worthyisthelamb-blog

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He is risen.

A man who crawls on all four and barks like a dog will never be a dog. So is a sinner who does good, who speaks kind words, who is caring and understanding to everyone he meets does not make him righteous.

We are sinners not because we sin, we sin because we are sinners. Sin is engraved in our DNA since creation. Righteousness was never something for us to achieve, righteousness is the state in which God sees us. And in the eyes of God, a sinner though he does good, is still a sinner. Therefore transformation begins not in our works, but in our identity.

Colossians 1:13-14 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son (JESUS) he loves,  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness comes not from doing good, forgiveness of sin comes with the transfer of kingdom. The kingdom of this world, or the kingdom of darkness. There is no in-between, no halfway house, no middle ground. We either belong to the kingdom of Jesus or the kingdom of darkness. We either operate under the dominion of God’s love or under the dominion of sin. No good work, or kind words can change our state. Consider the teachings of the world from what God has said in His word. Jesus came, died and rose again. Those who acknowledge that they are sinners and know that no one can save them, have no one else to run to but Jesus. His death that saves us from sin and the power of His resurrection that transforms us into His likeness. This is the Resurrection Sunday that we celebrate, not Easter, not Egg-hunting day, not Colorful Rabbit day. The children of God celebrates the Resurrection Sunday. All other “teachers” have graves, Siddhartha Gautama has one, Mohammad has one. Not Jesus. He is risen.

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Run.

I can make it in life, I'm just really limited now, being under someone's roof, under someone's authority, it's all but a hindrance to my potential. If only I could get a start-up capital, I'd be able to get out of here and start my own "thing". I know deep inside I'm bound to succeed! The words of self-sufficiency ring true for every person. We all see it in each other, be it a person that is considered well-off in life, or be it a person that is financially challenged. We all want to be independent, self-sufficient, self-sustaining and maybe, just maybe, there's really nothing wrong with that. Or is there?

Just like the prodigal son, his main motivation was to get out of his father's roof, he wants to live his own life, to set his own path. We all can relate to that, self-sufficiency is most often than not mistaken for individuality.  Is there really such a thing as a self-made man? God gave us under the protection of our parents, and even until the time comes when they are gone or absent, God in His sovereignty placed us under the care of someone's authority, under someone's guidance by which we are HEAVILY influenced. There's no escaping that, that's just how things are. Trying to live our lives our way is not far from what the prodigal son did, thinking that we can do great by ourselves, not being under anyone's authority and not being accountable to anyone would cost us dearly. In the end the prodigal son spent everything that his father gave him, he longed to fill himself with what the pigs were eating. Take note, in Jewish culture, they were not allowed to eat pigs, so why in the world would he end up staying/working in a pig sty? It is safe to conclude that his situation was so grave, and what's worse is he is not in his own country. Independent from the presence, provision and protection of his father. In his most desperate moments, he came to a realization. Getting your share of the estate and living your own life is never worth it, we won't and we'll never make it alone in our life anyway. That's because along with God's direction of success for our lives, it is He who brings the "right" people to aid us and guide us along the way to God's definition of SUCCESS! There's no better picture that Jesus painted to portray the loving heart of our Heavenly Father by portraying him as the father who patiently waits and without hesitation runs to hold his wayward son in his hands once again. Imagine, the Almighty God, not bound by time, space or matter, is never late, is never too early, what would make Him run? A wayward son returning to Him in repentance, yes, without hesitation, our Heavenly Father meets us. I leave you with this song: When God Ran Be blessed.

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What will it take to make you bite?

What if humans had access to 100% of their brain capacity? We could control everything in our bodies, control other people's bodies, manipulate matter, space, and time. Theoretically. I watched the latest movie by Scarlett Johansson entitled "Lucy". The movie had a nice thrill at the beginning but slowly deteriorated in to a "Why did I even watch this movie?" feeling as it drew near to its ending.

I can't help but relate the whole plot to a certain moment in Genesis. Genesis 3:4-7 "The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings." Amazing ain't it? Satan didn't put much effort into tempting Eve, he simply played with the idea that there is an opportunity at hand that Eve should take advantage of right away, and that is to be "like God". And what is to be "like God"? To know truly what is good AND evil. Take note, the Bible didn't say it was to discern between good from evil, it simply said to KNOW. Thought provoking. Ever since the dawn of man, we had this insatiable thirst for knowledge, associating it with power, prestige and even purpose. The movie Lucy also tackled that, and if you notice at the ending, when Lucy was finally able to understand "everything" her physical form disappeared and she is now everywhere, able to do and understand everything. Yep, just "like God". For me the movie was an allusion to the "Fruit", except in the movie, it's in the form of blue powder, available to any junkie that wants to get a hold of it. In light of this, it made me wonder. What really makes us bite? Is it the temptation of food? Lust for physical pleasure? Insatiable thirst to acquire more and more wealth?

Just like Eve, she SAW that the tree was good for food, and it was a DELIGHT to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to MAKE ONE WISE, she took from the tree's fruit and ate. Can you relate with Eve? Let's break it down. Why do people lust? To know how it feels at the peek of PLEASURE. Why do people covet? To know how it feels to own EVERYTHING. Why do people exercise gluttony? To know how EVERY FOOD tastes. The drive for pleasure, for material acquisition and to taste everything that's desirable for the palate is to KNOW how it feels. The ultimate driving force is KNOWING. To understand everything is man's weakness, to know the future and comprehend the past is everyone's desire. The fear of not knowing maim's us. So what's the solution? The only antidote to the fear of not knowing is TRUSTING. Yep, faith. And the Bible says, Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." You see, knowledge in its highest form do away with faith. That is not God's will for us. What God wants is a relationship with Him anchored in TRUST, FAITH, not knowledge. Faith in God is not head-knowledge, it is experiential. So don't take that bite, don't be easily tempted by the need to "KNOW" what's coming your way, or why are these things happening in your life right now, or why did you have to experience the things that you experienced in the past? The past served its purpose. The present is serving its purpose. The future will serve its purpose. All in the sovereign hands of God. Break free from the grief of trying to KNOW, simply have FAITH. I believe with faith, the fruit and the tree would be much less attractive. Be blessed.

