I'm Grateful For Your Life Dad

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Learn to Respect Others Even Low People. Way back I remember in my formative age we are always disciplined my brother and I for no reason as we thought with our limited mind, without knowing that the discipline of our dad brings us to a better person where we are now. I remember I was discipline for lack of respect to other people specially for the ordinary people whom I met and criticize the person, well I get an instant discipline in front of the person asking me to apologize.

Learn to Earn for a Living, Save and Relate to Others. I remember that during our elementary days even in our secondary school days we have just an exact school money allowance enough for our lunch and or snack. Looking back it is a formative character that we learn to earn an extra from what we received through entrepreneurial spirit as I learn to sell from "biko" during elementary days and term paper during my high school days from neighboring sections within my year level. I also learn to save and even become friendly in order to gain favors and collaborations.

Learn to Have Cash Flow Even What You've Got. I remember my dad how he raise us up together with my mom due to his entrepreneurial spirit by raising up houses for lease without spending a single peso. When I asked him where did he get the idea? He said, he get the idea from the Ayala but his house model, it doesn't matter how's the looks of each houses but most importantly was he have the cash flow running each month to give allowance to school and to send us to school for education and to provide us shelter and food.

Learn to Forgive and Love. I remember that I created a grudge over my dad since I'm short sighted and having a narrow mind when they discipline us during our child and even in my high school days to the point that I have this revenge plan against him when I grow up. But thank GOD that as I came to know CHRIST it change my mind and heart towards him, and instead of revenge, I ask for his forgiveness, as I timed it during those time that only him and me in our house, and I talked to him, heart to heart of my disappointments against him. But after that I also ask for his forgiveness and my forgiveness for the things that he hath done to me, and the last word that I mentioned was "I love you" and I embrace him. He said that it was the most wonderful thing that ever happened in his life.

Learn to Let Go and Thank GOD for his life. In his last two years after he have his first stroke way back December of 2018, he's always struggling to recover, after going through in and out from the Medical City hospital for almost two years, for his condition in his heart, brain, he undergo non invasive brain surgery, lung surgery, and we want to see him in his last day not to struggle but to find rest in the presence of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. We are thankful along that GOD allow him to seek GOD and to accept Him as LORD and Savior of his life, and we know that now, he already resting in the presence of our LORD.

Thank you LORD for the life of my dad and forever he's now in your presence. Thank you dad for raising us up though we know that you're not perfect, yet you did your best to raise us up to what we are now. I love you. 

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever." Psalm 23:6

   

Freedom in CHRIST

Webster dictionary defines freedom as the absence of necessity,coercion, or constraint in choice or action.

When we accepted the LORD as Savior and LORD of our lives we are set free from the slavery from sin. Sad to say that Christianity is not seen in us because we define freedom in our own perspective and not into perspective of GOD. We define it that we are free as to whatever we want to do. We are badly mistaken, when we do that, we are coming back again from the slavery of sin.

1. Freedom in the perspective of GOD. Means that we are free to do what is right in CHRIST JESUS our LORD! 

2. Freedom from Slavery of Sin. We are set free from slavery of worries and now we have hope. We are set free from anger, bitterness so we can now forgive, and be patient with others.

3. Freedom to do HIS Righteousness. We are set free from being selfish so we can now give generously to others. We are set free from greed and selfishness so we can celebrate with joy when others gain achievements in life.

4. Good Works is a Result of Our Association With HIM. As the Bible says in Ephesians 2:10 "We are created in CHRIST JESUS to do good works which GOD prepared in advance for us to do"

5. We are Now a New Creation in CHRIST When He Set Us Free. In Galatians 2:20 says "I have been crucified with CHRIST ; it is no longer I who live, but CHRIST lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the SON of GOD, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

6. Freedom to Love HIM Back. In summary the freedom under the perspective of GOD is giving us the power to live to do what is right, and the result of it is our free will to do what is right with the very nature of our LORD as He extend forgiveness, grace, mercy and love to others. Our very new nature is no longer our old self but our new self found in CHRIST to do good works,  to do what is right, to long and fulfill what is good and right because it is no longer us who live, but His Spirit now lives in us. It is my prayer that GOD may grant us freedom from sin, that HIS love for us we may we able to respond in full obedience to GOD, not because of the law, but because we love GOD which is above the law. May we find true fulfillment in life as we love GOD with the freedom that HE give us, to love HIM back. Amen.

