My God of Wonders

Well, I have to admit that I have been lazy in writing on my blog, so I am sorry for that. But I have to share this with everyone!!!

As most everyone knows I have been having issues with seizures. (I actually had one 2days after my last post.) I don't have a job or insurance. My roommate and her mother took me to the ER after I had my last seizure- September 15. Of course my bill was out of this world, at least for me because I didn't have a job. So, of course I am praying every day that the Lord would provide a job for me so I can make the payments on it. I get a statement/bill in the mail this past Friday. So, I call the people and I start to lay my complaint before them, when she asks me for my account information. So, I told her the number. As soon as I finish telling her my account number she says "That account has been taken care of". I said "What? I owe $193 this month; what are you talking about"?! She went on to ask me about the charity I had applied for. I told her that I had, but I thought I was denied. She told me that I had been approved 100% by charity!!! I was so excited that I let out a big "praise the Lord" over the phone! (I think the lady thought I was a bit crazy!) But I know that that was totally God. I looked at the letter I received telling me that I was approved 100%, and it did say I was approved. I guess I just didn't understand that it was saying approved and not denied. But I know that the Lord has His reasons for letting me not understand a month ago. He let that happen, so He could show me, very visibly, that HE is in control and I don't have to worry, because He is going to provide my every need!
Another miracle that He performed is that I am getting all my healthcare done through a free clinic here in Gainesville. And also I am getting an MRI and an EEG done through Health Access totally free. Ain't God good!!?? I know He has been for me and will continue to be; all I have to do is trust Him.

PreDepression Sign

Ok, so I have to be honest...I have had signs of depression in my life! My bestest roommate ever told me that signs of depression are NOT BRUSHING YOUR TEETH in the morning and also not getting ready as well. So a simple little thing like that could lead to depression! And I have to admit, I have been discouraged alot lately. But I am learning to have faith, but also to let God build it too. I think that God has me going through the situations I am going through to build my faith.
Pray that as I go through these situations that God would be glorified through ALL of it; that every thought would be honoring and glorifying to Him.

So, from now on I am going to get up, pray, brush my teeth and get ready, then go on glorifying God with whatever I do that day!

Devotions September 13, 2009

Ok, well I have to praise the Lord first of all. God gave me the opportunity and courage to talk to Bro Blackstock on Thursday about getting baptized and joining LBC. And so this morning I was baptized and tonight I, finally, joined Lighthouse! Amen praise the Lord!

Now on to the devotions... also Bro Blackstock preached about Missed Mercy tonight, and part of my devotions were about that same topic. I read in Psalm 85. The Psalmist David is thanking God for forgiving the sins of the people but also to revive them so they can praise Him. God wants to revive me. I believe He has and still is reviving me. Revival starts with getting right with God. I did get right with God; I accepted Christ as my Savior and I am trying to draw closer to Him each day. At the end of verse 6 it says "that thy people may praise thee". I cannot properly praise the Lord for all He has done for me when my heart is not right with God. Every day I need to ask God to revive my heart, so I can truly praise Him. Verse 8 says "I will hear what God the LORD will speak...but let them not turn again to folly". A lot of times I say I am going to change and after I hear what God tells me to do, but then a week later I turn back to the same thing that got me into trouble. I missed some Mercy Warnings from my leaders and from my God. Whoever reads this, let me say that it is very easy to just talk it up. You may think you have it under control but you don't. Satan knows our weaknesses (trust me he knows mine). Once we let God out of our lives, that is when Satan comes to us to take us down.

Teens, listen to what your parents and other leaders tell you. God uses them as Mercy Warnings in your life to help you not make the wrong decisions. In my own life, I had 2 or 3 different Mercy Warnings before I made the wrong choice. Now, I regret making the choice I made. Listen to what God is trying to tell you. Obey what He says and don't go back to that trouble!

Devotions September 10, 2009

Psalm 78:36-37

Here is a general summary of these two verses... Verse 36 tells us that the children of Israel flattered the Lord with their words and they lied to Him. Verse 37 tells us that their heart wasn't right with God. They also weren't fully/truly committed to the promises that they had made with their God.