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It's Just Not Fair

Why do good things happen to bad people, and bad things happen to good people? It's the age old question. Even Asaph, a priest during the Old Testament asked the same question. In Psalm 73 he said "For I was envious of the arrogant As I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pains in their death, And their body is fat. They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like mankind."

We've been there right? "I'm a good person, relatively. I deserve better than this!" Asaph kept on describing how the "wicked" are living the life up until we reach verse 16: "When I pondered to understand this, It was troublesome in my sight Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end." Yup, as you think about these things it'll just get more and more troublesome until you come before God's presence. What is it with God's presence? What is with God's presence that changed Asaph's perspective? I myself pondered on that. Today my phone got stolen. But to say "why does this happen to me?" is completely wrong. Because people who do "good" or "bad" or BOTH are also victims of theft. Much like rain, rain pours on good and bad people alike. "So where is the justice then Lord? I want to be rewarded for doing good, and I want to see some suffering for people who do bad." you might say. Psalm 73:21-28

"When my heart was embittered And I was pierced within, Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For, behold, those who are far from You will perish; You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You. But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works." The Lord showed Asaph a spiritual "stock investment performance" and the volatility of the graph slapped Asaph out of his deluded thinking. From eternity to eternity we are His. Therefore, whatever the wicked enjoys now, they enjoy temporarily; after that, what the wicked will suffer for they will suffer for eternity. In contrast, what the righteous suffer now they will suffer for it temporarily, but what they will enjoy after this short life they will enjoy for eternity. Puts things in perspective doesn't it? What I love about it is the principal of sowing and reaping is all over this passage. Sowing wickedness during seasons of abundance in life, will reap wickedness in the seasons of lack in life. Sowing righteousness during seasons of lack in life, will reap righteousness in the seasons of abundance in life. Finally I want to leave you with a line or two from the song "Blessings" by Laura Story: "When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win We know that pain reminds this heart That this is not, this is not our home It's not our home 'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops What if Your healing comes through tears? And what if a thousand sleepless nights Are what it takes to know You're near? What if my greatest disappointments Or the aching of this life Is the revealing of a greater thirst This world can't satisfy? And what if trials of this life The rain, the storms, the hardest nights Are Your mercies in disguise?" Be blessed.

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Prisoner 24601

Earlier this year I watched a film called Les Misérables, the movie was of course based on the famous play with the same title. Yep, prior to watching the movie, I have to admit I didn't know what the story was all about. But after watching it, I had a different perspective as to what it meant to be a prisoner, and to be "free". The story started with a certain prisoner, telling of his grief, sorrow and helplessness as a prisoner. In a short scene he was called by the prisoner warden by his prison name "Prisoner 24601".

The warden rejected to address the prisoner by his real name even if he already told him what his real name was. To the warden, he was and still is "Prisoner 24601". That day he got a parole, I believe the prisoner's exact lines were "Yes, it means I'm free." But the warden retorted by saying "No, Follow to the letter your itinerary, this badge of shame you wear until you die. It warns that you're a dangerous man." You see, when a prisoner is set free, he is left with a "mark", giving him a sense of false freedom, he feels he is free but is not "truly" free. Does that ring a bell to most of us? I personally can relate myself with Prisoner 24601, or rather Jan Valjean. I'm not talking about a physical prison where I'm shackled like a convict, I'm talking about a mental, psychological and spiritual prison. Like the one stated in Galatians 5:19-21 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Most of the time I feel that I'm "imprisoned" to the traits mentioned above, it is as if I cannot free myself from the list! Yet in verse 13 it was mentioned:  "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." We are called to freedom, well, those who are in Christ. Yet this freedom has a clause that comes with it, can we call this "Freedom" then? I'm beginning to sound like the ex-prisoner 24601, Jean Valjean.

As I've been mentored by my discipler/s throughout the years, I came to learn that there is a world of difference between "Absolute Freedom and Authorized Freedom" - the term coined from one of the pastors I highly respect, Pastor Doy Castillo.

There is a difference between Freewill and Ability to will. Much like Adam way back in the Garden of Eden, he was free to eat whatever he wanted in the garden except from the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. You see, he wasn't free to do that, he could do it if he really wanted to, but he was not AUTHORIZED. But as we all know, he took a bite anyway, did he use Freewill? Certainly not, because that choice came with a price, therefore it was not "Free". The key to living a life that is truly free in Christ is to live within the borders of "Authorized Freedom" that the Word of God has set for us. We need to stop pursuing "Absolute Freedom" because history has already dictated that we have fallen miserably in the pursuit of it. So what can we learn from Galatians 5? We were given freedom, but along with that freedom comes restrictions. And we must abide in those restrictions to enjoy our God-given freedom, lest we live a life of defeat. So we can choose for ourselves, continue to exercise ABSOLUTE FREEDOM and face the consequences that comes along with it, or live within the boundaries of AUTHORIZED FREEDOM and enjoy the protection that comes with it. Below are 3 points that I learned from a sermon by Pastor Doy Castillo: 1) I am not free not to love. Galatians 5:14 "For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another." I am not free to hate my brothers, most especially I am not free to take any action, entertain any thoughts nor harbor any emotions towards them apart from the motivation of love. I am, therefore, free to take any action, entertain any thought and harbor any emotion that is motivated by love. Yes, it is as straightforward as that. 2) I am not free to satisfy or gratify the flesh. ("flesh" pertaining to our sinful nature) Galatians 5:17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. It's in us, that desire, that craving to satisfy the flesh, and the Bible clearly states that we are not free to "gratify" it. Hence nullifying the term by Nike, "JUST DO IT", you see, reason is what separates us from animals, therefore if we operate based on "self-gratification" or as other people have coined it, "inner instinct", then we are no different from them. And God knows that, He knows our sinful tendencies, hence at the ascension of Jesus, He sent forth His Spirit to indwell us, so that we might be able to control, to suppress, to negate the urging of our flesh. Which leads us to our next point. 3) I am not free to refuse the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." Galatians 5:25-26 "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another." You see, the Holy Spirit indwells us not because He doesn't have anywhere else to stay, or anything else to do. The Holy Spirit indwells us to be our Helper, Comforter and Guide. (John 14:16) Stressing the word GUIDE. Now He is supposed to Guide us to the right direction, to a life that would please God, to a life that would reflect Jesus, that's the direction. So if we oppose the Guide, then we take the opposite direction and we grieve Him. (Ephesians 4:30) The Spirit of God is in us to lead us, so let's not take the wheel from Him, trust me, our "instincts" won't know any better. So instead of taking after Prisoner 24601, let's follow the example of the Prisoner of Christ, Paul. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

Let's live a life that's truly free, after all: "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." - John 8:36

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The Real Attack on Titan

Anyone watched/read the series Attack on Titan? For those who don't know, it's about normal human beings battling against 60-meter humanoid invaders! The protagonist here is an eccentric young man prepared to fight the giants despite the odds being against him.

