Scriptures Worth Memorizing

I thought today I would share a few of the first Bible verses I ever heard or learned, and some of the circumstances surrounding them.  I also made a video earlier, on "Black Friday Testimony" where I also describe part of who I was before I met Christ and accepted Him as my Savior and Lord. 

When I was young, one of the first Scriptures I ever saw and memorized was John 14:6, which says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father but by Me."  My uncle created a wooden plaque as a gift to my parents which hung on the wall in the kitchen and I saw it every day.

Later, in high school, one of the kids from campus Bible study mentioned John 3:16, which says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life."

When I was a very young child, maybe around 10 years of age, I participated in a youth Bible correspondence by mail study.  In that study, a few verses come to mind, that I remember learning for the 1st time.  One of the verses I learned at this time was "God's Word does not return to Him void" (I'll have to look up the Scripture location for I don't recall off the top of my head just now.)  

I also learned the gospel message, which says "as far as the east is from the west, that's how far He (God) has removed our transgressions (sin) from us."  Yes, I learned those two verses as a young girl through that mail-correspondence youth Bible study.

In high school I was challenged to read the Bible, so I did, beginning with the New Testament.  I remember "devouring" the Word of God.  When I got to James, it says to be a do-er of the Word.  When I got to 1 John 1:9 it says, "if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  I began to apply (to do) God's Word in my life, confessing my sin, and learning the Bible, God's Holy Word.

All of God's Word is good; useful for teaching, correcting, and guiding our lives.  Later on, as I began my college years, I became interested in reading and learning the book of Proverbs.  Proverbs is a mainstay of my current Bible reading.  Since most months have 30 or 31 days, I read one chapter of Proverbs a day.  Proverbs is a book with 31 chapters, so it's easy to read through it in a month's time.  Then, I can read it again, each month if I want to or if I choose to (yes, it's my habit).

Where are you from?  What are you reading (in the Word of God)?  Do you know God loves you?  Do you know God wants to have a personal relationship with you?  Today, right now, He is thinking of you, loving thoughts to give you a future and a hope.  Thank God today for his amazing gift of love found in the gift of his son Jesus Christ, who gave his life for you and for me, that we could live forever with Him.

Book of Acts by Monica Velez Introduction and Page One

 Introduction to My Own Personal Book of Acts, End of Days

Today is Sunday, December 19, 2021.  And I'm beginning to write my own book of Acts, my addendum; this is God's story of unleashing the gospel of Jesus Christ, specifically through my life, here and now.

Yes, God has been here and now, all throughout my lifetime; and perhaps, that's another story for another time.  Today I want to share, communicate, and document what God is doing in/through my life now.

Earlier this year one of my friends disclosed to me some very personal information.  (I think this was around August 2021).  By September 2021 God had led me to new people (to me) on You Tube, one being David Heavener and the other being Russ Dizdar.  As I began binge-listening to radio broadcasts of Russ Dizdar I tried to discern if he were the real deal or not.  I could not find anything false, or biblically untrue in any of his teachings and programs; I found him to be the real deal.

So I began eating up Russ' teachings online; I binged listened to Ragged Edge, then I began Black Awadening studies, and now I'm in the Book of Acts Field Manual Study for the End of Days.

One interesting sidenote, on the day I heard of Russ Dizdar for the 1st time, I had been praying, and I asking God already, where can I study to grow deeper in Your Word?  I had been thinking about joining Steve Cioccolanti's online Bible School/classes, but it was around $500.  I didn't mind spending/budgeting the money, but then I heard of Russ Dizdar, and all his free classes, and training, and after vetting him I began to follow/study with him.

By October 2021 I joined the ten million fierce prayer team then Russ passed away.

But my journey continues and now I'm beginning my own book of Acts!

Page One

On Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, I woke up to 30-40 degree (Farenheit) weather, freezing cold!  I thought about staying warm in my bed, but I felt like God reminded me, "you'll be blessed if you go (to the church outreach)" so I went.

