God Precedes Us

 "But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee." Mark 14:28

God never sends us into a situation alone. He always goes before His children, as He did with the children of Israel when He led them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. We do not serve as His advance troops in a foreign and hostile situation. He always precedes us in any situation we encounter. God is never caught by surprise by our experience; He has already been there. He is prepared to meet every need because He has gone before us and knows exactly what we will need for our pilgrimage (Deut. 31:8).

Not only does God go before us, but He also stands beside us and behind us, to provide protection and comfort (Ps. 139:7-12). Jesus knew His disciples would be totally bewildered by His crucifixion, so He assured them in advance that no matter what happened, no matter where they went, they could go in confidence that He had already gone before them. Paul, too, experienced this assurance (Acts 18:9; 23:11). In the most bewildering circumstances, his Lord was there!

If you are going through a difficult or confusing time, know that your Lord has gone before you and He is present with you. He is fully aware of what you are facing, and He is actively responding to your need. There is nowhere you can go that you will not find Christ waiting for you to join Him. Even when you face death, you can be assured that He has gone before you in triumph. As a child of God, rest in the knowledge that your Savior preceded you, and He will walk with you through each experience of your life.

Tested Yet Secured

 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." Luke 22:31-32

Jesus dearly loved Peter. Jesus spoke to him specifically and said, “Simon! Simon! Satan has made a request to sift all of you (plural) as wheat. But I have prayed for you (singular), that your faith will not fail. And when you (singular) have returned to Me, strengthen your brothers.” Even as Jesus faced His imminent arrest and crucifixion, He took time to strengthen Peter for what was to come! He assured him that God had set limits on Satan’s influence. He expressed His confidence that even though Peter’s faith would falter, he would overcome, to the point of strengthening others. Since Jesus Himself was interceding for Peter, Peter might fail for a moment, but his life would ultimately be victorious.

Jesus is fully aware of every temptation and test we will encounter, and He stands ready to deliver us (1 Cor. 10:13). He intercedes for us just as He did for Peter (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25). Temptation might catch us by surprise, but Jesus is already interceding with the Father on our behalf. Remember that temptation is not a sin. When we are tempted, let's turn immediately to Jesus. He will take us to the Father, and we will overcome the temptation, for Jesus has overcome everything we can face in the world (1 John 4:4). When we are tested and are secure in the intercession of Jesus, we, too, will be able to strengthen others.

If you are grappling with temptation, Jesus is interceding for you with the Father even now. Be steadfast and encouraged!


By Experiencing God Day by Day

God's Secret To A Total Make-Over

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 (NIV) 

Change is great on the outside, but real change comes from the inside out. It’s more than cosmetic; it’s more than a skinnier version of the same old you. God wants you to be made new from the inside out – spirit, soul, and body.


God puts them in that order in his Word: “May the God who gives us peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being – spirit, soul, and body – free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 TEV).

God knows that real change comes from the inside. It’s great to clean out the fridge and get rid of the junk food in the pantry. But what about the junk food in your head? The old lies, the empty values, the false perceptions? Ephesians 4:23 says, “Be made new in the attitude of your minds” (NIV).

There are two words in today’s verse from Romans 12 that I want to focus on:

1.        Conform. According to the dictionary, conform means to “make or become the same” or “to behave in a conventional way by accepting without question the customs, traditions and prevailing opinions of others.” How often do we do this? We think, “Oh everybody else is doing it so it must be okay.” But God says, “Don’t conform to the ways of this world. Stop and think about what you’re doing.” 

2.        Transform. Transform means “to change the condition, function, nature, character or personality” of something. It means changing from the inside out. In Romans 12, Paul says to transform yourself not by trying to be like the rest of the world, but by renewing your mind, by changing the way you think.

God wants a new you who not only looks different, but who lives and thinks and speaks and acts differently. He wants a new you who has taken a 180-degree turn and is headed in a new direction, no longer pursuing an old way of life, no longer trying to conform and fit in and be like everybody else. He wants a new you who is being transformed by the renewing of your mind – a new you who is being transformed into the likeness of Christ.

(Courtesy of Bro. Jojo Pabalan)
"Thank you...this is worth sharing, most especially doing what it actually says." - ZT

You Say...God Says...

HANDY LITTLE CHART  
God has a positive answer:

YOU SAY	GOD SAYS	BIBLE VERSES
"It's impossible."	"All things are possible."	Luke 18:27
"I'm too tired."	"I will give you rest."	Matthew 11:28-30
"Nobody really loves me."	"I love you."	John 3:16
"I can't go on."	"My grace is sufficient."	II Corinthians 12:9
"I can't figure things out."	"I will direct your steps."	Proverbs 3:5- 6
"I can't do it."	"You can do all things."	Philippians 4:13
"I'm not able."	"I am able."	II Corinthians 9:8
"It's not worth it."	"It will be worth it."	Romans 8:28
"I can't forgive myself."	"I Forgive you."	I John 1:9
"I can't manage."	"I will supply all your needs."	Philippians 4:19
"I'm afraid."	"I have not given you a spirit of fear."	II Timothy 1:7
"I'm always worried and frustrated."	"Cast all your cares on ME."	I Peter 5:7
"I'm not smart enough."	"I give you wisdom."	I Corinthians 1:30
"I feel all alone."	"I will never leave you nor forsake you."	Hebrews 13:5

Be Warned

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Breaking News: Alarming magnetic field changes signal major quake for West Coast.

