2013: Day 26 - Faith vs. Positive Thinking

Positive thinking as the word implies needs thinking.

Faith on the other hand, only requires beliefs without questioning.

Today I share some truths with you that will change your life. Several times I have had to share Gods word with people concerning certain issues in their lives.(sickness, finance etc.) After sharing Gods word with them, I pray but before I pray, I ask them "do u have faith"? Do you believe the words that have been shared? You can guess the answer is always a yes...but usually they end up without the results. Sadly so many christians have come up with explanations for why God does not answer prayers. Some say things like "God sometimes will say no to you when you ask for something and No is an answer". Well, God never says "No" to anyone.

Scripture says if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. What happens if we don't ask according to His will? He does not hear us. There's a difference between not hearing us and saying no. God never has to say no to u. He just does not hear if u pray out of line.

Faith is not positive thinking. Positive thinking is a person's attempt to stay positive in the face of negative circumstances (Here the negative is their reality and they try to stay positive hoping that one day it will change) Faith on the other hand is not a struggle to stay positive, it is living in the reality of the revealed word of God. (Faith says the Revealed word is my reality).

Let me explain this briefly. Positive thinking is saying there are so many things I have to deal with and I will try and I will try to keep my head clear. Usually these guys try and try until they eventually sink or get into trouble and their positivity did not help. God did not give us a positive word. God gave us faith filled words. THE WORD IS OUR REALITY and Faith ushers us into that reality. Its not a struggle to stay positive...the Good life is our reality.

Why is it that people don't receive even when they say they have faith? Listen, Just because u say u have faith does not mean u do. Let me then tell you what faith is.

1. Faith is Spiritual. This is such a vital truth. People say they believe with their heads only when they don't have a connection with the source of faith Himself. So dear if u don't have an attitude of fellowship with God and u go from week to week without time to stay in Gods presence, you can't say u have faith. Faith is Spiritual. It is not a physical thing.

2. Faith only comes to you after a Spiritual Activity has taken place. When I say spiritual activity, I am talking about studying Gods word or having fellowship with the spirit. Now u say you have faith that you are healed...(but the sickness is still there for 20years till u begin to say maybe this is Gods way of making me humble). My question to u is...Has the revelation that the word reveals about Jesus being wounded and bruised for ur infirmity hit your Spirit yet? Did you get that revelation in ur spirit through the study of Gods word and prayer? If you have not done that, how then can u claim to have faith?

3 Faith is a Gift. 1Cor 12:9 (NIV) tells us that faith is a gift given by the Spirit. How can you receive a gift without Fellowship? If you stay with God u will receive faith as a gift. Rom 12:3 says that God gives faith as a gift in a measure. Therefore You that is a new creation already have faith. But if you don't know it, u will remain a positive person and that will get u little or no results. Faith gets you big results ALWAYS Heb 11:2 ( The Elders Obtained Good reports).

4 Faith is not a Leap in the Dark. Faith is a Leap on Gods word.

Often times people make the mistake that when you are walking by faith, you really don't know where you are going, you just keep going. Well that's no different from a gamble and God is no gamble God. Faith is a leap on the revealed word...A leap, not in the dark but in the light of the word. When u step out on the authority of Gods word, you know the outcome already. If it is a sick body, the person will be healed. If it is for your future, the word will direct you right. Don't ever forget that. Faith is a leap on the word.

5. Faith is Now.

People confuse faith and hope. Hope is a future expectation that keeps you from dying. Hope helps you get out of the bed in the morning. Scripture says "hope makes alive". Your hopes continues to remain hopes until it becomes faith. Faith is not in the future, faith is now. When Gods word is released, and you accept it, your hopes becomes faith and you live in that reality NOW.

Finally dear friends, you need to know the importance of faith. Faith is so vital. Your faith is needed for advancement and to live a victors life. Dear trust me you won't make any progress with out your faith. Positive thinking is bondage. You can never really think positive. God gave you faith as a gift. Use it. Positive thinking is human, faith is spiritual. How did you receive the revelation that Jesus is the Son of God? With the human mind (logic) u will always doubt that reality. But with Faith which is Spiritual, you just know that Jesus is the son of God. You don't ever doubt. You know beyond a shadow if a doubt that Jesus is the son of God That's because faith is Spiritual, faith is a gift, faith is now.

http://nneka-oringamje.blogspot.com/2012/08/faith-vs-positive-thinking-is-there.html