Travel Light in Life with a Smile

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of GOD. Hebrews 12:1-2

How do we travel light in life with a smile? Get rid of unnecessary loads off your back. Unnecessary loads and the ways to take these off your back:

1. Sin and Guilt. Guilts puts you on a treadmill, you're constantly working, struggling, and sweating but you don't move forward. How do you handle sin and guilt?

2. Repent, Seek, and Ask for Forgiveness. In Psalm 32:1-5 says:

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.

When I kept silent, my bones grew old. Through my groaning all the day long.

For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah

I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

Your mistakes and transgression are not kept in secret database somewhere. In Psalm 103:8-12 it says:

The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

You may have failed, but GOD's mercy never fails. Don't beg for forgiveness for GOD already forgave you, but believe Him for His forgiveness".

In Romans 8:1, says:

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who^[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."

3. Move Forward

4. Negative Effects of Critism. Accept the fact that some people will never celebrate with you. Get learning from what is true about it and ignore the rest, be your best, and let GOD do the rest.

5. Use your energy to improve your character, competence, connection with CHRIST to be the best that you can be.

6. Get rid of unnecessary loads off your back. In Psalm 23:5 and in Proverbs 16:7 says:

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over."

"When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."

7. Wait upon the LORD and be filled with the Spirit. In Isaiah 40:30-31 and Ephesians 5:15-18 says:

"Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint."

"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,"

In summary we need to repent and confess our sins to avail the grace of GOD. We loose joy because we want approval of everyone. GOD will be the One to honor you in presence of your critics. Lastly GOD will crown you success when you trust in HIM.

Worry Not

A few years ago as I compute all the expenses and liabilities to settled, I'm amazed that I may not be able to pay those which we owe from our creditors. Then I begin to worry, think, and plan for any alternatives. Deep inside me the LORD rebukes me and reminded me again of those tough days that I was able to overcome my debt before by the grace of GOD. The fact that we live and exist in this present times are all by His grace and not by our efforts, credentials, achievements, or even hard work, but by His grace. What if GOD take away your breathe? Where are those things you achieved and acquired? The fact that we live each day, when we wake up and still breathing is all by His grace.

I am blessed by His Word when I open the Bible and read it during my quiet times which can be found in Psalm 104:14-15:

"He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for a man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth:

wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart."

This is true both physical , and in our spiritual life, both aspects of life He sustains! It is my prayer for our LORD to help us see each day, to be excited not on the things or blessings itself but we may see His working hands that creates provision and miracles in our lives. That we may be delighted with the work of His hands more than the blessings, though blessings is good don't get me wrong, but blessings should be an added toppings and the crust, His wonders, GOD himself alone is our blessings! And we give back to GOD all of our thanksgiving, praise, and honor for His glory! Amen.  

   

Coming to the Throne of the Grace of GOD

Because he loves me, says the LORD "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation." Psalm 91:14-16

As I come to our LORD in my quiet time I realized that He always have something for us to take away, there are numerous times that I come empty but leave in His presence to have something to take, when we come in His Throne of His grace. His nature is so generous, Solomon ask for wisdom and along with it he gave him, prominence, riches, and honor. In my case as I come to His presence He give me comfort, strength, protection and provision.

I also realized that there are times that we come to Him empty and we have nothing to offer as our offering to Him, and yet He remain faithful to generously give something to us when we do not actually deserve it. It is comforting to come to Him to receive word of assurance, of His protection, rescuing us from our present troubles, and to satisfy us as long as we live. What a refreshing word that comes from the One who created us in His image and to restore us into His Kingdom, as He paid all our sins through the cross, and assured us of eternal life with Him.

