Superdad and the Good good Father

About a week ago we received the news of the newest addition to our family. My husband and I were so thrilled because our faithful God answered another one of our prayers. The night after we learned of our pregnancy God came to me in a dream and showed me a line of over a hundred men. He showed them to me as a message for my husband.  In my dream God said “I am the God who led, cared for, and provided for all these fathers before you, and I will do the same for you.” Out of the hundreds stood three in particular Abraham, David and Moses.

In the front of them all stood Abraham. The man whom God promised that he would bless him with more descendants than the stars in the sky, and sand on the shore, a man known as the father of our faith.  He was a God fearing man who trusted God to do the impossible, and stood firm in knowing the Lord will provide. Following God’s command, Abraham left everything he knew behind to live as a stranger in a foreign land, much like we Christian must be foreign to the ways of the world. It was an act of complete obedience to God that led Abraham to bring his beloved Isaac to the top of a mountain to do the unthinkable in the land of Moriah. As fathers we could follow Abraham’s display of unwavering belief in God’s power and complete faith in the promises of God.

All the families of the earth will be blessed through you. –Genesis 12:3

So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift, and we are all certain to receive it. Whether or not we live according to the Law of Moses, or if we have faith like Abraham. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. –Romans 4:16

Then I saw David, I immediately thought of course! Here is a man who played many roles throughout his life; surely he is an excellent role model.  As a young boy he was overlooked and underestimated by his earthly father but found favor in the eyes of God.  David was a loyal shepherd boy, an excellent musician, a fearless warrior, and a mighty king. However, I was surprised to learn that although David could lead God’s kingdom he failed miserably as a father in leading his family.  But what we could learn from David is that all though we fail we should not change the view of who God is.  Through every strength and victory, and every struggle and failure David’s love and faith for God was never shaken. David loved God and praised Him in the best of times and praised Him in the midst of his failures and struggles. 

In my God is my salvation and my glory. The rock of my strength and refuge is in God. Psalms 62:7

Then God showed me Moses. When God first appeared to Moses when He called him to rescue His people, and as most of us would, Moses responded by saying who am I? (Exo 3:11). Of all the people of the earth God chose Moses and as Fathers, you were chosen for this. As leaders of your households you hold yourself to certain expectations. Am I able to financially provide for my family? Am I leading a Godly example?  Do I love and protect my children enough? As husbands and fathers you want to play the role of Superman but doubts may quickly remind you that you are just a plain simple Clark Kent. Today, I want to remind you that you are the son of the ultimate Superman, Jesus. Through this ultimate Father you are made mighty. If you read through Exodus you’ll see that God had an answer for every obstacle that Moses faced in this journey that God had called him for, much like your journey through fatherhood. And just as he promised Moses in Exo 3:12 “I will be with you”, God too will be with you.  There is no worry God does not know of, and no need that He is unaware of, and no impossible situation for our very possible Father. So wear your cape no matter what because God is with you, and you will be a Superdad!

When we think of these mighty men of the bible we see the greatness they have achieved for the glory of God. Often times we forget about the doubts and struggles they endured and had to overcome to achieve such greatness. God didn’t use perfect men to deliver His people and expend His kingdom, but rather He chose the ordinary and made them extraordinary. You’ll have your strengths and you’ll have your struggles but put on your Superdad cape and eyes fixed on Jesus, Just as God used these ordinary men for the extraordinary he too will use you as fathers and leaders of your households. As he promised these men “I will be with you”, God will be with you. You have an unlimited, perfect source of unimaginable power, because after all God is the good good Father, our Perfect Father.

 

Know your walk, walk your walk!

Know your walk and walk your walk ❤️ 

Growing up I never took the time to read the bible or took the time to appreciate the treasures it has to offer. The only time I heard its readings was at church on Sundays as it was read by a priest in terms and phrases that was so unfamiliar to me… thou, thy, shalt, ye.  It only took me 27 years to discover that this truly is the BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN!

 

Interesting bible facts:

1.       The bible is the most published, best-selling book of all time. There are more than 168,000 copies either sold or given away each day. In fact, the printing press was first invented for the purpose of printing the bible in efforts to share God’s word.

2.       The bible is a collection of interconnected writings of 40 men, written over a 1600 year period. Even through the years and many different authors the writings in the Bible never contradict each other.

3.       Over the centuries more people have died defending its truth than any other written word. There are still many places that exist today where believers still risk their lives by owning a  Bible, if caught they often face harsh penalties and even death, yet there are still many who freely can but have not open any of its pages.

4.       God’s word is still alive and active today. Every scripture is God-breathed, and the Bible was one of God’s greatest gifts to us.  

One thing I have come to realize is the more I read His word, the more I understand His heart, and the more I am seeing His hand in my life. I've learned that If you seek answers you won't find them, seek God and the answers will find you. One thing I never thought would be possible is hearing God speak to me. I’ve heard others speak of it, but was one thing I have never experienced until I whole heartily started seeking His word. Like a name that came to me in my sleep and I instantly woke and felt the urge to pray for this person. I never heard of or know a Mila/Nila Certeza and maybe I never will, but God used me to intercede on her behalf through prayer, and I am grateful.

