Live By Faith

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

¹ The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
² He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
³     He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.
⁴ Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.
⁵ You prepare a feast for me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
    My cup overflows with blessings.
⁶ 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.  (NLT)

I went back to my home country back in 2003. That had only been 3 years after working in the correctional facility. I was involved in a spiritual battle literally fighting against unseen enemies. I was only a baby Christian then. Not aware of how to fight back. I knew I had no option but to consult the Mighty Warrior Jesus. With tears, I asked Him I was afraid and that I didn’t know how to face the weird things the enemies were hurling with my own loved ones to cause division among us. 

Reflecting back on the Lord’s response, I know now that most of the time, though mighty and awesome He is, He answered me in the quietest way I sensed. I opened the Bible and the first verse I saw was Ephesians 6:10 That night, He made me remember my mother’s favorite psalm. Psalm 23. 

Peace and courage flooded my heart. I understood at that moment. The battle was His and in order for me to be successful in dealing with the enemies, I had to fully trust and depend on Him. Fast forward, I’m very grateful the Lord had trained me in that arena. With inevitable trials that come into my life, I am choosing to live by faith and not fear. To always fold my hands and bend my knees in constant prayer with anything that comes my way, be it trials or successes. He deserves all the glory. He deserves my thanks.  I know I’m nothing without Him. 

As we face this pandemic and all the restrictions placed on people all over the world, let us go to the foot of the cross. I pray God gives us the spiritual discernment, to see what truly is the truth vs. the lies. May your fears be buried in the grounds of His love and grace. I feel all this political circus taking advantage of this pandemic to instill fear, to put out lies to people. But trust in God. Jesus after all, had overcome the world! God bless you all.

Panic Buying

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6,7 (NIV)

I’ve only seen the panic buying online from posted videos or heard it from the news. The fear of being confined to homes for a long time somehow drives everyone to go to their stores and buy more than what they need. I have never experienced the chaos until this morning when I needed to get my usual needs.

The streets leading to Sam’s Club were eerily quiet with only very few cars I could count with only the fingers of one hand. Compared to pre-Coronavirus scare when I always needed  to plan way ahead and try to beat the traffic on the freeways, but even on side streets were no exemption.

The hours were changed. Two hours later than what it would have been opened for those who paid extra for club memberships in order to get in early and avoid the rush of shoppers. I liked it only because on summertime when the heat was unbearable, I could manage to go way early and not get bothered by the hot sun. I was shocked to see many cars already parked six minutes after the club was just opened. It was easy for me to find a spot but at the corner of my eyes, I thought I saw a very long line of what looked like miles long. There was a policeman watching, standing in between the doors while a sales associate was guarding the opening tightly and not letting in anyone until he gave the cue. Everyone was calm and patient despite the ordeal. But I didn’t want to wait in line and get sick doing so.

I headed to the other grocery store, Sprouts, six miles away to check and see what I could get since I might need to also replenish my food stock. I was fooled to see how well stocked it was still when only I saw the first shelf of cosmetics. Going aisle to aisle while assessing what I could use “instead” than the “usual” which was already gone, I was like in the movie I had seen long time ago of people panicking and hoarding goods. Sadly, even fighting over items. The pastas were gone. Tomato sauce, frozen pizza, no chickens, no bread… I could go on and on… There I was picking what remained which was okay than not to be able to eat anything.  

I found myself exchanging texts with my husband and son about the scarcity of foods but somehow, our spirits remained joyful. Now wouldn’t be the right time to be picky whether that bread has a lot of salt or sugar. I grabbed a well wrapped Irish Soda Bread and thought how good it would be with butter. There was still hope, I texted my hubby and son with a smiley face. I grabbed the last pad thai noodles that I was thinking of subbing for other soup that needed noodles. "No chickens!!!" I told my hubby to which he texted, "Get the beef ribs. That's still good!" It was a private joke of eating the foods we were trying to avoid to try to eat healthier then. Now??? No time to think about cholesterol and saturated fats!

I was aware of some people trying to distance themselves from others. Or from me. But the process was still smooth despite…

no bread

another empty shelf

no chicken left

 “I got it!!” the lady in front of me told me when I attempted to hold her stuff on the conveyor belt stucked, seemingly a bit annoyed.

“Okay,” I replied without adding an apology with my desire to help her out. I was thinking I wasn't sick but the paranoia was starting to get intense among some!

On my way out, all I could think of was to thank God. This was only a glimpse of what would come. Of worse scenarios yet... still wouldn’t be the apocalypse. There are still a lot not known about coronavirus being new. But people forget that many also get sick from flu or other viruses. Nothing beats the old way of having short fingernails and a proper handwashing with soap. Back of my mind? I was thinking more of the spiritual battle and what was not seen regarding this matter. But I know all I need is to remain trusting in God alone and stay strong with the power He gives.

I know that in these trying times, I must not let kindness, compassion, love and understanding be washed away from this wave of confusion, fear and a lot of “unknowns”. 

Look Up

Don't look into the past because it's gone. Don't look far ahead since no one truly knows what tomorrow brings except God. Let us look up into the heavens each day. He is waiting. Always waiting with acceptance, love and forgiveness. God is indeed faithful. For many generations.

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