Where do we place God in our lives? Do we place Him at the very center of our existence? Or do we put Him at the farthest corners of our hearts and minds? Some sort of a spare tire to be used when the need arises?
When we are in distress, when fear and anxiety beset us, when tons of problems seem to overwhelm us, when we feel that we could not possibly cope with the stressful situation confronting us, who do we seek? Our doctor? Our psychiatrist? Our closest friend? Our spouse? Our parents or any relative we hold near and dear? When do we turn to God for relief? When things start to fall apart and when we completely lose control of the situation? Then afterwards , we blame God for the disaster that befell us, forgetting that it was caused by us in the first place.
The answers to these questions determine how we relate to God. To most of us, God is a far away and distant despot who does not care about us, leave us to our fate and circumstances, who disturbs our peace when we sin and who demands an accounting from us all the time. But when the chips are down, He is nowhere to be found and do not give an iota of concern whatever happens to us. In fact, God is an ever reliable scapegoat for all our troubles and misfortunes in life. But is He?
God said, "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. They will say of me, 'In the Lord alone are righteousness and strength." (Isaiah 45:22-24a)
He further added, "I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please....What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that will I do." (Isaiah 46:9b-10, 11b)
God is not affected by how we perceived Him to be. He is not changed nor affected by our puny perceptions. He is sovereign. He do as He please. The good news is, He is everything that we could ever think of as good and positive. And He could not contradict His own nature. The bad news (or good news, depending on one's perception) is, He created us with our own free will, and that we have the choice to accept or reject Him. He will never force Himself on us.
There lies the problem. We know that there is a God, but we limit His power over us by our inability to perceive Him as He really is. So we make do with a counterfeit "God" who is capricious, whimsical, moody, revengeful, catankerous, self seeking and avaricious; who expropriates everything for His own glory alone. Pity the people who looks at God this way.
Hosea 4:6a says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Wrong perception of God may lead us to our own destruction, and greatly tie up God's hands to help us out of our predicament. The only solution is to know the real God through His words in the Bible.
Jesus Christ shows us the way to the Father. "Jesus answered, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me." (John 14:6) Also, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) You want to know the real GOD? Read your Bible.
VIGNETTES FROM THE PEARLY GATES 26) Something wonderful is the masterpiece of God's creation- so sensitive, so marvelous, so exquisitely beautiful. Something wonderful is the masterpiece of God's creation- so precise, so complicated, so sublime. Something wonderful- it cannot be compared to any other creation- in beauty, in grace, in near perfection, in its quest to reach for infinity. That something wonderful is - Y...O...U! "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful I know that full well." (Psalm 139: 14) 27) Do we live to please ourselves and satisfy our earthly natures? Do we do things to please others, especially those we hold near and dear? Are our actions, thoughts and feelings motivated by our desire to please ourselves and our loved ones as well? There is a higher meaning and purpose to life than this, and that is, " ...to live in order to please God." (1 Thessalonians 4: 1) 28) Surrender yourself totally unto the Lord, never mind the cost, He will compensate for everything. He will walk beside you every step of the way and will wipe away the tears in your eyes. He will guide you through all the pitfalls in life and will strengthen you in moments of weaknesses. He knows all your pains and tribulations and He will always comfort you. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3: 16) 29) Loneliness is a fearful foe, it stalks you to the very depths of your soul. It is more pronounced when you are alone and have no one to relate to; no one to love you nor care for you; no one to lift up your spirits when you're down. But there is a remedy for loneliness, "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Psalm 16: 11) 30) The end may come sooner than we think. So many souls are perishing and yearning to be saved; so many voices crying out, lost and in despair. They grope in the darkness, stumbling every step of the way, searching for a soul saving hand to reach out for them. "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field." (Luke 10: 2) SMILE! GOD LOVES YOU NO MATTER WHAT!
INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGES FROM FRIENDS - Series # 2 This is the second of the series of Inspirational Messages From Friends. They came from my brothers and sisters in Christ who have been so generous with their words of encouragements. God bless them all. I hope you too, dear readers, will be inspired by them as much as I was. And as the title of this blogspot connotes, you will experience God's tremendous showers of blessings for reading this blogspot and giving your spiritual support for God's cause. Thank you very much and God bless you all. HAPPY READING! From Sis. Wen Carino (Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Philippines) "Little keys can open big locks; simple words can express great thoughts; a sincere prayer everyday brings you God's immeasurable blessings and graces." From Sis. Wen Carino (Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Philippines) "As the sky breaks into a beautiful sunrise, may God open the heavens to shower you with lots of love and happiness, and make your day a truly meaningful one." Anonymous "Each day is an offering of love, a gift only God can deliver, and the way we use each shining hour is our gift of thanks to the Giver." From Sis. Edith Sayco (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines) "Nights are the best time to be peaceful, to ponder on things, to appreciate life, to plan for tomorrow and to thank God for all the BLESSINGS." From Sis Emma Garcia (Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines) "Mornings are just like paintings, you need an inspiration to get you going. God and His words are the only inspirations I know that we can stand and move on." From Sis. Emma Garcia (Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines) "5 steps to a lovely morning: close your eyes, take a deep breath, open your arms wide, feel your heartbeat and say- 'Here I am Lord, embrace me and be my strength.' " From Sis. Fe Lim (Cainta, Rizal, Philippines) "Happiness is somewhere between too little and too much. May you have just enough wealth to meet your needs; enough poverty to learn how to work hard; enough blessings to know that God loves you; enough problems so you don't forget Him; enough happiness to keep you sweet; enough trials to keep you strong; enough hope to keep you happy; enough sorrow to keep you human. What you are is God's gift to you, but what you become is your gift to God." From Bro. Arnold Mendoza (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines) "May the Lord's loving eyes keep watching you all day long. Have a wonderful day." From Sis. Emma Garcia (Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines) "I have never seen God but I know He's there. It's people like you who make Him so real. May you always be a blessing to every life you touch." From Sis. Emma Garcia (Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines) "Inspire: Be thankful for each new challenge because it will build your strength and character." From Sis. Julie Jimenez (Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Philippines) "No matter where we are, what we have, what we went through, the BEST IS YET TO COME FOR THOSE WHO PUT GOD FIRST IN THEIR LIVES." From Sis. Wen Carino (Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Philippines) "Good person.....ikaw yan. Good Friend.....ikaw uli yan. Good Taste.....Sa iyo yan. Good Heart.....Sa yo pa rin yan. Great Taste.....Sobra ka na... Kape na yan! Happy Day! From Sis. Julie Jimenez (Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Philippines) "Take chances, Make mistakes. That's how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to Practice being brave." From Sis. Mila Le Rey (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines) "God is so amazing He sends you sunrise Every Morning Flowers year round Rainbow after rain He owns the universe But prefers to live In your heart." From Sis. Julie Jimenez (Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Philippines) "In every stair of our life There will be a cross of trials But do not fear to take hope For the Lord is with us forever." From Sis. Emma Garcia (Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines) "The most humbling statement we can say is: I am nothing without God. And our most powerful statement is: with the grace of God, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." From Sis. Malou Chua (Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines) "When you surrender your will to God, He will make sure your life is in line with His perfect plan because the key to a great blessings is being willing to adjust your plan to God's will." From Sis. Julie Jimenez (Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Philippines) "A sweeter smile A brighter day Hope everything turns out Great for you today. Good morning! Have a nice day!" From Sis. Wen Carino (Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Philippines) "Jesus cares for you! May the Lord shower you With so much blessings And miracles today, Tomorrow and forever. God bless." From Sis. Wen Carino (Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Philippines) "Always say, 'I am happy because God is with me. Where I am, there He is; What I do, He sees; How I feel, He knows. Truly life is wonderful. Good day!" From Sis. Julie Jimenez (Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Philippines) "We came to this world with nothing, But to God we are something. He wants to share with us everything Because He loves us more than anything. God bless." From Bro. Joel Reyes (Boacaue, Bulacan, Philippines) "When our hope fails, God's hope in us does not. Hope is the strength of the weak. It is a power to go on because tomorrow is better than today." From Sis. Julie Jimenez (Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Philippines) "I asked God to be with you today And send His blessings along your way. Good morning." From Sis. Susan Dulo (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines) "Prayer is a perfume to our soul And a fragrance that pleases God. Wear your prayer everyday And let it freshen you Anytime, anywhere you go. Have a blessed and sweet scented day! God