Daily devotional, May 04, 2024 Asalto

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,who satisfies you with goodso that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." Psalm 103:2-5

“Asalto” is a Spanish word that means unforeseen, brutal attack against enemy forces. It is much like the word “assault.” In the Philippines though, it is used in a more positive note, specifically as a surprise party for someone celebrating his birthday.

As followers of Jesus, we worship a God who is so gracious and loving that He is often a God of surprises. He delights in making His people happy, much like a father wanting to give only the best to His children.

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever." 
Ephesians 3:20-21

Like children looking forward to a surprise from his parents, we should also be willing to wait on the Lord. We should remain unwavering on our faith. We should remain joyful despite challenging circumstances, pinning our hopes on the one true God that knows everything that happens to us, as He was the one who planned out our lives.

"Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever." 
Psalm 112:1-3

In the Old Testament, there are wonderful stories of people who have been pleasantly surprised by the overflowing goodness of the Lord. While they believe that the Lord is always gracious and abounding in love and mercy, their surrendering to His divine will made God’s blessing to them bigger and more precious than they could ever imagine.

For instance, Naomi, who lost her husband and two sons, had no other children nor grandchildren, almost conceded to a life of bitterness. She came back to her hometown to seek the God she turned away from. After many years, she was again blessed with a family, and not just a family — her new grandchild became the ancestor of the great King David, from whom the line of the Messiah rooted from.

"Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” 
Ruth 4:14-15

Another lovely story of God-given surprises was that of Ruth, Naomi’s hardworking and loyal daughter-in-law. She already accepted her fate of being widowed at a young age, and decided to accompany her mother-in-law Ruth and join her in seeking the God of Israel. She worked hard and served her mother-in-law, until she came to the attention of a godly and prosperous Man named Boaz, who married her. They started a family, and as mentioned above, their firstborn is one of the ancestors of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

"And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman." 
Ruth 3:10-11

And while the common theme of the two above-mentioned stories is that both started on a sorrowful note, the Lord showed in the lives of the two women that if we decide to seek and love Him, and be faithful in what He asked us to do, He will bless us beyond our imagination.

"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile." Jeremiah 29:12-14

You see, we can never outgive the Lord our God. If we surrender our lives to Him, by offering Him our time, treasure, talent, and walk in His ways, He will prosper us. And while this may not always mean financial blessing, it will mean blessings that only He can give. This could mean steadfast love, abounding mercy, guidance, joy that transcends circumstances, and more importantly the peace that transcends understanding. 

"Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." 
Malachi 3:10

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Ruth Chapter 4 and Psalm 103:1-15 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: How did God surprise you recently?

Conversation with the Lord:   Almighty God, thank you for being a God of heavenly surprises. Thank you for blessing me beyond my expectations. For loving me even during the times I am unlovable, and forgiving me and giving me a new life. Keep me under your wings Oh God, and wrap me in your love forever. Amen.

The post Daily devotional: Asalto appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Daily devotional, April 16, 2024 Through the cracks

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

One of the most common offenses of the children of my generation is breaking something at home. It could be a flower vase, a figurine, a plate or a favorite mug. Out of fear balanced with child-like hope, we try to fix the broken thing by piecing it together. But we all know that this is close to impossible. And even if it can be done, the cracks would show.

Followers of Jesus like us, have or will experience brokenness at one or even several points in our life. It is a given fact that we will go through challenges and difficulties, even if we have anchored our lives in the Lord. In the Gospel of John,  our Savior Himself told us that such seasons are part of our earthly existence:

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." 
John 16:33

The problems that we have gone through usually change how we live our lives. It can traumatize us, cause us to get depressed or anxious, and can leave wounds that take long to heal. Some come out victorious and resilient, while others have a hard time coping. It can alter our mindset either positively or negatively depending on how we take it.

Truth be told though, traumatic events, which shatter our sense of attachment and security, hardly cause someone to feel positive right away. It usually takes time to get back to our normal selves — if we ever will. And so the scientific community usually recommends relaxation techniques that could at least negate our stress levels.

Psychotherapist Anne Power suggests that when we are about to go into full-on stress mode we should try to regulate our emotions by slowing down. She says we have to consciously try to breathe slowly and lower our heart rate, explaining “when we feel safe, that is when learning can take place,” hence we can discover opportunities for growth.

But what should we feed our mind as we try to slow down and relax our pace? What do we tell ourselves amidst the chaos around us, and the developments that shake us to our core? How do we move on victoriously amid the problems?

One good story in the Old Testament was the context of how Psalm 43 was written. In the midst of his depression, King David, reflected and tried to calm himself down. He wrote:

"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,my salvation and my God." Psalm 43:5

Through His brokenness, King David tried to make sense of his situation. He tried to calm himself by anchoring his hope on the Lord. The Lord who to King David’s mind, has the power to vindicate him, and take him out of the darkness that he is in.

"Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God." Psalm 43:3-4

Going through sadness, fears, and anxieties are not a sign that we have a weak faith. As one Jesuit said “the beauty of believing is not in the absence of doubt but in the courage to respond in faith even in the midst of the tension of unbelief, uncertainty, and brokenness.”  That as we reel from our fears, grief and anxiety brought about our brokenness, he said that we should allow Christ’s light to shine through our cracks.

One of the most quoted verses in the bible can be found at Matthew chapter 11, where Jesus calls on the weary to come to Him:

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Let us heed our Savior’s invitation to lay our fears, and anxieties on His feet. He may choose to not solve our problems right away, but He will definitely respond the best way He could, and for our own good. Let us slow down, and take our time to talk to Jesus about our cares and concerns. Let us listen to what He has to say by intentionally seeking Him through bible reading and reflection, regular churchgoing, and fellowshipping with other followers. Let us fill our minds with His love, because like any creation in this world, only our Creator can perfectly mend our brokenness.

"But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." 
Isaiah 53:5

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Psalm 43  to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: Is your brokenness keeping you from reaching out to God?

Conversation with the Lord:  Heavenly Father, thank you for being there for us. For allowing us to anchor on your love so that we will not be swept away by the storms of our lives. Give us a trusting heart, so that we too can help others to trust more in you. Amen.

The post Daily devotional: Through the cracks appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Daily devotional, April 15, 2024 The watchtower

"Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine." 
Psalm 33:18-19

Watchtowers are useful structures that have stood the test of time. In ancient times it was used to ensure the protection of a city against invaders. Guards are stationed in the tower to watch against threats to their kingdom or territory. In the medieval times, and up until now, it was used to watch over prisoners, especially in big detention areas. It is also currently being used in mountainous and heavily forested lands to detect wildfires at its earliest stage.

As followers of Jesus, we can rest assured that our Heavenly King watches over us 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He watches us to ensure our welfare and protection. His eye is on us to see to it that His divine will in our lives come into fruition.

