God's Juniper Tree

[ellychelyserrano]

You are wanted. You are pursued.

Happy resurrection Sunday! ☺️

https://youtu.be/O_zFmc_ehKw

[ellychelyserrano]

And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Matthew 14:28‭-‬33 ESV

https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.14.28-33.ESV

When there's nothing going on in our lives, we ask God to do something. When He asks us to come, we go. But when trouble like the wind starts blowing, we get scared. We sink and cry for help to the Lord in panic.

Don't doubt God's sovereignty. He knows what's going on in your life. If you are in the calm, He wants you to have rest and prepare for the storm and still trust Him.

[ellychelyserrano]

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Matthew 14:13‭-‬14 ESV

https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.14.13-14.ESV

I liked to plan and going according to it and I would to get annoyed when things didn't go as planned. So, i stopped making plans so i wouldn't get disappointed.

In this passage, Jesus was planning to get some alone time to mourn John the Baptist's death with the Father. However, the crowd would not let Him. Instead of being annoyed and turning the crowd away, He felt compassion for them and healed the many sick people among them.

I could learn from Jesus. We can make our plans and follow it but small interruptions and delays could be because there are more important things at the moment. These interruptions can also be God's hand. Slowing down or fast forwarding your plans to match His plan.

As I learn how to deal with the disappointment when things don't work out as I have planned, I have also learned that God's timing and plan is always perfect. It may not be what it looks like right now, like how the cupbearer forgot about Joseph when he got restored to his position(Gen. 40). But when you get past it and reach the end of that plan, you'll be glad it happened according to God's plan.

It is good to make plans; but also, to allow God to interrupt your plans. (Nicky Gumbel)

[ellychelyserrano]

Thus says the Lord : "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord .

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord , whose trust is the Lord .

Jeremiah 17:5‭, ‬7 ESV

When we trust in God,

He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Jeremiah 17:8 ESV

God is the ultimate source of all the things we enjoy and have. Trust in His provision.

It might be easier to say if you are not in the same situation as others who really have nothing. However, if you have plenty, don't stop trusting and relying on Him. It should make you more dependent on Him.

I think the Psalmist was also talking about spiritual trust. When we put our trust in Him, we will be able to spread our roots deeper and our leaves will continue to be green even when trouble comes.

[ellychelyserrano]

Thus says the Lord : "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord .

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord , whose trust is the Lord .

Jeremiah 17:5‭, ‬7 ESV

https://bible.com/bible/59/jer.17.5-7.ESV

When we trust in God,

He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Jeremiah 17:8 ESV

https://bible.com/bible/59/jer.17.8.ESV

God is the ultimate source of all the things we enjoy and have. Trust in His provision.

It might be easier to say if you are not in the same situation as others who really have nothing. However, if you have plenty, don't stop trusting and relying on Him. It should make you more dependent on Him.

I think the Psalmist was also talking about spiritual trust. When we put our trust in Him, we will be able to spread our roots deeper and our leaves will continue to be green even when trouble comes.

[ellychelyserrano]

You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Matthew 12:34 ESV

https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.12.34.ESV

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I like how the passage illustrates how our hearts affect our minds and words. In science, we only associate the brain with our mouth but our heart is more important when using our mouths to speak.

It is important to fill our hearts with good things. Admittedly, I've been feeding myself with junk lately and it's not helping me in my everyday life. This also affected the quality of the time that I spend with God and how I respond to situations. It has also made me lazy.

As I read this passage multiple times this week, I think that God wants me to know that this can still change. Whatever I have in my system can be flushed out.

In the end, I have to start being selective about the things that I spend my time with and make quality time with God my number one priority.

[ellychelyserrano]

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.

Proverbs 3:5‭-‬7 NIV

I think Ken Wystma summarizes the passage in Proverbs 3:5-7 brilliantly. He said,

"Walking by faith rather than sight requires awareness that our own eyes can play tricks, reality can be deceiving, and the true path is often counterintuitive."

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I grew up knowing one definition of faith, and that is believing without seeing. Today, as I read from Ken Wystma's book, The Grand Paradox, I realized that this is not the only definition of faith. The word faith is sooooo much more!

