Whenever we ask a favor to our parents, friends or colleagues normally, we would always say thank you after they have done our favor.
How about when we ask a favor to our God?
Do you also give thanks or praise Him after He has done something for you?
Almost everybody does this way. Even non-Christians would do such because they are focused and very much attached to the result of their favors in prayers.
We must praise and thank Him in advance!
Praise Him for something He has not done yet.
Why so?
Because nothing is impossible with Him. (Luke 1:37)
He has the divine power to bring anything to pass101% guaranteed.
He is the only God who is perfect and that never fails to His children who faithfully believe and do His will.
When I was a kiddo in the elementary, I wanted to become a policeman because I wanted to protect my country against the enemies of good.
When I reached high school, I changed my mind and I decided to become a nurse because I wanted to help people who are sick and poor.
Before graduating from high school, my parents and brother recommended teaching as my profession for there are a lot of chances for me to land a job locally and abroad.
I finished Bachelor in Secondary Education Major in English. As soon as I graduated from college, I dreamed of working in one of the most prestigious high schools in our country.
I applied in some of those dreamed schools but I was not accepted.
My first job was teaching Koreans with English as a second language.
Then, I taught little Koreans using the same international language.
During the end of my first year teaching, I got an offer abroad - Indonesia.
From there until now, I have been teaching little children (kindergarten) for nearly two years.
Honestly, I was so frustrated since the beginning of my journey in the realm of teaching with unexpected and out-of-plan target schools and students. All my plans for my future did not succeed. I asked why He put me in every circumstances and never favored my will to work in my dream schools. I was clueless and I was just trying to be optimistic about God's will for me but deep inside I was weeping.
Then, unexpectedly, I was accepted in a big school. I was astounded and could not believe it was happening to me.
How foolish I was, not considering the wisdom and meaning of my journey.
Now I have figured out the entire puzzle the Lord has given me.
I did not realize His plans working out for me because I was viewing every circumstances based on my own perspective. For without going through each jobs I have experienced, my goal for a big school will be impossible. Each experiences I had, I was not aware that the Lord was just preparing me to meet my dream. I was not ready yet that's why He let me pass through a series of various working experiences.
The Lord is so awesome and He really does work in a very most unexpected and mysterious ways!
Therefore,
When the Lord says no to your plans, trust Him for He knows what's best for you. View each circumstances on His perspective not on yours alone nor anybody else.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Drinking is good not until the person gets drunk. And if a person gets drunk, he becomes foolish. His mind becomes polluted and vulnerable for misconduct such as mockery,debauchery,lust,orgies,carousing and detestable idolatry.
The bible tells us about 75 warnings about drinking and its limitations. Here are a few of them.
Isaiah 5:11-12 - Woe to those who get up early to drink and stay up late at night to get drunk.
Luke 21:34 - Drunkenness will cause a person not ready for the Christ's return.
Proverbs 23:29-30 - Drinking causes woe,sorrow,fighting,babbling,wounds without case and red eyes.
1 Thessalonians 5:6-7 - Christians are to be alert and self-controlled belonging to the day. Drunkards belong to the night and darkness.
As the bible repeatedly mentions about the danger of drinking, it obviously tells us that we should abstain from it before worst things may happen into our lives.
Drinking has a power to make a person get addicted to it and if that
happens, the person becomes a slave of it. Many families and relationships were broken because of addiction to drinking. Therefore, we have to be
watchful about it before it swallows up our entire being and lose everything we have.
Therefore, let us be moderate in drinking and let the Holy Spirit prevails and holds us up to be a good example in our community.
In
this new age, man has become so busy everyday. Wake up in the morning,
sip some coffee, read the newspaper and go to work then after work go
to eat in the fast food and go to bed. Man has become so busy to the
point that he doesn't have time to prepare his meal anymore. There's one
thing he cries out whenever he feels hungry: "Instant food!" He buys
instant coffee, instant noodle, instant spaghetti, and so many other
instant snack or meal in the food store. Furthermore he has overlook so
many things big and small that piece a bigger and a much more important
picture in his life which includes quality time with his family,
recreation activities, taking a walk in the park or other places to see
the world around him and most especially the time to talk with the One
who must be given the greatest credit.
In
this world full of instant stuffs, we must also fill our lives with
instant food for our heart, mind and soul. Our God should be the center
of everything we do. We must not forget that without him, we would not
be able to keep ourselves busy with whatever we do right now. Don't let
your job be the center of your life. Rather, let HE be the center
of all things.
