July 31 2011

Acts 1:8

Jesus has a job for me to do and no one else can take my place. :) Will I answer this call despite my past, my past hurts, doubts, regrets and denials? Yes. . Because God forgives, and He gives second chances to people. . :) He forgives me. . I think it's time that I forgive myself :)

July 30 2011

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. (John 1:4)

Whenever there is darkness, Jesus wants me to shine His light of love and salvation. I want my life to show the love of God. . i want his light to come out through me. . I know He has given me the gift of intuition as well. It's not as strong because I am too emotional, but i know he has given and i claimed this gift.

I want to show the love of God to others in any form of means. Thru short comics, artworks, dresses, how i talk, how i respond. . . I want them to see Christ in me. . I want to show them that God can love them and He will never leave them. This is my greatest desire. . :) I want my life to be a shining lamp in the midst of darkness.. :)

July 29 2011

I Peter 2:12

I am valuable and worthy in his eyes and He can use me today. :) Dear God. . please use me despite my imperfections. . And please help me see my worth in Your eyes. . :) God is indeed amazing. His love is just huge and wide. . :) Never gives up on me no matter what. . what an awesome God. . :)

July 28 2011

Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. (Col 3:23)

Your job will become not just a career, but a calling. This is the most beautiful thing to achieve. Being a missionary in the marketplace. :) I must depend on God's wisdom, grace and counsel all the time for he knows all things. He called me to work/study and i should give it my best. He has placed me here for a reason and i should not please anyone else but Him. A servant's heart indeed.

July 27 2011

The purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from a sincere heart. (I Tim 1:5)

Ever-increasing servanthood. This is the prerequisite of a leader. (1 cor. 4:7)

To be a leader is to be humble. One must take away haughtiness and bragging in his Christian life. When we become leaders, usually we end up being haughty to gain respect from people. It is clearly stated here that this is not what a Christian leader is made up of. . . Bragging as well, for this takes away the Glory of God. One solid christian leader must not brag of his success for this is an act of stealing the Glory of God. . instead of bragging one's success, one must brag of the greatness of Christ in their success. Because indeed, He is everything, He is the Source of all. :)

July 26 2011

"..through love serve one another" (Gal. 5:13)

Must live life to serve others indeed. What is fame and power if only I can save and enjoy my own life? Real joy is found in serving others, in helping them, in providing for them. I want to give it my best in my studies, to be able to give support to missionaries; but I am not closing my doors for on the field missions too, coz indeed, God knows what's best.

I must focus on those lives that are unknown, those lives that needs to be shared to inspire others, not focus on the lives of stars or any famous one. It's my job, my art as an artist to show people's lives in a way that would touch people's hearts.

As for now, I shall focus on my craft, once my craft is polished thoroughly, i can focus on the impact it can give the viewers by showing my heart through my arts. :)

July 25 2011

Col 1:28

A passions for Christ. This is what i need back, He should be my first thought in the morning, my constant companion throughout the day, and my last thought at night. I need to consider what He wants for my life above my personal desires. This is real passion.

I want this kind of passion. I want this back. I want to be excited everyday with God . i wonder. . i really wonder if i can get this back while I am still in college. This is indeed a great challenge for me. I want to be passionate for Christ. I need my First Love back. . :)

To love the Lord your God with all your heart is the greatest commandment. (Matt. 22:36-37)

July 24 2011

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and the follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand (John 10:27-28)

God's love never grows cold. . : ) I am sealed with His blood and I will stay with the Lord at all times. . : ) Being a christian doesn't mean my life will have less problems and have a better life. . rather it'll have more trials and challenges but this time, God is there, Who promised never to leave me. Actually, every time we face trials and challenges and beats us almost to death, makes us more passionate for God! It's that love that we have for Him. .

With a passion for God you never want to walk away from what God has given you to do.

