Jealousy

Jealousy. You may witness this a lot if you’re a chick.

I don’t know how many scenarios I’ve been in where jealousy caused a big ol’ mess.

Jealousy affects everyone. If you’re the one who is jealous, it tends to have an effect on the people around you; not just the person you’re jealous of. It’s true some of us are more attractive than others, some of us have more than others, some of us have better lives, more opportunities, friendlier families… I guess you could say some of us have a lot more to be thankful for.

Though I find the ones that tend to have more to be thankful for, are the ones who tend to become more jealous, more  hostile and more sensitive. I could be wrong, but this is just my own experience from what I’ve seen in my life.

One thing I’ve realized is that we are all fortunate and blessed; we all have the opportunity to have a relationship with God Himself. He laid down His life for us, so that we may be with Him in heaven for all eternity. The things of this world are vain, they all pass away. So if you know who you are in Christ Jesus, you have no reason to feel jealous at all.

Being jealous is a waste of time. Every time I start to get jealous of another girl for whatever reason, I remind myself, ” this is who God created me to be, I will be proud of who I am, because I am more than a conqueror through Christ who has set me free.”

Really being jealous is nothing but a waste of time and a weapon used from the enemy. After-all, ask yourself why Satan fell.. because he wanted to be God, he was jealous. If that isn’t a lesson on jealousy I don’t know what is.

James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

envy is a synonym for jealousy.

Ladies, if you’re in a relationship, and you’re jealous…ask yourself, why? Is it because the guy you’re seeing is a flirt? Or is it because girls give him attention? If he gives other girls a little too much attention, and he is making you jealous… either let him know and talk about it, or Plan B… let him go! Find someone who you can be comfortable with and not be jealous in a relationship with. Vice versa fellas!

Remember who you are, you have nothing to be jealous of!

Hitler’s persecution of Christians

www.cbn.com/700club/features/churchhistory/godandhitler

Hitler claimed to be a Christian only so he could fool the church about the war later he invented his own church own bible and persecuted Christians.

Jesus is our savior not our religion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chXECFpGwu8

Poem on following Jesus versus religion.

The mission: Guatemala 2013

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. “Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Firstly, I’d like to say thank you to all my readers and supporters; friends, and family that supported me and helped me go on this trip. I had more than enough of what I needed. My goal was $1500 and I raised $1520.Lot’s of interesting things happened on the trip, but overall my life perspective changed quite a bit. My brother told me before I went on the trip, that even though I was going to a foreign country to help others and see lives changed…my life was going to be changed in the process. He was absolutely right.

We had our group of missionaries divided into different teams: medical, construction, and the ministry team that works with kids ( this was the team, I was apart of). While we were there we visited many villages, built houses, fed children at feeding centers, and most importantly we were able to share the message of the gospel. Our medical team was able to give away medicine and treat hundreds of patients in the course of a week. As well as our construction team was able to build numerous houses. One house was made of sticks, and palm branches before. The woman slept on a mattress made of threads that she had tightly knitted together.We built her a one bedroom enclosed house, laid on concrete. It made me think how selfish I am with my money, and how I want to invest my money in the kingdom of God for the future. Another house that was built was built for a little girl and her family. This little girl and me had played together during the day while the ministry team were doing our skits and playing with the kids. Her name was Marsella. She had beautiful brown eyes, black hair, and golden skin. Just a little child with nothing but the clothes on her back. Her and her family were over-joyed when we presented the house to them and dedicated the house to God. Her mother cried out “Gracias Jesus, Gracias senor ” It was extremely powerful to see how a little 1-room house could drastically alter someone’s life. Let’s be honest half of us would complain if our electricity went out for a day, or if we lost our phone. We have no idea what it means to have less than others. These people had nothing. They couldn’t be making that much income let alone provide for a family. Many had no running water, electricity, nothing that we consider essential. What did they have? They had hope. They may not be as sophisticated as us, no college education, they don’t know the theory of evolution, or what in the world global warming is…and it’s all the better. You see, the miracles that I saw were from faith. They happened because these people had faith.

The team I was on (ministry),was doing a craft project the first day in the villages. I turned to my friend Derek and asked him how to say “Jesus loves you” in Spanish. I know…. after two years of spanish classes you would think that I would know how to say it… I know how to say “Hola” and “dulces” which means candy.lol We gave lots of candy away, and threw candy out of our trucks as we drove by the villages. Anyways, there was one little girl that stood out to me during this craft time. Every single day I connected with one little girl out of the whole group, strangely enough. On this day I noticed that this little girl was staring at me during the craft. So I walked up to her and wrote “Jesus ama tu- Jesus loves you” on her craft paper. Instantaneously, the little girl understood what I wrote, looked up at me and smiled the biggest smile I’ve ever seen. Right then- my heart melted and my eyes got teary. The fact that the words “Jesus loves you” could bring so much joy, was eye opening even for me. Kids are so used to getting things in our culture, getting their way. Half the kids today when given a gift, it doesn’t even phase them. But the simple words: “Jesus ama tu” could bring so much joy, was mind-blowing and powerful. Day after day, I seemed to connect with one little girl. One girl I gave a ring that was mine, which she instantly put on and showed off to her friends lol. It brought joy to me… After all i didn’t care about the ring as much as that girl would, and it looked much better on her! lol One night we went to church in the village.

