Faith

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.-Hebrews 11:1"

Faith means following when we don't know the destination and accepting when we don't know the consequences.

As I browse Yahoo, I've read a short lecture about faith written in the 19th Century:

Basically, men showed faith or asked questions in faith to get those miraculous visions and directions. Those men, picked as prophets and revelators of God, were given experiences above and beyond the gifts given to normal men in order to direct us toward God's will when it is most needed.

So with man also - he spoke by faith in the name of God, and the sun stood still, the moon obeyed, mountains removed, prisons fell, lions’ mouths were closed, the human heart lost its enmity, fire its violence, armies their power, the sword its terror, and death its dominion; and all this by reason of the faith which was in them

Had it not been for the faith which was in man, they might have spoken to the sun, the moon, the mountains, prisons, lions, the human heart, fire, armies, the sword, or to death in vain!

A Child of God

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. - John 1:12

Remain strong in your faith, no matter how many mistakes God's children make along the way of growing up, we are still destined for Grace and eternal Joy.

The voice of God is best heard in silence.

All too often loud events and daily busyness cloud our vision of God. Let us take some time to slow down; let there be silence, let there be peace. Let us calm our mind and let our inner voice re-emerge from the silence. Allow ourselves to see visions, allow ourselves to dream dreams; and we may hear the voice of God reaching out to us.

Sometimes it may feel too hard to do it alone. Sometimes it may seem like you can't figure it out by yourself. Sometimes will and strength and courage are not enough. Sometimes in your life you will need to call out for help.

Call on God.

God will be there.

Spread the L O V E

Joy will come when you pass on the love you have received. If you hoard love, it melts away. If you lock love, it breaks free. If you grab on to love, you end up holding an illusion. When you let love flower in its own way, it stays to support you. When you pass on love, it multiplies beyond measure.

CHRISTmas

I was doing some research about Christmas. But I am not satisfied with what I have read. Google and Yahoo offered a shallow meaning of Christmas. Needless to say, they talk about Santa Claus and gifts, and foods and other preparation for the season. They view Christmas as something to celebrate but never really know why. Oh yeah, everybody knows why. It is because Jesus Christ was born on Christmas day. The sad part was that, it ends with it.

What do the Bible says about Christmas?

Matthew 1: 18-25 says:

"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus."

but it doesn't end there. after His birth, according to the Bible He died on the cross to save us from our sins.

according to Mark 13: 39:

At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachtani?" (which means "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?"

When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he's calling Elijah."

Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down." he said.

With loud cry, Jesus breathed His last.

The curtain of the temple was torn in tow from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, "surely this man was the Son of God!"

and His death is not the end, because after three days, Jesus risen. Mark 16:1-8 says,

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after the sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb, and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.

But go, tell His disciples and Peter, "He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.

may this season reminds us not only the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ but also how God give up His son to save us from our sins. may we be reminded that it not just the season for gifts and celebration but it is the season to express our love and gratitude to the Most High by serving and loving Him with all our hearts, with all our soul and with all our strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5)

The Parable of the Jar and Coffee

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty Mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes." The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life."

"The golf balls are the important things - your spirituality, family, your significant other, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full."

"The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car."

"The sand is everything else - the small stuff."

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you."

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner."

"Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your Priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the coffee.

With God's Blessing

While browsing, I've found a video in youtube of a simple marriage proposal but really sweet. hope you guys enjoy the video as much as I did.

For several days, I've been wanting to put an entry about marriage. Oh, all right, been thinking about it for a week now. How could I not? My facebook wall has been flooded by posts of different pre-nup photos and videos and marriage proposal and a lot more. How could I not be affected of that?

When I was a child, one of my weirdest dream was to become Nick Carter's wife. haha. That's one of the best thing about being a child, you can dream even the most impossible one without being pessimist that it might not come true. I don't give much attention to the details of the wedding as long as my groom is none other than Nick Carter. But of course, I grew up and realization hits me that I cannot marry the guy because he is unreachable.

And now that I have turned 24, what would I want for my wedding? Honestly? Still no idea. I wanted to get married, yes, but I think it wasn't for me. I really don't know. I have this feeling that I will be aging without someone beside me. I am not worried though, but I will be sad in any case that it will really happen.

Being a product of a broken family, for many years I have longed for a complete one. I envy my classmates and friends who has a mother that would always prepare their food, always check on them, and a father who would get into fights if ever his daughter would cry. I envy those things. And so I promised myself that if ever God will allow me to get married, I wouldn't let my children experience what I have gone through. I promised to give them a family that they will forever treasure.

I do not want to sound churchy but one of my prayer is this: I am not asking God to make me a millionaire, I just wanted to have a simple family, and that family will serve Him. I am excited to see my children in their ministries, while me and their daddy are in the ministries as well. I am excited to see us, the whole family, as we attend the Sunday Service together. I am excited for all of that. The only hope I have now, is the hope that God will honor the desires of my heart.

