Inside out

LIKE MANY WOMEN, each morning, perhaps you wake up, pour yourself a cup of coffee, take a shower and then get ready to meet the world. You pick out an outfit (preferably one that makes you look five to ten pounds lighter), do your hair and put on makeup. Finally, you add jewelry, a belt and maybe a purse. Voilà! You're ready to meet the day.

The care involved in our routines begs the question: How much time do we spend getting ready spiritually each morning? Do we take any time at all to ask God to guide us during our day? Do we read the Scriptures, meditate or pray so that we can be more patient, kind and loving with our family, friends, co-workers? or do we worry more about getting out the door than about the condition of our hearts?

Caring for our outward appearance is not wrong.... as long as we don't neglect focusing on our inner thoughts and attitudes too. In the midst of our busy lives, God often gets pushed to the bottom of our to-do-list. But spiritual growth happens from the inside out.

Try this: Tomorrow as you shower, praise God for the cleansing that JESUS' forgiveness provides. As you're getting dressed, thank God for clothing you with Christ's righteousness. When you put on your moisturizer, ask God to soften your heart to His leading throughout the day. As you apply your makeup, thank Him for being the foundation of your life. When you put in your contacts, ask God to give you eyes to see His workings in the world. And as you put on your earrings, thank Him for beautifying your life with the fruits of the spirit. 

who knows? after talking to God throughout the morning, you might not need caffeine!

{source: New Women's Devotional Bible}

This was my devotion and reflection earlier this week. I thought of sharing this because i want other ladies out there (you) to also reflect on this words and to remind us to make ourselves beautiful from the inside out. I don't see anything wrong about caring in the outward appearance, it's actually good to bring out the best in you. It only gets wrong when we cared so much of our physical appearance and tend to forget God to make us and help us grow beautifully in the inside. As the Scripture says in 1 Peter 3;3-4,  ^"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 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."

Ladies, may we always be beautiful from the inside out. 

Have a beautiful Day! 

for when I'm weak then I'm strong

sometimes it seems as if God allows circumstances into our lives that are harming us and are without plan. we may be sure, though, that these waves of trial are intended to bring us nearer to God, to encourage us to be strong and take heart. 

yesterday, as i came across in 2 Corinthians 12:10, I've learned and realized that though at this very moment of my life I feel so weak emotionally, physically and mentally, God's strength is always enough for me. i know that for when I'm weak then I'm strong because God (Jesus Christ) is my source of everything, Indeed! so it's no time for worries, just stay calm and trust Jesus. 

source

How about you friends, how are you responding to life's difficulties? remember, they are God's loving way of drawing us closer to Him. Trust Him. 

Do you not know? Have you not heard?

when we're burdened and exhausted, even a minor problem can seem too big to handle. As we encounter a trial in life, we're tempted to sit down at the base of that difficult situation and stay there, convinced that the grade is too steep.

that is why we need the encouragement of God's Word. it draws our attention to our untiring God, who knows our need. 

Isaiah wrote, 
"the Creator of the ends of the earth neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength." 

Isaiah 40:25-31

 ²⁵ “To whom will you compare me? 

   Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. 

²⁶ Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: 

   Who created all these? 

He who brings out the starry host one by one 

   and calls forth each of them by name. 

Because of his great power and mighty strength, 

   not one of them is missing.

 ²⁷ Why do you complain, Jacob? 

   Why do you say, Israel, 

“My way is hidden from the LORD; 

   my cause is disregarded by my God”? 

²⁸ Do you not know? 

   Have you not heard? 

The LORD is the everlasting God, 

   the Creator of the ends of the earth. 

He will not grow tired or weary, 

   and his understanding no one can fathom. 

²⁹ He gives strength to the weary 

   and increases the power of the weak. 

³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary, 

   and young men stumble and fall; 

³¹ 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.

because we so easily misjudge life's difficulties, we need encouragement to keep going when we are tempted to quit. Take a step of faith today and join those who depend on the Lord, who run and are not weary, who walk and do not faint. In His strength, you can conquer any difficult situations. 

