Our Story =)

Philipians 1:6

Let the Bible Be Your Mood Elevator

Let the Bible Be Your Mood Elevator

BY RICK WARREN — SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

4468

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 NIV)

Are you down in the dumps? Do you need a mood elevator?

Put down the piece of chocolate cake. Don’t have a pity party. Pick up your Bible instead.

You need a Word break!

God gave us the Bible to encourage us. One way you can think of the Bible is as a mood elevator.

The Bible says in Romans 15:4, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope” (NIV).

Everything in Scripture is written for our encouragement. That’s a big statement — but it’s true! Even the tough parts of God’s Word are there to ultimately encourage our lives in the right direction.

That’s why we need to spend time alone with God every single day. Whether it’s your daily devotional, your quiet time, or your personal inspiration time, you need to be getting alone with God, reading his Word, and talking to him.

The Bible says in Psalm 119:114: “You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me” (MSG).

If you’re discouraged and have lost hope, I can tell you one thing about your life without ever meeting you: You’re not spending time in God’s Word. If you were, you wouldn’t be discouraged. The more you read God’s Word when you’re down, the more he lifts you up. 

So the next time you feel discouraged, don’t come home and turn on the television. Instead, open up your Bible and read it. Listen to Dr. Luke instead of Dr. Phil.

God’s Word has the power to change your life. It has God’s power in it; nothing else does. The Bible will give you true encouragement.

Talk It Over

• What are some of the things that you turn to when you feel discouraged? Do those things really offer you encouragement or give you hope?

• We can fit anything into our schedules if it’s really important to us. Have you carved out a time in your day for “quiet retreat” so that God can renew you?

• What are some Bible verses that encourage you when you’re discouraged or down? Have you memorized them?
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWyufa8KTQs

Faith of a Child

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
(Matthew 18:3, NIV)

TODAY'S WORD:

Think about the faith of a child. They believe whatever they are told. They have a constant expectancy in their hearts. They keep on asking for what they desire and believe they will receive it! 

Scripture says that we must become like little children in our faith. What does that mean? That means we need to have complete reliance on God. We need to trust what He says. We should wake up every day with expectancy in our hearts thinking, “I can’t wait to see what God is going to do today…Today, I could get a good break…Today, I could be a blessing to someone in need.” 

When you go out with the faith of a child, you stay determined no matter what happens. No matter what things look like, you know that God will be faithful to His Word. You keep asking until you get an answer, and you are filled with joy until you see it come to pass!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father, I come to You with the faith of a child asking in faith because You are faithful. I believe and receive every good and perfect gift which comes from You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Genesis 31:49

Steps to Effective Bible Study (Part 2)

Steps to Effective Bible Study (Part 2)

BY RICK WARREN — SEPTEMBER 28, 2014

1725

“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’” (Matthew 4:4 NIV)

God wants us to apply his Word and let it change our lives, but it starts with studying God’s Word. How do you do it? Yesterday I gave you two general principles for Bible study that apply to any Bible study method.

1. Ask the right questions.

2. Write down your observations.

Today, I’ll share three more.

3. Apply God’s Word. You move from the “what” to the “so what” and do what the Bible says. The ultimate goal of all Bible study is application. In other words, how will this Scripture change my life? We never settle for understanding alone. We want to apply the biblical principles to our daily living.

Interpretation without application is abortion! You stop the process before it comes to fruition. All of our Bible study efforts really don’t have any value if, in the final analysis, we don’t become more like Christ.

In fact, you only believe the part of the Bible you apply. Do you believe in sharing Christ with others? Do you believe in tithing? Do you do those activities? If you don’t do them, then you don’t really believe what the Bible teaches about them. The problem that most of us have with the Bible isn’t what we don’t understand; it’s applying what we do understand.

