The chosen, the called and the desperate

Shabbat, 5 Iyar 5785 / May 3, 2025

Saturday Scriptures

Tazria (She Conceives) / Metzora (Infected One)

Torah: Parshat Tazria-Metzora, 7th Portion (Vayikra (Leviticus) 15:16-15:33)

Haftarah M’tzora: M’lakhim Bet (2 Kings) 7:3–20
B’rit Hadashah suggested readings for Parashah M’tzora: Mattityahu (Matthew) 9:20–26; Mark 5:24b–34; Luke 8:42b– 48; Messianic Jews (Hebrews) 13:4

WWCF Readings:

1 Chronicles 28-29; 2 Chronicles 1

Bible in A Year

Joshua 23-24; John 3:22-36; Psalm 55:12-23

Observation

In the Torah Study (Study of the Law) Leviticus records specific commands and rules for the clean and unclean groups of food, people and situations. Lepers are unclean and so is anyone who have specimen emissions from or any bodily discharge, male or female, are considered unclean, so female women are unclean during their period and after giving birth, they are not to enter the Camp of Israel for the specific number of days that they are still in their "unclean" period.

In the story of 1 Chronicles 28-29 and 2 Chronicles 1, I read about the life of Solomon and how he was chosen by GOD to be the next ruling King over GOD's people Israel and that as a boy, he had no choice but to heed to the calling of his life. His father David raised him to be the next King, charging him with everything GOD wants done in his life and Kingdom era. His era will be a time of peace and not of war he is the one to build a Temple for the LORD GOD of Israel. At the beginning of Solomon's life, he pleased GOD as he began to reign as King because he asked GOD to give him wisdom and in a dream GOD responded to his request by giving him that and even more. However, because of the pleasures and luxuries in life, Solomon didn't finish well because he probably was too relaxed and this made him complaisant not only in his way of living but in his faithfulness to GOD who called him, he totally forgot about GOD and his heart went astray to serve other gods because of his many wives. Some people can be lucky to have been born into a well to do family or to have started well in life, but many are not born into silver spoons, or even in a good family, however how we live and follow through to be able to finish well in our lives matters most to GOD than how we started. 

In the books of the Gospel, the story highlights of a woman who has been unclean because she had been bleeding for 12 years of her life. In the olden times, the lepers and sickly people considered unclean could not enter the presence of GOD and therefore they were banned from entering the Camp where the Israelites lived, they were to live outside the norm, and so they were the outcasts of the past. 

Comparing these two different and separate lives, Solomon and that of the unnamed woman who had bled for 12 years, who do you think pleased GOD more?

I would say it was the woman! For she moved and touched the heart of GOD even though she really had a bad start in her life, but Solomon though he started so well in life and with GOD, he wasn't able to finish strong. What irony do the stories go and end. That those who are chosen end up falling from grace. Those who are needy end up being chosen because they are left with no choice but to chase  GOD because they need HIM. But GOD is calling everyone in this world to be right with HIM. 

Call to Action: 

So this is my encouragement, to the lost, to the broken, to those fighting to have peace, struggling to live another day because of pain, because of depression, trying to make sense of everything and trying to make things right within themselves and with GOD: I dare you... to run after JESUS!!! YOUR desperate cry for GOD will move His heart to turn around and find you and HE will be everything that YOU ever need. HE will be your peace, your reason, your hope, your joy, your everything. HE wants to be your GOD and HE wants to be our everything, because it is through HIM, for HIM and by HIM that all things were made, and so at the end of our lives, we always come back to HIM. If your life ended today, will you be able to have conficence to face GOD? Or shy away knowing you have fallen from where you used to stand? As long as we are in the world, we are fighting many battles, and losing is not an option because GOD has called us to be more than conquerors. If you feel that you are at a losing end today, it's okay. It is in these painful realizations that GOD is calling and wooing you to come back to HIM! Don't let another day pass without seeking HIS face.

