Posted on Wednesday, December 28, 2005                                            by Llenis M

Once again I salute all IPF readers and would like to share with you some things. The other day I was reading a book that encouraged me to ask the Lord what were his thoughts about me as a women.  Honestly, I can say to you that I thought he would answer me with flattering words like humble, content, and obedient. He showed me what was in my heart. 

During the holidays, I began to feel discontent about some things that I didn’t have at the moment. I also found that I am not so quick to obey when he asks me to do something in his word. Sometimes the Lord would prompt me to ask someone to forgive me and I would delay in doing it.  Last he showed me that in many areas of my thinking, I am prideful.  And the reality of it is that I don’t know a thing without his word, and the help of the Spirit to guide me.  The Lord also showed me that if I am willing he is able to help me in these areas of my life. So I started opening up to him and telling him all the things that I had in my heart… I confessed the sins that were in my heart and he led me to this passage in Ephesians 5:15-20:

1.       Pay careful attention to how I walk… Not according to my carnal wisdom, but his word

2.       Be diligent in searching for him, for the days are evil…easy to loose focus on Christ because of all the entertainment that it at our reach

3.      Don’t be foolish, understand God’s will… Trust him in every area and decision

4.       Be filled with the Spirit… Ask him to forgive you for grieving him when you didn’t pay attention to his voice

5.       Have fellowship with other believer’s with the word, songs, meditating in the Lord.  Sometimes we are so busy that days go by without us doing this.

6.       Giving thanks always for everything… Sometimes we fail to appreciate God’s grace that abounds everywhere even in the simple things. We always want something in order to be thankful for it.

7.       Submitting to one another… My favorite! I looked up this word in the Greek and it means to be obedient.  How many of us like that? I think it is quite difficult sometimes when it means out siblings, friends, and people we really don’t care for.

This was such a blessing to me because I needed to be reminded how much I need God in every aspect of my daily life. The Lord does want us to grow in his love and he is willing to help us, if we allow him to. I thank the Lord for reminding me that I am nothing without his grace. I pray that through this brief message God would speak you today. Much love, Llenis.

    Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2005                                               by Llenis M

Hello friends from IPF, it is a joy to write to you once again. I would like to share with you some thoughts from my heart. I pray that this may be an encouraging word to you this day. As I meditate on what God is doing in my friends, family and personal life I learn more about God’s work in us. Some of the situations that I find believers facing today include frustration, trial and perseverance, along with developing faithfulness and determination through trouble times.

What is God doing? Many might ask. What might actually be taking place is that when things begin to slip out of our control they are released into God’s hands. I know that it can sometimes feel like he is not anywhere near. Or his reply is delaying. God’s silence will definitely build your faith.  I heard someone once say that waiting on the Lord, is one of the most difficult tests to endure. During this time our hearts motives are revealed. The Lord is producing a Christ-like character in us. Now, I know this is not an easy thing to swallow. I am also not talking to individuals can hold it together, but those who with difficult do not give up. 

The greatest men and women of God used in the bible were broken and unstable. I believe that when we come to the Lord Jesus he wants to work in our lives through circumstances that will allows us to reflect Christ.  Many times we feel we know God, but it is until you are experiencing a desert time that you can really say I have seen God pull me through this situation. In the book of Job we find Job’s reflection after he had seen God work through his life and he states in Job 42:5, “my ears have heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you”.

When we observe the life of Job and see the outcome, we can also experience they same truth. The apostle Paul gives us this advice in Romans 5:3 “Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character and character, hope." Now consider this thought, isn’t hope equivalent to faith? Therefore, God is creating a Christ like character in you. As his children  he desire this for our own good because we know that character in an individual’s life is essential in order to endure  the pressures of this world. As a loving father he will work it all out for our good!  So as an encouragement to you may I remind you, “Do not to give up”!

He brought you to it; he will bring you through it! In addition, I would like to say that these words were spoken to me by a dear friend a few days ago and boy were they a blessing to hear them! My desire is that you too will be blessed.  Llenis. 

    Posted on Wednesday, September 7, 2005                                             by Llenis M

Hello to everyone once again! I am so happy to write to you all and just say that God is wonderful even in the midst of darkness. Many times we feel as if God has forsaken us and forgotten about his plan for his life.  Many times as human beings we want to see and know everything God is going to do next, but God is sovereign. It is best to trust in the Lord will all our hearts and not to get into a negative mentality.

