Steps Of Faith

Blog Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine & Brandon) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:34:00 +0000

Hey everyone, its Brandon, and I know that you guys are wondering why Jasmine hasn't blogged in a long while. Jasmine has been traveling around alot and hasn't been in town for the last couple of weeks, and won't be back for a little while. When she returns, she will be blogging her little heart out so be prepared for a word. Show this blog LOTS of love please, so she can have something to look forward to when she gets back.

We also want to take this time to say thank you to the supporters of this blog. I would personally like to thank my friends Shantell, Devion, Shay, and my cousin Kyra for the continuous love and support. There are LOTS more but those are just a few of my personal shoutouts.

Me and Jasmine are very happy and excited that God has used us in what we think is a mighty way to bring souls to Christ. Only our works for Him and His kingdom will last, and we definitly hope this qualifies. God has been SOO good to us, and we can go on and on, but we won't. We just want to take this time to thank him for all he has done for us, and all he has done for you through us.

We love you guys, COMMENT THIS PLEASE AND SHOW LOVE FOR JASMINE, and please email us. We love to hear feedback, blog ideas, prayer requests (MAKE SURE THE SUBJECT LINE SAYS PRAYER REQUEST), bible study ideas, questions, anything. Thank you guys again. Continue to read the word!

Be Blessed

~Brandon and Jasmine

Do You Have Hostages?

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine & Brandon) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:59:00 +0000

Back in the day, there was this man of God named Samuel, God told him to annoint Saul the King of Israel, and this he did.

Later on, God told Samuel to tell Saul that he wanted him to kill ALL the Amalekites, and spare none, including the women, childen, babies, sheep, oxen, camel, and ass (donkey), and to spare none (1Samuel 15:3). God hated the Amalekites. Why? Glad you asked. Way back in the day (like 500 hundred years before even this story), when God was delivering the Israelites from Egypt, ALL 3 million of them marched out, with the soldiers (able bodied men) in the front, and the women, children, and elderly in the back. Well they had to march through the Amalekites land, but what the Amalekites didn't tell the Israelites was that they didn't want them to. So what the Amalekites did was wait until the strong men passed, and killed ALL of the people in the back, and when the soldiers finally noticed what they had done, the Amalekites had fleed. The Amalekites were trying to stop the prophecy of the coming of the Messiah from coming true, and God did not like that at all. So he wanted them destroyed. You can find that story in the book of Exodus.

Ok so Saul gathered all his folks up, and went and did what God told them...............or did they?

They did not. What happend was, Saul, instead of killing everyone, including Agag (not real name but political title equivilent to king), he and his people took the Agag HOSTAGE. Also instead of killing ALL the sheep, ox, lambs, fatlings, and all that was good, they kept it for themselves. Not what God told them to do.

So God came to Samuel and said that he was sorry he ever made Saul king of Israel. Now you know that he must of done something bad to make God repent and say he's sorry, for who does God have to repent to.............NO ONE. But he had done it, he made God sorry he put him in charge.

So Samuel went unto Saul, but Saul wasn't where he was supposed to be. He was building a new place. Where did he learn that from? His HOSTAGE. You have to understand that when Samuel had found Saul and told him that he was to be King of Israel, he was a donkey farmer. He had nothing. He meek and mild, and thats essentially why God chose him, because he was humble. You have to remember something, always stay humble, and small in your eyes, no matter how big you get, God can't work with big headedness (sorry thats not a word but its true), he said that he who thinks he is something, is nothing to me. Thats what God said. So basically he was taking lessons from a king that was leading a nation that God hated, and taking lessons from a king that God wanted to be dead. Not a good idea. God expected him to be humble throughout, God called him to be King of a nation, but that word King didn't mean that he had to palace on top of palace, riches on top of riches. God called him to be different, and come out from them and be seperate, so why would he take advice from his HOSTAGE?

So when Samuel found Saul, Saul tell him he has done the Lord's work, and Samuel asks why he hears sheep, and oxen? Then Saul does something that only a bad leader does, and blames it on his people. He said that the people wanted to give the good livestock up for God as an offering. But Samuel tells him that rebellion is as bad as witchcraft, and that rebellion is as bad as iniquity and idoltry. Basically God tells us here that obedience is better than sacrifice, that if we before anything else obey him and keep his commandments, everything will be fine.

