Scripture:
Romans 3:24-25 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed.
Observation:
In so many stories in Bible, it is clear that we are sinner, we are never a perfect being. There is no such thing as perfect being exception to God himself. Because God knows that and he endures the pain from our sins, he has gone so far to show mercy and generosity for all the sinner and believers. God himself sacrifice his utterly most valuable in his life, Jesus Christ. To wash our sins which we are so incapable of living the glorious life that God wants for us. Out of his love and pure generosity he had sacrificed his one and only son JESUS Christ to clear all of our compiling sins, so that we may restore our righteousness and clear all the filth in this world so that we may live in clean life. Life which will no longer be filled with pain for which our Father will endure no more. By God sacrificing his son, he has set everything right.
Application:
I am so reluctant to recognize how precious I am as a daughter of God. I doubt and react in total selfishness for my personal gain in many situation. I am sure many of us do that as well. But for purpose of this journal, my personal experiences can be display of example which we as Christian turn our head many times to God's gracious gift. Everyday, I go on to remind myself, today is the day I shall not ____. But being tempted into the world and the desire to be part of something, we put our priorities of God in the bottom. What happen when we wake up God is set as our priority in the beginning of the day, however, by end of the day priorities has been turned around? Why does that happen? My sins are compiling as the days go, as the minute go, but I don't come to recognize that I am forgiven and my sins are cleared with the gracious gift from God himself to save me. Why can't I value myself as God values me? If I am forgiven and cleared with God's gift, I should gear to work and live my life righteous way which God has planned for me. The value of the gift cannot measured or be offset by anything, it is the most precious and generous gift anyone can ask for. But God gave without me asking, because he knows the pain I endure and suffer through this gift, he hopes for me to be pure and clean. I need to recognize my heart, dig deeper to my heart, and understand my heart. Need to forgive for me to move forward and accept all the splendid gift provided from God. For God give many chances to his sons and daughters, and he never gives up. It's up to me to grab that opportunity and make changes.
October: Month of Romans "All the World Guilty"
Scripture:
Romans 3:20
Because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
Observation / Application:
We cannot assume we are safer than those who are non believer and Christians who go against Gods word. We all start at the same start line and it the ending that will vary. Our actions and mouth is filled with sins, once we open our mouth it comes with sins. If its small talks to white lies we give to one other. There is no in between with God. Its either sin or no sin. But has human scripture is our guide to some sanity check of our walk with God. Nothing else, the scripture is very clear, which means God is clear on how we should walk the walk and talk the talk. We are so consumed with our day in age that we forget and we put our self to deal with this world and live in the standard of the world. Which the world is full of sin, we as Christian boarded the same boat that is bound for sinking. We cannot presume just because I am doing this and that I am better off than others. Because God is clear that we start out as same sinners. There is no one who lives the perfect life. We as human are bound to take the wrong turn, in turn God has sacrificed his son to gear us always from the wrong turns and bring us back to start line. To give us another chance that we might learn and be guided through his law.
It is so easy to get consumed by this world. There are so much you hear daily that you try to avoid by you just can't filter. Regardless what you hear and judge, I have to remember that the path I choose based on the influence of media and peers, will not get me any closer to life in God's law. I can only try to gear away by soaking into God's world but there is more than that, my will-power of staying true to God's word is so bleak that, it cannot be done alone. It is through asking and talking with God daily that I can help myself in some little way. First starting off with excepting this world as it is, and that be consume by it but rather make a changes of it. Learning to filter my ears and eyes from this world. Regardless what the world try to say to me, don't participate but filter my hearing. Come to God and ask him to speak to me and learn to not be selective with God's word and what he say but listen to every since syllable to hear him and let him guide me in his law. When I do start to listen and hear God's law, I can at least evaluate myself of what are sins, sins which I am not aware of doing as it may be routine part of my day.
