Best Month Ever - September 2011

I can remember how excited I was when the month of September started. I was full of excitement and expectation. There were so many things that I have anticipated coming and it was a very exciting time. Part of my list were the following:

a.       Set Apart Girl Magazine (www.setapartgirl.com)

b.      Meet the World Class

c.       Bound with Them Conference (www.persecution.com)

d.      Courageous Movie

That was it on my list but it was enough to make me very excited. Now, the month is over and I can say that it has been the most exciting month of my life! Praise the Lord! Whew! Where will I even begin?... The Set Apart Girl Magazine didn’t arrive on time and my heart was checking it every time. I was so anxious. But it didn’t come until a few days later. God has taught me patience during that time. I lost my grip over an obsession over the magazine and turned to the Word instead. God is amazing!

Next stop was the Meet the World class. It was a class about missions. It was really nice. God is equipping me with stuff I need to know about going for missions and living a life with a “missional” lifestyle. But God didn’t just give that. He showed me something that I will never forget for the rest of my life. Because I go to the class at 9am, I have to be there at 8am. Because I am there at 8am, I joined the Prayer/Intercession before the first service at 8:30am. God showed me something significant for 2 days I’ve been in that prayer group. I was praying with men. I was the only woman in the group. They are all married but God showed me that there are still men of God out there. This is not a hopeless generation. There are still men out there who love the Lord. That same week, I went for Bible Study at work and God showed me the same: There are still men out there who love the Lord because in our Bible Study, there were 3 men (all married by the way) and again I was the only women. God has confirmed His revelation so many times. Isn’t that amazing? Isn’t He amazing?

The Bound with Them Conference was such a great encouragement. God showed me something new about the missionaries who are out there and how they want us to pray for them. Their boldness and courage really inspired me. It is an experience I will never forget. Plus, it was a blessing to meet Gracia, Karen and Kelsey. It was a blessing to eat lunch with them and fellowship with them personally and not from afar! Then Karen has a daughter who is a missionary in Bacolod. I never thought that there is already a Christian ministry that helps the poor like what Karen’s daughter is doing in Bacolod. What a small world and what a blessing! www.caremin.com. Not just that, the kids will be coming here on December. I was invited for free. I will be with them and they are happy to have me because I speak the same language with the kids. They will have a concert here. I am super duper excited to meet them and be with them. I super duper excited to serve them when they come. We are praying for their visas. Wohooo! God is amazing! I will meet with Karen and Kelsey soon. And I am very excited to see what God will do next.

The Courageous movie is showing today but I won’t be able to make it because something much better is coming up. I am going to Philadelphia!!! I will be there until tomorrow. It will be a fun fellowship with Filipino Christians. I am excited. I have my bag already. So I am looking forward to that. I got my camera. I am in for an adventure. I still hope to watch the Courageous movie maybe next week or soon!

In this month, God taught me so much. He has opened my eyes. I started to understand how precious I am in the Lord and actually see myself as beautiful and someone who has value because that is how my Father sees me. It is contrary to the thoughts that I use to feel: I am not enough; I am a failure; I am ugly. I really feel that I am loved. I am satisfied with the Lord. And it is amazing!

God also taught me so much about men. It is something new to me! I learned something new about men: Those who don’t want to play around are actually those who don’t rush you. They don’t flatter you with compliments to make you feel good about yourself. They are actually the opposite. Well, I can’t say for everyone and it is not a general thing but what I learned is that real serious men take their time. I used to think that if a man is interested in a woman, he will try to communicate as much as possible. As women, we grew so impatient to know what’s next. But I was wrong. I realized that men are so different from women. If a man really wants a woman, he takes it slowly. He is very careful of what he is doing. He doesn’t like women who are so desperate to be in a relationship. He doesn’t think of the woman as much as we expect. And much more. It is fun to learn about men. God is equipping me so that when God brings the one He has for me, I will be ready. I won’t be frustrated to the full extent I used to be. It is a great adventure of learning. God taught me to be patient. He has placed my heart in place. He is so good! I have learned also that marriage is not everything. When God takes someone out of your life, it is because what He has for you is more than that! *In awe* I continue to learn that we are only to be fully satisfied in Jesus Christ, not on anybody else including our life partners. I just imagine being with a man with whom I can serve and love the Lord with, pleasing Jesus with our relationship, and not to meet my own needs. What an exciting adventure!

“Old things have passed away. All things have become new.” 