2013: Day 25 - Stayed home

Steps to Help Us Overcome Disappointments

Help to Overcome Disappointment

Here are steps I have found helpful –

• Come to Jesus Christ with your disappointment, trusting him to meet you and change your heart (Psalm 40:1–3).
• Confess that you are longing for something else more than him. Ask him to forgive you through the Cross. Receive assurance of complete forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
• Plead for the work of the Spirit to change your heart, strengthen your faith, enable you once again to experience Jesus Christ as your all-satisfying Treasure (John 6:35).
• Since the Spirit does his work through the Word, find Scriptures describing God’s love, power, and majesty — and promises concerning God as your all-satisfying Treasure. Pray earnestly over these Scriptures. Fight to trust them (Galatians 3:5).
• Continue praying over and trusting these Scriptures until you feel the Spirit changing your heart and you once again experience Jesus Christ as your all-satisfying Treasure (1 Peter 1:8).
• Pray over God’s promise that he will ordain every trial to bring you even more heart-satisfaction in him (2 Corinthians 4:17). Do this until the Spirit strengthens your faith that whatever you lack will bring you even more of God.
• Also pray over God’s promise that he will take care of everything else you need (health, work, money) in such a way that it will bring you even more of him (Philippians 4:13, 19;Matthew 6:33).
• Continue to pray for the other things you desire (healing, employment, children, marriage), but fight to keep trusting Jesus as your all-satisfying Treasure (Psalm 43:4).

Topic: The Grace of God  

2013: Day 16 - Disappointed

I am so disappointed today Lord for hubby didnot make it to call the immigration again. I know how busy he is Lord but he needs to find time also to do it and exert effort rather than just keep on complaining. I really lost my patience today Lord. I am sorry.

But I got this message from Fb tonight..

Lord, thank you for this message. Please help me to be patient and have faith more. I am having a hard time Lord. Please help me. There are questions I need to ask You but I know I just need to be patient. Help me please. I am so tired. Thank you Lord. I know how hard it is for my hubby but we need to do something also. For now Lord, all I can do is to pray and I am sorry for always asking You so many things. Thank You Lord for everything. 

2013: Day 15 - Chatted with My Friend

I chatted with my friend who is in USA right now and I opened to her my struggles toward my hubby. She told me that she will send my hubby a message. This is the message I got from my hubby's inbox.

Hi Joe, greetings from God.
I read fe's message how she felt desperate about you turning away from God.She is very hopeless and i can feel she's struggling, I hope this is not the love you promised to give her Joe...I so love my friend and what would make her happy would bring me happiness too I think this is how you should love someone although much deeper in your case as a husband. I know you don't intend to make her mesirable, but just being lost and confused because of you being consumed of your consequences. Is it really hard to be still and be patient for God's help? Can't you really see things in some positive ways like the possibility to speed up fe's coming because of your condition? Please underestand that Life is not only about our very self, it's to being considerate especially if we know we're hurting the very person we love. We perfectly understand what you're going through and your reactions but praying that you will chose the peaceful and hopeful path. Our choice defines us and what we feel. We'll continue praying for you!

I don't know how to react at first because I didnot know the contents of the letter and hubby started to say something about it. Deep inside I feel that nothing just happens and hoping this will wake him up. Lord, I'm praying that it will have a positive result on my hubby. Be with him always Lord. Thank You Lord.

2013: Day 14 - Tired but I am Fine now - Thank You Lord

I woke up today and started reading the daily Bible book I got last 2008, the good thing is it has the same days with this year 2013, I was really amazed for I hadn't written anything there and now I can use it. I was tired today and I talked with my hubby and we had arguments again because I opened to him about God. I am sorry Lord for forcing things to happen according to what I want, I just wanted Lord that the two of us have the same faith in dealing this trial we are facing right now. It is so hard Lord but I know I am not alone in this because You are there always beside me and doing your best to make things okay according to Your will. My hubby needs us Lord and most of all he needs you so bad, he can't understand things right now and he blames You for what is happening. I am really sad Lord that this is happening for You always lift me Lord knowing that all things are possible for you no matter how impossible the situation is. Thank You Lord super.

I am on Fb tonight and this is the message I got on top -

GOd is good all the time

“…In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” [John 16:33].

Every day, things come against us in life to try to steal our joy and rob us of our victory. In fact, throughout your whole life, the enemy has had one mission—to kill, steal and destroy your hope, vision and happiness. But I love what it says in today’s verse, “take heart.” In one translation it says, “Be of good cheer.” Now that may seem strange to say right after “in this world you will have trouble,” but when we truly understand that we are over comers in Christ Jesus, we can be joyful no matter what the circumstances look like. We don’t have to allow our emotions to get rattled. We don’t have to let our nerves go haywire. We can find rest knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and deprived it of the power to harm us.

