rihannalt

[rihannalt]

5 days of doing a juice cleanse and this is already the difference. After watching "Fat Sick and Nearly Dead" on Netflix, I knew I needed to clean my body. www.iamrihanna.wordpress.com

#juice #juice cleanse #fitspo #fitness #weight loss #fitblr #fitspiration #fitfam #fit girls #get fit #fitment #fitlife #health #healthy #healthblr #fat sick and nearly dead #fat to fit #hot babes #juicinitup #juice for life #paleo #eatclean #healthy eating #eat #cleanse #cleanfood #cleanliving #clean beauty

[rihannalt]

5 days of doing a juice cleanse and this is already the difference. After watching "Fat Sick and Nearly Dead" on Netflix, I knew I needed to clean my body. www.iamrihanna.wordpress.com

#juice #juice cleanse #fitspo #fitness #weight loss #fitblr #fitspiration #fitfam #fit girls #get fit #fitment #fitlife #health #healthy #healthblr #fat sick and nearly dead #fat to fit #hot babes #juicinitup #juice for life #paleo #eatclean #healthy eating #eat #cleanse #cleanfood #cleanliving #clean beauty

[rihannalt]

5 days of doing a juice cleanse and this is already the difference. After watching "Fat Sick and Nearly Dead" on Netflix, I knew I needed to clean my body. www.iamrihanna.wordpress.com

#juice #juice cleanse #fitspo #fitness #weight loss #fitblr #fitspiration #fitfam #fit girls #get fit #fitment #fitlife #health #healthy #healthblr #fat sick and nearly dead #fat to fit #hot babes #juicinitup #juice for life #paleo #eatclean #healthy eating #eat #cleanse #cleanfood #cleanliving #clean beauty

[rihannalt]

Basically perfect. Because I wrote it. Duh.

#blogger #fashion blog #new blog #miley cyrus #funny #comedy #single #dating

[rihannalt]

#miley cyrus #mileyall #miley gif #mileyraycyrus #miley hot #blogger

[rihannalt]

A blog about self hate and how to overcome it.

[rihannalt]

New Blog

[rihannalt]

New blog post.

[rihannalt]

New blog :)

[rihannalt]

New Blog.

[rihannalt]

[rihannalt]

Dreams: A Step into a Different Reality?

Dreams are fascinating.  Everyone has them.  Some are funny, others frightening, and some feel so real that they leave you waking up with this eerie, spooked feeling.  But what is a dream? Are they really just pictures, thoughts, and sounds that our brains accumulated throughout our day just being purged into our unconscious state of being every night? Or are they a step into a different supernatural realm? One that is most easily entered when our logical brain is put to sleep, so it can’t prevent us from seeing something bigger than ourselves?

One third of the entire Bible is told through dreams and visions.

1 Kings 3 tells the story of God appearing to Solomon saying “What is it I can give you? Say it and you’ll have it” (New Rihanna Paraphrasing Translation).  Solomon (in his dream) responded “wisdom.”  I have heard this story a hundred times, but it never really hit me that it was in a dream that he asked for wisdom.  His heart and life was so completely devoted to God that even in his sleep, he wanted more of him. 

Wow.

His passion, his love, his longing for more of God could not be held back by slumber. 

You know when you’re having a lazy day and you spend hours upon hours watching the same tv series or movies that when you begin to fall asleep at night, you start to see glimpses of the characters or hear their voices?  It reminds me of days I spent at Six Flags as a teenager and the constant sound of roaring roller coasters and excited (or fearful) screams of the riders. Without fail, every night as I’d start to fall asleep, those same sounds would echo loudly in my head.

With that said, I do think that dreams are pictures, thoughts, and sounds that our brains accumulated throughout our day just being purged into our unconscious state of being every night.

To dream of the things of God, we need to align ourselves with the things of God. I want to be ready for God, day or night.  I want to be so immersed in God that if he came to me in my sleep asking for what I want, my response would be, "You. Just you." Not more money for my ministry to get started, not a husband, not world peace or the ability to eat mountains of chocolate without gaining weight.  Just you Jesus, because with you, everything falls into perfect place. More, Lord. More of you.