At night on a concrete slab on top of a hill we held church. All our missionaries anointed people with oil and prayed graciously for others, it was amazing the miracles that happened through prayer. Later in the week I was also able to give a Spanish English bi-lingual bible to a pastor of one of the church’s we visited. It was amazing to see that the praise and worship band also sang some in English to accommodate us. One of the readers through the blog donated the bible. So special thanks to: Bryan de la Roza, if you are reading this know that the bible you sent me blessed one of the pastor’s we visited with. It was my pleasure to pass on the blessing that you gave to me. Special thanks also to our missionary friends in Guatemala: Jamie, Marla and Larry. It was my pleasure to get to know you all better.

Every morning we were able to do devotionals and worship together as a group; the unity really showed in our team work, and helped us the rest of the day. It’s true what my brother said. We were all more dramatically changed by going and serving others on this trip. Just as Jesus served the people while he was here, even loved us enough to die for us…It should be our privilege to share that love with others. I think all of us grew closer into a relationship with God. Mark 10:44-45 whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” No it’s not easy to leave your friends and family, drop an entire week and raise 1.5k…but, it was so worth it. Being able to serve others the way Jesus did…my friends there is no greater feeling. Thank you for helping me share that love. God bless.

Guatemala Mission trip 2013 Video

Here is a video from the church’s website. Thought i’d share it with you all. I thank you all for your prayers, donations, and encouragement.It was an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. It changed my heart.

Battling Fear.

I’ve been taking a break from the blog for the last couple of weeks since the new year. I’ll testify that I have been battling fear and anxiety again and didn’t feel qualified to write this blog. I haven’t even tried to write anything, I thank those around me for the support and encouragement. I’ve been needing to pull myself out this funk.

I guess what brought all this on were things in my personal life that I just can’t seem to control. After lots of meditation, sleepless nights, and prayer, I have found that there are just some things in life you can’t worry or be afraid of. They are inevitable.

I had a pastor at my local church pray for me and they gave me this verse: ” I sought the Lord, and he answered  me; he delivered me from all my fears.” – Psalm 34:4

While I was getting prayed for a woman at the church said she had heard angels singing over me and that God was singing over me. I had just met the woman and I didn’t hear anything, but apparently this woman has a gift. I had gotten to a hopeless mental state these last few weeks and I admit that although I wrote the blog for New Years I didn’t practice much of what I preach. Anyways after prayer when this woman had told me what she heard, I guess I was just so in awe. I think in the hard times, we forget just how much God loves us. It was just a reminder for me.

“My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride. When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” – Psalm 56:2-4

A soon as we have doubtful thoughts or thoughts that scare us, we need to attack it with the word. The bible is described as our sword and what better way to use it than with our mouths. When we are going through hardships, the absolute best thing to do is to read the word aloud. Which I had to stop myself and do recently. The verse that I stumbled upon was this: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

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, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”^l

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

We just have to keep reminding ourselves with the word who our God is in times of distress and trouble, the verse I’ve always held close to my heart which is Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous, do not be discouraged, for the lord your God is with you wherever you go.

• Joshua was afraid after Moses died, when he was handed the leadership over the Israelites. God told him to be strong and of good courage. Then the Lord instructed him on how to achieve these character traits: Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. -Joshua 1:7-8 The immediate response to feelings of fear, worry, or anxiety should be the Word of God. Instead of asking God to remove fear from us, we need to follow His instructions and fill our spirits and souls with the Word-the proven antidote for fear.
  

This verse I constantly repeat to myself whenever I feel small, and frightened. We have to remind ourselves what a mighty and awesome God we serve. Otherwise we just let Satan have more power, and let him deceive and take more than he already has. Which is our sound of mind and peace through Christ Jesus in life everlasting! I don’t know who this messege is for, if for nobody else then I write it to remind myself. I lean not on my own understanding…Nothing can separate us from the love of God. We can’t worry about tomorrow, we can’t worry or be scared of the future. We can’t let people control our happiness. The maker of the universe loves us all. It’s people that can cause us hurt, situations… humanity is complicated. More than the natural we have to trust in the supernatural around us.

When the devil tries to put fear into our minds, we have to rebuke him and fight him with the word. We need to pray and be encouraged. Fear is not from God.

Update On Guatemala III

Here is a quick update on the mission trip I’m going on this March. I have about 6 weeks left of fundraising left. There is about 46 days left until I head on a plane to Guatemala.I’m excited to be apart of the ministry team on this trip.

With me will be a construction,medical,ministry,and worship team. We willl be bringing medicine into this village and feeding those there at our feeding station. Our missionaries will be joining us and providing us a place to stay and food to eat while we are there.

I had intended to set up a P.O. box for my readers to help send in a donation. However setting up a P.O. box for the short amount of time I needed one was counter-productive to raising the money that I need, It was rather pricey to set one up at my local UPS store.

Anyways I’m really excited about what God is going to do this March while we are in Guatemala. Please be praying that hearts be open to receiving Jesus Christ and that those who are saved would grow spiritually mature, and spread the gospel.

It’s up to us as Christians to spread the gospel before Jesus comes back. I want as many people as possible to be given the chance to know Christ too.

As for readers who don’t know me my name is Jen, short for Jennifer.

Please be praying for me that I can be an effective witness and ambassador for Christ. Please pray that I would grow stronger in my faith.I thank the readers for keeping up with my blog. I haven’t written much because I got stuck in a rut, thinking that I wasn’t qualified to write this blog. This blog started as therapy for me, but now that i have regular readers, i am a little more reluctant to write about certain things. So please pray for me. God uses the foolish and the weak things of the world sometimes. I’m not a prophet, or a preacher, or anything; but I love Jesus Christ.