August

 

#August,

#Agosto,

#MonthOfAugust,

#istariray23moments,

Read More

“Hope in the Midst of the Storm” 🌧️

 

“Hope in the Midst of the Storm”🌧️

A message of comfort during the typhoon and flood crisis

---

🕊️ Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father,
We come before You today in the midst of heavy rain, rising floods, and troubling times. Many of us are weary, worried, and wondering when this storm will pass. But Lord, we choose today to lean not on our fears, but on Your promises. Open our hearts as we hear Your Word. Let it be a source of hope, comfort, and renewed faith.
Speak to us, O God. Remind us that You are still in control.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

---

📖 Introduction

Over the past week, our streets have turned into rivers. Our plans have been delayed, our homes threatened, and some of our loved ones displaced. The skies seem to offer no relief, and each new weather report brings more concern. But friends, I invite you today to lift your eyes above the floodwaters and look to the One who walks on them—Jesus Christ.

Storms—whether natural or spiritual—are inevitable. But our hope today is this: Storms never diminish God’s presence, only reveal His power.
So let us lean into His Word, not just to survive this storm, but to rise above it with faith.

---

📜 Main Text: Mark 4:35–41 (Jesus Calms the Storm) (ESV)

35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.”
36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.
38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” (v. 39)

The disciples were terrified. The boat was nearly swamped. Water was coming in. But Jesus was there—with them—in the storm. He was not absent. He was asleep, yes, but not unaware.

Like the disciples, we ask, “Lord, don’t you care if we drown?” (v.38)
And the Lord answers us today the same way He did then—not with anger, but with authority:
“Peace. Be still.”

---

💡 Points of Reflection & Application

1. God is in the storm with us.

📖 Isaiah 43:2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you...”

This is not a metaphor today. We are literally passing through rising waters. But God’s promise still holds:
“I will be with you.”
Not “I might be,” not “I’ll watch from a distance.”
He is with us in the evacuation centers, in our wet homes, in the sleepless nights.

2. Storms are real, but so is God’s faithfulness.

📖 Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed… great is Your faithfulness.”

You may feel like you’re at the end of your strength—but you’re still here. That’s grace. That’s mercy. His faithfulness has kept you alive. You are not forgotten. He still has a plan for you.

3. Your response matters more than the storm.

📖 Romans 12:12
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

We cannot control the weather, but we can control how we respond:

• Will we panic or will we pray?

• Will we isolate or will we reach out?

• Will we give up or will we stand up?

Storms often reveal what’s truly in our hearts. Let them bring us back to faith, unity, and compassion.

4. Help others while you wait for the sun.

📖 Galatians 6:2
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

If your home is dry, open it to someone who has none.
If you have food, share it.
If you can’t help physically, pray for those who are struggling.
Being the hands and feet of Jesus during disaster is one of the greatest testimonies of our faith.

---

🌱 Real-Life Encouragement

• I know of families who have been stuck on their rooftops for days. But now, they're safely sheltered through the help of strangers.

• A young woman in our community started preparing rice meals for those stranded in the rain—out of her own limited budget.

• Even small acts like checking on a neighbor, offering a warm drink, or sharing a verse through text can mean the world to someone right now.

Let’s become living sermons in this storm.

---

📌 Final Takeaway

Storms do not mean God has abandoned us.
Rather, they are opportunities for our faith to grow, for our compassion to shine, and for God’s glory to be revealed.

📖 Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Hold on. The rain will stop. The sun will rise again. And through it all—God remains faithful.

---

🙏 Prayer of Strength and Hope

Lord God,
You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Though the waters rise, we know You rise higher. Though the winds howl, we trust in Your voice that says, “Peace, be still.”
We lift up every flooded home, every family in distress, and every heart that is heavy.
May Your presence bring comfort, Your angels bring protection, and Your Spirit bring peace.
We trust You, even when we don’t understand the storm.
Our hope is in You. You will carry us through.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

---

🕊️ Stay safe. Stay strong. Stay anchored in Christ.
This storm has an end, but God’s love does not.

#HopeInTheMidstOfStorm,
#RainAndStorm,
#LifeIntheStorm,
#istariray23moments,

Read More

“Pag-asa sa Gitna ng Bagyo”🌧️

 

“Pag-asa sa Gitna ng Bagyo”🌧️ 

Isang mensahe ng pag-asa at pagtitiwala sa gitna ng unos

---

🕊️ Panimulang Panalangin

Aming Amang nasa Langit,
Lumalapit kami sa Iyo sa mga oras na ito ng patuloy na pag-ulan, pagbaha, at kaguluhan. Marami sa amin ang pagod, nag-aalala, at nagtatanong kung kailan ito matatapos. Ngunit ngayong araw na ito, pinipili naming huwag kumapit sa takot, kundi sa Iyong mga pangako.
Buksan Mo ang aming puso habang kami ay nakikinig sa Inyong Salita. Nawa'y ito'y maging bukal ng pag-asa, kaaliwan, at panibagong lakas ng pananampalataya.
Mangusap Ka, O Diyos. Ipaalala Mong Ikaw ay nasa aming piling.
Sa pangalan ni Jesus, Amen.

---

📖 Panimula

Sa nakaraang linggo, ang ating mga kalsada ay tila naging mga ilog. Ang ating mga plano ay napurnada, ang ating mga tahanan ay nasalanta, at ang ilan ay nawalan ng tirahan. Walang tigil ang ulan, at bawat ulat ng panahon ay nagdadala ng panibagong pag-aalala. Ngunit mga kapatid, ngayong araw ay iniimbitahan ko kayong itaas ang inyong mga mata sa itaas ng baha at tumingin sa Isa na naglalakad sa ibabaw ng tubig—ang ating Panginoong HesuKristo.

