Feelings or Faith

Do you feel God's presence with you and in you- every single time?

Because in all honesty, I don't. And I find that because I don't feel Him around me, I start to refuse to seek Him. I become lazy and disheartened. I, sometimes (ok I'll be honest again) I, often times, don't feel inspired. I don't feel that burning flame and desire to know Him and spend time with Him. Why? It's because I remember that feeling when I first started to seek the Lord- those gratifying emotions that had kept me going as a young Christian. But then, I had lost it.

But tell you what? The many times that flame for the Lord have dwindled- that's how many times I have been reminded of this fact: God is present, He is real- no matter how I feel.

"..Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Words aren't enough to describe God's unchanging nature- He is indescribable. Yet we measure His presence merely on our feelings, our emotions. Surely, God is more than an experience. Yet, that is what we usually seek- we seek that excitement, that wonder, that overwhelming emotion- then after all is lost- God is gone.

So what then do we do? Do we just wait until we get the feelings back? Do we just keep still and let God make Himself known?

How about we keep our faith? Let us not measure God's power and presence in our lives merely on how we feel. Because if it were my feelings alone, without faith, I would think I'd be lost right about now. I'd be back to old habits, old vices- be of earth than UNearthed (see the reference there? ;p ) Faith placed in God keeps us going, not feelings.

"..because it is by faith that you stand firm." 2 Corinthians 1:24

Another thing we could do if we are stuck is to tell God exactly how we feel- or lack thereof. If there is anyone we can really be honest with- it is with God. Admitting this lost feeling towards Him is also a sign of faith. It is by faith that we know that God will listen and still love us otherwise.

So, if we find ourselves losing that desire.. that feeling- let us then remind ourselves of God's nature, His promises and what He has already done for us. He died and saved us- that alone is worthy of all our praise and thanks.

"O LORD, you are my God;
I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness
you have done marvelous things,
things planned long ago. " Isaiah 25:1

Build and Repair

I have a passion for sports and fitness. As I learned more about our bodies,  I noticed one important thing, strength and conditioning is vital to a person who is building and strengthening  themselves. Realizing this, I started to workout- long and hard. As I engaged in certain exercises I realized nothing was happening. I was sweating it out at the gym but I can't see results. Biceps were still fluffy, I still have my flab and everything that I had in mind just wasn't there.

However from what I have learned, our bodies undergo so much stress- our muscle tissues tear after a heavy workout. It takes time to see results- but as we follow our routines, the harder it gets the better- because once our bodies have had enough time to rest and repair- we will see the results of all our hard work. From fluffy and flabs to buffy and abs!!!

Same with our lives, whenever we encounter difficulties we tend to give up. We go through the same problems over and over again but we fail to see what is happening inside, that God is working. In that problem, God is breaking down our muscle tissue so that He could form another set of larger and stronger muscles. Deep inside us, He is working for us to be strong and ready to play at the highest level.

²⁹ "He gives strength to the weary
       and increases the power of the weak.

 ³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
       and young men stumble and fall;

 ³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
       will renew their strength.
       They will soar on wings like eagles;
       they will run and not grow weary,
       they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:29-31

Only Grace

There is no guilt here
There is no shame
No pointing fingers
There is no blame
What happened yesterday…has disappeared
The dirt has washed away
And now it's clear

There's only grace
There's only love
There's only mercy and believe me it's enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
And there's nothing left now
There's only grace

You're starting over now
Under the sun
You're stepping forward now
A new life has begun
Your new life has begun

An’ there's only grace
There's only love
There's only mercy and believe me…it's enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
And there's nothing left now
There's only grace…

And if you should fall again
Get back up, get back up
Reach out and take my hand
Get back up, get back up
Get back up again
Ohh…get…back…up…again…


There's only grace…
There's only love…
There's only mercy and believe me it's enough…it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
And there's nothing left now
There's only…there’s only…grace…

There's only mercy and believe me it's enough…it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
And there's nothing left now
There’s only…grace……
So get back up…get back up again…
Get back up again.

“Only Grace” by Matthew West
From the album “History”

Refining Patience

Patience is a virtue. That is what you hear most times when things don't usually go our way. A car cuts you off in traffic... patience; Light turns red and you are already running late... patience; elevator closes as you try to catch it.. patience; you run up a flight of stairs to the 14th floor... patience; the receptionist tells you your appointment is tomorrow....... &*^%^*@!!!!!!

