Hephzibah

For the Greatest Lover of My Soul

YOU are the greatest lover of my soul.
There is none like you...

I have loved you with an everlasting love. - Jeremiah 31:3

You have never failed to make me smile...

and You never run out of ways to surprise me...
It is either with a sunset, a song or a love letter that you affirm me.


No one else comes close to you... 
You have given me pure joy that I could not fathom.
My unworthiness and unfaithfulness to you did not stop you from loving me and pursuing me.
You always want the best for me and you never give me up despite me giving up on myself...


Why do you love me so much? 
I could not find any reason except that you love me unconditionally and selflessly...

The thought of your great love brings me to tears... 
I don't deserve it but your grace has chosen me to receive it...

This morning is one of those sweet days when you have called me a sweet endearment.
This name which expresses the tenderness of your  love for me.

"Hephzibah"
"my delight is in her."

The love that you have for me, gives you delight? 
You always make me blush like no one else could do...

You have a tender and wonderful love for me.
You called me
"Hephzibah, your delight is in me."

You have said that you would take away my rightful name which is "Forsaken,"
and would call me by a new name, a name which you would choose.
You chose "Hephzibah" (Isaiah 62:4)
I will no more be called Forsaken;
neither shall my land any more be termed Desolate:
but I shall be called Hephzibah.

Out of your abundant love, you delight in me.

You are my hero!
"you took pleasure in me and beautify me with the gift of your salvation.."
Psalm 149:4

You're the greatest lover!
I am precious in your sight... and you have loved me...
Isaiah 43:4

You're the most generous suitor I've ever had!
You have always wanted to bless me.

Youre the sweetest ever!
You always make sure that I know that i am your delight... And that I  enjoy your love and grace and faithfulness.

You are always open to me.
You blessed me with the experience  of loving other people to the point that it causes a delight in my heart, an inexplicable joy?

The truth that you take pleasure in me - that you not only love me,  but  delight in me... 
and is speeding the days when I shall be with you in fullness of joy, in the fullness of Your joy. 
That is the blessing!

You blessed me everyday.
You have blessed me more than I  realize.
You are blessing me more than I  even know.

I love you coz you alone deserve it
You loved me even if I don't deserve it

I am fully persuaded from your Word that I  will find joy and blessing in my life.

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Moral Lessons of The Avengers Movie 2012

The Avengers Movie 2012 in Imax 3D

To be honest, I do not watch movies a lot, since i prefer reading books than watching TV or movies. Although, at times, I enjoy the excitement and thrill that suspense and action movies give. I also enjoy watching superhero/fantasy type movies due to its kindness triumphing over evil and moral messages. They are not inspirational movies, but I love that they encourage both kids and adults in their own way.

The Avengers

Here are some of the moral lessons that I have learned from the International Box office Movie The Avengers 2012.

1. Be humble.
Be completely humble and gentle. Be patient, bearing with one another in love. 
"If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." - Mark 9:35

Ironman

In the movie, Iron man, was serving for the wrong reasons. And it was because he wants to be glorious. But aiming for the glory never got him anything that he wanted. The other avengers just saw Sparks for who he really is. Which is a self-centered glory-seeking wanna-be -hero.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4

Of all sins, pride is the most subtle and most destructive. Pride is the root of most sins. It is the cause of the fall of Satan and the human race. It is the exaltation of self. It is thinking too highly of self. It gives an undue sense of own superiority and independence. Pride causes most conflicts when it causes a person to seek personal recognition and glory, even at the expense of others. 

For even Jesus came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. - Mark 10:45

2. Truth will always prevail.
People will see who we really are, No matter what front we put up.

If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. (1 Corinthians 3:12-13)

There are no secrets that wouldn't be exposed, and no ulterior motive that wouldn't be unknown. So let's always check our hearts and thoughts and guard it for it is the river of life... And out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.


