I know this will not be a popular post but I have to say, that we who want to be true Christians must take a stand for our faith. We cannot say there are many roads to heaven. John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life, No one comes to the Father except through me." Acts 4:12 "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Yes, we must get along with our neighbors but not to a point where we abandon our faith and deny our God.
Jesus made demands to his followers that will cause divisions within their own families. Matthew 10:37,38 "Whoever loves father or mother more than me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." He is saying we have to take a stand within our own family; by not letting our own family's views and opinions turn us away from following him. We have to stand firm in our belief that our eternity and our family's eternity lies within the hands of God, and no one else.
When we take a stand for God, we make ourselves enemies of the world. James 4:4 "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." So just being a Christian will cause conflict within our own life. Why? 1 John 5:19 "We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." We carry the light of God within us and the world prefers staying in the dark. John 3:19,20 "And this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20For everyone who does wicked things hates the light, lest his works should be exposed." We are seen as a threat to some people because our very presence make them feel guilty about their lifestyle. But do we really want to make people who do evil things comfortable?
We cannot say everyone is right in the way they believe, so as to just get along. Revelation 3:15,16 "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." If we do not take a solid stand on the word of God, we will be rejected by God on the day of our judgement. Instead, we should be showing our devotion by doing what Jesus Christ told the apostle Paul to do in the book of Acts 26:18 "to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me."
Compromising our faith is not an option for us Christians, to God it looks like we are not committed. He will look upon us like we are lukewarm, someone who stands in the middle between good and evil, someone who does not take sides. 2 Corinthians 6:14,15 "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?" We cannot act like the world and still be accepted by God. We must choose God over the world and say without a doubt that Jesus Christ is the way, and the truth, and the life and that no one comes to the Father except through him. We must believe in God with all of our heart and make a firm stand upon his word. (ESV)
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Saturday, November 7, 2015
The Light of Hope
I sometimes wonder where is the human race heading. I hear bad news on television but I can look around me and still find hope. I listen and watch how people act towards one another and I can say there is still kindness in the world. There are still people with compassionate and loving hearts out there. Even if it looks totally dark outside I can still see lights shining through that darkness.
Where does those lights come from? It is from those who refuse to let hate and violence rule over their lives. From those who live around darkness but do not let it enter into their hearts. They have something that separates them from others and I believe that something is the Holy Spirit of God. They love what is right over what is wrong and live their lives in the light of righteousness. They do not believe in hurting others for personal gain. They rather help than take if they can.
Sometimes even if it is silly, I walk outside and try to imagine a world filled with good people. Maybe and just maybe to feel a little of what it were to be like if I was in heaven. A place where the spirit of God lives in everyone's heart. I wonder what it would be like to live in that kind of world? However reality brings me back to where I am now but I do see what we could be if we all wanted it to be different. We could all work hand in hand together to bring about a better world. I hold that hope inside of me and I know that I am not the only one.
Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 5:14,16 "You are the light of the world...." verse 16 "....let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Yes, there is still light in our dark world. It is carried in the hearts of those who follow Jesus Christ. They who love the Lord and live by his word. They will not let the darkness win but carry that light of hope to those who have none. The followers of Jesus Christ will help to make people's lives brighter and by doing this it will bring more of God's light and love into our world.
Where does those lights come from? It is from those who refuse to let hate and violence rule over their lives. From those who live around darkness but do not let it enter into their hearts. They have something that separates them from others and I believe that something is the Holy Spirit of God. They love what is right over what is wrong and live their lives in the light of righteousness. They do not believe in hurting others for personal gain. They rather help than take if they can.
Sometimes even if it is silly, I walk outside and try to imagine a world filled with good people. Maybe and just maybe to feel a little of what it were to be like if I was in heaven. A place where the spirit of God lives in everyone's heart. I wonder what it would be like to live in that kind of world? However reality brings me back to where I am now but I do see what we could be if we all wanted it to be different. We could all work hand in hand together to bring about a better world. I hold that hope inside of me and I know that I am not the only one.
Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 5:14,16 "You are the light of the world...." verse 16 "....let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Yes, there is still light in our dark world. It is carried in the hearts of those who follow Jesus Christ. They who love the Lord and live by his word. They will not let the darkness win but carry that light of hope to those who have none. The followers of Jesus Christ will help to make people's lives brighter and by doing this it will bring more of God's light and love into our world.
Saturday, October 17, 2015
God's Will is Made Clear
Here is a common theme that is stated throughout the Bible. It is clearly written where it cannot be misunderstood. 1 Samuel 12:14,15 "If you will fear the LORD and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well. 15But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you and your king." Doesn't these two verses make it easy to understand, what God wants from us? He wants from us and from those who rule over us, our obedience and not our rebellion. In verse 14 it said that if we and the people who have authority over us obey God, it will be well for us. However, in verse 15 it said if we do not obey the voice of God and rebel against his word, the LORD we be against us. I could not explain the will of God more simply than that.
I believe that those two verses 14 and 15 in 1 Samuel chapter 12 could summarize a lot of sermons and writings about God. They tell us exactly without any parables to what God wants us to do and what will happen if we do not. It is put in a very basic way that anybody can understand.
The prophet Samuel goes on to tell the people in verse 20 that they have done evil against the LORD but yet there is still hope for them if they would just turn around and serve God with their whole heart. He tells them in verse 22 that the LORD will not forsake them and that God wants them to be his people.
Even though the people had committed sins against God, Samuel told them in verse 23 that he would continue to pray for them. 1 Samuel 12:23 "Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way." Samuel did not let the people's evil ways discourage him from carrying out his duties as their prophet, to him that would have been a sin against the LORD.
Samuel instructed the people in what to do, in first Samuel 12:24 "Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you." But he also goes on to warn them what would happen if they do not in verse 25 "But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king." Again in simple language, he said, if you and those who rule over you do evil things, God will punish you both. Samuel is saying that the national authority with all of their might cannot save you or themselves from the judgement of God.
First Samuel chapter 12 verses 14 and 15 states things so simply, that you do not need hours of Bible study to understand them. The verses simply say to us, to respect, serve and obey God. They also say do not rebel against his words but accept them and do them and you will do well. However, the verses said if you do not obey the voice of God and rebel against his commandments, the LORD will be against you. Samuel even made it clear that if those who rule over us, do evil things, God will punish them, as well. God wants us to know his will and I think he made it very clear to us in first Samuel chapter 12 verses 14 and 15. (ESV)
I believe that those two verses 14 and 15 in 1 Samuel chapter 12 could summarize a lot of sermons and writings about God. They tell us exactly without any parables to what God wants us to do and what will happen if we do not. It is put in a very basic way that anybody can understand.
The prophet Samuel goes on to tell the people in verse 20 that they have done evil against the LORD but yet there is still hope for them if they would just turn around and serve God with their whole heart. He tells them in verse 22 that the LORD will not forsake them and that God wants them to be his people.
Even though the people had committed sins against God, Samuel told them in verse 23 that he would continue to pray for them. 1 Samuel 12:23 "Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way." Samuel did not let the people's evil ways discourage him from carrying out his duties as their prophet, to him that would have been a sin against the LORD.
Samuel instructed the people in what to do, in first Samuel 12:24 "Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you." But he also goes on to warn them what would happen if they do not in verse 25 "But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king." Again in simple language, he said, if you and those who rule over you do evil things, God will punish you both. Samuel is saying that the national authority with all of their might cannot save you or themselves from the judgement of God.
First Samuel chapter 12 verses 14 and 15 states things so simply, that you do not need hours of Bible study to understand them. The verses simply say to us, to respect, serve and obey God. They also say do not rebel against his words but accept them and do them and you will do well. However, the verses said if you do not obey the voice of God and rebel against his commandments, the LORD will be against you. Samuel even made it clear that if those who rule over us, do evil things, God will punish them, as well. God wants us to know his will and I think he made it very clear to us in first Samuel chapter 12 verses 14 and 15. (ESV)
Saturday, October 10, 2015
The Tears of God
Jesus weeps over Jerusalem. Luke 19:41,43,44 "And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 43For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44and tear you down to the ground...." Jesus Christ foresaw this destruction happening at 70 A.D. by the Roman army. It saddened his heart because he so loved the people of Israel.
