"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God;
may your good Spirit lead me on level ground."
Dear God,
Life is full of twists and turns that I can't seem to figure out. I rely on you for wisdom and direction. Sometimes, when I don't walk closely with you, I feel lost. Even then, please be merciful upon me and lead me to your ways.
Help me to keep a humble heart and a contrite spirit, that I may always be in tune with you. Guide me to your instructions, as a map guides a treasure hunter to his gold.
And also, I pray that you give me the wisdom to pass on your instructions to others, especially to the future generations...especially to my children. Please give them soft and sincere hearts that love and respect You.
Thank you for the stories of the people in the Bible. Through them, I see that we are never perfect, but as long as You are our God, and we keep our humility before you, we are blessed. Help us to never give up on serving even when it hurts.
I love you Lord, Amen.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Harvest Time
Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. John 4:35-36
I've been really encouraged by the baptisms at church lately. I am amazed at how open people's hearts are to God's words and how much disciples have been sharing their faith lately.
Personally, Joe and I have been praying to reach out to a couple together. One day, while being in deep thought about all the encouraging things that have been happening to God's church, this scripture struck me.
The fields are ripe for harvest. Harvest time can not be mistaken. There's fruits, crops everywhere. People are studying the Bible and getting baptized. It dawned on me that if there's any time that people will be open to know God more, it is now.
I shared this insight with my husband Joe and couple days later, we were given an opportunity to invite someone to church. We were at Applebee's, having a double date with disciples. When it was time to pay the bill, my husband nudged me to invite the waitress to church. To my shame, I was overcomed by timidity. My husband, however, did invite her to church. She said that she goes to a great church (which may have meant, she wasn't open to go to ours). She walked away.
When she came back, my husband asked, "We have a great Bible study series at church, would you be open to study the Bible with us?" At this she said, "Yes, actually my fiance' and I have been wanting to study the Bible more because we're getting married and we know how important it is to have God as the center of our marriage." To make the long story short, we ended up meeting her fiance' who also worked at Applebees. AND we had our first Bible study with them last Wednesday.
There are tons of encouraging things about the Bible study we had, as well as great things about this couple. They are knowledgeable of the Bible and have sincere hearts for God, to say the least. (They met as youth counselors in a youth camp). But what's most encouraging is this: they have been praying to meet an older couple to become their spiritual mentors, and we have been praying to study the Bible with a couple.
God has answered our prayers! It is also encouraging to know that people are praying to be met and studied the Bible with. People are seeking for God.
The harvest is here! (it's probably been here all along). But, I encourage whoever is reading this right now: if there's anyone in your heart that you have been meaning to invite to study the Bible, now is the time to invite him/her.
"He told 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
We are God's workers. Our mission is one of the most amazing things that can happen to anyone: witnessing the salvation of someone's soul. And God is with us, He will guide us through everything.
Happy harvesting brothers and sisters!
I've been really encouraged by the baptisms at church lately. I am amazed at how open people's hearts are to God's words and how much disciples have been sharing their faith lately.
Personally, Joe and I have been praying to reach out to a couple together. One day, while being in deep thought about all the encouraging things that have been happening to God's church, this scripture struck me.
The fields are ripe for harvest. Harvest time can not be mistaken. There's fruits, crops everywhere. People are studying the Bible and getting baptized. It dawned on me that if there's any time that people will be open to know God more, it is now.
I shared this insight with my husband Joe and couple days later, we were given an opportunity to invite someone to church. We were at Applebee's, having a double date with disciples. When it was time to pay the bill, my husband nudged me to invite the waitress to church. To my shame, I was overcomed by timidity. My husband, however, did invite her to church. She said that she goes to a great church (which may have meant, she wasn't open to go to ours). She walked away.
When she came back, my husband asked, "We have a great Bible study series at church, would you be open to study the Bible with us?" At this she said, "Yes, actually my fiance' and I have been wanting to study the Bible more because we're getting married and we know how important it is to have God as the center of our marriage." To make the long story short, we ended up meeting her fiance' who also worked at Applebees. AND we had our first Bible study with them last Wednesday.
There are tons of encouraging things about the Bible study we had, as well as great things about this couple. They are knowledgeable of the Bible and have sincere hearts for God, to say the least. (They met as youth counselors in a youth camp). But what's most encouraging is this: they have been praying to meet an older couple to become their spiritual mentors, and we have been praying to study the Bible with a couple.
God has answered our prayers! It is also encouraging to know that people are praying to be met and studied the Bible with. People are seeking for God.
The harvest is here! (it's probably been here all along). But, I encourage whoever is reading this right now: if there's anyone in your heart that you have been meaning to invite to study the Bible, now is the time to invite him/her.
"He told 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
We are God's workers. Our mission is one of the most amazing things that can happen to anyone: witnessing the salvation of someone's soul. And God is with us, He will guide us through everything.