"The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand;the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night." 
Psalm 121:5-6

As the God who sees everything, He assures us that He hears our pleas. He guarantees us that He knows everything and that we should not fear because His love covers us:

"You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me." 
Psalm 56:8-9

Apart from His protection, His watchful eye is also meant to guide us and keep us on the right track. In Psalm 32 where King David in part spoke prophetically about God’s response to the restoration of their fellowship, God assures that His gaze will be our guide. This is akin to a parent letting his child know what the right thing to do is in a given situation just by only looking at him and the environment they are in:

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." 
Psalm 32:8

And since His eye is on us, we need not be afraid of what other people will think of us. We will not be afraid of what others will say about us as long as we try our best to abide in the Lord.

"The Lord looks down from heaven; He sees all the children of man;from where He sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, He who fashions the hearts of them alland observes all their deeds." 
Psalm 33:13-15

If we trust that the Lord sees everything that we do, and sees what is in our hearts, we can go through life without overthinking about other people judging us for what we do. We can get rid of that anxiety that cripples us from doing what we think is right. Besides, God promises us that our efforts to do good things will not go to waste:

"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." 
Matthew 6:4

The Lord is a relational God. He sees us and everything we do. He sees the good that we do, and He sees our sins. These truths should at least further motivate us to continue nurturing the relationship we have with Him. It should assure us that He loves us so much that even if He knows our failures, weaknesses and waywardness, He still chooses to love us.

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Psalm 33:13-22 and Psalm 121:3-8  to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: Have you ever felt like God does not see you and your sufferings? Or the good works that you do?

Conversation with the Lord: Almighty Father, thank you for watching over my life. For assuring me that your loving eyes are on me and that you protect and counsel me. Give me the confidence to continue doing what is pleasing to your eyes, knowing that your joy should be my strength. Amen.

The post Daily devotional: The watchtower appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Daily devotional, April 1, 2024 Mom goals

"Those who think that a woman detained at home by her little family is doing nothing, think the reverse of what is true. Scarcely can the godly mother quit her home for a place of worship; but dream not that she is lost to the work of the church; far from it, she is doing the best possible service for her Lord. Mothers, the godly training of your offspring is your first and most pressing duty." 
Charles Spurgeon

Advertisements upon advertisements, pages upon pages, digital content upon digital content tell us moms who we need to be. How we should be that all-around mom, with great kids, a life of her own, and of course, the body, skin and face that defies ageing, gravity, and the stripes of childbirth.

While not all moms succumb to the pressure of the worldly view of the ideal mom, we as followers of Jesus should not be swayed into thinking that having all those qualities make us the best and successful mother that we can be.

"Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." 
Romans 12:2

The Bible shows us what we should aim for as moms. In the First Epistle of St. Peter, he described how we, women-followers of Jesus ought to conduct ourselves:

"Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." 
1 Peter 3:3-4

The same was echoed in St. Paul the Apostle’s first letter-instruction to Timothy:

"Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works." 
1 Timothy 2:9-10

The goal indeed is to be a godly woman. While “beast mom” is a more common term we hear in today’s world, “godly moms” are what we are being called to be. It is a unique challenge in our modern world indeed given the gargantuan task of raising equally godly children, managing a household, being a good wife, and for a some helping earn a living. But we all know that in Christ, we can do it:

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Let us take the example of the virtuous wife as described in Proverbs chapter 31. Scholars say that this is inspired by King Solomon’s mother Bathsheba as she gave him advice on how to find a good woman to marry. Its heading is “The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him”

"Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.Her children rise up and call her blessed;her husband also, and he praises her"
Proverbs 31:25-28

And as we grow in age, we continue to be called to a godly and virtuous life. We are also expected to pass on these traits to younger women who are also followers of Christ:

"Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled." Titus 2:3-5

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Proverbs 31:10-31 and 1 Peter 3:1-6 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: What kind of mom do you want to be? Are your aspirations more of this world, or more Christ-like?

Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for giving me the privilege of becoming a mother. May I become the godly mother you have created me to be, so that I too could raise godly children. Amen.  

The post Daily devotional: Mom goals 💙 appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Daily devotional, March 02, 2024
The pressure

"Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8-9

Peer pressure is a real concern when raising teenagers. As teenagers, friends and classmates are one of the foremost influences of older kids given that they are with them for the most part of the day. If they are with good friends, then their behavior would not change negatively, and their grades would not slide. However, when they are with less than good influences, the results will definitely show in the area of class output, general views in life, as well as overall conduct at school and at home.

If this is an area you struggle with as a mom, then it is best to learn about Reuben. Reuben is a bible character who stood for what is right despite the pressures of his brothers. Reuben is the eldest of the 12 sons of Jacob. During the time that all the brothers are trying to kill their youngest brother, Joseph, Reuben tries to come up with ways to save him.

"Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits.Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.”But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father." 
Genesis 37:20-22

But while Reuben was successful in foiling his brothers’ attempt to kill Joseph, he was unsuccessful in preventing his other brothers from selling him as a slave.

“When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes and returned to his brothers and said, “The boy is gone, and I, where shall I go?” Genesis 37:29-30

If we think about it there have been a lot of times that we have been in the same situation as Reuben. We have been pressured by others to engage in wrong behavior like rumor mongering, gossipping, judging, and even bullying others. We may have also been pressured to lie to our parents and teachers, overspend money, engage in substance abuse, and other worldly and unwholesome activities. 

This may have happened to us in school, the neighborhood, and even at the workplace. And our response to the pressure we felt before from our peers, should be our motivation on how we could protect our children from bad influences, and at the same time encourage them to stand up for what is right.

We can take the cue from St. Paul the Apostle who cautioned against fellowshipping with people with questionable morality:

"Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’ Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame." 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

If we were like Reuben, then it is good that we have resisted peer pressure. If however we succumbed to it, then now is the time to straighten our ways by educating our children to not respond the way we did. After all, our previous wrong decisions should not hinder us from trying our best to lead better lives, and raise children in Christ-likeness 

"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Reuben is a bible character with flaws (Genesis 49:3-4), but one good thing he was known for is not being envious of his father’s love for Joseph and having sincere concern for his brother. We may not have a flawless past too, but it does not mean we can’t move on towards God’s best plans for us and our respective families.

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Genesis 37:3-11, and 18-36to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: Have you been in Reuben’s situation? How did you react to the peer pressure? Is there anything you want to change in how you react?

Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, protect me and my children from bad influences surrounding us. I pray that you give us the resolve to shun them, and stand up for what is right. We want to live a life that honors you. Amen.

The post Daily devotional: The pressure appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Daily devotional, February 28, 2024 The cheerleader

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 
1 Thessalonians 5:11

One of the highlights of any opening program of a sporting event is the cheerdancing. Be it a professional league like basketball or football associations, or school-based sports competitions, cheerleading squad routines will always be a considered a traditional part of the opening event.

Cheerleaders though are important even beyond the opening program as they provide encouragement for each of their teams. In basketball games, they cheer on every goal and possession, and in defense they inject energy through their chants so that their players can get on to their defensive strategies.

As followers of Jesus and mothers of the children the Lord has entrusted to us, we are also being called to be cheerleaders of our kids. We should be the primary source of encouragement of the children as they go through their everyday lives.

