God Shouldn't Need Us

      Have you ever asked and thought really deep in your mind, “Where did God come from”? I pretty much think you did, like me. “If creations were made by God, who made God?..Why is there existence...Why is the universe infinitely immeasurable...What if there was no God and there was no space...What does “nothing” look like?” Ponder for a few seconds and you'll get a headache. Ask "Where did we come from?" has easy answer or answers (Biblical or evolutionistic).

    We can't really answer the first question. That's the only thing hopeless to think and useless. Just like the song goes, "Welcome to the planet, welcome to existence, everyone's here...." (by Switchfoot). Asking the question where did God come from isn't important, is it? The answer, we'll never know! There is so much that we know which is important and worth thinking. God was wise when all He need to tell was "In the beginning, He created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1). We are here, existing, mortals, and can't do anything about it. We need each other, we cannot live alone. We struggle and enjoy life's moments.

     Now this life has a purpose. God can't just create us for nothing.

     Read Science encyclopedias or watch NatGeo or Discovery Channel and you are not alone being in awe of the beautiful planet earth and the massive universe and space. Our size on earth or the earth itself inside the Universe is out-of-words to tell. We can only use light years for estimation of distances of stars and galaxies. We are so tiny. Tinier than the smallest particle ever discovered when we compare ourselves to all of God’s creations. But have you realized the most amazing thing? This huge God of Wonders wants us. Should he be concerned about us? Come on, he’s God, he can get all he want apart from man. But guess what, He didn’t just care for us, He gave us the gift of eternal life and the fullest life on earth possible. He made a way to connect with man.

     When I look at the painting The Creation of Adam by Michaelangelo, oh a picture is worth a thousand words. To realize what I realized about the picture, I’ll illustrate it this way: Let’s say you’re God and you created ants. Isn’t it fun and we get curious about the ant’s life? They are so interesting. Yes, you will know your creations of course, what they think, how they feel, how they live, but it’s still different; You wouldn’t really feel and understand their real innermost thoughts and feelings unless, you become them and live among them. That is what God just did. He only knows that men are rebellious. He saw no one righteous. Everyone turned away from their Creator – which we’re all guilty about. All men are selfish, wanting own freedom, neglecting that they are just creations under a God. Now I’m not talking about a bossy egoistic God. Actually it’s totally the opposite. This God created us special among all creations. He gave us the breath of life – His Spirit in us (Genesis 2:7). He gave us free will and didn't make us robots because His pleasure is in His relationship with us. Now the righteous judge was angry with all people who turned away from Him. The word justice gives us a conclusion that sin must be punished. Don’t you kill germs, mosquitoes and other pests that annoy you? Why, because it’s man’s instinct to end a life of a harmful organism which cannot fight back. What if God did the same? He didn’t, because He loved us – and that is the most amazing thing! But how did He manage His wrath for all mankind? Instead of bringing death He sent His Son to pay for us. God the Son Jesus Christ lived among us in fully human form. He did not live as a King but as a slave, lower status than a normal human. Just like a human he experienced joy, friendship, love, anger, pain, suffering and loss. The only exception was eros love to keep Him pure because He’s set apart. He struggled with temptation yet He didn’t sin. He was the most rejected man. Even the Father have forsaken Him while dying on the cross (see Matthew 27:46). For Romans, dying on a cross is a curse and Jesus became the curse for all men. God cannot have fellowship with sin and Jesus on that cross became the sin of all men. After three days He rose again from death to fulfill the plan of God of Salvation for all mankind.

     Now God is not mad at us but whoever believes in the Son Jesus Christ, will not receive God’s wrath anymore, but have eternal life with Him. To those who have believed and received Christ as his or her personal Lord and Savior, “As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12).

     God has an invitation to all – to turn away from your old pointless life and to come to the cross because He loved the world so much that He gave His Son to die for the people. And Jesus Christ already died so that you can turn away from the sinful self and be reconciled to our loving God and live the most fulfilling life – the life set by God with a purpose.:)

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Being Brown

          As a Filipino whose ancestors were Spanish and natives and mixed Asian races, I was born with a brown skin. Most Filipinos especially women or Filipinas wants to be fair-skinned. Today, more and more Filipinas become obsessed about being whiter. They envy the color of Caucasians (white people) and the fairer-skinned races of Asia like the Chinese, especially like the skin of K-pop stars. No wonder whitening products are booming in the country. 

