ducklings!

The past few days on the way to and from school, i've noticed little goslings twaddling across the field with their mother goose. But it was today that i stopped, i watched, and observed life, as spring has finally sprung (with the most outrageous weather i must say). I noticed the protective parents as i walked by, i noticed how curious and how ignorant the ducks were. As they stumbled towards the pond, i noticed one was left behind, checking out the plants or something.

I really took it in, this was life. You start off as a child, always thinking, and living in the moment. Then later on, you grow, you learn and you become a parent, to the point where you're thinking ahead, there are more things that bother you, from the people watching and glaring by, to the struggles you deal with everyday.

¹³ People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” ¹⁶ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. 

Mark 10:13-16

Receive the kingdom of God as a little child. What does that mean? What do children have that don't that will help them receive this kingdom better than us? I think when we reflect and compare, we think too much. When a child is presented with a lollipop or any gift, what do they do? They jump right in and take it. Where as an adult would consider the benefits, the reasoning, the purpose, what it is, if its dangerous, but the Kingdom of God is the greatest gift, and you don't need to question it. Go right for it. Its sitting there on the table, on a silver platter with your name on it. Are you going to sit there, doubt it and question, or accept it.

¹⁴ Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

 Matthew 19:14

role modelling.

Role model. As followers of Christ, we need to be good representatives of him, constantly reflecting Him. I've never really looked at myself as a role model, but the past year, there have been people that have told me that they look up to me. It was a shock. Why would you look up to me out of all people? What is it about that you admire? Why me?

Although i continue to question myself, over and over, knowing that there are people that look up to me, its different. Because there are people looking up to me, i have to put on my A-game like never before. I try my best to set that good example for them, in hopes that those who look up to me will learn and be influenced to do the same.

But it was today when I felt the pressure of being this role model. I want to set that example for others, especially for those younger than me, but today i felt like, for me to do that, i had to be perfect and have no flaws. I love it when I have people that support me, and that i can support, where there's a two way accountability, but sometimes its hard when you tell others to not give up (for instance), and then the next second talk about giving up. We can't be two faced, and we can't go against our word. But at the same time, you are dealing with your own struggles and you want to give up, yet today i felt like i couldn't share with anyone because it would make me look bad as a role model. So how do you balance that?

I do realize that being a role model doesn't mean perfection, but its hard to set a good example when you don't live up to what you say/do? Does that make sense?

Christ is the perfect example we should all be looking up to. We are humans, we fail and we stumble. There isn't anything wrong with looking up to one another, but we have to know that none of us are perfect. Set your eyes on Christ, the greatest example.

¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 

1 Timothy 4:12 

under construction.

Are there any days where everything is just perfect and ideal? I doubt it, we're going to always be going through something, a struggle, or a challenge, with a friend, or with yourself. But life can never be perfect as disappointing as it sounds.

Because we are work in progress. God is constantly working on us, crafting and moulding us into something greater and something stronger. Undergoing all these changes brings up mess, everywhere. When you're renovating, making an art piece, working or studying, in the process of something, there is mess. From the dust and wood shavings, the paint and the clay, or the sheets and pencils, there is mess.

I personally hate mess, hate when things are unorganized, it makes the future (near or far) so blurry, and it worries me and i get anxious over it. Many times when things are messy, we forget to look at the big picture, and get pushed to the verge of giving up. We have to keep the final result in mind. We know that after we renovate, there will be a better, and new space. When we finish our art, there will be a beautiful masterpiece, and when we finish studying, we'll be confident for our test, so as God is crafting us, refining us, through all the hurt and pain, know that after all the mess, there will be brilliant, hand-made by the Lord of Lords.

⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6 

sick?

We all sick, now and then, sometimes for long periods, sometimes for short periods, but I'm sure that everyone has gotten sick once or twice before. When we're sick, its because our immune system is down and weak, and we fail to fight against the bacteria and germs out there.

