Samantha Perena

life & faith joürney

[ailaruth016-blog]

FAITHFUL

APRIL Updates

One of my greatest fear as a Campus Missionary is when vacation is slowly approaching. Students graduating and students transferring from one school to another. But God has been very faithful in reminding me that when someone leaves, He will replace. 

Vacation just started, and I was evaluating myself from the things that God did through me for the past school year. Going to Siena College illegally, sharing the gospel to students while praying that the guards will not notice me, waiting for a teacher to fetch me outside (waited for almost half an hour) so I can go inside the school campus easily. NCBA, I’m still in awe on how God sustained our leaders without me being visible in the campus. All in all, I was left with His amazing grace for letting me finish the school year fruitful!

On April 17, I was privileged to be part of the team who went up to Dumagat. At first I was a bit hesitant because I thought I will walk miles to get there but the Lord reminded me of setting aside my comfort for His glory! Praise God because I don’t have to walk miles to reach Dumagat, the Lord has been gracious because he has provided for our team a transportation going to the mountains of Dumagat.

Together with me in the picture above is Aia and Manilyn, they are Dumagat native, in their place there is no electricity (only in the school, which is the central of the community), they have no cellphones, no computers, no wifi connection, even no refrigerator. I asked them if how did they manage to do assignments and research, they told me that they have to go down to the city proper just to have their research. 

For a typical teenager today, life would be boring without electricity because without electricity there would be no wifi. But foe me, wouldn’t it be nice to be in that place wherein you have all the time in the world, no distractions, just you and God communing. I really admire Aia and Manilyn that they’re very thankful to have that simple life because they said that they have more time for their families and the bonding that they have with their friends are more on talking about life, school and God.

I really thank the Lord for giving me the chance to meet these girls and God used them to remind me that I can should be grateful and content with the situation in life I’m at.

MAY Updates

MOVE Conference is fast approaching. I don’t know what to feel because I have been juggling from the start of the school year activities to handling the EAST Move tickets payments. I know God’s really present whenever I feel overwhelmed with all the work.

I praise God that He has sustained me and my teammates for 3 day massive work in the Registration of MOVE Youth Discipleship Conference. I know it is really God who is at work during those 3 days because He allowed us to perform well and experience His presence during the conference. I am also very happy to make friends with other Campus Missionaries. I am blessed to hear their testimonies! I also get to meet YWAM missionaries and missionaries from Cebu! What a joy to serve the Lord with these people knowing that we only have one goal in life: to Honor God and make disciples!

With 8,000 delegates, all praises and glory belong to Him alone! It is only by His grace that thousands of students were gathered together to worship and praise His name!

JUNE Updates

School year 2018-2019 came just like that! It really excites me whenever another school year opens because God will surely surprise me with things that is beyond my capabilities!

Golden Faith Academy (GFA) is my first campus I went to and do campus ministry on my first term as a Campus Missionary. After a year the ministry ended because their chaplain is also a Pastor so they decided to conduct campus ministry on their own. The leaders that we have raised were the ones who lead as their small group leaders. Today, GFA asked us again to do ministry and accommodate them to do two chapel services for 400 students!

Please pray with us as we start on July 6 the very first chapel service this year!

Siena College of Taytay (SCT) last school year I almost gave up on this campus because of their very hectic schedule. But praise God because one of our students from the other school transferred in SCT and is very eager to start campus ministry! Please pray for us as we again battle in going inside a Catholic school and win students for Jesus!

Please pray as SCT school year ‘18-19 will start on July 3, 2018.

National College of Business and Arts (NCBA) campus ministry in this school is very strong that even I wasn’t able to go inside, the students were very eager to minister to their fellow students. This year, please pray for us as new batch of leaders are the ones leading campus ministry this school year. Please pray that we will not be complacent and we will always put God first in everything that we will do. 

NCBA campus ministry is every Thurday at 3pm. 

