JOY To The World -- the I AM Has Come!

JOY To The World -- the LORD (the Great I AM) Has Come!


GOD said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent you.'" (Exodus 3:14)

And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is CHRIST the LORD." (Luke 2:10-11)

The (Samaritan) woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called CHRIST). When He comes, He will tell us all things." JESUS said to her, I who speak to you AM He. (John 4:26)

I AM the Bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst. (John 6:35) I AM the living Bread that came down from Heaven (John 6:51)

I AM the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life. (John 8:12)

Truly, truly, I say to you, I AM the Door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I AM the Door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have Life and have it abundantly. (John 10:7-10)

I AM the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. I know My own and My own knows me. (John 10:11, 14)

I AM the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die (John 11:25-26)

I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6)

I AM the true Vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me, you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

JESUS proclaimed Himself to be equal and one with the Great I AM -- the I AM WHO I AM who spoke to Moses -- the I AM who is the True Living GOD -- YHWH.

Those who say CHRIST was merely a great and holy Teacher cannot mean what they say -- for a great and holy teacher cannot be a liar and still be called "great and holy." Those who say He was merely a Prophet from GOD cannot mean what they say -- for a prophet's words must be 100% accurate and the Word Himself is Truth . And those who deny CHRIST's deity deny His three years' worth of miracles which validated His claim of being one with the Father -- the Great I AM. Who but GOD Himself can perform all the miracles as written in the Holy Scriptures, as well as the numerous not recorded? Who but JESUS Himself fulfilled more than 365 Messianic prophecies from the Old Testament?

CHRIST JESUS declared Himself to be the Great I AM -- is He Liar, Lunatic...or LORD?

CHRISTmas is EVERY day. TOday, will you celebrate Messiah JESUS -- our Mighty GOD, Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father...our Prince of Peace -- by totally trusting in The TRUTH?

PSALM 103 -- Bless The LORD, O My Soul!

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.

Bless the LORD, O my soul! for this post on Facebook: "i'm so grateful to know GOD answering my prayers is not because of what i say, how i say it or how "spiritual" i feel or even how mature i am in Him. His answering prayer is all about His Holy SPIRIT taking my poor, pitiful prayers and using them to bring Honor and Glory to our Father in Heaven. If answered prayer was dependent on my being mature enough, saying the right words, or pleading correctly... my prayers would never be answered! It's all about Him... amen?" (Pray Without Ceasing) -- an answer to prayer and reassuring confirmation that GOD hears my poor, pitiful prayers.

Bless the LORD, O my soul! for this banner from The ShoppE at Rose's which reminds me daily in my new home in Naselesele Village that indeed to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose.

Bless the LORD, O my soul! for this miracle-of-a-baby (born at one pound, nine ounces), now a grown woman who is my lovely daughter and sister in CHRIST. Bless the LORD for redeeming this life from destruction!

Bless the LORD, O my soul! for this young sister-in-law who is indeed a Proverbs 31 lady, for she has a husband, four children, a grandmother, a brother (and me) to cook for -- usually with firewood. Ana is an expert at line and net fishing; she helps to weave large floor mats, including the harvesting, trimming, cooking, drying and smoothing out the voi-voi leaves used; she does the laundry for her entire family; cooks and even brings the children's lunches to the village school; she husks coconuts, guts the fish she has caught, makes her own coconut oil and wields her machete like a man (almost). She gets up while dawn is barely breaking to put on the tea kettle... and she is a godly, Bible-reading Ephesians 5:22 wife -- a loving Herculean help-meet for her husband. GOD is teaching me through her example!

Bless the LORD for his lovingkindness and tender mercies...

Bless the LORD, O my soul! for the hospitable and compassionate folks at Bibi's Hideaway -- whom GOD, in His Providence, allowed in my life as i weathered through storms and traversed deep valleys for a time of testing in Taveuni. Our faithful Good Shepherd provided this fruit-filled haven as this near-sighted sheep stumbled and fell along the way.

Bless the LORD for He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

Bless the LORD, O my soul! for providing me with shade and food from visiting missionaries as i painted this mural at Ocean View's cafeteria wall during the hot summer months of 2009. GOD bless the SPIRIT for helping me paint this project...literally.

