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-

Gate 4 : Valley Gate                               listen to: Though YOU slay me

Pagsubok, paglago at pagpapakumbaba. Masasabi ko na sa mga panahong ito, ito ang pinakamabigat na pag-aaral na aming ginawa ngayon. Ang pagdurusa sa pagsunod sa Kanya na kailangan mong maging masaya kahit hindi mo makita ang bunga. Gayon din ang nangyari kay John the Baptist. Kahit na ipinagkaloob niya ang kanyang buhay para ihanda ang daan ng Panginoon, hindi nya nakita ang paghahari ng Diyos kahit na siya ang binansagan na pinakadakila sa lahat.

Naalala ko pa yung isang activity kung saan aming pinag-aralan ang kantang “Though you slay me”. Nakasulat doon na patuloy ko pa ring sasambahin ang Panginoon kahit ako ay binabasag Niya. Napakahirap, pero sa kabila nito ay may bunga maaaring hindi ngayon pero sa darating na panahon. Sabi nga, ang paglilingkod sa Panginoon ay hindi nagdudulot ng kasiyahan, kundi kabanalan.

Trials, growth and humility. I can say that at this time, this must be the heaviest topic we have studied.  This happened to John the Baptist. He devoted his life to prepare the way for the Lord, yet he was not able to see the kingdom of God even though he was said to be the greatest of all.

I remember one of our activities where we listened to and pondered on the song entitled “Though you slay me”. It was written there that “I will continue to praise the Lord though He slays me. It is so hard but it’s doing something. I may not be seeing it now but later I will. As it says, “serving the Lord does not result to happiness but holiness”. 

Blesie Grace - Batangas—

Gate 4      

In times of testing and trying

I will find myself doubting

And my soul, it is mourning

Where is the beauty in suffering?

Why should I complain

Or think of my gain?

Master do what you please,

Your will Father, yes it is.

Oh truly I am reminded

The story has glorious end.

And it’s not ‘bout the selfish me

It should all be for Your Glory.

Pauline - Bicol

The Beauty In Suffering

This week, there is this line from a clip that challenged my life in the Lord. ‘’Do I live in such a way that honors Jesus?’’ 

Being saved with by much grace, yes, He is worthy of every life being lived to honor Him, and yet I admit that I have not always lived life like that. This fallen world brings so much trouble. I’ll be facing suffering (this is certain, the Bible tells so) but as I walk through the valley, I pray that I may remember the Word of the Lord to me. I am or will be in my darkest valley, though He is silent, He is still with me. The beauty in the suffering for me is not the circumstance itself, not the outcome, but the very presence of my God who is with me. Romans 8:35-37 says nothing can separate me from the love of God, my Lord and my Savior.

Rhoda - Batangas

Do you TRUST me enough to OBEY me?

Honestly speaking, trusting God is easy to say and do when we have an abundance. But when testing of faith comes and struggles, trials, problems, and hardships strike us, our faith and trust in the Lord are shaken and sometimes become questionable. Week 4 brings a lot of memories about struggles and trials which made me question God and why He let me experience those things. I complained and questioned Him a lot. But He is not a deaf God. He answered me through His Word in James 1:2-4 – “Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produce perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you maybe mature and complete not lacking anything.” This led me to question myself, if I really do trust God no matter what the outcome may be. It’s hard to say yes when I’m not in a hard situation, but I know God is not done with me yet. I am still a work in progress. Every day God is working in me.

Jhing--  Samar-Leyte

Original Language:

Sometimes I ask myself kung pano ko ba malaman ang boses ni God kasi minsan di ko alam kung pano ko maramdaman na nakikipagusap Siya sa akin. Katulad ni David, noong hindi pa sya ang hari Israel, malaki talaga ang tiwala niya sa Panginoon. Kahit anong ginawa ni Saul sa kanya, hindi parin siya naging marahas sa kanya at  yong pananampalataya niya at higit na paglapit sa Panginoon ang nagbigay lakas sa kanya para matiis ang mga paghihirap nya. Ang pagiging close niya sa Panginoon ang nagtulak din sa akin na patuloy akong maging close sa Panginoon.

At doon ko nalaman ang kung paanong maririnig ang Panginoon at lalo ko pang pinagdasal na sa bawat araw ay bigyan ko nang oras ang Panginoon  para lalo ko pang makilala Sya sa pamamagitan ng pagbasa ng biblia at pagdadarasal sa kanya.

James wearing yellow

Translation:

Sometimes, I ask myself “How can I know that God is speaking to me?” because there are times that I cannot sense it. Like the story of king David, before the time that he was enthroned as a King, Saul did many degrading things to humiliate him thus, this became his stepping stone to be a Great Ruler of Israel.  His faithfulness and his good relationship to God gave him strength to endure those hardships. Because of this it encourages me to continue walking in my Christian faith with Him. Finally, I now understand how can I hear from Him and I’m praying even more that each day I may give quality time to the Lord so I would know Him more through reading His word and praying to Him.

