My Space. My Life

I’m currently reading “Your Best Life Now” by Pastor Joel Osteen. Thanks to my friend Rache who lent me this blessing of a book. It totally changed my point of view about life. As you can remember from my previous posts, I said that I was a pessimist ( I still am sometimes. I am a work in progress. ) I truly was. I always see the bad side of everything. When I started reading this book, I understood that our attitudes, words and thoughts have tremendous power over our lives. Thinking negative thoughts and saying negative things over my life will always give me negative results.

When I started doing what Pastor Joel Osteen advised in his book, to declare everyday that I have favor with God, that I am blessed, that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, things started to happen. I began having this renewed, peaceful countenance I never knew before. I started obeying God, started to really pray and ask Him for direction in my life, started speaking blessings over my life and over the lives of all the people around me and true enough I experienced God’s favor. It’s the sweetest thing!

You see, I always thought of myself as nothing special. Just an ordinary person with ordinary skills. What I do in the office other people can do better. But when I started to trust God and declaring that I have His favor; when I started obeying Him, my life took an unexpected turn. When I started with this new company, I never thought that in 3 months I would get promoted. Honestly, when I look back, I could never think of anything special I did that made people notice me. I was doing the same stuff as my office mates, but God showered me with His favor. Suddenly, people come up to me telling me of a job well done, my boss notices the simple things I do and is happy about it. I was dumbfounded but this is supernatural favor from God! When I got promoted, I was speechless!

Well, God was not content at giving me a promotion. He answered another one of my prayers. For some time now, I was praying that He will arrange my schedules in such a way that I get to spend time with hubby, attend Bible Study and attend Sunday service as well. He never failed! When I got promoted, our boss put me (and my officemate) in charge of the RTA schedules. Which means I get to pick! So by October, I will be able to attend Bible Study on Tuesdays, see my husband and spend time with him after work and attend Sunday services! Isn’t God amazing?

Well, I know that life is not a bed of roses. There’s bound to be a few bumps on the road. But it doesn’t matter anymore. As long as I have God, He’s got my back and I don’t need to worry about anything.

I guess I just wanted to post about how wonderful it is to experience God’s favor! When you truly seek Him, His kingdom, you will experience His favor and you will not be able to contain His blessings!

Praise God for everything! Father the glory is yours! Please continue to order and direct my steps. I earnestly seek to walk in Your ways that I may continue to find favor in your eyes. Thank you! I give everythng to you In Jesus name.

Someone recently asked how I felt about not having a baby yet. “Well,” I said, “had you asked me that question a few months back, my reply would’ve been one of disappointement and resentment. But now, I’m okay. I know that our baby is on it’s way to us. We are believing for our baby and we believe that she is on her way to us and we will soon hold her in our arms. We are excited! My husband and I even talk about her all the time and how we pray she gets his cheeks and my eyes. ” My friend was quiet for a moment and asked, “But how do you know for sure? What if you were not meant to have a child?” My answer was quick and simple: “I know and I am sure because GOD said so.”

I firmly believe that God, the promise giver is more powerful than anything. His promises are as powerful as He is! The only reason for delay is our unbelief and our lack of faith. My husband was right all along. Months back, I was crying out to him the day I got my period. I was telling him how I would never be able to bear children. That I feel so sorry for myself. My husband was quick to jolt me out of my blindness. He said in a firm but loving way: “Why all the negativity, honey? Why doubt the God who made the heavens and the earth? You do not have because of your lack of faith.” It really made me see clearly. The reason for the delay of our miracle was my lack of faith. I kept seeing the situation through my human eyes and not through God’s eyes.

Now, my heart stands firm in believing that We will have our baby… because GOD said so. And what He promises, He brings to pass! I know He will NEVER fail me, leave me nor forsake me. Though I am unfaithful, God remains faithful. Who knows, our little Sam may be here already.

Is there something you’re believing God for? A promotion? Healing? Restoration? A baby miracle? Do not lose hope! God can do so much more than you can imagine! All He is asking is for you to believe in Him! In His goodness! He wants you to trust Him because He has great plans for you! He wants you to prosper and succeed! He wants what’s best for you! He loves you! You are His most precious child! You are the apple of His eye! Keep holding on to God’s promises! You WILL have your dream! How can I be so sure? Because God says so!

