I am borrowing this from our Pastor in Bogota Colombia, Pastor Claudia Castellanos (wife of Pastor Cesar Castellanos, the Father of the G12 vision)
To a Year of Conquest!
TWELVE TIPS TO CONQUER THE NEW YEAR. Part one
Proverbs 1:1-5
Whatever you do in the beginning of each year will determine the way that year goes. We must visualize ourselves having the best year of our lives; we must decree that it will be a year of jubilee. When we have a feast with the Lord we will experience his blessing every day.
King Solomon, in the book of Proverbs, gives us 12 key principles to live a balanced and successful life:
1. Be a person with firm determinations (Proverbs 1:10)
The believer must remain faithful to God and to His word; not giving in to the pressure of sinners, or supporting the arguments that they have in their lives, they must only determine to serve God. Man cannot allow the contamination of the continuous attack of immoral impurity that comes through T.V., magazines, movies, etc. If sinners seek to deceive you, don’t let them. A person falls into a trap when their will gives room to the desires of the adversary. But remember that God will not allow any test that you cannot endure; He will grant you the strength that you need. Nobody can say that the temptation was greater than God’s help. Begin this year with determination and with faith.
2. Ask for intelligence (Proverbs 2: 3-5)
You must ask the Lord to grant you intelligence, creative ideas, and understanding to do many things. He has much to give you. Do not allow the circumstances to pressure you and therefore limit your actions. If you ask the Lord for intelligence, you will be surprised by the ideas that He will bring to your mind, and by the grace that He will give you to put those ideas into action. Within you lies a great treasure. If you use this wisely, you will experience the blessing of God in your life.
3. Depend completely on God (Proverbs 3:5)
Solomon’s advice is to depend completely on God. As human beings, it is difficult to depend on someone who is invisible. God allowed me to understand that another way of seeing this is that the narrow path speaks of a life of faith, and the wide path is the life based on logic. A person who walks by logic has many options without having to develop faith. On the other hand, a person who walks by faith has only one option: to depend completely on God.
4. Be generous with God (Proverbs 3:9-10)
When you go to the Lord’s house have the bet offering ready, something that truly flows from your heart. Be generous in your giving to God. God always has much more to give us than what we can possibly give Him. If you have never done so, now is the time to begin. Test yourself by increasing your tithe and your offering. Believe that God will bless your life with abundance.
5. Guard your mind (Proverbs 4:23)
You cannot contemplate any thought that does not come from God. Do not allow the enemy to speak to you through his thoughts. Silence that voice; rid yourself of it in the name of Jesus. Your mind is sacred. Satan will always try to conquer it because he knows if he succeeds he will be able to dominate the rest of your being, don’t allow this.
6. Protect your marriage (Proverbs 5:18-19)
The word of God speaks of marriage as a fountain, which flows with crystalline waters. Let us not contaminate this water by sexual impurity. God made man with sexual impulses, but these should only be brought about within marriage. A sexual life within marriage is not a sin, rather a blessing. There are many blessings in marriage and for this reason you should protect it everyday. You build or destroy your home with attitudes but we can have the best home in the world if we are determined.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
(Is it) the Thought that Counts?
“Oh well, it’s the thought that counts. I want to go, but I can’t.”
I heard this from an officemate just this morning.. my only reaction is..
As what one of our Pastors has shared during the “very powerful and igniting” Week of Fire”..
If you want it, no one can stop you from doing it! (well, it’s more beautiful in the Tagalog translation… “PAG GUSTO MO, WALANG MAKAKAPIGIL SA YO!”)
“I want to go to church, but I can’t..”
“I want to serve God, but I can’t.”
“I want to honor my parents, but I can’t.”
“I want to worship my Lord, but I can’t.”
“I want to obey His commands, but I can’t.”
“I want to win souls and make disciples, but I can’t.”
Besides, it’s the thought that counts..
What if God says…
“I want to save you, but I can’t.”
“I want to rescue you, but I can’t.”
“I want to heal you, but I can’t.”
