Prepared for Battle

February 21, 2021 ~ 4:56 pm ~ Starbucks Mililani Town Center

Proverbs 21:31 

"The horse is prepared for battle, but Deliverance and Victory is from the Lord."

This verse reminds me of the movie Braveheart and the scene where Mel Gibson is in a field and is on the front line, with all the horses and soldiers lined up waiting for the battle to start.  This was a pivotal moment of the movie, Mel Gibson prepares the soldiers by giving the most inspirational and iconic speech to his men.  As the camera pans out to the men, some brave, some scared, and some who were young that you know as a viewer that they've never been in battle before.  Just like the movie, in biblical times, horses and chariots were essential for warfare. Soldiers would spend time training, strategizing, and preparing for battle. However, no matter how well-prepared they were, the final outcome rested in God’s hands. 

As he spoke out: "Sons of Scotland! I am William Wallace."

Soldier: "William Wallace is seven feet tall!"

"Yes, I've heard. Kills men by the hundreds, and if he were here, he'd consume the English with fireballs from his eyes and bolts of lightning from his arse. I am William Wallace! And I see a whole army of my countrymen here in defiance of tyranny. You have come to fight as free men, and free men you are.

"What will you do with that freedom? Will you fight?"

Soldier: "No! We will run, and we will live."

"Aye, fight and you may die. Run and you'll live… at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that, for one chance—just one chance—to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom."

It's been so long since I've seen the movie but this scene gives me goosebumps because it takes really brave men to fight this way.  I can only imagine how it would be an honour just to fight along side of Mel Gibson's character, William Wallace.  With the Russian / Ukrainian war going on for far to long, we need to pray that God will deliver and give victory, He is Ultimately in control of what's going on. 

Lord, I pray for deliverance and victory over all wars and battles that are going on.  Thank you for your safety and protection, comfort and joy, grace and mercy, and a deep and unconditional love for your people, whatever the side a person is on.  I pray that the Victory is yours, I pray for all of your people who are fighting many battles, in Russia and Ukraine, in all countries and those who are fighting Spiritual Battles. Thank You for reminding me that while I must prepare and work hard, true victory comes from You. Help me to do my best in all things while fully trusting You with the results. Give me peace in knowing that You are in control, and no matter what battles I face, You are my source of victory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.  

Victory is from the Lord, we just need to Trust, Obey, and have Faith.  

In Memory of Pastor Will Fejeran

February 2, 2016  {Tuesday, 11:32am}

Psalm 27:1

"The Lord is my light and my salvation-so why should I be afraid?  The Lord protects me from danger-so why should I tremble?"

There are many things that a person can be afraid of.  People have phobias and fears that are very real to them.  This passage says that the Lord is my light, he shows us the way and brightens our path so we can see clearly.  Jesus died on the cross to save lives through forgiveness of sins, so the Lord becomes our salvation!  If we are faced with danger, the Lord protects us!  With that we can be confident, not afraid of anything, of even death.

This past week, a pastor from the Rock Church in San Ysidro killed himself for unknown reasons.  My heart is heavy since hearing this news and I feel for his family.  Death brings about so much pain and anguish only God can heal it all.  Pastor Miles spoke about this in his sermon on depression and mental illness.  Regardless of how he died, his sins were forgiven so we can be assured that he is free of the pain he felt and rejoicing now in heaven.  All we can do is to pray for God's light to shine through to this family and for healing in their hearts.  Pastor Will was a good man, a true worshipper of God Almighty, but most of all, he loved the Lord.

Heavenly Father, Please be with the Fejeran family in their time of need.  They trust in you, depend on you, and they truly love you.  Thank you for the life that was given in the time that he spent here on earth.  I pray for his soul, his family, and his friends that are deeply saddened by his departure.  Thank you for being the light and the salvation, so that we can be assured of your love to us through the death of your son Jesus.

Through all our fears, You are the light that guides our path.    

He fights for you

February 1, 2016  {Monday, 11:34am}

Exodus 14:13

"But Moses told the people, 'Don't be afraid.  Just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue you.  The Egyptians that you see today will never be seen again.  The Lord himself will fight for you. You won't have to lift a finger in your defense."

The ruler of Egypt had just let the people of Israel go from the land of Egypt, where they were all slaves.  Moses pleaded with Pharaoh to let his people go but he refused, only to have various plagues and finally the deaths of the first born sons.  As the Israelites escaped and ran from Egypt to worship the Lord, Pharaoh began to regret his decision on letting the slaves from leaving.  So he gathered up all of his best chariots and charioteers to try to get them back.  God lead the Israelites to the edge of the wilderness between the Red Sea.  As they saw Pharaoh's army chasing after them, they began to doubt the will and power of God.

There are many times in my life that I doubt and lose trust of what God is doing in my life.  I feel as if I'm stuck between the edge of the wilderness and the Red Sea with nowhere to go.  It is here where God meets me the most.  As for the Israelites, he sent Moses to raise his staff, and in God's power, the Red Sea is parted in half.  This is where I need to remember most, that God fights for me, there is a Moses somewhere lifting up his staff and the sea will part, I will be walking through the dry land and God will destroy the enemy.

