Like Joseph

Joseph was hated by his brothers. He was sold, betrayed and was accused of something that he did not do. He was also forgotten. Like Joseph, we too in life will face difficulties that will overwhelm us. Do I think that God makes us go through struggles or hurtful situations? No! The thief came to KILL, STEAL and DESTROY! (John 10:10) But look at what God did for Joseph, he took that situation that must have broken Joseph's heart, and made him second in command throughout all of Egypt! Because of those trials, Joseph was able to save his family from the famine. Jesus came to give us life! (John 10:10)

Different translations of John 10:10 say:

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (NIV)

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (NKJV)

"A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." (The Message)

"The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." (NLT)

 ^"A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came so that my sheep will have life and so that they will have everything they need." (GW)

"The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).(AMP)

"A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good." (ERV)

"The thief enters only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest."

"The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might have life, a great full life." (NLV)

"The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with joy and abundance." (The Voice)

"The thief comes only to steal the sheep and to kill them and spoil them. I have come so that people may live and that they may enjoy life to the full." (WE)

Whatever the devil meant for harm, remember that God will make it for your good!

What are you running too?

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." - Proverbs 18:10

At times in our life, we can feel lost, confused, desperate and alone.  We run and try to find things that give us comfort, but later on it just leaves us with pain and heartache. Some run to drugs, some run to alcohol, some run to food, some run to guys, some run to girls, some run to money and some just run away. Yes, those things may fill  a void temporarily and give us a little sense of "peace and comfort" ,but in the end it will make you feel hopeless and empty. However, thankfully there is someone whose arms are  always wide open and His name is Jesus. He is there waiting for you, He is ready to deliever you from all of that pain and self-shame. Run to Him and you will be safe.

What are you running too?

January 2013 Blessings

You have granted me life and favor, and Your care has preserved my spirit.

Job 10:12

This year has already been wonderful! God has surely blessed me! I was blessed with a car, babysitting jobs, the opportunity to return to college, textbooks and safety!

Thank you Jesus for Your kindness, grace and mercy!

I so look forward to what opportunities and blessings lie ahead!

My God, My Protector!

"Because you love me, I will rescue you. I will protect you because you know my name." 
 Psalm 91:14

I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit and how He speaks to us to guide, convict and especially protect us! Thank you, Jesus for being my Protector!

Last week, the Guatemala mission team and I were planning to go to Regal's today to clean and pick up trash to fundraise for an upcoming mission trip that will take place this June. I had made plans to go and I was getting excited to see my friends and fundraise to help earn money for this possible mission trip I may be going on! Well last night as I was heading to bed I kept thinking car accident I thought that's odd and was like come on Ruthie you are just making up excuses so you don't have to get up early in the morning. My alarm went off around 5:40 this morning, so I got out of bed to take a shower and get dressed. It was around 6:20 and I needed my mom to get up so she could take me down to the college since we all planned to car pool and leave around 7. Well the thought of a car accident kept coming back and I thought to myself that I probably shouldn't go. I texted my friend ,who is leading the trip, and told her that I was sorry but I won't be able to make it and that maybe I could see her next week to go over more details about the trip. Before I went back to bed, I said a prayer for everyone who was traveling that God would protect them and keep them safe and to surround them with His angels. A few hours later, I got up out of bed and joked around with my mom saying "Mom, I didn't get to go! You didn't wake up." and she joked back, "Well I thought you were going to wake me up." So I told her I was but I kept thinking car accident and decided that it was best that I stayed home. With a sigh of relief, she told me that she too kept thinking car accident  and wasn't feeling easy about me going but she didn't want to say anything because I needed to make my own decisions and she needs to let me go! Around 4:30 pm, I texted my friend and asked her how did the clean up go and she told me it went really well and than I told her the story that I am telling you. She texted me saying, "Wow, that's crazy...well honestly you never know because if you would've come we would've taken another car!" Jesus, I am so thankful for You and that You protected me and my friends today! I know some of you reading this just think I am paranoid or just plain ole' crazy but I firmly believe that Jesus was protecting all of us. I would have hated for something to have happened to me or my friends if I didn't listen to His voice! If you hear that voice, listen! It may seem crazy, but I rather listen to it and miss out than to avoid it and put myself in danger!

Just Keep Swimming

Do you ever feel that sometimes you were dropped into the ocean? You look around and there is nothing but miles and miles of water. You know that in order to survive you must start swimming to protect yourself from dangers that lie in the sea. At first, the swimming seems easy but after hours of swimming you are extremely tired and exhausted. You look around and there seems to be no hope, you feel like you have made no progress and it seems that you have a way to go before you reach the shore. You think I can't do this anymore and might perhaps feel that it may be easier to just sink than it is to swim. However this is the time you need to just keep swimming and give it everything you got. Yes, it is exhausting and at times may even be painful, but everything that you are feeling now will be worth it!  Not only will you have reached the shore but you will also discover that you were given strength to swim!

I know that at times in our life we will face trials and hardships,we feel like giving up but that is where faith comes in. What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 says, " Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." You may not be able to see the shore at the moment but keep the faith and just keep swimming!