In order to help out, I should have arrived by 8:30 AM.  However, I didn't arrive until around 9:30 AM, so I thought I was too late to serve and help out, but one of the leaders put me to work!

My prayer partner and I walked around the festival grounds at the church, meeting, greeting, and talking with people.  We also offered prayer to every person we met.  I'd say only 1 or 2 people refused prayer; one lady took a raincheck on prayer, and so only one other lady absolutely seemed to not be open.  But, everyone else, was completely open and eager, willing that we would pray together!

One lady we met was a young mom.  She prayed to receive Christ!  We gave her a Bible, and encouraged her to come to church services.  We let her know when they are and I also asked for her contact information so that a church member can do a follow-up with her.

Another time, we met a group of kids, and prayed for them to learn and to know that they can cast their cares upon the Lord, and can call upon the name of the Lord to be saved, or for anything.

We also prayed prayers of salvation over one lady's family/in-laws.  I prayed for God's blessing on all the prayers she'd been storing up in her heart for them, and I stood in agreement wither her spoken and unspoken prayers.

One little girl (about 10 maybe?) had fallen, and visibly upset (with tears in her eyes).  We prayed for her, for God's comfort and healing, both physically and emotionally.  

Another family we met asked for prayer for God's blessing on them, their marriage, child-rearing, and grandchildren.  We blessed them in Jesus's name.

I also prayed for a lady and her own self-care and following Jesus, as she expressed she works in a tough field and sees/hears tough things daily.  

That would have been "enough" for me, but God gave me a double-portion of blessing, allowing me to help out passing out jackets/toys to kids afterwards.  I was alongside other sisters in Christ, meeting new people, it was such a god-send, such a big blessing to me.  

Thanks God for a glorious and beautiful day of serving You, participating in Your great plan of redemption and healing of mankind.  I felt honored to be a part of it, and I look forward to the next time I can serve You and be a part of unleashing the gospel, everywhere I go.  Help me always be ready to share You with others, with everyone I meet.  

Tell Me More About the SOAP

 What is the SOAP method?

SOAP is an acronym for:  Scripture; Observation; Application; Prayer.

How does the SOAP method work:

Read a passage or book of Scripture.  Make observations on that portion of Scripture, answer questions such as, what does it say?  Notice the who, what, where, and when of that portion of Scripture.

In the application part of the method, ask questions, "so what?"  What does this mean for me?  How can I apply this Scripture to my life?  What does God want me to do as a result of reading and/or studying this Scripture?

Finally, pray!  Pray for God's help and strength, grace and ability to put His Word into practice in your life.  God wants to give you the grace, help, ability and strength to obey and do all His Word!

Recap and Review

The SOAP method is one simple tool for reading and applying the Bible to our everyday lives.  God is for you not against you, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ.  If you're not a believer yet, you can come to Christ today by saying a simple prayer such as this:  Dear Lord, I freely give you my life as an act of my free will; fill me with your Holy Spirit.  I come to You Jesus and accept your free gift of forgiveness for all my sin.  Help me repent and turn away from any and all sin.  In the name of Jesus we pray, asking for Your divine protection and divine guidance always.  Amen.

God bless you always, my friend.  See you in the next blog or video.  "See you here, there, or in the air."  Take care!

Self-Talk, What Are You Speaking to Yourself?

 Self-talk

Are you speaking thoughts and ideas to yourself that are edifying and build you up?  Or, are you hearing thoughts and ideas in your mind that tear you down, oppress and/or lead to depressive, dark areas?

What you speak to yourself, also known as "self-talk", can either help or hinder your walk with the Lord.  I want you, and I want me, to speak words of life to ourselves.

Sometimes dark thoughts may enter our minds.  What do you do then?  The Bible says to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Jesus Christ.  I invite you to look up the verse for yourself in the Scriptures to see if this is true or not.  If I think a dark thought, I say to that thought, "get out of here" and "that does not agree with the Word of God" so I will not agree nor align myself with that thought.  