Happy harvesting brothers and sisters!Friday, September 11, 2009
Theme of the year: SURRENDER
Note: Thanks to Gordon Fegusson's insights in "The Victory of Surrender".
Last August 30, 2009, I celebrated my 11th year as a disciple of Jesus.
I envisioined myself at the height of my relationship with God. After all, I am supposed to become more grateful each year. However, on that day, I felt totally different. I'm afraid, my emotional gratitude wasn't there.
Something inside me was sad. I have shared with some people that I feel lost about my career and my direction. At first, I thought this could be the problem. I just didn't know where to go.
Thankfully, God in His mercy and great love for me, showed thru many different ways that my problem is not because of my lack of career direction, it was my lack of surrender.
I thought I have surrendered everything to God when I got baptized. However, I realized that baptism was just the start of it. Surrender is not a once-for-all act, it is a daily challenge.
A brother told me that sometimes, we get caught up with wanting to "do great things for God", when what God actually asks of us is to "empty ourselves of our SELVES, and allow God to do great things FOR us and THROUGH us."
In my need to "do great things", "to make a difference", to "make an impact", I have failed to empty myself before God. I am still filled with MY and the WORLD'S view of what a truly successful and fulfilled person should look like.
Money, titles, accomplishments, recognition, history, reputation, prominence, being ahead of others, being better than others, being FIRST, champion, winner.
All these have been so ingrained in me since childhood. No wonder it's taking so much work, so much time to change. Yet, I believe that I can change because I have the Holy Spirit inside me. I can pray. I can get discipled. And Jesus is on my side.
What I have learned so far about surrender:
1. God's plan to bless a man is based on our recognition of our lack of goodness and power.
"All of us have become like on who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags." (Isa. 64:6)
The literal translation of filthy rags is menstrual clothing.
"I know that nothing good lives in me; that is, in my sinful nature." (Romans 7:18)
We may seem good compared to other humans, but before God, none of us has the reason to boast. Unless, we admit this to ourselves and before God, we are not in a position to receive his mercy and to receive from Him the real power to be good and and to do good.
2. What we do well is due to the power of God, and what we do badly is due to our own sinful inclinations.
This is very convicting. I prided myself in being a high-achiever in the past and in being talented and skillful. In my pride I ask myself, "If I am so talented and skilled, then why have I failed so much? Why am I so inconfident?"
It's now shameful to see that nothing good that I ever did CAN be attributed to myself. If I did anything well, it's due to God's power. The only things I can really attribute to my SELF--my sinful self--are my pride, selfishness, laziness, cowardice, etc.
Wow, how I need God! I need God to teach me, mold me, discipline me, train me. I have so much to learn about myself and about Him.
3. God's plan for us is not simply that we be fulfilled and happy from a humanistic perspective. He wants us to be like His Son, and He wants us to abound in the only work that will affect eternity.
The only work that's important to God is that WE BECOME HIS LIKE HIS SON. Period. God accomplishes this even now that I am jobless. God doesn't need me to have a successful career in order to achieve this goal. In fact, because my pride comes in the way so much when I do become successful, God might even never allow me to become successful in a worldly way. I must surrender completely to God's will.
GOD is preparing me for heaven -- that's what counts. I must grow to become like Jesus in all circumstances. This is the only way.
This is Paul's passion:
"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ...I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his suffereings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection of the dead." Philippians 3:7, 10-11.
4. When we are surrendered, God is in control of us, and we become instruments for the accomplishment of his tasks.
After God rescued the Israelites from Egypt, He gave them instructions they needed for their life with him. After a year, He felt they were ready to enter into their new land of milk and honey. He sent 12 spies to look at the land in preparation for their conquest of it. But, they came back with a totally humanistic assessment of it -- they saw the bounty of the land, but they didn't see the God of the land.
In Numbers 13:3, "We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them". After witnessing God's miraculous deliverance, the Israelites still feared and forgot what God can do.
Oh, I can't recall how many times I focused on what I can/can't do, instead of what God can do! I am wandering faithlessly like the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years. It's because I am so full of MYSELF! I can't do this! I don't have that experience, that talent, that skill. Oh, I deserve better or I ought to be better by now.
Gosh Ingrid, again it's not about you! It's about God!
My unhealthy view of myself is proof that I haven't surrendered my "SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT" to God. I have the grasshopper syndrome because I am still in control and unsurrendered. God does not give a spirit of timidity, only the Spirit of POWER, LOVE, and SELF DISCIPLINE.
How can God fill me with this Spirit, when I am so full of MYSELF?
"The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion." Proverbs 28:1
What's making me suffer is my lack of surrender. A real surrendered heart, life, produces joy and contentment even in the face of suffering and hardships and trial.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)
Is it really that important what kind of career I pursue for life? Or am I just really looking for purpose? Completeness? Fulfillment?
Jesus wants me to have life to the full. The above scripture just said that when perseverance finishes its work, I will be mature and complete, not lacking anything. What do I really want?
