Re-blog.
God Remembers
If you have an intimate relationship with the Lord, you know that one of His traits is consistency. Whenever He wants something done, He follows it up with confirmation. Either through His words, a preacher, a friend, etc. Like signing up for something online, you get an email confirmation afterwards, that kind of thing.
This is part 2 of my key testimony.
The same morning I found my keys, my usual program started airing the episode where Pastor Greg Coleman preached prior to his passing in June. He talked about 1 Corinthians 11:25.
I am not going to echo his preaching, but as he explained and shared his battle with cancer, there were several truths that our Heavenly Father confirmed to me that day.
- He remembers. As much as we are encouraged to remember what Jesus did to the cross, He remembers us and constantly. Even in times when we don’t remember, He does. He remembers our pain, our brokenness, our sufferings, our needs, our tears.
- He restores. We despair when we lose something or someone, or when we lose the capacity to do the things we want to do, but God brings it all back, to make us strong, firm and steadfast.
- He makes us whole. The mercy and compassion of God is endless that after restoration, we are made whole through our union withe the Lord Jesus, our ruler and authority.
My tears were just flowing non-stop realizing who and what I am and how a Heavenly Father like ours remembers and cares for us. Undeserving, yet given the privilege to be an heir.
Just remembering that God gave us His Son, just remembering what Jesus did on the cross can combat any lies the devil might and will throw at us.
1 Corinthians 11:24
Ecclesiastes 12:1
God in the Small Stuff
I have a permanent place for my keys but for some reason, I didn’t put them there and so I spent the whole day yesterday looking for them. Later that night my husband joined me and searched all around. We went to bed but we would get up secretly trying to look for it, yes that’s how serious we were in finding my keys. Understandably so because those were the keys to our house and the mailbox.
My husband was more concerned (euphemism for upset), I was not and I kept assuring him that the keys will turn up soon as we stop looking.
We went to bed.
We woke up and the first thing we talked about was the keys. We went the same route looking at places we’ve already checked just in case and there was nothing. He even looked in his car. When he left for work I sat in his chair and I prayed ” Father in Heaven, please show me where my keys are. Please show me where they are.”
I got up and very specifically went to the guest room (you know how when you go to a room and wonder why you’re there?) and I started looking inside different purses. I thought I had it figured out re-tracing the different purses I used the past days , still none.
All of a sudden, my attention was focused on the new purse I bought hanging in the closet. It is like an envelope, thin and sleek. So I thought to myself “why would it be here? won’t fit”. As I was getting ready to leave I turned around again, I reached for that purse (as if someone grabbed my hands and put them on the purse).
I didn’t open it, I sort of felt/frisked it and there was none. There was a thinner slip on attachment in the front of the purse, so I opened it…
The keys were found!
I immediately took a picture of it and texted my husband.
As I began to text him, I suddenly realized how I found my keys (God must be clearing his throat saying “ehem”). I blurted out “Oh My God, I am sorry! I asked you to show me and I didn’t even bother thanking you first”. It led to a prayer of thanksgiving, praise and worship.
God is in the small stuff , believe it or not.
God Kids Me Not
Four years ago, I wrote about not wanting to love my enemy and just to pray for her which I took no delight in doing but I had to.
A year ago, her sister reached out to me and sort of apologized by acknowledging that she finally found out the truth and we started talking.
Recently I learned that this ex-friend I talked about, found Jesus and is on her way to mending broken relationships. I heard that she made an attempt to apologize to another friend that she slandered along with me but no mention of me,lol.
When I heard that, I said “seriously, Lord?” and yes, He answered and said “ what? you have a problem with that?” I remember I was laughing and shaking my head while doing dishes and having that conversation with the Lord.
I also remember when I was praying for her four years ago, I sort of mumbled the part where I said ” may she find someone to lead her to you and that you please work on her heart”. I guess I was acting stupid by believing that jamming my voice would somehow give a choppy signal to the Lord.
God heard. God listened. God acted.
He gave me peace in return for praying that and He went about doing His other business of working on her. The point of this testimony is that God is in control. He is serious about His saving business and He answers our prayers, in His own time for His glory.
I immediately remember this verse:
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.-Isaiah 55:11
Those words echoed in my heart and I am humbled that it is not what I want nor my desire that causes answered prayers but His-all the time. We just need to be obedient despite ourselves and leave everything up to the Heavenly Father to put things in order, not for our glory but for His and His alone.
I am not gonna say, “be careful what you pray for” but rather I would like to challenge you and say “Go ahead and pray, then prepare to be amazed.”
I did and I was.
A David Begets An Absalom
The book of 2 Samuel is a treasure trove for filmmakers. Like a typical Hollywood movie the story involved lust, incest, violence, betrayal. It is suspenseful, heartbreaking and full of action.
The dysfunction was multi faceted but would not be difficult to pinpoint what started the mini plots.
Most of the issues are traceable to one man-David. As admired and loved by God he was equally flawed and sinful. How a valiant young boy rose to fame and down to infamy is what makes the story gripping.
From adultery to murder to a negligent parent, David tried hard to spin his life around and was successful in doing so, but not without difficulty.
His bad parenting resulted from his inability to handle his own pain. The guilt and grief drew a hedge between him and Absalom. His failure to confront the issue that was Tamar triggered a deep seated hatred not only between the siblings but eventually towards him.
Absalom lashed out and performed attention-seeking activities, desperate for his father’s approval and maybe the guilt and agony of killing his brother and the defiling of his sister.
If you are facing some family crisis or lacking parental skills, learn from David and talk to God. Our God is compassionate. His love is unconditional. If we confess our sins and ask for guidance He is more than willing to help.
