on Friday of last week - April 24th, my father decided to bring us to SM Marikina to buy my son some sando and pjs. It all went as planned, we first bought baby clothes and then went down to the supermarket to buy some grocery items. Prior to going to the grocery we passed by the kids shoes section where i saw a pair of rubber shoes that i wanted to buy for Nathan. While I was about to put it on him, he kicked it and was about to cry, perhaps to indicate that he doesnt like it. So to prevent him from wailing, we went ahead and proceeded to the first floor to the grocery section.
When we got home and started sorting out the items we bought, we realized that we dont have the plastic bag that contains the things we bought for my son. We thought we forgot to retrieve it from the car and since my husband went to the hospital to visit his father, i just sent him an sms to inquire whether we left it in the car. Much to my dismay, my husband later on confirmed that it was not there. Ergo, we lost it at the mall. When i tried to recall the days event, I realized we left it at the seat at the kids shoes section.
I told my dad about it the next day since he was the one who bought it for my son. He just then instructed us to go back for it the next day. He said we just ought to pray so that we can find it. Unfortunately, we didnt get to go back to the mall the next few days due to other things. So I was thinking it's probably lost for good.
Yesterday, we went to the same mall to do our bi-monthly grocery shopping. But since i was the one who lost the items we bought the week before, we first went to the kids clothes section so i could buy the same items. I purchased the same items plus 4pcs of underwear for the little man. After paying for the items at the counter, i saw a supervisor. I then told him about what happened last week and told him that that the receipt has my name on it, since they swiped my SM Advantage card. He then offered to help us out and look it up. After 10 minutes, he went back together with the lost items. He just asked us to sign something to acknowledge receipt of the retrieved items.
I was so happy and grateful to God! To ever consider it forever lost is very stupid of me. If God brought my trainee's father back from being in a coma for more or less 2 months, how much more about giving us back what we lost??
God is truly wonderful and awesome!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Seeking his Hands
Over the last couple of days after the high that i got when God delivered the father of one of my trainee-turned-friend-and-brother-in-Christ, i felt my enthusiasm slowly ebbing away again. I felt myself starting to get caught up in the mundane things of this world. i found myself starting to become impatient once again. questions starting to fill my head once more, about why my current state - in all aspects, remain the same. the trials we faced a year and two years ago are still facing us now (Financially) pay day after pay day. all the more that i could feel it pressing on me now, due to a family crisis that my husband and his family are facing.
my father-in-law was rushed to the ust hospital intensive care unit thursday early morning of last week. immediately upon arriving there, one of my brother-in-law was requested to deposit a minimum of P100,000.00, to which he handed over his car key to the admission attendant. well, to cut the story short, i feel so helpless. i was thinking that if we should be able to help if we claim to have God's blessings. but we dont have that much money.
last sunday after an afternoon siesta with my husband's family - his eldest sister and her 2 daughters, as well as his brother who opted to remain unmarried due to familial obligations and his three other nephews from his other brother - at robinson's galleria, they walked us to the victory christian fellowship center before heading back to the hospital. after the service, just as when we were about to go down to the parking lot, i heard someone calling my name, well shouting my name actually. when i turned around, i saw a former church mate and old friend - John. He was one of the people that my dad helped. he's actually not able to finish a college degree but i would say that he's one determined folk. he told me during our brief conversation that he also goes to church at victory and that he already owns a house in Pasig and in Cavite and that his sister, who used to be a good friend of mine - was also able to purchase her own house in Cavite.
those were all the words i needed to hear and i felt all the questions came flooding back at me. the dam of doubt came flooding back, questions about my standing, the prosperity, the bible verses - all came back to make me feel unsure. unsure because my current situation is contrary to the things that i was told.
last night when i got to the office, I did talk to my friend and brother in Christ - James. Told him that i'm starting to feel spiritually dry. he gave me encouragement to which im grateful. but im waiting for God's word. and when i opened my mail, i found the answer to my questions. my prosperity is detained because, my heart seeks those things more than i long for God. I was reminded of Matthew 3:33 (Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.) I should not distract myself with longings for worldly treasure because it will definitely come, when the Lord can fully trust me with his blessings.
