Abundance of Rain

God desires to overtake us with His love, peace and presence. Just like one becomes saturated when standing under a downpour of rain, God has His abundance of rain ready to saturate our lives, changing, blessing and enriching us in His fullness in every way.

In order to be affected by rain, we have to be in the correct position. In the natural sense, the correct position would be standing under the rain. In the spiritual sense, part of positioning ourselves is asking. Zechariah 10:1 says to “ask for rain even though it’s raining”. That means that even though we know that God’s presence, peace, joy, health, and hope are available, we should ask for it, and by faith, believe that we are going to receive it.

It’s important to take what you know a step further and by faith, out loud, acknowledge the manifestations of God’s presence, and part of doing that is to praise and worship.

It’s interesting to think about the components of water. A water molecule is composed of two hydrogen atoms bonded to a single oxygen atom. Likewise, the rain of God is God Himself and everything that comes along with Him. What is that? It’s healing, peace, goodness, forgiveness, self-esteem, joy and so much more. When it rains, you experience and have access to it all.

There is transforming power in the declaration of praise. I believe that worship along with our praise, thanksgiving, and confessing the word of God is essential to our Christian life. Worship is our response to God in our lives which only enhances intimacy, obedience and revelation of who He is and who we are.

I leave every worship experience in the presence of God more influenced by Him and more like Him than before. That’s why I take advantage of every opportunity to praise and worship the Lord. It always brings more strength, wisdom and understanding toward whatever situation I might be going through. As a matter of fact, there have been times when I’ve entered prayer with concerns and after being in His presence and worshipping Him, it wasn’t even worth bringing up because I knew that my needs were already taken care of.

Worshipping the Lord is not only a privilege, but it is life. It’s in the life of every believer. The Bible says that even the rocks cry out and give God worship. God is so worthy of our worship and adoration. We all have something in which we are thankful; for one, Jesus saved us and came to give us a full life! We have a reason to live and we have hope in our lives. That’s reason enough!

Through worship, we activate and release our faith by acknowledging God’s lordship in our lives. And according to Psalm 1, when we acknowledge the Lord in all our ways, He directs our steps and gets us into proper alignment; that’s an abundance of rain.

And it’s through our worship and adoration that we experience and are drawn more and more into all of the manifestations of God’s presence. The cloud of God’s favor opens up, and begins to pour over our life, equipping, anointing and enriching us.

The presence of the Lord is the safest place that you can be when it seems as if your world is crashing around you. I love the fact that when you are close to Jesus, you will see your life and everything around you from His perspective, which is found in the abundance of His rain.

Our Classroom

Event:  Mission Possible

Date: October 30, 2011

The Best of Gary V.

Joy in His Presence

Joy in His Presence

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand” (Psalm 16:11).

TODAY’S WORD

Do you need more joy in your life today? God promises that joy is found in His presence, and if you’ve accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then His presence lives inside of you! That joy manifests when you focus your mind and heart on the Father and begin to praise Him for what He’s done in your life. The Bible says that He inhabits the praises of His people. When you begin to praise and thank Him, you are in His presence where there is fullness of joy.

It doesn’t matter where you are or what’s going on around you, you can access the joy that’s inside of you at anytime, day or night. And know this: God wants you to experience His supernatural joy and peace at all times. That’s why He chose to live inside of you and give you an endless supply. Don’t waste another minute feeling overburdened and discouraged. Let the joy of the Lord be your strength, and you will move forward in victory on the path of life He’s prepared for you!

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for an endless supply of joy. Today, I choose to cast my cares on You and give You the praise, glory, and honor You deserve. Let joy flow through me today so that I can be a witness of Your goodness to those around me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. 

***

Believe God Will Help You

byJon Walker

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6 NIV)

You learn to trust God by obeying him in small ways.

You probably agree God is the supreme ruler of the universe, powerful enough to overcome any problem or defeat any enemy, that “everything comes from him; everything happens through him; everything ends up in him” (Romans 11:36 MSG).

And, if this is true, then your struggle to give it all to God is not over the issue of whether or not he’ll be able to fulfill his promises — he clearly can do that.

Perhaps the resistance you and I exhibit when we’re faced with trust is because we seriously doubt God will look out for our best interests: “Yes, I believe God can work this out, but will he?”

Or, “I know I can work this out, but I’m not sure God will — at least I’m not sure he will do it the way I want to see it done.”