Taytay National High Shool (TNHS) Rescue Kabataan (RK) is a movement that encourages every individual to be a “rescuer” by helping the youth rise from their “darkest moment”.  We will be using RK program for TNHS this year. We’ve already talked to the Principal regarding this and they told us to go back end of July as students have already adjusted on their school works and schedules. Please pray that we will also raise “rescuers” or volunteers for this program.

If you know someone, or if YOU want to be part of Rescue Kabataan Elevate please feel free to approach or text me anytime. Hopefully we can start this coming August! 

Faithful~

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:28)

I have been holding on to this verse for a very long time. Even though I have been experiencing tough times lately I know I shall not be moved by it. God is FAITHFUL, every work that we are doing for Him is never in vain. 

I pray that you also, whatever you do and whatever situation you are in right now. He is faithful and everything that you do is precious to Him!

[samanthaperenaaaaa]

Strengthened by His grace

"be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."

2 Tim 2:1-2

The Lord comforted me with this verse as He reminds us to be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. I've been feeling demotivated to go to work for the previous month since we're being assigned to take calls that aren't part of my workload anymore (kasi Enail specialist na ko haha) . I try to push myself to wake up early in the morning but I would still refuse to do so. I will even ask God to give me the strength and joy to go to work but my flesh is too weak!

As time goes by, we're still taking in calls and God constantly reminds me to do it for Him. The testing is still at stake as I'm still being challenged by some of our customers na masungit, makulit at ayaw makinig haha. The Lord used this situation to remind me to put my strength in Him. If I were to depend on myself, I will give up. This also includes me as an ate, kapatid, anak, dgroup leader and member, and a worker. Nakakapagod physically and sometimes emotionally haha But God reminded me that in everything I do, I should be His servant. For me to not lose the strength, joy or passion, I shall remind myself to cling unto the grace of God as I have witness His goodness in my past, I would also witness it in the days to come.

If you are also being tested, God is saying be strengthened by His grace as we already witness His goodness in our lives. Let us use the testing of our faith to draw others to Christ. For His glory alone.

[samanthaperenaaaaa]

[ailaruth016-blog]

βοηθός

Greek word for AIDE / assist, attention, care, help

GOD FINISHES WHAT HE STARTS

What God starts, he finishes. Where God guides, he provides. And where God leads, he meets our needs. But he’s going to test you first, because there is no testimony without a test. The question then, is, are we willing to trust God completely?

When I started to meet again the students in the campuses after the Holiday break, I shared to them about the “memorial” Israelite’s create so that they will never forget what God has taught them. I shared the story about the Israelite’s crossing the Jordan River going to the Promised land. Each person has to pick up a stone to be used in the memorial. That memorial will set as a reminder for the future generations, of God’s faithfulness to Israel.

As I was sharing, I told them the “memorials” I have made for me to be able to remember God’s faithfulness in my journey as a full time worker. Seeing those memorials always give a smile on my face and a joyful tear in my eyes. I always say to myself that “Who am I that God has brought  me this far?” “Who am I that despite all my iniquities, He has remained faithful and loving throughout all these years.” I always end up crying because if I look back and see the life that I have lived, never would I have thought that He would bring me this far. But then again, I will utter the words, HE IS FAITHFUL. Everything that He started, He will come to finish it. Whatever He has given us, He will always make sure that we will do it until it is completely done.

MINISTRY UPDATES

Elevate Taytay Core Leaders (Planning 2018)

I am used in doing things alone and I really function well if I do them on my own. I can say that I really don’t trust people in doing things for me. My mindset before was “Kaya ko na ito. Baka hindi lang nila magawa ng maayos, uulitin ko lang pag di nagawa ng maayos”. But when I met these bunch of people, I really have to do a lot of adjustments. Slowly but surely, little by little, I have let go of my pride, I have learned that, yes, no man is an island, and in the Christian concept, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. It’s really a breath of fresh air for me assigning tasks to people and really put my 100% trust in them that they will do well.

I’m so much thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to be part of this team. I pray that God will always be the center of our team, we may differ in someways but we are united through our Savior Jesus Christ.