4. Study the Bible systematically. Don’t just study the Bible haphazardly. You can study it systematically by studying it verse-by-verse, book-by-book, topic-by-topic, or theme-by-theme. The opposite of that is the old dip-and-skip method, where you just open up the Bible and put a finger down where you want to study. That won’t produce the kind of results God wants in your life.

5. Read the Bible over and over again. This simple tool will change your life. It’s amazing how much you can get out of a passage if you study the same passage over and over again and then come back to the same passage a few months later. The more you read a passage, the more you’ll get out of it.

There’s no better time than today to start studying the Bible for yourself. No matter how you choose to study, apply these five principles, and you’ll get more out of whatever you study.

Talk It Over

• In what specific areas of your life do you believe God wants you to apply his Word today?
• Do you have an accountability partner? If not, how do you think having one would help you study the Bible more diligently?
• Do you have a systematic or haphazard approach to what you study in the Bible? What will you do to be more intentional in what you are studying?

Finding Rest in a Restless World

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28, NIV

TODAY'S WORD:

In this day and age, our culture has become so accustomed to having constant activity going on — computers, cell phones, television, email, video games. And there’s nothing wrong with that stuff; but sometimes, we have to stop and be still so we can focus on knowing God.

This is especially true during the difficult times in life. When you are facing a challenge, it’s easy to want to run to a friend or talk about it with a neighbor. But at some point, you have to stop and say, “God, I rest in You. I know You have me in the palm of Your hand.” Remember, our battles are spiritual battles. The people in your life aren’t your enemy, the forces of darkness are. When you choose to be still and know that the Greater One lives on the inside of you, you are saying to the whole world, “I trust God. He is my Defender.” When you choose to believe in Him, you will enter into His rest. 

Remember, the battle belongs to the Lord. As you are still before Him, as you tune out the distractions of the world and lean into Him, you will find rest and experience His victory and blessing in every area of your life.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father, I humbly come to You, seeking rest for my heart and mind. I choose to be still before You. I choose to cast my cares on You. Speak to my heart so I can know You more. Fill me with Your peace as I put my trust in You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

PS... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6xqMmRU1_E

Dakila ka Tatay =)

Habang sinusulat ko ang artikulong ito, gusto kong maalala ang aming Tatay. Ang masipag at mabuting ama. Kaarawan nya ngayon at masaya akong marinig ang kanyang mga tinig. I’m so blessed to have him as my father, dad,  tatay, itay, tatang. Lumaki si Tatay na isang independeng anak. Istrikto ang kanyang mga magulang lalo na ang aking lola, na may dugong Espanyol. Ang lolo ko sabi ni Nanay ay sobrang bait. Kaya naman pinagsamang istrikto at mabait ang aking Tatay.

Bata pa lang ako, nakita ko na kung gaano kasipag ang aming Tatay. Kaya naman lagi nyang sinasabi sa amin na mag-aral kaming mabuti kasi silang dalawa ni Nanay hindi nakapag-aral. Ayaw nilang danasin namin yung nangyari sa kanila. Mahirap ang maging mahirap lalo na kung walang pinag-aralan. Habang lumalaki ako, nauunawaan ko kung ano ang ibig nilang sabihin sa amin. Mapalad kami ng aking mga kapatid sapagkat nakapagtapos kaming lahat sa unibersidad. Sobrang sipag ng aking ama at ina maigapang lang kami sa hirap.

Mapagmahal ang aking Tatay sa kanyang mga magulang. Alam ko sapagkat higit pa sa buhay nya ang kaya nyang itaya para sa pagmamahal na iyon. Ganun kamahal ng Tatay ang kanyang ama. He’s really a hard working dad. Kaya nyang magtrabaho ng 24 oras minsan higit pa kung wala syang kapalit sa trabaho. Binibigay lahat ng Tatay ang kita nya kay Nanay ng lahat ng kita nya, sapat man o hindi. Kaya naman si Nanay malaking hamon sa kanya ang sahod ni Tatay mapagkasya lang lahat samin iyon.

