Friday, April 29, 2016

Who Are You God?


My mouth is closed
Unable to speak
For there are no perfect words
To make it open
And describe Your greatness

Awesome! Great! Mighty! Powerful! Amazing! Wonderful!
No...there are not enough adjectives and superlatives
To unlock Your mystery
Your true nature is beyond words
Your real being is beyond
What human mind could ever think of

Whose carnal mind could fully comprehend Your nature?
Not even the angels surrounding Your majestic throne
For You alone are You
Above everyone and everything else
Whether in heaven or on earth

Your essence is too deep
Immeasurable, infinite
An enigma that will forever remain
Unchanged, hidden

You and love is one
Love is in you
And You, are in love
Vivid, yet, mysterious
Who really are You God?
☕       ☕       ☕       ☕       ☕       ☕       ☕       ☕

Heart's Musings

I wrote this blog more than a decade ago (planning to move the old blogs I wrote on this website). I wrote this blog at the time my heart started to long to know who God is. As I re-read this blog, some words caught my attention. I just smiled of how limited was my understanding of God then. Years had passed, as I continued to get to know Him more, I've known so many of His nature I was not aware of before.

My God is not an "enigma," "mysterious," nor He keeps Himself hidden. He reveals Himself to those who seek Him. He unfolds His essence in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. God is my Father, who lavishes me with many, many good things in His perfect love. My heart's desire is to know Him more and more.


Blooming in Grace,
Riza

Saturday, April 23, 2016

Life, to Whom Do You Belong to?


Life goes after its truest meaning the older it gets. While young, life pursues its worth on things the eyes behold. Things that satisfy fleshly cravings. People. Materials. Worldly matters, temporarily gratifying what it's truly seeking for. Mundane things suffice. For some time.

Life, you are meaningless without knowing who you really are. Who you belong to. You find everything pointless. As you ripen, the soul inside you groans. A piercing groan you cannot ignore, lest you become an aimless wanderer. You search for something deeper. Something of a profound essence, no material nor human being can compare its value. You ask, "Where, oh where can I find such thing?" You look for the thing the eyes cannot see, ears cannot hear. For you, Life, is eyeing on the same worthless things you hold dear.

No matter how you contend there is non-existent God who created you, deep, deep down, there is a void inside you waiting to be filled. An empty space. Do you feel it? Yes, you do. Every human being goes through it. The One who created you, intentionally formed and embedded that special hole in your innermost soul. You ask why? Because of His love for you. Because He knew. He knew one day you will go astray, away from His care. Away from His love. Oblivious to His goodness.

Yet a day will come, when that empty space inside you screams to burst. And when the appointed day takes place, the hunger inside you burns like fire. A searing longing. Uncontainable. You cry out to quench its demands. You cry out to fill that space...desperately. It was made for that purpose, so you Life, will look for Him.

Hush you life. Hush you mind, burden with questions. Hush you flesh glutted with arrogance. Incline your ears to your heart. Listen to its whispers, for it knows what your soul exactly longs for. It is the one deeply hooked to another beating heart. The heart of the Father beating for you even before you were formed in your mama's womb. This revelation inside may feel too much for the heart to bear. Feels like exploding. Take a deep breath, feel the tightness loosen. Cry. Let it out. Don't hold back the tears to refresh the soul; the barren, thirsty soul, waiting for so long to bathe in His washing. Refresh in the washing of the One who gave up His life for you. Succumb to the heart of the Cross and taste freedom; witness true life; delight in His rest!

You are the Father's, and the Father is yours. You belong together. He did everything out of His perfect love to take you back home. Wrapped in the fullness of His grace. Resting in the glory of the Cross. Come home, Life. Home to the One who first loved you -- Jesus.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb." -- Psalm  139:13



Blooming in Grace,
Riza

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

His Daughter of Little Faith (Re-post)

(Re-posted and edited personal blog written in November 2006.)


Alone in my quiet moment with God, I settled myself on bed. A headphone was tucked on my ears, enjoying one of Hillsong's albums lent by a brother in my choir. I adore Hillsong Music. I find myself patronizing their music more. I think I'll grow old having their songs sealed on my lips.

There's one issue glued on my mind. Faith. How much faith do I have for God?

The question led me to the faith I have on the material things I use everyday. I thought of my confidence on these things, how I trust each one will serve me according to its specific purpose. The faith in shampoo and soap to clean up the dirt; the faith on clothes I wear to make me look good; the faith for comb to untangle messy hair. The list is too long to mention everything.

 I have faith in God. But honestly, it's a faith that wavers all the time. When dipped in a hot, bubbling barrel of test which seemed like impassable for my carnal mind, I doubt the help God promised me. The amount of faith I have for the material things and human beings around me is bigger than the faith I have for God. Pathetic. Yet, the truth speaks for itself. I don't doubt the  adequacy of material things to gratify me. But with God, I have a half-baked faith. It's not absolute. It's a faith supplemented with doubts and fears.