          While most girls are crazy about getting white, I have no interest of getting whiter. Maybe a fairer, soft, moisturized skin I would prefer of course but you can’t convince me to buy a glutathione product (which is known to effectively whiten skin). I do not go crazy about it. I don’t like myself to be darker nor whiter. I consider myself blessed for the color of my race, my nationality, which is brown. I am satisfied with what God gave me. Everyone is beautiful in their own way. Every color is beautiful in its unique way. For me white people are beautiful. Black women are beautiful. Japanese and Koreans are beautiful. Brown race is beautiful. What’s ordinary in somebody’s sight is extraordinary in another’s sight. Brown people envy the White and White people envy Brown people’s skin as well.

     In elementary, there’s a legend of people’s color and it was one of my favorite reads in our textbooks. It says there that when God created man, He molded it from clay and cooked it. He took a walk until he forgot that he’s cooking his creation and smelled something toasted. Therefore when it came out it was Black. That was the first Black man. He made man again because the first one was considered fail. He took a walk again but being careful He took the man out of the some sort of his cooking pan but it’s too early when he took it out, so it came out white. That was the first White man. He made a mold again and became more careful this time. He watched over what he’s cooking and when he took it out it was Brown – just the way he wants it to be – and that was the first Brown man which is considered the “perfect” color.

     It’s a funny and a bit interesting story for me until now and I like the story. I’m not saying that other colors are less preferable than brown. There are some better qualities of each color. I envy white ladies because any color of dress or make up fits them. They have less problem on choosing what to wear. The negative thing is they have the thinnest hair strands (blondes). Their hair is weakest among all colors. But any color of hair looks good to them. Black people have the most melanin which makes them most protected from the Sun that causes skin cancer or other diseases. They also have the strongest hair (curly). Brown race are mostly in between. (You see, we are blessed in different ways!) What’s good about being brown rather than white is it contains more melanin which keeps us  more protected from the sun and the cancerous effects of UV rays. I also like earthy colors.

     Famous celebrities in the Philippines especially the women really invest on their skin and have maintenance. I don’t think that’s called confidence. Well yeah, it gives them confidence but it’s not natural, they need to maintain it. I don’t aim to be one if I had too many excess money one day. Maybe to be taller yes, but not whiter. But of course I will keep my skin healthy.

     I’m proud to be Brown, proud to be Filipino:)

     “God created us all equal... But Everyone is unique... Everyone has his own identity and personality! We should not judge anyone! Nobody on earth has the right to judge a person for who he was born to be! We are all flowers in the garden of God! And everyone has his own color and his unique scent!” - Ziad Maher

  

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 God saw all that he had made and it was very good... - Genesis 1:31a

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Martial Arts: Abomination to God?

          When I was young I learned from my mom that “Taekwondo”, a martial art which she enrolled in, is a sin. She said that after learning that, she stopped practicing the self-defensive martial art and burned her book about it. I’d never understand. Somehow I learned that meditation, trances, any spiritual activity apart from God is of course, a sin. As I grew up I didn’t mind about it. I adore martial arts I like watching Jackie Chan movies and for me it’s cool. One day I read a post on a social networking site that Martial Arts is a sin in the eyes of God. So far no pastor or church leader told me that it’s true yet.

          So why do some people say this? Are they jealous or insecure with martial artists or just plain nuts?

          While I was pondering through the thought, (actually while watching an action movie featuring excellent martial art skills…because I’m careful about what I watch, “is it ok with God if I watch this?”… “is there something in the movie that can make me think of things which do not please God’?)  I realized, though the movie is good, for general patronage, “Aha! This movie is not Christian. It’s not inspired by God.” While the actors are fighting, I realized that martial art is for self-defense. It’s a profession. It’s something where you should spend much of time and a serious time if you want to learn. And this martial arts is not from God. It’s from cults. Though we can say it’s an “art”, martial arts came up to defend selves. There’s nothing bad about learning how to defend ourselves. But to be an expert on it, and spend the most of your life on it, or on a daily basis, so just you can be sure to defend yourself from killers, kidnappers or rapists? It’s relying on your own strength. It’s what I have realized that it totally bypasses the Presence of God who has promised to take care of those who trust in Him. He said He will never leave us nor forsake us. Martial art skills are practiced because people who originated it do not lean on the protection of the Almighty God. It is practiced to protect them and sometimes kill their harmful enemies.