Scripture reference: Colossians 1:15-17

Where is Your Trust? - June 10, 2014

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 16-20
9 The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. - 2 Chronicles 16
Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”
- 2 Chronicles 20
Message:The LORD will help those who trust Him

Observation:
The LORD searches the whole earth, what is He looking for? He is looking for those who are committed to Him. Meaning those who trust in HIM and depend on Him to help them. Why does the LORD look for those whose hearts are like that? Why does the weak hearted and faint attract HIM? Not because they are weak or faint but because He wants to help those who know and acknowledge their need for HIM. On earth we have many things to rely on, and we can secure about the walls that we may have in our lives to protect us, money,fame, influence, family, career, anything that makes us confident and not making us trust GOD is a competition with GOD.

Application:

We ought to put our trust and faith in GOD alone. Yes we have to work hard, we have to earn money but these things, achievements or earthly treasures and gains should not make us proud and confident that we do not look to GOD for security anymore. We may have all the money, all the wealth, but when we need a miracle more than what money or wealth can buy, there's only one Being who can grant that miracle for us and that is HE who is the maker of Heaven and Earth. When we depend fully on GOD, HE will always be there to take care of us and even fight for us when things are going bad. We can be sure that GOD will come through for us because we trusted HIM, HE will make sure to never fail us. Where is your trust? 

Keep Us - May 13, 2014

Scripture: Jude

17 But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. 18 They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. 19 These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.
20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.
24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. - Jude

Message:

Remaining sober and humble especially in faith.

Observation/Promise:

If we depend on GOD, He will keep us from falling. He has promised us to keep us blameless but we have to remain confident in Him, not relying on our efforts and works to save us. When we let GOD lead us, His Spirit will take over our lives and lead us into all truth, giving us success in all that we do. HE will keep us, when we remain in Him. 

Application/Command:

Do not follow your natural instincts or be led by your desires instead let the Spirit of GOD lead you, bring to GOD everything  in prayer. Built each other up in your faith with fellow believers and pray in the Spirit for there are things that we do not we should pray for but only GOD knows and His Spirit will lead us into prayers. Do not be confident of your own efforts into faith but cling to GOD and wait for HIM. In waiting is our strength and it will keep us safe in GOD's love.

Essence of Faith - May 12, 2014

Scripture: Matthew 14-16
10 Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,”he said, “and try to understand. 11 It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”
16 “Don’t you understand yet?” Jesus asked. 17 “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.18 But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.20 These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.” - Matthew 15
4 Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Then Jesus left them and went away. 

25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. 28 And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”- Matthew 16

Message:

Faith is not equal to Religion.

Observation/Promise:

There were many Jews who were religious but it was the gentiles who had great faith that pleased Yeshua. It is faith that causes GOD to move and act. Your faith will heal you. Faith without works is dead. Faith is not only believing but acting according to what you believe. 

Application/Command:

Have Faith in GOD and even though you have to wait for such time for His answers to come, they will come because GOD is pleased with faith. The essence of faith is that requires it. Without it, we cannot come to Him.

The Mystery of GOD - May 5, 2014

Scripture: Matthew 11-134 Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— 5 the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. 6 And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.' - Matthew 11
48 Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”49 Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 50 Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!” - Matthew 12
16 “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it. - Matthew 13

Message:
The great mystery of GOD.

Observation/Promise:The greatness of GOD and His goodness remains constant despite of the situation we are in. Whatever we may go through in life, GOD is good and great and He remains the same yesterday today and forever. John who was suffering in prison began to doubt Jesus if He truly was the Messiah. Wonderful things were happening to other people except him, but he wasn't prepared to suffer for Christ just as much as the disciples of Jesus suffered after Jesus' resurrection. If our faith is not full and we allow doubts to come through us, then we cannot stand firm in our faith to the point of enduring suffering for His name sake.

Application/Command:

We need to have sure and complete faith. We cannot doubt a little here and there for doubt will cause you to be stumble and fall. Be sure in the ground of which you are standing. Our faith has to be full. We cannot compare ourselves with others for GOD is doing a great work in each and every one of us. Suffering can also be part of GOD's will for us but we have to be sure that we are truly walking in His will. And being sure of knowing His will also leads us to understand and see why we have to endure suffering. We don't complain or doubt GOD when suffering comes to us, we endure and hold on to GOD. We may not be able to understand everything because GOD is a great mystery, but our faith will allow us to trust Him in spite of everything. 

