Handmade by God

Have you ever stopped to think about whom you are and what God made you to be? And have you ever really thanked God for making you just the way He did?

Most of us don't like who we are right now. Most of us would rather be someone different. We wish we could step into someone's shoes and be another person who is totally different from whom we are right now.

There are some people who consider themselves as "failures." They think that they haven't got any talent or special ability. They think that they are a "mistake."
But that's not true.

"Fearfully and Wonderfully Made"

Psalms 139:13, 14 says: "You knit me together in my mother's womb; I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

Isn't that a wonderful verse!
Whenever I see a baby, I always feel a breathless awe of how the baby looks. Every little finger and toe...and the tiny heart beat! Only God could have done that! Only God can "knit" each piece into place.
God created you; He formed you, and knew everything about you even before you were born. He knew what you were going to look like and He designed you with special gifts and talents that He wants us to use for Him (Romans 12: 6, 1Peter 4:10).

"Accepted - Failures and All"
God knows your strengths and weaknesses. He accepts you as you are, despite your failures, your mistakes, and the times you give up. He forgives you if you sin against Him (1 John 1:9).
Everyone fails, one way or another. But in spite of that, God will never give up on you. He will never reject you or turn His back on you. He is always there to help you up when you fall; He is always there to give you the strength you need. Isaiah 41:10 says: "...I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee..."

"Shaped to Serve God"
Up to now, God is still shaping you to be more like Him. The Potter lovingly molds you into the shape He had in mind (Isaiah 64:8). All the trials and difficulties that you are experiencing now are molding you into the person God wants you to be.
You weren't "just made"; you were made for a purpose - a special purpose - and shaped to serve God with your talents.

-------------------------------------------------

I don't deny the fact that there are still times when I wish that God had made me someone else - someone who was more patient and didn't lose her temper so easily.

It is hard to accept who you are sometimes. We're imperfect. We make mistakes. We fail and come short of everyone's expectations. Yet God made us just as we are and in spite of all our terrible faults, He sees us as beautiful.

God made you who you are. He formed you to be who you are, and He is still forming you to be more like Him.
So, the next time you wish you were someone else, remember Psalms 139:13, 14. And remember that you were handmade by God.

Beyond Your Comfort Zone

Every person has a "comfort zone" - a 'place' where everything is just the way they want it: snug, cozy, and peaceful. It's a condition where they don't have to make an extra effort to do something difficult, something new, if they don't want to. It's a state where they can sit back, relax, and enjoy themselves.
Many people don't venture out of their comfort zones. Why should they? After all, it's where they know they can handle everything in their own way. It's where they feel comfortable enough to do the things they like doing.

Often, we Christians are used to serving God inside our comfort zone. If challenges arise that would mean stepping out of where we enjoy life the most, we refuse. If we know it might change the way people view us, we refuse. If we know it might mean exerting a little more effort to do something we've never done before, we refuse.
Ask yourself: Why am I afraid to venture outside of my comfort zone? Why am I afraid to accept the challenges outside them?

Perhaps it's because you're afraid of what people might think of you. If that is the reason, then you need to ask yourself "Who am I doing it for?" Are you doing it for yourself - to gain fame - or are you doing it for the glory of the Lord?
Perhaps you think it is too hard and you can't do it. Philippians 4:13 says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." There is nothing too hard that you can't do with God's help. Ask Him for the strength you need; He will give it to you (Psalms 29:11).
Perhaps you are afraid of failing the challenge and failing in your service to God. We aren't perfect; there are times when we feel we've failed God and everybody else. However, even though you feel that way, God doesn't think you are a "failure". We may fail the challenges in life, but God will never think less of us. We can always rely on Him to give us the strength we need to get up and go on.

Gideon was a man who God called out of his comfort zone (Judges 6:11-7:25). He was the man God chose to deliver Israel from the Midianites. At first, Gideon was hesitant and unwilling to leave the safety of his comfort zone. But by and by, he learned to look to God for strength, and he leaned to trust God to help him defeat the Midianites.

Before I leaned about The Rebelution, I never ventured out of my comfort zone. I never accepted the challenges outside of it. I enjoyed things the way they were - quiet and peaceful, an average life. If someone asked me to do something which would mean putting a foot out of my comfort zone, I would refuse and say "It's too hard."
And then I came across The Rebelution. "Do Hard Things" was the first thing that caught my eye. Days after, I re-committed my life to God, caught the Fire of the Rebelution, and stepped out of my comfort zone. Since then, my life has never been the same. True, there are times when I have second thoughts about doing something new, but I've learned to rely on God to lead my through all the challenges.

