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.

The ABC's of Salvation

Kapag ikaw ay namatay ngayon, saan ka mapupunta? Ito ay isang katanungan na pwede kang matigilan at mapaisip. Saan nga ba?

Sabi nang iba, wala daw makapagsasabi kung ang isang tao ay ligtas, at hindi mo rin daw ito masasabi sa iyong sarili. Ang masasabi ko naman patungkol sa kaligtasan (Eternal Life) ay malinaw na inilahad sa Biblia kung paano maliligtas ang tao.

To make things easier, let's discuss salvation as simple as A-B-C.

Admit that you are a sinner and in need of forgiveness. 

Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Sa ayaw at sa gusto natin, we are all sinners. Wala ni isang tao [bukod kay Hesus na nagkatawang tao] ang hindi nagkasala. At ang kamatayan ay pumasok sa sangkatauhan gawa ng kasalanan.

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Lord is willing to purify and give us new life if only we will let Him change us. We just need to recognize our sins in able to repent and be connected to God.

Believe in Jesus Christ.

John 3:16 - For God so love the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (See John 14:6)

Maraming tao kabisado ang bible verse na ito, kahit ang mga bata. Kaso parang na-take na for granted. Do we really believe in our hearts that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Or it's only in our mind? Walang pinagkaiba iyan sa tubig na nasa baso, naniniwala kang mapapatid nun ang uhaw mo ngunit hindi mo naman ito iniinom. Naniniwala ka lang, pero kung hindi mo naman ito iinumin, ito'y walang silbi! To believe means to believe His word, what He has done on the cross, that He was resurrected from the dead and He will come back again.  The said bible verse clearly stated that Jesus is the only way to salvation.

Revelation 3:20 - "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. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.

Kung merong taong kumakatok sa pintuan ng bahay niyo, sino ba dapat ang magbukas nito? Yung taong kumakatok ba? O yung may-ari ng bahay? Jesus is knocking into your heart using His word. The door represents your life, and He is just standing outside, waiting for you to let Him come in. Anyayahan natin ang Panginoon sa ating buhay upang mapagtagumpayan natin ang kamatayang dulot ng kasalanan at mapalitan ito ng walang hanggang buhay sa piling Niya.

John 1:12 - "To all who receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."

Confess that Jesus is your Lord and Saviour.

Romans 10:9 - If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Ang ating salvation ay hindi natatapos kapag ikaw ay naligtas na, everyone who accepted Jesus ought to share the good news. Hindi lamang pansariling kaligtasan ang nakasalalay dito kundi pati nang iyong pamilya at iba pang mahal sa buhay. Huwag na tayong mag-antay pa ng pastor, you can also share it using the A-B-C to eternal life. Those who confess with their mouth, should also confess with their lives. Hindi sapat na binabahagi lang natin ang mabuting balita galing sa Diyos, dapat kalakip nito ang pamumuhay ayon sa kalooban Niya. Our lives should stand as a living testimony to others to make our confessions more effective. Those who accepted Jesus Christ no longer live in darkness.

I hope this short film clip will help you understand more about salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-10 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Good works cannot save us, only Christ alone. NOW is the time to be SAVED! This is the perfect time to invite Jesus Christ in your life. 

Hebrews 3:7,8 - "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."

Personal Acceptance Prayer:

(Pray with all your heart and soul)

Dear Lord Jesus, I confess that I have sinned against You and need Your forgiveness. Thank You for dying on the cross in our place. I receive you into my life and trust in You alone as my God and Savior. In Your name I pray. Amen!

Totoo Bang May Diyos?

Marahil karamihan sa atin ay naitanong na sa sarili kung totoo nga bang may Diyos? O di naman kaya ay magpahanggang ngayon ay isa pa rin itong malaking katanungan sa iyong isipan.

Naaalala ko nung nag-aaral pa ako, maraming theories kung paano nabuo ang mundo, at kung saan nagsimula ang lahat. I will just mention some of the most popular theories on the origin of life. The first one is "The Theory of Spontaneous Generation." Ayon dito, living things originally arose from non-living matter. For example, kapag nagbalot ka ng trigo sa maruming tela, the wheat will turn into mice in 21 days or less. Halos wala ding pinagkaiba yung "Biopoesis" sa naunang theory. It also states that life arises from inorganic matter. Meron ding tinatawag na "Endosymbiosis," in short, sa bacteria nagsimula ang lahat. It is somehow related to "Panspermia" na gumamit pa ng mga meteoroids, asteroids, and planetoids pero sa bacteria pa din ang bagsak. Ikaw ba ay papayag na sa bacteria ka lang nagmula?

