Spiritual Reflections

BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP – PEOPLE OF THE PROMISE: KINGDOM DIVIDED

This year, I re-enrolled in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) for People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided. I wasn’t able to attend the first part which was called People of the Promised Land held in 2020-2021 but was able to join the study of Matthew from 2021-2022. I have been attending BSF since 2011 (we were studying Acts then), was called to join the BSF leadership in the same year and things just haven’t been the same for my spiritual life. Back then, I’ve been a believer for more than a decade but it was my first time to go through an in-depth, inductive Bible study method that just made me crave for the Bible so much more. Those years were also my peak single life years — though I didn’t get into any relationships then, I experienced the Lord in a manner that made me just want to be single for life. Studying the Bible through BSF made me want to visit the Holy Land and the other places mentioned in the Bible, and the Lord has just been so faithful to give me enough resources to travel to Israel, Egypt and Jordan in 2014, and join Paul’s Missionary Tour (Greece and Turkey) in 2017. 

If this is the first time you’re hearing about BSF, this is a program that takes you through a structured, inductive study of different books in the Bible using the four-fold approach of listening to a weekly lecture, studying lesson notes, answering study and reflection questions, and discussing your discoveries with a small group led by a BSF group discussion leader. Enrollment is absolutely free, it’s open to everyone (BSF is non-denominational) and each season runs for 30 weeks. We just started our Kingdom Divided season in the Philippines, so if you’d like to join, you can visit https://join.bsfinternational.org/ and find the best class schedule that works for you. Group discussions are held once a week via Zoom for 40 minutes, then you can listen to the lecture, and go through the lesson notes and daily questions throughout the week.

For this BSF season, we will be covering 1 and 2 Kings, Chronicles, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Lamentations. Although we call our meeting sessions “class night,” it doesn’t mean that you sit in class, review and have a quiz or recitation, so don’t be intimidated by it and feel like you’re back in school.

The Kingdom Divided study starts from Israel’s split into two kingdoms: Rehoboam being king of Judah, and Jeroboam king over Israel. Rehoboam was King Solomon’s son, whose 17-year reign was marked with arrogance, idolatry, and rebellion against the Lord. Jeroboam was no different, as he too, relied on his own wisdom and strategy, and strayed from the Lord. Due to his fear that the people of Israel would go to the temple in Jerusalem (where Rehoboam was reigning) he set up golden calves, two satellite altars and appointed men who were not of Levite lineage as priests.

For more information on Bible Study Fellowship at classes in your region and timezone, you may visit www.bsfinternational.org.

Speaking, Spiritual Reflections, Teaching, Tips and Life Hacks

Job Hunting Tips: When you lose your job | INGRID NIETO Vlogs

If you’ve cherished a career for so long, are in good terms with the company and actually like what you’re doing, getting laid off for reasons beyond your control can be a very painful experience. It isn’t something you can just sleep on and forget the next day. Like ending a relationship, it’s important that you grieve your job loss and acknowledge what you feel.

 

Practical Advice, Speaking, Spiritual Reflections, Tips and Life Hacks

The Importance of Prayer When You’re Job Hunting | INGRID NIETO Vlogs

Prayer is an important aspect of job hunting. You can’t just rely on your good credentials and experience to land in a job. Aside from the tips I discuss here, I also let you in on personal stories of times when I failed to pray and seek the Lord as I was looking for work. I hope this serves as a lesson to you. May you not repeat the mistakes I made and I hope you find a career that is fulfilling, challenging and God-glorifying.

 

Image Consultancy, Practical Advice, Speaking, Spiritual Reflections, Tips and Life Hacks, Video Blog

“I Lost My Job, What’s Next?” | INGRID NIETO Vlogs

Sharing tips and lessons I’ve reflected on as I went through seasons of being jobless. For me, it’s a wilderness experience that the Lord didn’t put to waste because He used these seasons to teach, mold and correct me. May this be an encouragement to those who find themselves in that “wilderness” right now.

 

Practical Advice, Relationships, Spiritual Reflections, Video Blog

LIFE LESSONS S01 E01 | INGRID NIETO Vlogs

I’ve been taking some time off social media to re-organize my life and schedule, and adapt better habits. I disciplined myself to read more (need to get through my book pile), write more and spend longer time with the Lord. These are just a few of the lessons I’ve reflected on which I thought I’d share with you. I look forward to hearing from you in the comments below!

 

Practical Advice, Spiritual Reflections

The Envy Trap

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Aside from pride that can ever so subtly creep into our hearts and our best motives, another thing we should be watching out for is ENVY. 😳 Recognize it. Confess it to God. Ask for His help and forgiveness. Having fallen into the envy trap for many years made me realize how it can be so damaging to one’s soul and can corrupt relationships.
👹 Have you ever felt intense anger for someone even if the person hasn’t done anything to you directly? Check your heart. That might be ENVY.
🤬 Have you been excessively critical of people and have nothing but bad things to say about them? Check your heart. Aside from ENVY, there’s also the presence of PRIDE.
😡 Do you notice a change in your behavior and countenance when one of your peers achieves something? Check your heart. Aside from ENVY, there might be DISCONTENT.
🙏As we go to the Lord each day in prayer, let’s not forget to ask Him to search our hearts. When He reveals impurities, it isn’t always pleasant. It’s a humbling experience to be shown that we nurture and “baby” certain sins, even if we look good and noble on the outside.