“I want to forgive you, but I can’t.”
“I want to bless you, but can’t.”
Besides, IT IS THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS.
Now what? Where will you go? Where do you run to?
Yes, the “thought counts”... but only if it would move you to ACT.. Nevertheless, the “thought” counts as NOTHING!
“Faith without deeds is DEAD!”
There is no reason why we cannot do something we want to do.. Unless God tells us “No”. God even tells us “We can do everything through Christ who strengthens us.”
When we go back to the Parable of the Talents, we recall that the master gave his servants talents. The first two used theirs and eventually got more in return as their “harvest”. The last one didn’t use his. He kept it. And what did his master tell him? “Oh you wicked and lazy servant!”
Here we can say that most of the time if not always, the phrase “I want to but I can’t” is just the voice of that spirit of laziness sneaking into our lives. Let us kill it before God tells us “Oh you wicked and lazy servant.” and throws us into the pit of eternal gloom.
So this I say.. “I want to so I will...”
I am deeply
humbled by His Majesty,
haze
I heard this from an officemate just this morning.. my only reaction is..
As what one of our Pastors has shared during the “very powerful and igniting” Week of Fire”..
If you want it, no one can stop you from doing it! (well, it’s more beautiful in the Tagalog translation… “PAG GUSTO MO, WALANG MAKAKAPIGIL SA YO!”)
“I want to go to church, but I can’t..”
“I want to serve God, but I can’t.”
“I want to honor my parents, but I can’t.”
“I want to worship my Lord, but I can’t.”
“I want to obey His commands, but I can’t.”
“I want to win souls and make disciples, but I can’t.”
Besides, it’s the thought that counts..
What if God says…
“I want to save you, but I can’t.”
“I want to rescue you, but I can’t.”
“I want to heal you, but I can’t.”
“I want to forgive you, but I can’t.”
“I want to bless you, but can’t.”
Besides, IT IS THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS.
Now what? Where will you go? Where do you run to?
Yes, the “thought counts”... but only if it would move you to ACT.. Nevertheless, the “thought” counts as NOTHING!
“Faith without deeds is DEAD!”
There is no reason why we cannot do something we want to do.. Unless God tells us “No”. God even tells us “We can do everything through Christ who strengthens us.”
When we go back to the Parable of the Talents, we recall that the master gave his servants talents. The first two used theirs and eventually got more in return as their “harvest”. The last one didn’t use his. He kept it. And what did his master tell him? “Oh you wicked and lazy servant!”
Here we can say that most of the time if not always, the phrase “I want to but I can’t” is just the voice of that spirit of laziness sneaking into our lives. Let us kill it before God tells us “Oh you wicked and lazy servant.” and throws us into the pit of eternal gloom.
So this I say.. “I want to so I will...”
I am deeply
humbled by His Majesty,
haze
WOW! Let me say that again, WOW!
Excerpts from "One Big, Happy Family" (Genesis 46-47)
By: Keith Krell BA Th.; M Div (Bio)
Scene 4: God provides Jacob land and food (46:31-47:12).15 Moses writes, “Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, ‘I will go up and tell Pharaoh, and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me; and the men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock; and they have brought their flocks and their herds and all that they have.’ ‘When Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’ that you may live in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is loathsome to the Egyptians.’” Joseph encouraged his family to be completely honest with Pharaoh (46:34). Dishonesty has long plagued Jacob’s family, but now Joseph led them out of this destructive behavior. Believers should respond to divine providence by making their decisions in response to the initiative of His wise leaders. They should do so with confidence in His promises and dependence on His continuing guidance and provision.16
Why did Joseph place such emphasis on having his family live in Goshen? Goshen had some of the best pastureland in all of Egypt. Goshen was located near to Joseph’s place of residence (45:10). Goshen would keep the Hebrews isolated and insulated from the culture and religion of Egypt since the Egyptians considered sheep unclean and Hebrews detestable (43:32). One of the greatest dangers to the covenant promises of God was intermarriage between the Hebrews and the Egyptians. Why was this a danger? Because intermarriage would inevitably lead to spiritual compromise and the worship of the false gods of the Egyptians. Hidden in this text is the wisdom of God! If God had allowed the Israelites to remain in Canaan, they would have inevitably intermarried with the Canaanites and become ethically, morally, and spiritually corrupt. So God places them in one of the most racist societies on earth at that time, thereby protecting them from spiritual adultery and allowing them the time and opportunity to multiply into the millions. (NOW WHO SAYS GOD IS UNREASONABLE? HE HAS HIS OWN REASONS. AND LOOK HIS ARE ALWAYS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD. ISN'T THIS GREAT?! ANGGALING NIYA DI BA?)
