#143 Reflections

Welcome!!!!!

Praise God!

Here in Florida, it's the last hours before 2012. I want to wish everyone a prosperous New Year ahead and may our Loving Lord continue to shower us with His abundant blessings. 


As the year ends, I want to share some of the things I have learned and reflected this 2011:


(1) You can't have it all in this earth; but amazingly, if you have God, you have everything :)


(2) Take a moment every once in awhile to imagine life in heaven, it will be awesome :)


(3) Remember, like a glass, you will be empty without God; but you have a choice to be full, to the brim, or overflowing if you start and continue to deepen your relationship with Him........it will never be the same :)


(4) Open the doors of your heart to God as wide as possible........you will receive an overflow of grace and mercy, but most of all, His immeasurable, abounding love :)


(5) Life passes by quickly, savor every moment :)


(6) Live each day as if it is your last :)


(7) Live your life for Christ; yield it all to Him :)


(8) God is the only one who can change you from "me" to "we"; He will teach you to reach out for others :)


(9) Focus primarily on developing the spiritual aspect of your whole being;..... physical, emotional, intellectual, and social should only be secondary :)
Matthew 16:26
New American Standard Bible (NASB)

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?


(10) Love God with all of you!!!!

Matthew 22:37
New International Version (NIV)

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’




Take time to reflect on Him too :)

May we all continue to walk in His light (".)

Have a great day in the Lord!

InTouch Impact Team Prayer Partnership:

Please pray with me,
(for the month of December)
WEEK 5: As we begin a new year, ask God to show every 

believer His will for his or her life. Pray that each Christian 

will have a heart that is willing and obedient to the Lord.

Glory to GOD!

May Jesus' love abounds in us all everyday (".)

Bible in a Year:
Read the Bible in One Year- Here's a reading plan where you and I can focus on God's Words everyday....to make it a habit, make it a practice, Amen :)


Read with me; God speaks to us through His words :)
December 31, 2011- Judges 8-9


Today is the day :)
If you have not received Jesus Christ yet in your heart, today is the day. May you embrace His love and His gift :)


"Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing, and let me live in relationship with You from now on. I receive You as my personal Savior, accepting the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross. Thank You for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen." (ref prayer by: Dr. Charles Stanley, InTouch Ministry)

Why am I doing this? Simple...."I am driven by the eternal destiny of others."

#142 New Year's Resolution?

Here's a reading which we can all reflect upon for today :)


"What sort of New Year’s Resolution should a Christian make?"

The practice of making New Year’s resolutions goes back over 3,000 years to the ancient Babylonians. There is just something about the start of a new year that gives us the feeling of a fresh start and a new beginning. 

In reality, there is no difference between December 31 and January 1. Nothing mystical occurs at midnight on December 31. The Bible does not speak for or against the concept of New Year’s resolutions. However, if a Christian determines to make a New Year’s resolution, what kind of resolution should he or she make?

Common New Year’s resolutions are commitments to quit smoking, to stop drinking, to manage money more wisely, and to spend more time with family. By far, the most common New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, in conjunction with exercising more and eating more healthily. These are all good goals to set. However, 1 Timothy 4:8 instructs us to keep exercise in perspective: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 

The vast majority of New Year’s resolutions, even among Christians, are in relation to physical things. This should not be.

Many Christians make New Year’s resolutions to pray more, to read the Bible every day, and to attend church more regularly. These are fantastic goals. However, these New Year’s resolutions fail just as often as the non-spiritual resolutions, because there is no power in a New Year’s resolution. Resolving to start or stop doing a certain activity has no value unless you have the proper motivation for stopping or starting that activity. For example, 

why do you want to read the Bible every day? Is it to honor God and grow spiritually, or is it because you have just heard that it is a good thing to do? 

Why do you want to lose weight? Is it to honor God with your body, or is it for vanity, to honor yourself?

Philippians 4:13 tells us, 

“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” 

John 15:5 declares, 

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” 

If God is the center of your New Year’s resolution, it has chance for success, depending on your commitment to it. 

If it is God’s will for something to be fulfilled, He will enable you to fulfill it. If a resolution is not God honoring and/or is not in agreement in God’s Word, we will not receive God’s help in fulfilling the resolution.

So, what sort of New Year’s resolution should a Christian make? 

Here are some suggestions:

 

(1) pray to the Lord for wisdom; 

(James 1:5- If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.) in regards to what resolutions, if any, He would have you make; 

(2) pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives you; 

(3) rely on God’s strength to help you; 

(4) find an accountability partner who will help you and encourage you; 

(5) don’t become discouraged with occasional failures; instead, allow them to motivate you further; 

(6) don’t become proud or vain, but give God the glory. 

