For Eternity

²² Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.


 ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. ²⁸ In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— ³⁰ for we are members of his body. ³¹ “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” ³² This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.” – Ephesians 5:22-32 (NIV)

“You’re not even worried at all?”my friend uttered as we were riding in my car, enjoying some quality time as friends do.

“Not at all!” I replied with firmness, as I got done spilling my heart’s contents to her regarding what I was going through at work.

“Well, you got support anyway…”she added.

She meant I have a great husband who is always there to lend me a hand, who is always there to support me in every rough seas I encounter when I sail, the one who readily offers his love, kindness, his shoulders when I need to cry, the one who has not changed from the time we had made those vows to be “together whether in sickness or in health, for richer or for poorer….” Instead, he did change not for the worse but to be better and in each day that passes by, we both learn from both the good and the bad that comes along our married life.

“How true!” I thought to myself.

“I wonder if it would be different with my mental attitude if I didn’t have the kind of support that comes from him? And along with that support, I also have reassurance from the product of our love (our child) who despite the young age, understands the bumps we encounter on this journey we’re all in, knowing the truth that it is unavoidable. Yet, he knows, as he observes from my husband’s and my steps as we walk, the many divine assistance we all get from those nail-scarred Hands Who promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us.”

And how grateful I am that the Lord provides this kind of relationship that only exists and lasts if there is Love in the middle. The above Scripture just describes how truly our marriage is a beautiful analogy of what Christ’s relationship is with the body, His church! That’s us!And no wonder that our spiritual enemy will of course, take notice and devise plans to make this relationship not work! He can try all he wants to do but if a Christian's spiritual walk is deeply rooted in His love, He is there protecting His bride! The moment we are united with Christ, He gave us His power and might and dressed us up with His Armor.

It is a beautiful, tender relationship that can weather any storm. It is a precious relationship that needs love, ready to compromise, understands that “submitting” is not a losing ground but winning and persevering in the midst of the worst of life’s storms. It is ready to mend. Ready to compromise. Ready to sacrifice. Because He did it first. And Jesus is LOVE. That’s what He offered to us. Love that is not like what this world knows. This is the kind of love that is shared not only with Him, nor with others, but especially with our enemies...The kind that lasts forever…

Let us worship the Lord together and say "We love Him back! Thank You Lord for Your love that lasts for eternity!"



Eternity (Misty Edwards)

Eternities
Eternity's eternal song,
Is drawing me away, it's calling me away
It's calling me away

All flesh is grass, fading away.
Only You last, only You remain
All flesh is grass, fading away.
Only You last, only You remain same,
You never change.

Holy, holy, holy,
You are fairer than then sons of men

Eternities
Eternity's eternal song,
Is drawing me away, it's calling me away
It's calling me away

Surely man is like the flower of the field,
And life is but a vapor, at best but a vapor.
Surely man is like a flower of the field,
And the fragrance but a vapor, at best but a vapor.

But you O God,
Are better than a thousand blooms.
Hallelujah, Amen! (x6)

Eternities
Eternity's eternal song,
Is drawing me away, it's calling me away
It's calling me away

Eternities
Eternity's eternal song

Be Angry

I browsed at the State’s site for job openings for Correctional Nurses that could be near my home. I couldn’t imagine going back to the hospital because of my neck injury. I wasn’t disappointed. There were plenty of openings. But I questioned myself “Why?”

I shouldn’t look yet but wait for His perfect timing. I knew I worked so hard for many years, the moment He took me out of my comfort zone and blessed me with His strength to be in this dark place. The job wasn’t hard. It was always the people I worked with, that was the sole issue of having difficulties all around. Yet…I worked hard and respected everyone even if a person was known to be mean.

In working part time, I had learned to be contented. Yes, it was lesser income but the joy of having more quality time with my family was incomparable to any sum of money. The more time I had spent with my child, the more time I had to not only teach him, but also of myself in sharing His Word. I knew people noticed that…They were wondering why I had not been working many hours, working only 8 hours, 4 hours shorter than the rest did. They were wondering why I kept mum when it came to my own business. They wanted to know….

