Ishmael & Isaac...(The importance of waiting on God)

Have you ever felt like you could not survive if something did not happen? And to top it all off that very thing was taking forever to happen? Even worse...it was starting to feel like it would never happen? Yeah, me too! Take heart, my loves, we are not alone nor are we the first to ever feel this way.  These feelings and questions date back to the Old Testament. 

Let's take a look at Abraham's story in Genesis. Here is an overview... Abraham and Sara have been married for a while. They are longing for a son, but they have not yet received one. The culture of this time held having a son of very HIGH importance. This is how a father kept his bloodline going. Needless to say, having a son is something Abraham and Sara felt they could not live without. It is in the beginning of Genesis 15 that we start to see Abraham's impatience and despair (v.2-3). Abraham asks questions that many of us ask today... "Lord what good is what you give me if I don't have a husband, if I don't have a child, if I don't get this promotion, if I don't look this certain way...?" The list goes on. Like Abraham we begin to place our identity in the GIFTS God gives rather than the gift of His presence! I can always spot this in my life when I start having thoughts such as "if I have (insert desire), then I'll be happy." NO! I have Christ, and that is where my joy is (Nehemiah 8:10)! The gifts He gives are always to come secondary to the gift of relationship with Him. He wants our hearts, and to be our first priority. He is the lover of our souls! Anyway... immediately after Abraham complains God makes Him a promise (isn't it crazy how faithful He is even when we are faithless!?). He promises that Abraham WILL have a son to be the heir to his inheritance (v.5-6). Better yet, He promises Him better than what Abraham wanted for Himself (sidenote: His blessings are ALWAYS better than what we desire for ourselves or could attain on our own strength)!! 

Fast forward... Abraham and Sara wait 10 years and are still childless (now in ch. 16). Sara becomes impatient, and doubts God's promise. She tells her husband to have sex with their servant, Hagar, so she can have his child (crazy lady!). Hagar births a son and names him Ishmael. The description of Ishmael's life (v.11-12) is crazy. He is destined to be wild and in constant tribulation with everyone, including his family. This, my friends, is the product of getting ahead of God's timing. We have ALL birthed Ishmael's in our lives. We have rushed ahead of God, and created catastrophes. I've rushed ahead of God specifically in relationships...I've birthed nothing but heartache (for myself and others), insecurity, and guilt! Getting ahead of God makes our lives harder. I mean, imagine Sara having to watch a child grow that reminded her constantly of her husband sleeping with another woman. Ishmael was a constant reminder that Sara did not have the one thing she wanted most in the world. Obtaining what we thing we desire outside of God never satisfies!

 But God's grace....

Fast forward (last one! stick with me!)... Abraham is now 99 years old without a son from Sara (now in ch. 21), which knowing human biology means it is likely that his promise from God is not coming. Yet, it is NOW that God brings forth His promise (v.2, he is actually 100 years old when Isaac is born!). Yeah, our God is crazy awesome like that! Even though Abraham and Sara disobeyed God and stopped believing in His promise He STILL faithfully brought forth His promise. God does not promise anything He is not faithful to bring to us! Lastly, it is so profound what God says in v.12-13! Sara asks that Abraham banish his first son, Ishmael. The Lord tells him to comply to her request, but also tells him that Ishmael will be BLESSED! Woow! Although, in many cases we will have to part with the Ishmael's we birth (which is a painful process) God promises us that what we birthed will be blessed! He loves us so greatly! We are faithless, and He is faithful beyond what we could think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20) 

All of this to say... No matter where you are in life, take heart God will meet you there. If you are in a place of waiting for your "Isaac", then KEEP WAITING! God is faithful to fulfill every promise He has made to you. Embrace this time of waiting. He is preparing you for the blessing He is going to bring you. Your promotion is coming, your husband/wife is coming, healing is coming, deliverance is coming, your ISAAC is coming! Delight in the Lord (Psalm 37:4) Have you birthed some "Ishmael's"? It's alright! Lay them at Jesus' feet. Seek His guidance, and trust Him with them. He will bless them AND bring your "Isaac." How awesome is that? Our God is good, loving, and faithful! 

My prayer is this encourages you to wait on Him, cast your cares and Ishmael's upon Him, and trust in His love. He is absolutely crazy in love with you!! 

"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

SO CLOSE...

Ladies & gentlemen... :)

Because of YOU I have raised about $600!! 

