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thereishopeingod · 7 years
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IF THERE IS ONE DAY LEFT TO LIVE IN THIS WORLD,
what would be your goal?
Caught by surprise when this question came up yesterday in class. I evidently least expected this question. Though I go to a Christian university, not everyone that goes there believes in Christ. I have known the person seated next to me is an athiest. I froze for a second not knowing what to say in response since our professor told us to discuss our answer to the person next to us. While she talked about her goals, I sat frozen and felt the strong nudging of the Holy Spirit telling me that, “this is the one opportunity you get to speak about your faith in Me, so do it!” It was repeatedly going in my head until I finally started stuttering to begin what I was going to say. I said, “I know you’re an athiest, but hear me out. I never expected this question but as I thought about it, I’d be ready if ever this day comes, all I want to do is to at least bring one soul to Christ. I am happy with where I am in front of God.” I remembered what Paul said in Acts, “Believe me, I do my level best to keep a clear conscience before God and my neighbors in everything I do.” (Acts 24:16, MSG)
Being a Christian does not mean perfection, but an acceptance toward transformation. Faith followed by action in following Jesus. 
So, what would it be for you?
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thereishopeingod · 7 years
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Motivation Mondays
What is your happiness based on? Where is your joy and satisfaction rooted in?
This world was raised into a narcissistic culture where people feel entitled to some degree and focused on self-love rather than competing to serve others and give to others. The world does not revolve around you. So why not focus on making people feel loved and valued rather than expecting for anything? Jesus taught us how to be humble and selfless. It’s not always the easiest, but it sure feels rewarding. All glory goes back to Him!
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thereishopeingod · 8 years
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An Unpredicted Grace
As I try to explore writing, bits and pieces of a bigger picture come to place. Things I have never even thought of. I used to be content with where I was at with my relationship with the Lord, if I had any. To me, life was to get done with school, get a job, get married, have a family, and that's it--end of story. I went to a Catholic school for my whole life in the Philippines. I've played keyboard since I was nine. I served at church masses playing keyboard. I sang at a choir at church too. I thought it felt holy enough to be a part of something at church. Little did I know that God was about to something completely unpredictable in my life.
 He took me to Los Angeles. It has been ten years now. When I first came and lived with my brother-in-law's uncle, things were a lot different than what I'd expected. I had to do things I've never done before. I'm proud of the experience I had along the way because if it weren't for these experiences, I would not have been tough enough to go on and be able to live on my own. I will always be grateful to the people that God used along my way because these people made me feel like family.
 While I have a goal and an inspiration to keep moving forward, Someone's orchestrating all these things together.
 I remember when I left, our family business was not doing so well. Our family had some big challenges and I have seen it all happening while I was living a good life in a university that also cost us a lot. I felt bad that my mom was handling everything on her own. I felt inspired in pushing forward  because I know that my mom is not getting any younger. I want to give her a good retirement. For all the things she had gone through as I was growing up, I just can't wait to be able to give back to her as a sign of gratitude as she stood strong for our family. I want to be able to help out to make things easier for her. She was basically a single parent for as long as I can remember. My dad passed when I was seven. And even when he was around, we had issues in our family that my mom had to handle while raising four children.
 Through the people I lived with, I started going to fellowships and met some great people at Edified Christian Church. I started off by joining their music team. I have great passion in music. As I joined them, all I was thinking was that I would be able to get back to the life I had in playing music. I did not realize that God was knocking at my door to show me the greater things he has for me! I made new friends and going to church became exciting as I had fellowship with these people. I went to a Worship Team Camp in 2008. I had no clue what I got myself into. The pastor told us that this time, we are not going to be behind musical instruments. Instead, we will just worship. So I just went along with it. As we got deeper into the worship, I felt myself being detached to what was going on around me. I felt a closer connection to something GREAT. I felt the warmth of being at the presence of God. This time, my connection with God became personal. It was when I started making sounds I don’t understand. They called it "speaking in tongues".  It was an amazing encounter with Christ. This was when I fully opened my eyes in understanding why I'm doing what I'm doing! All of a sudden,  my passion for music had a purpose! God confirmed the talents He gave me and He told me He will use me more! I had this great desire to seek Him more and learn more about His promises and plans for my life! This was when I understood the bigger meaning of God giving up His Son so that I may live. This was when I had the boldness and confidence to approach God in faith (Ephesians 3:12). It is in Him that I know that I am a child of a King! It is Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us! (Ephesians 3:20) It is definitely not an instant process. It is a slow process of being transformed from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).
