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It is possible that one can be ragarded as hugely successful in the ministry and yet be a failure.

Moses. A dramatic incident at Rephidim, striking the rock that provides water to the Israelites. God instructed Aaron ans Moses to gather the assembly together and speak to the rock before their eyes and the water will pouroutt. But seeing the multitude of grippers, Moses' anger was blazed. He struck the rock twice with his staff and the water gushed out.

What a tremendous miracle! The millions of people and animals drank from their thirst. Sounds like a huge success!

But it was actually a failure in heaven's view. (Numbers 20:12)

In the ministry, it is possible to give people what exacyly they need, and yet be a failure.

We can inspire worship, excell in programs that meet human needs- and yet be a failure. The reason Moses was actually failed is because he was not faithful to the word of God.

God's primary call for us is to faithfulness.

(From a book "Liberating Ministry from Success Syndrome" -Kent and Barbara)

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Forever grateful to God

for every lesson that shaped me,

every struggle that humbled me,

every pain that opened my eyes,

and every truth that found its way into my soul.

They brought me to my knees before the King,

taught my heart to bow,

and led me to surrender

for He is in control, not I.

And when doors quietly closed,

I learned not to question, but to trust:

perhaps it was never rejection,

but His gentle way of protecting me.

Glory To God!

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"In every much of our prayer, there is really only little thought of God. Our mind is taken up with the thought of what we need and is not occupied with the thought of the mighty and loving Father of whom we are seeking it.

Oftentimes, we are neither occupied with the need nor with the one to whom were are praying."

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We all know the story in the book of Daniel about his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

They were put in a situation where they had to choose. Either kneel down to a man-made statue of the king, or refuse and be thrown into the fiery furnace. Imagine that kind of pressure. It was literally life or death.

But they made one clear decision, they refused to bow. They were ready to face the consequences. No compromise.

So they were thrown into the fiery furnace. And here’s the amazing part, they weren’t burned. Then the king looked into the furnace and saw a fourth man standing with them.

And here’s something beautiful: it wasn’t Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who saw the fourth man. It was the king.

Sometimes, that’s how it is in our lives. There are moments when we don’t see God beside us. We don’t feel His presence. We even start to think He’s absent in the middle of our struggle. But that doesn’t mean He’s not there.

Sometimes, we may not see Him, but other people do. Other people can see how God is protecting us, sustaining us, carrying us through the fire.

Just because we don’t see God doesn’t mean He isn’t standing right there with us.

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“Before I say this, I want to admit something. I’ve done this more times than I want to admit.”

We all struggle with this…

“Let’s be honest.
Have you ever complained about something… right after praying for it?”

Have you ever Prayed for ministry — then complained about being tired.

Have you ever Prayed for leadership opportunity — then felt stressed and unappreciated.

Have you ever Prayed for school — then complained about requirements.

Have you ever Prayed for God’s will — then struggled when it became uncomfortable.

Then ask:

“Why is it that we are quick to ask, but slow to thank?”

“At what point did answered prayers become burdens instead of blessings?”

“Luke 17:11-19”

Luke records that Jesus was once met by ten lepers who stood at a distance and cried out to Him, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” Jesus said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests” (who were the ones who could officially pronounce a leper cleansed from his disease), and as they went they were cleansed. Of the ten cleansed, one, a Samaritan, when he saw that he was healed, returned to Jesus, praising God and thanking Jesus. Jesus then exclaimed, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except for this foreigner?”

“How could those nine men be so ungrateful as to not even turn back and say a word of thanks to Jesus?” And yet far too many of us are guilty of the same sin of unthankfulness.Spiritually, our condition was once far worse than the physical disease of leprosy. We were not diseased; we were spiritually dead. We were slaves to the world, to Satan, and to the passions of our own sinful nature. We were by nature objects of God’s wrath. But God, in His great mercy and love, reached out to us and gave us spiritual life (see Ephesians 2:1-5).

God healed us greater than healing from leprosy.

Failure to give Him the thanks is sin. It may seem like a benign sin to us because it doesn’t harm anyone else. But it is an affront and insult to the One who created us and sustains us every second of our lives.

It may seem like a small sin to us. BUT GOD TAKES IT SERIOUSLY.