#supernatural #jesus #dreams #bill johnson #global

[rihannalt]

Letters from Jesus

You are my joy, my delight. And when you are sad, I am sad. I'm not going to leave you in this process. I'll cry with you; I'll be still with you, I'll shine my light for as long as you need. Cling to me as I have been clinging to you. You are my beauty, my darling. Lay in stillness as long as you need. Lay, until you can crawl. Crawl until you can walk. Walk until you can run. And run until you can fly. You are my beloved. You are my chosen. Your lover, Jesus

[rihannalt]

What is God’s Will Regarding Healing?

“Why does God heal some people but doesn’t heal others?”  Throughout my Christian walk, I have lost count of the times this question has been asked by others and even myself.  The most typical response given would be to just “trust the will of God.”  In theory, that doesn’t seem like a bad idea. But how do you tell a mother whose teenage daughter just lost her life to a long battle with cancer that she needs to just “trust” the very God who just couldn’t fit her healing in his “will?”

            First and foremost, God’s will is life. Jesus states, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). He doesn’t limit the life he came to give us as to being only on earth. Which is why while praying for a sick person, it is of vital importance that your heart comes from a place of love. If we are praying for a miracle for someone in an effort to make ourselves look important, what do we do when God doesn’t heal? What if the very reason God has allowed them to become sick is because he loves them so deeply, that he knew it was his only chance at getting their attention?  What if their time on earth is limited, but he still wants to fulfill his promise to them in the spiritual sense and invite them into “paradise” with him?

            With that in mind, we must make a commitment to God to be a reflection of his heart to his people.  The most famous prayer in history was made by Jesus himself when he said, “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”  I truly believe that the heart and the will of God is that no man be sick.  Jesus himself interceded for the human race asking God for the same will that is carried out in heaven is carried out on earth.  A story that I so love and have cherished over the years is found in Luke where it recounts the story of a man sick with leprosy approaching Jesus saying, “Lord, you have the power to heal me if you want.”  Jesus didn’t respond with condemnation or act out of obligation, but rather he responded with, “I want to heal you! Be healed” (Luke 5:12).

            After reading this verse, I looked up the meaning of the word “want” in the dictionary.  It states that to want something is “to have a strong desire for.”  Jesus had a pressing desire to see this man set free from the bondage the sickness created.  Jesus didn’t say he “had” to heal, he wanted to.  Benjamin Williams said something at the beginning of our school year that has continued to speak to my spirit.  He said, “You don’t ever have to ask God if he wants to do something” (GSSM).  Jesus commanded us to follow in his example and to “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received” (Matthew 10:8 NLT).  Jesus walked in faith and expectation everywhere he went that people, who desired healings, would be healed.  As Bill Johnson said, “If it matters to you, it matters to him” (VOA).

            Another reason that I believe it’s God’s will to heal is because he desires for us to see the magnificence of his power and glory. While describing how God reveals his glory, Randy Clark states,  “By far, the largest category is miracles and healings where God’s glory is connected thirty times to a demonstration of His power through the working of signs, wonders, and miracles…we could say that the main way God reveals His glory is through signs, wonders, and miracles” (156).  

            God intended heaven to be on earth in his original creation.  He envisioned walking side by side with us and allowing us full access to every part of him.  His will did not include cancer, sore throats, stiff backs, broken hearts, and blind eyes.  Which would leave one to assume that his will also did not originally involve healing crusades, intercessor meetings, the laying of hands and the invention of Tylenol PM.  I believe that his will changes based on our needs.  Our ancestors made the decision in the garden to open their eyes, spiritually and physically, to an entirely different realm than we were originally created for. Satan was given legal access into our spirits and our bodies.  God is a good and fair God and he gave us the gift of our own free will and the ability and power to change our minds and plans.  God doesn’t give us anything that he doesn’t have himself. 

A mystery not yet solved is why God allows sickness and distress to fall on his people.  With the swipe of his hand, every afflicting spirit and disease could be cast back into hell.  But yet thousands are dying daily. I can’t help but wonder if we, his kingdom residents, are that hand.  Jesus came here with the authority from heaven to cast out demons, heal the sick and raise the dead and he passed that authority down to us.  He even prophesied that we would outdo his miracles with the power given to us. “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12 NIV). Could it be that we are spending precious time begging God for something that he has already given us? The power over sickness and darkness. It’s been said that” a prophecy is not a promise, but a potential” (Mast, GSSM). Perhaps the church as a whole has yet to walk into its potential and claim back the power over our bodies that the enemy has attempted to steal.  We need to step into our potential so that we may become a promise of God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will.