I told them…”Thanks be to God Who made my husband and I able to do this…” (“But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. – 1 Timothy 6:11).

But they wouldn’t want to believe that.

Many years, I endured many unfair treatments so obvious. And what I’m facing now seemed to be the worst. (Yet, I knew it wasn't deep inside knowing His yoke is light). It had gone to the point that they were looking for that reason to “kick me out.”

I wanted to be angry. They were not listening to whatever I said. I knew that their reason had no basis. Some of them were not even there yet when I started working. They didn’t know me… Yet, in my anger, I remained respectful. Careful not to reflect words and actions that would not glorify God, because I knew that it was what He always wanted. But deep in my heart, I knew they were wrong with their accusations. And my trust never wavered with the One Who knew it all. The One Who knew my heart. The One Who brought me to the prison. And I knew, I was truly fighting with unseen enemies. But I wasn’t afraid because of Him. He donned His Armor when I met Him.

God warned us to be “angry” yet NOT TO SIN….and not to give the devil an opportunity…” (Ephesians 4:26-27)

I am angry…with all their wrong motives and false accusations. While I tried to respect them, consulting Him many times, I knew I needed to defend myself. No one can be above the law. For there is One Who is the Highest Authority watching everything that unfolds. Recording every words, every actions.

I would not go to their level. I would not speak the way they spoke. I would not do things the way they did things. But when my response hit them, it would give them no dignity nor satisfaction. I did not want the kind of anger they were brewing. I wanted the kind of anger that only comes from God. Righteous.

Righteous against unbelief. Righteous against the hardness of hearts. Righteous against hypocrisy. Righteous against false teaching….Not exploding. Always slowly provoked. Does not take pleasure in seeing people suffer from their wrong actions. Always under control…

Lord, may You be glorified in all of this. Please continue to guide me with Your wisdom and give me discernment. Thank you for picking me up whenever I fall. Thank You for holding me in Your arms and comforting me when I am feeling weak. Thank You for healing my wounds. Thank You for loving me unconditionally. May Your light shine and illuminate those dark areas I am in now. Lord, may all the evil deeds be exposed under Your light and I pray that so these people will come to know Your love and grace. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Friends, oh how the Lord had quickly granted an opportunity as I took my first step yesterday…The fight has not begun. But I trust in His wonderful promises because He is faithful…We are all under constant spiritual attacks. Please do not forget to pray for each other. I want to let you know my hubby and I pray for you all. And we thank you from our hearts for your love and prayers. God bless and may you all have a wonderful Thursday!!! Be strong in the Lord’s mighty power!

God Allowed IT Though They Thought They Chose The Right Thing

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“So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their  hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. So they worshiped the things God made but not the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever. Amen.” – Romans 1:24-25

They claim they have God by their side. But they love to see people hurting instead of being successful or happy.

They say they understand but they are quick to take the matters into their own hands and decide the way they want it done.

They say they want to be fair but their actions show how much favor they give to one group.

They say “tell me and promise I’ll keep it to myself,” and all of a sudden, the whole world knows.

They say they believe in God but they have their own ideas of what a god should be.

They are quick to judge inmates, quick to show hate and anger, based on their outward appearance and by them knowing their charges. How do they know a “changed heart?” How do they know that behind the metal bars and the prison walls, some are enjoying true freedom?

With all the things they do, rejecting God because God doesn’t stop anyone from making wrong choices, they become prisoners to their own rebellious acts. They lose their freedom because of SINS. So, “Who’s the prisoner now?”

This was a poem God gave me at the wee hours of May 1, 2009:

Who’s The Prisoner Now?

