Merry Christmas Everyone!

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

- Isaiah 9:6

His Love Endures Forever

Psalm 136

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.

4 to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
7 who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
8 the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.

Praise the Lord! Praise Him! Praise Him!

Psalm 148

1 Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord from the heavens;
    praise him in the heights above.
2 Praise him, all his angels;
    praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
3 Praise him, sun and moon;
    praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens
    and you waters above the skies.

The Lord Sustains Me

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Psalm 3

A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.

1 Lord, how many are my foes!
    How many rise up against me!
2 Many are saying of me,
    “God will not deliver him.”

Praise Be to The Lord my Rock

 

Psalm 144

1 Praise be to the Lord my Rock,
    who trains my hands for war,
    my fingers for battle.
2 He is my loving God and my fortress,
    my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge,
    who subdues peoples under me.

3 Lord, what are human beings that you care for them,
    mere mortals that you think of them?
4 They are like a breath;
    their days are like a fleeting shadow.

Paws For a While

There is so much to learn from dogs about life that we need to take time to sit down, listen, and watch them.

Yuki, our white mix labrador

They love unconditionally,

forgive quickly,

value loyalty,

show integrity,

delight in simple joys,

give thanks than complain,

accept praise but consider rebuke,

do not judge,

and

no matter how they are being criticized, they don't give in to hurt, and they don't get reactive or defensive. Rather, they smile, run back, and make friends with you.

I admit, dogs are good teachers and better humans than most of us.

And I thank God on the day He created dogs.

Thank You, Father God, for Yuki, Mochi, and Cipher! They are a joy and blessing to our family! :D

Mochi, our mixed-breed dog

Cipher, our golden retriever

[Journal entry: August 24, 2012]

Our God is Worthy of our Praises

Psalm 147

1 Praise the Lord.
How good it is to sing praises to our God,
    how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
    he gathers the exiles of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
    and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars
    and calls them each by name.
5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
    his understanding has no limit.
6 The Lord sustains the humble
    but casts the wicked to the ground.

7 Sing to the Lord with grateful praise;
    make music to our God on the harp.

Bending and Stretching

Bending and stretching are painful and uncomfortable but necessary for growth. God has been bending and stretching me lately for He has a good purpose.  I may not understand His ways, but I trust Him that He works out everything for my own good.  I may have been resisting to change, but now I welcome change, for I know that God is sovereign and I am in good hands.  God will take care of me and others who are close to me.

I trust God that He will put everything into its place in His proper time.  My God who is alive, powerful, unchanging, trustworthy, and all-knowing is orchestrating billion ways of circumstances and events to work out for my own good according to His plan.

All for Your glory, Lord God! This is all for Your glory alone!

[August 29, 2011]

Bring Out The Orchestra

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15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.- 2 Chronicles 20:15


17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”

18 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.- 2 Chronicles 20:17-19

Love, Love, Love

"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

- Mark 12:29-31

Top 1: Loving God with ALL your heart, with ALL your soul, and with ALL your mind, and with ALL your strength.

ALL means everything; not partial; as a whole; not conditional.

Heart.

Soul.

Mind.
Strength.

Top 2: Loving your neighbor as yourself. Loving others just as much as how you love yourself.

First, we should love God. Why? For when we love God, our love for others follow.  We cannot love others when we have not learned how to love God. Our relationship with God must be in tune before we can loe others just as we love ourselves.

Second, when we love, we should love all-out. When we love in partiality, we haven't loved at all.  It is not genuine love. God loves us all-out by giving His Son, Jesus, as a ransom for our sins  This is complete love.

Self-check: How have I loved God? Have I loved Him first? Have I loved Him with all my heart, my soul, my mind, and my strength? How have I shown love to my neighbor? Am I loving myself? Who do I consider my neighbor?

[PRAYER]

Father God, forgive me for failing in this area. Forgive me for not obeying what Jesus commanded.  Lord God, my heart faints; rescue my heart. Please give me a burning passion; a heart that loves You more than anything else.  In Jesus' name. Amen

[July 23, 2012]

It is Time

Photo courtesy: colindye.com

I will set aside

     personal issues.

I will rise above

     personal conflicts.

I will stretch out

     personal hurts.

