The Lord is FAITHFUL, continue to live by FAITH (in His enabling alone, for His glory)

 It has been a while since my last post, a lot has happened in my life - moving out, leaving my first job, and transferring to a smaller Church, to name the least. 

Lately, I find myself pouring out my heart to the Lord more frequently - as there will be some changes with the SHS (Senior High School) Curriculum here in the country where I teach. 

I know that the Lord is fully in control even in our daily lives, however, I was tempted to focus on the circumstances that I was in (which I was not proud of). I was kind of worried about the next step that I would need to take if I were laid off. Will I continue to teach at a different level, in a different school, or could be in a different country? Will I start a new career again? Will I do full-time ministry? Or will I get married? The list goes on and on, but, the Lord reminded me through His Word that He is calling me to trust Him, in who He is (based on His Word and even based on my life testimony). 

The Lord Jesus Christ is not just Our Creator (in whom all things are created...), He is the Alpha and the Omega (the Beginning and the End), Omnipresent, Omniscient, and Omnipotent God. With the definite mind that I have, I can't fully grasp all His attributes, and it left me in awe, worship, and humility (repenting for not trusting Him in what He allows and what He will allow in my lifetime for His glory). 

God reminded me that He created the universe and us, out of nothing, that He is in control even with the wind or the storms, and of course - that He can raise someone from the dead (like what He did with Lazarus and of course when He (Jesus Christ) resurrected after 3 days of dying on the cross for our sins). Not just that, He demonstrated His power in so many ways in the Bible - and even in changing the hearts of men in the past and even today according to His will and purpose for them to believe in what He did on the cross for salvation. 

The Lord did not condemn me, He even comforted me and allowed me to cry. But, He being a just God also rebuked me and reminded me of the things He did in my life as He allowed me to live by faith. Almost four years ago, when the Lord guided me to legalize our internet provider at home. It is a long story, it was a hustle for me and everyone at home - but I know that the Lord is calling me to do it (to correct it), so I obeyed because I love Him.

At first, there seemed to be no light - as I didn't hear anything back from the Provider as I tried to reach out (it is like I was talking with a bot). But the Lord guided me to keep going - until finally after I continued praying and seeking the Lord, I received an email response and they went to our home to investigate. It was a series of meet-ups with them to plan how to arrest the agent who made us have an illegal connection to the internet. After a few weeks, we found out his true identity, and our connection was fixed, praise God!

I obeyed because I love the Lord, I did not do it to earn a reward from Him (but the Lord is indeed faithful in His Word - He is a God who rewards His children). The Lord provided for me immediately after I obeyed, praise the Lord! Four years have passed, and I am still using the Bibles that I purchased from those provisions - the CSV She Reads Truth Bible and the ESV Study Bible. The Lord has blessed me immensely, throughout the years. 

The Lord reminded me that He is calling me to be faithful, knowing who He is, with the unknown future ahead of me. He reminded me that His will is for my sanctification, and for His glory - regardless of where He will allow me to be in the next few months of this year. And lastly, He reminded me of His love - and how He is calling me to continue to love Him, live by faith in Him, and live in obedience to Him daily. 

May the Lord guide me to rest in His love alone, and live it out wherever He pleases to use me. 

Soli Deo Gloria!

Wait for Him!

This was supposed to be posted here on Oct. 6, 2021.

Thank You, Abba Father... for answering my prayers!

I remember the time that I was tempted to be vaccinated in Antipolo (not residing there), instead of waiting to get vaccinated in the area where I reside.

Like I got a lot of offers:

I got an offer from a friend who has a family residing in Antipolo, she said that I just needed to change my address as I fill up. I said NO without a doubt. I know that it is not pleasing to the LORD to do that.

My friend suggested that I get vaccinated in Las Pinas (which is legit - you can be vaccinated there even if you are not residing there), although it's too far from me. I almost tried it. but God reminded me to wait on Him.

Then, a sister in Christ suggested that I get vaccinated on a Saturday, it was a good offer as it is also legit. However, I am volunteering at Nextgen on Saturdays. I almost tried it.  But God reminded me again to wait on Him.

I also tried registering on our office link, but it was not successful.

I am also waiting and praying for my sister's company's provided vaccine, this is even before the second and third offer. 

I also thought that I would be vaccinated in Makati (I was thinking that there's a higher probability for that to happen since it is a City).

I registered for the vaccine last June or July 2021 - and I was not expecting the schedule this week. But we were just talking about it in our Dgroup last Saturday - Oct. 2, and I am also thinking of getting infected before being vaccinated. I did not voice it out to the Lord or I forgot if I did voice it out with my mind and heart. But I am really hoping to get Pfizer for my vaccine. 

