Glorifying God in Life and in Death

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"Jesus said to them, 'Come and have breakfast.' Now none of the disciples dared ask him, 'Who are you?' They know it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Feed my lambs.' He said to him a second time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Tend my sheep.' He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, 'Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep. Truly, truly I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.' (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, 'Follow me."
- John 21:12-19

While reading the passage, it took me to a familiar part of my memories when my Mom died. I remember when I was a child, everytime I had a dream that my Mom is missing or that my Mom died, I will wake up screaming and really crying and ended up hugging her. That is how clingy I was with her. I know the fact that losing her will be the biggest downfall I will ever experience. When that moment came, that I know, anytime then, am gonna lose her, something different and unexpected happened. Me and mom, both have done a great job of accepting our fate of separation. I remember praying to God, glorifying Him cuz I was so thankful that He gave me my Mom, and that it's time for Him to get her back from me and I completely surrendered to His will. Same as my Mom, she peacefully claimed that her life has come to an end and seeing her on her death bed, with closed eyes while praying with me and telling me not to cry was a very victorious moment for the both of us. I never imagined that I will be able to accept everything. But God is a powerful and merciful God who gave me the complete understanding of what had happened and I am grateful that I am blessed with His grace to continuously glorify Him, holding His hand while I was mourning for my lost.

Lord God, please send us all the understanding that only You can give, to stop asking, and the grace to continuously glorify Your mighty name, as long as we are alive, until the end of it. You are indeed worthy of all the praises because You alone are our Savior. I love You.

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"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the far of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward."
- Psalms 19:7-11

I am truly blessed for this day since God gave me what I have asked for. I still have one last test that I need but I am claiming it that I will get what I have been praying for. As I was talking to a friend this morning about the trials I have been through, I told him that I am happy I was able to experience it. Because of this, I have discovered the most important things in life and I have learned what are the things that would really give me joy. I have experienced looking at all the blessings which aren't superficial. There are good things that I do which I wasn't forced to. Going to church or going to the Feast and spending almost the whole Sunday praising and worshipping God has never been a difficult thing to do cuz I am really enjoying it. God is worthy of all these.

Dear Jesus, thank you oh so much for the wonderful blessing you have given me. I know am on my way to my answered prayer and I will strongly hold on to that. You alone are the one who can make all things possible. You are worthy of all the praises and worship cuz listening to your words and teachings satisfy my hungry soul. Thank you Lord for all the kindest people You continuously giving me. Please bless them always. Thank You for saving me over and over again. I love You.

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32)
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (Romans 8:35)

Father God, in Jesus' name, I thank You for Your bountiful love. Your Love is so great that you spared not Your own Son but delivered Him up as a sacrifice that we might be reconciled to You. Your love is the greatest force in the world.
I thank You that nothing can separate me from Your love. No matter what situation I face, no matter what challenges are before me, Your love shall sustain me. Nothing in all creation can separate me from your love, which is in Christ Jesus my Lord.

When I opened my heart and mind to Him, I always see how He have loved & blessed us every minute of our lives. I am so grateful to have known the love of our Lord God. And through the wisdom He is giving me, I am always looking forward to be of help to those who are in need. May you all open your heart to His love & see all the blessings around you...

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"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law; justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, saying, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets."
- Matthew 23:23-31

Do you really speak and do what's in your hearts? We have the tendency to be righteous sometimes or to show off that we are all doing good and doing what God wants us to do. People might accuse me of being one since I am far from what they used to see from me.  But those who are really close to me know that I am far from being righteous and claiming that I am pure. I am the most transparent person you'll ever meet and if I praise and worship God right now, it's because my heart sincerely tells me to. Nobody forced me in attending my weekly LOJ Feast or reading the bible. It's all because my heart jumps for joy everytime I do all of these. I have found happiness in doing these things.

My Lord, thank you for changing my heart and because of this, I am doing all these praises and worship to you sincerely with all my heart. If I sing praise to You, if I worship Your mighty name, it's all because my heart tells me to. Please guide me always Jesus in doing what is right and from what I read from Your words. There are still things that am confused with, the things that I fail to do, but in time, I know I will have all those answers from You. Thank you Father for your grace and for staying with me always. I love You.

Jesus' Power To Change Your Heart

One awesome validation that God is so powerful that He can really change your heart. Just like me, Mark Wahlberg has a change of heart when he met this Catholic priest who guided him.