When life throws you an unending slew of problems- it gets harder and harder to be patient. But the Bible considers patience as one of the fruits of the spirit.

" ²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control" Galatians 5:22-23

Therefore, patience is expected in each and every one of us...

"¹²We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." Hebrews 6:12

Being patient proves our faith in God's timing and His love. However, as mentioned above, it does not come easy. We go through about a hundred or more trials a day- from waking up so early for work to sleeping without getting any homework done. We face our own struggles every single day. But, James 1:2-3 reveals that trials are God's way of refining our patience:

" ²Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2-3

But we know that we can't be patient for so long. There will always be something that will cause us to stumble. No worries though, God expects us to fall as well. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He has included every bump we encounter in His overall plan to bless us.

^"28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Yes, everything works for good- even when we fail to be patient. Because in the long run...or climb- looking at it from God's view- even if your appointment was tomorrow- God has given you the chance to strengthen your legs- you will realize then, that you've endured.

Excellence of Love

 ²If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:2

Love is the fuel to keep us going in our walk with the Lord. Surely we can do a lot of things but as the Paul said in this verse, without love we are nothing.

Just imagine a person whom you really love. Would you do anything to please that person? Would you do something that could hurt him/her? Of course not. Out of that love, we can do things out of our borders. Out of love I can make coffee for my fiancee. Out of love a mother can give her newborn kid whatever it needs any time at any given day.

Same thing with God. If we really love Him and put Him first in our lives, we would strive hard to obey what He commands us. We would not sin because we don't want to hurt Him. All out of love we can do anything for the Lord.

 '...YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' ³⁸"This is the great and foremost commandment.

Matthew 22:37-38

Whatever we think, whatever we say and whatever we do should all come out of our love for the Lord.

What's The Point of Eternal Life?

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV

I used to think that accepting Jesus Christ in your life is a bit self serving. Why wouldn't you want to receive Christ in your life knowing that doing so would mean getting eternal life? Who in his right mind would refuse to that good deal?

It was just recently that I realized that eternal life is not the point of Christianity. Receiving eternal life is not really the message of Jesus when He came here to earth.

The message of Jesus Christ was simple: He wants to be with us FOREVER. And that cannot happen if there was no such thing as eternal life. God gives us eternal life so that He can have an unlimited, never-ending fellowship with us in heaven.

______________________

Here's one of my favorite songs where God is the one singing to me. A post-valentine's day treat for everyone, here's a love song from our Savior.

Just To Be With You by Third Day. Enjoy!

I've heard a tale that a man would climb a mountain

Just to be with the one he loves.

How many times has he broken that promise?

It has never been done

Well I never climbed the highest mountain,

but I walked the hill of calvary

And just to be with you I'll do anything,

there's no price I would not pay, no

Just to be with you I will give everything.

I would give my life away.

I've heard it said that a man would swim an ocean

Just to be with the one he loves.

But all of those dreams are an empty emotion

It can never be done.

Well I never swam the deepest ocean

But I walked upon the raging sea

And just to be with you I'll do anything,

there's no price I would not pay, no

and just to be with you I would give everything.

I would give my life away.

And I know that you don't understand the fullness of my love

How I died upon the Cross for your sin

And I know that you don't realize how much that I give you

And I promise I would do it all again

Just to be with you I've done everything

There's no price I did not pay, no

Just to be with you I gave everything

Yes I gave my life away.

Just to be with you

Oh, just to be with you

How about a date with God?

It's almost valentines. You see paper hearts and cupids all streamed across mall stores. So what's all the hype about? LOVE. And who better to go on a date with but the One who is LOVE.

^"16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:16

But to define God as love- is simply hard to fathom. So we have created our own definitions of love. Among those are: an intense affection for another; passionate attachment towards another person based on personal ties; sexual passion or desire.

Love can also attributed from an image of a heart, a cupid with a bow, a box of chocolates, flowers and candy- holding hands, hugging, kissing.. making love. These are what comes to mind when we think of the word love. But where is God in this picture? Have we become so immersed in our worldly ideals, that we have forgotten to put the Lord in this equation?

