A Disciple of Jesus

The Power of the Tongue

December 20, 2019

I took over the task of watering the plants in the morning since the day my friends left the flat for the holiday. To be honest, I only saw it as a chore needed to be done quickly. I didn't even notice that there were two withered plants until it was brought to my attention by a friend who I was on a video chat with on the second day of the little assignment. You see in the picture below both plants A and B are in a similar unappealing (brown) state.

On the morning of December 18, I spoke to Plant A while watering:

"You will live and not die."

Now, get this...I haven't talked to plants like that before and still don't. And I don't exactly remember what drove me. I also did not do anything extra like giving it more water nor did I feel anything special when I released those words. I just expected that it will have to live as I said.

The next day as I was about to water them, I could not believe my eyes! I placed the two plants next to each other to see the drastic change that took place! You see brown parts on plant A but see how the leaves are turning green from the bottom all the way up over the next few days. Meanwhile, plant B that I haven't spoken life to remained in its state.

Whether you are a believer or not, there's no denying the existence of the power of the tongue. And no, I'm not writing this to tell people to start conversing with shrubs, but to raise awareness and to encourage using our words wisely.

Proverbs 18:21: "Death and Life are in the power of the tongue."

Jesus demonstrated that when He cursed the fig tree in Matthew 21:18-22 and how quickly it withered away! Similar to what Jesus was speaking in Luke 6:28, Paul to the church in Rome says in Romans 12:14, "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse."

For out of the same mouth come Blessing and Cursing.

To speak life is to bless and to speak death is to curse.

Ever since I committed my life to Christ and knew for myself the reality of being born anew into God's kingdom, and the assurance of His acceptance, I have been in such a crazy adventure of discovering who He is and who I am in Him. I remember few years ago as a babe in the faith how I would have night dreams of me laying hands of on the sick on the street and see them getting healed. Or tornados coming at me, snakes attacking, etc.. but as I speak Jesus' name, they disappear. I didn't even think that was Him directing and revealing to me the authority He has and that He wanted me to understand that.

Several years later, God opened my eyes that there is so much more than just knowing Him mentally. Bless Him for having His way, and I saw myself starting to walk in the power and direction of the Holy Spirit (both in freedom of sin and spiritual gifts for His kingdom's purposes). Oh, I remember after my younger brother was baptized, I had an intense dream wherein I saw the devil sat on my chest strangling me. But at the name of Jesus, he fled. And I was then able to move and wake up.

Even with those past dreams and going out preaching the Gospel to the lost and healing the sick since that time, I haven't really given the "speaking life" aspect or the power of the tongue that much thought as I do now after the plant experience. But speaking life to a discouraged soul, a malfunctioning body part, speaking death to illnesses or curses would be pretty much the same thing as speaking life to a dead plant, wouldn't it?

So from a withered state to being alive the next day? It really shouldn't catch me off guard to think that miracles follow as I testify of Jesus for 3 years now. But wow I was still at a loss for words. The visual captivated my attention so much that it made way for things to come to light! (Not that I would consider experiences above scripture, but it did give me some insights.)

I know some of you might probably be thinking right now, "Uh-oh, that sounds very new age!" Maybe even NAR or whatever white magic casting spells and magical words cult. Before you run with that thought, allow me to share with you just a couple of things. I truly believe that the end results could not justify unscriptural means. And miracles performed in Jesus' name do not necessarily mean it has God's endorsement. And I could talk about the plant experience in so many different angles, but I am just going to focus and share how it spoke to me as a believer, a channel through which the power of the Holy Spirit flows. :)

Sometimes we can easily give up thinking nothing is happening especially when there's no instant physical evidence after praying over or speaking life to people's soul/spirit/body. But seeing that plant coming to life indeed encouraged me!

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Lose Blood, Win People

December 01, 2018

A crazy wonderful journey of my first time donating blood.

November 29, 2018
Thursday morning. I was in the mall wanting to get some fruit shake for lunch. As I was on my way there, I was drawn to get inside this fast food restaurant where spicy crispy fried chicken are served. Those who know me know that I'm a big fan of the food. Like I don't mind having it in. every. single. meal. But herein lies the concern - it's been over a week since I've been fasting from it and would really like to continue. So you can imagine me trying to walk past the area. But the moment I was near, my direction changed.

I now stood at the counter, taking my time, almost wanting to leave while the service crew in front of me were having a conversation. They were speaking about having different blood types.

A thought came: "That's what you're here for."

I immediately asked them, "Who is sick? Is anyone needing blood here?"

They said one of their coworkers from a different branch is in the hospital with a critical condition. She has been bleeding for several months and needed 7 bags of O+ blood. I told them I have the same blood type and willing to donate but what I would really love to do is pray for the patient. Both looked really surprised that the man happily called the HR right away. They took my full name and my phone number. Quickly, I went out to get my fruit shake and when I came back I get to share with them about Jesus and that He heals and saves.

Late afternoon, I get to go with sister Daisy after school. It's the hospital where we usually go to pray and minister. Since it's beyond hospital visiting hours, the patient's mother met us outside. Strategically, we were able to get inside the hospital. However, only of one us could enter the unit with her because there was only 1 visiting pass. Daisy stayed outside and prayed there. I followed the mother, and we entered a big room with six beds. All patients were women. The mom stopped at one bed. Looking at the patient - WOW!

A familiar face! She was just as surprised as me. She's one of the staff of the same restaurant close to our school. She looked really pale and started feeling sorry because she knows teachers are busy. I sat down on her bed, and told her to not worry about it because we love praying for people and seeing God heal and save them. She told me her story - she's been bleeding nonstop for several months till she collapsed at her workplace and was told by her company's doctor she needed to get hospitalized. I have shared with her several cases where we prayed for women with bleeding problem. And how God showed Himself faithful - the bleeding stopped or there was no need for blood. I didn't put too much emphasis on those miracles. I wanted God and His word to minister to her heart and life more than anything. Then I prayed for her.