2 Corinthians 5:17

It is amazing how I see myself being transformed by the mighty power of God. I have changed a lot because of all that He has done in my life. I have been having the best weekends in my life and life has become so much happier. It has become more meaningful! God has blessed me to go to Harrisonburg last week and enjoy a glimpse of the beautiful mountains. We are planning to go back in the mountains in October. He has blessed me with an opportunity to work with a girl who is challenged with many things. I have been working with her and I am loving her everyday. What makes it even better is I enjoy teaching. I enjoy being with her. I am more blessed! And they have blessed me with food everytime I come. And it is a miracle that I am eating a lot more lately. Praise the Lord, oh my soul!

“He is able to do EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY more than we can ever ask or think of.”

Ephesians 3:20

As for my family, seeing my sister growing everyday is a great encouragement. It is a great testimony of God’s power and work in our family’s life. My sister is working hard for our house and Angel’s school. We are looking forward to see what God is going to do in us and through us. We have all these challenges but we know God is with us and He will not leave us forsaken.

Also, God continue to teach me that it is not about me. It is all about Jesus. I should decrease and forget my own desires and desire His.

Also, praises to Him because my visa status have been renewed. He has filled me with radiance and confidence. He has given me so much hope! He is so good!

I am happier each day! It is not about me. It is all about Jesus. Oh flee selfishness and pride. Praise God!

So October, what you got? October is another exciting month. It is a great way to start in Philadelphia. Also, it will be a month of birthdays for very special people: My mom, Best Friends: Gen and Anwesha, and Best Friend Mari's baby girl, Miel. Oh soo exciting! I am expecting for more of God in my life. I am looking forward to see what God will do as I pray for 2 conferences next week: Catalyst and Explore Weekend by Child Evangelism Fellowship, one after the other.  One in Georgia and one in Missouri. I am believing that if it is His will, He will provide. He never delays and He is perfect.

A Sweet Surprise in the Weekend

For the past months, God has been giving me what I call "The Best Weekends Ever". He is so good and He makes life very beautiful.

So this weekend, I was registered to go to Bound with Them Conference by Voice of the Martyrs where I will hear from missionaries who were persecuted. It was for free so I thought it is a great opportunity to go. So Friday night involved me getting lost driving in Virginia while following the GPS followed by some pressure in coming home early and pressure from friends. It was a perfect place to thank God and stay calm and rejoice despite the circumstances. I had fun that night. We had dinner with friends as one friend celebrated her birthday. I praise God for His loving work in me. He is amazing.

Then it was time to go to the Conference. I got there just on time. I started to cry as the worship leaders started to sing songs of worship. His love enveloped me and filled me with something I can't explain. I love every moment. It was very inspiring to hear from missionaries who were persecuted and yet, they continued to be bold in spreading the Gospel. They never ceased. They never stopped. They are more willing to spread the Gospel and giving their lives away for Jesus Christ. Some of them have been shot several times, imprisoned, tortured and beaten. They have experienced a lot of near-death situations but they never gave up. It makes me think that persecution is not something new when you live and work for God. You will get it. It is part of the plan. It is part of living for God. It prepares my heart for what is to come. I know I will get it too because I know I am living for God and I will give up my life for Him. He is worthy.

They were asked what would they want people to pray for them. They said that we should not pray for persecution to be removed because the more they are persecuted, the more people come to the knowledge of the Truth, the more people give their lives to Christ and for this one great Battle. Persecution yields more result than a persecution free life. I can't held back the tears.

One sweet surprise is to meet Gracia Burnham. A missionary who was taken hostage in the Philippines, together with her husband. They were taken hostage by the Muslim terrorists. It is such a privilege to hear stories from her. She invited me to have lunch with her. I was really blessed and happy! I got to talk to her more and got to know her more. Later on she invited me to her house if I pass by her state. I was really really happy about that. Praise God!!!!! I felt very special. We had a nice time talking about the Philippines and about the terrorists who got saved while in prison. It is amazing. God is amazing!

The other missionaries who were there was Russell and Getaneh. Russell is a pilot missionary in Colombia. He flies a plane and drops literature, Bible in Colombia. They have also established radio stations for people to listen to and hear the Gospel.

 

To read more about him, go to http://www.persecution.com/public/newsroom.aspx?story_ID=Mjkz.