Bless the LORD, O my soul! for gifting me with friends who sharpen as iron sharpens iron, who flavor my life with their differing personalities, who fervently pray for those in need...like me.

Bless the LORD, O my soul! for gifting me with this new family who believes in GOD as the Father, Son and Spirit; who prays before each meal and chides me laughingly when i forget; who lets the kidz watch only Bible Songs (sing-along), worship music with the Gaithers or Tom & Jerry videos; who allows me to choose and comment on Bible verses before our nightly masu (prayers); who forgives my personal imperfections and overlooks my idiosyncracies and kavalagi (foreign) ways.

Bless the LORD, O my soul! for this simple house that is loud with much laughter and children crying-- which GOD is using as the current environment to prune and burn up selfish baggage that still clings. He affirms through daily life lessons that i am not a Filipino-American immersed in Fijian culture, but a child of GOD whose true citizenship is in Heaven. My true identity is in CHRIST.

Bless the LORD, O my soul! for this house which provides shelter when i'm in this part of the world. Thank you, Father, for the lady of the house -- the mother you've given me, who is generous and kind, who allows me to live here freely as i come and go between two countries.

Bless the LORD, O my soul! for these watery pets -- which give Mom much pleasure as they decorate her backyard. Thank you, Father, for creating such colorful fish!

Bless the LORD, O my soul! for the fish that you allow to be caught into Seru's and Ana's nets, so that we may feast on them fried or in bele soup vakalolo. Thank you, Father, for giving us more than enough so that we may also sell some to provide for our necessities.

Bless the LORD, O my soul! for Pastor Pauliasi who shepherds the Assembly of GOD Church in Matei, Taveuni -- the barefoot preacher who is passionate about CHRIST and whose messages magnify and glorify the Person of JESUS as GOD the Son.

Bless the LORD, O my soul! for Pastor Boschen -- whose passion for CHRIST is undeniably evident; whose countenance reflects brightly the Light of the Son and whose many good works mark him as righteous in the sight of GOD. Thank you, Father, for using this true shepherd to guide the many whom you've placed in his path.

Bless the LORD, O my soul! for these San Diego-bought mangoes -- a welcome sight and a reminder of Taveuni that is fast becoming home. Thank you, Father, for providing this tasty blessing -- indeed, you know me to the very core... even to the minutest of details.

Bless the LORD for He satisfies with good things so that our youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Bless the LORD, O my soul! for this mango tree, just beside our house in the village. Indeed You provide every good thing -- in CHRIST, i lack nothing!

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

(Psalm 103:1-5)

GOD Is BeautiFUL In ALL Ways, Always!

"Naked i came from my mother's womb, And naked shall i return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21)

"Shall we indeed accept good from GOD, and shall we not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (Job 2:10)

...they saw JESUS walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." (John 6:19-20)

For You are my lamp, O LORD; The LORD shall enlighten my darkness. (2 Samuel 22:29)

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. (Psalm 23:2)

Bless the LORD, O my soul! All that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul! And forget not all His benefits... Who redeems my life from destruction... (Psalm 103)

As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him. (Psalm 103:13)

And we know that GOD causes everything to work together for the good of those who love GOD and are called according to His purpose for them. (Romans 8:28)

Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you. (Psalm 55:22)

The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. (Psalm 34:10)

...though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, i will fear no evil; for You are with me... (Psalm 23:4)

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (John 15:2)

Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? (Romans 9:21)

i know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. (Job 42:2)

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (James 1:2-3)

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

If i take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. (Psalm 139:9-10)

Where can i go from Your Spirit? Or where can i flee from Your presence? (Psalm 139:7)

(GOD's creation expressed beautifully in Matei and Naselesele area -- Taveuni, FIJI)

Cyclone Tomas and THE WORD

In 2010, Cyclone Tomas did its best to destroy this Assembly of GOD church, shephered by Pastor Pauliasi Nuku -- located at New Town in Matei, Taveuni (Fiji). But GOD the Holy SPIRIT caused all things to work together for good for the pastor and his congregation -- for indeed they loved much the Son... CHRIST JESUS.