She had tears in her eyes. After praying, she said, "You know what ma'am, I was praying last night. I really prayed that whoever donates, let it be that I already know the person. I really didn't expect it would be you."

That's it. The smile on my face was ever as wide as the incredible feeling of joy - I can feel the goosebumps forming on my skin. Both of us only know each other by face. And it was only that day that we get to know each other's name. Jenelyn is her name.

The doctor came in and reminded her she needed to get blood ASAP which her family couldn't afford. I asked the doctor, "Is it possible that she gets checked if she still needs blood?" I shared with her testimonies how after praying, the patients didn't need blood anymore. I looked at the doctor as she composed herself and said, "It's not advisable to do blood test knowing she's in need of it. And let's be realistic...."

She's viewing things on a medical standpoint, I didn't want to insist. At the same time I also didn't want to back down from telling the truth that Jesus heals. I knew the devil wanted to kill the message of hope in Jesus I've shared with the people there. So I asked when she can possibly have her checked because she might not be needing blood anymore. She said if they can get her 3-4 bags then she will have her checked.

The women in close proximity to Jenelyn were attentively listening so I asked them if they want prayer. The woman sharing a bed with Jenelyn said I reminded her of her brother and if only he was there he could have prayed for her exactly like I was doing it. She said she's been bleeding for several months and just had a biopsy - a cancerous lump was found in her ovary and she needed surgery. I took the time to talk to her and pray for her. I also get to pray for another woman on the other bed and talked to their families before going out. Soon as I left the room, the mother told me that Jenelyn stopped bleeding. I tell you - Jesus is real!

November 30, 2018
Friday. Wohoo! No classes! It's a holiday. I went back to the hospital in the morning. Jenelyn's mother was accompanying me as I would be donating blood as planned. While waiting for my turn, I looked back and I was amazed by how things have been so different.

As far as I can remember, I'm one of those people who would almost faint at the sight, smell or thought of blood or needles. Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating. But I've always been afraid of blood and needles that growing up, the thought of becoming a doctor or pursuing any medical related profession was not an option. I did everything I can just to avoid going to hospitals. But what I also didn't understand is that I've always been wanting to donate blood since I was small. I've always wanted to contribute in some way in helping people - this innermost desire to touch or save lives was something I couldn't shake off.

I remember some time ago how I went to Red Cross hoping to make that happen. They performed a whole bunch of tests, and everything was perfect except my hemoglobin. It was low so I was told to go back a week after I get enough rest and eat some iron-rich foods. I honestly don't recall why I didn't go back. Maybe I did not eat the foods I was told to eat. Maybe I had a messed-up sleeping pattern. Or maybe it was just not my time yet. But I have always been wanting to do it. Whenever I heard someone needing blood I was always the one to offer. But I didn't really get close to meeting the patient. It's either they got the needed blood or they're already well. In my heart, I always knew that my first time would be something I could never forget. I believed this and waited. To this day, I still don't like needles. But ohh boy, how I love going to the hospitals. I could stay all day at the hospital talking and praying for people and not care about time. And I realize, only God can put that in my heart.

I was talking to some intern nurses as I stepped on a weighing scale. I'm glad I'm over 50 kilograms or the whole donating blood journey would be over. Then one lady nurse examined my blood pressure. She said I have a low blood pressure. She tried one more time and it's still low. I started to get worried. She asked me if I ate breakfast. I said, "I had a piece of chocolate cake and a glass of fresh milk. Does it affect my blood pressure if I didn't get a heavy meal?" She said, "Yes."

Then a doctor announced that it's cut-off time. That means people will need to go back after lunch. People started to leave the place including the nurses. That really had me thinking, "What is this, Lord? Is this not the right time yet?" Then a man all in white went inside the room. I thought I heard someone calling my name. So I stood up from my seat and peeked into the open door, "Are you calling me?" He looked at me and motioned me to come in and sit down. He has my information (how did that happen?) and he had this sphygmomanometer ready on the table.

Bothered, I asked him, "I had a piece of chocolate cake and fresh milk for breakfast. Will that affect my blood pressure?" "No," he said.

The doctor then wrapped that cuff around my arm. I looked at him as he was intently listening from the gauge that was on his ear and at the small monitor. He has the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. And then he said that I have a normal blood pressure. "Oh, thank God!" He then walked me through private questions as needed. He pricked my finger, and for the first time I did not feel any pain at all. A set of mandatory tests was performed on the blood to make sure that the unit is safe and acceptable for use. He asked how I'm related to the patient, so it was also an opportunity to tell him how God led me. I shared with him how Jesus is amazing! Then I saw an innocent smile on his face. Sometimes I wonder if there was ever a time I talked to angels and entertained them lol All tests were completed and I was eligible for donating.

They said I could only donate one bag.

I get to see Jenelyn's mother waiting for me outside. She told me a woman sitting beside her admired my bravery. So she was also able to tell the story that it's my first time and how God is behind the whole story!

We went to Jenelyn's room. I didn't see that woman that I spent time praying with last night on the other bed. They said her bleeding stopped and the doctor released her because she didn't need blood anymore. And that woman who shared bed with Jenelyn? She was just there looking at me with tears in her eyes. Her things were packed. And so I walked up to her. That smile on her face tells everything, she said, "He is real. My bleeding stopped. And I don't need blood. And the doctor said I could be released today, I am healed. Thank you so much."

We hugged each other. I prayed for her while she was just holding me tight. Oh how she was just so touched by the Holy Spirit. She started opening up more and more to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We talked more and more. She took my number. Then I went out to have lunch with the mother and Daisy. I am at a loss of words. No matter how many times healings take place, I don't think I will ever get used to that feeling. You can't really describe it. You can only experience it. It's always different every time. I wonder how God feels when I have that feeling of just how proud I am of Him not only for confirming His word - but because of who He is.

UPDATE:
December 4, 2018
I got a text from Jenelyn's mother. After Jenelyn got the third bag, the doctor checked her as she said she would and declared that she's already well. And so they are processing her hospital discharge papers.

