Did I really just pray for a Whale instead of a Shade Tree?

Last weekend I went to a women’s retreat and was so excited because I just knew I was going to hear from God.  You see, I had studied the 4 Keys to Hearing God’s voice that I told you about in my last devotion and I was prepared to quiet myself down so I could hear all that God had in store for me.  I have also matured since my last retreat, so during the scheduled “quiet time” when we are supposed to read our bible and pray, I was actually going to obey instead of my normal routine of sneaking back to my room to take a nap.

I had high expectations because the theme was Jonah and the whale.  I was expecting a “whale” of an experience, something large and over the top.  Most of you have probably heard the story of the disobedient prophet, Jonah. How he ran from God’s command to go to the city of Ninevah and ended up in the belly of a whale.  Well, unlike Jonah, I wanted to hear my mission from God. The Bible says in Jonah 1:1 that the word of the LORD came to Jonah and said, “ARISE, go to Ninevah…”  I figured this time if I followed all four keys I would hear something like, “ARISE, Yolanda and go to…..” OK, I didn't know exactly where I expected God to send me but I figured He’d tell me at the retreat.

So when I showed up on Friday, I put on my “listening ears” and I kept my eyes open for any and all messages from God.  Every lady received a gift on their pillow upon arrival.  It was a message bottle that had a scripture verse. Each verse had been prayed over and laid on every pillow in faith. My scripture verse was 1 Kings 8:56 (NLT) “Praise the LORD who has given rest to his people Israel, just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the wonderful promises he gave through his servant Moses.” OK, I know this is going to sound terrible but I read this and was disappointed. I was like, “WHAT, this doesn't have anything to do with me…figures. I should have picked another bed.”

I shook off any disappointment and headed to the first session of the night.  We learned all about Jonah running from God.  Even though Jonah was disobedient, God loved him enough to get his attention in a mighty way.  Did I get my “whale” of a message Friday? Nope.  OK, all is not lost. I still had Saturday.  I chose the seminar,“Hearing the Voice of God”.  I figured how could I not hear His voice in this seminar. You know what the speaker said? “Every time you read God’s word, He is speaking to you.”  I know, I know…but what about “ARISE, Yolanda.” How do I hear that?  OK, all is not lost. We still have our scheduled one hour “quiet time”.  I booted my best friend from my presence telling her, “I have to concentrate.” She graciously understood.  I quieted myself down, plugged my ears to close out any distractions, focused my eyes on Jesus, and listened for those spontaneous thoughts.  You guys know me so well.  You guessed it, nothing.  So I figured,  I would just start writing in my journal and the inspiration from God would come. Only my journal reads, “Lord, how do I hear your voice? I have quieted myself down and I still don't hear you. PLEASE talk to me.”  Sadly, more begging and pleading continued. Finally, I got tired and decided I should at least pray for my friends at home and I looked up some scriptures for them. At least, I could encourage them with a quick text from my phone.

I shook off my disappointment and hoped that the Saturday evening service would be my divine appointment with God.  During this service,  people will get visions from the Holy Spirit to comfort and encourage, others will get a scripture verse that is divinely intended for a specific person.  I was so excited figuring this is IT.   Every Bible verse someone read, I was asking, “Is that for me Lord?" Nope. Every vision or image someone received, I asked, “Is that me God?" Nope.  I went as far as trying to send telepathic messages to the leader hoping she would intervene on my behalf but all I ended up getting was a headache from concentrating too hard.

Back in my cabin, I tried to buck up and put on a good show for my roommates but I have to admit inside I was pretty disappointed and discouraged.  One of my roommates asked me, “What did you want to hear from God?” I searched my heart and admitted that I wanted confirmation on my writing. Am I doing God’s will with it? She asked me a very simple question, “Are you getting positive feedback? Are people saying they are being encouraged?”  “Well, yeah, I think so,” I answered.  “That is God’s confirmation for you. If you are bearing fruit, it is God’s will.”  WOW! Could it really be that simple?  Could God really speak to me through this very nice lady sharing my cabin? What about my whale? This sentiment was later confirmed by my best friend reminding me that I am kind of a scardy cat and that a booming voice would probably freak me out.  Isn't it nice when good friends know us so well?

