Shine Brightly for Christ

Archive for the ‘Life’ Category

I have no words to explain right now on how hard I am struggling deep within my heart with regards to my relationship with the Lord and all these worldly desires. The enemy is definitely attacking me on every possible corner.  

Please keep me in your prayers. For the courage to flee temptation and stay faithful to the Lord. 

I know that I am in a season of  my life right now where God is doing all the shaping, polishing, testing and strengthening of my faith. I just have to keep looking up and holding fast to the word. Because this too will pass…

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. -2 Corinthians 12:9

Just like what Nicole said,we have been MIA in this blog but that doesn’t mean that we are going to abandon this site. Nicole moved to Virginia to pursue her Masters degree (2728 miles away from home) and I moved to Dubai,UAE  to pursue my career as a flight attendant (8330 miles away from home). We are going through a major turning point in our lives where our faith is being tested at the same time. Back at home, we have a home church, we have our Christian friends, we go to bible study every week and we have the comfort of our family. But being place in a new environment where we don’t have all of those I previously mentioned is definitely a challenge. A struggle in itself.

Not only do we have to fight temptations and sins but also all the things that come in between. The feeling of homesickness, adjusting, loneliness, stress and so much more. It is incredibly hard and painful at times. That I sometimes question myself if this is even worth it. But I know that the Lord put me here for a reason. He definitely knows what He is doing.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. . -James 1:12

The Lord is faithful and I know that He will never ever let me go of His sight no matter where I go. Even if it is at the farthest end of the world, He will always be there.

And that I could hold on to the truth that, “My flesh and my heart may fail,but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. -Psalm 73:26”

Please keep me and Nicole in your prayers as we need it more than before.

Matthew 1:21, She will bear a son and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Jesus is a name that actually means “Savior.” The Hebrew Jeshua means “the Lord is Salvation.”

Kari Jobe “I’m Singing”

Only one name lasts forever
Only one fame stands alone
Only one key has an anthem
That goes on and on and on

And I’m Singing to the God who brings redemption to the nations
Kings and oceans bow to Him in praise
And I’m Singing to the God who wrote the book on our salvation
To the One who covers me in grace

I’m Singing

Only one word in the beginning
Only one truth will prevail
Only one love brings you freedom
Only one Man took the nails

Praise, Praise to the Savior
Praise, to the Lamb Of God
Praise, in all of His splendor
Praise, for saving my life

 

 

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. -Psalm 27:14

The Lord has been impressing that verse on me for quite some time now.

When he said on Song of Solomon 8:4, “Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires. He is serious about it, just like He is serious about every thing He commanded us in the bible. But I am a stubborn eager child of His who thinks that I have a better plan. But He is a sovereign GOD who doesn’t have a better plan but the best plan. As I try to pursue it, he did not hesitate on letting me know after every disappointment that I surely can’t win this battle which has been going on for almost 9 months now. Seriously, what was I thinking?

In response to the question, “Should women pursue men?” a youth pastor said, “Don’t chase a man because if you start chasing him, you will have to chase him for the rest of your life.”

Although I was not actively chasing him but in my heart, I was holding on for something that should have not been there in the first place. All the idea of “us” I have formed in my head and thoughts I’ve entertained. Things I initiated instead of waiting for him.

Is that what I want? Do I really want to settle for something like that? That road, certainly leads to misery and heartache.

Although there is no direct answer in the bible on that question (“Should women pursue men?”), God has laid out some pretty clear guidelines on how man and woman should interact with each other. Biblical masculinity and femininity: how we are to carry our God given roles. Not what the world says but what the word of God dictates.

On Genesis, God created the man first (Genesis 2:7) for a reason. He appointed Adam to work on the Garden of Eden and take care of it (Genesis 2:15). Adam is in charged of the garden and it is his duty to supervise the affairs of his God given dominion. It wasn’t after the Lord recognized the need of Adam for a helper that He created the woman from Adam’s rib (Genesis 2:20b-22). In that fashion, the man is to lead and the woman is to submit under the authority of the man (in Eve’s case, Adam is already her husband).

Note: A woman should only submit to her husband alone (Ephesians 5:22 and 1 Peter 3:1A), not to every guy she dates, she likes or she thinks worthy of her submission.

A man is to lead a woman. And if he perfectly knows his God given role, he should not have a hard time figuring that out. He is to actively pursue the woman. He is not passive but initiate things with respect to her purity and protection of her heart.

So ladies, sorry but the whole modern idea on how women should take charge just won’t fly. That is going against the role God has ordained for us to fulfill. No matter how much we like this one guy and thinks he could be the one, if he is not pursuing you, you are setting yourself for a major heartache if you try to control things in your own hand. Besides, if he really is the man God has for you, he would not keep you guessing on what are his intentions towards you. He will let you know, take charge and win you over. It is that simple! Also, by trying to act like men by doing the work for them (being the initiator, asking him out first, etc), we are taking away the chance for these boys to exercise their responsibility to lead. Remember what God said in Proverbs 31: 12 regarding the godly woman, “She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”

Note: Preach this to myself.

As for my situation, I will continue to lift it up to the Lord. Because surely, I know that God doesn’t want me to settle for second best. As the Lord said on Psalm 27:4, “You have to wait for me, be strong and take heart and wait for me.”