(source: Our Daily Bread Vol. 18)

Have a Blessed day!

are you feeling lonely?

the feeling that no cared about you? no one wants to help you and be by your side? but statistically speaking, it should be impossible to be lonely on planet earth. after all, there are more than 6 billion of us roaming around this big rock. but many people in our world are lonely and wonders why God allows them to remain. 

if we're lonely, perhaps we can have some encouragement. using God's Word, discover how the following three actions can help to ease our loneliness.

Learn Contentment. Read Philippians 4:10-13, then ask God to help you to depend on Him each day and to learn to be content in any situation.

^"10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

Do good for someone. Read Hebrews 13:1-3, then look for someone in need of help. you'll get rid of loneliness for both of you.

^"1 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. ² Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. ³ Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering."

Worship with God's people. Hebrews 10:21-25 emphasizes the value of worshiping with other believers. find someone whom you can praise God.

^"21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

if you're feeling lonely, lean on JESUS for contentment. help someone. and worship God with other believers. these actions will direct your thinking and remind you that when you know God you're never alone. 

"Many people are lonely because they build walls instead of Bridges." 

Source: Dave Branon, Our Daily Bread

Take Heart

yesterday, as i read the Bible i came across on the verses in Psalm 27. 

Psalm 27 (NIV)

Of David.

 ¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation— 

   whom shall I fear? 

The LORD is the stronghold of my life— 

   of whom shall I be afraid?

 ² When the wicked advance against me 

   to devour me, 

it is my enemies and my foes 

   who will stumble and fall. 

³ Though an army besiege me, 

   my heart will not fear; 

though war break out against me, 

   even then I will be confident.

 ⁴ One thing I ask from the LORD, 

   this only do I seek: 

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD 

   all the days of my life, 

to gaze on the beauty of the LORD 

   and to seek him in his temple. 

⁵ For in the day of trouble 

   he will keep me safe in his dwelling; 

he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent 

   and set me high upon a rock.

 ⁶ Then my head will be exalted 

   above the enemies who surround me; 

at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; 

   I will sing and make music to the LORD.

 ⁷ Hear my voice when I call, LORD; 

   be merciful to me and answer me. 

⁸ My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” 

   Your face, LORD, I will seek. 

⁹ Do not hide your face from me, 

   do not turn your servant away in anger; 

   you have been my helper. 

Do not reject me or forsake me, 

   God my Savior. 

¹⁰ Though my father and mother forsake me, 

   the LORD will receive me. 

¹¹ Teach me your way, LORD; 

   lead me in a straight path 

   because of my oppressors. 

¹² Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, 

   for false witnesses rise up against me, 

   spouting malicious accusations.

 ¹³ I remain confident of this: 

   I will see the goodness of the LORD 

   in the land of the living. 

¹⁴ Wait for the LORD; 

   be strong and take heart 

   and wait for the LORD.

every time i open my Bible, God speaks to me through His very Word. it always and always teach me about what I'm going through. Psalm 27, speaks about what I'm going through now. it serves as my prayer to the Lord. it's so grateful to know that God really arranged His Word (my daily devotion/quiet time) according to what I'm experiencing right now or what I'm going to experience in the future. God is so amazing. He's beyond my imagination. That's why i really love to read His Word everyday. I'm also excited about the fact that He has something good to say on that day. and i know that no matter how hard life is, i should not be afraid, i should be confident, i should be hopeful. because, God is my light and salvation, my stronghold, my savior, the One who will keep me safe and who set me high upon a rock. So, i will wait for Him, i'll be strong and I'll take heart. 

Happy Monday. Have a great week. 

