CHRISTIAN. DISCIPLE. FOLLOWER.

061094 | 111410 Born and raised from a simple yet loving family. Been dreaming a lot since childhood. Loves photography but doesn't have his own toy.

[filledwiththeholyghost]

A Call to Prayer

Read: James 5:13-18

All throughout the book of James, we can read so much about sufferings and trials in life. At the same time, the book constantly points out that life as a Christian is about glad-hearted obedience. You can read at the latter part that James started to close his writings with a call to prayer.

We all face trials of many kinds in our journey with God. Suffering is inevitable; these trying times are part of our commitment. Why? It gives us more reason to go to God in prayer and ask Him to continue working in our hearts, that our faithfulness and righteousness will become more apparent.

Prayer is more than just a routine. It's not just a medium to plead anything we need to ask of Him. But ultimately, prayer is a never ending communion with God.

Through prayer, we let our hearts be opened and consequently we find ourselves falling down on our knees at the feet of His grace; there we fully surrender and let God take control of it all.

Are you feeling drained and exhausted?

Did you wake up today thinking that things have been suffocating? Like you're starting to feel how much longer you can do this?

That even if you try to put a projection of strength, yet deep inside you just feel out of air.

You should know now what to do. Go to God and submit to His power and sovereignty. And as you pray, you will all the more realize how good He is.

[filledwiththeholyghost]

08252018 | Saturday

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where 

moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 

but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth 

nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." [Matthew 6:19-21]

DO NOT. That's quite a warning and it means there's a consequence if we won't be able to abide on it.

Wealth itself isn't of evil at all. To serve wealth and to make it as our master is what makes it bad.

To be wealthy, it requires work. And for most of us we work hard, yes, but what's our motivation behind it?

Building an empire and pursuing things that only lead to our glory and comfort here on earth won't serve you for eternity. What God wants you to invest in are those things that will outlast this world: God's mission.

- Helping out those who are in deep need.

- Extending love and care for the weak and poor.

- Showing mercy to those who are in difficult place.

As Christians, these are the things that we are called to do while we are here on earth. Instead of focusing much on our personal gain, perhaps it's best if we start thinking more of others, and lay our helping hands on them; for this should be the marks and culture of God's people.

Q: Would you be part of THAT difference?

[filledwiththeholyghost]

TRUE WISDOM

"There is a way that seems right to a man,

But its end is the way of death."

[Proverbs 14:12 NKJV]

When you go out and listen to the world, there are so many wisdom spreading around from anyone to anybody. It shaped us to believe that we are entitled to have our own opinion on what makes you happy and take a stand on whatever you think that is right for you.

BUT. Can you imagine every single individual (approximately 7Billion) living on their own standards? That each and every one of us can all be right? That all of us, one by one, can do whatever we want?

What we'll see is a never ending discussion about something, unresolved problems of all sorts, disconnected communities, nations not having order, and the list goes on and on. Yes, it's impossible. And it'll be so daunting to achieve world peace.

Citing James 3:17, it says there true wisdom comes from God which is above, associated by good conduct. This means your standards must be based on God's and not yours. Wherefore, faith works and wisdom acts. And so what you do and how you act will reflect what you truly believe in.

What if what the Proverb says is true, that the preferences you have right now that you think is right will only lead you to death.. I mean, man that sounds crazy!

Don't be deceived. Learn how to operate with God's wisdom (which is heavenward) and not on your own (leads to nowhere but down).

Read: James 3:13-18, 1:22, 2:14-26

© YouVersion Bible App

// JAMES: Faith/Works || 13-Day Reading Plan by Matt Chandler //

[filledwiththeholyghost]

TAME YOUR TONGUE

"Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving." [Ephesians 5:4]

We all aim for perfection, and yet we still stumble and fall in some ways. At times, one thing we fail at as Christians is the very words that come out of our mouths.

A tongue is like a rudder that can steer a giant ship and a spark that can set a great forest on fire, burning it down to ashes.

That's what it does if we let it be corrupted by evil. It can hurt and disrespect other people, people that are made in the image of God.

James 3:9 reads, "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness."

Do you really think it's possible for a freshwater and saltwater be flowing from same stream? No, it doesn't add up.

Watch your words. Be careful and think twice of what you say. It would be best to keep your mouth shut if nothing healthy comes out of it.

[filledwiththeholyghost]

Who are we to judge?

"My friends, as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, you must never treat people in different ways according to their outward appearance." [James 2:1 GNT]

--

In this world we live in nowadays, most of us are concerned of our status in life. We care so much about how are we gonna look like in front of others and what people will say when they see us. In one way or another, we easily judge others with how they appear outside.

Treating others with how they appear outwardly is showing partiality. That we show favor whether they're rich/poor, smart/dumb, or different in another way.