God is an amazing God! He continually reminds me that He is my protector and provider. Often, this means that He protects me and provides for me despite myself. That’s how gracious our God is. He often delivers us from our flesh and the evil one even when we desire to sin and live for ourselves. Even when He doesn’t directly deliver us Himself, He provides us with a way of escape (1 Cor 10:13)
By: Keith Krell BA Th.; M Div (Bio)
Scene 4: God provides Jacob land and food (46:31-47:12).15 Moses writes, “Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, ‘I will go up and tell Pharaoh, and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me; and the men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock; and they have brought their flocks and their herds and all that they have.’ ‘When Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’ that you may live in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is loathsome to the Egyptians.’” Joseph encouraged his family to be completely honest with Pharaoh (46:34). Dishonesty has long plagued Jacob’s family, but now Joseph led them out of this destructive behavior. Believers should respond to divine providence by making their decisions in response to the initiative of His wise leaders. They should do so with confidence in His promises and dependence on His continuing guidance and provision.16
Why did Joseph place such emphasis on having his family live in Goshen? Goshen had some of the best pastureland in all of Egypt. Goshen was located near to Joseph’s place of residence (45:10). Goshen would keep the Hebrews isolated and insulated from the culture and religion of Egypt since the Egyptians considered sheep unclean and Hebrews detestable (43:32). One of the greatest dangers to the covenant promises of God was intermarriage between the Hebrews and the Egyptians. Why was this a danger? Because intermarriage would inevitably lead to spiritual compromise and the worship of the false gods of the Egyptians. Hidden in this text is the wisdom of God! If God had allowed the Israelites to remain in Canaan, they would have inevitably intermarried with the Canaanites and become ethically, morally, and spiritually corrupt. So God places them in one of the most racist societies on earth at that time, thereby protecting them from spiritual adultery and allowing them the time and opportunity to multiply into the millions. (NOW WHO SAYS GOD IS UNREASONABLE? HE HAS HIS OWN REASONS. AND LOOK HIS ARE ALWAYS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD. ISN'T THIS GREAT?! ANGGALING NIYA DI BA?)
God is an amazing God! He continually reminds me that He is my protector and provider. Often, this means that He protects me and provides for me despite myself. That’s how gracious our God is. He often delivers us from our flesh and the evil one even when we desire to sin and live for ourselves. Even when He doesn’t directly deliver us Himself, He provides us with a way of escape (1 Cor 10:13)
Whispers from on High
I received this while I was having my devotions this morning. I pray that it ministers to you the way it has ministered to me. May you love Him even more……
