Bible Study Notes

Topic: Reflecting the Character of the King

We are called to reflect the character of Christ.
               - How well is Christ reflected through your life?

We often get caught up in looking at what we lack instead of thanking God for what we have.
God doesn't give you anything what he does not want expressed in your life. If it is a weakness, he will use it for his glory. If it is your personality he will use it.

Whatever you posses you need to express.
 If it comes from God, you need to express it but there are certain things you must suppress. Don't let people who don't appreciate your gift, allow you to turn it off.
 If God puts something positive in your mind, Speak It Out!

                                 If you never take the time to commend a person for the right they do, 

                                          don't take the time to criticize them for the wrong!

Stop looking in a public place or in people for what can only come in the secret place of worship.

               - How God-focused is your worship and prayer time? 

                             The highest manifestation of character transformation is LOVE!

 You demonstrate love for other people when you carry or meet their need.

You have to form character by being responsible and consistent. BUILD CHARACTER BY THE CONSISTENCY OF WHAT YOU DO!

Character is who you are in totality. Character is the sum of 4 ingredients:

1. Personal Identity
2. Emotional Security
3. Ethics and values
4. Self Discipline
1. Discipline is deciding what I want MOST over what I want NOW!

Reflection on Journal Entry of 2013

I need to learn to "Rise and Shine" in order to get to my goals and accomplish what I set out to do. I should wake up with a motivation to achieve something everyday. In Bishop Bronner's Sermon "Rise and Shine", he focused on how we should move on after things go wrong in our lives. We should learn from our mistakes and move forward, instead of sulking or condemning ourselves. Until you get up, you can't get our or move on! I also learned that you can't move on and grow if you keep a hold of whatever distracts you or hinders you. You'll never get what you deserve when you get attached to the things you need to let go of! I must do what I can with what I have and start where I am.

Reflection on Journal Entry of 2013

On August of 2013, Bishop Dale C. Bronner spoke on reflections of how people see themselves. He preached on change and how " conversation is the birthplace for change." This means in order to begin the process of change you must admit your flaws and be accountable. Bishop also stated that " when you change your position, you will change your perspective." Sometimes we have to change our position to get a better perspective of our situation.

One thing Bishop said that stands true to me is that "Distraction is the Destruction of your dreams in slow motion!" I have witnessed how distraction can slowly take you away from your focus and sabotage good plans no matter how big or small the distraction. Instead of chasing distraction, I should lead. A leader is someone who "goes before others go and sees before others see"

A leader is always looking ahead. "If you aim at a moving target, you have to aim ahead of the target."

Weekly Reflection 15 Jan 4 - Jan 10

This week I made a list of spiritual, educational, physical, relationship, and financial goals. Each day I read a proverb and reflected on a past journal entry. As far as educational goals, I have made a plan to take 4 CLEP tests to earn credit for classes I didn't pass in Fall Semester of 2014. I also made a plan to complete my driver's ed course and ADAP course program, in order to get my driver's license. This week I have completed my ADAP course and earned my certificate. I haven't been to the gym like I planned to but if I stick to my goals I will be able to make time for workout. I have been more communicative with my parents and working on my attitude. 

My Devotion

As a result of living in sin, I was God's enemy. But I am reconciled through the death of Christ in his body. I must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it without drifting from the assurance I received when I heard the Truth. (Colossians 1:21-23). I have killed all the sinful, earthly things in me because these sins will bring the wrath of God (Colossians 3: 5-8). But now I will put on my new nature and be renewed as I come to know Christ and become like him. I have died with Christ, and he has set me free from the spiritual powers of this world (Colossians 2:20). I will let my roots grow down into Christ and led my life be built on him. Then my faith will grow strong in truth I was taught and I will overflow with thankfulness (Colossians 2:7). I will work willingly at whatever I do, as though I am working for the Lord rather than people (Colossians 3:23). I will devote myself to prayer with an alert mind and thankful heart. <3

