Affirmation Vs Condemnation

One morning I woke up feeling full of sin. I prayed and I admitted to each one of them in prayer and then started to agree to each accusation, I began to sulk and feel bad about myself, a few seconds after I felt that it was condemnation. “Wait a minute!” I told myself, “condemnation does not from the Lord” (as it says in Romans 8:1 NASB
[1] Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.) Mind you, it’s so good to have these verses on hand to fight the attacks of the enemies! I confessed my sins to God- rebuked the sins and the enemy’s accusation and claimed that I am a new creation in Christ – I claimed that by the power of Jesus Christ I am transformed!

2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB

[17] Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

When attacks of condemnation attacks- reaffirm our position in Christ. We are saved by accepting Him as a personal Lord and savior. Read out loud each verses and watch how the spirit of condemnation cower away and be replaced by the power of the Holy Spirit!(Sharing what my groupmate sent to us:)

“WHO I AM IN CHRIST” 

I am complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:10 ).

I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).

I am free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).

I am far from oppression, and fear does not come near me (Isaiah 54:14).

I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me (I John 5:18 ).

I am holy and without blame before Him in love (I Peter 1:16 ; Ephesians 1:4).

I have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5; I Corinthians 2:16).

I have the peace of God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

I have the Greater One living in me; greater is He Who is in me than he who is in the world (I John 4:4).

I have received the gift of righteousness and reign as a king in life by Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17 ).

I have received the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, the eyes of my understanding being enlightened (Ephesians 1:17,18). 

I have received the power of the Holy Spirit to lay hands on the sick and see them recover, to cast out demons, to speak with new tongues.  I have power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm me (Mark 16:17,18; Luke 10:17,19).

I have put off the old man and have put on the new man, which is renewed in the knowledge after the image of Him Who created me (Colossians 3:9,10). 

I have given, and it is given to me; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, men give into my bosom (Luke 6:38 ).

I have no lack for my God supplies all of my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19 ).

I can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one with my shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16 ).

I can do all things through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13).

I shall do even greater works than Christ Jesus (John 14:12).

I show forth the praises of God Who has called me out of darkness into His marvelous light (I Peter 2:9).

I am God’s child for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, which lives and abides forever (I Peter 1:23 ).

I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ unto good works (Ephesians 2:10).

I am a new creature in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17).

I am a spirit being alive to God (I Thessalonians 5:23; Romans 6:11).

I am a believer, and the light of the Gospel shines in my mind (II Corinthians 4:4).

I am a doer of the Word and blessed in my actions (James 1:22,25).

I am a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).

I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loves me (Romans 8:37).

I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony (Revelation 12:11 ).

I am a partaker of His divine nature (II Peter 1:3,4).

I am an ambassador for Christ (II Corinthians 5:20 ). 

I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people (I Peter 2:9).

I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 5:21).

I am the temple of the Holy Spirit; I am not my own (I Corinthians 6:19).

I am the head and not the tail; I am above only and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13).

I am the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).

I am His elect, full of mercy, kindness, humility, and longsuffering (Romans 8:33 ; Colossians 3:12 ).

I am forgiven of all my sins and washed in the Blood (Ephesians 1:7).

I am delivered from the power of darkness and translated into God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13 ).

I am redeemed from the curse of sin, sickness, and poverty (Galatians 3:13 ; Deuteronomy 28:15-68).

I am firmly rooted, built up, established in my faith and overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:7).

I am called of God to be the voice of His praise (II Timothy 1:9; Psalm 66:8).

I am healed by the stripes of Jesus (I Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:5).

I am raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places (Colossians 2:12 ; Ephesians 2:6).

I am greatly loved by God (Colossians 3:12 ; Romans 1:7; I Thessalonians 1:4; Ephesians 2:4).

I am strengthened with all might according to His glorious power (Colossians 1:11).

I am submitted to God, and the devil flees from me because I resist him in the Name of Jesus (James 4:7).

I press on toward the goal to win the prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward  (Philippians 3:14 ).

For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, love, and a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7).

It is not I who live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20).