They say that as the children grow older, we transform to being an instructor to coach. As they mature and develop their individual character, they no longer need specific instructions on how to live their lives, but they need us as their parents to provide guidance and tell them the possible options they can take towards their pursuits.

But one role we moms should never grow out of is being their lifetime number one cheerleader. We should boost their morale when they are three, when they are 30, and if God-willing, even when they are 53. Children need a constant source of positive encouragement, and as parents we should take on this role regardless of their age.

The same principle applies to what St. Paul the Apostle said to the early church family, as he urged them to be there for each other and movitabe one another to do good works:

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

One of the best examples of positive encouragement in the Bible is Moses, towards his successor Joshua. When he was about to pass on his baton of leadership to Joshua, Moses repeatedly motivated him, telling him that he can do it with God leading him.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

A supportive father figure in the bible is Zebedee, the father of disciples John and James. When Jesus called on his sons to follow him, Zebedee did not derail them from being with Jesus, even if he will be left alone doing their fishing business.

"And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him." 
Mark 1:19-20

When we encourage our children to be the best they can be, we do not only help them achieve their best potential, we also prepare them for God’s best plans for their lives. We should take the cue from St. Paul the Apostle who, in his letter to the Corinthian Church, urged early Christians to focus on their work at hand, and align their will to that of the Lord’s.

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 
1 Corinthians 15:58

At the end of the day, we should remember in our hearts, and make our kids know it too, that the best encouragement comes from the Lord. Our strength, skills, and whatever talents we may have are all His gifts to us. When we love each other enough to encourage them to use these gifts to honor God, we get to answer the Lord’s call for each of us to spur each other into doing good deeds.

"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." 
Romans 15:5-6

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Psalm 121 and 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: Are you your child’s number one cheerleader?

Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be present in each of my children’s lives. Allow me please to become their number one cheerleader and  constant source of encouragement, so that they could succeed in things that really matter and are aligned to your will and purpose for their lives. Amen.

The post Daily devotional: The cheerleader appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Daily devotional, Feb 22, 2024 Blind Massage

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

My good friend Jasmin introduced me to blind massage many years ago. One afternoon, we went to this massage center where all the masseuses are either fully or partially blind. We booked an appointment. I was surprised that even though they cannot see my shoulders and back, they seem to know where the tired muscles are, and were experts at relieving aches and pains.

I then remembered what St. Paul the Apostle said. In his letter to the Philippians, he encouraged early Christians to focus on their goals in Christ, and not let challenges hinder them from attaining their prize.

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14

And as I looked back to that afternoon with my friend, I realised that the masseuses there did not allow their handicap to keep them from decently earning a living. Instead, they used it to be more sensitive towards meeting the needs of their customers. No matter the challenges they have, they were successful in allowing their clients to relax and destress.

Unlike the blind therapists, we have a perfect vision that should have supposedly allowed us to move on from our past. But sometimes we get stuck in it. Sometimes we also become frozen because of fear for our future. But God calls us to lay the past behind, leave the future to Him, and take hold of the present time we are in.

We can never seek Him by thinking of the good or the bad things that happened in our lives, nor could we live out His plans for us by obsessing over what could happen in the future. We must live in the present, and fix our gaze on Jesus so that we could tread past the difficulties we could meet in our journey:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." 
Hebrews 12:1-2

To move forward, our Lord and Savior does not ask us to trust Him blindly as we go through life. All He asks of us is to never forget his faithfulness to us through the past challenges He delivered us from. Yes, even during the times we were disobedient to Him and we did not deserve His love. These instances should encourage us to move forward and embrace the challenges, because we know that even if we fall, we have a God who will never leave us and will carry us through.

"Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps covenant and mercy with them who love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations." 
Deuteronomy 7:9

So what is our goal? As followers of Jesus our main goal is to live like Him and encourage others to do the same. As moms, this means that we should emulate Jesus Christ’s character in shepherding our children, and raise them in Christlikeness. That we do not let our financial, marital, physical difficulties, and past sinfulness hinder us from bringing ourselves and our families to the Lord. That we will continue to press on no matter how hard it is to follow His example. And we will do this because we know that walking with the Lord in this lifetime, and living in eternity with Him is the prize that awaits us.

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." 
1 Peter 5:10

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Philippians 3:10-16 and Hebrews 12:1-3 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: What keeps you from fixing your eyes on Jesus?

Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for your faithfulness. May you strengthen me enough to not let our challenges hinder me from following you. And that I will remain focused on you so I could live a life that glorifies you. Amen.

The post Daily devotional: Blind Massage appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Daily devotional, February 01, 2024 Lessons from the laundry

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 
2 Corinthians 5:17 

As moms, laundry is a part of our daily lives. Homemaking experts say we should deal with it everyday so that it will not pile up on us and make us overwhelmed. Whether it is dirty laundry, laundry that needs to be unloaded from the washer or dryer, or laundry meant to be folded and put away, this chore is part of our lives and daily existence as moms.

And as I look at the pile before me, I cant help but reflect on how tackling the chore can be similar to our faith journey. Having said that I hope you could allow me to share with you today my realizations, and how it can be related to our lives as followers of Jesus:

1. Separating clothes based from their colors. One of the most important thing to remember when washing clothes is to separate the whites from the light colored, colored, and dark-colored clothes. If we mix them altogether in one load, chances are the colors will bleed, and the whites will no longer be as white as they should be.

It is the same thing with our Christian life. We need to separate ourselves from sin. We should consciously set ourselves apart for the Lord. We need to part ways with habits and people that keep us from fellow-shipping with God. When we become conscious about the fact that we are sinful, and we have company and habits that lead us all the more to waywardness, we can better avoid instances of sin.

"Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” 1 Corinthians 15:33

2. There are two kinds of white clothes. We also have to separate the really white, whites from those that do not have any print or pattern at all. We also have to wash them separately from those that have bold patterns or have been a bit yellowish through time. Washing all kinds of white altogether can affect the color of the really white clothes.

Same thing in life. When we try to move towards God, we will physically interact with those who are already long-time believers. Since we see them as “clean” especially when compared to us, we might feel insecure and shy away. We might even see ourselves unworthy to be part of such a community.

But God tells us that we are part of it, He wants us to be part of His body – the church, and so we can enjoy the community and start living the faith. As St. Paul the Apostle puts it in his letter to the Roman Church, salvation is available to everyone who believes in Christ.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." 
Romans 1:16

3. We have to treat the soiled clothes separately before including them in the wash. Stained clothes need to be treated with bleach, peroxide, or whatever type of cleaning solution that will remove the mark. If we do not treat the dirt, it can seep into the clothes even more, and worse, it could stain other clothes as well. If we put the bleach or other stain removers to the full load, its stain removing ingredient can damage the other clothes that are not even soiled. Hence, super-soiled clothes need to be treated separately, usually through hand-washing, brushing, and even exposing it under the sun.

The same is true when we are trying to turn away from sin and live a life that is glorifying to the Lord. Our God will humble us by separating us from sinning, and removing our “stains” by eliminating circumstances that keep us from totally depending on Him.