Same for our spiritual health. We have to make sure we are spiritually fit, in his Word, in his Life and in his Love. If our spiritual immune system is weak, Satan can easily break into us and bring us down. We can't let that happen!

For some people, it is because of a weak spot, for instance, the eyes may be weak, and one may be continuously looking at things that are not holy and are inappropriate, or maybe its one's mind, that their judgement is clouded at times, and they easily give into temptation.

When we're sick, doctors give us medications that treat what is wrong, it doesn't treat our entire body, but only what is wrong. The antibodies or drugs go right to the source, and that is how we should be treating our spiritual health, at the root. We shouldn't be using "pain-killers", because it only targets surface area problems, we need to go right to the source. Usually, its the heart. We must learn to guard our hearts above all else because everything we do flows from it (Proverbs 4:23).

Reflect on your health, not just your physical health, but your spiritual health too. Are you sick? Are you weak? Easily targeted by the Devil? Need a cure? Don't tackle the surface problems, go straight to the heart. Keep your spiritual immune system fit!

¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:12-17 

:)

Reflecting on the past week, i think my week was a hundred times better than the week before, I could smile on the windy, rainy walks to school, i could laugh genuinely and be joyful. God is good. Im so happy that things picked up. Im in a very content place in my life right now. Although there are still struggles, and hardships i feel like so much has been lifted off. I know God will allow more challenges to come my way, but I'm ready to take them on knowing they will only make me stronger. There isn't much content to the post, but after such an amazing week, i really needed to be thankful for what God has given me, the people, the opportunities and the infinite blessings.

Praise God for an amazing week. He is Good.

¹¹ Light shines on the righteous     and joy on the upright in heart.  

¹² Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous,    and praise his holy name.

Psalm 97:11-12 

Endure! - Part 1

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, ²¹and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²²let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. ²³Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

²⁶ If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, ²⁷ but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

Hebrews 10:19-27

Lately, you can see that my posts have been more topic based instead of passage based, and i can feel the gap between his Word and my life, and its weak. Im starting to really realize the power of his Word, how it is the bread of life. Indulging in it is a must, if you stop, you start to stray away.

I came across this passage while flipping through my bible, and its under "A Call to Persevere". There's more to it and i'll make it the next post, like a MINI MINI series. At this moment in time, there's been a lot i've been trying to push through, and there's been little glimmers of hope that are pushing me through. God will last and not leave my side, so putting my hope in Him is the best choice.

How sure are you of your salvation? (v.22) I remember at my baptism interview, i was asked "if you were to die right now, would you go to heaven or hell?" I remember answering hell. Because of all the things and sins i've committed, there was no way i was near that "perfect" Christian that deserves heaven. Oh boy was i wrong. God hands this gift out to each and every one of us, we take it when we repent and believe in Him. It still took me many many years after to fully understand the assurance of my salvation. Only until recently, I came to realize that my name is already up in heaven in the book of life, that i can say that i AM going to heaven. Christ is my God and my Saviour, and i've dedicated my life to him, no matter how hard the road may be. His life and his sacrifice has cleansed our hearts. We now have the help of the holy spirit, we can be stronger in becoming righteous in a holy manner. May we live our lives each month, each week and each day glorifying God in ALL we do.

Hope. (v.23) we're always looking for hope. It times of trouble especially. We must hold onto Christ because his will keep his promises. That he will one day descend from heaven and will end all sin, all pain, when judgement day will arrive. I await that day. I think i tend to forget this promise and thus lose hope easily.

While on earth, with these challenges and hardships, we cannot do it alone (v. 24-25). I remember struggling through things, and i remember focusing on Philippians 4:13 "i can do all things through Christ" that was my motivator. And as true as that was, i was strong enough, and i had to have other people. Thats why God made people. So we can work and help each other get through trials and troubles. Its always nice to know there's someone there for you, someone you can talk to. Find accountability. Find community. Find support. Find unity. You'll find a good group of people you can talk to, share with, be transparent with and can open up to. Its so important.

