Great Stream of God's Blessings

Financial crisis, inflation, layoffs, physical and emotional problems are like unwanted visitors that sometimes find their way at our doorsteps.  If you find yourself in the middle of these, don’t loose faith.  It might be different situation for each of us but it’s the same hardship and trials that neither our strength, talent, nor our resources can help us.  The best thing that we can do is to look up to our Maker –our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  “Our help comes from the Lord…” Psalm 121:2

In the midst of difficulty, the great stream of God’s blessings still flows continually.  It never stops and never runs dry.  God is just waiting for us to tap into it.  “Ask, and it shall be given, you seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Matthew 7:7

The Lord already showed us the way:

Prayer –Honest and humble communication between you and God.  “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 We should know our One True God and to know Him is to know His words.  By knowing His words, we can know His will.  Our prayers should be aligned in His will.

Faith–Believe and be thankful.  Once we made known our desire to God, trust Him and surrender to His will.  Whatever situation we are in, be thankful for He has the power to turn the most disagreeable circumstances to our advantage. 

Work –Be in our NOW.  Sometimes the predicaments we’re in were caused by our own selfish mistakes.  We may feel guilty about our past, fearful about our tomorrow but we cannot do anything about it.  Only today we can take action.  God has given us this day to make a difference.  Stay focus and do our best in our present moment.  Ask God for wisdom to face our day and to recognize what He wants us to do in our NOW.  Be willing to exert effort and do it with determination and confidence in God.

God’s Stream of Blessings is immeasurable, His riches is overflowing.  “But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches and glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 There’s no question about His blessings and riches; the question is –if it channels to us, can we handle it right and not be drowned by it?  Can we be trusted?  That’s why in Matthew 6:33 He wanted us to know His Kingdom and His righteousness before the overflowing blessings will be given to us.  To know the Kingdom of God is to know and understand the mind of Christ.  We should seek the Lord’s righteousness and His wisdom that we may be able to stand the sunlight of prosperity and have the strength to welcome the strong current of God’s abundance.  With this virtue, God can freely channel His blessings through us for His Kingdom.  Because much is given, much is required. –Mhel P.

Our Strong Defense

We all face crisis of daily life.  We sometimes get discouraged and frustrated; feel like throwing in the towel like everyone else.
All of us will somehow have a share of unexpected pain, and in this difficult time we all need a strong defense to overcome.
Besides unwavering faith, the legacy of the saints who preceded us is a legacy of endurance, patience, perseverance, strength and resiliency.

Resilient sons and daughters of God ask Him for wisdom to know what can and cannot be change, and learn to focus their energies to the goals that God has set before them.
In times of loneliness, discouragement and the snare of self-pity, they reach out and care for others.  They learn to share the journey and help them discover and realize that they all have a purpose and that there's no such thing as insignificant person.  These connections and caring for others strengthens them.
They do not need to be conformed to the world to fit into this world.  They are committed to finish the goal that made their lives meaningful.

The greatest key to resiliency is found in the One who is most Resilient: Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Even while facing death, He focused on His calling, His work and the eternal plan which His Father had given Him.  He responded in faith.  He submitted to God's control and direction, even when things were out of control; even when the end was death.

It's either to follow Christ or not to follow Christ.  To follow Him is truly a higher calling.  In this task we must keep focused on God.  He is, after all, our greatest Hope and our greatest key to resiliency.

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint."  Isaiah 40:31

Feelings Can Be Deceiving

Feelings can be deceiving.  Yes, emotion is part of being human but we should not be guided by them. Like the preacher said, it is not what we feel but what we know.  When you feel trapped in the moment and fully occupied by your resistance to the things you cannot change -feeling sad and feeling depressed, always remember that God has perfect plan for you.

Be it in the midst of success and celebration or failure and aloneness; don't let the moment go by without giving thanks to Him.  "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Mentioning the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in gratefulness calms the noise of emotions cluttering our mind.  It brings us back to the truth and carries us to our Now with Him.

"Yes my soul find rest in God; my hope comes from Him.  Truly He is my rock and my salvation;  He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  My salvation and my honor depend on God;  He is my mighty rock, my refuge." Psalm 62: 5-7
My life is His, and He is my life!
-Mhel P.

Love and Respect-Understanding Man and Woman

By nature, women need love and men favor respect more than love.
You can hold a man better with respect than with love.  However, women live in a world colored by emotions - showing her love is both natural and essential for her.

A man's love is founded on his respect for a woman.  He admires her self-respect and self-confidence, her attractiveness and her like-ability.  He feels good to have captured someone so admirable in her own right.  If you gain his respect then his love will follow.  He cannot love someone who is not worthy of his admiration.

A woman's love is based on the promises that she sees for brightening her future.  His presence confirms her self-esteem.  Her self-love blossoms as she more and more shows her love of him, which satisfies her need for self-importance.

By nature both have their fears and weaknesses.

Men fear insignificance.  They put their self worth on what they do, which determines who they are.  He needs admiration to reinforce his self-respect; it's more important than his self-love.

Women fear abandonment.  It threatens her needs for a brighter future; to nest, nurture, and nestle; her wants for security, comfort, and companionship.  She needs assurance which they can see and feel through love. (Excerpts from WWNH)

That's why the bible tells us that husbands should love their wives as they love themselves and wives are to respect their husbands (Ephesians 5:22-23).

Relationship compatibility is either bult on Love and Respect, or it will not last.

 

Notes to Myself

Notes to Myself: 

1.    Pray always -Know God's Power in quietness and trust.
2.    Completely trust God -God is for us not against us.
3.    Everything I do in words or deeds I do it for the Lord -My life, my heart, my mind should please my Master.
4.    Think and speak positive.  Look at the brighter side.  Everything is going to be alright -All things work together for the good to those who love the Lord and who have been called according to His purpose.
5.    Rejoice in the Lord always -Seek peace, joy and happiness in what I think, what I do, and feel.
6.    Create beauty wherever God place me  -God is a Creative God - and we are formed in His likeness. It is in our soul to also create beautiful things of which we can say, "It is good."
7.    Follow peace.  Respect everyone - We are all God's creation.
8.    Not to be easily offended -I only have control over my action.
9.    Listen -be a good conversationalist.  Let other talk.
10.  Obey the Great Commission - I belong to Christ. I will be prepared, in season or out of season to make known the goodness of God and the great salvation I received in His Name.
-By Mhel P.

A Good Sense of Humor

A good sense of humor helps us emotionally and socially. It is a physical and emotional release, brings the focus away from anger, guilt, stress and negative emotions in a more beneficial way.  Research has shown that people who laugh more are healthier — they're less likely to be depressed and may even have an increased resistance to illness or physical problems.  It’s a good workout for the heart.  But most of all, a good sense of humor is what makes life fun.  It enables us to see things in a positive standpoint, and keep things from appearing too overwhelming or scary.

We are blessed to have love ones and friends with whom we can each share our frustrations, and laugh about them in the process.  It gives us the courage to smile instead of cry. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Proverbs 17:22

By Mhel P.

If God be for us...