Category Archives: Christianity

Christianity

Forced to SOAP

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My prayer group leader started barraging our GCs with follow-up of proof of our daily quiet time. She does this because she realized almost all members say this to be their struggle. At first I was tempted to argue, “didn’t you know my mornings are already full. I have to cook, do my make up, send off my son to school, etc.” But I humbled myself and just listened. I am doing my quiet time anyway and currently been reading the book of Psalm. I started publishing my devo via my Instagram just this month as well and I figured why not just publish it here on the blog anyway?

Sometimes when we write and step back, we’d be surprised that our souls have written such good pieces you almost didn’t believe the insights you have formed came from you. hehe.

Briefly, SOAP is just a framework to help us with our quiet time. Where S means the scripture that stood out to you the most, O is an observation of the setting, the character, the context around that scripture, A for application (what must I change, obey, or believe?) and finally, P is our prayer based on this scripture.

It is my prayer that by sharing my devo, you too will allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you and apply the scripture to your own experiences. Share your thoughts with me, friends? 🙂

July 16, 2025

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 4:7 Fill my heart with joy

    when their grain and new wine abound.

OBSERVATION

David is crying out to God at a time of distress, when his enemies are out to get him.

APPLICATION

We are gifted with various settings of distress: the home, the streets, our workplace. Questions to ask: are you in distress? While I was going to work this morning via Angkas (I get to think a lot through traffic), I realized the reason for my distress is the expectation that everything should work out smoothly and not have any problems. “If only there is this system,” or “if only these people knew how to..” These are constant causes of stress in my life.

But the Holy Spirit impressed on me that to think of life in the world as smooth sailing, despite our spotless plans and impressive achievements, is futile. It will never be perfect. Things don’t just magically appear or disappear, and people don’t always think the way you do. Sometimes, we even measure people’s contributions and question their gains compared with ours.”

What’s good is that we can be assured that such situations are not new. Even the bible outlines ancient people’s distress like this verse. If we look at others and see that they seem to be getting ahead by gaining new things or being happy with their achievements, we should know that

a. We only see the ending but not their hardships. People worked so hard to get what they prayed for and

b. Our relationship with God should be the measure of our true joy and not physical circumstances.

Is it always easy to have this mindset? Of course not. It’s impossible. Unless we lift up all our hearts’ desires and plans to the Lord, we will never find joy. 

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for filling my heart with joy despite the uncontrollable events around us. Even when it seems other people are getting ahead or are achieving more, Your words comfort us and ground us. As we wait, we avail of Your love and peace. My prayer is for my son to grow up wise so that he may be able to live this blessed life with joy in his heart. I pray that my husband gets to see you and follow you as well so that he too can enjoy your promises. I pray for my dgroup leader, church leaders, and members, that we may always stay in the light and be a blessing to the Philippines and the world. I pray for the person reading this, may they be blessed.

There are many stressful things. But help us remember that we don’t need any other thing but You. You are our light and salvation. You are our provider and healer. Thank You for everything You have bestowed upon us. Thank You for not forsaking us. We love you because You first loved us. Help us to be Christian through and through–not just in words but also in how we work, in our thoughts, and our actions.

In Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

Christianity, Faith, friendship

Testifying vs. humble bragging.

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Perhaps the most common problem Christians face today is being thought a braggart in the midst of sharing God’s goodness and grace to others.

If becoming a witness is what we’re called to do, then at the expense of being dubbed a hypocrite, a perfect person (perfect ka eh), jollibee (bida bida ka ba), or a humble bragger, we continue helping out spiritually.

pic

Recently, I just appreciated the message in giving. I’ve always skimped on money, reveling in the fake assurance that keeping all the money for me to selfishly use anytime could make me feel safe and happy.