By Sunday morning my heart felt a little lighter.  I was no longer straining my brain or ears. We learned in the last chapter of Jonah how even when he had a bad attitude, God provided a nice tree to shade him from the scorching sun.  God provided this blessing, not because Jonah deserved it, but because God is merciful and loves and cares for us even when we don’t deserve it.   I started reevaluating my weekend, looking at all the blessings as my shade tree from God. God had provided sunny weather knowing I am afraid to drive in the snow.  I was blessed beyond measure to reconnect with my best friend from college and I laughed more than I have in a long time.  I was encouraged by Godly and inspiring women as roommates.  I met and prayed with some beautiful sisters who I immediately felt a kinship and friendship with.

So I decided to have a second look at the scripture verse given to me (1 Kings 8:56).   I had over looked this scripture because I figured I didn't need rest, I needed action.  I looked up the Biblical  definition of "rest" and discovered it can mean to desist or cease movement or action in order to regain strength.  To lean on God and not yourself.  I finally realized that this scripture verse was divinely given to me because I need to R.E.S.T in God and to stop trying to control or mold God to my expectations.  So I have come up with an acronym to help stop my crazy attempts of putting God in a box of my making:  
R = Release my need for control
E = Do no limit God with my preconceived Expectations
S  = Stop Striving in my own Strength and Surrender my will for God’s will and timing
T = Trust that God always fulfills His promises and always knows what is best for me

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD.  “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.  For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55: 8-9 (NLT)   

Finally, when it comes to hearing God’s voice, I have to remember that it is as simple as reading His  word.  I am always grasping for what appears to be easy and fast. Just like my attempts at dieting. If a magic pill is advertised, I want it.  But I have learned that successful weight loss only happens through hard work and cutting calories. The same applies to maturing in my relationship with God.  First, I have to continue to cut out the sin in my life that hinders my growth and second I have to dedicate myself to His word.  The Bible is inspired by God and full of living power. (2 Timothy 3:16 and Hebrews 4:12).   In John 14:23, Jesus is telling me, “Yolanda, if you love me, you will keep my word, and my Father will love you, and We will come and make Our home in you.”  How awesome is that!   I am not giving up on the 4 Keys to Hearing God’s voice because I seem to recall now that the author, Mark Virkler, dedicated a full year to learning these keys, not ONE week.  Oops, sorry LORD.  Nor am I giving up hope for divinely inspired dreams because God promises that if we are faithful in the little things, He will entrust us with greater responsibilities (Mathew 25:21).  So last night I am pleased to report that I had a dream that my brother-in-law was making my husband’s lunch.  I was so excited about having a dream that I shared it with my husband and asked him what do you think it means?  He said, “Get out of bed and make my lunch!”  Next time I won't share unless I know it’s from God and since God promises prophetic dreams to the old, I still have time to get it right! (Acts 2:17)

Love,
Yolanda

PS: My favorite thing about working with preschoolers is listening to their stories. Nobody tells a story better than a preschooler. If you are not familiar with the Biblical account of Jonah and the Whale, watch this YouTube video of an adorable little girl telling the tale.

Maybe "Taking A Break" wasn't such a good idea...

Remember the mess Ross got into when he thought he was on a break from his girlfriend, Rachel, on Friends? Out of depression from what he considered a break up, he got together with someone else and ended up paying the consequences for several years as he was separated from the woman he loved.  If you haven’t realized it yet, I tend to view my life as an episode from a TV sitcom or a scene from a movie.  What can I say, I was a chubby, latch key kid and TV characters became my friends. I tend to escape with them into my brain which I consider my “happy place”.

Sometimes we may think that taking a break is just what we need but if we are not careful a break can end up getting us into trouble.  For instance, this last week was Spring break and my daughter and I were free from all responsibilities, like work and homework for 10 glorious days.  On Friday, April 6th, my brain was still in work mode and functioning and I was able to write my Easter devotion.  After posting it though I felt fatigued and mentally drained. I remember thinking, “OK, I’m done for April.  I am going to take a mental break and relax.” So I pulled out my Breaking Dawn DVD and my romance novels and let my brain go to mush.  To tell you the truth, it felt really, really, good!   On the last weekend before school started, my laziness had spread to my husband and daughter and we literally spent Saturday and Sunday in bed watching TV.  I joked with my husband that we are lucky we did not get bed sores from lack of activity.  Talk about lazy, we took it to a whole new level.

