Run with perseverance

Yesterday, I was reminded to run my race and have my eyes focus on Jesus. I admit, Yes, I run but most of the time I am tempted to look beside my co-runner, sometimes I look behind and I look forward and see runners ahead of me, which shouldn't be the case because I get distracted and discouraged. 

 Hebrews 12: 2 says I should fix my eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of my faith. 

Christian living and FAITH is not a competition, yes we all do run in a race but it is not a competition, we are not there to compete because as long as we keep on running and arrive at the finish line, each of us will have a prize. And we should focus our eyes on Jesus and not to somebody else who is also running the race.

When we do that, we become more purposeful, we become more passionate and encouraged. Only when we focus our eyes on Jesus can we run with perseverance.

Today...

 I just want to thank God first and foremost for the recovery of my father, we suspect he had series of strokes last weekend and Sunday was the worst (we will confirm later as I'm going to talk to his doctor this afternoon) but praise God he is back to normal now although much weaker than before, well at least he is able to walk albeit very slow and can still speak clearly.

I am thankful also for the people around us ( my 2 boss who are there to lend a hand whenever I need one), One gave me money and the other one lend us  a car so we can go as quick as we can to my father. Friends and church mates who prayed unceasingly for us last Sunday.It meant a lot. I felt all the prayers working.

I also am thankful that our motorbike is now fully paid. Now, we can start pursuing all the many plans we have- House renovation in the province will be our priority this coming year, I wanted my parents to see that house renovated before they are taken by the Lord. It's a big project actually but we plan to do it slowly. I'm excited! ( I want to  buy kitchen cabinets online but I don't think that would be possible). I want to do this as a gift for my parents :D

Thank you Lord- you are good ALL THE TIME!!

 Blessings everyone!

Make someone hapy this Christmas!

We are giving away toys, clothes and a lot more :) For sure the kids will have a great time! if you want to help you can message me here. You can also help us by praying for more people that will support us in this activity. God bless everyone!!!

A pathway to Joy

Got this in my email this morning, I do not know who exactly wrote this but it is so true :) worth sharing.

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image source : http://voicesofglass.com/category/joy/

A PATHWAY TO JOY

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read straight through and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America title.
4. Name ten people who have won either the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
 6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

So how did you do?

 The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners .

 Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
 3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
 4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with .

Easier?
The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care . 

Selah Band's ministry schedule

This week, we (SELAH BAND) were supposed to be in Mindoro for a Global Prayer Conference but it was canceled weeks ago, we were informed that it will push through on January next year. 

But next week (Novemeber 28) the band will do ministry in San Pablo, Laguna-  it's sad though  that our lead guitarist won't be with us because of previous commitment. 

And just this morning, a group invited the band for their Christmas Party on December 12.

We are thankful that we are still doing ministry as a band, sometimes my husband as the leader gets frustrated (specially with their worship album) but when they are given the opportunity to minister, it somewhat keeps him excited and alive :)  Music and gadget such as tremendous dj equipment at Musicians friend makes him excited also, so if  I want to cheer him up on sad days I just have to let him talk about his passion.

I really pray and hope they'll be able to finish  their worship album this year.

Asking and Receiving

by Henry Morris, Ph.D. | Nov. 16, 2012

"For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Matthew 7:8)

The tremendous resource of prayer is far too often neglected by far too many Christians. If nothing is standing between us and the Lord to keep us from asking effectively (sin, unbelief, selfish motives, etc.), then God has promised to act when we ask by giving us our request or something better. Note just a few of the many promises to those who ask:

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God . . . and it shall be given him" (James 1:5).

"Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16:24).

"How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (Luke 11:13).

"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight" (1 John 3:22).

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him" (1 John 5:14-15).

"If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it" (John 14:14).

"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7).

Obviously, there are conditions. These marvelous promises assume that those who ask are abiding in His commandments, truly desiring His will, having His priorities, thinking His thoughts, and are asking in faith and in His name.

Faith and Infertility

I don't remember talking about infertility here mainly because this is our ministry blog but I would just like everyone to know that we are battling infertility for almost 6 years now. And I realized it is not an easy battle. a lot of times I felt down and out, lost hope and was discouraged but every time that happens I get up, find my HOPE and renew my TRUST and have bigger  FAITH that God will fulfill his promise to us.

We are waiting because we know it will happen in God's perfect timing . He's never late.

While we are waiting, like what I've mentioned on my last post, we will keep on worshiping and praising the Lord. We will keep on serving Him. Sometimes it's the waiting time that is hard, it's  the waiting  time that might wither us but if we worship while we wait, it keeps the hopes high :D

For the meantime, I'm grateful for what we have,  such as our exclusive time for each other (as husband and wife) the love we can selflessly give to our nieces and nephews and friends' children and the time we have for our ministry.  (plus the fact that for now we don't have to worry about baby expenses and the cost that comes from having a child-and that we do not worry about how much is dna testing and newborn screening test and other hospital expenses when you give birth)

We'll come to that I know and we have to get ourselves ready.

Waiting time

image source : http://www.wellsphere.com/bipolar-disorder-article/but-they-that-wait-upon-the-lord-shall-renew-their-strength/1450632

and while we wait for the fulfillment of your promises Lord, we will worship you and praise you!

Christians and the Internet

It's 1:30 in the morning and I'm wide awake. I borrowed my sister's net book so I can go online this weekend. It's been a while since our old desktop computer completely gave up on us and I miss surfing the net at home. My social life has been off lately because of that and not that It's like I'm missing a lot but it's nice to interact with friends through social media at times. Plus I need to check my emails at home :)

But I tell you, once I'm connected there are lots of distractions out there in the world wide web, sometimes I lost track and find my self spending time on not so important stuff . With the huge information the internet is offering us, you can learn about  anything and everything in just few clicks of  your fingertips such as beer making supplies at HomeBrewIt.com and of course it's also in the internet where me and my husband learn about balloon designs :)

I just hope and pray that parents are there to guide their kids when they are online, it's like watching televisions and there should be parental guidance.

We don't have kids yet, but I monitor my niece and nephews use of the internet and I make sure to tell them warnings and what is not to do when they go online. After all, it's not only the real world that is dangerous but also the world wide web.

So take care everyone and just like what my husband said in our prayer meeting last night, as Christians, we should use the ever changing technology in our advantage, use every apps that is available for us to become more closer to God, you can download bible in different versions and a lot of good literature that can help us in our walk with God. Let us not allow the technology to become the reason for us to turn our backs from God, let's use it otherwise :)

Happy Sunday everyone and enjoy your corporate worship with your brothers and sisters in the Lord!!!

Discipleship

image source : http://diggingtheword.blogspot.com/2009/02/go-and-make-disciples.html

Matthew 28:19 (NIV)

 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

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I'm glad someone discipled me when I was just a new Christian, I'll forever be grateful to them because they taught me the very foundation of my faith.

This week, I'll resume my discipleship sessions with some of the young girls in our church. I pray I'll be able to impart to them what I have learned and that I'll be a good example for them as well.