God Bless Our Home♥

My family has been praying for our own house for a long time now, and God provided us a perfect one this summer! It's farther from my school but it's worth the drive cus it's our house. So last week we planned to move on Friday, May 30th, but Thursday one of the men who was going to help us with his truck and trailer called and said that there's a 60% chance of rain the following day and that we should reschedule or borrow a U-haul trailer. But, my dad was already off Friday and Saturday, the man with the trailer was traveling somewhere. We brought our worries to God and prayed for him to withhold the rain. I had full confidence that God wouldn't make it rain because it seems like every time I pray for good weather, He has answered my prayers. My dad even read a certain verse from the Bible for his Friday devotion that said something about God containing the winds in His fists. And that morning, the sky was clear! Early 8 am, the man with the trailer showed up because he wanted us to have a head start just in case it rained. Other helpers came, including two very important helpers-- the 2 little boys I babysit from church:) They made moving fun and they were very helpful! For lunch, one of the ladies cooked us a delicious meal which strengthened all of the workers who needed to carry my heavy piano and dresser. At around 2:30, all the heavy furniture was moved from the apartment to the house. And guess what, at 3 pm it started raining cats and dogs! Praise the Lord! He was like a giant umbrella, shielding us from the rain the entire morning. For dinner, our pastor came over and his wife made us some soup and dessert. God is so good to us! Our move went smoothly thanks to Him! Also, we were very thankful for all the helpers and meals provided. We still have to clean the apartment and buy furniture for our new house, so keep us in your prayers. We're praying that the Lord will use this home not only as our shelter but also a way to fellowship with fellow believers and reach out to the lost in this neighborhood.
Prayers much appreciated.

Share the Joy of Jesus

Recently, I have been learning to know someone for their real selves. 
In the hallways, people laugh and smile but are they really happy inside?
You never know how a person actually feels until you genuinely ask "How are you?" and you don't settle for a typical "Good." answer. 
When we take prayer requests in class and a certain someone shares a struggle or asks prayer for a relative, you see their need-- now I'm not saying that they need help all the time and that they're always melancholy. But seeing that side of them, outside of their goofy grins and la-di-da days, you gain compassion and you just want to know them more. 
Aside from praying for them, why don't we actually go outside of our ways and ask them for progress on their need? We can even send them private notes to cheer them up.
If you see someone sitting alone, go over to them and chat with them or invite them over to sit with your friends (and once you do that, don't just ignore them).
The last thing I ever want to know is someone living a lonely life without any real friends, when i could've done so much more. Or when you see them every day all happy-go-lucky but later you hear they were really sad inside.
I just realized while writing this that the helping hand I can give is Jesus. I pass many unsaved people, even in my Christian school, and I just live with them like that. I really need to change.
I want to go out of my way and know people better, and share the joy of Christ with them- the only way I have joy in my own life.

Lend a Helping Hand. 
Make Someone's Day.
Share Christ's Love. 

Behind a Mask

I believe that personality is more important than appearance. You should not judge a person by their exterior because in our eyes, just because they are different, we immediately think that they are weird or ugly, but sometimes once you get to know that person, you realize that they are sweet and friendly. Proverbs 31:3 states that beauty is deceiving but he who fears the Lord shall be praised. There are those who are blessed with more outward beauty than others, but they abuse their blessing by having bitter hearts. I am ashamed to say that I used to follow those types of people. I wanted to be as popular and cool as them and little by little, I was getting far from God and closer to the world. I praise the Lord for letting me see that! When picking a close friend, you should always see if they are going to help you get closer to the Lord. Most potential friends are harmless. Some are entertaining, funny, and studious, but if the friend you choose is not born again, he will lead you away from God. Choosing a friend based solely on their appearance will not help you inwardly. The Bible says in I Samuel 16:7 that the Lord looks at the heart unlike man who looks at the outward appearance. As a child of God, I am striving to become more like Christ and looking at that passage, I realize that I should also look at the heart, not just other people’s hearts but mine too. If we have hearts that love the Lord, then that love will shine brightly through in our appearance and actions. We will not be dressing, talking, and acting like the world. Unfortunately, personalities can be as deceiving as the outward looks. No one knows a person’s true heart except for God. We just need to depend on the Holy Spirit to help us discern from the right and wrong types of people. 

