Tag: QA

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Olivia

Q: Talk about a time when your faith was tested. How did God reveal his glory to you?

A: “My faith has been tested numerous times, but one circumstance that truly sticks out to me was this year, 2020 when I left my full time job as a nurse to pursue full time entrepreneurship. Literally, one week after leaving my job I had an abnormal biopsy and had to get surgery to get precancerous cells removed from my body. This was a test of faith on my physical health, my finances, and my mental health. I was stepping out on faith and then for this to happen at the timing it did was extremely discouraging. But God revealed His Glory to me by showing me that He already had everything taken care of. I was able to get the precancerous cells removed from my body before they advanced. Because I had left my job, I didn’t need to take time off and I was able to come up with the money to pay for the surgery quicker than I would have been waiting for a paycheck. The surgery went well, my body was healed and I am doing great with no more abnormal cells!”

Q: What does being “Set Apart” mean to you?

A: “When I think of being set apart, I think of the scripture, Deuteronomy 14:2 “You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and he has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be his own special treasure.” Being set apart means being special, different, and not like everyone else. Being set apart to me means that every day you are making the intentional decision to live a life pleasing to Christ!”

Q: Talk about a time when you had a storm in your life. During the storm did you draw closer to God or distance yourself from him? How often did you pray/talk to him? How did you keep your peace or what did you do to stay calm? What did you learn?

A: “Three years ago at the beginning of 2017, I was getting out of an extremely toxic relationship. Everything in my life was changing and I had to make intentional choices daily to cut off certain relationships, habits, and choose not to go to certain places. I drew near to God during this time like never before. I prayed by journaling daily, praying in The Spirit, and sometimes the only prayers I had were my tears. I kept my peace by knowing that God wanted to help me move on and find the light at the end of the tunnel. God never made me feel bad that my storm was caused by my own foolish decisions but instead held me close and just wanted to help. I learned during this time that God will help us if we ask and if we draw near. Isaiah 30:18, “So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.” 

Q: Matthew 5:13-16 says, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” NKJV. What are some ways in your opinion, that you can make the earth “saltier” and be a light to those around you?

A: “I believe I can make the earth “saltier” and be a light to those around me by being my true authentic self in Christ. Many times The Lord gives me things to say that I know others do not want to hear, choosing to speak Truth despite what others may want to hear is how I maintain my saltiness. Choosing to share what God is doing in my life through my writing, on social media, or through conversations is how I can continue to be a light and share God’s goodness.”

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Journi

Q: Talk about a time when your faith was tested. How did God reveal his glory to you?

A: “My faith is currently being tested. It is the first time I’ve activated my faith. I am standing on the truth that God alone is my provider in all things. I am being tested daily with those around me telling me that they can provide and that I’m crazy. God is revealing His glory that He is faithful and that it isn’t me that has the power, but He does and it is Him that supplies.”

Q: What does being “Set Apart” mean to you?

A: “Being set apart  means that God is my Father. My flesh does not govern any part of my life or decisions. I continually submit to God and the reality of what Jesus says I am. I reflect and confess daily. The things that my flesh hasn’t yet agreed to, I allow my spirit to control and do what is in my Fathers will. I am not concerned about my earthly image but how my Father views me is more important.”

Q: Talk about a time when you had a storm in your life. During the storm did you draw closer to God or distance yourself from him? How often did you pray/talk to him? How did you keep your peace or what did you do to stay calm? What did you learn?

A: “I had moved in with a family member and they tried their hardest to separate me from my significant other. The enemy spoke lies to me left and right and I took the bait. I began to detest and go against my boyfriend. I was clouded by my senses. Once I prayed in the spirit, God gave me a vision. That vision alone showed the reality of the pressure I was receiving from my family members. During this time I grew closer to God and the mysteries of His heart. I prayed a few hours a day. I kept my peace by worshiping and praying in the spirit. I learned that if I don’t spend time with the Holy Spirt, my flesh would overpower my spirit, confuse me, and lead me to make the wrong decisions.”

Q: Matthew 5:13-16 says, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” NKJV. What are some ways in your opinion, that you can make the earth “saltier” and be a light to those around you?

A: “Some ways are preaching the gospel, by representing Jesus’ love and character, giving to others, and giving encouragement.”

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Brianna

Q: Talk about a time when your faith was tested. How did God reveal his glory to you?

A:  “My faith was tested in 2019 when I was unemployed. It had taken me a while to land a job after applying for every position, company, and location nearby that I possibly could. After some time I finally landed a job; unfortunately it was a terrible one and I was underpaid, unappreciated, and overworked. I kept praying to God to make a way to land a better job where I can be happy and proud of the work I do. Going through the same process of again added more stress. I did not have many interviews and each one was a closed door in my face. I quickly become discouraged. I kept asking God, “Why are you doing this to me? Don’t you know I am at my literal breaking point?” I didn’t know how much longer I could take it. During the week of Christmas, I was waiting to hear back from a potential employer and decided to accept whatever happens. I told myself, “Let it be in God’s will.” I got the call two days before Christmas that I got the job. Throughout the year, I felt that God was taking me through various tests to build my faith more. I believe it was to reassure me that God CAN do anything but it will be in HIS timing. I had to learn to be patient and stand still. I definitely do feel my faith has strengthened because of this journey.”

Q: What does being “Set Apart” mean to you?

A: “To me, being set apart means to walk a different path than others. Everyone has their own journey and are in different chapters to their story. You cannot compare your chapter to someone else’s when you don’t know their story. All you can do is live your truth and separate yourself from the rest of the group. You have to be yourself and own that.”

Q: Talk about a time when you had a storm in your life. During the storm did you draw closer to God or distance yourself from him? How often did you pray/talk to him? How did you keep your peace or what did you do to stay calm? What did you learn?

A: “Earlier this year I suffered a panic attack from driving home at night on the highway. To have that feeling that you are going to die, was the worst feeling of my life. Since then, I’ve been haunted subconsciously of that night and very anxious while driving since then. Over time, I knew that something had to be done and I wanted to go back to how things were before that panic attack. I talked to my grandparents and they insisted I give our Pastor a call. My Pastor prayed over the phone with me and reminded me that Satan has put thoughts in my head and was attacking my mental health and peace. Since then, I started to have talks with God before I drive my car and while I am driving. I usually pray to God, repeat a bible verse about faith, and declare that everything is okay. Over time I felt the fear and anxiety start to diminish and through it all, I felt closer to God than ever before.”

Q: Matthew 5:13-16 says, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” NKJV. What are some ways in your opinion, that you can make the earth “saltier” and be a light to those around you?

A: “One way to be a light to those around you is to simply be present, uplift and encourage one another. With all that 2020 has brought up, it has been chaotic and dark for many people. I feel that we must reassure people that there is hope and purpose in what we are going through and seek God to find meaning even if they can’t see it yet.”