December 5, 2018
The mother called in the morning telling that Jenelyn has been discharged. She also asked me if I have time to visit that room again. She said there were people who were asking and there were also new people that could use some prayer. She said I could use her visiting pass so I could go in and meet and pray for those people. So we met that night after school at the hospital. She gave me the visiting pass.

Walking in the hallway, I prayed God would lead me to the right room
because I totally forgot which room it was!

Everyone looked at me as I opened the door. I had one person in mind - the woman who was asking when I will come back. Jenelyn's mother told me about the woman as if I know the person, but I really had no clue who it was. I meet so many people every day. It would take a routinized habit of seeing each other or a very special moment to remember someone's face. I walked, stopped and asked a woman if she needed prayer.

She smiled at me. She thought I would never come back again. God is good, I sat down. Her children was with her - both adults who had so many questions. It made everyone in the room listen. They asked about my religion and if I would charge for healing. This is not something new to me. In a place where so many Christianized pagan religions emerge, there are two things you would be asked of as you approach them for prayer: your denomination and if you are charging. And they mean no harm, they are just sincerely asking because to them it matters. There are members of specific Christian denominations that don't want prayer outside of their own. There are also plenty of groups going around who do it in exchange of money. Then there are others who hand out envelopes right after telling about their ministry - If you don't give, I won't be able to do what God wants me to do. Should it not concern us that there is NO such practices in the New Testament?

I'm one of those people that are traumatized by these - that's why money has always been a sensitive topic to me - always going back to scripture as to how the early disciples dealt with money. Did they go around asking for people because they do so and so? Did they work? Did they wait on God to provide for their needs? What was their attitude towards this? How is the Holy Spirit leading? I'm discouraged by how people sometimes use God to fulfill their spiritualized fleshly goals. Because of this, people have become more closed. It makes other stumble. I can understand why Paul needed to preach on the topic about money. The gift of salvation in Christ Jesus is FREE. The Word is free. The healing is free. To preach the message of Salvation is not for making money. You don't charge people. Freely you have received, freely give. And when we Go - we go preach the name of the One we Love FOR the One we love. I hope that's not money, reputation, denomination, the ministry's name, nor our name. It's a calling from the Lord Jesus, we are separated unto the Gospel. Let it be Jesus and for Jesus.

Going back, they had so many questions and I loved it! Not because I know how to answer all of them correctly, but that I can completely rely on the power of God because I don't have all the answers. The woman said she saw me praying for the three women and they all got healed. She said she now believes in Jesus. She has non-stop bleeding and a Myoma. I shared with them the bleeding incident in the Bible. After praying, she looked really surprised, she felt something move inside her belly and felt the presence of peace came over here.

I get to talk to another woman and her husband. I can tell they have been waiting for their turn. Her bleeding is a different kind. As her words, "I don't bleed like the rest of the women here do. When I bleed, it's like my body just wants to discharge all my blood at one time." She has cervical cancer. She was crying as she was telling me her story. She was hopeless. She didn't want to leave her kids yet. She didn't want to die yet. She realized she's not spiritually prepared to face the Lord.

My heart broke with her. But we are called to speak LIFE to people. If people have one hundred bondages, we should renounce them one by one in the name of Jesus. We must, as disciples, use this authority. The woman from another bed joined us as I prayed for the woman. Then I talked to her about the brevity of life, what sin is, the redemptive plan of God through Jesus, how helpless we are without Christ. That there's hope in Jesus. Salvation is only through Him. Healing. Getting born again. To repent. Be baptized. To receive the Holy Spirit. Becoming one with Him. Following Him.

Then she told me that she has been asking God lately what her life's purpose is and she cried again. I think God revealed it to her at that time. Oh how precious the LORD was to straighten out the confusion in her life! She said, "I have wasted my life doing what I wanted. I spent my whole life sinning against God." She cried even more as the LORD began to reveal sins to her.

How I love to hear when one person breaks down over his/her sins. There was no need to lead her to repentance. The Lord was already moving in His own way. Then she began praying out loud to the LORD, asking for His forgiveness, repenting from her sins, giving her whole heart and life to Him, "I want this life now to be for You and to be used for Your kingdom. I trust You. Do as You please, LORD."

Seeing people come back to the Lord always makes me flash back to the time when I first encountered the LORD. It's so so precious. This time it was different - how He must have hugged me when I came back home to Him just as I was hugging the woman. I felt the strong love of God right at that moment that I couldn't help myself but cry. I looked at her as she wiped away her tears, I can already start to see and feel her breakthrough. How my heart leaped with joy when I saw her wide smile on her face for the first time. She was so full of peace and joy and hope that no one and nothing in this world can ever give but JESUS!

I was there almost midnight speaking to them and praying. I went home with the biggest smile ever and slept with a heart so full. Isn't God so awesome?! It's crazy to me how it all started with fried chicken. Never in my entire life have I ever thought of fasting from fried chicken before because...

I mean just look at that haha

But I'm glad God had His way! What stands out to me is that He didn't tell me "why" I needed to go inside the fast food restaurant, or "who" is in there, or "what it was for" at the time I questioned the urge. If He did, I would have filtered it by my analytical brain and probably did the complete opposite thing of what He had in mind. Do you feel me? But at that very moment I went in still trying to make sense of what just happened...hears two people talking...and bam bam bam! Isn't He awesome?! Just how HE orchestrates everything beautifully at the right time?!

My desire to donate blood has finally came to fruition - in ways I could have never imagined! And as the doctor said, "May it be the first of the many to come!" I really look forward to doing it again when led by the Holy Spirit.

I will always stand in awe of the sovereignty of God and His supernatural guidance that comes one step at a time. I honestly don't understand everything that comes with it especially in personal evangelism. But what I do know is that He will not lead us somewhere we have not been prepared or equipped by Him to go. At the end of the day, it's about fulfilling the purpose for which God has for us. He tells us where to go and where not to go according to His will as we make ourselves willing and available to the leading of the Holy Spirit. He gives us both the ability and the opportunities to minister, and the empowerment to take the mission of bringing the Gospel to the hopeless and dying world.

