The Highest Calling

Discovering God's Plan for Your Life

𝐴𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑖𝑚, 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑑. (𝐸𝑆𝑉)

- 𝑀𝑎𝑡𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑤 22:37

There are days that it is hard to live out this commandment. It is hard because we are suffering from things we do not deserve. It is hard because we question the Lord if the things we are experiencing are punishments of the sins we have made.

𝐻𝘰𝑤 𝑚𝘢𝑛𝘺 𝘵𝑖𝘮𝑒𝘴 𝘵ℎ𝘢𝑡 𝑦𝘰𝑢 ℎ𝘢𝑣𝘦 𝘲𝑢𝘦𝑠𝘵𝑖𝘰𝑛𝘦𝑑 𝐺𝘰𝑑'𝑠 𝑙𝘰𝑣𝘦 𝘧𝑜𝘳 𝘺𝑜𝘶𝑟 𝑤𝘩𝑒𝘯 𝘵𝑟𝘪𝑏𝘶𝑙𝘢𝑡𝘪𝑜𝘯𝑠 𝑐𝘰𝑚𝘦? 𝐻𝘰𝑤 𝑚𝘢𝑛𝘺 𝘵𝑖𝘮𝑒𝘴 𝘩𝑎𝘷𝑒 𝑦𝘰𝑢 𝑠𝘦𝑡 𝑎𝘴𝑖𝘥𝑒 𝑦𝘰𝑢𝘳 𝘭𝑜𝘷𝑒 𝑓𝘰𝑟 𝐻𝘪𝑚 𝑏𝘦𝑐𝘢𝑢𝘴𝑒 𝑜𝘧 𝘵ℎ𝘦 𝘴𝑡𝘰𝑟𝘮 𝘵ℎ𝘢𝑡 𝑐𝘢𝑚𝘦 𝘺𝑜𝘶𝑟 𝑤𝘢𝑦? 

Personally, there are days my faith and love for the Lord falter. There are days I forgot how much He have manifested His love for me and kept His promises to me. If you ask me when are these things took place, it was when I start questioning His ways, it was when things don't go my way.

𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘏𝘪𝘮? 𝘋𝘰 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘵 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴? 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘏𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘏𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘏𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭. 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘪𝘮? 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘐 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘏𝘪𝘮? 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘐 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘏𝘪𝘮 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦?

Maybe there were days I falter. Maybe there were days I questioned God's plan for me. And maybe there were days I closed my heart for His words. Yet, greater are those days I surrender my life to Him. Greater are those days I will entrust my life to Him. And greater are those days I open my heart for Him and His words.

Maybe some of you are also experiencing a difficult time right now. Some of you are also questioning God's love and plan for your life. And maybe some of you are doubting His ways. Let me tell you this, our God is trustworthy, His love for you is unconditional and His ways are better than our ways. Let us respond to Him with our Highest calling to love Him with all our hearts, with all our souls, with all our strength and with all our mind. 

Let us surrender to His love and be consumed by His words as we continue to seek Him and journey with Him.

 

Faith in Action

 

My Spiritual Growth 

My name is Cath, but you can call me "Kathryn" for short. I am 20 years of age, but it was 6 years ago. I am currently connected at Liceo de Cagayan University as a full-time instructor of Senior High School Department and a part-time servant of Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon CDO Chapter. "I enjoy and appreciate little things in my life" and Hiking, Writing and Photography are part of them, and tonight I want to share with you my journey of serving the Lord as an IPT- for a year in Lingkod ng Panginoon. It's been a year filled with struggles, victories, and deepening my understanding of what it means to center our lives on Christ.

When I first started as an IPT, I was filled with excitement and a sense of purpose. I felt called to serve and to share God's love through my words and actions. However, as I delved deeper into my role, I encountered various struggles. One of the biggest challenges I faced was my own self-doubt and fear of not being able to effectively communicate God's message. There were moments when I felt inadequate and wondered if I was truly making a difference.

Yet, during these struggles, God showed me His faithfulness. He reminded me that it's not about my abilities but about His strength working through me. Through prayer and trusting in His guidance, I began to see victories. I witnessed hearts being touched and lives being transformed by God's grace. These moments of seeing God at work in the lives of others were powerful reminders of why I answered His call to serve.

One particular highlight of my journey was serving in the Christian Life Series talk as an IPT. This experience challenged me to dive deeper into Scripture and to articulate the beauty of living a Christ-centered life. It was a humbling experience to witness participants embracing their faith more fully and committing their lives to following Christ. Seeing their eyes light up with understanding and hope was a testament to the power of God's Word and His presence in our lives.

Through it all, I've learned that serving the Lord as an IPT isn't just about praying or sharing reflections—it's about surrendering to God's will and allowing Him to work through me. It's about being vulnerable and open to His direction, even when I feel inadequate or uncertain. My year in Lingkod ng Panginoon has taught me the importance of humility, perseverance, and reliance on God's grace.

As I reflect on this journey, I am grateful for the ways God has stretched and molded me. He has shown me that His plans are greater than my own, and His love never fails. Moving forward, I am committed to continuing to serve Him wholeheartedly, trusting that He will equip me for whatever lies ahead.

In conclusion, serving as an IPT in Lingkod ng Panginoon has been a profound blessing in my life. It's taught me to lean on God in times of struggle and to rejoice in His faithfulness during moments of victory. Above all, it's deepened my desire to center my life on Christ and to share His love with others. 