I want Jesus -- to be with Him, to please Him, to honor Him with my life, to experience Him. The highest point of my life is when I am crucified. That's what I'm really longing for deep inside.
The good news is, I can bear my cross in whatever circumstance I am: poor or rich, well-fed or hungry, jobless or with a job, in an ideal job or not, with or without recognition, with or without money.
God promised to take all things, good or bad, and work them together for our good (Romans 8:28). God is working even now. YES, HE IS! And I am happy about that.
Prayer:
Dear God,
I get sidetracked sometimes and lose focus on You. I wander faithflessly in the desert, instead of fixing my eyes faithfully on You. I sometimes forget why I became a disciple and what it means to make Jesus my Lord.
On the cross, I have crucified my sinful nature -- the old Ingrid who only wants glory, honor, recognition to herself. The old Ingrid who takes pride in her achievements and whose joy only resides in renown. Before you, I have promised to make make it a priority to PLEASE YOU, LIVE MY LIFE FOR YOU, HONOR YOU WITH MY LIFE, CARRY MY CROSS, FOLLOW YOU.
God, I recognize that these are the only purpose worth living and dying for. Everything else is temporary and artificial.
Father, help to recognize how You are molding me daily and help me to respond humbly -- in order for you to use me according to your plans. Lord, that's my hope in life. To live in order to please You.
I know that you are working on my character everyday and I must not be frustrated nor lose hope. Instead, I must walk closely with You in order to recognize the ways that you are teaching me.
Father, keep me close beside You because I can wander sometimes and I don't want to lose any second of my life wandering away from You.
I love you Lord. Amen.
Last August 30, 2009, I celebrated my 11th year as a disciple of Jesus.
I envisioined myself at the height of my relationship with God. After all, I am supposed to become more grateful each year. However, on that day, I felt totally different. I'm afraid, my emotional gratitude wasn't there.
Something inside me was sad. I have shared with some people that I feel lost about my career and my direction. At first, I thought this could be the problem. I just didn't know where to go.
Thankfully, God in His mercy and great love for me, showed thru many different ways that my problem is not because of my lack of career direction, it was my lack of surrender.
I thought I have surrendered everything to God when I got baptized. However, I realized that baptism was just the start of it. Surrender is not a once-for-all act, it is a daily challenge.
A brother told me that sometimes, we get caught up with wanting to "do great things for God", when what God actually asks of us is to "empty ourselves of our SELVES, and allow God to do great things FOR us and THROUGH us."
In my need to "do great things", "to make a difference", to "make an impact", I have failed to empty myself before God. I am still filled with MY and the WORLD'S view of what a truly successful and fulfilled person should look like.
Money, titles, accomplishments, recognition, history, reputation, prominence, being ahead of others, being better than others, being FIRST, champion, winner.
All these have been so ingrained in me since childhood. No wonder it's taking so much work, so much time to change. Yet, I believe that I can change because I have the Holy Spirit inside me. I can pray. I can get discipled. And Jesus is on my side.
What I have learned so far about surrender:
1. God's plan to bless a man is based on our recognition of our lack of goodness and power.
"All of us have become like on who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags." (Isa. 64:6)
The literal translation of filthy rags is menstrual clothing.
"I know that nothing good lives in me; that is, in my sinful nature." (Romans 7:18)
We may seem good compared to other humans, but before God, none of us has the reason to boast. Unless, we admit this to ourselves and before God, we are not in a position to receive his mercy and to receive from Him the real power to be good and and to do good.
2. What we do well is due to the power of God, and what we do badly is due to our own sinful inclinations.
This is very convicting. I prided myself in being a high-achiever in the past and in being talented and skillful. In my pride I ask myself, "If I am so talented and skilled, then why have I failed so much? Why am I so inconfident?"
It's now shameful to see that nothing good that I ever did CAN be attributed to myself. If I did anything well, it's due to God's power. The only things I can really attribute to my SELF--my sinful self--are my pride, selfishness, laziness, cowardice, etc.
Wow, how I need God! I need God to teach me, mold me, discipline me, train me. I have so much to learn about myself and about Him.
3. God's plan for us is not simply that we be fulfilled and happy from a humanistic perspective. He wants us to be like His Son, and He wants us to abound in the only work that will affect eternity.
The only work that's important to God is that WE BECOME HIS LIKE HIS SON. Period. God accomplishes this even now that I am jobless. God doesn't need me to have a successful career in order to achieve this goal. In fact, because my pride comes in the way so much when I do become successful, God might even never allow me to become successful in a worldly way. I must surrender completely to God's will.
GOD is preparing me for heaven -- that's what counts. I must grow to become like Jesus in all circumstances. This is the only way.
This is Paul's passion:
"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ...I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his suffereings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection of the dead." Philippians 3:7, 10-11.