Colossians
1:16 says,
For by him all things were
created; things in heaven and on the earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or powers, or rulers or authorities, all things were
created by him and for him.
I know that we love our jobs because it's
where we get the money to sustain our family but we must love him first
before anything else because he did love us first. (1 John 4:19)
I wrote poems for the girls I adored in our school campus. They would love me to write them poems because they see a light of a romantic figure on me just like Shakespeare. They see a different angle of who I am.
But when I was no longer in a relationship with any of them, it started that I couldn't write even a single verse of poem anymore. With that I believed that I should be in love again to get back on writing poems and so I did. I believed that only for girls that I could write such sweet poems. I put my hope for them which is certainly a mistake granted.
Where do you get your hope to keep you going and kick your feet in this life filled with mystery and uncertainty?
What would you do when your loved one from which you get your only hope suddenly left you or passed away? Would you still have a reason to keep going?
In this life full of uncertainties, there's one thing that I am certain with - the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He has become my eternal and living hope. He is the one whom I put my all my hope , all my strengths and everything with all I am now because He promised that He will not leave me in my ups and downs. I have believed that any problem is nothing for He will come for our salvation that is soon to come.
For God says,
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this, you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter:3-7)
After
I have watched the stumbling video of Raymart along with his wife,
Claudine and Mon Tulfo brawling at NAIA
airport, I was thinking whose fault it was. Both parties are debating and
throwing accusations against each other attesting who should be blame in the
scene. The audience also has their own jurisdictions as to which was the bad
guy in the scene and who was the abused.
I
was trying to put myself in both parties’ shoes and suddenly there’s one point
I realized if I were them.
In my opinion, fighting or dispute could have
been prevented if both parties remained calm and gave chance for themselves to
think over the consequences that may happen if they choose this or this. Well,
sometimes, we quickly blow up especially when we are not feeling well emotionally
and physically. For instance you’re at that point sick, emotionally aching, in
the midst of worrying or anxious about things in your life and then all of a
sudden another stressful or a much bigger apprehension came abruptly.
The
Bible tells us so many things how the Paul, David and Jesus felt it and how did
they turn it out to use it as a tool of advantage to correct the ways of
foolishness into righteousness. (See Galatians 2:11-14,2 Samuel 12, and John
2:13-18)
Feeling
anger is in our Nature and not all anger is sin. It’s a very powerful tool that must be used to
bend the ways of the wickedness or unrighteousness. Sometimes its great power
is just too much to handle. Instead of us controlling it, it turns out that
anger overpowers us and controls our entire being particularly our mind,
emotions and actions. We lose control of it and we become a furious beast that
destroys relationships and produces irreparable consequences. By the time we
realize that we were wrong, it already too late to reconcile for the damage we
have done.
·The tongue is
a very small organ and yet it’s so powerful. It can destroy a relationship by a
single statement. Therefore, let’s be watchful with each word that comes out
from our mouth.
·Quick to
listen, slow to speak and slow to anger for man’s anger does not bring about
the righteous life that God desires. (James 1:19)
·Cast all
your anxieties to Him because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7) Pray that the
Holy Spirit will remain in your mind and heart. Pray that you must be ready to
act righteously whenever you face anger in your life.
Anger
is an innate habit of man but when we live according to the pattern of our God, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear; he will
also provide a way out so that you can stand up under any temptation. (1
Corinthians 10:13)
Is your faith helping you in
most ways to become a good,caring, gentle and exemplary individual in your
family, neighbors, friends, workplace, and to your whole multicultural
community? Well, if not, probably you are being misled by your own faith.
I, with all due respect, don’t
hold anything against any other religions even though some of them would strike
me for whatever reasons they may have.
I respect the fact that each
of us has our own unique way of believing our own God or Savior .We think differently
that’s why we have different faith. I don’t know what your basis is or how you
chose them but I’m here to humbly present why I chose Jesus as my Lord and
Savior. And this may hopefully help you out of your doubts or misery right now.
Here are the main reasons why Jesus is the Only one
Messiah and Savior of all people.
1. Jesus’
birth,life,death and resurrection was foretold by many prophets in the Old
testament.
