July 12, 2012
What a journey I face this summer. It has been a time of stress and lonely. I felt at one point that my mind was not thinking on God’s will and even find my mind on things not pleasing to God and harmful to my spiritual life. I tried to pray but could not gain the prayer focus that I need. I was in deep despair one night and my mind was racing to the path I never wanted. I remembered Augustine was facing the same exact trial that I was facing. I gained some strength and prayed, however it took a while before I fell asleep. The next morning I woke up and faced the same trial. That night my brother called me and encouraged me with the exact word I needed to hear without even telling him what I was going through. God is great and always present in the right moment. I learned something this past two weeks that I will never forget for life: It is so easy to lose focus when we are not in God’s word daily.
When we fail to influence others about Christ we fail ourselves. We get hurt in return, God still glorified, but we mess-up and hurt. I was struggling as I said for two weeks since I arrived in Michigan. Part of it is because I started my vacation wrong. I fail to influence myself by not immersing myself in the word. I spent so much time in the internet it hurts my life spiritually. The second Sunday I went to church, Pastor David preached as if God has just told him what I was going through. Every single word he said was directly connected with me. He spoke about when we lose our focus on godliness; we live our lives up and down. When this happens we hand up at the enemy’s camp and he brings us into distress. The Israelites fail to influence the nation they were to influence. Such rejection of God’s voice will lead us to failure. His voice is calling us to relationship, to the school of prayer, to his word, and to come back to Eden. Pastor David mentioned that God has given us all the tools we need to live a godly life. Hunger for God is not enough, but actions need to accompany it. Praise God that he delivered me and restore my soul.
Okay I know it is enough about all of the sad time I had. Now it’s time to speak of the fun time I had. Last Saturday I had a great time played soccer with Sam and several other friends. We had a great time on the wave runner. This week was such a blessed week for me especially the day camp that my church had. It is such an encouragement to me. God is just so so so great. The topic of the camp was just enough to remind me who I was and where I am and what my hope is. It reminded me that I am in a game and a race. Isn’t that absolutely true? I don’t know about you, but myself every single day of my life is a game and a race that I am facing, yet I have to constantly reminded myself that I am depended on God and because of this I will make it through. “He is the greatest and the final coach” we all need. This camp was a great turning point for me because I was so lonely and almost depressed. I just have a hard time setting in one place and doing nothing. When the mind is not occupied it wondered and sometimes finds a point which can be the weakest point and set it focus there. Yesterday was a great time with Berky and Fred. I went on a boat ride and tubing. So this week has been very productive so far.[slideshow]
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Running such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever,Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).[slideshow][slideshow]
“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).