bless." From Sis. Julie Jimenez (Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Philippines) "I wish you perfect health, Happiness and love that never end, Peace of mind and all the wonderful Things in life. Have a nice day!" From Bro. Billy Joel Azada (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines) "What is the secret of a good life? I found the answer in my home. The wall says- Be Strong, the ceiling says- Aim High, the door says- Be Open, the window says- Learn To Give And Take, the clock says- Time is Gold, the calendar says- Love Every Day As If It Is The Last Day, the cabinet says- Keep things In Order, the bed says- Take Time To Relax, the lamp says- Be The Light, and God, who is found everywhere in my house says- KEEP FAITH BECAUSE I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS." From Sis. Malou Chua (Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines) "Worry...destroys our thinking, disrupts our work, destroys our poise and disfigures our face. So get rid of it. Why worry when we can PRAY." From Bro. Arnold Mendoza (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines) "God never send you into a situation alone. God goes before you; He stands beside you; He walks behind you. Whatever situation you have right now, be confident. God cares for you." From Sis. Fe Lim (Cainta, Rizal, Philippines) "Sometimes you have to fall from the mountain to realize what you are climbing for. Obstacles are placed in our way to see if what we want is really worth fighting for. From every wound, there is a scar, and every scar tells a story- a story that says, I SURVIVED." From Sis. Susan Udtujan (Cainta, Rizal, Philippines) "Chronic worry will steal your joy. By living in fear, you are showing that you don't trust God enough. 'My heart trusted in Him and He helped me. I rejoice greatly.' (Psalm 28: 7)" From Bro. Arnold Mendoza (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines) "Just open your eyes and feel the morning with a prayer. As you go on to your work, take things easy, for God knows you are doing better each day." From Sis. Malou Chua (Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines) "God's love will carry you through in everyday's life. No one is more secure than those who are in God's hands. May your life be as beautiful as your heart." From Sis. Emma Garcia (Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines) "Time alone can prove the worth of a person. As time goes by, we are as worthy in the sight of God, for He took our infirmities and gave His life as a ransom for many." From Sis. Emma Garcia (Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines) "Time may stop, days maybe over, months may go, years may pass, world may end, but there's one thing that will surely remain- the word of God endures forever. His love will not fail." "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8: 35, 37, 38, 39)
Preface: Although we have been washed clean by the most precious blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are assured of eternal life when we accepted Him as our Lord and personal Savior during our born again experience, yet there will always be instances when we fall into sin. As long as we still live in this evil world, ruled by the cunning lord of the world, we are always tempted thru our senses and our mind. This prayer is meant to guard ourselves against the incessant attacks of the enemy and together with our nightly confession of sins, must form part of our prayer routine daily. As we go along in our Christian life, we will notice that we are less and less tempted to sin and more and more attuned to the workings of the Holy Spirit. If we take a bath everyday to clean our body, why not say this prayer of purification to clean our mind and soul as well. HAPPY PRAYING! PERSONAL PRAYER FOR PURIFICATION Cleanse, purify, heal and seal my mind with the most precious blood of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and with the glorious healing light of the Holy Spirit as I declare JESUS IS LORD over my mind, JESUS IS LORD over all my mental faculties, JESUS IS LORD over all my mental activities. Cleanse, purify, heal and seal my eyes with the most precious blood of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and with the glorious healing light of the Holy Spirit as I declare JESUS IS LORD over my eyes. Cleanse, purify, heal and seal my ears with the most precious blood of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and with the glorious healing light of the Holy Spirit as I declare JESUS IS LORDover my ears. Cleanse, purify, heal and seal my lips, my mouth and my tongue with the most precious blood of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and with the glorious healing light of the Holy Spirit as I declare JESUS IS LORD over my lips, my mouth and my tongue. Cleanse, purify, heal and seal my heart with the most precious blood of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and with the glorious healing light of the Holy Spirit as I declare JESUS IS LORD over my heart. Cleanse, purify, heal and seal my body and my senses with the most precious blood of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and with the glorious healing light of the Holy Spirit as I declare JESUS IS LORD over my body and my senses. Cleanse, purify, heal and seal my emotions and feelings with the most precious blood of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and with the glorious healing light of the Holy Spirit as I declare JESUS IS LORD over my emotions and feelings. Cleanse, purify, heal and seal my soul with the most precious blood of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and with the glorious healing light of the Holy Spirit as I declare JESUS IS LORD over my soul. Cleanse, purify, heal and seal my spirit with the most precious blood of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and with the glorious healing light of the Holy Spirit as I declare JESUS IS LORD over my spirit. Father God, we give you back all the glory, all the honors, all the praises and the thanksgiving, in the mighty name of Jesus, thru the ministry of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, Amen.