If you say that you are a follower of Christ, you are his child and his representative. If you know that God does not like sin, yet you continue to do so, it isn't right. (v.26-27) But God is a good God. He gives us free will. You can do whatever you want. He won't stop you and wont force you. If you continue to indulge in the world, then he'll just wait, hoping for the day you turn back to him. Judgement day is coming for all of us. God will go through all of us, one by one, looking through what we've done, if we were true followers and servants of Christ.

We have continue to fight and push forward.

Salvation is assured for us.

There is hope in God's love and promises.

He's given us people that will support and encourage us.

We cannot go back to our usual desires and sinful habits.

¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

zero gravity.

That feeling, when you're in outer space, where they're no gravity, nothing, you're just floating in space, and there's nothing. nothing to grab onto, nothing to ground you, keep you in place. You're just floating there, helpless. thats how i feel today. As if time has froze, and I'm stuck in my body, unable to escape, stuck, and there's absolutely nothing i can do.

Things have been rather rough, but today, it just all piled up. I woke up today knowing and having a gut feeling that the day wasn't going to go well. And it didn't. From not feeling well physically in the morning, to being plain out tired, having constant thoughts running through my mind that put myself down, Satan taunting at me, doubts, guilt, regrets, all piled up. It got to the point where instead of pushing myself to get through life day by day, today it was pushing myself to get through the next minute. And finally after my day was over, i couldn't take it. And i let it out. I broke down.

¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

I always think of this verse. With everything going on in my mind, I kept thinking to myself. Why. God promised me that he would not give me more than i can bear, and i feel like this is just way too much. I can't handle it. Is he just trying to push me off the edge? I really can't go through this anymore, i want to give up. I want to escape, but I'm stuck with this life and this reality. I want to leave but i can't.

My good friend was checking up on me and gave me this verse. It was the perfect verse at that time.

⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Im feeling much better now. We sang You Hold Me Now at SPLOXA today, and it really spoke to me. The lyrics, i could truly relate, and listening to it again after all the craze, it was comforting, it was reassuring and it gave me all i wanted, to be held tight, to be loved. It opened the window of hope we should set out eyes on. Heaven.

No weeping.

No hurt or pain.

No suffering.

You hold me now.

No darkness.

No sick or lame.

No hiding.

You hold me now.

Im so ready to get that. To get to heaven, into that place with no pain, no tears and no suffering. But for now on earth, i will delight in my sufferings and my hardships because God is good and its with these pains i will grow stronger. For when i am weak, i am strong.

⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

God's Masterpiece.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhfUzodLRvk

You are God's masterpiece. No one's perfect. We all have flaws. The first time i saw this video was back in Grade 10 and i thought it meant nothing. Just another YouTube video being shown at fellowship. The second time hit me hard. It was during retreat and we were talking about how our lives is like a renovation.

It's all bad and unwanted at the beginning but when during the process it gets ugly, destroyed, and it's messy, very messy. Once all the stuff is destroyed and rebuilt in the end it's all pretty and perfect.

Similar to our walk with God. He made us his masterpiece and he shapes and molds us to be like him. During our walk with God it will definitely get ugly. With temptations, struggles, and challenges.

Accept the fact that God made you for a reason, a purpose, and you're perfect. Every time we confess our sins he uses that hammer to chisel away our sins to make us beautiful.

Is It Time?

You never know when your life will end. Today i found out that on of my family friends passed away in February. We never really spoke of her condition, which was a type of cancer, but she was always prayed for. I didn't really know her personally but i knew that she was a studious and faithful daughter of God.

We all have our struggles in life. Her's was physical. Cancer. It's pretty unpredictable. You never know how much treatment you will need until you'll be 100% healed. She had to undergo many surgeries starting from November of 2009 until she passed away. She still fought through the good and bad news. She kept her eyes focused on God.

I admire her because she was being optimistic instead of a pessimist. She didn't shun God because of what He had sent her. She made every last second the best. We should always spend our time with family and friends memorable because you never know when it's your time to go.

