CONSEQUENCES OF SIN

I recall reading Deuteronomy and the fact that Moses and Aaron weren't able to enter the Promised Land because they sinned against the Lord...

"This is because both of you broke faith with me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because you did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites. " (Deut. 32:51).

I thought, wow, when we sin against the Lord, we rob ourselves of blessings. Though we are saved, we still pay for the consequences of our actions, we can still lose the joy of our salvation.

All the more I appreciate the Lord's grace, His forgiveness that's readily available for those who are humble enough to ask for it.

In the past, I found it hard to ask for forgiveness. I felt shame and now I admit pride. When we don't ask for forgiveness right away we don't want to admit we are wrong, we want to live with our sin a little bit longer ( the same goes for our relationship with others).

Now, I ask for forgiveness right away, soon as I realize I sinned against the Lord. I don't want to lose my fellowship with the Lord because I'm still in sin. I want to experience the continuous flow of blessings. I want to reclaim the joy of my salvation, which I lost in the past.

We should never take sin lightly. Let's help each other purify our lives by lovingly and gently rebuking each other when necessary. It's not easy for anyone to listen to other people correct them, but we are called to do so. Without each other we cannot grow.

God bless us all!!

SIMPLE THINGS

In the past, I had to be out of the house everyday. I was bored at home. I didn't like staying home. Now, I have a new appreciation for my home.

I have a greater appreciation for the simple things. I don't need to have something new every week. I don't need to eat out every week. I look at what I have and realize I have more than enough.

Everyday I teach my daughter to be happy with what she has. Whenever she sees a new toy on TV, she asks me if she can have it, then after a few minutes she tells me it's okay if she doesn't buy it. When we set aside her small clothes and her baby toys she tells me, "Mama, are we giving those away to kids who need it?" She doesn't resist it, she's happy were giving it away.

Mika has a kind heart. I see it as her mom. She loves to share. I want to be like her. I'm learning a lot from my little 5-year-old.

Let's share, with a thankful heart. I"m sure all of us have more than enough to live. God is good, he provides for all we need. Let's help provide for the needs of others.

REFINED BY THE FIRE

It's the same thoughts all over again. Unhappy with my work, longing to do something more. Need to make more money. I need a vacation but can't afford it. Oh, my human-ness. I whine and daydream of better days.

I watch a show on TV about poor people in China, people who are sick and can't get medical care. People who are disabled and can't work. People who live under the worst conditions...

I forget about my problems. I remember to be thankful. I remember that the Lord has my life in the palm of his hand. He isn't done with me yet.

Everyday concerns are still real. All the trials still hurt. Waiting is still a pain. But I am not waiting in vain. I am not walking alone, I know it not only in my head but I really feel that reality deep in my heart. That is why I can feel the burn and still be thankful. That is why I can still count my blessings. That is why I am still hopeful.

I wait eagerly for the Lord to work a miracle in our life. I know he is watching me. I know he is building my faith. What is faith without it being tested after all?

TRADING UNCERTAINTY WITH PEACE

Marvs job is in a period of uncertainty right now. We're still waiting for the transfer hoping that he gets the same schedule so we can continue to have the same income and so he can continue serving in ministry and attend the Sunday services. In the back of our minds we're hoping that he will still have a job in the next coming months and hopefully years ahead.

I lost a significant amount of hours at work. Once again we try our very best to be faithful in using the resources God has given us wisely.

Moments arise when I feel panicky inside. Then I pray for the Lord's peace to overcome the fear I feel inside. After all, he did promise to never leave us and to provide all our needs. Then I remember that he is always on time. Never early, never late.

I pray that he gives me patience and joy amidst this troubling time in our life.

Isn't it wonderful to know that we have a God whom we can run to and cling to?

I will always remember the times he came through for us. He always has and he always will.

WHISPERS OF THE ENEMY

I gave in to the whispers of the enemy. I sinned against the Lord. I was so sorrowful. I pleaded for forgiveness soon afterward for I so quickly felt the distance between us. I never want to be apart from my God. I wanted to restore our fellowship.

