Tuesday, August 7, 2012

God's message for me today

Trust in God. Believe in yourself. Dare to dream.

Daily Reading & Meditation

Tuesday (August 7): "Take heart, it is I; have no fear"
Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33 22 Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately he spoke to them, saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." 28 And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." 29 He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; 30 but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." Meditation: Does the Lord seem distant when trials or adversity come your way? It was at Jesus' initiative that the disciples sailed across the lake, only to find themselves in a life-threatening storm (see Mark 6:53-56). Although they were experienced fishermen, they feared for their lives. While Jesus was not with them in the boat, he, nonetheless watched for them in prayer. When he perceived their trouble he came to them on the sea and startled them with his sudden appearance. Do you look for the Lord's presence when you encounter difficulty or challenges? This dramatic incident on the sea of Galilee revealed Peter's character more fully than others. Here we see Peter's impulsivity – his tendency to act without thinking of what he was doing. He often failed and came to grief as a result of his impulsiveness. In contrast, Jesus always bade his disciples to see how difficult it was to follow him before they set out on the way he taught them. A great deal of failure in the Christian life is due to acting on impulse and emotional fervor without counting the cost. Peter, fortunately in the moment of his failure clutched at Jesus and held him firmly. Every time Peter fell, he rose again. His failures only made him love the Lord more deeply and trust him more intently. The Lord keeps watch over us at all times, and especially in our moments of temptation and difficulty. Do you rely on the Lord for his strength and help? Jesus assures us that we have no need of fear if we trust in Him and in his great love for us. When calamities or trials threaten to overwhelm you, how do you respond? With faith and hope in God's love, care and presence with you? "Lord Jesus, help me to trust you always and to never doubt your presence and your power to help me. In my moments of doubt and weakness, may I cling to you as Peter did. Strengthen my faith that I may walk straight in the path you set before me, neither veering to the left nor to the right". Psalm 85:8-13 8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
9.Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.
12 Yes, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him, and make his footsteps a way
VISITATIONS: (Daily Contacts From His hearts to Ours by Miriam Grosjean
Accept the mysteries of life in simple faith. the finite mind is not capable of comprehending all the spiritual aspects. Believing without seeing is great faith and will be honored by My father in Heaven. My word is sufficient. If people would take time to study it, they could untangle their complicated lives and find it easy to live one day at a time applying My principles. Ask for My power, which takes you beyond your capabilities, and it will be afforded you. Remember to give Me your troubles and then act as if they do not exist. They will become minimized and some will even disappear. Keep Me in the center of your life at all times.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Prov.3:5-6

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11






My First Big Dream

I was only 7 years old when my Tita Noni, my Dad's only sister  left the Philippines to go to the US. Those were the times when a family member is going abroad the whole clan go with her to the airport. My grandparents of course were there, my Dad's cousins and my Tita's friends were there to see her off. That was a very happy occassion and everybody seemed to be excited. My Tita was the first in our family to go to America, she had just finished her residency as a doctor. So this event got stucked in my brain and I think that started it. From then on I started to dream to be like my Tita. Especially when she started sending us pictures of her in Disneyland and writing me letters about her life in the US and sending us toys every christmas.

So when I was growing up I wanted to be a doctor too so that I can also go to the US. I am the eldest in a family of seven kids. I like science the most so when I finished highschool I decided to take medical technology as preparatory course for medicine. But after graduating from that course I didn't continue on to medicine because I felt it would be too much for my Dad since he is the only one working. I started working after graduation at Cardinal Santos Medical Center.

Well, there you go. My biggest dream to go to the US started when I was 7 years old. More blogs to come about how that dream was fulfilled.

Thanks for reading.