Wednesday, August 31, 2011
The Facilitator
9:40 PM | 
Posted by
Glaiza Samson-Siron |
Yesterday, my Life Group Leader texted me to facilitate our Life Group tonight. At first, I am hesitant to accept it because I know that I can’t speak in front of many people or a crowd but I remember my prayer to our Father to use me in sharing his word and to encourage others as well.
I arrived early at church. While waiting for my Life Group to arrive, I prepare our tables and chairs, and I asked God to give me wisdom and confidence to facilitate our gathering. When we are complete, Jeng told the body that I will facilitate our gathering tonight while Tina will be the intercessor. She also said that we should always be prepared because we do not know who will facilitate and intercede next time.
We started our Life Group with a prayer led by Tina and a game. Then followed by sharing about “Inspiration”. We shared our thoughts and hearts regarding the scriptures below.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”
(2 Timothy 3:16, NLT)
“Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.”
(Philippians 2:3-8, TMSG)
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
(Philippians 2:9-11, NIV)
We have different insights and understanding but they are all God inspired and I believe our cups overflowed again. And we have an assignment for next week that is to memorize the foundation verse of our church.
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
(1 John 3:16, NIV)
Let’s pray.
Dear Daddy God,
Thank you for your grace that helps me to do the things that is new to me. Father, thank you for using my life group to encourage and to inspire me more for us to have a deeper and closer relationship. I love you, Dad. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Childlike Faith
“Woohooo! We’re alive! Let’s run before God and seek Him in the field!” These are the words that I said to my siblings when we woke up. Crazy, huh? I want to run before God and seek Him literally. Because I do not mind the rain and the slippery road, I fell and got wounds and bruises on my knees and in my arms but it all worth it. Hahaha!
My siblings are still sleepy when I invite them to walk in the field. Then I saw my 2 year old niece, Ayelle and she is happily singing her new memorize song, God is Able. I smiled and I told my siblings, “Ayelle and I will seek God in the field!” While we are walking, we are singing gospel songs she knew. Here are our lineup songs:
The Anthem by Planetshakers
Happy Day by Tim Hughes
Sing Sing by Chris Tomlin
I Know Who I Am by Israel Houghton
You Are God Alone by Philips, Craig and Dean
God is Able by Hillsongs
Sometimes I’m thinking of “How can I have a faith like a child (childlike faith)?” Jesus said in the Book of Mark, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”
As I was researching about this, I’ve learned that it pleases God when we come to Him in childlike faith because children believe without any evaluation. We, adults tend to evaluate first before believing in His ways, words, miracles and existence himself. And most of the time we fail Him because of our little faith in Him.
May we learn to believe in our God like a child as we walk with Him through our lives.
Read this beautiful story…
Let’s pray.
Dear Daddy God,
May your grace strengthen us to walk with you with a childlike faith. Father, forgive us if we doubted you. We know that most of the time we failed you because of evaluating your ways, words, promises and your existence. I’m sorry and I love you, Dad. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Facing The Giants
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| For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. - Phil. 4:13 |
Just finished watching “FACING THE GIANTS” AGAIN. Yes, again… I do not remember how many times I’ve seen this movie but every time I’m watching it, it feels like, it is always the first time I watch it. I recommend this movie to you, your family and friends. Enjoy!
Here is the plot of the movie:
Facing the Giants is the story of Grant Taylor, a high school football coach with a mediocre record. After several poor seasons, the Shiloh Eagles are considering replacing him as head coach. This is not the only problem Taylor is facing; his car is breaking down, the players' fathers are trying to get him fired, and he discovers that he is the reason that his wife Brooke cannot become pregnant.
In order to find a solution to these problems, he prays to God for help. He creates a new coaching philosophy and decides to praise God after each game, no matter what the result. At the same time he guides and urges each one of his players to give the maximum effort, and motivates them to believe they can win under God's guidance. From that point on, he loses only one game but eventually goes on to win the state championship. His prayers for children are also answered when he and his wife have two children of their own.
Here are some memorable quotes from the movie:
Grant Taylor: I want God to bless this team so much people will talk about what He did. But it means we gotta give Him our best in every area. And if we win, we praise Him. And if we lose, we praise Him. Either way we honor Him with our actions and our attitudes. So I'm askin' you... What are you living for? I resolve to give God everything I've got, then I'll leave the results up to Him. I want to know if you'll join me.