 Without Jesus in my life, it did not feel complete. I did not feel secure and at peace. There is a peace that you can never explain that you can have when you have Jesus. I lived a pretty good life in the Philippines. Just when you think you have already predicted the life you have in front of you, God makes it more interesting and exciting.
 I also learned that for me to fully understand what grace really meant, I would have to know how much God had to give up so that I can live. I have the hunger and thirst to continually seek God and know Him more. I've enrolled as a part-time student at Cottonwood Leadership College not necessarily to be a pastor or a minister but because I have a great desire to know Him more in my life. It has been a great journey and I am excited for more. I've never gone to school being excited about what I will be learning. I've never looked forward to being at school, sharing God's revelations with my brothers and sisters. God has revealed a lot of things to me and I am certain that there are more to come! At one point, I was nowhere in God's presence because of the sin that entangles everything. It is the same sin I inherited from the first man alive. But because of the relentless love of God, Jesus, who knew no sin became sin for me, so that in HIM I might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). It's not by what I have done good to others or what my parents have done, it is about me accepting Jesus and what He has done for me. It's not by works, it is by grace I have been saved!
 In everything that happened to my life, God makes it a point that He was working in the background. That is the beauty of his amazing grace. We just have to walk in faith and have hope that God is in total control. 
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thereishopeingod · 8 years
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There is Hope that is Rising
Friday, July 8th, I ran into a guy I barely even know. Though in my spirit, I know he is my brother. Kenric is a guy I know from Cottonwood Leadership College and from church. I don't really know him but I know he goes to the same class as me and often shares in class. I had an urge in my heart to help this guy out ever since I found out that his mom was at the hospital where I work.
About two months ago, he shared in class what his mom was going through. I prayed and thought during that time, "if she was at the hospital where I work, I'd love to help her or even be her nurse. I know I can help her get better or I would like to at least be a part of it!"
As a nurse, I have certain values that I would always carry. Though money was one of the reasons why I went to school to become a nurse, it is no longer my drive to go to work everyday.  My perspective in my career changed when I met Christ.
 It came to my surprise that two months later, she would end up not only in the same hospital that I work at, but in the exact unit where I work in. I have been working at this hospital for four years and not once did I encounter a patient that I have previously known.
 As I was taking my afternoon break that day, I ran into Kenric by the elevator. At first, I didn't recognize him. But I figured that he recognized me so I made the choice to say, "hey!" without even thinking it was him. I just knew he looked familiar. It took me a second to realize it was him. So I introduced myself and told him that I knew him from school and I heard about his prayer about his mom a few months back during our Holy Spirit Lab. I told him I work in the ICU and he told me he was actually going there for his mom so I walked him to the security booth to get him into ICU. I sent him a message that night and I told him I am willing to help in any way I can. Monday morning, he texted me back and said he was at the lobby but the security was not there. So I left my patients to my other coworkers and walked him in. He mentioned about his FMLA papers that he needed done. As I was walking him and talking about these things he needed to do, I can only imagine how it would be if I were in his situation. He had to go through all this on his own. He is a pretty strong dude as he completely leaned into God through these hard times. I honestly feel my faith is not as strong as his in times of need. I have no idea what his support background looks like. I just know that right at that moment, he was by himself, making decisions for him and his mom. I know how people can get overwhelmed when their loved ones are in ICU and I just felt that I really wanted to help him even more. My thought