Unforeseen Opportunities

life is a series of lessons.  For us to grow, we must participate in it even though it's tough and unpredictable.  We have no control of what life will bring.  Everything on this earth seems like a borrowed moments which can be taken from us in a split second.  But we have a Mighty God who is full of surprises.  For the people of faith, sudden changes or unexpected circumstances are just "unforeseen opportunities". It is not always pleasant, but it is special situation which God allowed for our soul to be transformed and deepened.  Be thankful in every circumstance.  God's grace is sufficient for us.

The Joy of Our Salvation

It was truly a joy unspeakable and full of glory when we received our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in water baptism and to be filled with His Holy Spirit.  With our childlike faith, we were bold and fearless - no room for doubt.   We  belong to God and He's always with us.  John 3:5-6 - Through His grace we were able to enter in God's Kingdom.  We are saved - and that's enough for us to be joyful.

But as the years went by, as we grew in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, trials and temptations never cease to take us out from our focus.  Some battles knocked us down, sometimes we failed and cares of life covered our eyes away from the things Eternal.  But we know, nothing can separate us from the love of God.  When we're tempted or sinned, we did not lose our salvation, but we surely did lose the joy of our salvation.

David lost the joy when he sinned.  He lost the willing spirit and that real delight that comes from obeying God, so he prayed.  "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit." Psalm 51:12

Without the joy, we will lose our zest in serving our Heavenly Father, which will lead to spiritual faintness and lukewarmness.

Answered prayers, miracles, and even spiritual victories won't give us the strength to go on living the Kingdom Life in Christ Jesus.  What will keep us going is only the joy of His Salvation.
Our Lord Jesus Christ told the disciples. "Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:20

God intends that we rejoice in our salvation.  Have we lost our joy?  Are we in bondage by sins and cares of life?  Repentance is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children.  Ask Him to restore your joy and try your best to live holy for His Glory.

Conforming to this world will not satisfy our soul.  We can't find joy by looking at our self and what's going on around us.  Look unto Jesus - love Him with all your heart, soul, and mind.

God's joy is our strength and He delights in seeing His children rejoice in their salvation in whatever circumstances they are in.  "...For the Joy of the Lord is our strength." Nehemiah 8:10 

Keep the Hope

When our will is weak and the way is weary and long, the best thing during these times is patience and most of all –don't’ give up hope!  Remind our self of God’s greatness.  Trust in His promises.  I know, it’s easier said than done.    But this is all we need, and nothing else around it.

Christian hope is not just a shallow sort of “positive thinking” theology.  Rather, it must be rooted in our knowledge and personal relationship with God, recognition and confession of sins and of the full-undeserved forgiveness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  As bearers of the Word of God, our calling is to give hope.  No wonder that the enemies’ greatest and most frequently target is “hope”. 

The enemies’ use fear, doubt and unbelief to attack our faith and to destroy our hope.  Cut off the negative thoughts that feed the hopelessness.

“Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” 2 Corinthians 10:5

Negative attitudes come from negative thoughts.  Wherever the mind goes, the body follows.

Though sometimes human forgets, but we should always remind our self that if we are in Christ, we should have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:14-16).  Remember, none of negative stuff comes from God.  There is nothing negative about the way God thinks or acts.

There will be many battles.  But we are more than conqueror through Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37).  We win as we keep the faith in His hope.  When Jesus said He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, He was indicating that He is our Hope.  Our hope is based on nothing less than Him! –Mhel P.

I love this old hymnal song.  It's so true!

My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ Name.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.

All other ground is sinking sand.

Live Our Life In View of Eternity

God created man in His Own Image with everlasting life like Him -enjoying the beauty of God’s creation daily as the sun rises and sets. 

The first man and woman used to live in time without end.  Until they disobeyed God and death entered the human race.  The eternity they have known was no longer for them to enjoy.  Now, we can only accept the fact that our life here on earth has an end.  We are now prisoner of time -restrained and constrained by it. 

As our knowledge increases, our sense of tension about time increases too.  People accept and believe what is visible to them.  We plan and invest most of our time in our physical life and earthly possessions.  However, increasing wealth and increasing education bring a sense of pressure about time.  We are now chasing time and time is chasing us, the never-ending pursuit for the things that are doomed to disappear.

“Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom”. Psalm 90:12

Death is certain.  However, God restored our original nature once again through Christ. “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

In Christ, we will once again have Eternal life.   Our body will still pay the consequence of sin but our spirit will live with Him forever. 