I look at this whole experience and I smile at the thought how God works in the impossible so when the task is finished, we cannot take any credit or whatsoever. I am really grateful for that, and I give Him all the glory He so deserves! Jesus!

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MY TESTIMONY

April 04, 2017

MY PAST:

I'm an unexpected child. My older brother was just a year and a few months old when my mother found out she was pregnant with me. Since my parents planned to space the birth of their kids, the small age gap made them want to lose me. So they tried taking different kinds of abortion pills for over a month until a friend of my mother told them there's nothing that can ever stop God's plan.

When I was two years old, I almost died because of Bronchial Pneumonia. One hospital refused to take me in. Another urged my parents to sign a waiver to suck the fluid surrounding my lungs right away or it could mean death for me. My parents signed no waiver seeing the high risk of me having polio after the aspirating. They believed at that time that neither polio nor death was God's plan. On the 3rd day at the hospital, Pneumonia had left me just as they believed it would and I was released from the hospital in perfect health.

At the age of six, I was already aware that God existed. I remember the times when my older brother and I were kneeling side by side asking God to bring in a baby boy in the family. I wasn't really sure how God would do that. But when I saw my mama talking to her huge tummy like someone was in there, I knew our prayer had been answered. I'd always get my way over my two brothers being the only girl. I recall always feeling good being the apple of my father's eye.

I was raised in a Catholic home, baptized as an infant, and confirmed when I was a teenager. As a family, we went to mass services on Sundays. My parents instilled in me high moral standards. Growing up, I never had the desire to do drugs, smoke, gamble, be drunk, hang out in club, etc. Not because I saw how bad those things were in the eyes of God, I didn't care about God at all. As far back as I can remember, I also didn't want the misery and the pain those habits or addictions would cause to the people doing it and to the people around them.

Ever since I was a kid, I saw my passion for teaching the youth, and I wanted to be a Math teacher. Finished my Bachelor's Degree at 20. Younger girls looked up to me because their parents told them that I'm someone worthy to be emulated in a world full of young women who have wandered aimlessly. But you see, people look at the outward appearance and they judge by what they see on the outside. I was pretty much clean in people's eyes. That's what I believed so, too.

TURNING POINT:

Fast forward to 2012, I was 23 then - earning, had out of town adventures once or twice a month with friends, and attending Graduate School just as I planned. But I've never felt so useless and unproductive. I remember asking God He has to do something. July of 2012, I resigned from my job of almost 3 years in the BPO industry. I was then looking forward to working in the teaching field maybe it would explain the feeling of unfulfillment.

Few weeks after my resignation, I felt an unexplainable pain on my breasts. It was so excruciatingly painful to the point that I couldn't sleep at night. Having my aunt died from breast cancer made me check my breasts and I found few lumps on both. My mother was horrified because I didn't want to go to the hospital even for a check-up. I thought if it was God's plan for me then there's no need to spend a fortune and die eventually. I remember how my mother would say "read the Bible and hang on to it." And I tried but I couldn't really understand so it was pointless to even open it. The pain grew stronger as the weeks passed. I just knew deep down inside that if I'm gonna die, I knew where exactly I'd be.

Until one night in September, I found myself crying my heart out while in pain:
Jesus, I know You are able to heal me. I believe You are the greatest physician. All the people You touched while You were walking on earth got healed. Only You can take out these lumps from my body. This pain. If You could just touch me, then I will be healed.

Along those lines that's what I remembered telling Him while crying to sleep curled up like a baby in my bed. For years, I knew what I was supposed to believe. But that night, my faith was finally placed in Jesus Christ as a little child, trusting, and helpless. The next morning, I felt so light that I knew immediately something happened! I tried to find the lumps but I couldn't!!!! To make sure I wasn't just hallucinating, I told my mother to check them and she was already crying because she couldn't find them too!

ENCOUNTERSHIP WITH THE LORD:

That morning I can never forget. I was on my knees crying, my hands lifted high, my heart bursting...
It's You, Jesus! Oh God, You touched me! You are real! You are here! Forgive me for every sin that I committed! Please take over my life from now on! It is now Yours, God! I surrender! Use me as an instrument of Your will! I wanna know You! I wanna follow You! Let Your will be done in my life!

I couldn't contain my joy - I was dancing with tears in my eyes praising Him which I have never done before! I just couldn't believe that God Himself heard me. I couldn't believe He is real!!! I was so moved then I was back on my knees crying. As I was surrendering my life to Him, my eyes were pointed to the direction where the Bible was. I stopped crying and had this question mark on my face. My gaze was fixed on the Bible and I thought to myself, "what am I going to do with it?" There was an urge to get it and to start from there and I held it in my hands. There was this still, small voice that I heard, "I want a relationship with you." My tears started falling again!

I was definitely blown away by the things He made me see. HIS LOVE FOR ME. Suddenly John 3:16 makes sense now! For God so loved the world and Jesus accomplished this by taking all of my sins onto Himself on the cross! I was supposed to pay for all the sins that I committed! I was supposed to pay for my sins! But He did it for me. He was treated and put to death as a criminal when the criminal was me! Why would He do that?! But I saw His Love. I saw His mercy. I saw His holiness. I saw His righteousness. I saw His glory. And it was almost magical when He brought light to the dark parts of my life! I looked at all the sins I committed and I was very much disgusted with myself! The more I saw God's love for me through Jesus, the more I see how horrible a sinner I was and needed His forgiveness!

I saw my pride. My want to be the center of attraction. My being envious, greedy, selfish, gossiper, backbiter, manipulative, pretentious, my lying tongue, and my foul mouth cussing people I didn't like. My hurt and anger after losing my virginity when I was 19 to a man whom I thought loved me but forced me to have sex when I wanted to wait till marriage. My fornication in that short affair. My insecurity, my hateful, condemning self after having been cheated on and lied to. My anger, bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness for years. The lustful thoughts, watching porn, and masturbation. I saw the life that I built on lies and masks. Oh, how I was crying over my sins!

