Believe: My "One Word" for 2018

On the last week of last month, an unexpected event happened. I got sick. Booh! And not just sick; I was hospitalised. Those days were the hardest for us, specially for my 6-year old daughter. For two nights, she slept with my aunt at home without daddy and mommy. It was heartbreaking for all of us. BUT God remained faithful (my one word for this year, 2017). In spite of my shortcomings, He was, is, and has always been faithful to me. I clung to His Word. He promised He will not leave me. And He didn't, not even for a moment.

Fast forward to today, I am very well, by God's grace, and once again, I am ready to share with you my "one word" for the coming 2018. :)

That time I was in the hospital, there was this word that kept tugging at my heart. Then a friend of mine sent me a get-well-soon-praying-for-you message together with this Bible verse: Mark 9:23. I knew I had memorized it before. But something told me that I had to open my Bible and look at it again. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

Source: YouVersion Bible App

Then the word hit me. "Believe". Isn't this what the Lord wants me to do? Cling on to His Word like my life depends on it (and it really does!); trust that He will do what He said He would, and keep the faith.

Believe in who Jesus is (Worth)
Before we could ever believe everything that a person says, we must first know who or what kind of person he is, right? Is he credible? Is he trustworthy? Does he have integrity? 

Well, the good news is, Jesus is who He says He is! Not only that! Old Testament prophets and New Testament apostles had said truthful things about Him. Even modern-day believers would also testify that Jesus is who He claims to be. So, what is the essence of believing in Jesus? The Bible says, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9). Believing in Jesus, the Incarnated Word, the One who is obeyed by the wind and waves, would mean salvation of our souls. The very reason why He came in the first place-why we have Christmas.

I believe in Jesus. He is my Lord and Savior. The wonderful thing though is, Jesus wants me to know Him more and believe in Him more. As He reveals Himself to me each and everyday, He wants me to believe His persona, His worth. 

Believe in His promises (Word)
There's a famous saying, "Promises are made to be broken." I'm sorry but I'm not one to believe that. Ever since I was a child. I knew in my heart that promises should be kept. It's one reason why my family says I'm like a child who always believes that whatever is promised to me, I hold on to it until I see that promise is fulfilled.

However, there are times when it comes to the Lord's promises, I am not child-like. Sometimes, it's easier said than done. But if there's one person who can keep his word, no matter what happens, it is the Lord. He never fails. He accomplishes what He says. He's a covenant-keeping God. He doesn't change. His Word is forever, eternal. 

When I was hospitalized, God made me realize how truthful and trustworthy His Word is. Everyday, He gave me His promise, "Do not be afraid." Whenever I looked at my situation at that time, my reality was totally different from my expectations. Yet, the Lord remained true and faithful to His Word. I just had to believe. It was like the Lord was telling me, "Are you ready to walk with me on the water?" And all He needed to hear from me was, "Yes, Lord. I am ready. I believe. I know we can do this." And we did! He never left me, not even for a single moment. All I needed to do was believe!

Believe in what He has done and can do (Work)
Jesus was born to die so that mankind would be born to live. That was what Jesus had done for humanity. He came to save us from sin and death. To believe this is to be entitled to eternal life. 

But Jesus didn't stop there. He keeps doing something in and through our lives, if we believe it. He is not yet finished. He who has begun a good work in us will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (see Philippians 1:6). Because we believe in Him, we can also do things through Him who gives us strength (see Philippians 4:13).

Jesus is still at work today. Through the Holy Spirit, those who believe in Him, are empowered to do great things for His glory. And then one day, everyone who believes in Him will receive the fulfilment of the greatest promise, that is, His second coming. He will take us to be with Him, forever.

I don't know what 2018 holds for me and my family. But I believe in Him who holds the future. When I was a kid, one of my favorite mottos to write in the slam book was: "To see is to believe." However, a greater truth I have known now that I'm older, spoken by the Greatest Man who had ever lived on earth: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29)

What's your "one word" for this coming year? May you all have a prosperous and victorious 2018! May your heart believe that Jesus will do it, just as He says He would! And remember, "Everything is possible for one who believes." (Mark 9:23).

Faithful in 2017 (Word for the year)

In 2014, my little family and I faced quite a difficult circumstance which compelled us to make a very tough decision. My husband resigned from his job. He had worked there for 16 long years. We went to the US to "look for greener pasture", believing that this was God's will for us. We chose to traverse the long and winding path without really seeing what was ahead of us. At that time, I felt like we were defeated and without direction.

Then I remembered my one word for that year: HOPE.

Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, it struck me: there is hope for me and my family! Yes, we were like walking in an extremely long and dark tunnel, but we didn't give up. I was hopeful. We were hopeful, that after that seemingly prolonged and extended journey in that tunnel, we were not staying there. We were going to see the light at the end of it. And we did! We came back to the Philippines and after almost a year of praying and waiting, he found a new job!