**At this point if you have NO idea what I am referring to please take a moment to refer back to THIS post.**

Woohoo! I am so thankful for every single prayer and every single donation. I truly could not do this without you guys. 

THANKFULLY, by God's grace my half way point has been moved back a week. I now need $750 more by APRIL 26th. 

I can ONLY do this with YOUR help!! Please know that in donating you are not only helping me get to Bolivia, but you are partnering with a mission. This mission is to spread the hope, love, and gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost, broken, and hurting. We are going as a team with a heart for the people and a desire to spread hope to all that will give us the time of day. You are partnering with a mission to establish a church in this city so that even once we are gone the gospel is STILL spreading. That is such a big mission! And even if now is not the time for you to embark on one of your own you can still be a part. 

Every part in the body is needed for it to function. Your part is SO important to me. Below is the link to  give. Whatever gift God places on your heart to give is UNBELIEVABLY appreciated. Thank you in advance for helping me with God's mission! 

GIVE HERE! GIVE HERE! GIVE HERE! :)

Please keep myself, my team, and the hearts that we will encounter in Bolivia in your prayers. We are believing God for big things, and it would mean so much to have you stand along with us. 

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV)

I need YOUR help!

Dear Family and Friends,

I am writing this letter with an immense amount of excitement as I have been offered an amazing and unique opportunity through my church. This summer they are taking a team to Bolivia on a ten-day mission trip and because I truly have a heart for missions, I feel God is calling me to participate.

Our team will be leaving in June to go to Bolivia where we will be ministering through several outreaches.  We will have an opportunity to meet and minister to high school and college students, as well as support churches planted by previous teams. This is a mission after my own heart because of the passion I have for my generation. It is such a blessing to be able to minister to people who are in the same situations God has delivered me from. Not only will I be able to help in the transformation of other lives but I am fully certain that my life will also be forever changed. I believe this opportunity will strengthen my relationship with God.

In order to be a part of this mission I need your help. As a team member, I need to raise $2,500; the first $1,250 must be in by April 19^th, and the remaining amount by May 17^th. I am asking that you and anyone you know help me by partnering with me through a gift of $100, $50 or $25. However, if God is not laying one of those amounts on your heart, I appreciate any gift you are able to offer. As my partner, you not only invest in the Great Commission, but together we will have a ministry that will reach people all over the world.

Whether you are led to donate or not I do ask that you keep myself and my team in your prayers. This is a time that God is going to stretch us and deepen our faith as He prepares us for His mission. Please pray for our perseverance, for His provision, and for souls to be saved in Bolivia. Pray for the advancement of His kingdom.

I will follow up with you in approximately one week to ensure you’ve received my message. If you have any questions or would like to discuss further, please feel free to call, text, or email me. I would love to connect with you!

Giving Options:

Online - https://admin.everynation.org/giving-tendays/?missionary=100324008

Checks – Made out to Every Nation using my mission I.D. 100324008

**If you would like to send a check email me & I will get you an address to send it to! zkayy41@gmail.com**

My prayers are with you. Thanks so much for your support.

Love, Zakia Alcantara 

Lets take the mask off

       We live in a world that is hypersensitive to the outward image. Everything is about portraying a certain image and being socially accepted. Weakness is highly frowned upon, and most have traded emotions for numbness. But look at this verse... 

 ^"Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)

       Paul was so desperate for God to take away some ailment He was suffering with, but God kept saying "no." Why? Because it is in our weakness that God truly shows His glory. It is on our brokenness that He can show His power. To deny our weaknesses is like denying the Lord the opportunity to be glorified through us. It is also saying to God "the way you made me is wrong!" The word says that we are beautifully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14) and that we were created in His image (Genesis 1:26). Stand on those truths even in the midst of weakness. The Lord knows you inside and out (down to the NUMBER of hairs on your head!). He was also keenly aware of your purpose/future before you were born. Therefore, no weakness can stop you from the calling He's placed on your life! He is faithful to work through those weaknesses so that you are always humble and dependent on Him. 

       So Ladies & Gents, lets embrace our weaknesses in this season. I challenge you (and myself) to be transparent! We are accepted by God!!! No man's approval or disapproval can change that fact! Lets show the world that we are broken, and it is only Christ shining through our cracks that they see. Lets take off our masks and be real! With God, with people, and with ourselves. 

