Runaway Bride

Oooooops.  I am not going to make a movie review on Julia Robert's  "Runaway Bride", though I really like that film.  I am blogging about the danger of running away from something you know you were called to do and from being someone you were called to be.  I came up with this blog post because I see myself exactly on the same spot where I told God "NO" and how I realized it was a total waste of time to really run away from God.  

I got reminded of the story of Jonah who run away from where God wants him to be and refused to do what God has called him to do.  It only brought disaster to him and to the people around him.  Sometimes pain and disaster has its way of bringing us back to the right track and come to our senses. "'Yung tipong kailangan pang masaktan, bago sumunod." 

But the best thing is that when we are ready and decided to come back, God will embrace us in spite of our disobedience. The parable of the prodigal son is a beautiful picture of the Father's heart to His children.  Amazing, isn't it? No condemnation from the Father, rather a big celebration to His son who got lost but was found. 

No more running, Chel. Run no more.

Grace Revolution

It was a different Sunday.  Instead of going to my church, I went to a different church to listen on preaching about grace.  I am really not the type of person who goes from one church to another but there is something inside of me that longs and desperate to be filled with grace preachings. It was a large venue / auditorium (grabe!) and I was surprised to see people queueing just to get in.  Actually, bookings have to be made in advance to secure seats.  I didn't get the chance to see the senior pastor in person because the sermon was recorded earlier. Nevertheless, it was a Spirit-filled sermon, full of grace and truth, exalting the name of Jesus. Praise the Lord! I was amazed how he preached the Word with such boldness and confidence.  

I am grateful for God putting seeds in my heart about grace back in the Philippines. He even connected me to a friend who's actually on the same season as I. It was so encouraging to share our "grace-experiences." I am excited on this season. I am truly blessed to experience His grace in a much deeper way.  I love grace. Amazing grace. 

"I love grace. Amazing grace."

For the past weeks, I've been so overwhelmed with God's amazing grace in my life. The concept of God's grace was not so big for me before and that's why I am totally blown away to experience it in a much deeper  way now. I felt like I am a newly saved person receiving the gift of grace for the first time. Thoughts about myself and the way I view things started to change. Prayer and bible reading becomes even more exciting unlike before that I used to do it out of obligation.  And even if I missed my devotions,  I know God's love for me will never change and God still sees me righteous and holy because of the righteousness of Jesus Christ in me.  

I am officially in love with His grace. Indeed, it's all about His faithfulness, His goodness, His mercy and not mine.  Nothing compares to what Jesus did on the cross. I am still having goosebumps everytime I got reminded of what Jesus did on the cross for me.  "It is finished." There's nothing I need to do nor I can add to what He did. My role is to RECEIVE and REST on the finished work of Christ.  

I love grace. Amazing grace.

Being in Shape is a Spiritual Discipline

I always thought that spiritual discipline refers only to Bible reading and prayer.  But then, I came across Rick Warren's devotional that says being in shape is not just physical but a spiritual discipline.  It's not just about losing a few pounds, wanting to live longer, or trying to look nicer.  He explained that God created our body and Jesus died for it.  God is going to hold us accountable for how we managed what He gave.  Also our body is God's temple, was bought at a price and for that it needs to be taken care of.  

In addition to that I see myself getting married someday, give birth, have kids and take care of them as well as my husband which all requires a healthy and strong body. Is this too much thinking? haha. So the next time I don't feel like running or swimming or engaging to any form of exercise, let this be my motivation.  

Reflections: To Live a Life of Grace.

God has been impressing to my heart the word "grace" and here's some insights that I would like to share about what it means to live a life of grace. 

To live a life of grace is...

1. To live a life of gratitude. Grace is defined as the unmerited and undeserved favor of God. It is a gift of God that was given freely to us.  Isn't it amazing that something is given to us without working for it? It made me realize to be grateful everyday and avoid complaining, grumbling and comparing myself with what other people have. 

2.  To live a life of humility.  "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (1 Peter 5:5).

What keeps people from receiving the grace of God? - PRIDE.  Its when people think that they know-it-all and can-do-it-all.  But if we put our hearts in a position of humility, it opens the door for us to receive the abundant grace of God.  

His grace is indeed amazing.  His grace saved a wretched like me.  My life is a story of His grace and even when I stumble and fail at times, His grace will continually restore and put me back on the right path. 

My prayer is that I will grow in His grace and touch other people's lives with it.  His grace in my life will make a difference.

This Year's Theme

I got this year's theme from Colossians 3 where it says "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." I summed it up into a 5-letter word - FOCUS.  This is what I really need because I am the type of person who gets easily distracted. Alongside with this theme are my new goals set for year 2013. Exciting year indeed!

Day 348: When you go through deep waters...

I will be with you, When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.

Day 325: Love Awareness Day!

Psalm 119:64 : The earth is filled with your love, O Lord, teach me your decrees.