We can now live with a proper perspective, to accomplish as much as we can with our life God has given us. What matters most is not how long we live, but how we live.   There is nothing wrong with earthly possessions.  But there is more to what we can see.  To know Christ is to open our mind to the things eternal.   Now we are looking forward to which will endure forever. 

We have to let go, and not to be distracted by our past.  Relinquish to the hands of God our tomorrow and have faith.  Accept our now and live our life peacefully in the present moment in view of Eternity! -Mhel P.

Great Stream of God's Blessings

Financial crisis, inflation, layoffs, physical and emotional problems are like unwanted visitors that sometimes find their way at our doorsteps.  If you find yourself in the middle of these, don’t loose faith.  It might be different situation for each of us but it’s the same hardship and trials that neither our strength, talent, nor our resources can help us.  The best thing that we can do is to look up to our Maker –our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  “Our help comes from the Lord…” Psalm 121:2

In the midst of difficulty, the great stream of God’s blessings still flows continually.  It never stops and never runs dry.  God is just waiting for us to tap into it.  “Ask, and it shall be given, you seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Matthew 7:7

The Lord already showed us the way:

Prayer –Honest and humble communication between you and God.  “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 We should know our One True God and to know Him is to know His words.  By knowing His words, we can know His will.  Our prayers should be aligned in His will.

Faith–Believe and be thankful.  Once we made known our desire to God, trust Him and surrender to His will.  Whatever situation we are in, be thankful for He has the power to turn the most disagreeable circumstances to our advantage. 

Work –Be in our NOW.  Sometimes the predicaments we’re in were caused by our own selfish mistakes.  We may feel guilty about our past, fearful about our tomorrow but we cannot do anything about it.  Only today we can take action.  God has given us this day to make a difference.  Stay focus and do our best in our present moment.  Ask God for wisdom to face our day and to recognize what He wants us to do in our NOW.  Be willing to exert effort and do it with determination and confidence in God.

God’s Stream of Blessings is immeasurable, His riches is overflowing.  “But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches and glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 There’s no question about His blessings and riches; the question is –if it channels to us, can we handle it right and not be drowned by it?  Can we be trusted?  That’s why in Matthew 6:33 He wanted us to know His Kingdom and His righteousness before the overflowing blessings will be given to us.  To know the Kingdom of God is to know and understand the mind of Christ.  We should seek the Lord’s righteousness and His wisdom that we may be able to stand the sunlight of prosperity and have the strength to welcome the strong current of God’s abundance.  With this virtue, God can freely channel His blessings through us for His Kingdom.  Because much is given, much is required. –Mhel P.

Our Strong Defense

We all face crisis of daily life.  We sometimes get discouraged and frustrated; feel like throwing in the towel like everyone else.
All of us will somehow have a share of unexpected pain, and in this difficult time we all need a strong defense to overcome.
Besides unwavering faith, the legacy of the saints who preceded us is a legacy of endurance, patience, perseverance, strength and resiliency.

Resilient sons and daughters of God ask Him for wisdom to know what can and cannot be change, and learn to focus their energies to the goals that God has set before them.
In times of loneliness, discouragement and the snare of self-pity, they reach out and care for others.  They learn to share the journey and help them discover and realize that they all have a purpose and that there's no such thing as insignificant person.  These connections and caring for others strengthens them.
They do not need to be conformed to the world to fit into this world.  They are committed to finish the goal that made their lives meaningful.

The greatest key to resiliency is found in the One who is most Resilient: Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Even while facing death, He focused on His calling, His work and the eternal plan which His Father had given Him.  He responded in faith.  He submitted to God's control and direction, even when things were out of control; even when the end was death.

It's either to follow Christ or not to follow Christ.  To follow Him is truly a higher calling.  In this task we must keep focused on God.  He is, after all, our greatest Hope and our greatest key to resiliency.

"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 faint."  Isaiah 40:31

Feelings Can Be Deceiving

Feelings can be deceiving.  Yes, emotion is part of being human but we should not be guided by them. Like the preacher said, it is not what we feel but what we know.  When you feel trapped in the moment and fully occupied by your resistance to the things you cannot change -feeling sad and feeling depressed, always remember that God has perfect plan for you.

Be it in the midst of success and celebration or failure and aloneness; don't let the moment go by without giving thanks to Him.  "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Mentioning the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in gratefulness calms the noise of emotions cluttering our mind.  It brings us back to the truth and carries us to our Now with Him.

"Yes my soul find rest in God; my hope comes from Him.  Truly He is my rock and my salvation;  He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  My salvation and my honor depend on God;  He is my mighty rock, my refuge." Psalm 62: 5-7
My life is His, and He is my life!
-Mhel P.