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. 

Calling = Purpose March 18, 2014

Scripture: Esther 1-5
10 Ester did not disclose her people or family ties, because Mordekhai had instructed her not to tell anyone. 11 Every day Mordekhai would walk around in front of the courtyard of the harem’s house in order to know how Ester was doing and what was happening to her.
20 Ester had not yet revealed her family ties or her people, as Mordekhai had ordered her; for Ester continued obeying what Mordekhai told her to do, as she had when he was raising her. - Esther 1
15 Ester had them return this answer to Mordekhai: 16 “Go, assemble all the Jews to be found in Shushan, and have them fast for me, neither eating nor drinking for three days, night and day; also I and the girls attending me will fast the same way. Then I will go in to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.” - Esther 4
Message:
Sacrificing to do the right thing will lead to greater Honor.

Observation/Promise:

We all have a responsibility on earth. God has called us for such specific purpose to live and act on earth, are we following that calling? Most of the time, our calling will cost us something, and in one way or another we have to sacrifice to the point of our lives just as Yeshua sacrificed His life for mankind for He was called to be the Savior of the world. We still a have choice, whether to sacrifice and live out that calling or not. But somehow there is no greater meaning and significance in life when we live our callings and able to do everything, even sacrifice for what is right. We have to obey what GOD has set for us to do and sometimes obedience is already a sacrifice because we may not want to do what GOD wants us to do but when we do it, there is no regretting.

Command/Application:
Live out your calling and do what is right. Stay faithful and be willing to sacrifice even to the point of death. If you are not living out your calling, there is no meaning to life. When you are bored, you are definitely not living out your calling. Find out what GOD wants you to do and you can only know your purpose through Him because He created you.

Put GOD first and He will do the rest - Feb 26, 2014

Scripture: Psalm 137-139
4 But how can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a pagan land?
5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget how to play the harp. - Psalm 137
6 Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.
8 The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me. - Psalm 138
1 1 O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
17 How precious are your thoughts about me,O God. They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up,
you are still with me!
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. - Psalm 139

Message:
God knows the beginning to the end. He has set the course of all things. Make GOD your priority, put Him first and He will take care of everything.

Observation/Promise:
Psalm 137:4-6
The Lord has spoken to me about this promise years ago when I had to sing for a wedding and in other places that my heart was not inclined to singing because of my eagerness to be in Israel. My desire to be in Israel has overpowered my desires to sing in a land that is not where my heart is.
Psalm 138
I know that if I continue to humble myself before GOD, He will be merciful to me and enable to me do what He has put in my heart to do. He is the creator of my heart and so these desires that I have are from GOD. No matter how hopeless I seem to be, I can be hopeful in GOD because it is HE and not me or my ability, that will accomplish His plan for my life. His plans that He has written down in my heart.
Psalm 139
He has already set everything to happen according to His plans. Even I was planned by GOD to come into the world at such a time as this. He made me, He has already planned every moment in my life writing it on His book before they even happen. GOD's thoughts about me are too many, too precious. Whether I'm asleep or awake His thoughts are constantly upon me. How loving is that?! But may I please Him as He thinks of me, as each day passes by may I bring a smile to His face, as I continue to rely on His righteousness to keep me pure and holy in His eyes. May He like what He finds in me and if there is anything that displeases Him, may I be sensitive and quick to change my ways so that I am always walking in the path of life making the Lord happy with who I am.

Command/Application:
Be one with GOD's heart. Know His wil, His thoughts and desires for your life and walk in it. Work with GOD for He delights in you, He created you for a specific purpose, know what this is and work with GOD. Keep Him close to your heart, let Him be the Anchor of your soul. Let there be no other person or thing that can move your heart than GOD. When your goal is to always please Him, He will make sure that everything in your life will work out and every plan that He has for you will be fulfilled. Please GOD.

Live! Give Thanks! - Feb 20, 2014

Scriptures: Ecclesiastes 9-10
7 So go ahead. Eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this! 8 Wear fine clothes, with a splash of cologne!
9 Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days of life that God has given you under the sun. The wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil. 10 Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.11 I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time. - Ecclesiastes 9
Happy is the land whose king is a noble leader and whose leaders feast at the proper time to gain strength for their work, not to get drunk. - Ecclesiastes 10

Message: 

Life is Short. There is only one Life to live.

Observation/Promise:

GOD approves when we know how to appreciate the blessings in our lives. There is no such thing as luck, but favor comes from GOD and His favor comes to those that love Him. When you are thankful for what you have because you recognize that it is HE who has given and blessed you with everything, this pleases GOD and it makes your life even richer knowing that you are given everything that you need. Gratefulness is the key to a fulfilling life which leads to contentment.

Command/Application:

Live Life to the fullnest! Do not hold back or hesitate to chase your dreams and experience whatever you always wanted to do. Do your best in all things! For life is very short and everyone dies. When we die, there's no more, that's it! Be thankful to GOD for everything, and whatever you may still need, ask GOD of this, pray and do not stop praying. Live, not just for today but prepare for the future

Secrets of the Godly

2 Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom...5 The godly are directed by honesty...20 The Lord detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity...25 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed...27 If you search for good, you will find favor... 

