Follow Him
Let’s try our best to take up our cross, deny ourselves, and follow Him. Not an easy task, but of course will be the best thing to do as His disciples. (-fon-)
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
27 July
New Creation
Once we’re baptised, we’re new creation in Christ. The old has gone, the new has come. Let’s not forgotten that He has saved us. Let’s make Him proud!
(-fon-)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
--- Hebrews 11:1
Reality might bring our spirit down. We might easily lose our motivation because we think with our own thoughts and it seems no way out. But, living in faith means that we still full of hope. We still believe, even we do not see (or haven’t seen) anything. Let’s live our days in faith.
(-fon-)
Overflow with Hope
Whatever the condition that you’re facing right now. Even it’s so stressful and you’re so desperate. Even it seems that no way out…
This is my prayer for all of us:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Good Will Come
You’ve done many good things, but your life is just still not going well. But, don’t worry. No matter what- choose doing good. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely. Amen. (-fon-)
Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
Choose the Way of Truth
Even this world is offering many other negative ways to be successful or to become rich. Even you yourself have so many thoughts-some of them not good ones- to reach your dreams. Let us choose to be in His ways. No matter what, choose the way of truth. (-fon-)
I have chosen the way of truth;
I have set my heart on your laws.
I Am With You
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
--- Isaiah 41:10
Maybe your current situation has forced you to the limit. You feel very scared as if there’s no hope in it. But, never be afraid, since He will be with us. “Do not fear, I am with you, says the Lord.” Amen. (-fon-)
Satisfy and Be Thankful
The word ‘satisfy’ might bring us down. Some people tend to be lazy and don’t want to do anything. It seems that they’re really satisfied and stop doing good efforts in this life.
Of course that’s not what I mean when I wrote about money and wealth. According to the book of Ecclesiastes:
Whoever loves money never has money enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.
--- Ecclesiastes 5:10
The verses there tend to see everything as meaningless, including the love of money and wealth. Of course, I don’t want to be a hypocrite by saying that we don’t need money. We need it-to some extent-we might love it. The most important thing is: not to put money ontop of everything. There are more valuable things rather than money or wealth. We need to think of the family value, God, and the happiness being surrounded by money but with a good relationship with Him. It’s good that we can be satisfy and be thankful, while trying to grow better in handling the wealth. So, with money and wealth, we can be a blessing to others. We can do charity, social works, helping people in time of needs…Doing good things and not causing disasters with the greed of it.
(-fon-)
An Upright Heart
I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
Don’t Stop Believing
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life.
--- Matthew 6:27
Everybody knows that we won’t get anything from worrying. But every now and then, we also feel it and somehow it’s really hard to avoid it. As the feeling comes, maybe we need to sing this song:
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to that feelin'
(Don’t Stop Believing- Glee’s Casts).
don’t stop believing in Him, no matter what: He will give us enough provision…(-fon-)
Remain in Love
If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.
--- John 15:10
Obeying Him and remaining in His love are just two things that are so important. Let’s stay faithful by obeying His commands. And let’s stay (read: remain) in love with Him. (-fon-)
Every Knee Shall Bow, Every Tongue Confess
Let every knee bow, let every tongue confess that He’s the Lord. Jesus Christ is the Lord. Amen. (-fon-)
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
--- Philippians 2:9-11
Believe in Hope
I like the first part of these verses: against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations. Even though his condition that he’s very old, his wife’s-logically-couldn’t possibly get pregnant, but he trusted the Lord anyway.
Because nothing is too hard for God and Abraham believed that. How about us? (-fon-)
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
--- Romans 4:18-22
The Art of Listening
LISTENING IS AN ART, a spiritual practice. … Listening speaks to one of our deepest needs, to be understood or feel understood. Yes, we might like people to agree with us, take our side, but it is a great gift when we feel that the person understands us, even if the person does not agree with us. … Listening acknowledges and honor’s the other’s uniqueness with his or her own stories and truths. We each need to tell our story, and we each need to hear the other’s story. Being listened to provides the opening we need to tell our stories, to express feelings and ideas we would otherwise be afraid to voice.
- Thomas Porter
The Spirit and Art of Conflict Transformation (upper room website).