Why have a "word for the year"?
It has been three years now I am in the habit of creating my ONE WORD for the year. This one word has served as my guide or North Star for every year that has come. It somehow helps me focused on where I would like to see myself and my family headed. It reminds me of my purpose, gives meaning and richness and points me to the course that I must take. And for this year, it will not be different. I am ready to establish and live my one word for the coming year.

It was last October when the word "FAITHFUL" kept showing; in my quiet times with the Lord, in the preacher's sermons, and even in chatting with my friends. I don't know why but every time I hear it, it's like it's being stamped in my heart. The more I hear it, the more it is stamped and becomes indelible in my heart. Then one night last week, in the most undramatic scene (while brushing my teeth), I asked the Lord, "Lord, you have been and are so faithful to me. I want to be faithful to you as well. In what area of my life do you want me to be faithful to you?" Instantly, the Lord impressed in my heart where He wants me to be faithful to Him.

Talent

I believe everyone is gifted and talented. It could be one, two or even hundreds. I may just have one but that is not the question. The question is, do I use that talent to glorify God and bless other people? I remember the Parable of the Bags of Gold Jesus told His disciples. A man entrusted his wealth to his servants because he was going on a long journey. One of them received five bags of gold, the other, two bags and to another, one bag. After a long time the man returned and called his servants to give account. The servant who had received five bags of gold returned the five bags of gold with five more, while the servant who received two, gained two more. However, the servant who got one buried the master's gold in the ground. Who got the master's commendation and praise? The servants who traded their golds and earned from them. But the one who hid his was reprimanded and was even called "wicked and lazy servant". So, it's not really how many talents and gifts I've got. It's how faithful I am in using them to bless others and honour my Master.

Time

As a stay-at-home wife and mom, I thought I always have all the time in the world. But I'm mistaken. I don't have time if I'm not using it wisely and productively. There was a time before when a day would pass and I felt like I have not done anything worthwhile; that I just lived for the sake of existence. I felt so purposeless and unfaithful. Each one of us is given the same number of hours in a day, whether we're working in the office or staying at home or working from home.

We all have 24 hours. How we use this precious time is important as well. For this coming year, I would like to be more mindful of the time I am entrusted with. I want to live each day with a sense of purpose and accomplishment; making each day count, making a difference to my daughter, my husband and to every living individual I come in contact with, and being the best person I can be. I believe that's what's being faithful to the Lord for the time He has lent me, means.

Treasure

"Those who can be trusted with small things, can be trusted with big things." I would like to rephrase it and say it in my own words: those who are faithful in big things have been faithful even in small things. I am not rich but I would like to be more faithful in the area of giving to the Lord. I am sure that God is not really after my riches and wealth when He tells me to give to His ministry and share what I have to the people in need. I believe that He is after the condition of my heart. He is training me to trust Him more. He is providing me an avenue to show my faithfulness to Him. Just like the parable I have mentioned above, it's not actually what I have but who I am becoming that He is after. And I firmly believe that that's what matters most.

There you have it, my one word for 2017. I am hopeful that being faithful  to the Lord in the talent/s, time and treasure I am entrusted with, I will also become a blessing to others and be blessed.

How about you? Do you also use "one word" for a year? How does it help you? Please feel free to share your thoughts.

Victory: My One Word for 2016

Have you ever heard about the "one word"- this is the word that you set for the coming year and make it as your guide. It brings you simplicity and focus so that whatever happens throughout the year, it'll be something to remind you to go back to how you would like your year to look like or what you want to be or even accomplish. It gives you more clarity, passion and purpose for life.

I started using "one word" in 2014. It was "hope". It was also a very trying year for me and my family but never did I lose hope. I remember I always used (hashtag) #hopefulin2014. I was not disappointed. Because hope doesn't disappoint. I didn't lose faith. Because hope enabled me to keep believing. Then came 2015. The Lord impressed in my heart the word "grace". And true enough, His grace is abounding and sufficient. A lot of changes occurred and it was God's grace that saw us through. There were times this year that I felt like we were walking through the tunnel. It was God's grace that served as the "light at the end of the tunnel" that enabled us to continue and hold on. This year, 2016, the Lord has put in my heart the word VICTORY.

It was in September 2015 when the Lord gave me His word that "He will restore what the locusts have eaten." Then the following month, He placed the word "victory" in my heart. It was confirmed then by our church's theme for the year. It was a heart-warming revelation that I was in tears. All I could say was, "Thank you, Lord."