Don't be upset if it takes trial-and-error to get the dark thoughts out of your mind.  The Bible says to resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Take God at His Word, meaning, believe in your heart exactly what God has said in His Word.  If God's Word says confess and renounce your sins, then let's do exactly that.

If God's Word says He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion, then let's believe that God will continue His good work in our lives.  God is in the business of redeeming lives.  Jesus came to destroy the works of satan (again, look it up for yourself to see if what I am saying is true or not according to the Bible).  

Ephesians 2:10 God designed me to become a powerhouse of God for Jesus Christ, to be a witness for Jesus Christ, all for the glory of God!!  So, as God gives me the grace and ability to do so, I indeed will become that powerhouse, filled with God's Holy Spirit, to be and do all that He says I can be and do!  I was made to give witness to Jesus Christ.  I am made to glorify God.  Indeed, by God's grace, I will become a powerful witness of Jesus Christ.

Have you received your Savior friend?  Do you know Christ?  You are not here by accident!  The Providential, Sovereign hand of God, has led you here, because HE LOVES YOU.  God's desire is that none should perish, and that ALL WOULD COME TO REPENTANCE and ETERNAL LIFE IN JESUS CHRIST.  Have you said "yes" to Him?  Are you obeying and following Him today?  Dear Lord, it is my desire to say yes to You today and to obey all that You say.  Amen.

When I was little, God planted a seed in my heart.  One seed He planted was that God made me; another seed He planted was that God loves me.  Since that time, I've been growing and learning more about this great gift of salvation.  John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish but have eternal life.

There is no weapon formed against me that can prosper.  And, my life will continue and carry on for God knows the number of my days.  God sees and knows every breath I take, and no, I'm not quoting a Police song!

Bless the Lord, oh my soul.  Let all that is within me bless the Lord.  To bless the Lord means, to me, to honor, to praise, to "blow a kiss to" God.  When you love someone, you want to make them happy, and you treat them with respect.  To bless the Lord is to turn our eyes upon God, and give Him the honor due His name.  When we pour out our hearts before the Lord, that can bless Him.  When we cast our cares upon the Lord because He cares for us, that can bless Him.  He loves to hear the prayers of the Saints.  Are you a Saint or an Aint?  I hope and pray you have made your peace with God, through Jesus Christ, and indeed are a Faithful and Chosen Saint of the One True God.

My evangelistic dreams and goals are many.  A few of those include this "Jesus-blog", as well as video shorts, and street witnessing.  If you are a believer, I would appreciate your prayers (thank you so much).

If you are a non-believer, I say to you, God loves you; God made you.  Repent, for the time is short.  Ask Christ to forgive you of all your sin; accept Christ's free gift of forgiveness; confess and renounce your sin.  Live in the freedom Christ died for you.  Come to Christ today.  Let Him love you and make you born-again.  Shake off the shackles and chains, in the name of Jesus, by the precious blood of the Lamb.  Holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty.  God bless you always.

Beginner's Guide to Bible Study, Part One

Hello, my friend!

So, you've come to Christ, you've asked Christ to forgive you of all your sins, you've received the free gift of His forgiveness, asked Him to make you born again.  Now, how do you grow as a new believer in Christ?

Or, maybe you have been far away from Christ, and you want to "re-dedicate" your life to Christ?  You have "come to your senses" and want to walk on the straight and narrow road that Jesus talks about.

Generally speaking, you and I, will want to open our Bibles and read what God's Word has to say to us.  Here's a brief list of some tools I've found useful for getting into the Word.  One key is to find a time that works best for you; most people or Christians will say that morning time is usually the best time to seek the Lord.  However, I will say, from personal experience, that when I was working full-time, mornings did not work well for me as I needed that time to get ready for work and drive time!  I found what worked best for me, after some trial-and-error, was directly after school, between 3 and 5 in the afternoon.  I would find a local public library, or local park or cafe, and read, pray, and journal at a more leisurely pace.  (My morning drives I reserved for listening to the Bible, but for my own personal Bible reading time, afternoons worked better for me.)