*See also
Numbers 24:17-19 Jeremiah 23:5, Malachi 3:1, Isaiah 9:6, and Deuteronomy
18:15
2. He is the only one who performed miracles. (Mark
3:9-10)
3. He is the only one who sacrificed himself for all
mankind. (John 1:29 and 10:18)
God
gave His only son and whoever believes in Him shall have eternal life. (John
3:16)
But
when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us not because
of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. (Titus 3:4)
God
purchased us by His own blood. (Acts 20:28)
4. He was raised from the dead.
(Matthew 28:6) Therefore, He is the only living amongst the other sages
Our preaching and prayers would be empty if our Lord and
Savior is dead.
(1 Corinthians 15:14)
5. He is the only one who offers salvation and peace in
the most gentle and optimistic way and not by threat.
I have called you friends. (John 15:15)
*See
also Romans 10:9-13, John 14:13, Matthew
6:33,Hebrew 11:6
Jesus, the son of God, paid
for our sins through the cross. We don’t know Him, but he knows each one of us.
He cares and loves us despite our differences and ignorance. He was sitting on
the right hand of God and all of a sudden He was sent to go to this earth and
pay for all our sins He didn’t make. He humbly descended down to this earth in
human form like us. He offers love and salvation. Why do we turn down this incomparable
offer?
You might not care about it,
but He does no matter what you’ve done.
Whenever I recall my high school and college days, I couldn’t
help but giggle in my room. I am talking
about the days of endless quizzes, exams and other tests. Some were really quiet and serious whiles others were quiet and cheating to their seatmates.Those were the quietest
days I had in my teenage life and I just hated them because I had no choice but
to burn the midnight oil each day before the test.
After I graduated from the university, I thought that would
be the end of the tests in life. I was wrong.
The tests now are even more complicated and challenging more
than I had ever imagined.
We all have our own tests from Him who made and brought us
here on this world.
Just like our beloved teachers back in elementary through
tertiary, they were so quiet during the exams. God is also quiet in our tests in
life but it doesn’t mean that He is far from us nor forsakes us. We need to
remind ourselves that whenever we are in trials or tribulations, God is just
putting exams on us to build and to develop our faith and character towards Him
and towards other people.
So why worry with these tests?
Rather, let us be glad and welcome them in our lives for they
give us opportunities to grow in all aspects especially our spiritual growth.
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance. (Romans 5:3)
Remember that we don’t belong to this world, but to Him so
let’s be prepared and be still on these tests until the day He comes to deliver
us to the place where we really belong.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has
stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised
to those who love him.(James 1:2)
This recent
Mother’s day reminded me of how my mom was always generous when I asked for my
everyday school allowances. Whenever I have projects, she would always give me
money above from what I ask. She doesn’t want me fall short on my expenses that’s
why I always have extra pocket money to buy ice cream on a stick.
God is so
generous like my mom or like other moms , fathers or people out there. He gives
us more than we ask for. His blessings are overflowing. I would not say this if
I had not experienced it yet.
I only asked
for an inch of his grace, and He gave me a mile of happiness, joy, security,
and lifetime miracle.
Isn’t God is
so generous or should I say more than generous?
When I recently
read the passage of Paul in Ephesians 3:20, I felt like my jaw dropped right
away on my study table.
“Now to him who is able to do
immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at
work within us,”
Ephesians 3:20
The question here now is, why does God give us abundant blessings
or prosperity?
There must be a reason behind it.
God gives us abundance bless others in return. When we bless others, people are able to see the grace of Jesus in us.
Proverbs
3:9-10 tells us to "Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits
of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats
will brim over with new wine." (NIV)
Luke
6:38 tell us, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed
down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with
the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (NIV)
Now is the time to reflect and mull
over the God’s abundant blessings you have received.
Have you shared the bounty from God to
other people especially those who need it most?
Maybe those extra incomes you have
received are really meant for those hopeless people who are dying of hunger,
abandoned orphans and widows.
They are still waiting for you. You
may be even the last hope they have.
Why is it so hard to win the hearts of people toward our Lord Jesus Christ?
There's something wrong going on with our brothers and sisters in our faith.
I am talking about those people who call themselves Christians, who go to church, preach the Gospel of the Lord but nothing goodness they show in their deeds and actions. They clothe like sheep from the outside, but a fiery wolf in the inside.
They are the termites that destroy our true faith. They will never ever enter the kingdom of heaven nor be recognized by our Savior because this is false Christianity.
