Why I believe in God...

Why should I believe in God? I say why not? I have experienced him so much everyday, every moment, every second. I do not doubt Him because whenever I am about to lose trust He reveals more of His power through miracles--impossible encounters, situations, different people, and even through pain. He knows exactly what I need and provides it in mysterious ways. Every single day is a miracle and the moment I wake up someone takes care of me. Look around and see God. He is the one who makes all things possible. Looking around also made me see how much people are still in need to realize that God is real. Many have focused on job or studies or other things that occupy them that they forget to pause and see how things happen.:) I serve a God who makes all things possible.

God made this amazing Wonder

Live the Christian Life

How should we live as followers of Christ?

 

Here is a summary of what I've learned the past two months on how we should live from the

Word of God!

Must love them

When I walk these streets people look at me or even stare for a while because I'm different. They rarely see foreigners. I don't like it when they do this.

I had just reminded the kids about classroom rules and after a minute they break them. They like to play too much that they don't focus on what we are learning. "Teacher can I play?" the kids asks and when you say no they look at you like someone who doesn't like them to be happy. This tests my patience.

She said "one hour" so after an hour I went back to go out with her but I don't see her. I went to some place first while waiting and see if she's ready when I come back. I head back seeing her playing badminton as if we never talked about going somewhere. I then find out that we had misunderstood each other. This is awful. I don't like keep changing of minds and misunderstandings neither.

There are so many reasons for me to hate anybody and so many things they do that makes me turn my head in disagreement. But the Father speaks to my heart saying "love them like Jesus". He reminds me "Child, I loved you though you did not deserve it. No one deserves to be loved but everybody needs love. Love the unlovable." I look at what they do or what they did and think again. The question of the girl stroke me "Stancy, do you hate him?" I had to pause and my Father says through me, "No, I don't hate him".

I reside "I have to love these people"; it doesn't matter who they are, what they did, or what they might do. I have to love them because He wants me to.

"If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?" -Matthew 5:46-47

Leaving Again

Yesterday, October 7, 2012 I arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam for the third time. This time I came from the Philippines: my country, my home where my family belongs, and my friends' home. As I was trying to set my mind on continuing in my goals and purposes here in Hanoi I can't stop my tears from falling. I had only one week vacation with my family and it has passed; it was time for me to move forward. Leaving the second time around made it harder because it was in the middle of a family celebration. I never thought pursuing your purpose can be this hard neither did I think it would be easy. But whatever risks and sacrifices are ahead I know that I must keep on pursuing my purpose.

Some people will not understand what you are doing till they see the results.

Some people will try to stop you by putting  hindrances along the way.

Some situations may discourage you and make you doubt your purpose.

Sometimes even your personal dreams get in the way.

You have to sacrifice your pride...your personal dreams... your wants because you know there's better fulfillment when you have fulfilled your purpose.

You take risks that other people won't. You might have to go to a place they have never been. You might have to do what you didn"t dream of doing. You might get across a lot of disappointments, frustrations, and loneliness. You might not see your friends again.

But as these things come along the way of finding and pursuing your purpose be ready. Face them with courage and fight them with boldness knowing deep inside your heart these are just obstacles. You must say to yourself, "This is why I am here, I will fulfill my purpose and I will not let anything get in the way."

As my leader always tells us, "Keep on keeping on". Don't stop. Be constant. Be steadfast.

Just like "leaving again" is very hard for me but I just had to go back to why I chose to follow this road. I went back to determining my purpose.

Someday, I will see how "leaving again" will be all worth the risk because my purpose (His purpose for me) is fullfilled.