Yes, things are terrible right now for our Louisiana, and Mississippi neighbors, but we can trust that God is working everything out for his glory. I can't explain how, I can't try to describe his ways for they are higher than my intellect mind or reasoning. I can not blame God for anything that has happened. I leave you with this I Corinthians 2:7, "But we speak the wisdom of God in mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God...But it is written that Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him". That my brothers and sisters is his word and we know that we can trust in him. Be blessed and my prayers and sympathy go out to every individual that suffered from Katrina...May the Lord bless you and keep you! Jenny  

    Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2005                                                          by Llenis M

Hello to all of you from IPF!  Well, to update you all in what has been going on in my life in these past few months, I will share a little what God has been doing.  I have shared with you all before God has a great sense of humor and always fulfills his purposes in our lives. 

Well, this past fall semester I graduated with a BBA and off I was to join the business world.  When all of sudden God had a different plan and it was totally in a different career.  During the last 5 months I was unable to find a job with my degree and begun to consider teaching. Never did I intend to become a teacher, however deep down inside it was interesting to me.  Well, to summarize I am in an alternative teaching program to become a teacher.  I am excited, but at the same time puzzled at imaging how am I going to pull it off.  I am certain though, that if God brought me to it, he will also be faithful in bringing me through it… Yesterday I was distraught to hear that a certain singer who has Christian background was making some videos that involved nudity.

It also really bothered me because her father was a minister before.  When she first began her singing career she was very modest and represented Christianity, however with the pressures of fame and popularity she soon compromised her Savior for money. I choose not say her name because that is not the point, nor does it matter.  The important and disappointing issue is that she compromised her convictions. Jude 1:4, “For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord”.

These people find it easy to sin because they think God will forgive them, how foolish they are! They are not fooling God, but themselves because God cannot be mocked. Later on in verse 18 we find Jude warning and exhorting us believers, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit…but you Jude tell us, build yourselves up in your most holy faith”. As I meditated on this I felt the Lord telling me that we need to be sincere when we repent and not do things carelessly because we know that he will forgive us.  My prayer for you is that we ask the Lord to help us shine his light in this dark world.  Remember to stay strong in the Lord and your convictions…

Be blessed and keep me in your prayers!     

    Posted on Tuesday, June 7, 2005                                                                by Llenis M

Hello IPF readers.  It is always a pleasure to be able to share what the Lord is doing in my life.  I have been reexamining my actions and walk with the Lord.  I sometimes feel that it is so easy for me to become a Pharisee.  Let me explain why, so many times I think I am a good Christian because I am reading my bible, going to church, praying and staying away from “worldliness”.

However, I am reminded that none of these things prove me righteous in the sight of God.  Isaiah 64:6 describes it best, “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags …”  . Nicodemos, who knew and practiced the Law of Moses, prayed three times a day and fasted two days a week and was on his way to hell. However, when confronted by Jesus we find these life changing words John 3:5, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.  Nicodemos thought he had earned his ticket to heaven, but boy was he in for a surprise. Like many today who think because they don’t lie, cheat or kill they are overall “good” and deserve heaven. Do not be deceived, reexamine your heart. 

When did you give your heart completely to Jesus? If you can’t remember a date and your heart desires the things of this world I invite you to make Jesus your Lord and Savior.  He does not only desire to be your Savior, Father, but also your best friend.  Don’t get it mixed up; keep your eyes on him and not on others. Make him your number one priority.  Seek him daily, talk to him through out the day, he is always listening.

For those of you who already know him, well let’s keep it simple and asking him to re-kindle our first love for him…Please keep me in your prayers.. God Bless.  Llenis

Please Note:  Susan will be updating tomorrow!

