The Lord Sees Your Struggles

Hi standers! It's Monday once again. Here's another devotional written by David from North Carolina. Read on and stay encouraged!

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Recall the story of Jesus walking on the water. I heard a wonderful sermon recently that put together the details of this miraculous gospel account. We need to jump from the three accounts in Matthew 14, Mark 6 and John 6 to see the whole story, but you’ll be blessed as a result. 

Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Mark 6: 47-48 

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve just read over that without catching a key detail. Jesus was still on land, the disciples were in the middle of the lake (probably three miles away given the size of that lake, which was the sea of Galilee), and yet Jesus SAW them straining. You may not be able to see Jesus in the storm of your marriage troubles, but never forget He does see you and He sees you straining at the oars. Now look at the account as told in Matthew. 

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Matthew 14: 22-24 

Notice also that Jesus MADE them get into the boat while He stayed behind to pray. Was Jesus caught off guard by the storm that whipped up in the middle of the lake (the sea of Galilee)? Of course not. Jesus set this all up, because He knew the miracles that He would perform. Have you ever thought that the Lord allowed your marriage struggles so that He would get the glory at some point? Just as Jesus walked out on the water to meet the disciples in the boat that was being buffeted by waves, Jesus will not delay in showing you His presence in your hour of need. Just keep your eyes on Him! Peter learned the lesson of keeping his eyes on Jesus. 

“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14: 29-31 

When Peter had his eyes on Jesus, he was fine. When he took them off Jesus and focused on the storm, he sank. Do you see the point here? There is no water that you cannot rise above and walk on top of when you keep your eyes on Jesus. Go to Him because there is no sea or storm that He does not place under His feet. Keep your eyes on Him and invite him fully into your life (your “boat”). 

But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading. John 6: 20-21 

You may not know where to turn today and there seems to be so many storms raging against you and your marriage. Jesus is calling your name and telling you to not be afraid, but to experience His peace you must take Him into your boat and surrender everything to Him. Notice the last piece of this incredible story. When they took Jesus into their boat, they IMMEDIATELY reached their destination. Remember, they were still a long way from shore. This was no small miracle, but it gets lost in the whole story of Jesus walking on the water. To me, this just shows that the whole episode was orchestrated by our Lord to teach the disciples a lesson. Once the disciples saw Jesus clearly and allowed him into their boat, the lesson was learned. 
Yes, we will have difficult moments in this journey with Jesus because we have a tendency to take our eyes off Him. Cry out to Jesus in those moments just as Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus is ready to respond to anyone honestly crying out to Him for rescue. 

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14: 31

A Wedding to Remember

The date was February 18, 2012.

What a glorious day it was!

I attended a beautiful wedding two Saturdays ago.  Two lives who are fully devoted to God joined together in holy matrimony.  These two are an inspiration to many of us who know them both.  In spite of their jobs (which are very wordly in nature), they remained pure and holy in the eyes of the Lord.  They stood strong in obeying God no matter what.  What a beautiful testimony.

God gave them a promise and He fulfilled it.  All glory to God Almighty!

Alvin Aragon & Charizza "Izzy" Trazona when they guested on the 700 Club Asia

February 8, 2012

Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Aragon

I am honored to be part of this beautiful wedding and to stand as one of the principal sponsors.

With Dr. Jojo Rivera

Jacq, Cecille, me & Katrina

Indeed, a wedding to remember!

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

Thankful Thursday

Wow, can't believe it's already Thursday and February is almost over.  How time flies!

Today I am thankful that I am in a good place.  By that I simply meant I am healthy, my bills are getting paid on time, my business is doing well, I have clarity of mind, I have joy in my heart, I have loyal friends and most of all I am happy.  

Some people couldn't understand why I can be in a good place when someone important in my life is missing. Some people couldn't reconcile the thought of me happy when something major in my life is pending.  You see, I didn't arrive in this place with petals of roses on my feet; I arrived here with thorns.  But I made a decision to surrender my life to the Lord and trust Him fully.  And He gave me a promise.  When I did, my outlook in life took a 180 degrees turn. 

I thank the Lord for making me who I am now by allowing those thorns to hurt me.  Now I can say that really, in all things God works for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

I am very much expectant of God's surprises to me in the coming days.  I thank the Lord that He is a promise keeping God.


What are you thankful for this week?

For more Thankful Thursday, visit Iris over at Grace Alone.

Facial Treatment at Ysa

After more than two years, I finally felt the need for another facial.  Yes, it took me that long to realize that it has been long overdue.  

I decided to visit Ysa Skin Care Center at Robinson's Galleria before attending the 6 p.m. Sunday service at Victory.  I had a huge zit on my left cheek four days ago which stressed me out.  I don't normally fret over zits because for me they come and go.  This particular zit's grand appearance was just awful in timing because I had a wedding event yesterday.  I will be doing a separate post on that.  Anyway, a friend of mine gave me a small slice of this Ysa papaya soap and told me to wash my face with this and let the foam dry over the zit for a few minutes.  Well, what do you know! It worked! When I woke up the next morning, the zit dried up.