          Am I now saying that martial art is evil? No, definitely not. I am not telling you to stop doing it. I have just stated my thoughts on how it originated. I could learn skills on self defense, that would be definitely and has been totally helpful to many lives, but maybe because life is short I will not think of being expert on it. Besides, I don’t think someone is going to kill me. Besides, death cannot separate me from God. But, my point is, safety is not the absence of danger but the presence of the LORD.

          Is martial art a sin? I don't know, examine yourself why would you want to practice it. I won’t give a yes or a no. Only God knows our thoughts and our hearts to judge if what we’re doing is done for his glory and pleases Him. Peace and blessings to all!

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31    

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Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6 

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History is His Story

“History is His Story”. I’m not sure where I first saw this mind-blowing statement. I googled who really quoted it and I found Mr. Peter Kreeft, on his book “The GodWho Loves You.” —“Like white light refracted through a prism and split into many colors, God’s eternal love-nature, expressed through the prism of time, becomes God’s multicolored love story. History is His story.”

When you search for the real etymology of the word “history” it’s not really derived from “his story”. But I always believe in amazing things we see even small things, it’s because God has let His kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. I haven’t read Peter Krefft’s book yet but it’s a simple but profound truth. In a Biblical view, indeed, history is all about Him. And this history is the reason why we are here.

In the New Testament particularly in the very first book of the Bible called Genesis, we will find the history of the earth and everything in the universe. It says “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1). In the New testament (gospel of John), we can see the role of Jesus Christ “in the beginning” saying: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) You should continue reading the verses of the whole chapter to understand more. A supporting verse is Colossians 1:16 and lots of other content of the Bible: “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.”

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6

It’s amazing to think that this God came in human form and “dwelt among us” (John 1:14) to save our souls from God’s wrath. His perfect blood was made atonement for the whole wretched humanity’s sins, and reconciled all believers to the Father (John 3:16) and even gave the right to be called children of God! (John 1:12)

Another verse I should have put on the typography (picture) above (but just a sub-supporting verse) is Matthew 1:21: “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Take a look at “because he will save his people from their sins”! The God from the very beginning made a beginning – a new start in the life of all sinners when he came in an innocent form of a baby and died innocently on the cross and then rose again! He is the reason for the season – and in every season!

It doesn’t matter what’s the exact date of His birthday, but because God has let His Kingdom come on earth, He made His children celebrate and truly rejoice in what we call “Christmas” :)

If God and Spirits Aren't Real

It was All Saints Day – “Feast of the Dead” and I just realized something. This is for those who don’t believe in God, who also don’t believe, or are skeptic on the spiritual world believing what we can only see is what exists. I tried to research first if atheists who don’t believe in God somehow believe in ghosts or spirits, and this is what I got:

“No. Atheism by strict definition is the lack of a belief in gods, but it's generally extended to the lack of a belief in any supernatural entity or substance. That includes ghosts, spirits, souls, angels, demons, vampires, elves, boogeymen, unicorns, phoenixes and the energies of karma, chi, the Holy Spirit, life-force or The Force.” (source: asktheatheist.com)

If what they stand on is true, why are we able to watch horror films if they are not inspired by real events (we call supernatural) in this world? Atheists don’t believe in God, in the Holy Spirit, as well as demons. But, we can watch “The Exorcist” (a true-life based movie), “Paranormal Activity” (whom lots of people/families have true life experiences and testimonies). There are countless movies, tv shows and stories like those – inspired by the works of the spiritual (evil) world. Google if atheists believe in ghosts and yes, there are lots of them who do. The big question for them is, “How can (these) atheists believe in ghosts and not in the Holy Spirit”?

