“Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 NLT
Wait patiently for the Lord. What do I still wait for? My partner in life. Yes. I still do and deep inside me I still want to become a wife, a mother and a homemaker someday. Yet, I guess my season of waiting is still ongoing. I need to be reminded from time to time to wait patiently on Him and be courageous enough to remain in my beliefs and brave enough to fight for I know what is right regarding this area of my life. I will be patient and be brave and courageous to fully trust God and let Him handle my concerns with care. I will wait patiently and will still keep on praying until one day, He answers what I have been praying for.
Lord,
Thank You again for this day and for this night of prayer and short devotion. Somehow, I was able to take a rest and I am having this feeling that I will have a good time again tomorrow though I am expecting to be physically tired. Father, thank You so much and may You touch the hearts of my superiors to allow me to be absent in the morning of October 28 just to enroll. I have gone this far already all because of Your grace and guidance. This is just the last step until I get there. Thank You Lord. Goodnight and Amen.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Proverbs 31:30
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised..." -Proverbs 31:30, NLT-
I am reminded of this for after talking with a guy friend, I felt quite let's say, "unpretty" for we looked at women who were the epitome of beauty of this world. He even said that those women had it all.
I know that I am not what you may call conventional beauty. I still have a chubby body, my nose is flat and quite big. But they don't have to define me. They are not the sum and totality of my being, my definition as a woman. Yes, those women may be so attractive according to this world standards but I am beautiful because God made me to be and He has given me a lovely and loving heart. That alone can make me a thousand times lovelier. I am saying these things only not just to feel good about myself but also to remind me that physical beauty is not all that there is. There are personality, intelligence and most of all, Jesus who created everything and everyone beautiful in His sight.
I know I am beautiful inside and out. But I will give more focus on what is inside me. I will show more compassion, concern and mercy to those who need it. I will show more love specially to those who are seemingly unlovable. That is the true test of love actually. Loving those who don't and can't love you.
I am not going to do these things just to subconsciously uplift myself but to bring glory to Him who has given me everything. That they may see Christ in me. I don't have to prove anything anymore. I will just focus on honoring God and bring joy in His heart with all my actions and my speech.
Time for me to work now. But I will not cease thinking and meditating on this. I will live a life fearing the Lord, worshiping Him and thanking Him everyday. These are quite a feat, easier said than done but by His grace, I can do it. And I will do it. I will be a woman with godly and Christ-like character.
I am reminded of this for after talking with a guy friend, I felt quite let's say, "unpretty" for we looked at women who were the epitome of beauty of this world. He even said that those women had it all.
I know that I am not what you may call conventional beauty. I still have a chubby body, my nose is flat and quite big. But they don't have to define me. They are not the sum and totality of my being, my definition as a woman. Yes, those women may be so attractive according to this world standards but I am beautiful because God made me to be and He has given me a lovely and loving heart. That alone can make me a thousand times lovelier. I am saying these things only not just to feel good about myself but also to remind me that physical beauty is not all that there is. There are personality, intelligence and most of all, Jesus who created everything and everyone beautiful in His sight.
I know I am beautiful inside and out. But I will give more focus on what is inside me. I will show more compassion, concern and mercy to those who need it. I will show more love specially to those who are seemingly unlovable. That is the true test of love actually. Loving those who don't and can't love you.
I am not going to do these things just to subconsciously uplift myself but to bring glory to Him who has given me everything. That they may see Christ in me. I don't have to prove anything anymore. I will just focus on honoring God and bring joy in His heart with all my actions and my speech.
Time for me to work now. But I will not cease thinking and meditating on this. I will live a life fearing the Lord, worshiping Him and thanking Him everyday. These are quite a feat, easier said than done but by His grace, I can do it. And I will do it. I will be a woman with godly and Christ-like character.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Crave: Psalm 119: 153-160 NLT
1. What was the psalmist asking God for (v. 153, 154)? Why do you think did he do this?
2. How do you usually cope with tough times? Where or to whom do you often turn to for help?
3. Knowing that God’s Word can preserve your life and save you, how will you allow God to do that for you today?
1. He did this maybe because of the intensity or the kind of trouble he was into at the time. And he knew that only God could help him and take him out of the pit he was headed to.
2. Before, I would resort to doing things that were not so beneficial for me. I would binge or would daydream a lot just to ease the pain. Yet, I don't know but I have become more in tuned with my reality now and I give credit to God for that. Now, I am praying more and asking Him more for wisdom and understanding as to how I would deal with any issue or dilemma coming my way.
3. I will let God's word transform and change me. I will let Him speak and talk to me. I will let Him do the talking. I will let Him guide me in every decision that I am going to make in my life.
" Lord, how great is Your mercy; let me be revived by following Your regulations."
