Life thoughts: gotta have faith

I am reading the whole book of Hebrews, a chapter a day. Today’s Bible reading led me to reading Hebrews 11 which is about how people in the Old Testament obeyed God, even though they do not see what is up ahead.

What struck me, and is very significant to me is verses 7 to 9:

^7£ Because Noah had faith, he was warned about something that had not yet happened. He obeyed and built a boat that saved him and his family. In this way the people of the world were judged, and Noah was given the blessings that come to everyone who pleases God.

^8£ Abraham had faith and obeyed God. He was told to go to the land that God had said would be his, and he left for a country he had never seen.

^9£ Because Abraham had faith, he lived as a stranger in the promised land. He lived there in a tent, and so did Isaac and Jacob, who were later given the same promise.

They have things in common: they did not know, they were not sure, Noah was sure of something that had not yet happened, Abraham left his home for a place that he never saw. But they were blessed. Verse 7 says that Noah was given the blessing that come to everyone who pleases God. Verse 9 says that Abraham lived in a tent, but his children were all blessed by God.

Wait, Abraham lived in a tent in the land God promised him? How can that be even God’s promise?

Well, as one of my favorite movies, Soulsurfer, has imparted, we have to get some perspective, God’s. Still, so many things are part of waiting–character for instance, maybe the most important.

Maybe you moved to a place where God promised you. But it seems as if God is not with you, well God IS with you. You will see the blessing. Prepare for it!

I’m saying all of this because I think I am about to go to that place…in a tent…waiting for the blessing.

 

 

 

 

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Life thoughts: hope in Jesus

I’ve been very very anxious–disheartened–lately. I’ve been looking for answers left and right, asking counsel from people I look up to, trying to squeeze God for any sign of where He wants me to go after I graduate college. I have plans already of going out of the country and earning my masters degree, but so far, I have found no scholarships. If you’ve been following me on Twitter, you know this.

I almost thought that everything was in place til this week when I received a couple of emails from people I inquired to about the scholarships. My mom was already asking me about any plan if ever I don’t get one. Well, there’s no other plan! I’ve been imagining this since before I went to college. And now…nothing!

Tonight, I was studying our material for church tomorrow, Experiencing the Heart of Jesus by Max Lucado. The title of the lesson was Experiencing Hope in Jesus.

2 things really spoke to me:

1. He has ample space for me

If in this world, we experience a lot of rejection, a lot of “WE HAVE NO ROOM FOR YOU”, well, God has! If He has some space for me, this means that I am part of the journey–I am part of the family–I am a child–He has a plan! It’s really difficult to say that I trust God COMPLETELY, but…I guess I have to. He already has things planned out for me. All I have to do is either wait, or ask what He has in store for me.

He doesn’t just have some space, but
2. He already prepared a place, a MANSION for me

If I have a mansion, that means that what He plans is good…GRAND! Although I see things in the perspective of the here and now, God understands not just that but the perspective of YET TO COME.

Jer. 29:11
I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you…

Although I still don’t understand everything, like Abraham, I should take a leap of faith and trust that someday I can be a Joseph who didn’t understand everything, yet he obeyed, and became mighty.

If it is God’s will, He will give me a scholarship, if not, He has better plans. My hope is in God, He holds my future.

If you’re reading this, pray for me. God bless you!

by Max Lucado

Alexander John ‘AJ’ Villanueva
posted from my Blackberry

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