But I'm human after all, i have times when i want to give up, and I really give up! But then. . God does not. . and when I repent, I always have His hand to guide me back to Him. . Such a great and awesome God. . :)

July 23 2011

"...Speak, for Your servant hears." (I Sam 3:10)

Hear and obey. Do you seek God's instruction, or do you try to do Hs work in your own strength? this phrase, made me think. A LOT. . I asked myself, do i seek His instruction first? Or does what I want come first? True servanthood, means leaning on God completely. It means placing God first in EVERYTHING. Nothing excuses from this, everything IS everything. I guess its pride that keeps me from asking Him first. I pray for a heart and a mind that is like Samuel's. Who hears, who obeys, who listens. I desire a heart that asks Him first before doing anything. His guidance, is my life. Dear God, please give me ears like Samuel, who hears You, who listens to You, before doing anything in the morning. In Jesus Name I pray, AMEN! :)

July 22 2011

Luke 9:62

Commitment. I committed myself to Christ since the day I accepted him and had my water baptism as a sign of my commitment to Him. So many things going on with life, up and down, still, God has a purpose for all of them. All i have to do is trust in Him and obey. : ) God loves me this I know, and whatever happens to me, has a great purpose behind it. I shall never waver, but rather keep my faith up high. Dear God, please give me wisdom and insight on my own personal mission. Please God. Please show me what you have instored for me. I will commit myself to You; I will not give up. Never again will I. Please, help me, remind me God. . remind me that You will never leave me, nor forsake me. . I love you. . :)

July 21 2011

Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." (John 20:21)

I have a calling. And that is. To share the love and the forgiveness and the freedom in Jesus Christ. That is my highest calling.

For me to attain that calling is for me to love His Word. For me to love His Word is to keep reading it no matter what. . His Word will give me the wisdom on what to say to the lost souls. The Holy Spirit is there, but i must do my part as well. The Word of God is a living sword to all of us. It is sharper than any two-edged sword. It is powerful, it is our way of reaching the hearts of men; even the calloused ones.

Dear God. . please give me the heart to love your Word. To seek you with all of my heart. In Jesus Name I pray, AMEN! :D

July 20 2011

"... But on this one I look: On him who is poor and of contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word." (Isa. 66:2)

God doesn't need a perfect saint. . He needs a humble servant. I've had a lot of mistakes, a lot of problems, a lot of sin. . . But i won't let that stop me from standing up again because I know God is there and he will give me the strength to stand up again. He will never give me anything that I could not overcome. . and this does not exclude my friendships. I know past regrets will help me talk to more people, to understand them and assist them and show them the love of God. . : ) Jesus Christ is my everything and i cannot go on through life without Him. I am available and i want to serve God! God needs a person who is quick to repent. . that is a contrite spirit. Dear God. Please, give me a contrite heart. . I offer you up my heart, in Jesus name AMEN! :D

July 19 2011

Whoever confess Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven (Matt. 10:32)

Evangelism. This is my role as a christian, to share the love of Jesus. : ) I share the love of God in a slow way, a step-by-step process, not in a very fast way. I may not be able to help all my friends with their problems, but God can. Jesus can help them; tho, how can Jesus help them if they don't know Him?. . . Dear God. If You want me to start on my Manga. . please. Please give me a clear sign. I need you to give me a clear sign that You still want me to pursue my manga. . If you do, I will focus on it. Please God. Do help me. Thank you. . : )

July 18 2011

Knowing that whatever is good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, wether he is a slave or free. (Eph. 6:8)

Wow. Such a powerful devotion. Giving your best in everything for Jesus Christ.

Your works should bring attention not to yourself but to God, casting His ways in sharp relief to the familiar ways of the world.

I want to create arts that would show the love of God. . that is my deepest passion.

Your enthusiasm in your tasks should reflect your passion to serve God.

I've lost enthusiasm with my school tasks, because I am not satisfied with my education; but i guess, this changes everything. I will refocus on God and not on my school or works. :) I have my inspiration now, my God. :)

The zeal should spring forth in the mundane projects, the obscure times, and the relatively BORING jobs/studies.

I emphasized the boringness because i am bored with my school; but that is no excuse to not give my best enthusiastically with my school work or school activities coz again, this is not for me, but for God. If I do this for me, I will NEVER be content, but if i do this wit God, I will be filled with joy and excitement. :) Imagine, doing your daily thing and making it extraordinary by offering it up to God. :)

Your enthusiasm points to the origin of the zest, a desire to glorify Christ in all you do.

I do believe, that if I do my best for God, people will see this and will see Christ in me :D AMEN!

Your light also shines uniquely when you do your work with excellence. You are faithful in the little things others ignore; you go above the mediocre and walk the second mile.

I love the way God has created me. . I really see the little things people usually ignore, for the reason that I am an artist. God gave me this gift to share, this gift is for me to use for His glory alone. Doing the little ignored things is walking the extra mile. :) Thank you God. Really. . thanks. :)

Your enthusiasm and excellence in the familiar routine unveil the inner presence of Jesus Christ for the world to see.

