I’m Alesia and I am a home schooled Christian teen trying to adapt to today’s crazy society.
Welcome to my blog!
My blog name means several things: By Reaching Higher I am challenging myself to Do and Be better in all that I am.
Instead of settling for the normal, I’ll Reach Higher by setting goals to grow strong in both my personal life and my spiritual life with God.
In this blog, I will post about My Spiritual Journey and the discoveries I make as I learn more about God and all the amazing things He's done!
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12
Rebellious: defying or resisting some established authority, government, or tradition; insubordinate; inclined to rebel.
Before reading "Do hard things" I thought rebelling was normal, I thought "If I rebel, it's fine, it's what everyone expects from teenagers."
Then I began waiting, expecting myself to rebel. How or when I would rebel, I didn't know.
I never really though of rebelling as evil, so when I looked up "Rebelling" in my Bible index, I was surprised at some of the verses I found.
One verse explained that rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft. (1 Samuel 15:23)
Then I realized, rebelling, in any way, is wrong, and if rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, then I want no part in it!
For the longest time, I didn't even know why teenagers rebelled.
It wasn't until recently that I began looking into it.
I began reading every single "Rebel" related verse in the Bible, learning what God thinks of it.
Q: So why do teenagers rebel?
A: To be in control of their own life, and live by their own rules, despite what others may say.
Did you know that an angel once rebelled against God?
The punishment; he was thrown out of heaven.
Satan thought he could do better then God, he thought of himself as more powerful.
Satan wanted things done his way, and that's what it means to rebel.
Ignoring the rules and doing your own thing.
Psalm's 78:17 says "Yet they kept on doing their own thing and rebelling against the Most High,"
When we rebel against our parents, or any other an authority figure in our life, we are rebelling against God.
Yes, unfortunately it is very common for teenagers to rebel, but that doesn't make it right or mean we all need to rebel.
Each time I disobey my parents, or God, I am rebelling, I'm not proud of it, but I've done it.
Instead of rebelling against God, we'll "rebel against rebellion" and prove to the world that not all teenagers have to rebel.
“Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him.” Exodus 23:21
“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him,” Deuteronomy 21:18
As a child, I loved to spread God's word. I would tell all my friends about God and His son Jesus, and all about His plan for each of us. I knew enough about Satan to know that I didn't want anyone to fall into his trap.
I remember at one time, when I was about ten, we had a Japanese student staying with us. Hiromi was amazing, and like a big sister to me. I loved her and wanted her to know about God.
So one night, I stayed up for hours telling her about Jesus, and how I knew when I died, I was going to Heaven. I told her how Jesus loves us all and wants us all to go to Heaven to be with Him.
Now remember, I was ten at the time, so what I said probably wouldn’t sound exactly like that. But you get the point.
By the end of the night, she asked Jesus into her heart. She was seventeen, and I was ten. That was one of the best moments of my life.
Then a few years later, I brought our eleven year old Korean student to Christ. He was so excited, he talked non stop about it to his friends. I was so thrilled to know that I was able to bring him so much joy.
I continued to tell friends about Christ for years. Then I had one friend, who was rather stubborn, and didn't want to really listen. She said she went to church, so she knew about God and Jesus.
When I asked her "Did you ask them into your heart?" she said "No, but I used to go to church, and gave tithing and read the Bible."
That made me sad. So many people think that because they go to church, and read the Bible, they are a Christian.
I wanted to tell her more, show her how exciting, and amazing it is to be a Child Of God, but I didn't want to seem pushy.
I had already talked to her about Heaven and Hell, and she said she knew all about them. But I wanted to much so tell her more! But I didn't think I could do that without seeming pushy. And she didn't appear to want to discuss the topic anymore.
So that brings up a tough question. How can we minister to our friends, and tell them about Christ, without being preachy or pushy? Which might just end up driving them way.
It's hard, because many people find religion a very touchy subject. It was always hard for me to get to the point in the discussion, where we were both comfortable about what was being said.
It was always awkward at first. All this religion talk suddenly coming out of no where? I always worried people would think I was nuts for brining it up.
Thanks to God, they never did. And I know it was His will that they come to Him, otherwise they could have easily turned away and thought I was insane.
Just imagine, this seventeen year old, listening to a ten year old minister to them. Some people would think "Oh she's only ten. Why should I listen to her? She doesn't know what she's talking about!" then walk away.
I am so glad Hiromi and our other student listened to me though. Because they did, they now know about Gods undying love.
I also ministered to a young girl that my Mother used to baby-sit. She asked Christ into her heart as well. And my mom told her little brother about Christ. He too asked Him into his heart.
I was so proud that we had been able to minister to those two children. They grew up in a very non-Christian home, and it would have been very hard for them to find out about Christ on their own.
Honestly, I can't tell you how to minister without seeming pushy. What I can tell you is, don't bring the subject up over and over and over again if they don't want to hear it.