As I "devoured" the manga in less than a week, I find this manga strangely similar to a person in the Bible that we're all too familiar with.

Yep, you guessed it, David. If there was a thing or two that I learned from this episode of David's life is that: War precedes peace! It comes to threaten us, a giant is a circumstance that is too much for us to handle. You'll know when a giant has arrived, much like the Israelite's reaction, there's a sense of helplessness, fear takes over reason, a sense of impending doom maims them to do anything about it. The main line of thought here as I've experienced it myself is "This is too much, there's no way I'll get through this, and no one can ever help me." I don't know how this would relate to you, maybe it's a giant that came in the form of financial problem, or in the form of relational problem or even directional problem. Maybe you've said that line too, "this is too much, will I ever really get through this?" Another point that got my attention was that: Training precedes the battle! Let me quote this passage: 1 Samuel 17: 34-37 But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and may the Lord be with you.”  You see, these "gigantic" circumstances in our lives that God allowed us to encounter, did not come without giving us a good practice match. See how David remembered his victory over the lion and the bear? The same is true for us! But don't be mistaken, past victories are not to beef up our ego, past victories are there to remind us of God's sovereignty. He delivered us before, He will deliver us now. Of course perspective is key in facing our giants, we want to be victorious over our giants for a reason, the main reason would be to get rid of it, the second would be the "promotion" that follows afterward. Evaluation precedes promotion! That's right, we can read in 1 Samuel 18:5 So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants. He was on his way to being king. Just as how he was anointed to be. You see, giants are meant to promote us, it is not meant to destroy us. Not at least to those who know that the "God of angel armies is always by our side". I'm battling my own giant right now, and as I write this I am also encouraged. That giants in life are meant to promote me, and the faith that I need to get through it was already given in past victories. So to my brothers/sisters in Christ, look back as to how God has been faithful, so that you can confidently look forward to face that giant and conquer it! Be blessed!

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Talk is cheap.

Ever experienced being let down? Words were said, trust was given and then, nothing but disappointment. I've been there. In the process of all these a person gets wounded, we get scarred, and it all contributes to why it just gets a tad bit harder to trust the next time around. I bet you can relate this to a certain time, maybe a certain situation, maybe even a certain person. Broken promises, disappointments and unmet expectations are not limited to acquaintances, it trickles down to the closest of friends even family. It hurts doesn't it? But believe you me, we ourselves do it everyday, if not towards other people, I'm sure we do it to Someone Who deserves nothing less than our best, we do it everyday to God. Look at this passage: Matthew 21:28-32 "But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’  And he answered, ‘I will not’; but afterward he regretted it and went. The man came to the second and said the same thing; and he answered, ‘I will, sir’; but he did not go.  Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even feel remorse afterward so as to believe him." Jesus was talking to the pharisees, he related them to a son that obeys his parents by responding positively, but disobeying anyway. Then Jesus related the prostitutes and the tax collectors to a son that responds disobediently to his parents initially, but regrets it and later on obeys. I don't know about you, but I related with the second son right away. A timid and obedient "yes" in word, sometimes even accompanied with tears so convincing that would shame the best of actors. But a raging "HELL NO!" in action. You see, obedience is not in words, it is in action. It is not in the knee-jerk "YES" that we yell out, but the well thought commitment to obey the Lord in our mind and action that pleases Him.

The songs we sing, the tithes and offerings we give, even our commitment in service will never match a heart that's purely focused on pleasing the Lord in obedience. There's no better motivation to obey than love. As Jesus said in John 14:15 "If you love me, keep my commands." Jesus kept it short and simple. Let us learn from the sons in Jesus' parable. Let us love Jesus not only in words but also in action. Let us obey and be blessed.

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Silence!

I was reading Matthew 14:22-23 during my own quiet time, it's about Jesus retreating to a mountain to pray by Himself and asking His disciples to go on ahead and cross the sea of Galilee. Now a storm met them right smack in the middle of the sea. Well imagine that. Now the boats they used back then were fishing boats, boats that would easily tip over and throw the wailing men to the sea. Imagine the panic, the anxiety. Then just a few hours before dawn, when the night was darkest, they saw someone walking towards them. See, this is the time where your brain tries its best to add things up, you're in a boat, in the middle of the sea, gasping for life itself; And you see someone walking towards the boat. It just doesn't add up. The disciple's natural deduction was of course, a ghost. Just when they were at their wit's end, the Person shouted, "Don't be afraid, it's Me." You know how that sounded in my head? "Don't be scared Harry, I'm here." What comfort, what re-assurance, those words really struck me. In the midst of storm, turmoil and chaos, Jesus comes to you and reminds you that He's there, meeting you right where He told you to go. Of course, the story didn't end there. Peter, the disciple that's famous for his "brain farts" answered, "Lord if it's You, command me to come to You on the water". Wow, what was Peter thinking? But what was more surprising, Jesus said "Come." It sounded like a foolish request to me, it sounded unnecessary, even childish at one point, but then the Lord obliged Peter's request. Lo and behold, Peter was the only disciple who experienced walking on water. Peter got out of the boat, walked towards Jesus until his eyes directed him to the water below his feet. Then a very chilling, yet familiar sensation went up his spine, he felt fear. And just like any other occasion, fear brought with him his favorite companion, doubt. So Peter began to sink, as he was sinking, he cried out the very words we utter in our most desperate moments, in our most trying times, "Lord, save me." I can relate to this. "Lord, save me." Peter didn't hear, "You wanted this!" or "Ah, such immaturity", you see, in this situation when Jesus' intervention was desperately needed, HELP came first before the REBUKE. HELP came first before the CORRECTION. This pierced my heart, how many times have I rebuked, reproved, condemned my fellow brothers/sisters without even the intent of helping them? Let's reverse the situation, how many times have I been "told off", scolded or shut off without the intent of really helping me? I cringe at the thought of answering the question. Verse 31, IMMEDIATELY Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him and said to him "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" The very person of Jesus commands worship, His very nature when you truly understand His word compels you to worship. Such grace and mercy in the midst of sharp correction. Amazing. Then the moment comes, when Jesus joined them in the boat and nature itself worshiped Him in silent reverie.

