Tap Into This Power

 Please visit Spiritual Sundays for encouraging posts from God's family, hosted by sisters Ginger and Charlotte.

“Jesus replied: It is because you don't have enough faith! But I can promise you this. If you had faith no larger than a mustard seed, you could tell this mountain to move from here to there. And it would. Everything would be possible for you.” - Matthew 17:20    

It was barely 45 minutes after I came on to work last night when an emergency call blared over the radio that there was a man down in one of the units.   

I went with the nurse who responded, my own stethoscope dangling around my neck. As she toted the red, emergency bag filled with supplies. Our conversations echoing in that long, barren hall.

A row of orange-uniformed men were lined up against the wall. They were all occupants of the upper tier. The deputy must have sent them downstairs and cleared the area where the fallen man was. As we ascended to the top tier, we found the man down on the floor, possibly from falling from the bottom bunk and must have bitten his tongue as a streak of blood flowed from the left side of his mouth. He was very diaphoretic and very restless, his right arm flailing in mid-air. Stabilizing him and after calling for the ambulance, we waited in that top tier: 2 deputies and 3 of us from the medical staff. As soft chattering men’s voices emanated from the lower level, I knew we were in complete view from the bottom, too. And I knew those pairs of watchful eyes were glued to our every moves.

The spiritual enemies were good at trying to throw a dart of fear into my mind. As the thought of these men, if they really wanted to do anything bad could easily empower the 5 of us just like that, was possible. Even if help from other deputies would definitely be there in seconds, some of them could inflict injuries in seconds, too.

As the girl who brought the man’s medical chart was standing next to me, she also whispered the same thought I had in my mind.

I told her that….I was thinking about that…But despite the inmates outnumbering us, I knew about the only One Who is more powerful than them, actually the most powerful One in this entire universe!

I softly prayed in my head….feeling the strength right away…For His protection. For His angels to surround us. Because of Him, fear was replaced with courage.

“1Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful. 2Then you will say to the LORD, "You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God, and I trust you." 3The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases. 4He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall. 5You won't need to worry about dangers at night or arrows during the day.” ~ Psalm 91:1-5 [CEV]

Ahhh….the power of prayer should never be underestimated. For the power resides in the God Who is being prayed to. Whatever circumstances you are in, tap into this power. His answers may not be “yes” sometimes, but it is because He knows what’s best for us. But when we pray purposefully and passionately, according to His will, He does respond powerfully!

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." - James 5:16






Father God, how awesome does it sound that we can come to Your throne boldly, at anytime, anywhere...Because You see Jesus' righteousness in us. Thank You Jesus! Help us remember how vital it is to communicate with You through prayers. That we may call upon You, not only at times of our needs, but mostly to just praise You, thank You and honor You. Thank You Lord, my Abba Father, for loving me [us] unconditionally. Thank You for equipping us and blessing us with things that we need in order for us to finish this work You marked within us. I love You Lord. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

I See You

Photo Credit

“People see God everyday, they just don’t recognize Him.” - Pearl Bailey 


Not only every night, every few hours of a certain day, she would keep ringing the bell in her cell. Demanding to send her down to the Infirmary because of her abdominal pain.

“You don’t understand,” as she tried to do different contortions with her body, “I have gallstones. It hurts! You guys need to send me to the hospital.” She knelt on the blue seat, only to get up and go into the bathroom and made sure she was heard throwing up.

“Listen,” the nurse seeing her said, “You have been using drugs for so long. You don’t have any gallstones. The doctor did send you to the hospital and your ultrasound didn’t show anything. We have been giving you meds to help you with upset stomach. But we can‘t send you to the hospital. All of your vital signs are within normal range.”

She didn’t know, the entire time she was in the waiting area, we noticed that she wasn’t throwing up. When no one was looking around, she appeared calm. But when she felt there was a shadow observing, she would twist her body and showed she was in agony.

The clock slowly ticked by with no change in her behavior and complaints. 1:00 in the morning became 2:00. At half an hour past that time, she got up and called me. Her nurse was on her break.

“Ma’am, though I’m still having this pain [as she held her right hand over her stomach area, changing her voice to one who sounded like in severe pain], I would rather go back to my unit now,” she requested.

“Are you sure?” I asked but deep inside I knew she wasn’t having any pain but wanted some drugs.