What are some ways to "get in the Word?"

• SOAP Method
• Inductive Bible Study Approach
• Journal
• Read One-Year Bible
• Word Studies
• Worship Service where Bible taught systematically, precept upon precept, book by book, all the Bible from A-Z, from Genesis to Revelation

As time goes on, I would like to expound more upon these tools that get the Word of God into you.  God loves you; God is for you.  God made you; God created you.  Following Jesus will be the best thing you could ever give your life over to.  Remember Him, Jesus Christ, the One who paid it all, for you and for me, to have eternal life.

Until the next blog, or video, take care and be well!

Jesus love to every one reading this now.

My BlacK FriDay Testimony

Introduction and Background

     Today I will share my testimony of how I got saved.  I will share a little bit about my life before salvation, and how I heard the gospel.  I will also share a little bit about what happened the moment I received Christ and what's happened since that time.  Thanks so much for listening to my story!

What was your life like before salvation?

     Going to school in 2nd and 3rd grade, I would always see the brownie scouts dressed up in their uniforms, and I thought that they were so special.  I wanted to be special too, and to wear a special uniform.  I wanted to become a brownie scout also.  Finally, in the 3rd or 4th grade, my mom signed me up to join a girl scout troop!  And, I was so excited.  I got the green uniform, and we would wear it to school on troop meeting days.  That began a 3 or 4 year stint of girl scouts for me.

     I sold girl scout calendars;  I sold famous girl scout cookies.  Back in those days, it was safe to go door-to-door in my neighborhood.  Nowadays, I would not recommend this for a 10 year old, unless she was with her parents.  I sold enough cookies and calendars to earn me a scholarship to girl scout summer camp!  So, I was industrious; hard-working; resilient.  I earned the badges to sew onto my sash.  For those of you who may not know, part of our girl scout uniform was a sash that was like a wide ribbon that went across diagonally on your chest and front side of your body.  I was also a little bit shy, and timid, and a quiet kind of person except with close friends.  And, I was a good student, getting good grades.  The teachers always told my parents that I was a "model student".  

     However, not all was dandy.  For example, in kindergarten one girl told me to call another girl a "fatso" and I did.  Less than five minutes later, a teacher, a mom, my mom, and the little girl, all came up to me, and I got severely verbally reprimanded for name calling that little girl.  Nevermind that someone else told me to do it!  She should have been in trouble too.  The teacher insisted that I apologize, and say sorry to the little girl, but I refused.  I would not be forced to say sorry for that.  All I could do was look down on the ground and wait for this torture to be over.

     Another childhood incident when I was babysitting one of my little brothers, I got this crazy idea of tying a piece of string around his fingers for something (now I don't recall what exactly).  When my mom got home, I again got in trouble for doing that; she said I could have chopped off his finger by doing that.  Well, I'm not sure today if that's true or not, but as a young child I believed her!

How Did you hear the gospel?

     After 3 years of being a girl scout in the 4th through 6th grades, our troop leaders offered to keep us together; they renamed us "The King's Kids" where we still continued to meet, but there would be a Bible teaching component included.  I had a Catholic upbringing; I took a class for the holy communion in first grade.  I had to learn and memorize the 10 Commandments and the Our Father prayer.  

     

     I also participated in a correspondence Bible study either in my youth or teen years.  I do not recall exactly how my name got entered in to this correspondence Bible study, but, I would do a lesson, and mail it back in.  Then someone would "correct it" (check it) and send me the next lesson.  I learned important biblical concepts at that time.  I learned that "as far as the east is from the west is how far God has removed our transgressions from us".  I also learned that "the word of God will not return to Him void"; in other words, that God's word would accomplish the work it was meant to do.