Faith is Trust - April 29, 2014

Scripture: Romans 9-10

30 What does all this mean? Even though the Gentiles were not trying to follow God’s standards, they were made right with God. And it was by faith that this took place. 31 But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded. 32 Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law[o] instead of by trusting in him. - Romans 9
10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”[e] 12 Jew and Gentile[f] are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[g]
14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” -Romans 10

Message:

Made right by Faith and not by Keeping the Law.

Observation/Promise:

It is by believing in your heart that you are made right with GOD and by confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and Messiah that you are saved. We cannot be saved by trying to earn it, we cannot earn salvation. It's not by our own efforts, by religiously following the traditions of the law. For we know that deep inside we cannot keep the law, we covet when we cannot be happy for others, we kill when we are angry about our brothers. But even with our human evil nature, we trust GOD to save us, it is His Spirit that enables us to overcome the law. It is not by our own human effort but it is the divine Spirit of GOD working in us changing and transforming us to glorify GOD.

Application/Command:

Believe in the Lord Jesus and be saved. Do not harden your heart but trust in the goodness and promises of GOD. We are not saved for nothing but we are saved always for GOD's purpose, for His glory and for the good news to be spread around you. Let your works and words glorify GOD for what comes out of you is really what is inside of you. Real Faith can be measured by how much you trust GOD with every area of your life, with your finances, with your time, with your family, with everything you hold dear and important. If you have faith in GOD then you will trust Him to bring everything according to His will and perfect time.

Count the Cost - April 28, 2014

Scripture: 8-10

21 Another of his disciples said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”
22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead.” - Matthew 826 

“But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you.
28 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.[j] 29 What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin[k]? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. - Matthew 10

Message:
Commit to Follow GOD and don't turn back.

Observation/Promise:
GOD knows everything that happens and permits even the terrible things that happen to us. But we ought not to base our faith in our circumstance but our faith should be founded in the Almighty GOD who gave His only Jesus to sacrifice for the sins we have done and ought to pay. GOD calls all of us to follow Him but when we follow Him we have to make sure we fear nothing not even death. We have to make sure that we are willing to even give up our lives for Him.

Application/Command:

When we follow GOD, we have to make sure we are committed whole heartedly because there is no chance to turn back once we are out in the field. We cannot decide to follow and then regret or look back if you do this, you are not counted worthy in the kingdom of GOD. Be sure of yourself before you even start vowing to follow GOD to the end. Remember Peter was not even able to carry out his declaration of love for Jesus because we are only human. But humility with commitment will bring you grace and mercy from the heavenly throne that will enable you to carry out the purpose that GOD has made you to do. Count the cost before starting the commitment. 

Righteous - April 23, 2014

Scripture: Genesis 12-15

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.[a]” And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

- Genesis 12

14 After Lot had gone, the Lord said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. 15 I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants[a] as a permanent possession. 16 And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted! 17 Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you. - Genesis 13
6 And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. - Genesis 15

Message:

Counted Righteous because of Faith.

Observation/Promise:

Walking with GOD is not easy. But it is the most amazing experience in life. There is nothing more fulfilling than to be like that of Abraham to know that everything you are doing in life is mandated and decreed by GOD. No matter what challenges may come your way, you can rely on GOD to rescue you and give you the victory because it is HE who has called you to be there in the first place. GOD will see you through no matter what. Taking on an adventure with GOD is wonderful and it is the only endeavor in life that satisfies the human soul more than anything in this world could ever offer. We are righteous in GOD's eyes when we believe everything that HE says. 

Application/Command:

How do we get the promises of GOD when we are not even seeking Him? To seek GOD is to read His word. We are blessed to have all GOD's promises written down for us in a nutshell called the Bible, but what about Abraham during his time? He had to seek GOD on His own with prayers and then he hears GOD speak to him through words, visions and signs. We already have the word, we just need to open the Bible and read. Seeking GOD is not just reading, it's reading with an expectation of receiving GOD's word into our Spirits. And when we receive a promise, believe, believe with all your heart and do not doubt. GOD will count you righteous when you simply believe. Believe that the Lord Jesus Christ can save you and accept this gift from the Father and you are eternally saved.