Ysa Papaya Soap (Original) 135g

Papaya Extract – Vitamins A & C (Exfoliant & Antioxidant).

Lavender – Antibacterial properties to prevent pimples and other skin blemishes.

Vegetable Soap Base – Vitamin E to moisturize and renew skin. 

I had a full facial treatment which included mask application, massage to tone up facial muscles, vacuuming and laser-toning.  I also had my whiteheads removed.  

I didn't know whiteheads looked like this

The treatment didn't cost much.  They have an on going promo where you purchase any of their products then you can avail yourself of the facial treatment's promo price of only Php350.00 ($8.20).  The soap I bought (above) was only Php60.00 ($1.40).

Right after the treatment though, your face might experience some tingly feeling and temporary redness. No reason to panic because it's normal.  My nose looked like Rudolf the reindeer's. 

Will I go back there for another facial treatment in the future?  Most definitely!

Thankful Thursday

Yesterday morning I asked the Lord a question and I felt like a child asking God something.  I had a great day yesterday.  I went to the office and did some errands after work.

Today was different though.  It felt gloomy...  Must be the weather. But towards the end of the day I read something posted by a friend on FB that struck me.  It says in my language --- "Hindi pa ngayon anak, may perfect timing ako sayo -- God."  (Not now my child, I have a perfect timing for you -- God.)  

How perfect was that!  I got my question answered.  It was like God talking to me directly.  No, I wasn't disappointed at all with the Not now my child. In fact, I was even more excited with the I have a perfect timing for you.

God has a perfect way of answering us, sometimes though in the most odd ways. But He does answer!

Thank you, Lord!


What are you thankful for this week?

For more Thankful Thursday, visit Iris over at Grace Alone.

TSMSS - What Faith Can Do

It was Dad's birthday yesterday and also my nephew, Michael's.  Happy birthday!  

We had buffet breakfast at Vikings, Mall of Asia to celebrate.  Well, I was too engrossed with the food that I forgot to take photos.  I love to eat! We enjoyed the food, especially Dad.  

Anyway, I was able to talk to a very close friend of mine. Her name is Maya. She's feeling very downhearted with all the blows in her life right now.  I was telling her never to give up.  That God will surely make a way. I think this song by the Kutless is very encouraging.  

Everybody falls sometimes 

Gotta find the strength to rise 

From the ashes and make a new beginning 

Anyone can feel the ache 

You think it’s more than you can take 

But you're stronger, stronger than you know 

Don’t you give up now 

The sun will soon be shining 

You gotta face the clouds 

To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains 

Hope that doesn’t ever end 

Even when the sky is falling 

I’ve seen miracles just happen 

Silent prayers get answered 

Broken hearts become brand new 

That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard 

Impossible is not a word 

It’s just a reason for someone not to try 

Everybody’s scared to death 

When they decide to take that step 

Out on the water 

It’ll be alright 

Life is so much more 

Than what your eyes are seeing 

You will find your way If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains 

Hope that doesn’t ever end 

Even when the sky is falling 

I’ve seen miracles just happen 

Silent prayers get answered 

Broken hearts become brand new 

That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds

You don't have a chance 

(That’s what faith can do) 

When the world says you can’t 

It’ll tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains 

Hope that doesn’t ever end 

Even when the sky is falling 

And I’ve seen miracles just happen 

Silent prayers get answered 

Broken hearts become brand new 

That’s what faith can do 

That's what faith can do! 

Even if you fall sometimes 

You will have the strength to rise

For more great music, link up with Amy over at Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

WFW - Job 42:2

Hop on to Lori's for more WFW entries. God bless!!!

Fearless Friday

TGIF! 

Today is a day dedicated to prayer and I'm joining Angie over at Free Spirit Haven.  If you have any concern that you'd like to lift up in prayer, I'd be glad to pray with you.  Leave me a comment here or you may send me a private message by clicking "Contact Me" up there. 

For those who are facing impossibilities...

Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:27

Lord Heavenly Father, we boldly come to your throne and present to you our needs and our heart's desires.  I pray that as we wait to receive our miracles, renew our strength and give us the grace to wait expectantly for your perfect timing.  We may encounter severe difficulties along the way, but we trust that you will be with us to carry us when our physical strength fails us.  We give you all the glory and praise.  In Jesus' mighty name, amen!

Thankful Thursday

Amidst my busy schedule, I'm thankful that even when my prayer is short, I know God hears them.  When I don't know what to say, I can pray in the Spirit.  I thank God that He doesn't require us to pray lengthy and  with flowery words before He hears us.  I thank God that all I need to do to be heard is to pray from the heart.  

What are you thankful for this week?

For more Thankful Thursday, visit Iris over at Grace Aone.