Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
- Isaiah 43:18, 19
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
- Isaiah 43:18, 19
But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
- Isaiah 43:1-3
Because of the unfathomable and unsearchable nature of God, He has revealed Himself under many different names throughout the ages.
When I was a college freshman, I came to understand what it means to turn the reins of my life over to Him as my Lord and King, the Sovereign Ruler over my life.
Through the years I have come to know Him more...
as my Father in heaven...
my Prince of Peace in the midst of the storm...
the guiding Light and the Lampstand in the dark moments of my life...
the Lord of the Breakthrough...
the Provider who is always more than enough.
One of my favorite names of God is Creator. He created the heavens and the earth, and everything in it... and He created me. He knit me in my mother's womb. He is the one Who put together all the different parts of my body, soul, and spirit, resulting in a unique individual which is me. For me, this is such an awesome realization - that everything that I am was designed and planned by my Creator God. The events of my life are orchestrated by Him to build and shape my character.
But of all the names of God that I have personally experienced, Redeemer is the most meaningful to me.
I love the fact that after God created me He did not leave me alone in this world to fend for myself or figure out on my own how life should go. As Creator, God continues to look after me... providing for my sustenance, my growth, my healing, and my redemption.
Redeemer... is such a precious name of God.
It blows my mind to realize that as Creator, He has to be Redeemer as well... to make sure that there is a way to rebuild and to restore what has been destroyed or stolen!
God is committed to looking after what He has made.
Even my past is not sealed in concrete. The sad and unfortunate things that have happened in my past can still be redeemed by Jesus my Redeemer.
...who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion - Psalm 103:4
There is no mess so deep that God's love cannot reach down and undo it.He can give me a new perspective from which to view my past, thereby re-creating it... by giving me a different angle from which to look at it.
I truly believe in what God says in Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things
God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.
I truly believe in what God says in Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things
God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.
Circumstances cannot be changed, but our perspective of them can.
A crime cannot be undone, but forgiveness and pardon can be given. We can let go of the anger. The wound can heal.
I have experienced such a freedom in embracing the ongoing redemptive work of Jesus in my life.
For the past ten years I have been involved in the ministry of Family Foundations International. We conduct Ancient Paths seminars which ministers to areas of emotional wounding in our lives, and through prayer ministry, allows people to experience healing breakthroughs in their lives.
Last weekend, our team did an Ancient Paths Level 1 seminar with 30 university students and staff members of Compassion, Philippines.
Compassion is a ministry that aims to give education to Filipino children from pre-school to university level, and release them from the stranglehold of poverty.
My friends Ruby, Buddy, Tata, Trudi and I were privileged to see God at work in the young men and women who were only 17-18 years old, yet were serious in wanting to see God bring change and spiritual renewal into their hearts.
Through the seminar video teaching of Biblical truths by Craig Hill, followed by prayer ministry in small groups, Jesus revealed Himself as Creator, Redeemer, Wounded Healer, and Wonderful Counselor.
There is something so refreshing in ministering to young people.
Below are pictures I took of my small group. Being with them for two days, I felt like my whole being was rejuvenated, and infused with young blood!
Look at these pictures below... they just loved to have their pictures taken... and I ended up joining them in their fun!
Berni, Mark, Mayang, Roge, Jessie, and Jason
The young ones, with me in their midst.
The ministry team waiting for the sun to set, on our first day at the CICM Retreat House.
me, Trudi, Tata and Ruby
Buddy, me, Tata and Ruby
The majestic sunset... it was worth waiting for!
Leafless tree in the middle of the courtyard...
New leaves coming out!I spent the last hour worshiping God through this beautiful song by Kathryn Scott.
I also took time to pray for each of the young people who were in my small group last weekend.
Dear Berni, Mark, Jessie, Roge, Mayang, and Jason... I have prayed that the spiritual breakthroughs you have received will continue to inspire you and motivate you to keep seeking the heart of God. He is your Creator King, and your Redeemer.
He is the God who makes all things new! As the sun rises and sets each day, He is faithful... His compassion never fails, His mercies are new every morning!
Creator King
Words by:Mary MacLaren
Performed by Kathryn Scott (from the album Satisfy)
You who made the mountains and the sea
Measured out the universe and you made me
Echoes of the voice that called worlds to be
Reach through the ages and now speak to me
You're my Creator King.