During this week off, I did manage to watch a great DVD series that a friend had lent me on learning how to hear the voice of God by Mark Virkler. (Four Keys to Hearing God's Voice by Mark & Patti Virkler)  I was totally inspired by this Bible study material and figured that as soon as I got back into work mode I would put it into practice.  One of the great things that I learned from this bible instruction is that God’s voice comes to us as those spontaneous thoughts we get in our brain.  For the last 20 years of being saved, I have always worried that I could not clearly hear the voice of God.  I thought something was seriously wrong with my Christian walk. This Bible study was so great because suddenly a light bulb went off about my writing.   Mark Virkler is a very analytic person, which I love, and he gives you four keys to practice to hear God‘s voice.  Now this was something I could understand and work with. One of his major points in that you have to quiet yourself down so that you can receive spontaneous thoughts and then you record them in a journal.  I had that AHA moment because this explained what had been happening to me with my writing. For example, when I went to the movies to see The Hunger Games and all of a sudden I got this crazy impulse to start writing, that was about as spontaneous as you can get.  As I watched the DVDs, I got all teary eyed because after all these years of desperately wanting to hear from God it became crystal clear that I had been hearing from Him I just hadn't recognized it as His Voice.

So now my vacation mode is over and I am thinking to myself, “OK God, I’m ready. Speak to me.” The DVD also recommended asking God for dreams at night.  So for the last few nights, I have been praying, “OK Lord, I’m ready for an awesome dream.”  Suddenly, I am getting nothing. No inspiration. No dreams. Just nothing.  Now I am starting to panic because for a writer, nothing quickly turns into writer’s block. Writer’s block leads to all levels of doubt and stress about never writing again which I confessed to a writer friend of mind who had suffered from the same Spring Break mush brain curse only she was able to work through hers. (Jessica M. Bell's blog Ready, Set, Run!)

Now logically, I know that God loves me and He wants to use me so I started to analyze where I had gone wrong from my DVD instruction.  Had I missed a key? Oh yeah, I think Key 1 was pretty important. I have to quiet myself in the presence of the Lord.  Had I done this? No. Too busy watching movies all day. Had I read my Bible? No.  Too busy with my romance novels remember. Had I immersed myself in prayer or praise music? No. I have been taking that afternoon nap.

See hearing God’s voice is a two-way communication. He is probably looking down at me saying, “OK, Yolanda, I’m waiting.  Are you ready to have a conversation with me? Are you listening? Have you put down that romance novel yet because MY book is getting a little dusty on your shelf.   How many times are you going to watch that movie….I am trying to give you that awesome dream you're asking for but your mind is so cluttered with junk I don’t think your brain could handle it.”

SORRY Lord.  I do want to hear your voice.  I want to dream the dreams YOU have in store for me.  I want YOUR inspiration and direction in my life and writing.  

This weekend I am going to a women’s retreat with my church. I have not been to a retreat in probably seven years.  But I feel that God has something in store for me this weekend and I am ready to go and spend the weekend with HIM.  I want to quiet my mind and open my heart to hear from God.   These are my prayers for this weekend.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG)
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try and figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track…Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best.     

1 Peter 4:10 (MGS)….Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything - encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

So if you remember, please pray for me.  Driving up a mountain, possible snow, and sleeping in a cabin are not my strong points. I am more of a hotel girl myself.  I know, I know…stop my whining. There are missionaries all over the world that endure hardships every day for Christ.  But in my weak defense, I am just coming off my week of sloth and mush brain.

Love in Christ,
Yolanda

Someone Worth Dying For - Easter Message

I found this great worship song that asks Jesus the question, “Am I someone worth dying for?” Sometimes I look at my life and see how I still mess up every day. I lose my temper, make rash judgments, struggle with selfishness, pride, read my romance novels, enjoy secular movies, and over indulge in my weaknesses (yep, they're mine and it's between me and God).  Need I go on?  And I wonder, “God, was I someone worth sending your Son to die for?”