Naging sorbetero at maglalako ng yelo ang hanap buhay ng aming Tatay. Umulan man o umaraw kailangan may benta. Kaya naman sa murang edad nila ni Nanay, nagtrabaho na sila. Lumisan sa kanilang mga magulang makapaghanap lang ng marangal na hanap-buhay. Itinadhana ang kanilang kapalaran ng madestino sya sa prubinsya ni Nanay at mamasukan sa isang pabrika malapit sa bahay nila Nanay. Doon nagkrus ang kanilang mga landas ‘Romantic’ ba?  Tinatanong ko sa sarili ko, paano kaya kung hindi naging guwardiya si Tatay at hindi sya nadistino sa bayan ni Nanay, eh ‘di wala si Meg. Wala kami ng mga kapatid ko. Sobrang hindi ako makapaniwala. Ang layo ni Tatay sa lugar ni Nanay ay higit 5 oras na byahe. Nakilala ni Tatay si Nanay dahil si Nanay ay isang maglalako ng palamig sa labas ng pabrika. Nabihag ni Itay ang puso ni Inay kaya naman nag-asawa sila. Kapwa silang marunong sa buhay kaya naman madali na lang silang magpakasal at magsimula ng bagong buhay mag-asawa.

Pinakasalan ni Tatay si Nanay sa kanilang probinsya at doon namuhay kami. Ipinanganak kaming tatlo. At ng maging 3 taon na ako lumuwas kami ng Maynila para sundan si Tatay sa kanyang panibagong trabaho. Iniwan namin ang aming munting tahanan makapiling lang namin si Tatay. Ito ang isa sa pinakamahalagang nangyari sa aming pamilya. Mula sa desisyon na iyon kaya kami nakapag-aral. Mahirap ang buhay sa probinsya. Siguro kung hindi kami umalis at hindi sinundan si Tatay sa Manila, baka nakapag-asawa ako ng maaga at gayun din ng aking mga kapatid.

Niloob ng Panginoon na mangyari ang lahat. Kaya naman nagpapasalamat ako sa Lord sa pagkakaloob nya sa amin ng isang butihing Tatay. Maprinsipyo si Tatay sa paraan na alam nya ang nakakabuti para sa aming lahat. Lalo na para sa akin. Mahigpit sya pagdating sa mga ‘boys’. Minsan nga nahuli ako ni Tatay na nakikipag-usap sa telepono (saktong nasa extension line sya). Hindi ko matitigan ang kanyang mga mata sapagkat hindi nya nagustuhan na magkaroon ako ng manliligaw habang nag-aaral. Nahihiya ako sa aking ginawa kaya naman nirerespeto ko kung anong desisyon nya para sa akin.  Alam ko na para sa kabutihan ko ang lahat. Ayaw ko syang biguin at alam ko na nasaktan ko ang damdamin nya kaya minabuti kong mag-aral ng mabuti kaya naman utang ko sa kanya at ni Nanay kung ano ako ngayon.

Ngayong kaarawan niya, dalangin ko sa Poong Maykapal na humaba pa ang kanilang mga buhay ni Nanay. Hangad ko ang kanilang mabuting kalusugan, mahaba at masaya na pamumuhay. Ninanais ng puso ko na makasayaw ko ang aking Tatay sa aking kasal at makita iyon ng aking Nanay. Napakasaya kong makita iyon sa hinaharap at makita nila ang apo nila sa akin at ng aking butihing asawa sa takdang panahon.

Tatay, binabati kita at pinasasalamatan. I am so grateful that I have you in my life. I am more blessed to have you as our father. I love you Tatay. =)

the flower dress =)

 

I want this, so beautiful =)

at thistle port dickson resort =)

I still believe in you =)

John 10:27

A song for you dad =)

Happy Birthday Dad =)

Steps to Effective Bible Study (Part 1)

Steps to Effective Bible Study (Part 1)

BY RICK WARREN — SEPTEMBER 27, 2014

1905

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”(Psalm 119:18 ESV)

Studying God’s Word will change your life if you put what you learn into practice. But it all starts with your willingness to study his Word.

