Facing The Battle Is A Must

“I don’t understand…” a friend uttered.

“Why do bad people seem to be having the best life here?”

“It’s hard to explain with my limited knowledge. But God wants us to know that bad things or trials happen to either good or bad people. Just because you’re going through a tough time doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. We’re only here temporarily.”

“We just have to trust in God because He is the One Who knows everything…”

And through the moment of silence between us, we shared tears. We shared each other’s pain. We shared each other’s grief.

Yesterday, my tears flowed, too. Quietly. In front of someone who was willing to help me with my battle. It wouldn’t be an easy one. It just started but it would still be a long way to go. There would be lots of changes. But I would remain trusting on God’s Word, His faithful promises of being there for those who love Him. Knowing that He is the only One Who doesn’t change.

We wear His Armor the moment we make that important decision to be on Christ’s side.

The sturdy belt of truth.

The body armor of God’s righteousness.

The shoes with peace that comes from the Good News.

Faith as our shield.

The helmet of salvation.

The sWORD of the Spirit.

It is real that we have a vicious enemy. And Paul did not make it an option to turn back when we are facing a battle. For going through trials is a must in our Christian journeys. It is essential for our spiritual growth.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” ~ James 1:2-4 (NIV)

And I would like to keep that in mind as I face a battle at this time. I know it will be uncomfortable at times. Maybe numerous times. But I trust in His promises, His Word, that I know in my heart will give me the spiritual victory. I know I have His victory no matter what comes my way. I may not know what to do at times. I may not see where it’s leading. But He does. His Word is truly a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105).

I got some hope from that person. But nothing will compare to the hope I have been given by Jesus Christ. I am taking up this battle so I can hold fast to the future and hope He promised to those who believe.

“We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap. The trap is broken, and we are free! Our help is from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth.”  ~ Psalm 124:7,8 (LAB)

“On the very day I call to you for help, my enemies will retreat. This I know: God is on my side. O God, I praise your word. Yes, Lord, I praise your word. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” ~ Psalm 56:9-11 (LAB)

The Shepherd

“You didn’t say that…..” (Accusing)

“No! We only need this number of work hours…” (Lying)

“Think about other options…” (Tempting)

Glances…Smirks…Glad about crashing people under them… (Power)

Yes…I faced all those…I discerned all those characteristics as we met face to face. (Glory be to God for His gift of discernment!). But I won’t be afraid. These are the same characteristics that our spiritual enemy and his followers possess...

Like what our pastor said last Sunday during our early morning fellowship, the devil is not omnipresent. He is not omniscient. He is not omnipotent. Never will he be equal to the ONE and ONLY GOD ALMIGHTY!

God Who has a hold on me! I will not be afraid no matter what comes my way! Do you feel His hold on you?

The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid,

For you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.

You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil.

My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,

And I will live in the house of the Lord forever. ~ Psalm 23:1-6 (LAB) 

I wrote this song on July 29, 2003, asking myself, “When is the right time for us to get together with God?”

Jesus Is The Shepherd

I was once lost like you, not knowing Christ

Every struggle means pain and I get deeply hurt

But please listen to me and to all the things I’ll say

Jesus is the only life, the truth and the way

How long are you gonna’ be lost like a sheep?

For when Christ finds you, you just have to believe

Oh, Jesus is the Shepherd Who will lead us all

Salvation comes from Him and from Him alone

Chorus:

Oh Jesus has so much love

All you need to do is open up your hearts

Turn away from all of your sins

And love and joy will grow within.

If your life is ever found, don’t let it go

Stop your wandering, let your faith grow

For Jesus is the Shepherd Who will guide your way

Nothing will go wrong, in your hearts He’ll stay

(Repeat Chorus)…

“All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God’s path to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the guilt and sins of us all.” – Isaiah 53:6

Let The Words Be Few

"As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut! Don't be a fool who doesn't realize that mindless offerings to God are evil. And don't make rash promises to God, for he is in heaven, and you are only here on earth. So let your words be few." ~ Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 (emphasis is mine)

They were determined to make me work only until April. As they uttered so many words contradicting their hearts’ motives, I knew those words were just empty, making promises that were already broken because of their desire to terminate me. Thousands of words were laid out on the table except their actions were not the same. The paper they prepared looked good but they did not reveal what they had been saying all along. They tried to quietly intimidate me, accuse me and instill fear about my future. But that just wouldn’t work.I refused to sign it. I saw her stealing quick glances trying to observe my emotions. She found none. She felt good and confident that I was like a puppet with strings she controlled with her hands. I got up and reminded them that I requested to be represented and yet, they proceeded with this planned tryst, with me unaware of others' presence.

"How can they not know in their power what is right and what is wrong?" I thought to myself as I got up. One hearsay was blown into something that would damage my career. And one inaccurate accusation got passed along because of this person's intention to hurt me. I tried defending myself but my words went out into their other ears.

