Focusing on Self instead of Comparing

Me: "Tiara, keeps on eating"
Jack: "I'm going to be faster than you"
Tiara: "No, daddy. Stop. Stop eating"
Me: "Tiara, focus on your plate, stop looking at daddy's"

Me: <pause>
God whispers, "That's what I have been telling you"
"Theresia, focus on your plate. Stop Looking at others"

#ThatMomentsWhenGodSpeaks

-Jesus Calling Devotion For February 28-
Stop judging and evaluating yourself, for this is not your role. Above all, stop comparing yourself with other people. This produces feelings of pride or inferiority; sometimes, a mixture of both. I lead each of My children along a path that is uniquely tailor-made for him or her. Comparing is not only wrong; it is also meaningless.
Don’t look for affirmation in the wrong places: your own evaluations, or those of other people. The only source of real affirmation is My unconditional Love. Many believers perceive Me as an unpleasable Judge, angrily searching out their faults and failures. Nothing could be farther from the truth! I died for your sins, so that I might clothe you in My garments of salvation. This is how I see you: radiant in My robe of righteousness. When I discipline you, it is never in anger or disgust; it is to prepare you for face-to-Face fellowship with Me throughout all eternity. Immerse yourself in My loving Presence. Be receptive to My affirmation, which flows continually from the throne of grace.
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
—Luke 6:37
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
—Isaiah 61:10 nasb
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
—Proverbs 3:11–12

Integrity Pleases God

Growing up at church, I heard a lot of thing about integrity.
"Integrity is doing right when no one is watching"
"Integrity is choosing to do something based on your values vs personal gain"
"Integrity is the right thing to do"
"Integrity is consistency between what you value and what you do"

In the nutshell, because Integrity is one of God's values, I should be a woman of integrity too.
But, when facing choices, they are hard to make!

Just a short example this morning.........
I was late to work due to Tiara waking up late, then, the parking spots were filled up, except the "carpool" spot.
I was so tempted to park at the carpool spot since the security rarely checks our hangtag.
But, I chose not to, because it is not right. It is taking other people's designated spots.

I prayed to God that I hope He is pleased and honored with my choice.

As I processed forward to another parking spot, I saw available "PRIME" parking spot.
I was just in awe of what my God does and how quickly He answered my small little voice inside my heart.

Integrity pleases God- that's what I learn today.
It might be hard and inconvenient, but If I know that what God wants, I will do it.
I pray that I continue to choose the harder path that pleases God.

Freedom

Lately this verse is ringing in my head.....

"Freedom reigns in this place
Showers of mercy and grace
Falling on every face
There is freedom"

There is Freedom in knowing and trusting Jesus......
Lately I feel i am in the bondage of discontentment.

Discontented of where I live, I work, 
where I am in education and financial. 
I don't know whether it is "pre-30 years old- syndrome"

But, plain and simple. I WANT MORE. MORE OF THE WORLD.

This morning's devotion really struck me:
James 4: 4
"You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship 
with the world is hostility toward God ? 
Therefore whoever  wishes to be a friend of the world 
makes himself an enemy of God."

The whole verse in James 4 coming true for me. 
I want more of the world because I have pride.
I want to boast or stand on my own knowledge, 
my own financial security,
my, my, my, and mine.

However, God reminds me this morning, 
what is needed is just ONE THING.

DWELL in HIS PRESENCE where there is FREEDOM, 
there is FULLNESS of JOY.

CHOSE WISELY and CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS...

Lord, I pray that I will be conformed 
more like You and letting Your words 
change me instead of me pursuing the world further. 
Teach me to rest securely in You 
and put You first above all else. 
I know that You love me. 
You know and want the best for me. 

Jealousy

James 3:13-18
13 Who among you is wise and understanding ? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 

My heart was really troubled yesterday since it was filled with jealousy. I was jealous of couple of my friends who get new -better -jobs. It is so easy for greed to creep out from inside of me even though the hour before I was very grateful of my loving husband, supportive friends & family, and having stable income.
Thank God today for reminding me to sow in the Spirit. Be peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.Lord, I am sorry for being so ungrateful. Please restore my joy and my peace in You.

