Deo Gloria

Last October 2013, I was privileged to attend the YFC Middle East Leaders Summit not as a participant but as a stage runner. I feel blessed because I never expected that I would be called to serve Him there. Oh how I missed being in the YFC community because it was where my journey started. The experience I had was more of a throwback of the memories I had in the past and it was God's sweet reminder of how great He has been through the years. The event was "Deo Gloria" which means Glory be to God in the Highest and was inspired by the verse taken from 1 Peter 5:1-11. It was attended by YFC leaders and couple coordinators coming from different countries in the Middle East. Indeed, God really works wonderfully despite the distance, hindrance and even our past experiences.

During the last session, Kuya Ernie, FTW of YFC, talked about the realities that the youth of today experience. We become confused, persuaded, afraid and sometimes those things hinder us from glorifying God. The session was an eye opener. "How do we bring glory to God?" He simply said by obeying the will of God and becoming a witness of His greatness because it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me (Galatians 2:20). God is in me, in you and in everyone. Let us allow our own self for God to work through us and that's more than enough to bring Him glory. He is the King of all the Kings and the Lord of all the Lords! Being glorified in our own self is nothing for God alone deserves all the glory because He is praiseworthy.

There are many ways to bring glory to God and it can be through our families, studies, talents, service, career, struggle, community, relationships, church, and by living our life that's pleasing to Him. Worship is also a way of glorifying Him because we are able to praise, pray, sing and express our true self to Him without fear. I found out the reason behind the strumming of guitar before the worship. And it is to awaken/stir the Spirit in us (that sometimes sleep). We also raise our hands, we dance, we shout, we may cry, we open our arms wide, we kneel and we jump for joy because it's a piece of Heaven for us and how amazing it is to know that the Spirit is really working in our lives. Now it's clear why we feel hyped up because the Spirit is alive in us like a fire burning.

Bringing glory to God is not easy but it's going to be worth it. It's challenging but life changing. God teaches us not to be afraid because He is with us and that He will never fail us. He pushes us to go on mission, to evangelize, to spread the word of truth, to go out of our comfort zones, to serve, to become His instrument of peace, to become a source of love, to imitate Christ and to live a life by glorifying Him.

And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will He Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
-1 Peter 5:11

How are you going to bring back the glory that God deserves?

DEO GLORIA!

May God be praised!

You are my delight

My Princess,

Don't get discouraged, My beloved; pain is a part of life. But I promise you that I will turn every tear you've cried into joy, and I will use your deep pain for a divine purpose.

It brings Me great pleasure to see internal beauty blossom inside of you and to watch you grow up in Me. I delight in every moment we spend together. I delight in giving you the desires of your heart. I delight in hearing you call out to Me. Don't ever feel like you're unimportant to Me. There is no reason for you to feel unsure of My love for you. I am always waiting for you to delight yourself in Me and in My love.

It is My pleasure to bless you abundantly. Don't look to anyone else to meet your deepest wants and needs, because you will only end up empty and disappointed. Only I can turn your tears into joy and fill the emptiness in your heart. So delight yourself in Me, and you will live life to the fullest because you are My delight.

Love,
Your King and your Lord of Eternal Delight

"The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives."
~Psalm 37:23~

(thank you for this inspiration Lord.. )

Faithful, patient and fruitful

Jan 31, 2013

Gospel: Mk 4:21-25

Whatever is hidden will be disclosed and whatever is kept secret will be brought to light. Listen then, if you have ears.

"Pay attention to what you hear. In the measure you give, so shall you receive and still more will be given to you. For to the one produces something, more will be given, and from him who does not produce anything, even what he has will be taken away from him."

Feb 1, 2013

1^st reading: Heb 10:32-39

Be patient in doing the will of God and the promise will be yours: A little, a little longer –says Scripture- and He who is coming will come; he will not delay. My righteous one will live if he believes; but if he distrusts, I will no longer look kindly on him. We are not among those who withdraw and perish, but among those who believe and win personal salvation.

Gospel: Mk 4:26-34

Parable of the mustard seed

"What is the kingdom of God like? To what shall we compare it? It is like a mustard seed which, when sown, is the smallest of all the seeds scattered upon the soil. But once sown, it grows up and becomes the largest of the plants in the gardens and even grows branches so big that the birds of the air can take shelter in its shade."