Wow. There was calmness, there was peace, there was silence. I can imagine, a shivering disciple, with his head bowed low trembling in reverent worship attempting to lift his head, his voice cracks as he says "You are certainly the Son of God". I don't know what you're going through right now, heck I know I'm in the midst of one stubborn storm. Maybe your boat is the same as mine, it's about to capsize, maybe your hands are holding the thin mast tightly, just like me, we're both tired but still gripping it, at the brink of letting go. Hold fast my friend, I say these words to you as much as I say this to myself. In the midst of this storm He'll meet us and when He comes, storm will be silenced, waves will be calmed, anxious thoughts and turbulent tongues would all be silenced. Let's worship Him.

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I thought I got away with it!

Ever heard of this passage? Numbers 32:23b "and be sure your sin will find you out." Everything went okay. I got away with it. Or so I thought. I love chocolates! Ever since I was a kid, I remember one time my parents got home from Hong Kong, they dropped by Duty Free to buy chocolates on their way back to home and the refrigerator was stocked full of them!

Everyday I would eat 2-3 pieces in hopes that no one would really find out because there's just so much! Until one day, I noticed I finished them all. While scanning the refrigerator I saw a secret stash of chocolates that someone who knew my appetite very well, strategically kept from me. So I opened it and ate it. One day my dad came home and was looking for some of the chocolates he bought, my sister said, "Everything's gone dad, JR (that's how they call me at home) ate it all, but don't worry, I kept some for you!" My heart was pounding, could my sister be referring to the secret stash that I found? Then after a few seconds my sister said "What? JR also found the chocolates I set aside for you dad! It's all gone now!" I looked at my dad and his face was disappointed, he didn't say anything, he just went on about his business. I regretted eating those chocolates. I hated myself because of it. But my story of "getting caught" pales in comparison to a certain person in the Bible named Achan. You may read about him in Joshua 7. In this chapter, the first generation of Israelites led by Moses are all dead. 40 years have past and they are now entering the promised land, Joshua is leading them, they have just went through their first major victory over the city of Jericho. God told them to destroy everything in that city, they are not to take any spoils of war from it, any treasure that they find would be given to the temple. Lo and behold, they won! And now here they are again facing another city, the city of Ai, it was a smaller city with weaker people. As we can read from verse 3 the spies that Joshua sent out said that there's no need for everyone to go to battle, this one's going to be easy. What happened? They lost. Joshua cried, he blamed God. God told him the situation, and this is where Achan comes to the picture. Apparently, Achan took for himself some of the things that the Lord specifically instructed not to take. The Lord banned these things and Achan took from the ban. He thought he got away with it, after all they already won. But little did he knew that the consequences of his actions would be realized on Israel's next war. The Israelites lost their war with Ai because someone among them is hiding in sin, and that's Achan. This is where it gets interesting, God didn't reveal who, God just said that someone from them sinned against Him. So Joshua did what was best in their time, drawing lots. Imagine, they drew lots per tribe. Then they drew lots per family. Then they drew lots per men. Imagine if you were in the shoes of Achan, Joshua already announced your tribe, Achan could be thinking "There's a lot of people in my tribe, it's not me'. Then when they drew lots per family, "There's a lot of families that belong to our tribe, it won't be our family." Then when they drew lots per men, "There's a lot of men in our family, they won't draw out my name."

Until that moment came, Joshua and the leaders of Israel drew out his name. In those moments Achan had all the time to confess, but he didn't. Much like when my sister was shuffling through the refrigerator to find the stash of chocolates, I had all the time to confess, but I didn't. So Joshua ordered his men to unearth the buried treasure that Achan stole and proceeded to order the people to stone Achan and his family to death, then burned them. You see obedience precede victory in life, but consistency in obedience precedes consistent victory in life. Achan had the chance to confess, but he didn't. The hiding of the treasure and the "confession" when he got caught is not a sign of repentance. Much like us, we're not sorry for the things we did, we're just sorry we got caught. So does that qualify as repentance? No. So what was the best way to do, get rid of that compromise, in Israel's case, the compromise was Achan. Let's apply this in our lives, in how we live our lives today, is there an Achan in us? Have we taken something from the "ban"? Something that we know displeases God yet we indulge ourselves in it. We hide it so well thinking no one will know. Even in the process of us getting exploited we are still in denial thinking we won't be found out. I urge you brothers and sisters in Christ, burn your Achans. Our victory in life is measured not only in obedience but also in surrender. Surrender the things from the ban. It's not too late to repent. Don't wait for the moment where they are drawing lots and you know that in the end, they're going to draw your name out. Galatians 6:7-8 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let's not mock God by thinking we can get away with our compromises. Rather honor Him and love Him by obeying Him and surrendering the things in our lives that does not please Him. Lastly, I'll leave you with something to think about. It is customary for the Israelites to celebrate every victory by worshiping the Lord, offering burnt offerings and singing songs. Imagine when they won against Jericho, Achan was with them worshiping, singing, offering burnt offerings, but in his heart he was hiding something, thinking he already got away with it. Everyone can worship, yes. But not everyone's worship is accepted. Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

[worthyisthelamb-blog]