Narrow gate

Today's devotion by Charles Stanley gives me new meaning to the Narrow Gate passage in the Bible:
"Enter through the narrow gate ; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:13-14


I always thought it is just that God's way is always harder, and more strict. But, I have never thought about the passage when people mocked me as "narrow-minded Christian" I used to take it as an offense and challenged to broaden my view. This new revelation gives me assurance that indeed God's way is narrow (like how oxen usually have their eyes blocked on the sides so that they can focus) I will learn to focus more on God's way and less worry about the worldly opinion.

Most part of the Bible is hard to understand by reason, that's when FAITH the essence of Christianity comes in and relationship with God to bring you REVELATION that will keep your love and passion for Christ burning.


Source:
http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/in-touch/in-touch-feb-2-2012.html

There is power in the name of Jesus!

Yesterday was a very hectic day at work.....
Many people came in for their last minute Christmas gifts...
The phone also keeps on ringing, my name keeps on getting called to do this and that....
Until...one time, my boss was a bit frustrated looking for a diamond certificate that he can not find anywhere.
I was on edge as well.
My boss finally said, "We'll just give them the copy, I think it's fine" I was relieved.
But, turns out the copy was blurry!!
He came in to my room and said "Can you make a better copy of this?"
Me: "OH NO!" (I almost cried. I was so scared, since I know I won't be able to make a better copy without the original)
I silently pray.... "There is power in the name of Jesus. Please help me find it, Jesus."
And...I suddenly remember that we have a cabinet in the back to keep all the old files of diamond certificates.
I went there...and there it is!
Voila! Thank you, Jesus :)

phós : φῶς : Illuminate

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5: 14

This morning, as I put on the diamond jewelries into the cases that have lights installed in them, I notice that the diamonds glare beautifully and the cases lit up against the gloomy Seattle sky today.

This makes me think about our lives as children of God. We should lit up like that cases because we have Jesus in our lives. We should shine. Am I shining against the gloomy world? What can I do to shine? - more Lights perhaps? (the diamonds shine more inside the cases because of the newly installed lights in the cases :P)

5457 phṓs (a neuter noun) – properly, light (especially in terms of its results, what it manifests); in the NT, the manifestation of God's self-existent life; divine illumination to reveal and impart life, through Christ.

The Importance of Friendship

"Self-sufficiency is prized in the world, but it isn't God's design for His children..."
InTouch Ministries daily devotional February 18, 2011.

My daily devotional talks about when Joshua fought against the Amalekites and Moses had to lift his hands up in order for Joshua to win the battle (Exodus 17:8-13)
In verse 12, it is said that Aaron and Hur helped Moses lifts his hands....
I am reminded that we need Godly counsels, close friends- accountability partners who can help us fulfill God's plan.

I pray that God will bring us friends like Aaron & Hur that would help us when we grow weary and encourage us to win our races on earth so that we can reach Heaven's crown.

Moreover, also for God to bring us Godly friends that reminded us for our calling to be Christ-like and help the world. This makes me thankful of Mike Shi, that reminded me to help the blind or poor people in Ecuador finacially.

I hope that we will continue to pray for God to surround us with Godly friends...

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecc 4:12 (NLT)

Life without Jesus

How do you think your life would be without Jesus?

I was just thinking on how would my life be without Jesus.
I saw couple of my friends that they are doing "fine"- on social standard- without Jesus.
They have good jobs, great family, being faithful husband/ wife, blessed with wonderful children, financially secure, healthy....
I thank God that I have great family that raise me with great moral values, surrounded me with love. Then I started thinking....... "I would have been fine too without Jesus"

i paused. "really?" my heart said....

I asked Jack, "Where do you think your life be without Jesus?"
He replied "Jail? :P I don't know~"

I thought at that time that a person need to have a good moral foundation in order to be a "good" person- a faithful husband- Being a Christian alone is not enough. But, I am wrong. Our lives totally centered around Christ. He set the moral standard. He changes people- that's His best job- especially from a wretch to something beautiful.

My mind flash back to couple incidents where I desperately need Jesus.

"No, I probably wouldn't be fine without Jesus - I don't know where I would be."
What a prideful, boastful answer I had before "I would have been fine too without Jesus"???!!

I repented.

