DETERMINED IN PURPOSE

DETERMINED IN PURPOSE

Daniel 1 

Message:

"But Daniel RESOLVED not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way." 

v.8

Resolve, according to Encarta Dictionaries, means "to come to a firm decision about something, or cause somebody to do this". It is a strong conviction. While the word resolved means "determined in purpose". So Daniel has a strong conviction or firm decision. He was determined in purpose. What purpose? The purpose of not to defile himself with the royal food and wine. Why? What about the royal food and wine? What's wrong with it?

Before answering these questions, let's have a little background about Daniel Chapter 1. What happened here?

"In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the LORD delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand..." (Daniel 1:1-2) "The king Nebuchadnezzar then ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility--- young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve the king's palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king's table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king's service. Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. " (Daniel 1:3-6) "But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. " (v.8) 

APPLICATION: 

Imagine all the expensive food in the world served in front of you; food cooked only for a king. It must be very tempting- the color, how it was prepared and set on the table, the smell. Even the plates, spoons or fork, it must be made of gold and silver. Who would want to refuse such privilege? To eat what the king eat, the very same food only fit to be eaten by the highest ruler in the kingdom, could make you feel you are the king himself or equal to the king when it comes to food at least. Maybe the other young men thought that way. Did it not ever occur to Daniel to taste the food by dipping his finger in order to know how delicious it was? Maybe those thoughts did enter their minds but Daniel and his friends did not compromise.

Daniel resolved. It was not just any ordinary or simple decision but a firm decision -a difficult decision to come up with and that cannot be broken.

If you were in Daniel’s shoes, will you decline? Will you refuse the offer? Think about it. You are from the noble family. You are used to eat delicious food. You are used to fine dining with chandelier above your head. But not this grand. Not the food for the king, the food at the king’s table. It’s a great privilege. 

But look what Daniel and his friends did! They exchange such privilege for vegetable and water! The food for the poor! The food for the servants and the slaves! So ordinary. 

I remember when my older sister Jovy was still a child and I was only eight (if I’m not mistaken), our mother cooked “guinisang kangkong.” It was our first time to eat kangkong. My sister asked our mother what will be our viand and when she heard Mama’s answer, she was astonished and somehow a bit disgusted. “Kangkong? Isn’t that food for pigs?!” I no longer remember if my sister ate that “ginisang kangkong” or not. She really thought that kangkong are only for pigs and not for humans. We had pigs and we fed them kangkong from Lolo’s (Grandpa’s) “kangkongan” –a marsh or something where kangkong are planted- so we cannot blame her for thinking that way. 

Well, maybe you think the same way. “Eww! Green leafy vegetable? Am I a goat?!” I know many people who do not eat vegetable. When I was a child, the only vegetable I was able to put inside my mouth was squash. So I believe most if not all of us can relate to this story. You know how difficult it was for Daniel to decide to eat the grass called vegetable and the tasteless and colorless liquid called water. 

Some of you may be thinking, “Why not eat BOTH the ‘vegetable and water’ and ‘the royal food and wine’? You can eat the delicious royal food, drink the wine, and eat the vegetable (as a side dish) to keep you healthy. Why not indeed! 

Daniel DID NOT compromise. He knew what the royal food and wine can do to him. It will defile him. It will make him unclean. 

Unclean food in the Old Testament: 

· Food sacrificed to idols 

· Foods written in Leviticus 11 

I cannot be certain what food exactly is the royal food. I am not a historian. ^__^ All I am certain of is that it will surely make them unclean and eating such food that could make them unclean is a violation to the Law of God- the Law Daniel so determined not to violate! He is an Israelite, the chosen people of God. He is from a royal/noble family. He was one of the young men chosen to serve the king Nebuchadnezzar. He passed all the qualifications e.g. without physical defect, handsome, etc. And he wants to keep that! He did not want to degrade himself. He knows the law and he abides in it. He knows what pleases God. He knows the heart of God. In fact, Daniel had a very close relationship with God and is even called today as the most prayerful man. Again, he didn’t want to defile himself. 

