Ordinaries...

I took time reading some summaries of great man during the OT times and quite a revealing communication or perhaps a disclosure (as I put it 😊) of a freeing message.

After the death of Joshua and his peers, the next generation has forsaken the Lord God of their fathers. The people turned and followed other gods, following the gods of the people that were all around them. This disastrous chronicle is quite a gloomy picture of God’s chosen people, yet some men (Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah) stands up one after another. (They were also mentioned in the NT book of Hebrews along with others as well.)

History however, presented us a flawed people who nevertheless responded to God’s call during a time of spiritual “darkness” in their culture. The Bible honors them for their faith, not for their perfection---as there is none. They were recipients of God’s sufficient grace as surely as we are.

        Thus, in every generation, God raises up people who are willing to follow Him and true to His Word. The measure of their lives and of ours is not the absence of failure but the presence of His gracious forgiveness coupled with their faith to obey His call.

I just remember the stereotyped cliché I used to utter at the end of message when I’m sharing the Word to challenge the hearers….

“God specializes in turning

A nothing to something..

A nobody to Somebody…

If.., to Him we’ll trust…

If.., to Him we’ll obey!”

Indeed it is, too many times He has proven that….in the Bible, on every lives and in my life.

      “Faith and obedience in Christ can make an ordinary people to extraordinary heroes!” 💪😇

Verse-Meal:

Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them. Judges 2:16

The Sin of Sins...

     I found myself wondering (and wandering) one afternoon when I read this phrase, it brought me down to the past, Yep….that’s right…., to the very beginning, which lead by my wonder and curiosity to study something  about this so called father of sins. The more you know the background of who and what is it, the more we could readily claim and walk from victory in our Christian life.  The “who did it” was laid out and given, “the-what-it-is” remains to be thoroughly investigated and understood.

So allow me to walk with you again….moderately, along its story…

     It was this sin which first led Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit (hindi mansanas yon ha.😄 )  “Just eat it and you won’t die” as the invitation was pushed to enlarge the desire and probably appetite. Then, she looked…, she plucked…, she ate ….. and… she shared (shocks! kaya namomroblema ako eh 😁  hehehe!) Then the “who did it" of old--did it auspiciously for the first time in human history. It was none other than the devil himself, introducing the sin he triumphantly applied to share his condemnation to humanity.

     It was also this sin, (I supposed) which transformed an anointed cherub of God, the very "seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty,” (as what the Good Book says) into Satan, Lucifer the devil, the Father of lies, the one for whom Hell itself was created. Time and again, we're warned to guard our hearts against this sin lest we too "fall into the same condemnation as the devil."

 

  This sin of sins is none other than “p-r-i-d-e”. It is the commencement of all sin because it was this which overthrew the devil, from whom arose the origin of all other sins and afterwards. His malice and envy pursued man (and woman “siyempre”), who was yet (at that earlier time) standing in his uprightness, but it subverted him in the same way in which he himself fell.

     Pride is peculiarly the sin of our fallen nature, and that’s why we are pre-occupied with our own. Such fitting,---that the middle letter of this word is “I”, it’s all about me, myself and mine. (‘recognize this??) A selfish nature acquired by listening and following to the oldest lie to be other “gods.” It's this sin of pride manifest itself in self motives, an exaggerated ego, a low opinion of others and disrespect for God. This sin of sins is rightfully distinguish as the foremost among seven deadly sins, and each of those seven is equally as deadly (Proverbs 6:16-19, NKJV), but none is quite as notorious as this "sin of the devil." It could be somehow looked, that many or all of those sins are inspired by such.