Ang mga bagyo—mapa-kalikasang sakuna o pagsubok sa buhay—ay bahagi ng ating paglalakbay. Ngunit ang ating pag-asa ngayon ay ito:
Hindi nawawala ang presensya ng Diyos sa gitna ng bagyo—bagkus, ito’y mas nahahayag.

---

📜 Pangunahing Teksto: Marcos 4:35–41 (Pinalma ni Jesus ang Bagyo)

“Bumangon siya at sinaway ang hangin. Sinabi niya sa lawa, ‘Tahimik! Tumigil ka!’ Tumigil ang hangin at naging ganap ang katahimikan.” (Talata 39)

Ang mga alagad ay natakot. Ang bangka ay halos lumubog. Puno na ng tubig. Ngunit nandoon si Jesus—kasama nila—sa gitna ng bagyo. Hindi Siya nawala. Oo, Siya’y natutulog, ngunit hindi Siya walang pakialam.

Gaya ng mga alagad, tinatanong din natin,
“Panginoon, wala Ka bang pakialam kung kami'y mapahamak?” (v.38)
At ang sagot ng Panginoon ay tulad din noon:
“Tigil na. Tumahimik ka.”

---

💡 Mga Punto ng Pagbubulay at Aplikasyon

1. Ang Diyos ay kasama natin sa gitna ng bagyo.

📖 Isaias 43:2
“Kapag dumaan ka sa tubig, ako’y sasaiyo...”

Hindi na ito talinghaga—totoong binabaha tayo ngayon. Ngunit totoo rin ang pangako ng Diyos:
“Ako’y sasaiyo.”
Hindi "baka," kundi "tiyak." Nandoon Siya—sa evacuation center, sa nabasang bahay, sa mga panahong hindi na tayo makatulog.

---

2. Totoo ang bagyo, ngunit mas totoo ang katapatan ng Diyos.

📖 Panaghoy 3:22-23
“Dahil sa pag-ibig ng Panginoon ay hindi tayo nalipol... dakila ang iyong katapatan.”

Maaaring pakiramdam mo ay ubos na ang lakas mo—ngunit buhay ka pa. Iyon ay biyaya. Iyon ay awa.
Ang katapatan ng Diyos ang dahilan kung bakit narito ka pa ngayon.

---

3. Ang iyong tugon ay mas mahalaga kaysa sa bagyo.

📖 Roma 12:12
“Magalak sa pag-asa, magtiis sa kapighatian, manatiling tapat sa panalangin.”

Hindi natin kontrolado ang panahon, ngunit kontrolado natin kung paano tayo tutugon:

• Mananalangin ba tayo o magpapanik?

• Magkakaisa ba tayo o mag-iisa?

• Susuko ba tayo o mananampalataya?

Ang mga bagyo ay nagsisiwalat ng laman ng ating puso. Nawa’y ito’y magdala sa atin pabalik sa pananampalataya, pagdadamayan, at pagkakaisa.

---

4. Tumulong ka habang hinihintay ang pagtila ng ulan.

📖 Galacia 6:2
“Magdamayan kayo sa pagdadala ng mga pasanin, at sa ganitong paraan ay matutupad ninyo ang kautusan ni Cristo.”

Kung ang bahay mo ay hindi binaha—buksan mo ito para sa nangangailangan.
Kung may pagkain ka—ibahagi mo.
Kung hindi ka makakatulong sa pisikal na paraan—ipanalangin mo sila.

Ang kabutihan sa gitna ng sakuna ay isang makapangyarihang paraan upang maipakita si Cristo.

---

🌱 Mga Tunay na Kwento ng Pag-asa

• May mga pamilyang ilang araw nang nasa bubong—ngunit nailigtas na dahil sa tulong ng mga di-kakilala.

• Isang dalagang may maliit na budget ang nagluto ng kanin para sa mga na-stranded.

• Ang simpleng pag-text ng Bible verse o pagbigay ng mainit na inumin ay nakakapagbigay liwanag sa puso ng isang pagod na kaluluwa.

Sa ganitong panahon, tayo ay dapat maging buhay na sermon.

---

📌 Pangwakas na Paalala

Ang bagyo ay hindi nangangahulugang iniwan tayo ng Diyos.
Ito ay pagkakataon para tumibay ang ating pananampalataya, magniningning ang ating malasakit, at maipamalas ang kaluwalhatian ng Diyos.

📖 Awit 34:18
“Malapit ang Panginoon sa mga wasak ang puso at inililigtas ang mga bagbag ang loob.”

Kapit lang. Tatahimik din ang ulan. Sisikat din ang araw.
At sa lahat ng ito—mananatiling tapat ang Diyos.

---

🙏 Panalangin ng Lakas at Pag-asa

Panginoon naming Diyos,
Ikaw ang aming kanlungan at lakas, laging handang tumulong sa oras ng kagipitan. Bagama’t tumataas ang tubig, naniniwala kami na Ikaw ay mas mataas. Bagama’t malakas ang ulan, nagtitiwala kami sa Inyong tinig na nagsasabing, “Tigil na, tumahimik ka.”
Inilalapit namin sa Iyo ang bawat tahanang binaha, bawat pamilyang nagdurusa, bawat pusong nabibigatan.
Nawa'y ang Inyong presensya ang maging kaaliwan, ang Inyong mga anghel ang mag-ingat, at ang Inyong Espiritu ang magdala ng kapayapaan.
Sa Iyo kami nagtitiwala, kahit hindi namin maunawaan ang bagyo.
Sa pangalan ni Jesus, Amen.

---

🕊️ Mag-ingat, magpakalakas, at manatili sa pananampalataya.
May katapusan ang bagyo, ngunit ang pag-ibig ng Diyos ay walang hanggan.