You who made the valleys and the skies
Displayed your love on far horizons and before my eyes
You who lit the stars and set the dawn in time
Called them all by name and now You whisper mine
You're my Creator King
And who am I that You are mindful of me
Who am I that you set your love on me
You're my Creator King
You who made the darkness and the light
Sun and moon to watch the day and guard the night
The hand that stretched the heavens like a canopy
Reaches down to cover and watch over me
You're my Creator King...
22 comments:
I love something you said early in this post - "Even my past is not sealed in concrete. The sad and unfortunate things that have happened in my past can still be redeemed by Jesus my Redeemer."
I've never thought about that before but what a wonderful thing!
Looks like you had a great group of kids to work with and lots of fun as well as learning!
What a fun time and most of all, what an amazing thing to teach these young generation about the "ancient paths" that no one loves to take. But if someone is willing to point the way, as He led us already, this may be narrow yet the only path that leads to life! I don't see the age gap in those pictures. To me, I see all of your hearts overflowing with the joy that comes from the Lord.
May the Lord bless you and protect you all and may you all point others to that narrow road. Sister Lidj, thank you for always keeping me in your prayers. 2 days from now, I will be taking this crucial step to start my defense. I am not worried knowing He is faithful...Someday, in His perfect time, this huge battle I'm in will be told. Some knows about my blog, but none of them dare to visit. I try to tell them about the "ancient path" through my words. But those hearts are not ready to leave the roads they're walking on that seem to be more fun for now. But I know, He will be the One to give the u-turns someday. U-turns that lead back to Him.
I love His many wonderful names. The Great Shepherd...That's what I love because I know we can rest and be contented knowing He protects us and truly loves and cares for us like a shepherd to his flock. God bless sister and praying for all of you. May the Lord continue to guide you, give you discernment and provide for all of your needs.
Hi Lidj,
I didn't want to lurk, so I will say God bless you and keep you! Thank you for sharing your life.
What a beautiful post, Lidj! And you are so right... these young people keep US young, and yet our experience and age can help to guide them too. This was wonderful! I also am catching up on your old posts... and btw... I pretty much always comment on your pages, mostly because they bless me so! :)
xo
Thank you so much for visiting my blog today and leaving your sweet comments! I look forward to getting to know you better through your blog. I am always blessed to meet another sister in Christ. :)
thanks for visiting our blog (a corgi reduces) and your kind comment. I too like to think of the names of God and his characteristics and give him praise and honor in my prayer, listing them. He truly is an awesome Creator, everything we see and have and do is because of him, amazing I do believe! and definitely he is Redeemer in that he redeemed our lives so we could spend eternity with him!!
may have you have a great Wednesday!
betty
Hi Lidj!
What beautiful and vibrant young people (and yes, I count you in their midst)! To see the joy of our Savior beaming from the face of another is like basking in the sun (which is near heaven for me). Much like those amazing sunset photos - WOW!
It sounds like Ancient Paths is a journey we all need to trod. Allowing our God to heal those places long and deeply hidden. I pray that He will continue to pour out His healing and redeeming power in and through you.
By the way, I tried to email you back but I guess you don't have your email link up. I live near Washington but not in. I fully understand the overwhelming shadow that poverty creates. It can paralyze you. I have been there. Still and yet, God calls us to do what little we can - a pebble tossed in an ocean will still create ripples - and I hope I make a few for Him.
Grace and peace to you, my friend!
Denise
What a beautiful post and full of wonderful pictures!! God had me in Isaiah 40-41-42-43 this morning in the prayer room. 40 starts out with the title
PREPARE FOR HIS COMING!
Yes, this will be my 9th grandchild with still one more on the way. Maybe she will make her debut today??
Loved the picture of the TREE with just that bit of green on it - God spoke to me through that - thanks for sharing!
Choosing JOY in this season,
Stephanie
I love that first scripture in your post from Isaiah. And all the photos made me smile!
Hi Lidj, Creator and Redeemer - what beautiful names for God. What hope this gives us. The pictures of the young people are inspiring. How precious to mentor young people for God. God bless you.
This was special, Lidj. What joy I saw in the faces of those wonderful young people. I pray that God will continue to speak into their lives, and guide them in their future.
He is the Great Redeemer - and how thankful I am for that. He is the God of Great Reversals - He truly does work ALL things for good...
I loved this line - "Circumstances cannot be changed, but our perspective of them can." Yes, that is what I am praying for - that God will give me more of HIS perspective on things. Especially the things that make me worry or sad...