Victory over Anxiety

"worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives us something to do but doesn't get us anywhere."

i was not happy about myself because of being worried oftentimes. I've been struggling about this matter for such a long time. i know i have to remind myself always to stop worrying to much. Instead, i should remind myself of the passage in the Bible found in Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

the passage was very clear but  most of the time i failed to do what it says. i easily become stressed and upset whenever problems and concerns came into my mind. even in simple and small things, i struggle not to worry. it's just like a virus that corrupts my mind and heart . it hinders me to think about the things that are more significant than worrying.

i really know that i should stop myself from worrying too much. although worrying is a vital thing in human life, it comes naturally when we are facing tough situations. but the truth is, it's not really good for us and it's not really good for me. if i truly trust that the Sovereign God is in control of my life, i have no excuses to fret. instead, i must choose to cast all my cares upon the Lord and rest in Him. for God is more than able to handle my problems and concerns.

Evidently, God desired to confirmed His crystal clear message to me through Philippians 4:6-7. i was also reminded about how Jesus Christ exhorts His followers not to worry about the necessities of life. if the Father attends to the needs of the simple birds and flowers of the field, will He not more so take care of His Children's needs?

it would be a good new years resolution to be worry-free throughout the year and to choose the pathway of peace. 

thanks be to God for another way to reinforce the lesson, He is patiently teaching me.

are you experiencing the same? 

just allow God to control your life for He cares so much about you.

He's the prince of peace who can give you and me and all of us the peace that surpasses all understanding. and that will help us to have Victory over all our worries and fears.

to God be the Glory for all the great things He has done.

Happy weekend! 

The Year in Review

(i just want to share my Devotion this morning)

During the last week of December newscaster often look back at the significant triumphs and failures of prominent people, natural disasters, economic challenges and deaths of celebrities and leaders. the most surprising events usually receive top billing. 

if you reviewed the past year of your life, what would appear on your list? has an expected event caused you to question God or to more deeply experience His goodness?

Psalm 77 chronicles the lament of a person in distress who felt as if God no longer cared (verse 7-9) "⁷Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? ⁸ Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? ⁹ Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

yet, even in anguish, the Psalmist said, (verse 11) "¹¹I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago."

the result was renewal of hope and trust: (verse 14) "¹⁴ You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples."

Psalm 77

 ¹ I cried out to God for help; 

   I cried out to God to hear me. 

² When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; 

   at night I stretched out untiring hands, 

   and I would not be comforted.

 ³ I remembered you, God, and I groaned; 

   I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.

⁴ You kept my eyes from closing; 

   I was too troubled to speak. 

⁵ I thought about the former days, 

   the years of long ago; 

⁶ I remembered my songs in the night. 

   My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

 ⁷ “Will the Lord reject forever? 

   Will he never show his favor again? 

⁸ Has his unfailing love vanished forever? 

   Has his promise failed for all time? 

⁹ Has God forgotten to be merciful? 

   Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

 ¹⁰ Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: 

   the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. 

¹¹ I will remember the deeds of the LORD; 

   yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. 

¹² I will consider all your works 

   and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

 ¹³ Your ways, God, are holy. 

   What god is as great as our God? 

¹⁴ You are the God who performs miracles; 

   you display your power among the peoples.

as you think back over this past year, why not write down the significant events in your life. don't be afraid to include your difficulties and disappointments, but remember to consider all the ways  God has been with you.

during every difficulty, we can always find the faithfulness of God. 

source: Our Daily Bread 2011, David McCasland

Significant events and lessons of my life (year 2011)

1. I learned to trust God all the time and to put my hope in Him because He's the source of it. (Blog post)

2. God reveals Himself in everyday of my life (during my devotions and prayers).

3. To never give up even things seems impossible, because God will surely provide a way out. (Blog post)

4. To cast all my cares and worries upon the Lord. (Blog post)

5. Strong Family relationship. every year it gets better and better. 

6. I served God through my Ministries in our Church. VBS 2011, Education Month, film showing, Talents Night, Team Building, Youth Jamming, Remedy Concert. YM Christmas Party, Kid's Christmas Party. 

