Last Two Minutes

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Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.

- Matthew 24: 4-8

REMINDER TO SELF:

Happening now...

• False prophets
• Wars and rumors of wars
• Nation versus nation
• Kingdom versus kingdom
• Famines, earthquakes, pestilences

ONLY the BEGINNING of BIRTH PAINS

Manasseh and Ephraim

Photo credit: walkwithjesusonline.com

Joseph named his older son Manasseh,[a] for he said, “God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father’s family.” Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, “God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief.”

- Genesis 41: 51-52

Will God also make me forget all my trouble -- personal and relational?

Will God make me fruitful in my suffering... in my struggle?

Father God, why am I even struggling again with the father issue? What is it within my heart still that makes it filthy and ugly?

"Unforgiveness," God whispered.

Then help me to forgive, God, and to know that You really are in control.

[Journal entry: January 8, 2013]

My Mentor's Encouragement

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Today, my mentor, Paul, encourages me with these:

Philippians 3: 7-8

7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ

It's OK That I Am Not OK

Photo credit: savednewsmagazine

 

Excerpt from the book, "It's OK to be NOT OK."

Thus, it is clear that Christians still do experience defeat. Becoming a Christian does not mean a complete release from all struggle and defeat.

The encouraging thing is that as we accept our realities of defeat in the light of God's mercy and grace, we are changed.

In this world, we can never cross the bridge and come to a side where everything will be OK, where there will be no defeat.  But at least we can cross the bridge as a different person, more open to change, more open to pain, because we have learned to share our pain and defeats with God and with others.

"An umbrella cannot stop the rain, but it allows us to stand in the rain." Lament cannot solve all our problems. But it can create the needed space where we can deal with our sufferings.

The lament, however, is not just a coping tool.  It can become a means of growing in our intimacy with God, By being open to God about our own brokenness and about the real condition of our hearts, we place ourselves in His loving embrace.

It is painful, difficult, tormenting, and agonizing.  But the Lord allows us to go through the darkness so that we may reach out to those who are also in darkness.

Leaving Behind

I am leaving yesterday behind.

I am leaving myself behind.

I am leaving immaturity behind.

I am leaving comfort behind.

I am leaving complacency behind.

I have one goal in mind: To glorify GOD in everything I do.

Two weeks from now, I will turn 29. I am thinking of what to do with my life as I get older another year.

My request to God is this:
Don't let me miss You. Don't let me miss the mighty things You will be doing soon. I don't want to be left out of the inner court.

Lord, fill me with Your Holy Spirit. And I need to encounter Jesus in a way that would really change my mindset and heartbeat. So Lord, I am dedicating my year to You... only to You. Amen.



[Journal entry: February 13, 2013]

URGENT: Spiritual Inventory

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• Am I really living in an explicable way that reflects Christ?
• Do my lifestyle and character attract others?
• Do others take notice of my conduct that draw them to Christ?
• Am I really being an effective Christian?
• Am I a good ambassador of Jesus?
• Is there a change in me that others would conclude that it is something divine?
• Am I making myself usable by God?
• Am I living out the Word of God?
• Am I a contagious Christian?

[PRAYER]
Father God,

Help me in assessing my spiritual condition and reveal to me, if necessary, convict my heart of anything that displeases You and of anything that is hindering me from giving glory to You. Amen.



[Journal entry: July 9, 2011]

Those Who Do These Will Stand Firm

Psalm 15
A psalm of David.

1 Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?
    Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,
    speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
3 Those who refuse to gossip
    or harm their neighbors
    or speak evil of their friends.
4 Those who despise flagrant sinners,
    and honor the faithful followers of the Lord,
    and keep their promises even when it hurts.
5 Those who lend money without charging interest,
    and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.
Such people will stand firm forever.

Heartbreaking, Heartwarming #YolandaPH

Photo credit: CNN.com

It's heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Heartbreaking because of what our fellow Filipinos in Tacloban and in other affected areas are going through right now.

At the same time, it's heartwarming because of the overwhelming response and help given by our own Kababayans and other nations.