His love never runs out. It never runs dry. Jesus, thank you for Your love that is fresh and new every morning. I received Your love today. 

Day 324: What time is it?

Ecc. 3:1 "There is a TIME for everything and a SEASON for every activity under the heavens."

What season are you into? Whether its a time of sowing seeds or harvesting, be faithful  on whatever season you are into. Never compare yourself to others or get jealous of those who are in  the season of harvesting, rather rejoice with them for your time will also come.

Ecc. 3:11 "He has made everything BEAUTIFUL in its TIME."

Day 317: Your Love Never Fails.

I found this song very powerful and meaningful as it describes the love of God to us. It never fails.

Nothing can separate

Even if I ran away

Your love never fails

I know I still make mistakes

But you have new mercies for me everyday

Your love never fails

You stay the same through the ages

Your love never changes

There may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning

And when the oceans rage

I don't have to be afraid

Because I know that you love me

Your love never fails

The wind is strong and the waters deep

But I'm not alone in the open seas

Cause Your love never fails

You make all things work together for my good.

Day 316: Rain and His faithfulness.

"For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness. Once more the autumn rains will come, as well as the rains of spring." Joel 2:23

Day 300: Do you trust me?

A gentle reminder to myself to trust Jesus in the midst of what I am going through.  Trust His faithfulness and goodness, He will never fail. If He did it before, He can do it again. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

 

Day 296: The Desert Song.

This song from Brooke Fraser has brought great encouragement to me during the lowest point of my life.  I keep on listening to this until the message sinks into my heart.  Here's the link and my prayer is that you will also find strength and courage as you go through your desert season.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcfzU8MHKME&feature=colike

 

This is my prayer in the desert

When all that's within me feels dry

This is my prayer in my hunger and need

My God is the God who provides

This is my prayer in the fire

In weakness or trial or pain

There is a faith proved of more worth than gold

So refine me Lord through the flame.

And I will bring praise, I will bring praise

No weapon formed against me shall remain

I will rejoice, I will declare

God is my victory and He is here

This is my prayer in the battle

When triumph is still on its way

I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ

So firm on His promise I'll stand

All of my life, in every season

You are still God

I have a reason to sing

I have a reason to worship

This is my prayer in the harvest

When favor and providence flow

I know I'm filled to be emptied again

The seed I've received I will sow.

    

Day 295: To WAIT again.

Psalm 62:1  I WAIT quietly before God, for my victory comes from Him.

How's my attitude while waiting on God? Am I grumbling, complaining, murmuring and have a grumpy attitude? God is Faithful. In this season, God wants me to seek Him more in my life.  Seeking Him and spending time in His presence is His way of capturing my heart so my eyes will be fixed on the GIVER and not on the GIFTS. Wait and seek Him.

Day 284: "Get up, pick up your mat and walk."

This morning's rebuke from God as I was lying on my bed, indecisive, lazy and feeling weak. Sometimes God would speak so literally to me that I don't need to think deep or ask for more signs and confirmation.

Day 257: Power on Words.

There is power in speaking God's word out loud in any situation that I'm going through. Speak it out LOUD!

Day 138: Your Love is Beautiful.

"Your love is beautiful, its the reason why I smile this much :))))))"
(newest tag-line)

Photo by Kelsea_Kismet

Day 133: Be happy :)

Today's devotion was on Philippians 3:1-11 NLT "Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. The verse challenged me to be joyful in spite of the things that I'm going through.  My mood swings is the result of focusing to situations, negative thoughts, people and reminiscing bad things in the past.  Rejoicing in the Lord does not mean denying the facts and pretending that nothing is happening.  It is embracing the current situation and at the same time having a heart that is resting on a faithful God. Never allow the enemy to steal the joy in your heart.  Bring those negative circumstances to God and allow Him  instead to use it to produce real joy in your heart. The joy that is based on a loving God who promised not to leave us nor forsake us.

Day 129: It is Finished!

This morning devotion was on Philippians 1:6, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus". This reminds me of God being a finisher, someone who completes His work and will not leave anything half-done.  Since, the creation God has shown Himself completing His work.  Genesis 2:2 "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work". I remember Jesus saying the word "It is finished" (John 19:30) on the cross after taking his last breath.  He will not stop working His great plan for me and won't leave me hanging.  This brought great encouragement in my walk with God and motivated me to continue trusting Him in the midst of what I'm going through. I ought to be confident of this promise. He is faithful and will complete the work in me.

Day 125: Today I am grateful for...

Even before I receive the very things that I am asking God for, I pray for a heart filled with thanksgiving. Let thankfulness be overflowing in my heart so that there will be no room for complaining, grumbling, discontentment and comparison to what other people have.

Today I am grateful for the newly-opened water refilling station near our place.  The owner lend us the container, allowed us to pay only for the water and delivered to our house for FREE! Grateful that we can drink purified water which is safe and healthy. 

What are you grateful for today?