God patiently understands your hesitancy. He made the first move toward establishing a loving, trusting relationship with you. He didn’t wait until you could be trusted to receive his love, and he doesn’t insist you become trustworthy before he trusts you with precious gifts (Romans 5:6-8).

God supports our small steps of faith. When we obey God, even in small ways, “we find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand — out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise” (Romans 5:2 MSG).

Talk About It

• How do you exhibit trust in God’s promise to work for your good?

• What seemingly small steps of faith do you need to take today toward greater trust in God?

A Different Bike Ride

By Janet Perez Eckles
Love is the poetry of the senses.
~Honoré de Balzac

"I just went for a bike ride with my grandson. He giggled as he sat in the basket." Outwardly, I cheered for my friend's joy. But deep inside, a bit of envy trickled in. She can take her grandson everywhere she wants. She can read to him, take him to the park, and watch all his sporting events and graduations.

I dismissed the quandary until the day we received the phone call from my son. "It's a beautiful girl. She weighs 8 pounds, 9 ounces and has lots of black hair."The thought crossed my mind that should I become a grandmother someday, I'd never be able to achieve that kind of joy. Without eyesight, what would I have to offer my grandchildren?

I jumped to my feet, my heart beating fast at the good news. Hubby and I rushed to the hospital. He held my hand as we walked down the long corridors. Although he was guiding me, my steps went ahead of his.

Once in the room, I could hardly contain my squeal. "Can I hold her?"
I leaned toward the bed and my daughter-in-law placed the warm bundle in my hands. She didn't move, and as her tiny head rested on my arm, I brushed my fingertips across her silky hair, then down to her soft forehead.
That's when a wave of emotions crashed into me. I'll never know what she looks like. I'll never see how her smile makes her face shine. I'll never know if she's looking at me or reaching for me.
Will she know her grandma is limited? What will she expect of me?

Tears burned my eyes. I let some trickle down, and everyone thought they were from joy, but the sudden reality that my grandmother days would be filled with frustration and unfulfilled wishes crushed me.
Months flew by as she cooed and giggled -- a delight to my soul. Then at almost one year old, her steps began. Hubby leaned toward me. "She's taking one or two steps toward you."
I extended my arms toward her and her little hand grabbed my index finger.
"Good job, you did it!" Weeks later, those steps multiplied, and running became her favorite thing.
"If you ever need it, I can keep her and take care of her," I said hesitantly to my son and daughter-in-law. Their immediate acceptance gave me such comfort. Then, the time came when I had her all to myself.


I felt for her blouse. "C'mon, sweet thing," I said as I put her on my lap and pinned a couple of small jingle bells to her shirt. She hopped off and my ears followed the sound, telling me where she was. With each week, each month, she learned to handle her Nana. When navigating through the house, I held my hand out and immediately, her little hand slipped into mine. She doesn't know it, but she now leads me around.

Delighted, I let her take me any place she chooses. We often stop and sit on the floor, cross-legged. That's when all my senses are devoted to her. The books I read to her are my own inventions, my own stories that slip from my mind, exercising the words she already knows. Sometimes we kneel and I teach her prayers, simple and with few words. I point to parts of the body, and she names them all in English. After a few repetitions, she learns each in Spanish.

Snack time comes about often. "Now the bananas," I say to her while she watches from her high chair. As I chop the pineapple and add blueberries, I talk to her. Then, all ingredients go in the blender for her favorite smoothie. Once I pour it in her cup, I find a straw in the drawer and put it inside; then I grope and find the middle of the tray. As her little fingers hold the cup, in her singsong tone she says, "Thank you, Nana."

"No, sweet baby," my heart wants to say. "Thank you for showing me the joy of being your Nana."
I sing songs to her while I change her diaper and when I get her dressed. Sometimes, I learn the clothes I put on her don't match. She doesn't seem to care, nor do I, because we concentrate on serious playing. And when I accidentally bump into an object she stops, and in a high-pitched, angelic voice she asks, "You okay, Nana?


At twenty months old, does she already know the importance of compassion? I grope for my shoes, unable to find them. "Nana's shoes," she says as she quickly finds them and attempts to put them on my feet. Did she already learn to help those in need?
When she hands me something, she first calls my name, then places the item in my hand. Without me teaching her, did she learn to overcome her Nana's limitations?

One afternoon, thunder roared outside and we listened with awe. I pointed toward the sky and told her about the clouds. When the storm subsided, I scooped her in my arms and walked outside into a drizzling rain. "Look up, baby girl," I said. "That's rain. Feel how it tickles your face?" I inhaled an exaggerated deep breath. "Smell that? That's the scent of a wet earth. It's good and fresh." She mimics all I do, singing the songs I teach her and naming the shapes I hold in my hands. We go back and forth as she rides on my back, and she giggles when her Nana bucks like a horse.