    Posted on Wednesday, April 20, 2005                                                      by Llenis M

Is it me or is time passing us by quicker and faster each day. Realizing that times that we are living in we cannot ignore the events that are taking place worldwide, earthquakes, widespread diseases, and revival everywhere.  What does this tell us? Behold or get ready for the return of the Lord Jesus is sooner and closer each day.  Are we ready for him?  As I am writing this piece I have found that many believers are struggling with depression and fear as a result of all the chaos. It is hard not to get pulled into this whirlpool since we are surrounded by it at school, work and the media.  What can we do as Christians in order to survive such emotional distress?  Are we commanded to follow this type of lifestyle or does God command us to live differently? Isaiah 8:11-13, “The Lord spoke to me with his strong hand upon me warning me not to follow the way of this people. He said, “Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread.” Our society fears everything, but our God.  However, we as Christians are called to respect, honor, and love our God.  Many times the enemy thrives in stealing our peace of mind and joy. He will use situations with co-workers, friends or family to affect you emotionally.  If we are emotionally drained, full of worry and fear then the enemy has accomplished his purpose.

God does not want us to fear anything and much less trust anyone else more than him.  Why? Simply because we are all humans with tendencies to fail others, we are imperfect, born into a fallen sinful nature. Don’t place your trust in a person, friend, brother they will all at one point or another disappoint you the Lord wants you to completely rely on him as your source.  This is something that the Lord has been working in me not to always depend on others for affection or comfort, but in him alone.  My natural nature is inclined to depend on others, but God is telling me I need to depend on him alone if I truly want to experience his joy and security.

Psalms 91:9, “If you make the Most High your dwelling even the Lord, who is my refuge then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent”. If we as believers want to survive this anxiety epic, we must learn first where to go and find our peace, security, comfort. This my friend is only in a growing day to day relationship with Jesus Christ. Today as a reminder I urge you to recall that the joy of the Lord is your strength and only in his presence is there fullness of joy.  Nowhere else friend will we find this…

Blessings with love, Llenis.

    Posted on Wednesday, March 2, 2005                                                      by Llenis M

Once again, Hello to all the readers at IPF!  Last month I had the opportunity of traveling to Michigan and I must say it was such a beautiful and fun time.  I went with some amazing twins that I am sure most of you all know, which made the trip even better. About two weeks ago I attended a career fair at UH in search for a job.  As I began to see all the different companies that were hiring, I ended up in line for this one company.  Meanwhile in line a recruiter from the FBI came near to me and began to explain all the requirements and benefits there was to in order to become an agent. 

I was not interested, but at the end gave him a resume and took some information about FBI.  Being that I am a curious George I read through the information the recruiter gave and found it interesting that they are searching for special agents who are willing to make a difference in our society by stopping crime.  I also learned that you are required to undergo extensive written tests, 1 year training, along with relocation anywhere in the U.S, and this is not mentioning the other requirements they demand. 

So I thought to myself, “humm, God is also recruiting special agents that will become his spiritual leaders in his kingdom.  I heard the other day some say, “A church without leadership is a church that is bankrupt”.  Now, you might be saying well in my church or at least in the U.S there are already many evangelists, pastors, teachers. To some extent I would agree, but I also do recall the Lord mentioning in Luke 10:2, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Why did he say this, I asked myself? Then I began to read about Joshua and his life.  Joshua was young boy who saw his parents work hard long hours.  He saw his people treated as slaves and taken advantage.  Then God raises up Moses a leader to lead his people out of Egypt into the Promised Land.  I am certain that Joshua determined in his heart that he also would make a difference one day.  So we find different stages the Lord took Joshua through in order to prepare him to make that difference.  *Keep in mind that there were Levites and 4+ million Israelites that knew God and had the same opportunity in becoming the future leader. 

However, we find that Joshua chooses to be a servant and at the end of 40 years of preparation he is assigned to take the role of the successor Moses.  I heard something last night from a preacher that I found to be so true he said, “God does not predestine your choices he predestines your consequences.”  Let’s look at some of the qualities that God is looking for in leaders today, I found some in Joshua life.

1. Exodus 17:8-13 He is obedient and submissive to his leader Moses and therefore obtains victory against his enemy.  Many Christians today are not winning their spiritual battles because they are in rebellion against their spiritual leaders

2. Exodus 24:12-18 Joshua was a leader without self interest. He was a man of confidence.  Joshua waited for Moses 40 days without commodities.  His pillow a rock, his bed the grass, no paycheck mentioned.  Only he was allowed to go not even the elders went, and many times God allows us to know confident things about our leaders not so that we go and tell the whole world about it, but rather prepare you for the future

3. Exodus 33:11 It says that Joshua never left the tabernacle.  A true leader is one is interested in the house of God and not concerned that there is not enough youth in the church to make it fun to go to.

