Hello world,
I know some of you may be anticipating the post about the future. Some details are still "under construction" but I can tell you, I know, I am confident that the Lord has called me back to Latvia longer term. I am currently looking at late August to take a trip back there and moving forward with those plans. Like I said, the details are in the works and I will share more as I get things set in stone. Now I had to give you this short synopsis in order for this post to make sense. Now that you know some of that, let's get started. :)
The other night I had a dream, a very vivid dream. A dear friend was in the dream and in it, she sent me the scripture Psalm 143:7-8. I don't remember much from the dream but I remember her giving me the scripture and then me searching frantically for those verses but I could not find them. So when I woke up the next morning, the dream was still fresh in my mind, so I grabbed my bible and looked up these verses. Here they are:
"Answer me quickly, LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." Psalm 143:7-8
Now as I read this and prayed about this, the verse that stuck out to me was 8. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. As I prepare for the future, I know I cannot do this on my own. I know I cannot get back to Latvia on my own plans and my own strength. But I do know that I trust God. I trust the plan He has for me and as He shows me what next step to take, I will boldly and in trust, take that next step. I know there will be moments on this journey that will be exhausting, there will be moments where I may feel defeated or may be overwhelmed, but as I read His word, as Psalm 143 tells me, it is there I will find His unfailing love and His plan for me. :) That's a great promise! :) Then last night I felt in my heart to start studying Joshua again. I read the first chapter and that was all I needed. I will post them here and then tell you all of my revelations. :)
After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own.’”
But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you after he said, ‘The LORD your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’ Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of the other Israelites. You are to help them until the LORD gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the LORD your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.”
Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, is to be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”
Many things stuck out to me in these verses.
1. "Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." In here it says, be careful to obey.....then it talks about success. Now we could go into a whole post about what is success, but that's not the point. But what is the point is that obedience must come first. You, or I, cannot wait for success first to then say, "okay Lord, now I'll be obedient". No, obedience must come first, then success will follow. I know what God has called me to do, so now I must be obedient. Step by step, each one is a step of obedience. :) Thanks AweStar :)
2. "Have I not commanded you?" This is when the Lord was speaking to Joshua. So when it says, "have I not commanded you" the I who is speaking is the Lord. When small glimpses of selfishness set in, I must remember this verse. Hasn't the Lord commanded me to go? I must be obedient! I think I have some understanding of where a disobedient life gets you, but now that I have a deeper understanding for the call on my life, I would really hate to see where a disobedient life would get me now. NO place I want to be for sure. The LORD, the One whose plans cannot fail, has commanded me to go! I think I will trust His plans, not my own!
3. The third and last thing for tonight. In the first chapter which consists of 18 verses, it says be strong and courageous 4 times! I think if something is repeated, and especially 4 times in one chapter, the author must really mean it. As I read this, I felt the Lord tenderly speaking to me, BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS Alesha! Be strong in the Lord! Be courageous to trust the Lord! Take that next step in faith and charge forward with what God has commanded you!
So as I wrap this up, thanks for hanging in with me for this long post. But I have a great confidence in this. I know that with each step, I must be obedient. God isn't going to show me the whole picture at once, but step by step, walk in obedience! I know who has commanded me! The God whose plans never fail, whose love is unfailing, and the One who cannot be defeated! And now that I know who has commanded me, I must obediently walk with His strength and His courage! :)
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
This Much is True, There's No Life a Part From YOU! :)
Chao friends and family!
I know some of you have been eagerly anticipating this blog post so I will try my best to recap the rest of the trip and communicate to you what God spoke to my heart while I was there.
I'll come back to that Tuesday night in Kuldiga. We spent the evening enjoying each other's company over some pizza and funny youtube videos. Then we came together to plan some CONNECTED nights, (what they call their youth group) and spent time in prayer and worship. This worship time was so incredible! It was only 4 of us, but God's presence was very alive and very real!! It was an intimate time with the Lord and I truly believe He heard every single word we cried out to Him! May God continue to do incredible things in the CONNECTED team and in their youth!