So Saul admits that he was so scared of the people and what they might think of him, that he disobeyed God. Take notes from Saul and never do that. Samuel also told him that he was no longer the King of Israel.

After that, Saul asks for them to bring out the HOSTAGE Agag, and on the spot, he slices him up to pieces.

Call me gruesome, but I love this story. It was told to me today by my Pator, Bishop Mathew Williams, Pastor of Brown's Memorial Church of God in Christ. This story reminds me of those things we keep hostage and never let go. We're afraid to kill them because its good to our flesh. But today I challenge you to KILL YOUR HOSTAGE! Not literally in the flesh but in the spirit, kick all those bad habbits and the things you keep hidden. Becasue I'm sure that if you keep it hidden, and you want no one to no about it because of your image or something, ITS A HOSTAGE. Colossians Ch.3: v.5(Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry) tells us what our hostages our, but its up to us to kill them, and make sure they're dead. Once we have done that, Colossians Ch. 3: v.10 (And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him) tells us that we are new creatures in Christ, and we are a new man (man meaning human). So have you become a spiritual murderer yet?

COMMENT PLEASE!

This story came from 1Samuel Ch. 15

DON'T FORGET TO EMAIL US! WE REALLY WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
stepsoffaithblog@yahoo.com

Be Blessed

~Brandon

Sea of Forgetfulness

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine & Brandon) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 10:31:00 +0000

................saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Hebrews Ch.10: v.16 and 17

A few scriptures before this is, and after this, are usually used to tell us why we don't have to offer sacrifices unto God (and thats because God sending his only son to die for us was and still is the ultimate sacrifice). But I took these scriptures out to explain something call the Sea of Forgetfulness, which is talked about in Micah Ch. 7: v.19 (He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea).

The Sea of Forgetfulness is probably something we can and should thank God for. He basically tells us that once we ask for forgiveness (we can only get forgiveness once we forgive others to), he throws it in the sea of forgetfulness, and its gone. Yes, ALL your sins and iniquities he will forget forever. I know you are probably thinking, well doesn't he go back to the sea? NO! We as people, and the devil, are the ONLY ones who fish in that sea. When the enemy goes to heaven and makes false accusations against us, what does God do? He doesn't remember it. When we're crying late at night four days after God has forgiven us for something, and we ask God why, what does God do? Tell us he doesn't remember what we're talking about. If God the ruler of all things, the one who has earth as his foot stool forgets, then you should also. That means when somebody comes to you with old mess that you and God have both forgotten about, tell them you don't even know what they're talking about. Tell them you talked to God and he don't even what they're talking about. You, God, and everybody else need to let it go to.

So today I challenge you to first ask God for forgiveness, once you do FORGET ABOUT IT! Don't talk about it, think about it, and don't let other people make you think that it exsists, because it is now in the Sea of Forgetfulness.

Be Blessed

COMMENT US PLZ!

AND DONT FORGET TO EMAIL US AT:

stepsoffaithblog@yahoo.com

~Brandon

YOU MAY BE SUFFERING NOW,BUT THERES A BLESSING WITH YOUR NAME ON IT

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine & Brandon) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:11:00 +0000

And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

2 Corinthians Ch. 1: v.7

This scripture right here is soo important to me. I always quote this scripture when I'm going through. It reminds me that God doesn't let us down, that though I may be suffering right now, He is always there to comfort me, and when it is all over, I know that because I trusted Him and let Him have his way, He will bless me. Just like no state fair game comes without a prize, no suffering comes without a blessing. But that is only if you let Him do his thing. We must learn when to step back and say "Lord, I've done all I can do, now I'm giving it up to You". In essence, He is the only help,and choice we have. When we know that, and belive it in our hearts, WHO CAN STOP US? In the words of Keith Sweat, the answer is NOBODY. Love Him, cherish Him, and bless Him with your praises, and He will bless you with spiritual blessings that have no choice but to spill over into the physical.

Be Blessed

And remember to comment us

Also email us at:
stepsoffaithblog@yahoo.com

~Brandon

RELATIONSHIPS Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine & Brandon) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:34:00 +0000

First I would like to say thank you to everyone that supports me and Jasmine's blog, and for also supporting my "texting ministry"........lol. We have wanted to do something like this for a long time, and so proud that we get to share our journey and walk with God with you guys.

