Take courage & Trust God

"We don't know what the Lord is trying to teach us but if I trust the Heavenly Father,

then it doesn't matter what I don't understand."

 

Dear Lord, give me the courage to face my fears, bless me the wisdom and a deeper faith to continue trusting in you even if it's hard for me to understand.

May your will always be done.

 

Fear NOT!

(First posted in FB last October 10, 2011 at 12:11 pm)

Define FEAR.

...a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil,pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.

...is a distressing negative sensation induced by a perceived threat.

FEAR causes ANXIETY that makes you feel threatened that causes several changes in your body when not controlled. :)

What are your greatest fears or common fears? 

Who are you afraid of?

Why are you afraid?

How do you overcome those fears?

FEAR is NORMAL. EXCESSIVE FEAR IS ABNORMAL.

Learn to overcome fears before it causes distrubances in your body.

THE SECRET TO OVERCOMING FEARS: OVERCOME YOUR fear with FEAR.

F- Faith in God, in yourself and in others

    Forget & Focus (F n F)

     Forget your own circumstances and focus on God's promises

E- Equip yourself with Prayer and God's word.

     Enthusiasm/Excitement when facing difficult situations.

     Endure more and humble yourself.

A- Accept & Admit your own weakness/failures/capabilities/talents, etc.

     Acknowledge God's presence.

     Absolute trust & surrendering to God.

     Affirmation

R- Be READY to take RISKS.

     Respect other people's differences/uniqueness.

     React and Respond positively.

     Reach out. :)

What do you fear would test your faith in God the most?

Habakkuk 3:17-19

The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life.

(Whom shall I fear)

PSALM 91 - PRAYER FOR PROTECTION

God has given us 365 days to FEAR NOT.

There are a lot of reasons to be afraid but knowing that we have a BIG GOD that strengthens us to overcome such fears/obstacles.

FEAR ends when FAITH in GOD BEGINS.

With that MAY GOD BE PRAISED!!!! :-)

Journey of Faith

Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.

Reflected from the verse taken from John 10:31-42

The first thing that came to my mind after hearing the gospel was little faith but more of doubt. We live in a world that questions our being, our race, our religion, our morals and our good deeds. We also experience being questioned when it comes to faith and how we practice our beliefs. Some people don’t understand even if we explain it to them. We are blessed to experience freedom and to be saved from the punishment of our sins. We are not here on earth for nothing because we have a purpose to fulfill and that we are destined for greatness.

Why is it difficult to believe even after seeing the works of God?

Why really is it hard? God already worked through us and still we continue to doubt His presence? Why? Hmmmmmm.. I guess we are looking for big things to happen like a major major miracle to take place in our life similar to the Jesus feeds the 5 thousand, healing leprosy, allowing the blind to see, letting the deaf to hear, the crippled to be able to walk or when He raised the dead. When we witness those kind of events in the world we live in today, I guess it just shows how little our faith is. Our faith is easily tested in what we see. We believe in the "to see is to believe principle and that hinder us from believing in God through His simple works. Through that doubt will always overpower the little faith that we have.

Another reason would be when we are controlled by our fears that held us captive to believe the reality which is the real truth that's already in front of us. We refuse to believe because we are following the standards of this world rather than of God's based on the teachings in the Bible. We choose to please others but in reality, we can never please anybody anyway and it's only God whom we can only please.

Doubt over weighs the little faith that we have. Although we have seen still we allow questions to disrupt our thinking. We are blinded and distracted by our thoughts, by social media, by false judgment and by the things we hear around us. We have heard the words of God yet we try harder to close our hearts from listening to Him. We harden our hearts and we still choose to do what we think is right (but to others it's already unjustly). We are highly influenced with the latest trends, the gadgets, the popular things and even the immoral doings. The world is changing and satan is taking advantage of our weaknesses and he keeps on tempting us for our visions and goals to be cloudy and it gives us more worries. He's giving us reasons to doubt even if we are already praying.