God Strengthens

This past week was the first week of school. It was quite overwhelming. I had a lot of homework that stressed me out.
To top all of that, I received some news from the Philippines. It was a shocker. Through tears, I realized that God has a plan for me. All the homework I get will prepare me for His will for me in the future. And this unexpected news showed me how much we need to cherish every moment and use our time here on earth for Him. God tests our faith. This news turned my attention back to God. I need to trust in Him and not myself for help in everything, whether it be school or trials and temptations.
Please pray for me to trust in God this school year.
Thank you.

Happy 4th! ~ from an American girl

I can truly be proud that the United States of America became independent on July 4, 1776 now that I am an American citizen.  I praise the Lord for letting us become citizens on November 10, 2011.  My parents had applied for citizenship around July last year and God smoothed out the process.  I am a Pinoy (Filipino) at heart still but America takes a big part of my heart also.

Happy 4th!
Thank you for everyone who is serving and protecting this country.

My Own Battles...

During the school year, my friends (I am not so sure if they should be... they don't exactly help me become more Christ like) asked me what I thought about The Battle for Christian Music by Tim Fisher, the book we were reading in music appreciation class.  I told them that I wanted to learn what Tim Fisher had to say about music.  When I said it though I didn't seem interested outside... I was scared that they would make fun of me for being eager about it.  That was really dumb of me.  I should've stood for my faith and accepted that as a true child of God, I will get persecuted.  I really want to learn what the right music is.  I want to learn how to identify music in categories.  One of the temptations I have been trying to conquer is singing worldly music.  It's hard for me to say this but yes, I'm no perfect goody two shoes. Any music I hear (especially from tv or stores) gets stuck in my head.  Music is not neutral and when I sing certain songs, they make me feel good and happy.  But is God happy with what is coming from my mouth and heart?   No.
We've got to remember what brings joy to our Father in heaven.
One of my friends mentioned to me that she liked a certain CCM song and I scolded (not really... I was smiling the entire time... I just don't know how to be firm and guiding at times) her and she just mocked me (and God) that "oohh.. she was sinning".  At that time, I only smiled even though I wanted to say, "Yes, yes you are."  I was just scared of what she would think of me... there I go again=/  I really need to stand for my faith!
Please pray for me as I decide on my friendships, battle temptations, stand for my faith, and bring glory to God.

Beautiful People

"We all, with open face beholding as in a lass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory."  II Corinthians 3:18

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be one of the "beautiful people"?  Fans swarming the stage.  People asking for your autograph.  The satisfaction of accolades and trophies.  The rush of knowing that others imitate the way you walk, dress, and speak.  What a life that would be!

Photo Credit: FotoSearch

But perhaps that lifestyle isn't quite as glamorous, as we might think.  Consider what it would be like to have photographers hound your every step, hoping to catch you in less-than-beautiful activities.  Think about the hassle of having to wear a disguise at the ballpark or your favorite restaurant.

Being one of the "beautiful people" comes at a price.  Many celebrities hire bodyguards to keep the adoring public at arm's length.  Most live behind secure gates in homes protected by surveillance cameras.  Being beautiful means being very careful about associating with others.

In contrast, out beautiful Savior welcomes us into His presence- always!  Jesus doesn't hole up inside a secure compound or wall himself off behind impenetrable security.  No, he enfolds us in His grace, inviting us to come close and to stay close, forever!

As Jesus lived here of earth, He made Himself accessible to all who came to hear the message of God's unending love for them.  He healed the sick.  He touched the lepers.  His inexhaustible mercy made Him beautiful beyond words in their eyes.

Still today,  Jesus is present with us, accessible at any and every moment.   We can call out to Him with any need, any concern.  He gladly invites us to spend time with Him, to share our lives with Him.  He longs for us to stay near, to nestle close to His heart secure in His love.

What's more, the more time we spend with Him, thinking about His acceptance, pouring over the promises in His Word, reflecting on His compassion, the more like Him we become.  We are transformed- changed- into His very image, with ever-increasing glory.

~taken from Reflecting the Beauty of the Lord, 25 devotions for women