Lots of people have asked me what I am going to do this valentines. A lot of them assume that me and my partner will be going somewhere special on a date. Well for one, we're both broke. And two, I believe that valentines have become so much about everything I have mentioned above but never about God. A box of chocolates is nice, or even a romantic dinner- believe me, I've fallen for this gesture many times. But I realize now, that people put so much effort on what they'll do for their significant other- that they forget what's really significant. Looking at it from a different angle, those who don't have anyone- put so much effort complaining and sulking about being alone. Do they even realize that they aren't?

The Bible tells us many different stories to emphasize God's love for His people. He shows them in many ways- by blessing them, healing them, showing them mercy and forgiveness- even by rebuking them. The ultimate act of love of God for His people was through the sacrifice of Christ.

"⁸But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

He also asks that we learn to love Him back. Not just that but to love His people as well.

^"37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' ³⁸This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22: 37-38

And how do we show our love for God and others? Well, the Bible will tell us. But among many are by listening to His teachings, obeying Him, trusting Him, knowing Him, spending time with Him- showing compassion for others.. letting go and asking for forgiveness. But at times, people revert back to sinning- loving themselves and others over God because they think that loving God is just so difficult to comprehend. It is much easier to love on our terms than to love on God's terms.

But see, although it is difficult, God allows us chances. He does not give up on us. My own life is a testimony that God did not give up on me and still haven't. You see if God gave up on us, I would not be writing this right now nor would you be reading it. If we fall and break our fellowship with the Lord, all we have to do is admit we've sinned- He will gladly take us back. That is one of the many ways our Lord loves us.

So, this coming valentines day, you may have a date or not- you may give or receive flowers.. you may just be by yourself or it may just be an ordinary day- God is asking you to have a date with Him. This year, valentines is on a Sunday. He already reserved a place for you to be with Him... all you have to do is go. It can be a wonderful start or a great renewal to your relationship with Him.

Will you be God's valentine?

Religion without Heart

"… He looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts…" Mark 3:5a

Jesus was angry???

It's not the usual picture we have of Jesus, right? We normally picture Jesus being the gentle and friendly man feeding the hungry and healing the sick. But in Mark 3:1-6, we see Jesus in a different light. He was angry. But what was His anger all about?

He was angered by the religious men who wouldn't approve of His healing sick people on a Sabbath—thinking that it is more righteous to honor the Sabbath (by not working) than to help a person in need (i.e. healing of a man with a withered hand). Their religion has become a bunch of rules, laws and guidelines without heart.

James 1:27 says, "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."

Clearly, true religiosity is having a heart of compassion for the needy and keeping oneself holy.

It's very easy to seem religious in the eyes of men. But it's not men we are to please but God. I ask myself, does God see what men see in me? Am I spiritual on the outside only? Is my heart hardened by my spiritual pride and/or sin that I am no longer sensitive to the needs of others? Do I only give God lip service? Does my 'religious acts' have heart?

Personally, I am against the idea of "religion"; but only if it is defined only as a system of moral rules, regulations and laws with no heart. True Christianity is not supposed to be a bunch of dos and don'ts. We do because we love; and we don't because we love. The Lord's greatest commandments sum it all up: Love God and love your neighbor. Everything in between should fulfill that command whether it's a do or a don't. The point is, it should all boil down to LOVE. That's true religion—a religion with a heart.

This, then, leads us to ask ourselves this question: Are my religious beliefs, habits and activities grounded in and motivated by love—the kind that God commands us to do and empowers us to impart?

Change Me, Teach Me, Lead Me

⁴`` Make me know Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
<sup>5</sup>Lead me in Your truth and teach me..``

Psalms 25:4-5

"Make me know Your ways, O LORD..."

We say ` Make me ` if we want something to happen to us or if we want to experience something. God wants to teach us how He works through us, but the desire to change needs to start in us. David wanted the Lord to interfere in His life that is why he asked the Lord `Make me know Your ways `. Truly I understand why David wanted to experience the Lord for the Lord never disappoints people who wait and seek the Lord. As the Lord said in Psalms 22:5:

⁵To You they cried out and were delivered; In You they trusted and were not disappointed

"...Teach me Your paths."

Once we are changed we will have the desire to learn. He teaches us His ways because He wants us to learn who He really is and that in turn we might experience victory in Him.