VIGNETTES FROM THE PEARLY GATES 21) So you want to follow Jesus Christ wherever He may go? So you want to be His disciple and walk in His ways? So you want to be obedient to His commands whatever it may take? Then heed His words. "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9: 23) 22) Yes it is possible to get the fondest desires of your heart. It is God's promise and He never lies. Yet this particular promise perplexed me no end. Can you figure out for me its most profound spiritual meaning? "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37: 4) 23) You say, I will heed the voice of Jesus Christ...later; you say, I'll balance my account with Him...later; you say, I will try to follow Him and obey His commands... later; but this is what He says, "So, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts." (Hebrews 3: 7 & 8a) Tomorrow maybe too late. 24) You always strive to succeed but always come up short at the end of the day. You jumped into something, then you asked the Lord to bless it, to no avail. You worked tirelessly, so sure of yourself, only to find out that you labored in vain. Why? Because, "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain." (Psalm 127: 1 a) 25) So you want to really succeed in life? So you want to enjoy His overflowing blessings and favors? So you want to find out how all these can be done? Here's how. "Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. Thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord." (Psalm 128: 1- 4) SMILE! GOD LOVES YOU NO MATTER WHAT!
INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGES FROM FRIENDS
I have made it a point to send inspirational Gospel messages to friends on a regular basis. In turn, I received quite a number of inspirational messages for myself from them. They have inspired me a lot and have often made my day when I was lonely and sometimes unsure as to the propriety of my undertaking. I am now sharing with you, dear readers, these messages and I wish you too will benefit from them. To my friends whose messages will now form part of this blog, my heartfelt thanks and my fervent prayers for bountiful blessings for you and your loved ones. God bless us all.
From Sis. Mila Le Rey (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines)
"If the sun shines in our soul does it matter if it rains outside? Happiness within always overshadows
the sadness that some events bring."
From Bro. Next Laydero (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines)
"Obeying God sometimes seems like the hardest road to take, but in the long run, it is the only
lifestyle that brings real peace and genuine joy."
From Sis. Emma Garcia (Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines)
"May the blessings of God flow in your life like a spring of living waters, like a river that never runs dry. God bless you today, tomorrow and forever."
From Bro. Ani Bernabe (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines)
"A sense of purpose is the best driving force to live. When you have a reason to live, you will never
have a reason to quit. Don't be tired of doing the will of God because nothing is ever wasted."
From Sis. Mila Le Rey (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines)
Bible Verse- "The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart." (Psalm 34: 18). We may stumble through pain, but the Lord is our guide and shield."
From Sis. Emma Garcia (Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines)
"Carry the loving presence of God in your heart so that anytime, anywhere you are, in whatever
circumstance, God is there to make miracles happen."
From Sis. Julie Jimenez (Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Philippines)
"Never cease praying, never quit trusting, never stop loving. Trust God's plan. Trust God's wisdom. Trust God's timing. Trust God for everything."
From Sis. Mila Le Rey (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines)
"God gives us a loving spirit so we can be true persons, not just gifted with a mind that understands, but with a heart that truly cares."
From Sis. Julie Jimenez (Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Philippines)
"I pray for God's power to guide you, God's might to uphold you, God's wisdom to teach you and God's eyes to watch over you. Always take care."