#PagAsaSaGitnaNgUnos,
#BagyoNgBuhay,
#istarriay23moments,

Read More

"Still Raining☔, GOD Still Faithful🙏"

 

"Still Raining☔, Still Faithful🙏"

Hope in the Storm

---

📖 Scripture Readings

Lamentations 3:22–23 (NIV)
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Psalm 29:10–11 (NIV)
“The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.”

---

💧 Reflection

It’s been days of relentless rain. The typhoon has passed, yet its shadows linger: waterlogged homes, disrupted lives, and weary hearts. Some floodwaters have receded, but the clouds still cover the sky—literally and emotionally.

And yet, God is still with us.

In every drop of rain, in every gust of wind, in every prayer whispered through the night—He remains faithful. Like the psalmist said, “The Lord sits enthroned over the flood.” Not distant or uncaring, but reigning, present, and strong.

Let the rain remind us that God’s mercies are also pouring down—quietly, constantly. We may not see the sun yet, but the Son has never stopped shining.

---

🙏 Prayer

Lord, we are tired. The rains haven't stopped, the ground is soaked, and many are still recovering from the flooding. But we choose to trust You. We declare that You are bigger than this storm. Let Your presence be known in the shelters, the drenched streets, and the flooded barangays. Protect every family still affected. Provide for those who have lost homes or livelihoods. Be our peace in this storm and our hope in these gray days. Let this trial draw us nearer to You—and to one another. In Jesus’ name, amen.

---

🌱 Today’s Takeaways

• 🌧️ The storm may linger, but God’s love outlasts the rain.

• ⛅ You might not see the sun, but you can still hold on to the Son.

• 🙌 Let every delay, every dark cloud, lead you to deeper dependence.

• 🕊️ Peace isn’t found in weather reports—it’s found in God’s presence.

---

📌 Practical Encouragement

• 💬 Text someone today: “I’m praying for you. God is still with us.”

• 🕯️ If you’re safe and dry, consider donating or volunteering for typhoon recovery efforts.

• 📖 Read a psalm aloud today—let God’s Word break the silence the storm leaves behind.

---

🏷️ Hashtags for Sharing

#FaithInTheStorm,
#StillRainingStillFaithful,
#GodIsWithUs,
#DevotionalInTheRain,
#HopeAfterTheTyphoon,
#HisMerciesPourDown,
#PrayForThePhilippines,
#istariray23moments,

Read More

“Umuulan Pa Rin☔, Tapat Pa Rin ang Diyos🙏”

 

Pag-asa sa Gitna ng Baha at Bagyo ☔

---

📖 Mga Talata sa Biblia

Panaghoy 3:22–23
“Ang pag-ibig ng Panginoon ay hindi nagmamaliw, at ang kanyang mga awa ay hindi nauubos. Ito’y laging sariwa tuwing umaga; dakila ang iyong katapatan!”

Awit 29:10–11
“Ang Panginoon ay naghahari sa itaas ng baha; siya ang Hari magpakailanman. Bibigyan niya ng lakas ang kanyang bayan; pagpapalain niya sila ng kapayapaan.”

Isaias 43:2
“Kapag dumaan ka sa malalim na tubig, sasamahan kita; at kung tumawid ka sa mga ilog, hindi ka malulunod.”

---

💧 Pagninilay

Ilang araw nang walang tigil ang ulan. Lumipas na ang bagyo ngunit tila nananatili pa rin ang mga epekto nito—mga baha, pagkalugmok, at pagod na damdamin. May mga lugar nang natuyo, ngunit ang langit ay nananatiling madilim.

Subalit kasama pa rin natin ang Diyos.

Sa bawat patak ng ulan, bawat hangin, bawat panalangin sa gitna ng dilim—nananatiling tapat ang Diyos. Tulad ng sinabi sa Awit, “Ang Panginoon ay naghahari sa itaas ng baha.” Hindi siya malayo o walang pakialam—kasama natin siya, at hawak niya ang lahat.

Ang ulan ay paalala rin na bukas-palad ang kanyang habag. Maaaring hindi natin nakikita ang araw ngayon, ngunit hindi kailanman nawala ang Anak (si Jesus).

---

🙏 Panalangin

Panginoon, pagod na kami. Hindi tumitigil ang ulan, basa ang paligid, at marami pa rin ang hindi nakababangon mula sa pagbaha. Ngunit pinipili naming magtiwala sa Iyo. Ipinapahayag naming mas malaki Ka kaysa sa bagyo. Iparamdam Mo ang Iyong presensya sa bawat bahay, lansangan, at barangay. Ingatan Mo ang bawat pamilya. Ipagkaloob Mo ang mga pangangailangan ng mga nawalan ng tirahan o kabuhayan. Maging kapayapaan Ka sa gitna ng unos, at aming pag-asa sa mga madidilim na araw. Gamitin Mo ang sitwasyong ito upang mas mapalapit kami sa Iyo at sa isa’t isa. Sa pangalan ni Jesus, Amen.

---

🌱 Aral Ngayon

• 🌧️ Maaaring hindi pa tapos ang ulan, ngunit mas matagal ang pag-ibig ng Diyos.

• ⛅ Maaaring hindi natin makita ang araw, ngunit hawakan pa rin natin ang Anak.

• 🙌 Ang bawat paghihintay at dilim ay paanyaya sa mas malalim na pagtitiwala.

• 🕊️ Ang tunay na kapayapaan ay hindi mula sa lagay ng panahon, kundi sa presensya ng Diyos.

---

📌 Gawing Praktikal ang Pananampalataya

• 💬 Mag-text sa isang kaibigan: “Ipinapanalangin kita. Kasama pa rin natin ang Diyos.”

