When God speaks

Early this morning, while still in my slumber, I had a dream that was very clear as a bell. I was with two women, and in my dream, they were my friends. My dream relates to ongoing relationships. One friend I thought would do anything when I am in need, was the opposite of what I was thinking. She was upset when she thought I overstayed my welcome when I was down and out. The other friend, who I knew would not lift a hand in times of my need because of how her character and attitudes reveal how she was; was the one who tried to help me. And in my dream, I was just testing their friendships. I announced to them that I don't really need the help. I just wanted to know what's really in their hearts.

When I woke up, I knew that God was speaking in my dream. It prompted me to pray for my only sister who has stopped communicating with me when I've become a Born Again Christian. I understand the indifference because I was there, too. I did not want to hear the truth. I did not want to confirm to myself I was proud, that I need saving from life's unfairness. Blind as a bat was I that my happiness lies on how people will treat me and what they will do for me. I was self-centered to a core.

All of us has the inner angst that frustrates us, dissapoints us and ultimately ruins us. As I analyzed what God is speaking to me about, I remember things that my older sister did for me when I needed help. She believes that when she would do good things to others, it comes back ten folds to her. She believes that when you show kindness to children, they will remember them when they grow up. These are the things I remember her telling me in my younger years. My sister is doing good things expecting a good return. But that's not what exactly happened in her years. She depended on people to make her happy and when she was dissapointed by them, she comes back with harsh words about them.

I love my sister very much. Speaking about her now, I can see that I dissapointed her for not becoming what she wanted me to be. Especially now that I've become born again. My sister is moody and self-reliant, so when I've started sharing with her God's truth, she sees it as a turn off.

My only hope is that God, in His mercy, would work in my sister's life before it's too late. God is leading me to pray for her. It was a strong leading of His Spirit that gives me joy, for the simple reason that God cares very much for my sister's eternal life.  #relationshipwithGod

The Peace of God

Science has confirmed what the Bible taught centuries ago: there is a close relationship between our minds and bodies. Proverbs puts it this way: "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones" (17:22).

But there is also a close relationship between our mental and physical health and the health of our spiritual lives. Guilt, fear, jealousy, bitterness, futility, escapism--these and a host of other problems are spiritual ills brought about by the disease of sin. Like poison, they can sicken us in mind and body.

But when Christ comes into our lives, He removes our guilt and takes away our fears. He gives us love for others and a new purpose in life. His joy and peace neutralize sin's poison and promote emotional and physical health.

Does that mean our emotional and physical problems will vanish? Not necessarily. But like a spring of pure water, God's peace in our hearts brings cleansing and refreshment to our minds and bodies.

Let the peace of God rule in your hearts. COLOSSIANS 3:15

from: Hope for each day/Billy Graham

Note:  Many times this verse comes true for me:  "Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." When I believe God's promises and His encouragements, I seldom think of fear. I seldom get anxious. But when I do, I always think of the source of fear, anxiety and doubts. When I remember what the Bible said that God is a good God, it settles the fear in my heart. Unless, you are God's enemy, in other words, you don't believe in Him; God never instills fear, anxiety, doubts nor condemnation to a believer. Jesus said: "my peace I give you." In the morning when I wake up, and when I start my day, as I eat my breakfast, listening to the pastors devotional messages on my IPad, my day will have directions. My mind will not be all over the place. I have an organized day. And when I end the day in God's words, I always have a good night sleep, because my mind is at ease. If I let God's peace rule my day, I feel mentally and physically capable to handle my everyday tasks in life, without getting sidetracked. Without my hours getting wasted with the mundane of life.

Rescuing Angels

During World War II, Captain Eddie Rickenbacker and his crew ran out of fuel and ditched their B-17 in the Pacific Ocean. For weeks nothing was heard of him, and across the country thousands of people prayed.

Then he returned and wrote about what had happened. "This part I would hesitate to tell," he wrote, "except that there were six witnesses who saw it with me. A gull came out of nowhere, and lighted on my head -- I reached up my hand very gently -- I killed him and then we divided him equally among us. We ate every bit, even the little bones. Nothing ever tasted so good." This gull saved them from starvation.

Years later, I asked him to tell me the story personally, because it was through this experience that he came to know Christ. He said, "I have no explanation except that God sent of His angels to rescue us." We may never see them, but God still sends His angels to surround and protect His children--including you.

from: Hope for each day/Billy Graham

As I start my week, my mind has led me to another episode of reflection. I'm at this point in my life where God is blessing me with peace, and at the same time, teaching me and making me realize that at anytime in my life, suffering is not far away. For all of us will experience it in our lifetime more than once. So its best to always remember God's Word about it; so the peace above understanding from God can always dwell in my heart even in the midst of suffering.

