Re-Charge

I'm so blessed!! Thank you Jesus that you speak our personal language and know how we learn best!  :)

I think that God's love language is Quality Time. (If you don't know what I'm taking about, then please e-mail me and I'll explain further.) I was praying one afternoon and enjoying the sweet presence of God, when God shows me a picture of my phone charger. At first I was confused, I didn't understand. Upon further asking of the LORD, I began to understand. Jesus wanted me to spend quality time with him! Jesus preceded to explain to me what he meant.

• I was like my phone, (I work, talk, I'm busy, go to school, do homework, etc all day) the more that I do, the more of my "battery" that I use. Going about your day uses up your "battery" (no matter how busy or clam your day may be) Eventually our "battery" runs low and we need to charge it.
• Jesus is like the electricity that flows thru the outlets. He is power, strength, encouragement, hope, and everything that we could ever want or need. The issue is tapping into that power. Putting our phone next to the outlet doesn't do us any good. We are missing something.
• Our Quiet Time with Jesus is like our phone charger. It is the connection between us and Jesus. It takes the electricity that we need and transfers in to our phone so that battery can charge.

What happens if you plug your phone into the charger but then unplug it in 5 minutes? It charged for a little bit, but overall it didn't do much good. We can do that with Jesus.

I pray that we will spend quality time with Jesus daily, praying, reading the Word, singing, praising, and just being still before the LORD. Charging our "battery" takes time, Jesus is well worth it!! Thank you Jesus for being more that we could ever want or need!!!

All for Jesus,
Nessa

Never Really Alone

Here is a short story I wrote based off of a vision the God gave me:

Take My Hand

The words that he was saying were the same words that I had heard for years, but today their was something different about them. The words that he was saying, they made sense, like I was hearing them for the first time. I was in awe that someone would love me so much to die for me, and in utter gratefulness, I finally accepted what he is saying. This is the turning point. This is the moment that would change my life, forever.

I kneel at the alter, humbled at the news that I was just told. I see this man walking towards me, I watch as he gets closer and closer to me. He looks familiar to me.

“JESUS!!” I scream, “Is that you?” unable to see very well because of the bright lights in my eyes.

“It is I, ” Says Jesus. “ I love you.” He says gently. For a second, I doubt what he has just said and what I know to be true.

“What? No, wait. What about all the bad things that have happened, all of the struggles that I have?” I ask.

“I have never left you, come with me and I will show you that I have always been by your side, and I always will.” Says Jesus, as he stretches out his nail pierced hand to me. Hesitant, I take his hand and we walk together, we step out of the church and disappear.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Hey, I remember this,” I say as I watch myself, sitting in my room, with only a dim light coming from my T.V, and hard Christian rock playing in the background. I watch as I grab the knife that sits next to me, and start to tare into myself, angry and violently I rip at my skin. Unable to cope with all the stress, I start to cry as blood starts to appear, and I realize what I had just done.

“Where were you then?” I ask Jesus, who is standing next to me. “ Why didn’t you stop me, if you cared about me so much? Why?” I ask again, “tell me!” I say, demanding.

“Take another look,” he says in a calm voice. I look and to my amazement I see Jesus standing right in front of me, he is crying. Right then I grab the knife and start my violent frenzy.

“Why didn’t I see you before?” I ask.

“ I didn’t want you to hurt yourself, but you were just to busy and preoccupied to notice me.” He says.

“Oh, well that was just one time, what about all the other times?” I say bitterly.

“Come with me and I will show you.” Knowing that he is right, I take his hand and we disappear again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Theme: Always loved, even when you don’t see it.

Deuteronomy 31:8:
 It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."

So remember in the good times, in the bad times, and all the time; you are never really alone! No matter how you feel, how your circumstances look, or what people say; Jesus is ALWAYS by your side!

Be encouraged and be blessed!  :)

All for Jesus!
Nessa

We all need the Son

I have been thinking the past couple days about the effect the Sun has on us (or the lack there of). I have noticed that I feel a lot better when the sun is out and shining. (Even if the outside temperature is -20 degrees out) Even if the Sun doesn't help warm the Earth, it still serves a purpose. It produces light, which God created our brains to be sensitive to.