We have to remember; the things that happen in this life are temporary. We are in this world but not of it. We need to keep our focus on eternal things, things above. Sure, we will have trouble in this life, but we can stay encouraged because in eternity, we are over comers through Christ Jesus!

Thank You Lord for this wonderful message. I love you Lord.

2013: Day 13 - Jesus, I trust in You

Thank you so much Lord for this day. Thank you for all the blessings Lord. You know the desires of my heart Lord and I am praying for it with the intercession of Mama Mary and the saints but I know Lord it is Your will that are best for me. I don't know what exactly the reasons why this is happening to me and my hubby Lord, it is very hard to understand and Your plans Lord for us but I am going to trust You Lord. I trust You Lord that Your plans are better than my/our plans. Yes, there are prayers that are still unanswered for now but I trust You Lord and I believed that You answered already many of my prayers and still will do amazing things in my life. I am nothing Lord and can't move forward without You so I am giving my life to You Lord and do whatever You want me to do for your glory. It is not my will that will prevail Lord but Your will. I trust You Lord. Help me to trust you more each day.

2013: Day 12 - Blessed

I woke up this morning late and I was not feeling good. I was lazy, tired and felt very empty. It seemed like everything is not in the right place. I talked to my hubby online but we didnot talk much and he was tired also. I cried today to express how I felt inside. Thank You Lord for when I was in the shower room, You strengthened me again. I am very weak Lord and I can't do this alone. Thank You for being there always lifting me up when I am down. Thank You for reminding me always to cheer up. I love you Lord.

I was browsing on fb tonight and found this very inspiring message.

God keeps His promise, and He will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm, at the time you are put to test, He will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out. 1 Corinthians 10:13
--- how great and wonderful our Heavenly father is. We must always remmembr that whenever we encountr problem we should not give up on it because as wat to this verse said, God is very confident to us for He give such circumstances that we can really overcome.. He is so good that He will surely never leave us but also give us the strenght that we need. God is truly our provider.. so whenever problem strikes at our lives, don't panic, don't be discourage, don't loose hope, don't be sad, mad, agry or cry for God is there to provide you or us a way out! Amen...

Amen.. Very inspiring Lord and I really need this message. I can overcome this Lord for You are there and that is Your promise. 

With God All Things Are Possible

2013: Day 10 - Lord, Please Help Me to Offer Myself to You 100% for Your Glory

Lord I Offer You My Life

Lord, I offer You my life for your glory.

Lead me Lord all the days of my life.

                                     

Quotes for This Morning - Thank You Lord

I just woke up and saw these images with quotes on my facebook. 

You know that I really need these inspiring messages from You Lord. Thank You for always lifting me up when I am feeling down. Be with me..

2013: Day 9 - Feast of the Black Nazarene, Lord I Offer My Life to You

I woke up today before 7 am and did my daily devotion. I did my laundry this morning and it was a lot. I got done around 10 am and talked to my hubby after. We didnot talk longer because I needed to leave to attend the Holy Eucharist and novena to the mother of perpetual help. I was able to start it this new year and I will do my best to this novena and attend mass every Wednesday to the best that I could, help me Lord.
During the mass, they played the song entitled " Lord, I offer my Life" and couldn't help but tears started to run down from my eyes. I was just listening to that song last night and I felt the song and while doing laundry I also sang that song. I said wow Lord, it is not a coincidence but You really have a message to me. Lord, I offer myself to You, especially this trial me and my hubby are facing right now - use it for Your glory Lord. I am really amazed Lord and so much learning this year, thank you so much Lord. I told my hubby that I am growing but he said he is not. I am doing my best to be positive and apply the faith You have given me Lord. The Gospel reading and the homily of the priest really touched me today. It is about do not fear for anything especially during trials and problems because they are ways for us to deepen our relationship with God. I understand now that my hubby is in tough battle and I need to accept him and love him unconditionally just like You do to us Lord. I can't do it alone Lord, I need You always. Please Lord help my hubby to open his heart to You and feel Your love. Thank You Lord.
After the mass, I decided to go to NCCC mall to roam around. But prior to leaving the church, I saw the Black Nazerene relic outside the church ready for the procession at 3pm. I said to myself, I wouldn't go. While inside the mall, I was just roaming around until I got tired and decided to go home and the time during that time was 2:35 pm. While waiting for a jeep,I remembered the Black Nazarene that the procession would start at 3pm. It took me long to decide to go or not and finally decided not to go. While the jeep was along Magsaysay street and the Sta. Ana church is just two blocks away, I decided to attend, witness and experience this big event that many Filipinos are devoted. I walked fast so I could still make it because it was already 3pm. When I arrived in the church, the procession already left and I didnot know the way. Thank God there was a woman with her 2 kids that knew the route. So I went with them, when I reached in Agdao, I was about to just go home but then the woman told me to go in a shortcut way so I had no choice but to go with them. Wow, amazing because finally I was able to witness and experience the Feast of Jesus the Black Nazarene. Thank You Lord for leading me for how many times I decided to go home but my mind was to You. You know what I did today Lord, I was able to touch your clothes and cross and I know you heard my prayers and will answer it according to Your will. I trust You Lord. I will not be greedy not to tell everyone of the miracles I received. Thank You Lord for today. What a day! I love it. It is another first time for me. Whew! I will treasure this Lord.
What I read last night - Faith is not just believing.. It is believing that something good will happen. Yes Lord. Please help me Lord to have faith 100%, no doubt. Only you Lord can give that for to have a faith like that is a gift from You.
I love You Lord. Viva Black Nazarene! Viva!