I will go beyond

     personal struggles.

I will leave behind

     immaturity.

It is time...

    time to grow up.

Father God,

By Your grace alone will I be able to do these... to leave behind these baggage and to press on. Father God, I surrender! I give my control to You. I am no longer in control. And I need your peace and joy.  I need You, oh God. I need You!

[July 10, 2011]

The Olympians

Photo courtesy: ehow.com

 

We have a neighbor who wakes up as early as 2AM to prepare the things he needs for his business.  the other day, he told us that he saw three men at the back of our house (at the back is an empty lot) at 3AM. They were attempting to trespass inside our house through our fence.  Fortunately, we have a high fence with all the pointed grills and barbwires "garnished" on top of it.  Plus, we have watchdogs that are always alert in giving us (and the intruders) warnings.  So I guess, those three Olympian wannabes wanted to be counted in the Olympics for high jump competition, but to no avail.

He is Sufficient

Father God,

It is during these times...during my spiritual lows that I am able to experience fully the sufficiency of Your grace.

Father God,

Even in my waiting time and in my spiritual lows I will exalt Your Name. God, be glorified! May Your Name be glorified in my life!

Romans 8:28 this I claim:

"For all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according for Your purpose."

These low times will never go to waste. God has His purpose for allowing me to experience this. I trust You on this, God.

[September 5, 2011]

The Word, The Life, The Light

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness but the darkness has not understood it.

The true life that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

- John 1: 1-5, 9

‘The Word’ is stressed in this scripture, and since the beginning of time the Word has already existed.  When I read this passage before, it was just as though my eyes passed by these verses without me actually understanding it.  Not until last night that I took time to really understand the scripture word per word.  I slowly read it; I chew on it; I repeatedly read it.  Thanks to the Holy Spirit, He has given me the understanding of this verse, and I now appreciate the weight and the power of this verse.

Starting My Day Claiming His Promises

It's nice to wake up every morning knowing that I am one step closer to His promises.  So today is a claiming-His-promises-for-my-life day! Good morning Friday! Good morning God!

This morning, I claim these promises in Jesus' name:

He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,
- 2 Corinthians 1:10

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
- 2 Timothy 4:8

Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
- Psalm 126:5

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
- 2 Corinthians 4:17

For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.
- Proverbs 8:35

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.
- Psalm 34:19-20

[October 7, 2011]

A Unique Day

Photo courtesy: wherejesuswalked.org

3 Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle. 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. 5 You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

6 On that day there will be neither sunlight nor cold, frosty darkness. 7 It will be a unique day—a day known only to the Lord—with no distinction between day and night. When evening comes, there will be light.

- Zechariah 14:3-7

This day of the Lord will not go unnoticed!  As it is said, this will be a unique day, and so, everyone will know that there is only one Lord, Jesus!  His glory will be revealed to all men unto all nations!

This is dramatic.  God loves the drama of it, I think.  When I read this, I looked up the skies and smiled and said, “What a dramatic event You have here.”

[Journal entry: May 20, 2012]

Good Gifts From The Father

9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

- Luke 11:9-13

Photo courtesy: sanderssays.typepad.com

Heavenly Father,

I praise You for You have allowed Yourself to be a Father to me. I thank You for adopting me as Your daughter.  I thank You for being the Giver of good gifts.  Father, there is nothing You hold back from those who ask from You.  Father, thank You that I can boldly ask You for Your provision, and that You are more than willing and able to fill me with the Holy Spirit when I ask.  This I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

[Journal entry: April 24, 2012]

To My Generation

Photo courtesy: futurity.org

To my generation,

You will not pass away until you have known the Lord!

To my generation,

I may be small to the world and may mean nothing to the world, but I will be a mighty warrior of the Lord.

To my generation,

I will not leave this earth, not until I have served the Lord and accomplished His assignment for me.

Whom Shall I Fear?

Photo courtesy: oilofjoy4u.com

 

Psalm 27


1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked advance against me
    to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.

Happy 5th Birthday, Mom!

Photo courtesy: highaltitudegardening.blogspot.com

 

Dear mom,

I was looking at the sky today while sitting in front of my window. Then, I thought of you. I smiled. :) Imagine how time flies so fast! How is Home? I'm pretty sure you are enjoying every minute of being at Home. I bet you are busy tending your garden hehe! Oh wait...what is it like to attend Concerts in our City? And the King? How Beautiful is His face? I want to see too!