Trust and Faith in GOD - March 30, 2014

Scripture: Ephesians 1-3
7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 13 So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
- Ephesians 3
Message:
Trusting GOD will somehow require some suffering. We cannot endure suffering for GOD unless He has empowered us to do so.

Observation/Promise:
Christ will make His home in our hearts when we chose to rely and depend on GOD for strength and refuge and not on worldly and humanly ways. It gives Him great honor when our trust is completely upon Him. It's very hard to trust GOD especially when all we can hold on and cling to is His word, His promises, when we are used to relying on earthly things that assure us that everything will be alright. We can only live the fullness of life when we have complete trust and faith in GOD more than anything in this world.

Application/Command:
Put your faith and trust in GOD.Do not rely on other things, let your soul and heart find rest in the word of GOD alone. Treasure His promise to you like gold and silver, cling to it as if it were jewelry in your heart. He is able to do far more than we could ever ask or imagine, just believe that HE only has what is best in store for you. Seek and find refuge in His strength, in His loving arms, and be at rest in His word.

At just the right time - March 25, 2014

Scripture: Esther 6-10
2 In those records he discovered an account of how Mordecai had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the door to the king’s private quarters. They had plotted to assassinate King Xerxes.
3 “What reward or recognition did we ever give Mordecai for this?” the king asked.
His attendants replied, “Nothing has been done for him.”
4 “Who is that in the outer court?” the king inquired. As it happened, Haman had just arrived in the outer court of the palace to ask the king to impale Mordecai on the pole he had prepared.
9 ‘This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!’”
10 “Excellent!” the king said to Haman. “Quick! Take the robes and my horse, and do just as you have said for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the gate of the palace. Leave out nothing you have suggested!”
Message:
The LORD hears and answers the prayers of His people at just the right time.

Observation/Promise:
We are all undergoing hard times in life but when we are pressed on every side, is the best time to all the more press in on GOD and rely on HIM. When we press in on GOD, we seek GOD, we cling to Him for salvation. Sometimes He doesn't act right away, sometimes it feels like HE doesn't hear, but every prayer and tear that comes out of your heart, are all stored and kept into GOD's heart. HE is moved by every cry, every sigh, offered to Him. He is not slow in action, HE is making everything work at it's perfect time. Just like Mordecai, he wasn't given the credit due him when he saved the kings life, but at just the right time when he was supposedly planned to be killed, the King honored his life by letting his killer do the honoring. The most ironic of all events has happened and it happened at just the right time.

Command/Application:
If you are crying out to GOD and asking Him for something, wait upon the Lord. Be faithful in your prayers and do not give up because at just the right time, HE will do a miraculous thing. When you depend on Him for salvation, when you trust Him for deliverance, He will come for you like a Knight and shining armor, He will save without failing. GOD is perfect, all that we need to do in our part is to endure and pray, pray for breakthrough, believe, and do not stop believing, look up and expect for GOD's salvation. 

Resolve to Follow GOD - March 8, 2014

Scripture: Acts 21-2212 When we heard this, both we and the people there begged him not to go up to Yerushalayim; 13 but Sha’ul answered, “What are you doing, crying and trying to weaken my resolve? I am prepared not only to be tied up, but even to die in Yerushalayim for the name of the Lord Yeshua.” 14 And when he would not be convinced, we said, “May the Lord’s will be done,” and kept quiet.

Message:

Resolved to do the will of GOD, resolve to follow God.

Observation/Promise:

When our hearts are one with GOD, we have the mind of Christ, and the heart of GOD. We begin to do things that are not logical to the human mind, but these things only GOD can explain why. Just as Paul wanting to go to Yerushalayim where everyone knows will put his life in danger. The believers tried to stop him, but they couldn't convince him from walking straight into his death. Paul knew the dangers and what kind of suffering he had to go through, prophets were telling him but he would not budge. As a reader, I wanted him to live longer. Didn't GOD want him to live longer? It broke my heart reading how the believers loved him and wanted him to stay with them but time and time they kept saying goodbye to him because he was only meant to stay for a time. Didn't he deserve a life with family at least to retire from his hard work teaching and preaching? His life had to end like those of the martyrs, and its tragic on earth. But GOD's purpose can explain everything. In Heaven martyrdom is one of the greatest accomplishment a follower could do for Yeshua.