The only way to defeat doubt is through our strong faith and the belief that He will answer our prayers no matter how impossible they may be. We will be tested but we should place our complete trust and total surrender to God that He will take care of everything for us. We should be deeply rooted in Him knowing that apart from Him we are nothing. We should maintain a constant prayer life and relationship with Him because that's where we'll grow as a person and where we'll learn more from. We can be ready for anything because we know God is in us and believe that He has plans for us, a future full of hope. Let's live our life purposefully and meaningfully. Let's make God happy through the works of our hands by bringing back the glory that God alone deserves! Let’s conquer this victory with our faith by being faithful to the one who is faithful and who never failed us. This journey of faith is not going to be an easy task because obstacles of doubt will always be there to challenge us but in the end it will be worth it. We will win because God is in our side. 

AMEN! PRAISE GOD!

BLESSINGS vs STRUGGLES

Write all your blessings and your struggles. 2:45 pm; February 1, 2014
Kish Island, Iran

BLESSINGS

Life. Complete family (provided, safe, healthy, love). Education (Grade/High school/College). Achievements and awards during school years. Profession (BSN). Licensed (RN). House (Home). Relatives. Friends. Barkada – Blupz. Co-workers. Extended families. Born in Capiz (Capizena). Proud Ilongga. Guardian (Manang Evelyn and Joy V.) Relationships (Past/present). Friendship. Able to support. CFC Youth for Christ. Mission in different areas. Service in High School Based. Attended conferences, trainings, household and fellowships. CFC Kids for Christ. ROCK. New families in the ministry. CFC Singles for Christ. Household! Going to Dubai. Finding work. Stress and pressure. Growth and maturity. Independence. Going home in Pinas July 2013. First vacation after 1 year 20 months. Reconciled with Ex-BF. Meeting new friends and family in CFC/SFC/YFC/KFC. Discerning for mission. Longing and praying for a relationship (4G). True love waits. Blessed. Providence from God. Safety. Good health. Favored. Problems. Self improvement. Anger management. Forgiveness. Stable prayer time. Experiences.

STRUGGLES

  Financial crisis due to job hunting. Homesick (envy since we're almost complete). 6 months ban, early cancellation, bad company, poor benefits, low gratuity than the expected, fooled via phone 3x, force signature asap, heart broken, falsely treated, discriminated, not paid justly, increased work load etc. Mistakes of the past relationships. Worries. Fears. Struggles. Job hunting. Exit in Kish. Fear for the future. Still single unlike siblings who already have. Anger feelings (overcoming)

 + + +
 

The blessings will always be doubled/tripled than the struggles/stressors. Bad things happen but they don't last long. The lesson learned is that overcoming/fighting the struggles leads us to realizing that we are still blessed beyond measure. Things/situations happen for a reason. We should be reminded that being blessed is also being grateful and thankful because we have something. God never leaves us empty handed and He is generous enough to give us all we need even our wants.

 

The Lord's blessing enriches and struggle adds nothing to it.

Proverbs 10:22

 

Blessings are worth sharing because it fulfills it's purpose when given to others. Blessings are meant to be shared that is why God blessed us more so that we can in return bless others too. It's like a ripple effect because the act of kindness goes on without end. Being stressed is normal and it's a way of coping or adapting but you have to fight it or else you might have no control over it. Over-stress is not healthy and can lead you to serious sickness in the future. Find reasons to be blessed instead of complaining you're stressed. So the next time you're stressed believe that you are more blessed than you ever know. I'm am more blessed than stressed!

 

Deo Gloria

God's signs are Promises (Daily Manna 151012)

God's signs are Promises (Daily Manna 151012)

October 15, 2012 at 10:44pm

Date: October 15, 2012 
Title: God's signs are Promises
Sharer: Sarah Lauren Lim

Gospel: Luke 11:29-32

This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the men of Nin'eveh, so will the Son of man be to this generation.
Luke 29-30

Reflection:
The present generation looks and observes signs. They say that signs are indications of something to happen in the near future or may have happened in the past. Signs can explain a thousand implications but the greatest sign will be of Jonah stating about Jesus' resurrection. Signs are often used by the devil to mislead us. It can make us believe things and perceive like they're from God. I guess people nowadays believe more in signs rather than God's word from the Bible.

