Hello From Me

Browsing through my old saved emails or messages, I had come upon this particular saved mail that I wrote (on May 20, 2007) from His Own Word during one of my quiet times with the Lord. I felt it would be a great reminder not only to myself but to those who would happen to drop by here because I know the Lord always speaks. We are the ones who always don't give time for Him. May this serve as an encouragement, guidance and would replenish the hope He pours into the hearts of those who trust and believe in Jesus. At these trying times, may we be reminded of what and Who is true, Who is the only Way, the Truth and the Life! Blessings my friends... (emphasized ones were mine)...

Hello My Child,

 

Oh how deaf & blind you are toward Me! Why won't you listen? Why do you refuse to see? Who in all the world is as blind as My own people, My servant? Who is as deaf as My messengers? Who is as blind as My chosen people, the servant of the Lord? You see & understand what is right but refuse to act on it. You hear but you don't really listen. - Isa.42:18-20

 

You are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. I love you dearly & I called you to be My very own people. - Romans 1:6

 

My unchanging plan has always been to adopt you into My own family by bringing you to Me through Jesus Christ. It gave Me great pleasure. - Ephesians 1:5

 

My purpose was that you, who were the first to trust in Christ should praise Me. And now you also have heard the truth, the Good News that I save you. - Eph.1:12,13

 

Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey Me. - Eph.2:1,2

 

But I'm rich in mercy. And I love you so very much. - Eph.2:4

 

From My glorious, unlimited resources, I will give you mighty inner strength through My Holy Spirit. Christ will be more and more at home in your heart as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of My marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all My people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep My love really is. - Eph.3:16-18

 

Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from My life because they have shut their minds & hardened their hearts against Me. They don't care anymore about right & wrong & they have given themselves over to immoral ways. Their lives are filled with all kinds of impurity & greed. -Eph.4:17-19

 

That isn't what you were taught when you learned about Christ. Since you have heard all about Him. And have learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature & your former way of life, which is rotten through & through, full of lust & deception. - Eph.4:20-22

 

Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts & attitudes. You  must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in My likeness---righteous, holy & true. - Eph.4:23

 

Do not bring sorrow to My Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, I'm the One Who has identified you as My own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. - Eph.4:30

 

Follow My example in everything you do because you are one of My dear children. - Eph.5:1

 

Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among My people. - Eph.5:3

 

Don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for My terrible anger comes upon all those who disobey Me. - Eph. 5:6

 

Though your heart was once full of darkness, now you are full of light from Me and your behavior should show it. This light within you produces only what is good and right and true. - Eph. 5:8-9

 

Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil & darkness; instead, rebuke & expose them. - Eph.5:11

 

Be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what I want you to do. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill & control you.- Eph. 5:15, 17, 18

 

You must love your wife with the same love Christ showed the church. - Eph. 5:25

 

Don't make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by Me. - Eph. 6:4

 

You must listen very carefully to the truth you have heard or you may drift away from it. - Hebrews 2:1

 

The message I delivered through angels has always proved true, and the people were punished for every violation of the law and every act of disobedience. - Hebrews 2:2

 

What makes you think that you can escape if you are indifferent to this great salvation that was announced by your Lord Jesus Himself? - Hebrews 2:3

 

Become mature in your understanding. You don't need to start all over again with the importance of turning away from evil deeds and placing your faith in Me. - Hebrews 6:1

 

My child, don't ignore it when I discipline you, don't be discouraged when I correct you. For I discipline those I love and I punish those I accept as My children. - Hebrews 12:5,6

 

See to it that you obey Me, the One Who is speaking to you. -Hebrews 12:25

 

Give honor to your marriage and remain faithful to one another in marriage. I will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery. - Hebrews 13:4

 

I am the same yesterday, today and forever. - Hebrews 13:8

 

So think clearly and exercise self-control. Obey Me because you are My child. Don't slip back into your old ways of doing evil; you didn't know any better then. But now, you must be holy in everything you do for I am holy.  - 1Peter 1:13,14,15,16.