Command/Application:
Many people may not understand or be one in heart with what GOD wants you to do. But stay in GOD and listen to His voice. Be one in heart with GOD and be filled with His Spirit. Only you can know what GOD wants you to do, and sometimes you are the only one who believe what GOD wants you to do. Many times we have to walk our faith alone, but GOD will never fail to strengthen you and give you everything you need to accomplish His will and plan for you. Just like Paul resolve to follow GOD with all your heart. Do not let anyone or anything change your mind, do not let anything or anyone move you except the will of GOD and the heart of GOD for your Life.

Great Weapons of Faith

5 Your royal laws cannot be changed.
Your reign, O Lord, is holy forever and ever. - Psalm 93
O Lord, the God of vengeance,
1 O God of vengeance, let your glorious justice shine forth!
2 Arise, O judge of the earth. Give the proud what they deserve.
4 How long will they speak with arrogance? How long will these evil people boast?
5 They crush your people, Lord, hurting those you claim as your own.11 The Lord knows people’s thoughts; he knows they are worthless!12 Joyful are those you discipline, Lord, those you teach with your instructions.
13 You give them relief from troubled times until a pit is dug to capture the wicked.

- Psalm 94

GOD is a GOD of justice and HE is perfect in all HIS ways. There are times when we feel powerless when the world tries to take advantage of us, we feel so small, so helpless. But no matter what happens or how small we may feel, we must never forget that GOD rules and reigns forever. Once we lose sight of this truth, we become desperate without hope. This is not the will of GOD for any of HIS children. When we are wronged, it doesn't mean we should act like we are okay when we are not. We cry out to GOD just like David and pour our frustration and anger to the One who truly understands. 

A Believer's greatest weapons are prayer, GOD's word and faith in GOD's greatness and power. When we know how to use these weapons we are unmovable, unshakable, or unstoppable. So let our fears and frustrations rest and be hidden only in GOD, because people may not be able to handle or understand what we are going through in our hearts. And only GOD has the power to change things and we have the ability to change our circumstances when we know who to run to in such hard times. GOD is in control, no matter how ugly the circumstance, one thing remains true, GOD reigns forever. If you are indeed in a difficult situation, perhaps the LORD is disciplining you or teaching you to be strong in HIM, to rely on HIS power and worship HIM in spirit and in truth. 

Works of Faith bring Life

18 “So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.”
The True Family of Jesus19 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they couldn’t get to him because of the crowd. 20 Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, and they want to see you.”
21 Jesus replied, “My mother and my brothers are all those who hear God’s word and obey it.”

- Luke 8

Pay attention to how you hear. What does this mean? Pay attention to what you listen to, what you watch, for these are the things you feed your spirit. Are you listening to the radio more than to GOD's still small voice? Are you watching worldliness more than reading His word and watching for His return? It is very crucial that everyday we take into account the things that we put into our hearts for these are the things that will reap into fruits in the future. If we listen to GOD's word, we gain faith, for faith comes from hearing and hearing the word of GOD. Without listening to His word, how can faith grow? But if you are not even paying attention to what you hear, or listen to, if you don't screen what you allow to come into your thoughts and dwell in your mind, then it is possible that all you ever feed yourself of is all trash. To know and love GOD is intentional. You don't just wake up one day full of GOD's Spirit, wisdom and peace. You have to work at it for faith without works is dead -James 2:26 

Whoever is seeking GOD and listening to His words by reading the word of GOD will gain even more understanding. When we seek GOD and His righteousness we feed our spirit. This is where faith begins. But when we only hear GOD and not do what HE says we should do, that counts as nothing. No matter how much we listen to GOD yet not put His words into our hearts that results in action, faith is useless. Therefore, listening without doing is void and whatever faith you think you may have will be taken away from you, faith alone is nothing without actions. It is works based on faith that bring true life.

Troubled Times

9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
- Mark 13

To be a follower of Jesus you will have to be willing to die and be persecuted in the troubled times which many call as the end times. Jesus promised a life of abundance to those who walk with Him but He never promised a life of bed and roses. In gospel of Mark, he writes the words of Jesus saying You must be on your guard! This sentence should wake us up if we are spiritually sleeping, coz being on guard will require us to be alert, be alert at all times. Jesus is very honest about what would be happening to His followers, some will be handed over to be flogged and punished.

