Posted on
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
"If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. - Romans 10:9"
Yes indeed, our God is the greatest and most kind. He had given us His only begotten Son to save us from our sins and He will bring us to life everlasting.
There's a story in the bible that I embedded in my heart in which I applied to my everyday life. It's a story about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11). When Lazarus died due to his illness, Jesus went to them and Martha runs hastily to Him and said "Lord if you had been here, my brother would have not died" (John 11:20). But Jesus retorted, "I am the resurrection; whoever believes in me, though he die, shall live. Whoever is alive by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26)
Yes, I believe. Every day we face different kinds of situations. It may upset you sometimes or even degrade your spirit. But as long as you have a firm belief and faith that Jesus is always here to help and guide us. We will be saved.
Anxiety is everywhere. You may be anxious for your upcoming oral examinations, job interview, case presentations and even doubt your forthcoming performance while these tasks are rendered. But as what Jesus said... Do you believe this? As long as you believe, never let your hearts be troubled. Believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, and we will be saved. Trust your heart to God. Never let your doubts, fear and anxiety devour you in discord. But leave your useless doubts, fear and anxiety to Him... and He will keep you safe.
To God be the Glory
Read More
"If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. - Romans 10:9"
Yes indeed, our God is the greatest and most kind. He had given us His only begotten Son to save us from our sins and He will bring us to life everlasting.
There's a story in the bible that I embedded in my heart in which I applied to my everyday life. It's a story about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11). When Lazarus died due to his illness, Jesus went to them and Martha runs hastily to Him and said "Lord if you had been here, my brother would have not died" (John 11:20). But Jesus retorted, "I am the resurrection; whoever believes in me, though he die, shall live. Whoever is alive by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26)
Yes, I believe. Every day we face different kinds of situations. It may upset you sometimes or even degrade your spirit. But as long as you have a firm belief and faith that Jesus is always here to help and guide us. We will be saved.
Anxiety is everywhere. You may be anxious for your upcoming oral examinations, job interview, case presentations and even doubt your forthcoming performance while these tasks are rendered. But as what Jesus said... Do you believe this? As long as you believe, never let your hearts be troubled. Believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, and we will be saved. Trust your heart to God. Never let your doubts, fear and anxiety devour you in discord. But leave your useless doubts, fear and anxiety to Him... and He will keep you safe.
To God be the Glory
Posted on
Monday, April 9, 2012
"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7
Nursing is one of the in-demand courses here in the Philippines during the decade of 2000s. The Filipino people were given a lure of limelight due to the great opportunities that had opened in various countries like the USA. Unfortunately, this opportunity went down in a landslide as it blurs away leaving the Philippines overflowing with unemployed nurses. Part of the nursing experience is to face the arduous trip in passing the Philippine Nurse Licensure Examinations.
In fact, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, BS Nursing is one of the most difficult courses in college. We faced thousand sets of examination and hours of clinical duty with case presentations, drug study and of course the great tempest of our journey, the Nurse Licensure Examination.
After I graduated last March 2010, our barkada(a circle of friends) had decided to take the July 2010 Nurse Licensure Examination. Unexpectedly, only one in our group failed to pass the exam. We were sad about the event and we couldn't feel ourselves completely as a registered nurse because of our friend. Nevertheless, we continue to motivate him. We helped each other in providing the things that he needs for the upcoming December 2010 Board Exam and we kept our faith for our friend who strongly showed his willingness not just to pass the board exam but also to top it. Then, he took the board exam for the second time last December 2010.
2 months after the exam, the results were out and the roster list of successful examiners lurked the internet. As we searched for his name in the list, we were shocked because he didn't passed the exam again.
Our spirit were downed and our hearts were filled with emptiness. Days after the results were released our barkada decided to have a dinner together. From there, he opened about his plans of taking his 3rd exam by December 2011 instead of July 2011. He even asked some advice and suggestions for he was still undecided during that time. In the end, he made up his mind by taking the July 2011 Board Exam. After all, he's still motivated and he even told us that "There is no such thing as failure... Only success-delayed"
Then finally, his third board exam rendered... July 2 and 3, 2011. Our barkada prayed hard during this time and we believe that He deserved to have that R.N. title. Even after the examination, we continued praying for him.
