Month: June 2016

We plot and plan far ahead into the future. Most of us invest our time and money to prepare for a later time. Shouldn’t we stop for a moment and ask, “ How does God want us to view our future? Can we confidently trust Him?” God’s desire for us is to succeed in life. He wants the destiny that He plans for you and me to become reality.

From the beginning of time, God has made known His glory to all mankind through His creation, prophets, and signs. Long before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah foretold Jesus’ coming. He gave a glimpse of the coming king [Christ Jesus], a peek at the peace and joy that His birth would one day bring to earth.

(Isaiah 7:14) “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Which literally means; “God is with us”.

(1Corinthians 4:5)
“Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.”

I continued praying, “Please Lord help me to trust you more. I believe in you Lord, help me to overcome my unbelief!” On some days, I was content – trusting was as natural as breathing my next breath. On other days I was dragging and felt the strain of the journey. Yet joy and peace were always available. The choice was mine to find them and so I searched for them, these two promised treasures.

Often these gifts of peace and joy were discovered growing in the most lonely and sad places. But those lonely moments were the most precious moment of my life because it was during those times that I learned so much about God and was drawn closer and closer to Him. The results were rewarding and the desire to know the light was increasing in my heart.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this journey, my dreams and visions were predicting what was going to happen in my life and the lives of those around me. I began to recognize the pattern and realized that, though it is an honor to be given a glimpse of the unknown future, it might be scary to others to know of events ahead of time. I asked the Lord over and over, “Why do you give me these glimpses of the future?” Through reading His word I began to understand these truths and reasons:
* God is always in control.
* I am encouraged to trust
Him and be faithful.
* I can use what God
reveals as a tool to share
the good news.
* God is the final judge.

It is a precious gift from God to be shown a brief part of what is to happen. But when I gaze anxiously into the future, I don’t feel the strong grip of the Lord holding me. I would be a fool if I were ever to forget this one thing – the Lord is the one who sustains every moment of my life. I cannot lose sight of His presence with me. I must turn my eyes to Him, the one who gives me rest.

“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone 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. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”(Psalms 62:5-8)

My husband and I were in awe at the things God was revealing to me through every hidden treasure and dream. We were amazed by the magnitude of God’s love and rejoiced and praised Him for his glorious gifts.

I was excited and unashamed to share with everyone the greatness of God’s love. Sometimes I was getting too anxious. I thought, “Why is God not revealing His truth to other people? Why is it taking so long?” But I learned through His word that He will reach everyone in His time, not ours. I was honored that He chose me. Yet I wanted the same gifts for my loved ones.

(Philippians 4:6) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Every time we thank the Lord for his provisions and blessings, we take a stand as a child of God and acknowledge Him as our Heavenly Father. When we bring our sacrifice of thankfulness and gratitude, we see His abundant blessings in our lives.

Though I do sometimes get a peek of what is to come, I still don’t know what the future holds for me. But one thing I know for sure – I know the One who is holding my future. My sovereign Lord will show me the steps ahead in His time.

If we listen in silence, read the Bible, and follow the Lord’s instruction, He will undoubtedly speak to us and will show us a glimpse of His glory. Though the Bible was written 2,000 years ago, our lives still fit right into it. All those stories in the Bible are no different than our stories today. God gave them visions and dreams just as He gives us now. We’re His people just as they were. And like them, all we can do is find favor in His eyes.

Have you ever had a glimpse of the future through dreams or other signs? If you haven’t and you desire God to show you some kind of signs for future, simply ask Him. Then be on the lookout, for the Lord your God will give you a glimpse His glory.

I will meet you right here next time. Have a glorious week!

We’re all children of promised God!  Let us quiet our minds and be still to hear God’s voice. God wants to talk to us.

The story that I’m about to tell you, the wonderful experience left me astonished.

“Listen in silence, because if your heart is full of other things you cannot hear the voice of God.”
~ Mother Teresa

I have had learned many lessons from great spiritual teachers, one of them is how to ‘Hear’ God’s voice. Here are the four steps:

* We must quiet our minds. We can’t hear God if we’re talking.
* We need to be calm and be still. We can’t rush God.
* We need to clean our hearts by getting rid of the things that aren’t right with God  and agreeing with Him what we did were wrong.
* We must lead a humble life.  Since God hates pride, a person with prideful attitude won’t hear God’s word.

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” ( Hebrews 4:12 )

The “word of God” is alive. It Doesn’t just appear in His Holy book. God has been speaking to humans from the beginning through His creation, through prophets, through Holy Spirit, and through the one who He has sent to save us [Jesus Christ].

God chooses how to reach those who are eager to hear from Him. I believe, God will use any circumstances in our lives to speak to us. He appeared to Moses and spoke to him through a burning bush.

For me, He speaks not only through dreams and visions, but also during my quiet time with Him (prayer and meditation). Or sometimes, the Lord speaks to me in an entirely unexpected way.

One day, I was reading my daily meditation (something I do every morning). That particular day’s message stated that if I would ask the Holy Spirit to help me to hear the Lord’s voice, I would be able to hear him. So I asked God for exactly that, to hear His voice, and went on with my day.

An hour later I took my youngest daughter to school. After I dropped her off, I parked the car to join her at the school’s awards chapel. As I was reaching for my purse and camera, I noticed a school administrator talking to a couple of students in the field next to my car. As I know her to be a very kind, caring and understanding person, I said to myself, “There she is – a godly woman.” Just then I heard the Lord’s voice speaking to my heart, saying, “You recognized Me.” My jaw dropped wide open and I can’t begin to describe how I felt at that moment. All I can say is that His words pierced my heart. When I heard Him, there was no mistake that it was He who was talking to me. This was not my imagination. I received an answer to prayer an hour after making my request. How amazing is that!