And at last, after 3 months or so of waiting - I received the text for my schedule yesterday. And guess what? It is a Pfizer vaccine. I told my sister about it, prayed, chatted with my boss, and he gave me permission to be vaccinated. :)

"Romans 8:28 For we know all things work together for good, for those who love God, for those who are called according to His purpose."

With this experience, I see how God answered my prayers, and how He wants me to trust Him and wait for His timing on the things that I need (like vaccines). It draws me closer to Him, and not trust myself or what I see... God is Sovereign. God sees and cares. He alone is worthy of praise and thanksgiving! 

Thankful for the pandemic (2020 - present)

On January last year, we rushed our Tatay to the hospital because of stroke. 

He suffered from a mild stroke, and because of it he was grumpy, I guess. I was the one who took care of him while he was at the hospital - and at the same time, I chose not to file a leave back then (if I am not mistaken). So, it was tiring physically and at the same time emotionally. 

I remember one time, when I got too emotional because of my Tatay's ungrateful and unloving treatment towards me... then one of the nurses just went inside the room to check my father's blood pressure w/o me noticing it. I chose to just cover my face and turn around, while I was still crying. 

You might be thinking, I have a valid reason to blame God or to questioned Him. But for me there is NO reason to blame Him. In fact, God never left me, He sustained me and even provided money for me and my sister to pay the bills in the hospital. I've learned to depend on Him daily and to love my father just as how God loves me. 

One day later, the ashfall in Mt. Pinatubo happened. Good thing we were in the hospital because it could be more dangerous for my father to be in our house. 

Fast forward to March 2020, my father got admitted again on another hospital, because of the second stroke. This time, he cannot stand up on his own because the half of his body was affected. 

We stayed in the hospital less than 5 days, by God's grace we were home even before the pandemic started. This time, I needed to file some leave because I don't have place to sleep because we were in a ward room only. 

Fast forward to June, I take care of my dad at home while I was working. My usual shift is from 7am to 3pm with an extra work from 6pm-8pm (it is not that toxic at those time). 

At first, I was hesitant because almost everything that I am doing was first time. I had to change diapers (I am not yet married, in fact I am single since birth - so, it was kind of awkward for me at first to be honest), bathe him, feed him, cook for him, etc. 

The hardest part for me was to feed him, specially when he doesn't want the food that I'd serve. The usual scenario is I will pray with him, then I will try to feed him, and then he will say no and be grumpy or even try to punch me on the face, kick me, or the like, then I will cry because it is hard for me to see him that way, and then after a few minutes he will eat. He will even tease me as I cry, and wonder why I was crying. As I cry, I pray to God for His grace to sustains me according to His will. 

Indeed He is faithful, and I cannot imagine doing it all without God. He is the One who allowed me to experienced all of those to mold me into His image, for my sanctification. 

Pandemic changed me a lot, it allowed me to focus on God, to focus on my family and to use my time wisely for His glory alone. 

There's more to say, will come back again, soon....

A unique game on a team building!!!

For all the team building that we had, this (last May 23, 2015), was the most unforgettable and my favorite, because I was able to see the importance of the verse Matthew 6:12. The Night shift's supervisor asked us to write about what others would do, then she asked us to apply the verse above. So, we are the one whod did what we wrote on paper. It makes me realized to be just, and do good to other people.

Proverbs3:5-6

Proverbs3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own insights.
In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.

We should learn to trust God, that He will give us what we need.
Like the Education that I have today (BS Math), I needed to wait for about a year in order to enter college, even if I passed the entrance exam. At first, I didn't understand why I needed to stop and not be able to enrol a University like PUP, but God only did that for me to enjoy life more, I wasn't able to enjoy high school that much, so He allowed me to rest for about a year (not literally rest, but rest from college's stress). I was able to meet new people, great people.
So, today I am trusting Him on what ever my future leads me. I am consulting Him on the decisions that I am making each day. I want Him to lead me, because I know He knows what's best for me! :)

The true ENEMIES!!!

The subject is about "Fight in God's Power". We should know the true enemies in our life are "The Devil", "The world system", and "The flesh".
I can relate my life to this, sometimes I tend to think that my enemies are the persons who did bad to me, things that I don't derserve. It was hard for me to forgive them because of this, however as I continue to study about God I can say that my heart is soften, I can now forgive the persons that somewhat my my life miserable by God's grace.

That's why! :)

The Pastor last sunday discussed about how to react when being corrected. I wonder why God allowed me to hear that. Until, it makes sense when I went to my office and apparently I have some reviews regarding my sessions, there are some corrections and suggestions.