7. i attended Youth Factor 4.

8. I was in Saved Festival 2011

9. Unforgettable experiences of my Internship @ Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center.  Christmas Party, Bonding moments

10. God's unlimited Help in my Study.
11. 20 years of God's Grace and Faithfulness. my 20th Birthday!!! 

12. Sufficient Provision to my Family. this year, our life-long prayers has been answered, because we got our own house. for almost 19 years we rented a house and this year was such a blessing because we already have our own (by God's grace and provision).

to God be the Glory!

when I'm burdened by doubt...

i heed on these Bible Verses...

Matthew 7:7-11

 ⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

   ⁹ “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

James 1:2-8

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Proverbs 30:5

"God keeps every promises He makes. He is like a shield for all who seek His protection."

i listen to these songs..

Everything to me by Starfield

Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns

i think about the Lord, 

How He loves me and How He saved me. 

many times i felt like giving up, but when i think about all that He has done.

it makes my heart grow stronger and stronger.

He gives me hope.  

this world gives me a lot of reasons to give up,

but God gives me more reasons to be thankful and hopeful.

all Glory to God!

in YOU i found my Hope

lately I am experiencing the hardest challenge of my life, i think, so far. 

It causes deep pain and sadness.

 i don't fully understand why it's all happening to me. why me? 

it's so hard to accept the things you think you don't deserve. 

my past failures keeps on knocking on my mind and telling me that i can't do anything. 

i think too much of my past failures. i have fearful thoughts about my future. 

all those things are inevitable, we cannot escape trials and problems in this world. 

if we are not strong enough, we will easily give up. 

there is a good news, despite every circumstances we are facing or going to face, 

God is our hope. 

we may not always fully understand His ways and keep on asking question why.

but He is Almighty God, who knows everything and who is so good.

He will surely provide a way out no matter what we are going through. 

He also reminded me of His Promises. His Saving Power, His Grace, His Protection. 

His promises that never fails because He will surely fulfills it. 

also, His Word gives me hope.

these verses encouraged me during my difficult times.

1 Corinthians 10:13

but God keeps His promises, He will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, He will give you strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.

Psalm 40:1-3

  I waited patiently for the LORD; 

   he turned to me and heard my cry. 

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, 

   out of the mud and mire; 

he set my feet on a rock 

   and gave me a firm place to stand. 

 He put a new song in my mouth, 

   a hymn of praise to our God. 

Many will see and fear the LORD 

   and put their trust in him.

Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold on firmly to the hope we profess, 

because we can trust God to keep His promises. 

Isaiah 40: 29-31 

He gives strength to the weary 

   and increases the power of the weak. 

Even youths grow tired and weary, 

   and young men stumble and fall; 

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.

yesterday i started listening to this song, which is related to my present situation.  

Let Go 

by Abandon

V1

You could count the times that everybody’s hurt you

And build a wall so nobody can get through

But nothings gonna change if you keep doing the same things

You could shoulder all the weight and try to do it on your own

Chorus

Or you could let go of all these things you hold

You could let go and watch your life unfold

Your part of a grand design

Bigger than what you had in mind

But you’ll never know, you’ll never know

Until you let it go

V2

So take a step back widen out the picture

And see the world through the eyes of the savior

Cause when we focus on ourselves there is nothing we can give

But when we lose it all we start to live

You got a front row seat but your never gonna see the show

Chorus 2

Until you let go of all these things you hold

You gotta let go and watch your life unfold

Your part of a grand design bigger than what you had in mind

But you’ll never know, you’ll never know

Until you let it go

Bridge

You gotta let it go, oh let it go

Let go, let go, let it go

"Our past is a part of who we are and who we have become in the Lord. Even some of the bad things in our past have been used by God to shape, mold, and transform us into the kind of person He wants us to become in Him."

"God fulfills His Promises.
this truth can be our strength and comfort in time of anxiety and suffering. "

i know God will never leave me. i believe He will help me. nothing is impossible.