Looking Back

April 18, 2012
New York City
Wednesday, Third Day

Anxiety kept on trying to overtake my on me last few days in Upstate New York (5 hours from NYC); where I stayed most of the time. This often come as a result of being unsure of what will reallly happen next. I am a person not very fond of surprises especially when it comes to things that would require responsibility on my part. The thought of it just scares me even though I know that I will get through anyway. The afternoon I took the bus I was struggling with worry if things might not work out; taking two big suitcases in the bus and everything. But at the merge of worrying I was reminded to pray that my worries would be taken away. Sure enough everything turned out to be good and worrying did not help. The counterpart of not worrying is holding on tight to the faith I have faith knowing that God will give me favor every step of the way. Just as I declared that faith so it happened.
Days and months have gone by and I still can't believe how time flew. I find myself walking in this city, however long it took me, amazed at how God has worked in my life the past months. My adventures of job hunting, cultural adjustments, friendship building, and heart shaping in this country where I was born, is soon to end, for another journey to begin. I have become more brave and more confident to face whatever struggle and difficulties might lead me as I discover my purpose. I have known by practical experience how God reveals Himself and His love during these times that I have nothing to fear.
Things did not work out as I had planned. Nevertheless, things worked out for the better when I had let God execute His plan because I knew He has a purpose. I don't know what would have happened if I insisted to do what I want. Not going on as planned is so humbling.  Not only personally but also in front of the people around me. It's also hard to know you are doing what you have to do and but being unable to explain it to the people; many of them don't understand. In the end, it's all going to be worth it, (actually even along the process).

I had planned to get a job that will let me earn and at the same time meet people I can share my faith with. God had planned for me to be of service to different friends around the area and at the Pregnancy Care Center that ministers to young women for free.
I had planned to get the money from what I will save to support my desire for training in Asia inclusive of plain ticket and all expenses. God had planned to surprise me each time by providing different people who would just give gifts enough to provide for what I need.

I do not regret going here even if it seemed nothing for others. I wouldn't trade this experience at this point of time with anything else in the world knowing "For such a time as this..." (Esther 3) God had a plan.

Restoration: a need to keep moving

When we mess up or things in our life mess up, God is there to rescue us from going deeper in the messy life through restoration. Restoration is often defined as renewal, revival, and reestablishment (dictionary.com). When we are discouraged, pressed down, or feeling lifeless we need restoration. Restoration is like the dropping of snow that adds beauty to the trees and at the same time produces water for the earth.

Isaiah 55:10 ,  ^"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

The best restoration we could ever receive is one that comes from God. There are different ways God restores us and believe it comes from one level to another.

How does God restore us?
1. He calls our attention.
2. He reminds us of the importance of living for him and following His directions.
3. He cleanses us from our sins and forgives us for the mistakes we have made.
4. He heals us from the hurtful experiences and words that we have encountered through our journeys.
5. He establishes us back on track with His will and provides all that we need in fulfilling His calling for us.
6. Above all, He always shows us that He is God no one else.

Restoration requires action on both God and us. We have steps to take to experience the restoration fully.
1. Admitting we messed up and that we cannot do it on our own.
2. Listening to what God has to say.
3. Be willing to face the consequences of our mistakes.
4. Walk with God into where he leads you.
5. Accept the blessings of His restoration and be thankful to Him about it.

We are responsible to keep walking with Him to keep experiencing the blessings of His restoration.
To keep on moving to the next steps of God's purposes for us we need to be restored, renewed, and reestablished. From broken to whole. From impure to pure. From darkness to light. From sadness to joy.

 These I have learned from my readings in the book of Ezekiel and personal experience.

That Little Doubt

The road to finding your purpose is not always smooth. When you face the rough roads there's that little doubt suddenly comes trying to stop you from pursuing your purpose. There are many places where that doubt can come from. You'll be surprised to find yourself considering to listen to that little doubt and maybe even believe it. If you are not careful you might do what that little doubt says.
In traveling that road to your purpose be sure you are prepared to face anything that would cause you to doubt, saying, "you can't do it". Of course you can't face it alone. But no matter what purpose God has called you to; and what purpose you are starting to discover, He is also there to help you. He is there to help you disregard those little doubts that come your way and travel through those stumbling blocks. He will help you turn those stumbling blocks into stepping stones towards succeeding in your purpose. So wherever that doubt came from saying "you can't do it" just say, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13.

You may have found your purpose already or you may be still on the road trying to find it. Make sure you have the map with you--the Bible. Reading the Bible helps you realize a lot of things that you do not understand; it's God's way of helping you so you may not have to learn the hard way. One ways is by learning from the people of God who also at one point in their lives where looking for their purpose and found it when God called them. They've had their little doubts and you will see the difference between those who listened to their doubts and those who took courage from God.

As you find your purpose and as you fulfill it I pray that you do not let those little doubts stop you from moving forward and achieving what you were called to do.

There's a lake of success that awaits you just step over those stones that causes you to doubt.