For those of you who don't know, I text a daily thought about life, love, and the word. When I asked what people wanted me to talk about, they literally ALL said relationships. Since it is such a broad subject, me and Jasmine have decided to do it in parts, we really don't know how many parts yet, but you can never have enough info on relationships, lol.

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

This piece of the bilbe can mean SOOO much, so I am going to disect it in parts that pertain to relationships.

Ok, if you are reading this, I hope that you're saved. If not, check out the blog entry "Being Saved Is The First Step".

Now that you're saved, we can talk about a Christian relationship. These scriptures are the basis for social seperation from non-believers. We can't get along, and there can be no longevity. This being said, this scripture clearly tells us that a relationship with someone that has no intention to become saved or is not saved already, the relationship is IMPOSSIBLE. You must be wondering in your head, well the person I'm with doesn't believe in God, they don't want to even be bothered with the bible, what do I do? I say DUMP THEM. I say this because it makes no sense to be in a relationship where a God that loved you so much that he gave his son for you, is not welcome. But you should also give them an ultimatum, and tell the person that in order to love me right, and be with me, you must love God as well, and keep him head of this relationship. Trust me, this is hard. But so what you might have to leave them, all things work together for the good of them that love the Lord, and you never know, the person you are about to leave, may make way for a person that loves God, fears God, and wants to know more about him as you do. God can't be the center of a relationship when one party won't let Him in. God says he will be in the midst of 2 0r 3 that get together in HIS NAME!!! God cannot bless a relationship that he is not in, or welcome to, even when only one party objects. By the way, to the married people out there, this does not not condone divorce, but again, GIVE AN ULTIMATUM. You might not have been saved when you got hitched, or not cared that your spouse was, but I hope you care now. Remember that the relationship can't have God in the midst, and have God blessing it, because you guys are unequally yoked!!!

Be Blessed!

Comment this blog plz!!

Email us thoughts, concerns, questions, and even prayer requests (subject line sayin prayer request) at:

stepsoffaithblog@yahoo.com

~Brandon

All for a Reason

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine & Brandon) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:36:00 +0000

Pay attention to every decision you face - even the ones that seem so insignificant. Take seriously every person you meet - even the ones you don't like. Embrace every situation you find yourself in - even the ones that seem to make no sense at all. They're shaping you, molding you, preparing you for the next decision, the next person, the next situation. Lose yourself in doing what God wants with every aspect of your life. Live your life in light of His plan.
~Jasmine

Take Off Your Graveclothes!

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine & Brandon) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:58:00 +0000

It's 3:00 in the morning and I'm at it again.
Confused
Scared
Alone
"My God!" I cry out. "When will this stop hurting!"
I'm frustrated but I'm more hurt than anything else.
He said He would never leave me.
Where is He now?
He said things would get better.
They're getting worse.
He promised to renew my mind.
My thoughts are spiraling out of control.
"What is wrong with me?" I whisper into the dark of the bathroom, careful not to talk too loud.
I don't want my cries to wake anybody up.
This is me at 16 years old.
This is me after I've finally decided to take a step of faith and lean on God.
I've made all the moves He's wanted me to make.
I've let go of the people He wanted me to let go of.
And He's promised me that He has delivered me from my past, that I am now free.
So why do I feel so bad?????

It took me awhile and many nights like this before God revealed to me what my problem was. I always thought that I was still waiting to be set free but I was wrong. I had already been saved and given a new life, so why did everything in my life feel so dead?

I was still wearing my graveclothes.

I believe we all make this mistake. God delivers us out of something, yet the change isn't evident in our lives. That's because we still walk around in our graveclothes.

If you're familiar with the story of Lazarus in the Bible this might be a little easier to understand. But if you don't, don't worry, I'll give you a VERY simplified version.

Jesus had a very close friend named Lazarus, whom He loved very much. Well, Lazarus ended up getting seriously sick and died. His sisters called on Jesus to come and heal him before he died but the Lord waited another two days before he decided to go to Lazarus. By the time he got to his home, Lazarus had been dead for 4 days. Everyone was sad and crying but Jesus, in true God fashion, came and showed out. He called Lazarus forth out of the tomb, bringing him back to life. The Bible goes on to then state: And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go (John 11:44).

You see, before God can really do something in your life, you have to be loosed of your graveclothes. Can you imagine if Lazarus had stayed bound? How would he have been able to function? He wouldn't be able to see, or eat. Even his sense of touch and sound would have been distorted.

