The Need to Walk With Others

Although you now know that God is completely walking in your life, you still need others to walk with you, and of course, be sure that you walk with them too.

Who can live by his own? No one. Who can love without other people involved? No one. Who can be a giver without a receiver? No one. No one could ever walk on the roads of life if he’s just walking alone. A lot of people live independently but not that they live in isolation or with no companions at all. We are human beings and we are political in nature. We need others to survive even if we have all the resources available around us. We have so many needs but I’d like to focus on our need to walk with others, specifically, walking in our spiritual journey.

But before that, you cannot have the spiritual journey if your spirit is dead. Naturally, our spirit is dead even if our body is alive because of our sins, for what the bible says, “For the wages of sin is death… (Romans 6:23)”, and no one is exempted, for “all have sinned and fall short the glory of God (Romans 3:23)”. So, you are not sure if your spirit is alive and ready to walk now, aren’t you? There is only one way that will make it alive and enjoy this journey of life and even after this life that you have now. And that is only through Jesus, “the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6)”. You cannot go to the Father if not through Him. If you will continue reading Romans 6:23, you will discover that God is giving you a gift of eternal life that is in Jesus Christ.  So what you’re gonna do now is take a moment with God and ask for his forgiveness and claim the salvation that He promised by simply confessing that Jesus is your Lord and Savior, who will work in your life. Remember that God loved the world, according to John 3:16, including you, so He sent His beloved Son for you to live eternally. All you have to do is believe and have faith in Jesus. Be sure that it’s with all your heart. God knows what’s in your heart anyway. Isn’t it amazing? You can now secure your salvation!

This is only the first step to a thousand miles of your spiritual journey. Now that your spirit is alive, you are ready for an expedition. You used to have a trip to hell until you did my instructions above—until you accepted Jesus in your heart. Now you need spiritual people to walk with you. Although you now know that God is completely walking in your life, you still need others to walk with you, and of course, be sure that you walk with them too. Take time to think about this new path you are going to. Don’t worry; this is a sure path to a good life—a path to eternal life, as promised by God. Talk with people about their and your faith. Get ready for change.

For those who have been spiritual journeying, it is important that you walk with others and most importantly, with God. You can spend 24/7 reading your bible but you can’t completely grow with that. There’s no way that you can share the love that Jesus taught and other Christian doctrines if you segregate yourself from others. It is also essential to give special attentions to those who greatly need affection and care. Always be a friend for those who can’t befriend. But remember that our motivation must be “Jesusly” or “Jesusful” (got it? hehe).

Let’s us then spiritually journey together.

*All cited biblical texts (New International Version) are from Bible Gateway, retrieved at www.biblegateway.com in September 22, 2009. Copyright.

I Was Better Yesterday…

8 months ago, I was really different. I don’t know if I was better during that time compared today or not. I should be better today than yesterday, but I realized I’m not.

I read my Yamii blog this afternoon. It’s a devotional blog I made like more than a year ago. Then now, it’s no longer updated. What made me cry at this moment are my articles from Archives September 2008, where I’ve written things about my emotional sufferings last year, particularly, before going here in US. My passion for writing and for God really showed as I wrote my holy grief and shared all my doubts and faith. When I was reading my articles, it’s like I was reading from someone else blog— someone who shares her faith to the Lord and strength despite all her tribulations. Now, I don’t know if I can see the Imari (who was known Yamii too) who can write and move the heart of people through her battles in life. My desire is to write and bring the glory of God to others; encourage them, break the differences among people, love and empathize to others and help them find hope and joy in Jesus. My readers who journeyed with me on my blogs know how about it.

After arriving here in US, a lot of things really changed. My relationship to God weakened; I felt so dry. I started not experiencing heavy problems, like everyday got light. I didn’t have to worry a lot for material things because as if everything was provided. In short, it seemed that I didn’t need God–I didn’t need to pray or cry before Him. I could not be easily convicted and I often sinned. I stopped doing my devotion, I didn’t want to go to the church. Well I guess my readers noticed that I stopped writing about my spiritual journey. God seemed to be so far from me.

I am not as better as yesterday. I was better yesterday.

I am here today in USA where as if everything is in me now—family, education and privilages. I’ve shared before that this is one of the greatest promises of God to me. He didn’t fail it and I can say that I’m already here in the promised land. But I want to tell you that until now, I am still wandering in this new land. I don’t know where to go, I don’t know what to do.

Until God reminded me His promises and my shared plans to Him before I got here through a an article last September 1, 2008. It was the time when I almost gave up in hoping for my visa to arrive but the Lord encouraged me to wait and hope for the good things.

Now, I don’t know how to start all over again. As I can see with my faith today, it gets weaken. But of course my desire for the Lord never ceases in me because I could barely feel His love for me. Maybe I just need to share again how I really feel to others. I also need people to advice and journey with me. I want to write purposefully again and touch others’ lives.

I need wisdom. I need God! I need to go back to the cross and start all over again. I need to be better than yesterday.