DO NOT BE AFRAID. GO! I AM WITH YOU. AM I NOT GOD? AM I NOT THE ONE WHO HAS THE LAST SAY ON YOUR LIFE? AM I NOT THE ONE WHO IS IN CONTROL? DO NOT BE AFARID FOR I AM WITH YOU. I AM GOD. I DID NOT SAY ‘I WAS GOD’. I SAID I AM GOD. I AM THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER. WHATEVER I DID TO JOSEPH IN HIS LIFETIME, I CAN STILL DO IT FOR YOU. I WILL DO IT FOR YOU. TO YOUR OWN LIFE. I WILL MAKE YOU A RULER OVER NATIONS. I WILL BRING YOU UP AGAIN. I WILL RESTORE YOU TO YOUR PAST GLORY AND EVEN MORE. I WILL PROSPER YOU AND MAKE YOU GROW AND MULTIPLY YOU EXCEEDINGLY. JUST BE NOT AFRAID. GO AND I WILL BE WITH YOU. I WILL BE YOUR GOD AND YOU WILL BE MY CHILD. THE WORLD WILL SEE THAT YOU ARE MY CHILD. I WILL NOT HIDE YOU FROM THEM. RATHER, I WILL MAKE YOUR LIGHT SHINE THROUGHOUT THE EARTH. I AM PROUD OF YOU AND I WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW THAT I AM. I KNEW YOU FROM THE VERY START. I KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS AND I KNOW EXACTLY WHEN I NEED TO LEND A HAND. YOU ARE SO PRECIOUS TO ME, A DELIGHT IN MY EYES. MY BELOVED, MY EVERLASTING LOVE. I LOVE YOU AND YOU WILL LOVE ME TOO. TRUST IN ME FOR I KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR YOU. I WILL NEVER HARM YOU, MY CHILD. I UNDERSTAND EVERY TEARDROP, EVERY SMILE. I AM YOURS AND YOU ARE MINE. YOU WILL NEVER LOSE ME. I WILL NEVER LET YOU GO. YOU MAY HURT ME BUT I WILL STAY RIGHT HERE BY YOUR SIDE. I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU. I WILL NEVER LET GO. I WILL HOLD YOU BY MY RIGHT HAND. I WILL HOLD YOU CLOSE. SO CLOSE WE COULD BE ONE. I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH, I LAID DOWN MY VERY OWN LIFE FOR YOU AND IF I HAD TO DO THAT ALL OVER AGAIN, I WILL. IN A HEARTBEAT. YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYES.
THIS IS MY VOW. THIS IS MY COVENANT.
YOU ARE MY BELOVED.
Humbled by His Majesty,
haze
DO NOT BE AFRAID. GO! I AM WITH YOU. AM I NOT GOD? AM I NOT THE ONE WHO HAS THE LAST SAY ON YOUR LIFE? AM I NOT THE ONE WHO IS IN CONTROL? DO NOT BE AFARID FOR I AM WITH YOU. I AM GOD. I DID NOT SAY ‘I WAS GOD’. I SAID I AM GOD. I AM THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER. WHATEVER I DID TO JOSEPH IN HIS LIFETIME, I CAN STILL DO IT FOR YOU. I WILL DO IT FOR YOU. TO YOUR OWN LIFE. I WILL MAKE YOU A RULER OVER NATIONS. I WILL BRING YOU UP AGAIN. I WILL RESTORE YOU TO YOUR PAST GLORY AND EVEN MORE. I WILL PROSPER YOU AND MAKE YOU GROW AND MULTIPLY YOU EXCEEDINGLY. JUST BE NOT AFRAID. GO AND I WILL BE WITH YOU. I WILL BE YOUR GOD AND YOU WILL BE MY CHILD. THE WORLD WILL SEE THAT YOU ARE MY CHILD. I WILL NOT HIDE YOU FROM THEM. RATHER, I WILL MAKE YOUR LIGHT SHINE THROUGHOUT THE EARTH. I AM PROUD OF YOU AND I WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW THAT I AM. I KNEW YOU FROM THE VERY START. I KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS AND I KNOW EXACTLY WHEN I NEED TO LEND A HAND. YOU ARE SO PRECIOUS TO ME, A DELIGHT IN MY EYES. MY BELOVED, MY EVERLASTING LOVE. I LOVE YOU AND YOU WILL LOVE ME TOO. TRUST IN ME FOR I KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR YOU. I WILL NEVER HARM YOU, MY CHILD. I UNDERSTAND EVERY TEARDROP, EVERY SMILE. I AM YOURS AND YOU ARE MINE. YOU WILL NEVER LOSE ME. I WILL NEVER LET YOU GO. YOU MAY HURT ME BUT I WILL STAY RIGHT HERE BY YOUR SIDE. I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU. I WILL NEVER LET GO. I WILL HOLD YOU BY MY RIGHT HAND. I WILL HOLD YOU CLOSE. SO CLOSE WE COULD BE ONE. I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH, I LAID DOWN MY VERY OWN LIFE FOR YOU AND IF I HAD TO DO THAT ALL OVER AGAIN, I WILL. IN A HEARTBEAT. YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYES.