Grant Taylor: Lord Jesus, would you help me? I need you. Lord, I feel that there are giants of fear and failure staring down at me, waiting to crush me. And I don't know how to beat 'em, Lord. I'm tired of being afraid. Lord, if you want me to do something else, show me. If you don't want me to have children, so be it. But You're my God. You're on the throne. You can have my hopes and my dreams. Lord, give me something. Show me something.
Brock Kelley: You don't want us to win games?
Grant Taylor: No. Not if that's our main goal. Winning football games is too small a thing to live for. And I love football as much as anybody. But even championship trophies will collect dust and one day be forgotten. It's just that so far this has all been about us; how we can look good, how we can get the glory. The more I read this book, the more I realize that life's not about us. We're not here to get glory, make money, and die. The Bible says that God put us here for Him. To honour Him. Jesus said that the most important thing you can do with your life is to love God with everything you are, to love others and yourself. So if we win every game and we miss that, we've done nothing. Football then means nothing. So I'm here to present you a new team philosophy. I think that football is just one of the tools we use to honor God. Brock Kelley: So you think that God does care about football?
Grant Taylor: I think He cares about your faith. He cares about where your heart is. And if you can live your faith out on the football field then yes, God cares about football because He cares about you. He sent His son Jesus to die for us so we could live for Him. That's why we're here. But see, it's not just on the football field; we've got to honor Him in our relationships, our respect for authority, in the classroom, and when you're at home alone surfing the internet. I want God to bless this team so much that people talk about what He did. But it means we got to give Him our best in every area. If we win, we praise Him. And if we lose, we praise Him. Either way, we honour Him with our actions and our attitudes. So I'm asking you: what are you living for? I've resolved to give God everything I've got. Then I'll leave the results up to Him. I want to know if you'll join me?
J.T. Hawkins Jr.: You act like you gonna miss before you even kick the ball. See, we're gonna have to change your whole kicking philosophy. Now see, you kick it wide left, or wide right, but that ain't gonna get you home. The ball has got to go through the middle.
David Childers: I know, coach. J.T. Hawkins Jr.: No, no, no. You don't. Now what does scripture say about this? Scripture says wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction. And many that be there find it. Now to us; that's wide left, and wide right. But narrow is the gate and straight is the way that leads to life, and few that be there find it. Anybody can kick it wide left and wide right. My momma can kick it wide left and wide right. But that ain't gonna get you home. It don't have to look great. It don't have to look smooth. It can look like a dying duck. But the ball has got to go through the middle. Now David, you gonna have to choose the narrow way. Cause that's the only path where you gonna get your reward.
We may be facing “giants” in our lives but always remember: we are serving a BIG GOD and with Him all things are possible.
Let’s pray.
Dear Daddy God,
Thank you, Father for always here with us. We may be facing giants in our lives but I know that you will back us up and you are greater and bigger to those giants. I love you, Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Inspired by CHRIST!
Let’s talk about inspiration. What is inspiration? Pastor Anthony’s definition of this word is “any influence that arouses efforts for us to do well”.
Now, let me ask you. Who inspired you in everything you do? Well, I have so many inspirations in my life but there is someone who standout among them, his name is Jesus. Why Him? We all know what Jesus did for us on the cross. He sacrificed his life for us to save us from all our sins. Also through Jesus, the love of our Father is revealed to us and He is the exact representation of his being.
I believe that we have the same inspiration in life. Let us focus our eyes to Him no matter what.
+ + + + +
I had a great day with my Life Group and Vinky (Pastor Ru’s disciple) today. So sad that Krisette wasn’t able to go with us for some reason and that reason has a purpose. We dine and shop at Marquee Mall after Sunday Celebration. We also meet other catalysts (yuppies) Joanne, Tam, Allan and Shawn. And I had the chance to see my foster parents (Kong Jerry and Ate Sha), my sisters (Ate Joan and Toni) and baby Tash (Ron) at the mall.
Here are today’s captured moments…
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| At Max's Restaurant... |
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| From L-R: Jeng, Me, Vinky, Tina, Remsy and Joanne. Thanks Shawn for the pic. |
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| More photos? Click here... |
Let’s pray.
Dear Daddy God,
Thank you for your son, Jesus Christ. For through Him we are save from all our sins. Jesus, thank you for the cross and for sacrificing your life for us. I know that we don’t deserve it but still you did that for us. I love you, Dad. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Waiting Patiently To GOD's PROMISES!