#paper #healing #jesus

[rihannalt]

My Depression, Healed.

Since my journey at GSSM started this year, I've witnessed literally hundreds of supernatural miracles of healing. I, myself, was actually healed of a chronic shoulder problem that I've had for over 15 years.  I believe and have been witness to healings, signs, and miracles through God.  But this story, the supernatural healing of my depression, will be one I will never forget, because I truly believe it has forever changed my life.

About 3 months ago, I was sitting in a conference meeting at school being held by a man named Will Hart. He was doing ministry time and praying for people using what we call, "Words of Knowledge" which is basically like an impression one gets that gives you supernatural insight in to how to pray for another person as found in 1 Corinthians 12:8 (I would go into more detail explaining it, however it would take far too long.)

Normally during these sessions, you hear a lot of needs for physical healings.  My need for a healing was not one that was physical, or so I thought.  I began praying with a lady who attended the conference and I suddenly heard Will say, "I feel there is someone here who has bulimia and God wants you to receive your healing tonight for it." As he spoke the words, my physical body felt as though a huge wave poured over me and the room started spinning. I generally have an ability to keep my composure in the times I feel overwhelmed by the spirit of God, but I had a hard time making a complete sentence for a few minutes.

Over the next passing weeks, I began to pray and ask God for deliverance from depression.  I have been on antidepressants for over 6 years and even though I didn't physically feel depressed, the thought of coming off such a strong drug left me fearful.  If I missed a days dosage, my body would begin having strong internal brain "zaps" and it would be almost impossible for me to get out of bed.  Not to mention, without insurance, the cost of my medication was over $300 a month.

About a month and a half ago during another school event.  I began to feel strongly the release from God to stop my medications. I went up to a peer for prayer and she prayed for healing and commanded the chemicals in my brain to come into kingdom alignment. As she spoke those words, it was like electricity started going crazy inside my brain.  My entire head got hot and there was this constant feeling of activity around it. Without even having to ask God what was happening, I heard him say, "I'm healing you."

After that night, I began cutting my dosages in half and used the next month to wean myself completely off my medications.  I cannot begin to put into words the joy I have felt since I began this journey.  I realized that the anti-depressants not only suppressed sadness, it also suppressed happiness and joy.  It's like every emotion has come to life. I feel like I can love better, laugh more authentically, and care genuinely. 

It brings me to tears to think about how God cared enough to speak to other people about wanting to heal me.  The fact that he knows my name and saw so deeply into my heart leaves me speechless.  The grace that he so freely gave me while going through this process is priceless.  It truly is a miracle that I am completely freed from something that I began to accept as just a part of my life.

This story is just a stepping stone. A prophetic movement in my life to make a way for the good things that are about to step in.  He satisfies my desires with good things. He knows my name. He sets me free.

[rihannalt]

Kingdom Orphans

It's interesting how our identity plays such a key role in how we go about our lives.

I used to wake up every single morning with a paralyzing fear that I was going to mess up that day. That my struggles were going to get the best of me.  I was afraid that the day would end with me putting myself to bed in sheets of guilt and prayer that tomorrow would be easier.

You see, my identity and the way I saw myself painted each day for me before the sun even rose.  I use to think that I was a sinner saved by grace.  But now I've realized that I'm a daughter of God, sustained by grace.  Christ didn't walk this earth and die his death because we are sinners.  He did it because we were never intended to be sinners. Our original being and creation was to be among the heavens.

Pardon me if this sounds a little too cheddar for cheese, but I actually enjoy waking up now.  I no longer lie in bed and pray for strength and hope I get it right.  I find so much excitement and joy being and living as a daughter.  A daughter that has heaven accessible at my fingertips. God makes me laugh, makes me sit in peaceful silence, and has taught me to love every aspect of who I am. 

I feel that the only comparison I could make would be to compare him as being my bridegroom.  It's like I am at my own wedding and my heart is overwhelmed with joy and anxious anticipation for what my future holds with my groom. 