[Important note: Please don't take this to mean that you should spill your brokenness to every person you meet. But always keep in mind that your struggles may encourage someone else! Discretion is so important!]

        I love you guys, dearly! I truly hope you are being blessed by the words the Lord is speaking to my heart! Please feel free to comment. I would love to talk to you, and hear your feedback :) <3 

"We always carry the death of Christ in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body" 2 Corinthians 4:10 (HCSB)

I discovered a new song today!

Well, this afternoon I'm just talking to Jesus. Whining & complaining (like His children do at times) about this season of waiting He has me in. I want Him to move now, and He just keeps saying "Be still & know that I am God," "wait for Him [expectantly]," "your strength will come in settling down in complete dependence on Me," and that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the verses He's given me. I digress. Anyway, when I finished I walked back into my room and the Praise & Worship Pandora station just so happened (totally NOT a coincidence. God speaks, we just have to listen!) to be playing this song.... 

Perfect right? A stern smack for complaining, but such a loving embrace saying "TRUST ME!" If you are in a time of waiting, please know that God is faithful! He is not a God that can lie or renege on His promises. He will do what He told you He would do. That marriage will happen, children will come, your business will open, He'll make a way for school, and whatever else He's promised will come. Trust His timing. He's just preparing us for the promise He is taking us into. He is pruning, chiseling, and transforming in this time. Embrace it! Praise Him through this storm. It's not easy, and sometimes it hurts. BUT it will transform your perspective. I hope this song encourages you while you wait. 

I love you <3. 

"Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT)

Who/what has your heart this Vday?

This is such a sad day for so many people. It breaks my heart to think that. Love cannot be found on this earth unless it is found first in Christ.  This morning I spent my time with my first true Love, Jesus. We had breakfast together, sang together, and made vows together. It was beautiful. As I was finishing my time with Him He laid the book of Hosea on my heart. 

[Background info.: The book of Hosea is a story of a man named Hosea who was called to marry a prostitute/adulterous wife. Whether or not this is to be taken as a parable or reality is debated. However, the purpose is to portray God's love for US. We are the prostitute/adulterous wife that "cheat" on God all the time. Yet, He still loves and remains in covenant marriage with us]. 

Hosea 2:9 (NLT) says "She doesn’t realize it was I who gave her everything she has — the grain, the new wine, the olive oil; I even gave her silver and gold. But she gave all My gifts to Baal." This is so fitting for the world we live in today, especially on this holiday. God has given us many gifts, and we turn them into idols. We worship the gift instead of worshiping the gift Giver. Here are some examples...

1. God gave us the gift of marriage/relationship (see Genesis 2:18). Yet so many of us (male & female) create an idol out of our significant other. We place them on pedestals they can never stand on, and then we expect them to fulfill every need and void we have. That is the Lord's job! Placing that job in human hands always leads to disappointment. It also brings stress to the person who you place in that position. They are not able to live up to those standards. BUT Jesus is! The Lord longs to fill us. He longs to reveal His love for us! He longs for our hearts to know Him intimately and be content in Him. He wants to be in relationship with you. He's your Husband (Isaiah 54:5) 
2. God gave us sex within the context of marriage as a gift (see 1 Corinthians 7:1-5). This is insanely idolized in our society. You can just turn on your TV to see how we have exploited this gift. So many things are sensual on TV because "sex sells." Young girls are being implicitly taught that their worth lies in their bodies, and the way to true love is through exposing yourself to a man. This is NOT what the Lord meant it for. He meant it to unify ONE wife and ONE husband. He meant it to allow us to procreate and receive the blessing of children. The Lord even delights in our sex with our spouses. Just read Song of Solomon. He is all for it UNTIL we use it outside of context it was created within. 
3. Money. This is another big one. God delights in blessing us (see Proverbs 3:9-10). However, He does not delight in us using those blessings for evil or idolizing it. When the sole purpose in what we strive for is money that does not glorify God. Everything we have is because God allowed it. Yet when He asks for 10% we throw a fit. He says the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Our strive should be to be in the will of God for our lives. Pursue in what He has called you to and He will meet all your needs (financially, emotionally, physically, spiritually, etc). Seek His Kingdom first (Matthew 6:33)

Guys, please know that the only reason I can speak on these topics is because I have done every single one (and this is a SHORT list!). The Lord totally convicted my heart this morning about where I was seeking my love first. It was not Him. Yet, He is faithful still. He pursues my heart EVERYDAY, and He shows His love to me in every moment.


