It's been a few months, but here I am...

These last 8 months for me have been a whirlwind of adventure, change and purpose.

I haven't wrote a blog since the middle of December and much has happened in my life and God has taught me many things.

Last year this time I was leading a house of prayer ministry for the girls department full time in mentoring/teaching/mothering/out reach life style and loving Jesus for all to see on display in every way possible while working part time at Chick-fil-a. So all of that ended in November. I thought I was going to stay there for a couple years... that didn't happen AT ALL lol. I went back to South Florida for a few months and in that time frame my childhood best friend got married, my two sisters had their babies, I got to spend time with family and reconnect with some old friends a little bit. In the midst of that I had a lot of time to seek God and ask the Lord what my next step was in the midst of the few months. I had a strong feeling to step down from full time ministry work in Kissimmee and I could feel transition happening in my heart and mind. I knew I wasn't suppose to be in South Florida and Kissimmee's time was up in my life for that season so I was kinda confused and frustrated trying to figure out what to do now...  But I still gave myself to prayer and trusted God He would show me where to go and what to do next. So while praying for those 3-4 months I was asking and seeking specific things and one day while I was cooking dinner for my parents I get this text from someone in Orlando asking if I would be interested in being a full time nanny for a 3 month old. In that conversation it was pretty much my answer to ALL my prayers to the months prior in MANY ways plus it was a job offer in Orlando. From connecting with the right people I took the job needless to say and the next month I moved back to Orlando to be a nanny. In the midst of all of that happening I was TOTALLY blown away at God's goodness and faithfulness (I still am by the way, like everyday). When you think God isn't listening or when you think He doesn't care or any of those things, just know they are straight up lies from the devil. Jesus honors faithfulness in prayer and the word of God says in Hebrews 11 that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him and in Proverbs it says the people of God are always directed by the Lord Himself. I say this to encourage you, when it may seem like you are confused or have no idea what to do next God always does and HE knows the right "door" to open at the right time. In those few months in south Florida my relationship with Christ grew to another level, I was super transparent in prayer and trusted Him with all of my next steps and took Him at His word with Who HE says He is at His very nature.  

While I was in South Florida for those few months the Holy Spirit showed me what simple obedience looks like in the "mundane" of life and how Father God takes joy in the most little ways of servant hood with family and how to cherish each season and to take each step at a time and to what it looks like to live in the present and not to be too consumed with the future all at the same time. 

So I've been back in Orlando for the last 5 months  and I jumped back onto youth ministry leadership at OHOP and I'm loving it. 

While being a nanny I've had some long days with the little baby and she has to stay inside most of the time becasue she is so small and the poor thing over heats so easily. In the midst of this time I know it's a season of being hidden in the secret place with God, He's been so amazing in so many ways. He meets me in the searching and seeking of long days with worship music playing the chapters of the bible being played (thank you Jesus for audio bible apps!) He's been growing me in the place of study of His word and He's been showing me who He is all throughout the day while I take care of the little baby girl. He is always present and is so kind and gentle yet so strong and full of grace and truth and He is always pursuing my heart and leading me into more and more freedom and joy! 

While seeking Him out, He's given me more clear direction for even the next step of my life after this nanny job is over. When I was feeling transition in my heart while in south Florida I knew it was a more then just not being there and wondering what to do next, I knew my life was going to be going a different direction but I didn't know what that was or what it looked like. In the back of my head I wanted to further education and get some more leadership training and travel. So I was looking around at ministry schools and seeing what would be a good fit for what I was going to need. What I didn't tell you in the beginning of the blog was that I went to Winter Ramp conference for the new year, I found out that they had a school and I got all kinds of excited on the inside but didn't really vocalize any of it much. Over the few months while praying about it I've made a decision and I know God is behind it. I am going to be moving next year to Hamilton Alabama and go to the Ramp school of ministry for a couple years to further education in the bible and with ministry and leadership classes! I'll be leaving August of 2016 and I'll be there for 9 months straight and I have the summer off. 

Here I am in the mean time preparing and getting ready!

I'm just so amazed at how well Jesus for real really knows me inside and out and has so many plans in store for me. Just to see Him lead and guide me so well is so awesome. 

