Author: Candy

He is already there

When I pray I just have to believe that the Lord is there, that He is always ready to listen to me. Human as I am, how I want to physically feel the Lord or emotionally at least. In one of my adoration times, this is what the Lord revealed to me. I may not hear Him, feel Him but I believe He is here. When I go to adoration He is already there waiting, I just have to bring all myself to Him. I think what is more important is that He is there whether I am still preparing myself, trying to focus. Thank You Lord for going before me. You are always there!

 

A Spiritual Balance

“(But) take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.

I still can’t get over with the homily last Wednesday. It was from Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18. It was a gospel about the proper posture in almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. At first I thought this is just a guide how I can execute it better if ever I choose to do any of it.

 As I continue on reflecting and asking God what else in the gospel that He wants me to live out, He brought a different way of understanding the three. I believe He is telling me that in order for me to stay close to Him, prayer is not enough. There has to be a balance of the the 3 – almsgiving, prayer and fasting. That my lifestyle at all times will revolve around the 3- to give cheerfully, pray faithfully, and fast regularly.

Personally praying at all times is given, it’s a must. However my view on fasting and almsgiving is different, I still see it as an option and can be done only on when I want to. The Lord is telling me to do all of these at all times. I believe that the best way to feed my spiritual life is by living out the three.

“Lord you are God and in you all things are created. You made us in your image and likeness. Teach us to live our lives like your Son Jesus – He practiced almsgiving, prayer and fasting. May I be able to do the same. Lord may all three be my lifestyle as I continue on growing in the spirit. May I cheerfully, faithfully and regularly do it.“

Candy

Philippians 1:29

The Truth about TRUTH

I went adoration yesterday and for 45 minutes of sitting there I could not see myself in communion with the Lord. I asked the Lord why I feel so distant. I waited and then He said:

  1. Speak the Truth.
  2. Speak about Jesus. Let Jesus manifest in your life.
  3. You don’t have to convince the non-believers or even the ordinary people.
  4. What is important is that as you speak the truth, they will feel the Truth – They will experience the Truth.
  5. Jesus is the Truth. Speak of Him and about Him. Let them experience Him.
  6. You can only do this with the power of the Holy Spirit, there’s no other way.
  7. The Holy Spirit who is in the Father and in the Son will consume you so when you speak of the Truth you will highly speak about the Father and the son.
  8. Don’t forget to pray to the Holy Spirit.
  9. Ask for the Holy Spirit.
  10. Invoke the Holy Spirit.

Same Spirit

I remember last year’s MV SHOUT, there were 12 MVs and 4 FTPWs who were in one house learning more about fulltime pastoral work. However this year, we are conducting our MV SHOUT at regional level. We have 7 MVs now in the Region and 3 FTPWs but for the shout only 6MVs and the us 2 FTPWs are present.  At some point while preparing for it, I was wondering if it will be as powerful as the first one.

In one of my prayer times the Lord reminded me that it’s not the numbers nor the place nor the people that were important  for His spirit to manifest. It is about the willing spirit and heart of the people. That’s why no matter how many is worshiping the Lord, how long the worship is, wherever the SHOUT is, it will be the same Spirit who will touch the hearts of the MVs and manifest itself to everyone. The same Spirit who worked through Abraham to Moses to the disciples to the popes and bishops and to us. The Spirit is constant and will never short-change itself.

 

“Lord God, you manifest your Spirit in different ways. Thank you for allowing me to see that you are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Teach me to be sensitive of your presence so I may give you more glory everyday”

 

Candy

Philippians 1:29

Define Me

One of the messages I got from my prayer time this week is the Lord telling me to define my relationships. Immediately, I thought of my family, the fulltime workers, my mission partner, and the people I am serving with in YFC and SFC. I realized that all my encounter with them are developing experiences. I miss them they miss, we disappoint each other, and we help each other and more. I have great and challenging memories with them.

I asked the Lord what was the purpose of that defining activity.. He did not answer right away but in mynext prayer time He told me, that when I define my relationship I should not define it by the way I see and experience them. Defining my relationships is defining myself first – Who I am?

I am His.  He initiated my existence. My life is His. He doesn’t define me on my past or future. His definition of me is not based on my actions, words, thoughts. His definition is constant and unchanging. He defines me – Love defines me, God defines me.

 

“Lord you are King of kings and Lord of Lords. You reign in our hearts and our minds. You are love, You are source of life. Teach me Lord to not seek my own definition of myself and other people. Remind me always that when Your love defines us, that is the best definition of ourselves and other people. Lord may your loving refine us everyday. Amen”

 

Candy (Philippians 1:29)

Random Thoughts I

While I was seated at a coffee shop waiting for our meeting to start, these random realizations just came:

  • Being in love is being in Christ.
  • Living Love is Living Christ
  • The moment I start to stop caring and become indifferent is the start of not loving, not recognizing God.
  • Because God is omniscient, Love knows everything.
  • Because God is omnipotent, Love makes things happen.
  • Because God is omnipresence, Love resides everywhere.
  • Forgiveness is an expression of Love.
  • Love is all-inclusive and complete and when I am a little less in any of 1Corinthians 13, I am not loving.
  • Waiting for Love is the same as saying Waiting for God – But God is beyond time and space!
  • God knows when I am scared, embarrassed, unsure, and weak. He knows my limit and he doesn’t stop when I reached my limit He goes beyond it so I will go to Him and not just trust myself.
  • When I start to trust myself, that’s the start of pushing God away.
  • The fullness of the cross is Christ.
  • Love is always full!
  • First option: Prayer
  • Prayer is an encounter of God.
  • Prayer heals. Prayer comforts. Prayer moves.

 

“Lord God, You are all knowing and excellent in all things. You are full of love in all Your ways. I thank you for all these revelations. Teach me to see you more in every detail of my life. May I always have an expectant posture so I will be reminded of you.”

 

Candy (Philippians 1:29)

11am Trip

I arrived at the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal at 9:00am. I was hoping to catch the 9am trip but I was too late. I saw the ferry moved away from the docking area so I just sat there at the Berth of the 11am ferry trip. There was no one there. It felt so weird coz for the last 20mins no one came. Considering that I am in an area where it’s supposed to be filled with 200+ passengers. I just sat and thought of things to do then talked to the Lord.

His message to me was simple, (which I thought was complicated). He told me, “There’s more in this 11am Trip.”

After 20mins, one passenger came, then after 10mins another family passengers came. Then after that people start to come almost every minute. The area was almost filled up. Some were already standing. 15mins before the departure, the room was already packed simply because I stayed and waited knowing that there is an 11am trip.

This is the same as the promises of the Lord, when He said Jeremiah 29:11 (For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.) That is our 11am trip! That is my 11am trip! When I have hard time waiting that is because I forget of the 11am trip! I forget that there is already a sure fulfillment of His plans – the time and the place for it is already set.

 

“Lord you are God of time and place. You hold everything in your heart. Teach me to have the right posture in waiting. Remind me that You are with me while I wait and that You are also ahead of me to winning my future. Teach me to learn from Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”

 

Candy (Philippians 1:29)