Suffering comes in different forms. You can suffer in illness, and it maybe for a short while, but it could also be for quite a while or a lifetime. You can feel suffering from death of loved ones, or through a divorce. You can feel suffering when you lose your lifetime savings, losing your house through foreclosure, losing your job. Just about anything that you feel pain is suffering. Suffering loves the company of depression. All of us are at risk of suffering, no one can escape it. It is part of our life may you be a believer or not, rich or poor. We will all go through it.

God is good and He will not allow me to get off track of this fact, especially those days I've neglected to come to Him in my daily affairs of life. Sometimes, He intends to get my attention during the busyness of my life. When I've got distracted with all the world has to offer. I've recorded these moments quite a few times-- those when all of a sudden episodes of suffering in the form of illness may it be me or my immediate family, would besiege my busy life. Or someone else's suffering would bring me back to Him. I came to an acceptance that God is big on suffering, not to harm us but to get us back to the realities of life.

Today, as I sat in my backyard patio with coffee and breakfast on hand, I tuned in to my IPod's list of Truth for Life broadcast episodes by Alistair Begg. I came across the episode, "Suffering in the Believer's Life." In this episode, Pastor Begg discussed the ten principles on how would God use sufferings in the lives of His children.

1. To develop perseverance. "because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:3"

        As God tests our faith through suffering, we hold on to God's promises. We persevere in prayer for God to listen to our pleadings, we continuously hang on to God for healing from pain cause by suffering. In suffering, we all remember God.

   2.  To bring us to maturity. "We learn obedience to God as we mature in our faith," Pastor Begg emphasized. As believers, we were taught to turn to the pages of the Bible to know God's Truth, to know His Promises, to know His true nature.

        When our hearts are in pain, as believers, we will most likely turn to God's Word; than turning to a Psychiatrist or Psychologist and their medications, to help us with our suffering. In long suffering, we will do whatever it takes for God to move

        the mountains of suffering away from us; to give us strength to go through the pain. And when we continue to know Him, obedience to His commands become part of our lives. As we see God's purposes and plan clear as a bell, God

        starts granting us spiritual maturity.

  3.   To assure us of our Sonship. "We become more than conquerors of afflictions." Pastor Begg cited Hebrews 12 and Romans 8. "God disciplines His own children in love."  “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,

        and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Hebrews 12:6.  "...in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37

  4.   To prove the genuine nature of our faith. "That in blessing I will bless thee,.... With temporal and spiritual blessings; with the Spirit and all his graces; with Christ and redemption, justification, and salvation by him; and with eternal life, as the gift

         of God, through him (Abraham)."  Genesis 22:17 In being obedient to God, Abraham was blessed by God, the way God will bless us in our obedience to Him. 

  5.    To develop in us humility. God revealed so much to Paul about His nature and His Truth. It could have made Paul conceited, but God did not allow it to happen by not removing the thorn in his side.  2 Corinthians 12:7-9 "...or because of these

          surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My

         grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” " 

  6     To keep us on track.   "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word." Psalm 119:67

  7.    To deepen our insight into the heart of God.  Pastor Begg cited Hosea, Chapter 1, 2 & 3 Hosea is a story of the unfailing redemptive love of God. Though it dealt with the disobedience of the Israelites, it also dealt with Hosea's story of pain

         suffered in the hands of his wife. Through his suffering God showed Hosea God's insights in His redemptive plan.

  8.    To enable us to help others in their trials. Pastor Begg cited 2 Kings 3. Here, Naaman, an army commander for a king was afflicted with leprosy. He was healed by God, through His prophet . A young girl who was taken captive by Naaman and

         made her his slave took pity on Naaman who was ill. She told him of the prophet, Elisha. In this story, though the little girl was suffering as a slave, God used her to bless Naaman of healing and redeemed him from his transgressions.

  9.    To reveal what we really love. Pastor Begg cited Deuteronomy 13:3  "...The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul."  When we are in pain of suffering, it clarifies things to us. In

         short, reality check kicks in. We realize what is the most important thing in our lives. We actually started to see that life is way too short. And that what matters most is our relationship to the One who created us.