At the end of the story, Ironman's motives were corrected. It was out of his unselfish love for Piper that made him give up himself sacrificially for the safety of the universe without thinking twice. At this moment where he chose to die to one's self was the moment that he was exalted and recognized as a hero. The reason why Ironman changed brought us to the next moral lesson:

3. Love conquers all!

Love never fails. - 1 Corinthians 13:8

The love of Iron man for Piper made him unselfish. Love is very powerful. The Love that i am talking about here is not the typical worldly love where there is malice.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. It's genuine love... Love that believes the best in other people. - 1 Corinthians 13:7

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. - 1 Peter 4:8

Love is the same reason that changed the Soviet-spy Antagonist Black Widow Natalia "Natasha" Alianovna Romanova, into being a protagonist. In this movie, Natasha Romanoff mentioned that Hawk eye disobeyed orders that commanded him to kill Black Widow. This had transformed Natalia "Natasha" Alianovna Romanova.


4. Forgive.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. - Ephesians 4:32

Black widow changed because of the compassion that is shown to her by Hawkeye. Hawkeye was ordered to kill her, but his not going with the orders added a new team member in the avengers.

As Christians, we should always be slow to judge other people and see how we were once sinners and it was out of God's grace and mercy that we are saved.

"But he who has been forgiven little loves little. - Luke 7:47"

I believe that there's one person that God used to save another Christian. A Christian who is so in love with God oerflowing with His love joy and peace who was compelled to share this great news of salvation. It is my prayer that we always choose to be this Christian to another person, that we will always be a blessing who will lead other people to Jesus and not the other way around.

It is also by this personal experience of salvation, that Black Widow had a strong faith that Hawkeye could be back to His senses. It is deep conviction, that made her not give up on Hawk eye.

5. Be strong in conviction.

One of my favorite scenes in The Avengers  is the exchange of quotable quotes between Agent Phil Coulson and Loki. Here are some of the lines:

Agent Phil Coulson: You're gonna lose.Loki: Am I?Agent Phil Coulson: It's in your nature.

Agent Phil Coulson told Loki that he will lose. As Christians. we can confidently say the same thing to the enemy. We've got the victory! But do we really know which team we are on?

They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.20You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. - Ephesians 4:18-24

I pray that we have a strong conviction in faith that no words or lies can make us believe otherwise. We have to be purposeful and intentional on knowing Jesus. Because knowing Him personally, would make us fall in love with Him deeper and trust in Him more.

6. Know your enemy.

We should understand our enemy, so we know what weapon we could use against it.

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Either you belong to the champion’s team or you belong to the loser team. To win our battle we need to know which side we belong to, we need to understand how our enemy operates, and know what type of weapon to use.

Avengers

In the movie, we also see how Loki can easily manipulate the avengers. He usually feed lies to them when they are left alone with Loki.It is in division, that the enemy gains power. We also see how Loki made them turn against one another, just like the enemy, who will use our friends, to control us.

In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:26-27

7. Speak the Truth in Love.

There will be times that we would need to speak the truth in love to a fellow Christian. Just like Captain America who rebuked Iron Man.

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. - Ephesians 4:15

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. - Ephesians 4:25 

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

8. Fight the Battle with the Right Armor.

We should put on the Armor of God.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. - Ephesians 6:10-13

A summary of the Moral Lessons in the Assembly Begins (Marvel's The Avengers) movie could be found in Ephesians 4, which talks about the Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ. In this book, Paul urges us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received. 


To make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. So that we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.

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The Lucky One

I just got done with my Zumba Class with Robert Caguimbal, when Czar invited me to watch a movie with her. It was a spur of the moment, but it was blessed indeed. We watched "The Lucky One" in Promenade.

The Lucky One Movie stars Zac Efron who plays as Logan,  a U.S. Marine Sergeant who returns from his third tour of duty in Iraq, with a mission of meeting Beth, a woman from a photograph that he haven't met yet and doesn't even know. He ends up taking a job at her family-run local kennel where their love story started out.

I love this Quote from The Lucky One:

“Everyone has their own destiny, not everyone makes a choice to follow it, I’m lucky I did.” -Logan (The Lucky One)

Merienda Break in Cafe France after watching the movie.

Catching up with Czar and meeting her friends.