And while it may be a painful process, we can rest in the Lord’s mercy and grace. We are being “hand-washed” by the Lord, and so we are assured that amid the difficulties of turning away from our sinful lives and living its consequences, we will still be lovingly cared for by the Lord.

Once we have endured, and surrendered our lives to Jesus by keeping His word and walking in His ways, God will no longer see our “stain” because Christ’s righteousness will be imputed on us.

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” 
Hebrews 4:15-16

Like clothes that smell and look new after a good washing, we too can be renewed by our Savior and Redeemer, our Lord Jesus Christ. All we have to do is to repent from our sins, obey His commands, and nourish a close and loving relationship with Him. When we open our eyes to His goodness, look back to His faithfulness in our otherwise stained lives, we can look forward to a faith-filled existence. Whose hope and joy are anchored in the mighty promises of our one true, God.

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on 1 Peter 1:1-9 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: Do you let your sins pile-up like a dirty laundry? Is your guilt keeping you from drawing near the LORD?

Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for being the merciful God that you are For giving me the chance to draw near you and be a part of your people. I love you and please inspire in me the will to turn away from sins so that I can dwell in your presence for always. Amen.

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Daily Devotional, January 25, 2024 Gummy bears

"If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you." Proverbs 25:21-22

Most children love gummy bears, and I couldn’t blame them. As a child, I loved eating and playing with these treats too! Lately, I realised I can use the gummy bears to remind my children and myself to just surrender to the Lord our reactions against people who may be mean to us. 
Why gummy bears? Well, it is because of the two female bears that frightened the group that mocked the Prophet Elisha. In the Second Book of Kings, a story was told about Elisha being vexed by mean young men because of his appearance, as well as his ministry and his beliefs.

"From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. 'Get out of here, baldy!' they said. 'Get out of here, baldy!' He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys." 
1 Kings 2:23-24

In the above story, we can digress that the Lord sent bears to break up the group that mocked the prophet. Elisha neither threw stones, nor defended himself, but instead said something to them in the name of God.

As moms we know that our children at some point will encounter mean kids and even mean grown-ups , and we will not always be with them to defend them. The only thing that we can do is to tell them to just walk away, and not take revenge. At the most tell it to a teacher.

But we all know this is not easy for our kids because either they get too frightened, or with their immature emotions, they might just fight back. They are just like us, their imperfect moms, who might have trouble controlling our emotions when being jeered online or in real life. That we might just blurt out a hurtful word or confront, when faced by meanness that is uncalled for.

As Christian mothers, we have to take it upon ourselves to impress on our children that God sees everything, and that He is in control. That He will judge those who hurt us, and it is our duty to just surrender everything to Him.

In his letter to the Roman Church, St. Paul the Apostle reminded believers to not avenge themselves. And that they should continue to do good to those who hurt them as Jesus himself taught us to love our enemies.

"Do not take revenge,my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.'” 
Romans 12:19-20

Apart from avenging for us, we have to let our children know that the Lord upholds the humble. He will treasure those who are capable of fighting back and yet they put their strength under control because they want to glorify the name of the Lord, and abide by His commands.

Such teaching is perfectly demonstrated in the life of David, who before being a King, had the opportunity to kill King Saul who was pursuing him. In that story, David did not kill King Saul because he respects the Lord’s will to put him in authority. Upon hearing David’s testament about not killing him even if he had the chance to, King saul said the following to him:

"He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands. For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day." 
1 Samuel 24:17-19

When we surrender to God our feelings of anger and bitterness towards others, He cleanses our heart from it. He cleanses it enough that we will no longer want to avenge ourselves, instead, we would just align to His will. Both this promise and truth are what we should take to heart, and tell our children. It may be hard really, but eliminating anger and thoughts of retaliation from our mind, will free our hearts to enjoy the peace that only our Sovereign God can give.

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on  2 Kings 2:23-25 and 1 Samuel 24 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question:  How do you calm your heart against mockery and meanness towards yourself or your children? How can God help you process these emotions?

Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, help me instill in my heart and impress on my children that You are sovereign and you see all things. That we do not need to take care of everything that emotionally bothers us, and that we should instead offer these emotions to You so that you can act on them. Teach me to fully trust in You so that I get to disciple my children in the same manner too. Amen.

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Daily Devotional, January 3, 2023 Demolition Job

"He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built." 
Luke 6:48

A friend recently inherited his ancestral home. Value-wise, the property is in a good location and will surely increase its worth over time. The house however is in bad shape. Apart from obvious signs of deterioration, a contractor has confirmed that the structure lacks the firm foundation needed to withstand future calamities. It has also become a fire hazard.  

My friend however is having second thoughts about pursuing the contractor’s recommendation. He does not have the heart to have his family home demolished, thinking that apart from the memories, there could still be more that could be salvaged from the current structure. 
His dilemma can be likened to a person who is still deciding if he would fully surrender his life to Jesus Christ and follow Him. Imagine a troublesome and wayward person who is trying his best to make a turn around, but remains enamored with worldly pursuits.

He wants to change, and he knows he has to eliminate sins from his life, but he is afraid to live his life without the pleasures afforded by his worldly ways. Because of his reluctance, he is missing his full potential and setting himself up for failure when challenges come. Very akin to the ancestral property that could be turned into a safer, better, and income generating structure if only my friend was willing to demolish it.

"Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming." 
Colossians 3:5-6

As Christians we have to recognize that for us to follow and surrender our lives to Jesus Christ, we should let go of our worldly ways. The only way to say that we truly abide in Him, and live in the peace that only our Creator can give is through full obedience.

“Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 2 Timothy 2:19

Demolishing sins from our life maybe hard, inconvenient, and could cost us money, social connections, comfort, and pleasures but it is all worth it in the end. By removing all these hazardous structures in our minds, hearts and spirits, we can start building on a firm foundation that is Jesus Christ.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” 
Matthew 7:24-27

While a life founded and anchored in Christ does not promise to be problem-free, it is a life filled with joy and peace. True followers of the Lord are aware and secure that no matter how dark the valleys they may have to go through, or no matter how ferocious the lions they may meet, and deep the waters they get submerged into, the Lord will be there to walk with them, guide them, and carry them through.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

Yes, a life anchored in the Lord is not a guarantee of a life teeming with material possessions, BUT it is definitely a life marked with contentment. An existence that is filled with overwhelming gratitude to the One True King who will never allow our foundation to be shaken.

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on  1 John 2:15-17, 1 Cor 3:11-15 and Colossians 3:1-17 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: Where is your life anchored right now? Who do you hold onto when you are shaken?

Conversation with the Lord:  Almighty Father, I praise and thank you for being the wonderful Savior that you are. For offering us the best foundation in this life, and life with you in eternity. Give me the confidence to surrender everything to you and anchor my faith to you alone. Amen.

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Daily devotional, Dec 27, 2023 Stiff-neck

"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wildernessand rivers in the desert." 
Isaiah 43:18-19

As a child, I did not understand what my mom meant whenever she said someone has a stiff-neck. My little mind could not fathom how a person could suddenly not move his head freely nor look behind his back. That is until I suffered from it later on in my teenage years.