We might forget that listening is an art. We tend to quick to speak, quick to angry, and slow to listen. Well, it’s the other way around with the bible which encourages us quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Have we put listening as an art? Or we just think that it’s not needed in our daily life? Maybe today’s the day to change for the better. (-fon-)
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry
His Way is Perfect
Have you tried many different
ways with all your strength, with all your thoughts, with all your heart to achieve your goals/dreams only to find that in the end they didn’t work out? Then, His time arrived, you can achieve what you’ve dreamed of with such a different way than what you’ve ever imagined. I’ve experienced this many times in my life only to find that His way will always be the best way for me-for us. His way is perfect. It’s flawless!
There’s no better way than trying to surrender ourselves and walk safely in His Perfect Plans. (-fon-)
As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is flawless.
He is a shield
for all who take refuge in him.
--- Psalm 18:30
My Words Will Never Pass Away What makes you proud now? Your career, your family, your wealth, your health, your fame, your brain? Well, we need to realize that those things are temporary. Eventually, like or dislike, they will come to an end. Like the verse from the book of Matthew today: heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Only God alone, will be there until eternity. Never depend too much of the temporary things, but cling on and draw ourselves near God-the Alpha and Omega. (-fon-)
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. --- Matthew 24:35 |
Champion of Life
Dear Fonny,
Champions run toward their fears. And you, Fonny, are a champion.
Trust me,
God
P.S. When it's not an emergency, Fonny, don't make decisions based on fear. Always make decisions based on love. (Bo Sanchez, God Whispers Club)- Change with your name and receive the wonderful blessing too!
Fears and trials are some of the obstacles that we might face in running in this journey of life. We might get scared, stressed out, depressed, or frustrated but never forget that God has His promises for us. And if only we can persevere and run toward the destination of our life, we’ll receive the crown of life and we’ll become the champions with His guidance. (-fon-)
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Blessed is the Man
O LORD Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in you.
--- Psalm 84:12
Yes, blessed is the man who trusts in you, oh Lord. Let our days be the days of counting our blessing and cherish the feeling that made us realize how blessed we are! (-fon-)
Merciful
It’s kind of sad that if we can’t forgive one another. We tend to have much hatred and vengeful heart. However, we need to try to be merciful, as our Father is merciful. Ask Him for more mercy to fill our heart, the one that comes from His merciful heart.
(-fon-)
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
--- Luke 6:36
God of Peace
O GOD OF PEACE,
it is a delight to gather with your people in your holy presence.
Fill us with your desire for peace
so that we may speak and act for harmony in our homes,
our communities, and your world. Amen.
–Psalm 122, adapted by Jo Hoover
- Jo Hoover
Upper Room Worshipbook: Music and Liturgies for Spiritual Formation
Our God is God of peace, that’s why we need to make sure that our act shows that way. (-fon-)
33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
--- 1 Corinthians 14:33a
Glory to God
Hosanna! Lift Him up!
Let all the glory and honor for Him alone.
He deserves to receive all the glory, honor, praises, and thanksgiving. For Him and Him alone. Let everyday be the day to celebrate the glory of the Lord! (-fon-)
(-fon-)
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
--- Luke 2:14
God is Our Victory
I woke up this morning, searched for one song that could lift up my spirit. And my choice was God is our Victory, a song from the TrueWorshipper.
YOU’RE THE ONE WHO STANDS BEFORE US
YOU’RE THE ONE WHO BROUGHT US OUT FROM THE DARKNESS
YOU’RE THE MIGHTY GOD WHO SAVES US
WHEN THE STORMS AND FIRES ARE RAGING ALL AROUND US
IF GOD IS FOR US WHO’LL STAND AGAINST US?
WHO CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST?
IF GOD IS FOR US WHO CAN DIVIDE US?
YOU HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD BY YOUR GREAT LOVE
LET GOD ARISE, LET GOD ARISE
LET US BEHOLD HIM AND BOW DOWN
HE LEADS US ALL THROUGH BATTLES WON
GOD IS OUR VICTORY, WE SHALL RISE
GOD IS OUR VICTORY
Music and lyrics by Sidney Mohede
Arranged by Daniel Sigarlaki
Who can separate us from the love of the Christ? He’ll lead us all through battles won. Yes, God is OUR VICTORY! (-fon-)
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