He who promised is faithful.

Today, God has assured me to cast everything to Him. He told me to be patient and to be still. He assured me that everything will be ok and that I need to hold on unto Him.  He said that I should trust Him because He knows what He's doing. As I listened to
You raise me up.. It made me realize that things in life can weigh me down and only God and God alone can lift and raise me up.

Things are harder than I thought and somehow I am starting to be tired and stressed. Sometimes I want to burst out and cry my heart to the fullest. I guess my emotions can really explode when it's too much and overflowing that I couldn't handle nor keep it anymore. It is not always that I am okay because sometimes I'm not really okay. I guess God is teaching me to be strong amidst all things that He will give, and reveal to me. He is preparing me for greater things and that He has to give me a bend to see how I can manage and overcome things like this.

God told me it's ok to cry. It's ok to be weak. It's ok to be down. It's ok if it happens sometimes but not all the time (if possible). For a while my world stopped and I acknowledged my weakness, fears, struggles, failures and insecurities. I became aware of the emotional baggage that I was carrying and the challenges that I am facing. God said I should leave those behind and stop carrying them. Lord I surrender all these unwanted emotions that I kept for so long and I lift this up to you. I know Lord with your grace I am being cleansed, forgiven and healed. Lord I will do my best to be faithful to the promise that I made to you and that I will be fruitful. I know that when I'm down then you will raise me up. Thank you for your unending love and blessings. Lord I surrender. In Jesus' mighty name, I claim victory over defeat, Amen.

A future full of hope.

May God be praised!!!!!

Faithful, Patient & Fruitful like Christ,

Princess Sarah Kailyn

Mission never ends

"A mission never ends in defeat."

It is always my desire to serve God and to go beyond borders. Since it's the first month of the year I want to dedicate and even challenge myself to go to where the Lord leads me. I have friends in Fujairah and I have been wanting to go there since I  want to see and help them with the best of my abilities. I was suppose to go there for Kuya Marvin and Ate's wedding but unfortunately I didn't make it. Since next week (Jan. 25) would be the graduation of there mini CLP I want to visit and perhaps serve there as well.

I have met them before during the YFC National Assembly last November 2011. We then met again during the MEC last November 2012. God is good because He reunited me with them. Actually I get to be with the delegates from FUJ and DIBBA during ACYC at Abu Dhabi last November 17-19, 2012. Amazing huh?

One thing I learned from a missionary kuya was you have to give. I learned that I need to invest and offer whatever it is that I possess so that I may bring glory to the Lord...

Lord do you want me to go to FUJ?

(written last January 19)

I prayed for an answer to that question. I posted that or I mean I wrote that last Saturday (Jan 19). A few days later I was having doubts yet I still prayed and asked God's guidance. I thought I was going even if I was not so sure. I was hoping for a positive and last minute response of Yes because that was what I would always do.

 Hours before the First fruits activity I messaged somebody about my decision because I am not sure but still give a hopeful response that I might go. Unfortunately I decided not to go because of financial constraints and because of a meeting after the activity for our 1^st anniversary. I have 1 more week before the salary release and to tell you frankly I am really struggling with it. It's hard to manage your finances when you don't have much. Even if I have little with me still I can say that I am blessed and I am grateful because I still have. I have to think about my expenses for the week because I need to work and support myself. I had to give up the mission that I really desired. I felt sorry and disappointed but I have no choice but to choose what I think is right for me.

I thought the mission I started was over but I guess God has ways in making us realize that a mission never ends with defeat because it always wins. I may have been defeated because I allowed worries and fear to dominate me but God has a greater purpose in mind why these things need to happen.

After the first fruits activity we had our planning and meeting for the first and awaited anniversary of our batch, the batch 43. We were about like 20-30 something and we talked about what’s going to happen. So it has been decided that we will celebrate the anniversary on April 26 instead of 27 because it's a Saturday and the majority decided to make it a Friday for everybody's availability. So we assigned committee heads so that the tasks will be distributed and would be easier to work on. Surprisingly the Lord gave me another task even greater than I thought it was if I left for FUJ. 