The Bible says, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law”(Psalm 119:18 ESV).

God has so much he wants to show us, but we must be willing to look into his Word with open eyes.

So how should we study God’s Word? Effective Bible study, no matter what Bible study method you use, has five parts. I’ll look at two today and three tomorrow.

1. Ask the right questions. Learning to study the Bible is learning to ask good questions from the text. There’s no limit to how many questions you can ask of the Bible, because there’s no limit to its wisdom and insight. The deeper you dig, the more gold you’ll find.

Asking questions of the text you’re reading will help you look at the text through a whole new set of eyes. Suddenly, every time you pick up God’s Word to study it, new truths will jump out at you.

2. Write down your observations. Never study the Bible without pen and paper in hand (or a keyboard if you prefer). When you ask your questions and find your answers, write down what you learn. You can read the Bible without writing something down, but you can’t study it.

Dawson Trotman, who was the founder of the Navigators ministry, used to say, “Thoughts disentangle themselves when they pass through the lips and the fingertips.” In other words, if you can’t say it and you can’t write it, then you haven’t really thought about it. Even if you don’t see anything in the verse, write down that you don’t see anything. Just the act of writing that down will open up new thoughts.

Talk It Over

• Consider the place where you study God’s Word each day. How does it help or hinder your focus?
• To whom can you take your questions about the Bible? With whom can you share the insight God reveals to you?
• What tools do you need to make it easier to write down your observations during Bible study?
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRQp1bUJkBE

Vision for Increase

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom's instruction.
Proverbs 29:18, NIV

TODAY'S WORD:

God wants His people to be the most blessed! He wants His people to constantly increase so they can live as an example of His goodness. But in order to partake of everything He has in store for us, we have to be open to what He wants to do in our lives. We have to have a vision for increase. If you’re not expecting favor, or if you are just satisfied with where you are, then you will live below your privileges. But if you will get a vision for increase, a vision for who you are as a child of the Most High God and what He wants to do in your life, you’ll see supernatural opportunities, favor and increase in your life. When you look for what God is doing, when you follow His commands, you won’t just be “average” or “good enough.” No, as a child of the Most High, you are the most blessed.

Today, take time to focus your heart and mind on God and His promises. Meditate on His Word and ask Him to increase your capacity to receive His blessings. Get a vision for increase, embrace His promises, and boldly move forward in the good things God has in store for you.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father, today I choose to set my mind and focus on You. I choose to look for what You want to do in and through me. I let go of any wrong thinking, attitudes or actions that would hold me back from You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Nanay, Dakila Ka =)

Ngayon ay kaarawan ng aking Ina, Nanay, Nanang, Mother, Mom, Inang. Gusto kong sumulat upang maalala ko sya. Gaya ng maraming ina, mas inuuna nya kaming lahat kaysa sa sarili nya. Minsan kahit wala ng matira para sa kanya magkaroon lang kami masaya na sya. Walang hinangad ang aming ina mapabuti lang ang aming buhay kaming kanyang mga anak. Isa syang reyna higit pa sa korona.

Gusto kong maalala sya ng maraming tao na isa sya sa mga inang inilalarawan sa Kawikaan 31. Wala man syang napag-aralan pero matalino ang aking ina. Isa sya sa ‘honor roll student’. Dahil sa hindi sya makapag-aral ng kolehiyo, ang tangi lang pangarap ni Inang ang makatulong sa lola at lolo ko. Mahirap ang buhay noon kaya hindi na sya nagtanong kung makakapag-aral pa sya. Magsasaka, katulong, labandera at tindera ang mga hanap buhay na alam nya. Alam nyang mahirap ang walang pinag-aralan kaya naman itinaguyod nya kaming lahat kasama ni Tatay.

