Lady of Conviction

Take care everyone! Praying!

Around 2am last night, I suddenly woke up because of the loud noise I heard outside of my room. Sabi ko sa mama ko "Ma, isara niyo yung mga pinto kasi maaga pasok ko mamaya" pero sabi niya "nakasara yung mga pinto". Then I realized "Shocks hangin ba yun? Bakit ang lakas?". Yung tunog ay malakas na ulan na parang may kasabay na eroplanong dumadaan habang may mga nagbabagsakang gamit.

I started to worry for some minutes. I remember my papa who is not home because he is currently working as a taxi driver. I remember my nanay and ate who's currently living in our old house in QC. I remember my experience in our old house last bagyong Ondoy when our whole house got flooded. We were forced to evacuate and leave all of our assets behind. It was like a choice between our possessions and our own lives. It was an experience that I don't want to experience again. Worry planted fear in my heart.

I asked questions like
"what if something bad happens to my nanay and ate?"
"what if someone I love dies because of this typhoon?"
"what will happen to those people from the low socioeconomic class who cant afford to have a decent house?"
"what will happen tp those people who will lose their home in this time of COVID-19 crisis?"

Then, I remember my motto "Nothing happens outside the sovereign will of God" and I asked myself "why am I worried if God is sovereign?". So I sat down and started to pray. I prayed not just for myself but for everyone who's affected with this typhoon Ulysses.

After praying, I tried to sleep but I failed because of the distracting sound of the wind. I asked God "Lord, please calm the wind. I'm so tired and sleepy. Please comfort me. Please calm the wind. I know you are in control." then I took my phone and tried to listen to some songs. After several songs, the music entitled Perfect Peace played. As I listen to it, it's like God's reminder for me na "Hey, why are you so worried? I am God, remember? I'm the one who created you and this world. I am in control. Don't worry." And I praise God for that comfort.

As I woke up today, I've seen news about floods and deaths from the different part of the country. It breaks my heart to know that the only thing I can do for them is to send their location to emergency respondents and to check upon them. I ask God "Lord, how can I help this people? I want to help." but God told me through a friend "you are already helping. Continue it." I asked "Im helping. How?" then she answered "through praying and believing".

Wherever you are now, I hope and pray that you and you're family is safe. May you continue to remember that even in this time God is still good. I pray for comfort and help for you in this time of trouble. May you continue to remember the power of faith and believing that God can and God will. He can save you. He will save you. He is with you. You are under His shelther and you are safe.

To those who are safe, I'm happy but please join me as I pray to everyone who were affected and in great distress because of this typhoon. Let's pray for protection. Let's pray for humility. Let's pray that people would humble themselves and admit that they cannot do this without God's help. May they meet God in this season. Let's pray for provision --- provision for rescue team, for evacuation center, and everything needed.

In life, we will encounter people who are difficult to love. Minsan nasa pamilya natin, kaibigan, kapatid, kachurchmate , or minsan nga sarili pa natin mismo. Lately, napapatanong ako kay Lord ng "Lord, ano ba need kong gawin kasi hirap na hirap na akong mahalin at intindihin yung tao na 'to?"

God made me realised that I have to be an extension of God's love and grace. I am difficult to love too yet mahal pa rin ako ni Lord and patuloy na binabago. Minsan nate-tempt tayo na I-give up yung pananalangin para sa mga taong ang hirap hirap mahalin pero nakakalimutan natin na mahirap din tayong mahalin at some point. And kaya lang tayo nagpapatuloy ay dahil may nageextend ng God's grace sa atin and patuloy na nagpapasensya.

So today, this is an encouragement for all of us na huwag natin sukuan yung mga taong mahal natin.

When it's harder to love, pray.
When it's harder to understand, pray.
When it's harder to forgive, pray.

Patuloy lang natin sila iluhod at ibabad sa panalangin kasi may nangyayari at may nababago. May ginagawa si Lord sayo at sa taong pinapanalangin mo. Walang nasasayang na panalangin --- lahat yan ay naririnig.