Grace and Truth -Harold J. Sala

"For the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." -John 1:17


When W.P. Mackay left for college, his mother gave him a bible. On the front page she inscribed, "To W.P. from your mother."


In college, W.P. began to think of himself as an atheist and even became the first president of the atheist society in Canada. One day, Dr. Mackay was in the emergency room when a young man was brought in whose body had been badly crashed by a fall. Still conscious, the boy inquired about his chances. Dr. Mackay replied, "Young man, you don't have two hours to live."


Calmly the young man said, "That's all right, doctor. I'm ready."

"Is there anything that I can do for you?" Mackay asked. "Yes." he said, "in my pants pocket is my paycheck. Send it to my landlady for my last two weeks' rent . And also ask her to send my book."

Dr. Mackay dispatched an aide from the hospital and began his rounds. At the end of the day, he went back to inquire about the boy. A nurse told him that he had just died. "Did he get the book he asked for?' "Yes" she said, "it's under his pillow" and Mackay walked into the room and reached beneath the pillow.

There was an old Bible and Mackay opened it slowly. The first page was inscribed, "To W.P. from your mother." It was the Bible he pawned may years before.

He took the bible, went to the doctor's lounge, kneel and begged for God's forgivenss. Dr. Mackay eventually became a Christian apologist and author. The Bible he had abandoned many years before changed his life, just as it has the lives of untold millions. And this book can change your life too.

Strength in the Broken Place -Harold J. Sala

To all who mourn in Israel he will give; beauty of ashes; joy instead of mourning; Praise instead of heaviness. For God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for His own glory. -Isaiah 61:3 TLB

Ernest Hemingway once said: "The world breaks everyone, and some get strong in the broken places." In this, he was right. Ours is an imperfect broken world. your wife tells you that you are not the father of your son. The doctor breaks the news that you have an inoperable cancer. your son is arrested for shoplifting. The promotion that you deserved went to a less qualified colleague.

Everyone is broken eventually, but only some mend stronger because of it. "Out of the process of pain", wrote A.B. Simpson, "Comes the souls best wine. The eyes that have shed no rain, can shed but little shine."

When Amy Carmichael became an invalid, the result of a fall, she spent the next ten years of her life bedridden. She considered those years which she spent immobile some of her best as she wrote, counseled the unending stream of people who came to her, and prayed for India and the world.

When Amy Carmichael felt the crushing , unexpected blows of life, she turned to God and found solace and strength. To those who suffer, God promised "Beauty for ashes; Joy instead of mourning; Praise instead of heaviness. For God has planted them like strong and grateful oaks for His own glory." (Isaiah 61:3 TLB)

Nothing that happens to you can happen apart from God's knowledge and God's will, and nothing which life throws at you can carry you beyond His grace and care. God doesn't fix everything, but He gives grace for everything. That can help make you strong in your broken places.

Tired & Broken?

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28


weary - exhaust or tire through overuse or great strain or stress.
burdened - bearing a heavy burden of work or difficulties or responsibilities.

During my Christian walk, dumating ako sa point na nahihiya na akong lumapit kay Lord. Feeling ko kasi nagiging pabigat na ako sa Kanya. Feeling ko kaya ko naman i-solve yung mga problem ko because I was too confident that He is just beside me. True enough, hindi naman talaga Niya ako iniwan. His help is always ready. but the word is "ALWAYS READY", nandyan lang anytime na kailanganin mo. Nandyan lang Siya, nag-iintay na tawagin mo. The Lord has given us free will. Either we will turn to Him or not, it is our choice. He gave us the options.

And during those times na kinakaya kong mag-isa yung pagod at sakit, dun Niya pinarealize sakin na hindi ko talaga kaya. That I need to call Him right away kasi kung hindi, ako din ang kawawa sa huli. Dapat tanggapin ko sa sarili ko na kailangan ko yung tulong Niya. Nahihiya kasi akong lumapit sa Kanya kasi feeling ko palagi na lang akong humihingi ng tulong. Naisip ko kasi, kung sating mga tao yun, magsasawa tayo. Nag-assume ako na baka magsawa sakin si Lord pag palagi akong humihingi ng tulong sa Kanya. Nakalimutan ko na gustong gusto nga pala Niya yun. Na iba ang pagmamahal Niya para sa atin na mga anak Niya compared to the love of our friends here on earth. Gustong gusto Niya na lumalapit tayo sa Kanya at nagsasabi ng nararamdaman natin.

Sabi Niya nga sa Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." tawagin daw natin Siya. At hindi lang Niya tayo sasagutin, parang sinasabi Niya din na: "Wait! There's more! :)" sabi Niya "I will tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Anak, marami pa Akong ituturo sayo.