What do you think of when I say the word Beach?: Warm? Sunny? Kids playing? Relaxing? Peace? All are correct. I think of relaxing on the beach with the sun shining.

The exact same thing happens with Jesus.

When his light shines in our lives, we can have many wonderful effects. He provides light, shining in the darkness, provides heat, love and warmth, we can rest and relax in him, and even when we feel like our lives are -20 degrees, Jesus light helps us feel better and keeps us going.

The opposite is also true. When the Sun is not shining, we feel tired, blah, depressed and feel like hiding in bed. Our lives can feel like that when we don't have Jesus.

I pray that the light of Jesus will shine brightly in your life!

All for Jesus!
Nessa

Spiritual Dehydration

Have you ever been dehydrated?

Here are some signs of dehydration:

• dry mouth,
• the eyes stop making tears,
• muscle cramps,
• nausea and vomiting,
• heart palpitations
• lightheadedness (especially when standing).

With Severe Dehydration you may experience:

• confusion
• weakness
• and coma can result.

Now as you can see there are several levels of dehydration. Ranging from mild to severe.

We all know that the body is make up of mostly water (and if you didn't know that I just told you.) We all know that water is vital for everything that our body does. (from breathing to digesting to moving our muscles etc) We use up (or loose) water.

So remember in my last post when I was talking about being sick? (If you haven't please go back and read it. I will wait for you.)

Ok so like I was saying; remember when I was talking about throwing up? Well here is something I find interesting (you might find this just plain gross, so I apologize ahead of time.) But when you throw up or have diarrhea, it takes extra water to get rid of the bad stuff that you ate. (making you more prone to being dehydrated) So how do we not become dehydrated? Drink lots of water. (or fluids)

The same thing spiritually.

John 4:14:

14 (Jesus is speaking) But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life.

After we have thrown up (gotten rid of) the sin in our lives. (which it takes water to do) We need to drink lots of water to help us stay well.

So drink lots of water (which is spending time with Jesus) and get lots a sleep (which is also spending time with Jesus) and let Jesus heal you!

Be healed in Jesus!

All for Jesus!
Nessa

Spiritual Stomach Flu

Have you ever had the Stomach Flu? Let me tell you it is no fun.

What happens when we have the Stomach Flu? We throw up and/or have diarrhea. Why does our body have this kind of reaction? We throw up because our stomach is either too full or is irritated. What can cause irritation? Normally it is because of a virus or bacteria. (Same thing with diarrhea) How do we get these bacteria or viruses? Mostly by having dirty hands and eating contaminated food. One very important thing to watch out for is dehydration. (I will talk more about this in my next post)

 We eat something that we shouldn't have (either by choice or by accident) and our body rejects it.

This is what happens spiritually.

Hebrews 12:1-2:

...let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us...Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus!...

When we indulge in sin (no matter what it is) it is like eating something that we shouldn't have. Our stomachs take it in but soon they realize that there is something wrong. So what is the first reaction? To get rid of it! This is how our spirits work also.

You know that when you are sick you don't feel like eating much and doing a whole lot. Even the simple things seem to take a lot of energy and you are really tired after. All you want to do is sleep. The same thing goes for our spirits.

Sleep heals the body. So what about our spirits? Jesus heals the spirit. We need to sleep in him so he can heal us! The more time you spend with him the better you will feel.

So what am I saying? I am saying just what Hebrews says. Lets get rid of all the stuff that entangles us and fix our eyes on Jesus! (get rid of the sin in our lives, sleep in Jesus and be healed!)  Happy Sleeping in Jesus!

All for Jesus!
Nessa

Electric Current

Ok so have you ever thought of how an electric current works? What’s its purpose? How does it do what it does? Why does it do what it does?

Well I have been thinking about this and here is what I have come up with:

• The purpose of an electric current is to transfer power from one thing to another. (Weather it be from the wall to your computer, or from the wall to your lamp or whatever it may be.)
  