And I started seeing how God has always been there even before I was born! I could have been born with a defect from those abortion pills my mother took, but He protected me when I was in my mother's womb! How He showed Himself to me so many times before flashed through my mind like film! How could He be so patient with me?! How He has been pursuing me just made me cry even more. God literally crushed my pride! It was His goodness that led me to repentance!!!

One of my favorite verses in the Bible that spoke to me in the first days of my conversion.

Isaiah 46:3-4:

" I have cared for you since you were born.

Yes, I carried you BEFORE you were born.

I will be your God throughout your lifetime --

until your hair is white with age

I made you, and I will care for you.

I will carry you along and save you."

23 years of living, I was the one who prayed to God and some other gods, vowed down, touched, kissed carved images of Jesus, Mother Mary, Joseph and other invented local gods - yes that was all I had. God was nothing but a religious and distant figure to me. We went after miraculous places to another to feel His presence to bring our petitions, went to church every Sunday and went home the same person - WICKED and UNREPENTANT. We did rituals after rituals, memorized prayers, but none of them touched my heart. They have just become religious habits. I only did what I felt like doing or what seemed right in my eyes. All I had was religion. I didn't care about Him. I was even more worried about what people thought of me and what they would say than God's opinion of me. What's worse is that I only wanted what God could give, but I didn't really want Him nor His word. I treated Him like my personal genie. Give me this, give me that. There were no convictions because I was only religious. And guess what, being religious doesn't make one spiritual. Religious practices don't give anyone spiritual life. I just complied with a set of "good behaviors" for the sake of good reputation.

That day I poured everything out to God where I wept for hours. God knew I was hungry. He knew I was dying spiritually. He knew everything about me! At that time, I honestly didn't know what was happening to me. But now I know that I was being purged of every single sin I'd ever committed and being cleansed and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

BABE IN THE WALK:

Since that day, my life has taken a 180 degree turn. It's crazy how I wanted nothing else but HIM! It grieved my spirit when I watched shows on TV or movies that do not glorify Him. I couldn't spend any more time in front of the TV. I stopped listening to secular music. Reading sensual stories and horoscopes didn't sit right with me anymore. I started journaling every day - writing every thing I was learning, every thing that was in my heart, and every single thing that I felt God was speaking to me. I spent hours each day reading the Bible and meditating on His word. I didn't have that before. I knew the Lord was doing something with the total turnaround in me because I realized I could change my mind, but I couldn't change my heart. He took my heart of stone and gave me a heart of flesh when I repented of my sins. He gave me a new heart and put a new spirit within me as He said in Ezekiel 36:26.

Nobody convinced me to come to Jesus. But by His marvelous grace it pleased Him to reveal His Son to me so that I would share the Good News of Christ. He began showing me that only He can satisfy. That I can try to fill the void in my heart with anything (things, food, people, relationships, achievements) but none of them really satisfy. And I began to live holy as I continue to study the Word, pray and fast. In the first weeks after my conversion, it was NOT EASY because the new faith went against everything I had been taught growing up. My parents got very disappointed because I left the Catholic teachings. I was ridiculed. Some people didn't want to associate with me anymore because I was all Jesus. I didn't have Christian friends. I still went to a Catholic church in the hopes of observing the Sunday routine of going to church and tried to join their bible study for a week, but I wasn't fed spiritually. So I decided to just stay at home and read the Word letting the Holy Spirit teach me. Even though there was no one around who could help me with the new walk, comfort or teach me - but the Holy Spirit was my Helper, Teacher, and Comforter. Everything Jesus said about the Holy Spirit is true. I just wanted all my time to sit still in His presence that for over a year I didn't have the interest to find work. It was crazy how I entirely lost interest in the world and its ways. And my desire to know Him and to be closer to Him grew stronger. Now I know God was setting me apart at that time. And as I began to delight myself in Him, He changed my desires. His desires for my life became my desire.

The Apostle Paul calls this experience becoming a new creation or becoming "born again" because of the work of the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun."

I realize how necessary it is to remain in close communion with God. Over time, I have seen the Lord freed me from many bad habits leading to sin since day one and there were some that didn't disappear overnight. And that's how I started to learn the importance of dying to self daily. The process of the purging and the healing from the damage of sin in my life wasn't easy, but necessary! My efforts to prove my worth to people He changed with calmness surrendering into His hands and a desire to bring Him glory. No longer do I want people's approval, but only what He approves. He is the most important person, with or without an audience.

I remember praying for every person I know that they may know and encounter Jesus. I would grieve and weep for hours longing for the salvation of the souls around me. And since I didn't know anyone in my city who's truly walking with the Lord, I began to follow people on social media who love Jesus and fellowshiped with them. And I get encouraged every day in my walk. And that's how I realized the growing need of a local community as Hebrews 10:25 challenges. Not knowing where I should go, I prayed that God would lead me to the right place or to a group of people that I could grow with spiritually or that at least He would show me what His will is for me. Then God gave me a very specific dream on March 7, 2013 that blew my mind away and continues to encourage me to run the race set before me. Here's a Link to the dream!

I started getting dreams and visions of all sorts. Calamities, people needing help, where to go, what's about to happen, what I'm dealing with, who I'm dealing with, etc. I always get goosebumps especially when they come to pass! God is always speaking to us - through His Word, small still voice in our heart, circumstances, people, dreams, visions, & etc.. What's amazing is that He knows best how to get our attention! There were also times demons come through my dreams to strangle me and stop me from preaching the name of Jesus. Needless to say, spiritual warfare is real!

In 2014, I entered the teaching field where I have seen God showed Himself to the people around me. It gives me so much joy knowing that people's eyes are opened to the truth. In the same year, I found a Christ-centered church with a group of believers. I was also bringing people to the church to join with our fellowship once a week, feeding ministry, and for the Sunday church service.