A smile, a passion for everything, an enthusiastic personality will make other people smile. I have to work an extra mile even if I'm in a bad mood or if I'm sad or if I'm extremely down. For my God. :D

Wow. Just wow. Got to get my cheery and passionate self back! All for the glory of God alone. To focus on the little things indeed. :)

July 17 2011

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden (Matt. 5:14)

Amazing how this devotion hits me straight. I feel ugly. I feel low. I feel like I'm nothing. I feel like dirt. I feel awful and lame. . Then all of a sudden this verse pops up. God is never wrong. I am the light of the world, and i cannot be hidden. Jesus dwells in me, He is my confidence. Even if i feel like this, i know i should fight it, and fight it with the word of God. . . :). God doesn't want me to bottle up anymore. . I have so many regrets, but God is good! He has a plan in my life. I'm having a simple life right now, but i strongly know and believe that God will do the extraordinary thru me. :)

It's amazing and an honor to God's child. :D We go up, we go down, but when we're with Him, we never stay down. ;)

July 16 2011

Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, And I will declare Your greatness. (Ps. 145:6)

Lord. I know i have a testimony. My life testimony is my greatest way of evangelism. I should stop being shy, and start being optimistic. My small conversations everyday with people can either pull them down, or pull them up. As long as I share them my testimony of how God's love is, only then can God find an opening for Him to touch their hearts in a larger scale. :) Dear God. Please. Teach me to say words that can only help people. As the saying goes,

If you have nothing good to say, don't say nothing at all.

It's time to take my life testimony seriously. God didn't give me a good life, hope, love and joy for nothing. It is meant to be shared, it is meant to be spread for the Glory of God alone. :)

July 15 2011

2 Tim. 1:5

Spiritual readiness. I know at the moment I don't have a ministry that I can really pursue; tho that does not mean i should slack off. This should be a time of preparing myself for the bigger things. I should focus on my intimate relationship with the Lord and that should be my main focus in this season of my spiritual life. Coz wether I am spiritually active or idle, Christ's presence will never go idle. So I should always nurture my relationship with Him. :)

AMEN.

July 14 2011

John 4:35

Following Jesus, means leaving my comfort zone. Following Jesus, means forgetting about myself and focusing on God. I am indeed guilty. I have been too focused on my friendship with my best friend. . coz I want it to be a good one, I'm too worried that he'd leave. I'm too worried that I'm doing the wrong thing. Thing is, my worries lead me straight to it. I did something wrong that must've caused us to stop talking forever. . but God gave me a second chance. . I was so worried to do the wrong thing, and i did do the wrong thing. Why? Coz i was so focused on my worries when there are millions of people dying who have not yet met God.

It's time to stop thinking about what I need. But start thinking about what God wants to do. My depression is gone, its GONE. I know I am back to my normal self. I have to fight these mood swings, be independent and pursue God. I only need one friend to back me up and this time I won't focus on him at all. I have to focus on God. God is the center of my life. Not my friend/s. I have to save up. I really have to find a way to save up to support tribal missionaries. This is where the heart of God is. I HAVE to grow up and start now. I don't have to wait later for a job or what, i can do it now. I just have to forget about myself and focus on God. As i focus on God, He will take care of me and give me proper wisdom.

"Complacency is also nurtured when we settle for the wisdom of our age instead of becoming "fools for Christ's sake" (1 Cor. 4:10 NASB).

Radical Leadership.

July 13 2011

I John 2:2

Pea-sized Christianity. Everybody is called for missions, and that is to reach the unreached. I don't want to have a pea-sized christianity. I want to serve God to the fullest. I know right now I can't do that; but once I graduate college, once i get out of this school, i know I can do missions. I'm not saying being in school is worthless; being in school helps me a lot and prepares me for missions. I do wonder what my mission is. So far, I want to be a supporter for missionaries :) I want to support tribal missionaries :) And I will do my best in work to support tribal missionaries here in Mindanao. Thank you Lord! AMEN! :D

July 12 2011

The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)

A humble heart's characteristics :

Awareness. Are you alert to the needs of others around you? Are you sensitive to their hurts, dreams, problems?