Flood...and more flood :(

The other night I found it difficult to sleep thinking about my parents, relatives and friends back in the province. Heavy rains hasn't stopped there for a few days now. I called my mom at 1 AM, we talked about an hour or so. I missed them even more, so much it pains me thinking people back there are having difficult times dealing with floods. It has been going on and off since the beginning of the year. Though I am thankful our house in the province is located at higher ground, I feel sorry for the others who constantly experience the flood ~ levels vary from waist down to entire first floor of the house submerged in water.

I learned from my former classmates (we constantly communicate through Facebook email threads) that a city or two is already in a state of calamity. My brother - taking his vacation off from work abroad, arrived there yesterday. Travel from the city where airport is located to our house is about 1 hour by bus. He saw towns and houses submerged in water, people with only one-level homes were already on the roof. He even saw one of our cousins on the side of the road, with his family, carrying some appliances and house furnitures, probably evacuating there homes. He couldn't do anything but watch. The bus driver had to change route since some of the roads weren't passable. He already saw some rescuers and military personnel helping people move to a safe place. Inflatable boats were already on the road. "It was a heart-crushing sight", he said.

I know that's nothing compared to what Japan residents are experiencing right now since the killer quake and tsunami last week, but still the same effect ~ people are in pain, in sorrow, having difficult times, are crushed and in fear of what lies ahead.

Sometimes we can't help but ask, "Why are these things happening?". Can we honestly say 'we don't know'? Some people say these are already signs of the end of days. Some say these are simply the wrath of God. Some say the other way ~ that God loves us so much He wants to remind us to go back and be in-tune with Him. Only God knows exactly why.

Last night, I was reminded to read the book of Job (from the Bible) again. Job, as the author wrote, was a very righteous man and loves God. The story tells of his trials, his theological discussions with his friends on the origins and nature of his sufferings, his challenge to God, and finally the response from God. The book manifestly reveal the answer to our common question, "Why do the righteous suffer?"

If you haven't read the book yet, I think it's about time to do so. It maybe difficult to understand and accept but God is an all-knowing God. He is merciful and just. We just have to trust Him and believe His plan is the best. Job, at the time of his affliction, did not attribute his trials to blind chance, or even Satan, but, rather, he said, “The Lord gave and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” It was as Job co-operated with God's plan that God could then take the evil acts of Satan and make them work out for good! Job emerged from his trial enriched. We have been victimized by a materialistic civilization” and therefore, we equate "good" in terms of temporal comforts and fail to grasp God's concept of what is "good."

In the end, everything is for our good. Be it in this life or the next.

Spring Time

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1) 

The beauty in the way God designed the four seasons is that, though each one is distinct, they all work together to bring life and growth. Spring is a period of freshness and new life. Summer sees growth and productivity. Autumn is a time for harvesting the rewards of past labors. Winter is the season of dormancy and closure. Each season has its own unique beauty and makes a significant contribution to life.

Just as God planned seasons in nature, He planned seasons in life as well. Life has its springtime, when we begin new things and look excitedly toward the future. Summer comes and we work diligently in the heat of the day at all that God has assigned to us. With autumn comes the fruition of things begun at an earlier time in our lives. Winter brings an end to a particular period in our lives. Sometimes winter brings hardship, but we remain hopeful, for another spring is just around the corner!

In God’s perfect design for our lives, He has planned for times of fruitfulness and activity. He will also build in times of quiet and rest. There will be times when He asks us to remain faithful doing the same work day after day. But there will also be periods of excitement and new beginnings. By God’s grace, we will enjoy seasons of harvesting the fruit of our faithfulness. By God’s grace we will also overcome the cold winters of heartache and grief, for without winter there would be no spring. Just as it is with the seasons of nature, these seasons in our lives work together to bring about God’s perfect will for each one of us.

God's Provision Brings Glory!

Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. (Psalms 50:15)


Did you know that you bring glory to God by calling upon Him when you are in distress? God promised He would deliver you if you turned to Him. You deny the Lord honor that is rightfully His every time you find yourself in difficulty and you fail to call upon Him for help! There may be times when God allows you to reach a point of need so that you can call upon Him, and thus let Him demonstrate to a watching world the difference He makes in the lives of His children. If God never allowed you to experience need, people around you might never have the opportunity to witness God’s provision in the life of a Christian. If you never faced a shortfall, you might be tempted to feel self-sufficient and without any need of God in your daily life.


Pride will tempt you to think that you do not need to seek God’s assistance. Self-regard will seek to convince you that you can handle your dilemma through your own wisdom, resources, and hard work. Pride will also rob glory from God and seek to give it to you. Don’t allow your pride to take what rightfully belongs to the Lord. Call upon your Lord and wait exclusively upon Him to rescue you. Then give Him the glory that He deserves.


Self-sufficiency can greatly hinder your ability to experience God and bring Him honor. The next time you are in distress, turn to Him!

I'm Back!

After six years ( since my last post Happy Holidays!!! ), I am finally back to my inexperienced life of blogging ^.^... long overdue huh?  :D I just wonder how long this momentary elation will last ['o'] I woke up today feeling light and inspired and somehow I was reminded of my interest in reading and writing. I read my daily devotion, said my prayer and munched a few slices of cantaloupe. I took my iPad, checked my mails, visited my Facebook wall and read a few friends' notes, then I checked my "old" blogs and finally decided to revive at least one of those. I chose this one. This was my very first blog (inspired by Darlene - a very good friend of mine).

I'd say inexperienced life of blogging because it took me almost 2 hours to just modify the template, design, and settings hahaha! Anyway, welcome to my humble sanctuary. My own world of refuge - my thoughts. To borrow a friend's words..."Whenever I am inside a movie theater, I feel like I'm in another world, time stands still and the outside world seems to not exist..." As for me, this is my "another world" I've always had since I was in HS, but only shared this time. To recall how all these started, I'd like to share a link to my very first post It All Began...