A few days ago, one of our friends invited us to have a get together with the whole barkada on Saturday, August 20, 2011. Many of us came and a miracle happened. August 20th was the day wherein the results for the July 2011 board exam will be released! We stood aghast when we heard the news that our alma mater had 388 board passers out of 389. We hoped and prayed that it's not our friend who didn't passed the exam. As the roster list were finally uploaded and we searched for his name...
GOD IS SO GREAT!!!
HE PASSED THE BOARD EXAM!!!
A loud sound of cheers and greetings enveloped our friend. We were all happy because we witnessed a rare event wherein all of his friends were present when the results for the board exam came out! Some of us cried for the wonderful blessings He had showered in our barkada...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Waiting on God. It seems right before dinner is the time you get the hungriest, and you feel you just can’t wait. It’s tempting to eat a cheap snack and then have your appetite spoiled for the great meal awaiting. That’s how it can be in life too. We are hungry for things—a job, a spouse, healing—and it feels like we just can’t wait, not even for God. You see, if you have a promise from God for something, it can be tempting at times to make it happen yourself.
A lady named Sarah in the Bible did this—and greatly regretted it. God had told her husband that they would have a son, even though she was old and infertile. But she just couldn’t wait any longer, and so she told her personal maid to sleep with her husband so she could adopt the child as her own. But this wasn’t God’s plan and it caused great heartache for all involved. The Bible says over and over, “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).
Sometimes God’s timing may seem a little…slow. He does this on purpose. When would we have time to grow faith and trust in Him if we got everything we wanted the second we asked? No, the Bible says instead, “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time” (Psalm 145:15). At the proper time is the key phrase here. What are you waiting for? Don’t do it in your own strength; let God make it happen for you. That doesn’t mean that you have no part in it; it just means you don’t act and do something when you know it isn’t what He wants for you.
You’ve got to know that His plan is way better than yours. God did indeed bless Sarah with her own son, Isaac, and he brought her great joy and laughter to see God do such a miraculous thing. But she didn’t have to make the mistake of not trusting Him. Take a moment right now to ask God to help you be patient and direct your paths. You can trust His perfect plan for your life. :)
To God be the Glory
Read More
"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7
Nursing is one of the in-demand courses here in the Philippines during the decade of 2000s. The Filipino people were given a lure of limelight due to the great opportunities that had opened in various countries like the USA. Unfortunately, this opportunity went down in a landslide as it blurs away leaving the Philippines overflowing with unemployed nurses. Part of the nursing experience is to face the arduous trip in passing the Philippine Nurse Licensure Examinations.
In fact, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, BS Nursing is one of the most difficult courses in college. We faced thousand sets of examination and hours of clinical duty with case presentations, drug study and of course the great tempest of our journey, the Nurse Licensure Examination.
After I graduated last March 2010, our barkada(a circle of friends) had decided to take the July 2010 Nurse Licensure Examination. Unexpectedly, only one in our group failed to pass the exam. We were sad about the event and we couldn't feel ourselves completely as a registered nurse because of our friend. Nevertheless, we continue to motivate him. We helped each other in providing the things that he needs for the upcoming December 2010 Board Exam and we kept our faith for our friend who strongly showed his willingness not just to pass the board exam but also to top it. Then, he took the board exam for the second time last December 2010.
2 months after the exam, the results were out and the roster list of successful examiners lurked the internet. As we searched for his name in the list, we were shocked because he didn't passed the exam again.
Our spirit were downed and our hearts were filled with emptiness. Days after the results were released our barkada decided to have a dinner together. From there, he opened about his plans of taking his 3rd exam by December 2011 instead of July 2011. He even asked some advice and suggestions for he was still undecided during that time. In the end, he made up his mind by taking the July 2011 Board Exam. After all, he's still motivated and he even told us that "There is no such thing as failure... Only success-delayed"
Then finally, his third board exam rendered... July 2 and 3, 2011. Our barkada prayed hard during this time and we believe that He deserved to have that R.N. title. Even after the examination, we continued praying for him.