The Rock that rocked my world

Words cannot describe the noise and vibration that we felt everyday, it was really annoying! We couldn't stay at home, literally, they shook, rocked and rattled our world. There used to be a truck repair shop across our house, the business caters to jeeps, trucks and the like. A few months ago they leveled it, dug up a hole on the ground and started to chip away the ground beneath. Now, to all who are familiar about the basics of construction, this is the phase where they are strengthening the foundation. Yup, you guessed it, someone bought the property across our house and they are now constructing a building on top of it. Now this whole thing reminds me of a certain passage in the Bible, Matthew 7:24-27 Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” You see, Jesus also talked about foundation, but not just any foundation, Jesus was talking about the foundation of our lives. A lot of Christians complain about sermons that pertain to Christian foundation, it's basic, we've all heard it, it's down-right boring. Why not talk about Christian finances, building businesses and how we can do it in accordance to the Bible, why not talk about relationships, and childbirths out of wedlock in the Christian community, those things are more relevant, they're more interesting, they're "deeper". You see, like a building, without a solid foundation, we can only build so high. Waves will come, and it will test our foundation. Let's take a look at the parable, Jesus didn't say that the parable was about a top-tier architect that used good material vs. a green-horn sand builder using illegitimate, poor quality construction materials. Both were grown men, both have ample knowledge to build a house, Jesus didn't mention about the quality of materials that they used, Jesus didn't even mention about their intelligence level, it's not like one was far more stupid than the other. Both were equal in every way, well, except for one thing, the first builder had a rock as a foundation, the other, had a sand for a foundation. And that's all the difference that mattered.

You see, my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, waves will come in our lives. It's not a matter of "if", it's a matter of "when", and those waves will crash on us, they can be 40-feet tall and certainly overwhelming to look at, but in the end, those who have the right foundation, will end up standing. Let's check ourselves, if the trials and hardships in our lives easily causes us to doubt, blame or even curse God, others or ourselves, then that says a lot about our foundation. Don't get tired of the basics, we need it. The get tired of the gospel, more than for others it's primarily for ourselves. Don't hate reminder, because HUMANS EASILY FORGET. That's the truth. So let's check our lives, look at our foundation, it's easy to know. Looking back at our past trials and struggles in life, how did we respond/react? How are we dealing with the "waves" that are crashing on us now? If our spirit, faith and hope is crumbling, then let's consider re-digging. Like the sound of metal punching a hole through the ground, that process may be rattling, unsettling, annoying and irritating, but that may be just what we need. Before seeking growth, before constructing that building, let's have the right foundation. After all, the one who built on sand may finish first, but the one who built on rock will last longer. Be blessed.

[worthyisthelamb-blog]

A heart transplant at 26

I got this from my discipler, short and simple. Psalm 51:10-13 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You. It's hard to keep a consistent state of being on-fire for the Lord, a lot of us lose that fire a few days after the spark.  Even David lost it, he fell so far from the Lord that he even committed adultery and murder in one smooth flow. It took some time before God used the prophet Nathan to confront David's sin, and in Psalm 51, we caught a glimpse of what he was going through and how he prayed to God to deal with it. There are 3 important things that David knew he needed to restore that intimate relationship and joy that he once had with God. 1) God's purification David didn't pray for his heart to be cleansed, he prayed for a new one. "Create in me a clean heart." Why create? Because the heart that once loved God is unable anymore, it has become defiled, tainted with sin, and no tear or cry or fasting or shouting can ever cleanse that heart. David knew he needed a new one. A fresh one. He can't do it, he knows, so he asks from God. We too resort to fasting, crying, shouting, self-deprivation, anything that we can think of to make ourselves feel less guilty of our sin, we do anything to make us feel "punished" for our sins so that we would feel "deserving" of God's forgiveness and restoration. But we can't do it. We can't just clean our hearts, remember this passage? Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?" No one else can deal with our hearts but God. Like David, let us also pray that God would create in us a clean heart.

  David also prayed for a renewal of spirit. A spirit that hates sin, a spirit that seeks to please God. Do you remember the days when you were on fire? Remember the days when sin wasn't even an option? Remember the days that you feel utterly disgusted just to hear an ungodly conversation? Let's ask God to renew that spirit in us. A spirit that seeks and perseveres to follow His will. "Renew a steadfast spirit within me." 2) God's presence David said "Do not cast me away from your presence, do not take Your Spirit from me." When we are sinning, we don't enjoy God's presence, why? Because He's holy, and His holiness brings light to our filthiness, His presence sheds light to our deep dark secrets that no one else knows, and so, we don't enjoy it. A person easily becomes irritable, is always at the edge of his temper, is so unforgiving and always fails to show mercy and compassion when God's presence is far from him. Because God's presence is a reminder that we deserve nothing, yet God gave us everything. So if God's presence is near to us, we are also moved/motivated to exercise compassion, mercy, understanding and forgiveness to other people also. There's no such thing as "waking up at the wrong side of the bed", there is such as a thing as "standing in the opposite side of God". If we want to keep the fire burning, stop trying, just keep on going with God's presence. Don't let His presence be cast away from you, never ever let His presence be far from you. Because we desperately need His presence. He directs us, guides us, protects us, provides for us, who would exchange all those things for a quick satisfaction of the flesh? 3) God's purpose David said "so that I will teach transgressors your ways and sinners will go back to you" When we are on fire, our lives become a blessing, not a burden. Have you ever noticed there are some people that their very presence brings light to the room? Everyone is so blessed just to be around them. Yet there are some people that just by being around them makes you burdened, makes you want to go home. You see, people that are very intimate with God, that are very close to God will naturally reflect God's presence. It's a blessing to be around them. Now let's do a quick self-reflection, what about you? Are people blessed or burdened when you're around? It's something to think about. David knew God's purpose. His relationship has a purpose, it's not just for his own benefit, God has a plan and He wants to involve David's life in that plan. So what happened? Because of this prayer, God took care of David's reputation. Despite all of David's personal failures, David didn't fret to vindicate or clear out his name, God did it for him. In fact, he became credible to "teach transgressors" like us, the right way to go. God redeemed our lives, so let's live our lives for His purpose. Renew that fire that was long lost and experience a deepening holiness of God in our lives, experience a strong intensity of His presence, and experience a clarity of His purpose in our lives. I pray that you were blessed with God's lesson, as I am blessed with it.

[worthyisthelamb-blog]

Where did my hair go?