Like Gideon, we need to step out of our comfort zones, to where we can serve the Lord wholly and use all our talents unreservedly for Him. Keep in mind that you are doing this for the Lord - not for anyone else, not for yourself, but for the Lord.

I am writing this and challenging you to step forward, away from your comfort zone. It won't be easy, especially after you've gotten used to living life relaxedly. There are times of struggles and of failures, yet always remember that you can rely on the Lord for strength and courage to face them all.

So, from what you are used to doing, do something new. Do something difficult. Something hard.
Go beyond your comfort zone.

Run Your Race

Ever since I was small, I've loved races. I guess it is because I love running. My favorite "Patch the Pirate Adventure" was (and still is) Mount Zion Marathon, which is all about running life's race. And just a few weeks ago, we watched Chariots of Fire, a great film that is now one of my favorites. It is about Eric Liddell*, an athlete who ran - not only his life's race, but even his sport races - with God.

Picture it this way: your life as a racetrack, you are the runner, and God is your Coach.

Running a mere race isn't easy. You have to discipline yourself. You have to undergo a lot of training and exercise. You have to be physically fit, and strong enough.
Running life's race is not easy either. You need to know how to run.

Hebrews 12:1-2 explains how we are to run our life's race.
Let us lay aside every weight. When you run a race, you can't carry anything along with you; it would only slow you down. In running life's race, you must put down all "weight." "Weight" there is the things that hinder you from running: doubt, fear, pride, earthly possessions...lay them aside, and run freely.
And the sin which so easily besets us. Not only must you lay aside every weight, you need to lay aside the sin that enslaves you. Running with sin is like running with a great big pack on your back. It weighs so heavily on you, pushing you lower and lower until you stumble and fall. We need to lay aside the weight and the sin and run our race free from both.
And let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Running life's race is not easy. Yet, we are commanded to run with perseverance, run with all the strength we've got, and finish the race.


Earlier, I mentioned that Eric Liddell ran his life's race AND his sport races with God. How did he do that? Simple. He trusted God to be his wings to fly. He trusted God to be his strength. He trusted God to lead him to victory.


Fellow Brethren in-training, how are you running your life's race? Are you running patiently, faithfully enduring every hardship and trial that comes your way?
Running life's race is more than just and easy sprint. It's a long-distance run.
There are times when you stumble and fall; there are times when you're so tired and it's just so hard. There are times when you are so discouraged, that you just want to give up.
Don't.

"Be faithful, Christian and run the race. Keep looking upward, and seek My face. Keep pressing on, endure the trials down. And I will give to you the victor's crown."

That is my favorite song from Mount Zion Marathon. It inspires me to move on, to push for the goal. I find running easier when I run with my eyes on Jesus.

Keep pressing on, runners. Don't look at the track; don't think of the obstacles that lie ahead. Don't give up, and don't slow down. Look to Jesus. Fight a good fight. Finish your course. Run your race.

(*If you want to find out more about Eric Liddell read Men of Faith: Eric Liddell by Catherine Swift, Christian Heroes: Then and Now - Something Greater than Gold by Janette and Geoff Benge.)

Jewel[s] in the Palace

I am not a couch potato - but I do watch TV - but not a 24-hour cable TV. Everyday, I watch an average of an hour to an hour and a half. Thirty minutes of this I spend my time watching my favorite Korean TV series - Jewel in the Palace. And I would say that the main character of the story would have qualified as a Rebelutionary and at the same time, a good example of what a Lady-in-Training should be, if she lived now.

The story of the series is based on the history of the first lady doctor of Korea (South), Jang Geum Sho (jang gyum shò). At eight, she began to be trained in the king's cuisine, together with other girls who aspired to be faithful and prominent servants in the cuisine someday. Most of the girls had come from the elite class and some came from clans who had served the kings from generation to generation. Each of them had a clear purpose and it was to serve the king faithfully their entire life. Each had secret desire to become the chief maidservant of the king's cuisine - and that was Jang Geum's desire.
Her mother, Lady Miung Yi Park was once a servant but because of the selfish ambitions of one of her friends, she was accused to have a relationship with a soldier whom she had only helped out of a kind heart. Maidservants in the king's cuisine are forbidden to have a romantic relationship with anybody. Lady Park escaped her death sentence by hiding in the mountains. There she met Jang Geum's father, Captain Sho. She married the captain since she was no longer a maidservant in the cuisine. Both of them served in the Palace but because of their will to expose corrupt ministers and servants who desired wealth and power, they were hunted down.

