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.