exactly was, if I can help other people through their lowest times being in ICU with their family members, I told God I really want to help this guy out. I know him. He's my brother in Christ. My spirit cries out to God without any words. There are times when you don’t know exactly what to pray for, but deep inside, your spirit cries out to God to ask for what needs to be done. (Romans 8:26) I just know I wanted to help him in any way I can. I have advocated for as much patients I could think of and it always resulted in God being glorified. People loved me for taking care of them and their loved ones as if they were mine. As we walked into the unit, the multidisciplinary rounds were still going on. Everyone was busy. I had no idea who to call to take care of FMLA papers because the last time I remember helping someone, the intensivist and attending physicians turned me down. So my next thought was the social worker. Without knowing anything about it, I interrupted Cecille from the multidisciplinary rounds. She was the nurse practitioner for Palliative Care. I asked her if the social worker was around to take care of the FMLA papers and I mentioned how my friend's mom was admitted. I know how frustrating hospitals and healthcare can be in general. If you didn't know anyone, or worse, if you have no idea how things work in that field, things can take days to even weeks to get processed. I was surprised at her response to me. She told me, "she's your friend's mom? We take care of FMLA papers. We usually do." I was amazed at how God is on point at taking me to the right direction without consciously knowing where I'm heading. To my surprise, I asked her, "Since when did you guys do this?" and she replied, "we just recently started doing it." (In my mind, I was blown away at God's perfect timing! God works to make things work together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose! (Romans 8:28)) God had just directed me to the right resources to help out my friend! I realized that when you just really treat people with love and compassion, it creates a good relationship that when they know you are the one in need, they don't hesitate in helping.
 Kenric's mom was transferred out of ICU because she was no longer critical. She was getting better. I found out later on that my friend Tiffany was the one who took care of his mom in the floor she was transferred to. Tiffany was the only one  I know from that floor. It's so awesome how God makes things work out! She's one of the charge nurses I used to work with. I was so happy and I told her to take good care of them.
 God's plan could be out of human understanding. I have seen and experienced so many things about ups and downs in my six years of nursing experience. I know for a fact that she was getting better at the time I visited her. Her vital signs were great, her skin color was better, she was communicating well, she ate her meal, and the fact that she was transferred out of ICU, I just know she was getting better. Our intensivists have been great at screening patients who will be transferred out of ICU. But God made it to a point that no matter what we know about science and how things normally work, HE is still in control of everything. After lunch, Kenric told me that he finally found a translation of the gospel of John into the dialect that his mom spoke. I kept her in my prayers as well as her whole family.
 That same night, I knocked out at 10pm. For some odd reason, I woke up at midnight and I saw that Kenric called me at 10:42pm. I thought maybe it was a mistake he called me so I didn't even bother calling back because it was already late. I checked my Facebook since my mom sent me a message through it. (My mom is in a different time zone and she usually sends me messages randomly.) Without expecting it, I saw Kenric's post that he was called by the hospital because his mom's heart stopped. I WAS COMPLETELY SHOCKED. All of a sudden, I was wide awake. This was after the fact that I just worked five 12-hour shifts in a row. I don't usually wake up in the middle of the night after three days of work in a row. For some reason, I woke up. I suddenly felt like I had a shot of adrenaline. I called him and asked what happened. He just finished writing a blog/letter to his mom when the hospital called. She had gone to be with the Lord. I felt that he was at peace when I called him and he just told me the amazing works of God through his mom's journey. I was blown away by God's sovereignty above all circumstances. Kenric's family all came to accept Christ through this journey.
