The Next Higher Spiritual Steps

We are in different stages in the development of our character and spirituality in our quest to be with our Lord. Ever wondered why, in spite of all our efforts to do the will of God in our lives, and in spite of the joy and pleasure the presence of God brings to our lives, we are not spared from tremendous trials and burdens from the Lord? Why? Do you sometimes experience that numbing feeling that the Lord may not be faithful after all in keeping all His promises? No! That is farthest from the truth. The Lord is faithful to all His promises and He never lies. But why have we not obtained yet the realization of certain promises that we continually claim, like complete healing or the granting of our heart's desires? Why? Because God wants us to take the next higher spiritual step in our ascent to His throne of grace. If the Lord required us to make a leap of faith in some projects or ministry where He directed us before, now He wants us to take the next higher spiritual step up the ladder of spiritual development to His throne of grace. Jacob was shown a vision of angels ascending and descending the ladder between heaven and earth. And that is what the Lord wants us to do. He wants us to make the next higher step in the spiritual ladder that connects heaven and earth and commune with Him in His heavenly abode. Before we can descend that ladder to be a guiding light in the darkness of the world, we have to ascend first God's spiritual stairway to heaven . In the meantime, we have to discard all icons and idols that stand in the way of our complete and perfect relationship with God. Remember, our God is a jealous God and will never countenance any rival to the throne embedded in our hearts and minds.



Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Next Higher Step, Throne of Grace, Development of Character, Spirituality, Will of God, Presence of God, Trials and Burdens, Faithful, God's Promises, Complete Healing, Heart's Desire, Leap of Faith, Ministry, Spiritual Development, Jacob, Ascending and Descending, Heaven and Earth, Commune With God, Guiding Light, Jealous God, Gospel, Word of God, Holy Bible

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational/Motivational

Urgent Prayer Request For Shiela Wall of Bluebirdy (Life- 4 Hours At A Time)

This an urgent prayer request for Shiela of Bluebirdy (Life- 4 Hours At A Time). She is so sick and has just been rushed to the hospital with her equally sick mother. She just suffered severe lupus flares. Please pray for her, for her healing and that of her mother and sick brother and for God's divine providence for them. Thank you all very much. God bless us all.

I am reprinting her email answer to my frantic letter to her regarding her present condition . To wit:

Hi Mel;

I don't think I've ever had a friend care so much about me. Thank you. Mom and I were both in the hospital, and I was quite sick for a long time before I finally decided to go get help. We got out last night. Mom was given medicine that made her feel better already, but I was told that I will get worse before I get better. This emotional grieving caused my lupus to rage. Rage is a good words because it has caused red, angry, hot, painful inflammation all throughout my body; which also messes up all my body functions like blood pressure, heart rate, blood sugar, and every other chemical in my body...so I have spent a lot of time semi-conscious or just unable to think or function. I am not even able to get up and shower and get dressed. My heart stopped again a couple of times again. When my first husband left me with only 3 hours notice, (and I didn't even know we had a problem,) about a month later, my heart stopped a few times. Now it's happening again after losing this husband, so when a person with lupus grieves, they suffer not only emotionally, but physically.

For bout 2 weeks, Mom and I were too sick to even check on each other or help each other. All we could do is call each other on the phone, so finally we needed help. We were not even able to get up to get enough to drink or eat. We talked about hiring help, but we are not even well enough to get up train the person and show the person where things are. Maybe I will hire help when I feel a bit better, so that if we get this sick again, they will help. We are just doubled up in pain, existing...but this too shall pass. Mom is already up and around and doing better. I will take a bit longer.

My mind logically tells me that the Lord has kept me alive for a purpose, and that I will get better so I can function enough to accomplish what He is keeping me here for, but at the moment, it feels like I am only half alive.

My heart is deeply touched that you even noticed that I have not been well enough to do much on the computer. For 10 years I never failed to meet my goal of answering 100 emails a day, but I have not even been reading my emails unless they are from someone dear to me, like you. I just have no strength right now, and more pain than I can bear. It will pass, it's just a hard stage I am going through right now. The Lord has been carrying me through it. Things could be so much worse. I really don't have any right to complain, but also not enough energy to think of something great to post online, so I just stayed silent. I think of you and your family often, and pray for you when those thoughts come.

I have passed out so many times just writing this...it's so frustrating! I have probably repeated myself a few times. Sorry, my mind is not clear. You are such a precious friend. I am so thankful to have you in my life.

Bless you in all ways!
Sheila

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Prayer Request, Shiela Wall, Bluebirdy, Life- 4 Hours At A Time, Compassion, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Flares, Suffering, Trials, Prayers, Prayer Warriors, Overcome, Deliverance, Healing, Blessings, Gospel, Word of God, Hope, Faith, Love, Joy, Peace, Holy Bible


Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational/Motivational

Forgiveness

How often have we been in a situation where somebody hurt us so bad that we just cannot forgive the person much less forget what she/he has done to us? How we relived in our minds the bitter details of the hurt over and over again? How we could not sleep at night, tossing and turning because we were just so upset by the incident that produced the pain and bitterness in our hearts. Forgive? Ha, easier said than done when the pain and bitterness still linger in our hearts and minds. But that is what we are always doing to God. We hurt Him so bad with all kinds of sins that produce thorns in His heart and sufferings in His mind. But He is always there ready and willing to forgive us every time we return to Him from our prodigal ways. Many times we even treat Him as our avenue of last resort when we have nowhere else to go. We even entertain doubts in our minds whether He could really fix our troubles which were of our own making in the first place. God admonished us to forgive those who have sinned against us, even saying that if we could not forgive them neither would our sins be forgiven. That is perfect divine justice unlike our own set of double standard of justice. Even if we still feel the pain and the bitterness is still there, we should strive to orally forgive the person who hurt us so we can move on. We will have a more peaceful sleep at night and the joy and peace that such forgiveness can bring, for in the process, we are imitating God who always forgive and forget. Oh by the way, God will surely avenge you if you were truly oppressed by the person who hurt you. "HE WHO HAS NO SIN, LET HIM CAST THE FIRST STONE" (John 8:7).


Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Forgiveness, Forgive and Forget, Pain, Hurt, Bitterness, Avenue of Last Resort, Troubles, Double Standard of Justice, Move On, Peaceful Sleep, First Stone, Gospel, Word of God, Holy Bible

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational/Motivational