At some point. . . Yes I am, but it's very very vague. I need more sensitivity. I have to learn how to focus on them rather than focus on what they think about me. I have to be selfless. I know i can learn this. It's all in the mind. . :)

Availability. - Do you take so much time meeting your own needs that you have no time for others? You have to make time to serve.

Yes. . I'm too focused on myself. I NEED to think of others more! I have to forget about myself! I HAVE to forget about my depression. It's gone. IT'S GONE. AMEN.

Acceptance. One reason you don't serve lovingly is that you have a hard time accepting others. You look at their faults instead of seeing them through the eyes of the father.

Indeed, I began judging others when i became depressed. I have to look beyond the skin. This started when i when inter-cultural. It's time to see others in God's lenses. No more insecurities. Plain love. :)

Abiding. You can give time and love to others only as you depend on Jesus daily and draw your strength and wisdom from him.

AMEN! I have to really pray every morning for his strength and wisdom. Morning prayers are precious and beautiful just like the morning dews. . :) Such beauty in praying. I have to learn how to be a prayerful woman!

Abandonment. Jesus said that if a man is to find his life, he must lost it. (Matt 10:39) What He meant was that you should cease trying to call attention to yourself and isntead concentrate your concerns on others.

It's time to grow up. It's time to think of others above myself. I want to be like Jesus. :) I don't want to be famous. I want others to see Jesus in me. That once they see me or know me, they get to know Christ as well. I want to give Him back the glory always. i'm not a puppet. I have my choices and i choose to be used by God. it is a great honor mixed with great joy. Here Am I Lord. Despite my imperfection I choose to serve You. . Please., use me. :)

July 11 2011

Now therefore, go and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say (Ex. 4:12)

God really did humble me down. From being the ideal person i pretended to be, God revealed my imperfections. Now He is clearly molding me that i may be humbled. All my life I've always wanted a goo life for myself. I've always wanted to have a good house and a good car. Hey those dreams are okay, but if i'm focused too much on that. . what i truly long for is just a social status. God is breaking that in me. God chooses people who are obviously imperfect, those who are rejected. God placed me in a place where there are so many of these kinds of people. God molded me to be an encourager to them. I really should stop thinking about myself and start thinking about them. It'll take time, but this molding process will surely mold me painfully, but with great satisfaction in the end. No matter what their past is, what they've done, God will use them as long as they're available and willing to trust in Him. :)

It's time to get serious and focus on what God wants me to do. I don't have to worry. As His word say. . He will be my mouth and He will teach me how to say it. ;) AMEN! :D

July 10 2011

For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Sam. 16:17)

Dear God. . I lay all my giftings and talents to you alone. Please use it.

I know that I look down on my performances lately. . but I do believe God is setting my eyes on my heart rather than my performances. . God seeks a pure heart, a heart that is passionate for Him without asking for any reward. I love my God, and performances does not apply to Him. He needs my heart. I am slowly seeing why I have all these failures in my performances. . He's opening my eyes, to see what He really wants from me.

I wil focus on building myself up from the inside. Enough of the performances. I know I will face great trials. Great persecutions and great failures, but these are all in His plan, to make me the woman He intends me to be. :) I will praise Him no matter what. thank you God. :)

July 9 2011

Phil. 2:17

Servant hood sometimes means to be abased. This is one of the toughest things I am facing right now. Something changed in me that i didn't know where i got from. I became prideful. I want to have all the good things in life and ignore the bad things. . it just so happens that it also is the same with the people i hang out with. . If they're not in my standards, it's hard for me to listen to them. . to be with them. . I really think this is the main reason why God placed me in my school right now. Most students there from the provinces, they're far different from city people, where i grew up with. I always miss my old university, the blue ones. Now i'm in the red ones.

God is humbling me in a way that would really stick in my heart. Humility is indeed a tough journey. God will never stop until i understand this humility. Thank you Lord. :) Humility means offering without expecting anything in return.

July 8 2011

He who is greatest among you shall be your servant (Matt. 23:11)

My devotion today talked about humility. Which greatly helped me with my role in the student council. When you're in authority and in power, pride creeps in slowly but surely. One way for us to not make that happen is to be in deep relationship with God. :) When we are in an intimate relationship with God, we are enveloped in His Holy Humility. :) I want that. I want to be intimate with God and i know i can. :)

I joined the student council because i want to be of help to my school. Not because of my position. Now, to be able to be successful in that, I must draw nearer to my God :) Humility of servanthood is the key. It's time to stop complaining and start being patient and clothed with humility. :)

Thank you God! :D

July 7 2011

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:35)

You can serve others when you are secure in your relationship with the Father.