4. When we are surrendered, God is in control of us, and we become instruments for the accomplishment of his tasks.
After God rescued the Israelites from Egypt, He gave them instructions they needed for their life with him. After a year, He felt they were ready to enter into their new land of milk and honey. He sent 12 spies to look at the land in preparation for their conquest of it. But, they came back with a totally humanistic assessment of it -- they saw the bounty of the land, but they didn't see the God of the land.
In Numbers 13:3, "We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them". After witnessing God's miraculous deliverance, the Israelites still feared and forgot what God can do.
Oh, I can't recall how many times I focused on what I can/can't do, instead of what God can do! I am wandering faithlessly like the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years. It's because I am so full of MYSELF! I can't do this! I don't have that experience, that talent, that skill. Oh, I deserve better or I ought to be better by now.
Gosh Ingrid, again it's not about you! It's about God!
My unhealthy view of myself is proof that I haven't surrendered my "SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT" to God. I have the grasshopper syndrome because I am still in control and unsurrendered. God does not give a spirit of timidity, only the Spirit of POWER, LOVE, and SELF DISCIPLINE.
How can God fill me with this Spirit, when I am so full of MYSELF?
"The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion." Proverbs 28:1
What's making me suffer is my lack of surrender. A real surrendered heart, life, produces joy and contentment even in the face of suffering and hardships and trial.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)
Is it really that important what kind of career I pursue for life? Or am I just really looking for purpose? Completeness? Fulfillment?
Jesus wants me to have life to the full. The above scripture just said that when perseverance finishes its work, I will be mature and complete, not lacking anything. What do I really want?
I want Jesus -- to be with Him, to please Him, to honor Him with my life, to experience Him. The highest point of my life is when I am crucified. That's what I'm really longing for deep inside.
The good news is, I can bear my cross in whatever circumstance I am: poor or rich, well-fed or hungry, jobless or with a job, in an ideal job or not, with or without recognition, with or without money.
God promised to take all things, good or bad, and work them together for our good (Romans 8:28). God is working even now. YES, HE IS! And I am happy about that.
Prayer:
Dear God,
I get sidetracked sometimes and lose focus on You. I wander faithflessly in the desert, instead of fixing my eyes faithfully on You. I sometimes forget why I became a disciple and what it means to make Jesus my Lord.
On the cross, I have crucified my sinful nature -- the old Ingrid who only wants glory, honor, recognition to herself. The old Ingrid who takes pride in her achievements and whose joy only resides in renown. Before you, I have promised to make make it a priority to PLEASE YOU, LIVE MY LIFE FOR YOU, HONOR YOU WITH MY LIFE, CARRY MY CROSS, FOLLOW YOU.
God, I recognize that these are the only purpose worth living and dying for. Everything else is temporary and artificial.
Father, help to recognize how You are molding me daily and help me to respond humbly -- in order for you to use me according to your plans. Lord, that's my hope in life. To live in order to please You.
I know that you are working on my character everyday and I must not be frustrated nor lose hope. Instead, I must walk closely with You in order to recognize the ways that you are teaching me.
Father, keep me close beside You because I can wander sometimes and I don't want to lose any second of my life wandering away from You.
I love you Lord. Amen.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
A prayer for my first love
Dear God,
Good morning! Thanks for allowing me to pray by doing what I think I do best...writing. When I write, I feel a sense of solitude and insight. I feel like I'm able to express my heart better when I write than when I talk. I hope You don't consider it less worshipful. I do want to worship You right now and pray from my heart. Please bless this time.
Father, the Bible says that it is not wise to ask, "Why were the old days better than these?" Ecc. 7:10. It also says that we should forget what is behind and press on toward what's ahead to win the prize. Paul says that this is what mature Christians do. They don't keep looking back, they move on and press on. They live up to what they've already attained and don't keep sliding back to old ways. Phil. 3:14-15
But the Bible also says to not forget what the Lord has done for us.
I need to analyze this Lord because I keep referring to my past in order to refresh my memory of the state of my "first love".Those days were certainly better days in my walk with You. Yet, what you want me to do is take what I have learned from those days and apply it to the present. And then look forward to the future -- which is being with Christ someday.
I can relate so much to the Church of Ephesus in Revelations 2:
“I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.
But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. 6 But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do." (NLT)
At first glance, there seemed to be nothing wrong with the Ephesians. They seem like most of us, like most of our churches: hard work, patient endurance, sin is not tolerated, keepers of the truth, patiently suffering without quitting."
Yes, I'm a lot like them. Like the Ephesians, I don't love You, Lord nor my brothers and sisters the way I did at first. I was all about you before. I remember how grateful, fired up, zealous I was about my relationship with You. You were first in everything: my day, my mind, my heart, my body, my soul, my priorities. You intoxicate me. Thoughts of You filled me each day.
I also loved my brothers and sisters more. I was unconditional. I went out of my comfort zone and walked the extra mile for them. I didn't care how much, how far, I had to go in order to "minister" to those who were weak.
I also loved the lost more. I was constantly compelled by the Spirit to share my faith. It was a sacred duty and passion to save souls for You .
