THURSDAY TUNE #11: Dream Big by Ryan Shupe

Yesterday, an officemate asked me if he could order two cakes from me this February. I immediately said “Sure!” because I thought that it would be a great opportunity. However, minutes after our conversation, I realized that this would be the first time that I would bake the kinds of cakes that he requested. It made my heart skip a beat. :/

Somehow, I felt nervous and excited at the same time. I also thought about a few things that bothered me for a while: “What if the cakes wouldn’t meet the client’s expectations?” “I don’t really have the best oven and mixer.” “What if I fail?” “I don’t think I have the time.”, etc. However, God slowly removed those negative thoughts and encouraged me to surrender my concerns to Him.

I then got my phone, listened to my favorite songs, and reminded myself of Bible verses that show how our God is able. 

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory…” -Ephesians 3:20

from Google Images

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” -Philippians 4:13

I realized that entertaining negative thoughts hinder us from believing in greater things, taking bigger steps of faith, and dreaming big! Through that simple moment, God encouraged me to dream big and trust in Him. He allowed me to see his strength, power, and greatness more than my weaknesses and shortcomings. By His grace, I know that I will be able to bake excellent cakes this February. :)

I hope that the song that I will be sharing to you in a while would strengthen your hearts as well. :) I pray that it would also encourage you to do great things by God’s grace!

“DREAM BIG” by Ryan Shupe and The Rubberband

When you cry be sure to dry your eyes
‘Cause better days are sure to come
And when you smile be sure to smile wide
Don’t let them know that they have won
And when you walk, walk with pride
Don’t show the hurt inside
Because the pain will soon be gone

And when you dream, dream big
As big as the ocean blue
‘Cause when you dream it might come true
When you dream, dream big

When you laugh be sure to laugh out loud
‘Cause it will carry all your cares away
And when you see, see the beauty all around and in yourself
And it’ll help you feel okay
And when you pray, pray for strength
To help you carry on
When the troubles come your way

And when you dream, dream big
As big as the ocean blue
‘Cause when you dream it might come true
When you dream, dream big

When you laugh be sure to laugh out loud
‘Cause it will carry all your cares away
And when you see, see the beauty all around and in yourself
And it’ll help you feel okay
And when you pray, pray for strength
To help you carry on
When the troubles come your way

And when you dream, dream big
As big as the ocean blue
‘Cause when you dream it might come true
When you dream, dream big

Encourage yourself one tune at a time. :)

THURSDAY TUNE #10: Hold Me by Jamie Grace

 

I love, I love, I love, I love the way you hold me
I love, I love, I love, I love the way you hold me
I love, I love, I love, I love the way you hold me
I love, I love, I love, I love the way you, the way you
I’ve had a long day, I just wanna relax
Don’t have time for my friends, no time to chit chat
Problems at my job, wonderin’ what to do
I know I should be working but I’m thinking of you and

Just when I feel this crazy world is gonna bring me down
That’s when your smile comes around

Oh, I love the way you hold me, by my side you’ll always be
You take each and every day, make it special in some way
I love the way you hold me, in your arms I’ll always be
You take each and every day, make it special in some way

I love you more than the words in my brain can express
I can’t imagine even loving you less

Lord, I love the way you hold me
Whoa, oh, I love the way you hold me
Whoa, oh

Well you, took my day and you flipped it around
Calmed the tidal wave and put my feet on the ground
Forever in my heart, always on my mind
It’s crazy how I think about you all of the time

And just when I think I’m ’bout to figure you out
You make me wanna sing and shout

I love the way you hold me, by my side you’ll always be
You take each and every day, make it special in some way
I love the way you hold me, in your arms I’ll always be
You take each and every day, make it special in some way

I love you more than the words in my brain can express
I can’t imagine even loving you less

Lord, I love the way you hold me
Whoa, oh, I love the way you hold me
Whoa, oh

from air1.com
I’m so grateful and thankful for all you’ve done
Wish I could tell you in a short story or poem
But all I have is my voice and this guitar
And you have my heart
Oh, I love the way you hold me, by my side you’ll always be
You take each and every day, make it special in some way
I love the way you hold me, in your arms I’ll always be
You take each and every day, every day, every

I love the way you hold me, by my side you’ll always be
You take each and every day oh-so-special
I love the way you hold me, in your arms I’ll always be
You take each and every day, make it special in some way

I love you more than the words in my brain can express
I can’t imagine even loving you less

