Change this heart

In my life and thoughts

There are so many things

That need to change and only your love can bring

All I need to be transformed into your likeness

Oh Lord

Change this heart inside of me!

God knows everything! I am messy, sinner, broken, imperfect but still He likes me, choose me and wants me because He loves me. He had promised that everything will be okay in His hands. So, let go of EVERYTHING that HINDERS us in serving the Lord. Our chains are already broken, we are free, the cross declares it is done! Finish the race and run to win!

“Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly. I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize’’ – 1 Corinthians 9:26-27

-Jennifer Kate Samar-Leyte

Dung gate

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such great clouds of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance that race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning it’s shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such position from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrew 12:1-3

This life is a race - a marathon, and the Gospel should be passed on. But how will we run fast and aim for the goal if we have so much baggage with us? We run with a backpack full of baggage. We do not lay at His feet the sins that so easily entangled. We refuse to be truly open, first to Him, then to our brothers. If many of us run like this, then it is no wonder the race is not finished yet. We are so slow in running that it leads to slow spreading of the Gospel. May we all throw off everything that hinders, and remember that all sins were paid on The Cross. We are all standing behind the Cross! The enemy wants us to see our “SIN” but God wants us to see His “SON”. Throw the dung! Run, pass on the Gospel and Finish Well!

-Rhoda , Batangas

*Reflection time

Why are we facing mild and severe suffering?

For me, it is to test my faith and increase it and to humble me. The lesson this week made my heart cry and it felt so heavy. I had a feeling that I didn’t want to stop crying because I’m being broken but Jesus makes me whole again. He dragged me out of the darkness, molded me and renewed my perspective and beliefs. I learned that in every trial, there is a reason behind it and a solution as well. I understand that He is everything even when I don’t have anything. Just like what Job said, I was born with nothing and I will die with nothing. Therefore, I decided that I would make my big U turn and follow Him again. I would believe what Jesus said, not what I thought He should say. And I would live each day as if everything I do that day will matter forever. Glory and Honor belong to God.

- David Jude - Samar-Leyte

Do you love HIM? Then, do you obey HIM?

(In original language) 

Juan 16:8 “ug inig abot niya, iyang pailhon ang mga tawo sa kalibutan mahitungod sa ilang sala, ug sa pagkamatarong ug sa silot sa Dios’’

Mao ni nga bersikulo nakahagit kanako ug giingon pa sa Ginoo sa akoa una ilhon siya Higugmaon siya toohan siya, saligan siya, tumanon sya, mao pud ni nakahagit kanako nga makigsuod pa jud ko sa Ginoo. Ug mga butang nga gisulti sa Ginoo sa akoa giingon pa niya sa Deutoromio 32:46-47 nga giingon pa didto itisok sa inyong kasing kasing ang tanan nga ginsulti ko.

“Kay ang ilhanan nya gihugugma nato ang Dios mao nga gituman nato ang iyang mga sugo ug dili lisod tumanon ang iyang mga sugo” -1 Juan 5:3 

_ Julito - Mt. Carmel

(In English)

This is the verse that struck me most and the Lord impressed on me that first, I should enter into a love relationship with Him and if I LOVE HIM I should spend time with Him and if I spend more time with Him I would KNOW HIM more, and if I know Him I would BELIEVE HIM, and if I believe Him I will be able to TRUST HIM and if I trust Him, I would be able to OBEY HIM—and this truth also awakened me to have an intimate love relationship with the Lord. He also told me to take to heart everything He says (Deuteronomy 32:46-47)

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. John 5:3

“Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you maybe mature and complete not lacking anything’ -James 1:2-4

(In original langauge)

Tinuod jud nga bisan unsa man ang mudangat nga pagsulay sa kinabuhi kay dapat japun magakalipay kay tungod diri masukod ang pagtuo sa Ginoo. dako akog kalipay mahitungod sa among gitun-an sa Valley Gate. Bisan tuod sa pagsulay ang Ginoong Jesus ra jud ang numero uno nga hero sa akoa wala ko niya gi pasagdan ug nasayod ako nga sa karun nga akong pangkinabuhi daghan pag lumba nga akong daganon pero ang Ginoo. Mahitungod sa ministry ang Ginoo jud ang hatag kanunay ug kusog sa paglakaw ug siya jud naga andam sa mga tao nga among masangyawan sa Ginoong Jesus rajud ang dungog ig Himaya. J

(In English)

It true that whatever circumstances I will experience in my life I should consider it pure joy because this will measure my faith in God. I was overwhelmed with joy because of the things I’ve learned in the Valley Gate (Trials, Growth and Humility). Though it’s true that trials will come, Jesus is still my number one hero and I know He will not forsake me.

About our ministry, it is the Lord who gave us strength for hiking and He also prepared the people we shared with. All Praises and Glory belong to God!

Buboy - Mt. Carmel 

Bagong Buhay (New Life)

Sa una nga usa pa ka bisyoso nga tao grabi gayod nako kapala hubog ug kanunay akong mag sige wala sa balay namo tungod kay magsige ako uban sa ako mga barkada. Latagaw jud akong kinabuhi ug walay klaro nga direksyon ug usa ana ka adlaw ana nasakit ako ug pait jud kaayo tungod kay isa ka simana ako sa ospital ug samtang ako namalandong akong nahunaan kung mamatay ako asa kaha padulong ug didto nag-ampo ko nga unta dugangan sa Ginoo ang ako kinabuhi tungod gusto pa ko mabuhi ug usab akong giampo nga kung iya  pa ako buhion maserbisyo ko sa iya ug karon iya akong gidungagan sa akong kinabuhi busa nakadisisyon ako nga biyaan nako ang tanan na kong bisyo ug karon malipayon ako sa pagserbisyo sa Dios sa andam ako masunod sa iyaha.

(English)

Looking back, I am the kind of person who had a lot of vices. I drank a lot and I seldom stayed in our house because I spent most of the time with my friends. My life was worthless and it had no direction. One day I suffered in sickness and it was hard because I was admitted to the Hospital for 1 week. As I pondered my situation, it lead me to ask myself “Where will I go after life?” So, I started praying to God that He will extend my life and I will offer it to Him. Now that He has given me new life, I’ve decided to abandon all my vices. And now, I am glad serving the Lord and ready to follow Him. 

James   Caraga-