Go! Trust God's Will

    

 Is God really leading me? How will I follow the will of God? What is the will of God for me and my family? These are the questions that seem to appear in our minds from time to time. Trusting God is never easy, especially if you are in a situation where you do not know what to do. Confusion, financial limitation, opinions from all different people and all other stuff that could get along your way. 

    Sometimes, it is almost impossible to see the will of God. This is the battle that most Christians are facing, not only by the members of the church but most especially the leaders such as pastors, ministers, and teachers. Not to mention, those who are still studying in the seminary and those who have recently graduated. The Bible clearly states that trusting God in all situation is the best thing that we can possibly do. Why?

     First, it is because God knows everything. God can see pass the time and the situation. We may not see what it is ahead but God can see what is coming. This is why we should trust in him. He said, "I am the Alpha and Omega." So he can see what will be the end result of everything.

     Most of the time, we can only see what is in front of us. We only see this big obstacle. But God can see pass through that. He is like the watchman standing on the very top of the hill, who warns and signals the soldiers to whether attack or retreat. Because he sees pass the wall, the hill, or any obstacle where the rest of the soldiers are. He can see because he is standing on the top of the hill, higher than everybody vision. In the same way, God's position is higher than ours, so we must trust his vision.

     Second, God is powerful. We have to remember that God is bigger than what we are and who we are. He can help us in any situation we are in. So if God commands us to do something, he will make sure that it is done. He has the power to do everything, even the ones that are impossible for us to do.

Third, God is with us. God is not like a regular boss at work, who gives instructions, leaves, and come back for results. He is not like that. He is the God who is with us. If he sends, he comes along. This is something that we must take heart. God will always be with us. He is there to help all the time. Though sometimes we feel alone, God is there. He never leaves.

Lastly, God is faithful, he will accomplish his plan. God will never give up. God will never surrender. He will see it through. When he sends someone, he knows that person is able. He is capable. So if God sends you, trust in him. Trust in the will of God. Remember, God is not sending you alone. God is going with you and he will see it through.

If this is the case, then why worry? what is stopping you? God is waiting for your answer. Trust his will. Stand up for the hope and vision that God gave you. If God sends, he will also provide. Raise that stick of faith like Moses and see the water part so you can walk on dry ground towards the promise land.

Peace that Last

     Have you ever been in a situation where you'd give anything just to have peace? Though some of us haven't experienced war where peace is literally sought after. Daily activities can also easily take away our peace and replace it with anxiety and other kinds of overwhelming feelings. In fact, a lot of people wake up without peace at all. But how are we able to find peace in this world? Is there actually peace and does it last? Where can we find peace? Questions like these are necessary to ponder upon and there is no better day to answer all these but today. 

    The scripture tells us that there is a peace that is lasting, a peace that does not depend on situation and circumstance, a peace that is complete and is eternal. This peace is not the peace that the world gives, but the peace that is from God. Jesus said, in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." 

     It is wonderful to know that Jesus himself not only talked about peace but also gives peace to those who are following him. Jesus wants us to have peace and be at peace. He wants us to experience peace in any given situation. For this reason, he promised the counselor which is the Holy Spirit to all believers. The Holy Spirit gives us peace. All we need to do is ask him to help us find peace in him. We need to remember that peace is something that we do not automatically have, it is something that is from God and of God. That is why when we find ourselves without peace, the only way to have it is through prayer and petition to God and allowing God to work in us. As Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The peace of God and not the peace of this world will help us find peace despite our situation. It is the inner peace that is beyond unexplainable. 

Now, do not let the day go by without asking God to help you. Let go and let God save you and give you peace. If you haven't received him yet as your Lord and Savior, today is the best day to do it. Ask him through prayer, to come into your life and help you find peace and reconciliation with him. 

Prayer: 

Father, I come to you today with a complete acceptance that there is no peace without you. I am desperate to have peace. I need you to help me. Please take control of my life. I want you to save me from despair. Please save me. Give me your peace. I allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in me and take over my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and help me to become a new person so that I may find peace in you. Help me, Father. This is what I pray in Jesus' name, Amen. 

Where is your income coming from?

“Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death.” Proverbs 10:2

So where is your income coming from?

You can pause for a while and examine yourself.

 Because this is a question that all of us need to answer.

As we grow older, at some point, all of us need to get out of the comfort of our home and find a job to survive.

But how do you get your income, how are you surviving?

Do you get it from hard work or do you get it from taking advantage of others?

We can point fingers however we want, but this is not about them. It is about you! We are all responsible for our actions, they are responsible for theirs but you are responsible for yours.

The scripture tells us that treasures that are acquired wrongly are of no value. It doesn’t matter how big or small it is. If we have acquired something out of wrongdoing unless our heart is calloused,  we know that it does not belong to us and our conscience tells us that we need to return it, one way or another. Whether we are a Christian or not, there is a lot of indication that tells us that our income is not acquired properly.

First is our conscience. Our conscience warns us from being drawn to this kind of activity. That goodness inside of us tells us we did something wrong. It is because our hearts and mind condemn any wrong action. God has put the seed of righteousness in us to guide us and protect us. Whether we like it or not, wrong is wrong and right is right.

The second indication is sleeplessness. It could be just a few cents or a few dollars, but it wouldn’t let you sleep. It could be just a single receipt of reimbursement request from an employee of yours that you pocketed, but it wouldn’t let you sleep.

The third indication is the unending playback in your head. It could be just something small, but that act plays repeatedly in your mind over and over again and keeping you from doing your normal activity.

There are more indications but the most important one that I would like to mention is the Word of God. God’s Word tells us exactly that Ill-gotten treasure is no good to us. It is a sin to acquire something that is not supposed to be our wrongly. There is no joy in that. You may be able to buy your dream house but living in it will not give you any satisfaction nor joy. For your inward self will condemn you daily until you give up and do what is right. If you have done such things, humble yourself before God. Ask for forgiveness and start doing what is right. If you can still make everything right, do it right away and so God will turn your sorrows into joy. 

Do what is right while you still can. Labor with love and honesty.

May God bless your heart today and keep you away from evil. Have a wonderful day and God bless.  

You are your Parents’ Pride

“A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.” Prov 10:1

Are your parents proud of you? Do you hear them talk repeatedly about your awards in school from 10 years ago and exaggerate how good you are at something in front of their friends and family?

 

It is normal to find your parents talk about you very often, more often than they talk about themselves or their other half. From the moment, you are born, your parents adore you and say all kinds of good things about you. This is because they love you and are so proud of what have you become.

However, this is not always the case. Sometimes, our parents became so sad and disappointed because we did not turn out to be the person they want us to be. 

The Scripture tells us that a wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. We bring joy to our fathers when we obey them and follow their footsteps. But, when we turn from our parent’s instruction and go in our way, it brings grief especially to our mother who bore us into this world.

Being wise is crucial to everyone in the family, not only to the children but as well as to the parents. This is because the children look up to the parents and watching every move they make. If you are a parent, don’t expect your children to be respectful if you are not. Don’t expect your children to clean the house, if you don’t even do it. Parents must set as an example themselves. That is why a child’s wisdom comes from the parents who carefully mold him from the wisdom of God.

God wants us to build our family in his wisdom. God wants us to be wise not only in our own eyes but in the eyes of our children and their children’s children. So that we can gain respect and love from them and they will give wisdom from us that they can pass on through generation.

Do you know anybody who named their children after their great-granddad? The obvious reason why they do this is because they are proud of their grandpa and they want their legacy to be passed on by attaching their names to their children.

If you are a child, are you bringing joy to your parents? If you are a parent, is your child looking up to you and proud to be your child? 

Today, let us ask God for his wisdom to dwell in our family so that we call all live a Godly life and be a good example to the generations to come.

Prayer:  

Dear God,

            

     Thank you for this wonderful day! There are so many reasons to thank you but today, I would like to thank you for my family. Thank you for my mom and dad. Thank you for my siblings. I would like parents to be proud of me and I would like to become a proud parent to my children. Help me that I will do your will within my family. In Jesus Christ’s name, I pray, Amen.

When "Sending Prayers" Counts: I honestly prayed for you!

Nowadays, "sending prayers" is a common response to a post in social media.