• 🕯️ Kung ikaw ay ligtas na, magbigay ng tulong o panahon sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo.

• 📖 Magbasa ng isang Awit ngayong araw—hayaan mong ang Salita ng Diyos ang bumasag sa katahimikan ng unos.

---

🏷️

#PananampalatayaSaGitnaNgBagyo
#UmuulanPaRinTapatPaRin,
#KasamaNatinAngDiyos,
#DebosyonalSaUlan,
#PagAsaMataposAngBagyo,
#BiyayaNaPatuloyDumarating,
#IpanalanginAngPilipinas,
#istariray23moments,

Read More

“God Is With Us in the Flood”

 

📖“God Is With Us in the Flood”

Isaiah 43:2 | Psalm 9:9 | Psalm 107:29

---

📚 Opening Reflection:

This week, we're literally experiencing relentless storms and flooding. Many are affected, anxious, and unsure of what might happen next. Yet in the midst of chaos, God's Word reminds us of a powerful truth: We are not alone.

---

📖 Key Scriptures:

1. Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)
   “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.”
   ➤ Reflection Question: When was the last time you truly felt God’s presence during a difficult moment? How did He show up?

2. Psalm 9:9 (NIV)
   “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”
   ➤ Reflection Question: What does “refuge” mean to you personally? How do you find safety in God during storms?

3. Psalm 107:29 (NIV)
   “He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.”
   ➤ Reflection Question: Do you believe God can calm the storm you're going through right now—literally or spiritually?

---

🌊 Devotional Thought:

The physical storms and floods we face are a vivid picture of the spiritual storms in life. But through it all, God says: “I will be with you.”

God never promised a life free from storms—but He promises His presence through them. His peace doesn’t depend on perfect conditions—it comes from knowing He holds us even when the waters rise.

---

🙏 Prayer:

Lord God,
You see the storms we’re facing—both in the world around us and within our hearts. The rain hasn’t stopped, the waters are rising, and we are weary. But today, we choose to trust You.
Be our refuge. Quiet the storm inside us. Protect our families, homes, and communities. Help us to remember that You are near, faithful, and in control.
Thank You that even in the darkest moments, Your love never fails.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

---

💬 Group Discussion / Personal Journaling:

• What “storm” are you going through right now?

• How are you choosing to hold on to faith during this difficult season?

• Who around you might need encouragement today—and how can you be that for them?

---

💡 Key Verses to Meditate On This Week:

• Philippians 4:6–7 – “Do not be anxious about anything…”

• 2 Corinthians 4:8–9 – “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed…”

• Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good…”

---

📲 Hashtags for Sharing:

#BibleStudyToday, #FaithInTheStorm,
#GodIsWithUs, #HopeInTheFlood,
#Isaiah432, #Psalm10729, #FaithOverFear,
#EncouragementToday, #SmallGroupStudy,
#JesusOurRefuge, #DevotionInCrisis,
#istariray23moments,

Read More

“Kasama Natin ang Diyos sa Gitna ng Baha”🌧️

Hindi ko po alam kung "Maganda pa din ang Umagang ito para sa inyo"

Ngunit, subalit sa kahit na anumang pangyayare sa buhay ng Kristiano na may Diyos na buhay, binabati ko pa din po kayo ng...

Magandang Araw po sa lahat!!!

☀🌻☀🌻☀🌻☀🌻☀🌻☀🌻

Have a Happy and Blessed Wednes-Yey EveryJuan!!

🌧️ “Kasama Natin ang Diyos sa Gitna ng Baha”

Mga Talata sa Biblia:

📖 “Kapag dumaan ka sa tubig, sasamahan kita; kapag tumawid ka sa mga ilog, hindi ka malulunod.” — Isaias 43:2

📖 “Ang Panginoon ay kanlungan ng mga naaapi, matibay na muog sa panahon ng kaguluhan.” — Awit 9:9

📖 “Pinatigil niya ang bagyo, kaya’t tumahimik ang alon ng dagat.” — Awit 107:29

======

🌊 Pagninilay:

Sa araw na ito, marami sa atin ang literal na nakararanas ng unos—walang tigil na ulan, tumataas na baha, at pagkabalisa na baka pumasok na ang tubig sa ating mga tahanan. Nakakatakot. Nakakapagod. Nakakapraning.

Ngunit kahit tila magulo ang mundo sa ating paligid, ang presensya at pangako ng Diyos ay hindi nagbabago.

Sa Isaias 43:2, hindi ipinangako ng Diyos na hindi tayo daraan sa baha, pero tiyak Niyang sinabi: “Sasamahan kita.” Ang bagyo ay maaaring malakas, pero mas makapangyarihan ang Kanyang tinig. Ang baha ay maaaring tumaas, pero ang Kanyang pag-ibig ay hindi kailanman nawawala.

Ang mga bagyo—pisikal man o espiritwal—ay bahagi ng buhay. Ngunit bilang mga mananampalataya, hindi tayo kailanman nag-iisa. Ang ating kapayapaan ay hindi nakabase sa kawalan ng unos, kundi sa presensya ni Cristo sa gitna ng unos.

========

🙏 Panalangin:

Aming Ama sa Langit,

Lumalapit kami sa Iyo sa gitna ng bagyong ito—parehong literal at emosyonal. Hindi tumitigil ang ulan, tumataas ang tubig, at kami'y nag-aalala. Ngunit pinipili naming magtiwala sa Iyo.

Ikaw ang aming kanlungan, aming tagapagtanggol, at kasama sa lahat ng pagsubok. Pawiin Mo ang aming kaba. Ingatan Mo ang aming mga tahanan at mahal sa buhay.