Here's a scary thought. Imagine you had all the skills, the talents, the resources, the connection, you literally had all the reason to succeed in life; but you didn't. Now that's scary. Most people I know would say, it's a waste. You know you have so much potential but failing to make use of it, or be of use is such a waste. Well, there's a certain person in the Bible that suffered the same fate. His name was, you guessed it, Samson. Ah, Samson, maybe the original icon for brawns without brains. He was always portrayed growling and smashing, with the looks of an over-sized neanderthal. Make no mistake, Samson was no caveman. He was a judge. He also had exceptional intellect, he even made riddles for his enemies to guess. He lived in a time where Israel had no king, so God appointed judges for them. You see, unlike how the media portrays him, Samson was a Nazarite, a Judge and a Warrior. But what happened to Samson, that his life ended the way it did? In Judges 14:1 "Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman." also in Judges 16:1 "One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her." The Philistines were an enemy of the people of Israel, but Samson somehow developed a habit of going to the enemies territory, picking up women, even eating and sleeping there. Of course, he knew he could handle himself, he had god-like strength. But was that enough reason to fore-go of his common sense? The first reason why Samson didn't make it in life even if he had all the reason to is Samson disregarded common sense. I'm not saying he doesn't have common sense, he just disregarded it. Like Samson, how many times have we too as God's people tested His grace, we want to walk along the border of right from wrong, justifying a certain thought or act as neither right nor wrong, testing the limits of God's grace. A complete disregard for common sense. We know what were doing is wrong, we know we're in a wrong relationship, we know we shouldn't go in that place, hang around with those people, yet we do anyway. Anyway, we can just ask for God's forgiveness after, right? It's what sin does to us, we pre-meditate our offense, we plan how to sin. We throw away our common sense. Galatians 6:7-8 says "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. " We mock God by thinking we can get away with our sin, we mock God by thinking we've successfully come up with a plan to enjoy sin and escape the consequences. Whatever a man sows, this he will reap, God is not mocked. Another thing that we can observe in Samson's life is found in

Judges 14:3 "His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.”

and in

Judges 14:8-9 "Some time later, when he went back to marry her, he turned aside to look at the lion’s carcass, and in it he saw a swarm of bees and some honey. He scooped out the honey with his hands and ate as he went along. When he rejoined his parents, he gave them some, and they too ate it. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey from the lion’s carcass." Samson, refused to submit under his parents' authority, his parents were asking him to look for a woman within his people but he opted to marry someone from the enemy, you see, the Lord was behind it to pick fight with the Philistines, but it sure  didn't show in the way Samson answered back and fought his way to victory. Samson was also a Nazarite, he was a judge and he knew the law, yet Samson ate of the honey that was in the carcass of a lion, even worse, he gave it to his parents. Wow. From here we see the next problem why Samson didn't make it in life, he disregarded authority. Samson was his own authority as far as he's concerned, he was the captain of his own fate, the master of his own soul. Invictus. Most of us share the same problem. We don't like the idea of being under authority, be it under our parents' authority, under our government's authority, even under God's authority. You see, the law of sowing and reaping also applies here, when we want to do it our way, then we have to do it with whatever we have. But if we do it God's way, then we can do it with whatever God has. Remember the saying, God's will, God's bill. Let's reverse it. My way, my bill. And if it's charged to my bill, I'm way out of my league. There is no way a man can be self-sufficient, man is made to be dependent. Even if he fights his way all his life to be free and to be under no one's authority, in the end, at his last breath, he would still be under the authority of time, under the authority of nature, all of these under the authority of God. Might as well submit. The next point can be found in Judges 16:15-17 "Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when you won’t confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven’t told me the secret of your great strength.” 16 With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it. So he told her everything. “No razor has ever been used on my head,” he said, “because I have been a Nazirite dedicated to God from my mother’s womb. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man.” Samson had complete disregard of God's will and God's plan for him. As a Nazarite, he knew that no razor should touch his hair, no wine should enter his body. But he gave it up. He gave away his identity as a Nazarite in exchange for peace. Samson was nagged to death and it was his own fault for being together with a daughter of the Philistines, an enemy of God's people. Of course she would seek to exploit his weakness, and he gave it away. Samson was in a wrong place, in a wrong time with the wrong person. And in this whole ordeal, he disregarded God's plan for his life, Samson turned from being a judge to a joke. The Bible revealed Samson's heart. Judges 16:20 "Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him." Samson knew his strength was not from him, it was from God's presence in his life. But along the way he forgot about depending on God and relying on God and instead relied on his own god-like strength. Samson said, "as before" I'll shake myself free. Like Samson, how many of us tend to say this phrase when we find ourselves in a mess. "That's okay, as before, I'll get out of this" "I've been here, I've survived this, I'll make it again" The "close calls" that Samson had from his disobedience and rebellion in his life were warnings, the Philistines "almost" had him, if he did not carry the city gate and threw it off a cliff, the Philistines "almost" had him if he didn't see a jawbone of an ass and massacred them with it. The "close calls" we experience in life are warnings from God, these "close calls" will end, and eventually, we will suffer the consequences of our actions, as Samson did. This time around, on Delilah's lap, there was no close call, this was it. The Philistines over-powered him, gouged his eyes out and made him a joke. From a judge to a joke. Of course in his death, Samson killed more than he ever killed while he was alive, but only because at the last moment, his reliance to God was revealed by his prayer. How many times have we let people "cut our hair". How many times have we misrepresented God and His will for our lives because of our testimony.

Don't disregard God's will and purpose for our lives. Let's live it out, let's show it to the world. We have all the reason to succeed, because God sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins, God refused to let our past dictate our future. By the blood of Christ He erased our past. Let's join Him in paving our bright future, He has a marvelous and beautiful plan for our lives that can only be realized in total dependence and abiding in Him. Don't let anyone "cut your hair" again, it's simply not worth it.

[worthyisthelamb-blog]

Where do you think you're going?