It's painful. It's bitter. It's a nightmare to most of us seeing the cry of desperation of our fellowmen. But what shines the most in the midst of this darkness, is the gleaming light of faith, hope, and love... Faith in God. Hope for redemption. Love for humanity.
Good morning Philippines! God bless us all!

 
#prayforthePhilippines #bangonVisayas #hopeintheLord #callonGod #iLovePhilippines #ProudFilipino

The Reign of the Lord’s Anointed

PSALM 2

 
1 Why are the nations in an uproar
And the peoples devising a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

On Mathematicians and Multiplication...

21 Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

- Matthew 18:21-22

The pharisees taught the people that when someone sins against you, forgive them up to three times. Peter, being graceful, thought of seven times on forgiving. But Jesus said and taught them (and us) to forgive people who sin against us 70x7 (seventy-seven times, other version). It's a lot of number.  And yes, Jesus didn't make a mistake on multiplication.  And He even intentionally used the mathematical method of multiplication.  Not addition. Not subtraction. Not division. But multiplication.

From Today Onwards

Today, I make a conscious decision to desire nothing and no one else other than God. Today, I decide to desire and fix my eyes on Jesus. From today onwards, I consciously decide to be madly, crazily in love with JESUS!

I will take off my eyes on things here on earth, and I will set my eyes on what is above.  I will desire for things which are eternal.  And I will make a difference in my generation and to make an impact in God's kingdom.

I carry the banner of Jesus!  I am not alone in this battle. My Lord is with me and He will fight for me!

Let's go God! :-)

Captivate my heart, Jesus! I will live with one purpose in mind:  

to glorify Jesus in every way!

I love You, Lord! :-)

[Journal entry: August 22, 2011]

Thoughts...

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Just when I thought I've moved on, I found myself at the same place...

I have never moved.

[Journal entry dated: July 20,2011]

 ********************************************************************** 

Only in Rest will you be able to see My power.

                                                     - God

God impressed this in my heart and I remembered the scripture in 1 Samuel 12:6:

"Now then, stand still and see thius great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!"

[Journal entry dated: July 23,2011]

**********************************************************************

I may have backslid, but God remains faithful. I praise You, God, for You are faithful to Your children.

[Journal entry dated: July 25,2011]

God is For Me

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People will either be for me or against me. Regardless of it, God is always for me. And... that is unchanging.

People will always have to say something about me whether positive or negative.  What matters is what God says about me and approves of me.

People at some point will frustrate me or disappoint me. But God never will.

[Journal entry: August 9, 2011]

Assurance of Help and Protection

Father God,

Thank You that I can depend on You for help and protection.  Thank You for Your assurance of Your Promise and that whatever You say is always true.

Sing to the Lord a New Song

Psalm 149

1 Praise the Lord.
Sing to the Lord a new song,
    his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.

2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
    let the people of Zion be glad in their King.
3 Let them praise his name with dancing
    and make music to him with timbrel and harp.
4 For the Lord takes delight in his people;
    he crowns the humble with victory.
5 Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor
    and sing for joy on their beds.

6 May the praise of God be in their mouths
    and a double-edged sword in their hands,
7 to inflict vengeance on the nations
    and punishment on the peoples,
8 to bind their kings with fetters,
    their nobles with shackles of iron,
9 to carry out the sentence written against them—
    this is the glory of all his faithful people.

Praise the Lord.

Photo courtesy: www.sttom.ca

Drawing That Sword

7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.

8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”[a]

10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

- John 18:7-11

When the soldiers and some officials went to arrest Jesus, He did not deny that He was who they were looking for.  He said it with full authority, "I am He."  Every word Jesus uttered fulfilled what was prophesied about Him (verses 8-9).

Demolition Site or Construction Opportunity

Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
    but the prudent hold their tongues.

- Proverbs 10:19

With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape.

- Proverbs 11:9

My Supplier of Seeds

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But just as you excel in everything -- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us -- see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

- 2 Corinthians 8:7

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

- 2 Corinthians 9:6-7,10-12

An Inserted Note

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I saw a piece of paper inserted in my Bible with my scribblings on it; it's dated July 7, 2007 and I wrote:

I am not a nobody, but I am somebody who is of worth.  For Jesus Christ died at the cross and I am paid at a price. So my life is worthy -- worthy to serve God, to live for God, to obey God, to die for God! This is my purpose in life!