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
Of this verse I can say, “O Lord, you surely are my shepherd. You are the one who knows my thoughts and what is hidden in my heart.” ( John 10:27 )

It was so beautiful. I sat in the car in awe. Amazed, I wanted to hear His voice over and over again!
The Lord clearly gave me these messages:
* His presence is with me.
* He heard my prayer.
* He had a comforting message for this dear woman.

I had to tell the administrator what had happened. After the awards ceremony, I went to her and told her about my experience. She was astonished and so happy to hear this confirmation that the Lord’s Spirit is in her, leading her life. It was comforting for her to know what the Lord thinks of her.

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

“Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”( John8:47 )

Sometimes, we don’t feel God’s presence with us or don’t hear from Him. We think he has abandoned us.  Perhaps we’re the ones who don’t pay attention to Him or allow ourselves to hear him.  It was me who absolutely couldn’t feel his presence before because I was too busy with the jingle of the visible world.
God was never too far away from me, He was on the move with every step of the way. Once I start meditating on His word, quieted my mind, and confessed what was in my heart, and humbly waited for Him, then I was able to hear His voice.

Are you trying to hear from God? In a busy, fast-paced and noisy lifestyle, it’s hard to hear His voice. So if you open the Bible and start reading it, God won’t stop talking to you. Don’t allow the noise of this world keep you from hearing God. Quiet your mind and meditate on His word. He will speak to you through the circumstances of your life.

There is a big difference between keep asking God for the same thing repeatedly, which He has already said; no to,  and keep knocking at His door for guidance and discernment, and may He sheds His light on the path that you’re heading.

The journey ahead required daily prayer. I could still see the Lord was revealing some of my struggles in visions and dreams that I have much to learn. How could I guard my heart and protect my soul from the sins of the world? My daily prayer not only became the platform of where I brought my requests and confessed my sin to God, and also where I could express my gratitude for the things He is doing in my life.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 sums it up.
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Daily prayer and reading God’s word truly is the secret weapon against the enemy of our souls. I realized how important it’s to shield myself with the armor of God (His word).

There were other voices clamoring for my attention, tempting me to go another way. Temptation is hard enough when it knocks once, but when it keeps knocking at the door our souls repeatedly, it is very difficult to resist. It takes a steadfast mind which will not bow to feelings. Satan will try everything to tempt us or to block our path, to keep us from the life that God intends for us. Sometimes the way before us appears to be blocked. If we focus on the problem or try to go around it, we may be heading for disappointment or danger.

“O Lord, send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; the one you have redeemed, Let them guide me to Your holy dwelling.” (Psalm 43:3)

For me, the key to overcoming temptation is to pray continuously. Before I came face to face with the Lord, I didn’t know how genuine and consistent prayer, infused with a little faith could change my life. I knew before there was a God the Father and I had heard some of the Old Testament stories. But it all seemed like a fairytale to me. I prayed but I felt as if my prayers just bounced off the ceiling. My heart wasn’t in the right place and I couldn’t see any results from my prayers. It seemed like I was going around in an aimless circle. There could’ve been many reasons why I didn’t receive the answer to my prayers, from the doubts in my heart, asking with wrong motivation, unconfessed sin, or not forgiven those who did me wrong.

When I look back at my past, I see how empty and confusing my life was without God’s presence. Of course God was always with me, but I wasn’t with Him. God’s presence is with us whether we sense it or not. Sometimes we are waiting for God to do something about our situation when in reality, God is waiting for us to make a move toward Him.

Now my prayers and my heart-to-heart conversations with Almighty God are moments of adoration, moments of rest, moments of peace and healing. I am talking to God through His Spirit, I am putting my requests before my Father God. Prayer gives me strength. It changes the direction of my thoughts. It purifies my heart. Prayer is one-on-one communication with our Creator. Reverently talking to God at all times helps us to think rightly and strengthens our relationship with Him. It also helps to remove the sting from harsh and strenuous circumstances.

God longs to hear from us. He wants to have an authentic conversation with His children. If we take time out from the busyness and distraction of our lives, setting aside time for intimate communication with God, amazing things happen.

Prayer doesn’t change God’s plan for our lives. But it might change His actions. His answer might be “Yes”, “No”, “Maybe”, or even “Wait a little longer”. But we must be persistent in calling on Him.

Jesus said: “I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9)

Furthermore, prayer will change us from the inside. It cleans our hearts and fills us with His strength. It gives us the power to say no to our number one enemy (Satan). Through prayer, God will fill us with His wisdom and good judgement, protecting us from danger. We get to know ourselves through prayer and we can explain the meaning of our faith to others.

Jesus told His disciples. “This, then, is how you should pray:”
‘Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.’
(Matthew 6:9-13)

Always pray and never give up. Our prayer to the Father God is through the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus. In ( John 15:16 ) Jesus said, “Whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give it to you.” Jesus is our savior, our friend and our Lord. We can find our freedom in Him. He is the door of life, He is the prayer himself. Our daily prayer is our act of worship, and it’s a way we acknowledge who’s really in charge of our lives. So keep on asking and keep on knocking at His door With faith. He will meet all your needs according to His will.

Stay tuned for more to see how “His Word Pierced My Heart” while I heard His voice!