Jesus is asking “What do you want Me to do for you?”

Jesus is asking “What do you want Me to do for you?” 

Wow what an invitation from God who can do absolutely anything! 

The two blind men didn’t waiver even though a lot of people sternly asked them to shut up - instead they CRIED OUT ALL THE MORE! 

In the end they receive their IMMEDIATE miracle!

Reference Scripture:

“As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. 

And two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 

The crowd sternly told them to be quiet, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 

And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 

They *said to Him, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.” 

Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.”

Matthew 20:29-34 NASB1995

YOU ARE QUALIFIED - HE QUALIFIES YOU

Have you ever felt little?

Have you ever felt unqualified?

Have you ever felt you weren't good enough for the task at hand?

This past week has been an example of me feeling and questioning, "Am I really the right person to do this?" Looking at the assignment simply overwhelms me.

But then do you believe God has HIS timely word for us at the time we needed it.

I praise God because when I prayed and asked for help, I opened the Bible for an answer and behold, HE did through this verse:

Ephesians 2:7 "Now God has us where he wants us..."

So I'm not lost. I am EXACTLY where GOD wanted me to be. WOW! Praise the Lord!

However, I'm not sure if you're like me but somewhere in my heart, I still felt "inadequate" even after hearing the promise. I know it's wrong but this is me being honest.

Praise be to GOD who also knows I would feel this way. He followed it up with another promise in this verse: 

2 Cor 3:6 "He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant..."

Now, did you notice that word? COMPETENT. In other versions, it would say "QUALIFIES" us. Thank you LORD!

This surely encouraged me this morning and I thank GOD for that. Let this be an encouragement to you too whatever you're going through. This WORD is applicable to each of you. 

God Is A "Way-Maker"

During the time of Exodus, people were complaining to Moses because they didn't understand what was going on and they didn't know where they are going. 

But never did GOD leave them!

He provided CLOUD during the day to give them shade and shelter.

He provided FIRE during the night to give them light.

He even did the impossible by dividing the sea just to make a way.

He did even if HIS people continued to be stiff-necked.

So don't be sad or frustrated when everything seems to be confusing and overwhelming. 

God is a WAY-MAKER! He makes a way when there seems to be no way.

And during this whole time for frustration and despair, God has never left your side just as he had promised.

Take hold of this truth and be encouraged today.

God bless you.

For Our Own Good

John 16:7 (New King James Version)

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

Genesis 3:17 (New King James Version)

17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’:

“ Cursed is the ground for your sake;

In toil you shall eat of it

All the days of your life.

Romans 8:28 (New King James Version)

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Whatever the circumstance, 

God's will for you will always be for your own GOOD!

That You May Lack Nothing

In the first epistle of Paul to Thessalonians:

But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 

and indeed you do so toward all the brethren...

But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 

that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, 

to mind your own business, and 

to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,  

that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, 

and that you may lack nothing.

1 Thessalonians 4: 9-12 

AWESOME! =)

And They Lived Happily Ever After

Sometimes in our lives we tend to forget that we are destined to WIN! Sometimes we think "Happily Ever After" only happens in Fairy Tales! To that though I give a resounding "ABSOLUTELY NOT!"

I remember my Pastor saying, "If it's not good yet, then it's not the end yet."

It's like we're just in a movie, we may fall several times but we know that in the end we will win!

The Bible says:

"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." - Rom. 8:37 (NKJV)

"The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom." - Deut. 28:13 (NIV)

"Thus says the LORD to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s." - 2 Chron 2:15 (b)

Anymore proof?

It takes you though to believe for it to happen in you! And yes! "We will live happily ever after!"

Christian Single Guy: that's what I am!

No, I'm not posting this because it's Valentine's Day. No! I'm not even posting this because I'm looking for a date. Absolutely Not! I'm not posting to broadcast that I'm a Christian single guy. It may seem that way but that's not my intention. (jokes)

Seriously...

The main reason I'm posting this is to share this song to everyone single or couples and hopefully it can touch them as it has touched me so much, taught me and rebuked me.