A spur of the Moment Movie Date with Czar

Lesson from The Lucky One Movie: Logan told Ben, Beth's son, that Marines will have to watch each other's back if they want to survive. 

 “Like Marines look out for each other in combat, we have to protect our fellow man too"

Date with Czar

I love this Pure Natural Orange Juice from Cafe France.

Capping off our Date with a Dinner in Almon Marina.

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Sin is a Thief

Hi friends!

How was your weekend?

Have you noticed how humid our temperature is? It's extreme, isn't it?

Oh well... Let's just thank God that we are not in hell.

I'm sure hell is billion times worse than what we are experiencing right now.

Anyway, How are you? Have you been struggling with sin lately?

I am sure that every one of us struggles with sin.

If there is someone who does not, wow! Please let me know.

I would love to meet that person, unless, of course, that person is not struggling because that person does not have any conscience.

In Genesis 4:7, God warned Cain that sin is crouching at his door.

Sin is still the same way today; it desires to have us.

It is just hiding at the door of our life waiting to attack us.

Sin is a terribly dangerous thing to play.

I used to take sins lightly before. I praise God that He has the power to overcome evil and turn all things to work out for the good of those who love Him. We have to make a deliberate choice not to play with sin.

Sin is something that has to be uncovered.

When I get into sin, I get ashamed at the things that I've done. That guilt and shame makes me want to cover up my sin because I don't want anyone to know about it.

Sin doesn't go away like that. It has to be uncovered. The Cross should not make us licentious to sin, but rather lead us to shun sin first and foremost. If anything can make us hate sin, it is Christ on the cross. The sin in the life of a Christian is different.

As Christians, we claim to follow Christ. Sin is serious, and we must not try to hide our sin. We can and must confess our sin. We can overcome our sin through the power of Jesus Christ. In Him, we have success.


Sin is a thief that robs joy and takes away more than salvation.
It destroys intimate relationship with God. 
Sin takes away credence.
It removes courage to stand before God.
Sin gives a sense of guilt which ruins a person's view of self. 
Sin condemns; It forces a person to recognize one's shortcomings.
Sin is an indelible stain on a soul.
It takes away purity and innocence.
Sin traps, and enslaves.
Sin has consequences which removes one's comfort and makes life difficult.

Sin is a thief that wants to catch us off guard.

If you have seen the Closed-circuit television (CCTV) video of how my ipad2 was stolen, you would be impressed on the thief's determination.

Nope! He doesn't look like the typical antagonist that we expect him to be. Just like the thief, sin will never show us its ugliness. The devil is deceitful and would present itself as if it's just common.

Sin will trap us when we are off guard.

We should always guard our heart, mind and thoughts and make sure that no one, gets our most precious treasure which is our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Sin is Sin's Punishment itself.

"Your wickedness will punish you; your backsliding will rebuke you. Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the LORD your God and have no awe of me," declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty." - Jeremiah 2:19.

Imagine the heat that we are experiencing now and multiply it a billion times and make it for a lifetime. Scary!

Think of the sins that you constantly struggle with and surrender them to God. Do you believe God can forgive you?

Have a blessed day!

Any praise items or prayer requests? :)

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CCF GoSat

First time to meet the CCF GoSat Family.

Dinner in Yaku after the Vesper Worship Service with CCF GoSat People

Fellowship in Podium with the CCF GoSat People

Dessert at Cafe Breton with CCF GoSat People

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Are you a Christian?

Last Saturday, we were asked in our Dgroup if we would lie if someone asked us if we are a friend of Jesus during the crucifixion.

Or if we would lie if someone asked us "Are you a Christian?" while we are in Libya.

I was thinking about it when I was reminded that this wasn't just asked in the old times or in countries where Christians were persecuted.

Some of us might have encountered this same question from our home, workplace, relatives, friends or even from people we meet in the church.

There could be a time that you have experienced this condemnation, that you just wanted to say that you are not a Christian just so you could stop them from pressuring, stressing and discouraging you with their condescending words.

I had my share of those judgemental questions, and at many times in my life, I almost just wanted to answer back that I am not, just to make them stop.

I thank God that He convinces us of sin with a positive hope of change.

