How To Fight The Good Fight

We are to "fight the good fight of faith" against the enemy - but what does that look like practically? Here are six key strategies: 

1. Think aggressively. Plan and calculate, like a general preparing for battle, how to engage and defeat the enemy. 

2. Pray fervently. Hebrews 4:16 instructs us to approach God's throne confidently. Step forward with confidence and tell Him what you need. 

Abide in His Love

Photo from Pixabay

First John 4:16 emphasizes that we need to be conscious of the love God has for us. It's easy for us to say 'God loves me' without really understanding what we're saying. The knowledge of His love should not be some biblical fact to which we mentally assent but a living reality in our lives. 

Our Strength

Back to work! Weekend events! 😊 thank you Lord for the unfailing love! 

The Lord is my strength, He should be your strength also.

We must realize that part of Satan's plan for end-time believers is to make us weary. Daniel 7:25 gives a vivid description of a vision the prophet Daniel received regarding the last days: "And he 'shall wear out the saints of the Most High'" 

But God wants you to be encouraged. Romans 8:37 gives Christians this good news: "Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us." 'More than conquerors' means that before trouble ever starts, we already know who wins. I like that, don't you? 

We can purpose in our hearts to maintain such an intimate relationship with God through prayer and His Word that we are constantly being strengthened by the power of His promises. Intimacy with God produces strong Christians who can outlast the devil! 

Live your life totally confident in God's strength and have no fear of the trials that can produce weary warriors and fainting saints. Remain strong 'in Him' and in the power of His might. 

God, You alone are my strength. I won't let Satan make me a weary Christian, but I'll remain strong in my intimacy with You.

Heavenly Gifts

I Tried to sleep without writing, But Dad above won't let me because He knows that many will be blessed by this post.

People ask me all the time how do I manage to work on a lot of things at the same time. I always answer with, "I am a gifted OC Multi-tasker"  and they will ask a follow up question of how will they discover and develop the gifts God has given them. Here are a few helpful steps that I've discovered: 

1. Focus on the strengths God gave you. Concentrating on your strengths will help you fulfill the calling God has put on your life. It is hard to work on something if you can't focus doing it. 

2. Exercise your gift. Find something you like to do and that you do well, and do it over and over again. They say that for you to master your skill you have to be able to do it for a total number of 10,000 hours. Want to know what will happen after? You will feel better about yourself because you won't be constantly failing. 

3. Have the courage to be different. Unhappiness comes when you try to be like everyone else rather than embracing the unique person that you are. Let's not follow the crowd but be someone of our own. Remember, we are created uniquely in His image and likeness.

4. Learn to cope with criticism. Have enough confidence in who you are in Christ that you can listen to others and be open to change without feeling you have to agree with their viewpoint or attain their approval. I use criticism as my motivation to be better, wiser and stronger. I am stronger now because of the criticism I encountered. When someone said harsh things to you, it's okay. Don't take it personally. Nothing is wrong with you but rather something is wrong with them. 

5. Pour your heart out. In everything wr do, it should always come from our heart. Do it for love, out of love and for God's glory. 

God has planted greatness in you. Let today be the beginning of a great adventure as you step into the gifts He's given you. 

God, I want to cultivate and develop the gifts You've given me. Give me the courage to follow You and develop the gifts and abilities You've put inside me.

Wounded Healer

Yes, I was a stressed single mom before. Who wouldn't be? I was working in a travel agency supervising a 24/7 department who deals with distressed passenger. I was also a full time mom and dad. I am coping up with my self battles. I am just everywhere. I know that all moms share similar highs and lows but I can’t help but wonder if single parents share a different level of stress just due to the added pressure of doing it solo daily. Perhaps single moms suffer from our own sometimes humorous, sometimes not, Single Mom Stress Syndrome. 

BRIEF HISTORY

Raised in a conservative family, I was scared when I found out that I am pregnant and worst I have to face it alone. I have to stand by my principles and beliefs and do what for me is right. It took a lot of practicing on how I will tell my parents that they will be grandparents and I will be a single mom. At that time, I know that I will be under the microscope again. It’s also called the sad reality of life but that’s how it is. That’s life, sometimes trials happen.  In time, God will let me know the reason why.

