1 John 4:19
We love him, because he FIRST loved us.
The Lord shall keep my soul
Away from my family in the Philippines been a half year now. God knows how much I pray for them everyday, with so many occurrences such as flood in CDO, earthquake in Cebu, and other awful tragedy, God knows the troubles and worries in my heart. Hearing also heartbreak news and updates from relatives and friends gives burden to me. Deep down in my heart I know even if I’m there, I can’t take them away from that darkness. The anxiety that the enemies made me feel, really eat me sometimes. That’s true, I’m deceiving myself if I utter that I can handle it. NO! I can’t! But I praise the Lord for His mercy and loving kindness, because every time I cry out my afflictions, He never fails to make me feel of His comfort. No words can describe the peace and assurance that He pours in from His heart out of love towards me. Yes I’ve been away from my family, but I’ve been a half year growing in faith with my Father. He knows my desire, and that is to serve Him and love Him, and give back all the glory to Him, along with my family. We may be apart now, but I know that day will come; God will put us back together, and allow us to glorify Him. My enemies may eat me but my soul will be kept by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
1 Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.
8 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
12 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way [that] he shall choose.
13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I [am] desolate and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
22Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
How Big is the Heart of Jesus?♡
Yesterday, Kath asked my support in baking her oatmeal cookies. Who would have thought me? can now bake?!:)) Anyway, everything change, and to be honest, little by little I learn to love that change;) Let me share with you what she made for me.
Heart-shape oatmeal cookie!♡
The baking went well, this heart-shape oatmeal cookie made me realize how God can CHANGE person’s heart. In the Philippines, you can ask me to do all task in the house cleaning the living room, bathroom, dinning room, washing clothes, and ironing them, EXCEPT the KITCHEN task, COOKING and WASHING the DISHES. I really H-A-T-E it! But like what they usually say, what you hate often times is what you get. Oh yes! When I came here at Kuwait, come on! I don’t have any choice; I have to deal with that kitchen stuff! At first I keep on asking myself, “Do I really have to do this?” that’s how I hate that task, and my mom, relatives and friends knew that. So they usually ask me to do some other task, many as they want, as long as it’s not in the kitchen.
God made us for His purpose, to let us experience His love and feel the joy of life He has given to us. But most of the time, we live our lives for OUR OWN PURPOSE. We live to strive and fight for all the things we want, yet giving all our best efforts, we still fail and experience disappointments. Asking ourselves, or even God, “What else do I have to do to? Do I still miss something?” The Bible says we must surrender our lives to God. How? By letting God to be in control even if it’s against our heart’s desire and cannot barely understand why. JUST LET GO! That doesn’t mean we loose if we let go, we just lift up our pain and fear to him, admitting to ourselves that we cannot do it on our own, and allow God to give you wisdom to understand everything wholeheartedly and let Him be in control. TRUST GOD, like Jesus Christ who surrenders and trust the Father in fulfilling His purpose. Just imagine, the LOVE of Christ towards us, to suffer and die just to give us eternal life. Oh come on!!! Let’s wake up!! I can do all the dishes! Let me cook and bake for you everyday!;) Believe it or not now I even have a food blog!:))
The life I’ve surrendered to Him deepens my relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Asked by friends how was I able to cope up? Am I really fine? They don’t know I already asked that to myself. And believe me I still don’t know how I could answer them back. All I can say to them “I don’t know! Seems Jesus changes everything, and weird, coz now little by little I love the changes He made in me.”
Dude, I cannot imagine how big the heart of Jesus is, and I know I will never ever see how big it is, for it’s beyond the grasp of human minds. In spite of all my questions, my shortcomings and being hardheaded, day by day He continually change my heart. Let me grow in faith, and give His protection, guidance and provisions not only to me but also to my family. No need to question Him back, there were really things we can’t understand, all we have to do is surrender, trust and follow, later on, you’ll see, He will give you peace and wisdom to realize and understand what He has done!;) ♡♡♡
The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
I Love my Dad
Me and my dad often argue with petty stuff, mostly in terms of his responsibilities. We have a very open communication (we can talk anything) we barely express ourselves when were thrilled, happy, annoyed, and mad. But I hate it when we start to argue because often times I get to the point that I talked to him like I’m know more than he does and I’m more responsible than him. My dad and my mom were separated, since I was a child, 13 years old I guess, and I grew up with my mom together with my 2 siblings. In short, I’m not into my dad that much. Well no need to elaborate, what I want to share today is that, that’s how me and my dad get used to talked and deal with each other BEFORE. When I was about to leave going here in Kuwait, everything changed. I suddenly appreciate everything, everyone, and even him. The striking point there was, when I asked forgiveness & received the Lord Jesus Christ, the following day I found myself chatting with him(dad) and asking for his forgiveness for all the painful words I threw to him before. God indeed can take away all anger, pain and resentment that the evil planted deep in our hearts, and replace it by love, peace and comfort;) I suddenly open it up today because we had our “cheesiest” conversation today, hahahaha..:))
I love my dad! and you too mama! haha (might get jealous!haha..:D) I praise and thank the Lord for my parents. We’re a broken family, yes, but God made me feel like I have a perfect one!..;)
My Little Sacrifice..
Contentment, very noble character a person ought to have.