He has always been that way to me. back in my younger days, when i have something i really really like, when that something occupies the number one spot in my heart, i find myself not getting that thing. when i finally told myself that its okay even if i dont get it, that's when God would give me that thing, when he can finally be certain that He's back on the number 1 spot of my heart. The same thing happened over the Mandy Moore concert - yeah I should transfer my blog entry about that here.
Anyway, here is God's word for me last night, which is followed by a much deeper revelation concerning the same matter.
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
Seekest thou great things for thyself?
Jeremiah 14:5
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=jer+14:5&sr=1
Are you seeking great things for yourself? Not seeking to be a great
one, but seeking great things from God for yourself. God wants you in
a closer relationship to Himself than receiving His gifts, He wants
you to get to know Him. A great thing is accidental, it comes and
goes. God never gives us anything accidental. There is nothing easier
than getting into a right relationship with God except when it is not
God Whom you want but only what He gives.
If you have only come the length of asking God for things, you have
never come to the first strand of abandonment, you have become a
Christian from a standpoint of your own. "I did ask God for the Holy
Spirit, but He did not give me the rest and the peace I expected."
Instantly God puts His finger on the reason - you are not seeking the
Lord at all, you are seeking something for yourself. Jesus says -
"Ask, and it shall be given you." Ask God for what you want, and you
cannot ask if you are not asking for a right thing. When you draw
near to God, you cease from asking for things. "Your Father knoweth
what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him." Then why ask? That
you may get to know Him.
Are you seeking great things for yourself? "O Lord, baptize me with
the Holy Ghost." If God does not, it is because you are not abandoned
enough to Him, there is something you will not do. Are you prepared
to ask yourself what it is you want from God and why you want it? God
always ignores the present perfection for the ultimate perfection. He
is not concerned about making you blessed and happy just now; He is
working out His ultimate perfection all the time - "that they may be
one even as We are."
His word today:
WHAT YOU WILL GET
Thy life will I give thee for a prey in all places
whither thou goest.
Jeremiah 14:5
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=jer+14:5&sr=1
This is the unshakable secret of the Lord to those who trust Him - "I
will give thee thy life." What more does a man want than his life? It
is the essential thing. "Thy life for a prey" means that wherever you
may go, even if it is into hell, you will come out with your life,
nothing can harm it. So many of us are caught up in the shows of
things, not in the way of property and possessions, but of blessings.
All these have to go; but there is something grander that never can
go - the life that is "hid with Christ in God."
Are you prepared to let God take you into union with Himself, and pay
no more attention to what you call the great things? Are you prepared
to abandon entirely and let go? The test of abandonment is in
refusing to say - "Well, what about this?" Beware of suppositions.
Immediately you allow - What about this? - it means you have not
abandoned, you do not really trust God. Immediately you do abandon,
you think no more about what God is going to do. Abandon means to
refuse yourself the luxury of asking any questions. If you abandon
entirely to God, He says at once, "Thy life will I give thee for a
prey." The reason people are tired of life is because God has not
given them anything, they have not got their life as a prey. The way
to get out of that state is to abandon to God. When you do get
through to abandonment to God, you will be the most surprised and
delighted creature on earth; God has got you absolutely and has given
you your life. If you are not there, it is either because of
disobedience or a refusal to be simple enough.
And finally i leave you with a few lines of one of my favorite Gospel songs:
To seek your face and not your hands
To fall in love with the Holy Lamb
To steal your heart with one look of my eyes
To seek your face is my heart's cry
my father-in-law was rushed to the ust hospital intensive care unit thursday early morning of last week. immediately upon arriving there, one of my brother-in-law was requested to deposit a minimum of P100,000.00, to which he handed over his car key to the admission attendant. well, to cut the story short, i feel so helpless. i was thinking that if we should be able to help if we claim to have God's blessings. but we dont have that much money.
last sunday after an afternoon siesta with my husband's family - his eldest sister and her 2 daughters, as well as his brother who opted to remain unmarried due to familial obligations and his three other nephews from his other brother - at robinson's galleria, they walked us to the victory christian fellowship center before heading back to the hospital. after the service, just as when we were about to go down to the parking lot, i heard someone calling my name, well shouting my name actually. when i turned around, i saw a former church mate and old friend - John. He was one of the people that my dad helped. he's actually not able to finish a college degree but i would say that he's one determined folk. he told me during our brief conversation that he also goes to church at victory and that he already owns a house in Pasig and in Cavite and that his sister, who used to be a good friend of mine - was also able to purchase her own house in Cavite.
