Bud and Flourish

Bud And Flourish

August 2018

Read

Proverbs 4: 23 (NIV/ESV)

Reflect

The worlds says, "follow your heart."  God's Word says, "guard your heart..."(NIV)

I had my share of failures in the past.  I'm sure exactly what went wrong, I failed to guard my heart.  I followed my heart instead, which led to ill feelings towards my self. It took me two years to forgive my self.   However, God is so gracious; He was ever present then as He is ever present today.

How do I guard my heart?
True enough, apart from God I have no good thing; and I am nothing.  It is when I spend deeper and more intimate time with His Word.  So the more I listen to Him the louder His words rings in my heart.

Why I should guard my heart?
Emotions are deceitful.  Our hearts our laid open when we are alone and when we are with others.  It tunes in to different rhythm everyday when we are with different people and situation. 

From where I should guard my heart?
I guard my heart from deceitful circumstance.

When pride eclipses our hearts instead of forgiveness. It is when selfishness presents itself instead of selflessness.

"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." 

Guard your heart.

                             #foodforthesoul

                             #soulkeeping

The Timeless TRUTH In Changing And Limited World

February 2017

Read

John 6: 1-14, 26, 35

Reflect

     The Timeless TRUTH in Changing and Limited – Crowd (vs.1—4)

     The disciples saw the miraculous signs.  Their curiosity  drew them to see what Jesus would do next.  Many were interested in what He did (healed the sick, drove out demons etc.).

     The crowd followed Jesus because of the outward fulfillment and satisfaction; not so because the crowd were curios who Jesus truly was.  Later, Jesus rebuked the crowd because of their wrong intentions (v.26)

     I’m not trying to say that following Jesus because of what He has done is sin or wrong. But I should say it is not whole.  We should follow Jesus because of Who He is in our lives. Then, we let praises and adoration overflows from our hearts because of what Jesus has done and what He can do in us and through us.  Sadly, there’s still that kind of crowds nowadays.   The crowds who are only after the outward satisfaction and waiting what will happen to their outward welfare.

The Timeless TRUTH in Changing and Limited – Disciples (vs. 5-12)

Philip was chosen to be tested and deepen his faith.  What did Philip see? Philip saw overwhelming concern – a great crowd coming and his faith was crowded by worry and problem.  And because of the problem he saw, he forgot Who was with him at that moment.  We are all like Philip sometimes.  We see problems and they overwhelm us.  We see worry and they weaken us and our faith.  We are struggling in many ways and they are slowly stealing our joy.  We see negativity, so often times we fail to recognize the ONE WHO is in us.  These concerns fog our vision of Jesus, Who allows all these to deepen our faith in Him and what He can do in us and through us.  We miss His presence because of the great crowd we are in. Thus, it’s a matter of perspective.  How differently Jesus and the disciples viewed the situation.  Philip only saw a large problem, but Jesus looked at the exact same situation and saw opportunity. Us – crowd: overwhelmed, worried, pessimistic.  Jesus –crowd: opportunity, compassion, solution.  Jesus did not fall into the pessimistic view of the disciples by being overwhelmed by the size of the problem.

     We’ll pray that each day as God allows us to live – we have the eyes to see the crowd, our own crowd like Jesus sees them.  The eyes to see like Jesus.  The heart to understand our situation, so we can turn our crowd into opportunity – opportunity to become like Christ.  Opportunity to walk like Jesus did in this crowded world.  

Respond

1. What are your reason/s of following Jesus?

2. Are you one of the crowds? 

3. What is a great crowd coming towards you at the moment?  

4.How did you respond to your crowd lately?

It Is He Who Owns EVERYTHING

It Is He Who Owns EVERYTHING 

December 15, 2016

READ

Psalm 50: 8-12; Isaiah 28: 26-29

REFLECT

It's not about us.  I heard these words countless times when I was in the seminary. Until I landed in the mission field, I humbly understand the truest sense of them.   

It's not because who I am, what I have become and what I have.  However,  it's all because of God and who He is.  There's no amount of pride should be carried on my shoulders.

We are living in a world where one must attain something plausible to be recognized by many.  Even though in a Christian circle, nowadays, titles become tangible.

Psalm 50:9-11 says, "I have no need of a bull from your stall, or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and a cattle on a thousand hills.  I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine."

Very clear, everything is His.  What knowledge you possess, it's from God.  What talents you have, they are from Him.  What you have on this earth, big or small, they are from Him.  God just entrust us with resources and capabilities.  It means that we don't rightfully own everything - it is God's.  Thus, we are not free to use it as we please.  God, the sole owner, expects us to use it for His purposes and for His glory.  He desires to invest all that we are and all that we have eternally.

