SACRIFICE

 

READ: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Dawn of December 12^th, I dreamed of myself again near the shore. I can’t remember the details but what’s clearly injecting my senses is the yellow italic letters which formed the word “SACRIFICE”. I was lying flat on the ground when the words appeared in the sky above me. There were other words above it but it’s vague. That word as I remember was strikingly emphasizing itself, being highlighted from the rest of the words. What does that mean? 

Dawn of December 11^th, I dreamed of myself on a huge ship. The ocean is so calm and there were few passengers on board. When we’re about to disembark, I and my sister were arguing who to go first since we found out that the bridge connecting the ship and the port was extremely fantastic. It’s made of metal with horizontal iron bars but what made us so skeptical was to see its design. Aside from the wide gaps between each bar, the bridge itself mustn’t be designed for foot but for the back and butt where you really need to master the art of gliding. Yes, that bridge was a slide which could either wreck your backbone or bruise your skin against the railroad. When you’re sliding on it, it’s like you’re riding in a roller coaster without any open passenger cars. Ouch! I can still feel the pain when my sister pushed me to glide on it.

Climax: I was so unwilling to slide fearing the height plus the pain it could cause me, so my right hand was gripping over one of the steel bars. The horror starts when my right hand would be cut off if I won’t give in. So finally, I let go and slide down leaving my sister behind until I woke up. This dream seems so good to be true up to this day since I and my sister had created our own bridge of conflict (just a childish and nonsense fight).

It was just so amazing when one of my colleagues told me about her dream which happened on the same day I dreamed and which was closely similar to mine. Her dream is like this: She was on board the ship with lots of passengers on it. She saw in the sky shades of yellow, red, blue and green which as she understood represent nation’s flag. That nation would attack our country in a form of war. Then she saw some close vessels for people to be slaughtered as SACRIFICE and that sacrifice includes her. She almost cried while narrating her dream.

Dawn of December 13^th, I dreamed of myself inside a house where my mom and several elderly were present. My eyes were glued on the sofa which has red pillow cases. Then later, it was arranged by an old woman. She filed it up like a tower reaching almost the ceiling. Green, blue, and yellow pillows were inserted between red pillows. I was surprised to see the old woman sitting on top of the pillows she just piled up that formed a tower. It takes guts of any person her age to do such thing. She might lose her balance, fell on the floor and hurt herself. Somehow, I decided to ignore that scene when my mom entered the house with another old woman. I greeted her, “Hey mom, who’s she?” referring to the old woman in yellow blouse. My mom replied while looking for someone, “Who?”

To conclude, she herself knew she’s just walking alone and that I myself am the only one who could see the woman wearing a yellow blouse. Then, little by little, the old woman was fading before my eyes. Goosebumps!

Dawn of December 22^nd, I dreamed about the Philippines. I was facing a very beautiful breath-taking scenery where waterfalls and foliage abound. I was trying to climb using an elevated ladder to witness the captivating picture in front of me when suddenly I felt my post shaken. 

Next scene. I was with an unknown family inside an unknown house waiting for food (relief goods) when we heard that troupes of American soldiers arrived bringing with them state of the art equipment and facilities that left us all in awe and fear. We fear from their power. We knew that the sooner the help is brought in, a powerful nation will set our country under them leading us into captivity and destruction. Then I woke up from that dream.

What’s with the color yellow?

Yellow is the symbol of bringing back democracy in the Philippines which was led by the late president Aquino against late president Marcos’ martial law regime. Since yellow is the favorite color of the late president Aquino, the people also have been wearing the same as to show support to her administration. Her son who’s our president at present also pins a yellow ribbon on his barong Tagalog suit to show his being pro-people power president. But I don’t think yellow ends its symbolic nature there. It’s not just with the nation’s unity as to how the people power or Edsa Revolution proved that nothing is impossible if we work together hand and hand. After typhoons and earthquake hit our land causing too much devastation, yellow is a wake up call. A sacrifice must be offered and that is to sacrifice our own selfish will, wants and needs to offer help to the much needy.