Early 2016, a day came when the conviction of just sitting in the pews every Sunday was so strong. I was led to have a personal study on the book of Acts where it took me months. I know now that it was God making me examine my faith and opening my eyes to the things He wanted me to see. The more I read the Book of Acts, the more I see myself living so far from the life of the early disciples. And so I asked myself, if I truly am a follower of Christ as I claim to be, then why is my life not as even close as Jesus' disciples who were Not bound to sin, able to heal sicknesses, cast out demons, shared the Gospel with power, etc.. We have the same God, but why do I feel like I'm only getting head knowledge, but no power and life? Why do I not see demonstration of God's power? Where is the "come and follow me" kind of discipleship in the church? So many questions in my head. I wondered if there are people really living the life now like the early church lived. I kept praying and waiting on God for a miracle.

End of 2016, I came across a documentary film of Spirit-filled believers who live and move that which I read in the Book of Acts. A lot of questions were answered. I decided I want that life God has for His people. I'm so fed up with sin and self, and not being able to walk in the identity, calling and purposes of God.

January 2017, by the grace of God, He had His way! I came over where few disciples could help me. I repented of the sins I still loved, then I got baptized in water (immersion) and with the Holy Spirit (with the evidence of tongues). The fire God kindled within me on the day of my redemption continues to even burn brighter and hotter!

Seeing the changes in me, my friends and my younger brother desired the same thing. And just as they believed the Gospel that I shared with them - they were set free, baptized, and received Him. Some of my students came to the faith, too. This is when we started meeting at homes for teaching, breaking bread, fellowship, and prayer - following the pattern of the New Testament churches. It is so simple and special. It's so awesome when the people gathering really know each other, get to talk and relate how God is personally working in and through our lives. The bond is deep, sharpening, and empowering one another for the expansion of His kingdom - all aiming to grow toward Christlikeness.

MY LIFE NOW:

My love has become deeper for Him and for people as I continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. All I know is that LOVE is the most powerful weapon. God continues to lead me to people, groups of people whom I can fellowship with, teach, and/or learn from. I am privileged to lead others into the same walk and see them leading others, too. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, I'm able to lay hands on the sick and see healing instantly or gradually, discern spirits, cast out demons, and baptize people in water and of the Holy Spirit. Not because I'm a very special person, but because God is so crazy faithful. What He says in the word He always does. He only requires that we believe then we will see it come alive because guess what? The Holy Spirit moving during the early church is the same Holy Spirit at work today. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Bless God.

I do not belong to a certain denomination. Whether we realize it or not, God did not manifest in flesh so we could belong to one. The first disciples were not concerned about belonging to one at all. You would be surprised there are no denominations in heaven. My only desire is to belong to Jesus and to follow His leading in doing His will. And I love His church (the believers, individually and corporately) so much that I hate the system of the modern churchianity that's hindering people to come to the life that God has for us in Christ Jesus. The church has become lifeless and powerless because we are not allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us. Instead, we are moving and operating under the traditions, systems, and pressure of men. The result? Lives are not transformed, no repentance, no holiness, no visible fruits (sanctification and multiplication) in our lives.

My life did not go from being imperfect to perfect (the state of being sinless). I still make mistakes (not equal to deliberately sinning) but by His grace growing in repentance. Paul asks us (believers) to put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created us. Do I get tempted? Yes. Who doesn't? Jesus was tempted. The only difference between Him and us was that He did not sin. And He told us to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily if we desire to come after Him. And by renewing my mind it means handling temptations through the knowledge of the finished work of Christ - believing that sin is no longer my master will get me through. And that He is faithful He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we're able and always makes the way of escape.

I'm living a single life and have vowed to stay abstinent from sex since 2008 till marriage because Jesus is my LORD and my body is His temple. I'm a 24/7 disciple working as a teacher. Most of my free time, I'm somewhere preaching the Gospel, healing the sick, praying for people, connecting and helping other believers to step out in faith.

This life is not all rainbows and sunshine. Since I've decided to follow Him, I went through numerous mockings, life-threatening persecutions, and attacks but this is the life. Jesus promised this to those who will follow Him. But here is a proven truth: In Him, there is peace that surpasses all understanding. In Him, there is real rest. In Him, there is true joy even when you're in pain. Blessed are those who trust in Him. Bless Him.

With each new step that the Lord takes me, I am experiencing the reality of His truths which before I just knew in my head. He is definitely changing my life everyday! He wants my heart and for me to walk with Him everyday! And my desire is to focus in giving my heart to the One who loved me first. And to let His Spirit have His way in me so I might live a life abundant as His faithful servant - making use of everything He has given me to lovingly reach out to the lost, set the captives free, serve and disciple people to do the same.

Thank you for reading my story! My prayer is that you will be encouraged to believe that just as our Lord has healed me, saved me from myself, given me freedom and new life - He is willing and able to do the same for you!

GOD's WILL FOR ALL!

I want to encourage you. You, who are reading this...I don't know what your story is, what you've done, what has been done to you, where you've been or what you're going through right now. But God can give you a brand new life. There is no one so wicked and so broken that God cannot forgive and save. If you've never opened your heart to God, now is the time! The Holy Spirit will do what your own flesh cannot and that is to change your life and fill it with the God's plan. A life that is not empty, but a life of meaning and purpose. You are created to know your Creator and have a rich relationship with Him.

And if you're someone who thinks you're safe by doing good, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news - even if you're the kindest, honest, or the most generous person in the whole world - your good deeds will never be enough. God doesn't operate with a weighing scale with good deeds on one side and the bad on the other. I wish that was the case. We were created to be in fellowship with God just like Adam and Eve walked before sin came in. Sin separates us from Him. And for that very reason, God came down as a man to destroy the works of the devil so for everyone who believes could experience the newness of life and be restored in fellowship with Him. He is calling you back to Him, will you answer Him?

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 3:7 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don't be surprised when I say, "you must be born again."

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Acts 2:38-39, Peter said unto them, "REPENT, and be BAPTIZED every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall RECEIVE the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."

Mark 16:16-18, Jesus says, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Luke 10:17-22

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, DO NOT rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Ephesians 2:8-9, For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Colossians 2:6-7

"And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to FOLLOW Him. Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness."

Revelation 12:11

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

For questions and prayer,
feel free to email me @ ussiejag@gmail.com

Grace and Peace!