So today, don't focus on what you don't have. If you are single, focus on the Lord being your Husband and the Lover of your soul. Let Him satisfy that deep longing within you to be loved. He created it! He knows how to fill it.  If you are in a relationship, show your love for your spouse/significant other CHRIST's way (1 Corinthians 13). Pray today. Ask the Lord to show you His love for you. Ask Him to allow that love to over flow through you to others. Ask Him to show you that even if you are "alone" you don't have to be lonely because He is with you. Ask Him to open your eyes to see the love notes He leaves. I promise you, He leaves them everywhere. We are just so often caught up that we miss them. Don't miss them today, loves. He's pursuing you!


 
I hope reading this was encouraging to you. My intent is never to judge or condemn, but in love to reveal God's heart for you as He reveals it to me. 

I love you. But God loves you more!! Happy Valentine's Day <3! 

“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to Myself." Jeremiah 31:3 (NLT)

(My promise ring. Jesus, my Hope, is my Husband first and always <3)

Introductions & such...

HEY :)! I'm Zakia & this is my story. I am a 21 year old college student, and I guess you could say I'm not your "stereotypical" college student. But, I used to be until approximately one year ago when my world was radically changed by Jesus Christ. However, for you to understand I'll have to go a little farther back....I was raised in a Christian home. My mother and grandmother served the Lord, FAITHFULLY! They are archetypal role models of women of God. They taught me Psalm 23 the moment I started talking, and I have had Matthew 28:19-20 memorized as long as I can remember (this will be important later!). However, despite this amazing blessing I never got to know Christ for myself. 

I have spent most of my life seeking fulfillment, worth, and attention in various avenues. I have tried people-pleasing, drinking, drugs, sex, men, my body, my accomplishments, and relationships. NONE of these worked. They would sustain for a very temporal moment, but at the end of the day I was empty. I was insecure. I was confused. I was hurting, and worst of all I did not even know it. I did not love myself. Therefore, I did not think anyone else could love me. Needless to say my life before Christ was painful and dark, and the worst part is I did not even realize it. I had heard many times about God's love, and I believed in my head that He was there and He loved me. However, my heart wanted nothing to do with this truth. 

This all changed in February of 2012. A visiting Pastor at my current church preached a sermon on the Prodigal Son story in Luke 15. However, He preached it as the "Prodigal God." To give a quick overview the prodigal son refers to a child who had it all. He was the son of a king with an amazing inheritance waiting on him. However, he decided he wanted his inheritance early. His father gave it to him, and the son went away and squandered away his inheritance on useless things (that did not sustain him!). I had heard this story countless times. I had even read it for myself before. However, this day was different. The pastor taught it with emphasis on the father and his response to his son's actions (it's a GREAT depiction of God's love. I totally encourage you to read it!). This spoke DIRECTLY to my heart. For the first time I had a real connection with God's love, not only in my mind but in my heart. I did not fully understand it, and I still don't. But in that moment all I knew was the joy, fullness, and peace that overwhelmed me when I rededicated my life to Christ. That day I began a personal relationship with Christ that I am still growing in today. 

Fast forward through this intense period of growing over the past year.... Today, I am a totally different person. I am far from perfect. I fall everyday, but now I have God's grace to pick me up everyday. Sometimes, I forget God loves me. Sometimes, I forget that He is the lover of my soul and my portion forever. Sometimes, I forget He is my Husband (Isaiah 54:5). But through it all He relentlessly pursues my heart. I am on a journey to coming to know Him more intimately, and it is such a joyous (and sometimes painful) ride. I love Him because He first loved me (1 John 4:19). 


Now, that I've sufficiently told you about who I am (maybe more than you cared to know :)) I can get to the point of this blog. First of all, people keep telling me that I am a good writer (judge for yourself), and I would hate to waste a gift the Lord has given me. Secondly, remember my statement about Matthew 28:19-20 being important?? Well, I am beginning a journey in learning to walk this out in my daily life. It says "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teaching these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Through this blog I hope to allow you an inside peak as I learn to walk this commandment out daily. I'll be posting about my journey as a bible study group leader (and the struggles that come along with that position), any  mission trip opportunities, as well as any Word the Lord lays on my heart to share. I hope that my journey encourages someone else to persevere through theirs <3 <3! Until next time!

"The harvest is plenty, but the workers are few" Matthew 9:37