A few days ago, one of our friends invited us to have a get together with the whole barkada on Saturday, August 20, 2011. Many of us came and a miracle happened. August 20th was the day wherein the results for the July 2011 board exam will be released! We stood aghast when we heard the news that our alma mater had 388 board passers out of 389. We hoped and prayed that it's not our friend who didn't passed the exam. As the roster list were finally uploaded and we searched for his name...
GOD IS SO GREAT!!!
HE PASSED THE BOARD EXAM!!!
A loud sound of cheers and greetings enveloped our friend. We were all happy because we witnessed a rare event wherein all of his friends were present when the results for the board exam came out! Some of us cried for the wonderful blessings He had showered in our barkada...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Waiting on God. It seems right before dinner is the time you get the hungriest, and you feel you just can’t wait. It’s tempting to eat a cheap snack and then have your appetite spoiled for the great meal awaiting. That’s how it can be in life too. We are hungry for things—a job, a spouse, healing—and it feels like we just can’t wait, not even for God. You see, if you have a promise from God for something, it can be tempting at times to make it happen yourself.
A lady named Sarah in the Bible did this—and greatly regretted it. God had told her husband that they would have a son, even though she was old and infertile. But she just couldn’t wait any longer, and so she told her personal maid to sleep with her husband so she could adopt the child as her own. But this wasn’t God’s plan and it caused great heartache for all involved. The Bible says over and over, “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).
Sometimes God’s timing may seem a little…slow. He does this on purpose. When would we have time to grow faith and trust in Him if we got everything we wanted the second we asked? No, the Bible says instead, “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time” (Psalm 145:15). At the proper time is the key phrase here. What are you waiting for? Don’t do it in your own strength; let God make it happen for you. That doesn’t mean that you have no part in it; it just means you don’t act and do something when you know it isn’t what He wants for you.
You’ve got to know that His plan is way better than yours. God did indeed bless Sarah with her own son, Isaac, and he brought her great joy and laughter to see God do such a miraculous thing. But she didn’t have to make the mistake of not trusting Him. Take a moment right now to ask God to help you be patient and direct your paths. You can trust His perfect plan for your life. :)
To God be the Glory
Posted on
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Read More
I am egoistic
I was born in a roman catholic family. Even the day that I gained awareness and knowledge, I knew the name of Jesus, God, Mama Mary and some of the numerous saints. I even filled out my blank paper of education in a catholic school and joined a campus youth ministry to strengthen my faith. But that faith was built with only one purpose; to let my other schoolmate view me as different, religious and popular.
I felt good every time I share the word of God to my friends but deeper within me is a building self-pride. I felt good every time my schoolmate would treat me as if their praising me on the things I say.
Sounds weird right? Nevertheless it is egoistic.
Eventually the faith I built, which was fragile, were gone in just one swipe when I entered college. My point of view in life pivoted in another way when I submerged myself into philosophical means. I only focused to myself and even believed that only myself can create a future of my own. I always aimed for being on top and always on the top. Fortunately, I always topped the most difficult exams in college. There was also an incident wherein I came late for an exam but after the results were released, I still defended my crown. I even prayed for God to defeat the other performing students in college to gain honor and to remain my scholarship. I once also became the second most powerful student in college which elevated my esteem, pride and even the size of my head.
As we reached our graduation and faced our final examination, I had this plan of not reviewing for this exam and to show to my colleagues that I'm the most intelligent student in campus; not needing of any form of review and relying only to stock knowledge. But God suddenly made an intrusion in my plans. He entered and ruined everything!
God's Intrusion
My body became weak a few days before the examination. I was rushed to the hospital. From the ER department the doctor immediately hydrated my system through intravenous therapy, as I was moderately dehydrated during that time. The doctor suspected that I'm having viral exanthem, which was measles. With this happening, I felt frustrated. I blamed God for the disease He had given me. How can I prove to my colleagues that I'm still worth defending my crown? But I ended up nothing and weak. I stayed in the hospital for 4 days.