I am not comparing God with earthly things. My God is incomparable. All I desire is to have faith in Him. A faith enveloped in full confidence and assurance. A faith like I give my chair at work to support my whole body all throughout the day. A faith I have on food to satisfy my cravings. Faith on a chilled bottle of water to quench my thirst. Sounds too easy, effortless. He asks me the same faith, even if the size is only as tiny as a mustard seed.

My mind says the faith my heart desires to have for God is impossible. But His Word says, with God, all things are possible. I believe in the Word.

My faith in God is developed in time through sufferings, pains, trials, tests, afflictions. It is not an overnight project. It is something I have to learn, re-learn. Take, re-take. I will never have faith without going through dark seasons of life. In my darkness, there I see God's love shining down on me, His abounding grace covers me. My faith increases. My faith perfected.

I pray and ask for a renewed, unshakable faith. A faith that never doubt nor fear. An absolute faith. A faith that surrenders everything to my Father, come what may. A faith that proudly says "You are my Almighty God. In You, everything I trust."

(10 years after  I wrote this blog, my faith in God has grown and is still growing.  There are bits in my life where I have a hard time giving in. Despite my little faith on these areas, my Father, always, always, lavish me His unwavering faithfulness.)

Related verses
Matthew 7:7
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Matthew 6:30
If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Matthew 9:22
Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.

Romans 4:20-21
"Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised."

Blooming in Grace,
Riza

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Facebook Scripture Challenge: Day 7 of 7

Scripture: John 3:16


Heart's Musings
 
In my own opinion, John 3:16 is the heart of the story between God and man. This verse sums up the  message God longs to reveal to His children. If every person spends time to meditate and believe the truth this Good News declares, no sheep gets lost. But we live in a fallen world where many hardened their hearts to receive the love the Father offers. Or could it be, no one told them about it. Something needs to be done. Time to move and do the work.

Blooming in Grace,
Riza



Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Facebook Scripture Challenge: Day 5 of 7

Scripture: Romans 8:38-39


Heart's Musings

This verse is one of my favorite Bible verses. I love the confidence the message conveys. Knowing that nothing in heaven or on earth can cause my Father to not love me, delivers my fear of crumbling into nothingness. If there is anyone I want me to love me, it is my Creator. The good news is, I have His love. The love my heart desires. It is the kind of love that never waivers, never changes, no matter what.

Blooming in Grace,
Riza

Monday, April 4, 2016

Facebook Scripture Challenge: Day 5 of 7

Scripture: Colossians 4:6



 Heart's Musings


The words that come out of our mouth matters. More so in our conversation with those who do not have Christ in their heart. We cannot be a beacon of God's love when judgment looms our mouth. Words of encouragement, understanding, acceptance, and affection help us illuminate the light of Jesus in their life.

Blooming in Grace,
Riza

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Facebook Scripture Challenge: Day 4 of 7

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-8


Heart's Musings


How easy it is to say to somebody, "do not be anxious about anything." What person does not get worried about the things in life? Where can you find such person?

I worry a lot of things. My family, specially. As a mom, I worry about the safety of my girls. I worry about the health of my husband. I worry about finances. I worry about the well-being of my family from miles away. I worry a lot of things, big and small.

However, reading what is written on Philippians 4:6-8 makes a difference on how I must approach this issue. This passage reminds me of how I can slay the concerns of my mind that give me nothing, but a sense of defeat.

The Father knows that there are times we get anxious about something. But He doesn't want us to feel lost when we are caught in the situation. He gave us encouragement on what to do whenever we find ourselves falling in the trap of mental and emotional distress. What must we do? Simply lift up our concerns to Him with thanksgiving and praise. Surely He will guard our hearts and minds. He promised to give us His shalom, peace.

Blooming in Grace,
Riza

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Facebook Scripture Challenge: Day 3 of 7

Scripture: Romans 10:14

Heart's Musings

My faith in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ deepens by hearing the Word. I try to make it a routine each morning to listen to a good, Christ-centered sermons (been listening to Joseph Prince's sermons for a few years now). Thank God for technology, I am able to hear His Word through anointed preachers on television, YouTube, or other websites. I do go to church on some Sundays, but listening to the Word of God is not a Sunday exclusive kind of agenda. Hearing and feeding on the Word everyday has become a necessity in my everyday matters, not just for times when it is convenient. Each waking moment, the grace of my Father is my ultimate need. Listening to His Word supplies me the faith that my day demands.


Blooming in Grace,
Riza

Friday, April 1, 2016

Facebook Scripture Challenge: Day 2 of 7

Scripture: Romans 10:14-15
 

Heart's  Musings

 Those who know Jesus are called to bring the Good News to those who do not know Him. Why until now, so many people still don't know about the Son, what He has done for every person, and the great love of  the Father to His children? It is because many of us, followers of Christ do not share what we know. Why? The list of alibis is piling. I have my own list as a matter of fact. But by the grace of God, I am starting to get up on my feet to tell people the kind of love the Father has for everyone. The Father's love is too awesome to not share. Thankfully, it is not too late for me to do my commission.  It's not too late for you either.

One day, I want to hear my Father says, "How beautiful are your feet that bring good news to my children!"

Blooming in Grace,
Riza