OVERCOMING YOUR FEAR AND DOING IT THE RIGHT WAY, I CHOOSE TO BE BRAVE

All problems have solution but the question is: Are we making the right choice? Are we solving our problem the right way?

I never had to think twice. I know from the start that I want this child. No matter what people around me will say. A friend once said, “it's not about what they will say, it's about what you feel, what you want, what will make you happy and what you think is right." I can say that I made the right decision. I solved my problem the right way. I realized that There are many couples in our society who’s having a hard time having a baby; spending all their money just to have one and here I am given this blessing and won’t accept it?

I knew then that I will be scrutinized, judged and ridiculed. Its part of this world we live in, the society surrounding us. I can take all that because that does not compare to the joy this little blessing will give me

Our fear is like a door and when you have the courage to open the door it will show you the answer. Agree, I had to face the sturdiest door, and when I had the courage to open the door. It feels like I saw the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow: My son.

After I gave birth, I embraced the joy of Motherhood. I was given the gift of life and there is no one else who is responsible of this innocent and defenseless life but me. I am the only one who can fight for the life of my child. I will do it no matter what the world throws at me because I know it’s all worth it.

Just to make things clear. I am not encouraging other young women to get pregnant unmarried. No. In the eyes of God I have committed a sin. But I am not covering it up by committing another. I am here standing up for what I did. Because when this happened to me, reality kicked in. It’s happening to young women around me. I am not alone; I am not the first single mom in this cruel world. There are many women who are scared and never knew what to do. Women who are left by their coward, immature partners to face this battle alone. This is how life can be. We always have the power and right to choose the way we want to live it.

Whether or not you are a new single mom or riding the train for while, always remember the following.

Take a Moment to Acknowledge Yourself

You are to be commended for your courage! Whether you chose to be a single mom or being a single mom was chosen for you, it takes a tremendous amount of guts to put one foot in front of the other, all on your own. Be sure to acknowledge yourself for using these circumstances as an opportunity to choose you, your future and the future of your children. Congratulations on reaching this new phase of your life - the best is yet to come.

Something Better is Coming

In the last five years, I’ve spoken to countless single moms. When asked the question: “What would you say to a new single mom?” the answer time and time again was a resounding, “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Hang in there! It will get better. Someday you’ll look back and realize every challenge has resulted in a blessing.”

Sadly, no-one said that to me until I was already feeling better. I needed to hear it before that moment, and I hope you’re hearing it just when you need it the most. 

Surround yourself with positive people

Who needs negatron in our life? I surround my Addy with beautiful souls, I expose him to loving people. Let go of those people who puts you down. I ensure that Addy's school has the same vision as mine. From time to time, I bring him to The Feast to worship and attend the service with me.

Circle of trust

Build your circle of trust. These people who can listen to you, who can tell you if it is right or wrong. People who won't tolerate you and let you do crazy stuff. At the same time, people who knows how to respect your decision and privacy. They don't have to know each other. Believe me, I have 5 wonderful souls inside my circle of trust and it helps a lot. They can also be your prayer partner.

Maintain a relationship with God

This last, but most important, is the primary key to a happy family life. Together, we pray, talking to God through prayer is one way to build a relationship with God. Reading the bible is another way to build your relationship with God. I changed our bedtime stories to bible bedtime stories. In this way, I am also instilling not just good values but God's words to Addy. At this early time, He will be connected to God, my ultimate friend, lifetime partner and provider.

Life is about second chances. May it be in life in general, friends, love or career.
I've learned that making a living is different from making a life.
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be the one.
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, people will forget what material things you gave, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

P.S Don't be too hard on yourself. You are doing a great job! 

JIMLY (Jesus In Me Loves You)

Ley

Life is short

Live life to the fullest each day, you will never know when your time is up. Don’t live life by other people’s standards. Live life by your standards, be happy, be loving, be kind. People will try to make you believe the things that you are suppose to do for them, live your life according to them, make your world revolve around them. GOD made us each individuals for a purpose. Stress is best when Free is added to the end. So…

Don’t harbor hatred, it only tears down your soul

Don’t hold grudges, it only eats you up whole

Smile, GOD has given you another day

Laugh, no matter what people say

Do good, it makes you feel a world apart

Focus on the good rather than bad

Choose happiness

Live in your now

Love others, it’s good for your heart

Live, Laugh and Love – Life is too short not to!

