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[thechronikkles]

Be a good steward of God's time. Be a good steward of God's provision.

[thechronikkles]

[thechronikkles]

Everyday is an Adventure

Let us always be reminded that whatever we are going through, we have to keep pressing on and hold onto God because it will be all worth it in the end. He has prepared a place that is intended for His people, and that is the major thing we have to look forward to. Not a glass house by the beach or a mansion in the suburbs, but heaven. If we live for God, it wouldn't even matter how long this journey goes or how hard it could be because we are given the assurance that we will never be alone. Therefore, be thankful and praise God for yet another adventure. No level of negative vibes is worth your smile for everyday is a blessing, so let us make every second count! 😉

[thechronikkles]

Why do some people prosper despite their wicked ways?

Readings: Psalm 73

Personal Highlights:

16 When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply 17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Realizations: 

1. Since these wicked people are so used to the patterns of this world, they easily fall in love with money and success, not knowing its trap. When they fail to acknowledge that this is actually by God's grace and forget to give thanks sincerely, it's the time God uses that wealth and power to destroy them. But God will never give up on us until we turn back to Him. As what Pastor Peter Tan-Chi said, God breaks us first before we are transformed.

2. Do not be envious because what matters to God is our heart and things that would please Him and give Him greater glory. Thus, our greatest treasure cannot ever be found on earth.

3. Do not be ignorant of other people's wicked ways. We should pray for them and let the authorities know what they are doing. It doesn't stop there though, we should keep on praying for them. So it's pray ➢ act upon it ➢ pray more.

4. Our motive of exposing them is not to destroy them nor be it out of vengeance but to straighten them up.

5. Our focus should always be Christ. We have to look for opportunities to share the gospel and pray for/with people. 

Additional reading: Psalm 37:1-3

1 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong: 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. 3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

At the moment where we encounter people like this and feel that life is yet being unfair, it's important to take time to meditate on God's word and remember that there is no reward here on earth that is greater than what God has for us in heaven. 

[thechronikkles]

Before you make a judgment on something, have as much as information as anyone else could have. You may have to defend your judgment in which case you don't want to sound like an idiot.

Ansel Elgort

[thechronikkles]

I will always be proud of my Alma Matter. I wouldn't be who I am now if it weren't for these 4 years of being an Assumptionista. Way to go, AC! Happy Assumption Day, girlies. ♥︎

Assumption Rocks, Assumption Yes, Assumption Best!

[thechronikkles]

The Cross Before Me, The World Behind Me

In my 20 years of existence, I never stopped wondering why I am where I am. I’m pretty sure it’s not just me. We are all searching for reasons, explanations, and answers. We are all in a search of what we should live for, a quest for true life. 

My quest has officially began. 

The earth is such a wonderful place to live in. Honestly, I didn’t think it was that special at first because all I see are accidents and murders and pollution. Sometimes we are so blinded by what we have gotten used to and forget what we are supposed to be thankful for. There is more to life than what see and experience. Everything has its purpose and we should be thankful for that. 

Three days had passed since I got back from retreat, The Quest, and here I am still hungover from the experience. From hearing the announcement at church to actually participating, I really am very grateful for the opportunity God has given me. I can’t even explain the feeling of fullness of being there, witnessing the transformation and all the people proclaiming their love for Christ. No amount of parties or concerts could ever be compared to this because it was indeed the best weekend ever. The highlight of it was being baptized with a lot of other believers who have  also decided to surrender their lives to the Lord. It was very heart-warming and inspiring to be a part of it because I know God is being glorified. We took an irrevocable step, a leap of faith, and it was truly amazing. God spoke to me and reminded me of a lot of things through everyone in the retreat. I was drowning in the pool of my own understanding before I got there, and now I came back as a warrior wearing His armor, ready to face the world. 