From Sis. Pining Garcilla (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines)
"God does not guarantee a life full of sunshine and free from storms. What He guarantees however, is His watchful eyes as we go through those storms."
From Sis. Flora Fregil (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines)
"God gives gifts of love through people like you. May all your days be as special as the memories
you create in the hearts of those you touch and cared for. Happy Heart's Day."
From Sis. Emma Garcia (Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines)
"God set a place for you in His heart, not in this world, because the world is temporary, but in God's heart. You are special and blessed forever."
From Sis. Julie Jimenez (Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Philippines)
"Never walk away from God's ministry; when you see some fault, be patient and realize that it is
a trial. You can't be perfect but you can always be God's true servant."
From Sis Julie Jimenez (Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Philippines)
"May God give you a rainbow for every storm, a smile for every tear, a blessing for every trial, a sweet song for every sigh, and an answer for every prayer."
From Sis. Jonah Hidalgo (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines)
"One of the highest human duties is the duty of encouragement. It is easy to laugh at other's mistakes, too easy to pour cold water on their enthusiasm, too easy to discourage others. The world is full of discouragers. We can make a difference. Many times a word of praise, thanks, appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet. So continue to be an encourager. Let it be our ministry every day until Jesus comes."
From Sis. Mila Le Rey (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines)
"Sometimes God breaks our spirit to save our soul; sometimes He breaks our hearts to make us whole; sometimes God sends us pain so we can be stronger; sometimes He sends us failure so we can be humble; sometimes God sends us illness so that we take better care of ourselves. Sometimes He takes everything away from us so we can learn the value of everything He gave us."
From Sis. Malou Chua (Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines)
"Let God work out the details of His plan in your life. Remember, no other best exceeds God's best. Always entrust your lfe to God and happiness will come your way."
From Sis. Sol Muncada (Catarman, Samar, Philippines)
"Caring for someone does not mean texting everyday, but finding time to greet and pray for them even in our busiest days."
From Sis. Emma Garcia (Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines)
"In facing life's ups and downs, let's always cling to our God and dwell in His promises. Let's be like the finest bamboo- bending but not breaking."
From Sis. Emma Garcia (Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines)
"Prayers are very powerful; the devil smile when we are weak; he laughs when we are too busy; he giggles when we are afraid; but he trembles when we pray."
From Sis. Susan Udtujan (Cainta, Rizal, Philipines)
"Don't take life too seriously. Always find time to laugh. Remember that laughter does not only add years to your life, but more life to your years."
From Bro. Next Laydero (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines)
"The heart and backbone of any ministry is prayer. When our hearts are flooded with prayers, our message and ministry will be powerful, but if our hearts are a spiritual desert, our ministry will be barren. The impact of our ministry is directly proportional to how we have prayed."
From Sis. Malou Chua (Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines)
"God indeed is a listening God. Sometimes you don't need to shout or cry out loud because He hears even the very silent prayer from a sincere heart."
From Sis. Irene Liwanag (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines)
"The night is designed to end the worries and fears of the day; it signifies that we leave all things to God and prepare for another day to come. Have a peaceful sleep."
From Sis. Susan Udtujan (Cainta, Rizal, Philippines)
"God does not disappoint but He surprises us because He gives us gifts that are not exactly what we expect but are greater than our expectations."
From Sis. Emma Garcia (Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines)
"God never promised to deliver you from difficulties of living, but He did promise these things: His Prsence, His Peace and His Power. God's power is made perfect in our weaknesses."
From Sis. Emma Garcia (Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines)
"Your work for God will always count, although it may be small, for He marks well your faithfulness when you have given all. 'Whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord."
From Sis. Fe Lim (Cainta, Rizal, Philippines)
"We face all challenges beyond all the problems because we believe that the more pain we overcome, the stronger we become."
From Sis. Irene Liwanag (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines)
"May Jesus at this very hour bring you something special: a thought that makes you smile, a smile that warms your heart, and a heart that holds much happiness inside."
From Sis. Edith Sayco (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines)
"No one is more secured than the one who is held in God's hands. Safety is not found in the absence of danger but in the presence of God."
From Bro. Arnold Mendoza (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines)
"A little faith says- God may do it, a bigger faith says- God can do it, but a deep faith says, whatever happens, God does what is best."