I would like to share to you my brothers and sisters my 2 favorites bible verses:

* 2 Samuel 22:31 says. “As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him."

* Luke 1:38 "And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her."

To end my story, allow me to share this news coming from the Lord's guidance and permission.

**Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I'm excited to share with you and invite you to visit and check my long-awaited blog, Coffee and Contemplation: 1997 [Sharing my Faith Journey]

So, if you're curious about the beauty and challenges of living a Christian life, if you're seeking a space for open discussion and shared reflection, then I invite you to join me on this incredible journey. Let's learn from each other, grow together, and inspire one another as we walk the path of faith, side by side.

 

Once again! Thank you for allowing me to share a glimpse of my journey with you tonight brothers and sisters 🥹🙏.

God bless you all.

"Kay Kristo buong buhay, habang buhay"

Outpouring of the Holy Spirit

 

A Fire in Our Hearts

There have been times in my walk with God where things felt stagnant, like a gentle breeze had died down, leaving the air heavy and still. Doubt would creep in, whispering questions about the purpose of my faith. Then, something incredible would happen. The Holy Spirit would descend, a powerful wind rushing through my soul, rekindling the embers of faith into a roaring fire.

This outpouring is not a one-time event. It's a continuous dance with the divine, a constant invitation to a deeper connection. Sometimes, the Spirit comes in a quiet whisper, nudging me towards a kind act or a moment of forgiveness. Other times, it's a full-blown wave of joy, washing away worries and filling me with an unshakeable peace.

But here's the most inspiring part: this outpouring isn't meant just for me. It's a gift meant to be shared with all of you, my brothers and sisters. When we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, we become vessels of His love, overflowing with the power to uplift, encourage, and build each other up.

Imagine this community, each of us glowing with the vibrant light of the Spirit! We can be a beacon of hope in a world that often feels lost. We can be instruments of healing, mending broken relationships and soothing troubled hearts. We can be voices of truth, speaking with courage and conviction in the face of adversity.

The key lies in actively seeking this outpouring. Let's dedicate time to prayer, allowing the Spirit to wash over us. Let's be vulnerable and open to His guidance, even when it leads us to uncomfortable places. And most importantly, let's share this gift with one another.

When we gather in worship, let our hearts resonate with the Spirit's song. When we encounter one another, let our interactions be infused with His love. As we step out into the world, let our actions be a testament to the transformative power He possesses.

Together, brothers and sisters, let us be a community overflowing with the Holy Spirit. Let the fire within us ignite a chain reaction of love, hope, and faith that will touch every corner of our lives.

Receiving of the Holy Spirit

 

**Personal Reflection on "Receiving the Power of the Holy Spirit"**

Attending the talk on "Receiving the Power of the Holy Spirit" was a profound and transformative experience for me. As I sat among my brothers and sisters, I felt an overwhelming sense of unity and purpose. The speaker's words resonated deeply, reminding us all of the incredible gift that the Holy Spirit is in our lives.

**Lesson 1: Embracing Divine Empowerment**

The first lesson that struck me was the idea of divine empowerment. The Holy Spirit is not just a distant force but an intimate presence that equips us with strength, wisdom, and courage. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges we face daily, but the Holy Spirit empowers us to rise above our fears and doubts. We are not alone; we are equipped with a divine power that enables us to accomplish what we might consider impossible. This realization filled me with a renewed sense of confidence and determination.

**Lesson 2: Seeking Guidance and Clarity**

Another crucial lesson was the importance of seeking guidance and clarity from the Holy Spirit. In a world filled with noise and distractions, it is easy to lose our way. The talk emphasized the need to quiet our minds and hearts, creating space for the Holy Spirit to speak to us. This is a call to prayer, meditation, and reflection. By actively seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can navigate our lives with greater purpose and clarity. This lesson inspired me to be more intentional about my spiritual practices, ensuring I remain connected to this divine source of wisdom.

**Lesson 3: Cultivating a Spirit of Love and Service**

The speaker also highlighted that receiving the Holy Spirit is not just for personal benefit but for the collective good. We are called to use this divine power to serve others and spread love. The Holy Spirit ignites a fire within us, a passion to make a difference in the lives of those around us. This lesson reminded me that our journey is not solitary. We are part of a larger community, and our actions, inspired by the Holy Spirit, can create ripples of positive change. It encouraged me to look for more opportunities to serve, to be a vessel of God’s love in tangible ways.

**Lesson 4: Embracing Transformation**

Lastly, the talk emphasized the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. It is not merely about receiving power but about being transformed by it. The Holy Spirit works within us, shaping our character, renewing our minds, and aligning our will with God's. This transformation is ongoing, inviting us to continually grow and evolve in our faith. It is a journey of becoming more Christ-like in our thoughts, words, and actions. This lesson inspired me to be more open to change, to allow the Holy Spirit to mold me into the person I am meant to be.

**Inspiration for My Brothers and Sisters**

To my dear brothers and sisters, I want to share this message of hope and encouragement. The Holy Spirit is a gift available to each one of us. Embrace this divine power with open hearts and minds. Let it empower you, guide you, and transform you. Seek opportunities to serve and spread love, knowing that we are all part of God's greater plan. Together, let us cultivate a community that reflects the light of the Holy Spirit, shining brightly in a world that desperately needs it. May we walk this journey of faith with courage, love, and unwavering trust in the power of the Holy Spirit.