Romans 3:20
Because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
Observation / Application:
We cannot assume we are safer than those who are non believer and Christians who go against Gods word. We all start at the same start line and it the ending that will vary. Our actions and mouth is filled with sins, once we open our mouth it comes with sins. If its small talks to white lies we give to one other. There is no in between with God. Its either sin or no sin. But has human scripture is our guide to some sanity check of our walk with God. Nothing else, the scripture is very clear, which means God is clear on how we should walk the walk and talk the talk. We are so consumed with our day in age that we forget and we put our self to deal with this world and live in the standard of the world. Which the world is full of sin, we as Christian boarded the same boat that is bound for sinking. We cannot presume just because I am doing this and that I am better off than others. Because God is clear that we start out as same sinners. There is no one who lives the perfect life. We as human are bound to take the wrong turn, in turn God has sacrificed his son to gear us always from the wrong turns and bring us back to start line. To give us another chance that we might learn and be guided through his law.
It is so easy to get consumed by this world. There are so much you hear daily that you try to avoid by you just can't filter. Regardless what you hear and judge, I have to remember that the path I choose based on the influence of media and peers, will not get me any closer to life in God's law. I can only try to gear away by soaking into God's world but there is more than that, my will-power of staying true to God's word is so bleak that, it cannot be done alone. It is through asking and talking with God daily that I can help myself in some little way. First starting off with excepting this world as it is, and that be consume by it but rather make a changes of it. Learning to filter my ears and eyes from this world. Regardless what the world try to say to me, don't participate but filter my hearing. Come to God and ask him to speak to me and learn to not be selective with God's word and what he say but listen to every since syllable to hear him and let him guide me in his law. When I do start to listen and hear God's law, I can at least evaluate myself of what are sins, sins which I am not aware of doing as it may be routine part of my day.
October: Month of Romans "The Jew Is Condemned by the Law"
Scripture:
Romans 2:29
But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter, and his praise is not from men, but from God.
Observation / Application:
Apostle Paul is speaking to the Jews and non Jews what it takes to be a honest and true believer of God. It is not by words we speak nor by how much we read. There are so many who can speak the words by quote by quote, but can use that gift against it. There are who preach to others yet, they themselves cannot live up to God's standards. Regardless how much we show to others of our belief, if we don't own it and recognize God for who he is and what he give, than it is just all imitation. Just like as we stereotype people with only the outer appearance, the view we see is just exterior which much deception. Just because one has art of cross on their body to express their emotion doesn't conclude that the individual can be a divine believer and disciple of God. Our eyes should not judge nor let it be tempted to look away from God. I use my family as best example, because I can relate and speak to it.
Everyone at my aunt's congregation have believe her stories and deception, due to her diligent work of putting this faithful believer exterior, when in fact, she has let the lust of possession consume her, and she is leading her life by the example of sins. Yet because she think she speaks the talk she is saved and she is forgiven, when her deeper and true self is worthless. Her spirit is not genuine, rather is deceitful and her actions to take God's word as part of her wrong doing is much more disgrace to God. As the verse quotes, you can define you are christian by word of mouth all we want, but our Christianity and belief comes from God's grace and ourselves surrendering to God in all, having faith in God regardless the circumstantial chaos and discomfort. You cannot define yourself by just a label but looking deeper into God's word and his commandment and following through his commandment and learning to surrender whole heartily.
This is sad circumstance my family is dysfunction, even more so, my aunts family is much more, looking from the glass outside, they might presume this all time christian family, but when you look deeper, it is filthy black with hatred, malice, and blaspheming. It is their deepest desire to get quick and rich verse listening and doing as God tell us to do. Yet they use the God's given gift to gain those deepest desire. From all this, my parents come to top I would have to say, despite all the abuse and criticism they receive from the society due to my aunt's family action, they come daily and lean onto God for his calling and his guidance through this chaos. They blame no one and they let God take control, despite that the dispute that has been going for past 3 years. They learn to let things be release from their heart and hand, and God to take control of it all, because at the end, their spirit cannot be diminished by the words that has spoiled around the community because they have God on their side and they look forward to listening and see what his miracle can overcome.