⁴ For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." Deuteronomy 20:4

Although sometimes God allows trials to refine us so that we would not remain in our old self and that we may be better persons. What kind of Father does not want the best for His child? Daniel 11:35 says,

5 Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

"Lead me in Your truth..."

Knowing who God is in our lives will make us want to be guided. We would want Him to lead us for He knows everything. As they say, "The truth will set you free" and in life only God will set us free- Set us free from our struggles, our frustrations, anything that is displeasing in our lives.

⁶Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Active Trust

¹⁴Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world."

John 6:14

This was the time that Jesus made a miraculous act of feeding the five thousand out of five loaves and two fish. The people that have gathered were amazed and once again Jesus proved to them that He was the Son that was sent to shed His blood on the Cross to save us.

But before the miracle and the glory of God let us see what happened. Before the miracle, 2 things happened. First, Jesus tried to see how His men will depend upon Him. In John 6:5-6, ⁵Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?" ⁶This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. This happens almost all the time in our lives. We tend to self-destruct every time the Lord allows trials to occur but we never realize that God knows what He is doing and we just ought to trust in Him. He is in CONTROL.

Last,  Philip and Andrew gave everything they have to the Lord. ⁷Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little." ⁸One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him,⁹"There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?" They offered what they could, did everything they can, but in the end it was the Lord who performed the miracle. They never waited in vain but they were actively trusting in the Lord and they gave Him everything they had.

We should have the attitude of working as if everything depended on us WHILE praying to the Lord as if everything depended on Him.

The miracle didn't happen at once. They were tried, they believed and they did everything they can while they trust. Sometimes God allows such things to happen so that we may realize who He is in our lives..Who He REALLY is inside our heart.

Does our actions show that we are actively trusting ourselves? or in the Lord?

With much effort, we can maybe feed a few hundred. But only in and with the Lord- is it possible to feed thousands...

Facebook VS God's Book

Facebook has become the most popular social networking site in the web today. People can regularly update their status, catch up with friends, find long lost relatives- farmvile and poker- you name it, it's there. Even the older generation has gotten in on the hype. It even got to a point when one of my grandmas told me "Put those photos up on facebook, ha?" Yes friends, even my grandma has facebook.

So, I am writing this now on the realization that- I, unfortunately, spend more time looking at updates of people I barely even know than spending more time with the ONE who knows me inside out. I spend more time reading countless rants, boasts, funny quips and quotes from facebook than I do reading God's word.

Therefore, when do we find time to read our Bibles? Do we spend more time occupying ourselves with menial tasks than getting to know the Lord?

Ok, say God asks you to be His friend on facebook. You accept and He is now part of your 300 or so friend list. Then you come home and open facebook. Picture the following status updates:

Anita Goodman there are no good men around anymore! Guys are jerks!!!

GOD "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence" (Exodus 33:19)

OR

Dick Tator hates it when people don't do what I say!!!!! Idiots!

GOD blesses (Proverbs 16:20) and saves (Psalms 7:10) those who obey Him.

OR

Hugh Jass' workout is payin' off!! I see those cuts coming! Watch out!!

GOD "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

OR

Moe Lester loves me some hot chicks!

GOD "For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world." (1 John 2:16)

OR

Dee Prest I hate this!!!! FML!!!!!

GOD "I am the way and the truth and the LIFE. (John 14:6) It has now been revealed through the appearing of Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (2 Timothy 1:10).

SO... I hope you get my point. Between the people of this world and God, whom do you think is LOVE? Whom do you believe saves? Whom do you believe gives LIFE?

God's word has the power to change us.... save us. Every circumstance in our life is written in His book... fear, disappointment,hope, purpose, love... That is why it is called the Living Bible. Open it, read it and meditate.

The satisfaction for facebook can only last us until we're sick of it or there's another new website that comes along... but the grace and fulfillment from God's living book- can last us until all eternity...

There are things in life that people cannot tell you- nor they even care to understand- but God is making it known to us... All we have to do is accept His request...

"I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me." John 13:20

Walk or Sink

"...You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

Matthew 14:31

²⁵And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. It was heavily raining, storm caused thunderous waves and the boat where Peter and the gang was is almost sinking. Imagine the situation they were into and suddenly they'd see Jesus quietly walking on water. Wait, what? He was walking on the sea? As surprise as we are, Peter and the other disciples were surprised. In fact they were terrified to see him and even called Jesus "a ghost" ( ²⁶"When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear.").