So what does this chapter has to do with us?

Just like Daniel, we Christians are part of a royal/noble family- the family of God. God is our Heavenly Father and we are His children. Though we were imperfect because of SIN, He restored us and healed all our defects. We are now beautiful in His eyes because we are now cloth in Christ's righteousness and God who fearfully and wonderfully made us (Psalm 139:14) has wash away the mud that clung to us through the blood of Christ. And because we are God's children, we are meant to excel(show aptitude). 

You are no ordinary man or woman. You are above average for you are a child of God. Therefore, just like Daniel and his friends, we must also resolve not to defile ourselves, who we are, by what we do or eat (not just literally). We should not feed our mind or soul things that could make us unclean by what we read, hear or see.

GOD doesn't want us to be like Jehoiakim, king of Judah who "...did evil in the eyes of the LORD, just as his fathers had done." (2 Kings 23:37). God does not want to deliver us into the hands of the enemy just like what He did to Jehoiakim. For three years, Jehoiakim became Nebuchadnezzar's vassal. Jehoiakim who was king became a vassal or a slave, a bondman. He was king but he became subordinate to king Nebuchadnezzar. He used to be the superior or the boss but became lower than somebody in rank or status. All because of SIN. 

(We've come to the end of part 1 of this two-part blog post. In the next part, we'll be studying further the ROYAL FOOD of today, the devil's tactic called deception, what the Vegetable and Water symbolizes, compromising/conforming to the world and holiness. By the way, I don't own the picture. No copyright infringement intended. God bless! )

HANANIAH OR JEREMIAH?

COUNSEL: HANANIAH OR JEREMIAH?

Jeremiah 28

MESSAGE:

"Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, 'Listen, Hananiah! The LORD has not sent you, yet you have persuaded this nation to trust in lies...' "

Jeremiah 28:15

You have a problem. You are in a difficult situation. You don't know what to do. You need some advice. But from whom will you seek some counsel?

Or maybe it is not you who need advice. Instead you are the one being asked for advice. What will you say? Do you have the right words to give?

Judah and Jerusalem were undergoing a hard time. They were being attacked by Babylon- a very powerful kingdom. The people sought advice . They asked prophets to inquire what the LORD would do or tell them- prophets like Hananiah and Jeremiah.

Prophet Hananiah son of Azzur, prophesied about freedom from Babylon and of peace. He said to Jeremiah in the house of the LORD in the presence of the priests and all the people:

"This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, the God of Israel, says, 'I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon. Within two years I will bring back to this place all the articles of the LORD's house that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon removed from here. I will also bring back to this place Jehoiachin... for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.' (v.2-4)

Now, who would not want to believe what Hananiah prophesied? Who would not want to hear they'll be freed from Babylon and there will be peace in the land? 

And who in the world would even want to listen to Jeremiah who prophesied war, famine and death? Who on earth want to die in such kind of death?

No one. Not even I. Most if not all of us only want to hear all the positive things that could and would happen to us. We always want to hear positive comments but shove aside criticism. We only want to accept and see the brighter side of every picture but disregard the dark and gloomy part of it.

During times of difficulty, when I realize I could no longer handle the situation on my own, I look for advice from people - a friend, family - I know. Oftentimes I get two opposite advice or opinion, adding another burden on my part.

There are those people who would tell me that I'm doing just fine. They speak to me reassuringly to make me feel better. I admit, it's what I long to hear.

On the other hand, there are those who tell me the "right thing'"to do. They tell me I should do something better or I'm better that what I've become. To hear words like that is painful and sometimes I tried to disregard what they say. Maybe they only see my wrong? Are they trying to pull me down? I want them to encourage me and make me feel better but they are actually making me feel worse.

Which advice should I follow?

If I would base my choice from my feelings and what I want to hear, I would certainly believe the type of person like Hananiah. But whether I'm certain they are speaking the truth, I don't know.