Yesterday, Pastor Belwa preaches to us on how we practice contentment. He shared to us that we must be thankful on what we have and not complain about what we don’t have. He also said that we should not ask for more and should want less instead, give more. Last we must value people above things and should be more concern about God than anything. So is it possible for us to be content, with all the riches the world offer to us? Oh, yes it is, for God nothing shall be impossible. Pastor told us that it can be learned through practice and grace of God. First we are to be detached with material things. Our lives must be free from wrong attachments which are temporal and future attachments. Then we should have immediate satisfaction within ourselves, be thankful and cherish all the things we already have and give value on it. After that, we must depend and learn His promises that He will never ever leave us nor forsake us. Hebrews 13: 5-6
Seem to be unworkable right? But I want to give it a try!;) This preaching challenges me. Last year since the day I came here even when I’m still in the Philippines I used to buy clothes and shoes and bags, these stuff brings pleasure to me. Well I don’t spend that much, like just to be fashionable I would spend thousands of pesos? Oh no, no! I’m not rich, haha, but as a woman I think it’s our nature to make ourselves look good. Like, we want to be acknowledged, something like that. So it’s enough for me to buy second hand clothes in “ukay-ukay” in the Philippines and “Friday night market” here in Kuwait. Last two months, that was Nov. & Dec. 2011, I already disciplined and controlled myself not to buy clothes, and well, I started to consider it as a lust and not as necessity. But SALE here in Kuwait sometimes makes me go crazy!!hahaha, they give up to 75% discounts! Oh my vegetables! That’s why I can’t help it sometimes.:P Now, hearing this preaching, I want to have commitment with God, since I still don’t spend anything for myself yet this month of January 2012. I will offer it to God and make it as MY LITTLE SACRICE to Him this year. I won’t buy anything for myself! No clothes, nor lust, or anything that would bring pleasure to me. I would only depend on what God would provide. In terms on money I would only spend it right enough for my necessity which is food and shelter. Of course my commitment to Him (first fruits and tithes) and my responsibility for my family.
God give us resources for His glory. Since He is the provider I think it’s fair enough to use it all for His purpose and not on our desires. I hope and pray in all the blessings I will receive from Him that is more than in what I need, He would give me a right heart to give and share it to those who’s much in need and use it to reach out people for His glory. Not on my own DESIRES.
At the end of this year 2012, I want to look back if I would be able to fulfill it. Well, I have faith that if I offer this little sacrifice to Him He would fulfill it for me and accept it as my worship to Him. To God be all the glory.
“Follow Me”
How long do you live now? Hmm.. 20’s? 30’s? Maybe it’s been a long time now huh?!
I will have my 23rd birthday this coming May 2012, realizing, oh yeah, I am getting old. Hahaha :D I just thought in the past years I lived, who am I following?
My mom used to tell me when I was a child, that I should always listen to her, and not only listens, but follow her too and should not be a naughty-hard-headed kid. Then I was just like, okay, I will. I do listen and follow whatever she says, for she was like a monster when she gets mad, hehe, and I fear her a lot. After that as I grow, study and go to school, unknowingly, I am practicing the character of being a “good follower” to my teachers, elders, and even to my bully classmates that asked me to make their home school works for them, when I was in my primary school. Oh yes I’m “uto-uto” way back then. But hey, I got over it! :D until I finish my college I was recognized to be a responsible and good follower student and had the chance to be a leader in our class, and lead our college cheering squad ( oh yes I dance ) During that time I experienced to give instructions, most of them followed but some of them do not. Now I understand why my mom transforms into a monster every time I disobey her, for I experienced to be a monster too! Hahaha!:D
Well, we all have the freedom whom to follow, our parents, teachers, friends, or even follow our own desires. In my 22 years, following those people, following what the world instruct, and following my own desires, made me realized how long I turn a deaf ear toward His instruction to me, that there is God who’s actually commanding me, ordering you, directing all of us, saying “Follow Me”. Have you heard Him? And if you did, did you follow Him?
I thank the Lord that He never became a monster to me every time I disobey Him, but He allows me to experience the consequences of all my disobedience. Having that not so good payback was really a bad experience for me, yet worth learning. He even made me understand the essence of being obedient. I praise and thank God for His grace and mercy that in spite of all my shortcomings He never gets tired of calling me to follow Him, until He enlighten me and let me see His Salvation within me. Oh Lord Jesus Christ truly is a gracious loving God! Our life journey in the world is full of lust and wickedness that distract us in hearing Him but it is only by Christ we could surpass it all. As our dear Pastor Belwa preach to us during our care station, let’s be a good hearers and make act on being a good follower on God’s instructions. Brethren our Lord Jesus Christ is been calling us, for He wants to lead us, for He knows the way, directing us toward His light. All we have to do is to listen and follow Him when He tells us “FOLLOW ME”
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and FOLLOW ME.
Matthew 7: 7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Live like Jesus Christ
When you truly start to know God expect:
CHANGE
BLESSINGS
BETTER DIRECTION
PAIN/CONFLICTS
SACRIFICES
MIRACLES
LIFETIME BATTLE against YOURSELF toward SIN
For us to know God is to live like Jesus Christ. Don’t ever give up! Christ overcomes the world!
John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Special-Tea of the day! ;)
Good to start the day with a hot tea, but this tea is a little special. It has been sweetened by God, for the news I’ve received today..:) my mom and my little brother Pong were able to attend Sunday service at MBBC Main Church at Sta. Ana Manila. Indeed, the Lord make way in reaching out His children, thanks to Ate Rose for the company. Have a Blessed Sunday!:) To God be all the Glory! Cheers!♥
Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be THANKFUL unto him, and bless his name. ♥
always do best; never give up but know when to let go; see things positively, at the same time understand and accept negative things; trust and believe God will always be there to make each life worth living...♥ ♥ ♥
