I had the greatest oppurtunity three years ago to attend North Valley’s Youth Conference, but what happened there was beyond a blessing. Monday Night on June 24th my life changed and for the better, before it was filled with pain and doubt, but now that’s all gone. All because of one person, I was lost and alone but then my Jesus Christ came into my heart and made me whole. I did not grow up in a Christian home but God was still able to get a hold of me, with the help of the bus minsitry and others investing their time and money in me, which allowed me to the option to go to Youth Conference in the first place. It started that night with gaining the knowledge that I needed Christ in my life, the Pastor that was giving the word that night haad invited us to willingly come to the alter, I was scared, but my Youth Pastor wife was there to help lead me to the alter where there I proffessed my sins and ask for forgiveness. After the conference, the whole ordeal had seemed surreal, as if it couldn’t be true. But slowly day by day, I started to see God’s mighty hand upon my life and now I am a sophmore at bible college. Sure I still struggle with a lot of things, but I’m not alone through any of it, and God has been good. I stopped doing a lot of things, it was hard, but God made it possible and I have been blessed through it all.
–Charmaine Washington
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Who is Deborah? Is she some famous lady? Should I know her? Why should I be like her? All questions that probably passed through your mind as you read the title of this blog. I’m in the middle of doing my bible study, and thought it would be great if I made this particular subject into a blog. I have to be up front and tell you though, this blog is mainly for the ladies, so I guess this is goodbye to all the confused men who are still reading this despite the title and the fact that deborah is a girl’s name. I mean you could probably make Deborah into a man’s name, but I don’t see how that would work out. My bible study is in the book of Judges, chapters 4 & 5, if you haven’t read the story, than I suggest that you should. I will give a brief overview of what it’s about though. The main characters are Deborah and Barak, at a time where Ehud dies and Israel turns away from God and falls into sin again, and is conquered by Jabin, the king of Canaan. Deborah, a prophetess and one of the twelve judges – Girl Power! – tells Barak, that God commands him to build up an army and fight Jabin’s army. She promises that God will give him victory. Barak then goes on to say that he will only go to battle if only she comes along. Do you think she agrees?
She does! Then she goes on to say,”…notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” This is the part where I think we could learn a thing or two about Deborah, because first off there was no hesitation at all. Someone who doesn’t hesitate to call others in God’s name to do the will and work of Him, shouldn’t hesitate and always be ready to do it themselves. Secondly, a true prophet of God only preaches Gods word, notice how earlier what Deborah said, and everything before that was of the Lord. I believe in order for prophets to recieve His word, they have to be in His word. How is your relationship with God? When Deborah delivers His word to the people, she never added her own opinions, suggestions or ideas. She preached only what “The Lord hath commanded.” As godly christian women, we may often have others come to us for advice or maybe we teach a Sunday School class or hold devotions. It’s important that as role models we never twist scriptures into our own words or make anything self-centered. Especially in a world that tries to water down the Word of God. Barak ends up leading his 10,000 men against Sisera’s army, including 900 chariots of iron. Barak’s army kills every last one of Sisera’s men – except Sisera. This holds yet another lesson for us. Deborah respected God’s order for men and women. I’m pretty sure Deborah held the respect of the Israelites, as they did come to her for help (Judges 4:5). Despite being the judge and law-giver, she did not rule the nation. Barak led the army into battle, not her, she agreed to join him on the trip but she stayed back on Mount Tabor. So often we forget our places, even as a woman. We were made to stand behind our spouse, pastor, or any male leader. I know most of you may not agree with me on this, since so many fight to have the same roles as men or to work in the workplace like them, and believe me we can do that, but we must also obey a command. And God commanded us to be submissive, Deborah was jut that and she did it humbly to God’s plan and wisdom over her own. Rather seeking her own glory and telling Barak that she’ll do it herself, she allowed him to do it and encouraged him as she stood behind him. And yes it is known that other judges fought in battles. This also shows that she was obediant and faithful, she showed