It will only make them not want to listen all that much more. If you drop the subject for the time being, God will work on softening their heart. Who knows, one day they may come to you for spiritual advice and want to learn more about Christ.
Mark 16:15
And He said unto them, "Do into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation!"
Life has been a mess lately. Things seem to be out of whack, and it really feels like it can't possibly get any worse.
It's been hard to keep faith in God during this. But for some reason, I can't help but trust that He knows what He's doing, and things will turn out. Eventually.
But lately, the quote "Everything happens for a reason." has been stuck in my mind.
If things in our life aren't going well, then does that mean they aren't going well for a reason? And if so, what reason is that?
Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
So what is the purpose for the things going wrong in life right now?
I can't help but feel like God has a big plan, but for some reason, He doesn’t want to show us yet. It makes me feel a bit confused.
Sometimes I also have to wonder, "God knows all, He know what will happen and what has happened. So why doesn't He answer our questions when we ask Him to show us what's going to happen?"
I can't make all this seem like I am doubting God. Because I am not, and I never want to!
But sometimes as a Christian (maybe this is just me, because I know some Christians, and I am sure they don't feel this way, EVER!) I almost get jealous. Jealous because God won't share any information with me.
Now I know that sounds silly, and like I said, I might be the only one who feels that way, but that's how I feel.
I pray to God every night that He will help keep me strong, and help me through the next day. And He does.
But that strength seems to wear thin faster and faster every day, and soon I'm dragging my feet through the day. Wishing I could just hide somewhere until something better comes along.
I really envy how Christians lived back in Bible times.
God seemed to close to everyone, and Jesus walked among the earth like one of us.
But as much as I sometimes feel confused by the way things in life happen, I know that God will do what's best for us. Even if it doesn't always happen the way I want it to!
Proverbs 25:28
“Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.”
Its a tradition. Every new years, we all make a list of things we would like to accomplish or change in the upcoming year.
I make this list every year. The problem is, I never stick to it for more then a few days, maybe a week if I'm lucky.
Most of the things on my list are things such as, Clean up after myself, be nicer to sisters, read the Bible every day and night and write in my journal every day.
Well that list never lasts long, and I soon find myself back in my old routine.
The problem is, trying to find a way to stay on track.
Well this past June, I decided I was going to be much stronger Christian. Pray everyday, read my bible everyday, and talk to God more, and actually listen to Him.
When I first started that I worried. "What if it's just like all my other resolutions and I cant do it for more then a few days or weeks?"
Well that thought stuck in my head, so every night, I prayed. I prayed that God would help me stay on track and not go back to my old ways.
And guess what? Five months later, I'm still right on path. God's helped to keep me going where I should, and I'm hearing Him louder and more clear then ever now.
I have never heard God speak to me more then I have in the past five months
I'm learning things about Him that I never knew. Learning to pray in ways I never thought of.
I am ecstatic that I have managed to stay on track so long with this, but I know, if it weren't for God. I would have lost my way a hundred times in the past five months.
Now I may not be a pro at keeping my new years resolutions list, but that something I'm still working on.
I'm jut happy to be at this point in life, where I've never felt closer to God!
Ever feel like when you pray, God must not hear them, because nothing seems to change?
Well, it has seemed to be that way in my life allot lately.
That doesn’t mean that God isn't listening, or He doesn’t hear our prayers, most of the time, there is so much more going on behind the scenes. Things that must happen before our prayers can be answered.
When times get hard, we have to remember to keep faith and trust God to help us get through the hard times.
Many times in my life, I am reminded of Job.
A man in the bible who loved and worshiped God greatly.
Even when he lost everything, his family, his servants, his animals and even his health, every day he would kneel down to thank God.
Yes, thank God. though he was going through so much pain and suffering in his life, he still thanked God!
Hearing that story makes me realized that my life is so much better then that, yet I am so easily angered when things go wrong! Why?
I have my health, I have my family and a home, what more do I need?
Sure, there are my earthly needs, but we’ll never have all of those!
When Job lost everything, he still worshiped God, yet when I simply loose something, I find myself getting upset with God for not telling me where it is.
I can be so easily angered to God, thinking He is the cause of the problems in my life, when actually, I am!
I cause any and all problems in my life. If something bad happens, why do I blame God instead of myself? Surely I am the one that lost that item, not God, right?
Then why do I get mad at God, saying “Why will you not show me where that item is lost? Help me find it! I know that you know where it is, not help me!” instead of saying “Why am I so careless, why did I loose that?”
We all know that when we are going through hard times in our life, we are more likely to blame God. But when we are having a good day, and things seem to be going our way, we are thanking Him?
If we have a good day, it's because we have set our minds on having a good day. We have a cheerful attitude and a joyful heart, so there for, we have a good day.
I try to live happily everyday, but it can be very hard!
