Remember Who You Are!: I Am Who I Am Because of Who I Am in Me!

By Maria C. Batino

All humans have secrets and so does God. God's secrets are hidden treasures that needed to be discovered, treasured, and shared. While human secrets are hidden trashes that had been paid and covered by the blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, on the cross once and for all! For God had promised us that, "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool" (Isaiah 1:18). And he has already removed our sins as far as the east is from the west when he nailed them on the cross. He also promised us this, "I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins" (Hebrews 8:12). For we died to our old life and our real life is hidden with Christ in God! Once, we were dead to the power of sin in our lives, but now, we are alive to God through our resurrection life in Christ!

So don't beat yourself up! God is not finished with you yet. He, who began a good work in you, will finish it to the end. For he is the Author and Finisher of your journey to faith, hope, love. Your story is not finished yet until his story becomes your story, and that is the greatest story about to unfold for his glory!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 9, 2024
• ISBN: 9798891306509

Book preview

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Remember Who You Are!

I Am Who I Am Because of Who I Am in Me!

Maria C. Batino

ISBN 979-8-89130-649-3 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-89130-650-9 (digital)

Copyright © 2024 by Maria C. Batino

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Acknowledgment

Introduction: The Author: The Holy Spirit, My Teacher

1

God Is Love So Let Love Be Our Highest Goal

2

The Word Was God And Became Human, His Name Is Jesus Christ

3

The Good News: There Is Only One Good News: Jesus Christ

4

Grace and Truth: The Glory of the New Covenant

5

Baptism Represents Death and Resurrection

6

The New You Is Christ in You

7

Your Kingdom Come Your Will Be Done!

8

Arise, Church! Let Your Light Shine

9

Go into All the World And Preach the Good News to Everyone

10

Tell Them Your Story: The Greatest Story Ever Unfold Is His Story in Your Story

References

About the Author

To my wonderful, beautiful, and strong daughter, Gabrielle. Because of you, I became a good mother and a better version of me. I can still remember the day you were born. Though it was fifteen hours of labor pains, it cannot be compared to the joy you have brought into my life. You will always be my pride and bundle of joy!

I have the highest confidence in you and take pride in you for you have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite of all our troubles. And because of those troubles we both encountered, we discovered our true identity in Christ. So remember who you are: you are Gabrielle! You stand in the very presence of God: holy, flawless, and restored!

I love you always until eternity!

Your number one fan,

Mom

Acknowledgment

To all my families in flesh and blood, pet family, navy family, church family, all my neighbors, all my teachers, classmates, schoolmates, coworkers, and friends from childhood, adolescence, and adulthood—I thank God every time I remember all of you!

You were all God's instruments in making me more and more like him as he changed me into his glorious image through the years. That's why you are all included in this book.

From my innermost being, thank you!

Families:

Judge Carlos Batino Jr. and family:

Dad and Mom, Carlos III and Helen, Chona and Manny, Claro and Tina, Charmaine and Hans, Cheryl and Rich, Anthony and Leah, Charina, Charlene, Michelle, Eric, Emmanuel, Adam, Brando, Jericho, King, Jeremiah, Charwin, Camille, Catrina, Edwinson, Rachel, Alexa, and Lucas, Glitch, Kyle, Ella, Misha, Julian, Cameron, Kenzo, Zion, Jedidiah, Ethan and the in-laws.

Carlos Batino Sr. clan:

Tatay, Inay, Herminia, Oscar, and family: Venus, Carlos IV, Dolores, Jose, Rachael, and Claire.

Romeo and family: Maruchi, Pacita, Carlos V, Geraldine, Pio, and Romina.

Major Eriberto Castillon Sr. and family:

Papang and Mamang, Thelma and Ray, Junior and family number 1: Esmie, Jesse, James, Jonathan, Janet.

Number 2: Maret, Silvestre, Erma, Jenny, Cherrybell, Joel, Resty, Joan, Joy, and Jane.

Benjamin and family: Virginia, Alfredo, and Alma.