     We must recognize such problem and fight it. And this might be the hardest part, because as we have seen..., pride skews, bends and warps our perception of reality. It's hard to humble ourselves when we're stuck in pride. We cannot defeat it on our own as "our own heart is deceitful above all things", it can trick us but it cannot trick God.😅

     Don't make this thing the longest distance between ourselves and God. Such situation must and should bring us to our Creator, the Lord God. A complete repentance and submission to Him entails to halt this as we start to walk continuously and accordingly to his plan in our lives. Quite a relief ehy...that He did not forsake us to be defeated by our own selves through providing a “down-to-earth and simplistic way…..”Come to Me…” in which many people from many backgrounds sadly fail to understand yet. (willingly or otherwise)

     Give it up to grow up 😄 "for and to" God, as “Humbling ourselves before Almighty God… is the name of the game.”

Verse-Meal:

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. James 4:6
 

LOL!

Quite embarrassing yet for the sake of laughter eh sige na....hehehehe

Wala lang...natatawa ako pag naaalala ko ang mga kaignorantehan ko dito sa net...nagkukunwaring marunong tapos ang ending...komedi and embarassment. Gaya nitong LOL! I thought all the while ang ibig sabihin nito eh "lots of love", yun pala "laughing out loud" (sabi ko na...magtanong muna eh!).

Kaya everytime na susulat ako sa mga friends ko o sasagot ako sa mga forum na pinapasukan ko eh I made it a point to express my concern and love with this acronym. Minsan yung kaibigan ko eh nagkuwento sa akin na nagka-breyk sila ng bf niya....sabi ko....

Don't worry, after this storm you will find yourself to be a better person, with or without him..

with prayers and lol..

--jun--

Whew! kakahiya kala siguro pinagtatawanan ko s'ya....kaya pala di na nag-reply....

ito pa isa...

Don't loose hope...everything is allowed by the Almighty for a very great reason...,that is...to improve and bless us, There's a bright sun behind those clouds you know!...Keep on keeping on!

LOL!

--jun--

Marami pa to..kaya lang......Sigh! kakahiya talaga...tama na!!! LOL!

 ....sometimes pride prevents us to ask, that's why knowledge is limited and shame multiplied.

Verse-Meal

Pro. 16:18

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

....Re-post from my first blog....

Fears...

   

     A boy used to travel to school with a group of friends everyday, it gave him a certain feeling of security. One cold day, he overslept, and wasn't able to join their own "little trip" to school...so he went alone.

     Along the way..he met three kids strangely staring at him. Upon reaching a not so crowded alley, one of those pale looking kids kicked him, the two others pulled out a very sharp pen and demanded his bag and money....since he was outnumbered...he gave in, teary eyed and trembling with fear.

     This scenario created a scar to the boy's young heart. It left a huge fear that made him insecure, awkward and live with so many pretensions....he learned to put on a confident and courageous front whenever interacting with a crowd. He learned to carry some sort of sharp object with him, (a fan knife or anything pointed) for defensive purposes (accordingly!) and somehow gave him a sense of security however false it was. He always make it a point not to be alone, in whatever situation it may be, from doing a simple task, to talking to strangers, asking for assistance, travelling or being in the dark..,especially,... alleys.

     The boy grew up carrying this fear that also grew up with him, and it generates to other forms of fear as well, the fear of the unknown, the worries of tomorrow and future, and others more..... but life goes on....He mingled with a mask and acquired learning, yet watchful, cautious and hiding to cover the weakness from his youth that limits him to fully enjoy life.

     Now that he's already a man, he sometimes find himself walking alone, in the midst of this dangerous society, where people could do anything to hurt you and rob you and probably kill you to get what they want. (Yes!,it could happen to anyone today in the Philippines).And he travels without that pointed object anymore, even in the very dim alley, strangely, with a great song in his heart. He still mingles with people, surprisingly not to put up a "face", but to contribute somehow in whatever ways he can. The negative fear has been subdued, and it's not because he outgrown it but because he learned something precious along the way. He has discovered courage, confidence and security not by having some strong and influential people around him but by surrendering. He has already met his God, in a deeper, personnal and biblical manner, and accepted, not a new religion nor tradition, but His Son as his Lord and personnal Saviour, an act so simple to do yet so hard for some people to understand. A very important decision one has to do for this has an eternal implications. This simple experience liberates him from the coward life he once had.