Hindi rin pwedeng mawala ang sikat na "Theory of Evolution" ni Charles Darwin. It is the process by which organisms change over time as a result of changes in heritable physical or behavioral traits to better adapt to its environment. One controversial example of this is that humans descended from apes. Naaalala ko pa yung biruan naming magkakaklase kapag ito na yung theory, nagtatanungan kami kung bakit may mga hindi pa din nag-evolve? (not meant to offend anyone). Hindi pa ako believer during those times kaya halos mapaniwala ako sa mga theories na yan, lalo na kapag based on facts na ang pinag-uusapan. Merong scientific basis.

Siyempre hindi natin pwedeng palagpasin yung "Theory of Special Creation." Actually, ayoko itong tawaging theory because I really believe that God created the earth and all the life on it. In the book of Genesis, nakalahad doon kung paano binigyang buhay ni God ang mundo. 

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

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To understand more of His majesty, let's tackle some of the Essential Attributes of God. First one, God is "Omnipotent" or All-Powerful. Walang imposible sa Kanya, His power is limitless, kaya hindi nakapagtataka kung nagawa Niya ang kanyang masterpiece sa loob lamang ng anim na araw.

Genesis 1:31 

Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.

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Since nasa creation tayo, minsan sa sobrang lawak ng imahinasyon natin, siguro naitanong na din natin kung sino naman ang lumikha kay God? Well, another attribute of God is that He is "Eternally Existing." Ibig sabihin, He is not created, He is a Self-Existent God.

Psalm 90:2

Before mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting You are God.

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Naalala ko nung ako'y musmos pa, marahil marami ang makaka-relate, naging malaking palaisipan din sa akin kung saan nga ba nakatira ang Diyos? Asan nga ba Siya? God is "Omnipresent." He is everywhere present in His whole being at all times. Lahat ay lantad sa Kanya kaya nakikita ka Niya kahit saan ka pa sumuksok o magtago.  Pero meron talagang tinatambayan si God, at nandoon ang Kanyang trono. That is what you call "The Third Heaven" where God's dwelling place is.

2 Corinthians 12:2

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago - whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows - such a man was caught up to the third heaven.

May third heaven pala? Nagulat ka ano? Hindi kasi tinuturo sa science subject iyan. At siyempre bago mag third, may first and second muna.

Acts 14:17

Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness."

Ang tinutukoy sa verse na yan is the first heaven that contains the atmosphere where the rain carrying cloud lies.

Isaiah 14:10

For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light.

Second heaven is the outer space where the sun, stars, and moon lies. So all in all, there are three heavens mentioned in the Bible. And I do believe hanggang third lang talaga yun, huwag niyo nang isipin kung may fourth pa. Kaya kung gusto mong mabisita ang trono ni God, siguraduhin mo na doon ang destinasyon mo.

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I want to go back to the Essential Attributes of God. He is  "Omniscient" an All-Knowing God. Kaya alam Niya ang iniisip mo ngayon habang binabasa mo ito. Batid Niya kung mayroon kang pag-aalinlangan diyan sa puso mo. This is the biggest challenge that God has given us, to believe something that we haven't seen.

2 Corintihans 5:7

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

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God has given us free will to decide whether we will believe in Him or not. If we want to believe God, we have to know Him deeply. Di'ba hindi naman tayo basta-basta naniniwala sa stranger? May mahigpit pa ngang bilin sa atin ang mga magulang natin noon na "Don't talk to strangers." So, kung hindi mo lubusang kilala ang Diyos, He is just a stranger to you. Now, if you already believe that God does exist, you should seek to experience His presence in your life. The invisible nature of God is seen through the visible things that He created. Well, kung hindi ka pa rin convinced, read the Bible. Andoon lahat ng kasagutan.

John 20:29

Then Jesus told Him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

I want to end this topic with a short prayer.

Dear God, administer the life of the person reading this. Grant him/her serenity to accept the truth about You. Open his/her heart to receive Your eternal wisdom.  In the name of Jesus I pray and declare these things, Amen.

God bless you!

( If you have questions, feel free to use the comment box below )

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. 

(If you are blessed with the topic, feel free to share it.)

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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