As I went back for our graduation, I saw the list of test-takers of the final exam arranged from rank 1 to rank 420. My name was printed on rank 420 with a score of zero!
Still, I received a latin honor for a job well done of 4 years in college. I also passed the licensure exam for nurses a few months after graduation. But God keeps on intruding and ruining my plans because my pride were still intact after the first intrusion.
My family faced a sudden financial crisis after the company, where my father is working, was closed in public. I still kept on thinking of my own capabilities that I can solve this problem on my own. I ventured myself to easy money strategies having a limelight of hope for a greener pasture. Yet, God still won the fight. I failed and I quit.
Racing the White Flag
One cozy afternoon, a friend of mine invited me in a bible study in Victory Metroeast. Without any hesitation, I accepted her invitation. It's been years since the last time I attended a bible study. That bible study turned out to be a Sunday Service. The topic during that service is all about idols in our heart.
The pastor defined an idol as "anything which replaces Jesus in your heart." He gave several examples which pierced my heart.
Money - almost everyone in this world has financial problems. Money can be an idol if you replace Jesus with this temporary piece of metal or paper. Money is not the solution to our problems, it's only a tool to solve your problem temporarily, like paying your utility bills. But once this money is out from your stash, you'll be having problems again.
Career/Academics - it's a virulent word, especially for us nurses. If there's an opportunity, people are like magnets running towards that open opportunity. You keep on saying to yourself that "it's a once in a lifetime opportunity so come and GET IT!" but the real question is, did you already ask Jesus for this? Career is only a temporary thing. You may have it now but as years go by, it may lose.
Same with academics, you may be aiming to be on top but wait a minute. How about the others? You're just focusing on yourself and worse, you're replacing Jesus.
Fame - you maybe popular today but tomorrow will never be the same again if you keep on replacing Jesus with this one.
After mentioning these 'idols in our heart', a tear fell on my eye. I closed my eyes shut and imagined myself as if kneeling on the floor. I've been having a foolish heart for a very long time. Then the pastor said...
"My brothers and sisters, these idols in our hearts were only temporary. You may have it right now and experience limited happiness but once it's already empty, you'll be having problems again. Seeking for the temporary things in life will only give you temporary happiness. If you want to have eternal happiness and a love that is unending, unfailing and infinite. Then SEEK JESUS. Let Jesus enter your heart!
If you're having problems right now, come to Him! Kneel! And tell Him that you are weak, you are nothing, we can't solve our problems without Him. Only Jesus can do it for you, for in Him... Nothing is impossible!"
It's not the pastor who's talking to me during that moment... It was Jesus. After all the intrusions that He had made in my life, I finally realized that all of these intrusions had a great purpose. A purpose of surrendering my life to God!
Luke 5:32 said... "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance..."
The Extra-Ordinary Life
I'm already living in an extra-ordinary life since I surrendered everything to Jesus! I've been a very rough road but God let me go through that way. Without going through that path I will never know God again. If I keep on being on the top all the time or became rich because of that easy money job, my heart will be continuously filled with pride and egoism. Now that I surrendered my life to God, the achievements that I made are not gained due to my human effort but because of God's unending grace!
Welcome to my newest blog! Let God take charge of this blog as He touches your heart with His powerful love. Join my journey in this place called "an extra-ordinary life"
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
- Jeremiah 29:11
I felt good every time I share the word of God to my friends but deeper within me is a building self-pride. I felt good every time my schoolmate would treat me as if their praising me on the things I say.
Sounds weird right? Nevertheless it is egoistic.
Eventually the faith I built, which was fragile, were gone in just one swipe when I entered college. My point of view in life pivoted in another way when I submerged myself into philosophical means. I only focused to myself and even believed that only myself can create a future of my own. I always aimed for being on top and always on the top. Fortunately, I always topped the most difficult exams in college. There was also an incident wherein I came late for an exam but after the results were released, I still defended my crown. I even prayed for God to defeat the other performing students in college to gain honor and to remain my scholarship. I once also became the second most powerful student in college which elevated my esteem, pride and even the size of my head.