Similarly, as Isaiah son of Amoz saw a vision.  The pride of Ephraim was rebuked. Isaiah 28: 26-29, "His God instructs him and teaches him the right way. Caraway is not threshed with a sledge, nor is the wheel of a cart rolled over cumin; caraway is beaten out with a rod, and cumin with a stick. Grain must be ground to make bread; so one does not go on threshing it forever.

The wheels of a threshing cart may be rolled over it, but one does not use horses to grind grain.All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent." 

It is important to note here that God is our Great Shepherd.  He does not resent us the things He gives us.  The truth of the matter is, He wants us to seize a kingdom view of who we are and what we have, acknowledging that everything comes from Him.  

RESPOND

1.  Is there any aspect of your life you are struggling to give to God?

2.  If your answer is yes, what holds you back?

3.  Read again Psalm 50: 8-12 and Isaiah 28: 26-29.  What does this passage tell you about God and His Words.  What are the things you possess right now and how do you think and feel about them?

365CambodiaMissions: Another Peaks

365CambodiaMissions

Matthew 28:19-20(NLT)

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Bethlehem Church youth - ready to serve, teach the Word and walk the faith.

#RDKmissions - Day 1 

Youth is all ready for the RDK 3-day missions

we started with an afternoon prayer walk

taking a group picture before our supper preparation

youth do the planning, buying and budgeting for each meal

our first lunch at the host family

#RDKmissions - Day 2

Morning orientation with Neakro Sophea

arts and crafts with Neakro Vanny 

reading with Lukro John

games blocks with Neakro Srie Loung

drawing and coloring with Neakro Sophea 

Afternoon- fun filled games

all set for the next game

Afternoon a day of learning and fun with the children, youth is all ready to get dirty and wet just to catch crabs and shells for their dinner later 

Us catching crabs in the newly harvested paddies 

it surely needs patience or else we don't have a meal later

our efforts paid-off, one of the country's local cuisine - crab soup with lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves and different mint leaves to add flavor to the dish

#RDKmissions - Day 3

fellowship meal - porridge with fresh green veggies from the villagers own yard

everyone is set to eat this healthy meal

closing session with singing and dancing

all the children is not ready to go home yet even us

Praise God for the answered prayers. 

- fair weather

- unity, guidance, patience, wisdom as we prepare

- provision for everything we need

- good health

- relevant materials

- solid outcome for this exposure

- parents of some of this children are attending the adult house worship/church

Thank you for praying with us and for us.  Indeed, we are together for the Gospel.  To God be all the glory.   

Press On,

Aide Rose Fernandez 

aide_711@yahoo.com

aide711@gmail.com

+855 77547851 (Cambodia) / +63 9192920955 (Philippines)  

P.O box 369 Battambang City, Cambodia 

https://www.converge.org/give/699301-d (Converge Worldwide)

#365CambodgeMissions: Make Disciples. Teach The WORD. Walk The Faith.

#365CambodiaMissions 
       Matthew 28:19-20

It is very encouraging to know that there are many churches and believers from my country and across the globe who are faithfully interceding in prayer for the people in Cambodia, most importantly for the salvation of their souls.  Undoubtedly, we are together for the Gospel.  


Bethlehem Church
Youth & Children Ministry

Having our warm fellowship in one of the beautiful places in the country 

A tour of a grape plantation

Youth Fellowship and Bible Quiz competition 

Nursery and Intermediate English class 

It is a joy ministering and at the same time serving our Lord alongside Bethlehem church. We have our share of highs, praised be to God; and we have our share of lows as well but He never allows the tests to be greater than the grace He gives us.  We continue to equip and teach this young generation and the church through different classes both in Khmer and English language: HIV AIDS volunteers, Youth Intentional Discipleship, Nursery and Intermediate.  