God’s love for us is beyond what our human minds and hearts can comprehend. We, as limited humans, love conditionally.  I’ll love you if you love me first. I’ll love you if you don’t let me down. I’ll love you if you give me what I want.  God loves unconditionally.  He says, “I love you even if you never love Me back. I love you even if you never do anything for Me.  I loved you first before you ever loved Me.” (1 John 4:18-19)

I have wanted to write an Easter devotion but I've been struggling because I have never felt so unworthy of writing a devotion before.  How can a mere sinful human describe the price paid by our Savior in a manner worthy of Him.  John the Baptist described this sentiment perfectly when he said of Jesus, “I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals.” Mark 1:7 (NLT) That’s exactly how I feel writing about Jesus sometimes.

I love the Apostle Paul because he admitted, “What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then act another, doing things I absolutely despise…I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I don’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyways…It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up.  I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight.  Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. I’ve tried everything and nothing helps…Is there no one who can do anything for me? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. ” Romans 7:14-25 (MSG)

Paul knew the answer to our sinful nature was the sacrifice Jesus Christ paid on the cross on Good Friday.   In Isaiah, 49:16, God says of Jerusalem, “I have written your name on the palm of my hand.” Because God adopted us as His sons and daughters, we also get the promise He gave Jerusalem.  He has written our names on the palms of His hands. Some of the Bible translations say “engraved” or “etched” your name.  This implies using a sharp object to write with.  I envision this scripture coming to life when Jesus’ hands were nailed to the cross, He engraved our names.  Engraving implies permanent. Our names have been permanently written on His palms and He will not forget us.

God says we are someone worth dying for. We don’t have to try and earn His love because nothing we do would ever be sufficient.  All He desires is that we believe in His Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10), and love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:36-37). When we put our faith in God's Son, Jesus, not only do we get our sins forgiven but we never have to fear dying.  Jesus conquered death on the cross and on that Sunday, over 2000 years ago, He rose from the tomb and now sits in Heaven preparing a place for us (John 14:2).

Romans 10:9-10 (AMP)

Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 

For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.

John 14:2 (NIV)

In my Father’s house there are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.  

So this Easter, I am going to stop worrying about whether I feel worthy or not.  Because the fact of the matter is, God has made me worthy by covering my sinful nature with the righteous blood of Jesus Christ. I am going to remember His sacrifice of love and I am going to rejoice in His gift of eternal life.  If you are wondering if God thinks you are someone worth dying for because you have made mistakes or have junk in your life, pray this prayer with me:

God, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for my sins.
Thank you for loving me unconditionally and believing I'm someone worth dying for.
Forgive me of the sins in my life.
Please reside in my heart and fill me completely with the love and power of Your Holy Spirit. Guide and direct all my ways.
I pray this in the name of Your Son, Jesus.
Amen.

You are now an adopted child of God, co-heirs with Jesus Christ. I can't wait to meet you in Heaven. 

Happy Easter
Love,
Yolanda

1 John 4:17-19 (MSG)

God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. 

We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.

The Hunger Games - Are you a spectator or tribute?

I recently saw The Hunger Games and I have a few confessions to make:
1) I broke my cardinal rule of seeing a movie without reading the book first.
2) I agreed to go with my cousin, whom I love, because she supports and gets my Twilight craze.
3) I stood in line, held my pee for an hour, and paid $8 for a matinee ONLY to see the trailer for Breaking Dawn 2.

A funny thing happened during the movie. Not only did I love it but I have been praying that God inspire my next devotion and I think He did.  I am always hoping to hear an audible voice or have an awesome dream but NO.  What I get is this crazy impulse to start writing.  It was so bad this time that I was tempted to take notes on my phone during the movie. I didn't because I knew people would think I was texting which is totally rude. So I dug in my purse for a pen and paper but I could only find a pen.  I went old school and started writing on my arm. Only then I had to pee. I admit I debated not washing my hands, but gross, so the notes washed off.  Now I am desperate to get my hands on the book. After the movie, I rushed to my cousin’s house to borrow the book and came home to madly start writing before any divine inspiration wore off.