The person who was supposed to be with me didn't call me back. All alone, I wasn't afraid because I know the Truth that there is One Who knows and directs everything that happens and He is in complete control over my life. Over their lives. With my limited knowledge, things may seem bleak but in my heart that sees Him, I know He already knows and that in everything, I trust He will turn this into good. He was the One after all, Who put me in this dark place from where I was before. He was the One Who gave me discernment to know what was going on.

Their empty words…They were all useless. That was plain foolishness.

“Open our eyes, Lord,” I softly prayed while sitting at the back of the car, driven by my son learning now how to drive and as my husband sat next to him on our way to His house, listening to worship songs from the radio station.

“Open the eyes of our hearts, Lord…” “Let our words be few…”

I know, no matter what happens, even if feeling this injustice, I know He takes notice of everything. I would rather not say thousands of words that are meaningless in front of Him. I don’t want to take a step way before Him. I don’t want to do the talking but rather just listen to Him. It’s not right to tell Him what I want. Knowing He is the only One Who is faithful and true to His promises, I know that I can fully trust in Him and on His perfect timing.And I am sad not because of the situation I'm in. I am sad for them because when truth is revealed, it will hurt them instead. For now, I would rather just FOCUS on Him. For now, I would rather not miss what He wants for me...

“Let my words be few…” “Lord, You deserve our praises and thanks. You alone orchestrate everything. Thank you for putting joy into my heart, instead of fear. Thank you for the comfort You cover me with as these people try to cut me deep. Thank you that You know their accusations are not true and I know that in Your perfect time, it will be revealed. Thank You that though it may seem like a fiery trial, You protect me and make me safe. Let my words be few Lord…And if words do come out, may they please You only. In Jesus’ Name.”

True Courage

Swamped by a horde of incoming newly-arrested bodies, I volunteered to help the Intake Nurse as we just got done with all the work in the Infirmary. A female Highway Patrol ordered her arrestee to sit on the plastic chair inside the Intake Nurse’s small clinic so we both could start screening him, health-wise.

He was slightly drunk.Seeing the flashing lights behind him, he made the crucial decision to step more on the gas pedal. Cruising through many streets at a very high speed, his car went through a median. He had laceration on two of his fingers on his left hand. They were cut so deep from the accident, he almost lost his fingers. It was fortunate he didn’t break a bone nor sustained a massive head injury. He had a female passenger being booked on the other side of the prison’s Intake.

“Sorry,” I uttered. “I can’t let you have that metal stabilizer on your fingers though I know your fingers needed to be immobilized. No one is just allowed to keep any metal thing here while incarcerated,” I explained.

“I understand, Ma’am,” he politely responded.

“What are we going to do?” asked the other nurse.

“It’s okay.” I replied. Stepping back toward the sink where a glass jar housed a few wooden tongue blades, I got two and broke them in half, leaving a length that corresponds to his fingers’. I applied it carefully after seeing him in pain and secured it with a gauze and tape. It worked about the same purpose as that metal immobilizer. To his relief.

As the other nurse was summoned to screen the other arrestee, the female Officer busy writing within a distance, I helped him take out his right arm from the long sleeve covering it so I could take a blood pressure reading.

There it was, I saw a beautiful font tattooed on his mid-forearm that spelled “J E S S E”.

“Who’s Jesse?” “You?”

“My son, Ma’am.”

“How old?”

“Only 2.”

Silence…I looked at him eye to eye.

“Sir, I usually try not to say anything.” (Knowing it was only him and I at that time, I wanted to take the opportunity to talk with the man as if he was my relative and not think of him as an arrestee).

“I hope that your son means a lot to you…”

He smiled as if he knew where the conversation was going.

“I love him so much,” he abruptly answered.

“Then, if you do, think about him always. Carry him in your heart. So, when you have to make decisions, he will always be a part of that decision. And if he truly is a part of that decision, then, hopefully, you will choose to take the right move, not the bad one. Because of Jesse…”

He was whisked away by the female Officer. He turned around and thanked me and gave me a smile. Softly, he whispered, “I will, Ma’am. Thank you.”

After being booked, I saw he would remain incarcerated for a long time because of all the violations he did. Jesse would grow up in that long amount of time. But I prayed for him. That it would never be too late to make that change. For him and Jesse.

In this life, true courage is not climbing the tallest mountain. It is not about sailing many seas. True courage is admitting you’re wrong and you’re truly sorry for it. True courage is knowing you are a sinner, just like everyone else and with true repentance, knees are bent and tears are shed as the heart cries for forgiveness from one, true God. And to Him, a broken heart and a contrite spirit is offered at His feet.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

~ 1 Peter 5:6 (NIV)

"The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God." - Psalm 51:17 (NLT)