-Psalm 119:156, NLT-
Lord, You know what I am going through right now. I am hurt because of the things that have been happening around me and the way people in my life have been treating me. I know, I need to get more of my confidence and self-worth from You but sometimes other people's treatment affects me that much. I must deal with this issue of self-acceptance and will let the people around me know that I am to be respected.
Looking back, I have seen what has been wrong with me and Lord, thank You for showing me my mistakes. Maybe I have not been treating myself with respect also that's why those people also do the same to me.
Lord, may I learn from Your word what am going to do with my situation now. I need to forgive those people but I will be cautious now as to whom should I let into my "inner circle." I will carefully choose my friends and if worst comes to worst that I will not find anyone trustworthy, then I will learn to get by on my own, with You of course.
Lord, this is just a learning experience. Thank You for teaching me many things. Thank You for the peace and love that I have in my heart. Thank You, Lord. Amen.
2. How do you usually cope with tough times? Where or to whom do you often turn to for help?
3. Knowing that God’s Word can preserve your life and save you, how will you allow God to do that for you today?
1. He did this maybe because of the intensity or the kind of trouble he was into at the time. And he knew that only God could help him and take him out of the pit he was headed to.
2. Before, I would resort to doing things that were not so beneficial for me. I would binge or would daydream a lot just to ease the pain. Yet, I don't know but I have become more in tuned with my reality now and I give credit to God for that. Now, I am praying more and asking Him more for wisdom and understanding as to how I would deal with any issue or dilemma coming my way.
3. I will let God's word transform and change me. I will let Him speak and talk to me. I will let Him do the talking. I will let Him guide me in every decision that I am going to make in my life.
" Lord, how great is Your mercy; let me be revived by following Your regulations."
-Psalm 119:156, NLT-
Lord, You know what I am going through right now. I am hurt because of the things that have been happening around me and the way people in my life have been treating me. I know, I need to get more of my confidence and self-worth from You but sometimes other people's treatment affects me that much. I must deal with this issue of self-acceptance and will let the people around me know that I am to be respected.
Looking back, I have seen what has been wrong with me and Lord, thank You for showing me my mistakes. Maybe I have not been treating myself with respect also that's why those people also do the same to me.
Lord, may I learn from Your word what am going to do with my situation now. I need to forgive those people but I will be cautious now as to whom should I let into my "inner circle." I will carefully choose my friends and if worst comes to worst that I will not find anyone trustworthy, then I will learn to get by on my own, with You of course.
Lord, this is just a learning experience. Thank You for teaching me many things. Thank You for the peace and love that I have in my heart. Thank You, Lord. Amen.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Crave: Psalm 119:145-152 NLT
1. How would you describe the intensity of the psalmist’s cry unto God in verses 147 to 149?
2. What area or concern in your life do you need to present to God now?
3. how much are you in faith that God will hear you when you call on Him?
1. The psalmist almost did not sleep at all just to ponder and think about God's love for him and his need for God's presence in his life. It was like his main source of life, his oxygen, his everything. He was so passionate for God that he equated life with Him.
2. I guess, the area wherein I needed to be assured that I am loved and accepted. The area I call "lovelife", the area that I am praying for a lifetime partner. I know, it should not be the main focus of my life but I have my needs too as a person, as a human, and as a woman. I sometimes feel bad about myself thinking I am not beautiful nor attractive enough to catch someone's attention. Yet, I must keep in mind that God has plans for me and I should not be bothered anymore by the odds around me. I need to give Him all the things that bother me and worry me.
3. I am not sure. May I have the kind of faith that God will listen to. May I have that faith that will call onto God automatically and not revert to other things just to ease the burden or pain that I am feeling. I pray for that kind of faith.
" In your faithful love, O Lord, hear my cry; let me be revived by following your regulations." -Psalm 119:149 NLT-
This is my prayer. That my soul will be revived again and will be totally healed by God's love and mercy for me. That my soul will once again feel the fullness of His love for me. Following His regulations is one of the keys for me to have a better understanding of Him and to be more secured in Him. To base my life and how I live it according to His word. According to what He says and thinks.
2. What area or concern in your life do you need to present to God now?
3. how much are you in faith that God will hear you when you call on Him?
1. The psalmist almost did not sleep at all just to ponder and think about God's love for him and his need for God's presence in his life. It was like his main source of life, his oxygen, his everything. He was so passionate for God that he equated life with Him.
2. I guess, the area wherein I needed to be assured that I am loved and accepted. The area I call "lovelife", the area that I am praying for a lifetime partner. I know, it should not be the main focus of my life but I have my needs too as a person, as a human, and as a woman. I sometimes feel bad about myself thinking I am not beautiful nor attractive enough to catch someone's attention. Yet, I must keep in mind that God has plans for me and I should not be bothered anymore by the odds around me. I need to give Him all the things that bother me and worry me.
