Gina Erazo
Faith is fundamental and highly valued in our daily walk with God. But not just any kind of faith, God requires us to have faith that trusts completely since he is in control of every aspect of our lives.
Genesis 15:1-6
It is easy to jump to conclusions and “think” that we know what God is trying to do in our lives. Most of the time we are wrong and find ourselves humbled by God because his plans are much greater than ours. Abram thought that a servant in his household was going to be his heir. God’s plan was much greater! God promised him something outrageous and impossible. Without asking questions, Abram trusted and believed. God directed his life from then on.
Proverbs 3:5-6
So many times we fail to think that the decisions we make are right. Let’s not try to take things into our hands but let God work powerfully instead. If we trust him wholeheartedly, God will direct us in the way we should go. Let us simply focus on following his Words!
Romans 4: 18-21
Let’s imitate Abraham’s faith!
Hebrews 11:1-2
Faith is to believe in something that seems impossible. God will call us to do things that make no sense and seem “sometimes” ridiculous. He does this to show his presence and power. He is the one that works to make things happen. Nothing is impossible with God (Ephesians 3:20).
A year and a half ago, I was searching for a summer internship to get experience in my field. All my classmates would spend so much time online looking for opportunities and I felt I had to do the same causing me to become very anxious. I was tempted to always fill up my free time hunting for internship opportunities. As I was praying one day, I decided to stop searching and instead just spend my time sharing my faith and helping the women in my ministry. Two weeks later I found Engineers Without Borders (EWB), an organization on campus in which students work to restore communities in developing countries. I was able to help my native country Honduras and got a lot of engineering experience too! One month later, my professor gave me a flyer with a summer internship opportunity that described exactly what I wanted to do. Without much effort, I applied and got it! God is amazing!! All I needed was FAITH!
What kind of faith do you have?
Do you trust God will works things out or do you rush to make decisions based on your own thinking?
God will direct you through prayer, scriptures and advice from wise people. Seek God’s will and be faithful.
Challenge: Search your heart and find out in what areas of your life you are not trusting God. Devote yourself to pray about it everyday and let God work—at his own timing.
“Flood” by Jars of Clay is a song about God lifting us up through the rough times in life. Follow the link to see the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grJR-7FkoWc&feature=related.
~~ And like Bon Jovi said: “Keep the Faith!”
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008
ENDLESS: Campus Retreat
Join us for a weekend you'll never forget. Stretch Saturday and Sunday (Oct 25-26) into an endless time of spiritual rest and fellowship as over 400 college students gather at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in beautiful, coastal Ventura.
Another Golden Eagle Converted at Cal State LA
Brian and Roden were in high school drama club together in GUAM! They lost touch over time. Brian moved to the states and attended school at CSULA. A year later, Roden moved to LA and started going to CSULA. Danny met Roden and brought him to one of our on-campus bible talks and there Brian and Roden were reunited in a moment of shock. Our God is a powerful God!!!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Great Dates: PURE, PROTECTED & PLANNED
2 Corinthians 5:16-17
What’s the purpose of examining our dating lives? We no longer look at things from a worldly point of view. We must train ourselves to look at male-female relationships from a Godly perspective.
1 Corinthians 7:32-35
What’s our job as an unmarried Christian? To be devoted 100% to God. Take advantage (v.40)
PURE (with each other)
Married to God—“…he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.” (1 Cor.6:17)
Your body belongs to Him
Treat your body the way he would treat it
“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” (Rev. 21:2)
God’s example of absolute & heavenly purity is a Beautiful, Unstained Bride
“Nothing impure will ever enter it…” (Rev.21:27)
Standards of Purity--“How can one born of woman be pure?” Bildad to Job (25:4)
The World Doesn’t Believe it’s possible—let’s share our faith by showing that it CAN
Flirting—needs to be a line of respect b/w bros. & sisters
Boundaries/Too Comfortable
PROTECTED (from the world)
What’s our ultimate goal in relationships?--“…that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” (Col 1:28)
Brothers…
“Treat [the] younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” (1Tim.5:2)
Sisters getting hit on/given attention—(now, don’t give in)
Sisters…
Brothers being tempted—(now don’t give in)
Dress—Be sure to find out what you’ll be doing on the date & dress appropriately, get advice!