those were all the words i needed to hear and i felt all the questions came flooding back at me. the dam of doubt came flooding back, questions about my standing, the prosperity, the bible verses - all came back to make me feel unsure. unsure because my current situation is contrary to the things that i was told.
last night when i got to the office, I did talk to my friend and brother in Christ - James. Told him that i'm starting to feel spiritually dry. he gave me encouragement to which im grateful. but im waiting for God's word. and when i opened my mail, i found the answer to my questions. my prosperity is detained because, my heart seeks those things more than i long for God. I was reminded of Matthew 3:33 (Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.) I should not distract myself with longings for worldly treasure because it will definitely come, when the Lord can fully trust me with his blessings.
He has always been that way to me. back in my younger days, when i have something i really really like, when that something occupies the number one spot in my heart, i find myself not getting that thing. when i finally told myself that its okay even if i dont get it, that's when God would give me that thing, when he can finally be certain that He's back on the number 1 spot of my heart. The same thing happened over the Mandy Moore concert - yeah I should transfer my blog entry about that here.
Anyway, here is God's word for me last night, which is followed by a much deeper revelation concerning the same matter.
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
Seekest thou great things for thyself?
Jeremiah 14:5
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=jer+14:5&sr=1
Are you seeking great things for yourself? Not seeking to be a great
one, but seeking great things from God for yourself. God wants you in
a closer relationship to Himself than receiving His gifts, He wants
you to get to know Him. A great thing is accidental, it comes and
goes. God never gives us anything accidental. There is nothing easier
than getting into a right relationship with God except when it is not
God Whom you want but only what He gives.
If you have only come the length of asking God for things, you have
never come to the first strand of abandonment, you have become a
Christian from a standpoint of your own. "I did ask God for the Holy
Spirit, but He did not give me the rest and the peace I expected."
Instantly God puts His finger on the reason - you are not seeking the
Lord at all, you are seeking something for yourself. Jesus says -
"Ask, and it shall be given you." Ask God for what you want, and you
cannot ask if you are not asking for a right thing. When you draw
near to God, you cease from asking for things. "Your Father knoweth
what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him." Then why ask? That
you may get to know Him.
Are you seeking great things for yourself? "O Lord, baptize me with
the Holy Ghost." If God does not, it is because you are not abandoned
enough to Him, there is something you will not do. Are you prepared
to ask yourself what it is you want from God and why you want it? God
always ignores the present perfection for the ultimate perfection. He
is not concerned about making you blessed and happy just now; He is
working out His ultimate perfection all the time - "that they may be
one even as We are."
His word today:
WHAT YOU WILL GET
Thy life will I give thee for a prey in all places
whither thou goest.
Jeremiah 14:5
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=jer+14:5&sr=1
This is the unshakable secret of the Lord to those who trust Him - "I
will give thee thy life." What more does a man want than his life? It
is the essential thing. "Thy life for a prey" means that wherever you
may go, even if it is into hell, you will come out with your life,
nothing can harm it. So many of us are caught up in the shows of
things, not in the way of property and possessions, but of blessings.
All these have to go; but there is something grander that never can
go - the life that is "hid with Christ in God."
Are you prepared to let God take you into union with Himself, and pay
no more attention to what you call the great things? Are you prepared
to abandon entirely and let go? The test of abandonment is in
refusing to say - "Well, what about this?" Beware of suppositions.
Immediately you allow - What about this? - it means you have not
abandoned, you do not really trust God. Immediately you do abandon,
you think no more about what God is going to do. Abandon means to
refuse yourself the luxury of asking any questions. If you abandon
entirely to God, He says at once, "Thy life will I give thee for a
prey." The reason people are tired of life is because God has not
given them anything, they have not got their life as a prey. The way
to get out of that state is to abandon to God. When you do get
through to abandonment to God, you will be the most surprised and
delighted creature on earth; God has got you absolutely and has given
you your life. If you are not there, it is either because of
disobedience or a refusal to be simple enough.