I hear a voice tell me I was a loser. I was weak, I gave in, I'll always give in and never conquer my sin completely. Another voice tells me, we will fall but the Lord will cleanse us and help us to start all over again. We will be victorious.

I choose to listen to the voice of truth. I stand up knowing I am forgiven. I will start all over again knowing that in the end, I will be the winner.

We are all going to fall every now and then. But when we ask for forgiveness and deep in our heart plead the aid of the Holy Spirit, victory is not just a hope but will be a reality.

Praise the Lord for the God that he is!! He heals the broken heart and sets the captives free!!!

OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MAN

Acts 5:29

Despite the threat to their lives, they chose to obey God. They feared God and not man.

If I am honest with myself, I know deep in my heart I don't have the courage the apostles had. Many times I do not speak because I fear the outcome of my words. But I come home saddened and feeling defeated because I let my fears get the best of me.

Oh Lord what does it take to have the kind of faith that can move mountains?!

I plead Lord, give me the courage, the words, the passion to do your will. Rid me of the lies of the enemy. My human frailties, don't let it get the best of me. For in you, I can do anything.

Amen.

LESSONS FROM A BOOK

Pie lent me a Christian fiction novel. I read it in less than a week. It was one of the most captivating and engaging novels I ever read.

The most important lessons I learned from it was that the Lord could touch and mold even the hardest heart. That every single detail of our life has been set by him. To be sensitive to his promptings and the opportunities he gives us to grow. His word is our anchor in times of trouble. And he is more than capable of working miracles on our behalf if necessary to save another soul.

It was an amazing read. But more than that it had extraordinary lessons.

The name of the book is As Sure as the Dawn by Francine Rivers.

PEACE AMIDST THE STORM

I lost the hours I had in the other store. That's how fickle retail is. It's really never stable. I always wondered how people survived working there for long periods of time.

What do I do about the income I need now?

Maybe the Lord is allowing me to rest. He knows how tired I've been. I was willing to work though, we need it really badly.

Once again, I wait and see what he wants to do. He gives and he also takes away.

But he loves us, we are in the palm of his hand.

And so I wait and I pray. Assured that all will be well.

MY FEARS

I came to a realization that I was not placed in the new location for no reason. It became obvious to me that I was placed there to be a witness of Christ to the people I work with. It may be through hard work that stems from reverence and the knowledge that I ought to work as though to the Lord, but also to speak words of wisdom and encouragement and eventually tell them about the gospel of our Lord.

Evangelizing is most of the time scary to me because I fear rejection and ridicule. But I pray daily that the Lord grant me the courage and the opportunities to have moments of "intimacy" with the people I work with to witness to them.

Some time ago my boss was eating in our break table and called me. She said she had to tell me that there has been some kind of "cleansing" going on in the store since I came. She didnt know if it was because of my music (which everyone who goes to the backroom has no choice but to hear), but she told me, it has never been this "good" here until I came. She continued to tell me that I was an asset to them and she had to let me know that.

I have yet to actually share the gospel. But I do believe that the door has been opened.

Pls pray for me, that the Lord will give me the boldness to tell them the truth asbout their salvation for it has been impressed upon my heart so strongly.

May the Lord be glorified!
Exodus 4:11-12

MY REWARD

2 COR. 5:10

I remember listening to one of Charles Stanleys teachings on how you can evaluate yourself whether you are a true believer or not. I found it to be so convicting after looking at myself through the lenses of God's word. I dont remember exactly where it is in the scripture but it says it is through the "fruits" a person bears that he will (and others too) will know if one is truly a follower of Christ.

