Three Things

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe" (Eph 1:18-19).

Paul's letter to the Ephesians exhorts believers to experience three important things in their spiritual lives that he experienced personally. As a good mentor, he desires those he is leading to follow his example.

First, God wants you to have the eyes of your heart enlightened in order to know the hope to which He has called you. God has called each of us to a future and a hope. Some do not ever realize the dreams they envision for their lives. Paul prays they will experience this.

Second, God wants you to know there is an inheritance for each believer in Jesus Christ. There are riches to be had - not financial riches - but spiritual riches that are laid up for every saint. As you are faithful to His calling in your life, there will be a reward for your faithfulness.

Third, God desires you to tap into the power that is available to every believer. Paul often exhorted believers not to look at his persuasive words, but the demonstration of the power of God in his life. He wants you to know this same power is available to you. After all, Jesus said we would do even greater works than He did after He sent the Holy Spirit to us.

Pray that God reveals the hope that exists inside of you, be encouraged that there is an inheritance awaiting you, and know that you have power that resides in you that awaits those who exercise their faith to release it.

(Excerpt from Today God Is First by Os Hillman - June 24, 2012)

Stillness

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
…but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:29, 31)

Putting our hopes in the Lord will lead us to stillness. Stillness that would gives us relief and peace even in the midst of weariness. Like an eagles, we can soar high in a gusty wind. Like an athlete, we can run and won the race among the champs. As His servants, we can walk and wait patiently on Him. The strength He gives works out from the inside out in us.

(Picture from provisionslibrary.com)

Hardened Heart

”And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:26

I’ve red lots of articles or devotions about this verse, and most of the times it’s more about our powerful God who can do miracles in our lives such as healing, protection and provisions. It could be an incurable disease that was miraculously healed, or could be having this serious accident and a man was miraculously saved, or an unknown person gave a huge amount of money for the ministry etc..etc…

But this morning God taught me different things about it, it’s not about of what he can do in healing, protection and provision but on the perspective of what He can do to a “Hardened-Heart”. Looking at the whole context of this passage, this is about the rich young man who has asked Jesus the way to have an eternal life but eventually become sad, dissatisfied, and frustrated about what Jesus answers. Then Jesus said “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:23-24). The problem of the rich young man is not about of being rich but his unwilling heart which not ready to obey and do what is good and right.

Oftentimes, when we are on the spot of talking about the goodness of God in a secular world, they find it “corny”, get easily annoyed, upset and irritated. We love our friends, co-workers and our family members but how and what should we do about this if they are unwilling. Until such time, we stop/give-up sharing God’s goodness to them thinking that no one can change their outlook, views that hardened by secular world. They keep on doing what they want to do though they already knew that that’s not right things to do. Just like the rich young man who is unwilling to give up everything what he has and what he’s doing, he has a hardened-heart.

On the other hand, when God said “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26), indeed God can still do miracles to those who has hardened-heart. Just like His disciples reaction, “Who then can be saved?”, we easily giving up and losing hope. Still, trusting Him is in our hands and praying for these people we love could be the burden God put in our heart.

Is our God laying some burden on you today?

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Phil 4:6-7).

Our God is a powerful and almighty God, beyond the miracles of healing, protection and provisions, he can also do miracles to change people even with a hardened-heart.

(Picture from karimahscuisina)

Hard Pressed?

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” - 2 Cor. 4:8-10

No matter how hard our situations we are facing right now always bear in mind that we, as christians, still need to be liked Jesus. Yes, there's a huge responsibility we have, this could be a struggle for us, but let us be reminded that “We can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). This is not about on the great efforts we may put into but more on the active faith we have in Him... more on the total dependence we have on Him.