And finally i leave you with a few lines of one of my favorite Gospel songs:
To seek your face and not your hands
To fall in love with the Holy Lamb
To steal your heart with one look of my eyes
To seek your face is my heart's cry
Monday, April 13, 2009
a Miracle
Last Saturday, God gave me the blessing to pray for one of my trainees in Cebu. Prior to his actual certification date (was originally Wednesday of last week but was moved to Saturday), he was already corresponding with me via SMS to let me know that he's actually feeling demotivated due to personal reasons. His father has been in a coma for more or less 2 months now. He's torn between his ill feelings towards his dad and the love that he has for him as a son. He is confused and sad and he was afraid to go through certification thinking that his current situation will make him automatically fail his certification.
Through God's grace I told him to talk to his dad, even if he's not conscious. To let his dad know all about the things that he's been holding against him, forgive him and release him from all those things. He said he'll do it.
Last Saturday, after we finished with one certification proficiency and before we started with his second certification (it was conducted via videocon), he told me again of his current situtaion. The Holy Spirit led me to counsel him and pray for him. He agreed to accept Jesus as his personal Master and Savior. And then we prayed for healing for his father. In the past, with the old church we used to go to (where God took us out through His grace) there is a disclaimer right away when you pray for a sick person. They (the elders and leaders of the church) would pray for healing but then all too quickly in the same prayer, they would say that if it's God's will to take the person, then so be it. But God shed a light to that by telling us later on that He is a very specific God and whatever we tell him in prayer, that He will do provided its in accordance to His divine will. So God led me to pray for his father. The Spirit led me to say that we are specifically asking for his father's healing and that we know that God is all powerful and no one can stop him. And that we believe that he will do what we asked for, for we believe that this asking is in accordance to His divine will. The Lord did not let me utter that disclaimer, instead He's made me firm in my asking that we wanted healing for my trainees father.
Yesterday, whenever i remember them, i utter a prayer for him and his family. And yesterday afternoon, on our way to church, I got a message from my trainee. He said that his father is finally awake!!!
God is truly amazing! As the song says: He is mighty to save. The message in the churhc is also very timely - resurrection!
I praise God for His mighty display of power, let it be known that my God is a truly awesome God!
Through God's grace I told him to talk to his dad, even if he's not conscious. To let his dad know all about the things that he's been holding against him, forgive him and release him from all those things. He said he'll do it.
Last Saturday, after we finished with one certification proficiency and before we started with his second certification (it was conducted via videocon), he told me again of his current situtaion. The Holy Spirit led me to counsel him and pray for him. He agreed to accept Jesus as his personal Master and Savior. And then we prayed for healing for his father. In the past, with the old church we used to go to (where God took us out through His grace) there is a disclaimer right away when you pray for a sick person. They (the elders and leaders of the church) would pray for healing but then all too quickly in the same prayer, they would say that if it's God's will to take the person, then so be it. But God shed a light to that by telling us later on that He is a very specific God and whatever we tell him in prayer, that He will do provided its in accordance to His divine will. So God led me to pray for his father. The Spirit led me to say that we are specifically asking for his father's healing and that we know that God is all powerful and no one can stop him. And that we believe that he will do what we asked for, for we believe that this asking is in accordance to His divine will. The Lord did not let me utter that disclaimer, instead He's made me firm in my asking that we wanted healing for my trainees father.
Yesterday, whenever i remember them, i utter a prayer for him and his family. And yesterday afternoon, on our way to church, I got a message from my trainee. He said that his father is finally awake!!!
God is truly amazing! As the song says: He is mighty to save. The message in the churhc is also very timely - resurrection!
I praise God for His mighty display of power, let it be known that my God is a truly awesome God!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
God’s Provision
Philippians 4:19 (King James Version)
19But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
We only have P1500 for the rest of the week, add to that the $20 that was sent to me by my aunt in the US. God blessed us over the weekend and provided us with P1000 for market money and P800 for groceries. The P1500 and the $20 were also blessings given to us over the weekend. Our budget got skewed big time because hubby lost his teeth jacket the time we went snorkeling. He tried to go deeper into the water and thus, sea water went into the mouth piece where he’s supposed to breathe. Thus, he took off the equipment and spew out the water and out came the denture. We had to go directly to the dentist the time we got back to Manila. Thus aside from expenses we had for the very short vacation that we had, we had to pay for that.