     In high school, one of my classmates had started a youth Bible club, and I participated.  In one of our conversations, I distinctly remembering discussing the similarities and differences of my faith of upbringing (Catholic) and his faith (Protestantism).  Although there were, I believed, many similarities between the two, he pointed out one major flaw of the Catholic doctrine about praying the rosary and of praying to Mary.  From that point on, I think I began to not say the Hail Mary prayer anymore, nor the rosary prayer.  

What happened at the moment you received Christ?   

     (Part 1)  In the 7th grade, as part of "The King's Kids" group, we had a girls sleepover slumber party.  We were eating snacks, playing games, and telling ghost stories because that's what you do at sleepovers.  One of the girls wanted to say bedtime prayers so we did.  Since we had been spending time each week also reading our Bible stories, it was not weird when one of the girl scout leaders, Linda, gave us an invitational prayer to receive Jesus into our hearts.  She asked us to raise our hands if we wanted to receive Jesus, and I'm not sure who did or did not raise their hand.  However, there was a lot of emotion and crying; maybe that was the power of God?  I too, got weepy eyed, teary eyed, and wanted to say yes in my heart to Jesus.  And, our girl scout leader, Linda, prayed over all of us, whether we raised our hand or not, that if our hearts wanted to respond to receiving Jesus, that we could know that we could also do so.

     (Part 2) This same classmate, Dave, who had started the campus Bible club, told me about the Billy Graham crusade coming to Anaheim Stadium.  He told me I should ask my mom to take me, and fill up the van with people and go there!  And, that's exactly what I did!  My mom took me, 2 of my classmates (girls), and maybe my 2 younger brothers, and we all heard Billy Graham speak the gospel message at Anaheim Stadium.  At the end of his speech, Mr. Graham gave us the opportunity to respond to Jesus.  He said if we wanted this Jesus he talked about, that if we wanted to know that when we died we'd go to heaven, if we wanted to have our sins forgiven, then to make a public declaration of this desire by coming down to the field.  He assured us that our friends would wait!  So, I stood to my feet, and made my way down to the field, saying yes to Jesus again, in my youth.  I was around 16-17 years old at the time.  And, I met a girl who was a counselor and she prayed with me down on the baseball field.

What's happened since receiving Christ, since your salvation?

• many rededications, consecrations to the Lord
• work of the Holy Spirit
• correspondence Bible Study/discipleship in my youth
• youth Mexacali short term trips/outreach
• after college outreach mission Ukraine, soccer missionary, dance missionary (serving Christ)
• sowing/reaping poor choices-poor results (dark side)
• good choices-good results (light side, God's side)
• TODAY-studying under Dizdar training daily; I will occupy until Christ comes-
• I am experiencing God's staying and keeping power 40 plus years
• season of darkness, unhealed wounds no match for God's saving power
• I am growing in God's grace and knowledge of salvation by faith alone in the finished work of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.  I am growing in my friendship with God.  I am a true believer in Jesus Christ, the One True God of the Universe, and I build myself up daily in the power and strength of the Lord.  
• I went on an overseas mission trip, gave a speech to young kids, and at least one girl from a Budhist background got saved, receiving Jesus as her Savior.
• praying for loved ones to get saved; bringing friends or family members to church

Blessings and Thanksgivings

     I am grateful and thankful to three brothers in my life that God has used to help grow me in the faith.  

     One is Paul McGuire.  Through Paul's ministry, I learned (in 2020) that my life is to be about fulfilling the Great Commission Jesus taught in Matthew 28.  In other words, the God-given purpose of my life is to teach all people everywhere to obey all that Jesus taught and did.  This is true life.  

     The second brother I am grateful for is Russ Dizdar, who I only heard of recently (August 2021).  Through Russ's fatherly, motivational and biblical teachings, I learned and am learning how to engage in powerful spiritual warfare, and how to grow in becoming all that God has intended for me to become. 