*This team is a part of the memorial that will set as a reminder that God is indeed faithful!

D12 during Elevate’s Year End party (Hark!)

This year I committed to do more of one on one sessions with my girls. As an introvert, I am not really into relating with a group set up, I felt like I am just giving a portion of me when we have our D12 meetings. Giving them my 100% attention is what I want. Because as a Dgroup member also, I really appreciate my time alone with my Dgroup leader. Not that I don’t trust my Dgroupmates but I can really pour my heart out when it comes to one on one sessions.

I have 11 disciples and I already met 3 of them since January. I also want to be more accountable to them. I want to build a strong sense of relationship with them even outside Elevate. Plus, I also promise them that we will take pictures of our every meeting (for memories) because they know that I really don’t like taking pictures that much. (Hahaha.)

Please always include me and my D12 network as we face 2018! :)

*These girls are a big part of the memorial that God is faithful through the years of my stay in the ministry.

The memorial is only a picture of the event of God’s faithfulness in my life. The important part of putting up a memorial is what happened before it. My journey last 2017 was a bit rough but indeed God has brought me from one end to another. I’m a worrier (honestly) but every time God would amaze me from a bad situation to a victorious one.

Praying that this year God will amaze me with things that will display His sovereignty and faithfulness in my life.

Praying for you as well that you will also put up memorials this 2018 so that when you experience hardships/problems you will just look at it and just leave everything to God’s hand.

Whatever it is that God has started in our lives, He will surely finish it, even it means journeying on a rough path.

GOD IS FAITHFUL, WE ONLY HAVE TO TRUST HIM!

[samanthaperenaaaaa]

I CAN!

"...We should go up and take possession of the land (Canaan),  for WE CAN certainly do it." -Numbers 13:30

Caleb, one of the appointment men of Moses went for 40 days to explore the land of Canaan (Nu 13:6,Nu13:30) He witnessed how the land of Canaan had flowing milk and honey,  powerful men living there,  and had fortified and large cities.  What i was impressed about is his great confidence that THEY CAN CERTAINLY win this land -- Canaan through God's sovereign help. He believed that God will for surely win it for them. Not for their own pleasure but for the Lord's glory!  Unlike the other Israelites from the following verses of Numbers 13:31-33 who lack confidence and look down to themselves, saying "they are stronger than they are." That can be true!Buuuut,  knowing that God have already saved them from the hands of the 'strong' Egypt, what more can He not conquer anything/anyone? HE CAN DO IT AS HE IS GOD!

Question: Is there something in your life that makes you feel down?  Something that lowers your self-confidence?  Or something that blinds you from getting your real confidence from Christ and your true value?

If so,  take into His promise in Philippians 1:6

"being confident of this,  that He who began a good work in you will carry it onto completion until the day of Christ Jesus"  and being reminded tonight that we can be like Caleb,  full of confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ ❤

Remember this: YOU CAN! 🙌❤

[kanoooto]

a little too LATE

I usually post my year verse every December 31 or January 1 and YES I wanted to do a post full of excuses hahaha! kasi inuna ko yung korea post Honestly, I prepared it naman hehe and its in my journal, but I didn’t get the chance to share it yown pasok na excuse haha!

Anyway to give a quick background, I actually didn’t finished reading the Bible last year sorry! and I was stuck in the book of Titus. As I was reading last December 31, I stopped at chapter 3 verses 4 and 5 and it says:

But — When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

I was reminded of a lot of things (and I pointed out 5 - pasok na yan sa “lot of things”)

I am not saved because of anything I have ever done

My actions lead me to one place alone: hell

God loves me so much He made me

God loves me so much He sent His Son to die for me.

It’s because of God’s love for me and my recognition of Christ’s sacrifice for me that I am saved.

With the crazy pattern of this world, most Christians forget these things and I don’t want to be like them. That’s why this year I want to be reminded of it constantly.