Morning Praise and Prayer on Psalm 5

Photo courtesy: tigersallconsumingbooks.blogspot.com

Psalm 5

1 Listen to my words, Lord,
    consider my lament.
2 Hear my cry for help,
    my King and my God,
    for to you I pray.

3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
    in the morning I lay my requests before you
    and wait expectantly.
4 For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
    with you, evil people are not welcome.
5 The arrogant cannot stand
    in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;
6     you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
    you, Lord, detest.
7 But I, by your great love,
    can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down
    toward your holy temple.

Turning Stones Into Bread

3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” 5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” 9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

- Luke 4:3-13

 

The devil tempted Jesus three times during His forty days fasting; it was when Jesus was physically weak that the devil grabbed the chance.  Jesus, the Son of God, was tempted.  And why was Jesus tempted by the devil? “Temptation is part of the human experience.”  Jesus was fully human and fully God.  Jesus had to experience temptation as well for Him to be able to understand us fully.

Only Inheritance

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"I am to be the only inheritance the priests have.  You are to give them no possession in Israel; I will be their possession."

- Ezekiel 44:28

This verso also applies to my life, Lord. When I read this, it penetrated even to my bones.  Yes Father God, You are to be my only inheritance! You will be my possession.  You are the greatest possession that anyone could ever have.

You are matchless! God, whatever thing or idol that steals Your place in my heart remove them all.  I desire that You are the Only One who takes the place in my heart.

Father God, reveal to me through Your Holy Spirit whatever idols that still stay in the areas of my life; may it be relationships, dreams, ambitions, feelings, way of thinking, finances, and any other else.

I have no any other inheritance that could satisfy me except You, God!

I need more of You! I want more of You! I desire more of You! Teach me to hunger for Your Presence! Teach me to hunger for more of You!

[Journal entry: October 2, 2011]

Waging War: Me versus I

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I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

- Romans 7:15

So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.  For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.  What a wretched man I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!

- Romans 7:21-25

 

Paul, even when he became a Christian, still struggled with sin.  What he did not want to do, he did; what he wanted to do, he didn’t do: a struggle with sin in the flesh.  He wanted to do, and he did desire to do God’s law, but seemed he was a prisoner (still) of sin.  A Christian has still struggles with sin indeed.

Do Not Be Afraid

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.  When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.  But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.  Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

- Luke 1: 11-13

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God”

- Luke 1:29-30

That night the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham.  Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.”

- Genesis 26:24

See, the Lord your God has given you the land.  Go up and take possession of it as the Lord, the God of your fathers, told you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

- Deuteronomy 1:21

God always has four words for His people: DO NOT BE AFRAID.  When He speaks to His people, His introductory address is “Do not afraid.” When He calls His people, He commands them, “Do not be afraid.” Even His angels, the messengers, tell His people to not be afraid.   So I ask myself, “Is God that frightening to His chosen people for them to be in a fearful state? Why their first reaction would be to get frightened? What is there to be afraid of?”

“Do not be afraid” – a command from God; a comfort to those who fear; an assurance of God.  I guess those whom God called in the Bible were afraid of the unknown.  Same goes with us.  We are afraid of the uncertainty.  We are afraid of whom we do not know.  We are afraid of the big, overwhelming things.  We are afraid we might not handle things well.  We are afraid to believe in the promise; that it might not be fulfilled. There are many reasons to be afraid, but God commands us not to.  God comforts us not to be afraid, for He always brings good news, and He always fulfills good promises.

Personally, I have a confession to make.  Sometimes, I find it hard to believe when God says not to be afraid.  Why? That is because I haven’t known God fully yet.  And to me, trusting someone whom you haven’t really known is not a good idea.  I admit that I still lack knowledge of who God really is, for I know there is something more about Him to discover every time I open the Bible.  But praise God! Praise God! He has not called me to be afraid, but to trust Him for He has proven Himself faithful.  I thank God for being patient with me, drawing me near to His Presence, wooing me towards His love, revealing Himself to me.  He whispers, “Do not be afraid, Sheslley, My child. You are mine, and I am with you. Trust in Me.”