Spirits are real. God is spirit – God is real. But the scary fact is Demons are real. But honestly, we should cease arguing about the existence of demons and concern ourselves by what the demons are actually doing. What do they do? Promote false religion; Seeks to stop the specific purpose of God for your life and family’s life; Blinds people to the truth of the gospel; Oppress people; they can possess people who have not committed their lives to Jesus. What should be our response to the reality of demons: First and foremost, Believe God and the One He sent who died on the cross and died for our sins to reconcile us to Himself – in the Name of Jesus Christ, His Son. And then, we can trust to use God’s power greater than our own. We must stand in God’s protection by putting on the whole armor of God (See Ephesians 6:10-13).

(Some credits to ourdailyjourney.org “Demons are Real”)

            God is real. Spirits are real. Flesh sees the flesh and all visible things in the world; but the spirit of the person sees the spiritual realm. Ever since the beginning before the world was made, the Holy forces and evil forces has been battling. But God is still far greater than the evil because He’s the only one who created everything. Philosophers/skeptics will say that if God is wise, or good, why would he create evil? To say that is acknowledging God’s sovereignty – that God is still God (he just “created evil”). The truth is, God did not create evil. He didn’t created ugly evil demons. They just became demons. To understand, read the history of how demons existed. Then also read: “Why does a loving God allow evil in the world? (in a nutshell)"

            IF you’re convinced now, yes, the scary demons in the movies you watch are real. They are more scary that you think and you’ve ever seen on films especially if you learned the truth about them and where they live/where they were thrown, called “Hell”. This “hell” is not fictional. You can find it in the historically accurate book, the Bible. It tells about hell. That is scary ONLY if you haven’t really known who Jesus is. Many people go to hell when they die. Why? Because they didn’t believe in the Son of God as what the Bible says. God did NOT create hell for people. He made that for demons (the fallen angels). But sadly, countless souls go there. But the good news is: We can go to Heaven (God’s Kingdom) by just deciding if we want to. The Bible says “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).

We were all rebellious. We want to live our lives our own way and do not want to be under God’s control. The Bible says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23); and, “There is no one righteous, not even one.” (Romans 3:10). And according to Romans 6:23, “therefore we deserve death” – punishment – hell. BUT, there is also a “but” in that verse. How? Read that again.

God loves us so much and He doesn’t want anyone to perish. He wants everyone to come to Him. People go to hell because of rejecting that. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). Because everybody “fall short” of the glory of God, nobody obeyed Him, He offered His own Son – the only perfect One. He made His own way just so we can be saved. That’s because “God so loved us!” (John 3:16). Jesus’ blood made atonement for our sins – of the whole wretched humanity. After Jesus’ agonizing pain and death on the cross and His glorious resurrection after three days in the tomb, we can now have the right to be called “Children of God” (John 1:12). We can now come boldly to His throne of GRACE. “if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9). He will take you as you are. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13)

 

What You Didn’t Believe About Jesus Christ

Everybody knows who Jesus is. Except for some who really are on remote areas of the poor non-Christian countries of course. But I mean, ask all religion and surely they know who this famous guy Jesus is. He is worshiped by some, He is simply believed as a prophet for some, or believed as a mere man, BUT they really don’t know what history and archeology can prove to the truth about Him. The best reference about this “man” is the Bible, which is a real, history book (which is not just a history book). So if you don’t believe in God, or you’re not a Christian, or you’re a “Christian” not following Jesus, I hope you’ll believe something (against what you have believed) somehow on this blog. Before I continue, you should read first the 10 AmazingBible Facts. 

            Over a period of 1,600 years, 40 different authors wrote the 66 books of the Bible. There were 400 silent years between the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 of the New Testament. Yet, Genesis to Revelation tell one unified story. (Truth or Error?)

 A summarized typography of who Jesus Is - This is my King:

            So let’s take a look at what this “historically accurate” Bible tells about Creation, connecting it to Jesus Christ:

OLD TESTAMENT (Creation):

“In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1

NEW TESTAMENT (The Gospel of John):

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. – John 1:1

The “Word” pertains to Jesus Christ, the prophesied Savior of the world. Yes, this is a Jesus, whose birth was prophesied and whose birth was written in our historical book, the Bible, hundreds of years before His birth. There is no other Messiah whose birth was prophesied. If there is another true, Savior, why weren’t their birth foretold? His life was foretold and written by many prophets such as Isaiah and Micah.