I need to let spirit take control, and let the spirit rescue me from the lost and guide me. Surrender to God in all has been a challenge, but in so many scriptures it is said, surrender all to God and he will bring peace within. If I want peace in my heart which will help me lead to fulfilling God's teaching than I need to look at my direct examples (parents) and participate in the blessing with them.
Romans 2:29
But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter, and his praise is not from men, but from God.
Observation / Application:
Apostle Paul is speaking to the Jews and non Jews what it takes to be a honest and true believer of God. It is not by words we speak nor by how much we read. There are so many who can speak the words by quote by quote, but can use that gift against it. There are who preach to others yet, they themselves cannot live up to God's standards. Regardless how much we show to others of our belief, if we don't own it and recognize God for who he is and what he give, than it is just all imitation. Just like as we stereotype people with only the outer appearance, the view we see is just exterior which much deception. Just because one has art of cross on their body to express their emotion doesn't conclude that the individual can be a divine believer and disciple of God. Our eyes should not judge nor let it be tempted to look away from God. I use my family as best example, because I can relate and speak to it.
Everyone at my aunt's congregation have believe her stories and deception, due to her diligent work of putting this faithful believer exterior, when in fact, she has let the lust of possession consume her, and she is leading her life by the example of sins. Yet because she think she speaks the talk she is saved and she is forgiven, when her deeper and true self is worthless. Her spirit is not genuine, rather is deceitful and her actions to take God's word as part of her wrong doing is much more disgrace to God. As the verse quotes, you can define you are christian by word of mouth all we want, but our Christianity and belief comes from God's grace and ourselves surrendering to God in all, having faith in God regardless the circumstantial chaos and discomfort. You cannot define yourself by just a label but looking deeper into God's word and his commandment and following through his commandment and learning to surrender whole heartily.
This is sad circumstance my family is dysfunction, even more so, my aunts family is much more, looking from the glass outside, they might presume this all time christian family, but when you look deeper, it is filthy black with hatred, malice, and blaspheming. It is their deepest desire to get quick and rich verse listening and doing as God tell us to do. Yet they use the God's given gift to gain those deepest desire. From all this, my parents come to top I would have to say, despite all the abuse and criticism they receive from the society due to my aunt's family action, they come daily and lean onto God for his calling and his guidance through this chaos. They blame no one and they let God take control, despite that the dispute that has been going for past 3 years. They learn to let things be release from their heart and hand, and God to take control of it all, because at the end, their spirit cannot be diminished by the words that has spoiled around the community because they have God on their side and they look forward to listening and see what his miracle can overcome.
I need to let spirit take control, and let the spirit rescue me from the lost and guide me. Surrender to God in all has been a challenge, but in so many scriptures it is said, surrender all to God and he will bring peace within. If I want peace in my heart which will help me lead to fulfilling God's teaching than I need to look at my direct examples (parents) and participate in the blessing with them.
October: Month of Roman "The Impartiality of God"
Scripture:
Roman 2: 5-6
"But because of your stubbornness and unreprentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS:"
Observation / Application:
Wow! How scary was that just reading through the passage, yet I couldn't stop re-reading the passage. It is so bluntly spoken. How can anyone try to twist this around? All I can say I am sacred out of but mind... just mind blowing passage and makes me think about back to years of wrong doing.
All I can say is that our God is fair God. This is exactly what my parents been saying and we been saying to each other to help us get through all along that battle. But the passage is just mortifying and so scary to even imagine where you would fall when the day of God judgement comes. I just think back to my actions and others, and can say my darkness and resistances can not be washed away but just telling God I am sorry and repeat the scenario all over again. God doesn't work that way. He knows monitors and weighs it all. I am grateful for the problems my parents are going through, because it is such a great lesson for us - our family in so many ways. The possession when taken over by the evil, actions of those and how God does not condone such. Even more when you speak such blaspheming in God name, the possibility of God's judgement on you. I wouldn't want to see that come anywhere near my family and me.