1 Thessalonians 5:17
"Pray without ceasing"

Just wanna share this letter with all my friends who are currently reviewing for the board exam / who will be taking the board exam (especially my disciples). May this letter remind you about the goodness of God. By Faith, you can do it!! You can walk on the water.

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Dear Lord,

I'm scared of taking the board exam. What if I fail? Surely I'll disappoint my family and friends. I'll look stupid, and people will think I'm not intelligent. More than that, I'm scared of disappointing myself because I'm used to excelling with whatever tasks I do. I'm afraid that this failure might break me apart.

I'm not even sure if I can do it. I'm unsure if I can be as disciplined and as consistent enough to pass the exam. I'm not sure if I'm intelligent enough to remember the lessons I would study. I'm uncertain if I am fit to do this.

But you know, Lord, I want that license. I also desire those extra letters in my name because I knew some people with M.D, RPM, RPSY, Engr., and LPT with their names, and they sound so cool.

I know my identity doesn't rely on any earthly professional titles. And I know that whether I pass or fail my exam, You will still be proud of me. You will still carry me until the completion of your divine plans.

Lord, I am scared.
But by Faith, I'll take another step.
I'll take the board exam. I'll study hard for your glory.
You said in the Bible that you would never leave me, so I know you will be with me from the beginning until I pass the exam. You will be present on those nights that I would cry because I can't understand what I'm reading. I know you will be with me in my breakdown moments. I know you will sit beside my chair in the middle of the night and whisper, "you can do it. Your progress is great!". I am convinced that I'm not alone in this battle.

I might fail the exam, but I know you would cry with me, and your comfort would be enough for me to stand again. I might disappoint the world, but I know you would still be proud of me.

But who am I to limit your greatness?
You are a God who can make impossible things possible.
You are a God who can make the weak strong.
You can turn water into wine.
You can make the blind see and the lame walk.
You are a God who can do great things.
My fears and insecurities are too small, and they will never be enough to match your greatness.

I know I'll pass the board exam, and I'll know you'll be with me shouting, clapping, and rejoicing when we see my name on the list of board exam passers.

Nothing is impossible because you are a God who provides wisdom, rest, courage, and blessings.

By Faith, I'll pass the board exam.
By Faith, I'll overcome every challenge I would encounter.
By Faith, I am already victorious.
In Jesus' name, I am an overcomer.

The same God that saved me is the same God that will carry me.

Lord, You will carry me.

"I'm Proving to Improving"

Kaya tayo madalas na nape-pressure sa trabaho at sa studies natin ay dahil palagi natin iniisip na kailangan ay may mapatunayan tayo. Palagi natin iniisip yung sasabihin ng ibang tao sa atin kasi pakiramdam natin yung "worth" natin ay nakabase sa sinasabi at dinidikta nila.

I've been in that experience where "proving" myself is important. It is important for me to make sure na maganda palagi yung outcome ng work ko and palagi akong "magaling" sa lahat ng bagay na ginagawa ko. Walang mali sa paggawa ng best mo pero nagiging masama siya when you are already doing it to please other people. Nagiging masama siya when you see your value dun sa outcome or result ng ginagawa mo. Feeling mo hindi ka matalino kapag mababa grades mo sa school. Feeling mo wala kang kwentang tao at palpak ka kasi hindi maganda performance mo sa work lately. Feeling mo hanggang dyan ka nalang kasi di mo ma-meet expectations ng family, friends, and ng boss mo. Yung mga ganitong pakiramdam ang unti-unting kakain sayo hanggang ma-paralyse ka at malugmok ka sa anxiety.

Kaya naman, ang encouragement ko sayo ngayong araw ay mag focus ka sa improvements mo. Change your perspective of "I'm proving" to "Improving". Celebrate your growth, your success, and your achievements kahit pa gaano kaliit or kahit pa gaano kabagal yan.