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During Quiet Time

I thank the Lord that there is indeed no condemnation in Him and it makes me want to obey Him more! Ok now I understand why affirming words are important to kids. I have been puzzled when pastor Peter said say encouraging words to your wife, to your kids so they will obey you (praise them). I thought to myself but Lord this is a cruel world many times we’ll hear criticism and discouragement, but now I know how it feels to be affirmed by Jesus Christ and to do more for Him even though the world may be cruel, the God I serve is not..

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Pursuing things without Jesus

[25]For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? (Yes without God sino ang sasaya?) [26] For to a person who is good in His sight He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, (galing naman!!) while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting (nkakapagod kapag ganun) so that he may give to one who is good in God’s sight. This too is vanity and striving after wind. From: Ecclesiastes 2:25-26 NASB

Ecclesiastes shows that certain paths in life lead to emptiness. This profound book also helps us discover true purpose in life. Such wisdom can spare us from the emptiness that results from a life without God. Solomon teaches that people will not find meaning in life through knowledge, money, pleasure, work, or popularity. True satisfaction comes from knowing that what we are doing is part of God’s purpose for our lives. This is a book that can help free us from our scramble for power, approval, and money, and draw us closer to God.

Solomon’s personal experience
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 NASB All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor. [11] Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.Ecclesiastes 2:17-20 NASB So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind. [18] Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me. [19] And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is vanity. [20] Therefore I completely despaired of all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun.

Solomon’s Realization:
Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 NASB There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. [25] For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? [26] For to a person who is good in His sight He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in God’s sight. This too is vanity and striving after wind.

• Solomon searched for satisfaction almost as though he was conducting a scientific experiment. Through this process, he discovered that life without God is a long and fruitless search for enjoyment, meaning, and fulfillment. True happiness is not in our power to attain because we always want more than we can have. In addition, there are circumstances beyond our control that can snatch away our possessions or attainments.

• No pleasure or happiness is possible without God.

EXPLANATION:
Solomon shows how empty it is to pursue the pleasures that this life has to offer rather than seek to have a relationship with the eternal God. The search for pleasure, wealth, and success is ultimately disappointing. Nothing in the world can fill the emptiness and satisfy the deep longings in our restless hearts.

IMPORTANCE: The cure for emptiness is to center on God. His love also can fill the emptiness of human experience. Fear God throughout your life, and fill your life with serving God and others rather than with selfish pleasures.

To ponder:
Would you be happier if you had more money, fame, or power? Solomon wasn’t (Ecclesiastes 1:1-2; 1:12-15; 2:1-11). The world tells us to demand happiness, to do all we can to attain it, and to make personal satisfaction our chief goal. The world holds out many promises, all of which require dependence on some thing or experience that won’t last. Solomon had attained everything the world thought he needed to guarantee happiness and fulfillment, but reflecting back on his life, he discovered that his wealth, power, position, wives, and accomplishments had not made him happy or brought meaning to his life. In contrast to the world’s view, the Bible says that true and lasting happiness comes from pleasing God. (Eventually Solomon found this to be true.) Real happiness can only be received through a right relationship with God.

(taken from the Life Application Bible and The One Year Devotional available in Amazon and iTunes)

Personal note: Jesus was never mentioned here in Ecclesiastes so why did I refer Jesus as the God we need to have a relationship with? The Bible says “John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – Therefore to have a relationship with God is to have a relationship with Jesus, there is no other way for He says I AM THE WAY, (not one of the ways).. 😀 for more clarification, join us in the “KNOW JESUS series – Jesus Unboxed” God bless!

Creative Ways To Spice Up Our Quiet Time

For Christ committed followers, having a quiet time is one of basic spiritual disciplines to grow more in our faith. Quiet time is a part of the day when we devote ourselves in studying the Bible and pray. But like any other forms of discipline, our quiet time can grow cold.

I asked my dgroupmates “What usually causes them to waver from doing it consistently?” well most of their response was “when they are busy and physically tired” (that’s my answer too). Sometimes it’s when there’s disobedience too. When this happens, our Bible reading becomes dull and sometimes it will feel like God’s words are mere ink on paper, and our tendency is just to throw it out of the window completely (as Satan tries to whisper that in our head). But hold up! God’s word is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12) and God promises that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to God (James 4:8). The best thing to do when we feel cold in our quiet time is ask the Holy Spirit to guide us.