My aunts and her family is such a great example of people who are spiral downward for years. With filling their life with materialistic thing, they feel like they are invisible and because they are invisible they can criticize or judge my parents in trying to escape from their wrong doing. They think this is right because their head and heart is prioritized somewhere else, beside God. They don't see what this will ultimately come to when the final day of revelation come to them. It's such a pity that they are so blinded, they may know God sees it all, but they continue to speak and lie in God's name. Fellow sisters and brothers who judge on these words without experiencing the situation themselves. By siding with one another, you already take judgement of someone. You stereotype that individual.
But God is good, he is fair, he will judge you without any pity regardless. He will not be blind like other human being by your manipulation of any sort. He has witnessed it, he see the game you play. He will control his temper but his disappointment and discourage in our behaviors will transpire to his judgement.
To conclude, life is not worth judging, hurting and back stabbing other. I need to really think about that, when and if I am in a position to speak about others, think what I am about to say will impact the other person, how would I feel if someone was doing the exactly same thing.. The pain and betrayal you will feel. It is not worth the energy to do so, it is not just to do so. This is not what God ask to do so, rather show love unto other.
For my situation, all I can do is love my aunt's family, and pray for her salvation that at the end, God will come she will have revelation that her actions are God centric but rather influence of Satan.
Roman 2: 5-6
"But because of your stubbornness and unreprentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS:"
Observation / Application:
Wow! How scary was that just reading through the passage, yet I couldn't stop re-reading the passage. It is so bluntly spoken. How can anyone try to twist this around? All I can say I am sacred out of but mind... just mind blowing passage and makes me think about back to years of wrong doing.
All I can say is that our God is fair God. This is exactly what my parents been saying and we been saying to each other to help us get through all along that battle. But the passage is just mortifying and so scary to even imagine where you would fall when the day of God judgement comes. I just think back to my actions and others, and can say my darkness and resistances can not be washed away but just telling God I am sorry and repeat the scenario all over again. God doesn't work that way. He knows monitors and weighs it all. I am grateful for the problems my parents are going through, because it is such a great lesson for us - our family in so many ways. The possession when taken over by the evil, actions of those and how God does not condone such. Even more when you speak such blaspheming in God name, the possibility of God's judgement on you. I wouldn't want to see that come anywhere near my family and me.
My aunts and her family is such a great example of people who are spiral downward for years. With filling their life with materialistic thing, they feel like they are invisible and because they are invisible they can criticize or judge my parents in trying to escape from their wrong doing. They think this is right because their head and heart is prioritized somewhere else, beside God. They don't see what this will ultimately come to when the final day of revelation come to them. It's such a pity that they are so blinded, they may know God sees it all, but they continue to speak and lie in God's name. Fellow sisters and brothers who judge on these words without experiencing the situation themselves. By siding with one another, you already take judgement of someone. You stereotype that individual.
But God is good, he is fair, he will judge you without any pity regardless. He will not be blind like other human being by your manipulation of any sort. He has witnessed it, he see the game you play. He will control his temper but his disappointment and discourage in our behaviors will transpire to his judgement.
To conclude, life is not worth judging, hurting and back stabbing other. I need to really think about that, when and if I am in a position to speak about others, think what I am about to say will impact the other person, how would I feel if someone was doing the exactly same thing.. The pain and betrayal you will feel. It is not worth the energy to do so, it is not just to do so. This is not what God ask to do so, rather show love unto other.
For my situation, all I can do is love my aunt's family, and pray for her salvation that at the end, God will come she will have revelation that her actions are God centric but rather influence of Satan.
October: Month of Romans "Unbelief and Its Consequences"
Scripture:
Roman 1:25 - For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever, Amen.