I failed to realize that everything I have come from God – He who gives. And so, I started believing in tithing. The amount that could have been used for some personal whim, I give cheerfully to church, an instrument of hope and salvation to other people.

money

Little did I expect that this small gesture of giving allowed my heart to help others financially as well. Without greed or malice or the feeling of being cheated on. I am also able to make financial decisions based on my faith and not let money or lack of it dictate my life. And as alive as God is, I never ran out of money since. God has known exactly what I need and has been providing everything since.

So one day I shared this amazing discovery to a friend, in good faith, saying how tithing has helped me in the past months. But in an awkward response, there was silence.

I would never know for sure how he took it. But I, later on, realized that I must have sounded like a boast. At first, it made me feel bad. But I also thought I couldn’t keep silent especially when someone asks for advice and I am experiencing the answer every day.

So for the purpose of discussion, I have made a table of comparison to better help us

1. check ourselves each time we testify to others and

2. Check others when they testify to us.

table

Until today, I hear some people think of me as, in Pinoy term, “Plastik.” And for a moment my wild self thought about being offended. And then I realized, “Who am I?” I am nobody. If I were “plastik” then I’m a plastik dust (Genesis 3:19) Haha.

Then it made me calm. Truly, God’s peace surpasses all human hurt and our own understanding (Philippians 4:7)

It doesn’t matter what people call me. If I were self-conscious I’m only making things about me when it’s really about Christ. (John 3:30)

me

Also, through this, I am always reminded to check on myself. I am not perfect, I fall every day. But I try and there’s no turning back (except for this photo). God has been gracious.

Have you ever felt judged because of the messages you share with pure intent? If so, do you think we’re doing something wrong? How could we improve and be more sensitive to other’s current perception?

Christianity, Family

5 Prayers to Pray For Your Husband

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These prayers give us wives the best words to pray to God for our husbands. Because we love them completely and are only after their growth and joy, and we think about them every day, I’m sharing with you these beautiful words written by Tish Hedger.

1. Strength in the midst of discouragement

Lord, I pray that my husband would turn immediately to you when discouragement steals into his heart and mind. I pray his reflex would be to remember that his High Priest sympathizes with his every weakness. May your compassion usher him into your throne room that he might find mercy and help in his time of need. God, use every heartbreak, disappointment, and stress to pull him into greater intimacy with you. May discouragement give way to worship as he boasts in you only.

2. Vision to see

Christ, be my husband’s vision when life feels tedious and his days are long. Enable him to find joy and fulfillment in what you have called him to today. Help him not be distracted by regret for yesterday, or with longing for tomorrow. May his sense of identity be in the son-ship that you have purchased on the cross. And may he measure his success by his obedience and heart’s submission to you alone.

3. Peace that guards

Jesus, give my husband boldness to believe your forgiveness, a willing heart to repent, and peace to rest in your finished work. I pray that your peace would guard him in you every time the enemy or his heart rises up to accuse him. May he find comfort as he remembers that you stand in his defense before the Father every day interceding on his behalf. I pray you would teach him how to keep his mind steadfastly on you so that your peace would guard his heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

4. Power in temptation

Lord, would you deliver my husband from every evil tactic and trap of the enemy. I pray that he would walk in your power as he resists temptation. When exhaustion, stress, or distraction make him more vulnerable to temptation, give him discernment to be watchful over his eyes, mind, and heart. I pray that when the enemy seeks to isolate and harass him with shame, the truth of his righteousness would protect him. And I pray that he would not be led off by the pride of life or the lust of the eyes but that he would resist Satan, submit to you, and stand firm.

5. Joy

Christ, return to him the joy of his salvation. I pray that in life he would not forget the joy of being your son, the fun of being on adventure with you, and his eternal hope of glory. May this joy daily recount your goodness and faithfulness. I pray he would know the soul’s contentment that comes from trusting in you. I pray his joy would help him seize every opportunity for laughter and lightness of heart. May the joy of the Lord be his strength today.

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Tish is a counselor at Emmaus Counseling in Kansas City. Tish writes for FTC, Flourish, and Emmaus as well as speaks at women’s conferences and retreats. You can follow Tish on Twitter at @tishhedger.