Victory over sin and death (Salvation of my soul).
Because of God's amazing grace and through my faith in what the Lord Jesus Christ had done on the cross of calvary, I receive His gift of salvation. Jesus had already overcome sin and death, it has no more sting in my life. When life is through this side of heaven, my eternal dwelling is with Jesus in heaven. I have also overcome; Jesus has given me victory over sin and death.

Victory over sicknesses and diseases (Physical wellness).
Last year was the year I felt our health was being challenged. It was God's grace and faith in His word that sustained us. Every time I felt there was something wrong in my body, God's word was always on time to remind me that, indeed, Jesus is my Great Healer. This year, I am walking on the Lord's promises that, yes, I have already overcome! My family and I are healthy and well!

Victory over "supply and demand" (Financial breakthrough).
It was also last year that my husband and I were both unemployed. I have been a stay-at-home mom for 4 years now. It was the first time for my husband to be jobless. We took a different route last year, believing that it was where the Lord was leading us. One of life's sweet blessings though, is, when you made a detour, God will always bring you back to where you are supposed to be. And that is because of His awe-mazing grace! This year, my husband is employed again. Slowly but surely, we are making our way to clearing out all debts. We believe that before this year ends, victory is ours! 

How about you? Are you also looking for that one little word of you this year? Or do you have any habit or routine you do at the beginning of the year? Please feel free to share your thoughts.

Happy victorious and blessed 2016 to you all! 

Resting in His Grace

What does it mean to rest in God's grace?

Is it do-nothing-and-just-leave-everything-in-God's-hand kind of attitude?
Or perhaps it is like sleeping on whatever bothers you as if it's not even there in the first place?

Neither.

To rest in God's grace is simply to believe that God will fulfill what He says He would after you have done what He told you to do. More often than not though, it's easier said than done. However, we could always look in on the past and see what God had wonderfully accomplished in your life; miracles, surprises, blessings. 

Whatever they are, we can always trust Him to bring about the best... Therefore,

rest in His grace.

My One Word for 2015: Grace

The year 2014 is almost over. I mean, it's just two more days and we bid goodbye to it. It was a good year for me, I would say; it taught me to be grateful for those that came along my way, good or not so good. It challenged me to look at the brighter side of things, the one side of the embroidery - beautiful with all the colors of the thread forming a beautiful design, instead of gazing at the back side with all the threads knotted and tangled. I believe it taught me to hope for the things that matter most. And it is my one word this year, HOPE. True enough, hope anchors my soul to the One who gives it. This hope gently pushes me to move on when I feel like quitting. It enables me look forward to better things ahead of me. It encourages me whenever I am discouraged or disappointed. It helps me to see things which are not yet perceived but I am desiring to behold. In short, having that one word for a year gives me focus in life.

As this year ends, I have been thinking of that one word that I will hold onto for this coming year. As I ponder it, I realize that even before this year comes to an end, in the middle of November, the Lord has been revealing to me His manifold grace, not just in every aspect of my life but in my family's as well.

So for 2015, my one word is GRACE. I do believe that it's not about perfection although I can always strive for excellence, but it's more of His grace which is sufficient for me. It's finding His hand at work in every circumstance I am faced with as I view it with eyes of faith. I am hopeful that as always, God will use this one word as a light - to illumine my path, and a mirror - to reflect the aspects in my life that need to be changed or improved to make me the kind of person the Lord wants me to be or He creates me to be.

I am excited for this coming year and for what God is going to do in, through and to my life. I believe that through my one word GRACE, He will reveal it to me.

So, what is your one word for 2015? I would love to hear from you.

Hopeful in 2014

Last New Year's Eve, before we (my husband, our daughter and I) went out of our bedroom to look at the beautiful fireworks of our neighbors, we held hands together and prayed. Hubby and I believe that this is the best way to start the new year and we would like our daughter to see that. It was just a simple prayer of gratitude for the year past, thanking God for all the things that He allowed to happen and the blessings that came our way. It was also a prayer of trust and hope, believing that He will, once again, go with us, no matter what the new year holds.

After our prayer, which took about 15 minutes, we got dressed for the "New Year" and went to the veranda to watch the amazing fireworks. We were in Calamba (my hometown) by the way. I am now based in Quezon City together with my husband and daughter. So, after the fireworks, we went inside the house and read Psalm 91. Then we prayed for our house (which represents our family) while touching every part of it with oil. I felt so peaceful and I could tell that the Lord was with us as we were doing it. When we're done praying, we had our pictures taken (which has been our tradition since our little fashionista was born, heehee).

Yes, our li'l fashionista was wearing a ladybug costume. She was so excited about wearing it! :) The other lady is our Tita Beck.

I may not know what is coming in the future or in the next 12 months for that matter, but one thing I'm very sure of, the Lord already knows and my hope is in Him. So I say, thank You Lord for 2013 and I am hopeful in 2014, believing that the best is yet to come! :)