 

See, I am coming soon and My reward is with Me, to repay all according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. -  Rev. 22:12-13

 

Yes, I am coming soon, [Rev.22:20]

 

love,

 

Jesus Christ

Trust and Believe

heartlight.org

I read the familiar lines I wrote two years ago. My heart scarred with pain for my son’s own heartache at that time was not feeling anymore hurt but instead, of gratitude and joy. As we walked in that valley two years ago, I remained trusting in the Lord. I had no words to part with him to lighten the load he carried except:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding…”

I knew then Who to go to knowing that He had rescued me many times with my own failures, His right Hand always quick to save me from drowning from the seas of trials as He did Peter when he stepped out of that boat being battered by gusty winds. I knew… It was only the Lord Jesus Who would never let go of His hold of my son’s hand during that moment when he was being hit by the winds of confusion, doubts, and fears.

After that winds of confusion to stop him from using his love of Graphic Design, His gift of love for art evident even since he was little, he worked even harder and remained trusting in the Lord, despite the uncertainties around him. My son with Proverbs 3:5 etched in his heart since he was of a young mind, was beginning to understand as he stepped out into adulthood the importance of having faith and living it out in his own journey.

My family and I weathered that storm. He finished his degree few months ago. It wasn’t easy. But we all knew, we needed to have faith, even little. Even as small as a mustard seed than none.

“Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.” (Matthew 14:28-29, NLT)

My son is about to step out of his boat of life. I know that the winds will not come only once but a life of duty for Christ will continue to weather many storms. However, I also know that not all storms are there to batter our boats of lives. Some in that scary appearances are there to expose what’s weak, to deal with them, to be able to surrender them all to Jesus as we step out of our comfort zones in order for us to serve the Master. Sometimes, in the process of sinking, one is being cleansed by the Living Water. Truly, in our weaknesses Jesus is our strength. He alone is the source of true Power. He hears our prayers no matter how strong the winds are or how bad the waves are crushing against the boat of life. He is always faithful. He doesn’t let us sink under the water when we have faith. When we trust…

In stormy events of life, Jesus is quick to reach out to save anyone who calls on Him. 

The question is... "Are you willing to reach out to His hold and be saved?" Trust. Believe.

Lord, thank You for everything. For saving not only my son but also my husband and I. Thank You that You have provided all the means in order for him to continue to serve You with the talent You had given him. Lord, increase his faith as he steps out and use him as Your instrument for Your glory. May many people who will come his way be able to see Your light that he reflects. Protect him and guide him and give him discernment. Increase his faith at times of gusty winds and may he keep in his heart that You will never leave him nor forsake him. Thank You Lord for Who You are. Thank You for Your love and mercy. Lord, please bless those who are afflicted with severe storms. May they be able to see You in the waters and be able to trust and believe in You. You alone are our Savior. To those who are doubting, make their unbelief to belief. To those who are in confusion, give them order. To those who don't have faith, make their hearts see. To those who are afraid, give them courage. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

The Gift of Rainy Days

Winter said its “goodbyes” but what lasting impression it left to the drought-stricken land! It brought many days of much needed rain, even exceeding the amount needed to recover from drought. 

I have never seen our trees yield so many flowers and what a beautiful sight to gaze at! I am anticipating a greater harvest of plums and nectarines this year!

Along with this awesome result comes the down side. With many different flowers popping up on roadways, hills, valleys and mountaintops, surely people with allergy are prone to being affected by these pollens and other kinds of allergens in the air. I am one of those people and already armed myself with nasal sprays and a tablet I can take each day if I need to counter such effects.  I dread it sometimes because I don’t like the sinus pain that may come with other symptoms. Like itchy eyes or runny nose or just feeling tired sometimes. 

But I choose to concentrate on the positive side which is to take each day at a time and enjoy the gift of rainy days winter dropped in the season of my life.

nectarine tree; ©offthebeatentrek2019

 

plum tree; ©offthebeatentrek2019 

I pray Paul’s prayer for me and for you:

“When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” – Ephesians 3:14-19 (NLT)

The Lion and the Lamb

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." - Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)

 

I looked at the art hanging on the wall up on the loft again. The verse spoke out loud despite the silence all around me. This particular art with God's Armor reminds me each day that as my eyes open each morning, the battle is real. Each day. From sunrise 'til sunset. I chose this particular art after going through a spiritual battle back in 2003 when I was a baby Christian. God showed me that the unseen battle was real but through that, He would help me and guide me and that, He would never leave me alone like He promised to those who trusted and believed in Him. After a lot of weird "goose-bumps" producing occurrences, He showed me the sWord. His sWORD. I would never forget the first verse as I opened the Bible and asked Him what should I do at that moment when the spiritual enemy was throwing fear and confusion, not only to me, but to my family. It was:

"Stay strong with the Lord's mighty power..." (Ephesians 6:10)

 

I was a witness with my physical eyes how the unseen enemy fled like a rocket at the utterance of the Lord Jesus' Name. I knew, it wasn't my power. It was His. But I couldn't imagine what happened in the spiritual realm. My fear though was replaced with awe and courage from God's grace.