“Unthankfulness is not loud rebellion. It is a silent absence.”

A draft for the cancelled devotion:(

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Faith flowers in the seed of simple tasks

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Faith flowers in the seed of simple tasks

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I was reading from a book, "Liberating Ministry from Success Syndrome" by Kent and Barbara, and reflecting on these things.

It is possible that one can be regarded as hugely successful in the ministry and yet be a failure.

Moses.

A dramatic incident at Rephidim, striking the rock that provides water to the Israelites. God instructed Aaron and Moses to gather the assembly together and SPEAK TO THE ROCK BEFORE THEIR EYES, and the water would pour out.

But seeing the multitude of grippers, Moses' anger was blazed. What had he done?

He struck the rock twice with his staff, and the water gushed out.

What a tremendous miracle!

An amazing moment when Moses could pour out the water by striking the rock!

Millions of people and animals drank from their thirst. Sounds like a huge success!

But it was actually a failure in heaven's view. (Numbers 20:12)

Does that thing God want him to do?

In the ministry, it is possible to give people exactly what they need, and yet be a failure.

We can inspire worship, excel in programs that meet human needs, inspire people, and yet be a failure.

The reason Moses was actually failed is because he was not faithful to the word of God.

God's primary call for us is to faithfulness.

Whether it is great or small, He wants us to be faithful to Him and to His words.

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Pain and struggle are part of being a Christian. We know that. We expect that. When people who don’t have God in their lives attack us, of course it hurts—but somehow the pain feels lighter. Maybe it’s because we don’t really expect anything from them. They don’t yet know the grace and love of our God.

But what if the ones who hurt us are fellow believers? People who serve the same God, who confess the same faith, who call themselves followers of Christ—just like us? That kind of pain hits differently. It’s not shallow at all. It cuts deeper. The damage feels heavier.

I think one of the most painful things a Christian can experience is being hurt by someone who has also received God’s grace. Healing from that kind of wound takes time—sometimes a lot of time.

But lately, I’ve come to understand something. They’re human too. They’re not perfect. They’re not responsible for meeting all my expectations.

And when I look closely, I see myself.

I hurt people too.

I disappoint people.

Sometimes, I become a stumbling block.

Now I understand—this is part of being human. God didn’t design me to be a blessing every single moment. There have been times when I was the reason someone got hurt. I’ve ruined someone’s day. I’ve caused sadness. I’ve made someone cry.

And realizing that humbles me.

-Lo.

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The environment seems so dimmed.

The clouds get darker far from what we want in a clear sky.

The eyelids of His people speak louder.

Individuals' shoulders are getting heavier.

We're not blind.

We're not bothered nor apathetic.

We've seen it.

We felt them.

We see the burden.

We care for them.

We prayed.

We wanted to be His channel of grace.

We somehow find ways to comfort.

We somehow wanted to share our shoulders.

We somehow offer our hands.

We somehow gave hankies for tears.

But remember, we can be a channel of His grace. And we do not replace God.

God wanted us to be more closer and closer to Him, and not relying on our own strength. We are instruments and we allow God to use us in any different ways. Little or great, visible in human eyes or not. Allow ourselves to minister, but behind that effort, it is the power and grace of God working within us.

He is our God, and we are His people.

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"In the garden of Gethsemane"

I thought ministry meant strength.
Clarity.
Fruit I could point to and name.

I didn’t know my field would be
Gethsemane.

I didn’t know my assignment would begin on my knees, hands pressed into cold earth,
heart unraveling under the weight of a cup I never asked to hold.
I didn’t know the first labor would not be sowing or reaping, but begging— “Please, if there is any other way.”

I didn’t know this is what a field
of ministry could look like:
no crowd,
no applause,
no visible success, just obedience sweating through my skin, anguish pressing the air out of my lungs, faith reduced to a single trembling sentence: “Nevertheless… not my will.”

I thought fields were where you do something for God. I didn’t know they were sometimes where you are undone by Him.

This field has no pulpit.
It has no neat rows or measurable yield.
Only crushed olives.
Only pressure.
Only the slow, sacred breaking that releases oil no one can counterfeit.