A lot of us especially the young ones are so used to instant and fast. That's why even in Love we want it fast right now! But that's not the right way. Maybe the easiest way but not the best.

The Bible says in Isaiah 40:31,
"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

It's important to wait!

A Light at The End!

Job 8:6-7 (New American Standard Bible)
6 If you are pure and upright,


Surely now He would rouse Himself for you


And restore your righteous estate.



7 "Though your beginning was insignificant,


Yet your end will increase greatly.


What a wonderful promise!

We maybe nothing, insignificant, small for now but if we remain upright and pure before GOD, our end will surely be great no matter what!

Just hold on my friend!

Promises: Are they really made to be Broken?

I'm sure you heard a lot of these lately. For Filipinos, I'm sure you've been bombarded with a lot of these. In every commercial break, you find Politicians advertising themselves. In every front page of a newspaper, surely one part talks about a politician and on what he really plans to do. In every Billboard, or footbridge, we see these as well! And yes, even in Facebook invites from your friends asking you to support these "presidentiables" are everywhere.

Hmm...Can we really trust and believe everything they say? Can we really trust their "promises"?

I hear a resounding, "NO WAY!"

That's understandable.

How many times have we been betrayed by these politicians? We trusted Erap to be for the "mahirap" but the records would say he'd been the most extravagant President this country has had. We trusted GMA in Edsa 2. I can no longer count ho many times she betrayed the Filipino people.

This situation is not just true for politicians. Remember the time that your friend didn't show up on your agreed time? Remember the time that your partner didn't do what he promised to do?

I am a victim of broken promises. I'm sure you are too.

But here's the GOOD NEWS:

2 Corinthians 1:20 (The Message)


20-22Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, God's Yes and our Yes together, gloriously evident. God affirms us, making us a sure thing in Christ, putting his Yes within us. By his Spirit he has stamped us with his eternal pledge—a sure beginning of what he is destined to complete.

AMAZING!

What does that mean?

It means all promises you can read from the Bible, they can be real in your LIFE!

Just believe and then it will happen!

The politicians, our friends and even our family can fail but Jesus will never fail! Praise the Lord!

You can read this previous post for further reading: Believe in God's Promises

He'll Put Your Lives Together

Colossians 1:22 (The Message)

But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence.

Lately, I have been experiencing failures and disappointments in the 3 most important (if not the only) areas of my life. 

First for my family, when I returned last weekend I was planning to witness and tell them that Jesus loves them and died for them. I wasn’t able to which hurts me so bad because I know how important it is.

Second, in my job I haven’t been hitting targets and expectations even how much I tried for the past few weeks now plus bad impressions on my leadership are starting to appear hurting me really bad. 

Thirdly, my dear roommate who I’ve been with for approximately 9 years now is leaving for AbuDhabi to pursue a career there. Aside from the fact that I’ll be missing him so much, at the same time it does hurt my heart as well which makes me re-think my future in comparison to him. I asked myself “Why is there something happening to him and he’s starting to be successful while I am stucked in this little Call Center Company for 4 years now?"

So many disappointments. So many failures. So many frustrations.

Really. They were, for me OVERWHELMING.

They say these things should push you closer to God and make you stronger in your spiritual life. 

I don’t think that’s what’s happening to me. I started to be broken and messed up. I started to be doing things on my own and GIVE UP.

Praise the Lord for He came to my rescue (as always)! 

He reminded me of my faith and trust in Him. 

He reminded me that what’s happening right now is just plainly part of the GREAT and WONDERFUL plan for my life.

He reminded me that there’ll be time for everything.

He reminded me that things will just take place in it's right time.

He reminded me of His promises and that he’s faithful to fulfill them.

He reminded me that there's always HOPE in Him and that when I do what HE wants me to do, there'll be no room for frustrations, hurts, failures and disappointments.

He will surely put my life together.

Amen!

Keeping One's Promises To The Lord

This is in connection to my previous post about my promise to God to give him my very First and best fruit from this site. You can read it here: Honor The Lord With Your Firstfruits.

I was reading the Book of 1 Samuel. I was reading about the story of Hannah the mother of Samuel. That's where this post will revolve in.