4. Numbers 13:26-30 A true leader will always see through the eyes of faith.  There are 2 roads in life once can walk in 1. Eyes of faith- trusting in the Lord 2. Walking by sight-trusting people you see. 

Now out of all those Israelites Joshua is chosen and we can see why.  How about you what have you determined for God?  Or are you waiting for someone else that knows God to say, “Here I am God, ready to serve for your purpose.” What if Moses and Joshua would have done the same and expected someone else to respond or say there is already a lot leaders?  Will you consider stepping up to the plate?   

    Posted on Wednesday, January 19, 2005                                                by Llenis M

Hello to every one at IPF!  I feel like months have passed since I last wrote.  Many things have happened since then and one I must share with you all.  I am grateful and without words in appreciation to God for allowing me to graduate from college this year.  However, now I feel as if the pieces to the puzzle are slowly coming together and God is directing me into his path. 

Now that I come to think about it, I was always wondering what it would feel like to be done with school and now that I am here, I find myself asking the Lord o.k do you have next for me to do on your list?

But the awesome characteristic about God is that he is perfect in all his ways and his ways are higher that my thoughts and plans. 

And I don’t have to worry or get anxious about anything. So that means that he is control of everything and that brings tremendous relief and peace.  Often time people are afraid of their futures, but with Christ we have his promises each day to live by.  That is why the Gospel is based on faith, love and hope. These three are powerful yet such a necessity in the world we live in.  I can’t believe I am releasing all what is on my mind right now without thinking if it is going to sound good or make sense it is just flowing, I didn’t plan on talking to you all about this, but God knows why…After all the pain that is going on right now in the world we need to be reminded of the assurance  we have in Christ our king who is with us and has promised us a future. 

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

Palms 94:15, “For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance”, now I want you to meditate on that a minute…He has promised to never leave us half way on our struggles or in our walk with him.  Friend remember he is in charge today, tomorrow and always! Last I leave you with this promise take it or leave it I choose to take hold of it, Psalms 33:18 “Behold the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them  that hope in his mercy”.

Joshua 1:9, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with you withsoever you go.  

May the Lord bless you and keep you….Llenis 

    Posted on Wednesday, November 10, 2004                                             by Llenis M

Do you find yourself making all the choices you want in your life? Do you go around asking everyone around you for advice on your decisions? Today I want to speak to you about first consulting the Lord’s advice before anything.

David was a man after God’s heart and obeyed God’s commands. Here are two occasions in which David could have easily taken a step without consulting with the Lord, but his reliance on God is what ultimately allowed him to succeed

Let's take a look at them. 

Case 1:  I Samuel 23:1-4 David wants to protect Keilah
i. Demonstrates how David sought/inquired of God before making a decision he wanted (v.2)
ii. God immediately answers David
iii. David seeks God about the same matter, confirmation and God answers him a second time (v.4)
iv. David obtains complete victory over the Philistines-enemies of God
v. When you consult the Lord’s leading he will lead in a plan that you will be successful and victorious over your enemies.

Case2:  I Samuel 23:9-14 David is being persecuted by Saul
i. Abiathar came with an ephod
ii. Saul his enemy thought he had captured David, but David turned to the Lord in trouble times.
iii. David’s first step here is to listen and to submit to his authority the priest
iv. David once again comes before the presence of the Lord and asks for help, for answers concerning his life (v.11)
v. The Lord answers him (v.12) 

So .... why should we listen to the counsel of God? Here are 7 reasons why!
a. He will make your plans succeed/give you answers and insight for your future (Proverbs 16:3)
b. He will give you blessings (I John 3:22)
c. He will make you his brother, sister (Matthew 12:50)
d. He is compromised to deliver you (Proverbs 3:25)
e. He will show you mercy (Psalm 103:17-18)
f. You will know his heart
g. He will prepare you for the Rapture

    Posted on Wednesday, September 22, 2004                                               by Llenis M

I wanted to talk to you all about the decisions we make and why we need to be careful to rely on God’s precepts. I know this is something we encounter from the moment we wake up, to the moment we go to bed at night. Some decisions are not as important as others for example choosing to eat breakfast in the morning to selecting what shoes we will wear.