God tried so hard and went to great lengths to bring Israel back to him and yet they still rejected him. Jesus said in Matthew 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" God told the people of Israel that they were his treasured possession in Exodus 19:5 "Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine." God loved them but they did not return his love by keeping his commandments. They rebelled against him leaving God with no other choice but to punish them for their wicked deeds.
How hard this must have been for God to punish the ones that he loved most of all. He loved them and watch over them, he sent many of his beloved prophets to them, so to turn them back from their sins and bring them back into his favor. In the same way, we were out of God's favor and to bring us back into his favor, God out of his great love for us, sent his own son to die for our sins upon the cross. Jesus, just like the prophets of old brought God's word to us and sad to say, just like the prophets of old he was killed for doing so.
The people upon this world has brought much heartbreak to God and only by God's grace we are still here. We should thank God for not giving up on us. He still looks down upon us as his precious children. He has plans for us and in his eyes (sometimes tearful), God has decided we are still worth his effort.
The tender heart of God can be hurt by the wicked things that we do, just like a parent would be hurt by their child's destructive behavior. Even though a child may hurt a parent, a parent out of love will still reach out to them and forgive them, so to bring them back, just like our heavenly Father reaches out to us, for our return. Most parents want the best for their children and God wants only the best for us as well.
I never want to bring tears of sadness to my parent's eyes, neither do I want to bring tears of sadness to my heavenly Father's eyes. Those who I love and those who love me I only want to make them happy. I only hope that I am doing well in my heavenly Father's eyes, so that any tears of sadness can be turn into tears of joy.
God tried so hard and went to great lengths to bring Israel back to him and yet they still rejected him. Jesus said in Matthew 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" God told the people of Israel that they were his treasured possession in Exodus 19:5 "Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine." God loved them but they did not return his love by keeping his commandments. They rebelled against him leaving God with no other choice but to punish them for their wicked deeds.
How hard this must have been for God to punish the ones that he loved most of all. He loved them and watch over them, he sent many of his beloved prophets to them, so to turn them back from their sins and bring them back into his favor. In the same way, we were out of God's favor and to bring us back into his favor, God out of his great love for us, sent his own son to die for our sins upon the cross. Jesus, just like the prophets of old brought God's word to us and sad to say, just like the prophets of old he was killed for doing so.
The people upon this world has brought much heartbreak to God and only by God's grace we are still here. We should thank God for not giving up on us. He still looks down upon us as his precious children. He has plans for us and in his eyes (sometimes tearful), God has decided we are still worth his effort.
The tender heart of God can be hurt by the wicked things that we do, just like a parent would be hurt by their child's destructive behavior. Even though a child may hurt a parent, a parent out of love will still reach out to them and forgive them, so to bring them back, just like our heavenly Father reaches out to us, for our return. Most parents want the best for their children and God wants only the best for us as well.
I never want to bring tears of sadness to my parent's eyes, neither do I want to bring tears of sadness to my heavenly Father's eyes. Those who I love and those who love me I only want to make them happy. I only hope that I am doing well in my heavenly Father's eyes, so that any tears of sadness can be turn into tears of joy.
Monday, October 5, 2015
I Will not Give Up
I will not give up on my belief of a better world. I will not say to myself that all is lost. I believe we can change if we really want to. The darkness that is around us can be conquer by the light that is within us. All we have to do is to nurture it and make it grow.
Surrendering to the darkness is not an option for me, I will not let it win and I will fight against it. I will not let my hope slip away, nor will I give up on my faith, for without faith there is no hope. If we live without a light source, how can we see? We are beings who need light to live.
When one is lost, he can also be found. When one is hurting, he can also be healed. There is hope and a solution to our problems, if we do not give up. We do not have to settle for darkness and hopelessness. We can see in our daily lives there is a night and there is a day. When there is light there is no darkness and if we are surrounded by darkness and we turn on a light, darkness is no more. Living in the hopefulness of light is better than living in the hopelessness of darkness. John 8:12 "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Ephesians 5:8,9 "for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light" 9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),"
My hope is in God and his salvation for us. Darkness shall never dominate my soul. Jesus Christ lights my way and gives me hope for my future, even beyond this mortal life on Earth. Trials and tribulations are apart of life but we can get past them relying on the words of God and holding strong to our faith in him. God will never abandon us, if we do not push him away. If we do not give up and we carry the love of God within our hearts, we can get past our troubles and help the world around us to change.