Happy Birthday Danielle

Happy 17th Birthday Danielle!

I am so thankful that God put you into my life. He knew that I would need you. It has been a blessing seeing you mature from a little girl to a beautiful young lady. From Barney, Winnie the Pooh, horses and cowgirls to Japan, anime, writing and hanging out with friends. We have had many great memories so far and I can't wait to see what kind of adventures we will have together in the future! My favorite memory of us, hmm, let me think! There are so many! So I'll guess I will just name a few! ;) Remember that wonderful delicious healthy dinner we have while it was just you, me and Luke at the house when my parents where in Hawaii? A nice big homemade waffle topped with ice cream, doughnuts, oreos, m&ms and whipped cream! ;) So yummy! Well until our tummies got upset! Did I ever apologize for the time I accidentally hit the game controller on your head? If not, I am really sorry! LOL. The moment we went to Uncle Devery's house and we had grapefruit and while Grandma was napping we poured sugar on it to get rid of the bitter taste! Sitting in my small bathroom, holding each other and crying, giving each other comfort and encouragement because we both were facing some hard times. Girl, I could go on and on about my favorite memories, but then it would be your 18th birthday before this video would be done!

Danielle, "you were meant to be touching the lives that you touch and meant to be here making this world so much more than it would be without you in it. You were meant to be bringing the gifts that you bring and singing the songs you've been giving to sing. You are perfectly, wonderfully, beautifully meant to be, you were meant to be." "You're a masterpiece that all creation quietly applauds and you're covered with the fingerprints of God." "A beautiful life is unfolding before my eyes, just like the sun you'll rise to fill the empty sky, so shine!" Danielle, "my wish for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to, your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small, you never need to carry more than you can hold, and while you're out there getting where you're getting to, I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too, yeah, this is my wish." "And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance. I hope you dance. I hope you dance."

I believe with all of my heart that God has wonderful plans for your future. I hope that all of your dreams come true and that God blesses you more than you can imagine. Oh, and when you move to Japan and get your dream job, please buy a house that has an extra bedroom! Lucy can't be thousands of miles away from her Ethel!

One of the many things I admire about you is your heart! You have a heart of gold. You are kind, considerate, honest, sweet, funny, loving, genuine and respectful. You are a rare treasure! You are a real prize! You are a Proverbs 31 woman! You are also courageous, noble, creative, smart, loyal, trust-worthy, passionate and real. Another thing that I admire is that you have many dreams and aspirations and even now are working extremely hard to make those dreams become reality! You are beautiful! There could never be a more beautiful you. No matter how far apart in life we are, I will always have your back.

             So Danielle, I hope that you have a very blessed and wonderful day! I love you!

The Book of Ruth

Ever read a book of the Bible and thought you knew the whole story, but then you "discovered" a new verse? I did, and it brought joy to my heart tonight! And it just so happens I was reading one of the top books in the Bible and that is the book of Ruth!

The verses that God spoke to me were found in : Ruth 2:10, Ruth 2:12,  Ruth 2:13, Ruth 2:19, Ruth 3:9, Ruth 3:10-11 and Ruth 4:14-15.

Ruth 2:10 says, "Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me - a foreigner?"

Ruth 2:12 says, "May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have to take refuge."

Ruth 2:13 says, "May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord.", she said. "You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant - though I do not have the standing of one of your servants."

Ruth 2:19 says, "Her mother-in-law asked her, Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!"

Ruth 3:9 says, "Spread the corner of your garmet over me since you are a guardian redeemer of our family."

Ruth 3:10-11 says, "The LORD bless you, my daughter, he replied. This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the perople of my town know that you are a woman of noble character."

Ruth 4:14-15 says, "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a guardian redeemer. May he be come famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth."

Wow, I am very honored to share a name with such a humble beautiful woman of the Bible! Why do I love this book? One of the reasons is that Boaz is the guardian-redeemer in his family. When Ruth asks him why would he find favor in the eyes of a foreigner, it reminded me of Jesus! He is our Guardian-Redeemer! When we were sinners or "foreigners", He found favor in each and everyone of us! When Ruth also asked Boaz to "spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer", that reminded me of why Jesus came! He came to die and to cover us with His blood and grace. Ruth also tells Naomi, that her guardian-redeemer "will renew your life and sustain you in your old age." Jesus came to renew and give us life and to strengthen us!

Also another reason why I love the book of Ruth, is that to me it honors purity. Boaz tells Ruth, "This kindness is greater than that which you showered earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all that you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character." Ruth wasn't running and hunting down guys, instead she was waiting on God to bring him to her. She was trusting God to write her love story. Because she kept pure and trusted God, she was know as the woman of noble character! In the Message version of the Bible, it says, she was known for being a courageous woman-a real prize! The love Boaz had for Ruth was so true, genuine and beautiful!

Girls, be a Ruth! Be a woman of noble character! Let God write your love story! Wait for your Boaz so that you can experience the true love that was meant for you and you alone!