Then on Wednesday, I spent the morning walking around Kuldiga one last time and using the opportunity to prayer-walk. I also made a few videos for all my Facebook friends to enjoy. :) Then I headed over to the Upitis's flat for lunch and sharing of our hearts one last time. It was during this time Matiss shared his vision for my role in CONNECTED if God were to move me to Kuldiga, Latvia. I didn't respond with much but listened with an open heart and let all these things sink in. I wanted to be able to process with God and let Him lead me. It was a really good time to hear Matiss and Ilze's vision for CONNECTED and match it up with what God is speaking to my heart. This I will share at a later time :)
Then I took a long bus ride back to Riga but used the time to do some extra journaling and reading. Upon my arrival in Riga, I had to navigate an unfamiliar part of town to get to Linda's work to get her keys. I remember praying in my head, "Jesus, I have no idea where I am and which is the right direction. But I will take each step trusting you will guide my sense of direction." And sure enough within 2 minutes I was in a familiar place and headed to Linda's work. Praise God for His Spirit to tenderly lead me!!! I was so thankful! The trek to Linda's job and then to her flat was all about 45 minutes, and by the time I arrived after climbing 4 flights of stairs, my hiking bag and backpack seemed really heavy! Ha. I was ready to shed those pounds but was reminded of the burden of the cross. It just doesn't compare. I then spent the next hour resting and organizing my bag for the journey home the next day. I received a message that one friend, Valters, would be awaiting my presence downstairs and that he would lead me to Lana. :) I was pleasantly surprised when we reached Lana and there was Veronika, another dear friend I met. We went to Tokyo City (I think) to eat Sushi and Kristaps A, Kristaps K, and Linda later joined us. It was the perfect way to spend my last night in Latvia. Enjoying the company of dear friends whom I have come to love and now dearly miss. The night was full of laughs, precious moments with hugs, and encouraging conversations. There are many things about this night that I will remember but the most important and most meaningful to my heart, were the relationships that were formed, the hearts that were bonded, and the love that was shared. There is something about friendships but it runs deeper when it is between believers. :) God has an incredible way of showing His love through brothers and sisters in Christ!
The evening ended with prayer time with Kristaps, Kristaps, and Linda. (I've never felt so covered in prayer as I have before, during, and after this trip! Praise God!!) Linda and I went up stairs and spent some time talking and enjoying our last evening together for awhile. This friendship is so dear to my heart and I cannot thank God enough for this blessing! :) The next morning we got up and took our time getting ready. We shared special moments between the 2 of us as sisters and soaked up every minute we could together. :) And I did really well in not crying, almost. :) Then, with the help of an amazing friend, Kristaps K, we walked/took a bus to the airport. He was super great and carried my big and heavy bag so I wouldn't have to! He's such a great guy. Not only that, but he helped me check in to the airline and then sat at the airport with me for about an hour so I wouldn't be alone the whole time! It was an awesome time of conversation and so encouraging yet again! Even the friendship with Kristaps, totally not an expected part of the trip, but definitely a big blessing. He made me laugh many times throughout the trip, brought me out of my shell in playing the games, and encouraged me through God-honoring conversations! So blessed!
The journey home was a bittersweet one. I was sad to say "see ya later", humbled by the opportunity to return, and looking forward to sharing all that God had done. These first few days being home I have tried not saying much to God or to others, at times this is very difficult, but I really desire for only God's voice to be left in my heart. Take aside all of the emotions, some bad but mostly good, of the trip, take aside my own desires, and let God's voice resonate louder and clearer than anything else. Please continue to pray this with me as well as continuing to pray for the hearts of the Latvian people! God really is doing an incredible thing in that country and I pray His people, His children, open their hearts to respond to what He is telling them!
I think that is all for tonight, I'm tired and not sure where to go from here. :) But I promise, you keep being patient with me and I will keep sharing with you. :) It's crazy to think that I never dreamed I would be on this journey. But I know God has a plan for me and my life. A far bigger plan than I ever imagined! He has a journey for you as well. May He reveal His plan for your life. It probably won't all come at once, but step by step, listen for His voice. Watch for the path that He lights up, and trust that He is in control and His plans can never fail! :)
Much love to all! And remember, Jesus loves you! :)
I know some of you have been eagerly anticipating this blog post so I will try my best to recap the rest of the trip and communicate to you what God spoke to my heart while I was there.
I'll come back to that Tuesday night in Kuldiga. We spent the evening enjoying each other's company over some pizza and funny youtube videos. Then we came together to plan some CONNECTED nights, (what they call their youth group) and spent time in prayer and worship. This worship time was so incredible! It was only 4 of us, but God's presence was very alive and very real!! It was an intimate time with the Lord and I truly believe He heard every single word we cried out to Him! May God continue to do incredible things in the CONNECTED team and in their youth!
