STAND

I was reading my previous blogs and looking at what I have written for the past year. The learning's, teachings, and lessons God taught me created an impact of how I view life today. Time swift so fast and it's over a year now since I started this blog.  Today let me share with you something I contemplated in the previous months. If God is as real as what is written in the scriptures, so does Satan. And its true, when we draw closer to God, we attract him like a magnet that things begin to happen in our lives. You see, walking in faith with God will never be easy and this is not to scare or to put fear in our hearts but a reality that even the apostles before us have gone through. At one point in their lives they have experience hatred, stoned (in a form of curses, real stones, etc) and persecution.

The Bible says:

"In fact, everyone who wants to live 

a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted"

~ 2 Timothy 3:12

......Yes, you read it right. But persecution in our times are different compared to the persecution during the time of the apostles. You see, the battles of the apostles during their times are more physical while the battle we face today concerns our mind and how we control it.

“It is not that we don't have faith, 

it is just that Satan is trying to destroy

our faith with lies.” 

~ Joyce Meyer, 

 "Battlefield of the Mind"

...... Everyday we face persecution in different forms and ways. The enemy will tell us all sort of "lies" that we thought we have overcome in the past but because the enemy knows our weakness he knows how to aim. Soon our faith will be tested, some will cripple us and some will destroy us "spiritually" and this is our "BATTLE".  My encouragement is to read the following words;

If the enemy tells you:

"You are weak you can't stand on your own"  

Tell him:

"Yes, I am weak" but the scripture says:

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him."

~ Psalm 28:7

If you just started to walk with Christ and the enemy tells you:

"You will never change, you will be like that for the rest of your life"

Tell him:

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

~ Galatians 2:20

If the enemy tells you:

"No one loves YOU"

Tell him:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

~ John 3:16

If the enemy tells you:

"There is NO hope for you, you will never succeed in life"

Tell him:

"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 

.....The battle we face is how we remain to fix our mind to "Trust in GOD" despite all the lies and the trials the enemy throws at us. It's not about what God didn't give us when we prayed and asked Him too. But to recognize all the blessings God had given us without asking Him. The true test of faith is whether or not we receive His blessings but how faithful are we to God? Even if God said "No" to our prayers, even if God hasn't answered our call or even if everything around us changes. God is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow (Heb 13:8) The trials we go through has a purpose. It could be His way of molding a character within us, to teach us or to shape us, to be the "Woman or Man" God created us. We can't stand alone, but with God on our side we have already won the battle. In time you have that encounter just wait on God and be of good courage and He will strengthen your heart (Psalm 27:14) . Stay armed of God's wisdom. So when we face the enemy, we know what to tell him. If the pressure is to too strong just keep the faith and "Take a Stand" remind yourself that you are a "Princess" the daughter of a "King". He is with you. Remind ourselves, if God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31) .

Let me leave you with Chris Tomlin song "Our God" to remind us that "Our God" is greater than any problems we are having and will have in the future. And to keep telling ourselves these words:

"And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us. And if our God is with us, then what could stand against. Our is God Greater, stronger, awesome and higher than any other"

Jane

The other day I was walking with a friend at the park nearby and we were talking about her relationship with her husband. I can still remember how sweet they were back in our younger days. They were often seen together at the library with smiles on their faces while talking with each other like no one was there. He would always fetch her after school, spend dinner together and finally take her home. They never let life's hardships tear them apart, they were inseparable. It was a perfect love story as the keen eyes could see. Eventually they were married after college and for the past 11 years I never heard any problems of them except of course the toilet habits. Jane (not her real name) is a strong woman who bears with her husband's occasional tantrums and always understands her husband's ill - temper from time to time. Jane often defended him saying he was just stressed from work. I admire the unconditional love she gave him. But after talking to her for almost 2 hours at the park. I was shocked to know they were filing a divorce. Luther, her husband (not a real name) had an affair with his secretary and now bearing his son. She was sobbing while she was telling the whole story. What? When? Why? How? I can't seem to finish a sentence as I was trying to stabilize my thoughts. I couldn't believe it. How can an almost perfect love story ends in separation? I was crying too. I felt her pain and couldn't careless of people staring at us while passing by our way. Luckily I brought a pack of tissue with me that day. I couldn't offer anything but to be with her and just comfort her and listen to her aching cry. When she calmed down. I prayed with her encouraging "to put her trust in God"........ I haven't heard about her for a while as Jane and Lucas, her son (not a real name) went abroad and Luther was left behind with his mistress. I started hating the "other woman" how can she do that to my friend and her family. My heart was pulsating with unforgiveness but I pull my strength from above in order to forgive her. ( Matthew 18:21-22)