3. I am not sure. May I have the kind of faith that God will listen to. May I have that faith that will call onto God automatically and not revert to other things just to ease the burden or pain that I am feeling. I pray for that kind of faith.
" In your faithful love, O Lord, hear my cry; let me be revived by following your regulations." -Psalm 119:149 NLT-
This is my prayer. That my soul will be revived again and will be totally healed by God's love and mercy for me. That my soul will once again feel the fullness of His love for me. Following His regulations is one of the keys for me to have a better understanding of Him and to be more secured in Him. To base my life and how I live it according to His word. According to what He says and thinks.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Psalm 119: 137-144 NLT
1.What made the psalmist trust God’s statutes (v. 140)?
2.In your life, why can you say that God’s Word is trustworthy?
3.How much do you trust God’s statutes?
4.What practical steps can you take for you to deepen your trust in God?
1. Because the psalmist was able to test God's love and the truthfulness of His Word maybe all throughout his lifetime.
2. It always rings true and practical. Whatever that God says, it really happens.
3. I fall sometimes specially as regards my faith. Sometimes I do not trust His Word enough to feel sure and confident about myself. I am easily swayed by what others say and the things that happen around me. I pray that God will deal with me in this area of my life.
4. First I guess is the amount of time and the real time that I devote to meditate and study God's Word. These past few days and weeks, I had been in such an emotional and really deep spiritual limbo that I found myself lying on the ground again. Good thing the Lord picked me up and gave me quite a "spanking" that I already learned my lesson. But this is going to be a day to to day dependence on Him for I might stumble again.
" Your laws are always right; help me to understand them so I may live."
Psalm 119:144 NLT
This is my prayer. That God will give me a daily and ample dose of understanding of His Word that I will be able to live the life that He has always wanted me to have. I had been into such a tempest and I thank Him for getting me out of that trouble. I thought something really bad happened for me to feel bad about myself but upon reflection, I have realized that it was indeed a blessing in disguise. For I have seen and learned many things and one of the best things that happened to me was I was able to finally fully let go of that very wrong person first in my head and in my heart.
Lord, please always give me understanding. Help me Father not to compromise anymore. Just to follow You and disregard whatever the people around me will say. I will discriminate and choose carefully the advice given me and will look into what You have to say before I plunge into something, head first. Lord, thank You for Your mercy, Your grace and Your love for me. Enough to save me from my own follies.
Give me strength to just follow You and keep Your word in my heart and live by them day by day.
Amen
2.In your life, why can you say that God’s Word is trustworthy?
3.How much do you trust God’s statutes?
4.What practical steps can you take for you to deepen your trust in God?
1. Because the psalmist was able to test God's love and the truthfulness of His Word maybe all throughout his lifetime.
2. It always rings true and practical. Whatever that God says, it really happens.
3. I fall sometimes specially as regards my faith. Sometimes I do not trust His Word enough to feel sure and confident about myself. I am easily swayed by what others say and the things that happen around me. I pray that God will deal with me in this area of my life.
4. First I guess is the amount of time and the real time that I devote to meditate and study God's Word. These past few days and weeks, I had been in such an emotional and really deep spiritual limbo that I found myself lying on the ground again. Good thing the Lord picked me up and gave me quite a "spanking" that I already learned my lesson. But this is going to be a day to to day dependence on Him for I might stumble again.
" Your laws are always right; help me to understand them so I may live."
Psalm 119:144 NLT
This is my prayer. That God will give me a daily and ample dose of understanding of His Word that I will be able to live the life that He has always wanted me to have. I had been into such a tempest and I thank Him for getting me out of that trouble. I thought something really bad happened for me to feel bad about myself but upon reflection, I have realized that it was indeed a blessing in disguise. For I have seen and learned many things and one of the best things that happened to me was I was able to finally fully let go of that very wrong person first in my head and in my heart.
Lord, please always give me understanding. Help me Father not to compromise anymore. Just to follow You and disregard whatever the people around me will say. I will discriminate and choose carefully the advice given me and will look into what You have to say before I plunge into something, head first. Lord, thank You for Your mercy, Your grace and Your love for me. Enough to save me from my own follies.
Give me strength to just follow You and keep Your word in my heart and live by them day by day.
Amen
Friday, August 5, 2011
Psalm 119: 129-136 NLT
1.How did the psalmist see God’s statutes? Because of this, how did he respond to the Word?
2.Why do you think did the psalmist respond the way he did in verse 136? How much can you relate to him in this?
3.Which of God’s commands do you think you need to put to practice today? How will you do this?
1. He thought that God's laws were wonderful worthy to be obeyed. He considered the Word of God the main source of his life. Most precious than anything or anyone else.
2. Because he loved God's word so much. It was his life, itself. How can you not love something that gives you life? In my case, I feel sad each time I see or hear people doing things that do not conform with the word of God. Something inside me cries out, something inside me becomes crestfallen. I just feel sad. Terribly sad.
