Tag: maturity

Your Heart, Home for God’s Word

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Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ NKJV)

Devotional author Kay Arthur has a real cozy way to explain verse:

“God wants His Word to be a home to us”.

Who is a stranger in their own house? Is there anywhere that I can kick up and relax – it’s my own home! It’s a place of refuge, security and familiarity – a sense of belonging.

Having God’s Word dwell richly within us is letting the message about Christ become a place of belonging in our lives.

It’s me opening my Bible each day with desire.

Reading the Scriptures should be just a fluid as me using the facet. I regularly use the facet because I want to use it; I need to use it; (my family likes me using it too especially I first wake up and apply the toothbrush to the tongue) and because I enjoy to use it.

The message of Christ was much at home to Timothy. Paul regarded this when he wrote to Timothy:

“…from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (II Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬ NKJV).

Growing up in the Word was a part of Timothy’s life. It was home to him!

Let the Word live in your life. Make it something you delight to seek.

Don’t just read it. Welcome it home!

Right Believing Changes Everything

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Right believing changes everything.

I wish I made up this powerful statement. But I didn’t. Everyday when I sit to watch Pastor Joseph Prince, he ends his program with this quote. One day, it really brought a fresh meaning to me, and I realized something:

Life is shaped by our thoughts.

Proverbs 4:23 says “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.”

God advises us to guard our hearts because it determines the course of lives.

A lot of what you do is dictated by how you think.

Before I leave the house, I revisit every room that I’ve used to help me get ready. I have this phobia that I may have forgotten to do something. No matter how many times I assure myself, I still make this walk through! While my dad and my youngest brother who live life by a clock pull their hair, I keep this pattern, because I’ve allowed what I think to determine how I act.

You think racism is natural? No! You teach children to judge people by their skin color. Their hatred they expressed in their older years was molded by the thoughts that they were taught.

You are never going to change your life unless you first change your thinking.

The Bible calls changing how think, renewing your mind:

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ NKJV).

You experience the difference of being a new person, that is the new creation in Christ (2 Cor 5:17), by changing the way you think.

You want live different? Get your thoughts right!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (II Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ NKJV).

By belonging to Christ, you are different. Now what’s next for you is to
start believing it!

Right believing changes everything!!!

A Far Better Wardrobe

Romans 8:18 says: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

All difficulties we are undergoing now are not worth the time to grieve over when we align them to the everlasting, overwhelming glory God awaits to show us.

A consistent difficulty I suffer with presently is the pursuit of fashion. I crave for the ultimate style that most fitly expresses my personality. I spend so much time surfing fashion sites and stocking my Instagram feed with various, cool men styles.

Then a Bible teacher struck the thunder when he quoted from 1 Timothy 6:6: Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

Being satisfied in Christ is itself great value. Paul in this chapter warns us not to be so wrapped up in the culture around us, because its temporal.

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (I Timothy 6:7 NKJV)

We were came into this world with our hands empty and that is how we are going to leave it. Why do I feel I need to have a high end wardrobe when I will only leave it for decay or for someone to devalue it by selling everything at a thrift store?

Here is what Jesus had to say to my anxiety of being socially acceptable with my wardrobe: “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? (Matthew 6:25 NKJV)

Life is more meaningful than only being preoccupied with being up to date with what to wear.

To appease my inner groaning, Jesus presented to me a far better wardrobe. In Revelation 19, the citizens of heaven celebrate the marriage of the Lamb with the Church. This is a perfect picture of our eternal union with Christ where we believers will enjoy what David describes, In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalms 16:11 NKJV)

Revelation 19 goes on to describe our new wardrobe: And to her (us the Church) it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. (Revelation 19:8 NKJV)

We are going to have a far better wardrobe. It will not lose its impression because it will be glorious and incorruptible. It will display our righteous efforts to exalt Christ.

And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. (I Timothy 6:8 NKJV)

Let us not be entangle with the conforms of this life. All the glitters and vintage looks will one day fade away. Rather, let us anticipate the day where we will shine in such an outfit that expresses our acceptance in Christ.

I have enough food and clothing, so I can be content. My wardrobe may not qualify a front cover on GQ, but I can look forward to a far better wardrobe.

Phil 1:21 vs Phil 2:21 Christian

My buddy Carlo in our prayer group commented, “There are two types of Christians: A Philippians 1:21 Christian and Philippians 2:21 Christian”.