My year verse is from Titus 3:4-5

But — When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

[samanthaperenaaaaa]

The secret to true worship is J E S U S ❤

[samanthaperenaaaaa]

"Do you want to get well?"

Have you ever been asked the question 'do you want to get well?' Its as if that someone cares and someone wants us to be more than just 'okay'. I had this devo that shows how beautiful God wants His children to be well. More than that, He wants us to be content in Him alone. So the story begins in John 5. When Jesus went up to Jerusalem (John 5:1-3), he saw a great number of people who had health issues -- disabled people, the blind, the lame and the paralyzed. People believed in a legend that an angel would stir the water in the Pool of Bethesda and that the first one who got into the water would be healed. And then this man, who was invalid for 38 years believed in this legend, that it is because someone else always goes ahead of him that he's not being healed. But Jesus proved that this legend is untrue. The moment He asked the man if he wants to get well, He instructed him to pick up his mat and walk. Immediately, he was cured and was able to walk. Not because he got into the water of Bethesda. But that he needed Jesus' healing. He believed that he'll get well and when he did picked up his mat, he began to walk.

AWe should not also forget the other characters on the story. It was the great number of people that needs healing. Yes, they need physical healing too. But more than that, we need spiritual healing. The people was believing a legend that was untrue. When in fact, it is only Jesus that can give healing to each one of them (us hehe). We need Jesus. Yes, He can make you clean. And yes, He will make you well. Yes, only Jesus!

When you feel like there's no one to help you like the man in John 5:7, and you've been believing in a lie that's stopping you from moving forward, always be reminded that God is always willing to help His children. Remember that you are precious in His eyes and that He wants what is best for you 😊Just come to Him and believe that it will be well. In fact, we have an amazing future hope in Jesus because He will never give up on us. He is a promise keeping God who promises to bring healing on all aspects of our lives (physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially) restore broken relationships, embrace our hurting hearts and crying souls.

The answer to the question "Do you want to get well?" doesn't end with a "YES." The answer is found in Jesus.

[samanthaperenaaaaa]

Hi Hindi ko alam kung paano ito sisimulan Ako ba ay aatras o iyong pagbibigyan Nakasalalay sa tapang ng loob at talas ng isipan Iyon ang aking nararamdaman Nagsimula sa isang pagbati at Nauwi sa pangarap na kalahati Kalahati na bubuo sa hinahangad na bahaghari Naghihintay na matapos ang bagyo upang tiyaga ay maghari At habang ako'y lumulusong sa tinatahak na kalsada Pagsubok ay laging nakabadya Ulan at lindol ay siguradong makikita Kaya sa bawat pagtapak ng paa Baon ay kahandaan at pag-asa Ngayon, ako'y hindi nangangamba Alam kong hindi ako nag-iisa, Karamay ang nag-iisang Ama, Lumalakad ng walang iniinda At taglay ay pawang ligaya Takot ay walang puwang Sa pusong puno ng tapang Tapang na sisira sa lahat ng hadlang Pagkatapos ng pagsira, panibagong umaga at araw ang lulutang Kwento nati'y Kanya nang isinusulat Kaya babala ay masusing pag-iingat Pag-aalaga, pagtitiwala at pagsunod sa Kanyang iniwang aklat At ngayon, Tula ko'y tapos na Ngunit ako'y nandito pa Umasang ang salitang Hi at ika'y tuluyang mahintay

ü

[shenydael]

SML ❤

Today is my Birthday and I would like to show you one of the best gift that I ever had.

I am certainly blessed with this gift! A gift that is Heaven sent.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,”  declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I really love to know that it was planned by God, for me to have this wonderful gift. The gift that I have received is still with me now. A gift that I kept for almost two years. Maybe you are wondering why it’s very important to me where it’s just two years. Two years full of learning and love with this gift is close to forever! This gift is like a twin to my faith journal and allow me to show the gift to all of you.