That's a update on me and my life and I hope to post again before next year this time lol

-Maranatha :)
P.S. here is some info about the RAMP!
http://theramp.org/school/

time flys

The end of the year is coming to a close and I don't even know how it went by so fast. When your life is non-stop yet you enjoy each day and other days you go through it with yourself it's easy for it to fly by you. I'm not in Orlando anymore, I moved to Kissimmee and oh boy has Jesus had His hands in all of it! For the last 5 months I was a house mom/teacher/preacher/intercessor/friend to about 11 girls of the ages 17-26 and a little baby was in the mix of it all in one house with two bedrooms and one shower. It has been unforgettable! I am a leader and the women's discipleship director at a House of prayer through the bible school internship and we all live in community. Next door there was the guys house with 14 guys living there as well. We all went after Jesus together... We all encountered God in so many ways with each other. In those 5 months I realized that I for real cannot do anything in my own ability and I had to trust the Holy Spirit and depend on His leadership for just about EVERYTHING to say the least. I learned what accountability was on a whole new level, there isn't much you can hide while living with so many people who are all going after Jesus with all of who they are. I learned that without love from God gifts from Him don't mean much and praying for people is amazing and sharing the gospel is legit and I enjoy doing it, yet how is someone going to remember you by how you treat them and how you speak will leave a much bigger impact mixed with the gospel and prayer. I also came to the realization of you can know all the stuff you want to know but if someone doesn't see the preaching lived out in your life they will never have respect for you. I grew a lot and learned so much from the interns by just watching them walk so closely with Jesus. Getting to Kissimmee within itself was crazy, when you tell Jesus I surrender and I want your will to be done and not mine, He is faithful to answer it and change anything for that to happen. When you are open to obey The Lord and embrace the shifting in your heart if there is one, while seeking God in praying is a powerful thing. During these last few months I have really come to realize that if you don't know who you are as a child of God then operating in your assignment on earth in His kingdom will be much harder and so tiring and frustrating. When you love Jesus you will be willing to do anything for Him when you understand that it all comes from a place of love in your relationship with Him, not out of duty. In the midst of these past few months I have also realized and experienced that freedom is a beautiful thing, in God's presence resides the fullness of joy. When religion and traditional mindsets of what church is suppose to be like according to the world get removed you are able to see much clearer of what it actually is suppose to look like through God's eyes by searching out the word of God. The closer I got with the Holy Spirit the more I realized I was weak and broken about 100% of the time in prayer; it's only by His grace He made me strong and complete. One last thing, Jesus cares about each detail of your heart and is a really jealous lover!
This is a little update and encouragement for you. I still have a long way to go but I'm not going to get off the road of my walk with Christ, He is faithful to the end and He enjoys each step of the way weather you fall or stumble He will never leave you!