Getaneh Getaneh is a missionary from Ethiopia. He has experienced being imprisone and tortured for being a Christian. He has been to Somalia where there is no government there. He has experienced tremendous persecution. When he was 13, he became a Christian through a missionary. He went home and told his mother about it. His mom convinced him that he is already a christian because he was baptized when he was a baby. She proceeded to tell him about Mary. He wouldn't agree with her so his mother grounded him to stay at home for 2 years. He couldn't go anywhere. He didn't go to school. One day his grandmother/mother's sister (I am not sure) came to him telling him she wants to be free from the spirits. He told her to flee from it, repent and believe in Jesus. She did and she was delivered. When his parents knew about it, they both knelt down and gave their lives to the Lord. He is so bold for the Lord. One day, he was arrested and tortured. His feet were dipped in the water and his fingers were plugged to electricity. While that happens, he got a vision that God telling him to tell the person torturing him that God loves him. So Getaneh said the John 3:16. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but will have eternal life." That man gave his life to Christ.

It is amazing how God moves through persecution. Thousands of lives have changed and it is so sad how many of us are scared to go through it. I admire their fearless attitude and boldness for the Lord and I desire the same.

After such a wonderful time, I went to see Ate Jazz and drop my gifts for her kids. It was a wonderful time since I haven't seen her and talked to her for a very long time. She is one of my treasured friends. I am blessed to have her as my sister in Christ.

On Sunday, it was our Church's 29th Anniversary. We had ministry fair. It was fun. Prayer time was also wonderful. I didn't even the chance to speak because the other prayer warriors are just pouring the Kingdom of God with powerful prayers. It is so amazing to watch and experience it. God is good!

QUOTES:

"A life that is committed to wait on Him will always be effective, because the ministry orignated with Him is fulfilled by Him." KP Yohannan

"The only place we'll ever stand is on our knees with lifted hands."

"Come away with Me. Come away with Me. It's going to be WILD, it's going to be GREAT. It's going to be FULL of Me." - (Come Away - Jesus Culture)

"We do not know what to do, but our eyesare on You." 2 Chronicles 20:17

"The need for patience, and the reasonableness, and the blessedness of patience will be opened up to the waiting soul. Our patience will be seen to be the counterpart of God's patience. He longs far more to bless us fully than we can desire it. But, as the husbandman has long patience till the fruit be ripe, so God bows Himself to our slowness and bears long with us. Let us remember this, and wait patiently; of each promise and every answer to prayer the word is true: 'I the Lord will hasten it in its time.' Is. 60:22.
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.' Yes, for HIM. Seek not only the help, the gift, thou needs to seek: HIMSELF; wait for HIM. Give God His glory by resting in Him, by trusting Him fully, by waiting patiently for HIM. This patience honors Him greatly. It leaves Him, as God on the throne, to do His work; it yields self wholly into His hands. It lets God be God. If thy waiting be for some special request, wait patiently. If thy waiting be more the exercise of the spiritual life seeking to know and have more of God, wait patiently. 'they that wait on the Lord shall inherit the land."

- http://alifeset-apart.blogspot.com/

SONGS:

Jesus I My Cross Have Taken

I am Yours

by Bethany Dillon

I Have a Shelter

YOU ARE ON OUR SIDE

by Bethany Dillon

The orphan clings to Your hand
Singing the song of how he was found
The widow rejoices
For her oppressors are silenced now

You sit at the table with the wounded and the poor
You laugh and share stories with the thief and the whore
When You could just be silent and leave us here to die
Still, You sent Your Son for us
You are on our side

The runaway falls at Your feet
You are what he has searched for
The rich man is broken
When he stands beneath a sky full of stars

You sit at the table with the wounded and the poor
You laugh and share stories with the thief and the whore
When You could just be silent and leave us here to die
Still, You sent Your Son for us
You are on our side

You sit at the table with the wounded and the poor
You laugh and share stories with the thief and the whore
When You could just be silent and leave us here to die
Still, You sent Your Son for us
You are on our side

Still, You sent Your Son for us
You are on our side

Wednesday Wisdom

God is not depriving anything from us. He is protecting us from danger He alone can see.

God gives us trials so we can experience the fullness of His power. It is the perfect place to experience Him. It is the perfect place to take hold of all His promises. It is the perfect place to be strengthened and trained. It is like a fire where we come out so pure, like gold without impurities.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you." Psalm 32:8

This article speaks so much about trials. I hope it blesses and encourages you as you go through trials each day!