In the study made by the Philippine Commission on Women they have found out "the proportion of married men engaging in extra marital sex was found to be 36% compared to 2% of married women".....(read more) In the office having an affair is  so rampant as almost "one of the coolest thing to do" the more mistress you have the more handsome you become. This is the most twisted and worldly way of looking at things demoralizing the sacredness of marriage. As Christians what should be our stand? To hate the unfaithful husband? to put a curse unto the disrespectful and selfish woman who love a husband of another? or to hate the society for allowing this thing to happen?

The Bible says:

To the Husband/Wives:

"Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. ..."

~ 1 Corinthians 7:1-40 ESV

To the Unfaithful One :

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’[a] 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

~ Matthew 5: 27 - 28

...... The bible tell us "adultery" is not merely having physical interaction with another but also a matter of heart and mind. Women are not exempted on this. When you look at a man/woman do you commit adultery with him/her in your heart? Like I once heard from a TV ad "big things, comes from small beginnings" it does not just happen in a snap of finger. It always start from petty fondness we continue to express or certain feeling we tolerate. Building friendships is not the issue if both are single and not committed to anyone. Building friendship with a married woman or man rather is a different story and should  have its limitations. I remember Ptr. Dennis Sy said: "Emotional Intimacy with another woman/man other than your spouse can be considered emotional adultery. Your spouse should be your best friend". We have to be careful how much of these emotions we allow in our hearts. As a man/woman of God we must also learn to protect our brothers/sisters in Christ not to stimulate any lustful intent. Be cautious of how we dress and interact with them and not be the object for them to sin. Ladies let us carry ourselves as a true women of God as described in the scriptures.

The bible says:

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves.

~ 1 Peter 3:3-5 

..... The scriptures encourages to be like the holy women of the past who put their hope in God to be adorned and not to be anything the world consider beautiful. I am not against fashion, I honestly think   women shouldn't be deprived of wearing accessories, jewelries or beautiful clothing but to me? nothing is far more beautiful than a woman who wear her "faith in God" as her clothing and accessorizes herself of God's goodness, but also fears and love the Lord. Her beauty then radiates like a morning star in broad daylight. (Proverbs 31:30)

To  the Husbands/Wives who fears the Lord:

Husbands:

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[a] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”[b] 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

~ Ephesians 5:25-33

Wives:

"Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything."

~ Ephesians 5:22-24

...... This is an encouragement to all of us, single or married hearing stories like the many Jane's of this country. I ought to encourage every women, myself included to first and foremost seek God (Matt. 6:33) allow ourselves to be lead by God's spirit and obey His will for us. (Jeremiah 29:11) Join a Christian small group and be part of each other's journey. Encourage and discern one another's judgement and decision - making in any issues of life, guided by God's words. Nurture our families and bring them closer to God. Participate actively to any ministry God call us to do. This will give us more room to mature in faith and allow others to grow with us. Lastly, an encouragement to the men "be courageous" to say "No" when needed. To say "Yes" when God calls you to lead, protect, provide and love your family unconditionally.

I leave you with the song "Love Is Not A Fight" by Warren Barfield, to remind each and everyone of us that "Love is a Decision" as Ptr. Joseph Bonifacio said. Whether "In sickness" and "In Health" you decide to love the person "unconditionally" just like Christ loves us. 