Trying not to snap at siblings or parents is hard. Thanking God and admitting my mistakes instead of blaming Him.
Admit when I have been wrong with my parents or siblings, and get rid of my prideful spirit.
Once we have all learned that God is not the cause for misery in our life, we can learn to ask His help, instead of demanding it, and we can learn to have patience with Him, cause one thing I know for sure, He definitely has allot of patience with us!
What makes a little girl beautiful? To get to the true definition of beauty, we have to start off where we left: childhood.
I am fascinated with the beauty of children. There is just something about them that shines. They don’t meet the “expectations” of the culture. They don’t always have perfect skin, perfect hair, or the perfect body; however, no one could deny that the face of a child is beautiful.
Why?
I”m convinced it’s love. When a little girl knows that she is love, she exudes confidence and beauty. She’s comfortable in her own skin. In fact, she could not even imagine being someone else. She is true to herself because she knows that no matter what, there will always be someone who loves her.
Have you ever seen a little girl who doesn’t believe she is loved? She’s the girl whose eyes are downcast. She’s the girl who stands at a distance. She’s the one who doesn’t believe that she is beautiful.
To be loved is more than a gushy feeling; to be loved means to be beautiful. Love IS beautiful. It transforms. It builds up. It gives confidence to face life. When love is absent, beauty is absent.
Christ’s love for us is what makes us beautiful; it’s what makes us shine. It is the transforming power that creates beauty…even when we don’t look like the pictures in the magazines.
Most of us, though, don’t live as though we are loved. We don’t believe that a love like that exists.
Let me tell you, it does exist.
I used to think the same way you probably think now. I used to believe that no one loved me. They may have said it, but I didn’t believe it. The “love of Jesus” was preached at me time and time again, but I reacted with disdain. Yes, the idea sounded good. The concept was encouraging. But was it truth?
I was not convinced.
Yes, I knew God so loved the world. I knew that He sent His son to die in my place. But that wasn’t enough. I wanted to know that He loved me. I didn’t want to be one of many…I wanted to be the one. The one whom He loved. The one whom He saw. The one whom He sacrificed His son.
I didn’t want the “whole world” kind of love; I just wanted to know that He loved me.
It took a long time, but here is what I found out: He loves me. Not because I am one of many, but because I am me. He made me. He sees me. He knows me by name. He sent His son to die for me, despite my past (in spite of my past, actually!).
And He loves you. Not because you are included in the census of the world. Not because you just “happen” to be here. Not because He has to love you.
He loves you because He made you, and He would love you if you were the only person walking this earth.
That is truth. That is transforming. That is beautiful.
Today’s challenge is to search for truth. Search for love because without it, beauty is only a replica that will fade. True beauty is not physical perfection; it is knowing that you are completely and divinely loved by the One who created the world.
Verse: “…May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:23)
For as long as I can remember, I have always loved thinking about how Christ will one day come back for us.
We will then go up to heven to be with Him for eternity.
Doesn't that seem hard to believe? That such an amazing, perfect place as Heaven exists?
For me the most amazing part is trying to grasp that we will live forever! Forever is such a long time, forever is forever.
There is no end to forever, and just writting this is giving my goosbumps.
Heaven is such a wonderful place, it's thrilling to think about the day we will al go there to live, FOREVER!
Though, as thrilled as I am to go to Heaven, I have to be honest, it scares me.
I'm not sure why, but it does. Maybe it's because I will be there forever, and maybe the thought of infinity scares me? I don't know.
I am excited to go to heaven, but I feel like there is so much I want to acomplish first, before we are taken up.
If Christ is going to return during my lifetime, I dont want it to be untill I am about 50.
It may sound silly to say that, but I want to be able to live most of my life before being taken up.
Maybe you may feel the same, maybe not.
I know it is kind of silly to want that, considering once we go to heaven, anything we have acomplished on earth will no longer matter.
I know I have mentioned this verse in a previous blog post, but I still love to re-read it over and over again.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
16: For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17: After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
Some people predict that Christ will return in 2012, but I dont believe that the date of Christs second coming is something that can be predicted.
At times I think His coming wont be for another hundred to thousand years, then at other times I think it could be during my life time.
No one can be sure, all we can be sure of is that He is coming.
He promised His descpiles after He had risen from the dead, and we know that He is preparing a place for us.
In Revelations, we can find a list of events that will occur before He comes back.
Some of the things on that list have already occured, and now that there is talk of a one world currency, people are considering that Christs return is closer then we thought.
As I said, we will never know when He will return, untill the clear signs, such as a trumpet blow that all of earth will hear and when it happens, we will all know it, even those who did not believe.
His followers and believers, both dead and alive will kneel down to worship Him, but those who did not believe or aski Him into their hearts, will be terrified.
If Christ does return during my life time, whether it be tomorrow or in fifty years, I want to be ready!
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