2013: Day 8 - Another Arguments with my Hubby

I woke up late this morning around 9 am. I said my prayers and read the word of God. Then I talked with my hubby online and it turned again into arguments. My question Lord is until when we will keep on arguing about You. Please help me Lord to accept my hubby and love him for who he is. I know and came to realizations Lord to stop fighting and arguing to him and just listen to him and still love him for I believe Lord that is Your message for me today. Help me Lord to change myself for I know the fact that I can't change my hubby, is You Lord that can change us 100 percent.  Help me to accept the things that i can't change Lord and just love my hubby for who he is. I want to love my hubby Lord the way You love me/us not looking on the imperfections. Take control me Oh Lord and use me Lord to show Your love to my hubby. He is a very nice man Lord and all he wants for now is this miracle of healing from cancer, please Lord grant our prayers according to Your will. Thank you Lord. Thank you for this day. Thank You for the learnings Lord.

2013: Day 7 - Started Bible Study Online

I woke up around 7 am today and I needed to help the store because my mom is not home. I still did my daily devotion because I love doing it and it is already my routine. Help me Lord not to miss a day every morning to talk to You first before I will start my day. Thank You Lord.

I watched the store today and went to Supermarket to buy some things for the store. I have four bags with me but I am not shy to carry them because I am not doing anything wrong. I need to sacrifice and help my parents in the store and I know this is the very right thing to do for now while I am still jobless.

Around 3 pm, I did my novena to Mama Mary in my room. Prior to it, I had a very nice time talking to God. Thank you Lord so much and I am sorry for my shortcomings. Lord, change me to the person You wanted me to be so I can be a reflection and blessings to others because of You. Lead me and Guide me always Lord and also my hubby.

I talked with my hubby tonight on skype and I opened to Him about the Bible. I search Bible study online and found a very nice site. Thank You Lord for leading me to that site. Lord, help us to know and understand Your words so we will know You better and trust You more. Be with my hubby today Lord as he going to have his treatment. Let him feel Your love Lord and presence. I love you My God.

2013: Day 6 - Solemnity of the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ

I woke up today around 8 am and did my morning devotion.

Chatted with my hubby.

12:00 Noon - I am happy that I made it on time this first Sunday Mass of the year. Today, the Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus. Thank you so much Lord for your message today during the priest's homily. Lord, please help me always in what to do and say. I was so down today Lord and You knew that but You are the reason Lord that I am still here. Lead me Lord. Continue to be my strength and be my hubby's strength. Thank you Lord. I love you and You know that. I am always amaze how You are working in my life. Sorry Lord for my negative thoughts today. Thank you for reminding me always Lord to be positive and trust in You for nothing is impossible with You Lord.

1:45 PM - Watched movie " Sisterakas" with my cousin at Gmall. It was a funny movie and decided to watch a movie to make me laugh and stop thinking problems for a while. This is my first movie for this year. It was really funny movie. Thank you Lord for the laughter.

4:00 PM - Home and watched the store

7:00 Pm - Rosary time in our place

8:00 Pm - closed the store

9:30 Pm - talked to my hubby on Skype

11:20 - Listening to Joel's Olsteen


Thank You Lord for finding ways to inspire me. You are amazing Lord.

