Newness and Transformation

Proverbs 4:23
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.





               "Garbage in, garbage out." Whatever we allow into our heart will shape us and eventually create the kind of life we live. Whatever we sow into our lives, that we will harvest. If we put in the things of God, the seeds of the Word of God and meditate on them day and night, they will grow in our hearts and produce the growth and bear fruits that will show on how we live. On the other hand, if we allow the things of this world to dominate our thoughts, what we do and where we spend our time, who we listen to, then those things will influence us and shape us.


               Being a stay-at-home mom taught me a great lesson on how to spend my time. In my early days of being home, I would watch daytime shows while taking care of my baby. I watched entertainment and secular talk shows. But then, God worked into my heart. He made me realize that this habit is not helpful to my spiritual journey. The people I was watching were subtly influencing my thoughts and perspectives. I began to be conformed in some ways to the way of thinking of the world that are contrary to the biblical point of view. The opinions and lure of worldly perspectives surreptitiously crept into my own and influenced how I thought. So then, started the subtle conformation to this world. Romans 12:1-2 says: I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. I had to be decisive to choose what kind of things I should allow into my heart so that my life can be conformed to the perfect will of God in my life. I didn't want to miss out on what God wants for me because He only wants the best. I wanted my all to be centered on my relationship with God - body, mind, soul and strength. I wanted everything about me to be about Jesus. After all, my purpose in this world is to love God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength and to love my neighbor as myself (Luke 10:27). So I intentionally and mindfully guarded the things I wanted to enter into my heart. I spent more time in my Bible reading and prayer time and chose to watch biblical teachings from Christian programs instead of secular talk shows, reading more of Christian authors instead of what the latest self-help books are in the market, listening to Christian music and Christian radio programs. These then became a habit. Psalm Chapter 1 was also a powerful mind opener for me as I consciously seek to guard my heart and to follow the ways God want me to take. Verses 1 to 3 says: Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.  2 But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.  3 And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. 

              Guarding our heart means intentionally watching what we allow into it and sowing seeds that will eventually determine our way of life, our character. I remember I once read: "Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character, sow a character, reap a destiny." It all starts with what we let into our thought or heart. Whatever is in our heart will eventually come out. We have a choice to make. If we want to know Jesus more and love Him deeper, as in any relationships, we have to be intentional in doing things that will help that relationship grow. Personally, this world has nothing for me. As for me, I want to be intentional and mindful of what I will allow into my heart that will lead me into the springs of life, the destiny that God wants for me. As this new year had just begun, there's always newness and freshness in the Word of God that leads to transformation for His greater glory and honor.

Happy Birthday, Nanay !

Ephesians 6:2-3

New International Version (NIV)

² “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³ “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”^[a]

I am immensely blessed to have someone whose life gave me a strong foundation that helped me navigate this complicated world. She is the epitome of Proverbs 31 woman. She is a formidable prayer warrior.  She is my mother!

It is always comforting to know that there is someone who will always unconditionally love you no matter what. I have witnessed her grace and inner strength in all of life's challenges in her own story.  Our family went through so many ups and downs, twists and turns, battles to fight, dreams to follow and through it all Nanay stayed firm and collected, joyful and grateful, with complete trust in God and unwavering faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Just a few hours ago, I was on the phone talking to her.  We are halfway around the world apart from each other.  The recent government controversy involving my sibling was another prayer item in her list.  She shared with me how she felt watching  one senator questioning her child's credibility and integrity in the  Senate hearing.  It was a painful scene seeing your son being discredited and deserted.  As a mother myself, I could feel that pain, putting myself in her shoes.  She told me it reminded her of the time when my father's business got bankrupt and almost all "friends" were never friendly all of a sudden. I thought this was not unfamiliar.  Even Jesus was deserted by everybody when He was arrested and eventually led to be crucified. Leaving the Senate building that day, Nanay had only one thing in her heart and mind, our One and True Judge will make the truth come out.  And indeed God answered in a mighty way.  She never wavered.  She prayed unceasingly, as expected of her.  This is just one of the many difficult circumstances Nanay went through.  I have so many memories of how she handled her trials with confidence and with a humble and loving heart. Her inner strength showed especially when our father passed away three years ago after his battle against cancer.  The ordeal itself of seeing your husband in pain is unthinkable to me.  But Nanay was a rock for all of us because she clung to a much bigger Rock and fortress, our Great God. Her strong unselfish commitment and love for her family kept us all grounded and bonded with the same love and commitment to one another especially now that Tatay is gone.

I am specially close to Nanay.  People say that I look a lot like her.  When I was little, I would always tag along with her when she would go to town for some errands. She's a very friendly person, very entrepreneural and my father would tell her she had a strong PR (public relations).  Once she was voted the "Mother of the Year" in the Grade School we went to. She's always moving, never lazy.  She had flower and vegetable gardens, put up a small piggery, had a store, my father's secretary in his own business, etc.  But the one thing that I always love is that when I feel alone and lonely, I have my mother to go to.  Even when I was already living on my own after college, I would always go back home on the weekends to be with my father and mother.  When I had problems with my own relationships, it was always comforting to know that I have my mother and father to talk to and vent out my wounded heart or share my joy.  For me, our home was a place of rest and a harbor in time of storm.  And now that I am a mother myself, I always call her to get inspiration and encouragement and prayers for my own marriage and  motherhood journey.  She raised all eight of us and she was immovable.  I am raising just one and I get overwhelmed.  When I am going crazy and dazed, I just think of how Nanay handles her days.  Now at 74, she actively leads a Bible study group, a very brave evangelist (she always has her way of sharing the Gospel to every soul she encounters) and enjoys all her grandchildren.

We celebrate you, Nanay!  We honor you and love you so much!  Happy birthday and more blessings from our Lord Jesus in all areas of you life!

For Such A Time As This

Esther 4:14

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”


Since that Sunday few weeks ago at our church when the story of Queen Esther was preached, it surely penetrated my thoughts and my circumstances lately.  What am I called for for such a time as this?

When I read the Bible, I always ask myself "what if I was born in that particular time?"  What would be my response in the message that God was telling that generation?  What if I was born on the time of Noah?  Would I believe a flood would be coming or would I be one of those who mocked him and the message of God?  What if I was born during the time when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah?  What if I was born at the time Jesus was here on earth in flesh and blood? Would I have been one of those who believed?  What if I was Queen Esther; would I speak up for God's people or just kept silent in my comfort zone?  But I was not born on those past generations.  God chose to put me right here, right now, in this generation, in this time of history for a reason.

What is my purpose in this generation that God decided for me to live?  God has an assignment for each of His child to accomplish.  He gave each believer spiritual gifts for His Kingdom purposes (Rom. 12 and 1 Corinthians 12).  It is necessary that we should know the gifts that God has entrusted to us and use them for His glory.  We are entrusted with talents and one day He will hold us accountable of what we have done with those resources.  We are where we are because God placed us there for such a time as this.