Abundant Life - HLZ Ministries

Ministry doesn’t always begin with a great sermon or a profound religious explanation—it often begins with a moment, a conversation, a prayer. 🙏🏼❤️

Last Tuesday, in the early hours of the morning, my father was rushed to the hospital. By God’s grace, Mama was able to cry out for help, and their neighbors quickly responded—an ambulance arrived very quickly. He had a high fever and had lost consciousness. Later, we learned it was typhoid. As we waited in the emergency area that same day, another urgent case was brought in about an hour after us. A lady arrived struggling to breathe—she had been violently choked and pushed against a wall by her boyfriend in a fit of jealousy.

She was crying, shaken, and afraid. We overheard the doctor was asking if she wanted to file a complaint for abuse but she opted not to. When things settled a bit, I felt a strong prompting in my heart. I approached her and asked if I could get near her, she agreed. We spoke briefly—I offered words of comfort and reminded her that there is Someone who truly sees her pain and deeply cares for her. Then I asked if I could pray for her. As we prayed, the atmosphere shifted. Her tears softened, and there was a visible sense of relief.❤️

Another divine appointment came through a simple interaction. I approached the staff in charge of patient meals, and I introduced that we are Seventh-day Adventists, requesting dietary considerations. She smiled and said, “I know SDAs—my grandfather was one.” That connection stayed with me. On the day of my father’s discharge, she came by again, one of the last staff to check on us. In that moment, I felt the same quiet but unmistakable impression to pray for her and so I did. Her gesture and smile affirmed she was blessed. 😇

In both encounters, I had the privilege not only of sharing Jesus’ love with them, but also of pointing them to where they could know Him more—I introduced the Adventist World Radio Manila. I saw genuine interest in their eyes, a willingness to connect and follow.

https://www.facebook.com/share/18YR4jkr8X/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Indeed, wherever we are, whenever we are willing, the Lord positions us exactly where we need to be. A single prayer, offered in faith, can become a doorway—who knows, can be an opening to a life-changing, eternity-shaping encounter with Jesus.🙏🏼 If you need prayers, I’m here. 👋🏻❤️

Galatians 6:9 (NIV) – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Devotional 05: Sanctified Through the Scars

“By His wounds we are healed.” — Isaiah 53:5

Scars tell stories. They testify that a wound once existed — but also that healing occurred. In Jesus, our scars are not symbols of defeat; they are evidence of His sustaining grace. The risen Christ still bore His scars (John 20:27), not as shame, but as an eternal testimony to the salvation of humanity.

The Great Controversy, p. 674 (1911 edition)
“One reminder alone remains: Our Redeemer will ever bear the marks of His crucifixion. Upon His wounded head, upon His side, His hands and feet, are the only traces of the cruel work that sin has wrought… And the tokens of His humiliation are His highest honor; through the eternal ages the wounds of Calvary will show forth His praise and declare His power.”

If our Savior carries sanctified scars as trophies of grace, then our wounds — surrendered to Him — can also become sanctified.

Pain is never wasted in the economy of God. What then is the purpose of pain in the Christian journey?

1. Pain Perfects Character
“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete.” — James 1:4

God is more committed to your character than your comfort. Consider Joseph: betrayed, enslaved, and imprisoned — yet every injustice refined his integrity. The prison prepared the prime minister. Pain carved leadership into his soul.

What feels like delay may actually be development.

2. Pain Purifies Faith
“So that the tested genuineness of your faith… may be found to result in praise.” — 1 Peter 1:7

Fire does not destroy gold; it reveals it.
Job lost wealth, health, and children. Yet through anguish he declared, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” Suffering exposed authentic devotion.
Faith that survives the fire shines brighter.

3. Pain Produces Dependence on God
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

The apostle Paul prayed for his thorn to be removed. God did not remove it — He supplied grace instead. Sometimes the miracle is not deliverance from pain, but the strength God gives to endure it.

Weakness becomes the doorway to divine sufficiency.

4. Pain Positions Us for Mission
“You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” — Genesis 50:20

Joseph’s suffering positioned him to save nations.
Your trial may be the training ground for someone else’s salvation. The very scar you wish away may become the path that leads someone else to Jesus.

5. Pain Prepares Us for Heaven
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” — 2 Corinthians 4:17

The trials we endure are temporary, but the glory they produce is eternal. God does not waste pain. Every tear, every struggle, and every sacrifice becomes part of the preparation for a kingdom where suffering will no longer exist.