THIS IS MY VOW. THIS IS MY COVENANT.
YOU ARE MY BELOVED.
Humbled by His Majesty,
haze
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Then HE took them up in His arms
Mark 10:13-16
Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Miracles Happen Outside the Boat (Oh Yes, Into the Sea)
It’s been a while since I’ve posted here in my blog. There are a lot that has happened and a lot more to be said. God is continually allowing things to happen in my life which are stretching out my faith to a length that it has never been before. It hurts, sometimes. But I guess this is all I have right now – the faith that God is molding my character and preparing me for the GREAT things that He has planned out for my life especially this 2009.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I KNOW the PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” And this is my confidence. That God is taking good care of my future. I may not know what tomorrow brings but God does. And HE said that tomorrow is a day of good, greater things. He said that tomorrow, He shall only bless me, and never harm me. Tomorrow, there shall only be a daylight that will shine upon the darkness that glooms over the earth.
Where is this all coming from? Hmmmm.. You might wanna read those two paragraphs again. Slowly now and you’ll realize that there is a pinch of “fear” that pushed those lines to slip through my lips. A pinch of “uncertainty” that caused for each word to be uttered. (Yes, I still have those.)
And again, Where is this all coming from?
Our company just moved to our new office. We are now located at the Global City. Oh well, a lot of you can not even begin to imagine what that has got to do with all these feelings lingering within.
Here are just some little facts, little concerns if I may say, that arose in the minds of a lot of us when moving to Global City was first envisioned.
1. Transportation. It’s far (compared to our old office). There is no public transportation that would take us directly to the new office lest we take a cab which is going to be so expensive especially for someone like me who lives in a faraway land, from a different city altogether.
2. Food. The nearest that we have is a Starbucks Coffee Shop and a 7-Eleven Store (just a block away). Hey, a month of even just a “bunch of lunch” in those stores would cost us half of our monthly net salary already.
3. Effort. The trip is really tiring. The traffic, the crowd, the pollution.
4. Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
Such a grumbler, am I not?
(Sighs)
“In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this (I have complained to Thee).” Genesis 20:5
And God said to me, “Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her (complain further).” Genesis 20:6
And such is what happened on my first day at work..
Do you still remember how you felt the first time you had to go to school (when you were in kindergarten) and your parents or nannies could only accompany you to the doorstep? Or the first time you moved to a new school? (when you entered grade one, or first year high school, or first year college)
Oh well, I remember I was scared. Got more scared each time I moved a level higher. Haha! Such a baby.
Yesterday (January 5, Monday), I had the same feeling. I had qualms, inhibitions, fears lingering in my heart as I took one step after the other closer to the new office (No, I did not take a walk, haha). But every beat of fear I intentionally overcame with a whisper of His name. As I stood there at the train (I took the MRT, first time since I got employed) for about twenty minutes or so, I allowed Him to take control over my thoughts. Nunka! (Never!) Did I let any negative thought/complaint/murmuring come in.
And as I wait patiently, He speaketh.
Yes, He did.
He brought to my memory the story of Peter when he walked on water.
When Peter asked Jesus to call him unto the deep, I believe he wanted it. In his heart, he wanted it. Jesus, generous and kind as He is, called him out. He said “Okay, Peter. If that is what you want, then come on over. Let those feet touch the water. C’mon Peter. Come to me.” (my version) hehe. When Peter heard these words, he couldn’t believe it. I can only imagine the look on Peter’s face. It’s as if he wanted to take his words back. I can almost hear him say “Si Jesus talaga, hindi na mabiro.” When Peter finally recognized that Jesus was far from playing games with him, and not stepping out would be a sin. He did as he was told – he stepped out of the boat. He stepped out of the comfort zone. He was able to walk on water. IT WAS ONLY WHEN HE STEPPED OUT OF HIS BOAT, HIS COMFORT ZONE, THAT THE MIRACLE HAPPENED! Yes! He was able to do it! He walked on water! A mere human walked on water! Unbelievable! Suddenly, he began to sink. Oh no! What could have happened? Did he make a wrong step? What is a wrong step on water, anyway? What did he do wrong?