Life is too short. Grudges are waste of perfect happiness. Laugh when u can, apologize when u should and let go of what you can't change. Love deeply and forgive quickly. Take chances and have no regrets. Love what you have. People change and things go wrong but life goes on.

second chance

"I headed for in the wrong direction many times, but I know in my heart that it was never too late to turn back"

As a daughter of Roman Catholic parents, I was raised knowing and valuing the Bible. The bible includes guidelines that can lead to a happy and victorious life. But amidst that knowledge, I still got lost--- because there were times I chose to ignore and headed down a different direction. I found myself alone.

Yes, I headed for the wrong directions many times, but I know in my heart that it was never too late to turn back.

Whenever i pray, i feel the Lord's comfort in a way that forged a relationship with him bound by tears and forgiveness. I am also being comforted by the words of German theologian, Karl Rahner who said: "There are no accidents, only Divine Providence".

I came across this message via e-mail: "It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind od life you have lived!"

As a human being, we have a choice: to be happy, or to be miserable. That's how life works. Experience is not what happens to you. Experience is what you do to what happens to you.God gifted each of us with unique talents and abilities to improve our quality of life, and there is no excuse for not fully utilizing our potentials. But many of us easily give up when confronted with setbacks in life. We should confront our limitations and accept them, so we can continue to grow.
We must not allow the burdens of the day to bend us down. We should afford ourselves moments of respite - breathing moments when we can stretch out and raise our eyes to heaven. Let us not be overwhelmed by things that we need to accomplish. Let us be reminded that life is not only about quantity, but also about quality.
Moments of silence and rest, moments of contemplation, moments of realizations are truly priceless.God is not concerned about how much we have accomplished but how much of ourselves are we willing to give.

Falling In Love

It is a mystery why we fall in love.
It is a mystery how it happens.
It is a mystery when it comes.
It is a mystery why some love grows and it is a mystery why
some love fails.

You will never do anymore than take the life out of the experience.
Just as life itself is more than the sum of the bones and muscles and
electrical impulses in the body, love is more than the sum of the
interests and attractions and commonalities that two people share.
And just as life itself is a gift that comes and goes in its own time, so
too, the coming and going of love must be taken as an unfathomable
gift that cannot be questioned in its ways.

Sometimes, hopefully at least once in your life - the gift of love
will come to you in full flower, and you will take hold of it and
celebrate it in all inexpressible beauty. This is a dream we all share.
More often,it will come and take hold of you, celebrate you
for a brief moment, then move on.

When this happens to young people, they too often try to grasp the
love and hold it to them, refusing to see that it is a gift that is
freely given and a gift that just as freely, moves away. When they
fall out of love, or the person they love feels the spirit of love
leaving,they try desperately to reclaim the love that is lost
rather than accepting the gift for what it was, then moving on.

They want answers where there are no answers. They want to know
what is wrong in them that makes the other person no longer love them,
or they try to get their lover to change, thinking that if some small
things were different, love would bloom again.
They blame their circumstances and say that if they go far away and
start a new life together, their love will grow. They try anything to
give meaning to what has happened. But there is no meaning beyond the
love itself, and until they accept its own mysterious ways,
they live in a sea of misery.

You need to know this about love, and to accept it. You need to treat
what it brings you with kindness. If you find yourself in love with
someone who does not love you, be gentle with yourself.  There is
nothing wrong with you. Love just didn't choose to rest in the other
person's heart.

If you find someone else in love with you and you don't love him, feel
honoured that love came and called at your door, but gently refuse the
gift you cannot return. Do not take advantage; do not cause pain.
How you deal with love is how you deal with you, and all our hearts feel
the same pains and joys, even if our lives and ways are different.

If you fall in love with another, and he falls in love with you,
and then love chooses to leave, do not try to reclaim it or to assess blame.
Let it go. There is a reason and there is a meaning. 
You will know in time.

Remember that you don't choose love. Love chooses you. All you can
really do is accept it for all its mystery when it comes into your life.
Feel the way it fills you to overflowing, then reach out and give it away.
Give it back to the person who brought it alive in you.
Give it to others who deem poor in spirit.
Give it to the world around you in anyway you can.

This is where many lovers go wrong. Having been so long without love,
they understand love only as a need. They see their hearts as empty
places that will be filled by love, and they begin to look at love as
something that flows to them rather than from them.