From Sis. Susan Udtujan (Cainta, Metro Manila, Philippines)
"Never be afraid to entrust an unknown future to an all knowing God. When you have nothing left but Him, you will find out that God is more than enough."
From Sis. Mila Le Rey (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines)
"Prayer and care is the main ingredient that keeps closeness alive despite distance and schedule, and since I can't see you, let my prayers be with you always."
From Sis. Emma Garcia (Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines)
"Leave something for God but never leave God for something, because in life, something will leave you, but God will always be there for you."
From Bro. Arnold Mendoza (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines)
"Our God is a promise maker but also a promise keeper. Keep hope in your heart. He said 'Ask and you will receive.' That's a promise. Believe."
From Sis. Irene Liwanag (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines)
"The joy that you give to others is the joy that flows back to you. A happy heart makes a cheerful face. May your life be as lovely as your heart."
From Sis. Irene Liwanag (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines)
"Morning is a wonderful opportunity to pray, to love, to care, to smile and to thank God for all the blessings we received."
From Sis. Malou Chua (Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines)
"May God bless you more with what is truly essential in life: stronger spirit, brave heart, healthier body, endless love and God's care."
From Sis. Irene Liwanag (Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines)
"The God we meet in good times is the same we meet in hard times. May the Lord refresh us and give us strength as we face challenges everyday."
From Sis. Susan Udtujan (Cainta, Rizal, Philippines)
"When we look back and wonder how we ever made it through the year, we realize it is not because we have been clever, but because God has been wise; not because we have been strong, but because God has been mighty; not because we have been consistent, but because God has been faithful. Let's move on in faith."
From Sis. Julie Jimenez (Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Philippines)
"I pray that God would hold you tight and angels would keep you in sight, not just to make you feel alright, but for you to have all the best things in life."
From Sis. Fe Lim (Cainta, Rizal, Philippines)
"When things go wrong......PUSH
When you wish for something.....PUSH
When people don't understand you...PUSH
When you wish for love...PUSH
P-ray
U-ntil
S-omething
H-appens Luke 18: 1
JESUS MY LORD AND MY SAVIOR Jesus my Lord and my Savior Jesus my God and my King Jesus my strength and my power to live Jesus, You are my everything (repeat stanza 3 times)
I HAVE NO OTHER LOVE BUT THE LORD'S I have no other love but the Lord's I have no other dreams but the Lord's I have no other joy but the Lord's To be with You for all eternity Jesus my Lord, my God, my everything Everything else will be worthless without You I live and breathe and sigh for You alone There is a longing in my heart to see You (Repeat both stanzas, then 1st stanza once)
THE LORD IS AN ALL CONSUMING FIRE The Lord is an all consuming Fire That burns all my earthly dross desires The Lord is an all consuming Fire And I hunger for the Living Bread of Life The Lord is an all consuming Fire And I thirst for the Living Water of Life Lord I come to you In your Promise Land The New Jerusalem There I stand Face to Face In your dazzling Presence Living with You Forevermore (Repeat both stanzas once)
PRAYER FOR PERFECT LOVE
May the divine love of the Father for the Son
And the divine love of the Son for the Father
Manifesting as perfect love in the Holy Spirit
Be manifested as perfect love in my heart
To overflow and radiate throughout my entire being
And to glorify God wherever I may go
This I seek and pray for Almighty Father, in the
Mighty name of Jesus, through the powerful
Ministry of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
PERSONAL PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, you died on the cross as a sin offering for me,
To redeem me from my slavery to sin, disease and death
and from all the lies and curses of Satan.
And as a consequence, my sinful nature, my earthly nature,
my evil nature, my wicked nature, my arrogant nature, my
ignorant nature, my rebelious nature, my sickly nature
and my impoverished nature died on the cross with you.
And I am alive again, born again in the Spirit of truth and light.
I am a new creation. There is no more condemnation. I am justified
before the Father because I was redeemed by the most precious blood
of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am an adopted son of God,
a child of God, created in the image of God, co-heir with Jesus
Christ in the kingdom of the Father. I am free from all that
binds. The trimph of Jesus Christ on the cross and His
triumphant resurrection had given me victory over sin,
disease and death and over all the lies and curses of Satan.
