When Bad Things Happens

Is there any part of your life that you've been through a great trial? Did you find yourself unable to understand God during those times? Did you question God's goodness or wisdom? Or even get angry with Him? Do you believe that things do not just happen without meaning or purpose?

All people, even the children of God, are not exempted to the trials of life. Rich or poor, men or women, young or old, bad or good people, even animals, plants, and most of the material things here on earth are subjected to testings. Why did I say that? Sa animals nalang, there are predators and preys, isang malaking pagsubok kaya ang tumakas sa isang malaking hayop na gusto kang lamunin ng buo. Like humans and animals, hindi rin ligtas ang mga halaman sa pabagu-bagong klima ng panahon. Aba, apektado din ng bagyo, tag-lamig, at tag-tuyot ang mga halaman. If they didn't survive the test of weather, they will wither and die. Even material things need to undergo testings bago ilabas sa market. Meron pa ngang product items na hinuhulog sa mataas na palapag to test the quality of it. Pero sa lahat ng ito, may malaking kaibahan ang pagsubok na pinagdadaanan ng mga taong matuwid sa paningin ng Diyos. They undergo trials to test their faith.

1 Peter 1:6,7 (ESV)

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith - more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Anytime you get into difficulties, it is well to turn to the book of Job. The story of Job is very close to my heart, because I can somehow relate to him during the greatest battle of his life. This book is part of the poetical books in the Bible. It is not only the direct word of God but also a great literary masterpiece. Some have said that it is perhaps even the greatest poem ever written in all literature. Imagine, this beautiful expressive poems were the result of terrible sufferings of a man. This only proves that out of the unpleasant situations in life, there's a delightful event that awaits you, if only you will look beyond.

Each of us has his/her own battle. The question is, are you fully equipped? Job is a blameless and upright man, but it didn't excuse him from facing various kinds of trials. Job lost all of his wealth and children (He has 7 sons and 3 daughters) in a short period of time. Kapag binasa mo ang pagkakasunud-sunod ng pangyayari, hindi pa natatapos mag-report yung unang tauhan para ibalita ang masamang nangyari, dumating na agad yung pangalawa. Hindi pa din ito natatapos mag-ulat, dumating na yung pangatlo, at gano'n din nung dumating yung pang-apat. At ang huling balita patungkol sa nangyari sa kanyang mga anak ang nagdulot sa kanya ng matinding pighati. Ngunit hindi ito ang nagpabagsak ng kanyang pananampalataya sa Diyos.

Job 1:20, 21(ESV)

20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21 And He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

If you were in Job's situation, will you also do the same? Could you still praise the Lord after all the bad things that happened? Hindi lang sa pagkamatay ng mga anak ni Job natapos ang lahat. Nagkaroon din siya ng nakadidiring sakit sa balat na bumalot sa buo niyang katawan.

Job 2:8-10 (NIV)

8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. 9 His wife said to him, "Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!" 10 He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

In all these sufferings, Job remains faithful to the Lord. His story brought me back to the past trials of my life. Like him, our financial status had fallen apart. As in naranasan namin yung buhay na walang-wala talaga. Aside from that, I also experienced how it was to lose someone you love that belongs to your family. I lost my sister, and then just after 2 months, I also lost my mother. They both died in an illness. Tulad ni Job, I have so many questions in my mind. I was unable to understand God during those times.

Job 10:2 (ESV)

I will say to God, do not condemn me; let me know why you contend against me.

Job seeks for answers, but instead of being answered directly, God Himself came to Job and displays His wisdom and majesty. Then after that, Job realized that he doesn't have the right to question God. For He is above all.

Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways."

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

These Bible verses shows the sovereignty of God. Kung lagi natin nababatid ang dahilan ng lahat ng nangyayari sa atin at parehas lang natin mag-isip ang Diyos, ano nalang ang kaibahan Niya sa atin? Para saan pa't naging Diyos Siya? Kaya kapag nakararanas tayo ng mga pagsubok, marapat lamang na mas lumapit tayo sa Kanya. Our faith will lead us to the answers.

Matthew 10:29,30 (ESV)

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.

Kahit ang maya ay hindi mahuhulog sa lupa ng hindi kalooban ng Ama. Pinapakita lang dito that God is in control, kaya walang dapat ikatakot. God will permit whatever testing that is necessary to test our faith. It is also said that even the hairs of your head are numbered. It only means that God knows you more than you know yourself, He knows your capacity. Kaya hindi niya tayo bibigyan ng pagsubok na hindi natin kakayanin. So, instead of being anxious whenever you are facing trials, why not think of being victorious? Ang pagsubok, hindi dapat kinakatakutan o tinatakbuhan, let's take it as an opportunity to become victorious. Dapat hindi nawawala yung excitement kung paano tayo idedeliver ni God, because in our difficulties, that's the time we can experience more of His glory. How we respond to trials is the reflection of our faith.