No wonder i lost the passion to serve others. . my relationship with the Father wasn't secured. I lost track, lost my way and poof! Focus on the worldly pleasures. To serve others, one must have a solid foundation with the Lord, no actually. . TO serve others, one must have a relationship with the Lord. I need to refill my empty tank with God. . that i maybe able to have something to share to others. : ) One step at a time. . I know I will recover.

July 6 2011

I heard the voice of the Lord, saying :

"Whom shall I send,

And who will go for Us?"

Then i said, "Here am I! Send me" (Isa. 6:8)

God! I say the same thing! Here am I, please Send me!

God. . What is Your calling for me truly? I feel like a very diverse artist who is a jack of all trades that has no forte. Dear God. . . what exactly do You want me to do? At the moment. . I am in school, I am in the student council. What exactly do you want me to do Lord?Because I am here. Please, send me. I know that there is a reason why I am here right now. It's no mistake, no matter what others say, or my brain says, i know You have a reason for this. . I trust in You. No more doubts. No more mistakes. Just plain grace and faith. God. I want you. Here am I, Send me. : )

As my favorite song is "Here I am, send me." (Alabaster Jar)

July 5 2011

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 cor. 5:17)

God. . devotional talked about accepting Christ as a personal Savior. . it's not mere coincidence right? Is this the perfect time? Nikki asked me yesterday if she wants to change and turn away from her sins, she has to do a lot of good deeds. . I just explained that when she accepts You as her savior, she will have a clean slate. Nothing to pay at all. . I'll give it a try today Lord :) If it doesn't work, i won't stop trying. I love nikki, and I want her to meet you. :)

Please be with me as I write my letter for her. . :)

July 4 2011

So the last will be the first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen. (Matt. 20:16)

It takes a whole lot of humility and grace to serve others and its takes the same to be served. Being a part of a student council, i don't really like the leader, but being under her, i should humble myself and respect her. I kept asking God what's His reason of allowing me to enter the student council. I guess i found my answer thru this devotional. He's humbling me big time.

God has been humbling me lately, and boy is it harsh x3. But i believe that God has a huge reason for this. It's my preparation for my calling.

To serve takes a whole lot of humility and grace, and in the same way, to be served. To be served means, allowing people to help us, in return is to trust them, and that takes a whole bunch of grace.

Being in the council truly is teaching me how to be humble and graceful without being naive and irresponsible.

July 3 2011

Mark 2:17

I am a living testimony of God. :) I passed through all this heart aches for a reason. Soon God will use these pains and mistakes to something great. Indeed, a living testimony :D

July 2 2011 (Evening)

Now therefore, go, and i will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say. (Ex. 4:12)

Now i understand why i can't help others anymore. I lost my relationship with God, therefore, I stopped leaning on Him and leaned on my own understanding. Indeed that when God is in your life, He makes amazing wonders to our speech and hearing.

I'm just glad that I am back with the Lord. More open :) Step by step I'd be able to stand on my own two feet and be able to deliver His words once again to the people who needs to hear it. :)

July 2 2011

By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Eph. 2:8-9)

Personally, i really felt like i've created a huge torn on my life because of what i've done lately. I compromised my purity. But this verse clearly says that we always have God's grace. . : ) I can't explain His love for me, but then, i find it simply amazing. JUst like a torn dress of a little girl, any mother would sew it back to make it good as new or sometimes, even better from before. . I claim this promise in my life. I'm so glad, deep in my heart, that my God is a God of second chances. .

Thank you so much Lord. I lift my life all to you. . . :)

July 1 2011

Commitment (Ex. 3:4)

Nothing is worth missing God's wonderful plan for your life.

It takes great commitment to accept the purpose God has give me. I know it's hard, but He promised to never leave me nor forsake me. He's my strength and my joy. Truly I lack nothing when i commit to the Lord.

I re commit myself to the Lord. My life is His. I live to live my purpose for the advancement of His kingdom. It took Moses 40 years of molding and reshaping his character. I will take this challenge of 30 days of finding who I am again, and standing firm on the calling God has given me. First steps are the hardest, but i know i can do this. God is with me. I will be better. I know, i will be better.