It takes a lot of energy to do the things you want to do. Someone said that it is like a miracle to actually do the things you have in your mind. God had a plan, and he executed it. It was a miracle.

I read Flylady. I have been trying to remember what she says and do it little by little. (I am still not good at it.) If I don't apply it in my daily life, then nothing gets done.

Sometimes I have an idea but I think about it over and over and wait (for what?) and then I go on with my daily life and I wonder 'what if I had done it.'

Abraham comes to my mind because whenever God told him something, he is up early in the morning the next day and he is doing what God said to do.

Last week I had an idea. I heard a little voice piercing in my heart that I should volunteer to do a certain thing. Perfect love drives out fear! The love came first, I didn't have a chance to think about myself, and I volunteered to do the thing I felt like I was to do. I had goose-bumps as I was saying that I would help. I wanted to try and see if it was God. If it was, I wanted to obey like Abraham. I concentrated on the love and prayed as the time to execute my plan came. No way out. It turned out fine and I am in awe that the LORD let me be a part of someone's life. My heart is full of joy to know that God is with us. But it sure takes a lot of energy.

My spiritual birthday is June 5th, many years ago. In Japan they didn't tell me the difference between accepting Jesus and being baptized in the water and becoming a member of the church. It all happened on June 5th for me. It was after I came to America that I started thinking about them as separate things.

My teenage daughter was baptized today. She believed and received Jesus as her Savior many years ago, but she just kept missing the timing. But I believe this was God's timing. I was happy for her when she said "I will be baptized." I was thrilled to hear her testimony before the baptism. It was wonderful. Good job, my daughter!

Prayers go for the kids in this world. I was challenged to pray for other kids when mine were little. They will be sharing this world together.

I went to the prayer meeting (it was a combination of concert and prayer) on Sunday evening. I worshiped with the strangers - but they are my family in the Lord. It was wonderful. I am glad to be a part of it. We prayed for many different countries and for our own cities. We repented for our selfish ways as Christians. I just enjoyed being there and worshiping freely.

As I was looking at different websites, I learned that there was no special portion of the Scriptures that the Jewish people read on the day of Shovuot. They usually have special scriptures for certain festivals for all other festivals and they skip the regular reading. But none for this day! When I read that, it made me love the day of Pentecost even more. The Lord chose to send the Holy Spirit upon the people on the celebration day that is not as significant (in people's eyes) as other festivals! Just as Jesus was born in an insignificant place quietly, He sent the Holy Spirit on the day of Shovuot. The Lord certainly love us all but I am grateful that He loves insignificant people (like me!).

The scripture in my heart:
So Christ has really set us fee, now make sure that you stay free and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law. (Galatians 5)

Moses led the chosen people out of Egypt. It is celebrated as the Passover. The Jews count the days after that for 49 days. Then they celebrate Shovuot = "weeks" = Pentecost. They celebrate the receiving of the ten commandments. The law was given to the people through Moses. In Acts, we read that the Jews were gathering on that day. They were celebrating Shovuot. We call it the Day of Pentecost.

Jesus was crucified during the week of the Passover ( sorry if I am not explaining it exactly). After he was resurrected, he spent time with the disciples and others for 40 days before he ascended. (The Jews must have been counting days to prepare for Shovuot, I would think.) Then the Day of Pentecost = Shovuot came, and they received the Holy Spirit!

Just like God's presence never left the Jewish people in the desert (by the pillar of fire and the cloud in Exodus, and by the fire and the smoke in Leviticus), Jesus never left the disciples! Even after the resurrection Jesus was with his people, and right after he ascended, the Holy Spirit was sent down! Now he has been within us since then.

I had never thought of the time frame until today. It is awesome.

This coming Sunday is the Day of Pentecost for Christians. It started this evening for the Jewish people and Messianic people. Thought I don't want to disrespect either of the groups, my heart is with both groups. I would have liked to go to join some group tonight, and I will celebrate on Sunday also. If the church doesn't mention it, I will do so in my private time. This Sunday is also the Global Day of Prayer. I didn't know that such thing existed. I think there will be a gathering near my church. I am planning to attend. To be a little part of the whole world like this will be a privilege.

It is so easy to go down.

Beth Moore says something like this: we are always one step away from falling.

I should never assume that I am okay because I spent time with God yesterday. When I start going down emotionally and spiritually (and my daily life), it always coincides (is it?) with the way I am spending time with God - reading, studying the scripture, praying, etc. Not legalistically, but because I confess that Jesus is the Savior who was sent to us from our Father in Heaven, the Creator of all things, it is natural for us to spend time with Him. We are designed that way.

I listened to Pastor Joseph Prince's message. He teaches from the entire word of God very clearly. He teaches from the Old Testament, the Jewish people, and Hebrew a lot. He is clear in this area: we study the entire Bible, and Jesus is the Savior. I heard that some people actually go back to Judaism. Pastor Prince mentioned that, too. Judaism is very fascinating. Festivals have all sorts of hidden meanings and studying them is fascinating. I don't think about becoming a Jew, but I understand why some people think about it. It is good to study, but we should not forget that the Father sent His Son to us. Amen!!

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As the springtime has come, I think of one of the words Jesus said to the disciples. This is famous. There is a song from this verse, too.

"In My Father's house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you." John 14:2 (Amplified)

Do we know what the verse before this is?

"DO NOT let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me." John 14:1 (Amplified)

Since God is leading my eyes to see the Jewish culture ( even though what I see is so little), it suddenly dawned on me that Jesus was talking to his Jewish disciples who believed in the Father. In the 1997 publication of New Living Bible translation taught me that first. The Amplified is close to what I read in the NLT, so I borrowed it above.

This verse is interesting to me because when I get into the OT, it is like Jesus is telling me to believe not only the Father, but also in Jesus!! Yes, I do believe.

Now I am going upward.