However, there are other decisions that are more important such as choosing friends wisely, and those whom you will allow to come near into your life. If we choose to do it our ways instead yielding to the word of God I can assure you much headache and heartache.

Psalm 19:7, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”

Even when we don’t know what to do and doubt our judgment we can search the Lord’s counsel and make the right choice. The word of the Lord is living so each time we approach it for answers we find real answers from God who transform our thoughts into his thoughts!

Psalm 33:4, “For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.”

How many people search the truth today, people do not want to be deceived nor trust something that is a lie, however we have the unfailing truth of God in our lives. The truth that God has given us is in the Bible, his word so that we may not be misguided. Even in those times when feel like we have no idea how things will work out, but if we trust and consider the Lord’s word in our decision we will have the truth and not a lie.

Psalm 19:11, “Morever by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.”

The key here is to keep them and not throw them out of our minds, not forget about God’s instruction. I know this is not easy, at least for me because I desire to compromise with myself and overlook God’s truth. But them I am reminded that there is no other way, that the best way in doing it is according to God, at least if I want to avoid gray hair before I am 30 ;) It’s funny but true, and I pray that this may be a reminder to us that we should rely on the words of wisdom from the Lord rather than our own carnal wisdom.

Lots of blessing to you all and please keep me in your prayers!

Llenis

    Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2004                                                       by Llenis M

Today I went to dinner with a friend who invited me for the first time to go eat sushi, and I must say it was cooked and good.  But the point of me telling you about this friend is to say that she is a non Christian whom is a beautiful person inside out.  Into our dinner conversation I really wanted to tell her about Jesus, but how do you tell someone about God when they are Muslim?  All these thoughts crossed my mind and I asked a simple question, what do people in this world need most?  She answered and said immediately with sincerity and hunger in heart, LOVE.

As she responded to my question my heart leaped with anticipation to tell her that Jesus loved her and offered her the love she desired.  The love that I have experienced time after time, day after day.  The bottom line for all mankind is that regardless of their social status, money in the bank, luxury car, beautiful outward appearance, you will always have a desire for someone to love your thoughts, dreams, personality and what is important to you.

As I observed for a moment the surrounding that were around us, I pondered at the necessity that man has to find love in various avenues in life.  For some they may try to find it in the friendships, others obtaining a position in their jobs, for others having the approval of their parents, or even a significant other.  Thus fooling ourselves by thinking that these things can truly satisfy this empty hole in our hearts. Regardless of who accepts you or not, or who notices your abilities and talents I can tell you today that there is one notices every work and movement that you do.  And I must also add that He is deeply in love with you.

Jeremiah 31:3,”Yea I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you.” Jesus love is what draws us close to him.  I can’t imagine what other reason why I would give my heart to God, knowing how much he loves me with sincerity, unconditionally.  Hosea 11:4, “I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love. 

This is what pulls every individual closer to God, to walk and obey his commands.  Now, the question is how we tell the world and those who seek for love in multiple paths the God is the true Love to experience, that his love is better than life. That the romance that we often seek in relationships or acceptance can truly first be experienced in knowing Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:19, “And to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God

It is essential for is Christians to share and live our lives for Jesus in a loving way, so that others will be attracted to the sweet aroma in our lives.  The love of God is poured out into our hearts and we must fill those empty hearts with Christ’s love.  A friend told me the other day that he felt loved by me, and he didn’t mean the kind of love between a man and a woman, but a Christian love.  I praise the Lord for allowing me to share with him, the Love that he has overflowed into my heart with showers of mercies.  I will leave you with this, do you know God’s perfect love for you, and have you experienced it? Do you serve him with your complete love knowing that he first loved us?  I pray mercy and love upon your lives!

   Posted on Wednesday, June 30, 2004                                                     by Llenis M

  Wow, Jesus himself taught that we cannot do a single thing without dwelling in him, or putting him in our plans. Sure we can try to do things in our strength and maybe be sucessful for a while, but sooner or later we fail.  An example in my life has been when I first rededicated my heart to the Lord, boy I tell you I was trying so hard to stop cursing and listening to worldly music that I wrestled with it for some time.  Until one sweet day the Lord spoke and said, Jenny it is not your work to perfect you, but my work to perfect you.  I can tell you that in the Lord's time and patience  he gave me complete victory.  I used to think it would be impossible because I had made it a habit in my daily life.  But when Jesus changed the desires of my heart, it was finished! Now the struggle of other things did not end there, but the journey to holiness is still before me.  But what if I didn't learn to rely on God and his power to work these things out?  What if I failed to meet with him each day? Do you think I would have accomplished success? I think not. The only way you and I are going to bear the fruits of the Spirit is by abiding in the Lord Jesus.  The more distant we are the harder it will be to reflect the character of Jesus.   