Let It Shine.

Have you ever went to a mountain and looked around or sat in the middle of the field at night?

It's all pitch dark.

The earth below looks like a glowing map. Street lamps mark out tiny dots and lines of light, with our car headlights zooming up and down. As you enter a city (on a plane) you can see all the streetlights, building lights, and bill boards all lit up. There are thousands and thousands of lights. Both bright and dim, blinking and steady.

In Matthew 5:14-16 it says:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

You are that city on a hill. that landmark in the darkness that no one can miss. You are the glow on the horizon. We should always be shining God's marvelous light to others. Old or young, male or female, Christian or non-Christian. It doesn't matter who. As long as the light is kept constant. It's something that no one can miss. We may stumble across some struggles or challenges but nothing is impossible through God. He's our strength. He's the one that keeps us going. Since he does all this why not share it to the world?

TBA

confused? uncertain? I know I am. I don't know why I'm going through the things i'm going through. Why am i dealing with loneliness, why am i fighting these certain struggles and problems. It might be the same for you. That you're going through certain things may it be a broken family, cutting or other addictions. I know that i myself don't want to be struggling with this. I've struggled with temptations and sins for years now, and its frustrating that i haven't permanently become victorious. But while looking through stuff, deciding on what to talk about today, i decided to talk about Proverbs 16:4.

"The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble."

Everything we struggle with, everything that happens each day, good or bad, a pain or a celebration, the people we meet, all has a purpose.

During Earth Hour tonight, I got to sit down and chat with my parents. But to be honest, it felt more forced. But as time went on, we started to talk about family. There's this TV show on right now called "Who Do You Think You Are" and it explores celebrity guests as they travel around the world, discovering their family tree and the genealogy behind it, uncovering secrets, and surprises about the past. Talking to my mom about it, she talked about her mom, my grand mother, and how her grandmother (my great grandmother) was a single family. It was tonight where she realized that my grandmother was raised in a single-parent family, and how it applies to today. Hearing about the past, about what was and what came to be, it can be seen as God's plan. Im not exactly sure how it was apart of the plan, but for instance, my grandmother (raised in a single parent family) could chat with others who also are facing the same issues, and can provide comfort, and words to share with generations down the line. Decades ago, when my grandmother was raised, she probably didn't understand why she was alone, why she didn't have a dad, but its possible that generations later, she realizes that this is why.

Same goes for you and me. Why am i struggling with this, why is that apart of our lives. But there is a reason. There is a purpose. Don't give up. God has a plan for you, and if you give up, he cannot use you to your greatest potential.

⁹ In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the LORD establishes their steps.

Proverbs 16:9

3 Stories. 1 God.

It was one hectic Saturday (yesterday). Why? For Sunday school we had to make a video and my group had nothing planned until yesterday and it was due this morning. The moment I got to church i quickly talked to those who were already at church. We brainstormed then came up with an idea. There were 4 topics that we were to chose off of a list that was given to us by the teacher. I already knew what the other group was doing so we combined the rest of the 3 of 4 topics and made one conclusion.

There were 3 stories and here they are:

A girl isn't doing so well in school because she's spending too much time at church and worshiping God. Her parents aren't Christian so it's hard for them to understand how God has changed her life. She's forced to study, study, and study just to receive that 100% on every course. She struggles with trying to evangelize with her parents and then feels disappointed in herself because she has failed to do it.

The second story is about a girl that struggles with fitting in with her peers. She's constantly striving to be more and more 'pretty' to keep up with the trends. She gives into peer pressure by skipping class with her friends. She feels like she's not good enough for God because she has fallen into temptation so many times.

And lastly, this girl has a boyfriend who is a non-christian. She invites her boyfriend to Bible study and he shows up late and doesn't care about anything. They soon get into a fight and break up. Since she failed at evangelizing to him she soon feels that she's also failed the task of spreading the Gospel.