- Proverbs 11
5 The plans of the godly are just...6 the words of the godly save lives...12 the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit...21 No harm comes to the godly..the diligent make use of everything they find. 28 The way of the godly leads to life that path does not lead to death. 

- Proverbs 12

What is the secret to being godly? The LORD shuns the proud but He gives grace to the humble, therefore the first thing to being godly is to be humble. We have to remember in coming to GOD, to ask Him to take away the pride in our hearts because we cannot connect to GOD when the walls of pride are blocking the way. We are humble when we are truly honest within ourselves before GOD, we are sinful nothings in this world. When we understand the wickedness of our hearts GOD takes delight in transforming us into people of integrity, making us generous people that wants to bless others, finding good because then our attitudes are rebuilt by GOD to be positive in the our mindset.

When GOD takes control of a wretched human heart, there are many great miracles that takes place in a man's life, transforming them into godly people that do only what is right, say only good things that could save lives. The ordinary sinful man is transformed to be a godly man because they are rooted deeply in the fellowship of GOD in their hearts, their actions and words would bear them much fruit. Those whose hearts are humble and wiling to be transformed by Him are protected by GOD. HE is protecting their fields and crops in due season for harvest. Through the power of His word the godly could never be lazy, a godly man is a diligent man, following the ways of GOD that always leads to life.

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.

Chose wisely

Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” 7 For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. 13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.
- Ecclesiastes 12

Shlomo known as Solomon is the wisest King that ever lived on earth. He wrote many wise sayings of the Bible including Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon. He wrote many things that is wise and beneficial for anyone searching for wisdom. In the last chapter of the Ecclesiastes, it is just right that Solomon should conclude this one thing: That in all our doings, we should never forget our Creator but to honor GOD in all we do before our strength runs out from us and we are old and dying. For everyone will have to die, no one is exempted from death. We may be able to do anything in life, whatever we want we can do it, but not everything is good for us. Therefore in everything we do, we have to consider, where this road will take us in the future if we chose it now.

Modern writers always inspire us to be courageous and to not fear anything in life. But if we have to fear, it is wise to fear GOD and to obey whatever HE said we should do and whatever HE said we should not do. Life is sweet and long for many, but life as we know it ends, there is an end to our life and at the end of it, we wil stand before GOD to give an account to everything we ever did. We will be judged by GOD, if we do right or if we do wrong, there is a following reward and consequence for it. We won't even have to wait for the end of our lives to see GOD's judgement because even while we are still here on earth, GOD has already started punishment and reward with whatever we deserve from what we have done in the past. You many not feel GOD's judgement now, either good or bad but it doesn't mean that it's not there. So think about it carefully and chose to live wisely. Life, afterall is a choice. 

Purpose

12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good? 14 Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it...16 Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer. 17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. 18 He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing.
- Deuteronomy 10

We are born into this world,unknowing of our purpose and reason for living. This world can offer us many things if we work hard for it but could it offer satisfaction and fulfillment? We feel empty even though we have enough, and even when we have more than enough. One of the world's known scientist have quoted this "There is a whole in every human heart that only GOD can fill". We search for our purpose but we can only find the reason for our existence in creator of our being. You will never experience joy unless you find this creator, and understand the reason why HE created you. You can know Him and understand your purpose through His very words. In Deuteronomy 10:12 GOD gave us life, but He requires something from us. And this is what our very souls search for, the very meaning of our lives are found in ways where GOD designed us to live.

GOD requires us to fear and love Him. Fear? Is it to be afraid of GOD, to be scared of Him? No not this kind of fear. The fear here means to have reverence, or high respect towards HIM. To understand that HE is the GOD and HE is in control over everything that happens on earth. To know that HE is justice, the great judge over all the earth and that whatever we do, good or bad, HE will repay us according to what we have done. If we do good, we reap good things but if we do things that do not please Him, things He said we should not do, then we reap the consequences of our sin against Him. HE requires us not just to respect Him but to love Him, not partially, not sometimes, but to love Him with every fiber of our beings. Isn't it amazing? How such a great Almighty GOD, wants our love, HE even requires it from us. Love is not just to like, but to love is to delight, and put GOD first in our lives. When we live a life that doesn't have God in it, we ignore Him, and therefore on the great day of His return, because we did not seek to know Him, He will turn away from us because He does not know us too. 

GOD require us to obey His commands. It's not very hard to do but it will be hard when we are tested. It will be hard to keep His Sabbath day of rest when we are pressured to work because we need the money. It will be hard to love our enemies, when it's easier to hate them. But when we trust GOD and obey in spite of our circumstance and in spite of suffering, then we will see His goodness in our lives. He is a good GOD and but HE is also a just GOD who does not discriminate or show partiality but He executes judgement according to His Holiness. He is merciful and compassionate to the needy, poor and broken. Whether you know Him or not, He remains to be GOD. Your life on earth is not meant for you to just enjoy it for yourself but you were created to be in a relationship with GOD, to know, love and fear Him and to obey. Still searching for purpose and meaning in life? Seek the One who created you.