this is what I've been up to this year with Jesus

These past 4 months alone have been packed with lessons and hurdles yet it’s been full of grace from the Lord. This year has gone by so fast already and yet the Holy Spirit has been doing such a fast and quick work for me to grow in the Lord at a rapid pace. I can feel the time is getting short and Jesus is returning soon. The attack for me to be in Orlando has been crazy this year, I know I am supposed to be here and God has huge plans for me. I’ve learned how to stand strong in who I am and how to overcome the lies of the enemy by being found in the word of God. My “roots” have been growing deep in God’s love for me. Healing of my heart has taken place, confidence in Jesus has come about, and trusting God as Abba has been established on firm foundation of my heart. So much has happened. So much is going to be happening. In the midst of it all I just want to be spending time with Jesus in the secret place hearing from the Holy Spirit. I just to make Jesus smile by choosing to be with Him when no one is watching, to die to my flesh by putting away distractions of this life. I just want my eyes to be focused on Jesus in all things I do in life. I want to worship Jesus more than the songs I sing during a service. I want to live what I say before the eyes of God himself. I want to be in the reality of Jesus is actually with me everywhere I go. I want to walk in the knowing of the Holy Spirit is alive on the inside of me. I want to act from a place of a heart connect with Jesus, to release His love and power through the words I say and the actions I do when everyone is watching. I want to be a person of the presence of God, that others would be refreshed by just hanging around me. In the midst of craziness and business of life I want to be one of peace and rest in Christ alone. I have learned that the most important titles you need is Son of God and Bride of Christ. I have come to the conclusion I am nothing without the Holy Spirit. The fact that you will be “burned out” in ministry if your source isn’t the secret place with Jesus and knowing He enjoys you and really does love you. I have come to the conclusion of the world will see Jesus through how you act and how you carry yourself, how you say words and what you do when everyone is around. I’ve realized that gifting and anointing can’t be taken back, yet it’s the character of who you are that people will remember the most, not the things you did. I have learned that from the place of intimacy with Jesus flows power to overcome the accusation the enemy throws at you day after day. Seeing how God prepares the willing and using the simple yes of obedience is amazing to me. When you get close to God the by-product is removing idols of your life, the by-product is loving people, the by-product is full heart surrender, the by-product is not caring about the things of the world but knowing Jesus is more than aware and has it all under control. These past 4 months I have learned that when you have questions in your heart and you are unsure about things, The Holy Spirit will make it very clear in what direction He wants you to go in if you bring it all before Him in prayer. I have realized the power of love from the father in heaven by removing all fear in me. The freedom and surrender comes when you know that Jesus actually enjoys you and that He is not upset with you. That Jesus wants a best friend He can share secrets with and trust. The burden for this generation has been getting stronger and heavier on my heart, the more I seek Jesus out the more I realize the need for labors in my generation to guide teens and college students in the right direction of a Godly path and lifestyle. I have seen that God doesn’t look at how old you are yet He looks directly into the heart of a person. I have come to the conclusion of God doesn’t just want a little bit of you but He want ALL of you in ALL areas of life. I’ve realized and have learned for myself that when you ask God to take you out into the deeper water s of who He is in your life He won’t let you go yet He will guide you and take you along for a journey that you will never forget. 

I've been thinking and praying...

I've been doing some thinking lately. I've been thinking about my generation, no surprise there. My generation needs a fresh touch and encounter fro Jesus Himself. A fresh fear of The Lord and the power of His love in a tangible way. Not only have I been doing thinking, I have been praying and interceeding for this to happen. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. This generation needs to be knocked down off thier "high horse" just like saul was before he became paul. This generation needs a encounter of the glory and light of Jesus and needs to stop being full of prideful and human reasonings. This generation needs to walk in humility and realize that teachings of the world won't deepen thier relationship with Holy Spirit one bit. This generation has blinders on because they don't want to sstep outside of thier comfort zone and speak out for Jesus. That needs to change. Jesus died for this generation to walk in thier idenity as Sons and Daughters of the King of kings. Not only did Jesus die for this generation, He commissioned them to Love Him and obey Him, He commissioned them to go into ALL the world and make disciples. There is so much hope for this generation, they just need a encounter with Jesus Himself to wake them up from thier slumber and compromise. Human reasoning isn't going to get you anywhere but in a place of confusion and doubt and spiritually dead, take my word for it. God's proof of sending His son Jesus into the world and totally changing it in 3 years will surpass ALL of human reasoning out there. A love sick person will not deny who Jesus is in thier life. A person who has been encountered by God, forgiven offenses, has thier eyes on Jesus and lives in a place of humility will do more powerful things then the person who has a degree in all theology and religion if it just stops at mere knowledge and they doing nothing with the information by applying into a relationship with Jesus Himself through the Holy Spirit.  This generation  "knows" a lot but what are they doing with what they "know"?
I've been praying and crying out to Father God that this generation will put to action what they know, that they will have a spirit of wisdom and revelation, that they will have understanding and insight into who Jesus is. I'm tired of seeing this generation let the enemy just attack them at all sides and them do nothing about it. I'm tired of seeing this generation beilive lies and not rise up with a Holy anger and declare truth of God's word over thier lives. I've been praying for God to pour out His spirit on all flesh. I've been praying that God will rasie up a generation like Jacob and seek God's face and realize He is the only thing that satisfies. I've been praying that Elijah's will arise and pray and know who God is, so the things of the enemy will be destroyed by the fire of the Holy Spirit. When is this generation going to see that this is the state of the word. That others who haven't gotten encountered by God is wierd, those who don't read thier bible isn't cool, those who don't serve The Lord are losers... This culutre needs to change, and it can and will by teens and college kids stepping out in boldness with a relationship with Jesus being actively pursued and being deepened daily.
I've been thinking and I've been praying. This generation needs to be encountered by Jesus Himself, either by dreams or visions or a real life encouonter with God's glory and presence. It needs to happen. The only reason I write and say any of this is because I love my generation way to much to see them live a life of evil and one day go to hell if things don't change.
Will you join with me in prayer for this generation?