3. Many. Specially when it has something to do with my speech and my thoughts. This day, unholy and sinful thoughts plagued my mind again. Too bad, I entertained them so my emotions joined in. Now, I am feeling upset again being deceived by my emotions at the same time, condemned by my conscience. One important teaching I learned from God is "do not be yoked together with unbelievers (2 Cor.6:14."
I see now the wisdom of God each time He says that. Like in my case, I have been surrounded by my "unbelieving" friends so it is mostly trash that gets into my mind. And I suffer the consequences. I am going to ask God to give me wisdom regarding this issue but may He always give me strength to deal with this area in my life.
In Reflection:
" Guide my steps by Your word, so I will not be overcome by evil."
-Psalm 119: 133,NLT-
Lord, this is my prayer. May Your word always stick into my mind that I may always do the right thing in Your eyes. I don't want to be overcome by evil Father but I will overcome it through You and the power of Your word. Father, forgive me of my sinful and bad ways and change me Lord God from glory to glory. Not mine, but Yours.
Lord, guide me in everything. Guide me so that the enemy will not have any chance to hurt me of to endanger me.
Thanks a lot, dear Father in heaven.
Amen.
2.Why do you think did the psalmist respond the way he did in verse 136? How much can you relate to him in this?
3.Which of God’s commands do you think you need to put to practice today? How will you do this?
1. He thought that God's laws were wonderful worthy to be obeyed. He considered the Word of God the main source of his life. Most precious than anything or anyone else.
2. Because he loved God's word so much. It was his life, itself. How can you not love something that gives you life? In my case, I feel sad each time I see or hear people doing things that do not conform with the word of God. Something inside me cries out, something inside me becomes crestfallen. I just feel sad. Terribly sad.
3. Many. Specially when it has something to do with my speech and my thoughts. This day, unholy and sinful thoughts plagued my mind again. Too bad, I entertained them so my emotions joined in. Now, I am feeling upset again being deceived by my emotions at the same time, condemned by my conscience. One important teaching I learned from God is "do not be yoked together with unbelievers (2 Cor.6:14."
I see now the wisdom of God each time He says that. Like in my case, I have been surrounded by my "unbelieving" friends so it is mostly trash that gets into my mind. And I suffer the consequences. I am going to ask God to give me wisdom regarding this issue but may He always give me strength to deal with this area in my life.
In Reflection:
" Guide my steps by Your word, so I will not be overcome by evil."
-Psalm 119: 133,NLT-
Lord, this is my prayer. May Your word always stick into my mind that I may always do the right thing in Your eyes. I don't want to be overcome by evil Father but I will overcome it through You and the power of Your word. Father, forgive me of my sinful and bad ways and change me Lord God from glory to glory. Not mine, but Yours.
Lord, guide me in everything. Guide me so that the enemy will not have any chance to hurt me of to endanger me.
Thanks a lot, dear Father in heaven.
Amen.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Psalm 119: 121-128 NLT
1.What did the psalmist ask for in order to understand God’s statutes (v. 125)?
2.How did the psalmist describe God’s commands (v. 127)?
3.How much do you treasure God’s commands? How is this shown in the way you live?
1. The psalmist asked for discernment. Deeper understanding. One that God impresses.
2. More than the finest gold, more than the most precious jewel in all the world.
3. I treasure it with all my heart. The question is, do I really show and act that I do?
In Reflection:
"Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies, for I have done what is just and right."
-Psalm 119:121,NLT-
Lord, this is my cry now. I know I have disappointed You again in many ways. Lord, I really find it quite difficult to obey You though my heart badly needs to obey You. Father, please do not let go of me. I need to be in Your hands. I want to do what is right but I am overcome by the world most of the time. Lord, I cry out to You. Have mercy on me.
I feel like I am alone. Please be here, there and everywhere with me. I want to just obey You and follow You. I will choose You above anything else. Lord, lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil, amen.
2.How did the psalmist describe God’s commands (v. 127)?
3.How much do you treasure God’s commands? How is this shown in the way you live?
1. The psalmist asked for discernment. Deeper understanding. One that God impresses.
2. More than the finest gold, more than the most precious jewel in all the world.
3. I treasure it with all my heart. The question is, do I really show and act that I do?
In Reflection:
"Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies, for I have done what is just and right."
-Psalm 119:121,NLT-
Lord, this is my cry now. I know I have disappointed You again in many ways. Lord, I really find it quite difficult to obey You though my heart badly needs to obey You. Father, please do not let go of me. I need to be in Your hands. I want to do what is right but I am overcome by the world most of the time. Lord, I cry out to You. Have mercy on me.
I feel like I am alone. Please be here, there and everywhere with me. I want to just obey You and follow You. I will choose You above anything else. Lord, lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil, amen.
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