Our Greatest Lessons

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4

What is the outcome in my life?

God’s voice doesn’t always come to us the way we want it; sometimes He teaches us our greatest lessons through the most difficult experiences of our lives!

Satan wants you to live for today, to pursue instant gratification, to escape from trials. God wants you to live for eternity, to pursue godliness, and to grow to spiritual maturity through trials.

What’s the outcome of your living for today? It means your spiritual life remains shallow, and you’ll miss some of the greatest spiritual growth that God offers (Phil 3:10-12). It means that you’ll only focus on the parts of Scripture that promise God’s blessing through prosperity and health. It means that your faith will be in danger of collapse when God brings you into times of trial, because trials won’t fit into your view of God.

What’s the outcome of living for eternity? It means that you’ll see the spiritual blessing that lies behind trials (2 Cor. 4:17). And you’ll look for how God wants to grow you through those hard times (Psalm 119:71). Instead of your faith being weakened by pain, it will grow as you meet God there!

Scriptural References:
"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before" Philippians 3:10-13

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;" 2 Corinthians 4:17

"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." Psalm 119:17

From: http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/timewithgod/time-with-god-sept-14-2011.html?utm_source=Crosswalk_Daily_Update&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=09/14/2011

Melodii Tuesdii

Today is Melody Tuesday. In other words, Melodii Tuesdii. I made that up for fun! :) There are so many songs out there but as children of God, we want to glorify our Father. So here it is for today. I hope to make Him smile.

ALL FOR LOVE



It is You. It is You! The only Love that made a way for us. It is Your love. Jesus.

Abba Father have Your way.

Let the cross draw men to You.

LOVELY

Chris Tomlin

Lovely, He is LOVELY

Worthy, He is worthy

I stand in awe.

THE LIGHT IN ME
Brandon Heath

He put the Light in me.
I'll raise it high
Since He gave me His life, Something was different.
Life starts to have a new meaning.

Missionary Monday

MOTHER TERESA

One of the missionaries that inspire me is Mother Teresa. I admire her surrender to the Lord and her love for the Lord and the lost, the broken and the sick. She welcomes the sick and cared for them. I wonder if she has ever rested. God used her so much.

At work I am labeled as "Mother Teresa". I like it a lot. They tease me about it and laugh about it but I think it is a compliment to be likened to one of the heroic Christians I know. This woman taught me to love. She has made a difference in my life by showing and teaching me about LOVE and through her words and example, I am drawn closer to the One who is worthy of her life and my life, Jesus Christ.

Here are some of the quotes from her:

"Love to be real, it must cost—it must hurt—it must empty us of self."

"The person who gives with a smile is the best giver because God loves a cheerful giver."

"The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are many more dying for a little love. The poverty in the West is a different kind of poverty -- it is not only a poverty of loneliness but also of spirituality. There's a hunger for love, as there is a hunger for God."

"God made the world for the delight of human beings-- if we could see His goodness everywhere, His concern for us, His awareness of our needs: the phone call we've waited for, the ride we are offered, the letter in the mail, just the little things He does for us throughout the day. As we remember and notice His love for us, we just begin to fall in love with Him because He is so busy with us -- you just can't resist Him. I believe there's no such thing as luck in life, it's God's love, it's His."

"Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person."

"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you."

"Without patience, we will learn less in life. We will see less. We will feel less. We will hear less. Ironically, rush and more usually mean less."

"When you don't have anything, then you have everything."

"Each one of them is Jesus in disguise."

"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."

"I pray that you will understand the words of Jesus, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Ask yourself  “How has he loved me? Do I really love others in the same way?” Unless this love is among us, we can kill ourselves with work and it will only be work, not love. Work without love is slavery."

"I would rather make mistakes in kindness and compassion than work miracles in unkindness and hardness."

"I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness."

"Joy is a net of love in which you can catch souls."

"Love begins by taking care of the closest ones - the ones at home."

"Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness."

"May God break my heart so completely that the whole world falls in."

"Jesus said love one another. He didn't say love the whole world."

"Intense love does not measure it just gives. "

"Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go."

"We, the unwilling, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing."

"A sacrifice to be real must cost, must hurt, and must empty ourselves. Give yourself fully to God. He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in his love than in your weakness."

"Pain and suffering have come into your life, but remember pain, sorrow, suffering are but the kiss of Jesus - a sign that you have come so close to Him that He can kiss you."

"To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it."