It is my prayer that His Word be always in our hearts, in our minds, and His Holy blood that will seal us in this present life and forevermore. In JESUS name. Amen.

Becoming The Best That I Can Be

"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

"Nothing is worth more than this day" by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

"Today is life - the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today." by Dale Carnegie

" I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me." Philippians 4:12-13

Sow a seed and GOD will be the one to make it grow. Entrust your plan to the LORD and He will take you where He wants you to go. What do you do to become the best of you? It can be the place where GOD has momentarily place you. So while you are on that place remember the following:

1. Put a smile always on your face and never lose it.

2. Stay calm when you don't get your way.

3. Be grateful for where you are, even if it's not where you want to be. In Psalm 37:23 says "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He delighted in his way." As long as we are in faith, where we are is our calling to serve and to enjoy our calling, unless we become wear out and weary.

In Philippians 4:11 says "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Contentment is the key to be content in whatever situation that we are in.

4. Decide, work, grow, and mature where you are so that you can be ready to where GOD wants you to be. GOD has incredible things planned for our future, but you have to do our part and become the best that we can be where we are. What you do, whatever your occupation is, do your best to be the best you can be. This means that we have to develop the following:

4.1 Great Attitude (Character)
4.2 Great Skills (Competency)
4.3 Great Relationships with GOD and people
4.4 Slow down and enjoy our life journey

Life is not really about getting to a destination but it's about how we live along the way.

5. This means that we need to learn to enjoy the best moments of each day. "A joyful life isn't simply about big victories, it's about finding happiness in each moment"

"One should count each day a separate life" by Lucious Annaeus Seneca

6. Take time for the people GOD  has put in your life and enjoy them. They will not be there forever. Everyday is about creating memories to last forever.

In summary we cannot see the best in us when we do nothing to improve ourselves. GOD is using others as sandpapers to smooth our rough edges in us. People change when they see changes in you, it's like when we face in a mirror, we get the reflection of what we project. Don't take time for granted, appreciate time, and enjoy it. Slow down and enjoy important time in life. Slow down and take each day each little things that GOD brings into your life, and be thankful to GOD for it.  

Putting On A Happy Face

"Rejoice in the LORD always and again I say, rejoice."

- Philippians 4:4

Life is full of colors and its meaning, we can't control all our circumstances, but we can control our reactions. Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how we respond or react to our situations. Studies shows and proven that a smile on your face is good for you and everyone around you. One experts says smiling do some tricks to our body to feel good. Your smile is your most powerful tool for influencing others in a positive way.

How we handle disappointments, frustrations, and offenses is a factor that leads to happy life. When we encounter such conflicts we need to remain cool and smile. There are steps that we need to do in order to live a happy life and here are the following:

1. Submit your plans to the LORD. In Proverbs 19:21 says "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand." In Psalm 37:4-6 says "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass."

2. Make up your mind to be happy no matter what does or doesn't happen. Sometimes our great expectations upset us, though we need to be expectant when we pray, but leave to GOD the perfect time for your prayers to be answered. Don't believe the lies of the Devil that in order to be happy is to fulfill all material things that you want. In John 14:27 says as our LORD speaks Himself "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let be afraid."

3. Develop a character of meekness and uprightness. Emotions are controlled either by circumstances or by your character itself. In Matthew 5:5 says as our LORD Himself speaks "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."  Meekness is not weakness but strength under control. In Hebrews 1:9 says "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore GOD, even thy GOD, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." If we walk in meekness and in righteousness there's a benefit from it and that is gladness that comes from Him.

4. Cultivate a constant awareness of the presence of GOD in your life. In Psalm 16:11 says "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore. Our satisfaction in order to enjoy life should be centered with our LORD, GOD.

In summary in order to put on a happy face, we need to make a habit of smiling, what other people say against you, does not define you. You have the right to choose to be happy or not. Be aware of the presence of GOD everyday, every hour, and in every circumstances in our lives. Yes our joy cannot be dictated by circumstances, people around us, nor our environment, and yes we will rejoice in the LORD, yes we will rejoice!