1 Corinto 10:13 (TPV)

Wala pang pagsubok na dumating sa inyo na di dinanas ng lahat ng tao. Tapat ang Diyos, at hindi niya ipahihintulot na kayo'y subukin nang higit sa inyong makakaya. Sa halip, pagdating ng pagsubok, bibigyan niya kayo ng lakas upang mapagtagumpayan iyon.

Trials make people mature. It can mold one's personality and mindset. The testings that I've been through taught me to be more compassionate on less fortunate people. I learned to give not because I have much, but because I know exactly how it feels to have nothing. Kung hindi ko siguro naranasan ang mga iyon, baka hanggang ngayon ay madamot pa rin ako. Madalas ipinaparanas sa atin ang mga pagsubok, hindi lang para bigyan tayo ng aral, bagkus para din magsilbing inspirasyon sa buhay ng iba. Hindi ba't mas nakagagaan ng loob mag-share dun sa mga taong dumanas na ng kasalukuyang pagsubok na pinagdadaanan mo? Sapagkat mas batid nila ang nararamdaman mo, and they are the living proof na malalagpasan mo din iyon.

  

Job 42:10 (NLT)

When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!

Ang buhay ng Kristiyano ay tulad ng isang punong-kahoy, dumarating ang panahon ng tag-lagas. Kapag ikaw ay nanatiling tapat sa Diyos, He will surely bring the spring into your life. Always remember that our present suffering is nothing compared to the glory that is going to be revealed to us. Rewards will be given for endurance through trials and for faithfulness to God. 

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How to Rock Your Christian Life

Many people think that Christians live a boring life. I wasn't able to escape this superficial idea before. Syempre, ano ba ang buhay ng isang Kristiyano? Aattend ng church, bible study, prayer meeting, evangelical training, at kung anu-ano pang church activities. Boring man ito sa iba, sa mga taong tumanggap na kay Hesus, ito ay nagdadala ng walang katumbas na kagalakan. Hindi alam ng karamihan that Christians live their lives to the fullest.

Photograph by Jay Malabanan

John 10:10 (NIV)

The thief only comes to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and live it to the full.

Naparito daw ang Panginoon para bigyan ng masagana at ganap na buhay ang Kanyang mga tupa (ang mga Anak ng Diyos) at hindi naparito katulad ng iba para mangwasak lang ng buhay. Kay Lord na mismo nanggaling na hindi dapat boring ang buhay ng mga Kristiyano. 

Here are 5 tips on how you can rock your life as a Christian.

1.  Stay connected with God. The more time you spend talking to God, the deeper you will know Him and the more you will love Him. Pag' nangyari yun, you'll get more inspired to do things for the Lord. Sino ba ang mabobore pa kapag gano'n? You will not find yourself idle because whenever you have free time, you grab that chance to connect to God.  Di'ba kapag mahal mo, gustung-gusto mong pinagsisilbihan? Hindi ka nakakaramdam ng pagod para sa taong yun. Ganon din ang taong nagmamahal kay Kristo, hindi iniinda ang pagod, puyat, gutom at kung ano pa man kasi gusto niya yung ginagawa niya. Lalo na kapag alam mong mahal na mahal ka ni God, you will find joy in serving Him.

1 Peter 1:8 (NIV)

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.

2. Surround yourself with godly people. Dahil walang ibang makaka-relate sayo kundi sila din. Trip nila ang mga trip mo. Bukod pa dun, nag-e-enjoy kang kasama sila at mas lalo kang lalakas spiritually kasi nagkakaroon ng fellowship. Hindi lang basta kaibigan ang turingan ninyo sa isa't isa, kaya nga brothers and sisters ang tawagan n'yo kasi you are bound by the blood of Christ. You are one in Spirit with them kaya may unity, na mas lalong nagpapatibay ng inyong samahan. 

Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

3. Get involved in ministry. God has given us talents so we could use it for His glory. Sa Panginoon iyon nanggaling kaya marapat lamang na ibalik natin ito sa Kanya. Nakakapagserve ka na kay Lord, na-e-enhance pa ang talents mo. Once you enter a ministry, you will encounter more challenges kaya nagkakaroon ng variety of emotions, hindi yung steady lang palagi that results into a boring life. Same feelings when you are still a student, kaya nga minsan nasasabi nating nakakamiss maging estudyante. Madalas sa work natin nakakaramdam na tayo ng boredom kasi same routine nalang, namaster na natin yung trabaho, wala ng challenge. Ang mga taong nasa ministry, palaging excited pagsilbihan si Lord sapagkat alam nila na may panibago na namang ipaparanas sa kanila si Lord. 