Who am I to be pardoned, I am nothing but a sinner who’s probably going to sin again. I used to think that way before. But God’s love is immeasurable, it is beyond what our minds or hearts can ever contain. No matter how heavy our offence is or how dark our past may be, it would be all nothing to Him. Jesus suffered and died for us even though he had a choice, and through him we are offered salvation. God has sacrificed His only Son just to give us eternal life. Once we ask for His forgiveness and repent, we are assured of this promise. There will be consequences for all our actions, but it is only by His grace that we will be able to surpass what is to come. Our faith in Him will get us through whatever we may be facing in life. In faith comes obedience, in obedience - commitment, and in commitment - responsibility. He will always welcome us back in His arms whenever we turn back to Him after being astray, but that does not mean that we can always choose our way and take Him for granted. For if we truly love God, we wouldn’t even dare to disappoint Him or do anything that will displease or hurt Him. It’s even painful to imagine how one will choose not to think and acknowledge what Jesus Christ has done, when he was thinking of you while going through all that pain and abandonment. So when we say we’re in complete surrender, it means we’re in it for God’s will and His greater glory, not ours. 

Here are a few key points on what I learned from the retreat: 

God’s love is incomprehensible (John 3:16), foundational, and compassionate. He leads us away from sin, He is forgiving and faithful, and He fixes broken relationships (Luke 15). 

We often connote that sin is a mistake, an error, blunder, lapse in judgement, oversight, moment of weakness, or a practical decision. A sin is a wrong being, not wrong doing. It is complete disobedience to God’s will (Galatians 5:19-21).

Sin is deadly; it deludes you and depraves you. When you say you lied to someone but it doesn’t count because it’s only a white lie, then you perhaps thought there is a white hell? No. A sin is a sin and “Dura Lex Sed Lex” (the law is the law).

“Sin will cost you more than what you wanted to pay.”

In the Lord’s prayer it says, “Hallowed be Thy Name” it means that God is feared greatly. So why wouldn’t you? Who are you again? Even the devil trembles when His name is heard. 

We, Christians, are not sinless, but we sin less. 

“We are products of our past but we are not prisoners of it.”

There are 3 obstacles in a Spirit-Filled Life: The Devil, The World, and The Flesh.

There are also 3 ways to be filled with the Spirit: Live in total surrender (Romans 12:1-2); Walk by the Spirit by Practicing Spiritual Breathing (Exhale = Confess (1 John 1:9) and Inhale = Holy Spirit to fill you) and Practicing Spiritual Discipline (Pray, Read God’s Word, Fellowship, and Worship); and Expect the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

5S (I call it five-star): Stay away from sin, Stay in the Scripture, Stay close to godly friends, Stay alert from the enemy’s tactics, and Stay upon God.

Faith in Jesus + Nothing = Salvation resulting to good works including Baptism

Baptism is a public declaration of inward change of belief. It is an act of obedience, an act of identification (death, burial, and resurrection of Christ), an act of commitment, and an act of witness.

When we surrender ourselves to Jesus, it is no longer us who live, but Christ who lives in us (Galatians 2:20).

TRUE LIFE IS JESUS CHRIST.

My family and I have been attending CCF services for almost ten years and it was only this year that I feel in complete surrender to the Lord. Could you imagine those years of thinking your behaviour is acceptable and you’re doing just fine with school, family, relationships, and church and suddenly the world spins upside down? Yes, it does happen in real life. I fell in my own trap of desires reasoning that I deserved all of it and it ought to make me happy. I would stumble and get up, stumble and get up, and stumble again and again until I was never contended and I asked for more. Then, God took it all away. Literally, emotionally, mentally, and miraculously. That is how He saved me. We are all in different situations right now and I don’t know what everyone is going through. There’s only one thing I am sure of and that is God will save you too, if you let Him in rule you. Rest assured that you will be finding what you are looking for and you will be more than contended and happy. 

I am and will always be a working progress, but I’ll never lose hope because God never gave up on me. I’ve also figured out who I should live my life for, and it is for the one who gave up His life for me. 

TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!

Yours truly, Nikki ♥︎

THE QUEST TEAM

Photo taken by Neil Cu Belen at Mt. Makiling Recreation Center, 08/10/2014.

[thechronikkles]

By God's grace, we have come to understand and accept that true life is Jesus. Are you ready to face the world with the assurance that Jesus got your back? I know I am! :) "...it is no longer I, but Christ who lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). #iGnite #TheQuest #TrueLifeRetreat #CCF (at Mt. Makiling Recreation Center)