Signs can lead and mislead us depending on the status of our hearts and minds. Before I would believe that everything is related to signs and that they would matter. For me, even watching movies or dramas and relating them to real life is something that I would look forward to but then I didn't know that it will lead me to believing in lies, hurts, disappointment, and confusion. I admit that I don't know much before I entered YFC.

Everything changed when I said YES and committed in serving the Lord. I started believing in His words rather than the signs I would see and experience. It happened during three days and three nights like Jonah who was in the whale. I admit it was one of the best signs that God has revealed to me. He has resurrected and renewed my heart and spirit. He has uplifted me from shame, pain and guilt. He forgave me and gave me a lot of reasons to rejoice and discover my purpose here.

Years passed by and as I grow and stay in the community, I continued learning more about life, that it's not just about me or others but it's about God. I may have failed and lost focus at times but He manages to lead me back to the right path. It was April 2009 when I started the CLP for CFC Singles for Christ together with Francis and Carlo. Our leaders encouraged us to crossover to SFC. I was able to listen to the talk every week except the last one which was the Talk 13 and Dedication ceremony. I was late together with Francis because we attended a meeting for a Provincial Conference and that we had to be there.

I guess it was the Lord's plan and sign why we had to miss the talk because maybe He knew we weren't ready to leave the community and move on to SFC. I felt disappointed when the kits were given to those who really finished the CLP and I realized if I was ready to move up. I admit YFC has become my comfort zone and it's difficult to really let go of it. It has become a part of me and leaving it will be the greatest decision that I'll make. I was asking myself questions before if I was worthy of it and that God made me stay longer in YFC. I know I won't forever be a YFC and soon I'll be moving on to the next level. I guess I wasn't ready and I feel that I haven't invested much to my fellow YFCs enough to leave them standing on their own.

3 years later, January 2012, I was already working in Dubai. I decided to leave my comfort zone with the hope of a higher calling in mission and perhaps help in supporting my family. I had to be broken in order to grow up. I find myself being online just to talk to them. My world stopped when I went to Dubai. I was clinging to them that I forgot that I have a life a live. I felt the homesickness, the longing for love and attention, the absence, the differences, the time zones, and other distractingly negative feelings. I was struggling emotionally and spiritually. I was affected and depressed and that nobody had a clue what I was experiencing because I would try hard to convince them that I was ok. I find it so hard to communicate to God and that I drifted away from Him.

1 day when I was walking along St. Mary's carrying my backpack, somebody gave me a flyer about a CLP. Upon receiving it I realized that it's a sign that God is calling me back to serve Him. I was lost, broken, and hopeless but God gave me a chance and even welcomed me back. I attended the CLP and was advised to be endorsed rather than repeating the CLP. But I decided to restart the CLP to refresh myself, renew my faith and meet new friends.

Praise God! Because with God's grace I was able to finish and complete the CLP! Being able to finish the CLP gave me relief and happiness. I felt satisfied and complete because I've been waiting and longing for this. God has heard my prayer and it's been 9 months since I came back to the community. I can say that I am so blessed and grateful that I have learned a lot and I am striving to be better. God is so great because He transformed me, changed me and inspired me to keep going and to serve Him again. Indeed He never fails. He has been with me and He never left me. God's signs are promises that He will surely fulfill and that God's words are always based from the bible.

It's been a year since I came here and God amazingly changed me. He is not done with me yet. I am still struggling, learning, coping, healing, living, changing, serving, hoping and holding on with His grace. I will never stop claiming His promises for they will all come true in God's time.

May God be praised!