Dumating yung panahon na hindi nya alam kung makakapag-aral kaming lahat. Pero malakas ang ‘fighting spirit’ nya, sobrang lakas. Minana ko yata yun sa kanya. Sobrang mahal na mahal nya kaming lahat lalo na si Tatay. Mapagsilbi ang aking Ina. She’s really the best. I am so blessed. Thankful kay Lord ng sobra-sobra.

Simpleng ina ang aking Nanay, hindi sya ‘materialistic’ na tao. Kapag tinatanong ko kung anong gusto nyang regalo mas pipiliin nya ang pera kaysa sa ano pa man kasi ang pera pambili ng pagkain na pagsasaluhan naming lahat. Ganun sya magmahal. Kapag napapagod ako, nagtitimpla sya ng gatas ko. Kapag sobrang pagod ko, iiyak ko lang daw ok na, haha tama naman sya.

Mahal na mahal namin sya. Kung may isa mang tanging bagay na laging pinapaalala ni Inay lalo na sa amin ni Mayet ang maghintay ng isang tamang lalaki na magmamahal sa amin ng may mabuting intensyon. Hindi mapagsamantala sa kahinaan ng isang babae at marunong rumispeto.

Dakila ka Inay. Maraming salamat sa pagdarasal, pag-aaruga at pang-unawa. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan ako ngayun kung hindi ikaw ang naging Ina ko. Minsan iniisip ko, paano kaya kung pinanganak ako bago ka ipinanganak o kaya naman ipinanganak ako ngayon. Eh di, wala ang sulat na ito ngayon. Wala si Meg, si Badette, Bernadette, Badang, Ate, Ading, Tita, Auntie, Insan na tawag sa akin. Kung wala si Inay, nasan kaya ako? kailan kaya ako ipinanganak? O kaya naman ipapanganak pa lang. Sino kayang mga magulang ko? Isa lang ang sigurado, kung wala ang aking Inay at Itay, wala ako dito sa mundo. Wala si Meg. Thank You Lord for blessing us a great mom all these years; an awesome gift that’s too priceless, so precious and extra wonderful. =)

Photo of the day =)

The Marketing Management Team 

happy researching =)

Happy Birthday Mom =)

Enough Light for the Next Step

Enough Light for the Next Step

BY RICK WARREN — SEPTEMBER 26, 2014

2767

“Understanding your word brings light to the minds of ordinary people.”(Psalm 119:130 CEV)

Everyone needs light. You need physical light to make sure you can see the world around you, to avoid running into obstacles.

Through his Word, God wants to provide light for your mind, too. The Bible says,“Understanding your word brings light to the minds of ordinary people” (Psalm 119:130 CEV).

God wants to give light — his light — to every single person. He wants to light up our minds with the truth of who he is and his next step for our lives.

Biblical meditation is often the key to turning on that light. You have to soak your mind in the light. Biblical meditation isn’t losing your mind to the universe; it’s focusing it on the Word of God. When you do that, you bring light to your life.

Through his Word, God helps you to see life through a different perspective. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (NIV). God’s Word gives us direction in life; it shows us the path God wants us on.

When that psalm was written, the “lamp” was a candle in a lamp people would carry around. Today, it would be a flashlight. If you hold a flashlight and you want more light down your path, you have to take the next step. Many times I’ve been stuck and looking for a light from God for my whole path. But God gives us just enough light for the next step. You take that next step, and God gives you light for the step after that.

One of the best ways to turn on the light of God’s Word is to pray God’s Word, like Psalm 119:18: “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” You want to see wonderful things from God’s Word, right? Ask God to open your eyes to what he wants to do through your life.

He’s ready to turn on the light.

Talk It Over

• How has God seemed like a mystery to you? In those times, did you turn to God’s Word for answers?
• Do you just wait for God to make something clear, or do you ask him for his clarity and discernment?
• What do you think the difference is between reading the Bible and biblical meditation?