I have indeed lost my first love.
I have allowed memories of pains to cloud my mind and numb my heart to the needs of others. I have let complacency dwell in my life long enough to suppress my passion for You. I have regaled in my past "achievements" and "rested my laurel" of faith. I have let the flesh rule over my body, rather than the Spirit. Yet, in all these, I sometimes blame it on the "events" that happened in the chuch. I am full of cobwebs. How do I get free?
Lord, let me not wait for a human to spur me to repentance. Let me not "wait" for the congregation to repent before I do. Let me not wait for a rebuke or a discipline. Use the power of the Holy Spirit to cause a great reversal in me with the same power that rose Jesus from the dead.
Lord, loosen the cobwebs of complacency, sinful nature, laziness, compromise, apathy, selfishness in my heart. Free me like a gazelle from these because they hinder me from running the race as to win the prize.
I pray this for the whole church as well. I pray that together, as your body, we will once again travel the road of our first love. Let us always be motivated by this because it is the most excellent way.
Let our love endure forever like yours does. Please help us Lord.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Good morning! Thanks for allowing me to pray by doing what I think I do best...writing. When I write, I feel a sense of solitude and insight. I feel like I'm able to express my heart better when I write than when I talk. I hope You don't consider it less worshipful. I do want to worship You right now and pray from my heart. Please bless this time.
Father, the Bible says that it is not wise to ask, "Why were the old days better than these?" Ecc. 7:10. It also says that we should forget what is behind and press on toward what's ahead to win the prize. Paul says that this is what mature Christians do. They don't keep looking back, they move on and press on. They live up to what they've already attained and don't keep sliding back to old ways. Phil. 3:14-15
But the Bible also says to not forget what the Lord has done for us.
I need to analyze this Lord because I keep referring to my past in order to refresh my memory of the state of my "first love".Those days were certainly better days in my walk with You. Yet, what you want me to do is take what I have learned from those days and apply it to the present. And then look forward to the future -- which is being with Christ someday.
I can relate so much to the Church of Ephesus in Revelations 2:
“I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.
But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. 6 But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do." (NLT)
At first glance, there seemed to be nothing wrong with the Ephesians. They seem like most of us, like most of our churches: hard work, patient endurance, sin is not tolerated, keepers of the truth, patiently suffering without quitting."
Yes, I'm a lot like them. Like the Ephesians, I don't love You, Lord nor my brothers and sisters the way I did at first. I was all about you before. I remember how grateful, fired up, zealous I was about my relationship with You. You were first in everything: my day, my mind, my heart, my body, my soul, my priorities. You intoxicate me. Thoughts of You filled me each day.
I also loved my brothers and sisters more. I was unconditional. I went out of my comfort zone and walked the extra mile for them. I didn't care how much, how far, I had to go in order to "minister" to those who were weak.
I also loved the lost more. I was constantly compelled by the Spirit to share my faith. It was a sacred duty and passion to save souls for You .
I have indeed lost my first love.
I have allowed memories of pains to cloud my mind and numb my heart to the needs of others. I have let complacency dwell in my life long enough to suppress my passion for You. I have regaled in my past "achievements" and "rested my laurel" of faith. I have let the flesh rule over my body, rather than the Spirit. Yet, in all these, I sometimes blame it on the "events" that happened in the chuch. I am full of cobwebs. How do I get free?
Lord, let me not wait for a human to spur me to repentance. Let me not "wait" for the congregation to repent before I do. Let me not wait for a rebuke or a discipline. Use the power of the Holy Spirit to cause a great reversal in me with the same power that rose Jesus from the dead.
Lord, loosen the cobwebs of complacency, sinful nature, laziness, compromise, apathy, selfishness in my heart. Free me like a gazelle from these because they hinder me from running the race as to win the prize.
I pray this for the whole church as well. I pray that together, as your body, we will once again travel the road of our first love. Let us always be motivated by this because it is the most excellent way.
Let our love endure forever like yours does. Please help us Lord.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
11 years into eternity
It's been 11 years yet it seemed only like yesterday, when I went down to the waters of baptism and professed my first solid vow before God, "Jesus is Lord." Nothing compares to that moment when I knew that somehow, something had changed or shifted in my eternity. I made a decision to follow Jesus, and there was no turning back.
"Though none go with me, still I will follow." I remember meditating on these words as I sang this song with 18 to 20 disciples who witnessed my baptism. As a very special bonus, my parents were there to witness me get baptized. They were so concerned about me that they wanted to see what I was going into. My parents weren't very pleased with the 180-degree turn in my life. There were a lot of "dramas" that happened in my family since I became a disciple of Jesus. To make the long story short though, my parents eventually made their own decision to become disciples and were baptized May 6, 2007.
Eleven years...and there's eternity ahead. Who knows what else the future brings? I like to take this moment to look back into those 11 years and share some of my fondest convictions -- principles, scriptures, teachings in the Bible that I held dear to my heart as I travelled through this period in time called, "life".