Peter began to sink because he became conscious of his natural surroundings and fear began to seep through his heart. Doubt began to cloud his mind. Peter began to sink.
There was a time late last year when I uttered to God that I wanted to start all over again – at work. Didn’t know how – new work, new boss, new office – that I wasn’t sure. I just wanted to have a clean slate. I wanted to change at the place where I was but it seemed like I was really having a difficult time doing it. I was at a comfortable place. I could say I had created my own “work culture” already. But a “culture” that doesn’t really work for me. Try as I may, I could not bring myself to counter this culture that I myself have birthed.
So God had to intervene. Thank God He had to intervene.
The news came – we are going to move to a new place. Uhmmmm. Is this the take-off to a new start that I was waiting for? But then again, as everything became clear, I found out that the new place isn’t the perfect place after all. But still, “Jesus is already calling me out to walk on water.” When I finally recognized that Jesus was far from playing games with me, and not stepping out would be a sin, I just had to accept it. Take that step. Out of my boat. Out of my comfort zone.
Honestly, I still am walking on water right now. But I choose to keep the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands.
Not a word of complaint from this humble servant of yours, my Lord but only whispers of thanksgiving and praise knowing that in Your righteousness and lovingkindness, You whisper back, “Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her (failure).” Genesis 20:6
And when I do find myself sinking into the inevitable deep, God would gladly reach out to me saying, “Come take my hand, O child of mine. I will carry you through.” Just what Jesus did to Peter.
Humbled by His Majesty,
haze
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I KNOW the PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” And this is my confidence. That God is taking good care of my future. I may not know what tomorrow brings but God does. And HE said that tomorrow is a day of good, greater things. He said that tomorrow, He shall only bless me, and never harm me. Tomorrow, there shall only be a daylight that will shine upon the darkness that glooms over the earth.
Where is this all coming from? Hmmmm.. You might wanna read those two paragraphs again. Slowly now and you’ll realize that there is a pinch of “fear” that pushed those lines to slip through my lips. A pinch of “uncertainty” that caused for each word to be uttered. (Yes, I still have those.)
And again, Where is this all coming from?
Our company just moved to our new office. We are now located at the Global City. Oh well, a lot of you can not even begin to imagine what that has got to do with all these feelings lingering within.
Here are just some little facts, little concerns if I may say, that arose in the minds of a lot of us when moving to Global City was first envisioned.
1. Transportation. It’s far (compared to our old office). There is no public transportation that would take us directly to the new office lest we take a cab which is going to be so expensive especially for someone like me who lives in a faraway land, from a different city altogether.
2. Food. The nearest that we have is a Starbucks Coffee Shop and a 7-Eleven Store (just a block away). Hey, a month of even just a “bunch of lunch” in those stores would cost us half of our monthly net salary already.
3. Effort. The trip is really tiring. The traffic, the crowd, the pollution.
4. Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
Such a grumbler, am I not?
(Sighs)
“In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this (I have complained to Thee).” Genesis 20:5
And God said to me, “Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her (complain further).” Genesis 20:6
And such is what happened on my first day at work..
Do you still remember how you felt the first time you had to go to school (when you were in kindergarten) and your parents or nannies could only accompany you to the doorstep? Or the first time you moved to a new school? (when you entered grade one, or first year high school, or first year college)
Oh well, I remember I was scared. Got more scared each time I moved a level higher. Haha! Such a baby.