Hannah was barren. And we all know that for Jewish women, it's like their greatest achievement if they can give their husband not just a child but a male child. What's making it worse, the other wife constantly provokes her. 1 Sam. 1:7

Imagine the misery Hannah was going through. This is even though Elkanah, her husband loved her and gives her double portion. 1 Sam. 1:5. This love was clearly manifested in verse 8 when Elkanah said this:

"Elkanah her husband would say to her, "Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don't you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?" 1 Sam. 1:8 (NIV)

Now isn't that sweet?

But that's not my point. Because even though with all these affection and love, Hannah's desire was to still provide and give Elkanah, a son.

Out of desperation, here's how she prayed:

"And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head." 1 Sam. 1:11 (NIV)

That was the promise!

And by the way, this was not like an ordinary prayer, she prayed violently (shall I say) that the Prophet Eli thought she was drunk.

And God, as always was faithful to answer her prayer,
and then came Samuel!

Hannanh could have just forgotten about her promise. I mean that was like 9 months ago, right? How many of us forget what we promise the Lord when we receive what we were asking for. We can't even say, "Thank You Lord!" Hannah's case was like 9 months. She could reason out, I'm sure God would understand. Coz if I gave this boy up, it's still as if I didn't have a son who can be an heir to his father. And a lot more excuses or shall I say reasons. Sometimes logical reasons.

But...

It's not a question whether it's logical or the most practical, it's a question of OBEDIENCE and KEEPING ONE'S PROMISES to the Lord.

A lot of us can easily give a promise.

"See you at 4pm sharp!" and then shows up 4:30pm

"Don't worry, I will do this..." and then deadline comes the thing was left undone.

Sounds familiar? I'm guilty as well.

We easily break promises as if they're just nothing. But the truth is, it hurts people. It hurts your kid when you forgot to buy the right robot or barbie he/she chose. It hurts people when you come late. How much more God? It does hurt him.

See the situation?

God is always ready to GIVE and ANSWER our PRAYERS. We sometimes (always) fail to do what we need to do as a response.

Back to Hannah, here's what happened:

1 Samuel 1:27-28 (New International Version)

27 I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. 28 So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there

That's one GREAT Example of KEEPING ONE'S PROMISES.

Now, let's go to you!

What promises have you broken before the Lord? Please ask forgiveness.

Are there still promises ready to be fulfilled? It's not too late to do them!

One more thing that surely would excite you:

When we keep our promises, here's what God will do as demonstrated in the life of Hannah

1 Samuel 2:21 (New International Version)

21 And the LORD was gracious to Hannah; she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.

See, God gave her more than what she has prayed for!

We truly have an AMAZING God, don't you think?

Blessed Is The Man Who Fears The Lord

Praise the Lord!

Monday was an amazing day for me and the Lord! It was a day I communed with him and sought him with all my heart. Just Him and me and His word. Indeed it's indescribable! My prayer is for you to also stop and pause for a day in your week, instead of being caught up with the roller coaster of needs and priorities. To pause and seek God for fellowship and "just" enjoying His presence. Yes, above asking for anything, let's all seek his Heart and His presence first and foremost.

What I did pray about? I'll share it on another post. Watch out for that!

On this post though, I would like to praise the Lord for the WORD (promises) He had given during that fellowship. Truly, God speaks! Actually, I think He had been speaking to me several times now. I think He had been talking to you now. I was just too busy to listen. This is because only when we're still and silent in His presence do we hear His small still voice. [One thing you can think and reflect about... ]

He guided me to Psalm 112. A Psalm entitled "The Blessed State of the Righteous". I'm not sure if I've read this Psalm before. Probably once or twice but during this time the WORD was just too powerful that I was moved to tears and praises to my God and personal Lord.

Psalm 112
The Blessed State of the Righteous

1 Praise the LORD!

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
Who delights greatly in His commandments.

