Who has the last say?

Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God." (Matthew 22:29) 

     When I was taking scuba diving lessons in the early 90's, I got a jaw injury. After a lesson, I discovered that I couldn't open my mouth. I had to pry out the mouthpiece of the scuba gear that I used for breathing.

     I went to see a dentist and he told me the grim news. "You can't dive anymore"

     I was devastated. I was just about to get my certification to become scuba diver and here he was telling me that I had to quit .

     For a month I couldn't open my mouth. I had to use a teaspoon to eat because it was the only thing big enough to get through.

     I prayed, "Lord, Your Word is higher than the doctor's word.  What you say has more weight than what a health professional says. So I put my trust in you instead of the doctor's diagnosis and I believe you are healing my jaw."

     And I did get my healing - as well as my certification as a scuba diver!

____

This excerpt from author Rissa Singson-Kawpeng's book "Discover Your Inner Beauty Queen" reminds me of how great and powerful our Lord is. But despite our knowledge of His word, we often allow man's word to supersede the authority of God's Word. Here are a few examples:

When the doctor tells us our sickness is incurable, we take his word for it.

When someone tells us that what we want to achieve is impossible, we believe him.

When our bank account balance tells us we don't have enough money to support our needs, we despair.

In 2 Corinthians 10:5, apostle Paul shares to us that "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ"

When it feels like the entire universe is conspiring against what you desire to achieve, we can simply listen to it and give up. Or we can put our full trust and faith to the God of the Impossible (Mark 10:27) who created the universe itself (Hebrews 11:3).

When our finances are going downhill, we can panic or we can put our faith in the Lord who richly provides us with everything we need. As it is said in Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus".

When medical tests prove that we have serious illness, we can believe what science tells us about our body, or we can stand on the truth that by Jesus' blood we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5 "but He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by His wounds we are HEALED")

This is why it's important to know His Word. We need to know His promises for the situations we face then claim it for ourselves. "Ask and it will be given to you"- Matthew 7:7, "...you do not receive because you do not ask God" James 4:2

So cheer up and claim that life filled with the Lord's bountiful grace and blessing! 

In Mark 11:24 and Matthew 21:22 it is very clear:

PRAY, BELIEVE and RECEIVE!

My Serene Place

Oh where, oh where...?

Is there such a place,

Where I can call mine?

To fully give grace 

For my King benign

That beaming sunlight 

Enduring through time

Gives me that delight

Makes my heart sublime

A picture perfect 

Of wonderful love

That never deflect

Coming from above

écriture

Why does it always happen that when I intend to write, there's this undesirable feeling that hinders my thoughts and ability to write? Why am I being defeated with this sluggard attitude of mine?  Am I really not fit to paint  my thoughts in this world? Don't I have what it takes to voice out my thoughts?

Thoughts are clouding my mind right now as I start to reminisce my plans to give critique on certain pressing issues in my life. But as I was able to be in front of this pitch black buttons sprinkled with white ink, I am astounded with my foolishness on why did I let go of that urge. That urge to write and shout out what I have in mind. Now I am stuck with this abyss of ignorance where I do not know what to write anymore. I have certain topics that are rushing through my veins as I am writing this post but do not know where to start. whew! boggled mind (~_~)

Tenshi :(

why?

From the past weeks (or months), I have this awkward prayer that I always include in my devotion. Most of the girls I talk to would pray the exact opposite of what I longed for. It goes sort of like this:

"Please take him away if this feeling that I have for him does not come from You" 

(duh!!! why do I always have this unexplainable feeling whenever I say that?) o.O

Yes, indeed I have fallen for him. I am experiencing this freaking "unexplainable feeling" that they usually call infatuation / intimacy / love / or whatever!, whenever he is near. But I know that it's not right. (yeah! it's not right... my psyche's telling me)
(+_+)

I already kissed dating goodbye and I don't think that I am ready to say hello to courtship (... Joshua Harris effect ^^) But above all, I have promised that I will wait for that right time of God's will. I need to focus on His work first and there are greater things to prioritize than to entertain this feeling that I have. Just like the song of Jaci Velasquez "I promise", this is what I have promised. But why?

Why am I having this struggle? Why am I still in this abyss of temptation? Why does it linger to me like a necessity that I cannot erase? Why oh why?