Gosh, I just love being in love.

[rihannalt]

How Do You Know You Hear the Voice of God?

            What is the voice of God?  Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “voice” as, “a : sound produced by vertebrates by means of lungs, larynx, or syrinx;  b: wish, choice, or opinion openly or formally expressed.”  If, by definition, a voice is produced by human organs and functions, how are we able to hear the voice of something that is beyond human form and not physically tangible?

I believe that the voice of God is one of the greatest mysteries and hurdles that each individual struggles with at some point in their life.  I have personally sat through numerous sermons and messages regarding God’s voice and how to decipher what is his and what isn’t. Is his voice audible? What does it sound like? Does it resemble the voice of Mufasa from “The Lion King?”  I’ve been told that it will sound like my father’s voice, my mothers, a pastor, or a person of leadership in my life.  In the Bible, we see examples of God speaking to people through a burning bush, angels, a donkey, a hand writing on a wall, etc.  I have yet to experience such powerful encounters, but that certainly cannot mean that I do not hear from God as well.  It wasn’t until recently that I’ve realized that God’s voice isn’t one that has a certain tone or is limited to just one way of expression.  His voice “is sensed as spontaneous thought, idea, word, feeling, or vision” (Virkler, 4 Keys 10).

As humans, our voices aren’t just limited to the sound that is produced when we speak.  Our voices are heard and translated through song, writing, emails, text messaging, and even through looks.  Those are all ways we can get our voice across that are within human abilities. So how much more can God use his voice when he is without limit?

            Children are born into this world with a limited understanding of words, sounds, and gestures.  A newborn is unable to ask for milk using words if it’s hungry.  In the same concept, the newborn’s mother spends hours every day speaking directly to her child, but the child is unable and incapable of understanding any of it.  She can ask the baby to smile for days and nights on end, but until the baby is trained and begins to see a pattern with the word “smile” and the shape the mother’s mouth takes when she speaks, it will remain a mystery.  Eventually, the child will grow and begin to mimic sounds and words and will then get to a point where he or she will converse openly with their mother.  I love this picture because I truly believe that God created this natural process of growth to represent how we grow to understand him as our father.  At first his voice may just seem like sounds with no real meanings, maybe a hook to a song that gets stuck in our head or an impression of someone when we meet them. Only after we try to listen, do we soon begin to recognize the similarities between what God is doing or wants to do in our lives with those moments or thoughts.

Just like learning another language, we have to have intention when we go before God.  We have to be willing to set aside our business in life and intentionally focus on learning to recognize his voice and spirit.  Psalm 62:5 says, “My soul, wait in silence for God only.”  Wait.  In Psalm 27:14 it says, “Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.”  Again, we are instructed to wait.  The author of those psalms, David, was known as being a man after God’s own heart, which would imply that he was in flow with what God was saying and doing in and around him. He understood and practiced the concept of waiting for the Lord.  

Mark Virkler made a simple way to understand what exactly it means to wait.  He suggested, “Removing all outer noise” and “removing inner noise” (Virkler, 4 Keys 16). To remove outer noise would be to turn off our cell phones, computers, etc. and to make sure we are in a quiet and comfortable place.  God loves stillness in his children because it gives them a sample of his peace. In 1 Kings 19, we are reminded of his gentleness when Elijah fled from Jezebel and had an expectation to hear from God.  Verses 11-12 says, “Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” God doesn’t always present himself in earth shattering ways and loud audible voices.  He comes in the silence. He comes in the peace.

Jamie Galloway spoke on his personal practice on waiting for the Lord.  He said that he will literally lie on his floor and just meditate on a specific verse or promise God has given him.  Then he just allows his inner voice to be silent.  At first, our inner voice will not want to be silent and will have to be trained.  But eventually, with diligent intention, our inner voice will lay itself aside and our hearts will be able to spiritually pick up on God’s voice.

The bible says that “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).  There isn’t a shortcut or a Rosetta Stone program that teaches us to understand and hear the voice of God by practicing just 5 minutes a day.   It takes intention and desire.  God promised us that if we ask for bread that he will not give us a stone (Luke 11).  In the same love and desire to know us, if we ask for his voice, he isn’t going to remain silent.  We must just keep pressing in.

#god #voice of god #jesus #bill johnson