God in dark moments.

In the midst of tragedy, God crafts the most remarkable story. He intricately weaves his thread and tailors a narrative that is tailored perfectly. Although his presence may be invisible in the darkest moments of our lives, upon reflection, we can only truly appreciate it once the tragedy has passed and the darkness has dissipated. It is during these moments that we realize that our lives are made up of a carefully designed story, customized by God specifically for us.

These tailor-made stories contain countless blessings, often in the form of small victories that occur every day. From cherished time spent with family, to the warmth and intimacy shared with our spouses, to the peaceful moments of solitude, and even the beauty of a sunny day that brightens our spirits - each of these is a testament to God's hand in our lives. However, it is essential that we open our eyes and perceive these blessings. Nothing makes God's presence more apparent than cultivating a heart filled with gratitude.

So, let us acknowledge that amidst tragedy, God is crafting a magnificent narrative. He is working behind the scenes, stitching together a story that encompasses both joy and sorrow. And as we embrace a heart of gratitude, we will begin to see the intricate details of the story unfold, revealing the blessings that were woven within every chapter.

Casting our cares upon Him

I've been feeling incredibly lonely and bitter lately, though I've been trying my best to hide it. Unfortunately, it has manifested itself in various ways, particularly in how I treat those closest to me and my overall attitude towards life.

Bitterness can unknowingly affect all aspects of our relationships, especially those with the people closest to us. As we strive to regain our peace and joy, we often find ourselves faced with frustration, heartbreak, and even depression. In such moments, it can be helpful to surrender everything to God. However, that's easier said than done, isn't it? What does it truly mean to hand it over to God?

These words are frequently heard within Christian circles, but I never fully grasped the significance of simply saying, "God, take it all." I didn't realize that this wouldn't guarantee that the same issues wouldn't resurface. In reality, doing so can either increase my frustration or make me feel like a hypocrite, continuously reviving the pain I had entrusted to God.

So, what does it actually mean to leave it to God? After all, the Scripture says, "Cast all your cares upon me, for I care for you" (1 Peter 5:7). Does it mean throwing my hands up in the air and leaving my troubles behind? Should I kneel down and pray, asking the Lord to take it away and never bring it back to haunt me? Well, it's not as straightforward as that, especially when I know that these problems persistently haunt me like a contagious disease.

No, simply saying those words won't magically make my problems disappear. Instead, true surrender to God happens when I've done everything in my power and followed His commands, words, and sought counsel from trusted individuals. It's when I've exhausted all avenues and no longer have control over the situation that I can fully surrender my concerns to the One who can make the impossible possible.

God still in the miracle business today.

God is a divine being who performs countless miracles. I experienced several of these miracles when I was traveling to visit my mother. Despite missing the train on two occasions, I believe God guided me onto the right path. Many things could have gone wrong, and I could have ended up at the wrong stop. I vividly remember feeling helpless and resigned to waiting until 4:00 p.m. for the next train, which would have meant hours of delay. However, miraculously, God opened doors for me, and I managed to catch the right train after several connections. This experience reaffirmed my belief in the ongoing presence of miracles in our lives.

Sometimes, we may try to explain away God's miracles by creating our own stories or denying their existence altogether. However, deep down, most of us recognize that these events cannot be attributed to chance. Every person understands that they possess inherent limitations and that some situations, such as being delivered from adversity or misfortune, cannot be explained by ordinary means. This is where the miracle lies; it is God's way of working through various connections to bridge the gaps in our lives. Even amidst the chaos that envelops our world, God continues to operate. If only we open our eyes and recognize His presence, we can witness His works and acknowledge His involvement.

Faith, as little as a mustard seed.

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Matthew 17:20

Concerning the disciples inquiry in the previous verse about not being able to cast out devils from a possessed child, the simple answer to their question lies in unbelief. Unbelief is a primary issue that limits every Christian. In Christianity today, unbelief is a prevalent problem that hinders the manifestation of faith. Fasting, while secondary to faith, can be a valuable tool to build up one's faith. However, it is important to note that fasting without faith becomes mere religiosity.

As believers, our foundation should be rooted in faith. Faith is the bedrock of Christianity, and it is through faith that we can overcome unbelief and effectively cast out any obstacles in our lives. While fasting can be incorporated into our lifestyle to enhance our faith, it is essential to prioritize the development and strengthening of our faith first.

By nurturing our faith and incorporating fasting as a supportive practice, we can walk in the fullness of what it means to be a believer and experience the transformation and power that faith brings.

In verse 20, Jesus used the metaphor of a grain of mustard seed to illustrate a powerful truth. He encouraged his disciples to have faith, stating that if they had even a small amount of faith like a mustard seed, they could command a mountain of obstacles to be removed. Here, the mountain symbolizes the challenges and barriers that we may face in our lives.

Consider, what are the obstacles that you currently face? It could be problems, difficulties, or limitations in various aspects of life. Jesus assures us that if we approach these obstacles with faith and in alignment with God's will, nothing will be impossible. This means that, no matter how daunting or insurmountable your obstacles may seem, through faith and the guidance of God, you have the power to overcome them.

Like a tiny mustard seed that grows into a large tree, your faith, even if initially small, can bring about amazing transformations and breakthroughs. Trust in God's plan, have faith, and approach your challenges with confidence, knowing that with God's help, nothing can stand in your way.

Denying oneself to follow Jesus.

 Luke 9:23, it is mentioned that one must deny oneself and take up their cross daily to follow Jesus. This indicates that our commitment to follow Jesus is not limited to just Sundays or occasional acts of fasting or self-deprivation. It is meant to be a daily practice.