In other times I have also experienced the purging of the leaves in my tree, when I have dried out. The Lord will surely correct you and cleanse you from those things that hinder you to produce fruit.  In Job 5:17 "Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty...For he wounds, but also binds up, he injures, but his hands also heal. God knows how to get our attention when we are drifting away into things that are of this world, and I assure you if he has taken you in as his son/daughter you can be certain that he will disciple you.  All this has great meaning to us Christians for we must continue each day, each moment to bear the fruits of the Spirit. If we say we are followers of Christ.

Are you producing what the Lord has required of you?  Or do you feel barren, if so I really just want to encourage you to use this the tool here, just recommit your walk to the Lord and tell him you need his help.  You and I can never, ever do anything good without him, so why not surrender it to him?  I have struggled in the past with things that were hindering my production for the kingdom of God, but when I reconnected with the life of my soul and the helper, I was able to bring forth delicious fruit for my King.  I pray that the Lord may speak to you heart today.   Blessing upon you all..And please keep me in your prayers, I need them! Jenny

   Posted on Thursday, May 27, 2004                                                         by Llenis M

 Spiritually speaking the “Wilderness” is a time of loneliness, and distance from God.  A time best described as a desert which nothing can satisfy your hunger and desire for God.  Seems as the more you try to serve him or seek him the harder it is to find him.  

I can recall many times in which the Lord has led me into the “Wilderness” to polish me up, since I begun to collect rust on my vessel.  In this time I can say I have felt he has forgotten about me and my mind is cluttered with all these negative thoughts.  Temptation here is 100x stronger in your life!  I want to show you some of the reasons for God leading people into the “Wilderness”.

2 Chronicles 32:31, “However, regarding the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land, God withdrew from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart. "

In this passage we find King Hezekiah ruling over Israel and serving God.  But here in this verse we find that God departed from him to test his heart, and many times the same occurs to us today.  When all seems great in life and all the fulfillment of life is around you, all of a sudden you slowly realize that the presence of God is not near to you as before.  The purpose of God in hiding or seeming like he has departed from your heart is to test your integrity for the Lord.

 Deuteronomy 8:2, “And thou shalt remember that the Lord your God led you all the way…to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.  

This verse demonstrates that in the Wilderness we are humbled and tested to see if we are found obedient. Are you going to forget about him, or are you going to remain close to him at all times?  Are you willing to obey him even when it seems senseless? Are you willing to trust him that he knows best, even more than your thoughts?  Or are you only going to seek him when you failed or feel it is convenient?

I am not trying to discourage you, much less sound negative, but this is all true, at least for me.  I have learned that I am a weakling in the “Wilderness”, but I am comforted to know that Jesus said, 2 Corinthinans 12:9 …And He said to me, my grace is sufficient for me and my strength is made perfect in weakness!   

I also am reminded that he that began a good work in me shall finish it!  I can assure you that when you reach the weakest point with the Lord he will give you his grace and strength to restore you again.  Although you feel you cannot overcome, nor continue, guess what it is not your power, nor your strength, but his.  Why??? So that he will receive the glory and you will love and experience his grace.   I have more to share, but it would be too long, but I pray that this can be uplifting in your time of “Wilderness”.         

   Posted on April 28, 2004                                                                           by Llenis M

 God of the heavens and the earth, creator of everything our eyes can behold desires us intensely?  He has a strong positive attraction for us?  I don't know about you, but this makes my heart leap for an inexpressible joy and it leaves me flattered to know that my King loves you and me this way! 

 Song of Solomon 2:3, "Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the sons. I sat down in his shade with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste." 

       The Lord longs for you and I to enjoy every moment that we spend with him as something that we cannot compare with anything of any shape or form in this world.

.  Song of Solomon 4:10, "How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride.  How much more pleasing is your love than wine.