For those of you who have not seen the movie, it is based on the book by Suzanne Collins. It's set in the future in a nation called Panem which is a beautiful Capital surrounded by 12 districts.  Because the districts rebelled in the past, the Capital controls the citizens using starvation, fear and harsh treatment.  The Capital demands atonement for this past sin by requiring that each district send a boy and girl (between the ages of 12-18) to fight to the death on live television in an annual competition known as The Hunger Games.  

Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen is a brave and strong young lady. At eleven, she was forced to take over as head of her family when her father is killed in a mining accident and her mother slips into depression.  She illegally hunts with her bow and arrow to provide income and food for her younger sister and mother.  Katniss is determined to care and protect her younger sister at all costs and truly believes that her sister is only person she is capable of loving.  When her 12 year old sister is unexpectedly picked to participate in The Hunger Games, she volunteers to take her place as a Tribute.

There were so many Bible inspirations in this movie that I couldn't wait to share them with you.  I know some of you are going to disagree because this movie is not a Christian film but I can’t help it if God uses movies to speak to me.  Here are some Biblical themes that I found inspiring. Feel free to take them as divine inspiration or too much popcorn and chocolate, your choice.  Because you see, in the games of life, there are two kinds of people, spectators or participants. Those that idly stand by and watch things happen or those that make things happen. Which are you?  Do you have what it takes to play the G.A.M.E.S?

G = Grace
Grace is defined as God’s unmerited favor, a reprieve or pardon undeserved by any action of our own yet not free.  The price of God’s mercy was paid by Jesus Christ so that we could receive the free gift of salvation. The theme of grace can be seen in this movie by the mandatory requirement that 24 young children act as Tributes to atone for the perceived sins of the past.  Did you know that the word tribute can be defined as “a payment paid by one to another as a price of peace, security or protection”.  Just as Katniss did not hesitate to volunteer to take the place of her sister, Jesus willingly paid the price for us.  Jesus said, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 (NLT)  That does not mean that this sacrifice came easily or cheaply.  Katniss can be seen unable to sleep the night before the games and trembling with fear just before entering the battlefield.  Jesus also cried out in the garden of Gethsemane the night before his crucifixion, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to the point of death.” Matthew 26:46 (NKJV) .  Just because someone else pays the price for us doesn’t mean we shouldn’t live a life of gratitude. Here is what that life should look like.

For the GRACE of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God. Titus 2:11-12 (NLT)

A = Apathy
The Capital requires all citizens watch the violence of the games knowing that fear will prevent rebellion.  Most keep their objections silent, afraid to be persecuted. They accept the games as an unavoidable way of life.  Others are callous, making bets on who and how the Tributes will die.  During the movie, my daughter asked me, “Why would people want to watch other people hurt each other?”  Good question. Throughout history and present day, people have the potential to watch horrific acts of violence and injustice and do nothing. We witness genocide on the national news, see riots where innocent bystanders are beaten, we are aware of millions of oppressed living in refuge camps, and see commercials of children dying daily from starvation. Closer to home, there is domestic violence in our neighborhoods, foster children are killed and neglected, children are exploited for pornography, and humans are trafficked for profit. At times, the problems can seem so overwhelming that we close our eyes to the violence because we wonder what we can possibly do to make a difference.  I have a memory that has haunted me. When I was about six years old, my family would go to the local laundry mat.  My sister and I would bring our roller skates and play outside. This one time, a father kept yelling cruelly at his young children. When they were leaving, I saw the father yell and hit his child violently.  I recall watching in horror, feeling powerless to help. I wished that I was brave enough to take my skates and hit that man over the head but I just stood by and did nothing.  This memory has always bothered me because I have wondered if I could have done something to help.  There is a great quote “Evil triumphs when good men do nothing."  Luckily, we have an example of ONE who despite being persecuted stood up to evil and won!

He was despised and rejected - a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weakness he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down…But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own, yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all. Isaiah 53: 3-6 (NLT)

M = Motivation
Love motivated Katniss to volunteer as Tribute for her sister. Love drove God to send His only Son to suffer and die on that cross for our sins.  The citizens of the districts are paralyzed with fear and hopelessness.  They accept the slaughter of these young children because they see no hope for change. When Katniss sacrifices her life for her sister, the people of her district begin to wake up.  Her actions are a radical act of bravery. She becomes precious in their eyes because she offers them hope.  They take their first steps of courage when they risk showing their defiance by saluting her with three fingers that represent thanks, admiration and good-bye to a loved one.