Malayo ka pa pero malapit ka na. Konti pa, makakarating ka na. ^_^

Wala kang kailangan patunayan sa mundo, palagi kang tanggap at sapat sa mata ng Diyos.

"Magpakasal ka na"

Last February, I was given an opportunity to witness my college friend's wedding. It was very beautiful and solemn. Everyone was wearing black except for the groom and the bride. Everyone was happy and excited as the bride walks down the aisle. I have two favorite parts at the wedding: The first one was when the pastor officially announced them as husband and wife. The second one was when the mother of the bride gave her speech in front of everyone. She praised God for saving her daughter from heartbreaks and for giving her daughter the courage to wait patiently and to pursue purity during their 7-year relationship.

While she was speaking, I stared at my college classmates who were sitting at the same table. I looked at them one by one and silently prayed for them. I said, "God, I hope you'll give this person a relationship with your blessing and approval" and I also said, "sana invited rin ako sa wedding nila" (because I really love dressing up for weddings haha). After whispering that prayer, I stopped and said "Hala Lord, ako rin ha. Huwag mo ako kalimutan." I knew that God will not forget me but at that moment I had the urge to remind God not to forget His promises and my prayers. Why? Because I got pressured.

During dinner time, our old professor approached us and asked "sinong next" (she was referring kung sinong next na magpapakasal) and we pointed our fingers at each other and laughed. I even laughed but at the back of my mind, I felt very pressured.

My friends are getting married, two of my close friends already got a baby, and most of my other friends, well, they are in a long-term relationship.

And me?
I just got healed from a breakup and here I am again in the waiting season.

Another pressuring moment is whenever I am at home and my parents would ask me when will I get a boyfriend and when will I give them grandkids. I always hear them saying "magpakasal ka na" and "you're not getting younger"

Well, that's true. I am not getting younger.
I am getting wiser.
I am wiser than my younger self. My younger self is impatient. She likes getting attention from men. She doesn't know the importance of praying for a Godly partner and waiting for God's timing. She likes jumping into situations without waiting for God's GO signal.

But now, I am wiser. I know that being impatient will just lead me into danger. Listening to the world will just give me so much pressure until I finally give in and compromise my beliefs. I already learned the importance of waiting, praying, and obeying God's will. And I knew that I should not do anything outside of God's will.

That's why every time I am being pressured and I am tempted to entertain distractions, I always remind myself of the following:

1. Marry not when the world says you should marry. Marry when the author of love gives His GO signal.

2. Maximize your season of waiting and singleness. Maximize it wisely by serving God through your singleness. You have so much time so please do not waste it.

3. God will make everything beautiful in His time so trust in His timing and DO NOT RUSH. Rushing will only lead to regret and heartaches.

4. Cover your future partner in prayers. You don't know yet what he looks like or what his name is. But I highly encourage you to pray for him.

5. Value your purity.

6. GUARD YOUR HEART.

7. Practical tip: Save money for your future because mahal ang magmahal (hehehe)

8. For your "future children" tip: You can choose a partner but your children can't choose their father. So every time you are waiting and praying for a godly partner, you're also giving them an opportunity to have a godly father who will lead them to Jesus.

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I want to take this opportunity to say congratulations to my ate Jireh. I am so blessed to witness your wedding. Thank you so much for inviting me. Your wedding and love story is a reminder that there's a blessing behind our waiting season. I'm so glad you waited for His timing. 🥰

Hi loves! Today is my birthday and I would like to include each and every one of you in my prayers. Comment a blue heart emoji (💙) if you want me to include your name in my prayer list. You can also comment down below or message your specific prayer requests.

This prayer section is open until Friday, 11PM.

Hindi mo na mabilang kung ilang timba na ng luha yung iniyak mo habang paulit ulit na pinapanalangin yung "prayer" na yun sa Panginoon. Hindi mo na rin mabilang kung ilang gabi ka ng puyat kakaluhod para sa mga panalangin na hanggang ngayon ay wala pa ring kasagutan.