As we reached our graduation and faced our final examination, I had this plan of not reviewing for this exam and to show to my colleagues that I'm the most intelligent student in campus; not needing of any form of review and relying only to stock knowledge. But God suddenly made an intrusion in my plans. He entered and ruined everything!
God's Intrusion
My body became weak a few days before the examination. I was rushed to the hospital. From the ER department the doctor immediately hydrated my system through intravenous therapy, as I was moderately dehydrated during that time. The doctor suspected that I'm having viral exanthem, which was measles. With this happening, I felt frustrated. I blamed God for the disease He had given me. How can I prove to my colleagues that I'm still worth defending my crown? But I ended up nothing and weak. I stayed in the hospital for 4 days.
As I went back for our graduation, I saw the list of test-takers of the final exam arranged from rank 1 to rank 420. My name was printed on rank 420 with a score of zero!
Still, I received a latin honor for a job well done of 4 years in college. I also passed the licensure exam for nurses a few months after graduation. But God keeps on intruding and ruining my plans because my pride were still intact after the first intrusion.
My family faced a sudden financial crisis after the company, where my father is working, was closed in public. I still kept on thinking of my own capabilities that I can solve this problem on my own. I ventured myself to easy money strategies having a limelight of hope for a greener pasture. Yet, God still won the fight. I failed and I quit.
Racing the White Flag
One cozy afternoon, a friend of mine invited me in a bible study in Victory Metroeast. Without any hesitation, I accepted her invitation. It's been years since the last time I attended a bible study. That bible study turned out to be a Sunday Service. The topic during that service is all about idols in our heart.
The pastor defined an idol as "anything which replaces Jesus in your heart." He gave several examples which pierced my heart.
Money - almost everyone in this world has financial problems. Money can be an idol if you replace Jesus with this temporary piece of metal or paper. Money is not the solution to our problems, it's only a tool to solve your problem temporarily, like paying your utility bills. But once this money is out from your stash, you'll be having problems again.
Career/Academics - it's a virulent word, especially for us nurses. If there's an opportunity, people are like magnets running towards that open opportunity. You keep on saying to yourself that "it's a once in a lifetime opportunity so come and GET IT!" but the real question is, did you already ask Jesus for this? Career is only a temporary thing. You may have it now but as years go by, it may lose.
Same with academics, you may be aiming to be on top but wait a minute. How about the others? You're just focusing on yourself and worse, you're replacing Jesus.
Fame - you maybe popular today but tomorrow will never be the same again if you keep on replacing Jesus with this one.
After mentioning these 'idols in our heart', a tear fell on my eye. I closed my eyes shut and imagined myself as if kneeling on the floor. I've been having a foolish heart for a very long time. Then the pastor said...
"My brothers and sisters, these idols in our hearts were only temporary. You may have it right now and experience limited happiness but once it's already empty, you'll be having problems again. Seeking for the temporary things in life will only give you temporary happiness. If you want to have eternal happiness and a love that is unending, unfailing and infinite. Then SEEK JESUS. Let Jesus enter your heart!
If you're having problems right now, come to Him! Kneel! And tell Him that you are weak, you are nothing, we can't solve our problems without Him. Only Jesus can do it for you, for in Him... Nothing is impossible!"
It's not the pastor who's talking to me during that moment... It was Jesus. After all the intrusions that He had made in my life, I finally realized that all of these intrusions had a great purpose. A purpose of surrendering my life to God!
Luke 5:32 said... "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance..."
The Extra-Ordinary Life
I'm already living in an extra-ordinary life since I surrendered everything to Jesus! I've been a very rough road but God let me go through that way. Without going through that path I will never know God again. If I keep on being on the top all the time or became rich because of that easy money job, my heart will be continuously filled with pride and egoism. Now that I surrendered my life to God, the achievements that I made are not gained due to my human effort but because of God's unending grace!
Welcome to my newest blog! Let God take charge of this blog as He touches your heart with His powerful love. Join my journey in this place called "an extra-ordinary life"
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
- Jeremiah 29:11
