Carpet-minded....

Say whaaaaat????

That's right, Carpet minded, it actually exists!!
I'm sure you have a carpet at home right now that is thinking the same thing...

I could have a great time trying to make this fun, but it is quite a serious matter, and hard to do.

What am I saying? I'm saying that pretty much whenever you go into a room, you don't realize the carpet at first. You step in it, walk in it, and perhaps don't even realize that it is there. sometimes this happens to us. Sometimes we don't understand why, and we are sad and hurt.

But even then you and I shouldn't be disappointed. God wants His people to serve Him with a spirit that even when we are stepped on, we will not mind, or be sad, this will not be easy, and you and I will fail. But God will not.

This same kind of mindedness has been all over me this past months.
reminding me I should be joyful, even when I'm being stepped on God has a bigger plan for me.

Philippians 4:4 says, "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."

sometimes I overlook this verse so many times, perhaps that is why the verse says, "...and again I say,"

Rejoice my friend, I know that its hard....
I'm there.....
Carpet-minded.....
Rejoicing....
failing to rejoice....
asking forgiveness....
when I could be angry, or sad, in a pity party.... how boring!?? (never done it...or have I?)
Instead of enjoying a beautiful day that The LORD has created JUST FOR ME!!!....

I know that this "command" is not necessarily, per say, exactly.... literally mentioned in the Scripture, but it is mentioned now and then quite a lot about

Giving thanks.
Praising the Lord.
Laying yourself aside.
Humbling yourself.
Receiving the Spirit.
Trusting in Him.
Earnestly praying.
Honouring parents.
Obeying Leadership.
and so much more...

How can we do this things if we mind that we are being stepped on, excluded, uninvited, unwelcome, rejected, not-rejected, welcome, invited, and not being stepped on.
what I mean is that it doesn't matter... what matter is that you can rejoice whatever the situation.

God will test you, and see if you can rejoice and praise Him.

Even if we don't rejoice at times, God will remind you and bring you back, that you need to rejoice always.

so how can I be Carpet-minded.... by seeking God's face, with a hunger of a lion,
by Asking Him. by knowing in your own heart that HE IS ENOUGH. no friend or possession can measure up.

He will not let you down. everyone else will.
So start putting your focus on The King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

  
till next time....

~ Ernesto

Are you willing to stand...

Am I willing to stand for what is right, even if it means loosing friends?

that last part of the question kinda catches the eye. does it not? sometimes we want to do what is right but without side effects. without having to get affected, or affect other people. But then you are worrying about what looks best instead of what is right. If we are truly following the instructions from God then we need to make hard decisions, I say hard because its easy to make wrong choices. since that is what we do all the time without the direction from God, we might know the direction but putting it on practice becomes the real challenge.

If you would have asked me this question a few years ago, in 2006 to be exact. I would have hesitated, and perhaps told you yes. But deep inside I knew that it would mean no friends (mostly). I would have, at some extent, not fully done and stood for what is right knowing the side effects of that choice. And that is wrong! God does not want lukewarm people. You must be Hot or cold. not both.

This same day in 2007,  having gone to my first Journey to the Heart, The Lord taught me that He is and always will be my true and only Friend and Father, and that I didn't have to put my expectations on other people, because He would never disappoint. Therefore, if I had friends or not it would not matter because He would be my true Friend, forever.

Matthew 28:20 says a very important truth,

"...And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Sometimes we bypass this promise and let it slip by our fingers, and just like it says in the verse, "And REMEMBER...." Don't forget!! Don't take this for granted! Don't miss out on this amazing truth!!

Fast forwarding to today; I received a message from a friend, a friend whom reminded me of the past year. And how he was blessed by my integrity, To stand for what is right even if it costs to loose friends. At the time I didn't think I would loose those friends for that decision, but that didn't come to my mind at all and that was the awesome part of it. I was in conviction with what God had taught me and all I wanted was to do the right thing no matter what.