MEDITATION: I realize that as I continually read the scripture day by day, the more I get to know God and understand His ways and thinking. I started reading the New Testament from John, Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts down to Revelation consecutively. Next, I read the Old Testament in reverse from Malachi up to Genesis. At first, I thought either I might confused myself or probably would miss the time frame of the stories which could affect the chronological order of the events. But on my surprise, it hadn’t. It’s like reading a novel with different series and volumes; with different authors but with only one publisher—that is God. Likewise, what made the books in the bible common and unique is that it was guided by the Holy Spirit as its copyrighter.

History repeats itself. Each book relates each other. The more I read the scripture, the more I find His majesty, sovereignty, faithfulness and just. God is in total control of everything from appointing earthly kings and leaders to calling out battles and winning.

Who said reading the bible is confusing and boring? Then you can start reading it now so that you can refute yourself. Also, unmindful of the date when it was first published down to the date it was written by the Lord’s servants, the bible is the most updated historical book. Its stories are so applicable and relatively identical up to this moment.

The more I read the scriptures, the more I long to feel the Lord’s presence and seek His face and the happier I become and fulfilled. Now I understood that the happiest moment of our life is not when we’re so blessed with accomplishments or fulfilled with our earthly desires. The happiest moment is when we’re so down because there we can find peace and rest. The Lord God said, “Come to me all of you who are troubled and I will give you rest.” 

And, the more you asked for answers, the more and quick the revelation appear. However, it couldn’t be possible if you lack prayer. Prayer is our communication with the lord. Since the enemy is working day and night in order to snatch us, we must call on our father to deliver us everyday because not all our eyes see and our ears hear are true.

Awhile ago, my mom phoned me after she found out that I’ll be travelling in her hometown tomorrow in an island  which is three-hour travel by ship to spend the new year holiday. She discouraged me not to go thinking the typhoon might affect our travel. She worried too much. I appease her telling we have a big and powerful God so don’t worry. However she didn’t stop discouraging me telling, “It’s so far and there is a whirlpool in the middle of the sea that causes big wave..and the typhoon is on TV being broadcast nationwide…” 

After hearing her humanly perceptions I can’t say anything but this “”Mom, it seems you worry too much. If you worry, it means you doubt the power of God to protect you from harm. For human, it’s impossible but with God nothing is impossible. Let’s walk by faith and not by sight.”

On Sacrifice

Finally, I can’t depart from you without telling you that the word sacrifice in my dream and my colleague’s dream might be literal or figurative, but there’s something deeper in me telling me that the day is yet to come. When God sacrifice His only begotten son as a payment of our sins and when Abraham offered his son Isaac, it creates us an impression that sacrifice is holy, unselfish, humbleness and powerful. For the sacrifice of Abraham resulted into winning God’s favor and the sacrifice of Jesus results into an everlasting freedom from the bondage of sin and death since “The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 6:23

To God be the glory!

Movie Review: Brave

 

Read: “Children’s children are the crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.” Proverbs 17:6

 

 

The plot

Brave is a 2012 American computer-animated fantasy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The story was conceived by writer/director Brenda Chapman, who drew inspiration from her relationship with her own daughter. (Source: Wikipedia)

This movie starring Kelly Macdonald as the voice of  Merida and Emma Thompson as the voice of Queen Elinor talks about pride, selfishness and fate.

Relate: There is this wonderful line in the story which I really liked, “Our fate lives within us, and we can break the tradition, follow our hearts and find love in our hearts in our own time.”

Days before Christmas I’ve been aiming to keep myself busy not only with packing presents and filling my tummy with food (more than usual as of the banquet), but also in writing worthy articles on my blog. Last night I’d been watching movies which inspired me to write reaction with. It is just so amazing that it didn’t air itself on the cable channel by accident. It served its purpose…and it’s so timely.

Just yesterday, I was disappointed with an unmet expectation. I travelled miles away in countryside to celebrate Christmas with my grandparents and relatives and travel other miles away to hurry and grab an opportunity. I had wanted to book myself a ticket to an Asian country. Reason: to give myself a break. Yes, I have a plan and that is to change my fate. Many times in different occasions and for different reasons, I’d asked for a sign but it failed me.

