but as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD. I wait for my God, my Savior. My God will hear me.

beautiful-yell:

Micah 7:7

Let all that you do be done in love. 

beautiful-yell:

1 Corinthians 16:14

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7

He has said:

“Never shall I leave you;
Never shall I forsake you.”

And He means what He says.

Walk in the light of the Lord. Isaiah 2:5

“Nikki, kumusta ka?”

“Sorrowful yet rejoicing.”

This has been my answer for a while now. But what does it really mean to be sorrowful… yet rejoicing? How come?

There was a time when I was so discouraged and broken. I was asking the Lord to heal my heart. I needed comfort, but instead of words of promises, God whispered, “Give thanks. Bless My Name. Rejoice.” I honestly did not know how to start with a heart so crushed. I prayed then I was reminded of the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord. I started to thank Him for everything that He has done and is doing in my life. I did not realize that I was already singing “Thank You, Lord… I just want to thank You Lord..” and “Bless the Lord O my soul, O my soul, I worship His Holy Name..” I was starting to rejoice even though there were still marks of sorrow in my heart. My heart had peace. I knew my Savior will not leave me nor forsake me. Instead of worrying, I started to praise God for my pain because I will have a chance again to see how He will deliver me from my trial.

That time, the Lord taught me that rejoicing is not driven by emotion, it is a choice. When you are in deepest pain, choose to rejoice. Remember the words of the Lord in Philippians, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I will say, rejoice.” It is not to temporarily cover the pain or to pretend to be happy, but to fix your eyes in Jesus in spite of pain. I normally escape when my circumstances begin to be hurtful. But God gently rebuked me by saying that the daughter of the King should not escape from reality, she must go directly in the presence of God. Then I was reminded that “in His presence there is fullness of joy…” (Psalm 16:11) When you are in pain or trouble, you go directly in the presence of God. And in His presence, we can fully rejoice.

I have always admired the Proverbs 31 whose “strength and dignity are her clothing and (she) laughs at the time to come.” (v.25). The latter part can also be translated as “she rejoices at the future.” I will not be surprised if her reason for rejoicing is because of the Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, our reason to be joyful is Christ. Having fear is normal. I honestly have fears on my own, but by the strength and love of God, I have learned to face each day with a quiet heart fully yielding unto His promises. With that, we can choose to rejoice even with sorrow. The Bible says, “but perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18) Also remind yourself of the unconditional love of God. We have ‘more than enough’ reasons to rejoice.

I have experienced trials of various kinds and in all aspects. But my hope is in Christ. My life is in His hands. Rejoicing is not boasting that I can do things on my own. I know that I am weak apart from Christ. I could not walk in this narrow road by my own self. I need my Lord.  Every day, I am asking for the grace and strength of God to sustain me. And He never fails to do it. I am fully convinced that nothing, totally nothing, and no one can ever separate me from the love of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And with that, I rejoice!

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35–39)

~ N, May 2013

Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man… I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the LORD does valiantly, the right hand of the LORD exalts, the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!” I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.
~
Lord, I need Thee. :( :’)

the-worship-project:

God Is Able - Ben Fielding + Reuben Morgan (Hillsong) [ 2010 ]

From the album “God Is Able” by Hillsong Live

35 / 365

*Click here to visit “The Worship Project!”

the-worship-project:

Thy Word - Amy Grant + Michael W. Smith (Myrrh) [ 1984 ]

From the album “Straight Ahead” by Amy Grant

23 / 365

*Click here to visit “The Worship Project!”

Salamat sa lahat ng Iyong ginawa
Hindi ko hinihingi pero Iyong ipinaubaya
Wala na akong ibang mahihiling
Basta tanggapin Mo lang ako sa puso Mo’t piling

Alam kong hindi pa Kita masyado kilala
Pero sana sa puso’t isip ko Ito ay mag iba
Gusto ko sa paglipas ng panahon Ikaw ang una sa aking listahan
Para masabi ko sa sarili ko na success ang buhay ko sa mundong Iyong inalagaan

Salamat sa pagbibigay ng Iyong sarili
Mga parusang dapat sa amin iginanti
Bagkus lahat ng iyon Iyong tinanggap
Para mabigyan kami ng pangalawang buhay na Ikaw lang ang sinasamba’t hinahanap - hanap

Marami pang iba na di Ka pinaniniwalaan
Pero sana isang araw puso nila ay Iyong buksan
Ipakita Mo na Ikaw ang dahilan kung bakit sila nandito
Na Ikaw ay buhay na Diyos, hindi lang isang santo

Wala na akong ibang sasambitin kundi tanggapin Mo ako
Sa Iyong piling dahil walang tatalo Sayo
Mahal Ka namin ng mga tropa ko
Kasi nagiisa ka lang dito sa puso namin Panginoong Hesu Kristo

In God’s Holy sight,

I am unclean,

I’m His enemy,

I’m naked and nothing,

i’m worthless,

I’m unuseble,

I’m a dust

I’m a flower quickly fading.

I’m a vapor in the wind,

I’m condemned,

I’m doomed,

I am a sinner.

But God is gracious.

Wonderfully gracious!

He is Love, He loved me, us.

On that cross, my fate,

His beloved Son took my place.

And to Him, through Jesus Christ

I’m [as] white as snow,

I’m [as] clean as wool,

I was given freedom,

I’m accepted,

I’m loved,

I’m forgiven.

It was undeserved, a gift.

I don’t deserve it.

I deserve nothing but

eternal death.

And in Christ’s dying breath

“It is finished.”

I don’t owe Him anything.

I owe Him nothing,

for He did it ALL.

I can do nothing

for me to be worth it.

I wasn’t in the first place

and never will I be.

My love is only but a respond

to His love which is purest of all!

Holy, Holy, Holy!

You are Holy!

I am justified,

by grace alone.

LORD,

By Your grace alone.

-ij 13:00/3.8.13

♪♫♪ So I’ll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all
I’ll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours ♪♫♪