Restore our fortunes, LORD, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.
(Psalm 126:4-6, NIV)
Our God is a God of restoration. He can restore everything we’ve lost. Just keep your faith in Him and focus your eyes to Jesus.
+ + + + +
Praise God for using Pastor Ru to relay His message for me. I super received it! “The Dream Not Dead: A Sermon on Keeping the Dream Alive!” is the title of His message today. The main character of the message is none other than Joseph the Dreamer.
Most of us know the story of Joseph the Dreamer. God gave Him a big dream that His Father, Mother and Eleven Brothers will bowed down to Him. Through that dream, his brothers became more jealous and angry to Joseph and that jealousy and angry led them to thrown him to the pit and sold him to the Ishmaelites. When Joseph arrived at Egypt, He became a slave to Potiphar, accused as a rapist due to Potiphar’s wife accusation and became a prisoner. But God was with Joseph all the time.
After 13 years of struggles, Joseph finally experiencing His dream. Joseph was 17 years when He received the big dream from God and He is 30 years old when He became the Emperor of Egypt.
Here are the keys in waiting…
- Waiting is not the absence of movement
- Waiting is not delay
- Waiting is preparation
Here are the quotable quotes today…
- The bigger the dream, the bigger the trust of God in you.
- When God gave you dream—He also means, “I believe in you!”
- It takes just two persons to really believe. One person and you.
- God believes in you. So believe in yourself too.
- There are moments when the dream has to die first. It becomes a seed that dies… for a purpose.
- In times of delays, don’t run from God… instead RUN TO GOD!
- When you are tempted to quit that is the time to turn your eyes on Jesus.
I pray that you receive the message today. Live your dreams and God bless you!
Let’s pray.
Dear Daddy God,
You are the God of restoration and second chance! I know that the power that resurrects Jesus from the grave is the same power that will restore our dead dreams. Thank you for trusting us, Father. I love you, Dad. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Friday, August 26, 2011
The Life of JOB...
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| My fave.. Tulips.. |
As I was preparing for work this morning, I realized the things that are happening to me since last month till today. Then suddenly, I remembered the life of Job in the Old Testament. His life was tested by Satan. Did you know that when Satan wants to test us, He will ask our Abba Father’s permission first before doing anything to us? If not, now you know. Hehehe! Because we are more powerful than Satan.
God boasts Job to Satan because of his goodness and righteousness but Satan argues with the Lord. He told our Abba Father that Job is only good because of His protection to him but if he will lost everything he has, he will surely curse our Father. Then Satan asks God for permission to test or punish him. Because God is proud to Job, he permitted Satan to torment him but He forbids taking his life.
Satan’s first challenge to Job is taking the lives of His children and livestock but Job still praises God. Satan solicits God again to test Job and he grants him. The second challenge of Job is skin sores. His wife told Job to curse God but Job’s replied, "You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?" (Job 2:10 NLT)
Job three friends visit to comfort Him. One of the three told him to seek God’s favor because he might commit sins before God. Then the other two agreed that he might have committed evil to offend God’s justice. Job responds to their statements and his friends are offended that he contempt their wisdom. A young man named, Elihu interfere in their conversation. This young man makes an effort to show off God’s mercy and grace to Job.
God finally break off. He asked Job to be brave and to respond to his questions. God’s questions are abstract, aiming to show how Job knows about creation and his power. After the encounter with Abba Father, Job acknowledges God’s unlimited power and that response pleases Him. God was angry to Job’s three friends but He interceded in their behalf. Do you know what I like most after what happened to Job? Read the scripture below.
“After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.”
(Job 42:10, NIV)
As for me, my challenges are far different from Job. I have no livestock and children who died due to calamities and I did not suffer from skin sores. They are the same like yours such as personal problem, family problem, career problem and social problem. Hehehe. If you had read my previous post, I did not get the promotion or item I applied in our office but I’m still positive that our God will open great doors of opportunities in my career in our country. As for my social problem, I’m experiencing rough road with my girl friends but I believe that one day God will make them understand. As for my personal life and family, I know that all good things work together for those who love God and He will open the gates of heaven to pour out His blessings and grace to us.
The lesson I’ve learned to Job’s life is to stay in faith and acknowledge God’s unlimited power and mercy no matter what happen to us. If God restored Job’s health and providing him with twice as much as property as he had before, God can also do that to us because He is the same God yesterday, today and forever!