Observation/Application:
What is it about lust of possession that drives most people into abandoning our honest God. Why is that we feel satisfaction when we gather more possession. Do we not know that possessions simply are materialistic things in life, and regardless how much money you might have with you or in the bank, you cannot take that glory with you when you die. But why is it so hard for so many to see pass that. Why do we lie to ourselves and God and start to worship and honor such a possession over our faithful God.
I experience lost souls and people who lie to themselves and start to worship factious things directly in my family and I hear about it in media. This world has come to such recession and deprivation that people will do anything to get more.
Doesn't God ensure us that through him we will find wealth and wealth will be given to us. I can't say that I can easily give up all my possession to find that ultimate wealth that God will give us. I too become very realistic when it come to that, I wonder at times, if I ever get a calling to mission, God tells me to sell all possession and leave, and trust that he will provide, will I have enough courage to do so, probably not now. However, I don't worship money and other factious figures. Unlike my aunt, uncle and their daughter who are so blindsided by this factious figure “money” that they have gone so far as lying to entire congregation to keep themselves innocent, playing the victim game. They have lied flat out in the house of God. I am unsure what are the rewards for doing so? I feel sympathy and pain to watch and hear them consistently rolling their brains to continue writing this fiction story. But through this my parents have been such an example to me, I really need to be able to apply my heart like there, though they struggle tremendously they are grateful for little things, which are much bigger things to them. To them money and materialistic wealth is temporary relieve, it’s something that God gives today but can disappear into thin air tomorrow. They find deepest in their heart to be content and satisfied with their life, they always say God will reveal all the truth. They are grateful for health, family, being able to sleep in a cozy bed, and having roof over their head. We take these gifts from God for granted. We are such an annoying and greedy babies who is never satisfied and always wanting more and more, and when we get blessing from God we take that and switch around to make it circumstantial effort of my own. Continue to wanting more, and ultimately forget who the giver from the start was. I need to have more faith in God, for he is blessing my life and family, and I need to continue to see that and not gear towards other things that are temptation lust for my eyes, I know I will not find total satisfaction in those circumstances or situation, I will be more of lost soul than I already am. I need to just look straight and look at the ultimate prize God has laid at the finish line and work toward that prize only.
Daily my aunt, uncle and their daughter gives me a reasons and an example which is blessing from God, how my life will be geared if I didn't have God. My life was filled with lies. I know God will show me slowly to let go of the lust of possession and lead and guide me towards life with our Creator. Being a servant of our Creator and finding that total blessing and peace he has for us. I fear for what is to come for aunt, uncle and daughter. They don't see it now but I hope soon or later, they will come to realization, and realize our Creator and such a blessing and wealth he can fill their heart.
Roman 1:25 - For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever, Amen.
Observation/Application:
What is it about lust of possession that drives most people into abandoning our honest God. Why is that we feel satisfaction when we gather more possession. Do we not know that possessions simply are materialistic things in life, and regardless how much money you might have with you or in the bank, you cannot take that glory with you when you die. But why is it so hard for so many to see pass that. Why do we lie to ourselves and God and start to worship and honor such a possession over our faithful God.
I experience lost souls and people who lie to themselves and start to worship factious things directly in my family and I hear about it in media. This world has come to such recession and deprivation that people will do anything to get more.