There he was, cramped up in a tiny, dark cell
Hiding his face with hands, drops of tears fell
Tracing back the memories that put him behind these bars
Tough as he looked before, his pride now starting to melt away

Hopelessness wrapped him, there was no doubt!
Shadow of fear that lurked, not sure of what would happen
Sleepless night that had seem to begin for him
As he watched his back, while others stared and were observing him

A tiny light coming from a small window caught his eyes
It was a little glimpse of hope, to see freedom which was outside
As more tears had fallen, he felt a stab of pain or two in his heart
He bowed his head and softly whispered from his broken heart:

“Dear God in heaven, I don’t know what I have done
I thought I can do everything and I don’t need you in my life
I never believed in You, because I was busy with my own desires
I just killed someone, aside from other bad things I committed with my own hands"

"God, whether You’re there or not, I have no one to talk to, You see
I just want to say “forgive me for my sins, Jesus, I’m really, really sorry”
“Jesus, please help me, and please save me if You can hear me!”
Not sure if his plea was heard from heaven, but his worries started being lifted from his shoulder

The weary man with the orange suit like everyone else climbed up on his tiny bed
Covered himself with a brown blanket, and felt the cold on his back
Closed his eyes, puffy from all the tears shelled
He didn’t know he just received “freedom” when he repented and opened his heart to Jesus

None of our righteous works will get us to heaven

For the Bible says they're filthy as "rags"

Whether we do good or bad, it's only through Jesus

When we make our relationship right with God

God sent His only Son to be with us and Jesus paid for the price

Yes, He suffered, was nailed and died on the cross

You must believe that for our sins, He was the ultimate sacrifice

If you have no way out, approach Him with a contrite spirit and a broken heart

The prisoner's mind began to wander, oh how he longed for the good things outside
Freedom to him meant not being behind those metal bars and tiny cell for the rest of his life
But he wasn't aware of this fact: That many people enjoying their lives outside are still prisoners

And he had gained eternal life and freedom from sins through the blood of the Lamb

"Who's the prisoner now?"

RRRS 05/01/09
0500 hrs.

This Is The Day!!!

“So what do you want?” asked the Nurse Supervisor during our meeting that morning.

“Ahh…Make her work for only 90 days and if there’s nothing available, we’ll see from then,” responded the one who also has power in another department of the Sheriff’s.

“I’ll be blunt with you,” chorused the other, as I looked at her eye to eye the whole time, with her moving her head away from my penetrating stare, “It’s hard to find another spot where we can place you. So…maybe you should start looking at other options…”

I saw that grin from the Nurse Supervisor from the corner of my eyes. I knew this was what she wanted to happen from the moment she heard about my case. I got up and thanked all of them. My strides and desire to leave that room was urgent. I felt suffocated from all of their derision I felt was going on as soon as I left. They loved to punish. But they would never see the way I saw things now. Under His light, I didn’t see it that way.

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I saw it as a “sacrifice”.

“The Lord is God, shining upon us. Bring forward the sacrifice and put it on the altar.” –Psalm 118:27

And how I wanted to be this “sacrifice”. On the brazen altar. For I was once like them…Who saw this light…The Light of the world…And made those who were darkness light. The darkness of ignorance and unbelief….That's where I was before...

Oh Lord, when they thought they are in control of someone’s fate, they are wrong. They don’t know Who truly has the control of everyone’s lives. Lord, may I be a pleasing sacrifice to You and through this trial, may they see Your light that You had given me. Lord, thank You for what  You had done to save us. That You sacrificed Your own life, suffered humiliation though You didn’t deserve that. With those who hated You thinking that they punished You, not realizing that You had given Your own life to conquer death and show Your holiness.

Lord, I want to be bound and be that sacrifice on the brazen altar. I pray that it will make these hateful people know Your love and grace as they think they have the hold on my fate. And in the fire, remove those impurities in me. Thank You Jesus for Your redemption. Thank You for everything You have given us. Your Love. Your grace. Your mercy. Because of You, I am rejoicing though facing this trial. I want to praise Your Holy Name. Write a new song in my heart oh Lord. Because of You, I will rejoice and be glad. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“The stone rejected by the builders has now become the cornerstone.

This is the Lord’s doing,

And it is marvelous to see.

This is the day the Lord has made.

We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

~ Psalm 118:22-24 (emphasis is mine)