2 His descendants will be mighty on earth;
The generation of the upright will be blessed.

3 Wealth and riches will be in his house,
And his righteousness endures forever.

4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;
He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

5 A good man deals graciously and lends;
He will guide his affairs with discretion.

6 Surely he will never be shaken;
The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.

7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings;
His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

8 His heart is established;
He will not be afraid,
Until he sees his desire upon his enemies.

9 He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever;
His horn will be exalted with honor.

10 The wicked will see it and be grieved;
He will gnash his teeth and melt away;
The desire of the wicked shall perish.

Amen!

A lot of promises, I know and I praise the Lord for all those. But as I've always said Promises will remain futile unless one does something about them. Unless I do something about them!

Do I even fear the Lord everytime I make a choice or a decision or on the way I live my life? Am I even the man this Psalm is talking about? Honestly, I am not.

But why can I still declare these promises for myself?

Because after all at the very start I was already unworthy of the promises and only God in His will can make all these things to happen. Because after all IT IS ALL ABOUT GOD. I trust HIM and believe in HIM that He can work through me and make me the "RIGHTEOUS MAN".

I may not be the man as of now but I WILL BE THE MAN soon through Jesus Christ!

That's the beauty of the Lord! He doesn't leave you or forsake you to just live your life on your own. He'll work through you and help you to make all His good plans for your lives to happen.

God bless you! Take time to speak with the Lord today, k?

God has the Power to Do what He has Promised

Romans 4:18-25 (New International Version)

18Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."[d] 19Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. 20Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." 23The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, 24but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

There are a lot of promises that we can find in the Bible. In fact I think all of it are promises and truths that we can claim. Here are some of them:

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 2 Corinthians 4:8, 9

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who the are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5: 7

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. Psalm 34:10

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. Isaiah 49:15,16

Now those are really great promises. Promises that we can really hold onto and believe in.

But I think that's not the main issue. The issue is "Are we Persuaded that God can do and will do what He had Promised?" These promises will remain futile and empty unless we choose to believe in them.

Abraham believed in God even how illogical and unrealistic the promises were that's why in the end "it was credited to him as righteousness".

SO why don't you review all the promises you have read and heard before and start to believe and have faith in God and be persuaded that GOD CAN!

God Bless you!

Laughing With by Regina Spektor (Video and Lyrics)

Today I will be sharing with you a video I bumped into through the website of Joshua Harris. I don't know Regina Spektor and I haven't heard of "Laughing With" song but when I listened to it and read the lyrics, it hit real hard.

It is just the most honest and I'd say provocative and truthful song I've ever heard so far. Especially in this time of crisis, wars and problems, can we laugh with God? or do we start being discouraged and down or even to the point of being disappointed with God? Let's remember and "not forget" all the promises of the Lord to us. Surely, we can still laugh no matter what because we know He's in charge!

Laughing With


"Laughing With" by Regina Spektor Lyrics:

No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one's laughing at God when they're starving or freezing or so very poor

No one laughs at God when the doctor calls after some routine tests
No one's laughing at God when it's gotten real late and their kid's not back from that party yet

No one laughs at God when their airplane starts to uncontrollably shake
No one's laughing at God when they see the one they love hand in hand with someone else and they hope that they're mistaken
No one laughs at God when the cops knock on their door and they say "We've got some bad new, sir,"
No one's laughing at God when there's a famine, fire or flood

But God can be funny
At a cocktail party while listening to a good God-themed joke or
Or when the crazies say he hates us and they get so red in the head you think that they're about to choke

God can be funny
When told he'll give you money if you just pray the right way
And when presented like a genie
Who does magic like Houdini
Or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Claus

God can be so hilarious
Ha ha
Ha ha

No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one's laughing at God when they've lost all they got and they don't know what for

No one laughs at God on the day they realize that the last sight they'll ever see is a pair of hateful eyes
No one's laughing at God when they're saying their goodbyes

But God can be funny
At a cocktail party while listening to a good God-themed joke or
Or when the crazies say he hates us and they get so red in the head you think that they're about to choke

God can be funny
When told he'll give you money if you just pray the right way
And when presented like a genie
Who does magic like Houdini
Or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Claus

God can be so hilarious

No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war

No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war

No one's laughing at God in a hospital
No one's laughing at God in a war

No one's laughing at God when they're starving or freezing or so very poor

No one's laughing at God
No one's laughing at God
No one's laughing at God
We're all laughing with God

Laughing With by Regina Spektor from the album Far


If you can't view the video click here.