Yung promotion na hanggang ngayon wala pa.
Yung relasyon na nasira na hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin naaayos.
Yung healing sa mental health
Yung spiritual revival para sa mga taong hanggang ngayon hindi pa nakakabalik
Yung bahay at lupa na matagal nang inaasam
Yung partner na magiging katuwang
Yung breakthrough at salvation para sa pamilya
Yung pagbabago ng isang taong sobrang hirap pakisamahan

Minsan nakakapagod na maghintay
Minsan pakiramdam mo walang nangyayari sa mga prayers mo
Minsan masakit na
Minsan nakaka-disappoint na

Pero may magandang reminder tonight:

Your prayer is not in vain. The Lord is not blind. He can see your tears. The Lord is not deaf. He can hear your prayers. And He is doing something. He is working. You may not see it now but someday you will see the fruit of your prayers. You will see the fruit of your labor. You will witness the glory and the grace of the Lord.

Ngayon kung pakiramdam mo nakakapagod na at masakit na masakit na, bring your burdens to the Lord. He is the God of all comforts. Iiyak mo lahat yan sa kanya and I am sure that He will comfort you.

Pagkatapos mo magpa-comfort sa Panginoon, ilaban mo ulit.
Ilaban mo ulit 'yang taong yan sa panalangin. Iluhod mo ulit yung pamilya mo sa panalangin. Ibabad mo ulit sa panalangin 'yang pag-aaral mo at trabaho mo.

Huwag mong sukuan dahil may ginagawa ang Panginoon.

Ang totoong ay hindi tumitigil sa pananalangin. Maganda man ang sitwasyon, masakit man, or kahit pa sobrang sakit na. Patuloy at patuloy na mananalangin 'yan dahil alam Niyang buhay ang Diyos Niya at nakikinig. God is a promise keeper.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 "pray without ceasing"

Mga ka-PUSO...2022 na!
Pero, uulit ka pa rin ba?

Uulit masaktan?
Uulit maisahan?
Uulit magkamali?
Uulit magpagamit?
Uulit magsisi?

It's time to break the cycle!
It's time to get better!
It's time to become WISER!

Let's celebrate the LOVE month na hindi puro kilig, pero nang may tamang outlook at kaaralan patungkol sa pag-ibig.

Join us in another virtual love month celebration on February 25, Friday, entitled, LOVE AND PURITY FEST 2022: WISER!

For only P150, you will experience another set of powerful sessions from powerful speakers on how to become wiser in love and purity.

XRooms on Manhood and Womanhood will also be available on February 22, Tuesday, as an early treat to those who'll participate.

Reserve your slots for only P100.
Register at puso.ph/loveandpurity2022

PUSO Official

Puro iyak at sakit lang yung napala ko nung time na pinangunahan ko yung plano ni Lord at pinagpilitan ko yung gusto ko. Kaya ngayon, hindi ako magmamadali at hindi ako susuway.

When God says no, then it's a NO.
I will WAIT and OBEY.

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Let's celebrate the LOVE month na hindi puro kilig, pero nang may tamang outlook at kaaralan patungkol sa pag-ibig.

Join us in another virtual love month celebration on February 25, Friday, entitled, LOVE AND PURITY FEST 2022: WISER!

For only P150, you will experience another set of powerful sessions from powerful speakers on how to become wiser in love and purity.

XRooms on Manhood and Womanhood will also be available on February 22, Tuesday, as an early treat to those who'll participate.
Reserve your slots for only P100.

