All in God’s Hands

Tags

faith, God'sPerfectTiming, hope, love, photographs

Last 2017 my dad was advised to go under angioplasty due to some heart vein blockage. He’s been abusive to his body back then and so now reaping what he sows (this law is timeless). He’s guilty of it and as family we have to deal with it.

With an honest heart, I felt worried about him but at the same time irked me knowing that he’s liable for what happened. Financially, we cannot afford it. We have to find solution on where we can get the money. Physically we’re not all together, if you’ve been following my blog I’ve shared that my dad is not living with us, and for past years I’ve been working abroad. Emotionally, there are some attitude problems we all have not settled yet, and last spiritually, I myself have to rest my hope upon the Lord and trust that there is something good that will come out from this.

When my dad left the house or maybe when my mom asked him to leave (I really still don’t know who initiated) this pride in everyone’s heart been ruling since then. Somehow this situation at least made us communicate again as family.

My mama volunteered to apply the case of my dad to PCSO this is a principal government agency raising and providing funds for health programs, medical assistance and services, and charities. All I know about this agency is that it only favors to those who is in poverty level. What I mean is, income is regular as 3 members of our family are working, and so we’re not really sure if they will grant our request for financial assistance.

But then my mom pursues, and as expected, we’re not on priority so we have to wait. While waiting I can feel the fear of my dad, maybe thinking on what will lay ahead. He started asking me when will I have my vacation back in the Philippines, and I thought that since April is his birth month, maybe I can get my boss approval by that month.

Suddenly, my childish heart unleashed that made me desire to have family celebration and take a family picture. J I talk to God and ask, “is this the good thing that is about to come out from my dad’s situation?”

We all know that my dad is living with my younger step brother in Baguio, by some means; I thought maybe we can celebrate dadi’s birthday all together in Baguio. Just to share my siblings and I don’t have any issues seeing or talking to my step brother. But what worries me is that emotion within my mama’s heart. I’ve known my mama for my whole life, and she is the type that is strong outside but soft within. She will tell that she’s fine, and can make you believe that she doesn’t care, but deep inside she’s hurting.

Pride is an attitude problem that is really hard to put down, especially, when unresolved issues still exist and pain is still lingering. And by God’s grace, only by God’s grace alone, He hears our prayer and He wills to set free mama from profound pain and bondage of anger. It is only by God’s grace that below photo took place last April. ❤

 

Along with it is the provision of God by the approval we got from PCSO. Yes the Lord provided EVERYTHING! God prepared my dad physically for his procedure. As they say ‘When the time is right the Lord will make it happen’ I love to testify how God can graciously provide, heal and sustain anyone who seek and trust Him! My dad is out now from the hospital after his angioplasty procedure, praise God for His goodness, I would like to thank my BP Benny Abante, Pastor Allen, MBBE family, relatives who prayed earnestly for dadi. Truly it is not my family’s control or anyone’s presence that would make him feel okay; it’s ALL IN GOD’S HANDS! ❤ Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. ~ Jeremiah 33:3 KJV

I really praise God for His goodness! I personally know that we as family are unworthy of His mercy and love, yet gracefully He bless us so much in most unexpected ways! ❤

I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. ~ Psalms 22:22

Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; [which] thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! ~ Psalms 31:19

Know WHO you are to GOD!

Tags

commitment, long-suffering, movie, music

Whenever I encounter situation or people difficult to understand, I personally struggle not to get annoy or irritated. I praise God for the Holy Spirit that rebukes me immediately and help me to realize how Jesus wants me to respond, according to His will.

Most of the time, when Jesus face some issues He welcome it with grace and respond to it with love, that the people will no doubt recognize WHO HE IS.

We can better understand things and people if – we know WHO we are to God.

The greatest gift a man could ever receive is the gift of salvation. (link)

Recently I watched Moana, and somehow this movie was used by God to search my identity through Jesus Christ.

It focuses on knowing “who Moana is”. But let me share one song in the movie where she sang this actually for Te Fiti who became mad as Maui stole a gem in her heart.

I have crossed the horizon to find you
I know your name
They have stolen the heart from inside you
But this does not define you
This is not who you are
You know who you are

Lyrics transcribed by Disneyclips.com

Most of the time, people define us on how we respond in a certain situation whether it is good or bad. Some may define us on how we look, on how we speak, act eventually how we live our lives. But have you ever come to a point where you ask yourself “who really am I?” Our parents were there to guide us as we grow, teachers, friends, workmates, this world may dictate who we should be, but there is only One Who can really identify who we are, our CREATOR, GOD!