My Student Biography

Valencia  is an honorable student just entering her junior year of high school with a GPA of 3.8. Recently accepted in the dual enrollment program at a local community college, she anticipates earning her Associates in Computer Science along with her high school diploma before she is legally able to drive. At an early age, her parents set her on the path to success by choosing to home school her in a Christian environment with high standards. Her acceptance in Duke's Talent Identification Program offered her the opportunity to sit for the SAT examination at the age of eleven. By thirteen, she had passed her high school exit examination. Although she makes schooling her first priority, she enjoys singing, blogging, and expressing her creative abilities in graphic design, video production, and photography. Valencia is a humble accomplished achiever who understands that discipline, motivation and faith produces excellence. She is a role model who exemplifies the meaning of 1 Timothy 4:12.

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

1-2-13 Memory Verse

2 Corinthians  5:17 NIV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here!

The Holy Bible says we should be confident that we will obtain our heavenly bodies when we leave our earthly bodies. Jesus died for us so that we may live and have life in him. When we devote our life and submit our heart to Jesus, we become new in our mind and spirit. We must die in our flesh to be made anew in Jesus Christ. As he died for us, we must die in our will for his. 

January 2, 2013 

-God's Lil' Lamb 

My 2012 Reflections

This year was spectacular. I have learned so much about myself and what needs improvement in my life.This year holds precious cherishable memories. My baby brother was born in April. My  younger brother received his purity ring at 13. I had the privilege to pull out my baby sister's first tooth. I have shown myself to be trustworthy and responsible in some areas but other areas not so much. On my 14th birthday, I drove with my father to the movie theaters (I did great) and we had a father- daughter date. I opened my first savings account at a credit union with the help of my mother. I was hired by a friend to houseclean for her once a month. My first day I did an amazing job but on my second time I got fired. My bad attitude and  lack of communication  caused me to perform poorly towards my given tasks. I learned to be humble, respectful and to have stewardship over what I'm privileged. I have learned that when you make a commitment, 1. stick it out 2. work it out 3. follow it through. I have realized that academics isn't just the only type of education. I must improve on my life skills. As  far as my academics, I have been accepted to Georgia Perimeter College and  plan to start classes the summer of 2013.  I believe this year was a year of commitment and  opportunities. God has put my family in many situations so that our emotions and thoughts would be exposed and we would change our perception and attitude. 2012 was truly a blessing but I pray that 2013 will be a year of spiritual maturity as I step into my junior year. 

Happy New Year

- God's Lil' Lamb

Edited 1/26/15

Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from my stupid sins, from thinking I can take over Your work. Psalms 19:12-13

Revised 10/15/2013 from my journal entry July 23, 2012

The act of rebellion is a sin against God and His word. The act of rebellion is deliberate disobedience or defiance. Yesterday, I was rebellious. When given specific instructions by my father to complete a task, I had determined in my mind that I didn't want to do what he said exactly the way he said it. In the Bible, Saul, a great king over Israel, rebelled against God and his orders. God instructed Saul to go and kill the Amalekites and everything in their possession.Instead of following God's commands, Saul decides to spare the King of Amalek, Agag, and some of the Amalekites' animals based on his own logic. 1 Samuel 15:23 says "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou has rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king." Samuel suffered the consequence of rejection from God, and the loss of his title as king because of deliberate disobedience. Rebellion is the resistance against authority. Samuel rebelled against God because he thought he had a better plan that what God desired.Rebellion against God or your parents is like a slap in their faces as you willfully reject what they say. This is why Jesus sent his son to pay the debt for our sins that we may have life, but we must submit our will to Him and deny our flesh. 

Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from my stupid sins, from thinking I can take over Your work. Psalms 19:12-13

11-12-11 Bible Verse

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (KJV) Now he which establisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

11-11-11 Bible Verse

Nahum 1:7  The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (KJV)

Memory Verse for 11-07-11

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Recipe for DELICIOUS

11-05-11 Today my family and I made Breakfast Pizza. We were going to make an omelet, but decided to make a pizza. We used eggs and topped it with spinach, sausage, black olives, mushrooms, and red onions. Served with red grapefruit, and strawberries. Just delicious.