I didn’t know that being led here meant my ministry would start with surrender, not the poetic kind, but the kind that costs you your
illusions,
your timeline,
your sense of control.
The kind where obedience feels like loss
and trust feels like dying.

But here—
in the place I begged not to be—
He stayed.

Not to rescue me from the cup,
but to meet me within it.
To teach me that holiness is not always bright and victorious,
sometimes it is quiet, blood-tinged, and faithful.
Sometimes it looks like staying when everything in you wants to run.

This field is teaching me that ministry is not proven by how strong I look, but by how honestly I kneel.
That the deepest work God does through us
often begins with what He is doing in us—
alone, unseen, uncelebrated.

I didn’t know my calling would pass through this garden.
I didn’t know my yes would sound like weeping.
But if this is the field He has chosen,
then I will tend it with my tears.

Because oil flows here.
And even this ground, will not be wasted.

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Lord, are You there?

I keep knocking on the door. Do You hear the sound? Could You give me the key so that I can open it on my own? I can’t climb, the wall is too high. The door cannot be broken.

Lord, are You there?

Should I remain standing outside? The rain is falling, the wind is blowing, and the darkness is coming. How long, my Lord? Do You really see me? If so, could You lend me Your umbrella? Your blanket? Your comfort?

Are You there? Do You really care?

Your warrior has come back home after the countless battles and failures he fought in silence. Your warrior has returned as a child, crying, mourning, shattered, and shaken.

Could You open the door? May I now come inside?

Can I lean my head on Your shoulder now? Please, open the door. I am longing for Your shoulder.

-Lo.

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When we pray, minsan naiisip natin, “Ibibigay ‘yan ni Lord kapag ready na ako.” And honestly, that’s a very common Christian mindset. But napapaisip ba tayo—does God really wait for us to be fully ready before He gives what we’re praying for? Or baka naman kahit hindi pa tayo ready, binibigay na Niya?

Look at Jeremiah. He was still young when God called him to be a prophet. Hindi siya ready, hindi siya prepared. In fact, sinabi pa niya sa Diyos na hindi siya marunong magsalita. But God still chose him. God still entrusted him with responsibility despite how he saw himself.

Same with Moses. He told God that he stuttered. He wasn’t confident with his speaking. From his perspective, he wasn’t qualified. He wasn’t ready. Yet God still called him to be His voice to the Israelites.

So maybe “readiness” isn’t always the requirement we think it is.

Maybe when God calls us, He doesn’t wait for us to feel capable. Instead, He calls us first—and then He prepares us along the way. Habang tinutupad natin ang calling, Siya rin ang humuhubog sa atin. He leads us, strengthens us, and equips us in the process.

It’s not about us having no choice. It’s about realizing that even when we feel incapable, God is the One working within us.

Our weakness doesn’t disqualify us it becomes the space where His power moves.

-Lo.

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Even the best fall sometimes.

Even the strongest become weak.

Even the wisest can act foolishly.

This reminds us that we are fragile, and weakness is part of being human.

That’s why we need to remember that His grace embraces us, even in the deepest places we struggle to admit.

-Lo.

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When your good is evil spoken of,

When your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed And you refuse to let anger rise in your heart

Or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence…

That is dying to self.

When you patiently and lovingly bear any disorder,

Any irregularity and unpunctuality or any annoyance,

When you can stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility And endure it as Jesus endured it…

That is dying to self.

When you are content with any food, any offering,

Any raiment, and climate, any society,

Any solitude, any interruptions by the will of God…

That is dying to self.

When you can see your brother prosper

And have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit And feel no envy, nor question God

While your needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances…

That is dying to self.

When you can receive correction and reproof

From one of less stature than yourself,

And can humbly submit inwardly

As well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or

Resentment rising up within our heart…

That is dying to self.

Are you dead yet?

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God is never found accidentally.

Christians are saved, but without hunger and thirst for seeking God. You are saved not because you seek Him, but because He seeks you.

Before a man seeks God, God must first have sought the man. Before a sinful man can think a right thought of God, there must have been a work of enlightenment done within him.

We pursue God because, and only because, He has first put an urge in us to pursue Him.

And that is through His GRACE alone.