     Currently...he still experiences many fears and worries like others do but this fears motivates him more to contribute effectively and extend his reach. It has not lead him to put up a face nor wear another mask....nor carry a pointed weapon with him again.

     Fear of God has made him fearless......

     By the way, this once coward guy who now found courage in surrendering to Christ is going around by the handle of Flex J!

     Hey!...It's better to trust an unknown future to a known God..... 😊

Verse-Meal

Psalm 23:4

Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me...

What's our Heart Condition?,...on Money?

     I thank God for a change perspective on life about lot of things and still learning...😊

 

     This outlook also brought along lots of new actions pushing me to forget which are behind and reach out to a fresh forth. It does not come easily as it has a lot of struggle and contradiction emanating from friends and/or people who are dear. An old set of rules, traditional beliefs and ways of doing things will at times build a hindrance for a greater truth that loudly speaks and invites. Making that step to follow or embarking to a new lifestyle is quite a challenge...a verry big challenge.

    

And a certain challenge facing such change is plainly money. Too many instances on people lives that this "seemingly root of power", as the world exalt, hindered good promises of God from  hatching and  subsequently, enjoying a more wonderful life,. it's a matter of the heart perhaps. Hmmmm...

     And I am being reminded of that wealthy young man who approach Jesus and ask him about the eternal life. And the answer somehow makes the young wealthy man to walk away bowing his head as he cannot leave his money (huge ehy!) to follow Jesus. We'll its a relation against possessions, and you know how the story went on..... :). It's the condition of his heart  that blocked the flow of the real blessings to be enjoyed.

     Another instance also surface in my "Hmmmm" mind is the overwhelmingly dire situation of that poor widow near the offering box. With nothing to eat, and what's left in her hand is a few cent, she willingly placed it to the treasure box.... And the Lord commented that this poor widow has put more into the treasury that all the others. Whew such a situation that shouts! It's the condition of her heart that strongly speaks.

 
     I'm also reminded of this wisdom thought when one good guy asked me a simple question in a gathering during my younger years..."Is money the root of evil" I reacted by a loud shout of "YES" then a simple and gentle response came..."NO its NOT"..., I was kinda stunned, my wandering mind is checking such validity, (and really) I was stunned and thinking ..."why did this good man announce that with so much force and conviction". Then he lead me to the revealing verse...."For the love  of money is the root of all evil...."  it's the LOVE of money not the money itself. Whew! quite simple yet it's a freeing revelation to note and meditate somehow. (Simplicity at times overwhelms.)  It's a condition of the heart that conveys where your attachments is placed.

     And it's healthy to have those "medium of exchange" as a slave rather than a master. "Mahirap po yatang masyadong maraming pera, nakakabulag din pala at baka lumakad tayong talunan dahil di na maiwan ang kayamanan". Hmmmm...

Verse-Meal:
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Tim 6:10 KJV

When the newness wears off.

Have you experienced being veerrry excited, attentive and motivated in a certain activity assigned to you, or perhaps to a new job or environment you are into....Ang aga mong gumising, pasipol-sipol pa, walang late, lahat ng utos "Yes Sir! o Yes Mam!" ang sagot, pasigaw pa yun ha. Pati ang bilis mong kumilos, dami mong nagagawa, parang wala ng bukas, lahat ng assign task tapos mo! walang tinitirang jobs, You're sweating hard but it really doesn't bother you much 'co'z you're accomplishing something you've never done before. Very productive, very efficient. Sabi nga ng kaibigan ko...."di ka sayang kaibigan"...Galing! Husay!