Doesn't God ensure us that through him we will find wealth and wealth will be given to us. I can't say that I can easily give up all my possession to find that ultimate wealth that God will give us. I too become very realistic when it come to that, I wonder at times, if I ever get a calling to mission, God tells me to sell all possession and leave, and trust that he will provide, will I have enough courage to do so, probably not now. However, I don't worship money and other factious figures. Unlike my aunt, uncle and their daughter who are so blindsided by this factious figure “money” that they have gone so far as lying to entire congregation to keep themselves innocent, playing the victim game. They have lied flat out in the house of God. I am unsure what are the rewards for doing so? I feel sympathy and pain to watch and hear them consistently rolling their brains to continue writing this fiction story. But through this my parents have been such an example to me, I really need to be able to apply my heart like there, though they struggle tremendously they are grateful for little things, which are much bigger things to them. To them money and materialistic wealth is temporary relieve, it’s something that God gives today but can disappear into thin air tomorrow. They find deepest in their heart to be content and satisfied with their life, they always say God will reveal all the truth. They are grateful for health, family, being able to sleep in a cozy bed, and having roof over their head. We take these gifts from God for granted. We are such an annoying and greedy babies who is never satisfied and always wanting more and more, and when we get blessing from God we take that and switch around to make it circumstantial effort of my own. Continue to wanting more, and ultimately forget who the giver from the start was. I need to have more faith in God, for he is blessing my life and family, and I need to continue to see that and not gear towards other things that are temptation lust for my eyes, I know I will not find total satisfaction in those circumstances or situation, I will be more of lost soul than I already am. I need to just look straight and look at the ultimate prize God has laid at the finish line and work toward that prize only.
Daily my aunt, uncle and their daughter gives me a reasons and an example which is blessing from God, how my life will be geared if I didn't have God. My life was filled with lies. I know God will show me slowly to let go of the lust of possession and lead and guide me towards life with our Creator. Being a servant of our Creator and finding that total blessing and peace he has for us. I fear for what is to come for aunt, uncle and daughter. They don't see it now but I hope soon or later, they will come to realization, and realize our Creator and such a blessing and wealth he can fill their heart.
October: Month of Romans "The Gospel Exalted"
Scripture:
Romans 1: 17 - For in it the righteousness of GOD is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGTHEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."
Observation/Application:
Through discussion in our small group and meditation of Sunday service I wonder how often I look back to the word. In order for anyone including me, to call ourselves Christian shouldn't we look and read the word. Find the guidance of how to be Christian and live by the standards written, spoken and laid out to us by GOD himself. As the word is the God's law and God's way of providing with infinite examples of his mercy and faith. If our pattern is such short term - we are assured only on "Sunday" and any other days when and if we gather with other brothers and sister how can we call ourselves simply faithful Christian, and that we are walking closer towards his vision for us? We are deprived of his vision and his plan for us if we don't come back to his word, regardless how hard we want to believe it we are lost soul, rather than walking and defining our destiny which God has for us. We are kidding ourselves if we think so.
It is so true, last year when I went back to the word as often as possible, I felt that unknown peace and mercy upon me. I knew I was at ease and regardless what the circumstance brought to me, so many barriers I just knew that if I reached for the words, I find my heart to calm, find the place of righteousness. But as I approached 2012, this was the year I was tempted by the Satan himself, with so much more than I would have ever imagined. First comes illness, second comes consistent battle with family - greed of over money, last but not least, new work environment and testing my ability and confidence. In this I had doubts and I was angered and I didn't see how this could happen when I was so good about reading and reaching out to his words. Why did God make all this happen when I was trying to be like what he wanted me to be by reaching to his word? It just boiled down to this for me, regardless how much I kept telling myself that I am more Christian like because I am reading and mediating, my deepest root of it all was not there as my mind was telling. I was reluctant to forgive those and be by gones be by gones. I was too afraid to give generously of my love, sharing my faith as God has said. Regardless how much I read the words, it was not registering in my deepest root of it all because I didn't allow it to be. Year 2012 has been a testimony for me to really fight the battles.