One thing I ask Lord, this is what  I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon THE BEAUTY OF THE LORD and to seek him in his temple.

Psalm 27:4

My heavenly father, it is my desire that I live all the days of my life exalting and magnifying your Holy name. That I may boast on nothing else but the cross. For you alone is most worthy of my praise. And nothing on earth and on this world is more beautiful than you.

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! -Psalm 8:1


Mercy falls from Your heart down on me
Glory streams from Your face so lovely
A million words could not describe
How marvelous Your perfect light

I adore You
I will sing it with all my heart
I adore You
I love everything You are

That my heart, beats to the rhythm of Your heart
That my eyes focus on Your beautiful eyes
A million tongues could not express
How beautiful Your holiness

MY LIFE IS YOURS AND WILL BE FOREVER
MY LOVE IS YOURS

-Phil Wickham, I adore you

By Ben Cantelon

There is no place I would rather be than in your presence
Even in this wilderness I seek for your direction

I’m calling, I’m longing for more of you

I’m running, I’m running after you
Cause no one else will ever do
My heart is set on you

King of glory your my great reward, my one desire
Only you can satisfy my soul, please take me higher

I’m calling, I’m longing for more of you

I’m longing, I long to see your face
to feel the warmth of your embrace
I’m running after you

You are my reward
And its you I’m living for, take all that I am for I am yours

My multi-talented wonderful friend, Mr. Emman Reyes wrote a beautiful beautiful poem and I just have to re-post it here.

Waiting serves a purpose. Good things come for those who wait. When the Lord says wait,listen to Him. He knows better!

Ladies, strive to be a woman of God described in Proverbs 31. Gentlemen, remember that “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” -Proverbs 31:30


WAIT FOR HER

Wait for the girl that you want to pursue for the rest of your life,

the kind of girl that makes everyday seemed like a fairy tale.

The one that brings out the best of who you are,

and never have to prove that you are the best for her.

Wait for the girl who wants to be your best bud;

the kind of girl who understands the imperfect you,

The one that pats you on the back for a job well done;

and shares her shoulder if you need someone to lean on.

Wait for the girl that always makes you smile;

the kind of girl you want to show off to the world,

The one that holds your hand and wipes your tears;

the girl you’ll want to be with until you both get old.

Wait for the girl who respects her family;

the kind of girl that everyone loves to have,

The one everybody knows inside out, yet humbly denies;

The girl who eventually be your family, for the years to come.

Wait for the girl who lets you pursue GOD before anything else;

the kind of girl who knows her purpose in this life and the next.

The one who waits for God to write her lovestory;

and the girl who waits for you too, the only one you’ll ever have to love.

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. -Proverbs 19:21

Indeed,that is true. I am learning this truth at the moment as he closes door after another. Relationship and job wise.

I have to admit, it gets frustrating at times.  Especially for someone like me who likes to plan things and have it my way. But surely,it can’t be my way. It has to be done God’s way.

And by His amazing grace,I haven’t given up and lose hope. I know that He has a reason for everything that He does. He also won’t give me anything that I can’t bear.

To humble myself. A time for everything. Follow His lead.

I can’t see the big picture right now and His plans  for me but He is asking me to completely trust Him with everything. For He knows that it is for my own good and sake(Jeremiah 29:11).

So Lord,help my unbelief and doubts from time to time on your sovereign plan. May I always remember that “Your thoughts are not my thoughts,  neither are your ways my ways.” Isaiah 55:8

Whatever your will is for my life, let it be done.

Jesus,

I was made to know you. I was made to live for you. I was made to love you.

I have to keep reminding myself that,that I am put here on earth for one reason and purpose: To know Him and enjoy Him forever.

As John Piper said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him”.

As Christians, we are to know [Hosea 6:6b], to please [ 1 Thessalonians 2 4b], to honor [ 1 Corinthians 6:20b], and to give glory to God in everything we do [ 1 Corinthians 10: 31].

Same goes for the non believers and if you are not aware, Rick Warren has something to say to you, “You were made by God and for God, but until you understand that life will never make sense.Therefore, living life without God and not for His will just doesn’t make sense.”

Each one of us has a creator who amazingly formed and made us unique in our own ways. And He made us for Him so only through Him would we find our ultimate joy.

You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. -Psalm 139:13-14

The past few weeks have been an eventful and crazy time for me and Nicole.  Especially for Nicole who is moving to Virginia very soon for Grad school.  That is why we have not been here for awhile. Or there is just really a time for everything.

In Ecclessiastes 3, God says that

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”

Everything that is happening right now in our lives,mine and Nicole’s. God already ordained that even before we are born. We are living in His time and He lays out every moments carefully,according to His plan.

Just as one worship song says, HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!

Even the blogs we have written, every single one of them is fueled by God. I know I can’t possibly write them on my own and whenever I want to. All of them are done on God’s perfect timing. And every time I look back and read our old entries, they never fail to amaze me on how God moves and works. He always capture me over and over again with His mighty works.

And there are no words for it. Sometimes I just really stand in awe before this wonderful God whom I serve.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.  I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. -Ecclesiastes 3: 11-14