Comfort Zones

Writhe in agony, Daughter Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you must leave the city to camp in the open field. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued. There the Lord will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies. (Micah 4:10 NIV)

I had a talk a few weeks ago where I was asked to recount how I put up my company and how I got it to where it was. And I realized how much I had to go out of my comfort zone just to make it work.

Sometimes, one needs to get out of one's city, one's comfortable place. And out there, out there, she will be rescued and redeemed by the Lord.

God is Light

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. (Psalm 139:7-12 NIV)

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5 NIV)

Dear God,

My Light. Shine in my heart. Chase away any darkness in it. Lord, I lift to You my prospective relationships. I want to do it right this time. Protect me. If You do not will him for me, then Your will be done. Lead me to Your choice. Be my Light. Reveal to me truths. Give me wisdom.

I also pray for my meetings today. Put a seal on my tongue. Put a guard before my mouth. Not just for my meetings, but especially with my dealings with friends. Give me wisdom and give me kindness.

This I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.

His Wonderful Light

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— (John 1:9-12 NIV)

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9 NIV)

Dear Lord,

You have called me into Your wonderful Light. I will sing praises to You! You have chosen me. I am Your special possession. Lord God, You are my King and Father. Your Will be done.

He Shall Bring Forth Righteousness

He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. (Psalms 37:6 NKJV)

Dear Lord,

I've always thought that it's my duty, my job to fulfill my end of the relationship. But Lord, I can't do it myself. See? Just this morning, I slipped again. But Lord, know that I do want to be devoted to You, to find delight in You. I just can't do it on my own.

But You, Lord, said that it is You who will bring forth my righteousness. You will cause me to fulfill my end of the relationship. Lord, I surrender to You. Lead me. Change my heart. Cause me to find my delight inYou.

Glory of God

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV)

Dear Lord,

I know You created me for Your glory. Lord, I fall short. I fall so far far far off the mark. I have rage in my heart. It doesn't want to still. It doesn't want to quiet. It hurts people. And I can't help it. Lord, a lot of good things happened this week. I made up with my friend, I got 20% discount from a lady at the cafe, being the youngest president of the club has its perks, my printer finally brought what I had printed, I got new OJTers. But there is a rage in me that chooses to look at the wrong things than the right. The barcode's too small, my marketer seems to not believe in what he's selling, my game is unbalanced, delays! Lord, it's only been the second week of the work year, and I'm already angry. Lord, I can't quiet my heart. Lord, I need Your help. I need Your grace. And what am I to do with Magoo? I'm not satisfied with his work. But I just regularized him. It annoys me that Martin doesn't ask permission when he'll be out.

Lord, help me. My heart rages. I don't know what to do. It's no longer pleasant for me at work. I don't look forward to work.lord, help me. Help me. Help me. All my actions are far from glorifying You. I want to glorify You. But my heart will not cooperate.

My Spirit Fails

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— (Ephesians 2:8 NIV)

Answer me quickly, Lord ; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. (Psalm 143:7, 8 NIV)


Dear Lord,

Forgive me. I broke my fast yesterday. Both the food and the Isaiah 58 fast. I gave in to my rage. I burned the whole day. But I know that I have been saved, not by my works, but by Your grace. You have reminded me that. Thank You.

But Lord, my spirit fails. Do not hide Your face from me. I need You more than ever, Lord. Calm the raging inside me. Reign my tongue, Lord. Today, I will speak to him. Give me the strength to wield power as the leader. But give me the control to be compassionate, Lord.

Thank You for the opportunity. The Ateneo de Davao thing seems like it's going to work. Bless the endeavor, Lord. Be with me always.

A Prayer

You have shown me what is good, O God. I will rejoice ever more. Teach me to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with You. In all circumstance, I will do things without complaining. I will submit for I revere You. And I will be strong, and not be afraid. I will believe, for You are with me always.

You have revealed and saved and proclaimed. I am a witness that You are God. May I not keep silent. May I tell my story.

Keep me, Lord, as the apple of your eye. Hide me in the shadow of Your wings. Cover me with Your feathers. Under Your wings I will find refuge. Your faithfulness will be my shield and rampart.

Teach me your way, Lord , that I may rely on Your faithfulness. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you, that I may sing for joy and be glad all my days. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.