Too Good To Be True

Just 3 weeks ago, a very close friend of mine introduced me to her brother's new venture: a cake business. I've been desiring to start a cake business again when I moved back to my hometown. It didn't materialize as planned (yet) because of the money I needed to start the business. In my head, I was planning to buy an oven first, and then buy baking equipment and utensils every payday.

Feeling peaceful, I accepted the business offer. Everything will be financed and provided by my bff's brother. He has his own place where we can bake, and make cakes. We bought ingredients, and all the things we needed for the business to push through. And to top it off, my close friend in church is also a business partner. The 4 of us will be sharing the profit equally. He trained us for additional knowledge for 3-4 days, and everything was just perfect. Everything was going smoothly.

I realized I didn't allow myself to be too excited about it. I was afraid that if I go too excited about it, something might go wrong. The business might not push through. I might not like my business partners eventually. I was afraid that I might lose my home-based job because I have this business in my life now.

Come December 12, I did my devotional, and God gave me a warning and a promise. 

Here is what I posted in my Facebook, "My WARNING for today: Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love. {1 Corinthians 16:13-14}"

Why was it a warning? Because it was God's warning to myself. I tend to think bad things might happen if I become too happy or too excited about something. That every time something good happens to me, there might be bad news later on. So I tend not to be too happy or too excited about everything. It is a warning that I should not think or feel this way, because of God's promise.

It's a promise at the same time.  I have to remember always that God wants to bless me, and wants to make me happy. My heart is for God to be happy all the time, yet I need to remind myself that this is not a one-sided relationship with Him. He also wants me to be happy so I don't have to be afraid of the good things that are happening in my life. I have to be on guard for any lies of the enemy that would tell me otherwise, and be firm in my faith that God is a God who blesses people & that includes me. I have to be strong and be courageous in my job when speaking with people, and with this new business venture. I will do it because I love what I do. God loves me, and that is important to me in my life. 

God is just fulfilling one of His promises in my life. And I remembered a leader's prophetic message to me during my God Encounter Weekend. Here it is:

The cakes we have baked during our training

With my sister-and-friend-in-Christ, Jade (plus the other owners who didn't want to show their faces.. ha-ha-ha!)

Our baking area

"But now, listen to me, Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one.
The Lord who made you and helps you says:
Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant,
O dear Israel, my chosen one.
For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields.
And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children.
They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank.
Some will proudly claim,'I belong to the Lord.'
Others will say,'I am a descendant of Jacob.'
Some will write the Lord's name on their hands and will take the name of Israel as their own."

Isiah 44:1-5 ~~ one of my God's promises that I received on one of my devotionals, and I believe this business is one of them happening now in my life. 

Hi, I'm Judee and I was a backslider!

Hi, I'm Judee and I was a backslider! How many of us are ready to admit that? Last night, our anniversary was a success! I thanked God that I was part of it all. Had I not decided, I would still be in Cebu right now, still in bondage with the shackles of shame & regret, feeling depressed and miserable. How many backsliders out there are being touched by God again? I stayed away from God for 10 years because I felt very condemned, but I wasted 10 years of my life for that! The enemy have celebrated long enough. I have decided to follow Jesus, that's what matters. It's not about me, it's about God. I want to thank my RIVER LifeSpring Center family & friends because they were able to grasp the real vision of God. When I shared my story, they didn't judge me nor condemned me. They made it sound like it was nothing, what was important was I came back to God. How many backsliders right now are hesitating to take a step forward and follow God again? Don't hesitate! Think of this, a mother who lost her daughter, still kept her daughter's room. The child's bed is still there, her favorite books and toys are still there, it was still ready in case the child is returned to her. Just like the story of the prodigal son, the father was waiting for his son to come back. How both rejoiced when they did come back! You know what? Your own room is still being maintained! You still have a place to go back and stay! The enemy has abducted you for a long time! Go back, God is waiting. You have a special place in your Father's house!

"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?" (John 14:1-2)

How many backsliders right now are being touched by God? I know I did! I know someone else who did! Don't be condemned, be convicted! Don't be ashamed, be right with God again! Don't you know? Heavens will rejoice when you are in one again with God. Just take a little step forward. :)

(Luke 15:11-32)

Happy Birthday, Agnel Bon!

Birthdays come and go

Everyone grows up a year ever year

And gifts are opened and thrown.

But I want that my Birthday wishes

Stay with you forever!

So Happy Birthday to someone I hope is my friend even when we're too senile to remember each other's birthdays!