Register at puso.ph/loveandpurity2022

PUSO Official

"Hindi na ako magtatago nang lovelife kay mentor"

Suki ako dati ng mga youth camps. Nagkakaroon ng crushes hanggang sa may iba na nagiging ka-textmate (nagsimula sa kunwari GM pero sent to one lang talaga) at may iba naman na naging kapuyatan/ka-MU (kahit wala naman talagang label). Yun din yung mga panahon na tinatanong ako lagi ng mentor ko ng "anong meron sainyo ni...." atsaka "nililigawan ka ba ni... ?" pero ako naman todo deny kasi that time pakiramdam ko isang napakalaking kontrabida ng mentor ko sa lovelife ko.

Ayokong ikwento sa kanya na katext ko everyday yung lalaking na-meet ko sa camp.

Ayokong ikwento sa kanya na ka-call ko yung guy hanggang 4am ng madaling araw.

Ayokong ikwento sa kanya na binigyan ako ng love letter at ng panyo na may pangalan ko.

Ayokong ikwento sa kanya na kaya ako excited umattend ng camp and joined fellowship kasi alam kong makikita ko si guy dun.

Bakit? Kasi alam ko na kung anong sasabihin niya .....
"Ading , hindi mo pa season"
"True love waits"
"Focus muna sa studies"
"Will ba yan ni Lord?"
'Tama ba motives mo sa pagpunta ng fellowship?"
"Hindi ako boto sa kanya kasi di siya christian"

Oh diba, kontrabida sa lovelife.

Pero mali pala ako.

As I grew older, I witnessed the importance of having a godly mentor. He or she is the one who will guide you in your christian journey. Kasama mo sila sa kahit na anong season ng life mo --- waiting man yan, healing, broken, or what.

Hindi pala sila kontrabida sa lovelife natin.

They just want you to enjoy and maximize your season of waiting for the glory of God. They want you to be WISE sa area ng paghihintay. Bakit? Kasi maraming nadadapa sa area na yan at baka isa sila sa mga minsan nagkamali at nagmadali nang dahil sa karupukan at emosyon.

At ayaw nilang magkamali ka rin at magsisi sa huli.

If you want to be , huwag mong itago yung lovelife mo sa mentor mo, magulang, at pastors. I-kwento mo sa kanila kung sinong gusto mo, kung sinong nanliligaw sayo, kung kumusta ang puso mo, at kung anong status mo.

Gaya nga ng laging sinasabi ng mentor ko "Bakit Veniez bibigyan mo na ba ako ng good problem? May pinagprapray ka na ba?"

Hayaan mong problemahin din nila yung lovelife mo. 🤣 Hayaan mong maging parte rin sila ng journey mo. Listen to their godly advices para di ka-iiyak iyak after some months.

At hayaan mong isama ka nila sa panalangin. Let them cover you in prayers. Let them join you in praying for your "THE TWO" or future wife/husband. Let them continously remind you to guard your heart and mag-submit sa will ni Lord.

Kung sinasabi mong walang mali sa relasyon/tao na yan, bakit kailangan itago?

After all, ang love life na may blessing ni Lord ay hindi itinatago. Ang taong ibinigay ng Panginoon ay hindi itinatago. Pinapanalangin yan.

Kaya sabay sabay natin i-goal na maging this year. Dahil ang tunay na matalino ay:
🍃 Hindi lumalayo sa plano at kalooban ng Panginoon.
🍃 Marunong maghintay.
🍃 Marunong mag-honor ng mga mentors na pinagkaloob ng Panginoon.
🍃 Marunong mag-guard ng PUSO

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Ikaw? Anong commitment mo?

Let's make being wiser a new trend by posting your own .

Edit the template here bit.ly/PurityChallenge2022

Lord, thank you sa araw araw na reminder na hindi ako napapag iwanan.

Thank you sa reminder na hindi ko kailangan magmadali.

Thank you sa reminder na hindi ko kailangan makipagsabayan or mapressure sa timing ng mundo.

Thank you sa reminder na You will make all things beautiful in your own time.

May lagi akong tinatanong tuwing buma-byahe kami at yung ay ang "malapit na ba?" at "bakit ang tagal?" kasi mabilis akong masuka kapag nakasakay sa sasakyan.