“Yes,” she replied, moaning a bit.

I gave her yellow pass and let her out, slowly walking as she was rubbing her stomach. Her head stooped low and she seemed to be dragging her legs. She wasn’t aware that there was a camera that covered that hallway where she was supposed to walk out. As I intently observed her, I started yelling to my other co-workers who immediately got up and observed her with me:

As soon as she emerged in the camera’s view, without her knowledge, we saw her pulled her pants up and started walking straight. Her legs becoming faster with her strides. Her arms flung to her sides, swinging as she trotted with a normal gait.

“Huh! Got ya! We see you...” one of the co-workers yelled. We just knew…she wanted to manipulate the system so she could be sent to the hospital and be given stronger medications like Morphine or Demerol. It was sad.

How many of us wear a mask sometimes at workplace or other places, even at church because we don’t want others to discover things about us? But God knows everything about us, even the number of hairs on our heads [Matthew 10:30]. Unlike no other, He accepts and loves us. He is with us through every trial we go through, protecting us, guiding us and loving us along the way.

“I can never escape from your spirit! I can never get away from your presence!” - Psalm 139:7

He is indeed present everywhere. This is not an intimidating thing to know. For those who loves Him, this is great news! Because no matter what we do or where we go, it’s great to know that we can never be far from His comforting presence! To God be the glory!



Oh Lord, I come before You and ask that You do a heart surgery on me. You know everything about me. I have nothing to hide from You. Search me Oh God and remove those things that hinder my walk with You. Forgive me Oh Lord for all of my sins. Help me get back on that path that leads to everlasting life. Thank You Lord for creating me [us]. Thank You for being there even before I was born. Everyday of my life is recorded in Your book. Thank You Lord for loving me [us] unconditionally. Thank You for accepting me and loving me just the way I am. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Fear God

Proverbs 1:7 - “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” [NIV]

                                                                          Photo Credit

“Nurse! Nurse!” “Why, you _____! Come here!”    

“De….pu…ty!…….De…pu…ty! Let me out o’ here!”

The yelling was followed by the loud din of metal grating against metal. This nude suicidal inmate had been on the safety chair for a few hours to prevent him from hitting his head against the window. I went over to help the Intake Nurse last Sunday night. The smell of reeking alcohol filled the hall as many drunk bodies arrived. Some arrestees’ hands twisted to prevent them from trying to fight with the deputies. Appearing tough, they would soon discover that their arrogance was no match with the well-trained deputies.

“Depuuuutttyyyyy!” his scream cut through the stale air. “Let meeeeee outtttt!”

The sergeant had one of the deputies opened a tiny metal window.

“Okay! Mr. F. I’ll let you out only if you stop banging your head! Do you understand that? If you start doing anything to harm yourself, that’s it, you’re going back to the chair!”

5 deputies went in, along with the sergeant to the bare cell reserved for those needing close monitoring by the medical and custody staff. The pungent smell of urine overcame their nasal passages. One of the deputies behind him was holding a taser gun, the light pointed at his upper torso, ready to be fired if he would try anything to hurt anyone.

The Intake nurse assigned that night stood by the door, assessing the inmate whose body was strapped to the chair. The feet and the hands were also secured. He appeared calm. But his stares penetrated each and everyone as if he was on to something.

The chair was taken out. He was left all alone. As soon as the big metal door was closed, he started banging the door and window again. Demanding for some papers because he needed to write something. It was denied. He was suicidal so nothing was allowed to be kept by him.

He started yelling profanities to the sergeant despite her talking with him in a soft manner and ordering him to stop harming himself. With the pounding of his fists, it was matched with his foul language. He was defiant. He didn’t want to respect the authority. There was no history of mental problem. Except him, just refusing to obey the authority.

“Alright boys!” yelled the sergeant. “Let’s put him back on the chair!”

It grew quieter. He just stood by the window and glanced with a mean look. If he didn’t understand, he wouldn’t have stopped his defiance. He walked into one corner of the cold room. And for the rest of the hours I was there helping the Intake nurse, we finally had peace and quiet.

We must show reverence and fear to our Lord. To revere Him means to show our deepest love and respect and honor Him. Along with reverence, obedience must come.

