My Space. My Life

Hello all, will take about 2 weeks of leave from posting. Am currently on training. Will really miss posting

God bless everyone and may you all have a blessed holiday!

This morning while I was walking on my way to work, I saw several kids lighting firecrackers with their bare hands oblivious to the thought of possibly losing their fingers hands. Seeing the scene made me reminisce.

Back when we were kids and firecrackers during the holiday was a treat, our dad would always give us long sticks with “katol” on the end to light the firecrackers. This came with dad’s strong and loud voice telling us never to touch the firecracker that we are lighting specially when it did not pop. There were other kids who would laugh at us because we looked so stupid holding the stick, standing far from the firecracker. A few would even tell us we’re sissies. We didn’t mind because we were enjoying anyway. Besides, we told ourselves we were lucky that we were not one of those kids you see in the news with their hands blown off.

As that scenario ran through my mind, God impressed a lesson in my heart. Because we listened to my dad about the fireworks, we were not harmed in any way. We had fun with the fireworks even though we looked stupid in other people’s eyes and laughed at us. Had we not listened to my dad, had we not trusted his wisdom, had we not obeyed him, who knows how many fingers we have left today or if we even have a pair of hands for that matter.

It’s just like listening to our Heavenly Father, when God asks us to do something, (or not to do something) more often than not, it’s something that will make people laugh at us and sneer at us (because they do not understand), but when we listen ,trust and obey God, He will never put us in any harm because God knows what is best for us. If we continue to listen to His voice He will lead us in the right path — in His path.

“Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.”
Proverbs 23:19 (New International Version)

Remember my post last November 18? I posted about being excited about something and entrusting to God the results? Well, just got the results and what can I say? God indeed is wise and worthy of Praise!

Early November, I applied for a promotion here in the company. I went through the exam and passed the exam by God’s grace. I was interviewed November 19. 3 weeks after the interview I didn’t get any updates regarding my application and also found out that they opened the position again. So I thought I didn’t get the position and said, oh well, God knows what’s best. I went my way, had fun with taking calls when all of a sudden I received an email informing me that my application is still being evaluated and they were sorry for the delay. At that point I was already having second thoughts about leaving our account because I was already enjoying. I prayed to God and told Him He is in control and that His will for my life be done. God reminded myself of this verse in the Bible:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)

I had peace. I lifted it to God and left it in His hands.

Last tuesday our team manager approached me and asked me how my application went. I told him I didn’t know yet cause they were still evaluating my application. I also told him about my apprehension to leave our account and he advised me to think about it. He told me they were finalizing the choices, so I would know this week. I said okay. Right before I went home he again reminded me to think about the application if I really wanted to leave our account. I was baffled, “Did this guy know something I don’t?” But I brushed it off, I again reminded myself that God is in control and that i don’t have to worry about it.

This morning, I was a little nervous. I usually get email updates about my application on a Friday. So when I arrived here at the office, I checked my mail, no updates. A voice inside me was telling me that I was not accepted and that voice was trying to make me feel disappointed. I rebuked that voice by quoting Jeremiah 29:11. The voice quickly went away. Just as I stood up to get my stuff, one of the account supervisors called me and advised me to go to the department I was applying to. I had butterflies in my stomach. When I got there the department supervisor handed me a letter and congratulated me. Praise God! I got the position! I can’t stop thanking God!

But wait, God’s blessing does not stop there! Just this morning, I was thinking of calling in sick on Sunday because it’s our first wedding anniversary. I quickly prayed and told God that I’m sorry for even thinking that thought and told him that i didnt want to lie. I will go to work on Sunday. Guess what? When the Supervisor handed me the letter, I was told that it would be my interim rest day on Sunday!!! Isn’t God AMAZING??!!!???

I just can’t stop praising Him and am still in awe of how great, how good and how wonderful He is. Truly when you trust God, He will never disappoint. As what my spiritual family always reminds me, “God’s delays are not His denials. ”

Praise God! I give Him all the Glory!

“Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (The Message)

I’m feeling lethargic today. I don’t know if it’s the weather or what, but all I want to do is sleep my head off. Talk about laziness. hehehe.

Last night I started on Day 1 of Max Lucado’s “Experiencing the Heart of Jesus.” Day 1 of the book captured me so much that I had to stop myself from going to the next chapter. Topic was “Where Love and Justice Meet” and it talks about God’s holiness and God’s love for us. For if Holiness demands that sins be punished and Mercy compels that sinners be loved, how can God do both? The answer is God’s great love for us, and the proof of His love is sending His one and only Son Jesus to die on the cross for us.