Heavenly Father, I'm sorry for those times that I doubt you and lose my trust in you.  As I am faced with dilemmas and issues that arise in my life, help me to remember that I won't have to lift a finger because you are the one fighting for me.  Thank you for my life and everything in it.  Strengthen my hope and trust in you, help me to depend more on you and not myself.  Teach me your ways and soften my heart and mind to take in what lessons I need to learn and help me with the discipline that it comes with it.

You don't have to do anything, the Lord fights for you.  Trust him.        

Follow the road of truth

January 30, 2016 {Saturday, 11:37am}


Psalms 25:4-5

"Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.  Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.  All day long I put my hope in you."

In times of despair and suffering, most times we do not know which end is up.  There are so many issues and emotions that run through a person, it seems as if you are spiraling out of control.  David, the writer of most of the Psalms truly knew how to depend on God, worshiping him in the good and the worst of times.  In this verse, he asks the Lord to show him the right way based on the truth, not his emotions or feelings but the true way to go.

Sometimes as we read the bible and seek God's truth, it still gets confusing.  The good news is that there is hope.  Hope for the future and a plan in our lives.  Jeremiah 29:11 speaks of this hope and future, they are not for disaster but for the good.  Asking for guidance is the best prayer to have, it gives us hope in Him who knows what the plans that he has for us.

Heavenly Father, guide us in your truth, lead us into the path of righteousness not the ways of disaster.  Help us to keep the faith, hope and especially to remember the love you have for us through it all, the good and bad times.

The road less traveled may be the road God leads us on.

Fear of the Lord

January 16, 2016    {Saturday. 12:16pm}


Proverbs 1:7

"Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."

Solomon was a very wise man.  He had a vast majority of wealth, he prospered in all that he did, and he build the Lord's temple.  In the first verses of Proverbs, he gives the reason why the book was written in the first place.  The reason for the book of Proverbs is clearly stated in verse 2, it is for teaching wisdom and discipline, to help with understanding and insights to become wise.

In this scripture, to have a foundation, we must first fear the Lord.  Fearing the Lord does not mean to be scared of Him, but to have a deep reverence and respect for God.  I've prayed for the fear of God in my life, and what that means to me is that fearing the Lord comes with an appreciation of the things and people of God, his will in my life, and relying on his perfect timing.

Dear Heavenly Father, I am sorry for not having the fear of you many times in my life.  Please help me to obey your word, have your desires in my heart, and to have a deep respect for you.  Sometimes I feel that I do not because of my experiences in my health and that creates doubts and questions of your goodness.  I can have faith in your goodness because for you not to be good goes against your character of being God.  And I know that you are a good God.  Thank you for wisdom, knowledge and discipline.  Help me to be more disciplined and to fear you more.

Fearing the Lord begins by me having discipline and desire to know Him!    

Greetings, Favored Woman

November 12, 2013  **Thursday.  NHCC Library. 8:53 am**

Luke 1:28-31

"Gabriel appeared to her (Mary) and said, 'Greetings, favored woman!  The Lord is with you!"  Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.  'Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth o a son, and you will name him Jesus."

It's Christmas time again; the opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus!  Christmas has been changed from a day of celebration, to a materialistic holiday.  Many has forgotten the purpose of Christmas and many people is more excited about Black Friday sales more than the real reason for the season.  In this passage,  Mary is approached from Gabriel with good news of Jesus' birth.  She was afraid, confused, and disturbed but did not stop believing the truth of what was about to happen to her and Joseph.

I know this year, I have been thinking more about buying presents than the purpose of the season.  I am guilty of being materialistic as I go shopping at the nearest mall.  I need and want to remember that Jesus is the reason.

Heavenly Father,
I'm sorry that I have been more focused on presents than the birth of your son.  Please forgive me and point out anything that is not of you, and fill me with the goodness of you.  I pray that I will remember your son and all that He sacrificed for us.  You are an amazing God and created the best plan for us all.  I love you.... In Jesus name I pray,
Amen

Greetings, favored woman!  The Lord is with you.

Prayers of God's People

November 11, 2013  **Wednesday. NHCC library. 1:09 pm**

Revelation 8:3-4

"Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar.  And a great amount of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God's people as an offering on the gold altar before the throne.  The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of God's holy people, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out."

Revelation is also known as the book of the End Times.  The full revelation of God is revealed, which talks of plagues, destruction, and hope of the future.  In the beginning of chapter 8, the Bible talks about the breaking of the Seventh Seal.  After the seal has been open, there was a time of silence within Heaven.  It is said that the silence are due to the hearing of the Prayers of God's people.  In the Jerusalem temple, the ritual is to be silent as people says their prayers.  It is a Jewish tradition.

From the first time I heard these verses, it helps me to understand one aspect of how God deals with our prayers.  It amazes me because it increases my hope in God and that hope is a spring board to increased faith.  I've always imagined that as God sits on his throne, the aroma of our prayers delights him as our Heavenly Father.  He loves us as his children and cares so deeply about each and every one of us.  These verses encourages me as I pray my prayers and that God really does hear or smell them.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving us in that our prayers brings you sweet aromas to you.  I pray that you cleanse me and forgive me for the wrongdoings that happen daily.  I pray that each one of your children will find you and embrace the goodness of your love.  You are wonderful to me and I offer myself up to you that you will shine through my life to be a living sacrifice for your kingdom.  I love and adore you for you are wonderful to me.  In Jesus name,
Amen

The Prayers of your people are a sweet aroma to you.