In such a predicament, Jang Geum should have desired revenge, but she did not: she only desired that the truth be made known. All her years in the kitchen, she served and cooked her best for the kings. If she became the chief maidservant, she would write in the servants' book of annals about her mother, as Miung Yi Park had admonished her. But when Lady Cho - the friend who betrayed Lady Park - found out whose daughter Jang Geum was, she feared that Jang Geum would ruin the future of her clan. Lady Choi devised a plan and history repeated itself. Jang Geum was accused, proven guilty, and exiled to a remote island with Lady Han (the chief maidservant and bosom friend of Miung Yi Park) by the same corrupt officials.
Lady Han died in the journey of exile and it ignited a fire in Jang Geum's heart for revenge. In Jeju Island, as a slave she studied for many years to become a nurse - the only way to return to the palace. She succeeded, but not in her revenge. Jang Geum realized that revenge was a wrong motive in becoming a nurse. She had compassion on Lady Choi and did not sue her skills for revenge. Like Joseph in the Bible, she loved her.
After decades of lies, justice was brought to Jang Geum's parents. She became the chief maidservant and carried out her mother's last request - to write in the book of annals. She carried out everything her mother had requested and afterwards returned to being a nurse.
After 600 years of tradition, Jang Geum marked a turning point in the history of Korea. King JungJong asked her to become his doctor, which terrorized everybody's principle in the government. Nurses were slaves during those times and were of no importance as much as beggars were; even if their deeds were greatly to be praised. The doctors would be shamed for the rest of their lives if Jang Geum accepted the request. Everybody around her told her the same thing "Do not accept it, if you have any decency left. Be content of where you are now." Only three of her friends encouraged her to accept it, and last night - in the TV series - she accepted it. I held my breath as she accepted the king's offer and what everybody's reaction will be I shall know tonight when I watch it. ^_^

All her life, Jang Geum took the hard way to live her life even if an easier way was offered. She could have forgotten and kept quiet about her mother's request and lived a quiet life as a maidservant. She could have chosen not to bother the demoralized ways the prime ministers ran the government and remained in the higher class of society rather than be exiled as a slave and bear the shame of being degraded.
Or perhaps she could have chosen to be content and went with the flow of the 600 years of tradition her country has exercised and remained unscorned by her peers. All these she could have chosen but she did not.

Gentlemen and (especially) ladies, are you a jewel rare and worthy of value to be placed in the palace of the King?
Often the hard way is the right way. To show Truth in this world is hard but it is the path of righteousness that we should tread that fulfills the purpose of the life God has given us.
For more than 2000 years of traditional low expectations that the society offers us every generation, when are we going to mark a point in history? Should we remain content of where we are now? No! If you were a better person the day before and even a better one after, then all days should follow you as a better person. Everyday we should strive to become better than we are. A saying goes, "When we love, we strive to become better than we are." How true it is for genuine Christians!
If you love your Lord Jesus Christ, wouldn't you strive to be holy as He is? Hate what He hates, do what He does! Remember, Jesus took the hard way but it was the right way God prepared for Him.
Do not be clouded by the world's method of thinking. They tell us "This is the easy way. Take it." And oft times we take it but did they ever bother to tell us that that instant way is the right way? Open your heart to hear what He's saying, "I am the [right] way, the truth, and the life, are you willing to take your cross and follow Me? If you are, then come along." Jesus did not fail to remind us that the way He took is the hard one.
And finally, wouldn't it be great to be written in history books someday? But our names need not be known, but our faithful deeds should continue the Rebelution we have marked in history.

My Sincerest Apologies

Grace and peace be to the readers of Godly Ladies-In-Training. I am apologizing for being absent for many weeks but am very thankful that my partner here, Alyssa C. has been updating the blog once in a while. Ladies and gentlemen, I shall be getting back soon with my posts. I am still adjusting because I have been away from the Internet for quite some time. Thank you for reading our blog. It is a great blessing to know that many are still standing firm in this world though we are overran by the pop culture the world is offering us.

I am very thankful for all your prayers. God heard all of it. I thank you from the deep wells of m'heart. ^_^ I shall soon post about my mission trip after I have the pictures and other posts first... but it shall not be a long wait.

