Sow Good and Reap Good

It's been a year, blogger. Haven't been here for long. Anyway, let's get going :)

Galatians 6:3-10
(v.9) So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

Basically, it tells us that our perseverance pays off.

We may think at times that our ministries don't really have an effect on the lives of people. But that is because we look at people. If we start seeing the things we do as things we do for the Lord, He'll make sure the harvest will be good.

Though you may not receive it now, there will be great rewards. And these do not only pertain to material blessings. But also to the transformed lives of people you have guided.

Even in small things. Even in sunday school. Even at work or at school or at home. What you sow in the heart of others, you will reap as you see them sow in others' hearts too someday:)

**Bible text from ODJ

Pleasures are Meaningless

Galatians 5:17
   - Our flesh and the spirit do not conform
   - Worldly pleasures and the desire of God for us cannot be on the same boat
   - We are given the free will to choose, but we are eager for adoption in the spirit when we have the firstfruits of the spirit (Romans 8:23)

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
Then, we will find true happiness. In the given text, King Solomon said that he has tried all pleasures and have not found them satisfying in the end. I remembered all those times I had been in the same situation. I drank for consecutive days with my friends and yeah, they were fun. But each day I woke up, I found myself looking for the flighty happiness, wondering if it's even true. I was convicted, yes, but more than that was the sadness brought about by pretention. It was ten times greater than the sadness I felt before I even let alcohol take the night away.

Hence, walk in the light. See the truth offered before your eyes. Days will be brighter, I tell you. You won't be mistaking dusk for dawn.

Whose is the Vengeance

Genesis 45:4-7

 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 

We have every reason to hate somebody. There will just be moments like that in our lives when vengeance will weigh our hearts down. I was having a battle myself just recently. What if I do this and that in return? Just so they would know how it feels. Just so they would see how far the hurt has taken me.

But it would only take a toll on me. You see, vengeance is His (Romans 12:19). And anger only wraps our hearts in misery. Just read on how anger was considered murder (James 4:1-2). The right thing to do is to cast your cares upon Him and He will give you rest. Surely, it's tiring to hate people and plot against them. Let God take the wheel and guide your heart to forgiveness.

Greatness in Humility

Humility

Giving your post up to somebody is not a sign of weakness. When you have served your time in that God appointed seat, you accept it, wholeheartedly. That's how a mature Christian thinks. Because it is not the power you have while you are there but what you can or have done for His Kingdom. And you stepping down is not like this world's definition of taking a rest. You are still working. You are still part of the body.

He foreknew, predestined, and called us. We will be justified and glorified in the end. That's the plan. That's the promise. For we know His plans, and his plans are greater than ours.

So, train as much as you can. Pass on your knowledge to others. Strengthen their faith as you declare yours. This is the G12 Philosophy. And I hope that it gets to this part of the world.

(Ref: Mark 1:1-8)

Luke 7:18-28
   - John didn't know of Jesus' divine purpose when he spoke about that someone who is greater than he
   - John followed God in humility
   - We can live out our greatness by humbly serving God and His people (Tom Felten)

Preparing for Something Bigger

The Task Being Handed

I was scared. And I guess still now I am. This is by far the greatest task ever handed to me by God. But in times like this, courage from Him is what we need to keep going.

Esther 4:1-17
            - Esther weighed the circumstances and tried to be realistic about the situation
            - She had her doubts about the situation too
            - But the Lord gave her courage, given the task handed to her
            - (Esther 4:14) The task was given to her beforehand, for this purpose

I have also read on the story of a certain Todd Beamer. He was one of the casualties of the 9/11 bombing but he may also be the reason why they were actually less than originally planned. With his infamous "Let's roll" line, he led the attack on the hi-jackers inside the plane. "God help me", he said earlier as he was filled with fear. But then, courage took place and he was able to save a hundred (or even a thousand) more lives.

Nonetheless, we don't need to save a race or a hi-jacked plane to be a demonstration of this wonderful presence of God. That task for you might be smaller relevant to this, but the amount is still significant in the Kingdom of God. When asked when is your Let's roll moment, is it now? Do you have the courage of God? Mine, I believe, is on it's course at the present. And though the task might be too big for me, God will provide. He will pour his confidence, trust, and knowledge on me.

A Good Reminder

You are not here to be entertained.

My greatest dilemma now is how to revive the youth ministry. While thinking over and over for days what plan would suffice, I was confronted by this reading: Acts 2:37-27

- 3000 were added to the church when they believed what Peter said
- The transformation of the people is what kept the numbers growing (each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved)
- They devoted themselves to the teaching, fellowship, sharing in meals, & prayer
- It did not say that they were there because of entertainment, but rather they found joy in devoting themselves to the Word of God and prayer

It is not said, however, that games/programs shouldn't be done. But this is not to be the point of any fellowship just to attract the youth. Because they are not there to be entertained but to build a stronger relationship with God.

Salamat po para sa kaalaman na to! =)

To Faith and Beyond

WHAT IS FAITH?

The basic of all basics. We hear it all the time. Faith. But what is it anyway?

It is so easy for us to talk about faith. Even having the misconception that when you believe in something, it is sufficient to say you have faith in it. But faith is more than just believing. The best definition can be found in Hebrews 11:1. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

I recently read an article about faith too and what should we do with it as Christians. In 1 Timothy 6:12, it says "Fight the good fight of faith." He replaced faith with its definition and it made more sense: Fight the good fight of things hoped for, of the evidence of things not seen. Now, that is faith. More than just believing, having faith meant action.

BEYOND YOU

Judges 6:1-40
¹² When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”

I couldn't believe I would ever land on the story of Gideon and be able to appreciate it more than I do now. I mean, as a child, I was only accustomed to hearing his success stories. I never knew of his background. He was basically far from the "might warrior" the angel had called him.

But God knows better. And he sees us better than anybody does. Better than we do ourselves. He doesn't look at what we are but at what we could be. His plans are bigger and his views are larger than we could ever have. So, be still. If you are having doubts about yourself and your capabilities. How would you want to be called when God sends an angel to meet you? Look far ahead. Look beyond and see what God has in stall for you.

Hard Love

Yeah, that's how we say it when they require us to love our enemies. Really, is it even possible? Especially if that somebody has hurt you so bad you thought you won't be able to recover?

We usually get the same scenes from romantic movies. This guy cheats on his girlfriend, this wife cheats on his husband with his bestfriend. We get it. There will be reconciliation and forgiveness in the end. Anyway, movies are just representations of cliches, huh?

But this is real life. And though I agree with you on the part where some movies are cliche, love is an entirely different matter when you have come to know Christ. Yes, I am not in a position to say anything (maybe in time I will be). Love is not just about forgiving the other person. Not just about letting it be. Whether or not you'll get back together, leave it to time. It's not just that.

True love should be redeeming.

Read the story of Hosea and Gomer (Hosea 3:1-5). Hosea did not only accept Gomer back into his life, but he made her wait in his house and be freed from her carnality. He did not simply keep her just to satisfy his ego or keep her to himself. Hosea did this because he wanted to be part of God's great plan for Gomer, which is to experience real repentance and freedom.

That should be your love (and I am telling this to the future me). It should not be centered only on the two of you. It should be redeeming, with Christ as the focal point of everything there is to trust, hope, and wait for.

You see, we love because He loved us first (1 John 4:19). And His is unconditional and redeeming. Behold, fellas, you must strive for yours to be the same.