One Greatest Promise

“Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” 
~ Proverbs 30:5 [ESV]


“Do you mind?” I asked my night charge nurse, “If I ask for a raise? I haven’t had one in a long time.”

“I already emailed C.,” she replied. “Give it about 1-2 pay periods and see if you’d get the raise.”

“I’ll make sure she got my email.”

4 pay periods had passed by. I have not noticed any increase with my hourly pay. I try not to whine too much. Because I’m always grateful that the Lord had brought me to this work place where the pay was still higher than what I used to make at the hospital. But the best part, was that my neck pain never got as severe as it was when I used to work in an Orthopedic setting at a major hospital. And all the other spiritual growth I obtain through those tough situations I face.
Still…Any small amount can help at this hard economic times.

I only tried to boldly ask at that time when she summoned me to her office and gave me an evaluation. Much to my surprise. Since I only work part-time and rarely get an evaluation of work performance because we are supposed to have worked 2,400 hours before an evaluation is due. It’s hard for me to accumulate that. It might take 3-4 years with the way I’m scheduled to work.

Broken promises hurt. It feels like a betrayal in a way when the words are not accomplished. Politicians lie. Sinners promise to not commit a sin or sins to God and end up doing them again. Couples who pledged a sacred vow, only to break it.

Keeping a promise reflects the condition of our inner selves. It’s either we are a man or woman of integrity or not. Honest or corrupt. Honorable or ignoble. God wants us to keep our promises when we make them.  Because when we give it to someone, it is as if we are also giving it unto the Lord. We are accountable for them.

“Or if they make a rash vow of any kind, whether its purpose is for good or bad, they will be considered guilty even if they were not fully aware of what they were doing at the time.” - Leviticus 5:4

I know that there’s only one greatest promise ever made and was kept and fulfilled. But it depends if a person will choose to receive this new life by faith. This promise that Christ alone saves us. This promise which is a guarantee that anyone who believes in what Jesus had done will live forever. God’s greatest promise…Will you accept it? Will you trust and believe in Him? God's promises never disappoint!



God's Promises For Every Day

P.S.
Friends, pardon me if I am not able to visit you. Sometimes, I sporadically visit some when I get those precious minutes. I just want to let you all know I appreciate all of your encouraging comments. You are all a blessing to me from above and I treasure your friendship. I also want to let you know that I'm keeping all of you in my prayers daily because I know the Lord knows all of our needs and the conditions of our hearts. May the Lord bless you all and to Him be the glory always and forever. In all ages to come.

The Unqualified

“Bad news, Rcubes,” uttered the charge nurse, “There’s no one to pull the meds for the evening and bedtime doses. Do you mind doing everything?”

We have this multi-million dollar machine called CIPS. It was bought by the county to aid the LVN’s in cutting the amount of time it takes them to pull all the thousands of medications [just those in pill form] whenever each shift prepares for the inmates’ medications. It wasn’t a part of the RN’s jobs. But long time ago, when this was new, there was no one around to help us out to pull the meds one night. By the grace of God, anxious as I was to mess up something, I just kept pushing buttons and for some reason, figured out and I was able to pull the meds that night for the morning and noon doses.

Ever since, I had been volunteering if there is no one to pull the meds for the morning and noon doses only. No other nurses except the charge nurses and a few that are knowledgeable with computers, know how to do this particular task.

“Oh no!” exclaimed the day charge nurse. “I’m so short of staff and I don’t even have anyone to pull the evening and bedtime doses!” she exclaimed in despair.

“Did our charge nurse tell you? Don’t worry Nurse K., I already pulled all the doses for today!”

“You did?” “Thank you so much!!!” as she took a deep breath and let a sigh of relief.

Many people are impressed with those who are powerful, rich, beautiful, famous or those with great achievements and successes. But we forget that this world’s standard is not the same as that of God’s. Instead, He searches for those who are simple, ordinary humans who have a hunger and passion to seek His face and obey whatever He asks of them.

“Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important, so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God.” ~ 1 Corinthians 1:27-29

Next time that you are faced with situations that you feel you are limited, never forget that the Spirit of the Lord in us is always encouraging each of us to put those thoughts aside that make us feel like quitting, those thoughts that make us feel powerless, those thoughts that make us feel that we are not capable of the tasks that He gives for His glory. That’s not how the heavenly Father sees us. He can turn the ordinary into “extra-ordinary”.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t make decisions the way you do! People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.” ~ 1 Samuel 16:7

Come and join the “MARCH OF THE UNQUALIFIED”:

Stop The Tears [Spiritual Sundays]

Please visit Spiritual Sundays, a warm place to be in....With a sad heart, I ask that you please remember these precious children in your prayers. For their protection. And may we all stand up to fight child abuse. Any abuse is not right.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate." - (Psalms 127:3-5 ESV)



Inmate: “Awww…..It hurts!”

Me: “Sir, I haven’t even touched your shoulder yet. Honestly speaking, I can’t do anything for your pain. The doctor just saw you yesterday and had already given you something for pain.”

Inmate: “Motrin? Generic? Those are not gonna’ work!”

Me: “Did you use street drugs outside?”

Inmate: “No!!! What are you trying to say? I’m a Christian!!!”