The movie “Brave” which seemed made just for kids had strongly beat me to wake up. I had the pride, the egocentric selfish attitude of portraying my own defined FREEDOM. The princess Merida is a spoiled brat which loved freedom and wanted to find her own fate. Her mom Queen Elinor though is much disciplined queen didn’t gave up on her. She wanted to train her how to become like her—a queen. Thus, her way had squeezed the princess on the neck when she forced her to marry as to follow their tradition. In revenge, she found a witch that made her mom change into a bear. Soon, the queen forgot that she’s a human and that the princess feared her mom with the picture of a beast in front of her. At the end, the love of a mother prevails when she sees her daughter in great danger and the love of a daughter towards her mom made her changed her undesirable attitudes. Both of them are not perfect. They had their own principles, yet had their own flaws. The daughter wanted to push her own ways as a liberated youth and so as the mother being so possessive to her daughter; using much of her power as the queen. Both of them had made a mistake, yet both of them also humble themselves at the end and repent when they learned their lessons the hardest way.

The story had two morale values. First, it showed its viewers how a typical teenage daughters act when they’re being disciplined by their parents. In Proverbs 3: 11-14  God says, “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.”and Proverbs 13: 1  says, “A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.”

 Second, it also reminded the parents the proper way of discipline. Luke 15:11-24 always inspires us on the story of the prodigal son and on how his father welcomed him back with tender love and mercy.

In addition, here are some helpful bible verses for parents on “How to raise a child” (source: OpenBible.info)

Proverbs 22:6 

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Ephesians 6:4 

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Proverbs 29:15 

The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

Proverbs 19:18 

Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.

Deuteronomy 6:7 

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Proverbs 22:15 

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

Proverbs 23:13-14 

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.

Philippians 4:9 

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Proverbs 13:24 

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

Deuteronomy 28:1-68 

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

Proverbs 14:12 

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

John 3:16 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Ephesians 6:1-4 

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 13:11 

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Philippians 2:9 

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

1 Corinthians 13:7 

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

2 Peter 1:3 

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

Hebrews 13:17 

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Hebrews 11:6 

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Hebrews 10:24 

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

1 Corinthians 10:31 

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Matthew 7:1 

“Judge not, that you be not judged.

Genesis 3:14-15 

The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

1 John 4:9 

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

1 John 1:9 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:7 

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 Timothy 2:2 

For kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Philippians 3:17 

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

Ephesians 5:18 

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Ephesians 4:29 

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

1 Corinthians 1:25 

For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Romans 5:6-9 

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

Acts 2:38 

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

John 14:6 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Matthew 6:33 

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Proverbs 15:1 

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 4:23 

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

1 John 3:11 

For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

2 Peter 1:3-4 

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

Hebrews 12:1-29 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.

Jeremiah 10:23 

I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.

Psalm 1:1 

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

Genesis 3:1-5 

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

 

On anti-Christmas Christians

 

Read:Luke 2:1-20; John 16:24-25; John 15:15-18; Matthew 7:21; Matthew 18: 1-4; Luke 18:15-17

“Merry Christmas!” this is how we greet our fellow Christians even non-Christians alike on or before the 25^th of December. Though it hurt to hear from my atheist students statements like Christmas is only for children, having Santa Claus as the centre of it, I don’t stop greeting them the same “Merry Christmas” cheerfully. I can’t help the feeling of happiness and excitement I want to share to them. I motivated myself to focus on the thought that it is the perfect timing to share about Jesus to them unmindful of the possibility of rejection. Though I briefed myself not to fret from unbelievers’statements about God or of the bible or about Christianity which I successfully did, there was this event that I wasn’t able to prepare myself with. On the Christmas day at about 6 pm, I can’t help but cry deep down inside when one neighbour after I greeted her merry Christmas responded coldly, “No Christmas…” I paused trying to get back on her and asked, “Why?”I thought she had a blue Christmas maybe because she’s unable to celebrate it with her family or loved ones due to work or that she didn’t receive Christmas presents or prepared special and delicious food for nochebuena.But on my surprise I heard her explained, “We don’t celebrate Christmas.”

