JESUS' BELOVED

+ C.R.O.S.S +

Bars and party events: these were the usual places people used to see me several years back. Life for me then was all about party and relationships. Not until I encountered the beautiful cross.

Five years ago, Claude and I were introduced into a discipleship group at CCF. That was a new thing for me. I have never been into any Bible Study Group. I met several single ladies from the group: Tanya, Dana, Jane, Grace, Tess, Jetset, and a bunch more. I thought that time, it would be very exciting to discuss the Bible and share my thoughts about a passage since I already finished reading the whole New Testament. My intention was to engage in a very stimulating and brain challenging discussion about the Bible. But our Omniscient God knew already what was in my heart. And so, He amazed me in a different way.

That night, Tanya led us into prayer and I was so shocked to hear her pray. It was so different. She prayed in a very personal way. It made me think of the differences on the kind of life we had. Tanya seemed to be contented and at peace. She looked still. I wanted that contentment. I wanted that peace. I wanted that stillness. What is up with that Jesus? I wanted to have a personal relationship with Jesus.

Then one Rock Night, Ptr Bob asked everybody this eye-opening question: “Who among you here, if you die, are not sure to go to heaven?”. Embarrassing as it was, I raised my hand, not knowing that there were only two of us inside the room who never understood the cross.

Then Ptr Bob explained the cross. And that was my real turning point. I felt the joy in knowing Jesus and what He did for me. I finally understood what the cross meant. Before I only see Jesus as the Son of God who died on the cross for all. But it felt different when I knew that He died for ME. It was very personal. It changed my heart and gave me a different joy.

Days after, I finally decided to give up my old life and tried what God has in store for me. Jesus filled my heart with His presence and I didn’t struggle in giving up my vices for the very first time. There are things about Jesus which are hard to understand and I may not be able to understand. But because of Him, I am definitely living for a purpose now. I can truly say that my purpose is to know Jesus Christ more, to obey Him and to love Him and it has been the greatest privilege in my life.

But Christianity is never a walk in the park. There are thousands of promises for us in the Bible and one of them is: In this world, you will have many trouble. Christianity is not a storm free life.

I have my share of tests, challenges and breakthroughs. Right after I received Jesus, I was dealt immediately with the relationship I had. The relationship did not glorify God. God also dealt with unforgiveness, envy, and pride in my heart.

It is really hard to be still when faced with pruning and troubles. I have the tendency to act immediately and do something with my situation. It is not a human’s default to be still. Initially, when storms come, I tend to wrestle with my situation.

But this I learned: instead of wrestling with my situation, I must wrestle with the Word of God. I must stop and embrace God’s Word, and like Jacob, I will not let go of God until He gives me His blessing.

When I was willing to go through a season of doubt and embrace GOD, He took my faith to the highest place of intimacy and security. God allowed me to go through the season of fear, uncertainties, insecurities or unanswered prayers because He will do something in me. I just need to hold on tightly to Him and His Word.

The journey of shaking has strengthened my faith in the authority and the power of His Word than ever before and He made my foundations more solid, more steady and more secure. GOD did not and will never let go of me.

In seasons when God calls me to be still, I am also reminded to wait on Him. God’s plans have its appointed time. Not for the present, but to develop itself in the course of time, down to a season which God only knows. I must admit that I want everything to be instant. I do not want GOD to be silent but sometimes, I do not even listen to what He has to say. I want GOD to move according to my plans. But GOD said in His Word, there is an appointed time. His appointed time is already fixed. There is nothing I can do to slow it down or speed it up. I may not fully know it now but it will come.

I know I will go through several ups and downs in my faith journey but in every season, He deserves my worship. He deserves the glory. In Him, I have all things, and that He is all things in me. He is my strength, so that through Him, I can do all things. He is my strength, so that without Him, I can do nothing. He is my strength, so that when I put forth strength, I put forth nothing of my own, I add nothing of my own, I use not my own strength, of which I have none, but I do use His; and I have it ever ready to use, as if it were my own.

And to end this testimony: Being still means putting my faith and hope in what Jesus did on the cross. Jesus did it all for me. It is done. These verses will remind of the hope and faith I have in Jesus.