The structure was razed to the ground, but it was soon re-built -- this time with timber from Lagiloa (our bush farm area) -- even better and stronger than the previous building. The Bible verses i painted on the corrugated tin roofing survived the havoc wreaked by Cyclone Tomas. The Word of GOD -- Truth that He inspired -- cannot ever be destroyed, despite man's willful destruction of it... and not even Nature's seasonal birth pangs will ever lessen its almighty supernatural influence.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (Galatians 6:7)

If you confess with your mouth the LORD JESUS and believe in your heart that GOD has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

GOD is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)

Those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

i can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

The fruit of the SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

We know that GOD causes all things to work together for good to those who love GOD. (Romans 8:28)

This Assembly of GOD church, though humble in appearance and size, is where CHRIST is wonderfully magnified. Pastor Pauliasi's messages always point to JESUS as the only Way, the only Truth and the only Life. Pastor always magnifies our Father in Heaven as the One True GOD -- always speaks with passionate devotion to the Person of CHRIST, as emboldened by the Holy SPIRIT's supernatural anointing.

GOD bless this church!

ROMANS 8:28 -- My Personal REALITY

Lagiloa GODventureZ... Vanua Sautu... then --

And now. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. (Mark 3:25)

Even this rLn expression, GOD has blessed to someone else...

GOD has closed this door... and opened up another.

And i know that GOD causes everything to work together for the good of those who love GOD and are called according to His purpose for them. (Romans 8:28)

The new door GOD has opened -- GODventureZ, unlimited. Our leaky second-hand boat, with Ana tugging it to its new moorings, and Miri hangin' on for a free tow.

Four new lives (Miri, Kani, Jo, Leone) from Naselesele Village to touch with the WORD -- Who is the Bread of Life, the Light of the world, the Way of peace to the Father in Heaven -- the Redeemer of sinners... like me.

GOD knew me even before He created me -- that i would enjoy mangoes as my favorite food... and here i am... watching them ripen! GOD satisfies me with good things, so that my youth is renewed like the eagle's. (Psalm 103:5, paraphrased)

The talent GOD has given me is no longer buried in useless inferiority complex, but SPIRIT has provided much opportunities to magnify our LORD's name through the art work that He allows to flow through me. He gives the inspiration, He tempers me with patience to do His work, He opens up the windows and doors of Heaven so that blessings from above rains down wherever He places me. (Matthew 25:14-30, JESUS' parable about the talents)

GOD's timing is allWays perfect. Thirty years later, after the SPIRIT planted the seed of island living in my adventurouZ soul, GOD has wrought the dream into Reality... with much segways and detours along this blessed GODventureZ JESUS had created for me. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. (Psalm 139:16)

JESUS is my Way -- He is the Path of righteousness.
JESUS is my Truth -- He is the Word infallible.
JESUS is my Life -- He is the Fountain ever flowing.
JESUS is my LORD, my Master, my GOD.

He is the Shield who protects from the devil's assaults --The Rock on which true wisdom is built.
He is the King who reigns sovereign --The Shepherd whose tender care is faithful and true.
He is the Judge who sees the inner man --The Refuge during trials to whom we run.
He is the Fortress impregnable --The Avenger of the weak and oppressed.

He is the Creator of all things from no thing --The Deliverer of those who love and obey Him.
He is the Healer of the brokenhearted --The Protector of the humble and the meek.
He is the Provider of our daily bread --The Redeemer of the wretched lost.
He is the Alpha and the Omega --The Author and Finisher of our faith.

He is the Master Potter --The Artist Divine of each masterpiece.
He is the Father who knows best --The One we call Abba, Papa, because we are His own.
JESUS is the Bread of life --The abundant Nourisher of this child.
He is the Light of the world --The perfect Guide to this darkened soul.

JESUS is the Door of the sheepfold --The narrow Gate where this penitent entered.
He is the Good Shepherd --The Owner of this prodigal sheep.
JESUS is the Resurrection and the Life --The Promise Keeper in whom absolutely i trust.
He is the true Vine -- The eternal Source in whom i cling.

JESUS is the Way, the Truth and the Life --
He is my way, my truth and my life --
In all ways, always...
Forever and ever.