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.

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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