 I must tell you today that God is not mad at you, nor disappointed, nor frustrated with you, but on the contrary, sick of love for us.   I pray that this short thought will inspire you to seek the Lord with passion and love as he reveals his heart to you in a manner that you will say, his love is better than life!  Amen           

   Posted on March 18, 2004                                                                           by Llenis M

 Want to know what God thinks about someone that you are interested in?  Want to know what decisions you should make that are important and will affect the rest of your life?  Through the Holy Spirit all these things are done, because he deposits his truth into your life, you then are sure of what Gods will is for you.  I can recall many times when I wanted to do as my heart and mind told me to do, but was prevented by the goodness of God.  I surrendered my heart and desires to the Lord, and the Holy Spirit has stood strong to that commitment.  I can recall a time in which he prevented me from going through a heartache situation.  I am going to summarize it for I know that the little that I can tell you will be enough for you to see how involved the Holy Spirit was in the midst of the situation.  To him be all the glory and thanks for his mercies! 

Sometime ago I met a person at my college, who happened to be a Christian.  This was a blessing to me and I quickly began to build a relationship with this individual.  We had some classes together and the same major.  As we started to get to know one another, we learned that we had things in common, and our friendship was God centered.  This person and I started sharing viewpoints, experiences and by the time I knew it, I felt like he was my best friend.  I sensed a special attention from him and thought to myself that he just cared about me in a brotherly way.  As the months were passing I prayed to the Lord and asked him to lead me into his will.  As a result of our close friendship I began to feel that the feeling between each other were deepening and I thought to myself that he might be interested in me.  Meanwhile all this is going I felt this weird feeling deep inside, but I just ignored it.  One night I prayed and asked the Lord to show me if this was his will for me to go ahead and return this special attention I was receiving from him.  That night the Holy Spirit softly spoke into my heart and told me, "Don't get ahead of yourself", I remained quiet and listened.  John 16:13, But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth, for He will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears He will speak; and will tell you things to come. 

In receiving these words from the Lord I decided to continue my distance from this friend at school, I applied what Proverbs says, ... above all things guard your heart.  About a month later I woke up one morning so sick that I had to go see a doctor.  To make the story short this call that I made that morning to inform him that I was sick  changed the course of things in a dramatic way. A few days later I received a call from his wife asking me if there was something going on between us.  I never knew he was married, because I  later learned that they had separated as a result of some marital problems they had.  I ended our friendship completely, and he asked me to forgive him.  Once again with the help of the Lord, we were able to ends things in a godly manner.  Now the whole point of this story is not to blame him, because only God knows what was really going on.  All I know is that God spared me from a trap the enemy had set.  If you are relying in the Holy Spirit you can be 100% sure that he will tell you things to keep you from falling, or getting hurt.  I urge you to enter in a relationship with the Holy Spirit.  It is crucial for you and me to have in daily in our lives.

  With lots of love to you all, may the Lord bless you and keep you!!!! Llenis          

   Posted on February 18, 2004                                                                           by Llenis M

Hello everyone!  I hope that you are all enjoying this amazing section of inspirations.  I want to ask all the readers to please bear with my grammar, I am not an English major.  So I hope you can all understand and still enjoy what I am writing.  The other night as I was thinking about some topics to write about, I felt the Lord guiding me to write about this, and I hope it blesses your heart.  I want to share with you about something that I know every Christian struggles with at one point or another.  As followers of Jesus Christ, we have experienced his sweet love, once we first open our hearts to him.  We are showered with his love and are filled with the Holy Spirit, whom gives us the assurance of our intimate relationship with Jesus.  There is a passion that takes over our hearts and we fall in love with Jesus in such a way that nothing else matters.  We start living the race Paul talked about in Philipians 3:14, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Like Paul said we press against all barriers and pursue God with all our strength. 

However, along the race we come across temptations, things that challenge our faith, hardships and persecution, all these take our focus off our prize, Jesus.  We are soon confronted with these challenges and the lust of the world whom surrounds us daily.  When we come to realize it our eyes are off the author and finisher of our faith and we are looking around us, which then leads us into a spiritual dilemma.  We are then constantly struggling to pray and read the word, much less spending time with the Lord...And deep down inside you feel this feeling in your heart that is wavering between two thoughts: doing what God wants or doing what your friends, or self  want.  Paul said this in such a great way in Romans 7:15, "For that which I do I allow not, for that I would, that do I not, but what I hate, that do I". 