That being arrested or being brought to trial should not make us worry because the LORD will be the one speaking in us through the Holy Spirit. There will be many troubles towards the end, families will be at war with each other. You will be hated because you love and follow the LORD Jesus. This is a very difficult thing to be, but this will test our faith and how true we are to our Lord as we profess with our mouths. We have to persevere, we have to endure whatever trials GOD allows in our lives, for HE has promised that he who stands firm to the end will be saved. Yes Jesus has saved us when we opened our lives to change us but He requires us to be faithful even to the death. 

Willing To Go?

1 In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked.
The Lord said, “Go up.”
David asked, “Where shall I go?” “To Hebron,” the Lord answered.
2 So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 3 David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns. 4 Then the men of Judah came to Hebron,and there they anointed David king over the tribe of Judah.

- 2 Samuel 1:1-4

Inquiring of the LORD about every single detail of our lives should be as natural as eating, sleeping, drinking and breathing. Just like David the great conqueror during this time. Even though GOD has already prophesied to him that he was going to be Israel's King, he has remained humble throughout the years. Never demanding from GOD or Israel what GOD had promised him - the throne of the whole Nation. David is a humble man, never thinking that he is wise on his own.

During this time David must have felt that he should go up to Hebron but regardless of his strong feelings to do what seemed right, he inquired of the LORD, should he go up? And where specifically did GOD want him to go? Everything in our lives has already been planned by our great GOD. HE knows the end from the beginning and His plans for us are always good and nothing that would cause us harm. He wants us to live the life that He has planned for us, but we will not be able to live it if we follow our own instincts and directions. We need GOD's guidance, GOD's wisdom and His hand to lead us carefully into the great plans He has for us, but it is not an easy road. It will require a lot of faith and trust in the ONE who loves you more than anyone else ever could. Are you willing to go and follow GOD?

Journey of Faith

10 Listen to me, O royal daughter; take to heart what I say.
Forget your people and your family far away.
11 For your royal husband delights in your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord.
12 The princess of Tyre[c] will shower you with gifts.
The wealthy will beg your favor.
13 The bride, a princess, looks glorious
in her golden gown.

16 Your sons will become kings like their father.
You will make them rulers over many lands.
17 I will bring honor to your name in every generation.
Therefore, the nations will praise you forever and ever.

- Psalm 45

The The Bride of Christ is the church, the men and women of GOD who walk with Him and worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. Why does GOD compare our great union with GOD like that of a Wedding? Calling that great day the marriage feast of the Lamb. GOD's return to earth to take away His followers and all those that love HIM will be as wonderful as a wedding day. His feelings for every one who seeks His face and desires His love everyday is like what David writes about in this book in Psalm 45. GOD delights in the beauty of you and He wants to take you on a journey. This is a beautiful invitation to take GOD's hand and be in a glorious adventure with Him.

When you step out in faith and heed to His words and respond to His calling, your blessings will overtake you left and right. Favor upon favor from both man and the heavens will come upon you. His purpose to take you on a journey is to refine you and make you even more glorious than you are already beautiful. Soon He is coming for us, are we on a journey with Him? Our faith cannot remain stagnant as GOD emphasizes that we move from strength to strength and glory to glory. We are going upwards in the Spirit, until He meets us in the clouds.

Sharing the Victory

21 Then David returned to the brook Besor and met up with the 200 men who had been left behind because they were too exhausted to go with him. They went out to meet David and his men, and David greeted them joyfully. 22 But some evil troublemakers among David’s men said, “They didn’t go with us, so they can’t have any of the plunder we recovered. Give them their wives and children, and tell them to be gone.”
23 But David said, “No, my brothers! Don’t be selfish with what the Lord has given us. He has kept us safe and helped us defeat the band of raiders that attacked us. 24 Who will listen when you talk like this? We share and share alike—those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment.” 25 From then on David made this a decree and regulation for Israel, and it is still followed today.