If I were in their place, I would probably feel the same way and would've said the words they said. I just couldn't imagine how powerful God is that He would be able to walk on the sea along with all the disaster surrounding Him.

So Jesus being the merciful Lord that He is, immediately took away all of their fear. In Matthew 14:27 it says, 'But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." ' Knowing that all of them were so terrified, He immediately calmed them down with so much compassion. He was so merciful that He comforted them told them not to be afraid, at the right place and at the right time. Being the Lord that He is, He is always compassionate to His people. He understands how we feel and He is always ready to bring comfort at the right place and at the right time. He is often early, but is never too late.

Going back, in Matthew 14:28 it says '²⁸Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." ' Peter needs His assurance. People like us are like Peter. We need the assurance of the Lord, we need His comfort and we need His guidance. Knowing that we need His assurance, the story goes on in Matthew 14:29 where Jesus answered them:  ²⁹'.'And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.' God gave Peter His assurance and after the assurance that God gave Him, he came to follow Him and history was made. He was the first human being ever to walk on water.

But after that in Matthew 14:30-31 says,  ^30'But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" ³¹Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him...' Peter saw his surrounding and he focused on it and he started to sink. When He cried to the Lord He came to answer.

I was reminded of one of the greatest stories ever written in history wherein one man was able to walk on water. One story I will never ever forget, one story that changed my life. God allowed this story to be written for us to know that we need Him. Often times we would just see ourselves crossing paths with the Lord. Just as the disciples saw Jesus walking on the sea. He wants to show us that He is always present, knocking on our door hoping that one day we will decide to let Him in.

This story is like ours. We have a sinking boat in our lives that we want to hold on to and we are so afraid to let go because we have a lot of thunderstorm surrounding us. We fear that we might sink. But Jesus assures us that He will never leave us. He is just there to show us the real way. The real way is towards Him but only if we are willing to get our feet wet and walk on water with Him. Only if we decide to follow Him can we see His glory. Only if we decide to come with Him could we experience how it feels to be pulled out of the water if we sink. Only through Jesus can we really be saved.

Either we stay on the boat that we know will eventually sink or follow Jesus and get our feet wet. It takes a leap of faith to walk on water, but only through Jesus can we experience the true meaning of life.

"Do we truly understand the depth of our sinful nature and who we are without Christ?" -Jeremy Camp

Be UNEARTHED. Found and Redeemed.

The 2012 phenomenon. If you haven't heard of this- you might have been living under a rock someplace. Countless documentaries- even a movie- has been based upon this event. From ancient Mayan predictions to 21st century scholars, they all argue that by December of 2012- all of humanity- will be wiped out for good. Although how it'll happen still remains a point of debate- a solar explosion? meteorite collision? However way one predicts it, only one point remains the same- our life....here on earth as we know it, will eventually come to an END.

Do we have to wait for 2012 to realize that our life here is slowly fleeting away? That we all have an endpoint here. We see death happen. And at some point, we will see ours too.. Therefore, there can only be two truths: life on earth is temporary and what's after this life- ETERNITY- is what matters most.

The Bible offers us hints as to how quick our life here is- a breath, a wisp of smoke, merely a shadow...

" For we were born but yesterday, our days here on earth are but a shadow" Job 8:9

Our residence here on earth is brief. Everyone know this, yet we become so blinded by false hopes, false security, false truths and ideologies. Everyone knows that life is ending, yet we still work so hard to achieve things of earthly value. If life on earth is so quick- then are we merely on a pointless pursuit?

Think of it as being on a vacation- you feel so at home and relaxed at this foreign island, you never want to leave. You become so immersed in being one with its people- you think having fruit baskets as hats and straw skirts as clothes is normal. Do you then go home looking like a fruit stand? Don't you think its just ridiculous? So is our pursuit for worldy things. Going home dressed like a hula girl on crack is the same as dying a sinner, without Christ. You have packed and worn the wrong things for your journey home.