In the end it's not MARKS, FITTING IN, or EARTHLY RELATIONSHIPS that define you but it's your faith that defines you.

God loves you no matter how many struggles you face. It's okay to fail at spreading the Gospel because there may be other opportunities that are open for you.

Temptation.

We all get tempted by Satan. It's the test of faith, whether or not we fall into it or resist it.
There are multiple ways of temptations. It may be from peers, family, teachers, it comes from just about anyone.

God gives us the many temptations to face so that he can test how strong our faith with him is. Trust is such an important role in this relationship that you have with Christ. Without it, there will be no right relationship. We need to give our full trust in God and believe that his plans for you are perfect.

Through many challenges and struggles, you may think that God isn't there for you when actually, he's standing right beside you. He never leaves your side. Through and temptations that you fall into God's there beside you, just reach up and grab his hand.

Teen's Conference 2012.

9 months of planning finally paid off. Teen's Conference is finally over. It was such an amazing experience to see all these attendees come to Christ and/or rededicate their lives. I learned that God can work through those who don't speak and through those who yell their heads off. The loud and the quiet.

Some of the team members had such amazing testimonies and this taught me not to underestimate anyone because behind that smile could be pain and suffering.
Throughout these past 4 days of constant worshiping and cheering we had a prayer meeting for captains the morning of the last day.

It all started with one person praying then a burst of voices praying aloud. Then one of the mentor coaches began to play his guitar while we were praying and before you knew it, everyone was praying and singing as tears were running down their cheeks. As i heard the sniffles of my co-captain i just bursted out crying. I realized that God is just so magnificent that we don't understand. His love for us is so powerful and amazing that some people are just so blind to it. As we had our arms around each other for a good 30 min of prayer and praise we took a moment of silence to just reflect on how God has worked through our lives throughout the past few days.

He taught me to be patient and understandable. After Junior TC they had an alter call and seeing my whole team stand and walk to the aisles just amazed me. All except one guy. He remained in his seat so i sat beside him and prayed for him. After we all went home he did something that just melted my heart. He told me that he was moved by my testimony that i had shared and he can relate to it because he's going through the same thing. He said that i was such a big impact on him that he's not afraid of his struggles anymore because he knows that they're thrown at him for a reason. Reading his message to me just made me smile. I never realized that i made such a big impact on someone's life (especially cuz he was a really quiet guy).

After hearing this it made me more encouraged to share to others about how God has worked in my life and so, i did during the Sr. TC. I realized that you don't know how much you've impacted someone's life until they tell you about it. I felt like my team didn't bond very well and me and my co-captain were trying so hard to encourage them to be louder and more excited but it didn't work until the second day. On the first day of Sr. i started to burst out crying after worship and one of the attendees came up to me and prayed and she said, "i know that beth and joey are trying so hard God, please just open the eyes and hearts of the ppl of team flush." This line was stuck in my head for the whole night. She knew that we were trying hard.

God works through everyone. Loud or quiet. Tall or short. Happy or sad. Through this amazing experience i realized that one thing. He can do anything.

Hello, My Name is: Provider

Lets try something new. I have my "Clearing The Air:" series, where i tackle misunderstandings and concepts of Christianity from homosexuality, to baptism. Here's a new one i want to bring up, "Hello, My Name is:" series. This will be i guess introducing our God to you. He has so many names. Yahweh, Alpha & Omega, Lamb of God. But today i want to talk about his name: Provider.

Our God provides. He provides everything we need, but not necessarily everything we want. As GOD, the great, everlasting, almighty God, life is in his hands. He sees all, the past, the present, and the future and he knows EXACTLY what is best for you, at what time. He is above all else and works to give you the best. But it is your choice whether to receive it or not.

In times of struggle and weakness, may it be physically, financially, God will provide. I remember having my parents give me an assignment once to help improve my english, through writing. They wanted me to write a list of the things we have to bring in case of an emergency. And I write one thing. God. Because he will provide with everything we need.

