Month: December 2010

Happy Holidays! This recent last Friday marked the end of this school’s semester and beginning the long waited holiday break! I have left Florida to enjoy a few days with my elder brother and sister’s families in New York. My time with them has been incredible, especially seeing their kids. I state I have the cutest neice and nephew in the world.

Today I’m on my way for home in beautiful, sunny Antigua! I’m so excited that ill soon see my parents and my home churches.

While I was with my brother and sister, I was really reminded how really brief life is.

“Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14).

Life is temporary. One time we are here and the next we are gone. I was reminded to really enjoy my family. Although I am to see my brother and sister again before I return to college, I can’t guarantee I would see them again. During this short moment we have here on earth, make the most to show love to others. Since this is holidays, make that extra effort.

Merry Christmas! May you all be blessed as you celebrate the coming of our Savior.

FYI (For Your Information): Most of the posts you receive from my blog is published from my cell phone (convenient huh?) Because I will be in Antigua as of today, I will be turning off my cell phone to save off international costs; so you have a frequent update of the blog as you usually do.

I will try my earnest to keep you constantly updated. Again. Blessings and have a Merry Christmas!

My Birthday Speech

Today I am twenty-three years old. Looking back at the past, I can hardly ever imagine God would bring me to where I am now.

Four years ago, a high-school dropout gazed at his future that appear it reached a sudden dead end. He lost all self-esteem and willpower. He reached adulthood where life seemed to have ended before it had really begun. He had no idea that today we would be now resting on a bunk on a college campus and at his second year at college.

It could only lead to one thing: the grace of God.

“And He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. “(Psa 40:1b-2)

I was in a pit- a deep pit. I didn’t see much hope in my future. But God found me where I was and took me – depressed, anxious, confused, lost- and restored me to place of promise.

I can lay here on this bed now and say to you that I am where am because God choose to demonstrate his extravagant mercy on me and raise me up. Thank you all for the birthday wishes and may you also find His grace that finds us where we most need it.

We’re finally on the last week of school for this semester! In less than 5 days, I should be flying to New Jersey to spend a few days with my brother and sister’s families before coming home for Christmas.

This week I will also turn 23. Yikes! Age has yet again snuck upon me. But bless Christ for sustaining me to see another birthday.

But before enjoy the holidays, I have the next three days of final exams. This is very challenging time because honestly I’m excited about finally going home and I’m also worn from the semester. The upcoming days will be intense and will acquire sheer diligence and focus.

Keep me in your prayers why don’t you? 🙂

So I picked up my Bible today from the Lost and Found. Embarrassing isn’t it? I’m very glad I have it now in possession again. Although we do lose God’s Word (out Bibles) from time to time, let’s always keep His Word hidden in our hearts. There it can never be lost.

Keeping passages of Scripture in our hearts help incline us to God’s instructions and also helps us not to forget His commands. One classic verse that now comes to mind is Psalm 119:11:

“Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

A good combatant against temptation to sin is reciting Scripture. Remember its our sword! “And take hold of the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God” (Eph 6:17).

Please God and secure His Word inside you. May this passage from the Word be our prayer today: “I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.” (Psa 40:8).

The Reason for the Season

Holidays have rolled in here at the college. All the lights around the campus were lighted up after a gathered time of students singing Christmas carols together.

It’s begining to look a lot like Christmas; and as this beloved festive settles in, let’s keep heart who we are celebrating.

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isa 9:6).

Born in the little town of Bethlehem, our Savior came into the world. He came to give his life so that we may have life. Remember Jesus is the reason for the season.

Access to God

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.” -Matthew 27:50-51

When Jesus died, there arose a terrible earthquake. It shook the earth greatly and his spectators fled in fear. A centurion in his awe said,”Truly, this man was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:55). Among the impressive damage the quake left was the tear of the veil of the temple that guarded the Holy of Holies – the imaged presence of God.

But God had a purpose to ruining his furniture. The veil being torn represented man’s now available access to God. The shedding of the Lamb of the God was the completed sacrifice that made the permanent remission of mankind’s sin. No longer will anyone have to give offerings to make peace with God for Christ paid the price of the payment for sin on the cross.

What does this mean? It means the end of traditions, rituals, procedures to come into God’s presence. We can simply come to God just as we are. We enter into community with God by receiving His grace -the grace that brought salvation. Christ giving to us no what other could: peace with God.

May we come to the Lord with reverence. Honor his holiness by confessing sin and requesting Him to be filled of His spirit.

A couple days after Jesus’ resurrection(!), Jesus is with His disciples feasting on a miraculous catch of fish. When they had finish eating, Jesus turns to Peter and asks,”Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Here Christ is reinstating Peter after he had denied Him. Observe Christ’s procession of his questions to Peter. He first asks Him if he loves him than he inquires him to go preach the Word. Before we go out, we must be founded on a love for Christ. From there we act on our love for Him.

When I started serving with OM Ships three years ago, I recall my vibrant zeal and energy in our pre-ship training. I was like a rocket on the launch pad: I was eager to go out and serve Christ!

One day we had the ship director come to speak to us. When he had finished his lecture to us, I went up and spoke with him. He was amused by my strong passion, and he happily stood there and listen to me share some of it verbally to him. I remember his response to me after I had finished.

“I challenge you to make the focus of your commitment in knowing God.” he said, “once you have that founded then from your love for God, everything else (service, etc) will follow.”

That was the best advice I ever received there. It helped me during the ship’s phases of being built when work had to be prioritized over ministry. It reminded me with every failure I experienced.

The motives of our heart should be geared toward knowing God and growing in knowledge of Him. When you have that foundation then when trials come and passion fades, you’re remain faithful to God because your commitment is based on your love for Him.

Peter had served Christ out of passion but when we was tested, he denied Christ and deserted him. Secure a foundation that will last. Build your faith on a love for Christ.