 

In addition to discovering God’s heart through His word, I find that the bible contains many character shaping life lessons and interesting stories that are similar to today’s TV show hits..

 

Maybe you are into Bravo TV’s Original Housewives Series, read the drama of the Original Housewives in Genesis 29.

Or shows with sibling rivalry, read about Jacob’s plot to steal his brother Esau’s birth right and inheritance.

Or if you like heroic battles read the book of Joshua and see how he lead his people into the Promised Land after 40 years of wondering.

Or follow the life of Jesus if your taste is for more of the heart touching, miracle shows of Hallmark.

Or maybe if you are more into the CBS show Survivor, read the Book of Job, that tells of the life of one ultimate survivor.  

 

God’s word is very alive and very active and as Christ followers are walk should be alive and active as well. We don’t get stronger by simply going to the gym and simply looking at or studying the equipment, we need to be active.

The same goes with our faith, it is when we read God’s word and actively engage in God’s word that enables our strength in Christ. Being in a life group is a great way to be active in our walk and the bible gives us several reasons:

 

Two are better that one because they have a good return for their labor, for if one falls the other is there to life them up. Ecc 4:9

Where there is no guidance, a peoples fall, but in abundance of good counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14

He who walks with the wise grows wise but a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20

But by far my most favorite: Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am with them. Matthew 18:20

 

I learned these scriptures to be truths the hard way instead of taking it by Gods word. When I first started my walk, I went to church every Sunday and the word would sink in my heart but

for months on end I wondered why my life kept spiraling out of control. It wasn’t until I realized that the crowd I had in my life at the time just didn’t a line with what I was learning and who I wanted to be. The bible will show you that every time God takes something away, He always replaces it was something better.

This was true in this case and will be true in every other case.

If you live on Guam and are not already a part of a life group or maybe you are part of one but feel you would like a double dose of God’s teaching,  I invite you today to join my husband and I every Thursday night at 7pm as we dig deep and go big in God’s word. Message me for more details! Have a blessed week everyone!

Pick up your glittery sparkling cross!

The life of Peter has really been intriguing to me. As I studied my bible and read about the first disciple Peter, I had a hard time understanding how a man could follow Jesus for 3 years, witness first hand the many miracles He had performed, yet still deny Him at his most trying time.

Peter witness Jesus calm a storm. (Matthew 8:23-27)

Peter was there when Jesus fed the crowd of thousands with the braking of 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. (Matthew 14:19)

Peter witnessed Jesus walking on water (Matthew 14:22). In fact, Peter was the first disciple to declare that Jesus was the Son of God. (Matthew 16:16)

Peter even heard very voice of God say “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5)

In fact the bible tells us that Peter had such a strong alliance with Jesus that during His arrest Peter drew a sword in defense of Jesus, chopping off an ear of one of his arresters (John 18:10), yet he is still known as the disciple who denied Jesus, not once, not twice, but three times!

Then I wondered why would Jesus even call Peter to follow him in the first place, knowing 3 years later this man would wimp out and deny even knowing him. If I wanted to save the world I choose strong and courageous people to follow me, like David, a man after Gods' heart, who would go to battle and fight for me, or a High priest who in their day were revered by the Jews and had influence and power in their days. Instead, Jesus chose a hotheaded impulsive fisherman, whom we all in one way or another could relate to. 

The reality is, in some shape or form, we all have a little Peter in us. We boldly lift our hands in praise and declare the power of Jesus in the walls of our churches, but how bold do we stand outside our comfort zones? Outside our life groups? Outside our homes? Outside of facebook, Instagram, and twitter? We may not verbally deny Jesus rather we deny Him when we fail to act and speak in His name. I felt a conviction as I asked myself...

How many times a day do i walk by a homeless person knowing I was able but chose not to give?

How many opportunities did I pass up in inviting someone to church in fear of rejection and judgment?

How many times have I hesitated to pray over a stranger I see suffering, yet alone someone I know, in fear of not praying eloquent enough?

How many times have I chosen to cover my cross instead of preaching His word, in fear of not being educated enough or sounding like a crazy person?

How many times have I denied the power of Christ within me and failed to believe that I could be the one to make the difference in this world today?

How many times have I let the disapproval or unspoken affirmations of those around me derail the plans God placed in my heart?

How many times has God given me a vision but I doubt what he can do within me in fear of rejection from other believers? Your just baby Christian, what do you know? Your new to this church, we’ve been here from the beginning. Stand down Christian, it isn’t your place.

What I have come to love about the bible is seeing how God always used imperfect people so that thousands of years later we could still identify with their imperfect nature. We don't doubt Gods power but where we seem to fall short is believing that we are worthy enough. Throughout the bible we see God finding people right where they are, imperfect and sinful, and using them for His greatest glory. Even the best of saints were once men who sinned.

Just like Peter there is no convincing me that God is not real. He is alive and the evidence of His miracles is all around me today. Jesus said pick up your cross and follow me. But are we followers who picked up our cross but keep it hidden exposing it within our comfort zones?

Let us not only pick up our cross, but let’s add some glitter and make it sparkle for His glory!