Before naptime, she sits on my lap and I run my fingers across the delicate features of her small face. My mind registers her contour. "Tickle me, Nana," she pleads. And when I do, I hear her giggle and my heart sees the beauty of her innocence. My love for her increases as I dismiss my blindness. When she visits, I get on my knees and open my arms to her. It's not long before the pitter-patter sound of her footsteps draws closer and closer until she launches herself into my arms. I hold her tight and we're together, united by that special bond we can both see.

I plan to take her on lots of bike rides too, different than most. And while she sits in the basket of love, I'll point to another kind of scenery -- lack of sight doesn't have to keep us from seeing the joy in little things, the wonder in this world, or the beauty that love can bring.

     

Synchronized Fireworks

simply amazing! =)

Right Companions

Right Companions

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24, NIV.

TODAY’S WORD

Your destiny is too big to accomplish on your own. That’s why it’s so important to be connected to the right people. We have to understand that God has already arranged for certain people to speak faith into you. He has already placed people in your path that will inspire you, challenge you, and help you accomplish your dreams. The reason some people never reach their highest potential is because they never get away from the wrong people.

Recognize today that not everyone can go where God is taking you. You’ve got to connect with people who understand your destiny and can call forth your seeds of greatness. You don’t have time to spend on people who are always pushing you down, telling you what you can’t do, or never giving you their approval no matter how hard you try. Friend, life is too short to drag people along. If you will get the wrong people out of your life, then God will bring in the right people so you can fulfill the destiny He has in store for you.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for placing the right people in my life. Help me to discern the right connections You have for me. Give me strength to release the wrong relationships so I have room in my life for the people You have chosen to connect with me in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

***

Courage to Serve with the Best You Have

byRick Warren

"If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done." (Ecclesiastes 11:4 NLT)

God expects you to do what you can with what you have and wherever you are. Less-than-perfect service is always better than the best intention.

One reason many people never serve is that they fear they are not good enough to serve. They have bought into the lie that serving God is only for superstars. Some churches have fostered this myth by making excellenc an idol, which makes people of average talent hesitant to get involved.

Real servants do their best with what they have. Servants don’t make excuses, procrastinate, or wait for better circumstances. Servants never say, “One of these days” or “When the time is right.” They just do what needs to be done.

The Bible says, “If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done” (Ecclesiastes 11:4 NLT).

You may have heard it said, “If it can’t be done with excellence, don’t do it.” Well, Jesus never said that! The truth is, almost everything we do is done poorly when we first start doing it — that’s how we learn.

At Saddleback Church, we practice the “good enough” principle: It doesn’t have to be perfect for God to use and bless it. We would rather involve thousands of regular folks in ministry than have a perfect church run by a few elites.

Talk About It

• What excuses have you made about serving in ministry that do not line up with what you know God would have you do?

• What steps do you need to take today to start serving?

Happy Birthday Tatay!

by: Meg

If yesterday was my mother’s birthday, today is my father’s 60th birthday, amazing isn't it? Yes, that’s fact (at least two-in-one), one cake, one celebration, one in everything, hehehe. It’s always my mother who wants to make their birthdays one at the same time… (Did I tell that my mother is also good in accounting and budgeting? Well she’s expert on that!)

When I was young, I considered myself as the assistant of my father to any carpentry and repair works at home, no doubt why I earned this degree in Architecture. He also planned the nipa house we had in the province and I can still vividly remember it even when I was three years old then. My father was a very strict person…I used the verb ‘was’ because that was before when I was still studying. Afraid enclosed with respect is what I felt towards him. One time he caught me talking with someone on the phone (my father was on the extension line) and after that he asked me this question… what do you want --- to have a boyfriend or to study? I was so ashamed that time because I came to know how he wanted me to finish and prioritize my studies first. And from then on I focused and set my goals, it’s not just because I’m afraid of him but I came to see how my father really determined and strived to work hard just to finish our college degrees. And I’m proud of him as a security guard because all of his four children finished the tertiary level.

One thing that I really liked about my father is his being supportive in my decision especially when I wanted to work in Dubai 2008. My mother refused me to go but since I have him at my side, he entrusted me with his blessings to pursue my dream. At the same time, I assured and convinced my mother that it’s time to live a life independently on my own and explore the possibilities and opportunities abroad. God knows how deeply I was blessed to have an extended family abroad (my housemates, officemates and church mates in Dubai were truly my blessings).