The same applies for us. When God brings us up out of a situation, we have to be willing to leave the graveclothes behind. They keep us bound and make it harder for us to walk with God, and to hear what He has to say to us. When you're still wearing your graveclothes, the stench of death is still on you. So even though you have been made alive again and set free, you still look like death, still talk like death, you even still move and smell like death.

Alot of people have this problem. They're saved but you would never be able to tell by the way they live. They still do all the things sinners do. Yes, they have been given a new life through Christ but they haven't taken the time to peel off those old layers of sin.

So what exactly are graveclothes? Graveclothes can be anything. Graveclothes can be painful memories, recurring sins ... anything.

I had alot of graveclothes. My ex had just left me after almost two years so I wore a combination of guilt, hurt, bitterness, rejection. I also had alot of other problems so at times I was wearing deceit, dishonesty, low self esteem, and doubt. No wonder God couldn't do anything in my life. He doesn't play with dead things and, although I was saved, I was still a walking corpse.

If you're still wearing your graveclothes I urge you to talk to God. Pray and read your Bible. (If you don't have one, Go GET ONE! TRUST ME YOU NEED IT!!!!!) Let God come in and work on you. Don't try to change yourself. You are the problem ... how can you possibly be the solution?? Only God's compassion can change you and only His Spirit can renew your mind. You have to sit back and let Him work. Trust me I know it hurts and you might be saying, "When, Jasmine? When will it stop hurting?" Unfortunately I can't answer that for you but there is One that knows the answer. So what are you still listening to me for? Go talk to Him!!! He's waiting!
~Jasmine

You're Not A Judge, So Don't Act Like It!!!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine & Brandon) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:02:00 +0000

I don't know about you but I have a habbit of being nosy, judging other people, and saying: "Oh he/she goin' to hell!", or "Now he/she know he/she shouldn't be doin' that", but boy did I get a rude awakening. Almost all those things that I said, those people shouldn't do , I ended up doing. I never realized that until Jasmine shared almost the same experience with me yesterday. Almost everything that I judged and looked down upon, I did.

Going through that made me realize that its not hard to fall into temptation, and that nobody is too good to sin, the bible says it in Romans Ch. 3: v.23 (For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God). That means stop talking 'bout people who have sinned JUST LIKE YOU! While you're talking about them, remember what secrets and sins you have hidden under your bed that you want nobody to know about. While you over here running your mouth talking 'bout them, you doing the same thing. So don't judge, because according to Ecclesiastes Ch. 3: v.17 ( I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.), we will all be judged in due time.

Brandon

Just a Thought

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine & Brandon) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:30:00 +0000

God is determined to strip us of our strong tendency to be dependent on others, thereby teaching us self - reliace and God - reliance. The struggle truly begins not when men surround us, but rather when they forsake us. It's then that we begin to discover our own identity and self - worth.
~Jasmine

Worry (a silent sin)

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine & Brandon) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:12:00 +0000

In the Bible, we are told several times not to worry. In Matthew 6:34 Jesus told His followers "do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorow will worry about its own things. Each day has its own troubles". Again in Philipipians 4:6 we are told to "be anxious for nothing". Why then, as Christians, do we still stress over the everyday pressures of life?

If you are the type that worries (and we all do) then I suggest you stop now because whether you realize it or not, worry is a sin. It's a sin of lacking faith in God. God says that nothing by any means will ever harm us and there are no situations that are too hard for Him. Through the death of His son, He has already shown us that He loves us so there really is no reason for us to doubt Him.

But yet and still, we do. When you sit and worry about a problem, you are telling God that you don't believe He can or will come through for you. You're basically calling Him a liar. When we worry, we don't give God the full glory, honor, or attention that He deserves. The Lord tells us to meditate on good things (happiness, success, GOD.... for example). Furthermore He has already promised us that our futures are secure in Him.

"For I know the thoughts I have of you,"declares the Lord. "Thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

We as Christians have got to learn to take God at His word. This is called faith. And without faith it is impossible to please Him for he who comes to God must believe (see Hebrews 11:6).