They say that a wise man learns from his own mistakes, but an even wiser man learns from the mistakes of others. Truly the story of Jonah is one of those stories that we can learn a lot from. Jonah was born a prophet in his time, his role and direction in life was clear to him, he is to speak forth the word of God, to whomever, wherever God directs him. Like most of the cities that are lined up for God's impending destruction, God sends a warning. This time around, for the city of Nineveh. Jonah, upon hearing the word of God, got up and headed at the exact opposite direction to where God wanted him to go. A storm seized the ship, he knew the storm was meant for him so he asked the crew to throw him out, a fish swallowed him mid-sea and spewed him out on dry land. Now there are three things that we can learn from Jonah in all this ordeal. Direction is always fueled by a decision. You see, God wanted Jonah to go to Nineveh, but Jonah DECIDED otherwise, and because of his decision, he paved his own direction. The trouble with us is that most of the directions that we have decided to embark in life are a series of our wrong decisions.

Jonah could have just chose to stay where he was, that still would have counted as disobedience, but he didn't. He wanted to make a statement. So he ran, to the opposite direction of where God was directing Him. Imagine that.

Yes, our decision might not be as blatant as an instant and direct rebellion to what God has instructed as portrayed by Jonah, nevertheless, it might have been done with the same heart condition. The need to be in control over our lives is a very dangerous thing, we are fallen beings, if we decide to take control of the wheel, most definitely we'll drive it to the direction of our own demise. How do we know this? This brings us to our next point. Wrong direction is always headed for destruction. Jonah got on the boat to Tarshish, a place completely opposite to where God had told him. So a storm came, rocked the boat and forced the crew to eject all the baggage out of the ship. You see, when we disobey God and walk our own direction, the consequences of our disobedience not only affects us, it affects the people around us. In this case, the ship was nearing destruction, the crew were hysterical and Jonah HAD TO CONVINCE THEM to throw him out, hesitantly, they did! Right after Jonah was thrown out, the sea and the storm calmed. Personal testimony is important, the reflection of God's control in our lives draw a thick and obvious line between the boundaries of a true believer and those that are just professing to be one. Lordship should be seen in a Christian life. If the Lordship of God is not evident, but rather rebellion, then that becomes our testimony, not only does the consequence pursue us, it affects the people around us. Good thing that our God is great. Just like the song says, our shame was deeper than the sea, but God's grace is deeper still, our hearts went far away from Him, but His love went further still. God's love pursues us, and this brings us to our third point. Destruction can only be averted only by God's deliverance. The solution was not in the hands of other people nor was it in the hands of Jonah himself, deliverance was only in the hand of God. So God sent a fish, a fish that swallowed Jonah mid-sea and contained him there.

Like Jonah, has there been a situation in our lives when we felt helpless, nothing else we can do. It's as if we've been swallowed, we can't see where we're going, literally stuck.

My friend, most often than not, the supposed punishment of God, is also the deliverance of God. God used the fish to deliver Jonah from his current direction of self-destruction and re-directed him to the right path. While Jonah was unable to do anything, GOD IS THE ONE WHO WAS MOVING. Jonah didn't have to do anything but enjoy the free ride in the belly of the fish. Inside the fish Jonah prayed to God, confessed and repented. There's nothing else to do. There's a certain power in helplessness that drives even the most able man to his knees. Maybe you're in that situation right now, you don't know what else to do, you're literally just facing a wall. It's time to stop running, it's time to stop trying, it's time to FACE GOD. That's all there is to do in the belly of the fish, face God. Confess, repent, let go. Before Jonah knew it, the fish spewed him out, and Jonah went on to do what he was supposed to do. What a beautiful lesson from Jonah. Our decision dictates our direction, and most often than not, that direction leads to destruction, but it is only God who can deliver us from that destruction by re-directing us. So let's stop running, after all, you'll have to come back the way you went right? The longer we run, the longer the path to coming back. So let's just stop where we are right now, face God and let Him take control of our lives direction. After all, when God directs us, His presence goes with us. And if His presence goes with us, there is protection and provision. Be blessed with this encouragement.

[worthyisthelamb-blog]

Who owes who?

Everyone worships. It doesn't matter if you have a religion or not, man is made to worship.

Some are worshipers of possessions, some are worshipers of their relationships. Some also are worshipers of songs, some are worshipers of traditions and culture. And then there are a handful that are true worshipers of God. What kind of worship pleases God? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 29 10 David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, Lord,     the God of our father Israel,     from everlasting to everlasting. 11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power     and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,     for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;     you are exalted as head over all. 12 Wealth and honor come from you;     you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power     to exalt and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks,     and praise your glorious name.

14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 15 We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 16 Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.18 Lord, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. 19 And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, statutes and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.”

In this passage David was presenting an offering to God, he was worshiping. From him we can learn a thing or two as to what it means to truly worship God. * In worship there is always God-given relationship. David started with an acknowledgement of his relationship with God, “Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel”. We can sing, dance, jump up and down until we sweat like crazy during worship time, but who knows if our God is pleased with our worship? I’ve heard a lot of people say, as long as it’s from the heart, then it’s alright, God must be pleased! But then again, it says in Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all else, it is extremely sick, who can understand?” We’re humans, even in our sincerity we are deceitful. The only thing that makes our lives count before God’s eyes is in the fact that we are in a relationship with Him. * In worship there is always God-ordained ownership. David knows that everything belongs to the Lord. By everything he means even his accomplishments, he credits the whole nation’s accomplishments to the Lord! Amazing! I remember the verse Isaiah 26:12 “…since You have performed for us all our works.” Total abandonment of accomplishment, credit and self-dependence is worship. What about you, in everything you did, who did it for you? * In worship there is always God-driven stewardship. Notice in verse 14, David acknowledged that everything he has, the Lord has given, and David is only giving back to God what God has given him. What an example of true stewardship, it is but natural in David’s nature to constantly remind himself that there is nothing in his possession that was not given by God. In light of these 3 characteristics that David displayed in his worship to God, I have come to a realization that the fact of having a relationship with God exudes worship out of my whole being, that even if God gave Jesus to die for my sins and nothing else, it’ll be all the reason that I would ever need to worship Him. God owns everything, and there is nothing that I have come to accomplish that He has not done on my behalf, He deserves all the glory. That in itself is worship. And lastly, knowing that He owns everything, it is but right to claim nothing; All that I can offer, all that I can give, all that I can dedicate to Him comes from Him. I would like to end with this verse: Job 41:11 “Who has given to Me that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is Mine.” So what about you? Have you worshiped lately?