when I say a lot I mean A LOT

It's been a long time since I have posted a blog.
Jesus has for real taught me so much since I last wrote in November. He has showed me many things about life, how to love people, be a light in the darkness of the world, how to trust Him in every area of my life and He has shown me how to be confident in my identity as a daughter of God.
When I say it's been a lot I mean A LOT! He has changed my heart for the better, drawing closer to Him in the midst of the craziness of life and just looking to Him for everything. He has softened my heart in areas that were hard and cold. He has been showing me it's not about what I can do for Him but loving Him and serving Him in the place of prayer and devotion to His heart. He has taught me that worship isn't just something you do for 30 minutes on a Sunday but it's a lifestyle. He has taught me how to love people in a new way, not just to put on the evangelist face for outreaches but to one who carries the image of Christ everywhere I go and every person I talk to. He has shown me and taught me how to seek Him for the plans for my life instead of me trying to make something happen in my own power (which fails every time) He is the only one who gives direction and guidance. God's word (aka the bible) has the answers to ALL of life's questions. Jesus through the Holy Spirit has shown me and taught me that ministry isn't a title of something I do yet ministry is who I am becasue I have the same Spirit of Jesus living on the inside of me. I minister and love others becasue it's what Jesus did and still does. Through series of situations and conversations I've had with others I am starting to see a little more of how God works in the human heart in multiple ways and it blows me away each and every time. He has shown me through the battles of life I discover who I really am, He has shown me that in the brokenness of life I discover my destiny. When I seek out God who is eternal and has no beginning and no end, worship breaks out on it's own in various ways. It feels like the closer I get to my heavenly Father I have no idea who HE really is, yet I always come back for more, back to the place of prayer trying to maybe figure Him out through reading the bible, maybe just maybe I discover something new or get answers to the questions I have inside of myself to who Jesus really is at His core. Realizing that I will never know who I really am until I know who God really is. Seeking Him out and searching Him out, having a hungry heart and a desperate spirit just to know the maker of my entire being. If something comes up as a block between me and Jesus go to war on that topic and getting it out of my mind until Jesus has total rule and reign of me entirely. I'm not okay with knowing just a little about the man named Jesus, I must know more and more, I must share His love everyone I meet in some kind of way. I am a addict to the presence of God and if I don't get a touch of who He is I start to go crazy, my entire mind goes through withdrawals. He is the only thing that satisfies my soul. When I don't read the Bible I am not a fun person to be around, when I don't pray I get so frustrated and angry. Jesus is the answer to all my problems, resting in knowing who He is one of the most powerful things you could ever do. Repenting at a heart level and doing everything you can to make sure Holy Spirit has total domain of you is war at it's best. Knowing the clarity of why He has me here on this little thing called earth gives me confidence to walk in His ways at such a deep level. Making sure I surround myself with people who love Jesus keeps me accountable to live according to God's word, when I am out in the world it helps me love others because I know how God loves me. His never ending pursuit of me with jealous loves never fails even when I ignore Him I can still feel Holy Spirit on the inside wanting more of Jesus, it's such a crazy feeling. He is always there to pick you up when you fall, He is always there to brush off the dirt and wrap His presence around you and speak the still soft whisper to you on the inside of you and say "I don't know what your talking about, I forgave you remember, it's a new day, walk on the path I have given you with a clean slate. My love covers all sins". I become alive in the presence of my savior, my entire mood and mindset shifts when I just think on who God is and what He is doing and how He is at work in my life in so many various ways.
I just wanted to share with you on how Jesus has been maturing me and growing me into who He sees me as. I hope this encouraged you and made you want to spend more time with Him in the word and in His presence.