 I want to encourage you just like I was encouraged today for something that I had done last year. I say that because I hadn't seen it that way, after loosing those "friends," I did feel sad, sure. And for a moment I didn't understand why. But I knew that God was the friend I could put my trust in and not be let down, I knew that God would always be with me no matter what.

 Are you willing to stand up for what is right in the sight of the Lord? even if it means letting go of friends. Maybe you can become an example by making a hard decision and encourage others to follow what God says and not what other people say.

Trust me, making a hard decision is REALLY HARD! but it not hard anymore if God is behind it, and all over the decision you are making. To whom are your choices pleasing? to people around you. or God. Simple as that.

Don't wait to make a right choice, Ask God to help you and He will give be there with you and then you will know to do what is right.

^"He (you) shall call upon Me (God), and I will answer him (you): I will be with him (you) in trouble; I will deliver him (you), and honour him (you)." Psalm 91:15

 What a promise.

So, Are you willing to do what is right, even if it means that you will stand alone, and no one will support your decision, you will be laughed at, and kicked out of the group?
 This is what I went through. But it was worth it!!! no doubt. Because I know that God was with me, I was not alone. God was holding my hand and telling me not to worry.

Whatever the outcome, be willing to follow, obey, trust, rest, and live in victory with Jesus.

Thirst no more!!

As I sit here in a computer that I do not own, typing away, I ask myself why I am doing it (why do I write in a blog). To tell you the truth, I'm not a great writer--shocking! lol But why am I doing it? I'll tell you... eventually. whaha.

I am doing it because even though I really don't know if you might be family, friend, acquaintance, or a complete stranger who happened to find this blog. I know one thing. we are all trying to get the most out of our day. sometimes we thing that being able to get the most out of things is perhaps making things fun, or making lots of money, or having the best things available, or winning a game, or being the most popular person on earth, or backyard. This is all but a grain of sand. I don't know if you know sand, but sand is pretty pretty small. it is usually accompanied by a lot of more sand. Anyhow, to give you an example as to what I am talking about; Many athletes have wondered "What now?" after being awarded the highest award for their sport. They worked so much to be the best of the best just so that they would ask themselves if there is something more.

With that being said, I will tell you why I write. I write because I want you to know and see for yourself that Jesus Satisfies! but not only that, you will have a new purpose in life. Jesus said to a woman close to a water well,

 "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14)

This living water is not the type of water that you would literary drink. It is a spiritual, living water that you will can receive. But don't get me wrong, It is not given to you by force. I'm not trying to push this on you. I'm not trying to make you do anything. But I am telling you because I care about you and I don't want to see you miss out.

The next verse shows how the woman asked Jesus to give her this everlasting water that would make her thirst no more.....

"The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water." (verse 15)

Aren't you tired of having to keep looking for that one thing that will "Satisfy" your everyday life?  Then ask Jesus to come in into your heart! and if Jesus is in your heart this is for you as well;

Stop looking for things that will only waste your time. Jesus is more than enough! so seek His Word, and see that He is always there by you, waiting for you to open your heart to Him. It is up to you.

Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart, waiting to see if you will invite Him in and give you Living water, that will satisfy you and give you everlasting life. 


What is Everlasting life?

 Coming soon....

Whiter Than Snow

These past days have been amazing. Last Saturday we got hit by a huge storm that went until about Monday evening, loads of snow came upon the great fields of Indiana and Northern states. The snow was perfect on Sunday. I was able to make the most round snowman I've ever built ( the past attempts had been not-quite-the-ideal-round-snowdude.). before I keep talking about the beauty of snow, and how much I love it-I want to share about Psalm 51....

the beauty of white.

"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

² Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

³ For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

⁴ Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

⁵ Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

⁶ Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

⁷ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

⁸ Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

⁹ Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

¹¹ Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

¹² Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

¹³ Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

¹⁴ Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

¹⁵ O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

¹⁶ For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

¹⁷ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

¹⁸ Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

¹⁹ Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar."

