Psalm 40:17 "Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay."
I remember something that Ptr. Ed Lapiz had said in his radio show that cracks me up, "Di bale nang hindi ka minahal nung tao, minahal ka naman ng Diyos."
How true. For sometimes we look at love as some sort of a drug that makes us go do the extra extra mile in our work, walk on clouds, and all that cliche stuff. . . But do we ever feel that way knowing that the greatest being in the entire universe and beyond loves us? Nakakakilig, di ba?
Thank you Lord for loving me! I am so much inspired! Teach me how I could reciprocate.
J.B.
28 August
Don't rejoice in successful service - the great secret of joy is that you have the right relationship with Me. Lk 10:17-20
I must not focus on the effect because first of all, it is about Jesus.
There is nothing about salvation that must be dealt with by human logic, it is simply the death of Christ, where I was made right with God.
J.B.
I must not focus on the effect because first of all, it is about Jesus.
There is nothing about salvation that must be dealt with by human logic, it is simply the death of Christ, where I was made right with God.
J.B.
23 August
"But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine." Ps 33:18-19
"I will teach you the fear of the Lord
Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
Turn from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it." Ps 34: 11-14
Yesterday, I was reminded of obedience - how it shows our live for God and how it is better than sacrifice. I was also reminded about passion: What drives me?
Knowing how faithful and how amazing God is drive me to pursue Him!
In Ps 33, it says that if I remain righteous, I could get close to God. To fear Him, I would:
1. Keep away from evil and lies. And that includes turning away from coarse joking and flirting.
2. Turn from evil, do good. In my relationships, I must live up to my testimony that I am a Christian - who's not perfect but forgiven, atoned for by the great love of Christ.
J.B.
"I will teach you the fear of the Lord
Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
Turn from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it." Ps 34: 11-14
Yesterday, I was reminded of obedience - how it shows our live for God and how it is better than sacrifice. I was also reminded about passion: What drives me?
Knowing how faithful and how amazing God is drive me to pursue Him!
In Ps 33, it says that if I remain righteous, I could get close to God. To fear Him, I would:
1. Keep away from evil and lies. And that includes turning away from coarse joking and flirting.
2. Turn from evil, do good. In my relationships, I must live up to my testimony that I am a Christian - who's not perfect but forgiven, atoned for by the great love of Christ.
J.B.
19 August
The Lord's Victory - not mine
When I talk about being victorious and being an overcomer, I must mean the Lord's victories, and not mine.
My purpose must be to remain captive to the obedience of Christ so I can celebrate His triumphs.
When Jesus was crucified, He triumphed over sin. I must always remember this atonement. If I divert my attention from it, and merely become a worker in Christ's ministry, then I'm useless. My efforts are futile.
This is how I can be excellent - work like life depends upon serving Christ and pray as if love, as how we must understand it, depends on it.
J.B.
When I talk about being victorious and being an overcomer, I must mean the Lord's victories, and not mine.
My purpose must be to remain captive to the obedience of Christ so I can celebrate His triumphs.
When Jesus was crucified, He triumphed over sin. I must always remember this atonement. If I divert my attention from it, and merely become a worker in Christ's ministry, then I'm useless. My efforts are futile.
This is how I can be excellent - work like life depends upon serving Christ and pray as if love, as how we must understand it, depends on it.
J.B.
17 August
Pushing Myself to Go the Extra Mile
>The kind of love that "is kind. . .is not provoked. . .thinks no evil."
>An attitude that is different from the old one.
>Just a life that has LOVE and has no lust, no self-interest, and is not sensitive to the ridicule of others.
>an unconditional surrender
>nothing of the old life.
How do I obtain those? "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. . ." 2 Cor. 5:17
How do I get to be in Christ?
"The only thing is by allowing nothing of the old life to remain, and by having only simple, perfect trust in God - such a trust where we no longer want God's blessings, but only want God himself."
>The kind of love that "is kind. . .is not provoked. . .thinks no evil."
>An attitude that is different from the old one.
>Just a life that has LOVE and has no lust, no self-interest, and is not sensitive to the ridicule of others.
>an unconditional surrender
>nothing of the old life.
How do I obtain those? "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. . ." 2 Cor. 5:17
How do I get to be in Christ?
"The only thing is by allowing nothing of the old life to remain, and by having only simple, perfect trust in God - such a trust where we no longer want God's blessings, but only want God himself."
15 August
"Lord, this is my simple prayer: Come and purify me. Cause my heart to burn again. Fill it with your fire."
As good and upright you are Lord, instruct me in your ways. Guide me in doing what is right.
"For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great." Psalm 25:11
Empower me with your Holy Spirit because it is only in You that I can overcome.
J.B.
As good and upright you are Lord, instruct me in your ways. Guide me in doing what is right.
"For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great." Psalm 25:11
Empower me with your Holy Spirit because it is only in You that I can overcome.
J.B.
13 August
The Holy Spirit can lead me to the point where I am not after God's blessings but just after He Himself. By completely surrendering, nothing of my old life must remain.
I can still be driven by lust and in times, I don't stand my guard against it. What I can do is to trust God because He is more than enough for me and there aint nothing else i could ask for.