                                                                     -James,25-Caraga

Original Language:

Ang gisulte sang Ginoo sa akoa pinaagi sa pagtuon nako sa Experiencing God nga "Ang atong relasyon sa gugma tali sa langitnong amahan maoy naghatag kanatog kusog sa atong paglatas sa pait kaayong kahimtang”.Apan dili kinahanglan aduna ka gayoy buhaton aron bation nimo ang katagbawan kay diha sa imong relasyon sa Dios anaa sa imong katagbawan.Mao kini ang hinugdanan nganong mahinungdanon kaayo ang relasyon sa gugma tali sa Dios. Gihigugma ka Niya. Kasayod siya unsay labing maayo lang kanimo. Siya lamang ang magiya kanimo sa paggasto sa imong kinabuhi sa mapuslanong pamaagi- kini nga paggiya moabot samtang ikaw maglakaw kauban niya ug maminaw kaniya. Mao kini ang gipahinumdom sa Ginoo sa akoa ug nakapadasig kaayo kanako tali sa akong paghigugma ug pakigsuod sa akong relasyon sa Ginoo.

Translation:

This week, God spoke to me through our devotional book- Experiencing God- that Our love relationship with the Heavenly Father sustained us through a very difficult time. You do not need to be doing something to feel fulfilled. You are fulfilled completely in a relationship with God. This is why a love relationship with God is so important. He loves you. He knows what is best for you. Only He can guide you to live your life meaningfully as you walk with Him and listen to Him.This reminds and encourages me that His love is the one that sustains my relationship with Him.

-Julito  21- Mt. Carmel

 “Men who go after the Sauls among us often crucify

The Davids among us.”

We were born with these two characters which leaves us with a choice to either be a Saul or a David. These two great kings were both anointed by God  but with the choices they made left two different trails for the new generation to choose from. 
There is Saul, who once submitted to God’s authority but later on was eaten by greed, pride, and jealousy. 
 And there is David who chose to rely on God rather than on himself. He chose not to be blinded by power, fame, pride, greatness, nor pain etc. He chose not be Saul even though many times he was tempted.
 These 2 characters create a big impact in our lives. Obedience requires a choice. Let's not  allow the Sauls among us crucify the Davids among us.
 Don’t let power, fame, success, pride  or hurt overpower you. Always remember that in every CHOICE there comes a consequence. The choice is YOURS, so choose wisely.
 I too have a choice to make. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your path straight.” –Proverbs 3:5-6

-Jeniffer Kate 23- Samar-Leyte

Original Language:

“Hinumdomi ang inyong mga pangulo kaniadto nga misulti kaninyo sa mensahe sa Dios. Palandonga giunsa nila sa pagkinabuhi hangtod nga namatay sila ug sundoga ang ilang pagtuo”

–Hebreo 13:7

Dako kog pasalamat sa mensahe nga gipadangat sa akoa karon nga mao ang pagpamalandong sa pulong tinuod gayud nga adunay panagsa dili ako magtan-aw sa nga karaan nga mga tinun-an pero sa dihang nila nga makahatag ug inspirasyon. Dili jud sayon ang mag baktas nga layo ug bag-not kayo pero naremind ko sa mensahe nga kini among gibuhat kulang pa sagibuhat sa mga karaang mga tinun-an. Dako usab ang akong kalipay sa diin nagsimbalay kami ug daghan pud ang nag-adto. Dako jud kog pasalamat sa Ginoo nga bisan sakit akong ulo pero siya jud naga tabang ug naga protekta sa amoa.

“Bulahan kadtong naningkamot pagtuman sa kabubut-on sa Dios kay tagbawon nila sila.” J

-Mateo 5:6

Translation:

"Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith" Hebrew 13:7

I praise and thank God for the message of this verse. As I meditate on His words, I learn that I should not look on how the Apostles lived but rather on how they walked in faith with the Lord and indeed, it inspires me.It is not easy to walk a long way from the Training Site going to the community on a trail through a deep forest,  but I was reminded that what I am going through would not even compare to what the Apostles experienced. I am more than glad to see that a lot of people attend House Church. Even though I suffered from a headache, I thanked Him a lot for He still helped and protected us.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,for they will be filled."-Matthew 5:6

-Ireneo Jr.21- Mt. Carmel

Consider it pure joy…

  Being a servant of Christ is not easy. There’s a lot of persecution, frustration, and temptation but the Scripture says “Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (James 1:2-3NIV). These words give strength to people who face a lot of trials -- this is what the believers in the small village we are reaching out are going through. Sometimes in our Bible studies, they just smile at us and give no answer to the questions we ask about the Bible stories. Their smiles seemed to hide the pain from the trials they are going through. My team continues to encourage them with scriptures and remind them of God’s goodness and faithfulness. Let’s Keep Advancing for the Kingdom!  Glory and Honor belong to our God!