If we seek who are we to God, we will not be easily deceived by how people look at us, the bible tells, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. ~ Psalms 139:14” black or white, regardless of nationality or tribe, we are God’s precious creation.

At the same time we should know how God loves us, “But God commendeth His love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. ~ Romans 5:8” Pursue the love and acceptance the Lord Jesus gave and continuously giving.

We can understand things and people around us by knowing who we are to God. What will matter most is what Jesus did for us on the cross, and it must humble us to yield and submit to what God expects us to respond in all circumstances.

It may be difficult to respond with grace, but let’s ask ourselves “who am I not to give grace, when my Lord Jesus is so gracious to me?”

We are precious, we are loved and forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ! This personally reminds me WHO I AM TO GOD. At the same time rebuked and admonish me to abide in the Holy Spirit that the fruit of it will gracefully manifest in my life.

 

Proving God

Since God found me, proving Him is one of the great challenges I’m facing daily. Every plan, decision, and action, I’m trying my best to align all in His will.

One realization He revealed to me this year is the battle of truth from His word against the lies that Satan and this world throws.

Mind struggles when I justify my decisions according to my way from His will. That’s why the Holy Spirit keeps on reminding me to go back to His word “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ ~ 2 Corinthians 10:5.”

More often, when I wanted something, I find myself searching passages to validate my desire that often leads me to disappointment. And recently I just realize that it’s not the proper way. God wanted us to be dependent on Him, by faith, with our whole heart, soul, and being; He wanted us to seek His will towards our lives.

How?

READ, READ and READ His word. We must soak ourselves in every Word! The Holy Spirit will help us admit that there is something wrong within us and allowing Him to break the pride we build in time, God will definitely give us the wisdom to understand how He wanted us to work and overcome our heart’s deceitfulness.

There will be no outline which can be applied as we all have different conditions and needs, but in general God’s word is available to all, might as well read it and mirror ourselves and have that intimate talk with Him.

Today He just told me, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:21” lo and behold this blog woke up after a long time.

Blessed days ahead  🙂

Master Designer

Tags

faith, music

World-Men-Bible

As I live, and as I personally discover the depth of world-men-bible existence I cannot deny that everyday I’m still astonished how GREAT MY GOD IS!

Indeed God is a Master Designer! Come to think of it, from creation of this world; existence of men; and deliverance of His word through bible, each area has a very specific purpose. Amazing that the relation of each creation define the beauty and wisdom from the Creator.

Whenever I wander something I don’t understand, going back to basic helps me realize how God created ALL accordingly.

“1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.”

Chaos arise when men do not follow God’s purpose and design towards everything. One phrase I got from someone “You’ve got to ROLE with it” truly it should all start within ourselves.

From the very start the Lord has these all in mind, creating the world to declare His glory, creating men to have fellowship and glorify Him, and by His words all men could be saved!

Every day if we only focus on how God made all these things, He wanted us to enjoy His grace, love and mercy, we should find ourselves celebrating life and glorifying God our Creator, our Master Designer.

Blessed day to everyone. 🙂

Overcoming The Enemy Within

Tags

faith, Kuwait, long-suffering

We all say that this world is our battle ground, and I think I just face one of the ultimate fight I need to overcome.

As 2017 starts, my mind is overwhelm with all the commitments I have in hand. Aside from my current commitment at church, January month is my mom’s birthday, same month also there’s a wedding preparation, added by a year-end closing at work.

It’s not really about prioritizing, as the bible says in Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” But for me, knowing myself, it’s an issue of acknowledging “support and help” from other people.

God want us to be dependent on Him, but I often neglect how He use other people for me to feel His presence.

Most of the time, as I take responsibilities, I wholeheartedly take it as my own. Which is actually good, but the problem with me is, literally I take it as MINE, EXCLUSIVELY! I don’t ask any help from others thinking I’m passing the responsibility which was given to me. And to prevent charging others when problem arise. Also, I don’t want to be a burden nor cause of any delay to anybody. As a result I do things on my own. Unintentionally disregarding the help from others.

First week in the beginning of last month, I started my mornings claiming Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” With a fresh well planned month, keeping that optimism within, that by God’s grace I will accomplish my mom’s birthday trip to Davao, wedding of Darlyn & Brix and to close the 2016 year accounts at my work.