I remembered we once talked about religion, Christianity, sects and denominations’ similarities and differences. I remembered she told me she’s a Christian but don’t celebrate Christmas since their church believe it’s a form of paganism and since Jesus Christ’s birth didn’t fall exactly on the 25^th of December; not mentioned in the bible. Yes there is nothing enlisted in the bible about the exact date Jesus was born but the fact that we Christians have the desire to celebrate Christ’s birth, we set a uniform date to be followed by Christians worldwide. And with this paganism thing about Christmas, are they considering Jesus man-made? What is paganism? It is the belief of foreign gods made by human hands and practices and rituals includes in it.Whatsoever they explained this event as a form of paganism, I turned my back out of disappointment which she easily noticed so she looked for me after an hour and greeted “Happy New Year anyways.” 

What’s the essence of Christmas?

We individually celebrate our own birthday. Our family, friends and loved ones celebrate our special day with us. What more can we not celebrate the birthday of our lord and saviour? In line with different denominations’ doctrinal definition, beliefs and practices, celebrating Christmas mustn’t be the issue of whether to follow or not the exact date–25^th of December, but to remember that 2000 years ago there was a child born in a manger in the town of Bethlehem to bring forth our salvation.

I wish my neighbour’s church as to how they claim its body as Christian, would celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth in whatever date they felt desirable or at least they must celebrate it in their hearts as true Christ followers since the essence of Christmas is not just the banquet, the exchanging of gifts, or of Santa’s favourable rewards for kids. The essence of Christmas is sharing, giving love and forgiving those who sin’s against us as what Jesus’ did when He shed His blood on the cross of Calvary. Let’s not forget this verse in John 3:16“For God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This is the first ever bible verse I memorised in Sunday school. I really appreciated my parents and Sunday school teachers for sharing this verse to me and teaching me stories in the bible about Jesus at my young age. They did not fret my inability to read and write as an infant. Hence, they pursued to catch my attention. I prayed that Sunday school teachers for kids have patience and love for the work laid on them for it is an essential and critical stage for children’s spiritual growth and development.

Jesus as a preacher and a teacher

He always gives importance on children in the kingdom of God explaining some parables in Matthew 18: 1-4 that unless you become like a child, you can’t enter the kingdom of God. Yes, we must agree that it’s easier to tame and train young cubs than to straighten the branch of an old tree or pull a deeply rooted tree from the ground.

On anti-Christmas Christians

There were few movies like “the Grinch” which has the story line about how an individual could possibly hate Christmas day because it reminds him of his dark past. Well, friends these individuals need our care, attention and we must share to them the goodness of Christ in our lives. We must remind them that Christmas is not just the merriment or good things we expected because like in my country, there are many families, who celebrated their Christmas with a bitter heart, of pain, of suffering due to unexpected death, calamities,and poverty. These people need our love. But, how about those Christians who simply don’t celebrate it due to their different doctrinal interpretation of the bible? Do we also have to share to them? Yes. We must. Let us not fret. Jesus prayed, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. Righteous father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them and will continue to make you known inorder that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them”. (John 16:24-25)

Finally, the Holy Spirit led me to read this passage in John 15:18- 25 “Jesus spoke to the disciples, ‘If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than the master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me, hates my father as well. If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfil what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.”

GOD’s sovereign grace versus the serpent’s destructive ways

 

Dawn until morning yesterday, I dreamed of myself being surrounded by snakes at the house of my late grandfather. In my dream, I was trying to enter the house. There are two front doors facing the gate and one backdoor. The first front door is the entrance to the living room and the other one is for the dining room and kitchen. I was about to enter the door towards the dining room when one serpent, a thin and black approached me, blocking my way. I was waiting for it to leave so that I can enter the house, but it didn’t give me the chance. So, I hurried to enter the front door to the living room. On my surprise, there was a very huge snake crawling at the door. I  concluded, “When did they replace our dogs with these creepy creatures? Can these snakes bark so that we’ll be alarmed from thieves? How effective are they as guards?” These questions were nonsense when I found myself sour graping. I was about to give up thinking if I’ll insist to enter the house, I might end up dead. “Alright I gave up…”, I whispered. So I headed towards the gate when another serpent, a hairy and brown, was waiting for me. It seemed as if that creature won’t allow me to leave. The climax was me against 3 deadly snakes. Actually, they don’t looked aggressive; they’re defensive. But the thought prevails: they are  venomous. One wrong move must be a check-mate for me and I’ll be dead especially that I’m not professional at handling wild animals, not even at taming them.