Me: “[feeling a lump in my throat, no words wanted to come out…], I’m not trying to say anything. I’m asking you something specific regarding your medical background. I’m not sure why you answered me with your faith. You’re a Christian? [a mocking sound wanted to come out of my judgmental nature]”

Inmate: “Yes! That’s why I love my wife. And my child. I give them a kiss and a hug.”

Me: [No comment. The lump in my throat becoming bigger and harder to swallow, let alone fight my old, sinful nature. Of wanting to say something bad to him! Of wanting to curse! Of wanting to make his other arm hurt!”

You see, this inmate was put behind bars because he touted a fake firearm to the cops. So, he was chicken winged [when officers twist their arms behind them to prevent them from fighting back]. Ever since, he was complaining of severe pain on his left shoulder. The doctor already treated him, appropriate x-rays and medications were already given. But he remained complaining of “excruciating” [his own terms] pain on that upper extremity.

I have patience when I see manipulative inmates. Or those who try to milk the system. I sense their motives. I try to be slow to anger. Except, this time, upon checking his charges, I saw that he molested a 3-year old and a 14-year old also. I told my co-workers, I had to remain professional. But deep inside, I knew God wanted me to still grant him mercy and not be judgmental of his crimes. I silently prayed before his footsteps walked in, into the Infirmary’s metal door, escorted by their unit deputy.

He fixed the white sling as I told him to keep his left arm in a neutral position to lessen the pain. I advised for him to be patient as I would put him again on the doctor’s sick call this morning [Saturday].

Inmate: “Thank you.” He uttered with a smile. But I couldn’t look him straight into his eyes. I wasn’t afraid. I was wondering how many scared pairs of eyes ever looked into his and were begging for him to stop his abuse. He got up and started walking away from me as I didn’t acknowledge his thanks. With the least strength emanating from my throat, I managed to reply, “Sir, being a Christian means following Christ! It’s more than kissing or hugging your wife and child. It’s doing what Jesus wants you to do. And that is to do the right thing.”

I turned my back and went to the monitor where I was working and added him on the sick call list. I knew that encounter with predators like him, was not my first nor would it be the last. I softly uttered, “Lord, enough pain for these precious children of yours. I know You love them. No more tears for them. No more hurt. Stop their tears.”

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven." - (Matthew 18:10 ESV)

What Fortress Are You Building?

Lord, I’m sorry for not giving You the time that I should. You’ve been there patiently waiting for me. Here I am, ignoring You. I’m sorry for the times I don’t feel like talking with You. Help me see Your abiding love. Help me draw nearer to You. Thank You for Your unconditional love. Thank You for Your endless forgiveness. Empower me Oh Lord to destroy any stronghold in my life that deters me from walking closer with You. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, I pray. Amen.

Good morning friends. These past days, I had been busy, doing routine things though. But felt like I didn’t have the desire to read His Word or just simply, spend time with Him. I have a lot of quiet times. I just couldn’t be still. And when I finally did, this is what the Lord had shown me: Fight…not with your might. But with My power…Look at these weapons created by inmates. Yes, they are very capable of secretly creating weapons. They hoard them in all unexpected places:




Through that video, I felt the Lord probing me, “Rosel, search and see for those strongholds in your life. But you are not going to fight with your own power but with Mine. Draw near Me and know Me intimately. Only then, you will discover the weapons I’m arming you with.”

Strongholds are any of our own human reasoning or ideas, values or designs raised up by this satanic world system. And those who oppose the knowledge of God [biblical view of grace, eternal values, etc]…Our weapons from the Lord are designed to tear down those strongholds or fortresses.

“3We are human, but we don’t wage war with human plans and methods. 4We use God’s mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the devil’s strongholds.” ~ 2 Corinthians 10:3,4

What are the strongholds in your life? We are given a choice to either use the world’s weapons or that of God’s. God’s weapons which include prayer, faith, hope, love, His Word and the Holy Spirit [in us] are powerful and effective. These weapons can break down any fortresses [any proud human arguments against God and the walls that satan builds to keep people from finding God].

I know that I love to spend time with God and the enemy will try anything to make me lose that desire. We may have that “Jericho” [Joshua 6:1-27] that stands in the way of our ability to possess our possessions in Christ, impending our spiritual progress. It could be a weak character, physical infirmity, or simply neglecting things of spiritual nature. But no matter how big or small this “Jericho” is in our lives, we must realize that victory in destroying them comes only through God’s plan of deliverance.

“But the Lord said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its mighty weapons.” - Joshua 6:2. God reassured Joshua that Jericho was already delivered into his hands - the enemy was already defeated!

Let us build a fortress then, not of this world’s system, but of Christ. He will surely guide us and will be with us all the way. Just remain trusting in Him and desiring Him FIRST on top of everything and everyone. Glory to You Oh Lord!

“The Lord is my rock, my FORTRESS, and my savior, my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my STRONGHOLD. I will call on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, for he saves me from my enemies.” ~ Psalm 18:2,3 [emphasis is mine]…

Praising the Lord is one of the weapons we can start with to gain our victory. So, turn up your volume and if you have time, let us praise the Lord!