6 Comments

10 Things You Might Not Know About Christmas

December 24, 2016

1. The Bible gives no actual date for Christ's birth.

The exact date of Jesus' birth is not specified in the Bible. There have been several theories in dating His birth in the late 2nd century. Based on historical records, we find that Clement, a bishop of Alexandria (ca 155 - 220 AD) calculated Jesus' birthdate to be Nov 17, 0003 BC. Fitzmyer says it was sometime in September (approx. 6 months after Passover). Balkan nations celebrate the event on January 7 and some churches in the East do it on January 6. However, the date that was widely recognized as Jesus' birthday and still celebrated to this day is December 25.

How in the world did Christmas come to be celebrated on December 25?

There was a festival in the Roman empire celebrating the return of the sun in the winter solstice on that day. The Roman festival was called Saturnalia celebrating the God Saturn. The pagan tradition was celebrated carelessly with merriment, gift-giving, and feasting. But when the Roman emperor became a Christian and instituted Christianity as the "state" religion in 4th century, he Christianized the celebration because they could not suppress it. So, instead of worshiping the sun, they declared it to be the day of Christ's birth and to worship the Son of God, making the pagan holiday into a Christian one. Christians have celebrated it as such ever since.

2. The word Christmas is NOT in the Bible.

It may sound biblical, but the word "Christmas" is nowhere to be found both in the Old and New Testament. The word "Christmas" is a combination of the words "Christ" and "Mass", invented originally by the Roman Catholic Church. "Christ's Mass" shortened to Christmas is a special mass performed in the RCC. It is said that the first recorded celebration of Christmas was on December 25, 336.

3. Jesus' virgin birth foretold 700 years ago before He came to earth as a man.

The Prophet Isaiah wrote a biography of Jesus approximately 7 centuries into the future. Isaiah knew about the birth of the Messiah promised so long ago. We can see that in Isaiah 7:14 and Isaiah 9:6 that reveals His deity. And we see how those all came to pass in Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1:26-38.

Some of us may have a hard time believing that Jesus was born of a virgin. Some say that if Joseph has never had sexual relations with Mary prior to their marriage, then another man must have been impregnated her! But the Bible tells us differently! Mary (a virgin) was engaged to be married to Joseph when they found out she was pregnant (conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit). Being a human with limited capacity to comprehend, Joseph didn't believe it at first! He wanted to break the engagement off secretly because he didn't want to shame the pregnant fiancé in the public gaze! But when he was told by an angel about the mystery of the Child that Mary is having, Joseph believed and surrendered to the will of God.

4. There were NO Three Kings.

This is a misconception that has been going around in ages.

1. Kings

The Bible does not say that there were "kings" who have traveled from the East. In fact, the Bible uses the word "magi" which means wise men. It states that there were "wise men" from the East to seek and honor the baby Jesus in Jerusalem, but the country which they came from remains unknown. However, most scholars of the Word say that the magi must have come from Persia (Iran now). And that they were most likely students of the prophet Daniel who gave a prophecy about the timeline for the birth of the Messiah.

2. The number of men

The assumption that there were "three wise men" probably arose from the fact that the Bible mentions three gifts. However, the Bible DOESN'T say the number of the wise men. There could have been many more. Tradition has it that the three wise men were Gaspar, Balthazar, and Melchior. The Bible, however, specifies no names.

3. The time of their visitation

The time is not specified when Jesus was born. The wise men came months or possibly years later, not on the night of His birth. That is why in Matthew 2:11, it says the wise men visited and worshiped Jesus in a house, not at the manger or stable.

Here's the question, what do you think made the men "wise"?

1. They had the word of God and obeyed Him in spite of great difficulty.

2. They expected the Messiah's coming and recognized Him unlike the religious leaders at that time.

3. They humbled themselves and sought to worship Jesus.

5. The star.

The magi (wise men) traveled almost a thousand miles from the East to where Jesus was. Can you imagine that? How did they find the King of the Jews? The Bible says that a star helped them locate the Christ child. They consulted King Herod in Jerusalem concerning the birth of Christ and they were directed to Bethlehem.

In Matthew 2:9-10...it says they saw a star in the East and went before them, it literally moved before them. It was no ordinary star because it was leading them to where exactly the Christ child was. In Matthew 2:2 they called it "His star". The magi was in a great company of the Host indeed. Like the glory of God that led the people in the Old Testament. When the people of Israel was lead through the wilderness, the glory of the Lord could be seen as brilliance. A pillar of fire by night or a cloudy pillar by day.

This we know that when we humble ourselves and want to seek God wholeheartedly, God will make a way that we might know Him. He can use a star, a donkey, someone or whatever is necessary to direct us to the place where He wants us to be!

6. The three gifts the wise men brought Him.

In Matthew 2:11, the wise men presented the three gifts.

Have you ever wondered why the magi brought such gifts to Jesus?

a. Gold happens to be the most precious metal that day and was used to signify a King. The wise men brought gold because they recognized Jesus' lordship and dominion. They recognized that Jesus is Lord and King. We have to ask ourselves...who is Jesus to us? Do we realize that He is King of kings and the Lord of lords? Have we bowed our knees to Him, fell on our face before Him and crowned Him as the King to rule our heart and Lord of our lives?

b. Frankincense is one of the ingredients in a sweet perfume that's used in the tabernacle for the worship of God. It's sacred to be used only for God and not for any other purpose. They brought Him Frankincense. Why? They recognized Jesus as God. If Jesus was not God, then the magi have no business worshiping Him. He is not just some prophet, not some angel or some spirit. God was manifest in flesh. Isaiah 9:6. And if Jesus was worshiped, shouldn't we also worship Him?

c. Myrrh is one of the bitter spices/herbs they used to embalm the dead. You might be wondering why the wise men chose to give something like that to a child. They recognized His sacrificial death on that cross. In Matthew 26:39 we see how Jesus is about to drink a cup but it's not some tangible cup. It's a cup that He must drink spiritually. In that cup was our sins - the sins of the world. That He is going to be the object of the wrath of God, the curse. The magi brought Him myrrh because they recognized that He would take our sins, our place, and impute His righteousness unto us (2 Corinthians 5:21) when we believe in His finished work.