Prior to writing this entry, the devil was trying to make me decide not to write an entry altogether, making me think it’s shameful that we don’t have extra money, or making me think of posting my entry on my secret blog. Now I have to admit that I did think about that for a while. But then again what good would that do, when no one can read about how God saves us from our troubles and how God faithfully carries out His promises into our lives? Therefore, I’m thrashing my pride and sneering at the enemy for writing this entry. Above all I want to proclaim God’s faithfulness.
Given the circumstances I mentioned above, we are off to a difficult week if you look at it from the human stand point. With 5 days before pay day, expenses for the gas, my fare to and from the office, trip to the airport on Thursday to pick up my cousin and a lot of other things, how will one budget P1500? But I know my God will provide.
Our household helpers took a rest day today. Hubby and I could barely keep up with my son. Apparently, I no longer have the energy to cook dinner. I managed to cook rice though. But I forgot to thaw the meat in the fridge, besides, the meat we have was for tomorrow’s viand. I don’t want to open canned meat since those have lots of preservatives, besides I miss eating vegetables. So I asked hubby to walk with me and bring along our kid. We went to my aunt (dad’s half sister) who happens to live on the next street. We asked them if we could possibly get some camote tops (sweet potato leaves). Hubby who doesn’t eat veggies, was resigned to having canned meat for dinner. But the great thing about it was that my aunt aside from telling us we can go ahead and get some camote tops from their yard, gave us a large roll of chicken embutido (home made luncheon meat with raisins and quail eggs). It made me smile that God doesn’t want my hubby to have canned meat again. But other than that it made me praise Him for his miraculous provision for us. Yes, God still makes miracles.
19But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
We only have P1500 for the rest of the week, add to that the $20 that was sent to me by my aunt in the US. God blessed us over the weekend and provided us with P1000 for market money and P800 for groceries. The P1500 and the $20 were also blessings given to us over the weekend. Our budget got skewed big time because hubby lost his teeth jacket the time we went snorkeling. He tried to go deeper into the water and thus, sea water went into the mouth piece where he’s supposed to breathe. Thus, he took off the equipment and spew out the water and out came the denture. We had to go directly to the dentist the time we got back to Manila. Thus aside from expenses we had for the very short vacation that we had, we had to pay for that.
Prior to writing this entry, the devil was trying to make me decide not to write an entry altogether, making me think it’s shameful that we don’t have extra money, or making me think of posting my entry on my secret blog. Now I have to admit that I did think about that for a while. But then again what good would that do, when no one can read about how God saves us from our troubles and how God faithfully carries out His promises into our lives? Therefore, I’m thrashing my pride and sneering at the enemy for writing this entry. Above all I want to proclaim God’s faithfulness.
Given the circumstances I mentioned above, we are off to a difficult week if you look at it from the human stand point. With 5 days before pay day, expenses for the gas, my fare to and from the office, trip to the airport on Thursday to pick up my cousin and a lot of other things, how will one budget P1500? But I know my God will provide.
Our household helpers took a rest day today. Hubby and I could barely keep up with my son. Apparently, I no longer have the energy to cook dinner. I managed to cook rice though. But I forgot to thaw the meat in the fridge, besides, the meat we have was for tomorrow’s viand. I don’t want to open canned meat since those have lots of preservatives, besides I miss eating vegetables. So I asked hubby to walk with me and bring along our kid. We went to my aunt (dad’s half sister) who happens to live on the next street. We asked them if we could possibly get some camote tops (sweet potato leaves). Hubby who doesn’t eat veggies, was resigned to having canned meat for dinner. But the great thing about it was that my aunt aside from telling us we can go ahead and get some camote tops from their yard, gave us a large roll of chicken embutido (home made luncheon meat with raisins and quail eggs). It made me smile that God doesn’t want my hubby to have canned meat again. But other than that it made me praise Him for his miraculous provision for us. Yes, God still makes miracles.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Realizations during the Horrific Boat ride on the way to Puerto G
We were originally scheduled to leave Manila at around 2am. That way, we’d be on board the bus to Batangas Pier before 3am and some time before 4am we’d leave the Buendia Bus station. With that, we estimated that we’d arrive in Batangas Pier around 6am and then be on board the boat and sailing towards Galera by 7am. That was the plan. I’ve been to the place twice and I know that mornings are the best times to have a boat ride. Worst times would be late afternoon since the waves are really big already by that time.