At times, I try to look at myself and begin to believe the lies of the enemy. The lie that I could never change and I'm hopeless. During these times, I lose focus on Christ's amazing grace and awesome power.

But reading the word of God reminded me that there is no condemnation to those who are in Jesus' which means that our sins are forgiven — past, present and future.

When we feel tired of trying to be good trying to give glory to God, we should remember that there is nothing else that we could do to add to God's glory, but He shares with us His glory when we accept Him in our life.

It is really impossible to live a Christian life, but we could do all things through Christ who strengthens us. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it.

Another question that we were asked in our Dgroup was, "Would you tell the truth if it would cause you your life?".

For me, if I know that the truth is worth dying for, i would. Truth worth dying for could give me life, give me back my life, and give me eternal life.

Knowing that God could easily give back to us anything that He asks us to give up, He calls us to make a decision to change by relying on His power. He asks us to walk away from evil, not by trying, but by trusting.

What is keeping you from trusting Him?

"I have chosen you and not rejected you" Isaiah 41:9

Christianity is not a work that we do,but our relationship and intimacy with Jesus, which produces the qualities and the surrounding influence by it. We must maintain our relationship with Him, allowing nothing to ruin it.

Our friendship with God starts when we realize our poverty and accept that everything is a grace from God.

As Christians, we are not here for our own purpose but of God's.

Trisha Sebastian 

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To all My Friends

If you don't find me spending much time with you as we did before...
That means you're doing fine compared to someone else...

I would most probably pass up spending some of your good times with you
than miss out sitting beside you on your bad times...

Because at the end, it's not how many photos of you and me were tagged together,
birthdays and gifts we gave each other,
trips and tours we've traveled together that matters...

But the number of troubles that we both overcame and how tough our friendship is after that.

It's not how much bible verses and quotable quotes you've shared to me that matters...
but the compassion, acceptance and love you'd shown me when I was struggling...

It's not how much memories we have shared but how good you made me feel each time we share those memories...

To be continued... Speaking from my heart #emomomentswithsha

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From Glory to Glory

From Glory to Glory

An Article for the Ladies for God

My dearest beautiful friend,

I want you to know that when God deals with us in an area of our life, I can assure you that we will always come out on the other side of it joyful, as long as we trust Him and let Him help us. For God's plans for us is to prosper us and not to harm us. He wants to give us hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

So, don’t give up until His work is complete. And consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because the testing of our faith produces perseverance. In turn, our ability to bear difficulties calmly and without complaint, despite difficulties, failure, or opposition will make us mature and complete. (James 1:2)

If any of us lacks wisdom, we simply need to ask God, who gives generously to all, and it will be given to us. But when we ask, we must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (James 1:6)

Although I might as well warn you. Our father in Heaven will always be dealing with us about something. God chastises those whom He loves. It is part of His plans to grow us up.

But take heart, because as God’s chosen ones, we have the power to endure whatever comes. (Romans 8:28)

It has been a bittersweet walk that I am having now with my daddy in heaven. If there is one thing that I have learned in my walk with Him, it is that my awesome daddy believes the best in me and that could mean that my dreams of success could be different from God’s purpose for me.  But whatever it could be, it is for me to depend on Him and on His power in every area of my life.

When I accepted Jesus as my personal savior, it was not like a fairy tale where I lived  happily ever after. And even after my “and they lived happily ever after” moment/s, God has shown me that there are still things that I could improve on, and characters that I could develop.

With these, I have come to the realization, that I will never run out of trials and testings to face, until I see Him face to face. But in all these, I have learned that I could rest upon His word, that He will always cause all things to work for the good of those who love Him who are called according to His purpose.

Over the years, God had been dealing with me with different things.  He showed me where i needed to grow. Upon looking back from the person that I used to be, I realized that there is so much wrong in me when I first came to Him. TOO MUCH! That if He revealed it all to me at one time, I could just drop out and literally play dead! This awareness compels me to to be grateful to God and praise Him, that He is a very loving, understanding and merciful father, that He uncovers things that I needed to change one at a time, and covers my shortcomings by His grace.