faith in knowing and trusting in God to bring the victory. And he did, and yet after all this Deborah gives God all the glory. Judges 5 is a song of praise and worship to the Lord. We are so quick to give ourselves a pat on the back and forget to give God praise. (Judges 5:7) I don’t have kids, shoot I’m just a single bible college student, but Deborah embraced her role as the mother of Israel, a whole nation. I don’t know if I could do that, I can barely watch my little seven year-old brother at times, but Deborah took on being the mother of Israel, again without no hesitation. Can you imagine being in charge of a whole nation, I wouldn’t know where to start, I’d be lost. Deborah though followed God and led her children, and helped them to put their faith in God over their enemies. In doing this, she is an example to us godly women and men nowadays, she had compassion and the love for the Israelites. And I’m pretty sure it took patience to take on such a role. Her strength came from God and she was able to help deliver her people. And at the end she glorified God. (Judges 5:31) Wow, can you say a true proverbs 31 lady. I would love to have even an ounce of this woman’s character. I do believe that we could learn a lot from her. Proverbs 31:25-31 Hi everyone, So I just got back from my first single’s conference and honestly it was amazing! No, I did not go looking for a husband or of any kind of relationship as you would think. I went in the hopes of learning something new, and I have to say it was far beyond my expectations. The theme of the conference was ‘Dare to Take up Your Cross’. I learned what that meant, that the cross represents self-denial and taking up your cross means your denying yourself and living to please God. Today I see in this day and world, how so many Christians claim that they want to serve Christ but are still so filled up with themselves. When people look at me, I always want them to see Christ in me, because we need to understand that through us we may be the only bible that others might see. How can we do that if we’re so filled up with ourselves? The cross means suffering, a lot of us have suffered from something once or twice in our lives, but I think as Christians it can be a little harder, not that being a Christian means we are any diffeerent or better, but that there will be times where we are tempted to give up because not serving Christ may be a lot easier. For example, I go to bible college that doesn’t accept loans, we have to pay cash out of our own pockets, sure you may think ‘get a job’, but you see I can’t because I suffer from a blood disorder that keeps me from getting a job. I could just easily drop out of bible college and go to a different college that accepts loans, but that is not God’s will for my life. Bible college is and I am tempted to give up but after this conference I am willing to suffer if that means taking up my cross, because Jesus didn’t give up on the cross either. But can you say that through your suffering, you can rejoioce? What good would come out of me moping about how my blood disorder holds me back from doing what I want in life, how would anyone ever see Christ in me? Don’t be filled up with yourself and your sufferings, focus on how God can use you for his glory. (Romans 8:1-18) The cross means surrender and victory. We must learn to give up to get the glory. Are you willing to give up your life for Jesus? June 24th, marks the day that I will have been saved for three years now, by the way if you come back on that day, I will post about my salvation testimony. Anyways within those three years I like to believe that I have given up so much, so much that it made me question my God and my faith. It made think was any of it worth it, well I’m here to tell you it is, you may not understand it, but surrendering for God means we get the glory. (Matthew 16:25)
There where a lot of other things that I learned that I hope I myself and you may take into consideration. Like how we should never ask God why, but ask Him what for. Our expectations and plans are never the plans He may have for us. (Romans 8:28) How we should ask God for a Timothy, basically this meaning be a role model for others. Another thing was how we should be patient during trials. (Romans 12:12) And how sometimes we can’t move forward as young adults because of our shame from our youth. (Isaiah 54:1-4) It was just so much to take in and it was just a big blessing to go and hear the preaching, fellowship and have fun with the aactivities. There will be one next year on May 4-6, if your interested in coming, feel free to contact me. Thank you for taking the time in reading my blog! |
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Charmaine accepted Christ at the age of 19, and now attends Golden State Baptist College in Santa Clara, CA. Where she is pursuing her Associate’s Degree in General Education. Archives
October 2020
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