Faith is not just about walking blindly but it also requires obedience which will turn into action. Faith is "living the question while suspended in tension". Faith is "ungrounded" and "resolution isn't always apparent". Faith is trusting God wherever He leads you, because you are wherever you are for a reason.

It's proven true that, more often than not, our intuition's the opposite of God's plan. Our decisions are not based on what God wants, but what we think God wants for us. We often recklessly walk blindly on our own without God's guidance. And it is guaranteed that we will either get lost, fall, crash or burn.

I don't mean to paint a bad picture but that's the reality of what actually happens when we walk by our sight.

I hope that as we grow older and gain more wisdom, we will be asking more questions to learn more from God's Word. The more we gain wisdom, the more we should trust God. If that's not the case, you only gained knowledge and that's not what God wants for us. He wants us to walk by faith and trust and rely Him with obedience.

Remeber, FAITH is so much more!

[ellychelyserrano]

New Year Fortune

Wow! It’s been years since I last wrote a post here. Oh, how fast time flies!

Yesterday was the Lunar New Year, the start of the Year of the Metal Rat.In oriental traditions, they believe that each year your luck depends on how compatible you are to the current element and animal.According to this site (https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/1994-chinese-zodiac-dog-year.htm), I will have a good career path and could be promoted, I will have enough money to support me, I will not have any romantic relationship this year and that I should take care of my health.

I don’t believe in these kind of things but I’m also saying it’s not bad. It’s actually clear that this is not ‘truth’ but just predictions. Meaning, they are just guesses and it’s still up to you and God’s plan for you if it will become true or not. 

The problem is, there are many people who rely on their horoscope when making decisions for their life. Don’t be dependent on these things. Although, it could happen coincidentally, it is still up to you to make things happen.

Why do we easily believe in such things? Why do we want to rely on luck instead of what God has promised for us?

I think one of the very reason is our fear of not knowing what’s next.

I’m actually guilty of this. I always stall and make sure I’ve thought of carefully and every possible consequence of events that could happen if I do this or that. That’s why I’m always cautious when making decisions. It makes me not trust God more, which is not what He instructed us in Matthew 6:31-34.

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God[e] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

SO, this year, whether your plans are followed or fell through, don’t stress about it. Trust God and His plan. You are more precious than any of these things on earth.

[ellychelyserrano]

Journal Entry #1: Remember

A man is never the same after he simultaneously sees his utter despair and Christ’s unbending grace. To see the despair without the grace is suicidal. To see the grace without the despair is upper-room futility. But to see them both is conversion. 

- Max Lucado (Six Hours One Friday)

To see the grace without the despair is upper-room futility.

This sentence struck me the most because I think this is me. I saw God’s grace when I was young at a time when I never really experienced despair. I was fortunate to have been born to a nice and loving home. I was stuck in the upper-room, not knowing when and how to get out.

During high school, I met despair and it’s true that without grace it’s suicidal. Even though I met Jesus before the despair, I left Him there. Although I did not turn my back on Him, I forgot about Him and what He did for me. I left Him there at the knowing stage. It affected a lot of my thoughts and reactions as well as decisions and perception.  

But praise God for His grace! He used my sister to remind me of His grace and salvation. The peace that I felt that day, I imagine, is the same as the peace the apostles received when He showed up in the upper-room after He resurrected. 

Since then, I started getting out of the room. I’m still a long way from being completely out of the room but I’m getting there. And I know that He is helping me by making a lot of opportunities. 

Max recommended to write a list of your current difficulties and how Jesus can help. It’ll help you remember that He is by your side.