And most of the time, eto rin yung mga tanong na madalas kong tanungin kapag naghihintay ako ng sagot ni Lord.

"Lord, ang tagal tagal ko ng pinagpre-pray nun ha? Bakit hanggang ngayon wala pa?"
"Lord, wala pa? Bakit ang tagal naman?"
"Lord, malapit na ba?"

Natatanong ko rin "How long, Lord, how long?" kapag nakakaramdam na ako ng pagod sa paghihintay. Minsan may kasama pang luha yung pagtatanong ko sa Panginoon dahil sa bigat ng mga burdens, frustration, anxiety, and fear.

Pero praise God for these reminders:

1. God will make all things beautiful in His time
> He is never late or never early. He is always on time sa pagsagot ng mga Panalangin natin. Makakaasa tayo na kung kalooban Niya, ibibigay Niya yun sa atin dahil hindi Siya madamot.

2. We can trust God
> "NOT YET" man ang sagot Niya ngayon pero makakaasa tayo na He will prepare us and He will take good care of us hanggang sa dumating yung panalangin natin. Our waiting season is not a wasting season. Sa dulo ng bawat "not yet" ng Panginoon ay may magandang biyaya na naghihintay.

3. God can comfort us
> Waiting is never an easy task. But we can rest assure na kaya i-restore ng Panginoon ang strength natin lalo na sa mga panahon na pagod na ang puso natin sa paghihintay. He will give us the strength and courage to continue the journey --- at di lang Niya tayo bibigyan ng lakas, sasamahan pa Niya tayo.

So dear warrior, don't give up. God is doing something. God is working. You may not see it now --- but someday, you will

Last night, I read an FB post that says "malalaman mo lang ang halaga ng bawat patak, kung ikaw na mismo ang nagbubuhat ng sarili mong timba".

This is true.

Most of the time, madali lang sa atin mang-invalidate ng feelings ng ibang tao kasi wala tayo sa katayuan nila.

Madali lang sayo magsabing "mag-move on ka nalang" kasi hindi ikaw yung iniwanan at nasaktan.

Madali lang sayo magsabing "hindi ka kasi nag iipon eh" kasi hindi ikaw yung nakakareceive ng minimum wage na sahod at nagbabayad ng lahat ng bills.

Madali lang sayo magsabing "hanggang dyan ka nalang kasi di ka nakapagtapos" kasi hindi ikaw yung napagkaitan ng opportunity makapag aral.

Naalala ko yung mga panahon na naiiwanan kong nakabukas yung ilaw ko sa kwarto. Madali lang sa akin gawin yun noon kasi hindi naman ako yung nagbabayad ng bills. Pero ngayon na nagtatrabaho na ako at nagbabayad ng bills, halos naiinis ako kapag naiiwanang nakabukas yung gripo or yung ilaw. I started appreciating the efforts of my parents kasi kahit papaano naiintindihan ko na kung gaano kabigat yung kailangan nilang buhatin para sa aming magkakapatid.

Dati, may mga panahon na nakakalimutan kong isama sa prayers yung mga friends ko na nanghihingi ng panalangin. Pero nung nagkaroon yung lolo ko ng cancer, naintindihan ko kung gaano kabigat ang malagay ka sa isang sitwasyon na wala ka ng ibang magawa kundi ang manalangin. Because of that, I started praying for other people.

This is a good reminder for all of us to be more compassionate and understanding, especially this season. Lahat tayo ay may iba't ibang bagahe na dala dala.

Yung magaan sayo ay mabigat para sa ibang tao. Yung mabigat sayo ay magaan para sa iba.

Yung mahirap para sayo ay madali para sa iba. Yung madali para sayo ay mahirap para sa iba.

Kaya sino tayo para mang invalidate ng nararamdaman ng ibang tao?

When I was 13 years old, someone told me that "being intelligent" was necessary, so I pushed myself to be at the top of our class. When I was 14 years old, someone told me that having short hair was ugly, so I grew it longer even though it was uncomfortable.