But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him. - (Hebrews 10:38 NIV)

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)

Because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, (Colossians 1:5 ESV)

Righteous ones will live by faith. We are GOD’s righteousness because of what JESUS did on the cross. Faith is being certain of what we hope for. And that hope is in the Word of truth - GOSPEL. Whenever we are brought to seasons of testing, we need to go back to the Gospel. Let us remember what JESUS has already done for us. Let us keep our eyes fixed on GOD’s infinite greatness of JESUS’ finished work and His righteousness. Look to JESUS and believe. Look to JESUS and live.

MY IVORY by VALEREE

My dear friend Val remembered me when she was writing this beautiful poem. :) Awwww ♥

Di baleng itsura mo’y di ko pa maiguhit
Ang mahalaga’y pagtatagpo nati’y di pilit
Sige lang, sa Ama tayo’y kumapit
Sapagkat puso mo at puso ko Siya ang maglalapit.

Minsan ako’y lubos nang naiinip
Plano ni Ama’y ko nang masilip
Ngunit kung ang buhay ganoon ang ihip
Para na rin akong sumakay sa isang panaginip.

Kaya nga’t pinili ko na lamang buong pusong maghintay
Alam ko namang pag-ibig ni Ama’y sa ati’y pantay-pantay
Kung ako man ay madalas sumasablay
Balang araw hihingiin mo rin kay Ama ang aking kamay.

Ngunit ako’y kunot-noong napatanong!
Paano kung hindi dumating ang oras na iyon?
Sadya bang malupit sa akin ang panahon
O sadyang kagandahan ng iba wala akong hamon?

Ako’y napabuklat sa liham ni Ama
At ako’y lubos na namangha’t nahiya…..
Siya’y may mensahe para sa ating dalawa
At pati na rin sa iba.

Kahit di ka man dumating
Di ‘yun hadlang na kaligayaha’y makapiling
Hindi ikaw, hindi rin ako ang susi ng pagiging kontento
Sapagkat ang bugtong na Anak lamang ni Ama makakagawa nito.

Hangga’t di natin hagkan ang katotohanang ipinangako
Siguradong sa ating pagtatagpo, mga inaasaha’y mabibigo…

Kaya’t ating isapuso
Isa ka lamang at ako sa kanyang mga regalo
Di man tayo makatanggap nito,
TAYO PA RIN AY BUONG-BUO.

Kaya’t sa aking awitin
Hindi man makuha ng puso lahat ng hangarin
Kay Hesus naman ay kay gaan-gaan ng feeling…

THE MARRIAGE PRAYER

Groom:

Father, I said till
Death do us part
I want to mean it
With all of my heart
Help me to love you
More than I love her
Then I know I can
Love her more
Than anyone else
And bring her in
Your presence today
Make her what
You want her to be
I pray to hear her heart
I pray she’ll love you more
I pray to cherish and serve her
And we’ll bring you glory today, I pray

Bride:
Father, I said till
Death do us part
I want to mean it
With all of my heart
Help me to love you
More than I love him
Then I know I can
Love him more
Than anyone else
And bring him in
Your presence today
Make him what
You want him to be

Groom:
Lord, help me love her
As you love the church, your bride

Bride:
Help me submit to him
As I submit to you, my life

Bride/Groom:
This is my prayer Amen 

UNDER THE WATERFALL (Micke Fhinn)

I have a song, a simple song 
For You Jesus, my Master 
I’m longing for You more and more 
You’re my deepest desire 

I wanna live down by Your river of love 
I wanna stay under the waterfall 
And drink the water that’s from heaven above 
Over and over again 

I can’t live without You 
I can’t live without You 

MAKE ME WHOLE

Darling I want you to listen
I stayed up all night, so I can get this thing right
And I don’t think there’s anything missing
Cause a person like you, made it easy to do
I’ve waited for so long, to sing to you this song Cause your eyes are the windows to heaven
Your smile could heal a million souls
Your love completes my existence
You’re the other half that makes me whole
You’re the only other half that makes me whole I think the angels are your brothers, yeah
They told you about me, said you’re just what she needs
And I find myself thanking your mother
For giving birth to a saint
My spirit flies when I say your name
If there’s one thing that’s true
It’s that I was born to love you Cause your eyes are the windows to heaven
Your smile could heal a million souls
Your love completes my existence
You’re the other half that makes me whole
You’re the only other half that makes me whole You make my dreams
Come true over and, over again
And I honestly truly believe
You and me are written in the stars
I live my whole life through
To giving thanks to you Cause your eyes are the windows to heaven
Your smile could heal a million souls
Your love completes my existence
You’re the other half that makes me whole
You’re the only other half that makes me whole