Samantha Faith C. Pereña, 20  Cainta, Rizal

I called this gift as Ate Bae. She’s a woman of faith. She is as beautiful as her heart is. Being with this sweet and beautiful lady will always be an amazing thing in my life. Lending her listening ears and Intentionally making time are some of the things I really appreciated with this gift.

_Proverbs 17:17 (NLT) _A friend is always loyal, and a sister is born to help in time of need.

She’s the one who really never gives up on me even if I am very makulit. She really is the one who encourages me to become a better person. She is one of my inspirations of having a beautiful heart. She is my accountability partner. She is my doctor. She is the one I can run into. She is a friend that always loves me from the love of the Lord.

How did this gift arrive in my life?

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: if one falls down, his friends can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?

This is my dgroup or discipleship group that I call as my family. God is really awesome because he made this family. A family that is loving one another and praying for each other. I never had it in my mind that I will have a family like this one. This family welcomed and embraced me with everything I am. Ate Bae came into my life when I became part of her dgroup that is really a blessing.

I am looking forward for more experiences and memories with this gift to be kept. Craving for moments that is God indeed is the center. Thank you so much for this gift! 

[samanthaperenaaaaa]

I will always be grateful that God has blessed me with people like you, Sheny. I love you! <3

[samanthaperenaaaaa]

Hot coal: Part 2

The hot coal that sends you to a special mission:

Isaiah 6:8 “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “I am here! SEND ME.”

We have already discussed in the previous part how Jesus is like the hot coal that purifies us from sin. But what’s in store for us after we have been forgiven from our impurity? The Bible tells us that Jesus commissioned us to “Go and make disciples…” (Matthew 28:18-20). The prophet Isaiah accepted God’s call to him when He said, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” and his reply was “Here I am. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8-9). If we look closely to Isaiah’s reply, he seemed excited about it! (Look at the exclamation point in verse 8). 😄

What can you do?

BE PART of a church where you can fulfill God’s great commission. I am a part of a movement where the church (the body of Christ) is motivated to fulfill the great commission. I am tasked to fulfill the Great Commission by meeting regularly with my small group. Intentionally praying for them and catching up with them. Reading the Bible and putting into practice everything I am learning. Being the salt and light to my family, my small group, to my classmates, workmates and to this nation by sharing to them God’s love. Have you ever tried sharing the Gospel to a stranger? It may seem impossible, but you can! I’ll write a blog how I’ve had my first random evangelism (to a stranger!) There are a lot of great things you can make to fulfill the Great Commission. The special task God has entrusted to His followers. 😊

Are you ready to make the move?

Romans 10:14-15 “How then will they call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in him about whom they have not heard? And how will they hear about him without one who preaches to them? And how will they preach, unless they are SENT? Just as it is written, “How timely are the feet of those who bring good news of good things.”

[samanthaperenaaaaa]

Hot coal: Part 1

Hot coal: Glorious and holy Part 1 The hot coal that purifies

“Then one of the seraphs flew to me (Isaiah), and in his hand was a HOT COAL he had taken from the altar with tongs.” Isaiah 6:6

The hot coal given to Isaiah by the seraph/seraphim is an illustration where God purifies someone who accepts His holiness. This holiness of God is represented thru the hot coal. You may ask “Why?” and “How?” It is because that hot coal purified Isaiah from his impurity. The moment Isaiah swallowed the hot coal, he exposed his sinful nature and allowed God to make him pure. God is the only One who can purify us from all unrighteousness. Before Isaiah was given that coal, he acknowledged himself as a “man of unclean lips” (Is. 6:5) Exposing our guilt isn’t easy, right? We need humility. We need the forgiveness and grace of God. And so God gives those to people who believes and accepts His holiness. Before we further understand the purifying hot coal, let’s first look on how the “chosen people of God” in the Old Testament (OT) are made pure.