This verse is such a great reminder that, God provided us more than we can manage; he gave so many love stories and examples of failure and success in this book. Along the way he gathered a great community of fellow Christian brothers and sisters, who struggle with our faith daily, but we have each other to rely on, so that we can come together as a body to conform and be transformed. So that we can be accountable to be righteous person who can entrust all to God. Not just partially, but fully and totally trust in God. Be selfless to God, for God will show and God will provide and God will be just. I lack so much in fully and totally surrendering to God, this will be continuous struggle but there is so much reminders as to why and how I can totally surrender. I need to take a step back from my life and reset my priorities, as of today my priorities are so dysfunctional. I am so afraid of what tomorrow will bring, but that should be the bliss feeling when I surrender and have total faith in God alone. That is the day, when I can truly and honest feel tiny bit faithful servant of God. Stop being selective of my life, what to take control of and what God to take control of. Let God take control of all and everything; be "all in" for God. God is not selective he will reveal the goods and the bad, I shall have more faith that God will be my front man to fight the battles, and bring this battle to victory. He will open my eyes and reveal so much more that is when I transform to live my lives in his faithfulness and his righteous way. He want this for me so much, I take this opportunity for granted and forget that God sacrifice his precious son to be nail on a cross and be humiliated. So how bad can it be to take a leap of faith and trust in the Lord who gave us such a incredible gift of all?
Romans 1: 17 - For in it the righteousness of GOD is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGTHEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."
Observation/Application:
Through discussion in our small group and meditation of Sunday service I wonder how often I look back to the word. In order for anyone including me, to call ourselves Christian shouldn't we look and read the word. Find the guidance of how to be Christian and live by the standards written, spoken and laid out to us by GOD himself. As the word is the God's law and God's way of providing with infinite examples of his mercy and faith. If our pattern is such short term - we are assured only on "Sunday" and any other days when and if we gather with other brothers and sister how can we call ourselves simply faithful Christian, and that we are walking closer towards his vision for us? We are deprived of his vision and his plan for us if we don't come back to his word, regardless how hard we want to believe it we are lost soul, rather than walking and defining our destiny which God has for us. We are kidding ourselves if we think so.
It is so true, last year when I went back to the word as often as possible, I felt that unknown peace and mercy upon me. I knew I was at ease and regardless what the circumstance brought to me, so many barriers I just knew that if I reached for the words, I find my heart to calm, find the place of righteousness. But as I approached 2012, this was the year I was tempted by the Satan himself, with so much more than I would have ever imagined. First comes illness, second comes consistent battle with family - greed of over money, last but not least, new work environment and testing my ability and confidence. In this I had doubts and I was angered and I didn't see how this could happen when I was so good about reading and reaching out to his words. Why did God make all this happen when I was trying to be like what he wanted me to be by reaching to his word? It just boiled down to this for me, regardless how much I kept telling myself that I am more Christian like because I am reading and mediating, my deepest root of it all was not there as my mind was telling. I was reluctant to forgive those and be by gones be by gones. I was too afraid to give generously of my love, sharing my faith as God has said. Regardless how much I read the words, it was not registering in my deepest root of it all because I didn't allow it to be. Year 2012 has been a testimony for me to really fight the battles.
This verse is such a great reminder that, God provided us more than we can manage; he gave so many love stories and examples of failure and success in this book. Along the way he gathered a great community of fellow Christian brothers and sisters, who struggle with our faith daily, but we have each other to rely on, so that we can come together as a body to conform and be transformed. So that we can be accountable to be righteous person who can entrust all to God. Not just partially, but fully and totally trust in God. Be selfless to God, for God will show and God will provide and God will be just. I lack so much in fully and totally surrendering to God, this will be continuous struggle but there is so much reminders as to why and how I can totally surrender. I need to take a step back from my life and reset my priorities, as of today my priorities are so dysfunctional. I am so afraid of what tomorrow will bring, but that should be the bliss feeling when I surrender and have total faith in God alone. That is the day, when I can truly and honest feel tiny bit faithful servant of God. Stop being selective of my life, what to take control of and what God to take control of. Let God take control of all and everything; be "all in" for God. God is not selective he will reveal the goods and the bad, I shall have more faith that God will be my front man to fight the battles, and bring this battle to victory. He will open my eyes and reveal so much more that is when I transform to live my lives in his faithfulness and his righteous way. He want this for me so much, I take this opportunity for granted and forget that God sacrifice his precious son to be nail on a cross and be humiliated. So how bad can it be to take a leap of faith and trust in the Lord who gave us such a incredible gift of all?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)