WHEN YOU BELIEVE

Many nights we’ve prayed
With no proof anyone could hear-
In our hearts a hopeful song
We barely understood.
Now we are not afraid-
Although we know there’s much to fear.
We were moving mountains long before we knew we could!

There can be miracles
When you believe-
Though hope is frail,
It’s hard to kill.
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will,
You will when you believe.

I am excited about this promise!

“My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” Isaiah 32:18 (NIV)

I can’t wait to see God bring it to pass

I’ve been neglecting my blog, tsk! tsk!

So, how’s everyone? I hope y’all are doing great.

So what’s been happening to me? Well, I’ve got a few updates in hand, but before I go into them, I would just like to greet my Daddy (My Father in Law) a Happy 64th Birthday!

Daddy, you’re the best and I am blessed to have you in my life. Thank you for the love and care you have always showered on us. I pray that God will continue to bless you with more birthdays with us! Hope you’ll have a blast on your birthday! We love you!

Okay, so let’s get on with the udpate. We recently received a blessing. Something we have been praying for for the longest time. Lest any of you think it’s a baby, well, no, not in human form anyway. We just wanted to call her our baby because it was something we have together So without further ado, we introduce you to our new baby, FAITH.

We named her FAITH because it was by Faith that she was given to us. We are enjoying her immensely. My husband can not take his eyes off her hehehe!

Well, we don’t have our human baby yet. Something that we have been praying for too. But unlike before, I don’t go into depression anymore. For those of you who don’t know, I was diagnosed to have endometrioma in my left ovary, making it hard for me to get pregnant. For months I have been on a roller coaster ride. There’s the anticipation of waiting for signs of being pregnant. The hoping when my period was late. The disappointment when pregnancy tests turn negative. The frustration and the depression when period finally comes. I’ve always felt like being tortured. It seems like everyone I knew was either pregnant, got pregnant or giving birth.

One day I just cried my eyes and heart out to God. Asking Him questions like why? or Are we not fit to be parents? or When? Then, when I was finally still before Him, with nothing more to say, no more tears to cry, His peace came to me, soothing me, carrying me through the storm. “My child, My ways are not your ways, what i have promised I shall bring to pass. You only need to trust and wait. ” I stopped crying immediately as I remembered a verse in the Bible that had the same thought:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD’s renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed.” Isaiah 55:8-13 (New International Version)

So, here I am. Finally learning how to trust the promise giver. As someone once told me, the promise is as powerful as the promise giver. I am just happy to know that our baby will come, though not now, in God’s prefect time.

You know how it is when you have all these negative thoughts that pull you down and all you want to do is blurt it out to someone? Well, I have always lived like that until I learned that what you say and declare can make a huge impact on your life and those around you.

When I read Matthew 15, Jesus’ words made a strong impact:

“Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ ” Matthew 15:17-18 (NIV)

I have always lived my life voicing out my frustrations, my fears, never thinking that doing so would actually give life to them. I’ve noticed that everytime I declare something negative that happens into my life, I become more frustrated. It does not ease the feelings I have in my heart, the burden only becomes heavier. I would want to talk to another person, talk about my hurts all over again, until it becomes a vicious cycle and all the people around you also feel the same frustration (and not to mention become frustrated with you as well).

Our words have power. Power to encourage and destroy not only the people around you, but also our own lives. The Word of God says:

“The more talk, the less truth; the wise measure their words.” Proverbs 10:19 (The Message)

So true! Just now I felt this overwhelming irritation towards a person who never stops complaining and whining about the smallest things! (I saw myself in him and thought eeww! that must be how I sound! =( ) I so wanted to tell this person to shut up because I was so irritated with all the talking! I also wanted to tell someone about his irritating habit! I thank God that He tapped me on the back and made me realize that doing so would not only hurt that person’s feelings but also the person I would tell the story to would also feel irritated towards him. Instead, God asked me to pray for him, and that’s what I did! Lo and behold, the person stopped talking! Hehehe!

Let me share to you some excerpts on Today’s word from Pastor Joel Osteen :

“Your words have creative power and you can use them as a destructive force or as an instrument of blessing. If you continually speak negative words over your life, then eventual defeat will be the result. In the same way, if you speak words of faith and victory, you will see a harvest of blessing not only in your own life, but also in the lives of those around you.