In the OT, the Israelites cannot enter the temple of God if they are impure. Being impure in the OT is when you touch “impure” things like the dead or a skin disease. When you have contact with impure things such as these, its impurity transfers to you. Now what happens if you enter the temple of God and you are impure? You will surely die. Why? Because the holiness of God is so good and it is dangerous to something unholy. It’s like the sun that when you go near to it, the intense it becomes. The Israelites needed to obey the Word of the Lord (Jos.1:8) to be pure/ritually pure in the OT. And so the transformation began when the man (referred to as ‘Immanuel’; Is.7:14) from Isaiah’s vision came to life. And we call Him JESUS.

When Jesus came, He began touching people who have disease and healed them, raised to life the dead, purified sinners. It is a glorious thing that His purity is transferred to us because of His grace (Eph. 2:8-10). Holiness isn’t something that we will possess as an inherent part of our nature; we only become holy in relationship to Christ. Jesus is like the hot coal that purifies and washes sinners like you and me. No more guilt. No more shame. Because God has already made the atonement of our sins through Christ Jesus.

Terms: Seraphim – heavenly beings described as having six wings: with two covered on its face, with two covering its feet, and with two it flew. Immanuel – “God with us”

[samanthaperenaaaaa]

Build your temple

“Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished his entire house.” 1 Kings 7:1

It took Solomon thirteen years to complete the construction of the (his) palace. Solomon, the son of David, was chosen by God to build His temple. Thirteen years was faithfully spent by Solomon building the temple. He was so committed to finish the work he had for the Lord. The “work” that was FOR the Lord and BY the Lord, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose” (Philippians 2:13). Our work begins and depends on our faith. Solomon had great faith and trust that God will really finish building the temple. His faith allowed Him to confidently wait in God’s promise.

When the time comes we submit to Him our plans, our work, our lives, we can truly say “It is finished.” If there is something God calls you to do, do not worry, He promises to be victorious in your life. As Philippians 1:6 says “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” We have an assurance that God will really finish the “work” He has in store for our lives – for His good purpose.

[samanthaperenaaaaa]

Promise-keeper

“Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭28:15‬ ‭ESV‬ What are your desires? How about your fears? Do you desire to have a good life?Just like Jacob, I, even you, have desires and fears. Jacob wants to have a good life! And so do you!Who doesn't want to get to have it? Though there are uncertainties of what'll happen in the next chapter of our lives we know inside our hearts and minds that we want to have a good one. But there is something you and I need to do. To obey God's command. Why? Because when there is obedience, blessing awaits. This is the promise of God clearly stated on the verse: God will be with you and keep you wherever you go. To be alone in an unsure journey is definitely hard. But having the assurance that "YOU are not alone" may motivate you to finish the goal. (1 Timothy 6:12 tells us our goal: to fight the good fight of faith) I've been praying for a career where I can grow as an individual. For a work where I will enjoy and serve God as well. To be honest, having no idea of what career I should have is difficult. I fear this unknown things called tomorrow. So I ask the elders of what I should do best? That led me to seek God and pray intentionally. Spending time in God's Word is a SURE and DEFINITE way where I have found peace that God would be with me. That He is alongside me in my journey of faith even if it may be unknown. You have a God-given purpose. Are you willing to follow it? Obedience is not enough if we don't obey God wholeheartedly. My prayer is that I and you choose to obey the Lord's will for our lives. Even if it wont be easy. Even if it will take risks. Even if that means getting out of your comfort zone. God is a promise keeping God. He promises to bless you if you follow Him wholeheartedly. May His promises be fulfilled in your life as you commit to obey the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind & strength. Below are two ways I've learned from my experience to know if it is God's will: • Parent's blessing/approval Before going to a destination or making a decision, allow your parents to bless you first. Them God will bless you. Ü • Peace To know that it is God's will for you is when you feel peace and God is surely leading you into your calling. Are you willing to obey the promise keeper?

[samanthaperenaaaaa]

Yaaaa!!!

[samanthaperenaaaaa]

Pinakamahabang letter na natanggap ko ^_^ - from Rebekah

[samanthaperenaaaaa]

From Rebekah <3 :)