When I was in high school, I wanted to be a teacher, but someone told me that it wasn't gonna help me pay the bills. I wanted to be a doctor, but someone told me that it was too expensive and I should get a course that would help me support my family instead.

When I was in college, I had my first hosting opportunity, yet someone discouraged me and told me that I wasn't skillful enough. I told someone about my dream of writing a book, yet he said that was too ambitious. I told someone about my desire to have my own house, but she laughed at me and said it was too impossible.

When I was thin, someone told me, "you should get some weight because you look like a drug addict." But when I gained some weight, the same person told me, "you look haggard because of your weight."

My question is, why is it that no matter what I do, I feel like I'm always disappointing people around me? I feel like no matter what I do or what I become --- I will always never be enough.

Until finally, I learned that it's okay to disappoint people. It's okay that we don't meet the standards or the expectations of our parents or friends. It's okay if we don't always fit in. It's okay if we look like we're not enough for them. It's okay if we're not intelligent or beautiful or talented enough in their eyes.

At the end of the day, the only voice that matters is the voice of God. What does He say about you? What does He say to you? When you look at the mirror, what image do you see? He says that you are beautiful. He says that you are redeemed. He says that you are forgiven. He says that you are important.

In the eyes of the world, you will never be enough. And no matter how much you try, you will end up feeling empty and unvalued.

I don't care if I disappoint people around me. I wasn't born to please them. And if disappointing the world will bring me one step closer to where God wants me to be, then I would love to do it again and again and again. I would rather disappoint the world than make my God disappointed.

It's okay to disappoint the people around you.

Faith-ing!!! ❤🥺

Short testimony:

Ang prayer ko bago magka- work ay "Lord, please give me a job that will bring glory to Your name".

Pero nung nagka work na ako dumating ako sa point na dahil sa super busy schedule and sa dami ng deadline, nakakalimutan ko ng mag devotion and pinipili ko ng magwork ng Sunday. Dumating din ako sa point na puro reklamo nalang ako and panunumbat sa mga ginagawa ko.

As a young professional, ang dami kong gustong gawin, puntahan, at ma-achieve. Sometimes, sa sobrang dami parang nalo-lost sight na ako sa kung ano ba talaga yung importante. At dahil dun, na-burn out ako at nawalan ng motivation to work.

One night, God spoke to me through a bible verse "In everything you do, do it all for the glory of God". Parang ginamit ni Lord yung bible verse na yun to ask me questions like:

"Veniez, if hindi para sa akin yung ginagawa mo, bakit mo pa yan ginagawa?"

"Veniez, nakalimutan mo na ba kung bakit kita nilagay dyan?"

"Veniez, natatandaan mo pa ba kung anong purpose mo?"

I realized na kaya ako nagwowork is para ma-glorify ko si Lord pero bakit nung nagka-work ako eh parang nakalimutan ko na Siya? So I decided to pray and apologize sa Panginoon. I told Him na it is my heart's desire to honor Him but I lost sight of what is more important.

After a month, God restored and promoted me (yes, promoted!!).

That experience humbled me down and it made me realize na kung HINDI MO PARA SA DIYOS GINAGAWA YUNG GINAGAWA MO NGAYON, BAKIT MO PA GINAGAWA YAN?

Palagi natin tatandaan na LAHAT ng bagay dito sa mundo ay vanity or walang saysay. Kaya kung gagawin natin ang isang bagay nang para lang sa sarili natin, tayo lang din ang masasaktan. Magkakaroon at magkakaroon pa rin ng feeling of emptiness and discontentment sa puso mo.

Do everything for the glory of God and Siya na ang bahalang magtaas sayo. 🙏

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17

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Thank you for this wonderful reminder from and

"Uy diba siya yung dating youth leader na on fire? Akalain mo yun bakit siya nabuntis agad?"