“For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God’s anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us. God was being entirely fair and just when he did not punish those who sinned in former times. And he is entirely fair and just in this present time when he declares sinners to be right in his sight because they believe in Jesus.” Romans 3:25-26 (New Living Translation)

Our Lord Jesus took upon Himself all our sins, bore all the pain, just so we could be saved. He could have given up and went back to heaven, He could have told His father we were useless and beyond hope, but no, He loved us that much to go through all that just so we could be made righteous before God if we believe and have faith in what Jesus did. Isn’t that amazing? I can’t wait to read the next chapters! After reading Day 1, I thanked God for His great love for me, for while I was still a sinner, He sent His Son to die for me — and YOU!

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8 (New Living Translation)

Went out for coffee last night and a fresh dose of spiritual wisdom. This coming January, I will be attending the Victory Weekend and a requirement of that is to go through the “one to one” session. “One to one” is where you and a spiritually mature person (who has gone through victory weekend already) will discuss the basics on how to live a spiritual-filled life. But wait, before you think this is boring, think again. Like I said, I had so much fun last night. I’ve been having one to one sessions with my friend Rache for the past few months now and every session we had was filled with sharing about our spiritual growth, prayers and chit chats about everything and anything under the sun.

Last night we discussed chapters 5,6 and 7 of the manual. The thing that struck me most was learning about the Bible, that just like we need food to grow strong physically, we need to crave reading, understanding and obeying the Bible to help us grow strong spiritually.

“Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation, Since you have [already] tasted the goodness and kindness of the Lord.” 1 Peter 2:2-3 (Amplified Bible)

Reading God’s word has always proven challenging in the past. When I wake up in the morning, I have to rush for work. When I get home, I feel tired and sleepy already and could not focus. There are times when I couldn’t really understand anything even if I’ve reread the verse or chapter several times already. But lately, with God’s grace and guidance, I actually look forward to reading the Bible. All the scriptures can be used in any facet of my life in so many different ways! The truths found in it, the promises, the stories, everything about the Bible is so amazing it makes me want to read it all the more! The Bible is what I consider my “manual” for life. The Bible is so useful in everyday life if you just take to heart all the promises of God stated in it, after all, it is GOD’S WORD.

“Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another–showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (The Message)

I am just so amazed of how God is changing my heart little by little everyday, but of course that’s a different post for a different day.

That said, I’d like to say thanks to a very dear friend of ours,

Rache, thank you so much for always being there. For the laughter, for the kuento, for the prayers, for sharing your walk with the Lord. Thank you very much for the friendship! I am just so thankful God sent you into my life — into our lives. Like what God says in His word:

“It’s better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, But if there’s no one to help, tough!”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (The Message)

I pray that God will bless you, Oli and the kids to overflowing! Looking forward to more years of growing together in the Lord!

I had to change my skin. I don’t know what happened but my posts disappeared. I thought it was just blocked here at our office again but when I checked last night using a friends’ computer (Thanks Oli and Rache!) , all of the posts could not be seen. hmmm. Wonder what happened. But any way, am back to posting!

A week of no posts. A week of stark realizations, comfort and healing. It’s amazing how a prayer, prayed in faith, even whispered from a broken heart, can work wonders.

Wednesday night found me crying of pain. My right ear was swollen up to my right jaw. A light touch on any swollen part would send me howling in pain. I couldn’t open my jaw anymore and I was so afraid. I didn’t know what happened, there was nothing inside, all I remembered was putting this herbal powder my dad gave me to stop the itching in my ear caused by my allergic rhinitis.

I sent an SMS to my husband telling him how afraid I was, how painful the right side of my face was and begging him to come home early. Hubby’s reply was a wake up call that day. He basically told me not to be afraid and to pray. Right at that instant I realized, “Yeah, why am I whining and crying here, I haven’t even prayed yet!” I took out my Bible, and found this passage

“Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you’ve sinned, you’ll be forgiven–healed inside and out.” James 5:15 (The Message)

Right at that instant I prayed in faith. I was able to sleep peacefully that night inspite of the pain. I didn’t know how, all I know God made me rest. The next day, we went to a doctor to have my ears checked and I was diagnosed to have “Otitis Externa” and was given antibiotics and pain killers. Also by God’s grace, the doctor advised me to rest for a week and gave me a medical certificate.

Next dillema, medicine prices were exorbitant! The antibiotics were Php 99 per tablet and I had to take 2 tablets a day for 7 days! Faithfully, hubby and I prayed for provision. We really didn’t know if the money we had would be enough. We went to Mercury drugstore and inquired the prices of the antibiotics, Praise God they were Php 39 each and what we have was more than enough to buy the meds that I needed.

All throughout the week that I rested, I spent time with the Lord, reading His words, refreshing my spirit, feeling His love, receiving His healing, thanking Him for each and every blessing. God amazes me with His love, hope and faithfulness and forgiveness. Most of all, I learned about the power of a prayer prayed in faith.

“Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” Hebrews 13:5 (The Message)