"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." 1 Peter 2:11

For we are but aliens, visitors of this earth. Our citizenship is with God our Father in heaven- for all of eternity. If you are unsure of this, then friends- we urge you to come forth and know this truth:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

It is through Jesus, that we come to know what lies ahead- after we've breathed our last here on earth. This earth, our lives here- is merely just a passing phase. Let us not indulge ourselves with fading things; let us not get carried away by earthly ideals- let us not be lost in a world that is not meant to be our home.

2012 can come tomorrow- who knows? If your end finally comes, do you leave home or do you go home? We urge you to dig deep into your hearts and pray you find your answer in Christ.

Our Father is only waiting to find us- for through Jesus Christ we are found. Disengage from the bondages of this world- let go of your straw skirts and hats. Believe in Christ- Be SAVED, BE FOUND.... BE UNEARTHED.

Are you on autopilot?

Do you ever stop and think why you do the things you do? Sometimes I get so used to my habits and daily rituals that I forget why I'm doing them in the first place.

It's like driving. When I first learned it, I was very cautious and alert. But when I got used to it already, I feel that driving is just like walking. I can even eat, talk, laugh, text and sing while driving. And when I'm in my usual route to the mall or back home, I don't even have to think about my way anymore. It's very automatic. I feel like I'm on auto-pilot.

But sometimes, being on auto-pilot is not a good thing--especially in my spiritual life. Sometimes I get so used to my spiritual disciplines and habits that I forgot why I'm doing all these.

Why do I go to worship every Sunday? Why do I sing? Why do I read my Bible everyday?

This morning, I thank God for having me read this very meaningful and much loved verse in the Bible:

We love Him because He first loved us. ~1 John 4:19 NKJV

That's it. I need to be reminded of this fact. I worship Jesus because I love Him. I sing to Him because I love Him. I spend time with Him and His word everyday because I love Him.

And I love Him because He loved me first.

Reflection/Application:

• How can I remind myself of God's love for me today?
• What can I do differently to rekindle my love for the Lord?

New Self

¹"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God."

Colossians 3:1

We usually use the word therefore if there is a result or a conclusion to a problem. Paul used the word therefore for us to know that even the solution to sin has been provided by God Himself sending His only Son to die on the Cross to save our sins. Mark 10:45 says, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

I am always amazed of how great the Father's love has for us. I still cannot comprehend that God, knowing what mess I have done in my life and what shame I have brought upon His name, will sacrifice His one and only Son just to save us.

We have been saved for something important, something special. When we try to save something, it only indicates the vitality of that thing in our lives. We don't want to lose that thing because there's a value in it, a purpose. I do believe that God saved us because we are special to Him and He has something in store for us. Christ said that we are to seat at the right hand of God, a prize I never deserved but only through God's grace I have been given. We have a purpose because we have been saved.

We have been SAVED to be CLEANSED. Paul says we should set our mind on things of the Lord because we are dead to sin, alive to God. Paul wrote in Colossians 3:2-3, ²"Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.³For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
In Romans 6:2 it tells us "...We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" We have died in sin and we are ought not to live in it any longer for sin destroys the fellowship that we have in Jesus Christ.

We are SAVED to please the Lord. Colossians 3:5-7 says, "⁵Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. ⁷You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived."
Jesus Christ loves the sinner but not the sin. A complex love that only the Father can give, He cannot stand sin but He loves us. So knowing that we cannot handle sin and it is our nature to sin, Jesus saved us so that we may be able to please Him by putting to death what makes Him angry. His kind of love reminds me of a healthy relationship. When you love someone you want the best for them. You will never allow anything that you know would hurt that person in any kind or form, same as the Fathers love for us. He knows sin will destroy us, will kill us but since He loves us so much He will never allow this to happen. So pleasing the Lord also gives us a healthy life in Him alone.

We are SAVED to be RENEWED. Colossians 3:9-11 says, ^9"Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,¹⁰and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him--¹¹a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all."
We have been saved to be renewed by the Lord and He also commanded us to get rid of our old self and put on the new self that is being renewed according to God Himself whom created us. He saved us because we had a purpose in life. He renewed our inner self because we needed it badly, we need a change and it only comes from the Lord. No matter what, God will always give us the power to change and Only through Him can one person be really changed inside and out.

Every time the Lord will remind me of His grace, it always reminds me of this one line from a popular song.. " I wonder have I done my best for Jesus, while He has done so much for me."