• How do you transfer power from one thing to another? Think about this for a second. ( I don’t want to give you all the answers just yet :D) So really think about this and see what answer you come up with. (I am not saying that all my answers are correct, this is just what I have come up with.)

There are two ways to transfer power:

• The first is though a cord. ( Like from the wall through the cord into your lamp)
• The second is wireless. (Like in the case of cordless phones. (What happens here is that the signal goes from the base, travels though the air and is received by the phone. (through an antenna)

The same thing applies to our walk with Jesus!

 We are a lot like this electric current. What is our purpose as Christians? Our main purpose is to love God and then we can love others like God has loved us. So how do we do that? By the transfer of power (and love and mercy and grace and forgiveness etc) from Jesus to us. We first must receive it from Jesus to then be able to give it away.

Next is how do we transfer power from Jesus to us? Well this can be done in one of two ways: With a cord, or wirelessly. This is how a cord works: First you take one end and plug it into the wall, and then it transfers power to whatever it is plugged into on the other end. Well Jesus is the wall that we must plug into to get power. The cord is us spending time with Jesus. (In worship, prayer, reading your bible daily, and just hanging out with Jesus.) The electric current is God’s Holy Spirit (if you have questions on this please ask) Then the cord is plugged into us on the other end.

Wireless works like this: The signal gets send from the base and is received by the phone (or a receiver of some kind) Jesus is the base and we are the receiver. (Or the phone)

With the advances in technology we are seeing more and more wireless (and cordless) things. God works the same way. Sometimes he chooses to download (give us) information straight to our spirit. (his spirit talks directly to ours) Does this happen? Yes. What I have found (at least in my life, and this looks different for everyone) that Jesus likes to use the cord. (go old-school, if you will) (I know that even with the advances in technology, I still have to plug in my lamp if I want it to work.) Now are there times when Jesus will speak to me in a dream? (And speak directly to my spirit) Yes. But he also likes it when I take time everyday to spend time with him and he speaks to me that way also. (Through my thoughts, feelings, emotions, situations, attitudes, my senses etc.)

So no matter how Jesus chooses to speak to me, I want him to speak and to continue to transfer everything that he is into (and through) me! So I can give to people what Jesus has given me! (Be that electric current) (His unconditional love, joy, peace, endurance, grace, mercy, HEALING, FREEDOM, etc.)

Did you get all that? Here is a summary:

• Jesus is the plug in the wall; he transfers power to us (with the help of the Holy Spirit. (who is the cord)) We are the lamp that the cord is plugged into. (so Jesus can shine his light through us)
• Jesus is the plug in the wall (we covered this above) and the Holy Spirit is the electric current (the power) and we are the cord that plugs into each other. (and our family and friends) We are to give (and pass along) that which Jesus has given us!

So remember that with Jesus (by spending time with him, and with help from the Holy Spirit) we can be all that he has created and called us to be! All we have to do is stay plugged into HIM!!

All for Jesus!
Nessa

Spiritual Wheat

Caution: Adult content in this post!

Ok so for the past month (or so) I have been eating gluten-free. That means no wheat, rye, or anything like that; this also means no commercial flour. (Because everything is made with wheat flour or regular white flour (that is also wheat flour but it has been bleached.)) So this means no commercial bread, pasta, crackers, or pretty much any carbohydrates that you can buy at the store and have flour in them.

What can I eat? Pretty much everything else. All fruit, all vegetables, (except corn) milk and cheese, (although I don't eat a lot of dairy) and meat (although I don't eat pork or chicken) So if I were to make a list (and I have) of things I can and can't eat it looks like this:

Things I can't eat: Wheat, rye, spelt (that is made from wheat), corn, chicken, pork and a few other things.

Things I can eat: Bananas, oranges, grapes, apples, pineapples, carrots, green beans, peas, (although not very often) beef, (all kinds, ground beef, steak etc) turkey, (all kinds) milk, cheese, eggs, butter, mayo, most salad dressings, peaches, plumes. (I can have pasta, bread, etc as long as it is gluten-free)

So as you can see the list of things I can have is a lot longer then the things I can't. I just have to be more careful about what I eat. What I am learning is that wheat is everywhere and in everything (even places that you wouldn't think, like in a can of condensed soup. )

Why am I eating gluten-free? Because I have found that wheat is toxic to my body and makes me sick.