 What a chapter of Humility. I don't even know how to explain this chapter, it goes right to the point, straightforward and sweet. All I can say is once you ask for forgiveness God comes in and forgives you right away. You and I will keep doing things wrong, and that is why we need to keep coming to our knees and ask forgiveness, again, again, again, and again. He will make you white as snow! (vs. 7) Praising God is giving thanks for what He has done in your life, and will keep doing. (vs. 15)
Give your heart to God as a sacrifice, not because you are made too, but because you are willing to.

It takes a Broken heart ( humility) to realize that we are doing things wrong, making poor choices, getting angry at whatever, being impatient with family members-I have done all these things, and even more. But I know He will make me white as snow, if I am willing to ask him to forgive me. Friend do not keep your heart from God. He is waiting-waiting for you.

"BE YE SEPARATE"

It is amazing how God made the weather different throughout the year. I really enjoy the view of snow in the fields and houses all over town. I think about the warmth inside every home, and how a heater or a fireplace is just making things snug and comfy inside.  I know its kinda early but I hope you all have a good time with family this Christmas. I can't wait to see family myself, in a way, I'll be going home for Christmas.

As I started to read God's Word this morning in a rather too comfy couch I felt the urge to fall sleep again, but as I read the first verse of a chapter that would breeze off the sleepiness, I was reminded of the many times I've missed reading (looking, searching) and finding promises from God's word. As a family we have devotionals every evening and there's no missing it. but being consistent in spending time "alone" with the Lord is another story. I am encouraged that even though I "miss out" quite literally in seeking and finding promises, God is still faithfully taking care of me and waiting for me to come back and stand in awe as I read and learn.

So I've been reading the book of  2 Corinthians this week, and today I picked up where I left of in 2 Corinthians 7. The first verse says. (remember, this is when I was just about to fall asleep in that amazingly comfy couch). =D

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. "

It felt like I had started at the end of a chapter, and decided to at least go back one chapter.

The first few verses of chapter 6 talk about being good examples. so that no one can say that we have complained and so on and so forth. but being able to be good servants.....

".... in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left..."

In the last few verses of chapter 6 it talks about being separated. the word "holy" means being set apart, derived from, belonging to. We need to be set apart.

"....Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?...."

"....And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

 Theres so many things to talk about in this chapter, but I really want to focus on the fact that we need to be set apart. this passage reminds me of Matthew 7:13-14. It says,

^{13 "}Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

¹⁴ Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

Strait is the gate and narrow is the way. Being in the narrow road means being set apart. 

Which makes me come back to 2 Corinthians 6,  the last two verses 17-18 says,

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

Chapter 7

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. "

I think this is a good place to end even though it is the start of the next chapter. I do encourage you to look into scripture and be set apart, be in the narrow road towards the narrow gate. 

I'll be back soon.

Ernesto 

 

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WHY?!

Humility. how I wish I could be humble. God has been teaching me so much this ten days since I wrote last. God has tested my response to difficult situations. He's tested my patience, He's tested my willingness to drop to my knees and ask Him. He's tested my willingness to let to of things I thought would work out, but did not. He's tested me in the area of spending time with Him even though I have "so many things to do" and no time to do them.

I'll give you the gist of all these tests that God has been teaching me through, and some of these have been in less than 3 hours. So I've been listening to a message that you can find in Utube BTW. It is by Paul Washer, I totally recommend it =D. And while listening to this awesome message that he gave to about 5,000 kids in the '90's in a conference, He talks about how through faith we repent of our sins, and through that we seek Him for his guidance. What caught my eye was that "we repent of our sins." When was the last time I repented for something that I knew was wrong but I still did it. I probably should not write it because it would take a while. Please understand what I'm trying to tell you, this is vital for us as Christians, I was talking to a friend of mine after Ice skating for a few hours. I told him that the way I saw a good friend is that he or she would make me or encourage me to seek God and to search myself through the Word of God. being blessed by a friend like that is AWESOME. because being able to put God's standards before anything or any other is hard.