Paalalahanan Mo kami na kahit hindi namin makita ang solusyon, Ikaw ay patuloy na gumagawa.

Salamat po sa Iyong biyaya at pag-ibig na sapat sa bawat araw.

Sa pangalan ni Jesus,

Amen.

========

💡 Mga Aral Ngayon:

Hindi ipinangako ng Diyos na walang bagyo—ngunit tiyak ang Kanyang presensya.

Sa bawat baha sa buhay, may Diyos tayong kasama.

Magtiwala sa Kanyang puso, kahit hindi mo makita ang Kanyang kilos.

Ang Kanyang biyaya ang sasalo sa atin sa mga panahong tila hindi natin kaya.

========

📲 Hashtags for Sharing:

#BibleStudyToday, #FaithInTheStorm,
#GodIsWithUs, #HopeInTheFlood,
#Isaiah432, #Psalm10729, #FaithOverFear,
#EncouragementToday, #SmallGroupStudy,
#JesusOurRefuge, #DevotionInCrisis,
#istariray23moments,

Read More

🎯 The True Purpose of Dating

 

💛 What Is the Purpose of Dating, and Why True Love Really Waits?

In today’s world, dating often gets reduced to a game, a casual activity, or a source of instant gratification. But if you're someone who desires a love that honors God, it’s important to ask the deeper question:
"What is the real purpose of dating?"

---

🎯 The True Purpose of Dating

Dating should not be about filling a void, escaping loneliness, or proving your worth.
It’s not about playing with someone’s heart — or giving your heart away too soon.

Biblically speaking, the purpose of dating is to prayerfully and purposefully pursue a partner for marriage. It's about:

• Getting to know someone beyond surface attraction

• Discerning compatibility in values, faith, and life direction

• Guarding each other’s hearts while building friendship

• Seeking God’s will together

“Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?”
— Amos 3:3 (NIV)

If marriage is the destination, dating is the road — not a playground. That doesn’t mean it has to be rigid or overly serious, but it should always be intentional.

---

⛔ The Problem With Rushing In

When dating becomes all about emotions, chemistry, or physical intimacy — we risk missing the bigger picture. We may enter relationships prematurely, ignore red flags, or give parts of ourselves to people who are only passing through.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
— Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

Your heart is precious — not everyone deserves access to it.

---

❤️ Why True Love Really Waits

"True love waits" isn’t just about saving sex for marriage. It’s about honoring God with your life, your choices, and your relationships.

Real love is willing to:

• Wait for God’s timing

• Honor God’s standards

• Build on friendship before intimacy

• Protect rather than exploit

• Pray instead of pressure

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud… It does not dishonor others.”
— 1 Corinthians 13:4–5 (NIV)

Waiting is hard — but it's also proof of maturity and a sign of deep love. Love that rushes to take isn’t love at all. But love that’s willing to wait, serve, protect, and grow? That’s God-honoring and soul-healing.

---

🛐 Reflection

• Are you dating with intentionality or just to avoid being alone?

• Are you protecting your heart — or giving it away without prayer?

• Do you believe that God’s timing is better than your own?

---

🙏 A Prayer for Dating with Purpose

“Lord, I surrender my desire for love and companionship to You. Teach me to date with purpose and not pressure, with wisdom and not desperation. Help me wait on Your perfect timing and prepare my heart for the right person — the one who will love me with integrity and faith. Guard my emotions and protect me from relationships that are not from You. Teach me how to love in a way that honors You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

---

✨ Final Takeaway

• Dating is a path to marriage, not a pastime.

• Purity isn’t outdated — it’s powerful.

• True love doesn’t rush — it waits, prays, and prepares.

• You are worth the wait. And the right person will agree.

“Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”
— Psalm 37:4 (NKJV)

 

---

#Dating, #PurposeOfDating, #PathToMarriage, #TrueLoveWaits, #God'sWill, #WhenToDate, #istariray23moments,

Read More

Why True Love Waits...

 

💔 SOUL TIES THROUGH SEX: WHY TRUE LOVE WAITS

In a world where casual sex is glorified and purity is mocked, it’s important to remember that God never intended for intimacy to be treated lightly.

Sex is not just physical — it is spiritual. It was designed by God as a sacred union between a husband and wife, a beautiful gift within the covenant of marriage.

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
— Genesis 2:24 (NKJV)

This verse reveals a divine truth: when two people come together sexually, they are no longer two but one. This "becoming one" goes beyond body — it touches the soul.

---

⚠️ What Are Soul Ties?

A soul tie is a deep emotional and spiritual bond formed between two individuals. These bonds are designed by God to deepen intimacy in marriage. But when sex happens outside of marriage — even if it feels harmless — it can create unintended ties that pull us in directions we were never meant to go.

“Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For ‘the two,’ He says, ‘shall become one flesh.’”
— 1 Corinthians 6:16 (NKJV)

That verse isn’t just metaphorical. It means every sexual act has the power to spiritually connect you to another person — even long after the physical contact has ended.

---

😔 The Aftermath of Casual Connections

Many silently carry emotional confusion, spiritual heaviness, and shame… without understanding why. Some people say:

• “I keep thinking about someone from my past, even though I’ve moved on.”

• “Why do I feel so broken or lost after being intimate with someone?”

• “Why do I crave attention from someone who’s not even good for me?”

These are often symptoms of unhealed soul ties.

Soul ties can make us feel like our soul is scattered — like parts of us are left with the people we’ve been with.

---

❤️‍🔥 Passion With a Purpose

God gave us passion — not to be suppressed, but to be protected.
Purity is not punishment. It's protection.

“Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.”
— 1 Corinthians 6:18

God calls us to wait, not because He wants to withhold pleasure — but because He wants to preserve wholeness, dignity, and purpose.