The same thing applies to our spiritual lives. There is spiritual wheat that has my generation sick and is slowly destroying us. It is everywhere and in everything. What am I talking about? Sex and Sexual Sin.

I remember walking down the halls and in the locker bays at my high school and seeing people make out in plain sight like it was no big deal! I know you have probably seen worse, but still. There is no need for this to go on!

We, as a generation, have become use to it.

I picked up book the other day and started to read it. I thought it was harmless. I had read other books by this same author and they were fine (except the part where the girl got raped, I didn't need details there) but other then that, no problem. I read the first 20 pages of this other book and I had to stop. In the book one of the characters was into pornography (and she (the author) gave details) and there was a part where this character even masturbated ( and she gave details) This was all in the first 20 pages of this book and the worst part was that I found the book at a Jr High Library!

My generation has grown up (and is growing up) thinking that having sex outside of marriage is normal and that it is ok to watch pornography and/or masturbate whenever you want. I have a huge problem with this!

There are consequences for our actions (some good and some bad ( in the case of sexual sin, they are bad)) Students (and people in general) that participate in sexual sin have spiritual, emotional and sometimes physical consequences.

Did you ever stop to think that there is a reason why Jesus said not to have sex before marriage and to stay away from all sexual sin? (I am talking about the whole spectrum (lustful thoughts, pornography, masturbation, fornication, adultery, rape, incest. etc)) He knew the damage it would do and wanted us to be spared from it!

Now let me touch on a couple of things here:

• First, is if you struggle with sexual sin (any part or parts) I want you to know that its ok. I don't think any less of you because you struggle with this and should know better. Jesus and I love you like crazy! The important part is that you recognize that it is wrong and you truly want to change. Cry out to Jesus! Repent (which means not only that you are sorry, but you make a complete 180 degree turn) and take steps to help you never go back there again. (If you want ideas or help on how to do so feel free to ask) Remember that Jesus is always with you; you are free in Jesus, and he will help you make the change for good! Jesus I speak complete and total healing and freedom! In Jesus Name!!

• Second, I know that it is not easy to stay away from sexual sin because it is everywhere. But Jesus will help you! He has given you everything you need to live a Holy and Pure life for him!

We just need to be more careful with what we are eating. With what we are watching, listening to, reading, and indulging in.

Also I want you to remember that indulging in sexual sin (or any sin) is so not worth it. What good is a little "fun" if then after you are going to be sick for several days? (with guilt and shame and knowing that you shouldn't have done that) Its not worth it!

Remember that list that we made earlier? I want you to remember that even though it seems like we can't have a lot of things, the list of things we CAN have is SO much longer then the things we can't!!

Stay strong in Jesus!

All for Jesus!
Nessa

Sleep in the Shower

Think about this:

1 Corinthians 6:9-10:
 Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality, 10Nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.

Remember that thing that you did that made you feel bad, icky, dirty, shameful, gross? (Just in case you can’t remember here is one for you: have you ever told a lie? Even just once? Then by doing so we are unrighteous (because Jesus said not to lie)) so we can all agree that we (at one time or another) have been unrighteous and done wrong. We have all done “bad” things. We fail. We are human. It happens.

 Now let’s go on:

11And such some of you were [once]. But you were washed clean (purified by a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin), and you were consecrated (set apart, hallowed), and you were justified [pronounced righteous, by trusting] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God.

I have great news! You and I have been purified!! We have been made clean! (from everything you have ever done wrong!) No matter how “big” or “small” it was. Sin is Sin. All the guilt and shame has been taken away. We no longer are who we were. We no longer do what we did. Because of Jesus we are blameless in his sight! *Big smile*

2 Peter 1:3-4:

3For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [[a]full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). 4By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature.