Noon laking YFC. Ngayon proud SFC.
Sarah Lauren Lim

Fear not

I felt so inspired just by listening to the clip of this video. The words are direct and have an impact to which is true in real life.. May we have the courage to fear not, be fruitful and faithful. 

Most Christians never have the luxury of hearing God say fear not because they never attempt anything great enough to merit the command. If what you attempt does not scare you spitless then you are not in the will of God.

I charge you not to fear the wrath of man but to fear that you never make men angry. Fear not the attack of satan but fear that you never make his hit list. Fear not the unknown but fear that you never learn what's beyond the unknown. Fear not trials and tribulations but fear a life of ease and complacency. 

Fear not the God haters but fear God himself. Fear not that your messages are not good but fear that your messages are not of God. Fear not what men may say about you but fear what God would say about you. Fear not attempting something great for God and failing but fear rather attempting small things for God and succeeding. Fear not those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul but fear Him who's able to destroy both body and soul in hell.

My prayer for you is not that you'd live a life free from fear, but a life fearing the right things!

-Richard Crisco

Happy 2014!

Welcomed 2014 with a smile and less worries!
Left all the hurts, pains and problems in 2013..
Now, Happier. Wiser. Super Blessed.
With Stronger faith. Full of hope. Ready to love!

Cheers to the New Year! Thank you Lord for giving me a chance to witness and see your greatness, goodness and bountiful love that never ends! I'm looking forward for more struggles, experiences, service, job opportunities, blessings, pain, love, commitment and more that I can't think of! All I know is that God has greater things in store for me this year! I am so excited, full of hope and faith for what He will be revealing me this year.

2013 has been a great year but I know 2014 will be an awesomely wonderful, greatly experienced, nerve breaking, adrenaline rushing, happy n hoping, patiently waiting, faith enhancing, love overflowing and blessings worth sharing!

Lord thank you! :)))))))))

I am ready for anything for I know you have prepared me for this!

I entrust my future to You! <3 

Happy New Year! Happy 2014! Yeeeeeeee!

MORE FAITH, NO FEAR!!!!

MORE FAITH, NO FEAR

Why more faith and no fear??????

 

It was agreed by the committee that our theme for the first anniversary in Dubai Chapter B3 as Batch 43 of CFC Singles for Christ will be MORE FAITH, (it was formerly LESS) NO FEAR because it coincides with the theme of the Church that is the YEAR OF FAITH and the CFC theme to OBEY and WITNESS!

Here's the evolution of our theme design

We had several suggestions like but we agreed on the MORE FAITH and NO FEAR because… FEAR ENDS WHEN FAITH IN GOD BEGINS. PERFECT LOVE CASTS AWAY FEAR. The best way to conquer our FEAR is FAITH and LOVE FOR GOD. This year, our battle cry is to have MORE FAITH & NO or LESS FEAR!!!

Here's why…

* In order to proclaim the gospel and the good news we should have LESS FEAR and MORE FAITH..

* In order to be sent on a mission and be used as an instrument of God you should have NO FEAR but MORE FAITH..

* For you to be able to OBEY GOD AND WITNESS HIS MIRACLES, it requires NO FEAR BUT MORE FAITH..

* For God to do greater things for your life you must allow yourself to be FEARLESS and MORE FAITH..

* As a child of God, it requires FAITH in believing that He exists though we can't see Him and He assures us UNAFRAID because He's always there.

* To accomplish the mission, our hearts should be FREE FROM FEAR and FULL OF FAITH that whatever it is that may seem impossible will be possible because we believed!

* And by saying YES to the service, you are allowing God to work in your life and to transform you to become the person He wants you to be. By saying YES you are enabling yourself to greater opportunities that will test your FAITH and will conquer your FEARS.

* Fear is nothing compared to the FAITH and LOVE we have for GOD. With God we can accomplish greater and impossible things! We have to believe and have faith because FAITH and LOVE prevails!

MORE FAITH! NO FEAR!

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

1^st Corinthians 16:13