Be grateful for every day that God has found you and put desires in you to seek Him.

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A fragile Heart

The sun is hiding behind the clouds

It seems the rain will fall

Standing alone in the crowd

Seeking shelter to be restored

I'm in a thousand pieces

...

But this fragile heart finds comfort above

This fragile heart finds peace and rest

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I hope you get to realize your worth. I hope you understand who you are and who you can be. You are an underrated catalyst, a strong power disguised in this weak body.

Look around and see, the world is full of women...

But the world is full of women who are confused about who they really are; it needs women whose identity is settled in her Creator's view of her.

The world is already full of women who are so full of themselves;

it needs women who will selflessly live for God.

The world is so full of women who are too preoccupied with making themselves beautiful; it needs women who are more than the physical, more of the spiritual.

The world is so full of women who would insist to dress up for their taste; it needs women who prefer honoring God even in the seemingly minor issue of fashion.

The world is full of women who love to draw attention to themselves; it needs women whose utmost aim is pointing people to Jesus.

The world is so full of women whose lips are idle and love to tear down; it needs women whose words heal and revive.

This world is so full of noisy, aggressive, women who forgot how to be women; it needs women who acknowledge the beauty of gentleness and submission.

But the world is so full of women who are so afraid to stand up and speak; it needs women who are not ashamed to shout to the world the saving love of Jesus!

This world is full of women who are so busy chasing their dreams; it needs women who are so sold-out they'll follow Jesus whatever it may take.

This world is so full of women who are desperate for love; it needs women who are so secure of God's love they are complete in Him

The world is so full of women who are full of worries and fears; it needs women whose confidence in God is so contagious it makes others want to trust her God too.

This world is full of women who are never contented; it needs women who are grateful for whatever God may give or deny.

This world is so full of women who hate to be a woman; it needs women who accept and thank God for who He made them.

This world is full of women who just lived and died; it needs women who will intentionally live and die for Jesus!

This world is so full of women, so full that we've outnumbered men.

Don't underestimate the power of your existence.

It can either worsen or make better the world you're in.

Don't just be another woman.

Be a Godly woman - a light in this blinding darkness, a grain of salt in this tragic decay - a soul whose existence made the world a little more better to live in.

Yes. The world is in dire need of Godly women who will make a radical difference, and that woman could be you!

"She hath done what she could...Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her." - Mark 14:8-9

ctto

"Dear Women" Facebook, January 15, 2022.

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Among the green and orange leaves that sway,

Underneath the blue skies where the clouds play,

I find comfort in the beauty so grand,

In the artwork of nature, truly and divinely planned.

In every color, every piece, and every mark.

Every whisper of air brought to my heart,

I see the hand of a Masterful Creator,

His wonders cannot be ignored.

Oh, how great and amazing is Your art,

A masterpiece that fills in my heart,

In the tranquility of leaf and sky,

I find love of Who truly You are, up high.

-Rox:)

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When we battered by the storms of life, we may be tempted to give in to feelings of hopelessness. But if we look to our sovereign Captain☝️ and commit our way to Him (Psalms 37:5), we will find peace even in the midst of turmoil. We can trust Him to bring us through the storm.

God may calm the storm around you, but more often He'll calm the storm within you.

God bless❤

-Rox:)

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Are we living or just alive? What matters is not how LONG YOU live, but how WELL. Some people live for 85 years and do very little. Others live only a relatively few years, but they fill that time with service to God and others, and their influence lives on.

Today, let's seek to fill the hours with service and worship our God. If this is our last day (and who knows, it may be), rather than wasting it in dreaming of a long life, let it be occupied with producing fruit and be a blessing, and let us truly live. Yes, the only worthwhile life (be it long or short) is the one spent in the service for the Lord and bringing blessings to others. It is better to add life to your years than to add years to your life. Again, are we living or just alive?

Ecclesiastes 12:1 "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth" Have a great day and God bless

- Rox:)

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Remember, worry never solves a single problem!

Worry doesn't improve the future, it only ruins the present.

God has a purpose for your pain,

A reason for your struggle,

And a reward for your faithfulness.

Trust God and don't give up.

Finish the race that is set upon you!

- Rox:)