 There is hope that is rising for me. I don't know where my own family is at with the Lord. I was raised in a Catholic belief and although I've planted seeds about my faith--about the gospel, I don't know what's in their hearts. I know for a fact that God is in control. God made me realize through this that all I have to do is believe in what He can do. He is all powerful and all knowing! My faith might be smaller than a mustard seed, but this encounter with Him made my faith grow. I am holding on to His promises. I know He is at work in my life! I know He is alive! I know He is there! All this could not have happened if it wasn't allowed by God to happen. His mom could have been at other hospitals. There are so many hospitals in California. But why St Francis, where I work? I didn’t realize my thoughts and prayer that day when Kenric shared about her in class and how I prayed that if she was just in the hospital where I work, I can help her and make a difference in her life. I have helped so many people above and beyond their expectations in this field of profession, so I thought I will do everything for a  brother/sister in Christ. God confirmed why he called me to this kind of profession. When I was in the Philippines, I went to pursue a degree in Architecture. People wonder why I went for a nursing career after that. God planned it all along. He confirmed that this is my ministry. My purpose became clear. As I work and make a difference in people's lives, I bring God the glory. I worship him through the work that I do. I have become sensitive to the fact that I carry the Name of Jesus. I always pray that in the little decisions I make at work, I bring him glory.
I am in awe. I am speechless. This encounter is something I will never forget.
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thereishopeingod · 9 years
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I find it really beautiful when someone prays for you without you knowing. I don’t think there’s any form of deeper and purer love.
81/365 reasons to pray | Unknown (via worshipgifs)
John 4:37: "...one sows and another reaps... Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."
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thereishopeingod · 9 years
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But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and it never fails to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8, NIV
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thereishopeingod · 9 years
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Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:1-4, NIV
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thereishopeingod · 10 years
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“But God doesn’t call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn’t come through.”
Francis Chan, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God (via godforeveryoureign)
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thereishopeingod · 10 years
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EXPERIENCING LIFE
I don't know what I've been livin' on, but it's not enough to fill me up… I want the best of both worlds an' honey I know what it's worth. If we could have the best of both worlds we'd have heaven right here on earth. Woo!" —lyrics by rock legend Eddie Van Halen For some, Jesus is just a truck stop on the road of life. Tired? Need some gas? Just stop in for a fill and some coffee and get on with life as usual. Get the best of both worlds: Jesus when you need Him and everything you want on earth too. Woo! The problem is that Scripture doesn't say that's the way it works at all. Just because you said a prayer doesn't mean that you know Jesus. Anyone can say the words, but a salvation prayer is not a magical password into heaven. I call this the "pass-Him-by" mythstake. Those who know Christ are marked by an inspirational change of life—focus that alters their purpose and vision for life. Eternal life starts the day you believe in Jesus Christ and receive Him into your life. Your life becomes His life, and His life becomes yours (Galatians 2:20). This changes everything. First of all, your attitude changes. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. —1 Timothy 6:10-12 The person with a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ knows that they’re going to have a "good fight" on their hands. They "take hold of eternal life" with purpose, knowing that the things of the world will continually try to draw them away and distract them from the battle at hand—and they take that seriously, not flippantly. Second, your behavior changes. Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." —John 4:13-14 The words welled up indicate a spontaneous swelling and overflow from within. The person who is filled with Jesus' water will have a natural outpouring of Christ through their life as Jesus transforms them from the inside out. Seriously. The person who is comfortable passing by Jesus and then going on with life as normal would be wise to stop and question whether or not they know Him at all. It is far better to search your heart today, rather than live with the consequences of the "pass-Him-by" mythstake in eternity. (Pete Broscoe)
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thereishopeingod · 11 years
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God certainly does not allow certain things to happen for no reason. #God is #omniscient!
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thereishopeingod · 11 years
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When a believer can praise God through trials, a lost world takes notice.
Greg Laurie
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thereishopeingod · 12 years
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thereishopeingod · 12 years
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Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. DO WHAT IT SAYS. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-- he will be blessed in what he does.
James 1:22-25
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thereishopeingod · 12 years
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This is what the Lord, who saves you, the Holy One of Israel, says: "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to do what is good, who leads you in the way you should go. If you had obeyed me, you would have had peace like a full-flowing river. Good things would have flowed to you like the waves of the sea.
Isaiah 48:17-18
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thereishopeingod · 12 years
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thereishopeingod · 12 years
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thereishopeingod · 13 years
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no matter who or what it may be, don't cry about your loss because God never takes anything from you without replacing it with something better [John 14:27]..KGKL
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