".. a very clear focus on what's important, expressing my gratitude of all the blessings that has been bestowed upon me, and a reminder everyday of what I need to do and what I need to focus on and what I need to stay away from." - Mark Wahlberg

Give Thanks To God

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"For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land He has given you. Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments and His rules and His statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock, who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers, as it is this day."
- Deuteronomy 8:7-18

Now that it's Chinese New Year, everybody's wishing prosperity and good luck in their lives for the whole year. People sometimes tend to forget that every blessing that they receive comes from God. We will sometimes pray hard if we need something or if we needed help, but once we received what we're praying for, people forget to worship and even give thanks to Him. Every grace that we receive, comes from the power of God so it is just to give all the glory to Him and exalt His name so that all nations will know how powerful and generous He is.

Dear Jesus, thank you for this wonderful day that you have bestowed on me. Thank you for every minute that you make me happy, it may be an awesome day with my loved ones, or laughing at a funny show on tv. Thank you for taking away my worries and for always showing me that despite of my trials, life is still beautiful. Thank You that You made me enjoy this day and am looking forward to more happy days to come and for your abundant blessings to me soon. Rest assured, I will be sharing the blessings that You will bestow on me, Oh Lord. I will praise You and glorify Your name. Thank You and I love You.

A Change of Heart

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"As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him. And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?' But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. God and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."
- Matthew 9:9-13

Each and every one of us has the chance to press restart as long as we are sincerely asking forgiveness from God. Jesus is a forgiving Father and that He loves the world so much and gave His own life to us to redeem us from our sins.

Thank You Jesus for loving me despite of all my sins and shortcomings. You never isolated me from others who have done more good things than me. You never get tired of forgiving my sins over and over again with your arms wide open, ready to comfort me. Thank you for extending your grace to sinners like me and for healing me. You have done an awesome job in changing my heart to be open to You and to do good. All praises and worships should be given to You alone for You really make wonders in our lives.  I love You.

Keep On

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"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of the things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents and Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. "
- Hebrews 11:1-10

Today I won one of my battles. Jesus gave me more angels to help me out and am really thankful and grateful. Batteries are almost drained, mentally exhausted, but spirit is still alive and flamed up to keep on praying to God.

Dear Sweet Jesus, thank you so much for this day, for the blessings of these people who manifested their care for me. You never fail to surprise me with Your love. Please continue listening to my prayers, worship and praise. I know that I keep on asking this, for You to grant my prayers and I believe that I will be rewarded cuz I already claimed that I am blessed by You.  In the midst of being exhausted, You still encourage me not to give up and to keep on walking.  I will still chant my praise and adoration to You cuz You alone, are my Savior, Who can really do miracles in my life. Thank you and I love You.

Comfort Me, My Lord

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"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and suplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. "
- Ephesians 6:10-18

I just went to another battle today, not a major one, but still, stressful and left my heart and my soul bruised. I may be called as a warfreak before cuz I speak my mind, but with the grace of God, I know I have changed my anger into patience today. I suddenly found myself praying for the enemy while on my way home before facing the battle. For frustrations, we have came up with a drastic move to eliminate the enemy but with God's providence, a stroke of irony miraculously appeared to us, though it's not really a feel good situation. I felt stressed and crushed cuz I really had tiring days these past few weeks and I really feel so drained right now. I am really grateful for my housemates especially Jaren for the comfort she's giving me. Tomorrow is another day and I need to be ready with what's in store for me, with the help of my faith, I know I will still continue my prayers and my hopes for a good news. I have God's armor, and I told myself awhile ago, I will stand still.

Lord, help me recharge my batteries so that I can be ready with all the challenges I will be facing tomorrow and the days to come. Help me and guide me Oh God for positivity and strengthen me with Your kindness. Comfort me with Your love, my sweet Jesus, for I am like a child who needs a hug from her mother. Calm my spirit and mind tonight from all worries and stress that I am experiencing right now. This I ask in Your mighty name. Amen.

Walk By Faith

Thank you Allan for sharing this wonderful song to me.

Would I believe you when you would say 
Your hand will guide my every way 
Will I receive the words You say 
Every moment of every day 

Well I will walk by faith 
Even when I cannot see 
Well because this broken road 
Prepares Your will for me 

Help me to win my endless fears 
You've been so faithful for all my years 
With one breath You make me new 
Your grace covers all I do 

yeah, yeah , yeah, yeah, yeah, ya 

Well I'm broken- but I still see Your face 
Well You've spoken- pouring Your words of grace 

Well hallelujah, hallelu 
(I will walk by faith) 
Well hallelujah, hallelu 
(I will walk by faith) 

I will walk, I will walk, I will walk by faith 
I will, I will, I will walk by faith