It has been my experience that worrying never ever ever helps a situation. In most cases, it makes things worse. Take the story of Jesus walking on the water. When He approached His disciples Peter challenged Him, saying, "Lord if it is You, tell me to come to You on the water." Peter then gets out of the boat and starts walking toward Jesus on the water. But when he takes his eyes off Jesus and sees the wind and waves, he begins to sink.

The same thing happens to us when we worry. We start looking at the problem, and not the Problem Solver and our problems overcome us. For this same reason, Satan gains footholds in our lives. While your mind is off God, Satan starts to talk to you and tempt you. He starts off by pointing out your needs and picking at the problem that has you worried. Then he starts offering you ways to fix the issue. The only problem is, Satan offers to fix a legitimate need, in an illegitimate way. "Need more money? .... Go ahead and steal," he suggests. "Feeling unloved and lonely ..... have sex with him (just this one time) it won't hurt and besides, you need it." See the problem here? And the scary thing is, you're not looking at Jesus so you listen to him and go along with the devil's tricks. For indeed, had you ben looking at Jesus, you would've saw Him with His hands stretched out, begging you to keep pulling forward and reminding you of His promises. When you keep your focus on God, evrything else seems insignificant.

So I pose this question to you today, is there anything too hard for the Lord? If you said no (and actually believed it) then I challenge you today to stop worrying. Relax... God knows your needs. He has told us that if we take care of His business first, He will certainly take care of ours (see matthew 6:33). God says that when you start feeling stressed, pray and read the Word and His peace will overcome you. Don't make the mistake of sinking because you let God out of your sight.
~Jasmine

SWALLOWING MY PRIDE

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine & Brandon) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:30:00 +0000

I have so much pride it is ridiculous. I don't know how to apologize, and do the right thing when the other person won't. For instance, If someone stops talking to me, and I speak to them, and they don't speak back, I will never speak again. But thats how it should be right? That only makes sense. WRONG! Let me tell you one thing, doing the things the christian way, and the way the bible tells us never makes sense to our flesh, because the spirit and the flesh lusteth against one another so that they cannot do what the other wishes (a synopsis of Galations Ch. 5: v.17). This means that your LOGICAL response to an event is ALWAYS wrong. They don't speak to you when you speak to them, keep on speaking when you see them, they must eveentually come around. Even if they don't, you know that in Gods eyes YOU did the right thing, because you are responsible for your own soul.

Now knowing this is one thing, doing it is a whole 'nother ball park, field, and sport all together. I feel a tad like a hypocrite. Because I'm sharing the right thing with other people, but I rarely, and I mean RARELY do it. But thats just the enemy, I didn't write this just to help others, I wrote it to help myself. That through the word of God that I might be healed as well. So don't let the enemy trick you, and make you think that just because we (me and Jasmine) write a blog we are perfect. All sin as well as fall short of the glory of God (a synopsis of Romans 3:23). We are both on a journey, and we want to share that with you. That means our good times and bad, happy, and sad, flaws and all. COMMENT YOUR HEART OUT WE BOTH WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Email us at:
stepsoffaithblog@yahoo.com

Brandon

Love And Faithfulness

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine & Brandon) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 05:43:00 +0000

I don't know what direction this blog is going. I can't help but think that I'm a fool. For trusting people, for loving people, and for having faith in people. They almost never show me the saim in return. I smile and say I'm always here for them, but I get nothing in return. But then I remember that I need to be, I HAVE to be dependent on one persons faithfulness alone, one person's love alone. A love and a faithfullness that is far beyond any, love, faithfulness, and explanation of either that I can ever come up with. I am always trying to give that love and faithfullness to others, but I forget that when I need it, I can call on a name that makes evil shutter at the mere thought, and ask for comfort. But how do I become confident in this love and in this faithfullness? READING MY WORD, and I knew it from the beginning, but sometimes I am tired, I am sleepy, and sometimes I just don't want to read, but then I put it all into perspective, AM I GOING TO SPEND MY WHOLE LIFE SEARCHING FOR A LOVE AND FAITHFULLNESS I ALREADY HAVE, OR AM I GOING TO BE OK WITH THE ONE THAT CAN BE FAITHFUL AND LOVE ME LIKE NO OTHER? But to be quite honest with you, I haven't made a complete choice yet. I haven't committed my WHOLE self to diligently seeking God. But I do know that that doesn't come over night, but as I read my word and talk to him, NOT JUST IN BAD TIMES BUT IN THE GOOD, NOT JUST WHEN I'M SAD BUT WHEN I'M HAPPY, AND NOT JUST AFTER I MADE IT THROUGH BUT WHILE I'M STILL GOING THROUGH. I really want someone to relate, because I struggle with it daily. So keep in contact with us at stepsoffaithblog@yahoo.com, and comment as well. I wrote this to vent, and to help people realize that we ALL go through this at one time or another. People won't always, and can't always be what we want them to be, because they are human. But there is someone who will be what he promised. He was today, he was yesterday, he will be tomorrow and forever more. Be Blessed.

