Believing and confessing

At the moment I am reading through the book of Romans in the bible a verse stood out to me that I read that I wanted to share. 'For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.' Romans 10:9-11

The reason why this verse stood out to me is because it perfectly sums up how you truly become a christian. Some people may think its a complicated process, but really its not if we believe in our heart and say with our mouth that Christ is the risen Lord we will be saved. I have always told my friends or those who have asked me about christianity that it is a personal relationship with God not a religion. I think that is really important for everyone to realise and know, God is longing for a personal and intimate relationship with each and everyone of us :) all we gotta do is open our hearts to him.

Relationships...sigh

Ever since I have turned 25, i have had countless comments related to relationships...sigh. I have struggled with this especially due to pressure from my mum, I personally am happy being single. I am an independent gal and love having time to be able to spend with my friends.

But lately the idea and motivation to put myself out there to be able to meet 'Mr Right' has been going through my mind. I think mainly due to peoples comments it has made me think a lot more, with that said I have always come back to the reminder that God loves me and has a great plan for me, God is my King, lover of my soul, best friend & father. So it doesn't matter anyway, God will always be the lover of my soul I do not need a guy to make me happy. I want to focus on God and not on things like relationships, my relationship with God is the most important relationship of all and I am so thankful I have the opportunity to have a personal relationship with him. I pray that all those who do not know him especially those closest to me will have the chance to experience a personal relationship with the Lord as well :)

Proverbs 4:23 says "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." I have learnt that relationships aren't easy, God wants us to guard our hearts at all times this is so important, do not be fooled by your emotions or what people say. God will show you when the time is right :)

Thoughts

Looks like this blogging is gonna be a monthly thing...sigh

I don't know why I'm always so busy... even my flatmates mock me all the time about not being home lol.

God has tested me in so many ways especially in my patience, he has once again shown me how many wonderful friends I have in my life.

I am now officially 25...sigh...time has gone so fast! quarter of a century already...

This month, I have thought about joining Jesus for the homeless a group of people who go out and befriend the homesless, by taking time to talk to them and give them free food and drinks :)

I have also started learning the guitar, which has been great fun! I hope it can be another way I can worship the Lord, through song :)

Dramas Dramas dramas! But God is always faithful & in Control

Its been a while since I've blogged, the last month has been a bit of a roller coaster ride. God has really tested me mentally & emotionally. I have been through some ups and downs, felt weak and a failure to God. But in the end God has always been there for me, he has given me opportunities to grow closer to him, grow closer to friends, be there to support friends & also be supported by friends :)

I have found myself feeling depressed & angry. But what helped me to over come feeling like this I talked to God about it, something amusing happened I came home the other night really angry and was talking to God about how angry I was, the next morning my flatmate said "I heard you last night stomping around and could hear you talking to yourself, you sounded really angry..." They thought I was talking to myself but I wasn't I was talking to God the whole time lol.

Two passages from the bible have really helped me to get over all this anger and depression :)

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
'Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.'

Phillipians 4:4-7
'Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.'

No matter what happens, whether it may feel like the whole world is falling down on you. Be Joyful! if someone has made you upset, pray & give thanks! if you feel like you have failed God or If you are worried about something, rejoice in the Lord! God will give you peace!

A compassionate God and God of all comfort :)

'Praise be to the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God' 2 Cor 1:3-4

This verse was one of the scriptures from the bible I read this week, and it really stood out to me. I've been able to go sit in St Patricks Square during my lunch breaks and just enjoy praying to God and reflect. It amazes me how fast the year is going, its almost the end of March!!

Just reflecting on where I was in my life at the beginning of the year, and where I am now and how I'm feeling. It amazes me how God has built me up within such a short period of time. I went from being depressed and sad that this year was going to be a horrible year to being really happy and loving this year, wanting to make the most of it. Having realised I might be going overseas to work next year, so I really want to make the most of this year and spend as much time with my family and friends, especially the friends that I haven't seen in ages! I thought it would take me ages to get through that period, but God is faithful & always there in times of trouble just as it says in the scripture.

The scripture is true for me, because God was there for me through that tough time and really was my comfort and was compassionate towards me. For me I feel so happy to be able to comfort and support my friends through their tough times, being a witness of Gods compassion and comfort.

Oh the pain!

After a very hectic weekend I woke up this morning to an aching body. Having done Round the Bays, played an indoor netball game and had an intense basketball practice. The whole day it hurt to sit, stand and walk lol...sigh

I'm planning to play in an Easter sports tournament with The New Zealand Chinese Association, which is held in Wellington. I've signed up to play basketball, indoor netball & netball :) Should be fun!

Guess last weekend was a bit of a snap shot of how Easter tourney will be like.... man I need to try get more fit :)

No pain no gain I guess....

You never know! Gods great Plan! :)

Last night I went to visit an old colleague who I hadn't caught up with in ages. She has been a huge encouragement to me, being christian and gone through so much, she is like a roll model to me :)

We had a great time just catching up with each other :) She said one really interesting thing that really encouraged me. Which was 3 years ago she would of never imagined she would be where she is today. Three years is a long time but in a way its a short time, within that time she had met her partner, married and had a little baby boy! she told me that when she looks back and reflects you really see how God has put everything together and how it all just fits together. But you don't realise it at the time, what happens to us is beyond our understanding. You never know what will happen!

This was really encouraging for me to be reminded, I've always known God has a great plan for me. He has a plan and purpose for each and every person on this Earth! :)

Jeremiah 29:11 'For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'

I place it all into your hands Lord