In and Out

It’s shameful and embarrassing how people who claim to be “Christians” nowadays aren’t acting like how they should. I’m not saying I’m “Holier than thou” because I’m just as imperfect as the next person but I don’t leave my burden and responsibility as a believer the moment I step out of the church. What I’ve noticed is, a lot of brothers and sisters have been taking advantage of the privilege to know God. You can have a spotless attendance record to all your church meetings and services but if you don’t apply what you learn and get morph back into the world when you set-foot outside church, then there’s something wrong with your understanding of truly “taking up one’s cross.”

Jesus died for us. He could have escaped if He willed it to be, but no. He knew the Scripture had to be fulfilled. He knew that His death would mean life for all of us and so He did even though we didn’t know Him yet. Can you just imagine how much love that required? Sure, we would be willing to sacrifice our lives for our loved ones…but a stranger? Yeah. I didn’t think so. But Jesus did; He overcame death. When Jesus preached in synagogues and churches did He change when everyone has left and He sets out to do other things? No. He was the same IN and OUT of the church. He didn’t act a certain way in church and then act another when He was alone. Submitting ourselves to Christ doesn’t mean we become two-sided. One side we use for show at church and the other for all other situations. No. Submission is denying of one’s self.

Those of us who have been found are called on to reach out to other lost brothers and sisters. May God bless us that we be vessels through which His love overflows to His other children. Don’t just attend church without fellowship. Don’t just read the Bible without gaining His Truth. Don’t just say “I’m Christian” without taking up your cross and truly following Christ.

Fear of the Unknown

People have this tendency to be hesitant to accept change. A lot of them fear getting out of their routines. Even though the change might be for the better, most would choose to stay in their current situation because it’s familiar.

I’d like to relate this to people who have just started to know or experience God’s greatness. They’ve been living the way they have been for so long that they see no need for change; change that is to accept Christ and adjust their lives so that they could put God in the center. A lot would feel it would be such a hassle when they’re able to get by anyway. Well, you’re just living an “okay” life; don’t you want to experience life to the fullest? We can’t see God. We can’t touch Him. But isn’t it the same with oxygen? We can’t actually see it. We can neither touch nor get hold of it too. But does it change the fact that we need it?

Maybe we don’t feel the need for God in our lives right away like if we were deprived of oxygen for a few minutes and the next thing we know we’re dead. God is merciful and He knows we are weak. He takes care of everyone even if they don’t seek Him yet. Before I came to know God, He’s already been making ways. He let me meet this friend who became the bridge for me to know Christ. He worked in so many people in so many ways just so He could bring me back to Him. I’ll admit, I wasn’t that quick to accept the change, but I gradually did. And may I just add: it is a wonderful and by far the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

Realizing that we are sinners and are weak without Him is the first step to pursuing our relationship with the Father. All we have to do next is to accept Jesus as our Savior and receive Christ. The Father has been longing to reunite all His children and to bring them back to Him.

Will you take the leap of faith?

“Listen to the Sound”-Building 429

I wanted to share with you the band I’ve been adoring recently. The image above is their album cover for “Listen to the Sound” which was release last year, 2011. I found their song “Where I Belong” on top of a Christian songs chart and fell in love when I listened to the song. I was so excited when I was able to get a copy of the songs and I’ve been playing them on my iPod since.

If you want to hear something refreshing and at the same time to praise the Lord, check their songs out. I’ve been struggling with how to detach myself from worldly things and this is one step closer to my goal, I guess. I’ve been looking for Christian artists and songs to satisfy my ears’ craving for music without having to compromise my faith. A lot of mainstream music such as pop and all are catchy and have well-written music but then contain not-so-good lyrics that talk about drinking and partying.

Building 429 definitely brings glory to His name through their music. Very upbeat, rock-ish–since they’re a Christian rock band–but still has substance and the lyrics are sincere.