I am free to receive all the blessings from the Father- spiritual, financial
and physical blessings. Thank you Father that I am receiving right
now all your blessings of prosperity, abundance, spiritual healing,
perfect health and long life, of love, joy and happiness, peace
and harmony, success and security; of my desired gifts of
the Holy Spirit, the gifts of wisdom- the spirit of wisdom
and revelation, and the spirit of wisdom, knowledge
and understanding; the gift of discernment of the
spirits- the perceiving eyes, open the eyes of my
heart oh God, open my spiritual eyes; the gift of
prophecy and the gift of healing in Jesus name,
in Jesus mighty name.
Of all the fruits of the Holy Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control; of all the fruits
of the light- goodness, righteousness and truth. Thank you Father
God, I am receiving them all right now. I claim them all right
here and now in Jesus name. Amen
VIGNETTES FROM THE PEARLY GATES
SERIES # 4
16) Are you suffering from anxiety because you are being severely oppressed
by the enemy? Are your blessings being stolen by the enemy right before
your very eyes? Are you being bothered by temptations beguiling you
and weakening your strong resolve? Hold on then to God's promise,
"Submit yourself then to God, resist the devil and he will flee
from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you."
(James 4: 7- 8)
17) As we awake each morning, let us dedicate our whole day to the Lord -
our words, deeds and thoughts. Let us offer them to the Lord as a sweet
offering- a fragrant aroma before Him. Let us join all creation- the angels
in heaven and the saints on earth, in giving Him praise and adoration.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for
the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10: 31)
18) To those whose very lives are totally surrendered to the Lord; to those
who have already abdicated self gain for the glory of God's kingdom; to
those who suffer persecutions and calumny from unbelievers and believers
alike for espousing God's principles, Congratulations! This is for you,
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in
the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
(Galatians 2: 20)
19) Are you always worrying that tomorrow will bring more problems that
tend to overwhelm you? Do you feel that you are just going around in circles
with nowhere else to go? Then turn to Jesus and, "Do not be anxious
about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of
God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4: 6- 7)
20) Are you at the crossroad of your life and is uncertain as to what course of
action you must take? Are you planning something but you are not sure
whether you will succeed or not? Are your decisions determined by human
wisdom and counsels of others? Learn then to, "Trust in the Lord with
all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all
your ways, acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths."
(Proverbs 3: 4- 5)
SMILE. GOD LOVES YOU NO MATTER WHAT!
RESTLESS SOUL
Some go on endless pilgrimages to search for the meaning of life
Many devour countless books of forgotten tomes of yesteryears
to explain the enigmatic riddles of life
Many seek for divine guidance from pantheons of diverse divinities
but where is the peace of one's soul?
There is a deep yearning in one's heart
A yearning for something most profound
that would quench the ever burning thirst
in one's soul
There is this deep seated dissatisfaction for everything that is
impure and earthly bound
The stench is sickening
It smells of burning sulfur and decaying bones
Where, oh where, can we ever find eternal peace
for our restless soul?