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” - Ecclesiastes 12:13



Lord, You have freed me from all of my fears. You have given me joy instead. I cried out to You and You did hear me! You have set me free from all my fears. Your angel guards those who fear You. Help me Lord to give my reverence due You. Help me to trust in no one but You. Help me Lord to turn away from evil. Help me Lord to live in peace instead with others.  Help me value Your commands and help me store them in my heart. Thank You Lord for Who You are. Thank You for Your love and mercy. Thank You for Your wisdom. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Crossroads

“More than any other time in history, mankind faces a crossroads. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness. The other, to total extinction. Let us pray we have the wisdom to choose correctly.” ~ Woody Allen

I glanced at the monitor in front of me, my eyes glued to the female inmate’s age: “26”.

“So young,” I whispered to myself. “How can she have chest pains if she doesn’t have any history?”

I heard the female side's metal door opened. The female deputy escorting this young inmate, with her wrists handcuffed to her back, as her keys dangled from her pant's pockets. Taking little steps, the young, long-haired woman kept looking on the floor and couldn’t maintain a good eye contact.  I immediately took her vital signs as I kept probing on possible causes why she would have chest pains. Motioning her to the exam room #1, two of us made her lay down on the exam table and put the EKG leads. She wasn’t talking as much. Embarrassed and could not imagine she was in the jail.

“Listen,” I softly approached her as the last EKG lead was placed in one of her legs, “tell me now if you’re using drugs. Or I can’t help you. You have your choice to remain quiet about everything. But that would limit me from doing the best care we could possibly give you.”

Stuttering and with a tone of shyness, she started giving her history. That 3 days ago, she was driving her car with her boyfriend. When suddenly, flashes of bright lights shone behind them that came from a cop’s car. In a crucial, frightening seconds, they started fighting as to how they could get rid of a small bag of methamphetamines on board. She already had a previous arrest and was on parole. Her boyfriend: 1st time to be caught if arrested. He made her swallow that bag. To get rid of evidence. Despite her protest. She ended up being brought to the hospital. But after her treatment, this time, she was booked in the jail.

“Sorry. I never told you. I’ve been using meth, on and off, for 10 years now,” a bead of tear crept up in one corner of her eyes. "I also had an abortion, 3 weeks ago,my third," she added choking in between.

“Thank you,” I looked at her and managed to lock a good eye contact this time. “Now, I know why you’re having chest pains.”

Immediately, I asked for an ambulance so she could be treated at the county’s ER. Transferred to the EMT’s guerney, she bowed her head really low as the escorting deputy put a shackle on her left foot.

“Oh, my gosh! I can’t believe it. This is not happening,” she mumbled. “Will you cover my foot with something, deputy so the shackle can’t be seen?” she requested.

“Yeah, I’ll try to cover it with something. But you know what? You did this to yourself. If you don’t stop now, you are gonna’ die young,” he warned but with intention to remind her to not destroy herself with her bad drug habit.

“I know…I know…” as she tried to wipe the tears that fell. “Thank you, nurse,” she uttered as she was more comfortable looking into my eyes now. The guerney disappeared. I knew I would see her again.

God loves His creation: humans. Created in His image. Out of His love, He already had marked a right path of living way before. But people refuse to take that path. Oftentimes, going their own way instead. All of us face that decision, that crossroad: to choose God’s right way or to follow that path which we think we like. If we choose the latter, we are often misled. There is no peace. There is no contentment. It is only when we choose God’s path that we are able to find rest for our souls. Let us not be ripped off by this world. There is always time to go back to that right path…

“This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.” 
- Jeremiah 6:16 [NIV]





Father, this is your post, not mine. I pray that You speak to those who will happen to come by. Imprisoned by drug abuse, alcohol abuse, prostitution, and other self-destructive ways. Lord, I ask for Your intervention in their lives. For them to come to know You first. So their blindness can be removed. And that they will be able to see that path that leads to You. Father, help us. Those Who already know You and tasted Your love. Help us remain strong and not stray away from this path You had marked for us. Help us to not look in other directions but maintain our focus, to be straight...only on Jesus. Thank You Lord for the path You have created for us. The rest that awaits for our weary souls when we finish our journey. But the best of all, is to see You waiting there with Your open arms and to be with You forever. I love You Lord. In Jesus' Name. Amen.