Everyone uses it to express sympathy and care to the one who posted or to the one who is experiencing a bad situation.

This is really good and encouraging. For those words itself gives assurance and comfort to those who are affected.

But when we say "sending prayers", do we really stop what we are doing at that moment and pray for that person?

Were those words of encouragement ever realized in the presence of God?

If yes, praise God! You are doing it right!

But if your answer is no, this is the time to reevaluate and consider this sending prayer habit.

Every time you say you have prayed for someone God makes you accountable to Him and that person you are wanting to pray for. In other words you are making a commitment to God and that individual.

God wants us to to care and encourage but we have to make sure that we really do what we say! If someone needs our prayer, pause for a while and pray for that person, then tell that person that you have prayed for him/her.

In this way, you are able to encourage and at the same time, have fulfilled what you have spoken.

If, there is no time to pray, how about write it down and make sure you are able to pray for that person in your prayer time, then tell that person you are going to pray during your prayer time.

Imagine, if a hundred people said that they are praying but actually not one of them really prayed, what result can that person expect out of it? Remember, comments on social media are not prayers to God. Prayers to God is spoken to God.

Moreover, if that person lives near you, it is better to visit that person. In this way, you are able to pray with him or her together.

Everyone should make it a habit to pray honestly for the person in need, knowing that God will hear their prayers.

This is when "sending prayers" counts.

Friendship: Brotherhood

A friend loves at all times, 

and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Prov. 17:17 NIV

Friendship is a gift from God. It is a gift of pure joy that can be found in a relationship that is filled with adventures and happiness. It also gives comfort and assurance to those who are troubled. That is why, one must find a good friend that loves and cares not only during the glorious days but also during the tough times. A true friend “loves at all times”, he or she will never leave you even in times of difficulties and sorrows. He or she is the friend who stick around no matter what happen. A true friend is like “a brother” or sister. He or she is like a family that is always there and will accept, forgive and understand. God wants us to have real and faithful friend. He wants us to cherish this gift of relationship that is why we must be careful to choose our friends. Find the ones that are true and will be like a brother or a family. Find the one who believes in God and will tell you to do right and will not lead you to do wrong. Find someone who is a friend that loves at all times.    

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Friendship: Beware of Gossip

A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. Prov. 16:28

Chatting and talking with our friends makes our day better. We talk to our friends all the time. It doesn’t matter what, when and how. Sometimes, we call and chat with them over the phone for hours or sometimes meet up just to talk and spend time with them. This build the relationship with our friends.

However, not all talks and chats are beneficial. Some can be harmful, hurtful and devastating. Especially, when we start to talk about other people’s negative characters and features. Though many would enjoy criticizing another person negatively behind their back, this is not good and beneficial to our relationship with them. This not only impacts the subject but also ourselves and the friends we gossip with. Gossip can ruin our integrity as a friend and ruin our relationships. It is sad to know that twenty to thirty more years of good friendship can be broken and ruin because of gossip. This is true and most people experience it. Most would end up having more enemies than friends. That is why we must avoid gossiping and especially the gossipers. Do not be friends with those who does not care and are not sensitive to the feeling of others. We may enjoy gossiping at one point of time, but in the end, all it does is hurt and destroy someone. We must talk to uplift not to destroy. We must express blessings and not curse. We must build friendship and not ruin it. We must love our friends with all our hearts. We must be careful with our words. We must not gossip.

If you have been gossiping, it is not too late. God wants you to make good friends. Therefore, confess this sin to God and ask him to better your relationship with others. Let God bind the friendship that you have started and make it a wonderful and meaningful one. Have a blessed and wonderful day with your friend. God Bless!    

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Friendship: Friendship with the World

“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” James 4:4

Friendship is one of the best relationship we can ever find. However, not every friendship will benefit us well. Some friendship can affect us negatively. A good example of that is being friends with the world. This means loving and embracing the worldly and sinful things that it offers. Being friends with the world is “enmity against God”, for God does not tolerate sin. God is blameless, holy and righteous. He is without flaws. That is why God does not want us to indulge ourselves with sin.