Notice that the beginning of the Old Testament, used the words “In the beginning”, telling about who was in the beginning; just like as the first book of the Bible, Genesis said about the beginning.

Analyzing the next verses of the same chapter of John, clearly tells us the Jesus had eternally existed – that the Trinity is true.:

²He was with God in the beginning.

³Through Him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

⁴In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.

⁵The light shines in the darkness but the darkness has not understood (in other version, “has not overcome” it)

¹⁰He was in the world and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.

¹¹He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

¹²Yet to all who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

¹⁴The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have…..

¹⁷For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

verse ¹⁸ mentions “God – the One and Only”. In the Filipino translation, “Siya’y Diyos” (“He is God”).

We cannot glorify the Father if we can’t give all the glory to the Son. Some might say, “We love Jesus but He’s not our true God… We honor Jesus but never greater than the Father.” That’s crazy because they are “One”. “Whoever glorifies the Son glorifies the Father. “that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.” – John 5:23 “All things were made by Him and through Him. Without him nothing was made that has been made.” – John 1:3. “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” – Colossians 1:16. Jesus is the Son of God therefore He is God. Just as the offspring of a dog is a dog and the son of a human is a human. THEY ARE ONE (“I and the Father are One” – John 10:30) just as a husband and wife are one. The Trinity explains this.

          

            I don’t think we can worship the Father to the fullest without realizing and acknowledging first the great love and sacrifice that Jesus made for us to bring us life. It’s no wonder those who dominate praise and worship music (in the category of religion) are the “born again”. Now this is not a religion (there’s no other term for the category). “Born again” are what you call the people who were “born of God” (John 1:12)

¹²Yet to all who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

“Born again because we were all born out of our mother’s womb, but the Bible says “UNLESS a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

 

Name a few of the born again churches/artists are Hillsong, Planetshakers, Jesus Culture, Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, Lecrae (with his other fellow Hiphop/rap gospel artists) and a lot, lot more.

How do these artists make such beautiful top-grossing music that touches the soul and touch many people’s hearts? The secret is that the Holy Spirit is living in them. This could take another blog to explain, but simplifying it, you can only receive the Holy Spirit once you are born again. It is a promise by Jesus. Once you were born again, the Holy Spirit automatically dwells in you and it will keep you in your walk with God until the day the Lord comes. You can write all your “Christian” or “worship” songs but it’s still dead without the inspiration of the Spirit in the writer and the anointing on the singer and even the musicians.

Other deceived religions sing their songs but they don’t even know the statement of faith of the artists whose songs they sing or use. Some know it but they deny their (artists’) faith and explain that we all just have on common denominator: God.

Why did I say “deceived”? Because they are deceived that religion can save them and make them go to heaven – when the truth is Jesus can only do that. In trying to pick a religion and obey its laws and strive for self-righteousness, there is no real “birth” of the Spirit – being born again.

“Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” – John 3:3

Why can’t self-righteousness save us?

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Some might defend another discussion about if we are saved by faith alone. Just watch this video (Faith Vs. Works) or simply continue reading on verse 10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) – not through religion, not through the pope or priest or pastor, not your church BUT Jesus.

There is a religious youth organization in our locality whose favorite song is Hillsong’s “One Way (Jesus)”. They worship so alive, fully of joy with dancing and clapping and jumping, with the lyrics “One way: Jesus! You’re the only one that I could live for! One way…” and then after their praise and worship they lined-up to kiss and wipe a saint’s statue with their handkerchiefs, believing that it’s a way to show their devotion to God and it could heal their sicknesses! What a blasphemy! It could be the statue of Sto. Niño, still Jesus Christ (just the young one) but still it’s idolatry! And this “church” doesn’t only do the kissing and wiping of handkerchief to Sto. Niño but to lots of other saints.

“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God…” (Exodus 2:4-5a)

Why do these true born again people reign in worship music? Yes, because they worship “in spirit and in truth”,

“…A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” – John 4:23-24

But the true reason why “born again” artists reign in the worship music is because God has let “His kingdom come” and “His will be done” on earth as it is in Heaven. (The Lords Prayer)

Why do we even use B.C. (the antonym of A.D.), and not B.B.? Or B.A.? B.M.? or B.Z. or whose ever initial you want to put there. It’s because Christ is the true Messiah, the Savior of the world, who also made it (John 1).