Here’s the list of songs off their album, in case you’d like to check them out on Youtube:

1.Made for You
2.Right Beside You
3.One Foot
4.Listen to the Sound
5.War Zone
6.Where I Belong
7.You Save Me
8.Walls are Coming Down
9.Love has been Spoken
10.Awaken Us

My personal favorites are “Where I Belong” and “You Save Me.” Happy listening and happy praising!

Casting My Worries unto God

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.”-Psalm 18:2

My mood was like a rollercoaster last night. I came across a quote on Tumblr saying: “It’s sad when the people you had the best memories with become a memory.”

See, I had this best friend. We’ve known each other since but we really became close only during the recent years. I trusted BF with everything and I’d like to think BF did the same. If I needed help, BF would be there and if BF needed mine, I was always ready to.

But when we were ending senior year, things got rocky for our friendship. Things happened that I don’t want to reminisce about anymore because it gets too vivid for me to bear. We don’t get to talk anymore. It’s like a wall’s been built between us overnight.

When I had my morning devotion today, I sang “Here I am to Worship.” The chorus goes: “Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that You’re my God. You’re all together lovely, all together worthy, all together wonderful to me.” And then the bridge: “I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin up on the cross.”

Then when I prayed on my knees suddenly tears came. I just felt so silly and foolish to even think that I was hurt and damaged way too much to heal when my Father sent His Son to save sinners who didn’t even know or love Him yet. I’m officially submitting all the worries, hurt, anger, and pain that I felt to my Lord. He is my rock. He will sustain me and He alone is sufficient.

I don’t need anything besides you, Lord. You are my all and with You I can do anything. Lord, I cast all my worries, hurt, anger, pain and all emotions of the like onto You. That I may be rid of those emotions that bind me, making me not able to worship You with a pure heart. Help me, Father. In You alone I trust.

Reflection: What am I Living for?

After hearing Jeremy’s testimony (found on my previous post) I started to reflect on what I was living for.

I grew up as a grade-conscious kid. You could say that my mom helped contribute to that, but I know she meant well. She always pushed me to outdo myself and to become better. She knew that to prepare me for future endeavors, she’d have to instill discipline and equip me. I’ve been in the honor roll from prep ’til now–not to brag, because really, I’m by far not the best in math or science. As I grew up though, I learned that grades indeed didn’t measure how good or smart a student is; it is merely the result of one’s hard work. Still, I admit, I am still grade-conscious. It’s how I grew up but I believe I am not blinded to the point of cheating just for the grades. No. I just don’t see the satisfaction of getting high grades but knowing they weren’t of one’s own labor.

When I got to high school, I still got not-so-bad grades but I wasn’t really at the top of my class. I guess the only reason my mom pushes me is she knows I can. Only if I really put my heart to it. For the first three years of my high school life, I really pushed myself. There were times I’d get frustrated because even though I studied hard, I didn’t get the grades I wanted.

Looking back, I guess we can all see why I got frustrated and what’s wrong with that whole mindset. I equated my happiness with the grades I got. This is only one of the things I struggled with. You see, I based my happiness on perishable things. 

After I submitted my life to God which was during my fourth year in high school, my perspective changed. I said that I wouldn’t force being getting to the top but I will study well and do my best for my Lord.  I started to do things not for my parents, not for myself, nor for anybody else, but for GOD. Praise the Lord, He blessed me that I got to pass my college entrance exams and He even opened a new door for me that I would never have thought was possible!

When I sought for my own success, happiness, and praise I achieved nothing. But when I put the Lord first and sought Him first, He began to work in and through me. I started to give Him the glory for whatever little I achieve because I acknowledge that only through His will and help am I able to do anything.

I may stray away sometimes, fall off track, but I know that my God is faithful. Through prayer I know I can overcome the same way Jesus did. I am not saying that it is okay, but it is a reality of being a human.

I submit my life to you, O Lord, all I do is for your glory. Help me to shun away fame, glory, and praise for myself but rather bring Your name praise!