10.    To display God's Glory.  Here Pastor Begg cited the story of Joseph. If we are familiar with this Old Testament Scripture, we would see how God was glorified in Joseph's life. Though Joseph suffered in the hands of his brothers and his enemies

         and became a slave and was jailed, his faith in God never wavered. His love for God never ceased. He hang on to God's commands and instructions and no matter what happened to him, he kept his relationship with God strong, because God is his

         strength. God eventually blessed him with favors and his story led to the story of Moses.

Pastor Alistair Begg ended his broadcast with this. It touched my heart and hopefully, it will touch yours:

"You intended this for evil, God intended it for good. I do not know what lies ahead

the way I cannot see, but ONE stands near to be my Guide, and He'll show the way

to me, I know Who holds the future and He guides me with His hands. With God

things just don't happen, everything by Him is planned.

So as I face tomorrow with these problems, large and small, I will trust the God of

miracles and give to Him my all."

*made this today for brunch, nutrient-dense food. Full of protein, complex carbs, whole grain, lots of fiber, omega 3 fatty acids. It's best for your body.

*accomplished today a 3.34 miles, 305 calories and 65 minutes on my treadmill. haven't done this for a while. I started working out again April this year; and hopefully I can keep it up. The difference this time is I've been on my treadmill almost everyday.

*love feeling good!

*I've been working out on and off throughout my lifetime. There are so many things I've learned this time around. One of them is I do not have to push myself on my workout, as long as I can do it most of the week, I don't have to do a 3 mile walk each time. Just by doing it everyday is enough for my health. Another one that I have learned is I really need to incorporate eating healthy. Eating foods that are good for my body- lots of plant-based foods. When I eat this type of foods I don't feel hungry or deprived.

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;  you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

 God Wants You to Grow

When it comes to progress, there are no shortcuts. If you want to improve in any area of your life, you have to pay attention to the small stuff. You have to take one step at a time.

Say you want to get into shape physically or lose some weight (or both). Contrary to the promises made by miracle programs, machines, and drugs, there is no such thing as instant success. You have to pay attention to the details by eating and exercising correctly every day in order to realize long-term results. The same principle applies to improving your mind. There's no quick way to get a college degree. And even if a diploma isn't your goal, the only way to accumulate useful knowledge is through disciplined, consistent study. You can't even train a dog overnight! It takes repetition, consistency, reinforcement, and practice. Otherwise Fido will look at you as if to say, "You've got to be kidding!"

Well, we're not kidding. It's a fact of life. To grow in any area, you've got to do the little things over and over again. The principle of growth through detail is especially true in your spiritual life, yet people think that by praying once in a while (when they get in trouble), by going to church twice a year (on Christmas and Easter, of course), and by cracking open a Bible once in a blue moon, God will smile on them and give them blessing upon blessing.

Make no mistake about it. God won't love you any more just because you do certain things. His love for you is always the highest love. But you will experience certain spiritual benefits if you pay attention to spiritual details. Like reading the Bible consistently. Or talking to God on a regular basis. Or helping others in need when the need is clear. We're not talking about spiritual legalism. Paying attention to the details of your spiritual life is all about discipline.

God wants you to grow spiritually because when you do, your life becomes more meaningful and more satisfying. Just like you feel when you make the consistent effort to improve physically, you will feel great about yourself when you make the effort to improve spiritually. And even better than that, the people around you will experience the benefits of your growth.

from: God is in the small stuff/and it all matters 

What helped me the most with my spiritual growth has been reading the Bible that comes with daily devotionals. They helped me to understand the Bible scriptures and verses. The devotional books that I've read in the past years have given me so much understanding about God. It is true that the more we understand God's plan and purposes through constant Bible study, it gives meaning to life. For me, there's something that I've realized: Life is not easy to decipher. We are constantly looking to be in a meaningful relationship, but we always end up in all the wrong places. We have this desire to be successful in life, but we ended up disappointed, unhappy and unsatisfied. Whether we are rich or poor, we would all find ourselves on the same road to depression. Why is it that as we get older, we become more reclusive. We come to the point in life that nobody can satisfy our needs. We get tired of people that hurt us over and over again. It could be our own family, siblings, relatives, friends and work associates. It seems the heartaches never end. That's why we have so many reality shows and movies based on true stories. Perfect examples of how we are doomed from the get go. You'd think we would learn from these true stories. But they get us more depressed than anything. This kind of struggles, I found out, do not have to rule my life at all. I found out that as I study God's nature and His desire to lead me to the right path, I found myself getting out of the Depression Road. When I realized the depth of Jesus Christ sacrifice to save me from all the burdens I was carrying in life and His offer of eternal life, I found myself so blessed and so favored by the Creator of this world.  Knowing He is on my side and loves me unconditionally, I've learned to be compassionate of others who "still haven't found what they're looking for."