Let us continue to press on for what we have begun. Let us continue side by side towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in the Lord Jesus Christ. Life of heaven must be begun here on earth.

Update on Christin A.

On behalf of Christin, thank you very much for your prayers.

Christin arrived from Calayan last Sunday, and she will be telling you of her mission trip there as soon as she can. I am sure most of you are wondering how everything went and what happened. I didn't get to hear her full story myself. We had no time to sit down and talk about everything when we met. I did see some pictures, and I'm pretty sure she'll post them along with her story.

God bless you all!

In Christ,
Alyssa C.

Memorize God's Word

HOW TO MEMORIZE GOD'S WORD
"Guard my words as your most precious possession. Write them down, and also keep them deep within your heart." Pr. 7:2-3

BENEFITS OF MEMORIZING SCRIPTURE
1. It helps me resist temptation.
"I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Ps. 119:11
2. It helps me make wise decisions.
"Your Word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path." Ps. 119:105
3. It strengthens me when I'm under stress.
"...Your promises to me are my hope. They give me strength in all my troubles; how they refresh and revive me!" Ps. 119:49
4. It comforts me when I'm sad.
"Your words are what sustain me...They bring joy to my sorrowing heart and delight me." Jer. 15:16
5. It helps me witness to unbelievers.
"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15

WHEN TO MEMORIZE A VERSE
· During your Quiet Time
· While Exercising
· While waiting (spare moments)
· At bedtime (Ps 63:6)

HOW TO MEMORIZE A VERSE
1. Pick a verse that speaks to you.
2. Say the reference before and after the verse.
3. Read the verse aloud many times. Record it!
4. Break the verse into natural phrases.
5. Emphasize key words when quoting the verse.
6. Write down the verse and erase a word one at a time.
7. Write out the verse on a flash card.
8. Carry some cards with you at all times for review.
9. Display your verses in prominent places.
10. Always memorize the verse word perfect.
11. Put the verse to music. Write a song!
12. Get a partner so you can check each other.

Suggested beginning rate: 2 new verses a week.


THREE KEYS TO MEMORIZING:

REVIEW, REVIEW, & REVIEW.


We remember what is IMPORTANT TO US.

"Your teachings are worth more to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver." Psa 119:72

(Note: Taken from the Discipleship notes of Pastor Dean Leones from Camp Calaca 2005)

Prayer Request - Christin A.

My co-author, Christin, has embarked on a mission trip to the province of Calayan, a remote island located at the northern part of the Philippines. It is a place where people live very simply, and cellphones and TV don't exist.

In order to get there (from Manila), you have to ride a bus for 13 hours to Claveria, and from there, you have to ride a small fishing boat for 6-7 hours to cross the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea, where you will see nothing but water until you reach Calayan.

Please pray for Christin and her companions. They left last Sunday afternoon and will be there for one week. Please pray for their strength and their health, and their safe trip back home.

Thank you so much. May the Lord bless you richly.

In Christ,
Alyssa

The Latest Fashion

I was flipping idly through Beautiful Girlhood yesterday, and thinking what I was going to wear for Sunday. All of a sudden, the words "Strength and honor are her clothing" popped out of the book.
Oops.

Clothes. I think that is one weakness of most girls. The latest fashions beckon to us from posters, advertisements on the newspaper and TV, and shop windows. The choices vary, and sometimes the price is tempting.

Girls tend to overdo themselves when it comes to clothing and jewelry. They want to follow the latest outfit of their favorite celebrity or fashion model. There is an air of competition when it comes to the latest styles. I've seen girls wearing such extravagant outfits -- earrings the size of their palm, bracelets that cover half their lower arm, backless blouses, mini skirts -- all unnecessary. It doesn't make them any prettier or more attractive. Nor does make-up help a single bit.


Being a girl, I admit, yes, clothes and jewelry are two of my weaknesses. I used to plan my attire months before I got to wear it. I used to take 30 minutes to get dressed. I don't now. I had a "vanity check" a few months ago...and I realized that I was too vain concerning my appearance. I realized that there were other, better things that deserved more attention.


There are a few things concerning clothes that I would like to point out:

First of all, while it isn't exactly a sin to fuss over clothes, there are better things to spend your time and money on. Instead of spending 3-4 hours shopping for the "perfect" outfit, why not spend it on prayer, studying God's word, or developing your talents and skills? Instead of wasting money by buying clothes that you will only use a few times, why not spend it on practical, more useful things? Invest your time and money; don't waste either.