Indeed, I admired and loved my father for the freedom he empowered me to follow my dreams. I’ve gone this far because of him. I realized that his strictness is wisdom of discipline which I owe him a lot until now. Like my mother, I want to thank and love God for giving me a great father like him which is definitely worth loving for.

Happy birthday Tatay! =)

(I like this song from Lee Greenwood)

Before Creation

Before Creation

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world…

Ephesians 1:4, NIV.

TODAY’S WORD

Did you know that God chose you before the foundations of the earth? Before the worlds were ever formed, He knew you. And, He didn’t create you to be average. He didn’t create you to barely get by. No, He created you to excel! Not only has He chosen you, but He has equipped you with everything you need to live and thrive in this life. He has deposited seeds of greatness inside every person. But in order to tap into those seeds of greatness, you have to believe this and act on it.

Too many people today are going around with low self-esteem, feeling inferior like they don’t have what it takes. But that is living a lie. And as long as we have a poor self-image, we’re not going to experience God’s best. In order to be all that God has called us to be, we have to see ourselves as chosen, valuable and victorious.

Today, meditate on this truth. Let it sink down deep into your heart. Let it build confidence and security in you. As you understand your value in the eyes of God, you’ll be empowered to live the life of victory He has prepared for you!

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, thank You for choosing me. Thank You for equipping me. Help me to see myself the way You see me. Show me Your ways that I may walk with You in confidence and trust all the days of my life in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

***

Be Confident in God’s Strength in You byJon Walker “Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, ‘We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.’” (Numbers 13:30 NIV) God wants you confident in the truth that, through him, all things are possible. Your focus will determine your behavior and it will influence your faith. When the Israelites first approached the borders of Canaan, Moses sent scouts into the Promised Land to assess the situation. Ten of the scouts came back with reports that focused on the giants in the land, men so big and powerful the scouts feared they could not be defeated. However, two of the scouts remained focused on the promise from God that he would hand the land over to the Israelites. One of those scouts, Caleb, silenced the others when he said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it” (Numbers 13:30 NIV). He was focused on the magnitude of God, not the magnitude of any giant challenges ahead. Today you may see many giants that challenge your faith — giants of time and energy, finances and resources, fear and faithlessness. God wants you to be confident that he’s pouring his strength into you so you can do whatever it takes to defeat these giants. God says you can take possession of an abundant life because he is with you. By seeing his hand sweep away the personal giants in your life, you’ll be even more confident that you can do all things through him who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). Talk About It What giants are you facing today that seem too big to handle? Are they too big for God? Do you focus your day by studying God’s Word in the morning? How would doing so give you confidence in God’s strength throughout the day?

Happy Birthday Nanay!

by: Meg

Today is my mother’s 59^th birthday and I thank God because He gave me such a wonderful mother like her. There are many things I like about my mother which I truly admired of… her humility, patience and unconditional love.

I saw my mother how graciously taught us these three important virtues. As time passed by, I learned that Humility is the SOUL of forgiveness and forgiveness is the HEART of humility.  Like my grandmother, she’s also patient with us --- as her children and I love her for that especially when we were still so young.  Her unconditional love taught us these two basic things (forgiveness and patience); truly mother knows best.

I’m proud of my mother for being such a great daughter to my grandmother and grandfather. She may not able to attend further studies in secondary school because of poverty yet I owe her a lot of what I am right now. She strived and encouraged us to have a better education and to attain more what they don’t have in life through perseverance, discipline, determination and patience. The love that she learned from my grandmother is definitely an epitome of a woman with a good heart, with her loving kindness --- what else is there to be grateful for to God every single day and having such a wonderful mother like her… I will always thank and  love God for the rest of my life!

Happy birthday Nanay! =)

(I like the message of this song by Elvis Costello especially the following lines)

She may be the mirror of my dreams

The smile reflected in a stream

She may not be what she may seem inside her shell

She who always seems so happy in a crowd

Whose eyes can be so private and so proud

No one's allowed to see them when they cry

She may be the love that cannot hope to last

May come to me from shadows of the past

But I'll remember till the day I die

She may be the reason I survive

The why and wherefore I'm alive

The one I'll care for through the rough in many years

Me, I'll take her laughter and her tears

And make them all my souvenirs

For where she goes I've got to be

The meaning of my life is she

Speak to Your Mountains

Speak to Your Mountains

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

And Jesus answered them, Truly I say to you, if you have faith (a firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done.