I praise God for allowing me to experience all these trials in my life, because it is also in these trying times, that I have learned what it means to be fully surrendered to Him, for I know that with my own faith, I would not be able to fully give up everything, and not know the joy of being fully surrendered to Him. That I am so grateful he has allowed me to know that He is true and real.

Practice makes Perfect.

It is with tasting these sufferings, that I learn to trust Him for who He is and that I have learned that I can always rely on His faithfulness, that God and His Word is both faithful and true. Through it all, He never left me nor ever forced me. He gave me freedom and patiently wait for me.

I thank Him that even if He is God who deserves to be obeyed and honored, He lets me understand things and know Him. That even if He could do anything He pleases to do, He pursued me and did not give up on me. He could have cared less, but he chose to call me. With this amazing love, I know that he loves me and I can always trust His holiness. I believe that He has great plans for me. 

Each testings that I overcome makes it easier for me to let go the next time. It is in experiencing Him personally that I know by experience His trustworthiness, that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. His grace gives me the power to do the right things. I praise God for his tough love for me to remove everything in my life.

For it is with not having anything, that I have learned that I could survive without everything but would not live without Him in my life. It is with my own eyes that I have seen that nothing is worth more than my relationship with Jesus.

My joy is based in my intimacy with Christ. That even if there are times that I had to give up something really pleasurable, it is the truth of his faithfulness, holiness, and trustworthiness which makes it easy for me to obey Him. 

I am in awe of how He had turned all the bad things in my life into glories. He sent me the right people, at the right time to help me learn the lessons I needed to learn, to help me reestablish my fellowship with Him and enjoy His divine plans for me. He took each one of my bad habits and attitudes and turned it into another story of His goodness and power.

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

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In your Anger, Do not Sin

“In your anger, do not sin”

Lately, my patience has been running out fast more than it used to. 
Probably because of overfatigue from work and lack of sleep.


God reminded me that when He created us with the capacity for strong emotions, it is our responsibility to control them instead of allowing them to control us.


Anger and bitterness are two noticeable signs of being focused on self and not trusting God’s sovereignty in our life. Believing that God causes all things to work together for good to those who belong to Him and love Him, we can respond to trials with joy instead of anger or bitterness. 

How to Control Emotions

1. Be focused. Take a deep breath and focus on the peace of God.
Psalm 37:8 “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.”

2.Be understanding.  Listen for the purpose of understanding.
James 1:19 “Everyone should be quick to listen.”

3. Be kind.  Smile! :) It is hard to stay upset when you are smiling. Give a friendly smile of understanding, appreciation, or patience as you listen to the other side of the story.
Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”


4. Be ready. Pray constantly, asking the Holy Spirit to help you cultivate the habits that encourage peace – not anger. Memorize Scripture. The Word of God is a powerful weapon in dealing with and managing our emotions.
1 Peter 5:8 “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”


5.Be still. We need to incorporate frequent and regular “stops” into our schedules; time set aside to simply be still and hear the voice of God.
Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.”


6.  Be quiet. Our first action should be to stop and think instead of rushing to respond in a way that could escalate tensions or provoke an offensive response from others. Listen to the other person before responding.
James 1:19-20 “Everyone should be slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”


7. Be wise. Wisdom is doing the right thing at the right time for the right reason. Proverbs 25:28 “Like a city whose walls are broken down, is a man who lacks self-control.”


8.Be discerning.   Give yourself time to consider why you are upset and what you should do to handle it in a way that pleases God. Psalm 4:4 “In your anger do not sin … search your hearts and be silent.”

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Be still

Cease striving.
Don't exert or scheme to gain control.
God is god and you are not.
Don't depend on Human abilities.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Do cultivate a regular listening to God. Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. - Ephesians 5:15-17

When we read the Bible, we will learn to recognize the way God talks to us, the kinds of things He says, and the merciful love He offers. God is:

• Omniscient – all knowing
• Omnipresent – universal presence at the same time 
• Omnipotent – all powerful 
• Holy, Faithful, and Sovereign Infinite – without measure, forever 

Surrender is not giving up it's giving in.

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