It is my prayer that this helps me remember all the good things the Lord has done for me and so revive, if not take my love for God to a new level. It is also my prayer that these scriptures and meditation inspire you as they have inspired me.
Happy reading!
"Though none go with me, still I will follow." I remember meditating on these words as I sang this song with 18 to 20 disciples who witnessed my baptism. As a very special bonus, my parents were there to witness me get baptized. They were so concerned about me that they wanted to see what I was going into. My parents weren't very pleased with the 180-degree turn in my life. There were a lot of "dramas" that happened in my family since I became a disciple of Jesus. To make the long story short though, my parents eventually made their own decision to become disciples and were baptized May 6, 2007.
Eleven years...and there's eternity ahead. Who knows what else the future brings? I like to take this moment to look back into those 11 years and share some of my fondest convictions -- principles, scriptures, teachings in the Bible that I held dear to my heart as I travelled through this period in time called, "life".
It is my prayer that this helps me remember all the good things the Lord has done for me and so revive, if not take my love for God to a new level. It is also my prayer that these scriptures and meditation inspire you as they have inspired me.
Happy reading!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
You're invited to a banquet! Have you RSVP'd?
Hi friends!
This serves as your invitation to the most amazing banquet the world will ever see! Whoever sent this to you must really care about you to let you know about this great event.
Please read the story below to understand the purpose for this invitation.
*************************************************************************************
(Excerpt from "50 days of Heaven" by Randy Alcorn)
My friend Ruthanna Metzgar, a professional singer, was asked to sing at the wedding of a very wealthy man. The wedding reception was to be held on the top two floors of Seattle's Columbia Tower, the Northwest's tallest skyscraper. Ruthanna and her husband, Roy, were excited about attending.
At the start of the reception, the bride and groom approached a beautiful glass and brass staircase that led to the top floor. Someone ceremoniously cut a satin ribbon draped across the bottom of the stairs, and the bride and groom ascended, followed by their guests.
At the top of the stairs, outside the door to the great banquet room, the maitre d' stood holding a bound book.
"May I have your name, please?"
"I'm Ruthanna Metzgar and this is my husband, Roy."
He searched the M's. "I'm not finding it. Would you spell it, please?"
Ruthanna spelled her name slowly. After searching the book, the maitre d' looked up and said, "I'm sorry but your name isn't here."
" There must be some mistake," Ruthanna replied. "I'm the singer!"
The gentleman answered, "It doesn't matter who you are or what you did. Without your name in the book you cannot attend the banquet."
He motioned to a waiter and said, "Show these people to the elevator, please."
The Metzgars followed the waiter past beautifully decorated tables laden with shrimp, whole smoked salmon, and magnificent carved ice sculptures. Adjacent to the banquet area, an orchestra was preparing to perform, the musicians all dressed in dazzling white tuxedos.
The waiter led Ruthanna and Roy to the service elevator, ushered them in, and pressed G for the parking garage.
After driving several miles in silence, Roy reached over and put his hand on Ruthanna's arm. "Sweetheart, what happened?"
"When the invitation arrived, I was busy," Ruthanna replied. "I never bothered to RSVP. Besides, I was the singer. Surely I could go to the reception without returning the RSVP!"
Ruthanna started to weep-- not only because she had missed the most lavish banquet she'd ever been invited to, but also because she suddenly had a small taste if what it will be like someday for people as they stand before Christ and find that their names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
*************************************************************************************
Venue: Brand new street to be announced but here's a description of the grandest hotel you'll ever see!
It's a square city with gates and walls, approximately 1,400 square miles in measurement.
The wall is made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.
The foundations of the city walls are decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation is jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eight beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.
The twelve gates are twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl.
The great street of the city is pure gold, like transparent glass.
For more information, check out Revelations 21:10-27
Date: Anytime, anyday now. So, RSVP!
*************************************************************************************
Preparing for the banquet
For every American who believes he's going to Hell, there are 120 who believe they're going to Heaven. The truth, according to Jesus in Matthew 7:13-14, is that only a few find the narrow road to heaven.
Because of the "good" things we do (plus we don't ever think our actions are evil), we automatically assume that we are going to Heaven. We may be attending church, singing in the choir, helping in a soup kitchen, working for a worthwhile cost, doing our jobs excellently, being good mothers and fathers -- but all these are not enough to earn our entry to Heaven. Remember, it doesn't matter who we are or what we've done! All that will matter is if we've responded to God's invitation. Have you RSVP'd?
We forget that our sin (singular) is enough to keep us out. (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 59:2, Habakkuk 1:13)
"Nothing impure will even enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." Revelations 21:27
Because God wants each of us to make it to this banquet, He has been sending invitations upon invitations to us. Have you RSVP'd?
God is merciful and we will find Him if we seek Him with all our hearts (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
When I finally paid attention to God's invitation, I prayed this prayer everyday, "Lord, please make a true Christian out of me." I believe that God heard me and sent people to my life help me understand what the Bible says about "getting ready" for the banquet.