7. The name Jesus.

In Isaiah 7:14, "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a sign, and shall call His name Immanuel." This doesn't mean that the Messiah's name would actually be Immanuel, but instead it served as a description of who Jesus is as the Messiah, being God with us.

In Matthew 1:21 and Luke 1:31, angels instructed both Mary and Joseph to name their son Jesus for HE will save His people from their sins. And that through Him, and only through Him, we might be reconciled to the Father as we see in 1 Timothy 2:5 and have everlasting life spoken in John 3:16-17.

8. Christmas Tree and the Mistle Toe

One decoration in the celebration of Saturnalia in the Roman world was the use of evergreens which symbolizes life and rebirth. Christmas tree and the mistletoe were used as symbols of life because they could live through the cold of winter and still hold their green quality. These evergreen plants were decorated as a form of worship in varied pagan cultures.

Mistletoe has been considered one of the most mysterious plants. It was used in many ancient medicine recipes and a protection from poison and evil. They also believed mistletoe possesses "life-giving" power. Ever heard of the song lyrics "kissing under the mistletoe"? History says in Scandinavia, a mistletoe was considered a plant of peace under which enemies could declare a truce or warring spouses kiss and make-up.

Truth be told, even though they are commonly displayed in every household, they don't have any connection in celebrating the birth of Christ.

9. Santa Claus and gift-giving

St. Nicholas commonly called as Santa Claus today was a Roman Catholic bishop of Myra (Turkey) in the late 4th century. He was known for his faith proved through suffering, but most especially for his generosity to helping the poor and the needy. He is remembered because of his generous spirit. It's both funny and sad how he turned into a patron saint of the North Pole, became a white obese old man in a red suit who has a list of kids who have been naughty and nice and who magically delivers gifts with his elves coming in and out through a chimney around the globe with his reindeer sleigh ride.

It's crazy how most people know more of Santa and teach their kids about this fictional character who is somehow someone to be pleased. And we wonder why kids nowadays are growing with thirst for material stuff more than they would thirst for God and the gift He has given us. Do not be deceived. Satan, the father of lies, has used a lot of instruments to divert the attention of people from the Truth. And this has always been his strategy.

On a different note - although it's a very good gesture to give, but if we're being honest sometimes we give not out of love, but because we expect something in return. Sometimes we may also give to get praised or buy affection and affirmation from people. If we ever practice gift-giving, it is worth spending time to examine our own generosity. Why we (believers) give should be a reminder of God's generosity to us most especially His present to us - His own Son. No one should feel obliged nor oblige others to give as spoken in 2 Corinthians 9:7, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.

10. Feasting and Merriment

For a significant majority of people, food and drinking alcohol (often means drinking to excess) are the most celebrated aspects of the season. And who can forget the evening disco? Are all the gimmicks in alignment with God's heart?

(1) There are people who do not celebrate Christmas because they know it began as a part of a pagan culture. And I respect that perspective and the convictions. Why? Because I see in the scripture that the Lord never spoke of commemorating His birth, but rather told us to remember the sacrifice of His suffering and death which ransomed us from the penalty of our sins. The first century church did not observe Jesus' birthday nor have they instituted it. If it was, the first Christians could have written the exact date for its meaningful observance. But we don't get any of that in the New Testament books. However, it also doesn't mean that the birth of Christ have NO meaning to them. But that they are all pointing us to focus more on celebrating the crucified and resurrected Christ who ascended to the heavens seated at the right hand of God and who will SOON be coming back again, NOT as the babe in the manger wrapped in swaddling cloth or the little boy he once was but to judge all mankind, the living and the dead as said in John 5:26-29. So I understand when people say they do not celebrate Christmas at all. But I also hope we do not suppress other Christians' joy to worship Jesus on this day just as we normally wouldn't any other day. We all have the freedom to worship God whenever we want. (This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it!) Can we still rejoice because the name of Christ is in the air everywhere at this time of the year?

(2) Although Christmas has some associations with a pagan culture, some Christians continue to celebrate it to remember the birth of the Messiah bearing Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 10:31 in their conscience. Some celebrate it as the season of gift giving, family being together, putting decorations such as manger scenes, feasting, merry making, and singing songs about the Messiah's birth. However, we also know that not everyone who celebrate it do so with Jesus in mind. So many people celebrate Christmas year after year and they never received God's gift (Jesus). Some of us have even made the "event" a chore, something to get through. You would be amazed how there are a lot of people who will be relieved when Christmas is over! And I can only hope and pray that the eyes of our heart be opened to see things as they are.

(3) I have grown celebrating Christmas till I came to Christ in 2012. It's really hard to get away from all the family traditions, but what I find much harder now is ignoring personal convictions. Personally, I don't put up a tree nor do I glory in secular Christmas songs. I just observe the day as I normally would any other day unto the Lord whether I'm alone or with my family and friends. I like remembering God's faithfulness, how He always comes through on His promises! That God came down and was manifested in the flesh to restore our broken fellowship (because of sin) with our Father through Christ Jesus. This is the Good News.

“And the angel said unto them,
Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to ALL people.”

– Luke 2:10

PRAYER:

Father, thank You for the greatest gift that we could receive - a deeper revelation of how much You love us. We ask You to speak to our hearts and pray that we would know You in the fullness of Your glory. We thank You that You have made a way for us to know You through Jesus Christ. And we ask You today to teach us what it means to believe in Your Son Jesus.

Father, open our hearts to the immensity of Your love. Lord Jesus, I know that You are King of kings, help me to take myself off the throne and enthrone You as my Lord. You are the Mighty God, and I stand in awe of You. Thank You for coming to be born in a manger, to die on a Cross that I might have forgiveness. Save me Lord Jesus, take control of my life and begin now to make me what You want me to be. I thank You for this great Grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

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The Power of the Tongue

Lose Blood, Win People