One Prayer

Romans 10:1 (NCV)

"Brothers and sisters, the thing I want most is for all the Jews to be saved. That is my prayer to God."

What if you only had one prayer left? and what if you knew your prayer would get answered, what would you pray for? I can just imagine the Apostle Paul looking at the outskirts of his city and suddenly tears start to run down his cheeks, why? because he knew that these people needed to be saved. His prayer wasn't a selfish prayer, like many of our prayers, but his prayer was one that didn't concern him but others, those around him. See in our lives we meet many people, cross paths with strangers, even have to deal with people that we just don't like, but what if we took our selfish desires and aimed our prayers for these individuals that don't know about Jesus Christ? Paul's prayer wasn't just to see some of the Jews be saved, but it was to see ALL the Jews be saved. I know there are a lot of “what if’s” but here is a last one: what if we would pray that same prayer? a prayer that says i want to see "ALL my family saved" "ALL my co-workers saved" "ALL of my city saved" how would our world look like? Last night P.Dan spoke about UNITY, and how in only 2 instances were the people in one accord (Genesis 11 & Acts 2) their UNITY allowed them to experience miracles, great achievements, a move of God. I Believe that today we are being called to pray, and not merely for ourselves, but for our families, friends, co-workers, city, world. if we came together with one thing in mind (that ALL man shall be saved) can we really see and experience another "one accord" experience? It's up to you, me, US!

Foolish Wisdom?

Proverbs 7:21 With persuasive words she led him astray;
she seduced him with her smooth talk.
Solomon was the wisest of all men and he spends much time discussing with his son the ways of a woman good and a lot of bad. Women have a great power to lift a man up to greatness or destroy him. Solomon had seen this with the relationship of his father, David and his mother. He knew what sadness adultery creates and the regret of sin. Because of his father’s murdering of Uriah, the nation was in constant war, and his older brother had died. But even more Solomon had a lust for women and he too was lead away from the Lord with his relationships.
Wisdom is only good when you follow her instructions. The bible says to know what is right and not do it is sin. This is so true. As women not only do we persuade men but we persuade ourselves into believing lies. We compromise God’s word to fit what WE think is best for us. We are to submit every thought to God and wait for His instructions. God has a plan for us if we would only get out of the way.
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.” God first and your needs will be met.
“Delight yourselves in the ways of the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” We you are delighted in God, your desires will be aligned with His and He will bless you with them. God knows what is best for us and His timing is perfect.
1 Peter 3: 3,4 “ Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.” It is not about what you can do but WHOS you are. Fall in love with Christ and become more like Him and you will always have joy.
Lord, I thank you for your word today. Forgive me for not keeping You first. Help me to prioritize my life so that I may be a blessing. I commit my heart, my desires, and life back to You. Amen

Welcome to Oklahoma...

Well as you all may know i have made it to Oklahoma safely, thanks for all your prayers. Anyways you might be wondering what that sign is, don't worry i was wondering the same thing. As soon as we got off the plane the first person i saw was this tall cowboy who's jacket said "chuck" right then and there i knew this was going to be a long trip. I decided to go to the restroom and was welcomed with the sign above, "tornado shelter!!" I don't know about you but that gives me no kind of rest. Anyways on the way here to Oklahoma we stopped at Denver where this old gentleman came up to me and asked me, "hey you go to the University of Hawaii?" I was wearing my UH sweater, that Amanda (miss you) gave me, i told him that i didn't but i was planning to attend there in a few. He was just so happy and excited, we talked just a little bit more and as he left he put out his hand and left me with a "shaka." It's funny how God will place specific people, signs, or things in your life to remind you about your dream. So remember "keep your memories inside of you, keep your past behind you, and keep your dream in front of you!" This concludes my first day here in Oklahoma, it's getting late (1:20am) so i'm calling this a night.  Gnite every one, love yall and miss yall!

Good News

1 Thessalonians 3: 7Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.

Paul is writing to the church in Thessalonica and shares with them why he was not able to visit and why he sent Timothy. He was under so much persecution that even though he wanted to see them he couldn’t. He says that the news that they are strong in their faith encourages him. He goes as far to say that “now we really live”.
Good news does so much for everyone who hears it. It makes you smile, lifts your heart, brighten a day, eases pain. It can even bring laughter and a song. Paul had endured so much in his life and just the word that the people he loved and poured into were doing well, lifted him.
1. What good news are you sharing? The gift of salvation is called the “good news” and it is, however, it is a “good secret” if no one hears it. In our society we can share about the most vulgar things and it is acceptable. You share Christ, and you are judging people’s lives. No, you are not.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword , and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit , of both joints and marrow , and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart .
The good news is powerful and change lives. Share Christ with someone it will not only make an impact on them, but on you as well. My life is all wrapped up in Jesus, from my childhood, to my marriage, to Isaiah and Leia’s miracle births. It is next to impossible not to share what God has done in my life.
2. Encouragement can be in many forms. A funny joke or picture (any of Troy’s stories or email titles), a praise report, a smile, a simple text. Spread the light in little ways for the go much deeper than you think. We I hear how a youth that we ministered to is still servicing God and in ministry themselves…I energizes me. It reassures me that it is worth the cost.

Lord, I thank you that you word is a live and life changing. I love that you have designed us to encourage and share how awesome you are and be there for others. I pray that I will be an encouragement to someone today. amen