Each day, we are called to walk in the pathway of following Jesus. This means that we should continually deny ourselves and carry our cross, embracing the challenges, obstacles, conflicts, and issues that arise daily. It involves surrendering our own desires and preferences in order to align ourselves with Jesus’ teachings and example.

The call to daily deny ourselves and take up our cross reminds us that following Jesus is an ongoing journey, requiring a consistent commitment to align our lives with His will. It goes beyond isolated moments of devotion and extends to every aspect of our daily lives.

Choosing to save one's life can lead to a slump in their spiritual journey due to various life issues, setbacks, and the pursuit of personal interests. However, Jesus advises that those who prioritize their own comforts and assurances will ultimately lose the true meaning and fulfillment of life. On the other hand, those who embrace the will of God and refuse to let life's obstacles, setbacks, and assurances deter them, will discover a life that goes beyond their expectations. In essence, when you surrender to God's plan and purpose, you realize that you hadn't truly lost anything.

Walking in the will of God does not guarantee a life free of challenges. In fact, issues may resurface along the way. However, the Lord grants strength to press through these difficulties and, in turn, we emerge stronger. The disciples themselves abandoned the comfort of their old lives, as well as their assurances and reputations, in order to follow Jesus. As a result, they became extraordinary individuals who accomplished extraordinary things for God.

Therefore, by relinquishing our personal desires and fully embracing God's will, we can experience a life that surpasses our expectations. Though challenges may arise, the strength and guidance of the Lord will lead us to new heights and enable us to become extraordinary instruments in His hands.

Who is Jesus to you?

“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”

Matthew 16:17

It is worth noting that our understanding of Christ cannot solely come from human interactions or observations. The true revelation of Christ cannot be attained through the limitations of flesh and blood. Even though individuals may have been physically present with Christ, they were unable to fully comprehend his true nature unless they were guided by the Spirit of God.

While Jesus had family members, none of them truly knew the depth of who he was, except for Peter, who received divine revelation through the Spirit. This highlights the importance of having a personal and spiritual connection with God to truly understand and experience the reality of Christ in our lives.

So, how real is Christ to you? It is essential to realize that the revelation of Christ comes from the Spirit, not from mere human understanding. Our relationship with Jesus can only be deepened and made known to us through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the revelations granted by our Heavenly Father.

Lord, Save me!

 “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” - Matthew 14:30

Until that moment, Peter’s focus remained on Jesus, keeping his eyes fixed on Him with steadfast faith. However, as soon as he shifted his gaze towards the unsettling surroundings and allowed fear and doubt to creep in, the wind intensified. Distractions pulled Peter’s eyes away from Jesus, fixating them on the wind. Immediately, he began to sink in the water. This relatable experience serves as a reminder for every believer. When storms arise, our challenge is to consistently keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, a task that can prove to be arduous.

In this moment of desperation, Peter uttered the shortest prayer recorded in the Bible, pleading, “Lord save me!” This prayer reveals that there is no need for lengthiness or pretentiousness in our prayers. There is no place for rehearsed or gimmicky religious expressions. Instead, we should simply cry out to the Lord, humbly and honestly, with those three powerful words: “Lord, save me

The Brokenhearted

God interacts with people differently when they endure pain than when they experience pleasure. During enjoyable times, it may seem as though man's heart is distant from God, even questioning His existence. On the contrary, during moments of pain, a person's heart may become weary, yet remained open and receptive. It is through this receptive state that God reaches out and draws close to the individual. Interestingly, someone with a broken heart is considered to be in a better position than someone who has never experienced such pain. This is because scripture implies that God is closest to those who bear a broken heart.

Knowledge explosion

The determination of whether knowledge is true or not lies with the provider of the information, rather than the receiver.

One of the prominent signs of the last days is that, due to the vast abundance of knowledge in the world, people may become solely reliant on their own understanding, rather than seeking wisdom from God or embracing godliness. In our present time, knowledge is easily accessible, at our fingertips. We have tutorial videos and a wealth of information available for various tasks. However, this explosion of knowledge also poses a risk of breeding widespread laziness and apathy. It is important to recognize that having access to knowledge does not automatically translate to being able to apply it in all scenarios. There is a significant distinction between knowing how to fix a car and actually carrying out the repairs. One is theory, while the other is practical. Merely attending school and sitting in classrooms may not be sufficient to eliminate ignorance; knowledge must be put to the test and practiced to truly understand it.

As we mature and gain experiences within the knowledge we possess, it transforms into practical knowledge. This is why God helps us grow within the knowledge we have. As stated in Luke 12:48, to those who have been given much knowledge, much is expected. The more knowledge we acquire, the greater the challenges we may face. Knowledge is an active virtue that requires practice and application. If we do not actively engage and use our knowledge, we risk losing it over time.

The foundation of the believer in Christ.

If I adhere to the truth dictated by others, I will lose my true self. However, if I follow the truth of God, I will always discover my authentic identity.

To summarize, any teachings about God that do not encompass repentance, resurrection, forgiveness, and sanctification are considered incorrect doctrines. Any self-help teachings are rooted in earthly desires, sensuality, and negative influences, and have no place among the community of believers.

While it is helpful to reference biblical theology, historical events, and prophecies when presenting the truth to the dying world, believers must remain attentive and spiritually aware that the foundation of our faith should be centered on what Paul and the New Testament believers strived for: knowing Christ, experiencing the power of His resurrection, and sharing in His sufferings, even to the point of death (Philippians 3:8-10).

This is where our faith flourishes, where believers grow and mature, rather than seeking external sources.