Romeo and family: Elizabeth, Rouel, Rowena, Rommel, Romeo Jr., Roland, and Ryan.

Napoleon and family: Celina, Theresa, Victoria, Napoleon Jr., Eriger, Napoleon III, Angelo, Theodore, Geronimo, Timothy, and Mark.

Rex and family: Lita, Robert, Rex Jr., Richard, Eloisa, and Rowan.

Nicasio and family: Elma, Gina, Shaun, and Maribeth.

Jocelyn and family: Greg and Gina.

Rosemarie and family: Arturo, Robert, and family. Eleanor and May.

Regino Lustado and family:

Esperanza, Rading, and family: Norma, Rano, and Ryan.

Edgardo and family: Flora, Ezra, and Fedor, Elaine and Myles, Ariana and Elise.

Dan and family: Cora, Jenoh, and Jerome.

Delia and family: Rey, Ivy, Jun, Roy, and Ira.

And last but not the least my dearest Elena.

Pet family: Gracie, Mickey, Baby Mia, Rob, and Gus: Thank you for giving me your love and affection that no human can give! I enjoyed the memories we had together. I love you forever!

Church family:

Church TV: Pastor Charles Stanley, Pastor Joseph Prince and Mr. Graham Cooke

When I first left the church building, you were God's instrument to fill in the gaps.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Faith Fellowship Ministry: Edison, New Jersey, 2013–2014

Pastor David Demola and Jane Buat: I will always cherish you, my dear sister.

Living Streams Ministry: Manalapan, New Jersey, 2012–2013

Thanks to Brother Chris and Sister Shen who led our Tuesday meetings and thanks to Brother Rich and Sister Cheryl my co-partakers of the Bread of Life every morning. I enjoyed our time together with the Lord!

Southpointe Christian Center: Sacramento, California, 2009–2012

Pastor Mike Trenton, Pastor Oscar, Tess and Ed, Raina, Mommy Lupe, Brother Terry, Ate Cora, and everyone I worship the Lord with whose names I cannot remember.

Filipino International Baptist Church: Elk Grove, California, 2001–2006

Pastor Jim Garcines and family, Saludares, Basilio, Dionisio families, and everyone whose names I cannot remember, but I will always remember the good times we had worshiping the Lord.

First Assembly of God: Summerlin Road, Fort Myers, Florida, 1996–1998

Pastor Dan Betzer: First church where Dong's spirit was awakened.

Christ Chapel: Caldwell, New Jersey, 1993–1996

Pastor Drew Struss, our officiating pastor on our wedding: June 18,1994.

Thank you to the Struss, Atanacio, Rapcan, Vinoya, and White families who helped us organized the wedding. We appreciate you all.

First Baptist Church: Bloomfield, New Jersey

Pastor Becker, Barbara and Ken Sewall, Madella and Tumibay families. You were my first church family when I came to America.

Victory for Jesus Congregation: Las Pinas, Philippines, 1983–1984

Pastor Napoleon Castillon Jr. and Pastor Nonon, Mr. and Mrs. Napoleon Sr. and family: Celina, Theresa, Victoria, Erijer, Napoleon III, Angelo, Theodore, Geronimo, Timothy, Mark, and all my brothers and sister whose names I cannot not remember. I thank God every time I remember you all! This is the church where I was baptized by the Holy Spirit of Christ in me: August 23, 1983.

Tagaytay Evangelical Church: Tagaytay City, Cavite, Philippines, Childhood–1982

Pastor De. Rosas, Ambat, Ambion, Baybay, Bayot, Burgos, Dela Rea, De Pano, Gomez, Pavon, and Vergara families, Pastor Briones and family. The first church where I heard about salvation through Jesus Christ. Thank you, Pastor de Rosas, my post-communicant teacher.