Unfortunately, due to a meeting that hubby needed to attend at 4am that morning, add to that the fact that we had to wait for the broker to drop by our place and give her part of her commission for the sale of one of the properties of my uncle, we weren’t able to follow the schedule that we originally mapped out for the trip. Apparently we left the house at around 10am and finally arrived in Batangas Pier at 1:30ish. We were told at the ticketing booth that the next boat is supposed to leave by 2pm, only to be told by the pier guards that the boat we picked will leave by 3pm. But as fate would have it, we were even more annoyed that the boat didn’t leave as scheduled. They opted to wait for more passengers and so we were able to finally sail to Galera by 4pm. I knew right away it won’t be a smooth ride!
Hubby finally agreed that I was right in telling him all along that we need to make sure we get the earliest boat trip. There were so many times when the “captain” of the boat (75 seater boat) had to turn off the engine of the boat while we get face to face with big waves! I was clutching my husband’s arm real tight while praying for dear life. The waves becomes were bigger at the time when we had to pass by two islands fronting each other. And then finally it subsided when we were back at open sea. I asked hubby about it and he explained it to me. He said that if there’s no land at all, then the water will just be still. But since there’s land, the water splashes back after it reaches the shore, thus creating waves. Then he mentioned that the waves are much bigger and stronger at the time when we’re closer to land.
Thinking about it while praying earnestly during the ride, the Lord gave that to me as an analogy. During the situations in our lives wherein our faith is being tested, and at the time when we think it’s already the breaking point, that’s the time when we’re really close to deliverance. It’s the stage prior to a breakthrough, all we need to do is to hang in there and wait for the Lord to take us out of that situation. Looking back now, there were a lot of times when I chickened out when already faced with that kind of situation, and looking back now, I feel bad knowing that I could have received more blessings (in all aspects – primarily spiritually) had I opted to hold on and wait for the Lord. And now that I am writing this entry, I am reminded of a book of Joyce Meyer that I bought before. The title of the book is DO IT AFRAID! There are times when all that God is asking of us is to wait patiently for him.
Psalm 37:7a
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.
I am writing this to remind myself that at times when it seems the toughest, I’m at the verge of being delivered from that trial, and that all I need to do is to wait on Him.
Unfortunately, due to a meeting that hubby needed to attend at 4am that morning, add to that the fact that we had to wait for the broker to drop by our place and give her part of her commission for the sale of one of the properties of my uncle, we weren’t able to follow the schedule that we originally mapped out for the trip. Apparently we left the house at around 10am and finally arrived in Batangas Pier at 1:30ish. We were told at the ticketing booth that the next boat is supposed to leave by 2pm, only to be told by the pier guards that the boat we picked will leave by 3pm. But as fate would have it, we were even more annoyed that the boat didn’t leave as scheduled. They opted to wait for more passengers and so we were able to finally sail to Galera by 4pm. I knew right away it won’t be a smooth ride!
Hubby finally agreed that I was right in telling him all along that we need to make sure we get the earliest boat trip. There were so many times when the “captain” of the boat (75 seater boat) had to turn off the engine of the boat while we get face to face with big waves! I was clutching my husband’s arm real tight while praying for dear life. The waves becomes were bigger at the time when we had to pass by two islands fronting each other. And then finally it subsided when we were back at open sea. I asked hubby about it and he explained it to me. He said that if there’s no land at all, then the water will just be still. But since there’s land, the water splashes back after it reaches the shore, thus creating waves. Then he mentioned that the waves are much bigger and stronger at the time when we’re closer to land.