Praises & Thanksgiving:

• For faithful and committed Christian local leaders
• For faithful Sunday teachers 
• For the opportunity of teaching the Word to the youth and children
• For the ongoing ministries
• For His faithful provision
• For good health
• For the gracious gift of life

Please Pray With Us: 

• For consistent unity within the Christian community
• For wisdom and discerning heart for His leading both personal and ministry
• For the Christian locals to have a consistent desire to know the Lord deeper
• For all the missionaries in the country - protection from any form of temptations
• For the ongoing ministries both in BC and RDK village
• For good health

Reach Duan Keov (RDK)

Adult Worship

Rebekah, one of the learners in our Preparatory 2 Class

Blocks and image with our Preparatory 1 Class

Sports and Games Sunday

A typical leisure of the village local children during the wet season - right after their classes

Since we resumed in RDK village, we rejoice even more for the many locals (though mostly are mothers) who are attending the worship.  We are thankful that the Lord is answering our prayers in His perfect time.  The husbands of these women are allowing them to attend the gathering even their children.  I do believe that God's word is powerful and can change lives beyond human mind can perceive.  Moreover, it is pure bliss to spend our Sundays with the youth and children in the village.  We could say that the level of relationships that we have been building with them is in a different level and pace, so we thank the Lord for that.  It is very exciting to think what God has in store for each of us  in the near future.  Also, we are embracing the truth that ahead of us there are storms to challenge our faith.  However, with that, Thy will be done.  

  Praises & Thanksgiving:

• God's grace is greater than the hardships and challenges 
• God's provision
• Freedom to share the Gospel
• Protection from the schemes of Satan
• Families who are attending the worship
• Children who faithfully come
• For the faithful Sunday school teachers from BC
• For the ongoing ministries 

Pray With Us:

• Families who are joining the worship will continue to seek Jesus and they will continue to desire to know Him more.
• Constant acknowledge of God's presence and His nature in their lives.
• The souls who truly confessed that Jesus is their Lord and Savior will come out bold and remain true to the faith
• Courage and discerning upon the Holy Spirit to overcome daily temptations.
• Firm faith to overcome persecutions, insult, and worshiping other gods.
• Good health

"Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now."                      Philippians 1: 3-5

Press On,

Aide Rose Fernandez 

aide_711@yahoo.com

aide711@gmail.com

+855 77547851 (Cambodia) / +63 9192920955 (Philippines)  

P.O box 369 Battambang City, Cambodia 

https://www.converge.org/give/699301-d (Converge Worldwide)

The Life That Is Truly Life

The Life That Is Truly Life

#365CambodgeLife

I love to spend every morning in the dining table at the kitchen with a cup of freshly brewed coffee, pen, marker, notebook, prayer diary and my Bible.  Since I arrived in Cambodia almost 7 years ago I started a habit to note a verse or verses.  Also, before I do my other reading and studying, I read one chapter of Proverbs according to the date in the calendar.  

I am done with my reading and meditation in the book of 1 Timothy.  However, this verse just kept on repeating my head for the past few days.  Each time I open the scripture which I suppossed to read that day, I found my self flipping my Bible to 

1 Timothy 6:17-19(NIV), "Command those who are rich in this present world not be arrogant not to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain but to hope their hope in God, Who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up  treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." 

I am no rich.  However, I realized that it is not only those who have lots of money, hectares of lands, owning a successful and famous business can be considered rich.  If I have been given everything which are I am enjoying right now I am considered rich.  I am commanded to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  

So here are the three questions I asked my self:

1. Are my good deeds rich?
2. Am I generous? 
3. Am I willing to share?

The last phrase of verse 19 is the essence of these questions, "so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."

Thus, I ended my meditation with this question noted in my prayer diary, "Am I taking hold of the life that is truly life?" 

By God's grace, I can walk these commands consistently daily by then I can only utter I answer them well and experience life that is truly life. 

The Beautiful Unknown

The Beautiful Unknown

#365CambodgeTravel 

It was an intense trip we had for eight straight days but every pace was all worth it.  It was one of my most unforgettable trips thus far.  
I slipped off to sleep inside the van while we're on our way to our next destination.  Yes, I gave my self a treat. :) When I opened my eyes after maybe about 45 minutes,I thought we were in the middle of nowhere. To my surprised it wasn't just a thought.  We were really in, literally.  There were comparable tress and bushes both sides. And the road felt dusty and dry.  Upon seeing these several questions came to my mind.  "How safe this road is?" "Is there really a community existing in our destination?" "Why people chose to live in a place that is more than a hundred kilometers away from the town proper?"  "What's in there?"

All my questions were answered after almost two hours of unknown ride. :) So, this gorgeous sight was one of the answers to my questions.

This is one of the country's pride, most especially, for the locals living in that place. The moment I laid my eyes on this creation, all I uttered was, "Breathtaking!"
This is Stung Treng Province, Cambodia.  




#Reflection:

• Not ALL assumptions are ALWAYS right
• Allowing things to unfold doesn't equate passivity