-Have I put on the New Self, that He himself provided so that once and for all we may live the life God wants us to live
-Have I done my best for Jesus?

^17"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."
Colossians 3:17

Worry Not

 ¹"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me."

John 14:1

It is so easy to worry especially that we live in a world that will always remind us how much we need the things that we think we need. We consider a lot of things vital in our lives that whenever we fail to take control of those things, the only way we know is to WORRY. But what the Lord has commanded us was that we we should not let our hearts be troubled or in other words, WORRY NOT. What should we do then? Isn't it automatic for humans to feel worried? Answer is yes, but the Lord Himself provided the solution to the problem, that we should believe in God, and believe in Jesus Christ. Believe in the dictionary defined it as "having confidence in the truth. Which simply means that we should have confidence in the truth, in the LORD.

In all honesty, I claim that I believe in God but the truth is my action does not show that I do. I worry a lot and the fact is that the presence of being worried is the absence of faith. You cannot have confidence in the Lord while worrying what lies in the future. They do not get along together.

But God knowing how skeptical we are provided a lot of guarantee. It says in the Word of the Lord in John 14:2,

²"In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

What an amazing Father we have that He would even tell us what status we have in Him. He even promised to go before us to prepare a place for you and me as if God is asking, ``Why worry If you know that I know what I am doing.``

He also said He would go and prepare a place for us, which reminds of me of something special. We only prepare when something important is going to happen, like preparing for an important exam or preparing for a visiting relative or even preparation for a party. Preparation, which also mean making ready for something expected or though possible. Meaning that the Lord is expecting us in His kingdom and that promise we can hold on to. How often do we hear a king that would go out of his way to prepare for his worker. I know one King that would go beyond, He is the Lord.

The Lord is deeply in love with us and has a great plan for us. He promised in verse 3 saying,  ³"If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. He promised to come back and receive us Himself not only to where we should be but to where He is we may be also.

How often do we hear a Savior, so willing to take us with Him only if we believe. Worry not for the Lord has a bright plan which is to prosper us and not to harm us.

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Love is giving oneself

Scripture: 1 John 3:16-18 NKJV

16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

Observations:

v16 We understand love because of the example of Jesus when He gave His life for us so that we can be saved. We are exhorted to do the same by giving our lives for our brothers in Christ.

v17 We can accumulate much of the world's goods but at the end of the day, they won't belong to us; they're God's. Part of our stewardship is to be sensitive to the needs of others around us and to share God's blessings to them. The verse says that this is proof of God's love being present in us.

v18 Talk is cheap. Love is action. There is no explanation simpler than that.

Application:

Think of a brother in Christ who you think might have a need that God has enabled you to provide for--may be physically, emotionally, financially, etc. Pray and ask God to help you be a good steward of your life--your time, treasures and talents.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for selflessly giving yourself up for me. Thank you for demonstrating for me what it means to love and be loved. Lord, help me to be a good steward of your gifts. Help me to be unselfish with my time, talents and treasures, and to willingly give especially to those who belong to your family. Amen.

Sin is lawlessness

Scripture: 1 John 1:4-9 NKJV

Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.

Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

Sin is lawlessness. Lawlessness is the disregard of God’s laws as if there was no law. It is more than rebellion but a complete brushing aside of the law of God.

Whoever abides in Him does not sin. This does not mean that a Christian will not fall into sin. The Bible exhorts us that if we sin, we can confess our sins to God, receive forgiveness and repent from them. However, what the verse is saying is that a true follower of Christ will not remain in sin or will not continue to practice sin as a way of life (i.e. as a habit or lifestyle).

This is because our new nature will not allow us to do this (‘for His seed remains in him’ v.9). As a born again person, we have been given a built-in check and guard that alerts us when there is something wrong with our spiritual life.

There are, thus, a few reflection questions I need to ask myself in light of this:

1. How much regard am I giving the laws/commandments of God? Do I see it as God’s expression of love—that every prohibition is a protective measure that no harm or pain falls on me?
2. Do I still have sins that I can’t seem to let go of and is becoming a habit?
3. I may be okay with God, but others may not know this. Is my behavior causing others to stumble already? Am I still a good testimony for the name of Jesus?

The Answer

Touch of the Lord