Waiting is hard. But settling for soul-scattering relationships is harder in the long run.

---

🙏 Reflection

• Have you ever felt emotionally or spiritually bound to someone from your past?

• Are there relationships you walked away from physically, but never truly detached from spiritually?

• Do you long for healing and wholeness — to feel like your full self again?

You're not alone. And there is healing in Jesus.

---

💬 PRAYER

“Heavenly Father, I come before You today with a heart that desires healing, wholeness, and purity. I ask for Your grace to break every unhealthy soul tie that I have formed outside of Your will. I surrender every past relationship, every mistake, and every hidden wound to You. Cover me with the blood of Jesus. Cleanse my soul. Renew my mind. Teach me to love with purity and to wait with purpose. Restore my identity in You and help me walk in freedom, truth, and grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

---

✅ TAKEAWAY

✔ Soul ties are real.
✔ Sex is spiritual.
✔ God's design for love is intentional.
✔ Purity is possible — through Jesus.
✔ True love waits — and it's worth it.

You are not defined by your past.
You are not broken beyond repair.
You are loved, seen, and made new in Christ. 💛

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

---

#TrueLoveWaits, #SoulTies, #SexAndTheSpirit, #PurityIsPower, #FaithOverFeelings, #BiblicalDating, #ChristianSingles, #SpiritualWarfare, #HealingFromThePast, #istariray23moments,

Read More

Sinu ang Gusto Mong Maging Katulad?

📖 **1 Corinthians 2:16 (NLT)**

*“For, ‘Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach Him?’ But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.”*

(*Tagalog:* “Sapagkat, ‘Sino ang nakaaalam ng pag-iisip ng Panginoon? Sino ang makapagbibigay ng payo sa Kanya?’ Ngunit taglay natin ang pag-iisip ni Cristo.”)

---

🔍 **Reflection: Sino ba talaga ang gusto mong maging katulad?**

In a world full of influencers, idols, and trends, madali tayong ma-attract sa idea ng “pagiging katulad nila” — sikat, successful, maganda ang buhay. Pero bilang mga anak ng Diyos, we are called to be **like Christ** — not like the world.

> “Taglay natin ang pag-iisip ni Cristo.”

> This means: we don’t just follow Jesus — we begin to **think like Jesus**.

---

✨ **What Does It Mean to Have the Mind of Christ?**

1. **Humility over pride** – Jesus humbled Himself even though He was King (Phil. 2:5–8)

2. **Compassion over comparison** – Jesus wept, reached out, and lifted people

3. **Obedience over convenience** – Jesus followed the Father’s will, even to the cross

4. **Eternal perspective** – Jesus didn’t live for applause; He lived for purpose

---

📌 **Personal Check-In:**

* Sino ang role model mo lately — si Cristo ba, o ang culture ng mundo?

* Do you spend more time comparing yourself to others, or letting God transform your mind?

---

🧠 **Application: How to Develop the Mind of Christ**

✅ Magbabad sa Salita ng Diyos (Romans 12:2)

✅ Magdasal nang may pagsuko, hindi lang pakiusap

✅ Piliin ang kababaang-loob, kahit mahirap

✅ Magtanong lagi: *“What would Jesus think or do?”*

---

🛐 **Prayer:**

*Lord, help me to desire Christlikeness more than popularity. Give me the mind of Christ — full of wisdom, grace, and humility. Change the way I think so You can change the way I live. Amen.*

---

🔖 **Bottom Line:**

You were not made to imitate the world.

**You were made to reflect Christ.**

#BibleStudy, #MindOfChrist, #1Corinthians216, #Christlikeness, #ChristianLiving, #TaglishDevotional, #istarriay23moments,

Read More

Prayer 🙏

 

🙏 What Is Prayer?

Prayer is simply talking to God.

It’s not a formula. It’s not about fancy words. It’s a heart-to-heart connection with the Lord — where we speak, listen, and draw closer to Him.

---

**Biblical Definition**

In the Bible, prayer is seen as:

* **Communication** with God (Philippians 4:6)

* **Worship and dependence** (Psalm 145:18)

* **Seeking His will and guidance** (Matthew 6:10)

* **Confession and repentance** (1 John 1:9)

* **Interceding for others** (1 Timothy 2:1)

---

### 🗣️ **Key Elements of Prayer:**

1. **Adoration** – Praising God for who He is

2. **Confession** – Acknowledging our sins and need for grace

3. **Thanksgiving** – Gratefulness for His blessings

4. **Supplication** – Asking for help for ourselves or others

(This is often called the ACTS model of prayer.)

---

### 💡 **Why Prayer Matters:**

* It builds relationship with God

* It brings peace and clarity

* It invites God’s power into your life

* It aligns us with His perfect will

* It strengthens faith and character

---

### 🛐 **Example of a Simple Prayer:**

> *“Father, thank You for loving me. I need Your strength today. Help me trust You and walk in Your will. Forgive me where I’ve fallen short. I praise You, in Jesus’ name, amen.”*

---

### 🌱 Bottom Line:

**Prayer is not about performance — it’s about presence.**

It’s you and God, heart to heart. Anytime, anywhere.

---

Why Prayer Matters — Talking with the Lord Almighty**

> *“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”* — **James 5:16 (NIV)**

> *“Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”* — **Jeremiah 33:3**

---

### 🔥 **Why Is Prayer So Important?**

Prayer isn’t just a spiritual “habit” — it’s a **lifeline**. It’s how we **connect with God, align with His will, receive strength, and release burdens**. Through prayer, we step into direct communication with the **Creator of the universe**, yet also our **Heavenly Father who listens with love**.