Q: Didn't you know that it's also a sin if you let favoritism pollute your faith?

As believers, we should also know that faith without mercy toward others is not genuine faith. We must extend mercy rather than jumping into harsh judgement to others. I mean, who are we to judge? Where is the love to your fellow brothers and sisters on that?

We are taught and told that faith is personal, but it's also communal. That is what James's key statement to the dispersed church before. And somehow, we can still see it happening today. :(

We go to church not because of merits. It's not a place where people make petty judgements of what you wear and how much money you're able to contribute. NO. If we let this happen, we are just making the church indistinguishable from this dark dark world.

In the eyes of God, we're all the same and equal. He treats us with the same amount of love and grace regardless of your current stand in life. That same gospel is what should unite us as brothers and sisters in Christ.

[filledwiththeholyghost]

If you completely trust Him, you will be blessed. And now if you love Him, what God can do in your life is unimaginably more than what you can think of. It is more than what your eyes can see and what your ears can hear. Truly nothing can fathom God's ability and capacity. For almost 7yrs now, and even before I met Him, this is the kind of God I praise and worship. ☝️ Thank You for the wonderful love, Lord!!! 😊😊😊

[filledwiththeholyghost]

He will never leave you nor forsake you. God will never abandon you. #standyourground

[filledwiththeholyghost]

Tools.

[filledwiththeholyghost]

02072016 We just love going out and eating together. Thank God for blessing me such a wonderful family! One of the best blessings I'd be forever grateful for. ❤️ (at Cafe Nenzo)

[filledwiththeholyghost]

"The good life is built by good relationships." -Mark Twain Life is all about relationships. You can never felt genuine fulfillment without it. It's the very thing that keeps us healthier and happier in this journey. Done through social connections such as family, friends and community. It's the quality of your close relationships that matters. It's the satisfaction of good close relationships you have. Learn also how to understand and feel what others' feel on the deepest note. #compassion Stay connected by love and value each relationship you have now 'cause you can never be certain of what happens tomorrow. To GOD be all the glory!! #VisMinFGLConference2016 #BUILD (at Tagaytay City, Philippines)

[filledwiththeholyghost]

Learn how to love and confront each other at the same time.

[filledwiththeholyghost]

Disunity is a horror. It's destructive. BUT we, as people of God, have the power to build up the church.

[filledwiththeholyghost]

Do not be ashamed of being a failure. Let your MESS be converted into a beautiful MESSAGE.

[filledwiththeholyghost]

Be more concern of what God will tell you THAN what others are telling you.

[filledwiththeholyghost]

Get up. Stand your ground. Take courage to start over and be stronger.

[filledwiththeholyghost]

It's been always a beautiful thing when people are working together.

BUILD | VisMin FGL Conference 2016

[filledwiththeholyghost]

Developing Vital, Healthy Relationships

“No man is an island.” One of the most common saying you can hear from anyone.

In reality, nobody can live without having someone in their lives. We all need somebody who can be there to meet our human needs -- the need for security, for achievement, for affirmation, and for unconditional love. All of us are wanting to experience an intimate and life-giving relationships.

Have you ever felt the pain of a broken relationship? (Read Luke 15:11-32)

If we know the story of the prodigal son, a story of a boy who selfishly demanded to get his share of his inheritance and decided to live on his own. Instantaneously, what he wished for was granted by his father and so off he went and got what he wanted in life. After some time, he thought he could do fine and make a living. But eventually, this young man lost everything. His life became miserable to the point he found himself alone and dying. By this humbling experience, he decided and go back to His father and humbly ask for forgiveness for what he’s done. And because of his humility, what he found is restoration. Relationships being renewed, and he started to live happily again and contented.

In one way or another, we all come to this point of our life -- the pain of a broken relationship. At times, we’ve been waiting for the other person to make a move (or the other way around). Our backs being loaded by proud resistance, selfish acts and attitudes. And when this happens, we are just killing ourselves and pushing ourselves to emptiness. But eventually, we will all realize that we have to humble ourselves, even if it wasn’t your fault. Expressing the desire to restore a vital, healthy relationship.

In life, the gateway to a productive and life-giving environments is to have a healthy, right relationships.

Don’t just wait for someone to visit your island. Remember, God didn’t wait for us. Before we even asked for it, He came and heal our broken relationship. (Read 1John 4:10-11)

We are made not to live in isolation. God made us to interact with others. Sometimes, most of us come into failure not because we lack in skills, but rather we fail for not being functional when it comes to relationships.

For the leaders, don’t just be a “taker” and create a mentality of survival. Be someone who leads by serving and giving where everyone receives. Making them feel they are part of something that has meaning.

NO MAN IS AN ISLAND. What makes a man is relationship. Developing a lasting relationship with God and helping others to meet their needs in life.