..... Love is not a fight but it's something worth fighting for.... Therefore, "What God had joined together let no man put asunder"  ~ Mark 10:9

Also, read my previous post: While I'm Waiting

While I'm Waiting

It's been awhile since I was really able to write about my thoughts and about my life. Some might probably wondering why was I not able to write for the month of January or if you haven't notice it perhaps now you might be looking at my archives. hahaha Well, it's not that I intended not to write anything or I forgot. But I just don't know where to start and how to begin the year. The last two months before my 2012 ends was the most challenging. I was down facing my past sipping into my life again. The reconciliation of a past and promises that was trying to revive itself. It was my ex. So I asked: "How can God take away something in my life and bring it back so fast?" I was really confused but I was hopeful. When I finally met him this month; we talked, cried, laughed. But above it all "we changed" my heart had been poured out and he was just there to listen. It was really a relief. And I thank him for it. Walking in faith will never be easy but I believe God has called us to be forgiving, to be courageous and to be faithful of God's promise. God wants to write our love story based on His terms not ours and like what I have written in my previous blog "My-so-called-love-story" let God hold the pen of our lives and just wait on God.

The Bible says:

"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage,

 and he shall strengthen your heart"

~ Psalms 27:14

..... Remembering the night we talked was still a fresh but I am hopeful. We might have lost love in a partner based relationship but we have reserved friendship. I recently attended a seminar "While I'm Waiting" and it was very timely. The adorable couple Ptr. Joseph and Rica shared relevant key points on what to do while we are in this "waiting season" and it was inspiring. One of my favorite was the 3 Threads: 

"Though one may be overpowered, 

two can defend themselves. 

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

~ Ecclesiastes 4:12

...... For some strange reason I was not able to take down notes during the seminar but I will share it based on what I can still remember. Feel free to give any feedback after reading this. The 3 Threads composed of: You, Spouse and God. 

YOU

....... How is your relationship with God?

....... Identify your purpose and your preparedness.

....... Are you the person you're looking for? 

........"It's not about looking for the right person, it's being the right one"

SPOUSE

....... How's your spouse walk with God?

....... Are you ready to give - up everything for this person.

....... Loving your spouse is a decision, a covenant.

........If you hurt your spouse, you hurt yourself because you are one.

GOD

........ Should be the center of your marriage/relationship.

........ Because when God is at the center nothing will ever fail.

....... It's very exciting how God wants to stimulate the longing of being the right person but also to focus on God and just wait on Him. A reminder to obey in God's word and to abound in His love as Rica said "Your partner should be an overflow of God's love in your life" I couldn't agree more. What can we share if we ourselves are lacking?. What love is there to offer if there's not enough love to give? With sufficient love from God we have plenty to sustain it. The key is to stay in love with God. And the right kind of love will come because we know it will. Because God promised it.  (Jeremiah 29:11)

I leave you with "While I'm Waiting" by John Waller praying these will remain in our hearts and wait patiently in obedience, serve others and worship God while waiting. 

"I'm waiting on You, Lord and I am hopeful though it is painful but patiently, I will wait. I will move ahead, bold and confident taking every step in obedience. And most importantly to serve, worship You while I'm waiting."

Also read my previous blog: My Valentine

My Valentine

"Love Month" as people call it, whenever I think of Valentine's day a picture came to my mind. A bouquet of flowers with balloons, chocolates on the side with little love you card and of course lots of hearts.... ^_^ We have branded "Valentine's Day" with all sweet and mushy stuff. Which I know "we" women would agree we love the gifts and all the mushy stuffs. hahaha But to me, this day is extra special because not only it's Valentine's day but it's also my birthday. And this year it's more meaningful because I finally realize why God had chosen this day. Let me give you a brief background:

I became amiss in my definition of love growing up coming from an only child background I came to understand that love was one - centered. Constantly seeking for affirmation and affection. Shallow and superficial there was more often than not feelings of "unloved" without really understanding True love...