[worthyisthelamb-blog]

Quack It Off or Flap It Off?

I just came back from a camp in Baguio.

It was a youth camp, an activity I regularly attended annually.

This year, the pastor’s illustration about Christians certainly caught my attention.

———————————————————————

"The Wild Duck of Denmark"

Once there was a wild duck that flew along with his friends to migrate for the winter, then he saw from above a raft of ducks swaddling about.

He said to himself, “I wonder what it would feel like to live with tamed ducks..”

And so the wild duck of Denmark separated from the group and joined the tamed ducks.

To his surprise, the tamed ducks had no problem with food and shelter, everything was provided for them by the barn owner.

The wild duck said to himself, I could get used to this!

And so the time for migrating was over and the wild ducks happen to fly over the barn in which the wild duck was staying. The wild duck heard the call of his comrades and something in him awakened, triggering his animal instinct. So the wild duck spread his wings and flew! He flapped and flapped his wings but he could only reach the roof at best.

At last the wild duck got tired and said to himself, I’ll just try again next time.

A full year went by.

And so the time for the next migration came, and once again the wild duck heard the call of his comrades, but this time around, he didn’t even try.

His friends returned again from their migration and passed by the barn where the wild duck was staying, this time around, he didn’t even hear the call.

And so the wild duck stayed at the barn and got fat.

———————————————————————

What a way to end the story right?

Some of you might be thinking, “that’s it?!”

Let me relate this to our Christian lives.

Like the wild ducks, Christians were made to fly, to be independent and to be free from captivity. Sometimes we find a comfort zone along our journey and suddenly we just stayed there.

God meant us for flight! For freedom! To soar and reach great heights!

But a lot of us got stuck, confined in our own “barns”, not only did we forgot how to fly, a lot of us got FAT.

We got a little too comfortable and settled for what’s simple in life.

A lot of us made the choice of simplicity mainly because simple is EASY.

Excellence, passion, perseverance and determination is not only hard, it’s PAINFUL.

And we don’t want pain, so let’s settle for what’s easy and simple. Stay in the barn and get fat.

This made me reflect on my life decisions as of late. Have I settled for what’s easy and tricked myself in believing that this is God’s will for me?

I must admit, I’m guilty of this.

Neglecting and failing to achieve what God meant for me is not only a misuse of His gifts but also a SIN committed against Him.

I’ll quack and flap the fats off, I’ll do whatever it takes to fly again. By His grace I’m taking back the PASSION that died from living so long in a barn with tamed ducks.

By His grace I’ll fly again. It won’t be instant, it took sometime for me to forget how to fly, it’ll take some time for me to re-learn it. But by His grace. I know I’ll soar.

What about you? When will you decide to leave that barn?

It’s time to stop swaddling and start flying.

It’s either you quack off the conviction like a tamed duck, or flap off the fats and fly because you know you were meant to.

Which one are you?

[worthyisthelamb-blog]

I'm hooked.

Everyone's hooked on it, some people just manage it better than others. They won't admit it, but that's the truth, everyone's hooked.

What am I talking about? Self-pity. You log-in to your Facebook, or Google+, you see some of your friends bought a new car, took a picture with their new house, took a selfie with their beautiful partner. You look at the picture, you went ahead and clicked the like button, only to tell yourself that you don't really like it, you envy it. You look at what they have, what they achieved, and then ever so suddenly, you compare it with yours, without you knowing, that drug crawls in your system. Self-pity. Self-pity is something that's so hard to battle. You know why? Because it's more convenient to believe it. Why is it more convenient you ask? Because you believe that how you feel, pitying yourself, exactly fits the current circumstances in your life. Even Christians like me are affected by this. It's easier to believe that God doesn't love me, or He loves the other person more, why? Because they have more. (Materialistically speaking) They have more friends, more cars, more houses, more money, more food.. As the list goes on, the deeper you believe the lie. It's more convenient isn't it? To believe the lie; Maybe it is true that God doesn't love me, because it gives explanation to my current situation. I want to say this to my fellow believers and this also serves as a reminder to myself. God's love is never measured by any material riches, God's love is measured by the cross of Jesus Christ. He loves me. He loves you my friend. Though we go through things in life that we can never understand, this is not a gauge of how much He loves us, rather, He wants us to hold on to His word, to His promises, DESPITE the situation in our lives today, His promises are true. He is faithful. He sees every tear. He hears our cries. He is near to the broken-hearted. Though riches are far from us, His presence is near, and we've seen it in the Bible time and time again, His presence is all that matters. Because in His presence, there's protection, there's provision. Be blessed, be encouraged and be free from self-pity. Don't believe the lies of the enemy. There is one description of God that describes the cross of Jesus perfectly, and it's love. Do not ever doubt that.

[worthyisthelamb-blog]

Be of SOBER SPIRIT.

1 Peter 5:6-11 5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen. I have always wondered why Peter jumped from talking about anxiety to the devil then talks about God's grace and His glory. For the past week I have come to this realization, Peter was warning the believers about their emotions, being anxious and impatient gives the devil an open door in our lives, we open ourselves for his attack. The verse says that the devil is like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour, this means that the devil is not able to devour everyone, he is also seeking "someone" whom he can devour, and those "someone" fall under the category of people that are drowning in anxiety. I experienced it for myself this past week, I got into a little argument with a brother of mine, I also talked about things that I shouldn't talk about in the presence of my loved one, all these mismanaged emotions gave an open door for the enemy to plant bitterness, unreasonable anger and strife in my life. And now I feel miserable.

It's a good thing that the passage didn't end there, Peter talks about God's grace, lavished on us for His own glory. God's grace is overflowing in my life, God's grace not only covers my sins, but drowns me in it. There is nothing I can ever do to fall out of God's grace, and that gives Him glory. I'm far from perfect, but my maker is. Even though I won't achieve perfection in this lifetime, I'll do my best to reflect His glory, to resemble the glory of my maker as much as possible and be a light to his dark world. I haven't posted anything in a while, and I think given the current circumstances, I might just start posting again. Glory to God.