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7cC1wd5EFY

Close the Door on Fear

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"And do not give the Devil an opportunity to work."
(Ephesians 4:27, ISV)

TODAY'S WORD:

So many people today are living with less than God’s best because they’ve allowed fear to creep in and take root in their lives. Fear is the greatest weapon the enemy uses to try to hold us back. Fear is not from God. Scripture tells us that fear brings torment. It’s designed to paralyze us and keep us from God’s blessings. 

The good news is that God is greater than fear. His power in you is greater than any power that comes against you. But in order to walk in His power, you have to close the door on the enemy of fear. The enemy can’t have access to your life unless you open a door and give him access. That’s why we have to be careful about what we watch, what we listen to, what we read, and what we say. When we open ourselves to fear, we give the enemy opportunity. 

If you’ve allowed fear to steal from you in any area of life, today you can be free—you can be finished with fear! It starts by receiving God’s love and meditating on His promises. Meditate on His truth and speak His truth which sets you free! Surround yourself in God’s love and let Him lead you into victory as you close the door on fear.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father, I come to You in faith declaring that I am finished with fear. Thank You for giving me a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Fill me with Your peace and joy today as I worship You and move forward in victory in Jesus’ name. Amen.

*

I know Dad =)

To my daughter, before your first date

When it comes to dating, girls have it rough. Here are some important things one dad wants his daughter to know before her first date.

Share Tweet Post Pin

Aaron Anderson

1,548 views   |   184 shares

• Dear Daughter,
  So you're going on your first date. Don't worry. I won't be like all those other dads who try to intimidate your date when I meet him. I won't tell him stories that embarrass you, either. In fact, I'm going to take a whole 'nother approach. I'll acknowledge him politely and wish you the best. I don't want to give him too much attention because, the truth is, there's already too much attention on him and not enough on you.
  As a girl, society has taught you from an early age that the boy you date is important. As a girl, people judge you based off of whom you date. Whom you date determines your popularity. It is some kind of social status that shows the quality of person you are. This is exactly why I won't be focusing too much on your date. Dating isn't about him. It's about you.
  You are your own person. You're beautiful, smart, funny, witty and you have a warm sarcasm about life that shows you don't take things too seriously yet still understand life's complexities. You can also quote movies like no one else I know. You don't need a boy to tell you that you're wonderful. You already are, and you don't need a boy to prove it. No boy can prove it. It's already within you. You just radiate it.
  As you go on your first date, you're going to worry about whether your date likes you. You're going to worry about whether you're doing and saying the right things. This is normal. But don't let these things worry you too much. The truth is, they're not really that important.
  The purpose of dating isn't to get a boy to like you. In fact, if you're doing it for that reason, you're going to have a pretty miserable time dating. The purpose of dating is to get to know your date better and see if he will like you for who you are. If you have to be fake for him to like you, he doesn't really like you — he just likes who you're pretending to be. Save your time and kisses for somebody who knows the real you and cares about the real you, and save them for someone who you care so genuinely about that you can be the real you with.
  Don't let others' expectations drive who you are. This includes your sexuality, too. You don't have to look too far to see that girls are expected to be cute and sexy — not too much so or you'll be branded a slut, but not too little, either, or you'll be branded a "frumpy prude." Don't let either of these labels get to you. You're a fantastic person and you don't need to ascribe to some external standard of sexuality to verify that.
  Most importantly, I hope you have a lot of fun on your date. Don't take one date too seriously. You're at a stage in your life that you'll one day look back on and have all sorts of memories about. The last thing you want is to have bad memories. You have a long time ahead of you before you need to think of "getting serious" or settling down with someone, so make the best of your dating days and enjoy them. If you're not having fun, you're doing something wrong.
  I'm here to answer any questions you have while you're making your way through the dating world. And, no matter how hard I try not to, I might still embarrass you along the way. OK, sometimes it may still be intentional.
  All by best,
  Love,
  Dad.