Photo courtesy: care2.com

Great men and women of the Bible had surely experienced fear at one point in their lives.  As they have come to know more and more about God, their fear turned into faith!  God knows them inside out including their fears.  God knows every bit of our fears as well.

So why is it so hard to trust the God whom He had given His all for us?  Why is it that we are afraid of an unknown future when God holds the future? Why is it sometimes when God speaks, we are afraid to listen?

Why? For we haven’t fully known God Himself.  That is why Jesus had to come down from heaven to reveal who God really is.  And more of that, Jesus had to come down to earth to save mankind from death eternal.

[Journal entry: April 15, 2012]

Impacting Through Prayer

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I will impact the world through PRAYER.

I will fight the battle with other saints through PRAYER.

I will reach places through PRAYER.

I will seek God through PRAYER.

Father God, in Your Sovereignty, You are at work.  You are making history. Everything is under Your control. Nothing shocks You. Nothing happens without You knowing it. Nothing happens beyond Your permission. You determine the world affairs, and You direct the minute details of our lives.

Jesus, let Your name be known to all nations. Beautiful God and Wonderful Savior! Jesus! Be exalted up high! Jesus! You have overcome the world! I praise Your Name! You are worthy to be praised!

Every nation will bow down in worship to Jesus, the King of Glory!

Let Your Holy Spirit rain down upon all nations! Holy Spirit rain down on us!

[October 4, 2011]

Seven and a Few

Photo courtesy: buildthetemple.com

[SCRIPTURE]

32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”

33 His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?”

34 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.

“Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”

35 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. 37 They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 38 The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.

- Matthew 15:32-39

[OBSERVATION]

Compassion: That was what Jesus uttered to His disciples to what He felt for the crowd.  He had compassion on them. Three days. The crowd stuck with Jesus for three whole days and with nothing to eat. It was quite a long sermon and medical mission, I guess. So then Jesus aired His concern to the disciples: feed the four thousand (exclusive of women and children from the count, by the way).

Going Solo (Part 2 of 2)

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Back when I was in elementary, I can still remember telling Katrina, my classmate, that when I grow old I want to remain single for life.  And I was even proud to say that.  I can even recall what Katrina said, “If I were to become single for the rest of my life, I would rather become a nun.”  Hehehe!  A funny idea to me.  Becoming single for life does not mean you have to become a nun.

I have never envisioned myself being married and having kids.  Never. Never in my wildest dreams have I longed for a husband and children of my own.  And, never have I considered myself an ‘abnormal’ person for having no thoughts and no plans of getting married.  Whenever my friends tease me, “Ga lina-on ka naman” (You are acting like a spinster again) or “Daw laon ka” (You’re like an old maid), I never got offended.  Ever!  I even take it as a compliment, and I am proud to say that! :D

I have even prayed to God to give me that desire to remain single for the rest of my life.  I could remember praying and asking God to hear my petition, crying hard (literally), when I was still in college (or early years after graduation).

Going Solo (Part 1 of 2)

Monday… Work… It’s the start of the work week to welcome another bulk of transactions, and another day to entertain this one “kulit” (stubborn) client.  Weeks before, this client of mine kept on proposing to introduce to me her nephew. In our dialect, we call it, “pakilala.” She kept on asking me if I have a boyfriend every time she transacts at my counter.  And she said, there is this nephew of hers she would like me to get introduced to.  I know her motives, “basi pa lang may potensyal nga maging close kag magkadevelopan” (maybe there is a potential between us to get close and be more than friends).  And so, I was being polite to her but I wasn’t serious in taking her proposal.

You're The Last In Line

Photo courtesy: Packrat Comics

They came to Capernaum.  When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?”  But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.  Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”  He took a little child and had him stand among them.  Taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

- Mark 9:33-37

Applying Rick Warren’s 40DITW (40 Days in the Word), Probe It with S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S. for this study verse is a challenge and a good exercise.

Is there a SIN to confess?

Like the disciples, most of us are focused on attaining personal success, becoming to be always at the top.  Pride keeps us having selfish ambition. Wrong motives arise for wanting to be always the first or the greatest.

Is there a PROMISE to claim?