Attitude—It is an honor to date in the Kingdom. You must have an attitude of gratitude.
After the Date—Write a card. You should use this time to show gratitude.
Don’t forget, you might be training to be a great wife one day—don’t give yourself a bad Rep. (Prv.22:1)
“A good name is more desirable than great riches”
PLANNED
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus…work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” (Col.3:17,23)
before you ask ...
Majority of “asking” should be the brothers job//but sisters can ask too
Pray...
Be prepared... (have it planned b4 you ask her—don’t say it’s a surprise just to cover up bad planning!
Have her in mind when you ask…not what you want to do—do your research (flower she likes, food)
Budget whole date (make sure you can pay for it)
Work on Appearance, be sharp—get advice!
Work out transportation (offer gas $ or wash/vacuum car if you don’t drive)
"Word" – ‘asking for a date’
Communicate excitement to be able to spend time w/ bro/sis in Christ
Ask her in a creative way—(card, singing telegram, candygram, note in fortune cookie)
Don’t wait till 2 days b4, give at least 5-6 days notice
when you ask her out, let her know…
when and where you’re going—when she can expect to be home
who your double will be
how they should dress
Write down the info on your calendar to make sure and remember
Call during the week to confirm & encourage
"Deed" – ‘on the date’
“Work at it with all your heart”
General Advice:
This is a time of encouragement—leave your negative attitude at home
If you decide you’re going to be open about your struggles…try to get advice 1st, & tame your tongue,
(gossip, slander, crude remarks, sarcasm & venting in anger are still wrong) (speak well of others)
Remember: say only what is helpful and builds each other up—
Demonstrate Courtesy: open doors, pull out chairs, eat with mouth closed, don’t be loud and overbearing or quiet and selfish)
Encourage, praise and build up your date
Also, if something bad happens on the date—pray and be mature
So what if the restaurant was closed even though you had reservations, Big deal if you spill a little soda on your new pants
You’re a Disciple! Have a good time and roll with the punches
It’ll be a great memory—and who knows – maybe you’ll be laughing about it with the person you went out with 10 yrs from now, who just happens to be your HUSBAND OR WIFE!
Most married couples met each other in college—who knows, you might be sitting next to your future spouse?!
"In Jesus’ Name"
not for men (not even for him/her or because of him/her)
God will reward you
HELPFUL HINTS
Local newspaper (Friday’s issue), LA Times (Calendar Section)
Entertainment Book, Coupons in Paper
Do more creative & active things rather than movie/video dates (if you do, use kidsinmind.com)
Inexpensive Date Ideas...
Hiking (Mt. Hollywood, Eaton Canyon, Sleepy Hollow)
Beach Dates (Volleyball, Cook Fish, Bon Fire, Rollerblading, Bike Rentals, Frisbee)
Paddleboat/Canoeing in city or county lakes
Karaoke
Kingdom Wedding
Doubles Tennis or Pool (although be careful with worldly pool halls)
Active Indoor Games (Taboo, Cranium, Pictionary, Gestures, Charades, Nertz) Make up a game
Walk on local pier, enjoy surroundings, ice cream
Quiet parks (Lacy, Griffith), Gardens, Observatories, Arboretums (San Anita, Descanso, Huntington)
LA hole in the wall coffee shops, bookstores (Xian Section), bistros, cafes
(Sweet Lady Jane’s, Busters, Anastasia’s Asylum) Look for Free Live Music too
(Finding places where disciples are working is encouraging for both—leave big tip)
Pizza Party—brothers bring dough, sauce & cheese & sisters supply toppings
Museums (Pasadena, Downtown, Getty)
Window Shopping (3rd Street, Old Town, The Grove, Fashion Is., Spectrum, Balboa Is.)
College Sports Events (Volleyball, Basketball, Football, Soccer)
Make your own cards
Take train or bus (during daytime is probably better)
Try Theme Dates: Beatles, Cowboy, French, Game Show (Millionaire), Bible Characters
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
Tia Baptized
God works in wild ways sometimes. Marie met Tia on campus at PCC over the summer. Only after she started studying the bible did Marie realize that Tia was P'lar's cousin! The baptism was a true miracle as we witnessed the whole extended Miller family coming together in unity to support Tia's decision.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
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