Every time na mababasa ko ang Jeremiah 33:3, I can't help myself but be amaze with God's love for His people. Palagi Siyang may nakahandang tulong at pagmamahal para sa atin. Basta tumawag lang tayo.

Prayer is not the privilege of the spiritual elite. Prayer is not for perfect people. Prayer is for people who have a need and a relationship with God that can fill that need.

i feel bad. i don't feel okay.

but whatever it is that i am feeling right now, i still choose to trust You because i know that Your plans are far better than mine. i love You Lord.

Make A Stand

"Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."
-James 4:17

Edmund Burke said, "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

Make your voice heard. It may be all that it takes to move others to take a stand for right.

Very Little

God asked for a very little of us --- just the totality of our being.

God demands the totality of your being. That you invest all of yourself into celebrating the glory and the preciousness of being alive right now, no holding back and saving for later.

Lord, when I lose hope because my plans have come to nothing, help me to remember that Your love is always greater than my disappointments and Your plans for my life is always better than my dreams. Amen.

Family

Family is not a name for a group of people but the quality of relationship between them. Relationships grounded in mutual love, trust, caring and forgiveness. In all the ups and all the downs of life. Look closely, --who is really your family, and who in truth are just strangers in for the ride?

Ask Jesus Christ.

"Shall I go and take control of one of the towns in Judah?" "Yes.", the Lord answered. "Which one?" David asked. "Hebron.", the Lord said. So David went to Hebron taking with him his two wives: Ahinoam, who was from Jezrel, and Abigail, Nabal's widow who was from Carmel. He also took his men and their families, and they settled in the town around Hebron and anointed David as king of Judah." -2Samuel 2:1-4

Revelation:

1. David asked the Lord.

"Shall I go and take control of one of the towns of Judah?" -2Samuel 2:1a

• He consulted the Lord.
• He didn't do his own decision.
• He became dependent on the Lord.

2. The Lord answered.

"Yes.", the Lord answered.

"Call to Me, and I will answer you. I will tell you wonderful and miraculous things you know nothing about." - Jeremiah 33:3

• He hears us. (how can He answer our prayers if he isn't listening?)
• The Lord cares. (He is more than willing to give us the right path and direction, if we are just listening.)

3. David took his family with him.

"So David went to Hebron taking with him his two wives: Ahinoam, who was from Jezrel, and Abigail, Nabal's widow who was from Carmel. He also took his men and their families."

• David didn't serve his God alone.
• David was with his family.

Joshua 25:15b says, "but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

4. David was anointed.

Then the men of Judah came to Hebron and anointed David as king of Judah."

• David asked God.
• David surrendered to God.
• David depended on God.
• David obeyed God.

God's reward to David:

• From being a shepherd, David was made king of Israel and the greatest leader.
• The Lord has defeated his enemies.
• The Lord gave him victories over his enemies.
• David was kept safe and tenth of his family.
• God has been a good provider to them.
• He never leaved them nor forsake them.
• God made a promise that even after David's death, He will be with David's entire family.
• God promised that David's kingdom will last forever.

One of the best thing about being God's servant is the thought of serving the King of all Kings. There are a lot of people better than me and you but hey, isn't it great to know that He chooses us? Serving Him will never be a burden, it is a blessing and privilege at the same time. I know I am not worthy to be call His servant but through Him and His grace, in my nothingness, by faith I know He will use me.

Dear God, I know I am not worthy to be call Your child, and with all humility dear Father, I am offering You my life, let this life that You have given me honor You for as long as You want. Give me the courage Lord God to stand firm in Your righteousness and I pray Abba Father that whenever people will see me, they will see You and how awesome is Your love for me. I love You Father. In the sweetest name of my Lord and savior Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen.

"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"

-Jeremiah 17:9

The word of the Lord reminds us about the condition of our hearts. May it be our desire to put God first in it and not let anything or anyone take the place of Him in our hearts. Don't let our hearts be deceived by the enemy by clinging to something or to someone that we feel most important of all. And let us always remember that "The Lord gives the best to those who leave the choice to Him" in His own perfect time.

When we pray, God hears more than we say, answers more than we ask, gives more than we imagine...

in His own time and His own way.

God's Chisel

JEDIDIAH

-Jed-ah-dye-ah (pronunciation)

-the meaning of the name is "Beloved of the Lord."

i am doing my devotion in the book of 2Samuel when i read this. this is the name given by the Lord, through the prophet Nathan, to Solomon when Bathsheba, the wife of David, gave birth.

and i had this thought: when my mom gave birth to me and named me Marites, what must be God's name for me? i guess i wouldn't know it now but i am adding this question to my personal list of soon-to-be-ask-questions to God. when that day He would be calling me comes. :)