- 1 Samuel 30

When the LORD gave the victory to David, losing not a single thing from his camp when his enemies captured their valuables and family's, David was as humble as he could be. When some trouble makers refused to share their victory to their other brothers who couldn't fight alongside with them because they had no strength left, David rebuked them saying "Don't be selfish!" For David understood that whatever they had was given by GOD and not by their own strength and might. 

When we pray for something and fight for what GOD has given us, we ask others to pray with us and fight with us into that which we are believing GOD for. But when others have lost the strength to fight with us, we should not condemn them for not being able to sustain their strength for GOD alone can give the strength to people according to HIS will. Let us not ridicule others for being weak or faint hearted but we have to share the blessings and victories that GOD has given us with them because this will surely encourage them and strengthen in their battles in the future. Remembering that if we don't give up the faith, the LORD will not fail or disappoint us but HE will always deliver what HE said HE will do. So share your victories so that others will be victorious in their walk too.

What Matters...

10 Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

- 1 Corinthians 3

Paul talks about Faith like it was a construction of a House. He laid the foundation not because he is clever or the wisest but because GOD has chosen him to do so. He understands that it is not his own efforts that made him a success but because of the grace that GOD has placed in his life to fulfill his calling. The foundation of the house is Jesus Christ. Anyone can build on that foundation, people live their lives through him but everyone uses their own building material. Some will only use what is not durable because it is not as costly as those that are truly build to last.

But judgement day will come like a natural disaster, like a fire burning up a house, GOD sends the fire to test the purity of our hearts and the faith we have in Him. Depending on how we have build our hearts in him is how the house will stand after the trial. Are our hearts truly surrendered to Him? Did we do everything in our lives in faith and with the right motive to please GOD? This is how each ones work will be tested and will rewarded according to the Father. Let us build up our lives for HIM being aware constantly that one day He be the only One that matters, nothing else will. 

Press On!

Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore, I have set my face like a stone,
determined to do his will.
And I know that I will not be put to shame.
8 He who gives me justice is near.
Who will dare to bring charges against me now? - Isaiah 50

“At just the right time, I will respond to you.
On the day of salvation I will help you.
I will protect you and give you to the people
as my covenant with them. - Isaiah 49

Faith, unwavering faith is what we need to go about through all the storms in life. Not faith in ourselves because we are frail fallible beings. But faith in the LORD GOD who calls Himself faithful and who has proven Himself has promised great things to those who completely rely on HIM. To those who are willing to risk their lives and are determined to obey what HE says and trust Him will not be put to shame. It takes a lot of courage to obey GOD because the things HE usually says to us are radical and surprising things that we don't usually hear or do on our own.

But the GOD of Justice will reveal Himself to the poor and oppressed, to the weak and helpless in His perfect time. Even though it seems like forever we are stuck in a certain place and never moving forward, as long as we are depending on GOD and holding on to what HE says, we can be sure that what HE has promised will come to pass. It might take time but the GOD of Justice is near. At the perfect time, all your prayers will be answered, those prayers that come from a right heart and motive. That day will be like the day of salvation from the long wait and suffering. So do not give up praying, press on!

Cling and Don't let go

24 This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. 25 When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!”
But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
27 “What is your name?” the man asked.
He replied, “Jacob.”
28 “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.”

- Genesis 32

GOD is there in the most time when we are alone. The world surrounds us with too much noise but when we take time to be alone, GOD draws near to be with us. And in our tough times we come to GOD asking HIM for something impossible, something hard that we know only GOD could ever change and make possible. When we come to GOD in this way, we wrestle with HIM. GOD will not give anything simply when we ask the first time. Sometimes, we need to prove to GOD how much we need or want what we are asking for so that when we have it, we will not take for granted that it is GOD who has given it.

When we persevere and not give up on what we need from GOD, we will have whatever we so ask in prayer. Most of the time, our prayers are not answered quickly as we want. But we should not give up praying, but press on with our prayers to GOD. We move GOD's heart to action especially when we are desperate for HIS response and HIS power to move in our lives. When we pray, let us believe, when we believe, we should not give up, because GOD sees our hearts and one day we can break free from every struggle when we cling to GOD and not let go until HE gives us what we have asked for.