I truly believe that heartfelt prayers of seeking God will be heard and answered. Of course, when God gives us directions, we must follow.
Have you been putting off God's invitation? Now is the time to respond. RSVP now!
This serves as your invitation to the most amazing banquet the world will ever see! Whoever sent this to you must really care about you to let you know about this great event.
Please read the story below to understand the purpose for this invitation.
*************************************************************************************
(Excerpt from "50 days of Heaven" by Randy Alcorn)
My friend Ruthanna Metzgar, a professional singer, was asked to sing at the wedding of a very wealthy man. The wedding reception was to be held on the top two floors of Seattle's Columbia Tower, the Northwest's tallest skyscraper. Ruthanna and her husband, Roy, were excited about attending.
At the start of the reception, the bride and groom approached a beautiful glass and brass staircase that led to the top floor. Someone ceremoniously cut a satin ribbon draped across the bottom of the stairs, and the bride and groom ascended, followed by their guests.
At the top of the stairs, outside the door to the great banquet room, the maitre d' stood holding a bound book.
"May I have your name, please?"
"I'm Ruthanna Metzgar and this is my husband, Roy."
He searched the M's. "I'm not finding it. Would you spell it, please?"
Ruthanna spelled her name slowly. After searching the book, the maitre d' looked up and said, "I'm sorry but your name isn't here."
" There must be some mistake," Ruthanna replied. "I'm the singer!"
The gentleman answered, "It doesn't matter who you are or what you did. Without your name in the book you cannot attend the banquet."
He motioned to a waiter and said, "Show these people to the elevator, please."
The Metzgars followed the waiter past beautifully decorated tables laden with shrimp, whole smoked salmon, and magnificent carved ice sculptures. Adjacent to the banquet area, an orchestra was preparing to perform, the musicians all dressed in dazzling white tuxedos.
The waiter led Ruthanna and Roy to the service elevator, ushered them in, and pressed G for the parking garage.
After driving several miles in silence, Roy reached over and put his hand on Ruthanna's arm. "Sweetheart, what happened?"
"When the invitation arrived, I was busy," Ruthanna replied. "I never bothered to RSVP. Besides, I was the singer. Surely I could go to the reception without returning the RSVP!"
Ruthanna started to weep-- not only because she had missed the most lavish banquet she'd ever been invited to, but also because she suddenly had a small taste if what it will be like someday for people as they stand before Christ and find that their names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
*************************************************************************************
Venue: Brand new street to be announced but here's a description of the grandest hotel you'll ever see!
It's a square city with gates and walls, approximately 1,400 square miles in measurement.
The wall is made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.
The foundations of the city walls are decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation is jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eight beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.
The twelve gates are twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl.
The great street of the city is pure gold, like transparent glass.
For more information, check out Revelations 21:10-27
Date: Anytime, anyday now. So, RSVP!
*************************************************************************************
Preparing for the banquet
For every American who believes he's going to Hell, there are 120 who believe they're going to Heaven. The truth, according to Jesus in Matthew 7:13-14, is that only a few find the narrow road to heaven.
Because of the "good" things we do (plus we don't ever think our actions are evil), we automatically assume that we are going to Heaven. We may be attending church, singing in the choir, helping in a soup kitchen, working for a worthwhile cost, doing our jobs excellently, being good mothers and fathers -- but all these are not enough to earn our entry to Heaven. Remember, it doesn't matter who we are or what we've done! All that will matter is if we've responded to God's invitation. Have you RSVP'd?
We forget that our sin (singular) is enough to keep us out. (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 59:2, Habakkuk 1:13)
"Nothing impure will even enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." Revelations 21:27
Because God wants each of us to make it to this banquet, He has been sending invitations upon invitations to us. Have you RSVP'd?
God is merciful and we will find Him if we seek Him with all our hearts (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
When I finally paid attention to God's invitation, I prayed this prayer everyday, "Lord, please make a true Christian out of me." I believe that God heard me and sent people to my life help me understand what the Bible says about "getting ready" for the banquet.
I truly believe that heartfelt prayers of seeking God will be heard and answered. Of course, when God gives us directions, we must follow.
Have you been putting off God's invitation? Now is the time to respond. RSVP now!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Delightful God
Lord,
Thanks so much for this beautiful day. I'm a little bit behind from my schedule because I got distracted by less important things. I'm sorry but I'm ready to repent.
Lord, thanks so much for all that your created for us -- not just to provide for us but to give us enjoyment. The scripture says,
1 Timothy 6:17
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."
You richly provide us with everything for our enjoyment. Like a loving Father who is delighted to see his child enjoy a gift, so are you delighted when we appreciate your gifts.
Thank you Lord for the gift of life -- both physical and spiritual. Thank you for our lives that are hidden with Christ right now. It is a source of inspiration for me to think that my rewards are not of this world and my endeavors are not of this world. My real life is hidden with Christ and as I go faithfully about my earthly business, I am investing in a life that's infinitely more worthy than this world -- my life in heaven.