J.B.
I can still be driven by lust and in times, I don't stand my guard against it. What I can do is to trust God because He is more than enough for me and there aint nothing else i could ask for.
J.B.
10 August
To express my gratitude, I must live in holiness, fulfill my duty, be a disciple who builds upon the supernatural Grace of God. To walk blamelessly on the natural, perhaps ordinary drab of life. It is through God that I can live it to the fullest!
J.B.
J.B.
9 August
THANKSGIVING DAY!!
"The effect in me is obedience, service, and prayer, and is the outcome of inexpressible thanks and adoration for the miraculous sanctification that has been brought about in me because of the atonement through the Cross of Christ." O. Chambers
Everyday, our generous Father in Heaven showers us with little gifts and surprises. Every unexpected phone call or text message from employers, short messages between friends, a prayer from someone had been designed by God to fill our days with joyful expectations.
And why not? God has given us the greatest gift - His amazing love that had always been there for us even when we were sinners.
May the Holy Spirit instruct us on how we could completely bring back the glory and thanksgiving to the Father. I know that Jesus has been teaching me all the time, I am just a very hard-headed student.
I remember a father together with his 2 or 3 year old daughter at the supermarket. We were following them in line to the cashier and he paid for a box of powdered milk with a bunch of coins at the exact amount. It was evident that that's the only money they had.
Why am I so callous? I didn't look at him as a brother. I was prideful and I turned my eyes away from them. I was thinking only of myself. I could've done more.
May the Holy Spirit guide me and may I be sensitive enough to listen when I am being nudged to do something.
J.B.
"The effect in me is obedience, service, and prayer, and is the outcome of inexpressible thanks and adoration for the miraculous sanctification that has been brought about in me because of the atonement through the Cross of Christ." O. Chambers
Everyday, our generous Father in Heaven showers us with little gifts and surprises. Every unexpected phone call or text message from employers, short messages between friends, a prayer from someone had been designed by God to fill our days with joyful expectations.
And why not? God has given us the greatest gift - His amazing love that had always been there for us even when we were sinners.
May the Holy Spirit instruct us on how we could completely bring back the glory and thanksgiving to the Father. I know that Jesus has been teaching me all the time, I am just a very hard-headed student.
I remember a father together with his 2 or 3 year old daughter at the supermarket. We were following them in line to the cashier and he paid for a box of powdered milk with a bunch of coins at the exact amount. It was evident that that's the only money they had.
Why am I so callous? I didn't look at him as a brother. I was prideful and I turned my eyes away from them. I was thinking only of myself. I could've done more.
May the Holy Spirit guide me and may I be sensitive enough to listen when I am being nudged to do something.
J.B.
8 August
(Ting's Birthday!)
How do I get rooted and grounded in God? I must make sure that I have a relationship with Him and that this relationship is the only thing that matters.
I must seek Him everyday, pray continually, ask for His guidance, depend my life on Him.
J.B.
How do I get rooted and grounded in God? I must make sure that I have a relationship with Him and that this relationship is the only thing that matters.
I must seek Him everyday, pray continually, ask for His guidance, depend my life on Him.
J.B.
7 August
LIVING FULLY IN THE HERE AND NOW
"You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety." JOB 11:16-18
Wherever and in whatever situation we find ourselves in, it is God's provision and not His punishment. As God is present in the here and now, so must we and the best way to recognize His presence is to PRAY. Offer prayers and thanksgiving and He promises, "Whatever you ask in my name, I will do..." (Jn 14:13)
"You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety." JOB 11:16-18
Wherever and in whatever situation we find ourselves in, it is God's provision and not His punishment. As God is present in the here and now, so must we and the best way to recognize His presence is to PRAY. Offer prayers and thanksgiving and He promises, "Whatever you ask in my name, I will do..." (Jn 14:13)
6 August
May the Holy Spirit instruct me so I may not become too complacent and forget about the battle. In God's Kingdom, I ought to be a warrior with Him as my commander-in-chief.
Any trace of vanity that hinders me from worshiping must be stripped off. I must keep in mind that I'm praying before the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Only if I know God and regard Him as the sovereign power in my life can I take on His wonderful promises.
"You have made knows 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
J.B.
Any trace of vanity that hinders me from worshiping must be stripped off. I must keep in mind that I'm praying before the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Only if I know God and regard Him as the sovereign power in my life can I take on His wonderful promises.
"You have made knows 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
J.B.
5 August
(Diko's Birthday!)
He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander in his tongue,
who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman,
who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord
who keeps his oath even when it hurts
who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
PSALM 15:2-5
Let the Holy Spirit guide us and the regeneration of the Lord in us strengthen us as we beomse what is said of this Psalm. Because....
"He who does these things will never be shaken."
Isn't that what our optimum desire is? Not to be shaken?
The world may find it out of this world when we live by Psalm 15 but that's why God has given us a spirit of courage and not timidity so we can be different on how we handle things!
The Lord's spirit can give us freedom from the pain that we feel when we "follow our oath". His spirit is not going to eliminate the pain but will allow us to be joyful and thankful in the midst of it! Then it aint gonna be that bad....
J.B.