     Finally, the third brother I am inspired by is Joe Kirby from Off the Kirb Ministries (October 2021).  Joe gave a Black Friday challenge to believers to go out and share the gospel on this year's Black Friday.  By writing this testimony, I am encompassing and combining these men of God's teachings, all similar in nature, all God's calling on my life.  Because of Joe, I am recording a video of my testimony and will share it on social media (hence, I thought I'd write it down here first, for practice).  Because of Russ, I learned a simple format for giving my testimony (the 4 questions you've just read).  And, because of Paul, I realize the importance of being obedient to Jesus Christ.  

     Thankful to God for these brothers who have helped me get back on track.  To God be all the glory.  

Final Remarks, Conclusions

     Please accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior today friend.  The time is short.  The world is a mess.  We are not going back to normal.  No one knows the day or hour when Christ returns.  Your eternal life is at stake, here.  One day we will all stand before God, and He will either say to believers, "well done good and faithful servant, now enter into the joy of your master's happiness", or he will say to non-believers "depart from me for I never knew you".  

     Where you spend eternity is truly up to you.  Acknowledge before God that you are a sinner in need of a savior, and call upon the name of the Lord; then you will be saved.  Repent and believe that Christ died for you.  Jesus said, in John 3:16, "for God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life".  Jesus also said, in John 14:6, that "He is the way, the truth, and the life.  And that no one comes to the Father except through Him."

     Thanks again for reading my "Black Friday Story" here today.  God bless you always.  ~Monica Velez

How are You Celebrating Black Friday this Year?

Monday, November 23, 2021

Joe Kirby, from Off the Kirb Ministries on You Tube, gave the challenge.  This year, for world evangelism day, Black Friday, let's all  go out and share the gospel of Jesus Christ with as many people as we can.  Challenge accepted, I said in my heart!

 

First, I went ahead and ordered some gospel tracts that clearly outline the gospel of Jesus Christ in easy to understand and culturally relevant way.  I was so impressed with the speed  in which the gospel tracts arrived at my home.

Next, I've been carrying them with me, everywhere I go.  There is a burning desire in my heart to get the word out to as many people as possible, that Jesus is real, that Jesus is alive, that Jesus forgives sin and offers eternal life to all who believe.  What we believe about Jesus matters; it matters deeply, and it matters eternally!

Today, a Monday of Thanksgiving week, I went to downtown Fullerton area for a pre-Thanksgiving lunch.  However, the little ticket did not display the start time; nor did my friend who invited me know either!  I called the number on the ticket, but also was not able to get through.  So, looking online I discovered they open at 10:30 AM, so I planned to go then.  I arrived between 11:30 and noon.  And, that was when my friend also called me and left a voice mail to meet him by the east parking lot; but I was already in the west parking lot.  My friend led me to believe that it didn't start until 3 or 6pm.  I proceeded to walk in the direction where my friend said he'd be, and while I was walking, I saw a homeless gentleman sitting on a bench with his suitcase and personal belongings.  I so desperately wanted to share Jesus and eternal life with him!  So I said hello.  He said hello.  He heard "how are you" so he responded with "I'm fine and you?"  I asked him did he know Jesus?  And, I waited for his response.  

With no hesitation, he replied that yes he did know Jesus!  I asked him, how did he know Jesus?  And, thus began a conversation.  He shared a little bit of his story with me, where he stayed before had been a faith-based program shelter for the homeless.  And he said that he talks to him all the time!  I asked him his name and he told me; I also told him mine, and we exchanged pleasantries.  I told him that he was the 1st person that I had ever asked, "do you know Jesus" and he thought I was scared.  No, no, no, I'm not scared.  I have this burning desire deep within me to tell everyone everywhere that Jesus is real, that Jesus is alive, and that He's coming again for all who put their hope and trust in Him.  I blessed him and he gave me a piece of advice.  He cautioned me to be wary of the people I meet because they might not be who they say they are.  And, I took heed, I consider his advice to be timely, wise, and street-smart if I may say it that way!