Brandon

LET THEM GO YOU WON'T REGRET IT

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine & Brandon) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 05:01:00 +0000

So what. That should be your attitude when someone walks out of your life. So what. But thats not reality. Its hard when you know you have to let someone out of your life, or when someone walks out of your life, especially if you've been so attatched. But we need to let those people, and sometimes things, go.

We hear this alot but those people that want out, for reasons you can't control, LET THEM GO! The bible tells us in 1 John Ch. 2: v.9 (They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.) that if our friends were really for us, they would have stuck it out, been there for the long haul, whether times were good, bad, happy or sad. William MacDonald said in the Believer's Bible Commentary (a book I think we should all have) that true faith has the quality of permanence, that when TRUE belivers get together God will always be in the midst, and thats what God promised in the bible.

That person that walked out of your life, isn't of the believing sort, and thats ok. Because you will be there when they decide to come to God for themselves. You have to be, it says that in 1 John Ch. 3: v.16 (Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.) That means that now we know that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, which is love, we should show the same love for others, NO MATTER WHAT, even if they have shunned us.

EMAIL AND COMMENT US:
stepsoffaithblog@yahoo.com

Brandon

Ok, So I'm Stubborn

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine & Brandon) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:51:00 +0000

I can't speak with the experience of a pastor or that of a seasoned Bible scholar but there are some lessons you learn just by living so I won't quote theologists or experts in the field of Christianity. I am the expert on my own life and besides, personal experiene is more valuable than 10,000 quotes from a book. I think to understand this lesson, you have to know a little about my past.

I was always different, to say the least. As early as fifth grade I started noticing that I didn't act at all like my peers. While other kids lived for play time and hated with a passion anything academic, I was a bookworm. Even though I valued playtime too, I was way more passionate about books and numbers. I remember at the tender age of 8, I tried to master the Bible. I failed, if you could call it failing, because I couldn't really understand it.

As I grew older, the differences became painfully more apparent. I didn't talk like the other kids. I didn't dress like them and I definitely didn't think like them. I was always more "innocent" and much wiser. I didn't see the point or the appeal in half of what my friends did. I wasn't a social outcast though, just different and that prevented me from becoming fully "socially acceptable" in middle school. I was the only one of my peers who carried a Bible around in school (I got saved in grade 7) and of course people thought that was strange. I was too "good". I hated being so different.

After awhile (in highschool) my differences were less poignant. I became more accepted (very accepted actually) as I started to branch out and find other interests. I had more "friends" than ever before and I thought I was absolutely in love with my middle school sweetheart. Needless to say, I started forgetting about God as people began to open up to me and I to them.

God let me do my own thing for awhile and then He decided one day to start whipping me back into shape. And, oh, what a whipping it was!

He started off slowly. Just allowing a little stress and strife to creep up here and there. He was trying to get my attention: I didn't listen. So the issues became a little more pressing. Still, I ignored Him. There came a time when the things God was telling me were practically being screamed at me. I covered my ears and went my way. I felt that I knew what was best for me. I was only 16 but already very foolish and arrogant.

God changed that. In a matter of months He managed to strip me of my finances, my happiness, and worst of all my "beloved" boyfriend of two years. I felt that life was so unfair. I couldn't understand why He was punishing me. I thought I needed those things to make me me. I was wrong.

God showed me that I was way too dependent on other people. I was trying to keep up an image of having it all together and I was so desperate to do it that I was willing to compromise almost everything, even my faith.

He stopped me before I destroyed myself.

It took a long time before we saw any progress though. I was stubborn. I kept trying to go back to my old life but God kept letting me get hurt so that He could get my attention.

A few months ago, I finally decided to listen. Since that time, we've made huge strides. I've learned sooooo much over these last two years and it's funny because I didn' even realize how much I had learned until very recently (like right now). Happy to say that I've finally given God a complete "YES, LORD" and it feels so good.