He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander in his tongue,
who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman,
who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord
who keeps his oath even when it hurts
who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
PSALM 15:2-5
Let the Holy Spirit guide us and the regeneration of the Lord in us strengthen us as we beomse what is said of this Psalm. Because....
"He who does these things will never be shaken."
Isn't that what our optimum desire is? Not to be shaken?
The world may find it out of this world when we live by Psalm 15 but that's why God has given us a spirit of courage and not timidity so we can be different on how we handle things!
The Lord's spirit can give us freedom from the pain that we feel when we "follow our oath". His spirit is not going to eliminate the pain but will allow us to be joyful and thankful in the midst of it! Then it aint gonna be that bad....
J.B.
4 August 2009
John 11:41 After the stone had been rolled aside, Jesus looked up toward heaven and prayed, "Father, I thank you for answering my prayer".
In this story, Jesus is actually teaching us how it is to believe and how it is to pray. He was asking God to make Lazarus live again (he has been dead for 4 days already). And even before God answered Jesus' prayer, even before Jesus' saw Lazarus , Jesus already thanked God. Jesus gave thanks for what he is about to receive, even before the blessing arrived. Its liked jumping for joy after requesting for something because you truly believe it will be granted. Its like singing the song of victory even before the battle is fought. Its like making yourself beautiful even before you meet God's will.
I wonder when did i ever trusted that much? I know i usually do that when i am soooo in love with a guy....
But with God, my Creator, my Savior, the miracle worker... i wonder why i never practiced that?
Tigas kasi ng ulo ko.
Sori po.
I.T.
In this story, Jesus is actually teaching us how it is to believe and how it is to pray. He was asking God to make Lazarus live again (he has been dead for 4 days already). And even before God answered Jesus' prayer, even before Jesus' saw Lazarus , Jesus already thanked God. Jesus gave thanks for what he is about to receive, even before the blessing arrived. Its liked jumping for joy after requesting for something because you truly believe it will be granted. Its like singing the song of victory even before the battle is fought. Its like making yourself beautiful even before you meet God's will.
I wonder when did i ever trusted that much? I know i usually do that when i am soooo in love with a guy....
But with God, my Creator, my Savior, the miracle worker... i wonder why i never practiced that?
Tigas kasi ng ulo ko.
Sori po.
I.T.
3 August 2009
1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.
Four simple orders...very straightforward... easy to understand.
i wonder what i want to apply in my life right? What does each order tells me? what is most difficult to follow?
Right at this moment, when my heart is heavy with my family's situation, i think the best order to cling on to is "BE STRONG". i need to be that so that i won't get drained with how my family is reacting to the sitn that had befallen us. i want to be strong so that i won't get mad that my family is soooo weak. i HAVE to be strong so that i can show my family the difference of having God.
As my QT expounded on this verse.... the right attitude or prayer request should be: not to ask for an easy life rather pray to be a stronger person; never pray for tasks equal to my power, rather pray for power equal to my tasks. Then doing work will be no miracle, rather I will be the miracle.
God, make me a stronger person so I will be a miracle to my family.
I.T.
(Kuya's Birthday!)
"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord for He has been good to me." PSALM 13: 5-6
Just incomparable, God is! How He strategically places wells of refreshing water in the middle of the dessert is just marvelous!
I took an online grammar test this morning and I flunked it. It was very frustrating because those on the test are the things that I teach in my class! But I was reminded, through God's grace, to take it as a humbling experience. I did ask Him to teach me to be humble.
I didn't get a lot of work done in the past week, but here's another chance for me to do better - I just don't know how to thank God. I must get to work!
I didn't find what I was exactly looking for last weekend but like a pair of soft and elegant sandals, God presented me with something even better which I can take comfort in!
J.B.
Four simple orders...very straightforward... easy to understand.
i wonder what i want to apply in my life right? What does each order tells me? what is most difficult to follow?
Right at this moment, when my heart is heavy with my family's situation, i think the best order to cling on to is "BE STRONG". i need to be that so that i won't get drained with how my family is reacting to the sitn that had befallen us. i want to be strong so that i won't get mad that my family is soooo weak. i HAVE to be strong so that i can show my family the difference of having God.
As my QT expounded on this verse.... the right attitude or prayer request should be: not to ask for an easy life rather pray to be a stronger person; never pray for tasks equal to my power, rather pray for power equal to my tasks. Then doing work will be no miracle, rather I will be the miracle.
God, make me a stronger person so I will be a miracle to my family.
I.T.
(Kuya's Birthday!)
"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord for He has been good to me." PSALM 13: 5-6
Just incomparable, God is! How He strategically places wells of refreshing water in the middle of the dessert is just marvelous!
I took an online grammar test this morning and I flunked it. It was very frustrating because those on the test are the things that I teach in my class! But I was reminded, through God's grace, to take it as a humbling experience. I did ask Him to teach me to be humble.
I didn't get a lot of work done in the past week, but here's another chance for me to do better - I just don't know how to thank God. I must get to work!
I didn't find what I was exactly looking for last weekend but like a pair of soft and elegant sandals, God presented me with something even better which I can take comfort in!
J.B.
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