We'll be the Head and we'll be at the TOP | CPDRC Inmates dancing Jai Ho

The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. You will always be at the top, never at the bottom, if you faithfully obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today.
Deut. 28:13

I'd like to share a video of CPDRC inmates here in the Philippines dancing to the tune of Jai Ho (soundtrack from Slumdog Millionaire). You may wonder why I'm posting about this. Let me share my point.

These people are inmates, prisoners and convicted of crimes. When I think about them (inmates and prisoners), I can't help but only imagine men with tattoos, men who are always angry with the world and men who seldom smile. (No Offense to them. God Loves them!)

But these Cebu Inmates are sensationally different.

They didn't allow their current situation to stop them from reaching the world and be famous. They didn't allow what other people think of them to dictate what will happen in their lives.

They started dancing to the tune of Michael Jackson's Thriller and their video in Youtube had now reached a total of 23 million views. You can watch it here. It was through this, that they gained popularity.


Right now,they have their newest offering which is their Dancing Video to the tune of Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire. This video is one good thing to watch for anybody to be inspired and be encouraged to come out and spread one's true potential. For anyone to keep God's promises and are to not be dictated by people's words and expectations. God has promised we will be the Head and not the Tail. He promised we will be at the TOP not the Bottom. That's our potential! If we don't claim it, it would just pass us by.

Let us be like these prisoners who really confidently came out to show what they can do!
This one's entertaining and worth watching.

Believe in God's Promises

Numbers 23:19 (New International Version)
God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

Reflection:

The Bible is filled with promises of God. It is even called a Treasure Chest by some people as they consider every word Gold and Silver. True enough because all of these were promised by no less than God Himself. He said in the Book of Numbers that he’s not like a man who lies and changes his mind. Was there a time that somebody didn’t show up in your agreed time?I’m sure you felt bad about it. But I’m also sure that God would never do that to us. God would never let us down. What he promises, he fulfills. What he says he will do, he will do.

If he says he’ll provide for your needs if you ask him, he will give you more than you can imagine (John 16:24)! If he said he will heal your sickness, he will heal you by His power (1 Peter 2:24). If he says he’ll make you prosperous and successful, he will do it for you (Joshua 1:8).

But at the end of the day, these promises would remain futile if you don’t believe. You would need to believe and trust in HIM to make these promises real and be made true in your life.

God bless you today!

Recommended Readings:

Trust the Lord with All your Heart

Remember not to Forget, Make him your First

Stop Worrying! God knows your Needs!

Matthew 6:31 - 34 (New International Version)

31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Reflection:

Everyone worries just about anything. It can be as big as where to get the payment for a loan or as petty as what to wear to a party. Some people worry about what other people think about them. Some even worry whether their gadget is up to date. How about you? What things do you worry about? Appearance? Status?

So what if we worry?

We worry because we look at what we can do and not on what God can do through us. Worrying is an act of disbelief, mistrust and doubt on God's sovereignty and power! He said through the prophet Jeremiah, "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27".

What the Lord Promises

The Heavenly Father knows what you need even before you ask Him. Yes, you read it right! He already KNOWS what you need. Here's what he's saying in the preceeding verses:

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Trust in him in everything!

Furthermore, if we choose to pray, read the Bible, be a blessing to others and do something for God instead of spending time worrying then God will add ALL THE THINGS YOU NEED FAR BEYOND YOU CAN IMAGINE.

God Bless You!

God has a PLAN for you!

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Reflection:

God knows you personally and he had already crafted a plan even before you were born. A plan especially made just for you!

Trust in him!

Believe that whatever you’re going through right now and whatever road you're travelling, it’s all part of His SOVEREIGN Plan for you.

You maybe going through sad and trying times but the LORD is telling you today, “Take Heart and Hold on! A Bright prosperous Future awaits you!”

God Bless!