My advice to anyone who is struggling with letting go and letting God is simple: God gives you a choice. You can choose to let it go or not but with every choice there is a consequence. If you choose to let go, God will come in and start working in your life like He never has before. On the other hand, if you're stubborn, God will come in and break you down first. He'll let you suffer because of the choices you make and eventually you'll get tired enough to let Him take over. No matter what choice you make though, God will have His way. And I could sit here and tell you to go the easy route but the truth is people are hardheaded and most of us are going to be stubborn and try to do it our way regardless. Don't worry, God is patient and He's capable of turning you around one way or another. I'm living proof.
~Jasmine

LET IT GO

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine & Brandon) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 02:29:00 +0000

There are people who can walk from you. And hear me when I tell you this!
When people can walk away from you: let them walk.
I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you.
I mean hang up the phone.
When people can walk away from you let them walk.
Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.
The Bible said that,"They came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us." [1 John 2:19]
People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay.
Let them go.
And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person, it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead. You've got to know when it's over.
Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good - bye. It's the tenth spiritual, gift, I believe in good - bye. It's not that I'm hateful; it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have, He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay.
Let them go!!
If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to . . . LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains . . . LET IT GO!!!

If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth . . .LET IT GO!!!

If someone has angered you . . . LET IT GO!!!

If you are hanging on to some thoughts of evil and revenge . . . LET IT GO!!!

If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction . . . LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents . . . LET IT GO!!!

If you have a bad attitude. . . LET IT GO!!!

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better . . . LET IT GO!!!

If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him. . . LET IT GO!!!

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship. . . LET IT GO!!!

If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves. . . LET IT GO!!!

If you're feeling depressed and stressed. . . LET IT GO!!!

If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying, "Take your hands off of it," then you need to . . . LET IT GO!!!

Let the past be the past.Forget the former things.God is doing a new thing for 2008!!
LET IT GO!!!

~By the honorable Bishop T.D. Jakes

~Jasmine

The Glory Of Suffering

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine & Brandon) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 02:15:00 +0000

My God, I have never thanked You for my thorn. I have thanked You a million times for my roses but not once for my thorn. I have been looking forward to a world where I shall get compensation for my cross; but I have never thought of my cross as itself a present glory. Teach me the glory of my cross; teach me the value of my thorn. Show me that I have climbed to You by the path of pain. Show me that my tears have made my rainbows.
(Courtesy of "The Power of Prayer" by Charlie Jones and Bob Kelly)

~Jasmine

FORGET LAST WEEK, YESTERDAY, AND FIVE MINUTES AGO!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine & Brandon) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:04:00 +0000

First I want to congratulate you on being saved if you weren't already (if you are reading this and still aren't, check out the "Being Saved Is The First Step" Post). That is really the first step, and I promise you, heaven is rejoicing right now! Thats what heaven does when a soul has been won.

The first thing you should do is write down the date and time you got saved. This is an important milestone in your life, the best is yet to come. Not to say that there won't be struggles, but all things do work together for the good of them that love the Lord.

Next, go get yourself a good study bible. These are a little steep in price, but COMPLETELY worth it. If you already have a bible, study or not, START BIBLE STUDY!!! The bible gives us plenty of examples about how the WORD healed them. Faith doesn't come by seeing, but hearing the word of God. So when you are alone, read out loud. You won't understand the bible and its terminology at first, but KEEP READING, God said that he rewards those that diligently seek him, and he also says that he will give us something called revalation knowledge, which means that he will not only give us understanding of the text, but understanding BEYOND the text that will bless you and others.

Now that you have your bible study, KEEP A JOOURNAL. That is so important. We should write to God, write prayers (prayer is just talking to God no matter what format), write down our favorite scriptures with their explanations and other things that we see fit (pertaining to God and his word and our lives in Christ only).

I REALLY hope this helped someone on their journey to becoming a 'them". God always rewards his "them" (a little bit of revalation knowledge, read your bible and see if you know what I mean). Leave us comments, and email us at stepsoffaith@yahoo.com. Thats VERY VERY important to us, your feedback. We also want you to contact us if you need help with scriptures or your general walk with God, or ANYTHING Christian we can help you with. Be Blessed.