And remember this: our Redeemer will forever bear the marks of Calvary. Those wounds will eternally proclaim the cost of our redemption. As Ellen G. White writes, the wounds of Calvary will through eternal ages declare His praise and His power.

Scars on earth often precede crowns in heaven.

Reflection
When pain comes, ask not only “Why?” but also “What is God forming in me?”
Pain:
• Perfects
• Purifies
• Produces
• Positions
• Prepares

Your present suffering is not pointless. It is purposeful.

Because of Christ’s eternal scars, ours can be sanctified.

In Him there is strength and sanctification through our scars.❤️

Devotional 04: By His Wounds, We Are Healed. Sabbath blessings! ❤️

Lei’s Living Light: Devotional 03—When It’s Too Much

At times, I feel deeply exhausted too. When the load grows heavy—family concerns, ongoing responsibilities, and the silent expectations we carry—it can feel overwhelming, almost more than we can bear and deliver. Jesus does not prescribe productivity. He offers His presence.❤️

Matthew 11:28–30: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me…”

This is not a motivational slogan. It is an invitation into a different way of carrying life. We need to take this invitation first before we can “go make disciples…”

Four R’s—a practical pathway to real rest at Jesus’ feet.

1. Recognize Your Weariness
Jesus begins with honesty: “all who labor and are heavy laden.” Rest starts with recognition. Many of us spiritualize exhaustion or normalize overload. But denial deepens depletion. Acknowledge:
• You are tired.
• The load feels heavy.
• You cannot sustain this alone.

Recognition is not weakness; it is spiritual clarity. When you name your weariness, you position yourself for His rest.

2. Respond to His Invitation
“Come to Me.”
Rest is relational before it is circumstantial. Notice: Jesus does not say, “Fix your schedule.” He says, “Come.”

To respond means:
• Choosing prayer before panic.
• Sitting in Scripture before scrolling.
• Prioritizing presence over performance.

You do not recover strength by running harder. You recover strength by drawing nearer.

3. Receive His Yoke
“Take my yoke upon you…”

A yoke symbolizes shared burden. Jesus is not offering escape from responsibility; He is offering partnership in responsibility.

To receive His yoke means:
• Surrendering control.
• Allowing Him to set the pace.
• Trusting that His leadership is gentle and lowly in heart.

His yoke is lighter not because life becomes easier, but because He carries the heaviest weight.

4. Remain at His Feet
“Learn from Me…”

Rest is not a one-time event; it is an ongoing posture. Remaining means:
• Experiencing Him before explaining Him.
• Being filled before pouring out.
• Abiding before advancing.

You cannot authentically share Jesus if you are spiritually depleted. Ministry without intimacy leads to burnout. But intimacy fuels impact.

Personal Reflection
Sometimes the exhaustion is not just physical—it is emotional and spiritual. The constant balancing of family, work, and service can quietly drain the soul. Yet Jesus does not rebuke our tiredness. He welcomes it and offers something for you and me.

Before we witness for Him, walk with Him.
Before we teach about Him, sit with Him.
Before we serve Him, rest in Him.

The invitation still stands:
Come.
Take.
Learn.
Rest.

At His feet, the burden shifts, the pace slows, and the soul breathes again then REPEAT!🙏🏼❤️🌻

Lei’s Living Light: Devotional 02– Wounded to Witness

Mark 2:17: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

My constant need for Jesus flows from my continual plea for healing—from childhood trauma and lingering past pain. Even now, the weight of anger sometimes echoes within me. Yet that very ache keeps drawing me back to Him for help and restoration. I am learning to forgive someone who deeply wounded me—and even to forgive myself for the times I remained silent when I should have spoken.

Jesus did not come for those who believe they are already whole. He came to seek the lost, to save, and to heal. Praise God that He offers not only forgiveness, but restoration. He is the Divine Physician who moves toward the wounded, not away from them. He is not intimidated by your past pain—He specializes in it.

Here are four powerful steps toward true healing:

1. Recognition
Healing begins with recognition. Jesus says the sick need a physician. Restoration starts when we acknowledge the wound. Denial delays deliverance. When we honestly confront our brokenness—whether guilt, trauma, regret, or shame—we position ourselves for His healing touch.

2. Reception
Jesus came to call sinners. He initiates the invitation, but we must receive it. Healing is not earned by appearing righteous; it is received by admitting need. Grace flows toward humility.