No, I need Jesus. all the time in my life.
My life will not be the same without Jesus.

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

The shadow of Your wings

I love this new TV series "Fairly Legal"
in this particular episode I watched this morning...
there is a scene where a daughter, Kate Reed, misses her deceased father.
She said "When Teddy (her dad) was here, it feels like I fit in every puzzle"
a judge who listened to her statement said "That man (Teddy) knows to put things together"

I sometimes miss my dad in Indo, too. I remembered when I was a kid, I can always run to him with any problems that I had and he was always able to rescue me, to provide me a way out, to give me the view of the big picture.
Now, being a grown-up, I feel I'm quite alone. My father is not as powerful as he was before and I feel that I need to face my own dilemmas alone...

However, somehow, a tiny whisper slip through my ear "You can always hide under the shadow of My wings"

I said in my heart, "That's right."

I am reminded that God has this HUGE wings (He is always portrayed as an eagle- do you ever know how big the eagle's wings are?Adult eagles have a wing span of about 7 feet, yet they only weigh 12 pounds on average!)
Whenever I feel sad, whenever I want to run away from things, He is there for me.
He can rescue me, I am safe under His wings.

My God -my Heavenly Father, knows how to put things together- His promises in Romans 8:28 said, "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose. "

How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of Your wings. ~Psalm 36:7

Worship: Bringing pleasure to God

Rick Warren in his book "Purpose Driven Life" chapter 8, wrote that "falling in love with Jesus is as much the same as falling in love with his wife. He constantly think about her so that he feels close to her."
When I read this first purpose of why we are created - to worship God: to bring pleasure to God- Rick Warren's illustration speaks to me.

I think it is the same thing with when you are dating someone. You want to make the other person happy- you want to bring pleasure to the other person- this is not a passive passion- it is an active passion/love/act.
You search on what God likes- through the Bible and do what God commands us to do (God's 2 greatest commandments)

Moreover, Rick Warren brought up an interesting point of how worship is multi-faceted.
I learnt that worship is a lifestyle, but then when i thought about multi-faceted, It makes me realize that worship is not only inwards (our heart) but also outwards (on how we treat others, etc) Worship is very comprehensive- it is about offering a praise and thanksgiving daily, being obedient and do God's words, being a good steward in your finances, loving others- it really demands all our lives - truly with all our hearts, our soul, our mights, and all our strength.

Starting the 2011 right::

2011.........
Might not be an easier year.
But, i am sure it will be marked with God's faithfulness^^

I am starting a new daily devotional that so far has blessed my days...
http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/in_touch/

Reading 1 chapter of bible per day with Jack =)
His insights and questions challenge me to dig deeper to the words of God.
As I think upon His words day and night, God reveals new things to me.
I'm lovin it! (Mc D style ;))

One thing that I choose to learn this 2011:
"Be still and know that I am God"- Psalm 46:10
I will learn to pray more and trust God that He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly beyond what I can think of.

Looking forward to more of God in 2011!

Welcoming 2011

In a few days, I will celebrate the New Year -2011.

Today I read a newsletter from Pastor Charles Stanley- In Touch Ministries- and it talks about how to prepare for 2011.

"The question we must ask ourselves if we want to make 2011 the very best year possible is: Where does the Lord fit in the decisions that we make?"

How can we be sure to stay on track in obeying God and leave all consequences to Him?

1. Recognize that your willingness to submit to the Lord depends on what you believe about Him

(Romans 8:28)

2. You must continue to trust the Lord regardless your circumstances

3. Growing in your love toward the Father.

4. You do not just talk to God, but also listen to Hi,

5. Finally, obeying God, require courage and full surrender.

I pray that I will learn to depend on God's strength, wisdom, power, and love in every situation

-Pride-

" ¹⁸ First pride, then the crash—
the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.
¹⁹ It's better to live humbly among the poor
than to live it up among the rich and famous." Proverbs 16:18-19

Just a gentle reminder from God about pride.

Yesterday, after picking me up from the airport, JS hung around in my house. I had my AMP Bible laying around on my coffee table. Then I picked it up, and told him that it is torn half-way. He asked me why I keep the torn Bible - that originally he thought was romance novel :P- and I said, because then people will know that I read the Bible a lot (I said that kinda jokingly)
Then he goes "But.... that's... pride -.-""
I was just laughing as I joke about it.