Lord, I love the way you hold me
Whoa, oh, I love the way you hold me
Whoa, oh
Oh, I love

I love, I love, I love, I love the way you hold me
I love, I love, I love, I love the way you hold me
I love, I love, I love, I love the way you hold me, hold me, hold me

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” -Colossians 3:17
Encourage yourself one tune at a time. :)

Getting Past Your Past

Before watching the movie, Les Miserables, I told myself that I wouldn’t cry even if a lot of people, who already watched it, did. However, halfway through the movie, I was already looking for tissue in my bag because the tears kept on rolling down my cheeks. Indeed, the story moved me and gave me a lot to think about. In fact, one of the things in the movie that struck me the most is this recurring theme: GRACE.

 

from mywholeheartedlife.blogspot.com

For the past months, I’ve been learning about God’s grace more frequently and it has always been a humbling lesson for me. I even remember God reminding me of grace when I recently made Calamari at home. :)

It all started when I was cleaning the large squids with running water. The first thing I did was to slowly pull out the “bag” of ink that was inside the squid’s body. However, after pulling the bag out, a lot of ink flowed down my hands, which made it more difficult to handle. But, with the help of running water, I was eventually able to clean and prepare them for the next steps.

I set the squids aside and further rinsed my ink-stained fingers. Then, I carefully peeled their outer skin and threw it in the garbage bin.  At that moment, I remember enjoying my large squids because they looked so clean! They were ready to be sliced and cooked. They were ready to be Calamari!

I began to slice one squid ring after another and before I knew it, I had a bunch of white, ink-free, slippery squid rings on the chopping board. God then took that opportunity to speak to me. The two, large squids that I had needed to be free from their own bags of ink, before they could become the Calamari that I desired them to be. And this wouldn’t be possible if I didn’t take the time to carefully rinse them with running water.

In the same way, God showed me what was in my heart and revealed to me certain things from my past (hurts, sin, discouragements from failures/mistakes, wrong sources of security/happiness, bitterness, etc.) –– my past “bags of ink”, that I was still carrying. God showed me how they were hindering me from becoming the best me that He desires me to be.

And I did agree with Him. I knew that my heart had (and still has) a lot of room for improvement, especially when it comes to letting go of my past hurts and mistakes and being able to surrender every thought, feeling, and decision to God.

It says in 1 John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

It was encouraging because, at that time, He not only pointed out how I can improve more as His child, but He also comforted me with His faithfulness and grace in my life, in spite of who I am… and in spite of who I was.

Past of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables (From Google Images)

 

I think that being reminded of God’s grace is one of the major reasons why I cried when I watched the movie, Les Miserables. The movie showed how God’s grace changed the heart of a sinner and how this sinner extended that same grace to the people around him. If it were not for God’s grace, Jean Valjean (the main character in the movie) would not have been able to experience freedom from His past mistakes and hurts and experience being transformed into a better man for God.

Daughter of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables (From Google Images)

 

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” -2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Indeed, God’s grace is more than sufficient for us. No past is too dirty for God to forgive, cleanse, and renew.  And no life is too messed up for God to change and use for His glory. :)

 

What’s hindering us from getting past our past?

 

Encourage yourself one treat at a time. :)

THURSDAY TUNE #9: Words by Hawk Nelson

Earlier today, I saw stickers placed on most of the tables in the Human Resources department. I couldn’t remember the exact quote that was printed on the stickers, but, I remember reading something like this: “I like who I am. I am great in what I do…”

I laughed and thought to myself: “Yes naman, para ma-motivate ang employees! hahaha.” But after looking at the sticker again, I realized that the words we read and hear really do change the way we view things, others, and ourselves. These words surely affect our thoughts and our behavior.

from Google Images

This Thursday’s tune, “Words”, is indeed one of the many convicting and, at the same time, encouraging songs I’ve heard in my life. Every time I listen to it, I am humbled and reminded to watch the words that I read and say, since I know that they would influence me and others in different ways. But more importantly, I am encouraged to guard my mouth (which means guarding my mind and heart too) because I know that this would bring honor to God. :)

Psalm 19:14

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

 


I hope this song encourages you. :)

 

THURSDAY TUNES: https://encouragingtreats.com/thursday-tunes/

 

Encourage yourself one tune at a time. :)

 

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About Me

My name is Nicole Obligacion and I started this blog because I was inspired by Hebrews 10:24 and Hebrews 3:13. I love to eat, cook, bake, read the Bible, and encourage. :)

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