I now understand better why the Bible says in Hebrews 11 that the world is not enough for those brothers and sisters who lived their lives in faith. They were looking forward to a better world -- a bigger city. This world is too flawed and too imperfect to invest our time, energy, and resources in it. I will invest in heaven Lord.
Father, I lift up all my activities today and I ask that you give me the energy, power, confidence, skills, drive, passion, courage to fulfill all of them. May my spiritual muscles be exercised. May my faith be built up. May my perseverance grow as I go after the goals we have set yesterday.
I pray for the following activities:
1) Make 40 cold calls. I am afraid but I will master my fear because You are my God and You have created all men equal. I shall not make idols of people by fearing them or being intimated by them. If they reject me and are mean to me, I will bless them and love them, because they need You. I will conquer my fears with your Holy Spirit. I will talk to them in faith and confidence because my goals are now your goals and I commit the results to You.
2) Create a database of partners.
3) Call Jenna, Kim, Nicole. You are a God of relationships. I have friends and sisters right now who need encouragement. May I never forget that life is all about relationships. I must not neglect my friends, family, community, church mates.
4) Prepare Alyssa's phone rebate.
5) Listen to Brian Tracy and read Rainforest Strategy. I acknowledge the wisdom that you have bestowed upon all men. As I learn skills, practicals from people of my trade, may I do so with wisdom to examine their advice in the light of the scriptures. Yet, may I be humble before any knowledge that's good and that will build up my character.
6) Read Career Direct. Lord, let me understand the career exam I took and accept who You created me to be and not deny it. Let me not worry about results and money and future. Let me just use the talents, skills, desires, heart, dreams that You have invested in me. Let me do everything in the name of Jesus, not in my name.
7) Write letter for faxing.
8) Sign up for business luncheon.
Father, these are only acitivites. The results are upon your hands. I pray for Joe as well. May You strengthen him and remind him of Your love always. May he not be burdened by unnecessary worries. May he also surrender the results to You. His quota are your quota and his goals are yours as well.
Love you Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Thanks so much for this beautiful day. I'm a little bit behind from my schedule because I got distracted by less important things. I'm sorry but I'm ready to repent.
Lord, thanks so much for all that your created for us -- not just to provide for us but to give us enjoyment. The scripture says,
1 Timothy 6:17
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."
You richly provide us with everything for our enjoyment. Like a loving Father who is delighted to see his child enjoy a gift, so are you delighted when we appreciate your gifts.
Thank you Lord for the gift of life -- both physical and spiritual. Thank you for our lives that are hidden with Christ right now. It is a source of inspiration for me to think that my rewards are not of this world and my endeavors are not of this world. My real life is hidden with Christ and as I go faithfully about my earthly business, I am investing in a life that's infinitely more worthy than this world -- my life in heaven.
I now understand better why the Bible says in Hebrews 11 that the world is not enough for those brothers and sisters who lived their lives in faith. They were looking forward to a better world -- a bigger city. This world is too flawed and too imperfect to invest our time, energy, and resources in it. I will invest in heaven Lord.
Father, I lift up all my activities today and I ask that you give me the energy, power, confidence, skills, drive, passion, courage to fulfill all of them. May my spiritual muscles be exercised. May my faith be built up. May my perseverance grow as I go after the goals we have set yesterday.
I pray for the following activities:
1) Make 40 cold calls. I am afraid but I will master my fear because You are my God and You have created all men equal. I shall not make idols of people by fearing them or being intimated by them. If they reject me and are mean to me, I will bless them and love them, because they need You. I will conquer my fears with your Holy Spirit. I will talk to them in faith and confidence because my goals are now your goals and I commit the results to You.
2) Create a database of partners.
3) Call Jenna, Kim, Nicole. You are a God of relationships. I have friends and sisters right now who need encouragement. May I never forget that life is all about relationships. I must not neglect my friends, family, community, church mates.
4) Prepare Alyssa's phone rebate.
5) Listen to Brian Tracy and read Rainforest Strategy. I acknowledge the wisdom that you have bestowed upon all men. As I learn skills, practicals from people of my trade, may I do so with wisdom to examine their advice in the light of the scriptures. Yet, may I be humble before any knowledge that's good and that will build up my character.
6) Read Career Direct. Lord, let me understand the career exam I took and accept who You created me to be and not deny it. Let me not worry about results and money and future. Let me just use the talents, skills, desires, heart, dreams that You have invested in me. Let me do everything in the name of Jesus, not in my name.
7) Write letter for faxing.
8) Sign up for business luncheon.
Father, these are only acitivites. The results are upon your hands. I pray for Joe as well. May You strengthen him and remind him of Your love always. May he not be burdened by unnecessary worries. May he also surrender the results to You. His quota are your quota and his goals are yours as well.
Love you Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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