If I had not run into this homeless man today, I may not have found the pre-Thanksgiving meal being served at Garcia's in downtown Fullerton.  I gave "Howard" my new homeless friend, two gospel tracts; one for him and one to give away, or to give away two since he already knows Jesus.  This was my day today, and I knew I would be filled with so much joy from my obedience to the Lord!  Indeed, God filled my heart with an unspeakable joy, my heart is flooded with passion for the lost.  When we obey God, we benefit with the gift of joy.  Today marks one day in the beginning of more and more moments of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone I meet, from this day onward.  

Invitation Song

Come to me anytime that You want to

Come fill me anytime that You want

I invite You in

To seek out my sin

Lord it's You, Lord it's You that I want.

Lord it's You

Jesus You

Lord You're all I want

Lord it's You

Jesus You

You're the Healer of my heart

So come to me anytime that You want to 

Come fill me anytime that You want

I invite You in 

To seek out my sin

Lord it's You, Lord it's You that I want.

Scripture Reference:  

Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.  (from Revelations 3:20)

Source:  Unknown

Lyrics and music heard a long time ago in my youth.  I fell in love with the words and the song.  I have no idea who sang this song or who wrote the words.  I give credit to the unknown author of this song; it wasn't me.  Used for educational purposes only. 

Do You Have a Living Relationship with the Living God of the Universe?

Introduction

Are you living life God's way or your own way?  If you're living life your way, how's that working out for you?  Are you satisfied in life?  Or do you have a longing in your heart, for something more?  Do you know what that desire for more is in your heart?  God created  us to have relationship with Him.  And God gave every man, and every woman, every boy, and every girl, a free will to choose or reject Him.  Let's read and see what the Scriptures say about it a little more.

Scripture

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.  Proverbs 14:12

Observation

What is this verse saying?  This verse says that man may think something, "a way" which "seems right" or is correct, but it is not.  In fact, it leads to death.  To me what comes to mind are things like abortion, fornication, and even little white lies could be things that "seem okay" at the time, but later they lead to death.  Women who have had abortions may suffer from depression afterwards.  Those who choose sexual relationships outside of marriage covenant risk STDs, unplanned pregnancies, guilt, remorse, and lower self-esteem.  Even white lies can lead to misunderstandings and relational conflict.  

Jesus came to bring life, not death.  Jesus came to bring us eternal life, so that when we die we can go to heaven.  But, Jesus also wants us to experience real life here on earth while we're here.  When we choose to live life God's way, according to God's principles found in the Bible, that is a good start.  To choose the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  So what does that even mean?

To ask that question is a good start.  What does it mean to fear the Lord?  To me, fearing the Lord is to honor and show respect to Him.  To love and worship God.  To build a relationship with the Lord because of His great love for me.  I love Him because He first loved me.  Have you made your peace with God my friend?  I pray that you have.

Application

How can you apply this verse to your life?  Would choices you make be different or similar if you considered this verse?  Know that a fresh start is possible if you've made mistakes.  We all have.  What we focus on is what we become.  Focus on God, Jesus and the Bible, and watch the Lord transform your life into His image, into who you were made and created to be.  Focusing on sin and transgressions, guilt and condemnation only results in more death.  Let the Lord free you today!  Yes, He shed His blood for you my friend.  He said He would never reject whoever came to Him.  If you want Jesus in your life, it is possible to receive Him, His love, and His forgiveness and newness of life.  Believe God's truth that Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life, and that no one comes to the Father but by Him.  You can enter into new life with Christ.  He believes in you!  

Prayer

Dear Lord, I ask You to help me walk in Your ways.  Let my heart be fully surrendered and fully trusting in You dear Lord.  Amen.

Concluding Comments

Have you received Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?  Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3 that you must be born again!  Have you been born again?  Have you been "born from above"?  Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive you of all your sins.  All who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.  Remember, the name of the Lord is a strong tower (a place of safety and protection) and all who run to Him are safe and saved.  Our help comes from God Our Maker, and Creator of the earth.  Trust in Jesus Christ today!

