The Blessings of Trials

The enemy wants us to doubt God's love. When we go through difficult times, trials, and hardships, we are tempted to question God's love in our lives. 

"Why did He take away my loved one from me? Why did He allow me to suffer from this sickness? Why doesn't He bring me out from my endless debts? I just got through from one problem and now there's another?  Why do bad things happen to me? Doesn't He know I am a good person? Does God still love me?"  

God's love is not measured by the "blessings" we receive such as good health, wealth, stable jobs, successful businesses and careers, opportunities, people, etc. We often think, rather we want to believe, that these are what we call blessings. Yes. These are good gifts from God. These of course are blessings. But these are not the ONLY blessings in life. If good things happen to us, we think we deserve those blessings. If bad things happen to us, we question, "I am a good person, but why did this happen to me?"  Then we are quick to accuse God of being not a good God. If it's good, we think we deserve or we earn it. We think God owes us a blessing if we remain to be good or do good works.

Has God Ever Failed You?

⁶ “Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left. ⁷ Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. ⁸ But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now.

⁹ “The Lord has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you. ¹⁰ One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised. ¹¹ So be very careful to love the Lord your God.

Joshua 23: 6 -11 (NIV)

¹⁴ “Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.

 Joshua 23:14

¹⁴ “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness...  But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua 24: 14-15

Has God every failed me? NEVER
Has God ever broken one of His promises to me? NOT ONE.
Has God ever failed to fight for me? NOT AT ALL. 

The Lord God is faithful to fulfill His promises.



[Journal entry: January 28, 2014]

Waiting Lounge 5

As I was waiting for my flight, I am observing people going to and fro in the predeparture area.  They have gone from somewhere and will be going to their respective destinations.  I don't know how far or where they have traveled.  I may not know their purpose of travel.  I may not know what struggle they have gone through from places to places.  I may not know the people they have been with during their travel.  I don't know the people they have encountered during their travel.  I don't know how long they have waited at the waiting lounge when their flights were delayed.  I may not know what kind of people they are.  Their flights, their baggage, their choice of destination.  Their life stories... All I see is them being busy coming and going.

To Call, Dial 1T-4312

 

We often wonder and wander for God's will in our lives.  We often pray and ask God, "What is Your will for my life, Lord?" You think maybe this or that is His will for me.  Sometimes we are unsure of where we are called and of what we are called to do. Then, we ask Him. Then we discern. "Is it God's will for me to marry this person? Is it God's will for me to migrate? Is it His will for me to pursue this career?" And the list goes on.  So many things we ask about 'His will' which, often times, are self-centered and we don't even realize that, do we?

But the Bible tells us about God's will for us.  He did not give us clues to tell us, "Go figure out what My will for your life is."  Rather, He has spread out His perfect and pleasing will and spoke about it loud and clear in the Bible.

A Letter to Daddy God

Photo credit: http://bradleystevenson.com

Dear Father God in heaven,

How are You today? Have You been waiting for my letter? Are You excited to read my letter? I bet You are! :-)

How am I lately? Well, not okay, to tell You frankly. There's something in my heart that is bothering me.  You know, a lot of things. And most of them, I just keep them to myself.  Nobody understands I guess except You. I don't understand it myself either. LOL!

Father God, I need to ask You a favor. Could You help me take my focus away from me, and put my focus onto Jesus? You know, I've decided it the other day, but I cannot do it on my own. I badly, desperately need Your help!

And oh! It's been days since the Holy Spirit is prompting me to write a letter to daddy 'coz He said I might need it later. I guess I should take time to do that as soon as possible, don't You think?

Father God, You know that I am down to nothing. I don't know what You're up to, but I know You are up to something. This must be good. :-)

And one more thing Father God: please don't let me miss what You're up to.  Please don't let me miss out Your movement for the "coming event" soon. Please don't let me miss out the spectacular events that will be happening before the King's Coming.  And please include my earthly father in Your plans.

Love truly,

Your going-through-something child

P.S.

I have a question, but I cannot identify it yet in my heart.  I'll get back to it really soon.  Thanks for the grace and mercy You're giving me up to this day.

[Journal entry: February 9, 2013]

My Life, His Story

Photo courtesy: www.whatsmypart.com

My life is a testimony to the world. My life is not my story, but it's God's story.

Yes. It's His story, not mine.

Everything in my life that has happened, that is happening, and that will happen is not centered on me. It's God's story intended for His glory.

The Lord God blesses us with good things not because we deserve them. The Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins not because we deserve it. Because we never deserved it in the first place. But because of His great love and mercy for us. That out of our own wretchedness, He took us and saved us and loved us!

You see, when God blesses us, it is not because of our own goodness and faithfulness. God blesses us out of His goodness and faithfulness into our lives. When He prospers us, it's not about us and for us. It is about HIM and for Him to display His glory over our lives that other people would see how good and faithful He is. When God provides for us, it is not about us that we deserve it. It is about how faithful God is in providing for His children. It is how God takes care of His children. It is how God provides so that others may see His divine providence working out in our lives.

When God grants healing upon us, it is not only because we have faith in Him that He can heal us. He grants healing upon us to show to all peoples of the world that He is the Great Healer. You see, everything that is happening to us is not only about us. It's not only about our lives. We have a story to tell to the world how great, faithful, powerful, mighty, awesome, loving, and merciful our GOD is.

Our life stories are a testimony to the world of who GOD is. Our lives are His story.

It's not about me. It's not about us. It's about Him. All for His glory and honor so that the world may know that HE IS THE ONE TRUE LIVING GOD.

[Journal entry: April 7, 2014]

Know God, Know Love

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 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, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

- Ephesians 3: 17-19 -

"It is your birthright to know God personally. Use it."

 [shared by a guest speaker at the seminar at His Life]

Know GOD

Know CHRIST

Know LOVE

When you understand God's love for you, it is easy to love others.


Father God, please help me understand the kind of love You have lavished on me. Open the eyes of my heart. In Jesus' name. Amen.


[Journal entry: February 9, 2013]

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...

Photo courtesy: qcvoices.qwriting.qc.cuny.edu

 

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

Photo courtesy: http://shareaverse.wordpress.com

 

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]

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).

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

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,

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).

A Reminder to Self

Photo credit: inboldrebirth.wordpress.com

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

I HAVE ONE GOAL IN MIND:

TO GLORIFY GOD IN

EVERYTHING I DO.

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

Photo credit: ibibleverses.christianpost.com

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.