Trying Harder vs. Trusting Him Harder

"Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” – John 15:4

A grape branch doesn’t bear fruit because of its determined efforts to get sunshine; rather, it simply abides in the vine, and fruit appears. The vine does all the work. In the same way, believers are to be in union with their Savior so that spiritual fruit can grow in their life. (From In Touch)

Oftentimes, I have this prayer “to live a Spirit-filled life and be the better me” but the more I am striving and struggling harder the more I got disappointed and frustrated, until I realized that this could not be attained by trying harder but by trusting Him harder. Trusting Him by taking His promises literally just like abiding in the true vine and good fruits will follow.

Are you struggling to become the better you? Maybe it’s time to abide in the true vine.

Hangover

[ CCF Marilao Single's Group - Men ]

I can’t find any word that is commonly-used to describe what I’m feeling right now, something I can’t get out from what I’ve experienced in the past. In some ways, it’s just like a “Hangover” – something like an after- effects or spillover-effects from the past.

It’s been quite a while since a Prayer and Fasting of CCF has ended and a Mini-retreat with CCF Marilao Singles have gone fast. But until now… the revelations of God during the Prayer & Fasting and the lessons learned during the mini-retreat are still fresh in my mind and within my heart.

It’s really a good start of the year to join in this Prayer & fasting with CCF. With the deepest desire and longing of His presence, God really embraced me there as I laid down my concerns, worries and fears. As my heart exposed with His presence and promises, I can’t help myself but to cry with humility. As David said in I Chronicles 17, “Who am I, Lord God… for honoring your servant?” I found myself as unworthy servant but still privileged with a lot of things.

Un-recovered from a hype of God’s revelations from Praying & Fasting week, God led me again into a different pursuit. Pursuing His intimacy together with fellow christians for a mini-retreat with CCF Marilao Singles in Tagaytay. This is coming with a group of men who are totally strangers, aside from Allen and Romhel I met once or twice, I barely known them at all. At first, I am hesitant, on the other hand, with an awkward feeling but with God’s conviction that “I should really go” and hoping for God's directions, I decided to join.

For the record, this is my first time to do this… (Coming with those I barely knew) but I’ll tell you it’s all worth it. God is really amazing and full of surprises. It’s been a wonderful experience to be with this group. From a teasing conversation during the jeepneys, fx, and LRT rides… to un-ending talk with Romhel (Peace Bro) in the bus… the Super 8 wandering moments with Tyron… strategic quest with Team Timb-A… cooking sessions with Master Glenn and Chef James… the bluffing sessions… waterfalls trekking… pool’s party… how can I forget the fun and excitement all throughout.

I enjoyed a lot of the good fun but more so I really appreciated the spiritual nourishment through devotions and quiet time. From the truth about sins, redemptions to justification and sanctifications, reminded me of the love of God that gave me life. Quiet times that brought me into tears as His words become alive with meaning. What an encounter I’ve been with the Lord through this fellow christians.

As I observe each one and how the retreat goes, I’ve seen the same spirit longing for God. I’ve felt the sincerity of their hearts and the level of commitment to really pursue God. Longing for His grace, intimacy, directions, obedience and doing the best for God’s glory.

Day after days… week after week… I keep and finding myself thanking God for taking me into that mini-retreat. Bringing me there with the group of strangers, whom He used for me to back again on the right track with Him. I don’t know how it happened but one thing is for sure… God wants to meet me there…

Until now, at times I received and send texts from/for the group, I felt the warmth, hunger and longing to pursue His presence and the spirit of accountability for the purpose of growing together for God.

Every time I’m visiting the FB page and looking at those pictures, I can’t help myself but to smile, thinking of those times bonding with them, laughing with their jokes and most of all learning together about God and His purpose to each one of us. I hope and I pray that all these hunger, encouragement, and longing for God would be sustained all the days of our life.

“One thing I ask from the LORD,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.”

– Psalm 27:4

To Allen, Daryll, Geo, Glenn, James, Jonathan, Kavin, Maynard, Raffa, Romhel, Tyron, It’s been a pleasure knowing you guys. Thank you.

Until the next Hangover…BOOM!

To God be the glory!

Up On The Mountains