David's heart

I've been reading on Psalms and I am learning a lot on David's life and is amazed by his heart. In the midst of his enemies and fears and death..He gladly sang song for his God. He exalted HIM and praise Him and never doubted that God is able to deliver him.

I want that kind of heart. I want my heart to be overflowing with songs and praises to my Father who loves me greatly.

Even in times of need and testings I want a heart that is steadfast. A heart that does not doubt on God's love and grace and power. Oh how I pray I'll have that kind of heart too.

Because I admit that mostly on my testing times..I doubt..I worry and I rely on my self and I know that should not be the case. I should learn to really surrender everything and make HIM in charge of everything in my life (like David did)

God has been David's refuge and shelter and comforter (when he was hiding from Saul)

that's why he was able to sing and praise the Lord even if he was hiding and running.

I pray I can have David's heart and attitude and not fret (like what I mostly do) when being tested. It's a shame I know. Thank God that HE is dealing with me in that aspect. 

Now I am learning to come to God first and foremost when in need (and not wish that some gold coins fall from heaven to supply for that need) I am learning to consult HIM in everything-even small as it seems ( like what to say to someone or should I go there or not) after all God should be in control in every details of our lives right?

image source : God's wonders

Reading

This was recommended and lent by my sister. I am just starting and I'm learning a lot about asking God on almost anything  - meaning involving Him in my everyday routine, making me more sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Thank you Lord for Joy Dawson's book and life.

LJBC Youth Camp 2012

We are all excited for this year's youth camp.Our Pastor went to see the camp venue today and he said it was all good. Campers will be staying in their own tent (which is first time) so everyone is really excited!! we are now in full preparation and though we won't be needing industrial rubber hose we need to ready lots of stuff :)

I and my friend J-mie will create the program for the whole event :) I just pray that this event will not just be another event for the. I pray lives will changes and that the youth will come to know and love the Lord more.

When you Shepherd Me

This song is ministering to me right now, last night when I first heard it, I was overwhelmed by God's love. I hope it ministers to you too. Whatever your situation is right now, you just have to trust our GOOD SHEPHERD. You will be restored and renewed. Here's the complete lyrics;

WHEN YOU SHEPHERD ME
by : Brian Doerksen

When You shepherd me
I have everything that I need
When You make me rest
Beside a peaceful stream

My soul is restored
My strength is renewed
When you shepherd me

When You shepherd me
Your rod and staff comfort me
As You guide my steps
I can trust Your lead

Even when I walk
Through the valley shadowed with death
I will not fear for You are with me

I am overwhelmed by love
Overtaken by Your mercy
Lord Your goodness without end
Will be the house in which I dwell

When you shepherd me
Your prepare a bountiful feast
Even when my enemies
Are closing in on me

You anoint me with oil
My cup overflows
When You shepherd me

and here's the story behind the song...
King David has always been one of my heroes and the 23 rd Psalm has always struck me as one of David’s theme songs, so it has always been one of my ‘life-songs’ as well. When I began leading worship and writing worship songs almost 20 years ago I wrote a song simply entitled “Psalm 23”. Over time that song faded away, but the pull of this psalm never has. Not that long ago, the church we were a part of went through a season where we were without a senior pastor, and I felt God ask me to serve for a season by handling some of the preaching and leadership responsibilities. As I looked over our congregation, it seemed to me that God wanted to gather us together and bring us back to all the realities found in this psalm. God wanted to restore our souls. So I began a series of messages . . . and as I began studying the Psalm afresh, I realized that we needed to sing the Psalm afresh to help us remember all the life that is packed into this song of David. So I paraphrased the lyrics and wrote a new melody (other than one fragment which I borrowed from my first song on Psalm 23) and taught “When you shepherd me” to our church. We often forget messages and sermons, but if we are singing those truths, it helps us connect our minds with our hearts, and it helps us to remember. Now this song has become one of my life-songs, and I don’t just use it as a worship leader, but I find myself singing it almost everyday when I need to be brought back into the care of my Good Shepherd again...

Ministry Schedule and Update

I'm excited for 2012 because a lot is going to happen in our ministries. I've started the calendar and though I said I'll do short term plan (at least 6 months) I still ended up filling up the whole year!!

First off, our first full Medical Mission is happening on the 21st of January-and hopefully we will have a second one again before the year ends. This will be in the South (Laguna area) and we hope to serve families that can't afford to go to Doctors, we will also be giving free vitamins for the kids. Praise God for the group of doctors who'll partner with us for this ministry.