Suddenly, my late grandfather appeared from nowhere. He hurriedly held my right hand and rescued me without saying a word. He’s trying to protect me from danger by leading me out of that compound. He escorted me through the gate. He never left me even while looking for a ride. He made sure I’m safe. Along the road while we’re walking to find a vehicle, one car almost hit me. My grandfather rushed on his aid. That was the first time I heard my grandfather’s voice in my dream when he told the driver, “Not yet, not until my grand daughter safely passed…” He was not angry, neither his voice. He’s just so loving and caring reminding the driver to look out so that no one will be harm. Finally, he held my hand again until we bid goodbye. He told the tricycle driver, “Take care of my grand daughter, bring her to her destination safe and sound.” And, I woke up from that dream.

I can’t interpret dreams myself with my own strength or with my own knowledge.  But after the holy spirit reveals me its mystery, I understood that was figurative. The snakes represent the people who are trying to harm me or do me no good. It is so sad to accept the fact that those people were my relatives.

　

God is so loving and caring when He let me see my grandfather again in that dream. It’s been months since he left us. He’s now resting in peace. Though it gave me confidence knowing that I’m loved, cared and well protected and that he is watching us. But what is it to be loved by an earthly relative compare to our heavenly father? Today, after our Sunday fellowship, God whispered in my ears and had touched my heart through His words in

Matthew 24:35; 1 Corinthians 1:26-27; Ephesians 1:10-11 and 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 which says:

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) ;

26For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,…(1 Corinthians 1:26-27);

10with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him 11also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, (Ephesians 1:10-11)

30But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31)

God let all things happen through HIS SOVEREIGN GRACE so let us not question His ways. Let us wait on Him patiently. Many times, I’ve been selfish and impatient and many times God corrected me but I did not take notice. I pretended to be blind and deaf instead. But as history repeats itself, He won’t let our case unsettled. As just as He is, He let us learn through His perfect ways and timing. I’m so glad I have a great father!

For Him all glory and honor and praise!

　

 

　

　

　

　

　

Standing On the Outside (12/12/13)

Happy sunday!!! So timely post for procrastinators like me especially on this yuletide season where we made it as our excuse to set aside things…thank you for this!

THE RIVER WALK

Read: Amos 7:1-9:15, Revelation 3:7-22, Psalm 131:1-3, Proverbs 29:23

Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. (Revelation 3:20)

Relate: I love having guests over to my house. I love cooking for people. I love the fellowship and the camaraderie that can take place as we sit at the couches or around the table and just hang out and talk. There is a fellowship and an intimacy that goes deeper in someone’s home than what might happen if we were to just go out to a coffee shop or something.

The problem is, I’m not always the cleanest person in the world and I’m also not the most motivated person in the world. If you were to come over to my house right now, you would be able…

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A MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES – GOD HAS NOT FORGOTTEN YOU!

Thank you so much…I’m teary-eyed reading this…blessings!!

Oracle

“I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread” (Psalm 37:25).

The Lord God has placed it upon my heart to send a message of encouragement to the people of the Philippines.

You have gone through so much tragedy, suffering and heart break this past year. Many of your homes, lives and futures have suddenly been wiped away.  Some of you have lost everything, including your precious lives through the most deadly typhoon (Haiyan) ever to strike the island. Now a mayor has been shot dead most recently.

Precious people of the Philippines, don’t ever give up! If you do not consent to fail, you can rise again, even stronger than before. I firmly believe this is true in your situation. 

The inspired Word of God comforts you with these words: “The angel of the Lord encamps all…

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WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HEAR GOD SPEAK? – UNDERSTANDING THE VOICE OF GOD

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HEAR GOD SPEAK? – UNDERSTANDING THE VOICE OF GOD.

IT’S ALL IN THE HEART!

Oracle

“Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man…”

While we today consider the head to be the centre of human activity, the Bible describes the wellspring of all life as the heart. It is the seat of intellect, the emotions and will. God knows the inner core, the heart, of every person, and examines it to see its true devotion. Without God’s grace, the human heart is wicked and produces all sorts of evil actions.