God wants us to be righteous like he is. He wants us to see ourselves as his reflection. Therefore, we must follow God and avoid the sins of this world. The devil is always waiting for an opportunity for us to sin. He will make sin pleasant and good to deceive us so we may fall on his temptation. But as believers and followers of Christ, we must look away and never entertain the friendship that this world is offering. For in the end, the sinful world will perish and only those who are friends with God will be saved. But thanks be to God, that as long as we live, we have hope in him. We can always repent and turn away from our sins so we can be friends with him and be saved. Amen.

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The Power of Jesus

"For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive."

1 Corinthians 15:22

     How wonderful it is to know that Jesus did it all. I can only imagine how difficult the process of atonement for the people of the Old Testament was. But thanks be to God our Father that he gave his only begotten son Jesus Christ to pay for our sins. Yes, indeed! He paid it all! With his own precious blood on the cross of Calvary. Because of the blood Jesus that was shed on that cross, we are now made alive in Christ. For we have all died because of sin but thanks be to God that we can shout hallelujah. Only through the blood of Jesus Christ that we can be made alive. He paid it all once and for all. That is why all who believe can enjoy a perfect eternal home filled with happiness and no sorrow. This is the power of Jesus. This is the power of the lamb of God that took away the sin of the world. Amen.

                                                         Praise be to our God!

I Believe in Jesus

"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."Romans 1:16

Confession of faith in Jesus Christ is the most important confession a person could ever make. For it is the confession that leads to eternal life. However, not everyone has a freedom to do so. Some non-Christian countries would not allow Christians to openly worship God and profess their faith in Jesus. And most Christians who live there, struggle to live their faith in God. Most of the time, they would worship in secret places. 

    On the other hand, there are some, despite the abundance of freedom of speech and religion, would not bother to confess their faith and even worse, is ashamed of the Gospel and would rather keep it to themselves. As Paul instructed, "we must not be ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God that bring salvation to everyone who believes." Salvation is for everyone. The Gospel must be spread all throughout the entire world. If we are living in a country that gives us the freedom to speak about faith and religion, we must use that opportunity to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At first, we may feel awkward or nervous but we must remember that Holy Spirit is with us and He will lead us and bring words in our mouth. Moreover, we must remember that it is not us who will change and save them but God. We are just vessels and instruments of his Gospel.

Note:

Pray first for the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit.  

Dear God, 

     I am a sinner and I am not worthy of your love but thank you for your son Jesus Christ who died on the cross for my sin and for the sin of the world. Now, I want to spread the good news of salvation, but I am weak and I do not know what to do or say. Please help me and guide me. Put words in my mouth that I may speak of you and you only. Let me be a vessel of salvation to those who are lost. Open their hearts that they may receive you through me. This is what I pray in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen. 

I Call on the Lord in my Distress, and He Answers Me. Psalm 120:1

I was watching CSI this afternoon and it amuses me even now how quickly the authorities respond to a 911 call. They treat every situation with urgency and importance. They selflessly rescue everyone without even thinking that their lives could also be in danger. Even a kid at a very young age is already taught how to dial the number so in case of an emergency situation, he or she can be able to call for help. That is why here in the United States, whenever there is a car accident, a disaster or any kind of emergencies, 911 is the best number to call for it is the number set by the government to ensure that every citizen can get help whenever, wherever it is needed. However, not all emergencies can be taken care of this agency. There are urgent matters that only God can address. That is why God has also designated a lifeline for everyone to reach. Sadly, nowadays, even an adult doesn't even know how to use this God-given lifeline. Let's look at this verse closely: 

     "I call on the Lord in my distress and He answers me."

There are two things that I would like to share today: 

1. Acknowledgment of our trouble and weakness. As the psalmists says, "I call...in my distress". He accept the fact that he is in distress and like him, we must acknowledge our situation and see the need for help. Most of the time, we don't see the need for prayer so we don't pray. Our hearts are arrogant filled with sin and pride thinking that we can make it on our own so we feel like we do not need anyone not even God. But that's a big mistake. We need others and we especially need God. We need to confess our sins and tell God of what is troubling us.  