Mom’s birthday trip was Jan.07-10; year-end close was set between 3^rd week of Jan.; and the wedding was Jan.27.

Last March 2016 there was a promo fare from one of the Philippine airline where mom’s birthday trip all started. Imagine how long the preparation was, hahaha J

I filed my usual annual leave, also, my sister block these dates from her work. But I didn’t know that November 2016 I will transfer work. It was very difficult for me to accept it. After all the plan, savings and excitement, I was not able to fly back home for the said planned trip. Hahaha! And so, I told myself its okay, it’s my mom’s special day, the objective is for her to relax and enjoy. So I pursue “my plan” for them.

Week before their flight, I keep on messaging my younger sister and brother. I always remind them on what to do, what to bring, what to prepare for their trip. Every day I keep on asking if they’re done with what I have asked them to do. Reminding them on what else to be finished. Until my sister backfire me with a resounding “Please Ate (older sister), you’re stressing me out!”

She told me that she can do it, she can manage, and asked me not to pressure her.

Lesson #1 Mistrust. I fail to trust other people. Regardless who initiates the plan, I should have entrusted it to them (my sister & brother) without any reservation, knowing that I drop the whole idea when I accepted the new job. I’m not joining the trip anymore, and so I should have let them do it their way. Or better should have ask if they need my help, instead of forceful to do this and that. So, from there I stop, and apologize, no reasoning out and even I felt the irritation of questioning “why’s”, I mirrored on my mistrust. As a result, God bless their trip, they arrived and went home safe and overjoyed. 🙂

Now, closing of accounts at work is approaching, as well as the wedding. I tried to focus at work as this period in accounting is very critical, mistake is not allowed! My problem is, I cannot help not to think of things for the wedding. Often than not, if I remember something to be done I would take down notes or set a reminder for me to do.

At the back of my mind, I have this fear that I might missed out something for the wedding, at the same time fear of having error in my booking before the accounts close.

And so, that fear came to reality. I miscalculate entering dates in my booking, and that boo-boo reached our main office in Milan, Italy. I took the responsibility, apologize and accept my boss’s discourse wholeheartedly.

Lesson #2 Unfocused. I must not juggle things in my mind, and be motivated to do it out of fear. I noticed the more I dwell in a particular thought the more I entertain the possibility of situating it to actuality. I suddenly remember what Paul wrote to Timothy “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. – 2 Timothy 1:7”

It takes God’s grace and right heart to practice that “sound mind”. To free my thoughts from distraction and fear. God knows MY STRUGGLE with it. God requires my full attention towards His Word, and as my heart process it with the help of the Holy Spirit, then only it manifest towards my action and whole being.

And so, the upcoming wedding is near, learning from what happened previously, trust & focus is there, but found myself still sorry towards my behavior.

Here it goes, as I voluntarily present myself as a wedding coordinator, I started to take time on the budget; to be keen on things needed for the ceremony and reception; to take charge of the program and how it should flow.

I’m very tight for the couples budget, I have set a very reasonable plan for their expense, most of the time the couple would ask me which is better, what is more economical and practical. And more often I’m able to convince them to which “I” think is best.

But not during these last weeks before their wedding, were we all try to finish decorations to set up the venue. One day the bride told me that she purchased a set of jewelry for her to wear on big day. A pair of diamond earrings, necklace and bracelet. When I heard the price, I ask her “really? You spent that much because you just WANT that set?” I felt like that she was just carried away of her feelings upon buying the jewelry and not thinking the cost it would bring to them as a couple.

I thought that she is being irrational to justify why she bought that expensive jewelry. Supposed that the cost could be more useful after the wedding as they have to start a family, it would be better if she just saved it and bought a cheaper one, the fact that she will just use it once.

She looked at me and said “I really love that set, it’s an investment too, and can be use later on to some other occasion, it’s MY WEDDING, and it is once in a life time event, let me feel that I am special on MY DAY”

Boom!

Lesson #3 Domineering. She’s right, it’s her wedding not mine. My role is to coordinate and make things organize, of their dream wedding. Help them out seek the best option out of their resources but not to the extent of depriving the priceless joy it will bring.

God made me realize that I cannot take His role of working in the hearts of people. I have my own reasoning and it’s not always right, and even if I’m right it doesn’t mean I can force other people to agree with me.