Psalm 37:5-6 says, 

“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”

(source: GotQuestion.Org)

Praise God!

May this coming year be a year for the Lord for all of us; if we let Him guide us through and through, I believe that we will never go astray but rather will grow spiritually strong in Him :)

May we all continue to walk in His light (".)

Have a great day in the Lord!

InTouch Impact Team Prayer Partnership:

Please pray with me,
(for the month of December)
WEEK 5: As we begin a new year, ask God to show every 

believer His will for his or her life. Pray that each Christian 

will have a heart that is willing and obedient to the Lord.

Glory to GOD!

May Jesus' love abounds in us all everyday (".)

Bible in a Year:
Read the Bible in One Year- Here's a reading plan where you and I can focus on God's Words everyday....to make it a habit, make it a practice, Amen :)


Read with me; God speaks to us through His words :)
December 30, 2011- Judges 6-7


Today is the day :)
If you have not received Jesus Christ yet in your heart, today is the day. May you embrace His love and His gift :)


"Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing, and let me live in relationship with You from now on. I receive You as my personal Savior, accepting the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross. Thank You for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen." (ref prayer by: Dr. Charles Stanley, InTouch Ministry)

Why am I doing this? Simple...."I am driven by the eternal destiny of others."

#141 Who is Jesus to You?

(2) days to go and it is a brand new year again; and as we welcome 2012 and bid 2011, may we learn to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12)-- true wisdom that God can only provide :)




Praise God!

It is a blessing that we can praise and thank God everyday. We have so much to be thankful for, and if there are moments we feel we are so down and depress, just look up-- the sky, the heaven above, as vast as it is, such is still is just a little measure of God's immeasurable, infinite, unconditional, everlasting love for all of us. 


Remember, He humbled himself to be with us. He died for all our sins. And He is now in heaven, seated on the right hand of the Father, making intercession for all of us.


If we have His love, and if we have given our full trust on Him, then we are truly blessed beyond measure......that is a great way to uplift ourselves, Amen!


Point to Ponder:
Do you believe with your heart that Jesus is the Messiah, the very Son of God?

Is you commitment to Him beyond emotions or needs?

Do you want to know Him and walk closely to Him?

Are you more interested in what Jesus can do for you than in just being with Him?

Do you find it hard to stay committed without an emotional experience to sustain you?

Remember, our physical and emotional needs can draw us to the Lord, but they should never be the foundation for our walk with Him. 

(reference: InTouch Ministry by Charles Stanley)

May we all continue to walk in His light (".)

Have a great day in the Lord!

InTouch Impact Team Prayer Partnership:

Please pray with me,
(for the month of December)
WEEK 5: As we begin a new year, ask God to show every 

believer His will for his or her life. Pray that each Christian 

will have a heart that is willing and obedient to the Lord.

Glory to GOD!

May Jesus' love abounds in us all everyday (".)

Bible in a Year:
Read the Bible in One Year- Here's a reading plan where you and I can focus on God's Words everyday....to make it a habit, make it a practice, Amen :)


Read with me; God speaks to us through His words :)
December 29, 2011- Judges 3-5


Today is the day :)
If you have not received Jesus Christ yet in your heart, today is the day. May you embrace His love and His gift :)


"Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing, and let me live in relationship with You from now on. I receive You as my personal Savior, accepting the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross. Thank You for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen." (ref prayer by: Dr. Charles Stanley, InTouch Ministry)

Why am I doing this? Simple...."I am driven by the eternal destiny of others."

#140 Consistent Obedience

This is to continue our reflection of "Dec. 15th to 31st deepening knowledge on the birth of Jesus and Christmas."


John 3:16
New International Version (NIV)For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Praise God!

I have heard the "good news" or usually referred to as the "gospel" of Jesus Christ since I was a little girl, especially during Christmas season. And I truly and firmly believe that it should be the consistent message for everyone to hear-- that God, our Father in Heaven, did love us with an immeasurable love, that is why He wants us all to come to Him, but sin separated us from Him, so He have to make a move to open Heaven for us, that is why He sent Jesus Christ, His one and only Son, so that by believing in Him, by placing our trust fully on Him, death and hell will not snatch us away from Him, but rather, the floodgates of mercy and grace has been opened up for us, and as we believe, we have eternal life.


If we have received Jesus Christ, then we already have the assurance of an everlasting life :)


But remember, it doesn't end there, if our loving God has been consistent with us in His provisions, in His never-ending blessings, in His grace and mercy, in His faithfulness and unconditional love, have we made some consistent moves for Him?


As I read today's Bible passages in Judges 1-2, I can't help but reflect that it is quite hard for the Israelites to be in constant obedience to the Lord. That is why they need a leader, a good shepherd to lead them, because even for awhile, they always are astray. 