Are you held back on worshipping the True God? Have you believed in a lie all your life? Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” It’s not the end yet. God wants everyone to be saved.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13

Jesus has an invitation,

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” – Matthew 11:28;  “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” – verse 30

God’s yoke is light, unlike the yoke that religion gives.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." – Revelations 3:20

John 8:38 says, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son; that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

Are you already a Christian who follows God Christ and agree with everything I say? Think again. I recommend you watch this video, “When is Confessing Jesus as Lord Not Enough?”. Or are an atheist who still don't know what life is about, you might want to watch this testimony: "Atheist Saved by the Truth of the Sovereign God".

One day "Every knee will bow; every tongue will confess" that Jesus is Lord (Romans 13:11)

This a kind of worship (one of millions of others) which God has shown that His Kingdom came and reigns and His will is being done on earth as it is in Heaven:

How Great Is Our God (World Edition)

 

How Much Will You Pay to be Fearless?

            How much will you pay to be fearless?

         There is a woman who literally has “no fear”. She has been tested many times, one inside a haunted house. She is physically unable to render the emotion of fear. It is an extremely rare genetic disorder called Urbach-Wiethe disease.

 

After knowing this kind of story, how you and I wish we are like her! Why? Simply because, although emotions, such as fear adds color to our life, fear is an unpleasant feeling. It’s a burden, we hate it. But did you know that there’s something really good and important about “fear”? You’ll find out later.

            We all have fears – from big ones like (most commonly), ghosts or “spirits”, to the smallest irrational fears like spiders or mice who don’t even dare to touch us.

            When I was younger I fear ghosts, even if I was raised Christian and my closest aunt was a lady pastor. I also fear some reptiles and bullfrogs the most. I was acrophobic and I really tremble on high places. I fear destructive phenomenon and I am a paranoid when there were earthquakes or tsunami alerts.

            Making the story short, by God’s grace that changes me everyday from glory to glory, those fears were gone. My phobias were gone. It doesn’t mean I became like a robot or like the woman I told you before who is totally emotionless about fearful things. It’s just that, in a life completely surrendered to Jesus Christ, my soul rests in Him. My life is now hidden in Him. I was a Christian a long time ago but that doesn’t mean I am fearless a long time ago. As I get to know Him more each day (by reading His Word and revealing Himself to me), I am learning to trust and find comfort in His Truth – His unfailing promises. What is that major “truth” (and promise)?: “Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so!” He also said “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

            Do I still fear things? Yes, I do, I’m human. From the simple “the teacher might give a surprise exam” to the major problems of uncertainty. I also feel pain, not just fear. Matured or “deep” Christians aren’t even excempted from these feelings. Christians are also people, and life is not always at peace or “a bed of roses”. As long as we are in this world, there is struggle; BUT, the fearlessness I have that I am talking about is rooted in an Eternal Hope planted in my soul and spirit forever. It gives courage and strength and even comfort when fears and hard situations come. The difference of the fear of Christians is it ceases quickly. It doesn’t end there. We are held by a HOPE that doesn’t dissapoint.

            Now, fear of “spirits” or snakes is nonsense to me now. I got the Holy Spirit in me, why would I fear other spirits? Jesus even said, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” (Luke 10:19)

Paranoia? Not anymore.

Psalm 91 says:

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the Lord, who is my refuge—
then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

Fear of death? Na-ah. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) If I live, I live for Christ who died for me; If I die I gain. Paradise is waiting for me – without the pain, sadness, nor dakness, for “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelations 21:4)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? (Romans 8:35) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (v. 38-39)

I said in the beginning that fear is important. Fear on what? Only to God. Psalm 111:10 says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. This fear doesn’t produce burden, but eternal life. God is not like people. He never lie and disappoint those He love. He loves us so much and He’s worthy to be the only Lord of our lives. He wants the best for us. He wants us to live a joyful, peaceful and abundant life – through Christ his Son whom He sent to redeem us from our sins. John 8:32 says “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

            “Fear God and you don’t have nothing else to fear.”

            So, how much will you pay to be fearless? By God’s grace I got it free!