[ellychelyserrano]

Cities of Refuge

Then the Lord said to Joshua: “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood." Joshua 20:1‭-‬3 NIV The first question I want to ask is, why did God make these shelters for people who did accidentally kill someone? And I thought, these people may feel guilty but God wants to protect them from being killed. Then, I remembered that God is showing He is just in all things and demonstrated it by making an allotment for these people. Until, they are tried and found guilty, he waits for justice. This is God's plan. On the other side, He protects the avenger from sinning against Him. We are impulsive people and we like to do things our own way. Heard of those people who practice an eye for an eye? It's true and it's happening! People who killed, internationally or accidentally, someone from another clan, most likely there will be someone from their clan killed by the other. Romeo and Juliet in real life? It may be funny but in all seriousness, we are impulsive people. We like to do a lot of things in our own way. We like to pretend God and enthrone ourselves. We like to let our emotions get to our head and do things led by it. God tells us to reflect before acting. He tells us He knows who and what they are guilty of. He tells us t trust in His justice and that everything He has made has a purpose. Often times we ignore these cities of refuge in our lives and do things in our own, like revenge? You may laugh about it and say you did not make revenge for your whole life. It may not be as to the degree of killing another person, but I'm pretty sure we all made revenge out of little things. We did, as a child, took other's toys when they take ours or slap the other when they slap us. It's human nature but God is saying to think before acting. Trust in His ways and rely in His character and wisdom. He knows what is right from wrong, the guilty from the not guilty. He knows all things. I said to myself, “God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.” Ecclesiastes 3:17 NIV

[ellychelyserrano]

Lessons on Giving

I know I said that when I receive the money back I'll give it to the church and the missions. However, I was again rebuked by God and the Holy Spirit. Mr. Myers' words, "don't wait to give until you can afford it.", caught my conscience. I was waiting until it was convenient for me. But God wants us to trust in Him and step out on faith just like Abraham and other characters in the Bible. They did not say, "Wait Lord" before they obeyed. Also, I think that I have been selfish again to my sisters. This afternoon, I was tasked/volunteered (as they all were busy doing their own thing) to buy a cake for tomorrow. It was heavy and I was irritated that none of them were willing to help or offer any help. So, I said to myself that they would be paying for the majority of the cake since I gave my effort and time by buying it. Now, I want to take back what I said and just not let them pay for it. I was thinking highly of myself for being the 'nicest person'. But the Lord told me that He loves a cheerful giver, be it with money, time, or effort. I should want to give my best in everything I do. I know it's hard not to complain when you think that it's unfair. But the Lord looks at the heart and not the gift you are bringing. It was a bad testimony and I wasted God's opportunity for me to bless others. I praise and thank God for constantly teaching and correcting me and for making me grow more and more mature. For continuously working to improve my character and be more like Jesus. I hope to improve more and look forward to God's rebuking and correction especially in the area of giving.

[ellychelyserrano]

The Value of our Hard-earned Money

I never thought that I would be fooled ever in my entire life. But I got fooled big time. This afternoon, I just went to the mall to do some errands and planned to window shop as I don’t feel the need to buy any more new things and I was saving money as I always did. I also planned to use the free internet the mall has which is pretty fast. I was alone as I most of the time do when someone from Cocolife Insurance approached me and then introduced himself saying that they have a promo of free trip to Singapore or Malaysia and that they would give me freebies. I am a sucker for free things but never really entertained things like this inside the mall. I was surprised that I was suddenly and willingly talked and gave some very personal information. I was then asked to show my bank services I have with me, credit cards or/and atm, and a valid id and was then asked to come along to their office so they can give me the raffle tickets and fill them out as well as get the free bag.

I was being hesitant and at the back of my mind I was thinking to stop and go straight to do my errand. But I never did voice out my thoughts. I felt like I was hypnotized and was just following along. We arrived at their office and then I was introduced to the manager and the presenter which they said would only take a few minutes of presentation video but ended up being almost 2 hours of non-stop talk about money and me giving out Php50k.

The presenter approached me all smiles finding commonalities and striking a conversation. At first you would think that it was harmless. You would never feel like you were being fooled. They would continually ask for a response and do things that makes you feel comfortable to share a lot of personal information. A lot of people will talk to you if the presenter is not with you.

Then the presenter will engage you in a lengthy discussion and then they would give you names and show you examples of people who availed the plan themselves and encourage you to invest yourself. Then I was asked how much I was willing to start with and I said 10k and then they showed me the printout if I was to invest 10k. I then asked them if I can see their other services in a brochure so I can choose what I want and think about it but he said they don’t have that because they are offering this one-time invite and it must be today or say goodbye to this opportunity.

