littlesongbird's journal

[Guest]

step 1. the journey begins.

I've done the 14 days/steps to counseling and that was a great time. I wanted to start earlier with this program, but due to an infection I was sick and couldn't get started. it was a tough week, cause I missed the encouragements, but I'm glad I'm back.

I've done this test and I got a certain percentage, but I'm not sure what to do with it. I've saved the step one afterwards so I should be ok.

I'm really excited about this path, as last week I continually asked God where He wants to lead me, what His plan is for me. I know God wants to use me and I have told God that I want to be used by Him. I surrendered everything, so that His kingdom will be advanced. I think it's really cool if someone chooses to represent Christ. I just want to fight against everything the devil wants to put in my life and keep on pursuing His righteousness in my life.

so yeah, I'm called. I got 81 -90 % in the test. It seems really high, but I've answered the questions as honest and humble as I could, cause I am sometimes scared to share the gospel straight away. I don't know, I find it weird I got this score, but I don't know how this test works, I just answered the questions as humbly as I could.

I'm really excited to learn more and to step out more...

[mlg]

Hi sis...the test is different than most test. The grade you get shows what gifts you have and what administrations you are called to...so the higher the number the higher the gifts you possess. It doesn't mean you have more gifts or anything like that...it just means that in the Bible the list means a higher calling...which more is expected of those who know more...so I'm so delighted that you are here stepping out to answer your call.

This is my favorite program here at the Oasis...enjoy the journey sis...and I hope to see God doing great things with you.

luv ya

[vahn]

Hello songbird

We are gald you are back as well , and even glad-er that you chose to continue your walk with our Lord to see what He has in mind or you .

Congrats and keep up the good work .


In Christ , our Lord
vahn

[Guest]

so what is the link that I can read about all these rates and administrations? cause I would like to read about that, I think I missed it then when I read step one or did the test but if you could give me the link, that would be great.

[mlg]

Hi sis...there's not a link...because it comes from God's word...the different gifts...Here's the verses that relate to the different gifts. I highlighted some I think will help you understand better.

I Corinthians 12
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

Hope this helps sis.

luv ya

[Guest]

thanks Mlg. I misunderstood then as I know this scripture, but I thought you were talking about a list or so with levels of gifts. I know this scripture and I like it. I also find it really wonderful to see in people around me the calling and the gifts that God has given them and seeing them use it for God's kingdom is awesome. so thanks again for clarifying.

[Guest]

day two, who I am.

I am a child of God. designed to give Him glory and to reflect His presence. I'm an image of Him.

and although I fail, I'm found again in God's grace, cleansed with the blood of His Son Jesus, purified and clothed in white I can represent God's holiness, as I'm made in His image.

for me it is enough to know that I am His. I am His beloved.

having a character that is Christlike is really important to me. I'm surrendering to His will, dying every day to self. I've learned that I have to tell myself that I'm dead, in order to really live in Christ. dead people have no rights, I only have responsibilities.

and so I'm learning more and more who I am. knowing who you are is so important. I'm slowly learning what it means to be a daughter of the Father, a princess. but I'm enjoying this process as I learn more of who I am it helps me see who God is. and that's just my longing, to see His face...

[mlg]

And not only who you are sis...but who He is within you...often we hear the words of others around us...and think it defines who we are...but it does not....God defines who we are...and it is through Him that we can become even more of a Light that shines through to the lost and hurting.

Keep seeking the will of God for you sis...and He will continue to shape you into being more like Him.

luv ya

[Guest]

(I'm sorry that I haven't posted these couple of days, as I was out of town visiting a friend with no internet)

day three. the world.

I found it interesting to read about our clothing and representing Christ. At highschool I saw how girls who were christians were not on guard and compromised their clothing and that was just the first step that got them slowly of the path.

Ive learned that I don't have to dress like my grandmother to be decent, but that it just takes some smart decisions with shopping and combining to look decent and normal.

it hasn't always been easy, I've been laughed at in classes, but I'm happy that I didn't compromise to the standards which seems to get lower every year. even in church I'm surprised what is considered decent now. surprised may not be the right word, shocked is better. I don't want to see short skirts or tight jeans. and I'm a woman, but I'm offended by how some people dress like it's a concert or catwalk. I bet it must be hard to be a guy and sit in church, longing to worship God and being distracted by all you see.

I think by dressing decent I'm honoring Christ and helping my fellow christian brothers in preventing them from stumbling. I think that's honoring and respecting to men as well.

but these are just my two cents of it. good topic!

[mlg]

Amen sis...respecting others with our choices is respecting God. I think we should be aware of what we choose to wear and how we choose to act...and to ask ourselves would God be pleased...therefore knowing if we are making the right choices.

Welcome home sis...hope you enjoyed your visit away.

luv ya

[Guest]

day 4. peer pressure

I'm realizing that faith is really important. through faith I'm resisting the pressure from peers and planting seeds of truth in my garden. I've come to realize that it is so important to have a strong faith of yourself, not relying on your partner's faith or someone else'. with a strong faith you're better in discerning whether or not friends are influencing you.

so today is good reminder of the importance of the garden. as by planting lots of faith and truth, there will be no room for something else that doesn't belong there, cause I'm occupying all the room for truth, faith, grace.

so yeah, it really puts my focus back on track.

[mlg]

That's why we need the best peer we can have and that is Jesus. We need to be a positive role model for those who we encounter...and if they see Jesus within us...then it is Him who we teach them to follow.

Luv ya sis