Navy family: Gloria Boykin, Eric Brown, Viviana Briand, Anet Rivera, Joshua Peyton, Rita Omollo, Azhenea Pegram, Mark Greene, Michelle Hiponia, Michael Hipona, Alex Romero, Cierra Bass, Maria Macaraeg, Brian Mathis, Dewayne Harbin, Christopher White, Joshua Black, Stephanie Williams, Kiran Kainth, Trevon Barnes, Aunjay Bridgeford, Tinelle Amin Brianna Price, Andrew Wiggs, Isaiah Armstrong, Derrick Blakely, Shamaine Case, Deshawn Williams, Jordan Vidamo, Maureen Morales, and Erik Martinez: I will never forget your warm welcome especially those I met and got to know during Tiger Cruise, August 2022. I felt like my dream of becoming a military nurse came true during that experience. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

My other dear children: Joy, Elaine, Eric, Emman, Kim, Jeck, Rachel, Lucas, Alexa, Kyle, Glitch, Adre, Christina, Tina, Leah, Jen, Christine, Joseph, Zaldy, Sophia, Alina, Kevin, Peg, Norvell, and Su, I am just a text or a phone call away if you need me!

Neighbors:

Montecito Village: Chula Vista, California, 2020–2023

Meliza and Dennis, thanks for all the fruit harvest and love you shared with me.

Charleston-Memphis, Ashley Glen-Cordova: Tennessee: 2017–2020

Ms. Glasper and Julie, Jimmy and Ella, God made our paths cross, and I love y'all!

La Jolla Palms: San Diego, California, 2016–2017

Mickey and Baby, the fire drill made me realize I don't mind burning and dying with you. That's how much I love you!

Ironstone Road: Sacramento, California, 2014–2016

To all my other kids who needed a safe place to stay until time to go home. I miss you!

Elaine, Adam, Ariana, and Elise. I enjoyed our bonding time together! Love you all!

Cobble Crest: Sacramento, California, 2014

The Le and Lu Family, you will always be Gab's and my family, we love you!

Le Mar: Parlin, New Jersey, 2012–2014

The Galbreath family, God's blessing of peace be upon your home!

Brookefield Drive: Sacramento, California, 2012

The Prasad family, thank you for taking both me and Gab into your home and welcoming us as your own. We will never forget you!

Waterman Road: Sacramento, California, 2010–2011

The neighbor upstairs who gave me and Gab comfort, knowing you're upstairs!

Thank you all! Andrew, you must be thirteen or fourteen years old now?

Boysenberry-Twinberry Road: Elk Grove, California, 2004–2010

The Henry family, I love you, my neighbor!

Glentana Road: Antelope, California, 2000–2004

Mamang Percy, the Camerinos, the Calimosos, Divine and Jane, Ate Lou and family, Grace and family, I will always cherish every single one of you!

Coronado Avenue: Daly City, California, 1998–2000

Mommy Precy and Daddy Frony, Tatay and Nanay Enzo, Tatay and Nanay Lily, Rose and Angel, Ate Virgie and Chris, you are our first family in California.

Summerlin Road: Fort Myers, Florida, 1996–1998

The neighbor to our right, who gave me comfort knowing you're nearby when Dong works at night.

Woodbine Avenue: Avenel, New Jersey, 1994–1996

The neighbor downstairs, who never ever complained about mine and Dong's footsteps. We appreciate you! Ms. Mejia, I miss riding to work with you!

Abington Road: Bloomfield, New Jersey, 1991–1994

The Atanacios, Racpans, and Vinoyas, you were all witnesses of my brokenness and stayed right close to me until God made me whole again and gave me Dong. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Berkeley Avenue: Bloomfield, New Jersey, 1987–1991

The neighbors to our right, left, and in front of us, just your daily smiles brightened me and all my siblings' day, every day for all those years. Thank you!

Belmont Avenue: Belleville, New Jersey, 1984–1987

The Pravatas, our landlord. Your patience was greatly appreciated!

Maharlika, East: Tagaytay City, Cavite Philippines, 1965–1984

The entire Maharlika neighborhood, you are my family's home!

Mission Road: Iloilo City, Philippines, 1973–1977

The Castillon compound: The most exciting part of my life here that I can remember was when my uncle Rex will yell, Villa Beach! Which means, let's go to the beach! That always made