The heart is the inner self that thinks, feels, and decides. In the Bible the word “heart” has a much broader meaning than it does to…

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Confessions of (not shopaholic) adventurous traveler

 

This chapter of my story might end up not here but there. My producer and director told me to prepare myself for another adventure in different location. Cebu is my mom’s hometown but when her late elder sister married a Chinese businessman they transfer to Davao City with her. Then, my mom met my dad and they fell in love with each other and bore two cute babies (that’s me and my sister) until they got separated and the rest is history.

Again my director and producer (the same person) told me to go back home, so who am I to argue with Him. I’m just his talent. Without Him, I am nothing. He started convincing me through His words, events and dreams. Suddenly here came depression. There were two poles hitting, opposing and yelling at each other, “I wanted to leave this place now!” “No, you must stay…you love this place, right?”

I arrived in Cebu on the 11^th of July 2010 after I left my work in an airline company. Reason? I really don’t know why I gave up that job. I only remembered that I had an urgent desire to fly here to see my long lost father. One month vacation became three and counting until my dad suggested me to build my career and stay here for good. Three years is long enough to stay in a city which is still foreign for me. Good thing I found new friends, students, cultures and new me. I thank God for letting me experience all the ups and downs here in this place and for bringing every shade of colours—all mixed up. The fantasy becomes more vivid than reality. Days left can only be counted. The goal has been set. I won’t regret. I’d kill my emotion now…for a moment so that I won’t feel the pain, the sadness for missing it, for not asking that if, what if I never had decided to accept my father’s invitation. This place is my father’s refuge when he ran away from home to portray an image of how the son could possibly become a prodigal proving that it’s not only a particular story in the bible.

I believe in your words Lord in 1 Corinthians 2:9-19 and in Ephesians 3:20.

They said there’s no place like home. So if Mindanao is my first home and Visayas is my second home like there’s first and second language, then who can’t say we are to doubt the permanent dwellings. Yes, there are no permanent dwellings here on earth. All our eyes see are just temporary. When I arranged my closet, I found how full it was. These days, my forehead has been forming crooked lines. How can I dispose all this stuff? How can I get rid of these as if it’s no longer in good use but actually not? My sister’s voice was so audible emphasizing her lines: “See the consequences of your unlimited purchase (both useful and useless goods) had me nod in agreement that I have to worry (in the future) on how to carry all my things if I’ll decide to vacate. Or the next thing I have to think of is how much the cargo would probably cost me. No more cash count, just the load count plus the weight. And while planning (as if planning does matter and affect the descendants of Eve like me whose uniquely designed to be inconsistent and emotional decision makers) for my next trip, realizations suddenly propped up from my dreamy-active-inert brain.

1. I will cut down my shopping list from most important to least.

2. If I’m dead, I can’t bring to grave my properties. So the essence of contentment prevails. After all, I’m blessed enough. I never realized that God would give me possessions here on earth. And, in every blessing, there’s a bonus. That bonus is the thing you didn’t asked which God gave better than your wishes.

3. I will not build my own house here on earth since there is no permanent city for mere travellers. We all are. Typhoons, fires, earthquakes were not the culprit of this pessimistic thinking if you think it was. Our heavenly father already prepared our own mansions in heaven where fire, earthquakes, typhoons, rats and rust could not destroy. The Lord says in Matthew 6:19-20, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in or steal.”

I won’t struggle to build my own house or even wish to have that fairy-tale palace, at all. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t suggest you to just build a box to call your home since as much as possible God wants us to enjoy the blessings he have for us while we’re still alive for His glory. But, guard your heart, know your priorities and set your limits.

God is faithful.

You can trust His promises (Philippians 4:18-19; Romans 8:28; Hebrews 13:5)

You can trust His timing (Psalms 37:7; Genesis 15:4)

You can trust His ways (Isaiah 55:8-9; 1 Peter 4:19; Colossians 3:22-23)

To God be the glory!

 

THE POWERFUL GIFT OF DISCERNMENT – WHAT IS IT REALLY?

THE POWERFUL GIFT OF DISCERNMENT – WHAT IS IT REALLY?.