The first blush of new love is filled to overflowing, but as their
love cools, they revert to seeing their love as a need. They cease to
be someone who generates love and instead become someone who seeks love.
hey forget that the secret of love is that it is a gift, and
that it can be made to grow only by giving it away.
Remember this, and keep it to your heart..

Love has its own time, its own seasons, and its own reason for coming
and going. You cannot bribe it or coerce it, or reason it into staying.
You can only embrace it when it arrives and give it away when it comes
to you. But if it chooses to leave from your heart or from the heart of
your lover, there is nothing you can do and there is nothing you
should do.

Love always had been and always will be a mystery.
Be glad that it came to live for a moment in your life.
If you keep your heart open it will come again.

 "I am going to sit here with you by the river. If you go home to sLeep, I wiLL sleep in front of your house. And if you go away, I will follow you - until you tell me to go away. Then I'll leave but I have to love you for the rest of my life."

(from Paulo Coelho's book By The River Piedra, I Sat Down And Wept) 

Good Enough

For many of us, our biggest problem is that we don't like ourselves, and our skewed outlook makes it difficult for us to believe that God could possibly love us. 

For years I struggled with this problem. I spent at least 75 percent of my time trying to change myself, exerting double extra effort in all the things I do, adjust to everyone else, but all I really did was stress myself out while the devil constantly made me feel guilty by putting me down, telling me that this is lacking, ho come you never do this? Worst, even if I give my 150%, I never felt good enough.

Isaiah 53 tells us that when Jesus died for our sins, He also bore the guilt. He loved us so much that He paid the price so we wouldn't have to suffer with the terrible feelings of condemnation. If we go to God and sincerely ask Him to forgive us, He does, and there is no reason to live with condemnation.

God loves you, and He wants you to believe it and receive it all the time. He also wants you to be free from condemnation. But it takes faith and boldness to be free. God says you are good enough. Accept that today and live a life of victory.

God, Your Son has taken my guilt and punishment and made me good enough. I believe that today, and I refuse to live with the burden of condemnation. I ask for and receive Your forgiveness for my sins.

charmed life

I received a disturbing message from someone whom I'd met at a writer's workshop about two years ago.  She mentioned that she was living a 'pathetic cruel life' and went on to profess her continued love for an old colleague of mine. she ended her message with what to me sounded like a bitter note.   "Anyway, you're lucky. You seem to be leading a charmed life. Take care."  Honestly, I found this to be quite disturbing.  I mean, what does she know about my life?  What does anyone know about other people's lives?  The fact that I'm always smiling in my pictures isn't any evidence that I'm living a 'charmed life'.  I wish I did though, but very few people in this world can only be so fortunate.  I wouldn't want to encourage anyone to think of me that way either. However, I do confess that right now I am happy and contented with my life because I made a choice to be happy despite my own cobweb of personal dilemmas. I lived a very complicated life. No one's life is ever perfect.  Even Jesus' life wasn't perfect.  Only HE was perfect.  I like smiling for pictures.  I like dressing up.  I like new experiences.  I like discovering myself.  I like meeting people.  I like enjoying every happy moment in my life because maybe later on I might be less happy.  The point is, everyone's lives are different.  We all come from varied backgrounds and circumstances.  I have made it a practice not to be bitter, jealous, or remorseful of other people's lives because it won't make my life any better.  Once you start monitoring other people's steps you stumble on your own and end up wasting time.  Instead, we should just be contented with whatever is handed over to us and deal with every situation the best way possible without making silly excuses for every burden we encounter. God has a plan for all of us. We just need to be patient until we know what he in stored for us. For me, it was a tortuous path. My Cross then is one difficult I had to endure as a sign of my faithfulness and commitment to Jesus. These trials are given to use for us to realized something. It happened to me, I realized a lot of things not only with myself but as well as in life.

As my College prof said: "Your past does not determine your future".

Nothing is ever what it seems to be. NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING.  After all, don't we each have our own little stories to tell? 

God will be always there for us no matter how many times we fall or even how often we fall as long as we know how to stand up, God will always give us a second chance. We all commit mistakes. No one is perfect. It's a matter of accepting our faults and learning from it. God will always  give us opportunity to straighten out the bad choices we made.