How I praise and thank God, I thank Jesus for being our Good Shepherd, for the Holy Spirit in us, who always leads us to His light as we continue to follow Him everyday, every moment, every breath. 


If we are to be consistent in His leading, live in Spirit and not give in to the desires of our flesh every moment, be in constant obedience to Him, continue to wait for Him with longing in our hearts, then we can truly claim the same words Joshua had said: "but for me and my family, we will continue to serve the Lord."


(But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”-Joshua 24:15)


......truly an Amen, isn't it?


Have a great day in the Lord!

InTouch Impact Team Prayer Partnership:

Please pray with me,
(for the month of December)
WEEK 5: As we begin a new year, ask God to show every 

believer His will for his or her life. Pray that each Christian 

will have a heart that is willing and obedient to the Lord.

Glory to GOD!

May Jesus' love abounds in us all everyday (".)

Bible in a Year:
Read the Bible in One Year- Here's a reading plan where you and I can focus on God's Words everyday....to make it a habit, make it a practice, Amen :)


Read with me; God speaks to us through His words :)
December 28, 2011- Judges 1-2


Today is the day :)
If you have not received Jesus Christ yet in your heart, today is the day. May you embrace His love and His gift :)


"Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing, and let me live in relationship with You from now on. I receive You as my personal Savior, accepting the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross. Thank You for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen." (ref prayer by: Dr. Charles Stanley, InTouch Ministry)

Why am I doing this? Simple...."I am driven by the eternal destiny of others."

#139 Christmas and Happy Holidays

This is to continue our reflection of "Dec. 15th to 31st deepening knowledge on the birth of Jesus and Christmas."

How should Christians respond to the ubiquitous use of “Happy Holidays” and the exclusion of Christmas? 

Here are some suggestions:

1) Celebrate Christmas! 

Let the joy of the season show in your life. Teach your family the significance of Jesus’ birth and make the Christmas traditions meaningful in your home.

2) Wish others a Merry Christmas. 

When confronted with a “Happy Holidays,” get specific, and wish the greeter a “Merry Christmas!” You may be surprised at how many respond in kind. Even if you’re met with resistance, don’t let it dampen your cheer. Ebenezer Scrooge’s nephew was rebuffed year after year, but it never stopped him from wishing his humbug of an uncle a Merry Christmas and inviting him to Christmas dinner.

3) Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). 

Ephesians 4:15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

The Christmas season is a wonderful opportunity to share Christ’s love and the gospel message. 

4) Pray for those in positions of power (1 Timothy 2:1-3). 

1 Timothy 2:1-3
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior,

Pray for wisdom. Pray for revival so that Christmas, instead of being “offensive,” would be honored by all.

(from Got Questions?Org.)

Praise God!

I grew up in the Philippines, a prevalent Christian nation (the Philippines boasts to be the only Christian nation in Asia, around 86% are Roman Catholic....source: Asia Society). Christmas is celebrated there with lots of gusto, and in a way, I find it quite epic how we really give our all in looking forward for its celebration. The aura of Christmas can be seen and felt comes September... through January 6 (the epiphany). I really miss Christmas in the Philippines. 


Now that we are living here in the U.S., it's been our 4th Christmas celebration, I can't help but compare how the people celebrate Christmas here and how sometimes it becomes offensive for others what "Christmas" really is. But God's faithfulness to His people always prevails. He never left us; He led us to be part of a loving and God-centered church- First Christian Church of Kissimmee; we are a complete family though we are away from home; and we are able to see and feel the beauty of God's gift and grace everyday as we live our lives for Him......isn't that truly amazing!  


A blessed Merry Christmas to all!!!!!!


Have a great day in the Lord!

InTouch Impact Team Prayer Partnership:

Please pray with me,
(for the month of December)
WEEK 5: As we begin a new year, ask God to show every 

believer His will for his or her life. Pray that each Christian 

will have a heart that is willing and obedient to the Lord.

Glory to GOD!

May Jesus' love abounds in us all everyday (".)

Bible in a Year:
Read the Bible in One Year- Here's a reading plan where you and I can focus on God's Words everyday....to make it a habit, make it a practice, Amen :)


Read with me; God speaks to us through His words :)
December 27, 2011- Joshua 19-24


Today is the day :)
If you have not received Jesus Christ yet in your heart, today is the day. May you embrace His love and His gift :)


"Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing, and let me live in relationship with You from now on. I receive You as my personal Savior, accepting the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross. Thank You for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen." (ref prayer by: Dr. Charles Stanley, InTouch Ministry)

Why am I doing this? Simple...."I am driven by the eternal destiny of others."

#138 The Birthday of a King!

It's Christmas! - HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!