Then....after a considerable time doing the routinaries of effectiveness, parang ang bagal mo ng kumilos, parang wala ka ng gana, ang hirap ng gumising ng maaga at naging mabigat yata ng trabaho. Parang lahat sumasalungat sa iyo at nag-iisa ka na yata. Madalas mainit na ang ulo mo at feeling mo napag-iiwanan ka, pati blood pressure mo mataas na yata.....Where have all the magics gone?, where's the seemingly undying ember of optimism? Did the flame already died?

Yes!...things like these happens. And when it does approach you, don't be upset, throw that self-pity away out of your window. Here are some practical tips to get rid of those pessimism....

1. Keep yourself busy....
The more you are busy the less time you ponder negative thoughts.

2. Re-inforce optimism.....
Watch and read inspirational and lively stories.

3. Be not alone....
Keep it a point to be with a group of cheerful company most of the time.

4. Discover the special you....
Find your special talent.There is one for everybody, it's just waiting to be discovered.

5. Take a rest....
You maybe just too tired and mostly everyone tends to look dim when they're exhausted. Dwell on His Word and pray... :)

6. Lastly, take time to listen to others...
My mom says..."In order for you to forget the not so good situation you're in, listen to others with more grievous predicament."


Just do not let that bad feeling conquer you, because you can still contribute a lot to this hungry world. Don't provide a limit to yourself with regards to service and contribution.

If this doesn't work and the ill feeling still survives...ewan ko na lang, ganyan yata talaga pag menopause ka na.......LOL! Tawa ka naman...masyado kang serious, parang nasa ICU!


Verse-Meal

Isaiah 41:10
Fear thou not, for I AM with thee. Be not dismayed for I AM thy God. I will strenghten thee and will help thee. And I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

...worrying is the most time wasting activity some people indulge...

Such LOVE…

I was reminded of that young sturdy man who always been in a flame when season of planting seeds is at hand. He usually took time alone to store required strength and prepare the required seeds for spreading. Then he mingled with his other friends who also regarded such activity distinct and at high end, enjoying and sharing valuable experiences from their own passage of this duration.

And then the planting starts…..everyone took their well-kept seedlings, everyone prepares well. They are all scattered and distributed to their own assigned location. Each of them overlays the miracle seeds to the thirsty land that promises great bundle of fruits… someday and somehow.

Such a sight, such a marvelous spectacle of beneficial actions for a common purpose.

            Length of time passed and moments of various changes had affected the planting activity. The young sturdy man seems unconcerned and disinterested. And surprisingly, sometimes nowhere around… yet, new faces emerged, young blood with a solid, strong desire. High end laughter with such willingness to inter-act on the beneficial activity is still seen, but somehow I sorely missed the guy that was once strong and active but now feeble and collapsing. I missed his infectious smile. What has become of him?

This scene somehow engulfed me….as I saw the man in there ….. a part of me.!? Or a part of us?!  And “What has become of him” should be, what has happened to me? What has happened to us? Our fierce, menacing intensity that once grow seeds of truthful promises has awkwardly become cold, unresponsive desire which emanates dispassionism. Hmmmmm…What has become of me?

The crying, the confessions, the submission and thirst… for the service has somehow diverted to other seemingly profitable deed (accordingly).  The flame for the season is reduced to an ember of a dying fire. What has become of me?

‘Hard to face it head on… but Truth never stops. I know it, as usually I preached it, Tried to shun it.. Yet, the more it strikes a sounding blow.  What a vigorous power that convicts…..What a forceful pull! What a degree of Love!! So Unending, Unequivocal, Un-sizeable!  How can I…Oh! How can I……cease and discontinue. What is my meaning apart from Him?... And I just found myself humming….then singing that enduring hymn of my youth….

“Such was His love, that Hegave His own life..As though all our wrong were His…And I’ll tell Him…because He became what I was, That I might become….who He is….”

My tears flow…my tears fell. The embrace was so tight that clearly spells… I won’t let you go!….”These has become of me!”

Verse-Meal:

Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. Rom 5:5 AMPC