devotion: GOALS & FAITH

April 30, 2012

Today's words are: GOALS & FAITH!

Question is what are your goals in life? Talking to some young people, some goals were to make it to the NBA, or other professional sports career. Some want to be doctors, nurses, psychologists, etc... Some goals are to get married and have kids. My goal growing up was to be some sort of professional athlete. First I wanted to be the first filipino to play in the NBA. Then I wanted to be a professional golfer. These are the 2 sports that I felt if I put much into it, I can really be good at. My problem was I didn't put too much into it. Then as I got older I knew I wouldn't have a future in the NBA or golf for that matter because I never practiced or anything, and so I started to think more about where I would go. I asked God what He wanted me to do. At a young age, around 13 God spoke to me about being a pastor some day. I was actually super excited, but when high school graduation came around and it was time to go to college I ran from it. So for 1 year I ended up at Sac State pursuing nursing mainly because my mom is an RN and I knew how much money a nurse can make, but that first semester God kept knocking on my heart reminidng of His calling for my life and I knew I wasn't where I was supposed to be. I then finished the schoolyear at Sac State but applied to Bethany University where I attended the next year giving up on my desires and that desire for more money to pursue what God wants me to do. It was the best decision I made in my life.

Yes I had goals, but God's goals and desires for me are much bigger and better than my own. I followed His will and it is the best decision I have ever made. Yes there are bumps in the road along the way, but it is the most rewarding. My parents wanted me to continue nursing, but once they saw the calling God placed in my life, they gave me over to God 100+%. Let me tell you though that it definately is a faith stretcher.
No one ever said that obedience to God was going to be simple and easy. The disciples who followed Christ did not have an easy time continuing Christ's ministry after He left. Paul did not have an easy time either. He was imprisoned for the most part for spreading the Gospel. They did not have it easy... There are many preachers and teachers and ministers of the Word today who can say that there have been some trying times in ministry, and where their faith was being stretched.

First of all I have to apologize because to be honest there are times including now where my fears and doubts outweighed my faith. Honestly I have been scared for a while... And I have allowed that fear to take over and I wasn't even aware of it til I had breakfast with my dad today before I came into the office. For a while I have been out of school, mainly because I couldn't afford to go back. We owed Bethany for a while til last year, I'm in a huge amount of debt with student loans, etc... Since I left Bethany things fiinancially have been tough. I tried to get loans to finish, but I couldn't get anymore. Ever since I left Bethany I allowed this financial burden to take over my life. I applied to schools trying to finish my one year, but as soon as I saw the amount I needed to pay, I froze. And still today I neglect to even apply to school because I know I CAN'T afford it. Great faith for a youth pastor huh?! The fear of finances have taken over my faith and caused me to put more concern and focus on the payments than my faith in God and God's love for me knowing that He will never leave me nor forsake me. I even neglected going after my lisence with the AG for 3+ years because I knew I couldn't afford to go back to school and my credit report isn't that great so I was embarrased to even continue.

I preached yesterday about the devil finding our weaknesses and pounding at them, and my dad helped me realize that I was actually preaching to myself too. The devil is pounding at my fears of NOT being able to pay for school and my crazy credit report that it's totally making me doubt what my God can do!!! So for that I apologize, but I can tell you that the devil is not going to defeat me any longer! I am going to show the devil that with my shield of faith I will extinguish all the flaming arrows of the enemy, and I will declare that NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST ME WILL PROSPER!!! I will not live by fear, but I will live by my faith and my God's love for me, that with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE for those who believe! That I will begin to live by the Words that with faith as small as a mustard seed, I can move mountains!

No matter what your goals are keep praying and ask God to direct you towards His will for your life! Not only that continue to walk by faith and not by sight! Put your faith and trust in God not allowing the enemy to take hold of your weaknesses as it has done to me. Put your faith in God and not our ability to try to make things happen because I've tried that I know that it doesnt work. BE STRONG WARRIORS OF GOD! OUR FAITH WILL BE STRETCHED BUT KNOW THAT IT'S ONLY GOING TO MAKE YOU STRONGER!!!

Please continue to pray for me & many others who are struggling or have struggled with fears & doubt!

Pastor Ronald D.