In this verse, Jesus said that whoever welcomes one of these little children, welcomes Him; and whoever welcomes Him welcomes God.

A Tree By The Stream

Photo courtesy: chesapeakebay.net

Psalm 1

¹ Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers, 

 
² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.

 
³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.

⁴ Not so the wicked!
    They are like chaff
    that the wind blows away.

 
⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

⁶ For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

All Share a Common Destiny

So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God’s hands, but no man knows whether love or hate awaits him.  All share a common destiny – the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not.  As it is with the good man, so with the sinner; as it is with those who take oaths, so with those who are afraid to take them.

This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all.  The hearts of men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead.

Would You?

Photo courtesy: unefilleelegante.blogspot.com

If you were working for a company for six years, and have been praying to God for a promotion and have been expecting it, but was never granted, would you still love God?

If you had been battling an illness, and have been praying to God for healing, but was never granted, would you still love God?

If your marriage was in trouble and you have been praying to God for a resolution but was not granted, would you still love Him?

If you and your spouse were trying to have a baby for quite a time and have been praying for one, God granted your request but only later you found out your baby had an abnormality, would you still love God?

You Won’t Take Your Job to Heaven

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces, perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

- Romans 5:3-4

Photo courtesy: californiaemployeeadvocate.com

[Copied from Rick Warren’s Daily Devotional]

You’re not taking your job to heaven.  You’re not taking some gold watch or achievement award to heaven.  You’re taking YOU, so you want to build your character because God is more interested in what you become rather what you do.

Be Still and Know That I Am God

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

- Psalm 46:1-3

Frequent earthquakes, civil wars, rebellions, nuclear testings, famine, natural disasters – all these are like mountains falling apart: End times, that is.  A lot of shaking is happening these days, and a lot of it is coming as well.  But those who are His children will not fear.  They will not be shaken, for God is their refuge and strength and an ever-present help in times of trouble.

God will be my confidence and my sure help!  And in times of uproar, God whispers to His children, “Be still and know that I am God.”

What an assurance God gives to those who belong to Him! Hallelujah!

[Journal entry: April 3, 2012]

Schedule of Activities

 

What kept Jesus busy during His three-year residency on earth?  Jesus’ schedule book must have been full-packed with tons of activities (preemptive states not yet included).  And, oh! His scheduled activities had been written way before He stepped on the planet Earth.

So again I ask: What kept Jesus busy on earth? According to the book of Mark, I enumerate most, but not all, the following:

Laugh at Him

While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler.  "Your daughter is dead," they said.  "Why bother the teacher any more?"  Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."  He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.  When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion with people crying and wailing loudly.  He went in and said to them, "Why all this commotion and wailing?"  The child is not dead but asleep."  But they laughed at him.

- Mark 5:35-40

I confess that at times, I am one of those people who laughs at Jesus' words.  I can't help but laugh when God tells me something that He would do to my life that seems impossible.  It's just absurd. Crazy. LOL!

The Greenhouse of the Heart

Photo courtesy: suite101.com

 

Copied from Experiencing the Heart of Jesus daily devotional book, page 223; an excerpt from "Just Like Jesus."

Think for a moment of your heart as a greenhouse... And your heart, like a greenhouse, has to be managed.  Consider for a moment your thoughts as seeds.  Some thoughts become flowers.  Others become weeds.  Sow seeds of hope and enjoy optimism.  Sow seeds of doubt and expect insecurity.


The proof is everywhere you look.  Ever wonder why some people have the Teflon capacity to resist negativism and remain patient, optimistic, and forgiving?  Could it be that they have diligently sown seeds of goodness and are enjoying the harvest?


Ever wonder why others have such a sour outlook? Such a gloomy attitude?  You would, too, if your heart were a greenhouse of weeds and thorns.

[Journal entry: February 4, 2012]

Personalize It

For the Word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.

- Psalm 33:4

My dear child, Sheslley, My Word is right and true; I am faithful in all I do. You can always count on what I say.

But the eyes of the Lord are those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.

- Psalm 33:18-19

My eyes are on you, Sheslley, for you hope in My unfailing love.  I will deliver you from death and will keep you alive in famine.

We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.

- Psalm 33:20

Wait in hope for Me; I am your help and your shield, my precious one.

[Journal entry: March 20, 2012]