Now for me... In my life before Christ, after I would get into trouble I would always pray "God forgive me. I want to live for You. Help me to honor You and glorify Your name". But even after I would pray all that (flattering God), a week later I would go right back into doing the same thing. The Devil would tempt me and I would go running back to my sin. During those times I wasn't right with God- I wasn't a Christian. I told people I was and people also believed I was because of all the good things I did. Boy did I have myself and others fooled!! But, I never fooled God. He knew I wasn't saved. And whoever reads this let me tell you that you cannot fool God. He knows all things! If you aren't saved, get your heart right with God and become a Christian! If you are saved, quit flattering God with your prayers and remember the promise you made to Him.

I know in my own life, Satan knows the weak areas of my life. And he likes to attack those areas a lot. It is a daily struggle, but I am learning to put the Shield of Faith up with the Devil comes along and tempts me. If you are going through a similar situation, remember "I can do all things through Christ".

For in Christ you are a New Creature

Well, I am back in America and in Georgia! But, I do miss North Africa. Thank you so much for all the prayers while I was there and also while I was in the hospital as well. I know God answered all of them, because God did some awesome things in me. I had a different kind of experience while I was there. Most people would think that when you go on a Mission's Trip or Internship that you are there for the people (which you are, don't get me wrong), but for me God had me go there so I could get some things straightened out between me and my God.
While I was there God used some wrong decisions I had made to bring me to the realization that I was living like a Pharisee and that I was just going through the motions-even my salvation. I thought that I had gotten saved 10 years ago, but nothing really changed in my life. I didn't even want to tell people that I had gotten saved! Now, I know for sure that I am on my way to Heaven! Praise the Lord! God has changed my heart in many ways; I have a peace and a joy like I never had before!

The first week in Morocco I experienced a little culture shock. Not only was I the only student there, but being a female, I couldn’t really go out to a lot of places by myself. The first few nights I cried a lot, mainly because I missed my family and friends! I thank God that He gave me a heart that can adapt to culture quickly. And I also had some really great roommates while I was there, which helped a lot in times of loneliness.

Church was very different in the sense that we couldn’t just set up a church building and have a church service. We had to be very wise about it. Basically we had a house-church. We would have the service at the Moroccan believer’s apartment, the missionary’s house, and a few times we set up a tent in the forest outside of the city. I couldn’t understand most of it because of the language barrier, but I loved to hear them sing. For the first part of the service we would just sing songs - in Arabic. I loved it! It was just awesome to hear men who have only been saved for 2 or 3 years singing praises to the Lord. It was a beautiful time.

My favorite memory/experience while being there was when we took a trip to one of the believer's family's village. While we were there I guess the Lord just broke my heart for the people, not only North Africans, but the people who have never heard the Gospel one time. I would love to go back some day, but for now I am learning and serving here at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville, GA. Pray for me that I would grow in Christ and not be the same as I was.

The end of my summer is the beginning of a lifetime!

Well, this week has been our last week here in North Africa! It has been fun so far and there have been tears already shed. I know that I will miss this place so much! I have learned alot these 3 months!!!
God has taught me how to really trust Him for everything, even the small things. I have learned how to be confident in myself and how to truly love myself the way God has made me. I am learning complete contentment in Christ everyday. I am learning how to step out of my comfort zone and talk to people and also do things that I would never do in America. This trip has changed me thoroughly and I am so thankful I was able to come this summer!!

Do pray for Rebecca and I as we travel on Sunday (Rebecca) and Monday (me).

Breaks

Breaks are always nice; this week Rebecca and I are in another city with a couple learning from them. They have been married a year but God is working through both of them here in this city. One thing that I have learned is that alot of people here are night owls. For instance, it is midnight here and the wife is preparing dinner! I think we have been up each night until 2AM since monday when we got here!

We have had many opportunities to talk and the wife shared many things that I know I gleaned from. One thing that she said was "Wherever you go, make it home". That really helped me alot! I think in many cases I have made my home here for 3months. It helps me not miss my family and friends as much.

As I am here I feel like these past few weeks God has been teaching me more than the first few weeks. As I read this morning God showed me a few things. In 1Thessalonians 1:8,9, Paul describes where those who reject God will go after they die. They will be "punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord".
A prayer request for the nations here in North Africa would be that the Word of God would have free course. Pray that more people would be burdened to come and at least see the work that is already being done and the future plans of this work. Pray for the North African believers. There is persecution but God is more than able to overcome that persecution.

Anyways, I just wanted to give a quick update and challenge. Pray that my last week will be effective for the Lords sake!!