This is to continue our reflection of "Dec. 15th to 31st deepening knowledge on the birth of Jesus- the Christmas story."



The Birthday of a King

“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” – Matthew 2:2 NASB

Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, 
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Jesus was born to be King! 

Yes, He was born “in the little village of Bethlehem.” Yes, it was “a humble birthplace.” Today, it is reminded to us, “O how much God gave to us that day.” Through Jesus, God provided us with a “path” that is “a perfect, holy way.”

Just imagine the scene that the shepherds must have beheld that holy night: 

“Alleluia! O how the angels sang. Alleluia! How it rang! And the sky was bright with a holy light, ’twas the birthday of a King.”

When the magi came to Jerusalem, they knew they were looking for a King. Even though Jesus was but a child and born in a lowly stable, they offered Him gifts worthy of royalty.

Jesus still is the King. He reigns over Heaven and earth. 

Today, join your voice with the choirs of angels and people of all ages, from all nations. Praise and worship Him. Sing “Alleluia!”

Today's Inspirational Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for coming into this world. You are my King and my Lord. I dedicate my life to serving You. I worship You! In Your name. Amen.

(from Inspiration Ministries)

Praise God!

May we all celebrate His birthday today in love, blessedness, awe and longing :)

A blessed Merry Christmas to all!!!!!!


Have a great day in the Lord!

InTouch Impact Team Prayer Partnership:

Please pray with me,
(for the month of December)

WEEK 4: Lift up believers this week as we celebrate Christ’s 

birth. Pray that we will be able to meditate on the spiritual 

meaning of the holiday in the midst of all the festivities.

WEEK 5: As we begin a new year, ask God to show every 

believer His will for his or her life. Pray that each Christian 

will have a heart that is willing and obedient to the Lord.

Glory to GOD!

May Jesus' love abounds in us all everyday (".)

Bible in a Year:
Read the Bible in One Year- Here's a reading plan where you and I can focus on God's Words everyday....to make it a habit, make it a practice, Amen :)


Read with me; God speaks to us through His words :)
December 25, 2011- Joshua 16-18


Today is the day :)
If you have not received Jesus Christ yet in your heart, today is the day. May you embrace His love and His gift :)


"Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing, and let me live in relationship with You from now on. I receive You as my personal Savior, accepting the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross. Thank You for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen." (ref prayer by: Dr. Charles Stanley, InTouch Ministry)

Why am I doing this? Simple...."I am driven by the eternal destiny of others."

#137 He is With Us

It's the 24th!!!


This is to continue our reflection of "Dec. 15th to 31st deepening knowledge on the birth of Jesus- the Christmas story."

May we reflect on Him again today :)


Matthew 1:18-25

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: 

His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.


Praise God!

Oh dear Jesus, what a beautiful name; what a wonderful name; You are truly the name above all names!


It will be our 4th Christmas celebration here in the U.S. We are in a way home away from home. We thank God that though we are away from our extended families, our loved ones, our parents, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and every one else, my family and I are complete-- I have me, my hubby and my Ram, but most of all, we have Christ :) My family is a blessed gift from our Almighty. I believe that we are truly blessed because we have each other to share the love of Christ. 


I miss celebrating Christmas in the Philippines. Quite simple and yet lingering. Somehow, there is a sadness in me I can't help but feel; but then again, I praise and thank God for always reminding me that yes, there will be times that I will be sad... I will be lonely... but I will never be alone because God is with me... at all times :)


What a beautiful assurance isn't it. He is with us; He is in us; and yes, He will be with us till the end of time.


A blessed Merry Christmas to all!!!!!!


Have a great day in the Lord!

InTouch Impact Team Prayer Partnership:

Please pray with me,
(for the month of December)

WEEK 4: Lift up believers this week as we celebrate Christ’s 

birth. Pray that we will be able to meditate on the spiritual 

meaning of the holiday in the midst of all the festivities.

WEEK 5: As we begin a new year, ask God to show every 

believer His will for his or her life. Pray that each Christian 

will have a heart that is willing and obedient to the Lord.

Glory to GOD!

May Jesus' love abounds in us all everyday (".)

Bible in a Year:
Read the Bible in One Year- Here's a reading plan where you and I can focus on God's Words everyday....to make it a habit, make it a practice, Amen :)


Read with me; God speaks to us through His words :)
December 24, 2011- Joshua 12-15


Today is the day :)
If you have not received Jesus Christ yet in your heart, today is the day. May you embrace His love and His gift :)


"Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing, and let me live in relationship with You from now on. I receive You as my personal Savior, accepting the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross. Thank You for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen." (ref prayer by: Dr. Charles Stanley, InTouch Ministry)

Why am I doing this? Simple...."I am driven by the eternal destiny of others."