This requires a LOT of trust. We need to put our full faith in our God, knowing that he knows all, and putting our entire life into his hands, knowing he will steer us in the right direction.

He's known as the Provider. Are you letting him do his job? Or are you still trying to take it upon yourself to provide for yourself?

Running Mindlessly

Found this in my devotional today, which reading at school and i thought it was really interesting. Take a quick read!

In Buddhism, a thangka painting typically portrays the wheel of life—the historic representation of the nature of human existence. Central to the painting is the circle of life, which has no beginning or end. Life with its endless reincarnations is a spinning wheel that never stops. Perhaps most ominous about the thangka is that the hands and feet of the devil grip the wheel from behind. It’s obvious who is in control of such a spinning history of futility.

In my office I have a painting by a Christian from Tibet who created a very different thangka. In this thangka, the wheel of life has been invaded by Christ’s incarnation and transcended by Christ’s resurrection. And the hands and feet of the devil are broken free from the wheel. As our text states, Christ disarmed “the powers and authorities” and “made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

Billions of people in our world think that life has no real purpose—that we’re like hamsters on a spinning wheel, running forever in meaningless circles. But history is under God’s control; it had a beginning and will have an end. The devil’s defeat means a world in which all things are made new—even the likes of you and me.

~ Today's Devotionals (iPhone App)

"The hands and feet of the devil are broken free from the wheel." This wheel represented life, the constant battle between world, sin, temptations, struggles and difficulties, we constantly want to give in, and its just too much effort and work to fight it through, but will you fight the good fight? Before, the devil was holding your "wheel of life". After accepting Christ, he's come into your life, broken off the devil's grasp on you and have set you free.

"The devil's defeat means a world in which all things are made new..." All things are made new, your life, your actions, your mind, your heart and your soul. You've been forgiven, given another chance, another shot. A clean slate, no record of any wrongs. God has already conquered the devil, and so can you with his aid and guidance.

Are we like "a hamster on a spinning wheel, running forever in meaningless circles"? Indulging in things we should not be? Or have you stepped off that wheel and have realized your purpose in life?

It's Perfect.

God has a plan for you. A plan beyond your wildest dreams. Did you know that the desires deep within you, the passions that move you deeply, the stuff you care about the most, the things in the world you most want to see changed, the stuff that can most quickly bring a tear to your eye or a smile, what most deeply satisfies you are all things that can lead you to God's purpose for you and your life.

We may not think that something bad that happens is part of God's plan but, it actually is. He planned it so perfectly that you need to take the fact that it is. We may struggle with many different things but everyone struggles. We all have these highs and lows in our lives. We may not like it but, it's a plan that was made perfectly and just for you.

I've struggled with many things last year. From dislocating my knee to a fire before show time. It was a really hard year and i didn't understand why God did that to me but now, i realize that he did it for a purpose. He planned it so that i can conquer each of these challenges and it'll lead to making my faith stronger.

Conquer

³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? ³³ Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:31-38

We can conquer all that life brings. With God, we can overcome everything and anything. I think today's sermon at church was an extraordinary reminder to Christians. Life seems like a long time, averaging at about 80 years, 80 years of constant failure, trails, struggles, deaths, celebrations, obstacles, and pains, it seems like a long time. And I know for myself personally, its frustrating when you're struggling with pain and sin for so long, and you cannot win. Its difficult, and like they said in the sermon, giving up, and giving in are so extremely easy. To give in, do what you want, when you want, and how you want. Falling into the world's standards are simple and quick, but thats what Christianity is about, fighting the good fight. Can you fight against giving in, taking the hard but better road? Thats the real test.

In the passage, it says that IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US. God has conquered over all already, and like in v 38-39, he's conquered Satan, death, everything in heaven, on earth and under the earth (Phil 2:9-11). Its always something that goes un-noticed is that in that passage, it says "under the earth". That just goes to show that God is powerful and victorious over everything in Hell, including the devil himself.

