In "other"Words: Knowing God more and more

One of the most wonderful things about knowing God is that there's always so much more to know, so much more to discover.Just when we least expect it, He intrudes into our neat and tidynotions about who He is and how He works.
~ Joni Eareckson Tadaby ~

Two of the characters of God that I have tested and proven are His faithfulness and kindness. Some of His characters that never changes overtime. He has been faithful to me and gracious and kind in forgiving me whenever I fall.

And overtime, God is gradually showing himself more to me as I allow my self to seek Him. When I accepted Him as my personal Lord, he reveals himself to me as a Savior. And as I seek Him, I’m learning more of His characters…His never changing nature. His love that is so steadfast…that He is slow to anger and abounding in love. He’s power so great…that he can be the King of kings but He can also be our daddy and friend at the same time…

We can never say that we are already filled with the knowledge of God, because we can’t. Indeed there are so much more to know and so much to discover about our maker. There’s a saying which goes, the created cannot be more knowledgeable than his creator. And it’s true. He works on ways we cannot expect. God is truly amazing.

Being part of the worship ministry in our church, I am just so thankful at how God reveals himself to me that I am able to share it to the people as I minister to them. And every time I prepare my line up of songs, each time is a different theme about Him. I am just amazed at how God is really so wonderful. And none can really compare to Him.

And this is for sure…if we have this kind of knowledge about God we can truly depend on His word that says:

“Be still and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10

God can be anything or anybody for us at every circumstances or situations we are into.

This week's IOW is hosted by Susan of Forever His . She has chosen a quote by Joni Eareckson Tadaby.

My favorite song...

In Christ alone will I glory
Though I could pride myself
In battles won
For I've been blessed beyond measure
And by His strength
alone, I overcome
Oh, I could stop and count successes
Like diamonds in my hands
But these trophies could not equal
To the grace, by which I stand

In Christ aloneI place my trust
And find my glory
In the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

In Christ alone will I glory
For only by His grace
I am redeemed
And only His tender mercy
Could reach beyond my weakness
To my need
Now I seek no greater honor
Than just to know Him more
And to count my gains but losses
And to the glory of my Lord ....

This is one of the song I sooo love. Whenever I hear or sing this song, I am reminded to always trust Him!

Eternity

All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day are nearly coming. For some, it’s just a long vacation. And for many, it’s the time to visit the people who’ve gone ahead of them. There will be a big turnout of people at the cemetery to visit their dead in the next few days. But for me, these days remind us of eternity.

Some of us get so occupied with worldly things we forget that eternity is waiting. We all will leave this world someday, somehow. We will all go. But, where are we going? Have you asked yourself this question? Or do you doubt about eternity?

Some people think that good deeds can get them to heaven. Some people might even say that as long as they do good deeds; help the poor, give to charities, they can be assured of heaven. The more good deeds they make the easier they can get their passport. I believe that it is wrong to think that going to heaven is a race or a contest. It is doubly wrong for anyone to think that going to heaven is the exclusive right of the righteous. The truth of the matter is that none of us deserves heaven, and that we cannot think heaven as a reward of our good deeds. We cannot buy, claim, or earn heaven with our own worldly effort... What then is the ticket to heaven? It’s Humility. Being humble enough to acknowledge our sins...that we are not perfect.. and give our lives back to God. I don't want to sound religious here. But I believe that a life with God is a meaningful life. Let’s make our lives more meaningful by making him the Director of it. Having a personal relationship with Him.

Let's focus on the thought that our lives here on earth is but temporary. Let us also give more value on what is eternal and not on temporary things. Let's make our lives more meaningful today..living as Christ lived. One day at a time.

With All I Am

I just want to share the lyrics of one my songs last night. I was touched with the message of this song. It made me cry in front of the people. I was reminded of how I have been responding to God through my actions and attitude lately. I was reminded that I cannot do anything throuh my own ways and not acknowledging God as the master of it all. I was reminded that God is the reason why I'm still here...

God really is the reason of our being. Of all the things that He did and is always doing for us, we cannot give him anything in return but our LIVES. Our TIME...our STRENGTH...our ALL.

Into your hands
I commit again
With all I am
For you Lord
You hold my world
In the palm of your hand
And I am yours
forever...

Jesus I believe in you
Jesus I belong to you
You’re the reason that I live
The reason that I sing
With all I am

I'll walk with you
Wherever you go
Through tears and joy
I'll trust in you
And I will live
In all of your ways
(And) Your promises
Forever

Jesus I believe in you
Jesus I belong to you
You’re the reason that I live
The reason that I sing
With all I am

I will worship, I will worship you

I will worship, I will worship you

Jesus I believe in you
Jesus I belong to you
You’re the reason that I live
The reason that I sing
With all I am..

Not just another day

I had a very long day today. I accompanied one of the doctors who will conduct the medical mission on Feb 19-21 to the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC) to renew his license. I was really exhausted and tired and stressed out. Because of that I wasn’t able to prepare myself enough for tonight’s activity. It's our mid-week service..goodness!

I was assigned to lead the praise and worship songs for the service tonight. I was exhausted and about to complain but God reminded me that He is the one who made our days. He is the one who directs and leads our daily activities. I was reminded to be thankful instead of complaining. I was reminded to tune in my spirit and just go with the flow as I lead the people to worship. Worship leading is a huge responsibility. And it will be my responsibility tonight to make the people ready for worship and for God’s message. I just thank God that although I had a very strenuous day, I was able to lead the people and prepared their hearts.

I was also thankful for the message tonight. Pastor Roland quoted the advertising campaign of Adidas: “Impossible is Nothing”. It’s about doing the impossible, God’s way.

To sum it up, I still had a wonderful day!

God Knows and Directs Everything

"I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; ...I will give
you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you
may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, Am the God of
Israel....

I form the light and create darkness I make peace and create calamity; I, the
Lord, do all these things." I have made the earth And
created man on it,
It was I -- ..."

Isiah 45: 2-12

This scripture tells us that God, who created the heaven and earth, knows his creation and everything that is happening with them. Even to the people He created. This reminds me that if He knows everything, he's also aware of our needs and present situations. All we have to do is asked for his continuous help and guidance.

Getting Along With Others

This was our Pastor's topic this morning. Actually, he's on a month-long series on the Principles of Joyful Living and this is one of his topic.

It's hard to get along with others sometimes. Its true, we can't avoid conflict but there's something we can do to resolve them, as Christians. He noted that "God doesn't want us to hold grudges"...

This message touched me in a way. I know I still have some unresolved issues with some people in the past. Being a Christian that I am, I did the things that I should do to resolve it. It's hard to make the first move specially if you're the one who's been wronged, right? But I did forget my pride and try to reconcile. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. Maybe at that time, they didn't want to work things out and make up. But I have already forgiven them. I just don't know if the issues are already finished with them. I don't believe in the saying that time heals wounds.. but I hope it did. Well, I just trust that someday, if opportunity comes and God will lead our paths to cross, forgiveness and reconcilliation will take place. I don't want to hold this forever in my heart.