[Journal entry: January 26, 2012]

Exponential Thinking

[Copied from HLM Sunday newsletter]

A Faith Declaration

Exponential Thinking Declaration

Photo courtesy: presbyterianrecord.ca

Today I am moving up to the next level.

I'm tired of doubting, and I'm finished with wavering.

I've made my choice; the verdict is in; and my decision is irrevocable.

I'm going all the way for God. There's no turning back now!

How Do You Do It?

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Jesus,

How did You remain calm and composed when people threw accusations and persecutions at You? How did you remain gracious and loving to people when You knew they would try and plan to kill You?  How did You still manage to be with people whom You knew would leave during Your darkest hour?How did You handle those fickle-minded people so graciously?

Another Significant Shaking

Photo courtesy: www.onsecrethunt.com

Yesterday, rather last night, at around 8:30pm, an earthquake struck Sulangan, Philippines (near Pacific region) with an intensity of magnitude 7.6 to 7.9.  It was almost felt by the entire Philippines, but the intensified shaking was most felt in the eastern Samar region.

Nothing is Impossible

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

- Mark 10:27 -

Photo courtesy: God Loves U Ministries

Praises to the Lord our God

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Psalm 9

1 I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
    I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
    I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

3 My enemies turn back;
    they stumble and perish before you.
4 For you have upheld my right and my cause,
    sitting enthroned as the righteous judge.
5 You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;
    you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.
6 Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies,
    you have uprooted their cities;
    even the memory of them has perished.

Refresh!

Father God,

Refresh my soul. Refresh my soul oh God. I don't know what I'm feeling or what I'm going through now, but Father, You know exactly what I'm going through. My heart is not settled and I don't know why.  Father God, oh Father God -- refresh my spirit, my soul, my being! it seems that I couldn't receive anything from Your Word.  It's like something is hindering me from worshiping You.

If there is anything I need to confess to You, let Your Holy Spirit reveal it to me, Father. I need Your refreshment. I need Your revival.  I need to "relive." Father, I long for You, and I don't want to be "de-wired" from You.

Oh Father God, refresh  my spirit, my soul, and my being! In Jesus' name. Amen.

[Journal entry: May 13, 2011]

Thank You!

Photo courtesy: www.ideapaint.com

I just want to take time to say this despite busyness.

Thank You, Lord!

Thank You, Lord!

Thank You, Lord!

Thank You, Lord!

Thank You, Lord!

Thank You, Lord

Thank You for what You have done.

Thank You for what You are doing.

And thank You, Lord,

for what You will be doing.

Thank You, Lord.

I say, THANK YOU. Thank you!

[Journal entry: March 2, 2013]

Counter-check. Cross-examine.

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 ¹⁷ I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. ¹⁸ For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. ¹⁹ Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

- Romans 16: 17-19

Paul is warning the church to watch out for those people who cause divisions and who teach contrary to the Word. Such people deceive many especially the naive.  Such people have other agenda and wrong motives. Paul urges the church to be wise about what is good and be innocent about what is evil.

God our Savior

  Psalm 65

¹ Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion;
    to you our vows will be fulfilled.
² You who answer prayer,
    to you all people will come.
³ When we were overwhelmed by sins,
    you forgave our transgressions.
⁴ Blessed are those you choose
    and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house,
    of your holy temple.

⁵ You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds,
    God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
    and of the farthest seas,

Defender of the Poor

Psalm 12


1 Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore;
    those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
2 Everyone lies to their neighbor;
    they flatter with their lips
    but harbor deception in their hearts.

3 May the Lord silence all flattering lips
    and every boastful tongue—
4 those who say,
    “By our tongues we will prevail;
    our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”

5 “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan,
    I will now arise,” says the Lord.
    “I will protect them from those who malign them.”
6 And the words of the Lord are flawless,
    like silver purified in a crucible,
    like gold refined seven times.

7 You, Lord, will keep the needy safe
    and will protect us forever from the wicked,
8 who freely strut about
    when what is vile is honored by the human race.