2013: Day 5 - First Saturday Mass of the Year

I woke up around 8 am today and prayed.
9am - talked with my hubby
11am- left to attend the mass at San Pedro
12- mass
12:40 - novena
1pm- met Michelle at Osmena Park and met te Nierra and she is very nice woman, she got my name and my hubby and said that she will include us in her prayers. wow, thank You Lord. I amazed how good people like her
3pm - we went to Bdo to pay my CC
3:30 pm- had our merienda lunch buffet with Anper
5 pm- went to JS mall and we parted ways
6pm- home

Thank You Lord for today. Thank You for all the blessings, safety and protection.

2013: Day 4 - 1st Prayer Meeting of the Year

I woke up this morning and did my devotion. It was a lazy day for me because I just stayed in the room the whole morning until my sister, niece and nephews arrived. They spent time here with us and my nephews were busy playing computer games. I talked with my hubby today and he was very tired but happy to see the kids and Joan.

Around 4pm, I went to pay the cable because it is due tomorrow but the office will be closed tomorrow. My brother took me there and we went to buy pizza buy one take one at pizza mama maria. I got one box and they got the other one.

6:45 - Birhen sa Barangay

7:40 - waited for my friend to attend prayer meeting, I was late and sorry for that Lord. I attended the prayer meeting but we were late.
       The message for tonight's prayer meeting is about new year, new life. Please Lord help me to accept things and the people I can't change but instead love them as the way they are just like my hubby.Help me not to see the negative of persons but the beauty of your creature so that I can be a blessings for them. Thank you Lord.



10:30 - arrived home safely. Thank You Lord.

2013: Day 3 - Done for Business Renewal Requirements

I started my day with my prayers and reading the word of God today.

Here are the things I did today:

Morning:

7am: Got up late and started my day with prayers

7:30 - went down to watch the store

9:30 - chatted with my hubby

12 noon- went to Paulines to pray my novena but they were closed so decided to go to San Pedo Church

1:30 pm - went to City hall to get a copy of my birth certificate but there were many people so I didnot do it

2:00 - went to Gmall, I supposed to see my sister and the kids today but the weather was not good so I told   her we will have it next time

4:00 - went to see the bookkeeper for the requirements of the renewal of the business permit. Thank God done for now.

5:00 - arrived home and watched the store

6:40 - Prayed the rosary (Birhen sa Barangay) at home. Only two of us.

8:00 - closed the store and my sister and kids came and spent time with them esp baby kaye

8:30 - chatted with my hubby

Thank you Lord for this day.

2013: Day 2 - Raining All Day and Night

I woke up this morning and it was raining. It is already 10 pm now and it is still raining. I still did the things that needed to be done today. I went to see the bookkeeper for our business permit renewal and I need to go back to her again tomorrow. After my appointment to the bookkeeper, I went directly to church at Sta. Ana and thank God, I made it on time and I was happy because I was not late and I was able to pray the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help before the Mass. I brought the religious items to be blessed so I can give it to the kids tomorrow. I also prayed my novena inside the church and I loved it. Thank You Lord for this opportunity to pray and talk to You even in silence.

After Church, I went to Gmall and found some shoes on sale at CLN. I bought the shoes I like as a gift to myself. I am a very selective person when it comes to shoes because I have big feet and ordinary shoes are not good for me, they can easily be destroyed. I hope these pairs of shoes I bought will last longer. Thank You Lord for my new shoes.

2013: Day 1 - Happy New Year

Happy New Year! Welcome 2013. Thank you Lord. Thank you for able to reach this year. I am doing my best Lord to be positive and optimistic this year, help and guide me Lord. I am doing my best not to worry of anything for You are there always Lord for me/us. I do feel your great love Lord and everytime I reminded of your love, I couldn't help but tears start to drop, I am just overwhelmed and amazed Lord and You know how I feel. Thank you Lord for all the blessings, for all the things that You've done and for all things that You are still going to do this year. Thank You in advance Lord. I am claiming Lord that this year will be good year for me and my loved ones for You are good Lord. I love You Lord and Mama Mary.

The whole day today, I just stayed home and did clean my room. When I woke up this morning, I prayed my daily routine - Pray and read my Bible. I had a very good time with God today. It is very good thing to start my new year. Thank you Lord for being always my strength.

I didnot make it to Church today. Sorry Lord but surely I will tomorrow.