Technology has come so far, hasn’t it? Imagine trying to navigate without a GPS today.  I don’t know how we did without it all of these years! If you were to get lost while driving today, would you be able to find your way back home? You probably would but it would be a whole lot easier with your navigation system. It helps you know if there is oncoming traffic, a cop trap, accidents, or a shorter route to get to your destination. 

Years ago when my now husband and I were dating, I drove two hours to his house with a close friend of mine. At that time only MapQuest existed, which was an online service where you had to type in the address of the location you were traveling to and had to print out the directions. Oh boy, what an adventure we had ahead of us! On the way up there, we went through all kinds of twists and turns. That day was a day I will never forget. As they say, “That’s one for the books!”

The Holy Spirit has guided me several times in my life, as my own personal GPS. After not working for a few years so I could focus on raising my three children, I went back to work part time. When the pandemic started I had a choice to make; would I quit my job and stay home with the kids or would I go back to work? I prayed about it all the way up until I was supposed to go back to work. I felt the tugging of the Holy Spirit leading me to stay home with the kids which led me to start a Christian podcast. My cousin Janice and I just celebrated our one year anniversary since starting our podcast, Salt&Light. It has been such a blessing and has helped me grow spiritually. If I was still working, this podcast wouldn’t have been born! There’s no way I would have had the time to pour into this chapter of my life if I wasn’t at home. Janice and I are still walking this road and are excited to see where the Holy Spirit will lead us, but I know it has to be good! 

Thankfully, as true believers in Jesus, we will never have to be afraid of getting lost or leaving home without our own guide, the Holy Spirit. When Jesus ascended to heaven after He rose from the dead, He left us the Holy Spirit. In  John 14:15-18 Jesus says, “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever-the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him nor knows Him. But you know Him. For He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” Also in Acts 1:8 it says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

God is so good, He made sure to leave us the Holy Spirit to guide us, and help us navigate through this life, until we are with Jesus for all eternity. Aren’t you glad we are not alone?! We will forever have God with us, living inside of us and helping us through the good times, the trials, tribulations all the way until we reach our final destination, Heaven! Next time you feel lost, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and lead you down the path you need to take. With His help, you will always be headed in the right direction.

Written by: Bonnie Vargas

Everyone knows that childhood song, the Hokey Pokey! I still remember singing that song as a child myself. What does this have to do with anything? It reminds me how some believers have one foot in Jesus and the other foot in the world. When I first came to Christ about 7 years ago now, God impressed upon me that I had to let go of quite a few things. Things such as watching certain movies; horror was first on my list! 

When I was about 5 to 7 years old,  I was introduced to my first scary movie (without the knowledge of my parents), and I was terrified! That night I could not sleep, as a matter of fact, that whole week. Though I was petrified, I also took an interest in watching more scary movies. It was as if a spiritual door had been opened, I just did not know it. As the years went on, anything that had to do with witches,vampires and the paranormal I was attracted to. Halloween was one of my favorite times of the year. 

You never really understand the spiritual doors you open until it catches up with you.  We usually think these things are harmless or just a form of entertainment. This is exactly what the enemy wants you and I to think so we fall into the many pitfalls he has for us. There are things I still struggle with but with the help of the Holy Spirit, He helps us to daily deny our flesh. We have to be aware of the truth and ask the Lord to expose these lies of the enemy. Repent and give your life to Christ, read the Word and pray daily. With these steps and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the truth will become more clear in your life. With God delivering me from all of these things, does this mean I have a pass to dabble in this area again? Absolutely not! As followers of Christ, we have to be either hot or cold for the Lord but we cannot be lukewarm.  Revelation 3:15-16 says, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Also in 1 Corinthians 10:21, “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.”

God already forewarned us ahead of time that we need to make up our minds! Are you fully for Christ or are you half in half out? It is good to stop and reevaluate yourself and ask the Lord to constantly check your heart and mind. Are you hot, lukewarm or cold? We can be hot or cold but we shouldn’t be sitting on the fence. Our minds need to be made up, God will not force His will into our lives. He loves you, He has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11) and He wants you to dwell with Him for all eternity.  Ask God to help you in your walk with Him. God will never fail you!

Written By: Bonnie Vargas