29 August 2016

Finished the book of Acts. It was Paul's journey from his conversion to His pursuit of sharing the Word of the Lord first to the Jews then to Gentiles. 

God shows His faithfulness to Paul at successes and trials. 

Paul's aim is to finish his race for which God has called him heavenward in Christ Jesus. 

God, in many instances in the book, allows things to happen for our thanksgiving, also prevents things from happening for protection, preservation, all for His glory. 

28 August 2016

“To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.”

Titus 1:15 NIV

God's promise:

“To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.”

2 Samuel 22:26-27 NIV

Dear Lord, I pray for clean hands and a pure heart. To do good and to see the good in all things. Amen. 

27 August 2016

I was praying when I saw a vision of God's comfort. I hiked through forest, felt very tired, my muscles very sore. I found a brook leading to a river. I heared the sound of many waters. It was so inviting. It was warm. I soaked into it and found comfort.  I swam as long as I have wanted. After I was cleansed, I felt that feeling I use to feel after a long, satisfied swim. I was physically tired but relaxed. It has given me comfort.

26 August 2016

Wrote this on this date:

Alam kong mas matimyas ang panalangin at awit ng pusong sugatan

Salamat din sa panahon ng kapayapaan

Kung saan ang puso ko'y di man sugatan

Iyon ay dahil hindi Mo ako pinabayaan.

Maraming panahon na napakasarap magpuri at umiyak dahil ako'y nasasaktan

May panahon ding ang puso ko'y nasa payapang inaasam.

Salamat sa lahat ng oras

Maging ito ma'y pagsubok o pagpapasakop.

Salamat sa panahon ng kaligayan man o pagdarahop.

Sa lahat ng ito Ikaw ang hahanapin

Sayo lamang ang puso ko'y babaling.

25 August 2016

Paul, who had the right to boast and brag all that he has had said:

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NIV

In all that he has (wisdom, knowledge, gifts, understanding), he considered himself ganining nothing without love. He continued the chapter with what real love is. 

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV

Dear Father, I pray for this kind of love to share to everyone. 

24 August 2016

Peter needed to see his own human weakness in order to learn that his strength was inadequate. Peter had yet to learn what Paul learned: When I am weak then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:10

Jesus accepted, loved, and cared for Peter despite his shortcomings, his outrageous acts, his unplanned boldness. 

23 August 2016

Looked at myself today and remembered how much I've changed from that person of too much agitation and anxiety. I am relieved to knowing that His grace has changed me when I couldn't see myself ever getting well from it when it was happening. 

So today I am remembering the height from which I have fallen. (Rev 2:5). His grace has ever been sufficient. His strength has always been there multiplied in my weaknesses. I am grateful. 

22 August 2016

“So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?””

Hebrews 13:6 NIV

This has been one of my great comforts. I know that at the end of each day and ultimately, at the end of my life, it is only between me and God, not with any man. 

Fear of man is a trap, a snare (Proverbs 29:25a). As we know a trap cages you, but trusting the Lord means safety (25b). 

21 August 2016

Praying that He may put His awareness in me, so my self-awareness will disappear.

While God has given us freewill (and ot is one of His wills), our freewill must choose to will His will. 

19 August 2016

Dear Lord,

“Search me, God, 

and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 

See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalm 139:23-24 

20 August 2016

Luke 14:1-6, Jesus also eats with Pharisees as well as (and moreover) Jesus welcomes the sinners on His table to dine with Him (Matthew 9:10). As He received them, so we should. Share the Word, feel their affliction, uphold their cause, and live a life that cares. Like Jesus did.

Let us remove ourselves from being a Pharisee who points other people's guilt, shame their situation, and mock their individuality  (Matt 9:10). Everyone is important to the Lord. 

God intends a full house and for his eternal food to be enjoyed. So he gave his one and only Son to give his life a ransom for many (John 3:16, Mark 10:45)  and to have guests (Jews and Gentiles, sinners and even Pharisees to God's heavenly banquet. it is by receiving Him and His life and continuing to work out our salvation and righteousness with Him, everyday. 

18 August 2016

If it is from the Lord, He will do it. Even if people are against it.

“But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: 

“Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 

After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 

Therefore, in the present case I advise you: 

Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.””

Acts 5:34-39 NIV

17 August 2016

Peter saw a vision. In Acts 10:9, he became hungry and wanted to eat but while they were preparing, he fell to a trance and saw from heaven: a sheet with kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. God said, Rise, Peter, kill and eat (I noted that Peter was hungry). Peter said he can't as he has not eaten anything that is unclean. God replied with, what God has made clean, do not call common. Peter was perplexed with this vision. So am I. 