 Paul had experienced the same conflict and said that there was this ongoing war within him.   In his heart there existed the longing to seek God, and to remain in his love, but there were also those obstacles he struggled with in his flesh.  What can we do?  Who wins in this war?  Are we doomed without an answer?  Are we always going to stay drifted away from God?  I found that there is hope and Jesus tell us what to do when such things happen in our spiritual walk. In Revelation 2:5 Jesus said, "Remember therfore from where you have fallen (1st. Recognize that you have fallen out of love with the Lord and are distant), and repent (2nd. We must ask him whole heartdley, with sincerity to forgive us); and do the first works(3rd. You must do those things you first did when you gave your heart to him, can you remember what they were?).  Jesus is telling us the answer to our spiritual dilemma and how to get back into the race focusing only in him.  If I was to asked you today how is your relationship with him, what would you say?  Are you still loving him with all your heart, or is he just someone that you have deep respect for?  If we follow these steps I know that you will find him. 

In Song of Solomon 3:4 we find a portrait of what it looks like when we are pursuing him once again," It was a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth, I held him and would not let him go, untill I brought him unto my mothers house"... Now you are probably thinking o.k what does this mean...I am glad you asked! In this verse the beloved (you and I) are desperately seeking to find our lover (Jesus). The beloved has come across trials and loneliness in which caused her to remember about those moments in which she first experienced the love of God.  She realizes that he is not near to her and decides to look for him desperately.  However, the lover (God) allows himself to be found by her because he has seen that she has sought after him with seriousness and left everything (comfort zone) to  go after after him.  

The Lord in his amazing love allows himself to be found by her because he sees that she is not able to go on anymore without him.  She then takes him to her mothers house, which signifies the place when she first experienced his grace and security.  This is the place that he will bring you to.  His deep love for you and me is so great that we cannot come to understand, and even thou we get side-tracked and run a different way, he still is faithful and meets with us wherever we are. Is that good news or what? Lastly I want to encourage you to seek him and press on with the race in which we are called.  In conclusion, James 4:8 says" Come near unto God and he will come near to you"...it is a fact and a guarantee...I pray that you might enjoy this and please let me know if it has.        

   Posted on January 28, 2004                                                                             by Llenis M

Hello everyone!

My name is Llenis Melendez, but everyone knows me as Jenny. I am looking forward to this opportunity that the Lord has allowed me to share with you about him.  Currently I am a senior at University of Houston and hoping to graduate with a degree in Marketing by December.  About my childhood, I was raised in a Christian home from the age of 7 and grew up in church, but as time went by and grew older I became distant from the Lord.  From the ages of 14-20, I strayed and went along with my friends who didn't know God. I listened to worldly music, had non-christian friends, boyfriends and sometimes went to parties. 

My heart grew cold in loving Jesus by this point, but at the age of 21 I rededicated my life to him once again.  After healing my broken heart from all the hurt the world and relationships caused me I came to know the living God my parents used to preach and believe in.  From that moment I gave Jesus my whole life, spirit, will, emotions, desires, dreams, future, everything.  He revealed himself to me as my closest and dearest friend.  His love filled every area in my life and through that I was able to turn my back on the world and live completely for him.  I must say that I am still being molded, but by his love and patience I continue.  My deepest desire is that through these devotionals you also may open up to the awesome relationship he dreams to have with you, yes you!!! 

    Some of the things that I have seen in our relationship, is his great faithfulness to me and everything about me.  I am not being self-centered, but if you only knew how much he has done every time I needed him, you too would agree.  Psalm 32:23 "Love the Lord, all his saints the Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full"...  In you loving him with your whole heart the Lord promises to preserve you from all the dangers of life and the enemy’s plan.  Psalm 97:10 "Let those who love the Lord hate evil for he guards the life of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked".  In loving him everyday and forsaking sin, these promises will become our protection.  Isn't it amazing to see how God especially keeps a close watch of those who love and seek him passionately.  He keeps you sooo close to his heart that he will show you when there is danger ahead of you, or even better guide you into paths that will deliver you from destruction.  There is much more I am going to be sharing with you and I pray that you may be blesses through these words, that come from his very heart