This is what I've been up to...

God has been doing so much in my life in Orlando in so many ways! 
I have been non-stop and been about My Fathers business in such a real way it blows me away most of the time. I have been still helping lead the youth department called Underground and God has been showing me how important this generation is in a whole new way like never before. I have a huge heart to see this generation walk in their identity as Sons and Daughters of the King of kings, to be free from what the world thinks of them and to be healed from all kinds of brokenness in their heart. I have also been blessed and honored to be a intercessor for a ministry called Shiloh life, it's such a honor to be apart of such a big part of God's heart for this generation. http://www.shilohlife.com/#!your-story/c18di
Along with praying for this generation I am also leading a discipleship group for teenage girls once a week, I just got done with a series on healing of emotional wounds of the heart. It was so powerful, teenage girls lives have been impacted and changed by the power of Holy Spirit and the Word of God in such a real way. 
Also, with praying and leading this generation into the things of Jesus this past weekend I helped lead and teach teens on how to evangelize and tell others about Jesus. The director of the youth ministry and her team is starting to have quarterly events called Luke 10:2 Generation, the purpose of this is to train and equip this generation to be answers to the prayers for others to be saved and for the proclamation of the gospel to go forth.  
In the midst of all of that I am still doing sound for the worship teams on a weekly basis. I also lead a evangelism group on Saturday mornings to the local farmers market to have Jesus be invaded into everyday life. I am still in Ministry school and I will have my ordination by summer of 2014. 
Also along with everything I am doing up here I am getting vision for a partnership team for my ministry. 
Jesus has been so faithful and Holy Spirit has been teaching me SO MUCH all the time. 
I hope this encourages you and helps you see and understand my heart beat for why I am on earth before Jesus comes back to earth. 

check out my facebook page for consistent updates :)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maranathas-journey/183544855090317?ref=hl

from the wilderness into the promise land

when God teaches you and shows you what you need to learn and see in the wilderness, when He tests you and throws things your way to see if you'll pass and you over come the enemy and the barriers of the resistance you then will enter the promise land in the spirit and step into what God had planned all-long. He first has to take you through the wilderness so you won't take the promise land for granite. it's the contending and the perseverance He is looking for, He is looking for the desperation and hunger in you, He will reward the heart that diligently seeks Him out. He will answer prayers when you start praying according to His will and His word. when you press through and keep fighting until you get a breakthrough that is when God shows up and fights for you. When you use the weapons of the word and of the spirit, that is when God will do the rest while you are in the midst of prayer and intercession. He will fulfill every need and desire as you spend time with Him in His presence. Keep running the race and don't give up because there will be nothing but rewards at the end of it all! there may be trials and hardship, persecution and letdowns but when you keep your eyes focused on the one on the throne of grace, that is when you get victory in your life in every area. Jesus is the only thing worth living for on earth, if you live for Him in life with no matter what you do or where your at, others will see it and your light will truly shine in the midst of the darkest of places. There is nothing like His presence, like His glory, nothing like His word, and your heart totally getting impacted by His Spirit. When you have your heart and mind on The Heavenly Father that is when you will pass the tests in the wilderness and Jesus will then take you by the hand and lead you into the promise land of His mercy and faithfulness, of miracles and wonders. He will reveal to you who you are to Him when you seek Him out in a real way in life. The convergence happens when you get victory in the "wilderness" times of life. You will be emptied of yourself in the wilderness that the only choice is surrender and being filled with Holy Spirit so that Jesus will take you by the hand into the promise land of your life. NEVER STOP SEEKING JESUS, YOU WILL BE REWARDED!! Keep fighting the good fight of faith and keep running the race, Jesus will give strength and endurance, He gives grace and freedom, He gives you all you need to get you to go where He wants you and needs you. HE IS REAL AND HE IS ALIVE!! Nothing is impossible with God, hold onto Him and He will get you through.
The wilderness leads to the promise land, keep your faith strong and keep your ears open to His voice and obey Him in all things and you will be amazed at what will happen to you...