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is up and about again this coming Summer! Right now we are scheduled to have 4 VBS in 4 different areas :) Crazy I know, but God is our provider and I trust HIM. He will provide teachers, the materials and He will sustain our energy for this activity. The theme for this year is "The great outdoors : Exploring Nature -Experiencing God. This is gonna be a challenge for us because we are in the city and there is not much of nature/park nearby but our teachers/young people are up with that challenge :) I am thankful there is so much talent and creativity with our young people now and that they are using it to serve the Lord.

Aside from the VBS, there is the YOUTH CAMP on April 2-5, it's four days 3 nights and we are expecting at least less than a hundred youth to participate.

On May we will have the fund raising event again for the scholarship program and on JULY-I'm excited because a dear friend (Liz Propst) is coming back here in the Philippines with her mom and brother to help us in the ministries.


Our feeding ministry is still on-going, one in Makati City and we are supporting two feeding areas in Laguna.We are praying for more financial support with this as we desire also to reach more areas such as Bataan and Bicol.

Please partner with us in prayers, we need prayer warriors all over the world :) In preparation for all these happenings we will be on fasting and prayer (for 7 days) next week. Please do pray and fast with us. We need to offer all these to the Lord and make ourselves first and foremost intimate with HIM because otherwise without that close relationship with God, all these will just be plain church activities.

For other ministry needs, please pray for :

1. Ministry owned Camera - I know digital cameras are not that expensive anymore but believe me, until now Fishnets Ministry doesn't have one. It's about time :) (my personal camera which we often use in the ministry is now old and about to give up)

2. Volunteer Teachers- We need them specially for the Vacation Bible School

3. School supplies and other stuff for the kids- Our teacher in Laguna actually is praying for this, she has more than one hundred kids and they need more crayons and pencils.

Ooops..sorry, this has been a long post but thank you so much for staying and  reading.
God bless you!!

Generosity Encouraged

2 Corinthians 9:6-15
New International Version


6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.”[a]

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

[a]Psalm 112:9

Realizations. Decision

I married a servant of God, that I knew very well since day 1 of our marriage or even long before the wedding date itself.

So when he decided to work on a secular job on a full time basis I had mixed feelings. I know he wanted to provide for me so he felt the needed to work with a steady income and for that reason alone I was happy, but knowing he'll just work for the ministry part time made my heart bleeds also because I know from the very start that he has a calling.

Romans 8 :28 said.."All things work together for good to them who love God"... and I believe everything happens for a reason. God allowed my husband to work on the same company where I work and it's been four months. He had many realizations in that span of time and yesterday he made the decision of which I am truly happy. He decided to leave the job and get back on track with God's calling.

For sure, the salary he receives on a regular basis is a big help but that isn't the most important thing in our lives. We are servants and we will serve with or without monetary compensations because we know in our hearts that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.

I am grateful he was able to experience a job outside from what he's used to. And he said he's thankful for the experience also although I know what he got was a tough and rough job compared to regular office work or some Concierge Jobs but nonetheless we are both thankful for the learnings and experience.

I know this is God's will..why? because I have this unexplainable peace in my heart. I am happy and my only prayer is that He will be more closer..we will be more closer to God than ever before.

God is our provider, our refuge and I know HE will not forsake us, there will be tough times (specially in our finances) but God will always be in control and I know there is no reason for me to worry.

Rich Thoughts For The Week

10. Your reputation goes before you it can either open or close doors for you.

9. Your future is not in the past but is determined by what you do today as seeds for tomorrow’s harvests.

8. Look beyond where you are. . .to what might have been. . .and still can be.

7. You may be living in the land of mediocrity...but God wants you moving toward a land flowing with milk and honey.

6. God has given each of us the ability to make the invisible...visible. What you do with that ability...is your choice.

5. Thanksgiving should be EVERY DAY and not just the last Thursday in November. Make it so.

4. When you’re in debt. . .your life is not your own. You're a slave to the moneylenders (Proverbs 22:7 CEV).

3. If you want to assume a position of leadership, heed the words of Benjamin Franklin: “He that cannot obey, cannot command.”

2. Be on time today...to your job...every appointment. Being late is a sign of disrespect. God is on time and we should be too

1. God’s joy gives you the ability to look beyond today’s circumstances to a better tomorrow…based on His promises.


RICH THOUGHTS - by H. Herring