Although it is a temporary pain that can get better with rest, stiff neck could also signify serious illnesses if accompanied with other symptoms. In any case, as 2023 comes to a close, I suddenly thought some people will benefit from getting a figurative stiff neck if only to be able to move on with their lives.

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." 
Philippians 3:13-14

And while it is crucial to learn from past experiences by looking back on them, too much reflection could be detrimental to our mental health. When we keep on looking at what’s behind us, thinking back to our mistakes, failures, and regrets, we do not give ourselves the opportunity to move on with our lives and see into fruition God’s best laid plans for us.
We tend to forget that we are not defined by our mistakes and that we have a merciful God who longs to restore us:

“Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.” Psalm 71:20-21

So before 2023 finally peels away all the pages of its book, remind yourself to stop browsing back on your trauma. Refrain from zooming in on your failures. And quit hitting your life’s rewind button to check again andagain on your regrets. There is no point in living in the past. 

“Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.” Zechariah 9:12

This 2024, hold on to that hope that you can make a turn around from your mistakes and shortcomings, that you can finally turn away from sins, and embrace the glorious future that God has in store for you.  

“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten— the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm — my great army that I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed." 
Joel 2:25-26

If ever you are tempted to use your life’s rear view mirror, then do so. BUT do it to look back on how the Lord has delivered you through all the trials, tragedies, and personal crises you have gone through all your life. How he has comforted you through your self-induced pain and self-deprecatory actions.  How faithful he has been to you all this time despite your rebellious heart.

“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.” Psalm 143:5-6

When you want to think of the past, direct your thoughts on the past blessings and answered prayers. Most of the good things in your life today are those that you have prayed for years ago. Reminisce the good times when you have received these blessings, and thank the Lord for them instead of focusing on past events that shook you to your core.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:5-6

Lastly, whenever tempted to check back on what’s behind you, go ahead and check but zoom in on the faces of the people God used to lift you up. Refrain from remembering people who have hurt you badly. Ignore those thoughts, lift up those people to the Lord, and let Him handle them.

As for you, give back to the people who have helped you through 2023 and the past years, and praise God with them together. Re-living the hurts and pains inflicted by other people is no way to close a year that you have survived, and neither is it a good way to start 2024.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

When we realize how much God loves us, and the many times He has redeemed us in the past, we will start to appreciate our lives for what it is and move on positively. After all, how can we not rejoice and move on knowing that we are our Lord’s new creation?

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on  Psalm 103:1-5 and Isaiah 43:1-5 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: Do you keep on looking at the past? What is it that keeps you from moving on?

Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for being close to the brokenhearted, and being so merciful that you take it upon yourself to bind up my wounds. I am offering you my past failures and brokenness, because I know that only you can make me whole again. I love you Lord. Amen. 

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Daily devotional, Dec 26, 2023 K.I.S.S.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." 
John 10:10

One of the basic tips given to journalism and creative writing students is the acronym K.I.S.S. It stands for Keep It Short and Simple. Apart from ensuring that the message is delivered clearly, concise writing keeps the readers focused on the story and keeps them from getting bored with needless details.  

If one was asked to sum up the Christmas story in two words, then it would most likely say “Jesus came.” After all, His birth meant that He assumed the form of a man, so that He can come to us, and save us from our sins.

In one of His conversations with the Pharisees, Jesus explained his existence by using the analogy of a shepherd and a door for the sheep:

^“All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:8-10

Jesus came to us so that we could live life abundantly. By “abundantly,” biblical scholars explain that it is a life that is filled with peace and contentment from Jesus. While it is not a life that is over-abundant with material possessions, and not free from problems and personal tragedies, it is a life where we are assured that God can deliver us through it all.

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1

On the contrary, what is it that steals, kills, and destroys us? This Christmas break let us pause to reflect on what steals our lives from us? Most philosophers say that life is summed up as time on earth. To whom or to what do we give most of our time to?

A UK-based study has shown that for those who use at least two hours of social media a day (staggered or continuously), use up to 17 years of their life on earth staring in their screens by the time they are 90. Now can we all say that we will reach that age? What if we won’t? What if we log in for more than two hours daily? Are we ever OK to be at the end of our life and knowing we dedicated that much time scrolling a device in our lonesome instead of exploring God’s creations?

Biblical scholar John Piper has this interesting take on all of these: “One of the great uses of Twitter and Facebook will be to prove at the Last Day that prayerlessness was not from lack of time.”

How about “kill”? What kills us these days? Overworking? Overindulgence? Addictions? Unhealthy lifestyle? We may have forgotten that worldly pursuits will not benefit our mortal bodies at the end, because we are all bound to die. We should remind ourselves that our bodies are meant for worshiping God:

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

How about “destroy”? Lack or absence of peace of mind destroys the life rhythm of even the wealthiest, most powerful, or most prominent of men. Peace escapes us when we know that we lack something, when we are not feeling secured or protected physically or emotionally, when we regret or worry about something constantly. Unfortunately, living a worldly life runs contrary with the pursuit of real peace.

“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6

Sin ultimately separates us from a peaceful life that is marked with godliness and contentment. When we disobey the Lord’s commands, we have this inherent guilt that keeps on piling up until we either surrender it all to Jesus, or head towards self destruction.

While God does everything to protect us, He also gave us the free will to do what we want to do. This includes sinning. And as they say, while we are free to choose whether we would obey the Lord’s commandments or not, we are never free to choose the consequences of our actions. All of our sins come with natural consequences that destroy us, and until we come to Jesus and accept Him as our personal Lord and Savior, we can never make it through it all.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

This Christmas season, let us etch in our minds that Jesus Christ came to allow us live our lives fully. By surrendering our lives, and abiding in Him, we will experience the peace, that only He can give.

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on  Psalm 91 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: Are you living the abundant and grace-filled life that Jesus promises? If not, what is preventing you from doing so?

Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, I praise and thank you for coming into our lives. Allow us to stay in your presence, and live a life of grace and contentment in abiding by you. Amen.

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Daily devotional, Dec 25, 2023 Quiet time

“Be silent before me, you islands! Let the nations renew their strength! Let them come forward and speak; let us meet together at the place of judgment.”

Isaiah 41:1

As the merriest time of the year, Christmas is marked with the hustle and bustle of shopping, holiday preparations, parties, merrymaking, and happy conversations. Not a dull moment for most families!

But the very message of Christmas calls us to take moments, if not prolonged periods of silence, to reflect on the presence of God in our lives. Since the onset of the season, have we stopped to think what God wants us to do? Have we paused to reflect about His message for us. Do we even know if He is in our midst?

A passage in the Gospel of John chapter 15 tell us how to know if we are living in God’s presence:

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17

While God is with us all the time, we can feel His presence more in stillness. When we are alone with Him and our thoughts. This is the reason why when you are at your deepest moments of prayer in a quiet place, you can feel the Heavenly Father’s comforting presence enveloping you. Jesus modeled seeking this kind of stillness for us several times in the Gospel as quoted in the passages below:

"After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone," Matthew 14:23

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." 
Matthew 1:35

But more than ever, the digital age makes aloneness all the more awkward. This is the reason why most people find it weird to eat, go to the movies, or go to the coffee shop alone. When we find ourselves without anyone to talk to, we immediately seek comfort from our digital devices and endly scroll social media pages, or watch videos to keep our minds busy. It is like we are running away from stillness.