Matthew 21:21, AMP.

TODAY’S WORD

We’ve all had seasons when the challenges of life feel overwhelming. During those times, it’s easy to be tempted to talk about how bad things are. Maybe you received a bad medical report, or maybe you’re facing a financial obstacle. But the more you talk about something, the bigger it becomes in your mind. Instead, you’ve got to dig your heels in and say, “No, I am not going to give life to that defeat. I am not going to speak sickness over myself. I’m not going to speak lack. I’m not going to speak fear. I’m choosing a different report. I believe the report of the Lord which says I am blessed. I am favored. I am prosperous. I am healthy. I am whole. I’m a victor, not a victim.”

Remember, even if you don’t see how things could ever work out, God does. You’ve got to speak to those mountains in your life and declare favor over those situations. Instead of talking to God about how big your problems are, talk to your problems about how big your God is! As you speak to your mountains, they will be moved, and you will move forward into the victory God has prepared for you!

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word which is life to my spirit. I receive Your strength today and choose to speak to the mountains so I can move forward in the victory You have in store for me in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

***

God Requires Risky Obedience byJon Walker “Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of.” (Luke 19:26 MSG) If God tells you to take a step of faith but you hesitate to take it until he shows you what the second step will be, you’re not waiting on God. He’s waiting on you. God uses risks, large and small, to push us into a deeper faith. And so he wants us to step forward in faith, even if we don’t know where the second step will take us. The not knowing is what requires faith, and the not knowing compels us to rely on God to guide us forward. Regardless of what we see on the other side of a God-directed risk, the reality is God is there. What seems to be a no-guarantee situation actually comes with the greatest guarantee of all — a God-guarantee — that he’s working in your life. With this guarantee from God, you can enter into the risky obedience of attempting things that are impossible unless God gives you his strength to do them. With this guarantee from God, you can enter into the risky obedience of loving other believers so deeply and so richly that you prove to the world that God’s love is flowing through you. With this guarantee from God, you can enter into the risky obedience of loving your unlovable neighbors just as God loved you, even when you seemed unlovable. With this guarantee from God, you can enter into the risky obedience of changing your priorities to match God’s priorities, sacrificing, in faith, what you cannot keep for the things that can never be taken away. With this guarantee from God, you can engage in the risky obedience of making disciples of all peoples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them that the risky obedience of following Jesus comes with a God-guarantee (Matthew 28:19-20). Talk About It What task is before you that seems impossible? How would your approach to that task change when you believe it comes from God?

Megastructures

Set Forth His Word

Set Forth His Word

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:10-11, NKJV.

TODAY’S WORD

Are you going through a difficult time today? Let me challenge you: don’t use your words to describe your situation, use your words to change your situation! All through the day you should go around saying, “I have the favor of God. I can do all things through Christ. I am blessed. I’m strong. I’m healthy.” When you speak like that, you are blessing your life. You are speaking favor into your future.

When you get up in the morning, if you aren’t feeling up to par, don’t set the tone of the day by speaking it. Don’t ever say, “This is going to be a lousy day. I don’t want to go to work. I’m tired of dealing with these children.” No, get up and say, “This is going to be a great day. I’m excited about my future. Something good is going to happen to me.”

Always remember, send your words out in the direction you want your life to go. Let His Word always be on your mouth. His Word will never return void. It will accomplish what it was set forth to do. So set forth His Word and move forward in blessing and victory all the days of your life!

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, today I send forth Your Word. I declare blessing, favor and victory over my life. I choose to set the tone for the day in peace, joy and victory today and every day in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

***

Faith Involves Taking Risks byJon Walker “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24 NASB) As we follow Jesus, he will move us deeper into faith by asking us to take risks. But they are never the proverbial “leap of faith” into darkness; rather they are specific risks that Jesus tells us to take. He asks us to do this because each risk, taken in faith, shows us that Jesus will take care of us, just as he has promised. Each time we take a step of faith, it moves us further away from living by sight, independent from God, and closer to living a life of faith, where you truly believe you are secure in God’s promises. “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass” (1 Thessalonians 5:24 NASB). When we do not live by faith, we live faithlessly — because any decision made independent of God is afaithless decision, no matter how good or right it may appear. Jesus is simply guiding us to the same deep intimacy he has with the Father: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does” (John 5:19 NIV). Talk About It What is your natural reaction to taking risks? What are some steps you believe God is telling you to take that seem risky? How will you move forward in faith?