Brandon

It's Ok To Mess Up

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine & Brandon) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:41:00 +0000

Not that I have attained or am already perfected; but I press on that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
~Philippians 3:12 -14

The one thing that many people often forget and that definitely intimidates unbelievers is the idea that Christians are supposed to be perfect. This isn't true. Yes, we are supposed to strive to live sinless lives and in a perfect society, we would but we all know that this world is far from perfect. God knows this too. The apostle Paul wrote the above verse for that very reason. He knew that there was no way he would ever be perfected in this life.

God isn't asking you to do the impossible. Sure, He wants you to sin as little as possible but the fact of the matter is, we are human. It is in our nature to sin. The Bible tells us that we are born into sin and shaped in iniquity. So if God isn't looking for perfection, what does it mean to be Christian?

Being Christian centers around one thing: CHRIST. Jesus died for our sins even before we had the chance to commit any. He knew that we would mess up (over and over again) so He died and came back. The death was the atonement for our sins. The resurrection happened because He knew that we would still need Him. Because of Him, we don't gain righteousness through actions but through Faith in God.

God has given each of us a purpose to fulfill. Sin is just Satan's way of throwing us off track but what we need to remember when we mess up (and we WILL mess up from time to time) is that God is more concerned with our hearts than our actions. Take King David for example. He was said to be a "man after God's own heart" despite the fact that he was a murderer, adulterer, and fornicator. By our standards David was an evil man but to God he was a shining example of human weakness and dependency on God.

What I have learned in my looonngg 18 years of living, is that God allows us to stumble so that we can learn. Instead of beating yourself up about your shortcomings learn to use them to bring you closer to God. Remember, God says when you ask for forgiveness He will forgive and remember your sins no more. So do like Paul did and you forget them as well. Everything God has for you is in your future there's no reason for you to be stuck in the past.

I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation has come. ~ Romans 11:11

~Jasmine

Being Saved Is The First Step

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine & Brandon) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:52:00 +0000

GET SAVED!!!

First I would like to thank you for reading our blogs, we are very excited to share our journey with you, as we grow, we want you to grow too. We hope you laugh, cry, sing, and praise right along with us.

Now we must get down to business. Being saved is important. It says so in Romans Ch.10: v.9(That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved). In John Ch.3: v.16 (For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life), we see the main Christian belief, if we really believe this in our hearts, and confess Romas Ch. 10: v.9 with our mouths, then we are saved. The very first step into Christianity, also known as Greatness.

In essence, anything from this blog on out means nothing without being saved and having God in our hearts. That is something EVERY Christian, being young or old, should have in common. Me and Jasmine BOTH have this in common. You and all of your Christian friends should have it in common as well. So before you continue this journey I want YOU, yes you, to get out of your computer seats and repeat the following:

Father in the name of Jesus,

Help me to forgive those who have sinned against me, so You can forgive me for sinning against You.

Lord I'm sorry for all the wrong I've done, and want to accept You as my Lord and Savior

Lord please forgive me for all my sins, those known AND unknown

Lord thank You for sending Your son Jesus Christ so that I might have ABUNDANT life, and forgiveness

Lord I believe that You sent Your only son to die on the cross just for me, and i believe that he rose from the dead on the 3rd day.

Thank You for saving me!

GO PRAISE, REJOICE! THOSE DAYS OF OLD HAVE BEEN PUT BEHIND YOU! YOU ARE NOW SAVED AND A CHRISTIAN!

WELCOME!

Brandon

Welcome

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine & Brandon) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:39:00 +0000

Welcome to Steps Of Faith. This blog was made in order to help other people - young and old - along their journey with God. At Steps Of Faith we understand that walking with God can be hard, confusing, and lonely at times. Sometimes, as a Christian, you feel so out of place in the world. We came to let you know that this is normal. God says that the world will never really love or understand you because it never could love and understand Him (See 1 John 3:1). So relax, they hated Jesus way before they hated us! lol. But on a serious note, we aren't super perfect. We have struggles just like everyone else but we feel that our shortcomings and struggles can help others. God says that when you learn something, you should share it with others so that's what we've decided to do. Granted, we don't know EVERYTHING because we're still young (17 and 18) but we are still able to be used by God. Whenever possible we will provide you all with outside resources and scriptures just so you know we're not making things up. With that being said, enjoy the experience!
Jasmine & Brandon