2. Acknowledgment of God's power. As the psalmist calls"...on the Lord...and He answers me." We must acknowledge the existence of God and the power of God in our lives. It doesn't matter how big or small your problem is, God can still help. God answers prayer and God always care. Notice that all the words in this verse are in the present form of the verb, which means God respond the same time we call. Like 911 24/7 emergency hotline, God prioritize every call and prayer that we have. He knows every cry is urgent and needs immediate attention and care. That is why we can pray anytime, anywhere and however you want it to be. What God wants is for us to call with sincere heart with faith that acknowledge his power over all our troubles and fear. Believe in his mighty power. Believe that God can do exceedingly what he has promise and that is to be faithfully listening and answering our prayers.   

Something to do: 

            Today, take some time to pause and pray. Let God know your needs. Let God know your situation. Call upon God in your distress and he will answer you and save you from all your troubles. May God bless you today!

The Power of Faith in God through Prayer

Jesus Cursed the Fig Tree (Mark 11:12-14)

            The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the seasons for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. 

The Withered Fig Tree (Mark 11:20-25) NIV

“In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, “Go, throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Jesus showed his disciples that there is no such thing as impossible when we ask God in faith and proclaim our faith in prayer. In this passage Jesus demonstrated the key elements of an answered prayer:

1. Have Faith in God

a. Faith - “Have faith…”

We need to have faith when we pray. We need to believe and hope that our prayer will be answered. We need to believe that it will be done.

b. God - “…in God”

 Notice that Jesus specifically said to pray in God. Not to any saints or anyone else but God. Because it is only God who can answer our prayers. He is the only one who can see our hearts and hear our prayers even when we pray in silence. Therefore, we must have faith in God alone.

2. Believe and not doubt

a. Believe- “believes what he says will happen” This is very important. Now that we know that we need to have faith in God, we must believe that God can do it and that our prayers will happen. That is why Jesus says it again by saying “believe that you have received it”. We must know who our God is. God is not just anybody, God owns the universe and everything we see. There is nothing impossible for him. So, whatever you need, believe that God is able to give it to you. “and it will be yours.” How wonderful it is to know that someone like our God would give extra special attention to our needs even the things that we want. God made us special and he wants us to know that as a Father, we can call on him through prayers and tell him what we need in our lives and believe that he can provide everything to us, even the most impossible things we can ever think of.

b. Doubt - “Does not doubt in his heart” Aside from our sins and wrong motives, this is one of the main reasons why so many of our prayers get hindered or delayed. This is because we are playing hide and seek with God. Sometimes we believe but sometimes we doubt our prayers. Doubting God is a sin and we must ask for his forgiveness every time we think that God is not able. For doubt is the absence of faith and without faith how are we able to believe that God can help. Therefore, doubt must be eliminated. We can do this, by counting our blessing, by giving thanks to God and by sharing our faith and blessing with others. So, when times comes that you feel like not doubting, there will be more things to remind you of God’s faithfulness.                

3. Forgive – “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Forgiveness is not easy, we need more than courage to forgive. We need to be selfless and humble. Moreover, we must lay it all to Jesus. We may think that a lot of people do not deserve forgiveness especially when they have done terrible things we cannot even imagine. But God said, we must forgive so that our sins must also be forgiven. We must pray for those who have wronged us, for Jesus will be our reconciliation.

If we go back to the story of the fig tree and the example of Jesus of the mountain throwing itself to the sea. We may wonder why he would use these kinds of examples. The mountain throwing itself to the sea seems so silly and humorous. But with wisdom, Jesus is just trying to imply that there is nothing impossible for God. That God has no boundaries and that even the mountain will obey him. Therefore, pray in faith in God. 

SOMETHING TO DO:

If there’s anything today that you would like to ask God, come to him in prayer and tell him everything that is in your heart. Tell God everything that you are longing for. It could be about a job, a broken relationship that you would want to be fixed, a dying marriage that you would want to be revived, or a tragedy that you want to move forward from. However big or small it is, God is always there to listen and yes! He would love to help you, just pray with faith in God, believe and not doubt, believe that you receive it and it will be yours. And when you pray, remember also to forgive. These are the words of Jesus. Pray and receive his answers today.