Yesterday (January 5, Monday), I had the same feeling. I had qualms, inhibitions, fears lingering in my heart as I took one step after the other closer to the new office (No, I did not take a walk, haha). But every beat of fear I intentionally overcame with a whisper of His name. As I stood there at the train (I took the MRT, first time since I got employed) for about twenty minutes or so, I allowed Him to take control over my thoughts. Nunka! (Never!) Did I let any negative thought/complaint/murmuring come in.
And as I wait patiently, He speaketh.
Yes, He did.
He brought to my memory the story of Peter when he walked on water.
When Peter asked Jesus to call him unto the deep, I believe he wanted it. In his heart, he wanted it. Jesus, generous and kind as He is, called him out. He said “Okay, Peter. If that is what you want, then come on over. Let those feet touch the water. C’mon Peter. Come to me.” (my version) hehe. When Peter heard these words, he couldn’t believe it. I can only imagine the look on Peter’s face. It’s as if he wanted to take his words back. I can almost hear him say “Si Jesus talaga, hindi na mabiro.” When Peter finally recognized that Jesus was far from playing games with him, and not stepping out would be a sin. He did as he was told – he stepped out of the boat. He stepped out of the comfort zone. He was able to walk on water. IT WAS ONLY WHEN HE STEPPED OUT OF HIS BOAT, HIS COMFORT ZONE, THAT THE MIRACLE HAPPENED! Yes! He was able to do it! He walked on water! A mere human walked on water! Unbelievable! Suddenly, he began to sink. Oh no! What could have happened? Did he make a wrong step? What is a wrong step on water, anyway? What did he do wrong?
Peter began to sink because he became conscious of his natural surroundings and fear began to seep through his heart. Doubt began to cloud his mind. Peter began to sink.
There was a time late last year when I uttered to God that I wanted to start all over again – at work. Didn’t know how – new work, new boss, new office – that I wasn’t sure. I just wanted to have a clean slate. I wanted to change at the place where I was but it seemed like I was really having a difficult time doing it. I was at a comfortable place. I could say I had created my own “work culture” already. But a “culture” that doesn’t really work for me. Try as I may, I could not bring myself to counter this culture that I myself have birthed.
So God had to intervene. Thank God He had to intervene.
The news came – we are going to move to a new place. Uhmmmm. Is this the take-off to a new start that I was waiting for? But then again, as everything became clear, I found out that the new place isn’t the perfect place after all. But still, “Jesus is already calling me out to walk on water.” When I finally recognized that Jesus was far from playing games with me, and not stepping out would be a sin, I just had to accept it. Take that step. Out of my boat. Out of my comfort zone.
Honestly, I still am walking on water right now. But I choose to keep the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands.
Not a word of complaint from this humble servant of yours, my Lord but only whispers of thanksgiving and praise knowing that in Your righteousness and lovingkindness, You whisper back, “Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her (failure).” Genesis 20:6
And when I do find myself sinking into the inevitable deep, God would gladly reach out to me saying, “Come take my hand, O child of mine. I will carry you through.” Just what Jesus did to Peter.
Humbled by His Majesty,
haze
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Glimpses of You, Burn in my Eyes
Come, let's worship the Lord together..
Mountain maker
Ocean tamer
Glimpses of You
Burn in my eyes
The worship of heaven
Fills up the skies
You made it all
Said, "let there be"
And there was
All that we see
The sound of Your voice
The works of Your hands
You do all things well
You do all things well
You do all things well
Star creator
Wind breather
The strokes of Your beauty
Brushed through the clouds
Light from the heavens
Touching the ground
Imagination runs wild
And breathes the breath of life
Across the fields
Across the miles
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light." Genesis 1:1-3
Today is January 1, 2009. Technically, we can say that it is "(in) the beginning." And the power that God has used to create whatever He says "let there be" is the same power He is bestowing upon us right now. It's our choice. What will our 2009 be like? Your words have the power to bring to life to whatever you say "let there be." May all we create be an extravagant display of His beauty and grace.
God said "let there be".. and everything that came to be makes us stand in awe and adoration. And at times, fall down to our knees...
Humbled by the Glory of His Majesty,
haze
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