But, later at night, this conversation keeps popping up in my head.
Was I really only joking?
Am I prideful?

Reminded also when I went shopping with my brother this past few days. We went shopping without even looking at the price-tags. We went to Saks Fifth and Burberry as if they are Macys and Express >.< "It's better to live humbly among the poor than to live it up among the rich and famous."

My friend once said, "Once you have the money, it is easy to live like the rich and famous, but to maintain your lifestyle low- it's a challenge"
I am challenged. I want to be a low maintenance servant for God's glory.

Forgive me, Lord if I have pride in my heart. Search me, know my thoughts, and lead me to the way of the everlasting. Let it be only to God be the honor and the glory. Forever and Ever.

Amen.

Luke 7:43-47 (AMP)
Simon answered, "I suppose the one who was forgiven the most."

"That's right," said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, "Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn't quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn't it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal."

47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” - ESV

God's Pursuant of Us -2-

After hearing some of my friends' thoughts, I am reminded that God pursues us both for salvation and sanctification- as relentlessly- thank you Marini for reminding me this. Even after our salvation, God never stop to pursue us for sanctification- I think some people became "great" - Moses, Paul, Peter not only because they repented, but also because they responded to God's calling in their lives. They do not take their salvation lightly, but instead, they kept on responding to God's pursuit.
Take an example of Peter- Even after Peter's denials, and after his hanging out with Jesus all the times- Peter chose to go back to being a fisherman after Jesus' crucifixion.
Jesus never stop pursuing Peter (Jesus reinstated Peter in John 21 - after the resurrection of Jesus) - Jesus filled Peter with the Holy Spirit- Jesus continues to pour out visions in Peter's life.

Being caught up on the issue of election/salvation- I overlook this profound truth. I forgot that after us receiving Him, [true that we have to work out on our salvation with fear and trembling (phil 2:12) ] I realized that He still lavishly pour out His love and grace on us... He surely will deliver us in times of need, He will continue changing and molding us into His perfect image. I truly believes that God never stop to love us, never stop pursuing, chasing after our own hearts.
He just IS love..

"I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right." Acts 10:34

-God's Pursuant of Us-

Last night, I discussed with a friend about God's pursuant of us- whether God pursues everyone the same- as relentless or God pursues some people harder (like Paul in the Bible where God has to appear in front of him so that Paul can not deny anymore)

My friend gave a cute analogy of how a person spent $1 vs another one that is willing to $10 (10 x $1) just to get a doll inside the doll machine. We were discussing to what extent God pursues each of us, whether He does quit trying on some, but somehow think others worth more (to serve God's purposes) so He pursues them harder?

I came to a conclusion that we cannot be opinionated how hard the Lord has pursued someone based on what we have seen. We cannot really know the weight of God pursuant based on our eyes or a person’s testimony. But yeah, like my friend said....we might be able to ask God someday when we are in Heaven....if that still matters :P

All that I know and understand for now is the gravity of God's love towards every individuals is the same. It is The Cross.

[Being Vulnerable]

I came across this quote last week and I keep on pondering on what it meant......until God reveals it to me when i was reading "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" by Jim Cymbala

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.” CS Lewis

We must choose to be vulnerable- to love- because the brilliance of Christ will shine better through it. "Charles Spurgeon once said that when a jeweler shows his best diamonds, he sets them against a black velvet backdrop. The contrast of the jewels against the dark velvet bring out the luster. In the same way, God does His most stunning work where things seem hopeless. Wherever there is pain, suffering, and desperation, Jesus is." Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire p. 78

>>Nothing compares to God

For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 AMP

Reading the passage, I am once again astonished on how grand and amazing God's love for me.

God’s loving kindness is the consistent, ever-faithful, relentless, constantly pursuing, lavish, extravagant, unrestrained, one-way love of God.

When I understand this- It gives me great comfort, knowing that I can trust God- I can completely rely on Him since He always has the best of me in mind.

A teaching that gives affirmation of God’s choice of and affection for us.
http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/doctrine/covenant-god-pursues

We love because He first loved us. (1John4:19)