If you are like this, ask yourself if you are uncomfortable with your own thoughts? If you are, what is making you particularly uncomfortable? What do you remember? What do you suddenly think of that you need to replace what is on your mind with what the digital world is feeding you?
Constantly keeping our heads running on overdrive is counterintuitive to both our spiritual and physical well being. Countless neurological studies argue against overstimulation of the brain.

Unfortunately, this has become a defense mechanism for some people who are in the midst of a personal crisis, and trying to escape their realities. But the Bible tells us that overstimulating the mind is not the answer.  When we overwhelm ourselves with too much voices, information, and stuff, we may no longer be as receptive to hear what the Lord wants to tell us:

“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” Psalm 46:10

In the middle of his life’s most violent storm, Job’s friend, Prophet Elihu encouraged Job to be still and reflect on the power and majesty of God. Imagine, this could have been very difficult for Job to do because he has just lost all his children, all his property, and even his good health.

“Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders.Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash?” Job 37:14-15

So why don’t you take the cue from Prophet Elihu, and stop and reflect on what God has done for you in your life. Can He not deliver you from this current problem that you are running away from, when He has delivered you from all the calamities you have faced since birth?

Let us take a moment to reflect and be quiet amidst all the merriment, and reflect on our lives. Let us check if we are still walking with the Lord, and if we are not, maybe we can re-commit ourselves to Him this Christmas. Remember, it is only He who can hush the most powerful forces of nature, who can lull your raging heart.

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on  Psalm 107 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question:  Are you comfortable to be alone with your thoughts?

Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for encouraging me to be still and reflect on your majesty as I go through the rigors of life. Let your ever present help be my shield and refuge, as I praise and thank you everyday of my life. Amen.

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Daily devotional, Dec 24, 2023 Candy Cane

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing." 
Luke 15:4-5

There was not a Christmas in my younger years when my mom failed to buy candy canes. I do not know if she liked the taste or she just loved the memories that came with it, but the sweet peppermint flavor of this treat certainly grew on me.

Recently, my youngest child told me that his teacher taught them about the symbols of Christmas. He said the candy cane, which is shaped like a staff, is meant to remind us that Jesus is our Shepherd. But what does it really mean to have Jesus as our Shepherd?

King David’s Psalm 23 captures the essence of having Jesus Christ as our Shepherd — the one whose voice we follow, and the one who provides and protects us. 

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake." Psalm 23:1-3

In this current age where voices upon voices compete on our heads, let it be Jesus we follow. With the many “false shepherds” in our midst — both online and in real life– it is easy to get lost and confused.

Who are these possible false shepherds? Ask yourself whose voice you follow most at the expense of following the Lord. Are you adoring your husband and your kids way too much that you sacrifice nurturing a personal relationship with the Lord just to please them?

Are you getting too invested in an organization that you devote all your time to it, to the extent of disregarding the Lord and even your own family? Are you so into your celebrity idols that you tend to follow and believe everything that they say?

Is the shepherd of money your priority that you no longer worship on Sundays just to close that deal? Or are you following the shepherd of power and self-image, that everything you do is for your personal glory and no longer for His?

If you said yes to any of these, then you are unfortunately committing the sin of idolatry. It may not be easy to give up an idol, but surrendering it to the Lord and deciding to follow Him as the Good Shepherd brings about Eternal Life.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15

So how do we follow the Good Shepherd? It is by finding Jesus and abiding in Him. Just like the humble shepherd boys that found Baby Jesus in the manger, we can seek Him and find Him no matter our stature in life. We do not need to be successful, academically gifted, or have a squeaky-clean past to stumble upon Him. He is the one reaching out, and all we have to do is to reach for Him.

"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." 
Jeremiah 29:13

Day by day, try your best to spend a quiet moment in prayer. Devote time to read and study a bible passage, and try to join a bible study group. Attend mass or worship service every Sunday, and have fellowship with other believers. Follow His commands, live out, and spread the Gospel.

This Christmas, let symbols like the candy cane remind us that only in Jesus Christ will we find true guidance and protection. Only through Him will we experience perfect peace.

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on  John 10:1-18 and Psalm 23 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question:  Is the Lord Jesus Christ your Shepherd? Do you hear His voice as you go about your day to day life?

Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for shepherding me. I am truly grateful for your lovingkindness, mercy, and grace. Allow me to become a shepherd too, so that I can lead others to you. Amen.

The post Daily devotional: Candy Cane appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Daily Devotional, Dec 21, 2023 Never too early

“Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.” Proverbs 19:14

It was early in the afternoon, and as she cultivated her plants, my friend Lolit started conversing with me about the future spouse of her 13 year-old son. Her only son. Lolit told me she has started praying for a good wife for her boy, and she believes it is never too early. She said she wanted someone godly, someone who would love her son for who he is.

That got me thinking, that I too should pray for a good spouse for each of my three children as early as now. While I know that the Lord has planned all these things in advance, I know too that He has given them the free will to have future relationships, and connect with someone they like.

“Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.'” Genesis 2:18

And so aside from praying for a future spouse for my children, I decided to initially pray that they have a personal encounter with the Lord and build a relationship with Him first before pursuing connections with the opposite sex. That they are happy and content with loving and following Jesus, and have Him as their number one priority.  

By abiding in Him, the chances of my children falling in love with the wrong person, and making wrong decisions will be almost nil. And that because they wait on the Lord, they will not fall into the impatience of going for who is there even if he or she does not possess a godly character.

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.” Psalm 62:5

It is also my prayer that my children could see beyond physical features, financial wealth, success, and humor in their possible marriage partners. That their standard will be high enough to prioritize choosing someone that has good character and values Christlikeness, servant-leadership, and benevolence.

“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax,and works with willing hands.” Proverbs 31:10-13

I have also decided to pray that my kids will have the fortitude to not have relationships too early in their lives, and that they could avoid bad ones as well as immorality. That they can uphold the Lord’s commands in their heart, and they will draw strength from what will make God happy.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

I am also praying that my children will continue to honour us as their parents, and put weight on our opinions on their future spouses no matter their age. That the Lord will guide us in parenting them during their season of choosing someone to marry.

Moreover, I am deeply praying that they remain pure until the day they get married. That they will not give in to the ways of the world, as they pursue lasting relationships. 

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” Psalm 119:9

I have faith that God will guide my children as they build their own families. I will hold on to my prayers that my girls will shun a dashing Prince Charming for someone who adores and follows the Prince of Peace. That my son will end up with someone who fears God, will submit to him, and possesses the characteristics of a Proverbs 31 woman. That my children themselves will be godly spouses and find strong friendship, peace and long lasting love in a God-centered marriage.