"Hay nako pa-choir choir pa yan. Siya naman pala rin yung magbabackslide."

"Kilala mo si ano? Yung dating nagtuturo sa atin sa sunday school? Naku nagbackslide na."

Yan yung mga madalas na usapan ng mga tao kapag may isang kristiyanong nagkamali at nadapa. Talaga nga namang updated na updated sa mga usapan at kwento.

Naalala ko yung mga panahong kasama ko yung bestfriend ko sa church. Minsan kapag kaming dalawa lang pinagtsitsimisan namin yung ibang mga members ng church na nagbackslide na. Feeling namin ang "holy holy" namin dahil kami nasa church at nagse-serve habang yung iba naming mga 'ate' nadapa na at di na nakabalik sa church at ministry. At madalas eto yung sakit nating mga kristiyano, isa tayo sa mga magaling mang judge. Isa tayo sa mabilis manghusga sa mga kapatiran na nadapa and nagkamali. Isa tayo sa mabilis kumuha ng bato para mambato sa mga nagkasala.

Nung bata ako, naalala ko during sunday school, tinuturo ng teacher namin yung tungkol sa prodigal son. Ang nasa isip ko nun "unfair naman" kasi imagine pinagdiwang pa nila yung pagbabalik ng anak na umalis. Ang nasa isip ko nun "hindi niya deserve at dapat di nalang siya tinanggap ulit ng tatay". (Luke 15:11-32)
Ang nasa isip ko 'choice' naman niya yun and he has to face the consequence of his actions and decisions. There was this one time rin na nasabi ko sa sarili ko "Bakit ganun? Iiwan ni Lord yung 99 sheep para lang sa isang nawawala? Parang di naman worth it."

But I was wrong.
I didn't understand it until I became the prodigal son.
I didn't understand it until I became that "one" lost sheep.

It was easy for me to mock believers na nagkamali to the point na nakalimutan ko na isa rin akong 'believer' na pwedeng madapa at magkamali.

At nangyari nga. Nagkamali ako, nadapa, at nagkasala. Tumigil sa gawain. Kasi sino ba naman ako para magpatuloy pa sa ministry, eh isa lang naman akong makasalanang tao. But grace is real. Pinulot ako ng Panginoon mula sa putikan, niyakap, at nilinis ulit. Para akong prodigal son na tumakbo papalayo sa Panginoon and nung narealize kong di ko pala kaya mag isa, bumalik ako. Nung akala ko di na ako tatanggapin ng Panginoon, mali ako. Pabalik pa lang ako nakaextend na yung mga kamay Niya para yakapin at i-welcome ako. 🥺 Ako yung isang nawawalang tupa. Ako yung tupang ligaw na akala ko di na makakabalik pa sa tamang landas pero hinanap ng Panginoon. Hinanap at nahanap Niya ako.

Ako yung youth leader na nagkamali at nadapa
Ako yung kristiyanong nagkasala ng malaki
Ako yung taong naligaw ng landas

Pero ako rin yung anak na nakabalik sa ama
Ako yung tupa na nakabalik na sa tamang landas
Ako yung taong pinatawad at binawi na sa kasalanan. Hindi karapa't-dapat pero pinili.

Noon, hindi ko alam kung bakit nag effort si Lord hanapin ang nawawalang tupa. Hindi ko siya naiintindihan noon not until ako na yung naligaw. Kaya pala Niya yun ginawa kasi mahal niya ako. Yun pala ang dahilan --- pagmamahal.

So if you are reading this, tigilan na natin ang pagkuha ng bato para maibato sa mga kristiyanong nagkamali at nadapa. Tandaan natin na lahat tayo ay posibleng magkamali and its only through God's grace and help kung bakit hanggang ngayon ay nagagawa natin magpatuloy. Imbis na batuhin ang kapwa tayo ang unang mag extend ng arms para tumulong.

Huwag mo sanang kalimutan na you were once that one lost sheep. 🥺🥰