The Realness of God’s Promises

Do you still remember what I posted last September about God’s promise to me of USA? If you have not yet read it, or if you just want to refresh it, then you are free to read it now: Conquest of the USA Promised. The text gave a rhema on me.

I just realized how real God is! He is real! He is more real than I am. He is more real than the one reading this. You know, I am now here in the promised land–USA, the land of milk and honey… hehehe… I thought only the Israelites in the bible could ever experience something like this, but now, it was just proven that I too, who has received plenty of promises from the Lord, am going to testify how He made my life and brought me here now. I had lots of hardships on waiting for my visa and departure, but when I started trusting Him and endured, my struggles became simple (not easy) and played as challenges that are to be overcame. When I got my visa, I never had a hard time; from how I will get my fare, up to my checking-in to the airport and into traveling from Manila to Seoul to Seattle, and until my arrival to the US land. I never got nervous (promise!), because I know that God will walk, speak and move for me. Overall, my travel was fine and simple yet exciting. His angel really is helping me.

And now, I am really really really excited. Welcome to America! Welcome to a new battlefield! Jesus is my commander. He’s gonna lead me. (I know!)

Arrival of the Promised Visa

December 17, 2008 was the day of the arrival of the promised visa. At last, after a long wait, it now came to an end.

I wonder if I stopped praying. I wonder if I blamed God for everything terrible that happened to me few months ago. Then maybe I’m not as thankful as now, and maybe my spirit did not grow like this. I’m one of the most joyful and most thankful persons in the world. The moment I spoke to God that “Lord, I need my visa no more. I don’t need my visa now. I need You!”, you know what, He’s such a lover. I heard Him saying, “Child, because you said that, I’m giving you my promised visa. It won’t take very long! It’s my promise, remember?” He’s the most faithful I have known! I really love Him and I can’t help, but, you know, to fall to my knees. I really can’t imagine how I will fight the battle of life without Him. He’s truly my greatest lover and with that, I’m giving my greatest offering—my life.

I know I will meet more sufferings in the future that will make me even stronger, godlier and more wonderful in the eyes of God. But I shall always remember too that midst the darkness, the Lord provides light and if He has already rescued me in the past, then He’s gonna save me until the end. Always will I remember how He met all my needs so again, there’s no reason for me not to trust Him.

Because of all these tests of faith, God and I were closer and more intimate. I pray that God will give me a humble heart the moment I receive His promised success in my life. Thanks, Jesus!

Strength in Weakness

It’s December again. It’s been a week since I last blogged. You know what, I have this confession. Sometimes it just comes to my mind that I hope December will not arrive until I leave this country. But no, it’s just a negative thought from Satan that keeps me from trusting the Lord. Few months ago, God gave me a lot of promises and I just keep on holding on to them. And everyday, He keeps on encouraging me and reminds me of His promises when my heart is in doubt. I also receive a lot of rejections, discouragements and curses, but in Jesus’ name, I rebuke them all. God tells me I’m always blessed and my future is bright because I journey with Him. This gives me more reasons to love Him more and more.

Everything looks terrible… uhm this is what my physical eyes see. When I go out and my friends ask me, “Oh, Imay, akala ko ba nakaalis ka na?“, I just answer them. “Hindi pa eh.” Some give me a wave of smile and say, “Ah, ang tagal naman! Bakit naman?” I just answer back. “Ganun talaga. Sabi ni Lord hintayin ko muna sya kasi He’s preparing me for something greater. By the way, si Ate ko aalis na sa December 4.” Minsan magugulat na lang sila bakit ganun na lamang ang reaction ko.  But to my friends who have great faith, when they see me, they just give me a tap on my back and say, “Hindi ka pa talaga pinapaalis ni Lord.” And I end up sharing my heart to those people.

This is a storm in my life but all these things too shall pass. I thank the Lord for helping me overcoming my weaknesses; the futility of my emotions and thoughts. The oceans of fear rise and thunders of doubts roar, but God calms my soul midst the storm of my life. Truly when I am weak, I am strong in God.

Alam nyo, sometimes when I doubt, God speaks to me and say, “I love you, of you, little faith!” Bakit ganun na lamang ang pagmamahal Niya sa akin? I have a little faith but still he loves me? For the past two weeks, I’ve learned to get serious of my prayers and it’s really effective. So hindi talaga ako nawawalan na loob. Ito pala ang tinatawag na buhay Kristiyano. hindi pa-easy easy, maraming struggles. Pero alam kong hindi naman ito forever. God’s promise is that, I will just pass through these fires of tests but I won’t get burned. And when I am through with it, I will be like a gold, precious and durable. And besides, nakita ko ang kagandahan ng mga problemang ito. Nai-a-apply ko ang pinag-aaralan ko sa bible.

Someday I will be one of the greatest living testimonies who will testify how I fought against all the hindrances to a great faith. I’d like to boast, not how my own strength helped me escape all these trials, but how I became weak  and saw Jesus’ power in my life. God is truly good, for even in the middle of my sorrows, He makes me joyful, and there is a great strength in my weakness.

Now I’m ready for greater battles and I’m confident.