As human beings, it is very common and natural to have pride, to feel and want to be the best, and i know i myself has thought so many times "im better than him", "i dont do this, so she's clearly worse than me", but no, who am i to judge? IT IS GOD WHO JUSTIFIES. We are all equal in God's eyes, we have all fallen short of God's glory, no one has fallen MORE or LESS short His glory. We are all sinners equally and equally need God's saving.

NOR THINGS PRESENT, NOR THINGS TO COME. God has already taken care of our future as well. Nothing that is happening to us NOW or LATER will separate us. As people, we love having control, of our lives, of our future. There are many things we want our way, it can be simple things like having the title of each note we take underlined, to bigger things like who we want to marry, what our family is to look like, but there are things that are out of our control. From the people you meet, to what university you get into. But trust in God. Do you have confidence in God that he will bring great things for you?

Verses 38-39, also talks about our identity. That at the bottom, within us, what truly defines us, is the love of God. As Christ followers we often "label" ourselves incorrectly. Yes, we are students, employees, husbands, wives, teachers, doctors, fathers, mothers, but before all of that, we are Christians, we are children of God. "I am a Child of God that is a brother, and student", not "im a brother, student, and also a Child of God." It is God's love that defines us.

We are continuously frustrated with the struggles we face daily, great or small, but God loves usand he has conquered way more than we have experienced. There are times that we want to give up, and just say game over, but remind yourself that nothing will separate you from God, no matter the challenges, and the difficulties, you can overcome it, and that God has greater things planned for you.

He Sees It.

God sees everything. There's nothing you can hide from him. The widest, most complex view. He sees it all at once. nothing escapes his warm smile. His loving gaze. His watchful care. His limitless love is just for you.

I feel that sometimes when I'm struggling i think that God can't see it. But I'm wrong. He CAN see it. I try hiding things from my friends and sometimes it works but at other times you need to come up front to them and tell them what's up. With God, he sees everything and he waits for you to confess because once you do, it'll bring a warm smile to his face.

When you're at school, he sees you. When you're at home, he sees you. His eyes are everywhere. There's no way you can hide from it.

You are the apple of God's eye.

break my heart for what breaks yours.

Today was Today's Teens Conference for the AGAPE/BASIC leaders, and during our first breakout session, we went to Running With Fire: Passion for the Broken. Although it wasnt a session I wanted to attend, and reading the blurb about it, it didnt really appeal to me, but crazy things happen. I truly believe that if you willingly open your heart/mind/eyes to receive God's word, and whatever he wants to say to you, you'll get something out of it.

So during this session, our speaker talked about the broken. He talked about the brokenness, personal brokenness, the things we deal with, from cutting, to drugs, to sexual immorality, loneliness, depression, and pain. We are all broken, and im sure there are broken people around us. Its really important to really try to see that and be of support. One of the videos they showed today talked about seeing how God sees the world. At first, everyone seemed normal, playing games, socializing, but then when we were "given God's eyes", it revealed the baggage that everyone was going through, from teen pregnancies, to being self absorbed. God truly knows what everyone is going through, but we should be sensitive and see that in others as well.

He also talked about brokenness outside, internationally, in the world, from the poverty, famine and hunger, and how we can help. From sponsoring a child, to working with World Vision or doing the 30 hr famine and raising awareness. There were some crazy statistics they gave,

- The US Defense Bill for ONE DAY could eliminate world hunger

- The average amount spent on ice cream by Canadians could eliminate world hunger

But the end, he challenged us with this. He dared us pray this prayer, and mean it. "Break my heart for what breaks yours." I dont think i fully took it in, but its really a prayer to see with God's eyes, to build that passion for the broken. And if we can see the world from God's perspective, we can truly follow in his footsteps, and be his representatives and help those in need. If you can read this, it means you've been blessed to live in such a wealthy environment/country. God placed you in this position to be the leaders to help the broken, those who do not have that luxury. Challenge yourself, to pray that prayer, and take the first step forward.