Thank You Jesus for the year that has passed. I praise You for all the blessings, the promises, and the victories.

I pray for a deeper understanding of Your Word this 2014.

Give me the grace and the wisdom to pore over your Word that I may be able to share them with others and bring honor to Your name.

May my light shine for your glory…

….as a Christian

….as a wife

…as a mother

…as a daughter

…as a sister

…as a friend

…as Your minister.

“Your laws are my joyous treasure forever.
I am determined to obey you until I die.”
Psalm 119:111-112

People are sharing their New Year’s Resolutions. I have a few of my own but I honestly doubt I’d be able to keep them. Most of the items in my list are related to health which means it will be a very challenging year for me. Haha!

We don’t have anything grand planned this Christmas and New Year’s Eve. We’ve postponed travel this year for a better reason– a new house! We’re very much enjoying our days and nights in our own home. Everyday, we thank God for this blessing– one symbol of our FAITH.

Instead of starting right, I want to end 2013 by spending time with my Lord. After all, He is the Reason for the Christmas Season and He is the reason why I live. Reading His Word sustains me. His promises have kept me going this year. The year started with me stressed and a bit lonely but I knew then God had something great planned for me. I just had to wait –patiently on Him. It’s not surprising but reading the Bible has more than comforted me.

The Word eternal brought joy to my innermost being. This year, I have learned that ‘to know God better is to love Him more‘. Did I learn to love Him more? Definitely.

Day-by-day I try to seek God. Everyday I long to see Him, His goodness, mercy, and love. This coming new year, I hope to keep being in love with Him.

I hoped and prayed that my light would shine this year. I can’t say it did very brightly but I hope in my heart that I’ve touched some hearts and souls. It is my prayer that God’s greatness would continue to flow in my life so that people may see and cause them to also praise the heavens. To make them come to God as I was made aware and became in awe of His greatnesss–which compelled me to worship Him.

This 2013, God made me see that His creation is beautiful. But while I know that God’s creation is wonderful, it’s nothing compared to the beauty of the new heaven and the new earth. (Now that’s something to look forward to.) Think GLORIOUS.

This 2013, God also taught me how my desires could be aligned with His. There were many things I wanted to happen my way but He showed me to just let go and rest in His words. This way, I was able to accept that His desires for my life are far greater than my selfishness. There is no way to go but up– from glory to glory as I followed His word. God surprised me by answering more than what I’ve asked and imagined. Little did I know that God was taming my heart as I slowly lined up with His will. I now understand these words:

“If you saturate yourselves in His Words, then His desires will also be yours.”

This 2013, God showed me that He truly understands my heartaches, plans, and desires. He knows me so well that He knows how to make me feel better. He really did.

This 2013, God blessed my family with a new home. It was all GRACE I tell you. Our prayer this new year and the rest of our lives, is that those who will walk through our door would know that the Lord God lives in our house. It is our desire that the reality of His presence be evident in our lives with love and warmth– as individuals, as a couple, as parents, as a young child, and as a family.

This 2013, God taught me to show love to others as I immense myself in a close and deep love relationship with Him. He wanted me to stay there, stay with Him, and to just abide. I believe in my heart that this 2014, God wants me to ABIDE in Him more. That’s what I want: to become part of the eternal sphere of unconditional love.

This 2013, God has showed me what faith can do. He made me step out in faith and trust Him alone. Not in my husband, not in myself, and not in others but in HIM alone. I saw that trusting Him at His Word, putting Him to the test, and just doing it — He would do great wonders.

This 2013, God taught me to wait. I now believe and now live the “Wait on God and you will be blessed“. Waiting has always been very difficult for me. It can be the ultimate test of one’s faith but it’s an essential part of discipline. My Lord taught me to not take matters into my own hands. You know why? Because He didn’t want me to be in trouble.

God did more for me this year. I can say that 2013 has been a very humbling experience. God has sustained me each day, each week, and each month. I may have written hundreds of words here already but not one word would perfectly describe my GOD.

So you think God is good? He is way even better. Brace yourselves for a more fruitful 2014. I know I will. Maybe not in material blessings but in treasures that matter the most.

“I waited and waited and waited for God.
At last he looked, finally he listened.”
Psalm 40:1

*Waiting for the Lord can transform us into a people of growing faith

God answers prayers. This I believe in my heart because He has answered many of my prayers. I’ve learned that before He  responds He would make us wait for a while. The waiting game is a challenge for it tests our patience.

It would be nice if He answers right away but He wants to cultivate in us faith and perseverance. Believe it or not, God is interested in the development of our character. Consider it a good thing if you get through trials because such testing of faith develops perseverance so that in the future, we may be mature and complete. (James 1:2-4)

Wait on God and you will receive. Maybe not always the way you want it but in a manner He knows is best for you. He loves us so He wants us to be made in complete in Him. His promises are true.

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, butthat you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV)

Unity in Christ is commanded to us by Christ. However, it is one of the most challenging things to do. Christians like you and me must remind themselves that being united in Christ is expected of them.

It has always been a struggle for some to be in harmony with a brother or sister because of attitudes and differences. But God— we thank Him for His great love–enables us to love and respect one another. His grace makes us accept our indifferences and remind us of the truth in Jesus Christ.

As much as we hate sin, it is everywhere. It can be found in places or situations where law is present. There won’t be a wrongdoing considered if there is no given command.

Rules are not meant to be broken but they only show the character of a person. The nature of law gives life and death to someone. Follow the law and your life will be full. Disobey the commands and rules and you can be sent unto your deathbed.

Sin brings death, no doubt. There are no levels and types of sin either. A sin is a sin is a sin. You disobery God’s law—that’s SIN.

It doesn’t matter if you did it in secret or has been put to shame because of it.  There is no sin heavier than another.

Do we stay slaves to sin? Do we remain deceived by the enemy? No. There is a God who became man to save us from our sins— His name is Jesus. He was crucified on the cross, died, and resurrected after three days. This magnificent God is so loving that He allowed himself to be punished for our sins. How worthy to be praised! Who am I that He chose to save? I am nothing but am now free— no more slave to the sinful nature.

As one desires to leave evil behind, admit that you cannot go through life alone. Only the grace of God will enable you to turn away from all evil.

THE FIGHT AGAINST EVIL IS WON TOGETHER WITH CHRIST.

 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.  If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
1 John 1:7-9 

SINNERS CAN BE VICTORS TOO.

 PSALM 133

1 How good and pleasant it is
    when God’s people live together in unity!