Let’s explore the **foundations** of why prayer matters so deeply in the life of a believer:

---

### 🙏 **1. Prayer Builds Relationship with God**

Just like any relationship, communication is key. God doesn’t want religion — He wants a **relationship**. Through prayer, we draw near, we speak, we listen, and we grow in intimacy with Him.

> *“Come near to God and He will come near to you.”* — James 4:8

🧠 *Application:*

Prayer isn’t just about requests — it’s about **connection**. Talk to God like you would a loving father or close friend.

---

### 🕊️ **2. Prayer Aligns Us with God’s Will**

Prayer isn’t about bending God to our will — it’s about **shaping our hearts to trust His plan**. Jesus Himself prayed, *“Not My will, but Yours be done”* (Luke 22:42). When we pray, we surrender, listen, and learn to walk in obedience.

> *“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”* — Matthew 6:10

🧠 *Application:*

Ask not only for your needs, but for **God’s will** in your life. He sees the whole picture — trust Him with the outcome.

---

### ⚔️ **3. Prayer Is Our Weapon in Spiritual Warfare**

We’re in a spiritual battle — and prayer is our frontline defense. It invites heaven’s power into earthly struggles. Through prayer, we break strongholds, fight temptation, and find peace in the middle of chaos.

> *“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests...”* — Ephesians 6:18

🧠 *Application:*

When you feel overwhelmed, attacked, or spiritually dry — **pray first**, not last. Prayer pushes back darkness.

---

### 🌿 **4. Prayer Changes Us**

While we may pray to change our situation, God often uses prayer to **change us** — our attitudes, our hearts, our perspective. Prayer humbles us, fills us with the Spirit, and teaches us to rely on grace, not strength.

> *“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition... present your requests to God.”* — Philippians 4:6–7

🧠 *Application:*

When you feel anxious, angry, or empty — run to prayer. **Peace comes not when problems disappear, but when God draws near.**

---

### 📌 Final Takeaway:

Prayer isn’t optional. It’s essential. It’s not a religious ritual — it’s a **divine invitation** to walk daily with the Lord Almighty.

No prayer is too small.

No moment too late.

God hears. God cares. God answers.

---

### 🛐 **Prayer:**

*Father, thank You for the gift of prayer. Teach me to run to You daily, not just in crisis but in every moment. Align my heart with Yours. Help me trust Your timing, rest in Your presence, and stand strong in Your promises. Amen.*

---

#BibleStudy, #PowerOfPrayer, #PrayWithoutCeasing, #RelationshipWithGod, #SpiritualDiscipline, #PrayerChangesThings, #Prayer, #istariray23moments,

Read More

Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled

 

✨ "Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled"

📖 John 14:1–4 (NIV):

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

---

💭 Reflection:

In times of fear, uncertainty, and loss, Jesus gently whispers these words:
“Do not let your heart be troubled.”

He speaks not to dismiss your pain, but to redirect your focus—from fear to faith, from the present to the promise. Jesus reminds us that our journey on earth is not the end, but a path toward something greater—an eternal home, prepared personally by Him.

In these verses, we find hope beyond our troubles, and assurance that we are never forgotten. Heaven is not a concept—it is a promise. And Jesus, our faithful Savior, is preparing a place for each one of us.

---

🙏 A Prayer of Comfort and Hope:

Panginoon, salamat po sa Iyong pangakong hindi kami pababayaan. Sa gitna ng aming mga kabiguan, takot, at pagkalito, paalalahanan Mo kami na may lugar Ka pong inihahanda para sa amin—isang tahanang walang sakit, walang luha, at punô ng Iyong kapayapaan.

Bigyan Mo po kami ng lakas ng loob na harapin ang bawat araw na may pananampalataya, hindi sa kung anong nakikita namin, kundi sa Iyong mga pangakong tapat at totoo. Panghawakan nawa namin ang katotohanan na kami ay Iyong mahal at may tiyak na lugar sa Iyong piling.

Tulungan Mo po kaming hindi mawalan ng pag-asa, at sa halip ay patuloy na lumakad sa pananampalataya hanggang sa araw ng aming muling pagkikita. Sa pangalan ni Jesus, kami’y nananalangin.
Amen.

---

✨ Takeaway Thought:

You are not forgotten. You are not alone.
A place is being prepared for you—because you are deeply loved by a Savior who keeps His promises.

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

#DailyDevotional,
#DailyWord,
#ThankyouLord,
#John14:1-4,
#DoNotLetYourHeartsBeTroubled,
#istariray23moments,

Read More

Until Christ is Formed in You

**📖 Until Christ Is Formed in You**

My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!” -Galatians 4:19–20 (NIV)

---

Paul’s words in Galatians are filled with **love, urgency, and heartbreak**. He wasn’t just trying to correct wrong theology — he was crying out as a spiritual parent, longing for something far greater than head knowledge or religious performance. He desired to see **Christ fully formed** in the lives of these believers.

🔥 Spiritual Formation Isn’t Instant — It’s Deep, Ongoing, and Painful at Times

The Apostle Paul speaks as a spiritual parent, longing and laboring in love for the believers in Galatia. His desire? Not just church attendance. Not just good behavior. But that Christ be formed in them.

This isn’t about information — it’s about transformation.
Not outward religion — but inner renewal.
Not temporary excitement — but permanent Christlikeness.

---

### 🌱 **What Does It Mean to Have Christ Formed in You?**

To have Christ formed in us means that:

* Our **character mirrors His** (Galatians 5:22–23 — the fruit of the Spirit).

* Our **priorities align with His mission**.

* Our hearts are shaped by **His love, humility, and obedience**.

* We’re no longer living for ourselves, but **Christ lives in us** (Galatians 2:20).

It’s not about trying harder — it’s about **surrendering deeper**.