GOD BLESS!
P.S. LOVED the pictures! You are so cute!
..ohhh...we miss u so much ate lidz!..
thanks God we met you and you really did a great help in our lives.
But above all, thanks and Glory to GOD for His great plans on us! I believe ate, that God planned that event so that we were able to meet each other.
Hope to see you again someday ate.!
God bless you! And more power to FAMILY FOUNDATIONS INTERNATIONAL!
Hello Lidj, Looks like you're having too much fun . . gotta love the young generation . . they're always fun to be with. You look like you're really enjoying life now and you look happy too. Have a beautiful weekend, Sandy:O)
Lidj,
I can just feel your sweet, gentle spirit through your posts.I have been coming to your blog regularly when I need a sweet touch from God.
Thank you for the comment you left on my latest post. My sister Mila (Milagros Camangyan) has been in my life since I was a small girl.They were married in The Philipines in a traditional wedding in the mid 70's. I could never imagine having another sister than her. She is a real go getter with this little tinkling voice and energy that knows no bounds, and she has this amazing heart of love and giving.I do love her so ! In May we will be having a family reunion for my Daddys 75th birthday and I will be thrilled to share pics of our wonderful time together. My father has 4 children,2 boys and 2 girls. We are spread across the U.S. and have not all been together at the same time in ove 30 years!What a blessing it will be!!!! I get so excited in anticipation! I also look forward to the day when I can share of going on mission to Indonesia and the people I love so dearly from there. I tried rambutan (Yum) and Durian YUK!!!! I ate it because I did not want to insult my host,but it was bad!reeaaal bad LOL Mila , however,LOVES it! She will make Bob take her to asian markets and get herself a taste of home! I told her she can keep the fruit of the Gods for herself! ;P
Anyway, I just want to thank you for your words of love and encouragment and let you know how your site blesses me when I need a good refreshing from the Lord. Be blessed ,my sister. Love Cyndi
REDEEMER! What a wonderful name! I was blessed by your post and enjoyed the pictures, too! Have a blessed weekend.
So much of this spoke to me from the beginning verses that I cherish in my heart...oh Isaiah. Then the words jumped off the page of "new perspective of what has happened in our past"...oh how precious. Right then I said, "God that is where I am I need a new perspective on different parts of my hurtful past" and yes, He does uses everything for our good.
Oh the youth...what a wonderful blessing to give to the youth...what a eternal gift. I love the pictures...just life all over them!
Blessings...what a precious and up lifting post.
Oh thanks for your comment on my funny dream post...our son is a custom home builder and believe it or not but he puts that kind of oven/stove in the houses...I would enjoy cooking on one day, but I sure don't need one. The pot holders were enough.
Have a great weekend.
Redeemer...yep.when I think of Him...that's what I think of mostly. Loved looking at these pics Lidj..you all look like you're having a ton of fun. So many kids are struggling in homes where they don't get the love and attention they need. It's great to see the kids with you....having fun in HIm.
Lidj, how I loved seeing the photos of these young people. And you seem to fit in so well with them too.
Yes, our God is a Redeemer. How thankful I am that He makes all things new.
Love,
Debbie
Wonderful post. What a wonderful God we serve. He is my Creator King, and my Redeemer.
What an awesome song. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving your much appreciated comment. Please feel free to come back. I enjoyed viewing your blog and I am following.
Blessings,
Ken
Lidia,
Thank you for stopping by my blog and for the nice comment you left. All glory belongs to God for I am His servant and I am obedient to Him.
When I have more time I will stay and read over your writing.
Over the years I have come to know God as my Dad. I agree with you that I love to call God Creator, for He is the Creator of all and all belongs to Him.
What a great ministry you are involved in. I too love to work with the young, they are so alive, vibrant and their faith is outstanding!
Blessings,
<><
Dear sister,
Several things in this post spoke to my heart. You said that He can't change circumstances but he can change our perspective....how absolutely true and how IMPORTANT! May the Lord Bless you and your work with the youth. Especially today they need solid role models...people who are real with them and help to lead them on the right path...they face so many hurdles! Hugs to you dear sister!
I love Is. 43: 18 and 19 and have depended on that promise from God so much over the past couple of years! I always enjoy visiting your blog and am rapt with the wisdom of your posts. Beautiful today as always!
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