After a long and painful look at my own life. I realized that there were areas of my life that have not been fully yielded to Christ. I also wondered if my lifestyle was just like the unbelievers of if it was different, distinct and unmistakably touched and molded by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I pleaded to the Lord to help me live "authentically". Ill probably never be soft-spoken and mild in disposition but I can be watchful of HOW I say things. I may need to find more ways to show love and encouragement to my brothers and sisters. Give more to the cause of Christ. Be the best employee. Strengthen my prayer life. Humble myself. Submit my dreams and ambitions to the will of God for me. The goal of my life is to be pleasing to God. The Lord knows how hard it is for me to give up a lot of things I WANT, but if it will make him proud of me... so be it.

AN EAGER ANTICIPATION

Many times I wondered why my life turned out the way it did. It seemed contrary to everything Ive planned. I go to work and come home tired every single day (for I do manual labor) and find myself thinking of how I could get away from it, to get another job.

For some reason I stop myself because I feel a sense that I should stay awhile. Still dont know why, but I do not want to do anything in haste.

I realize Im in a period of waiting... It is at times disconcerting and uncomfortable because Im the type to move right away, I want to do something asap!

The Lord is probably teaching me to be still and wait upon him. Its hard but I want his best for me and my family.

It is during this time of waiting that I come face to face with my weaknesses and limitations. God is humbling me through my circumstances.

But I also wait anxiously to see what his perfect will is for me... with eager anticipation.

UNKNOWN BURDENS

Have you ever felt a burden in your heart and not know what it is about? I feel that daily. I know for sure it's not about my concerns. I just can't put a name on it.

I wonder...

It's good to know that with the Lord in control of my life, everything is accounted for, even mysterious things.

SEEKING THE DIRECTION OF GOD

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.

proverbs 3:5-6

Everyday is a constant battle to not give in to the promptings of the flesh. You feel defeated but there is a still voice in the depths of your soul whispering to you that it is not over yet. You have a purpose and there is more to life than the here and now. You struggle to believe it because every part of your being is yearning for more yet not finding relief...at least for the moment.

You fake a smile many mornings, convincing yourself that everything is alright. Then you start to question if its alright to feel this way when you are a child of God! Is it okay to feel burdened and discontent?

Then you hear that voice again, telling you that it's alright to want more, to seek for something better. For we were created to achieve all we can for the glory of God. It is a greater sin to waste away and not live to the fullest potential God has given you. Ask God for direction, beg for his clarity. Plead him to make it known to you what it is he wants you to do for him. When you find yourself in that place, where he wanted you all along, doing what he wanted, created you to do, only then will you find the peace, the joy and the fulfillment he wanted you to experience all along.

May we all seek his will and really find that place where he wants us to be. Our life, our time is too precious to be wasted on things that will not make a difference for his kingdom.

I seek that place where he wants me to be. I wait , I plead for direction and the assurance that I am moving towards the goal. It isnt easy but at least I am not alone...even when it feels that way sometimes.

May the Lord be glorified!!!

SUCCESS

The other day out of curiosity I started to look for my friends through the net. Wanted to know how they were doing, what was new with them, all that.

I saw one, who apparently is now doing so well. She has her own jewelry line and is gracing the pages of fashion magazines back home. She even has an exhibit in San Francisco, and just married what looks to be a well-to-do (older) man.

I thought, wow, is this the same girl I went to grade school, HS and college with? She was the one I always competed with. OUr grades were always head to head and we were both ambitious and driven.

Then I looked at where I was now, my job, I still had no college degree ( she must have finished her masters, I would have if I hadn't gotten married), we were struggling financially and I suddenly felt so sorry for myself.

Then I realized, I had something she didn't have ( I know cuz if you saw the pics you'd understand). I had Christ in my life.

My life is by no means glamorous, I haven't achieved success by the worlds standards. But I lead a peaceful, honest life. A life guarded by Jesus, directed by Jesus.

I realized how blessed I was. How rich I was. And I reprimanded myself for forgetting that what was important was my allegiance to the Lord.

I'll pray for her. I will contact her and try to tell her about the changes in my life.

The way the Lord matures us, sometimes, is by showing us what we wanted and weighing it against the enormous blessing we now have through His son.

To God be all the glory!!!