Secondly, the latest fashions may look great, but they aren't always the best. Some of them are immodest and they do not display a good character. Low-neck blouses, tank tops, mini skirts, short shirts that display your lower abdomen, backless blouses...fashionable but immodest. Paul wrote to Timothy about how women were to dress - "...modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God" (1 Timothy 2:9-10).
Girls, let me ask you: Do the clothes you wear portray a Christian character? Are the clothes you put on modest and simple? Does your physical appearance display a decent, appropriate look? Or do you wear clothes that are fashionable, but immodest? Do you wear clothes that cause guys to think wrongly towards you? Is your appearance causing your fellow brothers in Christ to stumble?
If your answer to any of the last three questions is yes, I advise you, throw them away! Get rid of them! Burn them! Bury them! It doesn't matter what you do, just get rid of them!
You might be saying that a guy should be responsible for his own thoughts. Yes, they are responsible, but in a way, you are responsible too. If you were wearing simple, modest clothes in the first place, instead of the fashionable but immodest ones, do you think he would have thought wrongly towards you?

Lastly, clothes are not the most important things to wear. The Bible says that we should be clothed with "strength and honor" (Proverbs 31:25) and dressed with "good deeds" (1 Timothy 2:10). Often, we tend to be fussy perfectionists when it comes to our physical appearance; but have you ever stopped to think about how your character might look? Are you clothed with "strength and honor"? Are you dressed with "good deeds"? Does your physical appearance reflect a Christ-like character? Clothes may seem important to us because the advertisements make us think that physical appearance is all that matters. It is not. A Christ-like character is more important.
I challenge you to "dress" your character more than you dress yourself. Clothe yourself with strength and honor. Dress yourself with good deeds. Put them on, and wear them always. Be a model of the latest, best, most fashionable "clothes."

Spreading the Rebelution in the East

When Christin and I began this Blog, we made a commitment to be Rebelutionaries and to spread the Rebelution in the East, starting with our country, the Philippines.

Honestly, it was more difficult than I expected. I thought the people we told would be thrilled and would want to hear more. I thought they would be enthusiastic and take a stand immediately. Instead, we were met with blank stares and questioning faces...perhaps they were wondering "Why would anyone want to do that?"

Sometimes, the culture of one's country is easier to follow that to go against. I guess it's what some people have grown used to doing, ever since they were kids. Tradition is tradition and cannot be escaped. We have to either accept it or rebel against it. I guess people find it "easier" to follow after the culture, follow after the traditions that have been passed down. That way, they could blend in with the crowd, and not be labeled as "different", "odd", or "weird." I guess some teenagers aren't fully concerned with anything outside the "Thou shalt not kill" and "Thou shalt not steal" stuff; they are not fully aware that there is more than just that.

People are used to the status quo of life here. No changes, please. They don't want anything different. Everything is the same old process. They don't want anything shockingly different. If a change comes up, they want it slowly, snail-pace.
Honestly, I feel so impatient sometimes. So desperate for them to see the truth! ...that I feel like taking a metal pan and a spoon and going bang! bang! to get everyone's attention. (Of course, I would never do that.)

Despite the slow rise, there ARE Rebelutionaries. Some of them are still hesitant, some of them haven't fully come in to the open...but there are Rebelutionaries. Some of the teens in our youth group are beginning to take a stand slowly. Christin told several officers from the SIBFK-AAFC organization, and they were very excited and enthusiastic about the Rebelution. They even memorized its meaning. I just hope that they - and more - will wake up, open their eyes, see the truth...and catch Fire.

I'm not discouraged. It's hard, I admit, but whenever I think of what the verses in Isaiah say, "...but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31), I feel my strength returning. I'm doing this for the Lord...and that's what keeps me going.

Progress is slow. Teens don't really care. Culture is demanding. Despite all that, I feel energetic. It's pretty amazing, actually. Instead of feeling tired and weak, I feel strong. Instead of feeling discouraged, I feel a renewed hope. Instead of weariness and reluctance, I feel the urge to move on.
No, I'm not discouraged. Just a little impatient, but I've learned to accept the fact that everything will happen in God's own perfect time.

To my fellow Rebelutionaries, keep up the good work! It's hard, but remember, we're doing this for the Lord. Our labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).