Let’s pray.
Dear Daddy God,
You are the same God yesterday, today and forever! You are the creator of heaven and earth! Your power and mercy is unlimited! Father, I thank you for all the things you have done to me. I know that these challenges are nothing compared to Job and I also know that you are only building and preparing me for your big miracles, major set-ups and huge blessing in my life. Thank you, Father for your trust in me because experiencing these challenges means that you are confident that I can surpass it. All glory, honor and praise belong to you. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
They'll get it ONE DAY!
I received a message from a friend this morning and it made me super sad. I know that its been a long time since the five of us gathered. I told them beforehand that I’m not available every Wednesday due to my commitment to God and I don’t want to compromise it but if they don’t understand it, it’s ok.
While talking to my best friend, he reminded me of this song, All Day by Hillsong United. The lyrics speak what is happening to me right now. And I like what it says to the last sentence in the first verse, “They’ll get it one day”. Read the lyrics below.
[Verse 1]:
I don't care what they say about me
It's alright, alright
I don't care they think about me
It's alright, they'll get it one day
[Pre-Chorus]
I love you, I'll follow you
You are my, my life
I will read my bible and pray
I will follow you all day
[Verse 2]:
I don't care what it costs anymore
Cos' you gave it all and I'm following you
I don't care what it takes anymore
No matter what happens I'm going your way
[Chorus]:
All Day
All Day now
All Day
[Bridge]:
Anyone around can see
Just how good you've been to me
For all my friends that don't know you
I pray that you would save them too
Going back to the first paragraph, I went to the bathroom and cried when I read the message. I asked God on what He wants me to learn from my situation now and I also told Him that I have no regrets in attending my Life Group last night. Then He made me realized that people are unique. They have different perspective. Others may like to read biblical verses and encouraging quotes and others do not. Even though they told me to delete their names in my GM list, I will still include them. As the writer of Hebrews says, “encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
Let’s pray.
Dear Daddy God,
Thank you for your grace! I may be experiencing problems and struggles with my friends now but I know you will turn the situation around and they will get it one day. I pray O Lord that they will see the changes you did to me and they will also desire those changes to happen in their lives. Thank you and I love you, Dad. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Seek GOD First...
Like what I said to my GM (Group Message) this morning, “Why is it so easy for us to look for the things that are hard to find but it’s hard for us to seek God who is easy to find?”
We are busy seeking for other things such as career/job, fame, prestige, etc. but why not divert our attention to God? We are aware that in seeking God, everything will follow. His mercy, grace, favors, blessings, etc… But still we don’t even bother to look for Him. God gave us a promise in Matthew 6:33, NIV, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things (career/job, fame, prestige, material things) will be given to you as well.”
All good things will fall into their places if we learn to put God first in everything we do. You may say, “That’s hard, you know…” Yes, it is. That is why God gave us his Holy Spirit to administer us, to help us, to guide us and to lead us. We only have to acknowledge His presence.
If you want to seek God now, surrender to Him and pray this short prayer.
Father God, I humble and surrender myself into you. As I seek your face and love more, let only your will be done in me. Jesus, be the center of my life, be the center of everything I do. I pray that everything I do will give you glory, honor and praise. I trust you, Father. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!
+ + + + +
Last Sunday I talked to my Life Group Leader and ask for her permission for I might not attend our LG this week. That idea bothered me. I asked a friend about my situation and He told me to go to the “despedida” of our friend Toni and I agreed to what He advised me. But inside of me is not ok. It kept on telling me “compromise”, “compromise”. I asked God for wisdom because I’m still undecided to which party I should go.
The word during the prayerworks answered me, “Seek God first, for surely His goodness and mercy will chase you and overtake you down.” Maybe my friends don’t understand me now, but I know God will let them understand.
Let’s pray.
Dear Daddy God,
Thank you for your rhema (revealed words) to me, Father. I know that seeking your face more is one of the fulfillments here on earth. Jesus be the center of everything I do. I love you, Father. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
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About Me
- Glaiza Samson-Siron
- A seeker and lover of our Lord Jesus Christ. A favored princess who is patiently waiting for our King’s promises comes to pass. A child of the Most High God who is hungry and thirsty to our Abba Father’s words. A person who wants to be the person God wants her to be.
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