He gave me a committee to serve Him through documentation. He made me a COMHEAD together with Pol as my partner. BOOOM! I am quite excited though nervous since it's gonna be my first time to serve and I'm looking forward to serve Him better than before. I am happy and privileged to be given this opportunity. They choose me and I couldn't say no so I said Yes. I know I can handle this because I am matured enough, mission ready and God believes I can. Yehey! God is good and amazing. 

I am blessed. May God be praised!

Princess Sarah Kailyn :)) 

A responsibility to BLESS

January 30, 2013

I heard from one of my leaders before that: "Our job is to plant seeds of Christ in the hearts of His people. Our task is to spread the seeds of truth, love, faith and forgiveness through evangelization and bringing them back to God.  Then it is  our God who will nourish, fertilize and cultivate it in order to grow."

"May the seed that we planted on you will sprout and grow to become what God intended you to be. May you be evangelized by the word of God through us being His instrument in this mission. I pray that you will also continue to share what we have imparted and to bear fruit."

I am thankful because God allowed me to grow and bear fruit. He planted a seed in me that continually grow to long and seek for His presence with unending love, forgiveness and grace. Level up Lord. Thank you!!! It has been almost 8 years since I started in YFC and now blessed to be an SFC.

I am blessed and therefore it is my responsibility to bless. :)

 

I decided that my battle cry for this year is TO BLESS and INCREASE MY FAITH. I know God has a lot to reveal to me this year and I am looking forward full of hope and assurances that He will bless and surprise me beyond compare and measure. I am blessed and it is my responsibility to bless.

(Inspired by the songs: Oh I Love You!, ONE DESIRE, OCEANS WILL PART) 

Blessed by God, Overflowing with love,
Princess SarahKailyn

Christ driven

The Gospel today was taken from Lk 1:1-4, 4:14-21

Of all the words I read and understood I guess a few sentences struck me the most and made me reflect on the revelations that the Lord is making me discover and realize where He's leading me.

Jesus unrolled the scroll and found the place where it is written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and new sight to the blind, to free the oppressed and announce the Lord's year of year."

Jesus said to them, "Today these prophetic words come true even as you listen."

Ps. 19:8, 9, 10, 15

"Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life."

As I was reading this gospel earlier in the morning before I left for work I paused when I read those words especially to the anointing part. I then asked myself: "Lord are you anointing me? Is this the assurance that I've been praying for? Does it mean I have your blessing and go signal to go and follow my heart's desire? Are these your affirmation and answer to the question I've been asking?"

To tell you frankly I'm a bit shocked yet happy how God immediately heard my cry and answered me with full of hope and assurance. Still I want to make sure of this feeling that this is not the usual thing that I feel. I want to really know if it's really what I want and desire. Lord please continue to guide and lead me to where you want me to be.

My Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for your unending grace and providence to me and my family. I am so blessed my God and it is overflowing through me. Thank you so much. Lord I lift and surrender to you my heart, myself, my service and my desires. I pray that may you lead me to the right path. Speak to me Lord. Tell me what you want me to do. Make me realize and know the plans you have prepared for me in this life. Use me Lord to be a blessing to others that I may inspire and give them hope and light like your Son, Jesus did. Allow me to feel your presence and be moved me with your word and Spirit. Touch me and allow change to consume me. Motivate me to strive hard to proclaim your greatness and obey your teachings. Lord God, have your way in me. This heart belongs to You Jesus. I submit and offer myself to You. Use me for your greater glory. I am ready to do your will. Let it be done. Amen.

Driven by Christ. Love for Christ. Journey with Christ.

In Your name Lord, I trust.

Your Princess, Sarah Kailyn

~Inspired by God. Powered by love.~

January 23: Umasa ka Anak

"Umasa ka Anak kahit alam mong walang pag-asa kasi sa pamamagitan nyan maraming milagro ang mangyayari basta’t maniwala’t umasa ka lang sa akin, ang iyong Diyos! Walang imposible dahil lahat posible! Abot kamay mo na lahat ng hinihiling mo basta’t matuto kang mag-antay, magdasal, mangarap at huwag mawalan ng pag-asa. Anak, O aking Prinsesa, mahal kita at pinlano ko ang “da best” para lang sa iyo. Tandaan mo yan!"

-YOUR GG,
Gracious God ♥

 

— from my heart.. God’s affirmation and my only prayer.. :))