But the bible tell us:

"Whoever does not love does not know God,

 because God is love."

~ 1 John 4 : 8

..... All along I thought love was merely emotions and feelings I can earn from someone but as I came to know the truth, the only love one will ever need in his life is "God" and everything else will follow.. In my blog Holy Week I have emphasized the true essence of where it all started knowing "God's greatest act of love". (John 3:16) And being born on a heart's day, will forever remind me that even if I felt I was unloved. God made my birth date on the day love was best commemorated. It was as if God knew I will grew up to be love dependent. hahaha ........

"If you seek LOVE,

FIND God.

If you seek GOD,

You will find TRUE LOVE.
And if you FOUND true love,
SHARE God's LOVE."

~ Mhelai Padawel

.....On this Valentine's day I only have one encouragement. One will never find true love when one don't seek God. The best mentor to teach us how to love is God himself. What qualities to look for in a future husband/wife? here are some useful reading tool for Men read Woman of Beautiful Values which encourages how women should be valued and how God values them. And for Women read Job 29 Man for  enlightenment on what qualities to look for a man of "God-character" not just "good-character". We sometimes look at love as something magical and fictional but actually "God" (love) was only waiting for us to accept Him and acknowledge Him. He was with us all along who continue to love us unconditionally yet we ignore His call. If we start knowing Him now. Then love will overflow we can't share something we ourselves don't have. If we focus ourselves on God He will handle everything else. Like a light house that will continue to shine while crossing the path of the unknown. With His light, He will secure us a safe journey. We only need to obey and trust God... 

Sharing you my background while writing this blog. "When God Made You" ... ^_^
An encouragement that someday I will have someone to sing it with...

Also, read my previous blog: My-so-called-love-story

My so-called-love-story

Since its "Love Month" I actually have a treat. I have posted this on my other blog and I believe it's perfect timing to post it here.... ^_^




It's going five months now, since we finally call it "OVER".... Writing this story felt a twitch in my heart, I am trying to understand how my heart is feeling right now... You see, 11 days from now... I'm supposed to be a "wife" we had that day reserved in one of the hotels in Manila six months ago and I was so busy preparing for the big day... But if you have watched "Bride Wars" you would understand when I say "preparing for a wedding can either break or make a couple, if they survived they are meant to be together" that's more like our story. You know, I can still feel jitters not because of the excitement but somehow I feel a scar starts to bleed again. Its never easy to forget almost six years of building dreams, future plans, and adjusting each others needs to meet "our needs". It was altogether a piece of heaven and the opposite, good and bad memories, beauty and not so beast... hehehe But nevertheless, I have forgiven him and myself. If I had to see him now, I would smile and say "hi". You see, I never regret we met and it happened because I believe it was all part of a plan "God's plan".


The Bible says:


"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


..... Whenever worries and sadness cross my heart in a bliss, I would remind myself of these words. Pray and thank God for His words of encouragement. You know, I don't even remember what started our fights and how or when did it all started. But a gap swell so huge we couldn't keep up with the space. But God is good, He showed how love should be. "Unconditional" just like our God, He knows the plans He made, He knows the beginning and the end. And he wants us to obey, wait patiently and trust Him fully because He has prepared something greater.

"You continue to get your heart broken 

because you are holding the pen of your life 

and trying to write your own story. 

I am the "author of true love. 

I am the creator of romance. 

I know your heart's every desire. 

I want to script a beautiful tale just for you, 

but first you must give the pen to Me. 

You must let Me become the center of your existence. 

You must let Me have total control of your love life, 

and every other area of your life as well" 

~ When God Writes Your Love Story~

Eric and Leslie Ludy

.... On this blog, its more of an ordinary story of my life. People sometimes does not really care about, but to some might be a useful tool to get information. But to me, this is where I share pieces of my everyday life. I never intended to be a writer but if God calls me to do it... I will do it for Him....



Also read my previous post: Courageous