Following chapter and verses showed how God has made the vision into a reality and truth. It was the salvation of everyone. 

Salvation is for the Jews (a person descended from Jewish people, Judaism is the religion) and the Gentiles (a person who is not Jewish, a Christian as distinguished from a Jew). Salvation is for everyone. 

“So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.””

Acts 11:17-18 NIV

16 August 2016

I have been contemplating on the thoughts about the gift of grace and our kindness; the weight of righteousness.

We know the truth: Only by grace we are saved. What is then the weight of trying to be kind and humble when I can just live without having to be nice or have to do good? When I could always fight for my rights. When I can be all too caught up with self. I am saved anyway. I found these verses:

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him...

2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV

“The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.”

Proverbs 15:9 NIV

Righteousness is the condition of being acceptable to God as made possible by God.” God’s standard is what defines true righteousness; His power is what enables it. Unless God is its author, we will never possess righteousness.

Proverbs 12 tells of the wicked and the righteous. How they act differently. It is easy to know a righteous person from a wicked one. While there are major differences between the two, there is a fine line between righteousness and being self-righteous where the latter points to building up of self, true righteousness brings glory to God.

“For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.”

Psalm 149:4 NIV

It is important that we pursue righteousness. Once we grasp the truth and depth about His grace, we will not be the same, and pursuing goodness is just our response to His very overwhelming grace. 

15 August 2016

If You say stay and wait, Lord please give me the strength to do this. 

14 August 2016

We have been learning a lot about the move of the Holy Spirit and His works in our lives. In the morning, we learned that He is our Guide, Comforter, He empowers us, convicts us, regenerates, seals, prompts, emboldens us.

How do we know He is manifested in us?

A good tree will bear good fruit.

““Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.”

Matthew 12:33 NIV

and the fruit of the Holy Spirit is: 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

13 August 2016

Still trying to finish something I've been contemplating. For now, here's what I wrote. Lols.

You need not change for the person you love 

to be loved the way you think 

you will be loved. 

Be who you are,

just how you are. 

You should be loved for you. 

The same way you love for who they are.

Today I am thankful for:

The patience.

The control.

The dinner.

Protection.

12 August 2016

God is omnipresent.

There is no place we can ever be that is outside the presence of the Lord. 

Proverbs 15:3

Jeremiah 23:24

Isaiah 57:15

Psalm 139:7-10

Job 34:21

11 August 2016

The very thorn that I might ask to be removed from me, could be the thorn that in Him pins me. Then I read this: 

Instead of quickly pleading for deliverance, we might more wisely ask God about the purpose of our suffering. 

I have always believed and proved the power of prayer. How He honors when I pray a prayer that reaches Him. And it is only through the way of grace. The bible tells us that He wanted us to pray, He wanted to know what's in our hearts, and delights in answering us ( 1 John 5:14,15, Jeremiah 29:12, Mark 11:2, Psalm 102:7)

Now do I ask this pain be removed from me? I pray that His will be done. Not to remove this cup; His will, not mine.

10 Aug 2016

Getting used to being bum. Today's still rainy. Did the family's laundry and helped Nanay in the store but just about some hours. 

In 'Think on These Things' by MaxwelI, I wanted to be one of those who patches the roof. 

Today's meditated verse:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Philippians 4:8 NIV

09 August 2016

In the previous months, I have been learning and being reminded of the will of the Father. It is the refinement of our character, our holiness, the yielding of our lives to Him in whatever circumstance we are in, in worship of Him (Romans 12:1-2). His will for us is to have an eternal life with Him through Jesus (John 3:16). 

We are not able to choose our parents, how it was growing but He surely looks at us and our will if we will to choose Him and glorify Him in our lives. (2 Chr 16:9)

In a movie I've seen yesterday, a father had two sons. One son he gave the city kingship, the other to live in the desert (but with powers also). When the son who lived in the desert confronted his father (after so many years) why they put them in such different state, the father said it was all a test. The king was able to prove goodness out of the power he has while the brother has become bitter towards what happened in his life. 

Jesus experienced misunderstanding, ingratitude, and rejection. Born in a manger, He lived a simple life. But He was never bitter, discouraged, or overcome. To Him, every obstacle was an opportunity. 

08 August 2016

Thankful for the weekend that was. From the answered prayer requests to safety and protection, being well, receiving grace and kindness, for the joy, for the happiness  to talks, patience, care. My heart's been at peace. He covers all fears. 

