A Hearty Valentine

Photo credit: 2013-valentinesday.blogspot.com

Many countries celebrate Valentine's Day during the 14th day of February each year. But how many of us know its history?

Here are some information about the history of Valentine's Day (credits to wikipedia.org).

Starting My Day Claiming His Promises

It's nice to wake up every morning knowing that I am one step closer to His promises.  So today is a claiming-His-promises-for-my-life day! Good morning Friday! Good morning God!

This morning, I claim these promises in Jesus' name:

He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,
- 2 Corinthians 1:10

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
- 2 Timothy 4:8

Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
- Psalm 126:5

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
- 2 Corinthians 4:17

For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.
- Proverbs 8:35

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.
- Psalm 34:19-20

[October 7, 2011]

Turning Stones Into Bread

3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” 5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” 9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

- Luke 4:3-13

 

The devil tempted Jesus three times during His forty days fasting; it was when Jesus was physically weak that the devil grabbed the chance.  Jesus, the Son of God, was tempted.  And why was Jesus tempted by the devil? “Temptation is part of the human experience.”  Jesus was fully human and fully God.  Jesus had to experience temptation as well for Him to be able to understand us fully.

Going Solo (Part 2 of 2)

Photo courtesy: 500px.com

Back when I was in elementary, I can still remember telling Katrina, my classmate, that when I grow old I want to remain single for life.  And I was even proud to say that.  I can even recall what Katrina said, “If I were to become single for the rest of my life, I would rather become a nun.”  Hehehe!  A funny idea to me.  Becoming single for life does not mean you have to become a nun.

I have never envisioned myself being married and having kids.  Never. Never in my wildest dreams have I longed for a husband and children of my own.  And, never have I considered myself an ‘abnormal’ person for having no thoughts and no plans of getting married.  Whenever my friends tease me, “Ga lina-on ka naman” (You are acting like a spinster again) or “Daw laon ka” (You’re like an old maid), I never got offended.  Ever!  I even take it as a compliment, and I am proud to say that! :D

I have even prayed to God to give me that desire to remain single for the rest of my life.  I could remember praying and asking God to hear my petition, crying hard (literally), when I was still in college (or early years after graduation).

Going Solo (Part 1 of 2)

Monday… Work… It’s the start of the work week to welcome another bulk of transactions, and another day to entertain this one “kulit” (stubborn) client.  Weeks before, this client of mine kept on proposing to introduce to me her nephew. In our dialect, we call it, “pakilala.” She kept on asking me if I have a boyfriend every time she transacts at my counter.  And she said, there is this nephew of hers she would like me to get introduced to.  I know her motives, “basi pa lang may potensyal nga maging close kag magkadevelopan” (maybe there is a potential between us to get close and be more than friends).  And so, I was being polite to her but I wasn’t serious in taking her proposal.

I'm Ending the Day by Claiming Promises

The Bible has hundreds of written promises.  God has promised His children and not one of them has ever failed.  God is faithful in keeping His promises.  So tonight, I will start and I will end this day in claiming His promises for my life.

I claim these promises in Jesus' name:

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Acts 16:31

"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household."

Psalm 32:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Isaiah 40:29-31

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.

1 Corinthians 2:9

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him."

Philippians 4:19

And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Jude 1:24

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.

Habakkuk 3:19

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.

Revelation 3:11

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

John 14:2

In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 28:8

The Lord is the strength of His people, a fortress of salvation for His anointed one.

Jeremiah 30:17

But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declared the Lord, because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.

Proverbs 8:17

I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

1 John 2:25

And this is what He promised us - even eternal life.

[Journal entry: October 6, 2011]

A Piece of Paper

It's 1:00 in the morning and I was in bed pondering about things in life. Suddenly, I got up and grabbed a piece of paper; nothing on it.  Then, I wrote "For God to do in my life" on top and signed it at the bottom.

Father God,

As I place my trust in You, fill this empty paper with what You have prepared for me.  You are in charge of my life.  My times are in Your hands.  I submit to You my plans, my desires, and my future.  I'm looking forward to Your surprises, Father! Amen.

Claiming these verses:

• "For I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11 
• No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him. - 1 Cor 2:9
• As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. - Isaiah 55:9

[Journal entry: October 9, 2010]