---

 🔥 **Why Is This Formation So Painful?**

Paul compares the process to **childbirth** — intense, painful, yet purposeful. Spiritual formation takes time. It confronts:

* Our pride

* Our selfishness

* Our old ways of thinking

This is why we often **resist the very growth we need**. But just like in birth, the end result is new life.

---

          🔥 **Why Is the Formation of Christ in Us So Painful?**

     1. It Requires Dying to Self**

*“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.’”* — Matthew 16:24

Spiritual growth involves the painful process of **laying down our will** so that God’s will can take over. Our natural instincts resist this. We want comfort, control, and recognition — but Christ calls us to **surrender**.

It hurts because we’re giving up the throne of our own lives.

🧠 *Application:*

That moment you bite your tongue instead of lashing out in anger? That’s Christ being formed — and your pride dying.

The pain comes from resisting the temptation to “stay the same.”

---

     2. It Exposes the Flesh**

> *“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.”* — Galatians 5:17

When Christ begins to take root in us, the **sinful nature fights back**. The Spirit exposes things we once justified or ignored — jealousy, selfish ambition, bitterness, lust, unforgiveness.

And exposure is **uncomfortable**. It forces us to face what’s broken inside of us.

🧠 *Application:*

Ever felt convicted by a sermon or Scripture? That uneasy feeling is the Spirit **bringing light to what needs healing**, not to condemn, but to restore.

---

     3. It Reshapes Our Identity**

> *“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”* — Romans 12:2

Christ's formation in us includes **unlearning false beliefs** — about ourselves, others, and God.

This can feel like a crisis:

* “Who am I if I don’t have success?”

* “What if I no longer seek approval from people?”

* “How do I live differently now?”

🧠 *Application:*

It’s painful to break away from people-pleasing, performance, or past shame. But transformation means **leaving the old identity behind** to fully embrace your identity in Christ.

---

     4. It Requires Waiting and Trusting**

> *“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion...”* — Philippians 1:6

Formation doesn’t happen overnight. It’s **slow, frustrating, and often invisible**. We want immediate results, but God is forming something **eternal** — and that takes time.

Waiting stretches us. Trusting God in the “not-yet” seasons can feel like He’s distant — but that’s often when He’s working the deepest.

🧠 *Application:*

Those quiet, dry seasons where nothing seems to be changing? That’s still formation. Trust the process.

---

     5. It Calls for Suffering with Purpose**

> *“But we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”* — Romans 5:3–4

Sometimes Christ is formed in us **through pain, loss, or hardship**. God doesn’t waste our suffering — He uses it to refine us. But it still hurts.

We don’t always see it in the moment, but trials often **strip away distractions** and bring us closer to Jesus than comfort ever could.

🧠 *Application:*

Your heartbreak, disappointment, or challenge right now may actually be a spiritual furnace — forming Christlike endurance, compassion, and humility in you.

---

💬 Encouragement:

Formation hurts because we’re being **recreated from the inside out.** But take heart — pain is not the end of the story. **Resurrection always follows crucifixion.** Christ is being formed in you, and it will be worth it.

> *“He must increase, but I must decrease.”* — John 3:30

---

✋ APPLICATION: How Can Christ Be Formed in Me Today?

1. **Examine Yourself Daily**

   Ask: *Where is Christ being formed in my responses, thoughts, and habits — and where am I resisting Him?*

2. **Abide in the Word**

   Let God’s Word reshape your inner world. Scripture is the mirror that shows us who we are and who we’re becoming.

3. **Welcome Spiritual Mentors**

   Just as Paul labored for the Galatians, we all need someone who will lovingly guide, correct, and encourage our growth.

4. **Embrace the Process, Even When It Hurts**

   Growth rarely feels good. But just like birth, pain often precedes purpose. Don’t run from discomfort — ask what God is forming in you through it.

---

🙏 Reflection Questions:

Is Christ being formed in me, or am I just trying to look Christian?

Am I letting the Holy Spirit shape my character, or am I resisting His work?

Do I allow God's Word to confront and change me?

---

🛐 **PRAYER:**

*Lord, I don’t want surface-level change. Form Christ in me. Shape every part of me — my desires, my mindset, my words, my actions — until I look more like Jesus. Even when it hurts, I trust that You are working for my good and for Your glory. Amen.*

---

🌟 Final Thought:

Paul wasn’t just trying to fix the Galatians — he was **fighting for their fullness in Christ**.

Let’s make that our goal too.

Not perfection.

**Formation.**

#UntilChristIsFormedInYou, #Galatians41920, #ChristInMe, #SpiritualGrowth, #BibleDevotion, #JesusBeMagnified, #istariray23moments,

Read More

Bagsit River Photo Dump

 

🌿Stillness and Serenity at Bagsit River

There’s something about nature that speaks to the soul—and my recent trip to Bagsit River was exactly that: soul-speaking.

Tucked away in stillness and surrounded by lush greens and flowing waters, Bagsit River offered more than just a photo-worthy escape. It reminded me to breathe. To pause. To be fully present.

Each frame I captured wasn’t just for aesthetics—it was a postcard of peace, a moment frozen in time when life felt simple, calm, and real.

From the gentle ripple of the water to the rustling leaves overhead, every detail echoed one message: "You don’t always have to rush. Sometimes, you just have to rest."

In the quiet corners of Bagsit River, I found:

• A space to reflect 🌊

• A moment to reset 🍃

• And a reminder that God’s presence is loudest in the quiet.

So here’s my photo dump of peace—not for the likes or views, but to share the gift of serenity that this place gave me.

 Maybe you need that too today.

#BagsitRiver,
#PalauigZambales,
#ILoveZambales,
#istariray23laboy,
#istariray23travel,
#istariray23memories,

Read More