Yesterday I learned the prayer of praying for His heart. To seek His will for me. To align my heart to what He would wanted. This is just wow. It was like a bomb. 

06-07 August 2016

God didn't tell Joshua that his priority be strategy, training, or strong army. Joshua's priority was to meditate the principles of the Word of God. 

If we ask God of bread, He won't give us a stone. It will always be bread, any form, in the end. 

05 August 2016

Jesus loves the sinners. He has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith (James 2:5).

I slept the whole morning to get well before I leave for Manila. 

Been watching The Bible Series and I am just amazed at how Jesus went to reach out the sinners. How He changed the lives of these people. 

04 August 2016

I was bedridden for two days due to fever and flu. I slept most of the time. My mother would bring me food or I'll get up to join them to eat and go back to sleep again. During waking moments, I pray and take time to read. Thank God I was able to get up today, at 6am, to do paperworks. Finished by lunch time.

One of my readings went to Isaiah 38, the story of Hezekiah and how God healed him. Isaiah delivered the news from the Lord that he shall die and not recover. In verse 2, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly. 

The Lord relented and sent another word to Isaiah to tell him that He has heard his prayers and seen his tears. 

I remembered the preaching last Sunday about the story of how God has relented from the destruction of Niniveh because of prayers of the people. 

His love and grace is sufficient for us that while we were sinners, He died for us. The same love and grace He bestows to people who earnestly prays to Him for requests that should glorify Him. 

Prayer changes things, not for us but for His glory. 

03 August 2016

When we face loss, we know we must trust God's timetable for dealing with it. Psalm 37:7 says, rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.

There's two kinds of faith: The if and the though.

If everything goes well, then I will know it is of the Lord.

Though things are going crazy and seems unbelievable, I will still praise Him.

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV

“Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;...

Job 13:15 NIV

02 August 2016

My bp has been unstable in the past week. From 90/70 to 130/90, fluctuations in 24 hours. I've been here so I know it when something is not quite okay with my body. I was sickly when I was a kid. I had hepatitis and they would always bring me to a clinic for treatment. I always take meds. I always eat liver growing up for the anemia. I grew up self medicating. 

In all these, God has always been looking and taking care of me. He is the strength of my heart. He is my portion forever. I remember all the nights I was down in bed  with chills and high fever in our boarding house alone, or the time when I was three days bedridden. I never make my parents get worried about me and my health even while I was in Manila having rehab treatment for my backs or when I went to Makati Med for the scanning of my ovaries. The day I had food poisoned throwing up all day while at class. The moments I blackout during my trainings and sit on a corner pretending to rest. The sick days in Dubai. Or worst, the nights I was battling with anxiety and been taking tranquilizers. And to add up, when I was diagnosed with bradycardia. All small stuff to me. I always think I can manage and independent.

I don't even mind when I get sick because I always claim to be strong. I put efforts in strengthening my muscles. I show the world my activities. One friend and the doctor told me to be open about what I'm going through and don't think about what people will say (I was once afraid they'll think I'm weak and or I'm making it up to feel cared/ nagdadrama). Only I realize I cannot always be independent and really needs care. Those who matter won't mind, those who mind don't matter. 

I am just thankful that I am back home now. My mom would insist on cooking noodles for me, but I do. Their presence is of great help for me and bioflu would normally help. I thank God for He says: 

A man's spirit will endure sicknesses / Proverbs 18:14

All those times of delirious moments, my spirit prays. He sustains me.

01 August 2016

Down with slight fever today but managed to do some laundry. I was just a bit slow and stayed in the living room to read. The weekend was a bit full packed. I left home at 5am, with little sleep as I had been excited and praying for a request from the Lord. That He answered! 

The conference I attended was fulfilling. I admire the two pastors who spoke from their heart and beautiful mind in serving the Lord. 

In the evening, I had to wait for 5 hours for a friend. I stayed at her apartment for the night. I probably caught colds on the streets where I was waiting at the last hours. I thank God for the peace and patience He gave me. 

I was feeling weak so I wanted to bike of sweat but it was almost raining so Tatay went with me in the afternoon today. It rained halfway through my supposed 10k. We fetch bro and sis at school. Cooked dinner and blogged now. My eyes are hot. I took meds.

For today's verses were from Psalm 119.

Six verses in Psalm 119 express a common theme. To delight in God is to delight in His Word.

Delighting in God's Word leads us to delight in God. Delight in God drives away fear.