"SALVATION IS FOUND IN NO ONE ELSE, FOR THERE IS NO OTHER
NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN TO MEN BY WHICH WE MUST BE
SAVED." (Acts 4: 12)
WHY ME? I AM MOST UNWORTHY
Out of the darkness you called me into the light
You never even considered how vile I was
I was lost and struggling in the quagmire
of earthly existence
But you stretched out your hand
and reached out for me
Oh, you never gave me rest
Even though I was wallowing in
sinful living and earthly pursuits
Yet your voice was always there
soothing, reassuring, always gently knocking
at the door of my heart
So many times I disregarded you as I ventured to
establish my niche in life
So many times I pushed you to the farthest
corners of my heart and mind in vain
pursuit of fame and fortune
How arrogantly I stood, proud and
stiffnecked as I gamely took on
all comers in the mad races
for earthly prizes
But you brought me down
as I grovelled in the dust
You showed me the errors of my ways
That I was running the wrong race and
competing for the deceptive prize
I did not know that I have to pay the ultimate
price for it - my soul
But you called me just in time
So here I am, ready to do your bidding
As I rise from the ashes of my former darkened existence
Here I am, adding yet another forlorn voice to gently
call those who are still struggling and sinking
deeper in the mudhole of earthly living
I know it's a thankless job, one fraught
with persecutions and calumny
But I can do no less than
My Savior who paid the ultimate price to save my
languishing soul
WHY ME? I AM MOST UNWORTHY
"FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY
BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL
NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE." (John 3: 16)
"GREATER LOVE HAS NO ONE THAN THIS, THAT HE LAY DOWN
HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS." (John 15: 13)
Vignettes From The Pearly Gate
Series # 3
11) Are we pleasers of God or pleasers of men? Do we seek the approval of men more than the approval of God? If you are suffering even though you are doing the will of God, take heart, "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." (2 Chronicles 16: 9)
12) When the bills pile up and the funds are low; when debts seem to overwhelm us every step of the way; when making both ends meet seems an impossibility, remember God's promise of divine providence. "But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4: 19 KJV)
13) Learn to forgive and not to hold on to grudges and hurt feelings. The spirit of bitterness lodging in one's heart acts like acid searing our very soul. Surrender everything to the Lord and learn to, "Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall." (Psalm 55: 22)
14) The word of the Lord is like precious showers on a parched desert land. It is like a life saving harbor light that beckons on a cold and dark night. It is a message of hope that refreshes a languishing soul. "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." (Isaiah 55: 11)
15) As our mortal bodies weaken and our eyesights grow dim; as we find it harder and harder to do even the simplest things in life; when our hands grow cold and our bodies tremble, remember to turn your gaze unto the Lord. "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40: 31)
SMILE. GOD LOVES YOU NO MATTER WHAT!
Vignettes From The Pearly Gates
Series # 2
6) Everybody else may seem to have the better things in life. We may seem to be perennial losers in the rat races of the world. Others may seem to be more appreciated, highly honored and continually praised by men, but remember this, we are co-heirs with Jesus Christ in the kingdom of the Father and realize that, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Corinthians 2: 9)
7) God is not seeking for perfect men, He knows we can never be perfect. He is not seeking for self righteous and seemingly "good" men, only God is truly good and righteous. He is seeking men with these qualities: "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word." (Isaiah 66: 2b)
8) We may have shed copious tears before the Lord that tears may have been our constant companion. Tears may have been the "reward" we received from our unappreciative flocks for the untold services we have rendered unto the Lord. But take heart and hold on to God's promise. "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." (Psalm 126: 5-6)
9) We may never leave any memorials behind. No one may even notice when we are gone. But God remembers each and every little thing we have done for His praise and glory. So we hold on to His promise. "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne." (Revelation 3: 21)
10) Though the way be dark and dreary, though fear and dread beset us every step of the way, remember to trust in the Lord and say, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me, your rod and your staff they comfort me." (Psalm 23: 4)
Vignettes From The Pearly Gates
Series # 1 ) When tempted to ask the Lord the question why?, remember that thru all the ages, from Job down to Paul, His answer had always been- and why not? For He is God, sovereign Lord over all His creation. Let us then learn to uncompromisingly trust in His unfailing love and know that, "All things work together for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8: 28)
2) Whatever pain you may be suffering in your heart; however heavy the load may be on your shoulder; however cold and dark your nights may be, remember that, "The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day." (Proverbs 4: 18)
3) When the climb seems so hard and the mountain seems so steep; when we stumble from the very guides we thought would lead us through; when body and soul weakens from the daily struggles and toils, remember to say to yourself, "I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4: 13)
4) The mind is the battleground of the opposing heavenly forces. Good or bad we choose whatever predominates our mind. But what predominates the mind goes down to the heart, and out of the preponderance of the heart will determine what we will say or do. Let us then fill our minds with, "Whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things." (Philippians 4: 8)
5) Hurting? Rejected? Are you being loved as much as you are loving? Are you measuring the love you are receiving more than the love you are giving? Then know that, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boasts, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a)
SMILE. GOD LOVES YOU NO MATTER WHAT!
