Hearts ablaze: How to relive that post-Conference high over & over again

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks through Him to God the Father."

-Colossians 3:17

He is all powerful. He is all knowing.

He is the ALMIGHTY. 

Can you say those three statements above with conviction if you had to? If someone were to interview you right now could you give him/her a succinct answer? How has God been powerful in your life? How can you be so sure that He is all knowing? In what way(s) has He been Almighty to you? 

I know most of us are riding that post-conference high, but as we enter back into our everyday activities let us be mindful of these questions. If there's anything I've learned since coming back from the Philippines, it's this- that reflection time is just as important as prayer time. We must continuously remain reflective of the important moments that touch our lives because these will get us through the rough times.

We need to stop relying on conferences, youth camps and other major events to be on fire. These only happen every few months. Should we burn out when we go back to our homes? Conference only happens once a year, so should we limit our almighty experiences to just once a year as well? We need to stop relying solely on our leaders and speakers as well. Will we stop burning when they stop speaking or are no longer present in our lives? Instead let us look to Christ Jesus as our one and only source of light. If we look to Him as our main source of fire, we will never burn out. It is only with God that our embers can be reignited- He will breathe in us a new life and this is how we will continually be ablaze! 

I've learned to stop grounding my faith in emotions. We can not just rely on emotions because emotions can change quickly. Instead I am grounding my faith in the truth, because GOD IS TRUTH- and the truth never changes.

TRUTH*: that God loves us with an everlasting love.
TRUTH*: that His faithfulness to us is unmatched.
TRUTH*: that the Lord will always forgive us and show us mercy regardless of how sinful we were/are- we just need hearts that are ready to ask.

*click for bible verses

Yes the Lord is powerful. He is indeed all knowing. But he can ONLY be ALMIGHTY in our lives if we allow him to be. Believe that whatever desires are in our heart, he can give it to us. If he doesn't give it to you, it is only because there is something greater out there for you. Think of it this way:

If you ask him for bread, he will give you a whole bakery.

If you ask him for a glass of water, he'll give you a gallon.

If you ask him for crayons, he will give you the 64 pack with the built-in sharpener.

THAT IS HOW THE LORD PROVIDES FOR HIS CHILDREN.

So whether I reside under the heat of the southeast asian sun or walk with the winds of the true North behind me, I shall continue to proclaim the greatness of the Lord with courage. For he did not give me a spirit of timidity but of power, love and discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). 

I'm still amazed at how I'm managing to attend these conferences /events despite having nothing (literally) in my bank account. I haven't worked since December 2011 yet I have attended ILC in Boracay/Aklan,   Provincial Youth Con. in Cebu, ANCOP-Cornerstone training in Manila, and later this month the National SFC Con. in Ottawa.


The Lord simply provides. 

I allow him to show me just how powerful He is. I allow him to show me that he is all knowing. I allow him to be the greater force, the biggest influence, the best gift-giver in my life. I simply allow him to be the ALMIGHTY.

And look at how far He has taken me because of this.
Will you let Him do the same for you?

I know the plans I have for you says the Lord.

If you were placed in a situation where someone asked you to jump off a ledge with no safety harness or protective gear, would you?

Everyone who knows me, knows that I am the meticulous, analytical, overly cautious type of person. I do not take risks unless all relevant factors and/or consequences have been examined- twice. I thrive in security. I thrive in knowing that I have control in a situation. This is so apparent in even the smallest of things: I colour coordinate my laundry, I use at least four different coloured pens when writing notes, I never bend the pages of my book, I bring a suitcase for a weekender. These are my "simple joys", the things I can do to bring more "order" in my life.

With all the things that the Lord has provided me during the past few months I feel so underserving. Who am I that He makes me feel important? Who am I that He choose me out all the other active YFC members in the community to go on mission? Why did he choose to stir my heart when I had given up so many years earlier?

Now I know why- because my conviction is much stronger. It is within the extreme experiences where my declaration finds its anchor in the Lord. I am one of the extremely favoured. He has chosen me knowing full well both my strengths and my weaknesses.

Cebu holds a special place in my heart. It is here in Kusugbo* that the Lord has decided to groom me for my purpose, a purpose that he has been consistently asking me to claim. It is within this place that He has revealed himself to me. This is where he has revealed to me the greatest desire in my heart. In the last two months I have denied myself of that purpose. I allowed myself to drown out the vision in my mission because I wanted to avoid it. Is this really what the Lord has been calling me for?

My biggest fear was that my YES would mean giving up many things that I highly valued and that were close to my heart. It is through my prayers that the Lord has told me: My child, your heart will continue to be restless until it rests in Me your God. Let go of the fears and anxiety you have in your heart because it is only I who can give you the peace of mind you have been desiring all your life. Do you think that I will abandon you if you chose to devote your life to me? No! Of course not. See how abundant the blessings in your life are with every step closer you take towards me? You are my beloved. I will not forsake you. Your life will be simple but you will discover and become exactly who you are meant to be. This is my purpose for you. Nothing else will satisfy this thirst.

It is only in my nothingness where the Lord can become my everything.

I alone know the plans that I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future that you hope for. Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me and I will answer you. You will seek me and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11-13,
The Verse of my Life.

*Kusugbo= Kusug (strong) 
                 Sugbo (Cebu)