As the people begin to watch Katniss outsmart the Gamemakers that small glimmer of hope takes root in their hearts. Especially, when Katniss takes the youngest Tribute, Rue, under her wing. Rue reminds Katniss of her sister so she offers her shelter, warmth, and food. When Rue is killed, Katniss finally rebels against the injustice of the games and openly defies the Gamemakers by taking the time to surround Rue’s body with wild flowers giving her a proper farewell. She knows that the Capital will be angry because she is being televised acting humanly towards a fellow participant and it will gain their sympathy. Katniss then looks at the camera and gives the solute of thanks, admiration and farewell in Rue’s honor.  As the people of Rue’s district witness this act of love, they rise up against the Peacekeepers risking their lives in a show of solidarity with Katniss.  Rue's last words to Katniss are, “You have to win” because she knows her death will not be in vain if goodness wins. We have this same hope today. Jesus took on death and conquered it so that we could also.

You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?  John 11:25-26 (MGS) 

E = Endurance
Katniss promised her sister that she would try to win so that she could come home but after Rue’s death, Katniss is determined to win. She wants to make Rue’s life count for something.  Do you want your life to count for something?  Put your trust in the ONE who created you. He knows your strengths and your weaknesses. You want fulfillment in this life? Do God’s work. There is no greater fulfillment.  But it won’t be easy. In the movie, the president of the Capital starts plotting against Katniss because he knows that if people are given something or someone to hope for, they will start rise up.  Just like the religious leaders hated Jesus because he was offering eternal hope.  Jesus warned us, “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.“ Mark 13:3 (NKJV)  Is enduring for Christ’s sake worth it? YES.  The apostle Timothy wrote that our endurance would be rewarded. “If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.”  Unlike the Capital, God does not throw you into the battlefield alone and unarmed.  He supplies all we need to survive and win.

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and you men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40: 29-31 (NLT) 

S = Shine
I love the song by Taylor Swift that says, “People throw rocks at things that shine.” She is right. Remember that the more you shine for God, the greater target you‘ll become to those that prefer darkness.

This is the Verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead because their deeds were evil. John 3:19 (NIV) 

The enemies of God do not want you to shine just like the Capital feared the impact Katniss was having the longer she shined in the games. Katniss was soon known as "The Girl on Fire". We have all known someone on fire for a passion or cause. They are inspiring and motivating. Twelve ordinary men, through the power of the Holy Spirit, changed the world forever spreading God’s message of salvation and love but it cost them everything.  Peeta, the male Tribute from Katniss’ district, does not expect to not win and believes he will die in the games. But what he fears more than death is losing his identity. He doesn't want the games to change him into a monster or to feel as if the Capital owns him.  The Apostle Paul spoke of this vary thing, “I honestly expect and hope I will never do anything to be ashamed of. Whether I live or die, I always want to be as brave as I am now and bring honor to Christ.  Philippians 1:20-21 (CEV)   You have a choice in the game of life, to be owned and defined by this world’s standards or to strive for the ultimate prize.

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:14 (NLT) 

The world is hungry for hope.  All of our names have been placed in the bowl ready to be called by God to participate. Will you volunteer as Tribute or are you content being a spectator?  Do you want the Capital of this world to own and control you?  Or will you stand for what is honorable, right, pure, lovely and admirable. (Philippians 4:8) Will you use your gifts, strengths, passions, and talents to shine for Jesus. Don't stand idly by, numb by the distractions of this world, allowing evil to rob you of your purpose. If you blog, blog for God. If you twitter, spread God’s word. If you use Facebook, use it to encourage not tear down.  Choose to conTRIBUTE because regardless of the lie the world wants you to believe, you can change your world, one person at a time. Trust me, with Jesus on your side, “The odds are forever in your favor!”

Love,
Yolanda

PS: I believe there is power in praise music: to heal, inspire, strengthen and comfort. I will link praise songs that I pray go along with my posts.
Praise song, Man of Sorrows
Praise song, Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)
Praise song by Nichole Nordeman, Brave
Praise song by Point of Grace, All the World