Stop trying to fix yourself before coming to Christ. Receive His forgiveness and mercy just as you are.

3. Revelation
What we conceal cannot be healed. Name your pain before God in prayer. When you bring hidden wounds into His light, His truth begins to mend what secrecy has sustained. What you reveal to Him, He can restore within you.

4. Restoration
The Great Physician does not offer temporary relief—He brings transformation. Jesus does not merely cover past pain; He redeems it. He turns shame into testimony and wounds into witness.

Allow God to use your healed story to strengthen someone else. Restored people become restorers.

Reflection

We need to recognize, receive, reveal and be restored if we want true healing. Jesus didn’t come for the righteous—He came for sinners who need restoration and including healing. Jesus is seeking you today. Your past does not disqualify you; it positions you for His grace. The Greatest Healer is still calling, still restoring, still making all things new, like He’s still working in me. 🙏🏼

Today, recognize your need, receive His grace, reveal your wounds, and walk confidently in His restoration.❤️

Love & light,
Lei🌻

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Lei’s Living Light: Devotional 01–Walking in the Light

In Gospel of John 8:12, Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world.” This is not poetic exaggeration—it is a claim of divine identity and exclusive authority. In Scripture, light represents truth, holiness, revelation, and life itself. Darkness represents confusion, sin, fear, and spiritual blindness.

When Jesus says, “Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness,” He makes a conditional promise. The benefit of light is experienced by those who follow—not merely admire, study, or agree with Him.

Practical and Powerful Lessons

1. Light is a person
Christianity is not first about rules or religion—it is about relationship. To have light is to have Jesus Himself.

2. Light in obedience
Darkness produces stumbling. When we walk apart from Christ, decisions become distorted by fear, pride, or impulse. Daily obedience brings clarity.

3. Light in daily choices
Following is continuous action. Yesterday’s devotion does not illuminate today’s path. We must intentionally align our thoughts, habits, and priorities with Him each day.

4. Light producing life
Jesus promises “the light of life.” His light is not merely informational—it is transformational. It restores purpose, ignites hope, and empowers holy living.

Personal Reflection:
Where in your life are you tolerating shadows—areas of compromise, anxiety, or hidden struggle? Bring them into Christ’s light. Darkness cannot survive exposure to Him.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the world. Shine into every hidden corner of my heart. Teach me not just to believe in You, but to follow You. Lead my steps today so I may walk in clarity, courage, and life. Amen.

Because God is good, He will break down “babels” that we thought would give us security & comfort so we will learn to lean solely in His providences that are sure and secure. Blessed be the name of the Lord!🙏🏼

Sometimes, we are brought to situations we can’t do nothing about. The process is painful but learning total trust in Jesus is life’s most valuable lesson. So whatever 2024 has in store, it will always be for our good.
Praise the Lord!🙏🏼

As Seventh-day Adventist followers of Jesus, we can always have something to share in God’s mission— through our time, talent, treasure, testimony and other gifts God has entrusted us with.👨‍👩‍👦

In spite of our toughest year, there’s still so much to thank God for and as part of HLZ Ministries, we praise God for the opportunity to be still involved in various initiatives through financial support.🙏🏼

We are sharing this to encourage & inspire hearts to be involved and keep working while waiting for Jesus’ return.

1. Additional help for the finishing touches of Logac SDA Church. HLZ’s commitment has been there since the building project began in 2015 or so. It’s such a joy to see a beautiful edifice of worship standing as a proof of “faith that worked miracles.”

2. Candon Church Community Outreach. Another home church that we’ve been involved with for more than a decade already.

3. Books that were distributed during the Evangelism Crusade of the Cagayan Valley Youth for Christ.

4. Oras ng Pag-aaral as part of Dr. NC Rilloma’s ESP Ministry

5. Books & printed materials of Bethel Kid’s Ministry

6. Lafu Church Building

7. Booklets & Pasko Package for our construction workers.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!🙏🏼❤️

Victory is gained through faith and obedience to God. Sabbath blessings!

With God, we will lack nothing… 🙏🏼

God’s gifts are poured on everyone. If we use it wisely, we will enjoy His blessings. If we stay in His presence and obey His will, we will surely lack nothing. As God’s faithful steward and witness for God, we will bless the world around us.

Worship and pray with us as we praise and appreciate God for the blessings we receive every day. Share the link with family and friends!

Join us at 9 a.m. EDT simply by clicking this link: https://www.facebook.com/TheAdventistChurch/live_videos