-David Jude 20- Samar-Leyte

I pray to stay

The Lord has an assignment for me. Yes. I’ve got things to do too like Abraham, Moses, David, Paul, Peter and many others whom we know from the Bible. You, me, and all believers along with our forefathers were given a special task to accomplish. It is thrilling and exciting to imagine how and why a mighty, sovereign and powerful God would choose to use me.

I need to be fit for the role and, therefore, I must enroll in a course called character development. There will be  tests to pass, people to face, trials to overcome, battles to win and hardships to endure. It is sure to be difficult for it will burn me, smash and crush me---me and my pride, my hatred and my impure thoughts to name a few. He knows what to do with me more than I do. He is the Wise Teacher and Skilled Potter. He wants me to be a broken vessel. More than skill, He wants character.

It is His reminder to me every single day. It is and will be uncomfortable but I pray to stay.

-Pauline  26- Bicol

“Yesterday does not define you”

“You’re bringing new life to your family tree now”

These lines from Matthew West’s song “Family Tree” summarized my week. Many times I’ve been fooled by the enemy repeatedly whispering in my head that I was not changed even a bit. But this week, My God showed me a glimpse of how sovereign He is, that in His sovereignty, even a very little piece of me, He is creating a story that will bring Glory to Him. I will fail, I am falling (ako’y nadadapa). At some point, I said "I have rolled in the mud." (Minsan ko na ring nasabing ‘’ako’y gumugulong sa putikan’’), but my God is an expressive God! He shows and expresses His love every day that I may remember, I am not in my past anymore. I am here in the present, and will be living tomorrow (if He grants J) as a new creation. Yes, I know, still I will fail, I will fall (surely many times I will), as a clay pot, I’ll be broken over and over and over. But hey, the chapters of my life have just started. God’s story through me isn’t over yet! He is building me up, my character, for the later part of this story, for His Glory! Why hasten? He is bringing new life to my family tree now!

-Rhoda  24- Batangas

“Big task requires big character”

On January 30, 2017, we started studying the third gate which is the Old Gate (Learning from the Past). The book entitled “The Tale of the Three Kings” by Gene Edwards helped me to understand how God works in the lives of those who totally depend on him.

Moreover, the book was all about the lives of Saul, David, and Absalom. During the time that Samuel anointed David to become a King, he was not enthroned in the position to rule the Kingdom instantly. God wanted David to become a Great King, and for this to be successful, it required a lot of pruning. He started working on David’s character first. He knew that this would not happen in a snap. David needed to depend on God not on his own strength since it would take a long time and would cause him great pain. " God had enrolled David in the school of brokenness" and, in that university, he learned many indispensable things - David was broken over and over. Then He was ready to be king. And even when Absalom arrived on the scene, David just did what he knew to do- he did not let power consume his inner being- he was ready to give up and lose everything, and that made him a Great king.

Thus, this shows that God has the right to interrupt the lives of His followers. God needs to develop our character first so that when he gives us a big task, we will be ready to handle and finish it with such great character.

-Blessie Grace 22- Batangas

Mold Me

Listen and obey. If I fail, it's okay as long as I don’t give up. I will let the Lord make me whole again because "Not all that started wrong will end up that way." The Lord is molding me. I have to go through these circumstances because God wants me to learn. He is developing my character as I obey Him so that He can prepare me for a greater responsibility because I believe that “Big task requires big Character”

                                                                          -Liza, 21- CARAGA

                                                                                       

Be a BLESSING to ALL NATIONS.

I praise and thank God for His sovereignty and grace that enabled me to pass another week of training and ministry. It wasn’t possible without Him. This week we talked about missions and there are six  words that are in my mind all the time --- Be a BLESSING to ALL NATIONS.

 “How can I be a blessing to all nations? ”, I asked myself.  There are many ways that I can be a blessing to someone, but what does this really mean? God brought me to this verse:

 Matthew 24:14 “ And the Gospel of this Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations- and then the end will come”.

I have served in some remote area for some months through Nehemiah Teams.  But what He means is more than what I know or I thought I already know.

Little by little I understood what God is trying to say. He is inviting me to join Him in His work of reaching the unreached and hard to reach. His inviting me to take up my own cross and walk with Him daily. He wants me to be a blessing by sharing the Gospel to the lost (unsaved). I am very thankful that while in training we can share the gospel in the community on weekends. And we praise HIM for the good response from the people we share with.  

Pray that the seed that has been planted in people’s hearts will grow and bear fruit.

Pray  for more opportunity to share His Gospel and be a BLESSING to ALL NATIONS!

God bless and to God be the Glory. 

-Jinnefer Kate 23- Samar

Jhing doing the heart of God.