He heals, He restores.
Can You Handle Success? Then, Do This.
There is no formula to success and prosperity, nor there is a secret to it. Most people struggle and often wonder why despite their hard work, nothing yields.
You wanna know how to prosper and be succesful? ONE WORD- and you can find it in Deutoronomy 28. Have a blessed day.
I am Still Alive Today.
Waking up every morning is a blessing. That alone should be a big item on our list of things to be thankful for. Each NEW morning comes with BRAND NEW mercies. I’d be crazy not to take advantage of His daily new mercies.
photo taken off google
A “Win-Win” For Believers!
A “Win-Win” For Believers!. Walk walk walk walk in the light.
Do Children Make You Unhappy?
This morning I saw a teaser/headline about a study that said:”Having kids makes people unhappy”. Between making lunch and a phone call, I was unable to follow the story, but the headline kinda stuck in my head.
Moments later, my 8 year old niece who lives overseas called me. We talk daily and nightly. Some sessions are hilarious, some sessions are stressful I admit. This morning while I was talking to her and watching her on cam while dinner is on-going I witnessed what could be a story line for a reality show or a cartoon maybe. A rather interesting dynamic between her, her brother of 6 years and my sister. My niece doesn’t eat most vegetables and tonight’s menu included string beans. I’m telling you it was a good mix of funny, stressful and frustrating, crying, giggles and a lot of threatening haha. Giggles from the brother, threatening from me, frustration for my sister and crying for the little girl.
Long story short, it was a remote attempt to make her eat the string beans, standing our ground ( her crying did not work) lots of encouragement and cheering and impressive revelation from the youngest brother who for some reason was extra ordinarily cute tonight and displayed wisdom. “How can you say you don’t like string beans when you haven’t even tried it”, “You kept thinking you don’t like string beans, don’t over think it and just bite into it”. That kind of cuteness and wisdom. (My sister’s side remark was funny, too. “Good for you , you have wisdom”.)
Dinner ended and no child was harmed in the process, thankfully. Lol. Everyone was calm and my sister and I started assigning tasks to the kids. “Okay, girl sweep the floor and wipe the table.” The little boy volunteered to do the sweeping and the night ended with “I love yous”, “I am proud of you”. Pat each other in the back, goodnight.
For someone not physically with them, I was tired. Then in my devotion I just started praying and praising the Father for these kids. I told God how it was tiring, frustrating and asked for forgiveness for yelling and just kind of delete any bad impression we might have done in the process of training and disciplining them. While praying and remembering the morning headline, God impressed upon me the following:
- Children are gifts and a blessing from the Lord. NO matter how tiring and frustrating and everything else in between, that is the fact the Lord reiterated in me.
- A baby is a joy. It is one of life’s amazing experience-giving birth to another human being.
- Children are a heritage from the Lord. Inheritance are worth a fortune, they are valuable. They are gems equivalent to precious stones.
Photo credit:faithgateway.com
True, raising kids entail A LOT! You devote your life and time raising, providing and caring for them. That is parenthood. The responsibility is great but the stress and challenges that come with it should not cloud our judgment and take away the joy from these wonderful, valuable gifts.
Having kids is not just one task on our to-do list. It is a career, it is a lifestyle. We are not equipped with all the necessary skills and that is why we NEED TO PRAY for strength and wisdom and lift the kids to the Lord for protection and guidance.
Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.-Proverbs 22:6
- Don’t be lazy to train your kids, they will thank you for it later.
- Don’t just be a friend to your kids, be the disciplinarian and be the adult. Stand your ground, be firm but loving.
- Spoiling them is not gonna be beneficial. Teach them fortitude and make them work for what they need. Make them work harder for what they want.
- Teach them to listen to you, but be the voice of reason and truth.
Pray for them ALL the time. Cry out to God for wisdom and strength.
My nephews and nieces give me joy and stress sometimes lol. I may not have children but I started caring for my siblings at age 5. I grew up learning how to care for another human being early in life. I spent most of my life helping raise my nephews and nieces. It was not easy but it wasn’t that hard either. Our Heavenly Father is our anchor and the source of all strength, wisdom and understanding. It is always rewarding to hear them pray and interact with the Lord. They get the blessing, God gets the glory.
When you think you are helpless and at your wits end and unhappy, you should try God and the bible sometimes. What have you got to lose?
The Beauty of Rediscovery
My trip to California was sweet. I was able to re-connect with old friends from church and my best friend.
My first day, my friends and I met in San Francisco and instead of going straight home they took me to Moraga and 16th. I worked in Sanfo for 3.5 years and I never once heard of the mosaic stairs. The artisan project was a beauty in itself with succulents all around. But getting to the top to see a breath taking view of San Francisco was worth the climb. It was only 163 steps, but for someone who hates stairs it might as well be 1,163 steps! Did I mention it was free?
There are “hidden”treasures right under our noses. Sometimes our appetite for everything grandeur overlooks simple beauties. The best things in life sometimes are free. Not everything expensive is the best, that is a fallacy.
We look hard and go extreme to experience wonders and sights, but there is beauty in simplicity. Re-discover and explore, for you might find gemstones hidden in plain sight.
Let me end by saying that in our spiritual life, we are bound to re-discover “hidden” treasures and wonders. Re-discover your first love and re-kindle the fire the first time you fell in love with Jesus.
God’s wonders never go stale. His mercies and love are always free, always fresh.
…The LORD’S loving-kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.-Lamentations3:23
Go ahead, re-discover. Be amazed and be refreshed.
prodigal daughter 
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