Don’t give life to your negative thoughts by speaking them out. You can’t continue to speak negative words filled with doubt and unbelief and expect to have a positive life full of joy and hope. You can change your situation by changing your words. Talk about your visions, your dreams. Declare that you can do all things through Christ and that you are more than a conqueror.

When you find yourself in a difficult situation, don’t say the first thing that pops into your head. Learn to control your emotions and take those thoughts captive. When you use words of faith and victory God will fight your battles for you. You’ll overcome every challenge that you face and you will live the abundant life that God has in store for you.”

Lord, all of my life I have given life to my negative thoughts and feelings. Always ready to say the negative things in my heart to those willing to listen, not realizing that in doing so, I’ve pulled them down instead of up. Today I ask you to please help me guard my mind and mouth at all times. Remind me that they have the power to either bless or curse. Help me to use it as a constant blessing not only over the lives of the people around me but over my life as well. Help me to trust You more and to always declare a life of victory through Your Son Jesus so that I may live my life victorious; filled with your abundant blessings! I ask you this in Jesus name. Amen.

Rache suggested I read the book by Joel Osteen “Your Best Life Now”. Since I don’t have the book yet, I went to Joel Osteen’s site and subscribed to their daily reading sent via email. I have been receiving them daily and I must say I am blessed!

Today’s reading is about God’s favor. Here’s an excerpt of today’s word:

“God wants to pour out His abundant blessings, His abundant victory, and His abundant favor in your life! The Bible tells us that God has crowned us with glory and honor. Another word for honor is “favor.” In other words, God has crowned us with His favor! Get rid of that weak-worm-of-the-dust-mentality! Don’t be timid and insecure any longer–expect good things from God. Live with confidence, knowing that you have the favor of God surrounding your every step!

You are a child of the Most High God. He has crowned you with glory and honor–not because of who you are, but because of Whose you are! As God’s child, He wants you to have preferential treatment. He wants you to be favored in this life. He wants you to be “favor-minded.” To be favor-minded simply means that you are releasing your faith, knowing that God wants to help you. The more favor-minded you are, the more of God’s favor you’re going to see! Begin to declare that you have the favor of God and expect God’s favor to bring you to a place of victory in every area of your life!”

I was used to thinking that God only bestows blessing if you did something that pleased Him; That God was only looking at the things I did wrong. It was as if God was waiting for me to make the wrong move and punish me. I was wrong. God is a good and loving God. And His Grace is immeasurable! My problem was I did not have an expecting attitude because I felt I did not deserve His abundant blessings. Well, as a sinner I don’t. But as I said, God is full of grace and He loves us so much that even if we do not deserve His blessings, He wants to give shower us with lots of them. We only need to declare that as God’s children and co-heirs with Christ, we are favored and we need to expect God’s favor. Of course, it goes without saying that we also need to hear and obey God’s Word.

I am favored by God!

So, Father in Heaven, thank you for loving me so much! Help me to keep your words in my heart that I may not sin against you. I claim your many promises in my life and declare that by Your infinite grace, I am favored by You. I thank you for the many blessings you have showered me and the abundant and overfowing blessings that are to come. Help me, change my heart so I may live a lifeof confidence and blessing, a life of Victory through You! In the mighty name of Jesus! Amen.

When words of encouragement means nothing…when you’ve heard them all before but they seem to do nothing but discourage you more. I’ve been feeling low these past couple of days, so down that I don’t even talk about how I feel to other people. I don’t know, I guess I just don’t want to burden people with my angst anymore. So I decided to pull up my Bible and go to Psalms. This has always been my habit whenever I would feel discouraged. God’s Word has NEVER failed to give me a boost whenever I’m down.

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8

A Happy and Blessed 2006 to all of you!

Am doing okay but still adjusting to the new responsibilities I have. I was so stressed out the last 2 weeks but by God’s grace am slowly keeping pace. For some time I felt so overwhelmed, but I am reminded by this verse that our labor in the Lord is not in vain:

But I said, “I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the LORD’s hand, and my reward is with my God.” Isaiah 49:4 (New International Version)

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)

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)