As I went back to work after that short leave to the prison, the more I had witnessed that the Lord strengthened me through that brief battle as more unseen battles came in the prison, working as a Correctional Nurse at that time.

Sometimes, there are many moments we are involved in that don't make sense. But if we put all events under His light, that's the only time we will recognize that the Lord uses each event for our advantage, even some may not seem pleasant and some that we don't like at all to occur or be in. No matter what circumstances we are in, I just know that God gives His Armor for His church not to be put down. As a Christian, I must be on guard in all of my ways, never letting any opportunity for the spiritual enemy to gain anything in my life. It isn't easy.

So much evil around us. So much lies and spiritual deceptions. I pray that believers will wake up and draw nearer to God. To have His gift of discernment.

God has given us the power and all the weapons to deflect anything hurled unto us by the one who roars like a lion. However, I know that the victory already belongs to the true Lion and the Lamb!

Difficult People

 

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” (Galatians 5:22-23)

This man who asked my friend why I was visiting at the hospital when I wasn’t a family member came rushing past towards me and my car I had just backed in, into my friend’s driveway so we could unload the stuff I had shopped for her. I always offered before visiting so to lighten her load on her, caring alone for her aged mother and knowing how difficult it was for her to go get supplies they needed as she couldn’t leave her mother alone. From the tense moment of me not saying “Hi” verbally the last time to just motioning my hand, I knew he was baffled why I didn’t acknowledge his presence as much at that time. This time, I felt he was waiting for my reaction upon seeing him. 

“Hi ‘T”,” I finally let out from my mouth. He said "hello" back but continued walking in a fast pace up the sloping driveway. To my contentment as I was the type not great with hiding feelings or emotions. I would say things as they were, whether they would hurt or not. 

That has been my struggle. To find honest or sincere people. To feel genuine love and care from others. When they ask me questions, either they are just curious or like to compare. If not, to make me well aware that they are better than me. It’s not only from people I meet. People I used to work with. Friends. Worst of all, these individuals can also come from my own family. Or that of my husband’s.

Many times I cry out in prayers for the Lord to show me ways in dealing with such people. But also starting with my own heart. To always probe my heart and cut what doesn't belong there... There are times that even if it hurts too much, I have to cut a relationship. Not as an escape. But for my own health and sanity. I have learned that those people who knowingly or unknowingly cause pain don’t care and I am the one on the receiving end who gets wounded despite me showing genuine love and care. I always seek the Lord’s guidance for I know that whatever I do, it will only be effective if they are done with His grace. At times, I have put boundaries either by staying away from such “toxic people” and if I can't stay away from them, I just don’t give in to their manipulative ways. But what relief!!!

I always ask the Lord to help me deal with true love that comes from Him, patience and how I need His grace! 

How do you deal with difficult people?

2019 Prayer

 

Lord, another year is here. Though there will be uncertainties, give us courage and increase our faith, knowing that with faith and trust in You, then, there's no room for fear and worries no matter what comes our way. I believe Your faithful and true promises to always be there with us up to the end of the age. Guide us Lord and give us Your discernment especially in these times where there are many spiritual deceptions. For Your ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Expose the lies in our lives under Your light and help us commit our ways to You, Lord. To live holy lives as You command for You are a Holy God!

Thank You Lord for the hope You give us in this dark place. For shining Your Light to show us the narrow path that leads to salvation. For being the Way to eternal life. For being our Everything knowing that apart from You, we truly are nothing.

Help us Lord this year to overcome any unseen obstacles that come our way in our journey. Thank You Lord for loving us first. Thank You for Your love, grace, and mercy. Help me Lord to reflect Your light in everything that I say or do. Remind me that the best New Year's resolution I can have is to love You first. To seek You first each day. I love You Lord. In Jesus' Name. Amen.