 As long as stars shine down from  Heaven And the rivers run into the sea, Till the end of time, forever, You're the only love I'll need
In my life You're all that matters, In my eyes the only truth I see. When  my hopes and dreams have shattered, You're the one that's there for me

When I found You I was blessed, And  I will never leave You, I need You
Imagine  me without You I'd be lost and so  confused, I wouldn't last a  day, I'd be afraid without You there  to see me through
Imagine me  without You Lord, You know it's  just impossible Because of You,  it's all brand new, My life is now  worth while, I can't imagine me  without You
When You caught me  I was falling, Your love lifted me  back on my feet. It was like You  heard my calling, And You rushed to  set me free

What does God's power accomplish?

The prophet Isaiah said by God's power a Prince of Peace will one day rule the world in righteousness and justice. God's power will bring a ruler to supremacy who will cause Jerusalem to be rebuilt and God's temple to be restored. And Isaiah added, God's power will be evidenced in every word that God speaks. God's words will accomplish what He desires because God's power will bring it all to pass.

But there is more. The Bible proclaims God's almighty power over death. While the human body dies a little bit every day, the Gospels say God's power brought Lazarus back to life even after he had died and been buried for a few days. Hebrews declares God's power can transform the hurt of death, too, by bringing every spirit of every individual back into God's presence when time ends.

The Bible also says God's power will save and protect His children. The Psalms and the letters of the apostle Peter indicate God's children are delivered from their enemies and from the plans of Satan only through the power of God. The Gospels say God's saving power releases His children from the temptation to do wrong and cleanses their hearts from wickedness. In addition, many passages in both the Old and New Testaments provide illustrations of God's power protecting His children from wicked rulers, hungry lions, angry crowds, and violent storms. Indeed, God's power accomplishes much.

**God's power brings about the changing of the seasons, the migration of birds and animals, and the movement of fish and whales in the sea.

**God's power brings about the miracle of birth from a tiny seed. One kernel of corn dropped into the dirt can yield hundred of kernels on a single ear-- all because of God's power.

**God's power can restore the lives and fortunes of His people if they have suffered poverty, captivity, derision, or hurt.

"God's power is exceeding, beyond our ability to

conceive it. If we could only begin to comprehend--and access--God's power,

everything about lives would change for the better."

F.B. Meyer 

from: 100 answers to 100 questions about God/LilaEmpson/S.M.Hupp

You can know God's Will

God's will is a paradox. It's both easy to find and difficult to discern. God's will can be immediate, or it may take years to figure out. God's will can frustrate you or give you tremendous peace.

One thing is for sure. You can know God's will. Although it may seem mysterious, there's really no mystery to it. If you know where to look, God's will is there. And if you listen carefully, God will speak to you in amazing ways.

First of all, God speaks through His Word, the Bible. Everything we need for living a life that pleases God -- and what could be more in His will than that -- is in the Bible. As you get to know God's Word, you will get to know God's will.

Second, God speaks through your own judgment and common sense. But beware. Your decisions will line up with God's will only if you know God personally in the first place, and then only if your relationship with God is right. When you're in this condition, you will operate with "the mind of Christ." The Holy Spirit will guide you from the inside.

Finally, and most commonly, God speaks through the details of your life. Oswald Chambers put it this way: "God speaks in the language you know best -- not through your ears but through your circumstance."

You think you life is an accident? Not a chance. You're here for a reason. And what you do matters to God. Everything. Not just the stuff you do in church or Bible study (although that is very important), but in the everyday small stuff. That's where you'll find God's will most often.

Take a look at your life. Think about the moments and events --the details-- and see how far you've come. Those 'good things' weren't coincidences. You weren't just "lucky." If your heart has followed after God, then God has been leading you, and you have been doing His will, perhaps without even knowing it.

On the other hand, if you feel like life is dealing you one bad hand after another, and you feel sorry for yourself -- and you're mad at God -- maybe it's time to get back to basics. Take the focus off yourself and get to know God better by reading His Word, praying, and associating with people who are in God's will. God wants to direct you through the details of your life. Give Him a chance.

from: God is in the small stuff and it all matters