 I have more great news! Not only are we not who we use to be, but Jesus has given us everything that we need to escape ever having to go and be back there again! *Big smile*

Ok so lets be real for a second: (I know what you are thinking.) “I am not perfect, and I will mess up from time to time. So how can I really be pure and holy if the only one that was sinless was Jesus?” Good point. Here is what I have to say to that:

Psalm 37:23-24:

23The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]. 24Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him.

 Or as another translation puts it:

23 If the LORD delights in a man’s way,
he makes his steps firm;
24 though he stumbles, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

  So what am I saying? Are we going to be perfect all the time? Nope. (Sorry hate to break it to you. *Big smile*) but that doesn’t mean that we have to be like we were. (Jesus will delight in your way if you are spending time with him ( I will talk more about this in a bit) and doing what he says (trying and striving to be pure and holy like he is) Turn from evil and do good! (Psalm 37:27))

Think about this for a second: Let’s pretend that you are walking down the steps. What is the difference between falling down the steps and stumbling down a step or two?

When you fall down the steps, you lose your balance (for whatever reason, you stepped wrong, you missed a step, you only got part of the step etc) and you fall quickly (and painfully) all the way down the steps. When you stumble down a step or two you start to fall (you lose your balance) but the difference is that you only fall down one or two steps. You don’t fall as far down. Also a natural reflex is to grab the handrail to help you not totally fall and to help re-gain your balance. So you grab the handrail, stop, re-gain your balance, and continue walking down the steps like nothing happened. This is exactly what we should do in our walk with Jesus! When we are walking with Jesus we will stumble (start to fall down the steps, and sometimes fall a step or two) but we don’t have to fall completely down the steps (to where we use to be (to the old us)). So when you start to fall quickly grab the handrail (that is Jesus) and stop, re-gain your balance, and continue to walk down the path Jesus is leading you. (Just like nothing happened!)

Here’s a thought: It only takes one time of falling all the way down the steps to learn your lesson. The next time you go down the steps you are more careful, you grab the handrail, you take it slow (one step at a time) until you gain confidence that you have learned to go down the steps without falling. Then you take them like normal and you don’t even think about it. This is how we should be when getting out of addictions and when facing temptations. We will face different temptations, and it only takes one time of really falling (and that looks different to everyone, and depends on the issue that you are talking about.) to know that you don’t want to do that again. So the next time the temptation comes (and believe me, it will come again) be more careful, grab on to Jesus, take it slow (one step at a time) and you won’t fall. Little by little it will get easier until you have gained confidence in yourself (and Jesus) that you can face this temptation without falling. (Before you know it you will be walking down the steps without a problem) Then you will breeze right by it next time it tries to trip you up.

• (Remember that you don’t have to do this alone, once you grab on to Jesus, he is always with you and will never leave you. (Deuteronomy 31:8) If you are faithful to him, he will be faithful to you! He will protect you forever! (Psalm 37:28) Just keep asking for help and he will help you! Together you and him can do anything!))

“Ok so what does this have to do with Sleeping or a Shower?” (I am so glad you asked *Big smile*) Here is a question for you: How do we live Righteous and Holy lives? By learning and walking with Jesus. “How do you do that?” (Thanks for asking *Big smile*) This can be done by spending time with Jesus!

Think about this: The average person spends eight hours asleep every night. In a twenty-four hour day, that is one-third of the day sleeping. That is a long time.

What about this: What do you do in the shower? (Don’t think about this to much) You get clean. Now what good would it do you if you got in the shower, and turned around and got right back out? Not much. Why is that? Because to really get clean, you have to spend time in shower getting clean. (It’s a process)

The same thing applies in our spiritual live with Jesus! The more time we spend with Jesus (in worship, prayer, reading our Bible, and just hanging out with Jesus (learning all we can from him and applying it to our lives)) the cleaner we are! (The less we fall, and the more we become like Jesus!)

I don’t know about you, but I want to live a Righteous and Holy life with Jesus (being Pure and Holy as HE is) so I am going to Sleep in the Shower!! I hope you will also!! *Big smile*

All for Jesus!
Nessa