Psalm 37:4

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

4. Do the right thing. Do not conform to the pattern of this world. Minsan kasi dala ng pakikisama kaya nakagagawa tayo ng mga bagay na labag sa ating kalooban, lalung-lalo na sa kalooban ng Diyos. Tulad nalang nang ayaw mo nang uminom ng alcoholic drinks, kaso yung mga tropa mo binubuyo ka, kesyo naging Kristiyano ka na hindi ka na marunong makisama, nagbago ka na at kung anu-ano pang ka-dramahan ang kanilang binubulalas. Ikaw naman eto para matapos na ang Maalaala Mo Kaya segment, pinagbigyan mo na. At hindi mo namamalayan napapasarap ka na pala sa pag-inom. Isa yan sa mga kahinaan nating mga Pilipino, Kristiyano man o hindi, kasama na yan sa traits natin. Hindi naman masamang makisama tayo, pero may tamang pinaglalagyan yan, hindi yung payag nalang tayo ng payag sa gusto nila. Hindi ba't mas magandang sumunod sa kalooban ng Diyos kaysa kalooban ng tao? 

Proverbs 10:28 (NLT)

The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.

5. Enjoy the benefits. Being a child of God, you have so many benefits that you need to be aware of. Si God galante yan. He can give you anything that you are praying for as long as makabubuti sayo. Minsan pa nga mas higit pa dun sa hinihiling mo ang binibigay Niya. Kaya ang mga anak Niya nakakangiti pa din at masayang nakapagpupuri sa kabila ng mga problema kasi alam nilang hindi sila pababayaan ni God. Masasabi mo pa nga sa sarili mo na "Napakayaman kaya ng Ama ko sa langit kaya bakit ako mangangamba patungkol sa kakainin at bibihisin ko?" Samahan mo pa yan ng pagpapala, proteksyon, peace of mind, contentment at lahat na ng positibong mga bagay. San ka pa? Lahat ng tao naghahangad niyan. Kaya ang dami talagang benefits pag' na-kay Lord ka... Daig mo pa ang may life insurance.

Ephesians 1:11 (NLT)

Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

Mapalad ang mga taong nasa piling ng Diyos dahil ang totoong kasiyahan ay sa Kanya lamang masusumpungan. Hindi ito tulad ng panandaliang kasiyahan na nadarama ng isang babaeng nagshopping para makalimutan ang stress sa bahay, at tulad ng panandaliang kasiyahan ng pag-inom ng alak ng isang lalaking iniwan ng girlfriend. Dahil ang mga kasiyahang iyon ay panandaliang lunas lamang. Ngunit ang taong nagtitiwala sa Diyos ay nagkakaroon ng buhay na ganap at kasiya-siya. Let's rock and roll to the Lord!

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In Christ Alone

We'll talk about water baptism because it's a year ago, October 4, 2014, when I made a declaration of my faith to the Son of God.

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Not only will you become righteous, but it offers new life and freedom from the slavery of sins. (Galatians 2:20)

        

Let me share the importance of water baptism in our spiritual life. Let’s define it first. Water baptism is a ceremonial immersion in water for a public confession of a person’s repentance and faith. It is a declaration that you are accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. A way of giving outward testimony to an inward work of God.

Water baptism is a symbolic act whereby a new Christian identifies with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. - “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans‬ ‭6:4‬)

Actually, there are some misconceptions regarding baptism, like it is done to enter a denomination. Somehow you will belong to the church where you had baptism to, but it’s not the true purpose of it. Baptism puts us in Christ alone, not in any religious sector. Yet, it’s very important to belong in a denomination that teaches the truth about the Word of God.

Another common question regarding water baptism if it's required for salvation. The act itself is not a license to get us to heaven. It is clearly stated in the Bible that it is faith in Jesus Christ that offers us the assurance of salvation. But we cannot disregard the importance of it. Christ himself undergone water baptism and commanded us this - “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” ‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭28:19‬‬‬). If we follow Him, we act in obedience.

Now, let's find out the need of Jesus Christ in our lives. Well, the very first thing that God will look for is if Jesus Christ dwells in us. For He has the righteousness that the Father seeks. The bible says that only the righteous will enter the Kingdom of God. If that's the case, then none of us may ever qualify. -“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans‬ ‭3:23‬). God knows that we cannot keep with His standards and be righteous on our own. That's why He sends His only Son into the world to save us from our awful situation. Jesus Christ paid the price when He offers His life on the cross as a sacrificial atonement to redeem us from eternal judgment. - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:22)

Our works do not in any sense earn us a right standing with the Father. Our salvation relies totally by faith in Christ alone.

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