Drawing Closer to God

Introduction Greetings!  How are you and how's it going?  How have you been?  I hope that you are doing well and that you are drawing near to God every day more and more!  One way we can draw near to God is through reading His Word.  Can you think of other ways that people can draw near to God?

So for today's meditation I am using the SOAP method.  What is the SOAP method?  Each letter of the acronym SOAP stands Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer.  Let's get started!

Scripture  Today I am reading Proverbs 20.  Proverbs 20 verse 6 (can be written as Pr. 20:6) states:  "Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man?" This was taken from the NKJV, or the New King James Version.  What does this verse say?  What does this verse mean?  These are questions that we will look at in the next section.

Observation  When we practice the observation phase, we are reading the Scripture, and looking at what the Word is actually saying.  We seek to answer what does this verse say?  And, what does this verse mean?  When I read this verse this morning, I felt like God (the Divine Author) was saying that faithful people are hard to find; that they're rare jewels.  Gems.  Most people toot their own horns.  I think God is saying or showing that people will disappoint us at times.  No one or very few are ever 100 % there for us all the time.

Application  In this section we might answer the question of "how might I apply this verse to my life?"  For me, I let this verse encourage me to rely upon and depend upon the Lord for my everything.  Let me appreciate the goodness of people when they do enter my life.  Let me examine my own life, and ask for God's help to improve in areas of faithlessness or inconsistencies I may have (which I do)!  Finally, let me ask the Lord to grow me into a faithful person for His kingdom and for His glory.

In what area or areas do I need more faithfulness?  Areas of need that came to mind were money/finances, marriage/relationships, and work/school.

Another question that came to mind was how can I take steps practically to grow or move towards greater consistency?  Some ideas that came to my mind were tithe, budget, and be accountable (money/finances); honesty, integrity, emotional intelligence and empathy (for marriage and relationships); and complete assignments on time, increase the quality of my work, and exercise more creative expression (for the work/and school category).

What about you my dear reader?  What does this verse say and mean to you?  How might YOU apply this verse (or any of the Scriptures you have read) to your life today?  Are there any areas in your life where you might need more faithfulness?  Or more consistency?  What are those areas?  What steps can you take on a practical level to grow and/or move towards greater consistency in your life?  Know that God wants to help you and walk with you on this journey of life.  In the next step, we pray and ask God for His help.  I'll be offering 2 possible prayers.

Prayer  Both before and after reading Scripture we can pray, to ask God to open our eyes, hearts, and ears to "hear" His Word and to be "open" to Him.  We can pray to ask the Lord for help to apply His Word to our lives.  That is a prayer that He loves to answer, because He wants us to know Him.  Here are two sample prayers for you to pick from, or you can say your own prayer using your own words from  your own heart and mind.

Blessing Prayer~May the Lord grant me the ability to operate with integrity in every area of my life.  May the Lord help me operate with more consistency and dependability also.  Amen.

Personal Prayer~Dear Lord~Would You please help me become more aware of how I can become more consistent, more faithful, operating with integrity in all that I do?  Help grow me into a more dependable person for others.  I trust You Lord that You will do Your work in me in my life Your way in Your time, for Your Kingdom and for Your glory.  Into Your hands I commit my spirit afresh and anew again today Lord.  Amen.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.  Love, Moe

Conclusion  Thank you so much for joining me today via online for our little devotion time together.  I pray you were blessed and felt more drawn to the Lord.  He loves you unconditionally and He knows you personally.  May I encourage you dear reader to keep reading the Word of God (also known as the Holy Bible) and pray to keep knowing Him more and more.  God bless you always.  He will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast on Thee (refer to Isaiah 26:3).  By the way, when it says him it means him or her so women are included in this verse also, just so you know!  Much love, from southern California, Monica.