I grew up without a dad. My dad left home when I was six years old. and I haven't seen him since. but the thing is, when I was younger, my hope was to be accepted by my friends (I didn't have many friends, most of the time I would play by myself). and because I wanted to be accepted I was like them, I talked like them, I smelled like them (I probably took more showers than they did). I was PRETENDING I was lying to myself! I wasn't me because I was scared that they wouldn't like "ME." I was also Very Very short, skinny, and cute. lol so I got pushed around, laughed at, and rejected. I wondered why, I thought I was doing so well, "JUST like them." long story short, I went through this conference called "Journey to the Heart" that lasted 10 days. (ill explain more about this conference in the future). In 2007 I had just turned 14 six days before. same time I got my first study bible. (this was already a good start), there was even lots of snow. loved it! so through this 10 days in the woods of Michigan, I learned through God's Word that I didn't need to be like "them." They will let me down, dad let me down. They will promise and break promises. BUT, I WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. I learned what "Abiding in the Presence of the most High" meant. not having to pretend. being me with the God that would be the BEST Father, and the only Father I really needed.

That was not the last "Journey to the Heart" I went to. I'm still working on it, I'm still learning, God is still teaching me, pretty sure I can't skip classes on that one. So friend, don't let the circumstances let you down. Look up to God and His Word. live up to what He wants you to be. Abide in the presence and see what He can do.

I sorta went into a rabbit trail. The testing I was talking about earlier, I am so thankful that I am tested and tried. I dare you to do something hard, and that is to thank God whenever you are tripped over or you just don't know why it is happening. Thank God, turn your murmuring into a time of praise to the Lord. THEN. You WILL dwell in the secret place of the most High. And will abide in shadow of the ALMIGHTY. there is no better place my friend. No better place than under His wings. (Psalm 91)

so much more I could say to you, but you will learn more through seeking His Word by yourself.

SO GET TO IT.

God bless you!!

~Ernesto

The first day of the rest of my life!

         We, and I am talking about all of us in the planet earth. We are born in captivity. we are born in this world with nothing but sin. anything good we do, if we do it--is nothing. it does not matter how good the deed is or how good we think we are compared to other people. comparing ourselves to other people is what we have learned to do, because that is what everyone else is doing, right? In the Bible there is a verse from my favorite chapter. Psalm 139 verse 23-24. it says, "Search me, oh GOD , and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts: (24) And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." This is a cry that all of us should have to God. asking Him to search us. Now you may ask, Doesn't God know everything? Yes He does, He knows all of our hearts, but it takes humility for us to ask Him to search ourselves in his Word and tell us what is sin towards him. Like I said before, in our own eyes we have done everything good according to us. but what is all of that according to God's eyes?

I don't know if I am making sense. but if I am, my writing skills are not as bad as I thought =P lol
this is my first post in my first blog ever!! recently (I say that because its a working progress.) since last few years God has been teaching me to stop comparing myself to others. Because ..."all have sinned, and come sort of the Glory of God..." (Romans 3:23). so I want to compare myself to what God has for me. and what He wants me to do. Trust me this is hard, but with God's Holy spirit I have the hunger to seek Him more. God started something good when I declared Him as my Savior, when I was 6 years old and repenting of my sin. and putting my faith in Him and continually asking forgiveness. and praising Him for what He has done. It does not stop when you get saved, that is not all. there is so much more than that. I have to get to know Him more. so that one day He will say to me, "Well done good and faithful servant." 

There is so much I want to share, and learn through this blog. like one of my good friends said, "This is the first day of the rest of your life." ( I think that's how it goes... lol =D )

Catch you soon!!!

~Ernesto Gomez