Great, Glorious, Majestic

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Psalm 111

1 Praise the Lord.

I will extol the Lord with all my heart
    in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

2 Great are the works of the Lord;
    they are pondered by all who delight in them.
3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
    and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
    the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
    he remembers his covenant forever.

6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
    giving them the lands of other nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
    all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established for ever and ever,
    enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He provided redemption for his people;
    he ordained his covenant forever—
    holy and awesome is his name.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
    To him belongs eternal praise.

Worship

Photo courtesy: www.myoneresolution.com

WORSHIP according to New International Version (NIV) Life Application Bible Study is "to express praise and devotion."

NIV's concordance:

1 Chronicles 16:29

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering and come before him.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

Psalm 95:6

Come, let us bow down in worship,
    let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;

Psalm 100:2  

Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.

When The Apple of His Eye is Touched

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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).

Dressed and Lit Lamps

Photo credit: anglicanprayer.wordpress.com

 35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.

- Luke 12:35-36

Today, I am reminded that Jesus is coming soon again. I can't afford to sleep, but instead to stay vigilant of His coming.


[Journal entry: April 25, 2012]

A Reminder to Self

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Tonight, I am reminding myself of my goal in life:

I HAVE ONE GOAL IN MIND:

TO GLORIFY GOD IN

EVERYTHING I DO.

Hiding Place

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Psalm 32

1 Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord does not count against them
    and in whose spirit is no deceit.

3 When I kept silent,
    my bones wasted away
    through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night
    your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
    as in the heat of summer.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
    and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
    my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
    the guilt of my sin.

6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
    while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
    will not reach them.
7 You are my hiding place;
    you will protect me from trouble
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
    which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
    or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,
    but the Lord’s unfailing love
    surrounds the one who trusts in him.

11 Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
    sing, all you who are upright in heart!

When Daddy God Gives Pinky Promise

Photo credits: 1000awesomethings.com

Hello Tuesday! Thank You, God, for a good morning! I expect good things to happen today. If this day won't bring me any good (if that were possible), it's okay. I am still one day closer to seeing God's promises being fulfilled!

Righteousness and Justice of the Lord

Photo credits: oneyearbibleblog.com

 Psalm 11

1 In the Lord I take refuge.
    How then can you say to me:
    “Flee like a bird to your mountain.
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
    they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
    at the upright in heart.
3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
    what can the righteous do?”

In His Glorious Riches

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

- Ephesians 3:16-20

[PRAYER]

Father God,

Mighty is Your Name! Majestic in power! Rich in love, grace, and mercy. Father God in heaven, let me take this time to thank You for every good and perfect gift that comes from You. Thank You for Your love, favor, grace, blessing, and mercy You have lavished on me. Thank You for Your faithfulness in my life though I have not been consistent in my walk with You. Thank You for WHO YOU ARE and for WHAT YOU HAVE DONE to my life.

I Need Your Grace and Mercy

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Psalm 6

¹ Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your wrath.
² Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;
    heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
³ My soul is in deep anguish.
    How long, Lord, how long?

⁴ Turn, Lord, and deliver me;
    save me because of your unfailing love.

Me Encourages Me and I

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

- Romans 15:13

Father God, let me be filled with Your joy and peace so that I may overflow with hope by Your Holy Spirit.

 

Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done—  by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

- Romans 15:17-19

Let this also be my venture, Father God, to speak of nothing but what Christ has done through me.

It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.

- Romans 15:20

Let this be my ambition, too, God. 

Pain, Trauma, Hurt

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"No, that trauma you faced was not easy. And God wept that it hurt you so; but it was allowed to shape your heart so that into His likeness you would grow."

Pain shapes my heart!

Father God, thank You for allowing me to go through pain, hurt, and trauma. It may always seem "bad" in the process, but the result of such will always have a purpose. Your purpose for me is to become more like Your Son, Jesus.

Father God, as the song goes, You are too wise to be mistaken. You are too good to be unkind. I can always trust Your heart when I don't understand.

Thank You, Father God. Thank You!

[Journal entry: November 29, 2012]