God Bless
God's Lil' Lamb

Juice Recipe #2

Today I made an Apple Lime Lemon juice. All I did was cut 4 Honeycrisp apples, (Doesn't really matter what kind, as long as they are apples.) I peeled and diced 2 limes, and 1 lemon. After all the fruit is cut, I put it through the juicer. I was DELICIOUS and not too sour. Maybe you could try it. This is a very simple recipe.

God Bless

God's Lil' Lamb

Today's Bible Verse

Joshua 1:8  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Homemade JUICE

My family and I made THE MOST NATURAL JUICE EVER!! My dad bought a juicer now my family and I  are able to make our own juice. Today we made pineapple orange juice, it was awesome. We just cut the pineapple and oranges into chunks and placed it in a juicer. Everyday we are going to make a new drink. I have decided to post pictures on every drink we make. I will make a new page of recipes.

God Bless
God's Lil' Lamb

My Summer

This summer was a fantastic summer. Although my siblings and I do homeschool year round we still have fun. My mother took us to Lake Lanier and we had a BLAST!! We swam in the wave pool, slid down water slides, ate ice cream, and we even went to the beach. I was about to walk in the water until I saw MINNOWS SWIMMING IN THE WATER! Just yuckie. Anyway, it was cool. We also went on a trip to Louisiana to Houston,Texas. We were going to visit my dad's mother (Memaw) in Louisiana and my mom's father in Houston, Texas. I got to see my cousins, my aunts and uncles and my great- grandmother. Whenever we visit my family in Louisiana , Memaw would always reminisce about the good old days. We visited places we've never been such as Whataburger, a fast food restaurant, their breakfast was the bomb. Also, another place is H-E-B, a grocery store. Where I live we have a Kroger and a McDonalds, in Texas they have an H-E-B and a Whataburger. H-E-B stands for Here Everything's Better. On our 13 hour road trip we brought Oden my puppy. We had a blast with him my cousins loved him, my aunts, 10 and 9, were frightened by his looks, he has very dark fur. We were happy to bring him, although there were some issues, it was difficult to find a pet friendly hotel. We eventually found a motel in Louisiana and a hotel in Houston. That wasn't all we did this summer, our cousins from Denton, Texas visited for a week. During that week my church had a communion called Koinonia. There were classes for adults, children, and teens. Each day my cousin, 15 and I would go to the teen classes. The classes were also based on grade, because I am in 10th grade, I could go with the teens. There were classes about purity, wealthiness, and planning for our future as young adults. I really enjoyed the classes. My cousin and I also went to a jewelry class together to make pendants with metal. It was hilarious, we laughed, and joked about each others projects, we encouraged and supported each other when the other was skeptical about finishing their work. In the end we both had BEAUTIFUL PENDANTS. My cousins had to leave later, but we were glad to have spent 2 weeks with them. This was the best and most memorable summer EVER! :)

I Still Remember!!

I was scanning through older posts on my blog and I went to my page "About Me, Testimonies" and saw my last post "Set Free". I started reading about the dream I had and when I got to the part about never forgetting the angel's I saw the face. All the sudden I had a picture flash in my mind of the angel's face and that dream. I could feel and see everything that happened in the dream, its all picture clear. In my post "Set Free" I wrote that I would never forget the angel's face and a year later I haven't forgotten.

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!

Today I am 13 a TEENAGER. I am so blessed to live and see 13. Today my family took me to Stars and Stripes and Arcade and Bowling place. It was AMAZING, best birthday. Because I am NOT a great fan of cake or cookie cake. I had brownie cake. It was amazing and super delicious. i made it with my siblings. Best Birthday Ever.

THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!

Today my youngest sister turned 5. My family went to a young chef's academy to go cook our very own mini pizza, and decorate our own cupcake. On Friday my dad booked a hotel for us to stay in. Its what my family calls a "Staycation" where we are still in our city just away from home. She really loved that. I went out to buy her a Baby Alive Baby All Gone, a special request from my grandma. My mom and I wrapped it in princess paper, in the hotel room. It was a struggle to hide it away from her. But we did. "THIS IS THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!," she said.