Thinking about it while praying earnestly during the ride, the Lord gave that to me as an analogy. During the situations in our lives wherein our faith is being tested, and at the time when we think it’s already the breaking point, that’s the time when we’re really close to deliverance. It’s the stage prior to a breakthrough, all we need to do is to hang in there and wait for the Lord to take us out of that situation. Looking back now, there were a lot of times when I chickened out when already faced with that kind of situation, and looking back now, I feel bad knowing that I could have received more blessings (in all aspects – primarily spiritually) had I opted to hold on and wait for the Lord. And now that I am writing this entry, I am reminded of a book of Joyce Meyer that I bought before. The title of the book is DO IT AFRAID! There are times when all that God is asking of us is to wait patiently for him.
Psalm 37:7a
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.
I am writing this to remind myself that at times when it seems the toughest, I’m at the verge of being delivered from that trial, and that all I need to do is to wait on Him.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
I will hope in the Lord
Habakkuk 3:17-19
17
Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines,
The produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food,
And the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold
And there be no herd in the stalls,
18
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19
God, the Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s;
He makes me tread on my high places.
A colleague, who recently renewed her commitment to the Lord, is receiving and outpouring of blessings. God used me as a vessel to witness to her and one thing led to another and she finally decided to draw near to God again. As we were talking earlier about the recent turn of events in her life, I remember what my dad told me that if you’re being used to bless a person, your blessing is higher and greater than the blessing of that person.
There goes the battle in my mind again. The enemy reminded me of our current situation and was gearing towards making me doubt the word that the Lord gave me. But the Holy Spirit led me into remembering that passage in the Bible. I am likewise reminded of a passage somewhere in either the Psalms or Proverbs that states that you have to be happy for your brother when God lifts him up, because when your time comes, they will be happy for you as well.
17
Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines,
The produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food,
And the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold
And there be no herd in the stalls,
18
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19
God, the Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s;
He makes me tread on my high places.
A colleague, who recently renewed her commitment to the Lord, is receiving and outpouring of blessings. God used me as a vessel to witness to her and one thing led to another and she finally decided to draw near to God again. As we were talking earlier about the recent turn of events in her life, I remember what my dad told me that if you’re being used to bless a person, your blessing is higher and greater than the blessing of that person.
There goes the battle in my mind again. The enemy reminded me of our current situation and was gearing towards making me doubt the word that the Lord gave me. But the Holy Spirit led me into remembering that passage in the Bible. I am likewise reminded of a passage somewhere in either the Psalms or Proverbs that states that you have to be happy for your brother when God lifts him up, because when your time comes, they will be happy for you as well.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
on restlessness...
Over the last few days, I found myself clinging into the ever thin thread of happiness that life has dealt me with as the year draws to a close. As I find our finances dropping, in the same way, I felt slowly leaning towards depression.
But God will not let that happen. His Faithfulness lifted me back. Amidst all the worries, what-ifs and what-might-have-beens, God made a way to make me understand.
I was going over the book that my father gave me and this is what the Lord has to say to me when my heart is cluttered with earthly worries:
I have seen people who are so wrapped up in their own self-efforts that they never have peace. They remain frustrated. They are trying to work to please God. However, the thing about working to please God is that you never know when you have done enough or performed well enough to meet His requirements. The devil will tell you, “You could have prayed longer. You could have gone to one more church service. God is not pleased with you.” This will always leave you frustrated and without peace.
But when you understand His grace, when you understand that God has already done the work, then all you need to do is receive His gifts of grace. All the pressure is off, and peace is the result.
God spoke directly to me with what the author wrote. And I am reminded of a verse in Matthew that tells us to live one day at a time.
But God will not let that happen. His Faithfulness lifted me back. Amidst all the worries, what-ifs and what-might-have-beens, God made a way to make me understand.
I was going over the book that my father gave me and this is what the Lord has to say to me when my heart is cluttered with earthly worries:
I have seen people who are so wrapped up in their own self-efforts that they never have peace. They remain frustrated. They are trying to work to please God. However, the thing about working to please God is that you never know when you have done enough or performed well enough to meet His requirements. The devil will tell you, “You could have prayed longer. You could have gone to one more church service. God is not pleased with you.” This will always leave you frustrated and without peace.
But when you understand His grace, when you understand that God has already done the work, then all you need to do is receive His gifts of grace. All the pressure is off, and peace is the result.
God spoke directly to me with what the author wrote. And I am reminded of a verse in Matthew that tells us to live one day at a time.
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