Never pay back evil with more evil

image credit : joyshope

Sharing the devotional text I received this morning;


~*~*~*~*
 Romans 12:17
New Living Translation (NLT)

"Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable"

It happens fairly often, someone will be inconsiderate or mistreat you. In that split moment you have  one of two options. You can choose to return evil or you c an be honorable. Your response is a reflection of how you view God. If you think God will stand by and let this go unnoticed, you will respond with evil. Or if you believe God's righteous anger will pay them back, you will respond honorably and leave the rest up to God. How will you choose to respond in the moment you face mistreatment?
  ~*~*~*~*

I know easier said than done, just last month, my mom was mistreated (physically and emotionally) and we were badly hurt as we are still grieving from the loss of my father, my first instinct was to go and  repay what I think they deserve, because at that moment, I was angry and is really mad. the same with my only brother, we even have to hide all the knives, safety cutters and sharp objects in the house because we were afraid he might do something really bad because we were that hurt.

Good thing though, I held my tongue and just cried and cried to the Lord. Now, they already asked forgiveness from my mom and we've forgiven them and is in the process of forgetting what have happened. After all, God s aid we should forgive seventy times seven times right?

Do you feel you are being mistreated? don't worry, our God is a just God and I'm sure He knows what you are going through, just keep on honoring Him and He will do what is right.

Have a blessed morning everyone!

  

God Sent What We Needed

If God had perceived that our greatest need was economic, He would have sent an economist.

If he had perceived that our greatest need was entertainment, he would have sent us a comedian or an artist.

If God had perceived that our greatest need was political stability, he would have sent us a politician.

If he had perceived that our greatest need was health, he would have sent us a doctor.

But he perceived that our greatest need involved our sin, our alienation from him, our profound rebellion, our death, and he sent us a Savior.

—D. A. Carson, A Call to Spiritual Reformation: Priorities from Paul and His Prayers (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992), 109.

Good sound system and worship

We recently went to a fund raising  concert where we helped in the production team to which I saw their good sound equipment/system. The day  after that concert, it was our church anniversary, while we are setting up our music equipment, I remember the good sound system from the concert and how I wish that our music equipment is as good as that so we can have good sounds too, we can play better because we can hear each other's sounds.

While we  are doing sound check, reality hits me, that all we can hear are feedbacks from microphones and noise because we don't have good sound system like mackie thump speaker. I know it's expensive and our church cannot afford that yet.

As  a worship leader, I always feel the need of having the right and good sound system in the church. One noise and we can all be distracted, while if we can produce good sounds, it might help us   and the congregation focus more.

But  of course, what matter the most, still is our hearts. After all, the Lord listens not to the quality of sounds we produced while we are worshiping but He listens to our hearts. With or without accompaniment, we can still by all means worship God...but then a good sound equipment isn't bad to desire also like what I am desiring for our church to have someday soon.

*Rudolf*

I choose to forgive

It maybe hard but when you forgive you're doing your self a favor :)

it

Silver and Gold

....have I none,m but such as I have give I thee, In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Acts 3:6

I memorized that verse from a song we used to sing when I was a new Christian. 

Every time I feel sad thinking that I have none of the luxuries this world is offering such as nice cars, beautiful house, lots of money, jewelries or even gold coins (that you can buy from http://www.goldeneaglecoin.com or even expensive bags and shoes....that song/verse comes into my mind quickly reminding me that...

Truly I may not have those luxuries I mentioned above but I realized I have more than that pa because I have Jesus who can make the lame walk, the blind to see and the prisoners free!! I have something great that money cannot buy.

So yes, I may not have silver and gold but because I have Jesus..I know I am rich.

Be Still

Getting Quiet

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Be still, and know that I am God...”

(Psalm 46:10, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

So many people today find themselves caught up in the day-to-day busyness of life, driven to do more in less time. It seems people constantly strive to find ways to cram more into their already overcrowded schedules. But at the same time, God is constantly inviting us to step away from the hectic pace of life and come to Him to find rest for our souls. He invites us to be still before Him, to get quiet so we can hear His voice and set our hearts and minds at peace. Every day, you should take time to read the scripture and meditate on God’s promises. Every time you’re in the car, put on some good praise music. Make it a point to spend time with God throughout the day. When you get quiet, say, “God, I love You, today. Lord, thank You for my life, my family, my dreams.” That’s what is going to keep you strong. That’s what’s going to keep you moving forward in the right direction. Today, make it a point to be still before God. Quiet your mind of all the things on your agenda and just focus on Him. Let Him love you, let Him speak to your heart, and let Him fill you with peace and strength each and every day.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for Your love and grace upon me. Right now, I let go of all the distractions of life and focus on You. I choose to be still, to get quiet before You and thank You for Your peace all the days of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Reading Camp

Fishnets Ministry started this last year, the purpose is to help the kids aged 5-6 years old who have difficulty in reading specially those who are incoming grade one pupils. This is being held every summer. One of the kids in the reading camp last year was awarded "Best in Reading" in her class. Sweet fruit of our teacher's labor :)

This year, we have eight kids and I know they were taught properly. I just hope one of them receives an award again at the end of the school year. Kudos to our volunteer teachers. I know how hard it is to teach younger kids (with all the playing here and there, sometimes they even play with  hoist rings and boards) but they did manage well :) I am so proud of them! 

Till our next reading camp!!!

Focusing On The Future Not The Past

image from awesomeculture.com

Written by Harold Herring

10.  Get out in front of your battle…begin praising God for the victory…even before you see it manifest.

  9.  God doesn’t want you settling for…just getting by or spinning your wheels going nowhere.  God wants you to maximize your future..

  8.  God is more interested in where you’re going…than where you’ve been.  Your focus should be front and centered.  Philippians 3:13

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

  6.  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.

  5.  The best way to encourage yourself is to recall all that God has done for you in the past.

  4.  Confidence will take you places doubt never will.  Confidence in Him makes you a winner in life…no matter…what you’re facing.

  3.  Lack of opportunity…create it.  Lack of confidence…develop it.  Lack of education…get it.   Lack of success…make it happen.

  2.  Never make an important decision when you are too angry…too lonely…too tired…too hungry or when you haven’t prayed about it..

  1.  God is doing more for you right now…that you can’t see…so He can bring into manifestation…the things you can see.

Amplifiers for the church

My husband who is now a worship Pastor and is in charge of the music ministry of our church is always on the look out for nice and not so expensive sound system for the church. I know how he wanted to at least buy a complete set for our church in Makati but sad to say, church budget doesn't allow that yet which makes him feel gloomy at times.

Anyways, if I show him these ampeg amplifiers at Guitar Center, he'll be excited and enthusiastic again (like a small boy who sees a new toy)I just hope though na sana someday we will be able to buy what we need na sa church.

Psalms 30:5b

image from google

I maybe grieving now but I know there is also reason to rejoice. My dad is now with our Heavenly Father, in His arms, there is no pain and there are no worries.

Yes, I will miss him so much but I am comforted by the thought that I'll see him again someday.