Philippians 1:21 Christian lives by the verse: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21 KJV)

This Christian understands God is passionate for His glory. He looks at the Scriptures and accepts the fact that he was created to exalt God. His life channels through this verse:

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (I Corinthians 10:31 NKJV)

This person sees and reflects the glory of God as the Spirit makes him more and more like Christ (2 Cor 3:18). He accepts that his life was predestinated to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29 NKJV).

He leaves behind the past and sees himself in the aftermath of his choice to follow Christ. He accepts that he is a new creation (2 Cor 5:17) and that the life which [he] now live in the flesh [he] live by faith in the Son of God, who loved [him] and gave Himself for [him]. (Galatians 2:20 NKJV).

To him, salvation wasn’t an insurance of eternal security from everlasting damnation, but a sorrowful repentance of his rebellion against God and a sincere acceptance of God’s offer of mercy by believing in Christ’s shedding of His holy blood, he is remitted of his sins and is imputed Christ’s righteousness.

Being born again to him is to be an imitator of God (Eph 5:1). He realizes when 1 John 2:6 says, “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (I John 2:6 NKJV), he sees that he must “deny himself, and take up his cross and follow [Christ] (Luke 9:23 NKJV).

To him, he counts all things as loss for Christ (Phil 3:7). He views the mercy God had on his life, and he gives up his wants, dreams, ideas, presumptions, goals, plans, ambitions, desires, temptations to live for the wants of God (Rom 12:1). He isn’t entangled with the culture of this world (2 Tim 2:4; Rom 12:2), rather he aims for Christ always to be magnified in [his] body, whether by life or by death. (Philippians 1:20 NKJV).

Suffering for Christ is not a trifle, but a privilege (Phil 1:29).

His joy is unconditional. His delight sings the same song: Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. (Psalms 73:25 NKJV).

Death is not a dead end to him, but the obviosous anticipation to desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. (Philippians 1:23 NKJV).

The profile of the Philippians 2:21 reflects the verse: For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:21 NKJV)

His life is centered on himself. He abuses the grace that Christ dreadfully purchased for him (Rom 6:1). He lives totally to gratify himself. Although his pattern of lifestyle can be affiliated with a follower of Christ, his true colors are as the Apostle Paul describes:

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame— who set their mind on earthly things. (Philippians 3:18, 19 NKJV)

He is hindrance to the advance of Christ, because (pretty much) he is in the way. His religion is impure and defiled (James :27), because he lives well and sees others in need and takes no pity on them (1 John 3:17). His wealth is stored for the here and now. He is so ineffective to share the Gospel because he is so preoccupied with life here on earth. Every success he makes, he perceives it as a blessing and blames the Devil or even God for any discomfort.

He is pretty much useless to the cause of Christ (Luke 14:34-35). These words of Christ label his worship: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. (Matthew 15:8 NKJV)

He believes that he is a valuable asset to God, but he is actually nothing more than a whitewashed tomb (Matt 23:27).

What he says in his heart is what Christ condemn to the Church of Laodicea: Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— (Revelation 3:17 NKJV)

Both profess Christ, but they don’t walk the same path. Which of these profiles address to you?

…When you’re wildly in love with someone, it changes everything.
-Francis Chan, Crazy Love

The Want For Escape

When we are confronted with a personal issue, more often than not its sin, there is this natural want to escape from it. 

To get away. Just not worry about it.

Cain ran from God because he did not want to be accounted for killing his brother. We have Jonah traveling entirely opposite from God’s sovereign direction for Jonah to preach to his enemies at Nineveh.

We cannot hide. Especially if it is sin. God clearly stated that will “bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14 NKJV). 

God found Cain as he ran from the scene of the crime. He exposed him, exclaiming to Cain, “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground” (Genesis 4:10 NKJV). Then Cain faced his judgment.

God forced Jonah to go to Nineveh with a fierce storm and a whale.*

Truth is you can’t run from confrontation. All of us need to learn that we need to run through them.

Even Jesus sought an escape from His mission to suffer and die. This act was necessarily for all of us.

Jesus revealed his humanity when He wrestled with the thoughts of the immense suffering that waited for Him. He even pleaded with Father God asking, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42 NKJV). 

We are human. Confrontation honestly is uncomfortable. Here are some things to consider when faced with confrontation.

1. The Confrontation could possibly be God’s divine fingers, pointing out our sin or pointing us to do the right thing. 

We saw God confronted Cain with his sin in killing his brother. God also confronted Jonah to do the right thing which was to go to Nineveh.