When we are feeling cold, do not stop reading the Bible, in fact, the more you feel less doing it, the more you have to do it. Our relationship with God is very personal, imagine feeling distant to your husband or in my case maybe my mom and then just completely stop talking to whoever that person is, I believe that relationship will not survive. So like in any relationship here are some things I learned (from experience and through my dgroupmates) to spice up our quiet time:

1. Pray F.E.LE.
I learned this from my mentor and shared it with other people. It helped me a lot – in fact it helped a lot of the ladies in our small group. FELE stands for an outlined prayer:
F- Fill me with Your Holy Spirit from the top of my head to the tip of my toe.
E- Empower me to overcome my top 3 weaknesses: (example: pride, unforgiveness, envy, jealousy, etc )
L- Lead me to someone I can share the Gospel or encourage with my high passion and high gift
E-Enable me to experience Your joy inexpressible and full of glory.

FELE somehow sets the tone right, focusing on what the Holy Spirit can do and not on ourselves.

2. When reading the Bible, use S.O.A.P:

S.O.A.P, stands for Scripture Observation Application Prayer.
I read the scripture, write down my observation (in my journal, or email it to my “only devotions” e-mail) and list down my application on God’s word and Pray.
*Application requires obedience so..it is necessary to obey the word of God**

3. Use Study and Life Application Bible.

Contrary to my childish belief (obviously when I was young :p) that study Bibles are for pastors only, the truth is, it’s for for everyone who wants to get serious with God.  It helps us understand what a verse or a chapter means. It tells us the who the author is, why is it written, the setting, cultural background, – believe me reading the Bible can really be exciting!! It can give us that “AHA!!l” moment. There are pictures included too which can make us understand much better.

(below is a screen capture of the NIV Life Application Bible: The book of Jeremiah)

4. Intensify your prayer time.

As part of the “P” in SOAP: Pray for anything and pray specifically, pray as the spirit leads and pray with a prayer list.

Ask your people for their prayer concerns, pray for the people that comes into your mind. Pray for your work, your company, your country, your leaders, your heart’s desire.

5. Learn from other believers.

As a growing Christ follower, it is important to surround ourselves with spiritually mature  people. Where do we find them? Join a dgroup (physical or online) Small group discuss how we can apply Bible truths in our lives and encourage one another to follow and obey Christ. In our Christian walk, there are times that we want to give up and we’ll be confused. If you are in a healthy discipleship group, dgroupmates will keep you aligned, anchored and focused on God.

They will check your quiet time and will keep you wanting to have a prayer time because each of you will carry one another’s burden as you exchange. You’ll be inspired as you see how the Lord answer prayers, life questions and transform characters.

6. Spice up verses with creativity.

Draw, paint verses like an artwork.

Found this link from facebook (https://www.facebook.com/maryesther.elam/media_set?set=a.10101539448005916.1073741835.26506364&type=3&pnref=story) and it inspired me to up the ante. I was doing this a few years ago but not this creative. I think this helps me memorize verses. Do it to please the Lord as if you’re a child showing His dad your artwork. **If this takes too much time to do and compromise our quiet time with the Lord, then this maybe last on your list. 🙂 **

•I guess for the musically gifted, some can write songs for Jesus :). Some sing and dance to Christian Music too :).

Enjoy God’s presence.

My God, My Beautiful Love

My God, You are a beautiful love….

My God, You are the unchanging love
My God, Your heart sends hope from above
The Great Creator, Beautiful Savior
I’ve been redeemed
There is life now from Your victory
You are my God (You are my God)

I LOVE THIS PART too and what a great reminder:
When my hope starts fading out
You are where my strength is found
I know I won’t be alone
My God, You are a beautiful love
My God, You are a beautiful love

Waking up with this song in my head….