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. James 1:26
For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (Galatians 6:3)
We should not be like them as Christ and James, Paul and other apostles keep on reminding us for we can never win the hearts of the unbelievers and sinners in that way. Worst things may happen, they will hate Jesus, they will hate us for we are reflecting images that are not based in the true faith that the Lord and the Father taught us.
People will judge our faith through our actions, the way we live and the way we speak to other people.
They gospel they care much about is not the gospel from the bible, but from the gospel according to you!
We are the ambassadors of Christ and we must win their hearts to receive the mercy and grace of God and also their salvation. And to do this, we must manifest the original and the genuine Christian living. Let us bask in the word of the Lord so we may not be tempted; and so we may reflect and shine the light of Jesus to these people who need Him.
Sometimes we feel intimidated to other people. Intimidated to their personality, size, strength, while others are intimidated to their authority and superiority they have earned through the years.
When I was in elementary, I got intimidated of a few biggies who were known for their great bullying skills and wickedness. I couldn't even give them a look for I knew that they are going to put my head on a cow's dung.
In my previous jobs, I got intimidated to my superiors because of their power to kick my ass out of my job.
I couldn't defend myself from them even though they are wrong because of the fear of losing my job.
I was so afraid and felt so weak but not until I read the assertive point of the prophet Isaiah about this issue.
Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die? (Isaiah 51:12)
He said that fearing the reproach of people is foolish because they are dying creatures who, like grass, are here today and gone tomorrow.
If David was intimidated to the giant and furious Goliath, do you think he could have defeated him? His faith had conquered his fear.
People can do us the worst harm, but the Lord is won our side. Who can then be against us?
Now is the age of "How to" flooding the Google search engine. Almost everything can be learned through the information superhighway. Whenever we find answers to our questions, we resort to quickly grabbing our laptop and search the answers right there because its simply fast and efficient.
But what if Google could not give the answer you need most?
Where do you turn to find the answers?
Technology has influenced our daily lifestyles very much. It is helpful because it's efficient but it doesn't contain all the answers that we need because it's made by humans and we are not perfect.
When Mr. Google could not give you the answers you need, turn to your Lord who made his promise not to leave you. (Hebrews 13:5)
This doesn't mean that Lord Jesus Christ is your last resort. That's a big no no.
Why would you search for the answers if you can find them all in his word?
All the answers a man needs are just quietly sitting in the Bible's pages waiting for you to open and read it. Man himself could have hidden all the answers to his questions for he had kept his Bible away in the shelf unopened and dusty.
Turn to the Lord in the midst of your difficulty, for He is your refuge and strength. When trouble hits, He's there with you to calm your fears. (Psalms 46:1-2)
With help from Him, all your thirsts for answers even the most unthinkable and complicated will be given to you with great joy and grace.
Violence has dominated the media nowadays. There’s never a day when we can’t see crimes in the television and in the newspapers. It seems that the world has gone far astray and it has posted a massive threat to humanity.
Sad to say, the media is continually influencing the eyes of the young children to imitate not only the same violence but also sexual immorality, greed,debauchery and other sinful acts that they see especially from the t.v. and video games.
The man’s tremendous addiction for technology has exceeded God’s expectation from our lifestyles. Everything is made so easy and convenient but it seems perfectly clear that something has changed and not pleasing to the eyes of the Lord anymore.
God gave us the capacity to free choices but it seems we are turning away from Him who bore us on this world.
The devil knows our weakness and it works hard to tempt and create destruction among us.
But…
We were made from the image of God. (Genesis 1:27)
Morally, man was created in righteousness and perfect innocence, a reflection of God’s holiness.
So why do we do all these vain things then if we were created on His image?
I’m afraid most of us are turning to the devil’s image because of continually dwelling into the devil’s nest of temptation.
But it’s not yet too late. We can still transform ourselves back from the image of God.We can still be redeemed through repentance and renewing ourselves back from our childlike faith (not childish faith).
Thus, childlike faith provides entrance into God’s kingdom. (Luke 18:17)
When God redeems an individual, He begins to restore the original image of God, creating a “new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).
That redemption is only available by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior from the sin that separates us from God (Ephesians 2:8-9).
So make a choice and decide right now. It’s not yet too late. He doesn’t care how bad you were for our God is merciful and compassionate.
For if there’s faith, there’s hope and love as well and they remain forever. (Corinthians 13:13)