Surrendering to the darkness is not an option for me, I will not let it win and I will fight against it. I will not let my hope slip away, nor will I give up on my faith, for without faith there is no hope. If we live without a light source, how can we see? We are beings who need light to live.
When one is lost, he can also be found. When one is hurting, he can also be healed. There is hope and a solution to our problems, if we do not give up. We do not have to settle for darkness and hopelessness. We can see in our daily lives there is a night and there is a day. When there is light there is no darkness and if we are surrounded by darkness and we turn on a light, darkness is no more. Living in the hopefulness of light is better than living in the hopelessness of darkness. John 8:12 "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Ephesians 5:8,9 "for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light" 9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),"
My hope is in God and his salvation for us. Darkness shall never dominate my soul. Jesus Christ lights my way and gives me hope for my future, even beyond this mortal life on Earth. Trials and tribulations are apart of life but we can get past them relying on the words of God and holding strong to our faith in him. God will never abandon us, if we do not push him away. If we do not give up and we carry the love of God within our hearts, we can get past our troubles and help the world around us to change.
Saturday, September 26, 2015
If I Only had That
If I only had that thing or that person in my life, my life would be much better. How many times have we said this to ourselves? There is something missing in our lives and we think that someone or something can fill that void within us. We go about guessing in what we need and end up just accumulating things that leave us unsatisfied and having unfulfilling relationships.
What others have, we think we need to be happy. We may even start to envy other people's wives, girlfriends, husbands and boyfriends or even their material possessions. thinking if we had someone or something like that, it would makes us feel complete somehow. Just as the old saying goes, the grass is always greener on the other side. We are at lost as to what will make our lives feel better. We make the same error in thinking that someone or something will complete me, over and over again. Why do we do this? I think it is because we do not know how to do anything different. We have become limited or narrow minded in our thinking. We limit ourselves to solving our problems with material things hoping they will take care of our spiritual needs.
Jesus Christ said in Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." So there is a person that can help us make our lives feel complete and his name is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, our saviour is pointing to our heavenly Father as the source for all of our answers to our spiritual needs. Our fulfillment in life does not rely on having a certain material possession or having a physical relationship with someone. It depends on us having a close relationship with God, by putting the will of God first in our lives and seeking out his wisdom in everything that we do.
For me, when I say if I only had that, I am referring to the qualities of God's Spirit that would make my life feel much better. If I only have his limitless love. If only I could forgive completely as he has forgiven me. Whatever I am lacking in my life, I turn not to the world for my answers but to God, for he knows exactly what I need (Matt.6:8). I had not always done this, but like a child who had to learn to walk, I fell down a lot in life before I could understand how to walk. I made mistakes, but what is important is that I learned from them and I realized that God's way is the best way every time. Seeking after the world only brought pain into my life but seeking after God has brought me much happiness.
Matthew 4:4 "But he answered, "It is written. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." Jesus Christ spoke these words to the devil who was trying to tempt him. He relied on the words of God for his defense. Not only did Jesus tell us to live by the words of God, he live his life by them as well. They not only provided him with wisdom but also protection against the devil's temptations. The word of God is not an option we have in life, it is as vital to our lives as water and air. We need his wisdom, love and protection so that we can be happy, and be fulfilled.
If I only had that feeling of completeness and wholeness in my life and the answer is that I can, by seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. (ESV)
What others have, we think we need to be happy. We may even start to envy other people's wives, girlfriends, husbands and boyfriends or even their material possessions. thinking if we had someone or something like that, it would makes us feel complete somehow. Just as the old saying goes, the grass is always greener on the other side. We are at lost as to what will make our lives feel better. We make the same error in thinking that someone or something will complete me, over and over again. Why do we do this? I think it is because we do not know how to do anything different. We have become limited or narrow minded in our thinking. We limit ourselves to solving our problems with material things hoping they will take care of our spiritual needs.