So are these prayers plain wishful thinking? Not if you have faith in a Mighty God and a Heavenly Father who only wants the best for you and your children.

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on  Proverbs 31:10-31 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question:  Have you thought of praying for the future spouse of your child?

Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, I pray that you guide me in raising my children to become more like you. Give me the physical and emotional strength to help them develop a good character that will help them become godly persons who will live their lives for you. Amen.

The post Daily devotional: Never too early appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Daily devotional, Dec 20, 2023 The Living Room

"So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." 
Ephesians 3:17-20

If there is any room that is all decked up during Christmas, it is the living room. Holiday decors and Christmas colors dominate the whole home, and take center-stage at the area where we rest, converge with the family, and entertain guests.

One of the main facets of the Christmas story is when Virgin Mary and St. Joseph were trying to find a room to stay and give birth to Baby Jesus. We all know what happened next, but unfortunately, until now, many of us have yet to imbibe and live out the lessons of this story. The truth is, Jesus has yet to find room in our respective hearts.

"He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own peopledid not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God," 
John 1:10-12

How many times has Jesus knocked on our hearts to remind us to worship Him and only Him? To the contrary, we not only forego prayer time and bible study, we sometimes even prioritize leisure over church time during Sundays.

How many times should we hear Mama Mary’s the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) before we decide to magnify the Lord and not our problems? To allow His will to be done in our lives instead of living our life on our own volition?

How many times do we have to hear the story about St. Joseph’s obedience to the will of God before we totally decide to uphold the Lord’s command to love one another?

Likewise, how many times have we closed our doors on others who needed our help? When we refused to give our time, talent and treasure because we are too selfish and too busy pursuing worldly goals?

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’" 
(Matthew 25:44-45)

If the Holy Family will come knocking on your door, what room will you offer in your home? Will you send them away just like the inn keepers? Will you offer them your guest room — a temporary space in your life? Or will you allow them to stay in your living room and permanently live in their presence all your life?

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20

This Christmas season, let us not just deck our living areas and rooms with signs of merriment and cheer. We too should embellish our hearts with the same grace and mercy our Creator has extended to us. By doing this we can give ourselves and each other the room to make mistakes and room for growth. When we accept that all of us can never be perfect, we can start improving our character and encourage each other to grow in Christ-likeness.

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on  Ephesians 3:14-21 and Revelation 3:14-22 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: Do you have room for Jesus in your heart?

Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for seeking me out. For knocking on my door, and for loving me in spite of my failures and mistakes. Teach me to open my heart not just to you, but to others whom you command me to love. I want to follow your will my Lord, so that I can live under your reign all the days of my life. Amen.

The post Daily devotional: The living room appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Daily devotional, Dec 19, 2023 See you later

"Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him." 
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

The merriest season of the year can be the toughest for a person who just lost a loved one. In a season of partying, and just chilling out at home with family, the absence of a loved one at Christmas can be heart-wrenching.

But even the bereaved can still manage to be hopeful. As Christians, our faith is founded on a Savior that has conquered death, and has given us eternal life. In His conversation with His friend Martha, Jesus as quoted in the Gospel of John assured her:

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?'" 
John 11:25-26

When we put our hope in Jesus, we can be sure that we will get to see again our departed loved ones who are also in Christ. In one of his letters to the Thessalonian church, the Apostle Paul explained the end days and how we will get to be reunited with those who have passed on:

"After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words." 
1 Thessalonians 4:17-18

Let us rest our hearts in the thought that the Lord is our Greatest Comforter. Our loved ones who may have experienced pain due to lingering illness, or accidents from injuries are now pain-free, and stress-free with the Lord, and are rejoicing with Him. 

"‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 
Revelation 21:4

If the above passage from the Book of Revelation still fails to comfort you, then read the below verses from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah:

"The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death." 
Isaiah 57:1-2

If there is one thing that we can still do while we are still here on earth, it is to spread the good news of salvation. By helping others, especially our loved ones, accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, we can be sure that we will get to see them on our own respective time in eternity. So how can we do this? Here are some practical ways that we can carry this out this Christmas vacation:

1. Invite a family member or friend to attend church (misa de gallo, simbang gabi, or any mass) or worship service either this Christmas or during this Christmas Break. Treat them with a simple Christmas dine out or coffee date after.
2. Invite a family member or friend to join your bible study or prayer group.
3. Share the good news to at least one relative or friend during a pocket conversation in one of the Christmas get-togethers that you attend.
4. Do not be shy to initiate or lead the prayer before meals during your Christmas get-together, and mention the real reason for the season during the prayer.
5. Ask your relatives and friends how you can pray for them this Christmas, and take it as an opening for those who may want to listen to you to share the good news.

If you are wondering what is the best gift to give this season, it is the gift of Jesus, the real and one true meaning of Christmas. Let His name be known, let His story be told, so that everyone can experience the true meaning of love, peace, and joy.

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on 1 Corinthians 14:42-45 and John 5:24-30 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: Are you still mourning the loss of a loved one? How does Jesus change your perspective about death and life?

Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for conquering death and giving us the promise of eternal life. We look forward to being with you and our loved ones who have passed on, and share happiness with you throughout eternity. Amen.

The post Daily devotional: See you later appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Daily devotional, December 16, 2023 Flavor of the Month

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

Back when I was little, we looked forward to the new flavor of the month of a popular ice cream brand. Christmas time meant fruit salad-like flavors, or super indulgent chocolate ice cream.

But there is another “flavor of the month” that is popular in Christmas get-togethers. Infamous as it seems, but there is usually one table in a Christmas party that talks about hush-hush stuff pertaining to the “flavor of the month” of the family, the office, or the community. Yes, the sad thing about get togethers is that sometimes, rumor mongers get together too and endlessly chatter about someone who is not there to defend him or herself.

St. James, the brother of Jesus warns us about the perils of an unbridled tongue. In his letter to the Jewish Christians, he cautioned even those who project themselves as religious people to stop mindlessly talking, especially when it hurts others:

"If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless." 
James 1:26

Rumor mongering is considered as a violation of the Ten Commandments. It is in essence bearing false witness against one’s neighbor:

"Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it." 
James 4:11

Some gossip lovers defend their hobby of slandering people by saying that what they are talking about is just the truth, or that they are just concerned about the other person. But are they really?

"In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything." 
1 Timothy 3:11

But gossiping is not just the only peril of an unbridled mouth, especially during the Christmas Season. Here are some examples:

1. TACTLESSNESS. In social media for instance, you will find people complaining about tactless questions and remarks of possibly well-meaning relatives during family reunions. Simple questions like “when will you have a boyfriend?” to a broken-hearted person, or “when will you get married?” to a person who has long been waiting for her boyfriend to propose, and “when will you have kids?” to a barren couple who kept their reproductive challenges a secret, are just so insensitive.

Another tactless behavior often observed in Christmas get togethers are needless remarks about ageing, weight, school standing of obviously unruly and academically challenged children, marriage status of a couple rumored to be on the rocks, the outfit or haircut of a person who obviously tried their best to look good for the party, and even the taste of the food or the party decor.

