosen for me and so I wont doubt."

Allow me to share with you some good stuff I read this morning in the subject.

The apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord answered, if you had faith even like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, Be pulled up by the roots, and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you. Luke 17:5-6

Joyce Meyer comments, People often pray for "great faith," yet they do not understand that faith grows through challenges like stepping out to do things they don't fully understand or have experience with. I do not believe anyone is automatically a person of great faith; faith becomes great through experience. It develops as it is used.
One of the ways we release our faith is by doing something God asks of us. Faith often requires us to take action.

I guess my prayer is being answered...

Good stuff...

My Sister Milca shared this with me this morning...I thought I would share it with you all ;)

A Spiritual Prescription For The New Year

by T.D. Jakes

As you look ahead to 2009, be assured that God has kept you. God has brought you through the trials. God still has a plan for your future. Here is how you can align with it:

1. Build your faith - More than going to church and toting a Bible everywhere, this is about a deeply personal relationship with God, about letting God alone feed your soul and define who you are. It's about letting God's grace, peace and mercy bear fruit in your life.

2. Revisit your priorities - What are your long-standing goals? Actively seek new perspectives, approaches and information to help you achieve them.

3. Be a loving friend - As you surround yourself with positive, upward-thinking people, practice being to others the dedicated friend you've yearned for yourself. That kind of love and devotion, poured out on someone else, will inevitably come back to you.

4. Empower your inner circle - Your trusted kin, friends and advisers are your team. Encourage them to speak the truth to you to help ensure that your function optimally.

5. Give back - Share your blessings, resources, time and talents as they start to flow and become clearer in your own eyes.

Use or loose it...

Has God given you something special? I'm sure He has. Whether it's teaching, playing an instrument, singing, cooking, encouraging, painting or whatever it is that you know is your talent, make sure you are using it. God gave you IT with a purpose. God gave you IT for you to make a difference, for you to impact your generation. God gave you IT, because He knew that you using IT would change the lives of those around you, would bring the lost closer to Him and would inspire and encourage others to do the same. God gave you something special, don't waste it...use IT to change the world.

A prayer can make a difference...

Today I found out that the brother of a good friend of mine committed suicide last Friday. As I thought about my friend and her family, I couldn't help remembering two different times when the thought of ending my life came to my head. Both times I was troubled, overwhelmed, heartbroken, desperate, ashamed and hopeless. Both times I cried out for help. Both times there was someone close by who I ran to and asked for prayer. Both times I was fortunate.

We have no idea what the person standing in front of us at the supermarket is going through or what type of storm the person that just drove by is facing, but we can pray that God makes us sensitive enough, so that when a person in need crosses our way we can feel the urge to pray for them. You'd be surprised to find out what a difference a prayer can make.

Need a faith booster?

Do you have a need? God knows it and He can provide.

My story? Glad you asked! Most of you know that I will be moving to California in the next few weeks. Although I had an approximate date, I had not been able to purchase my airline ticket due to my financial situation. All I had was the conviction in my heart that this was what God wanted me to do, so I said "God, you are sending me, you will provide."

Yesterday, out of nowhere, I received a voicemail from a friend asking me to call back regarding something important. My friend knew of my moving plans, but was not aware of the fact that I was waiting on God to provide for my ticket. Today, I returned the call. After talking about different things, the question came up regarding my moving date and if I had already purchased my airplane ticket, to which I answered "I haven't been able to yet, but God is sending me, He will provide." My friend proceeded to tell me "I called you yesterday to tell you that I have enough miles for a free ticket and, a few days ago, God placed in my heart that I must give this ticket to you. God truly loves you." I could do nothing else but cry and be grateful. God was (1) providing for my need and (2) confirming that I was being lead by Him on my decision. How's that for a faith booster?

Moving to a new state away from so many people I truly love and from a Church I feel so passionate about is all very intimidating for me. However, I know that God will take care of me. He has proven, time and time again, that He is a powerful God, who honors an obedient heart.

Good stuff from quiet time...

That unexplainable, but wonderful feeling of peace. Peace and God's will are totally connected. When we walk in obedience and and put God first in our lives, His peace dwells in us, in spite of how easy or difficult our circumstances may be. God wants us to seek peace, since this is one of the ways in which He lets us know whether we're in or out of His will.

Check out what Paul says about it in Colossians 3:15 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

Joyce Meyer comments

Colossians 3:15 instructs us to let God's peace act as an umpire in our hearts. Many people do not enjoy God's peace because they're out of the will of God. We will never enjoy a peaceful life if we disobey His leading and follow our own will. However, if we do obey his guidance and follow peace (which confirms God's guidance), we will be blessed.

Tonight's thank you's...

God, before I close my eyes tonight, I want to thank you for:
My awesome Church - what an honor is to be part of what God is doing through FRC. Wonder if a campus will open in LA anytime soon...hint, hint...PLEASE! God, thank you for your life transforming power.
Dad's homemade dinner and even more quality time over ice cream at Coldstone - Don't tell my Mom, OK? ;) God, thank you for your love and tenderness.
My computer and iPhone - I just remembered when I didn't have either...technology is a good thing. God, thank you for your provision.
Those who have invested time and energy in me when I've been at my very worst - Never in vain. God, thank you for your mercy.

A clueless pig...

Last Saturday night, during his teaching, Pastor Troy asked for a few volunteers and, very unlike me due to my shyness, I put my hand up. Obviously, I had no clue what i was getting myself into, but there I was. Turned out I was to take part in a little drama of the story of the three little pigs. As you can see in the pictures below (pictures provided by our always ready Heather Palacios) I had to wear a pig nose (I tried to do this as gracefully as possible) and had to say part of the story, which I had only heard in Spanish, never in English. So there I stood, the Dominican pig that couldn't figure out what she had to say even less what it meant. Pastor Troy and the other volunteers helped me out and I was finally able to say my lines "No, no, by the hair on my chiny chin chin" and then the story went on. The funny thing is that I wasn't the only person that didn't know this words. You see, one of the greatest things about Flamingo Road Church is our diversity. There are people from all over, different countries, different cultures and I bet we all have heard the same story in our very own languages. That's why I was not embarrassed, that's why we could all just laugh about it, because at my Church, being different is OK...and for someone like me, what a relief that is.

Good stuff from quiet time...

Ever doubted God's promises? Time can have that effect on our human minds, can't it? We get tired, our emotions get in the way, our vision blurs and our hearts doubt. I can't tell you how many times I've had moments of doubt, fear and uncertainty; moments when I strongly feel that my FAITH is being tested.

The Lord visited Sarah AS HE HAD SAID, and the Lord did for her AS HE HAD PROMISED....And Sarah said, God has made me to laugh; all who hear will laugh with me.

Genesis 21: 1, 6

He promised? He'll make it happen...and, like Sarah, we will rejoice.