Jesus Christ said in Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." So there is a person that can help us make our lives feel complete and his name is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, our saviour is pointing to our heavenly Father as the source for all of our answers to our spiritual needs. Our fulfillment in life does not rely on having a certain material possession or having a physical relationship with someone. It depends on us having a close relationship with God, by putting the will of God first in our lives and seeking out his wisdom in everything that we do.
For me, when I say if I only had that, I am referring to the qualities of God's Spirit that would make my life feel much better. If I only have his limitless love. If only I could forgive completely as he has forgiven me. Whatever I am lacking in my life, I turn not to the world for my answers but to God, for he knows exactly what I need (Matt.6:8). I had not always done this, but like a child who had to learn to walk, I fell down a lot in life before I could understand how to walk. I made mistakes, but what is important is that I learned from them and I realized that God's way is the best way every time. Seeking after the world only brought pain into my life but seeking after God has brought me much happiness.
Matthew 4:4 "But he answered, "It is written. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." Jesus Christ spoke these words to the devil who was trying to tempt him. He relied on the words of God for his defense. Not only did Jesus tell us to live by the words of God, he live his life by them as well. They not only provided him with wisdom but also protection against the devil's temptations. The word of God is not an option we have in life, it is as vital to our lives as water and air. We need his wisdom, love and protection so that we can be happy, and be fulfilled.
If I only had that feeling of completeness and wholeness in my life and the answer is that I can, by seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. (ESV)
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Little Bits of Wisdom
I was throwing out some of my old papers and I found a paper that I had written a long time ago. Upon it, I had written down some of my thoughts about life. Back then I was always jotting down my thoughts about why are things the way they are, trying my best to come to an understanding about my world. I thought I would share them with you.
Here are a few of my insights that I had written down:
I believe a lot of people just gave up trying to change the world. They just settle for a place of their own, a place of comfort to live out their lives. But that comfort is only an illusion while living in a chaotic world. You are never really isolated from what goes on around you. Our individual happiness can be destroyed so easily or made less by the evil within our world.
_____________________________________________
People makes or agrees to the value in all things like money, diamonds, and gold. It is people that actually puts value on them. Take away the people and there is no more value. The value on things only exist within our human mind. The money and gold that we value, I doubt that any creature in nature would place any worth on them at all.
If we all lived on an island and we all agreed that shiny shells were valuable. Then someone came to the island with a ship full of gold and fine gems, we would not think he is rich for he does not have any shiny shells that we highly value.
______________________________________________
Don't let others compromise your values. Every time you do, you die a little within.
______________________________________________
Do whatever it takes to make that flower of love and happiness to flourish within you without hurting yourself and others.
______________________________________________
The rule of love and the rule of happiness is to love yourself and to love others. Be happy with yourself and find happiness among others. Preach about love and preach about happiness, and if you make a lot of mistakes along the way, just keep on loving and being happy. ---- from the Orator of Beautiful Words.
Here are a few of my insights that I had written down:
I believe a lot of people just gave up trying to change the world. They just settle for a place of their own, a place of comfort to live out their lives. But that comfort is only an illusion while living in a chaotic world. You are never really isolated from what goes on around you. Our individual happiness can be destroyed so easily or made less by the evil within our world.
_____________________________________________
People makes or agrees to the value in all things like money, diamonds, and gold. It is people that actually puts value on them. Take away the people and there is no more value. The value on things only exist within our human mind. The money and gold that we value, I doubt that any creature in nature would place any worth on them at all.
If we all lived on an island and we all agreed that shiny shells were valuable. Then someone came to the island with a ship full of gold and fine gems, we would not think he is rich for he does not have any shiny shells that we highly value.
______________________________________________
Don't let others compromise your values. Every time you do, you die a little within.
______________________________________________
Do whatever it takes to make that flower of love and happiness to flourish within you without hurting yourself and others.
______________________________________________
The rule of love and the rule of happiness is to love yourself and to love others. Be happy with yourself and find happiness among others. Preach about love and preach about happiness, and if you make a lot of mistakes along the way, just keep on loving and being happy. ---- from the Orator of Beautiful Words.
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