Sometimes even it came from God’s Word, it doesn’t mean I can make them believe and agree along, that eagerness within me to make other people understand things my way leads me being domineering.

Obviously I’m limiting what God can do. Taking over His role and not depending on the grace bestowed. The word of God was given for us to take and share and the rest is God’s work. Again, I apologize and let God intervene in their wedding. A lot of unexpected things happened, yet all turned out well by God’s amazing grace.

In conclusion, no matter how much we know what we’re doing, we have enemy aside from this world and satan, and that’s OURSELVES. Only God can know the intents of our hearts, and He definitely know how dangerous our mind and heart could be at. I’m personally blessed to all the people whom God used to rebuke me, and help me assess my walk and knowledge towards Him.

A great passage from Paul “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ – 2 Corinthians 10:5”

I really praise and thank God for His word, work, wakening in me.

Blessed day to everyone. ♡

Solution To A Challenge

Tags

faith, hope, long-suffering, verses

New challenge came in, and with God, I’m now ready to accept and face it. 🙂

Challenge is just around, it occurs from our wrong decisions, how we react on certain circumstance, and sometimes suddenly it just arise.

That scenario, when you cannot do anything but to face it, win over it, and get the best learning out from it.

I’m currently in the first stage of wholeheartedly accepting and facing the challenge God wants me to overcome. Typical human being don’t enjoy being put into challenge, it is stressing, physically, emotionally and mentally tiring. But we can never escape from it, it is part of our lives.

We tend to question God, how He allow these things to happen, but in reality, unknowingly these challenges are for our own benefit. IT IS REALLY HARD TO SAY THAT, personally, being one of those many who currently struggling over it, it is not easy.

Last night during our evening service, God literally talked to me through His words. Preaching was all about God’s Word being our best option taking the “right” direction in life.

My pastor said “In the Word of God you can never go wrong”

Indeed that moment my heart was filled with gratitude, for God has given me the opportunity to experience again His work in me, through the challenge I have now.

When Paul said “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:19” God of all riches will do it for us.

When my bible says “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. ~ Jeremiah 33:3” God will hear and answer us in His own time and will.

When His word says “For with God nothing shall be impossible ~ Luke 1:37” Believe that all is possible with God!

Solutions to our challenge are given to us through the Word of God, nothing more, nothing less. All we need, is to hear Him, trust Him and seek His word daily, until we win over that challenge, and be ready again for another one.

With this, somehow the Lord made me feel excited on how He will deliver us (me and my family) out from it. How this process will make us closer to Christ, and mold us to be like Him. It will be tough, but definitely along with Jesus victory is at end 🙂

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:57”

His Word is forevermore! “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. ~ Matthew 24:35″

Proverbs 6:22-23 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.

What does really matter?

Tags

faith, family, hope, Kuwait, love, poem

We do all have our own concern

Our own belief, and perception

Came out from different nation

Grow up in unique foundation

We spend time on things that matter

Matter that builds our character

Character that creates wonder

And so what does really matter?

In that case your right is my right

Fairness should always be at sight

But why do we feel so deprive

This world is like will soon collide

Life is a gift from God above

For us to live, His grace and love

What does really matter to God,

That should really matter to us!

-Mae Lorenzo ♥

God’s Perfect Timing|Between Life & Death

Tags

faith, family, God'sPerfectTiming, hope, long-suffering, love

Between life and death is TIME…

Time is infinite, it exist even before we were born, and will still be there after we die; TIME is beyond our control.

It will go on, and on and on, regardless of how much we want to stop or forward it. Instead of fighting and opposing time, let’s just live with it.

Freedom to live, freedom to choose, wanting the best this life could ever lose.

The Lord gave us the freewill to live our own lives. What a great opportunity for us to give that life back to Christ!

To let Him rule our heart, mind and soul; experience His grace and love until eternity, which time cannot hold.

The only way we can experience the best things in this life is by giving our lives to Christ.

We may think that the reason why God gave this life is for us to live on our own, but what He really wants us to do is to ENTRUST it back to Him for us to show how ETERNAL LIFE works.

LIFE eternity is only found in Christ Who overcomes death, the only One Who can make each day out of its best.

Don’t waste your time, assure your eternal life through and by accepting Jesus Christ!

Live each day leaning on His grace, rejoice and cherish His presence everyday. 🙂

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. ~ Psalms 118:24