It's not like I am planning to live a life of celibacy or is claiming to have a gift of that. It's just that I do not think it is the right time for me to think about this matter. I have seen enough from the people around me and I am very well aware of how ungodly relationship ruins the life of each individual. I want to be different and do not want to be a part of our generation's trend in intimate relationship. I want to stand for what Jesus have taught me.

But my dear Tenshi is always clouding my mind. I am most of the time, preoccupied with thoughts of how I must avoid him and stop nurturing this growing feelings that I have. That is why I kept on praying to take him away from my system, not just the feeling but HIM entirely.

Am I being too harsh to myself on this matter? Am I doing the right thing? Why oh why?

The Story Behind

There was always this point of immeasurable deep chasm in every chapter of our lives. A point where we feel that all the things that we've done just vanish in thin air without any sign of precaution or remorse. It was like the whole universe is against you and God Himself is turning His back on your plea for help.

On my young age, I personally have experienced such tremendous tragic chapter in my career where I thought that I was being punished by God for what was happening.  I remembered how I thought of being in the abyss of my failure way back my starting years.

 At first, I was just like any other employee who was thriving so hard to get through the job. Then I finally got a shot on being promoted even if I was just 17 yrs. old. It was a blissful moment considering my undefined background that I did not expect anything like that. The experience was very constructive as it taught me a lot of new great things. But then, there was this sudden change on my path as I was transferred into another department. I cannot call it as a demotion since there was no salary deduction. I can't even consider it as my own fault alone since the department I was handling was dissolved due to the company's change of plan. Bottom line, I do not have any place to go that's why I accepted being transferred even if it was against my ideals. However, after a month of being in that place of redemption, I was given another blessing of being promoted. If I was not transferred, I might not have that 2nd promotion at the age of 18! ... So much for the story, the main lesson that the Lord have taught me in that situation is to hold on into what He have promised. On Hebrews 10:23 He said "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful". And so He is indeed faithful! He have given me much of what I expected and is continually putting all my broken pieces back to its place.

So the next time you felt like everything is falling apart, keep in mind that God is faithful and that He is actually putting it all back together in a greater sense!

Now at 19, some would say that I have gone through a tough road already yet I only consider it as a footstool for something bigger. I believe that the Lord have planned greater things for me and that He is actually guiding me in every step of the way. That my life is not a joke and that there is always something greater prepared for us even if there we can't see the image of hope.

What we see in life might simply be the pictures on our small camera lenses. Never forget the vast ocean that we cannot put into our film. Just like the boundless blessings that God can pour out to your life. So, stop complaining and start keeping that faith alive!

It's Not an Easy Road

For so long, I was trying to find my way through the fog of doubt. While I still believe that God is good, much of what I am experiencing seems to contradict my belief. I was questioning the value of virtue as I see another person's vice go unpunished yet there are those who are innocent that are being troubled much. Although I know that I ought to enjoy my walk with God, it appeared to be more like a duty than a delight. 

But as I read Psalm 112, the Lord somehow spoke through that scripture. It is said in Psalm 112:1 "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in His commands." It was like a declaration that the person who respects God and wants to please Him will enjoy His favor. Therefore to anyone who questions the value of walking with God, I would say: Denying selfish choices and pursuing God's commands may not be an easy road yet it's the only way to experience true and lasting joy. 

This doesn't guarantee a trouble free life but it does assure us that we can have peace even in the tough times. As it is said in vv. 6-8 "Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly." So let us keep our fire and passion to serve the Lord burning in our hearts. We can always hold to that assurance of God's blessing even when our roads are rough.

Put into heart that the cost of obedience is nothing compared to the cost of disobedience. Just keep the faith. ^^

Reminiscing my Path

For almost a year, I wasn't able to write in this so-called spiritual journal that I created. It was such an insult to my Lord as I said that this will be my track list on my walk with Him that after my first post, I just forgot about this account. But then, I am still amazed of how great His love is. Despite all the broken covenants that I have committed, He was always there to guide me. He is always there to put me back on the rightful path that He wants me to be with.

And now, as I reminisce how my life had been, I can say that there are a lot of spiritual up and downs. But the good thing in there was, I am still moving forward with Him. I am still here fighting for the faith that He have entrusted me. I am still walking the path that His disciples have once walked before. And I would like to continually serve Him with my utmost servitude. I am indeed a doulos for Christ.