All of who You are reaches the darkest parts
Lifting the weight and erasing the scars that had a hold on me
Here I am, bearing all, tearing down every wall
So amazed by Your grace, and the way You’re still holding me
Whoa, whoa, whoa, woah

Chorus:
My God, You are the unchanging love
My God, Your heart sends hope from above
The Great Creator, Beautiful Savior
I’ve been redeemed
There is life now from Your victory
You are my God (You are my God)

Verse 2:
There is no other one, who’s given a greater love
Laying aside His own life on the cross
Reaching out to us
Whoa, whoa, whoa, woah

Chorus:
My God, You are the unchanging love
My God, Your heart sends hope from above
The Great Creator, Beautiful Savior
I’ve been redeemed
There is life now from Your victory
You are my God (You are my God)

Bridge:
When my hope starts fading out
You are where my strength is found
I know I won’t be alone
My God, You are a beautiful love
My God, You are a beautiful love
My God, You are a beautiful love
My God, You are a beautiful love

 

A Story of HIS Grace

Merry Christmas to all.
During this time, most of us are caught up in the motion of the “season”- buying gifts, preparing food, setting up decorations and forgetting why are we all doing this.
More than anything, I think today is a story of HIS GRACE. I was reading the book of Revelation this morning and how awesome it is to be reminded that JESUS came and died for us. He alone is worthy! … and along with that, He also made us His royal priests, (Revelations 5:9) -called to proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.- 1 Peter 2:9.
It’s just good to just sit down and marvel at what JESUS has done, then once our hearts are set right, we can now celebrate and REJOICE with other believers and even non believers who are open to finding out what Christmas is all about – today is an opportunity to let them know why the world should be celebrating and when we give our gifts to other people- the most important gift we can give them is sharing what Jesus has done for us.
My best friend (Joy – down in my heart) shared an awesome idea of buying a cake which says “Happy Birthday Jesus”. This is a good start to maintain our focus on the celebrant!

So Rejoice!!! God came and promised those who believed in Him shall have eternal life (John 3:16)

These are awesome verses from the book of Revelation:

Revelation 5:
³ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. ⁴ I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. ⁵ Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

 [8] And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. [9] And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. [10] You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

[12] In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” [13] Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

Sharing this wonderful song about HIS AMAZING GRACE:
“This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You lay down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You’ve done for me”

Glory to God for giving me this time to pause and just PRAISE HIM.. before I become “Martha, Martha” again..hehe.. :D.. will still have to cook for tonight’s Christmas Dinner.

 

 

HOPE IN GOD!!!

 

Psalm 42:
5Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?   

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him,  my Savior and my God.

 

It sinks in oh Lord…

and I am sadder everyday.
I pray that you would renew my thoughts
I pray that you would renew my feelings.
When I am sad I will look unto your promises
Never You will fail me
Your words always prevail.
You teach me to listen and obey.
You long for my obedience despite of what i am feeling.
You have covered my shame
You warn me of impending danger.
Thou hast protected me!!!
Therefore I will hope in you.
I will hold on to what you say.
I choose to believe my Dear Father

Praise you Lord Jesus!
Praise you all day long.
Let the people rejoice because of the light that is in me.
Use me to spread Your salvation
Teach me not to be silent with the hope I have found.
Help me forget my ill emotions
and help me not to take away my gaze from you.
For you are radiant.
You refresh my soul.

My hope is found in you.
I will linger here in your promises.
Glory glory to the Most High.
Praise and worship He requires.
Hallelujah to my coming KING!

Every time I am not near you, I feel deprived
but when I am here in the embrace of your promise
I feel safe and secure.
Indeed my hope is found in you.

Oh indeed you have returned me from my childlike faith.
I love you Lord!
I love more each day.
You are the bright and morning sun.

And you say
There is nothing to fear:
“18The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalms 34)

“18The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
20The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.” Psalms 145

Be still my soul, Be still!

How to Keep the Fear of God on FIRE

How do we keep the Fire burning? .. here’s an illustration from Pastor Bong’s Sunday Message. Spelled as F.I.R.E 🙂

The Philippines need help! It’s amazing how the Lord gives me (or us) an opportunity to apply what He has prepared my heart to do.. It’s time for a practical application! Flood victims in the Philippines needs help. Our church Christ Commission Fellowship is accepting donations via online banking.. mored details on this website: http://www.ccf.org.ph/get-involved/give/

A day with Liz

I love how Paul writes this chapter. I know I have read this chapter a lot of times but it didn’t impact me the way it did during this past few days. I feel happy hearing Paul testify about the Macedonians..

2 Corinthians 8

2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,

4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.

5And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.

After being so blessed, he encourages the Corinthians to excel in the grace of giving.

7But just as you excel in…

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