If you worry about what to say to someone to start a conversation, why not just compliment the person? Or say something wonderful about the party or the food instead?

2. SAYING THE TRUTH IN ANGER. The Christmas rush could put people on the edge , especially us moms who are the busiest during this season. When stressed, we all know that our patience drops, and some of us could easily snap at our husbands, kids, and other family members. Even if what we tell them is true, we should never say the truth in anger.

"But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,these things ought not to be so." James 3:8-10

3. TELLING LIES. Another sin that an unbridled mouth commits especially during Christmas get-togethers is telling lies. We lie about how we really are and we try to flatter other people even if what we say is far from the truth. We say things we do not mean, and we are plainly insincere. Let us remember that Christmas is the season to be kind. Being genuinely sincere is a kind gift we can give even to someone we do not really feel comfortable with. 

4. BRAGGING. If there is a mainstay table for rumor mongers, there is also another table in a Christmas party that is just filled with braggarts. Yes, they do not talk about other people, but they endlessly talk about themselves. They boast about their material possessions, latest travels, recent achievements, among other things. If we are to brag about something this season, maybe it is not the material blessing that we received in 2023. We should instead testify about how the Lord has touched our lives, and I do not mean the verbal version of humblebrag soc med posts that have the hashtag blessed in the end.

As we get together with family and friends this Christmas, let us not forget to do what the Birthday Celebrator has called us to do — Love Him with all hearts, and love each other. We can do these by praising and talking about God in our holiday conversations, and by bridling our tongues.

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on James 3:3-10 and Proverbs 26:20-22 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: How are the holiday conversations in the Christmas parties you have attended so far?

Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, please help me guard my lips during Christmas get togethers and moving forward so that I only talk about wholesome things that encourage others, and bring praise to you. Amen.

The post Daily devotional: Flavor of the month appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Daily devotional, Dec 15, 2023 Picture Picture

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you,because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

Christmas is the season of more picture taking than ever. If this generation is accustomed to taking at least 10 photos a day, the Yuletide season meant taking multiples of that with groups upon groups of family and friends. And while “looking away” poses remain glam; fun, celebratory photographs look best when everyone looks at the cam.

In the bible, there was one instance when Moses made something that the Israelites needed to look at — a Bronze Serpent God has commanded him to make. Looking at the Bronze Serpent was the way to heal people from the poisonous snake bite that took the lives of many grumbling Israelites.

"The people came to Moses and said, 'We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.' So Moses prayed for the people.The Lord said to Moses, 'Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.'" 
(Numbers 21:7-8)

As simple as it is, but anyone who focused their gaze on the serpent — no matter how badly they were suffering — survived the venomous bite of the fiery snakes. Biblical scholars correlate this story to us present day people, who just need to look up to Jesus and be saved.

"Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other." 
Isaiah 45:22

No amount of failure and mistake could exempt us from the loving mercy of our Lord. No matter what our transgressions may be, Jesus Christ purchased eternal life for us, and we only need to focus our gaze on Him. St. Paul’s letter to the Romans 8:38-39 aptly captures this truth:

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

So how do we focus our gaze on Jesus? Simple, we remove our focus on ourselves and look up to Him and what He has done for us. As most psychiatrists say the most miserable people, are those who kept thinking about themselves.

Think of Jesus Christ, how much He loves you and how much He has done for you in the past and you will realize that your self centeredness is the real root cause of your depression. Reduce the “I”, the “my”, the “me” and the “mine” and other possessive pronouns in your vocabulary and talk about Jesus instead.

Another way to focus one’s gaze on Jesus is to remove our obsessive attention towards our problems and challenges. Let us refrain from constantly harping about all the difficulties we are facing, and forgetting that we have a God who takes care of everything. Yes we may experience tragedies and life-changing personal crises, but let us remember that these are occurrences that the Lord has allowed to happen in our lives. Everyone experiences a major problem at least once in their lives.

Let us not forget that our God is mighty, He can do anything He pleases. And so, when He allows the testing of our faith through problems, we should try our best to endure and focus on Him instead. Let us take a cue from the Apostle Paul who firmly held on to his faith, acknowledging that he goes on only by the strength of our Lord and Savior:

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 
2 Corinthians 12:9-11

This season, let us try to wean ourselves from our endless focus on our cameras (especially on the selfie cam!). We should instead fix our gaze on the real reason for the season. Moving forward, we should prompt ourselves to continue looking up to Jesus so that we can stay spiritually strong, and have the courage to quickly stand up whenever we fail.

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Numbers 21:4-10 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: Are your eyes focused on Jesus or your personal circumstances?

Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me to focus my eyes on you and you alone. There are times that I get distracted with my worries and issues, but keeping my eyes on you reminds me that you have me, you have covered my sins, and that you are bigger than any of my problems. I love you Lord, Amen.

The post Daily devotional: Picture picture appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Daily devotional, Dec 6, 2023 Homecoming

"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

The yuletide season will always be a joyous time of homecoming. OFWs usually spend their Christmas vacation as balikbayans, and those working or studying in far cities within the country celebrate the holidays by returning to their hometown. Their families eagerly wait in anticipation to celebrate with them, and vice versa.

Like the loved ones who are excited for the impending homecoming of their family member, the Lord expectantly waits for us to return to Him. Weary as we are from life’s challenges, consequences of our sinning, or plainly living a life away from the Lord’s wings, He is still continuously calling us to return to Him:

"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!" 
Isaiah 30:18   

Much like the story of the prodigal son, our Heavenly Father is willing to forget about every wrong thing we have done. He promises to hear out our side of the story, and our promise of repentance:

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." 
Luke 15:20

The same message is echoed in Isaiah chapter 30, where the Lord said that repentance is key in living in God’s presence:

"This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.'" Isaiah 30:15

The chapter spoke of the Israelites back when they relied on their own strength, and have blatantly ignored God as they went about their lives. Fast forward to the present time, these verses still ring true for us as we leaned on idols of self-sufficiency and forget that we have a sovereign God who longs to guide us and shower us with His grace:

"'Woe to the obstinate children,' declares the Lord, 'to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin;who go down to Egypt without consulting me; who look for help to Pharaoh’s protection, to Egypt’s shade for refuge. But Pharaoh’s protection will be to your shame, Egypt’s shade will bring you disgrace." Isaiah 30:1-3

Once we come to our senses and make our homecoming to God’s heart, the Lord promises to receive us with grace and mercy. That He will never leave us, and will even carry us through life challenges, and direct our paths:

"You will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'” Isaiah 30:19-21

If you are living away from the Lord, make that homecoming by nurturing a relationship with the him. Pray earnestly, confess your sins, repent and learn more about Him by studying the bible and worshipping Him. Delay no more. He is waiting for you with open arms.

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Isaiah 30:19-26 and Luke 15:11-32 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: Do you need to come home to the Lord? What is preventing you from doing so?

Conversation with the Lord:  Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for inviting me still to come to you in spite of my sins and failures. Give me the confidence to totally surrender everything to you in repentance, so that you could fully restore me in your love and peace. Amen.  

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