Then on Wednesday, I spent the morning walking around Kuldiga one last time and using the opportunity to prayer-walk. I also made a few videos for all my Facebook friends to enjoy. :) Then I headed over to the Upitis's flat for lunch and sharing of our hearts one last time. It was during this time Matiss shared his vision for my role in CONNECTED if God were to move me to Kuldiga, Latvia. I didn't respond with much but listened with an open heart and let all these things sink in. I wanted to be able to process with God and let Him lead me. It was a really good time to hear Matiss and Ilze's vision for CONNECTED and match it up with what God is speaking to my heart. This I will share at a later time :)
Then I took a long bus ride back to Riga but used the time to do some extra journaling and reading. Upon my arrival in Riga, I had to navigate an unfamiliar part of town to get to Linda's work to get her keys. I remember praying in my head, "Jesus, I have no idea where I am and which is the right direction. But I will take each step trusting you will guide my sense of direction." And sure enough within 2 minutes I was in a familiar place and headed to Linda's work. Praise God for His Spirit to tenderly lead me!!! I was so thankful! The trek to Linda's job and then to her flat was all about 45 minutes, and by the time I arrived after climbing 4 flights of stairs, my hiking bag and backpack seemed really heavy! Ha. I was ready to shed those pounds but was reminded of the burden of the cross. It just doesn't compare. I then spent the next hour resting and organizing my bag for the journey home the next day. I received a message that one friend, Valters, would be awaiting my presence downstairs and that he would lead me to Lana. :) I was pleasantly surprised when we reached Lana and there was Veronika, another dear friend I met. We went to Tokyo City (I think) to eat Sushi and Kristaps A, Kristaps K, and Linda later joined us. It was the perfect way to spend my last night in Latvia. Enjoying the company of dear friends whom I have come to love and now dearly miss. The night was full of laughs, precious moments with hugs, and encouraging conversations. There are many things about this night that I will remember but the most important and most meaningful to my heart, were the relationships that were formed, the hearts that were bonded, and the love that was shared. There is something about friendships but it runs deeper when it is between believers. :) God has an incredible way of showing His love through brothers and sisters in Christ!
The evening ended with prayer time with Kristaps, Kristaps, and Linda. (I've never felt so covered in prayer as I have before, during, and after this trip! Praise God!!) Linda and I went up stairs and spent some time talking and enjoying our last evening together for awhile. This friendship is so dear to my heart and I cannot thank God enough for this blessing! :) The next morning we got up and took our time getting ready. We shared special moments between the 2 of us as sisters and soaked up every minute we could together. :) And I did really well in not crying, almost. :) Then, with the help of an amazing friend, Kristaps K, we walked/took a bus to the airport. He was super great and carried my big and heavy bag so I wouldn't have to! He's such a great guy. Not only that, but he helped me check in to the airline and then sat at the airport with me for about an hour so I wouldn't be alone the whole time! It was an awesome time of conversation and so encouraging yet again! Even the friendship with Kristaps, totally not an expected part of the trip, but definitely a big blessing. He made me laugh many times throughout the trip, brought me out of my shell in playing the games, and encouraged me through God-honoring conversations! So blessed!
The journey home was a bittersweet one. I was sad to say "see ya later", humbled by the opportunity to return, and looking forward to sharing all that God had done. These first few days being home I have tried not saying much to God or to others, at times this is very difficult, but I really desire for only God's voice to be left in my heart. Take aside all of the emotions, some bad but mostly good, of the trip, take aside my own desires, and let God's voice resonate louder and clearer than anything else. Please continue to pray this with me as well as continuing to pray for the hearts of the Latvian people! God really is doing an incredible thing in that country and I pray His people, His children, open their hearts to respond to what He is telling them!
I think that is all for tonight, I'm tired and not sure where to go from here. :) But I promise, you keep being patient with me and I will keep sharing with you. :) It's crazy to think that I never dreamed I would be on this journey. But I know God has a plan for me and my life. A far bigger plan than I ever imagined! He has a journey for you as well. May He reveal His plan for your life. It probably won't all come at once, but step by step, listen for His voice. Watch for the path that He lights up, and trust that He is in control and His plans can never fail! :)
Much love to all! And remember, Jesus loves you! :)
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