When I am Weak, Then I am Strong

Hi guys, it's been a long time. Sorry for my inconsistent blogging. Anyway, I praise the Lord for touching my heart and inspiring me to write another blog that has to do with "me"... Please don't get me wrong. I believe some of you could relate to this refining process that I've been going through. Yes, you've read it right, the Lord isn't finish with me yet. And for those who wouldn't be able to relate at this moment, I hope it'll give you additional weapons for future battles. So, let's begin.

Here I am, patiently waiting on the Lord for spiritual breakthrough. I can say that I'm on the "rest" stage of my faith journey where I'm not visible to pulpit and not busy in church ministries. And this is the kind of rest that is exhausting. This is the time of refining and replenishment. For you to better understand this stage, I will share my personal experience about it. 

Have you ever been in a position where you want to do many things for the Lord? Because of that desire, you're getting tempted to take shortcuts and do things on your own way. And when you get so frustrated, there comes a strong urge to run away from the Lord. (Please don't ever do that no matter how hard this process might be).

Many of us get so focused on our kingdom-call that we miss our daily call. Sometimes, we are so focused on the big-picture that we miss the importance of the present moment. I am not ashamed to admit that I once became a victim of that. Hence, turned me into a self-focused, jealous, impatient, and disobedient servant of God. I marveled at my own abilities, made it about me, craved being impressive, and thought I was something apart from God. But God's grace is beyond measure. He rescued me from that situation. I began to understand the truth that my life's value was not based on my great work for Jesus, but on Jesus' great work for me. He has reminded me that I should love my story. I need not to look at my left and right, I just need to look up and put my trust in Him with every detail of my life. 

Don't you know that those unfulfilled desires are God's passions beating in your heart? The reason why you are a big threat to the enemies. This stage is not just about God's plan in your life for the enemies have plan, too. Yes, both have plans. Be careful not to allow the enemies to take advantage of this process because this is the time the enemies would likely go to harass you and leave you bruised and wounded. But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now the question is, what are we going to do to silence the enemies? This time, I'm talking about the enemies within us. First thing we need to do is to get on our knees, repent, and ask the Lord for deliverance. View the weaknesses within us as an opportunity to experience God's strong hand at work in our lives. And when the Lord calms the storm within us, this is the time to hold on to God's promises. Believe that you're called and He has a plan in your life. As you wait on it, be patient and obedient. I know it's not easy, this is the time that you're most likely be tempted to fast-track everything. But if you follow His lead, trust Him in every way, and endure times of testings, you will eventually see breakthrough and enjoy the gifts He entrusted you.

To last long and finish strong, we must believe with all our hearts that we can possess and produce no good things apart from God, "the Source of every good thing." We're not necessarily called to be successful, but we're most definitely called to be constant, devoted, and true.

The truth is, because I put my faith on the cross, I am fully approved by God.

I'd like to share this song entitled "Grace" by Laura Story. This song just really summed up this blog post. Of course, it's all about God's grace!

  

Also, I'd like to recommend this book entitled "Your Beautiful Purpose" by Susie Larson. This book piece me together for God's one beautiful purpose. I believe it'd help you, as well.

(If you find this blog helpful in your faith journey with Jesus, reach others by sharing this blog post on your account.) 

BEN-WHO?

I've just watched Ben-Hur, and I guarantee that it's a must-see movie. I was in awe of how the story embraced the life of Jesus Christ, especially the "big event" in the history, the crucifixion of our Saviour that paved the way to our salvation.  At first, I have no  idea what the movie was all about. It was my fiance who asked me to see this movie together. I even remembered asking him this... "Ano ba yang Ben-Hur na yan?" But after watching it, I felt like it was God who really led us there. 

Since I got so curious on how did they (people behind the scenes) end up with the idea of incorporating Jesus in the story, I did some research, and guess what? I found out that it was a novel book written long time ago by Lew Wallace and was published on November 12, 1880 with its original title "Ben-Hur: A Tale of Christ."

Let's go into some details of the story (hope it won't spoil your appetite in watching this great film). The story reflects themes of betrayal, conviction, revenge, and redemption, but I got more than these. I also saw reflections of patience, endurance, healing, and blessings. The main character named Judah Ben-Hur (just a fictional character), came from a respected family in Jerusalem and was falsely accused of treason. Unfortunately, he was separated from his family and lined up as Roman's slave. In spite of what happened, it didn't stop him from believing that he will be reunited with them once again. I saw his hardships, being a slave, as a refining process which is vital to faith. Then, after some time, Judah was able to forgive when he experienced the love of Christ himself. All the pain in his heart were healed, and blessings came upon him.

For those who are hungry to watch great stories about Christian faith, I recommend this movie to you. Don't miss the chance to watch Ben-hur in cinemas, it's worth your time and money. Enjoy watching! God bless!

Romans 5: 1-6 (ESV)

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 

Ben-Hur (2016) Trailer

It's Your Choice

Have you ever experienced ordering in a restaurant and after the waiter delivered the food, you've said to yourself that you should have ordered the other one? In life, we always have to make choices. As others say, "Life is a choice."

You've made wrong choices in life that you regretted, right? From simple choices of the scent of the perfume that you're going to purchase way up to choosing whether you're going to leave your family for a living or not. Our choices will definitely make a difference.

All italics that you are about to read came from the book "He Chose the Nails" by Max Lucado. I've been blessed and inspired by this book and all I can say is that you are missing something if you haven't read it yet.

From the start, God has designed humans with free will. Our freedom to choose is one of the greatest gift from the Father. Adam and Eve chooses to eat the forbidden fruit. And that's the start of many choices laid in the Bible.

Abel and Cain, both sons of Adam. Abel chooses God. Cain chooses murder. And God lets him.

Abraham and Lot, both pilgrims in Canaan. Abraham chooses God. Lot chooses Sodom. And God lets him.

David and Saul, both kings of Israel. David chooses God. Saul chooses power. And God lets him.

Peter and Judas, both deny their Lord. Peter seeks mercy. Judas seeks death. And God lets him.

In every age of history, on every page of Scripture, the truth is revealed: God allows us to make our own choices. And no one delineates this more clearly than Jesus. According to him, we can choose:

a narrow gate or a wide gate (Matt. 7:13–14)

We can choose to:

build on rock or sand (Matt. 7:24–27)

serve God or riches (Matt. 6:24)

be numbered among the sheep or the goats (Matt. 25:32–33)

What really amazed me was the scene in the Calvary's hill. Have you ever wondered why there were two crosses next to Christ? And why Jesus was in the center? 

The two criminals have so much in common. Convicted by the same system. Condemned to the same death. Surrounded by the same crowd. Equally close to the same Jesus. In fact, they begin with the same sarcasm: “The two criminals also said cruel things to Jesus” (Matt. 27:44 cev).

But one changed.

One of the criminals on a cross began to shout insults at Jesus: “Aren’t you the Christ? Then save yourself and us.” But the other criminal stopped him and said, “You should fear God! You are getting the same punishment he is. We are punished justly, getting what we deserve for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39–43)

The other criminal chose to repent and put his faith on Jesus. While the other chose to mock Him. Though the changed criminal has made bad choices in life, he was able to make a good one at the end. What's more important is our choice when it comes to life after death. Eternal life or eternal punishment? Heaven or hell? Jesus or ourselves?

Jesus chose to redeem you from the debt of sins and nailed it to the cross. How about you? Will you choose the One that laid His life for you?

The choice is yours.