He then asked me to fill out forms. Asked me to show a valid id and either my credit card or debit card. Told me that this is not yet final and the bank will have to approve. That it may either be a go or no and I will not lose anything. Then after that he engaged me to another discussion and then I can’t remember how exactly I ended up giving 50k plus as an initial payment for the policy. But maybe it was what he said that it will not be final until the bank gives me a notice of approval and other legal documents.

I remember asking them, before them swiping my card, if the money will not be moved if the bank does not approve the plan I took and the manager said yes it will not. But it never occured to me that I gave my atm and it means instant deduction of money. But I was still feeling like I made a great decision because the presenter kept on making me feel good.

I remember getting out of the office feeling lost and the presenter even joined me until where the escalator was and told me the way to SM. I knew the mall pretty well as I live near and it’s the only mall I go to. I was drained out of energy and my body was achy. I felt so tired and started wondering what just happened. I started recalling all the warning signs that I would have never ignored in a normal situation.

I went to do my errand and then took a break in a tea shop. I read my book about giving by Wayne Myers and wondered why I was saving that 50k instead of giving it to the missions or a ministry or anyone in need. Then I started wondering why I did that and started to doubt my decision. I was actually contemplating if I would share what happened to my sisters and thank God I did. Because I would have been needlessly slaved for 10 years paying off a savings plan that I haven’t thoroughly prayed for.

I think the Lord is teaching me a very big lesson and I still praise God I did not give much more than that. I have been a little crazy about clothes and other stuff and just my priority on my money is not for God but for me. I was thinking twice about giving and not really giving from my heart but out of duty. I was thinking more on saving them for the future and investing for myself rather than invest for God’s work. I felt so foolish thinking that my decision was the right one. I also believe that Satan used my fear of losing my savings in the bank as a bait to fool me. I was worldly and was not letting go of this area in my life. I realized it too late and this is a very big lesson learned.

I commit to the Lord this money that when I get it back it will not be mine but His. I will give it to the church for the praise team or the thanksgiving offering or give it to the Sanchez family to help support them on their mission trip in the Mercy Ship. I've learned that the money we have is not ours but was entrusted to us by God. He trusted us to take care of it and to make it grow so that we can help in doing His work. When we do not take care of it, it is like robbing from His money.

It is not wrong to save. But if it’s making you greedy then you should think twice. All things come from Him who made all the things that we are enjoying now. We own nothing. We came here with nothing and we are leaving this world with nothing.

I remember and experienced what Matthew says in chapter 16 verse 25, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”

This is truly a year of going through the fire to be purified as I have been praying for God to purify me.

[ellychelyserrano]

His wisdom decides when the length of a season is enough, and what sort of season we need to walk through in order to build our character.

Joy Mendoza (http://teachwithjoy.com/2016/12/relax-mom-its-all-part-of-the-grand-plan/?utm_source=aweber&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Email%2BRSS)

[ellychelyserrano]

May this entry encourage you to trust in God’s goodness, too. I want you to know that God is a magnanimous God who delights for us to experience His blessings. There are occasions in our lives when He intentionally withholds material comforts, but there are other moments when He deems it the best time to release His generous provision. What this experience taught me and continues to teach me is that God often tests the condition of our hearts by way of our pockets. Exodus 23:19 says, “You shall bring the very first of the first fruits of your soil into the house of the Lord your God.” Money affords us this façade of security and it’s very easy to adopt the perspective that the money we earn belongs to us because we worked hard for it. However, provision ultimately comes from God’s hand, therefore our greatest security is not in acquiring more money but in obeying Him and following His leading in our lives. 1 Chronicles 29:12 rightfully declares, “Both riches and honor come from You (God), and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone.”

Joy Mendoza (http://teachwithjoy.com/2017/01/you-cannot-out-give-god/?utm_source=aweber&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Email%2BRSS)

[ellychelyserrano]

Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them. But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever. He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly. The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.

Psalms 146:3‭-‬9 NLT

[ellychelyserrano]

Psalms 139:13‭-‬18 NLT

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!

[ellychelyserrano]

The Lord will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O  Lord , endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.

Psalms 138:8 NLT