When we are confronted with sin, we need to remember that He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13 NKJV). 

“For whom the Lord loves He chastens…” (Hebrews 12:6 NKJV). We are God’s children, therefore he will confront us on our wrong and discipline us.

We need to always do the right thing because we have to as Christ’s followers. God says its sin to not do what you know you ought to do:

“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17 NKJV)

When confronted, we need to always do the right thing.  (Check out Doing Good Because You Have To)

2. Whenever confronted, see God’s desire in the matter. 

God has called us to “be imitators of God as dear children” (Ephesians 5:1 NKJV). He desires that we “be conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29 NKJV).  God will even use trials and circumstances to shape you into His desired image.

Know also that God wants us to be a better person. As He molds us, especially in undelightful confrontations, it’s always for your good. As you endure confrontations, remember that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6 NKJV). 

3. Always depend on God’s strength. 

Remember Mary, Jesus’ mother. Here she is minding her own business, when she is suddenly approached face to face with an Angel whom declares her assignment to carry the Son of God. Talk about confrontation!

When Mary listed the impossibilities, the angel responded boldly, “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37 NKJV). 

“If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small” (Proverbs 24:10 NKJV). 

You can’t afford to shrink and hide from your problems when they confront you. That weakens you.

Any confrontation you face, you can always bank on God to see you through it. Cast all your anxiety upon Christ because He cares for you**.

Mary understood she could make it through this confrontation that included incredible responsibility and supernatural elements only on God’s strength.

She gave the right answer for the angel. “Then Mary said, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word’ (Luke 1: 38 NKJV). 

You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength, even in confrontations.*** Trust in Him.

*Jonah 1

**1 Peter 5:7: “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

***Philippians 4:13:  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Love, the Greatest Gift

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God refreshed my soul to observe how high love ought to be regarded in our lives. He brought me to 1 Corinthians 13. I pray your soul will be illuminated by the life of these words, and that letters literally jumped out and be absorbed into your very being so you can produce a love-filled personality:

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

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Happy New Year! Great verse for the resolution’s list:

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13, 14 NKJV)

Run towards glorifying Christ in everything you do. Forget the past. Press forward! Greater things are still to be done. Live for what Christ has planned for your life to experience.

Go! Chase His Heart!

I’m praying for you to achieve!

All It Takes Is One Mistake to Fall

It’s funny how sometimes one little mishap can do some much damage.

I’m working on video editorial lab exercise. I’ve spent two hours on it. By one mistake of neglecting to add a particular feature, I’ve lost everything up until now, and I have to start all over.

Jesus brought Moses to mind. For their nearly 80 years wandering in the wilderness, Israel was constantly unfaithful to God, except for Moses. At every mistake Israel makes, Moses comes out unmarked of fault.

But one day. The people of Israel griped of lack of water. By this point, the most meekest man in the world has had enough. God instructed Moses specifically how He wanted Moses to speak to a rock and command water to draw forth. But Moses was in such a rage.

“Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.”

But Moses’ “one” mistake cost him heavily:

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.'” (Numbers 20:11, 12 NKJV)

Isn’t sad that Moses has been faithful to God all 80 years of service in the wilderness, and the one time he messes up, he can’t go into the Promised Land!

We have to be careful not to overlook any minor details that may cause us stumble in our relationship with Jesus.

“Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” (1 Corinthians 5:6 NKJV)

Be careful: A little sin can harm your entire soul.

You Are Very Valuable to God

When it may be oblivious to most people, God see incredible value in you.

David did not fit into the profile of a king. We read the stories, and today we know David was definitely king material. I think taking your capital city in a night and slaying your enemies by the hundreds for a wedding gift is enough for a validation.

Never-mind killing a giant.

But can you believe before David became the legend, he was overlooked as a wimpy sheep herder. Even the man of God, Prophet Samuel, did not consider David his choice for King Saul’s successor. He wanted to anoint David’s eldest brother as Israel’s next leader.

Here we get that favorite verse where the Lord responds to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV)

While others saw a shepherd boy, God saw a king. You may see yourself as under qualified for God’s use, but -believe me- God has such a great value in you, and He sees the potential that He can shape and perfect.

Just trust Him. I, for one, never thought that would I reach college. I am now in my senior year.

Don’t doubt what God can do in your life by what you can’t see through your eyes.

We live a life of faith.