Sometimes, the greatest advice could be the most painful truth. Sometimes, it is better to listen to criticism or rebuke than all praise. "It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools." (Ecclesiastes 7:5) It is also said that "Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses." (Proverbs 27:6)

If you are facing a great problem and you no longer know what to do in your situation just like Judah and Jerusalem:

• Inquire of the Lord. Pray. Pray for His guidance. He is the greatest counselor and He can give you the best solution and advice for everything. Go to God first!

• Read the Bible. It is God's word. He will speak to you through His Word.

• Go to the right person for advice. Go to someone who is mature in the faith. God will speak in many ways, through reading His word, through events, and through someone He will use.  Do not listen to wrong prophecy or advice from fake prophets or friends. Always test every spirit.

If someone is asking for your advice or counsel:

• Pray. Ask God to guide and help you. Ask that He will put the right words in your mouth.

•  Do not prophesy lies or give wrong advice. Speak words to build up and not to break. No matter how painful, speak the words if it is the truth. Do not twist it. Don't say anything just to make the person better and let the person believe the wrong idea.  If it is bitter, don't add flavors just to make it sweet. It will only lead to destruction.

• If the LORD did not send you, don't pretend He did. I don't know about Hananiah's motive, maybe he just wanted to be famous and please the people. But don't be like him. If you don't know the answer, send that person to someone who has wise answers.

To my Wonderful Counselor be the glory!

Your sister through the blood of Christ,

Rizeru

Unafraid Although Insulted and Reproached

UNAFRAID ALTHOUGH INSULTED AND REPROACHED

Jeremiah 20

Message:

"Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long." v.8

O LORD, you deceived (persuaded) me , and I was deceived (persuaded); you overpowered me and prevailed. I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me. Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long. I hear many whispering, "Terror on every side! Report him! Let's report him!" All my friends are waiting for me to slip, saying, "Perhaps he will be deceived; then we will prevail over him and take our revenge on him." 

The preceding paragraph was Jeremiah's complaint written from v. 7 to 18 of this chapter. During the time of Jeremiah the prophet, Israel was being attacked by Babylon. Jeremiah was used by God to speak to His people. Surely, Jeremiah was obedient enough, even to the point of death. Because of the word of God that Jeremiah prophesied, the priest Pashhur had Jeremiah beaten and put in the stocks at the Upper Gate of Benjamin at the LORD's temple. In another chapter of this book, Jeremiah was even threatened with death. And so he complained to the Lord.

Are you a Jeremiah of these present days? Have you ever been insulted and persecuted by speaking the truth? Especially by speaking about the Truth?

As a Christian, just like Jeremiah, I've been criticized because of my faith and there was a point when I also asked God the big question "WHY?" I have lost friends because of it. They begun avoiding me. They said my life is boring because I am active in the church but most of the time no longer associate or get involved with their activities (especially when I know there will be bottles of wine involved) to avoid compromising. Therefore, I've been labeled a fanatic or a freak. I have received mockery from them. One of my classmate in High school said I was just looking for a "sense of belongingness." Well, maybe he was right. I really felt I need to belong somewhere else and not of the world. Thankfully, I now belong to God.

I realized it is hard to be a Christian. You will surely face many persecutions and many people will try to make your following of Christ Jesus difficult. But don't give up 'cause I won't. I know life is much harder without  Christ. So stand firm to the very end!

Speak what God has commanded you to say. Do not hold it in. Because you can't! His word, as Jeremiah described it, will be like a fire in your heart, a fire shut up in your bones. You will only be weary holding it in. (v.9) 

To those who are not willing to repent and obey God, the words you will say will be like "proclaiming violence and destruction" to them. They will find it hard to accept. They don't want their sins to be destroyed. That is why many will persecute you. They are hostile to God and they will be hostile to you too.

If you have been threatened or been hurt not just physically but emotionally with the people's insult and criticism, do not be afraid of them. Jesus has told us: "Do not be afraid of those who can only kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both the soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28) So do not be afraid of what people can do to you or what they will say against you. What God says about you is what matters. Better to hear criticism from the people than to hear it from God Himself.

Do not be afraid of proclaiming the Gospel or be ashamed to declare that you are a Christian. It will be hard, yeah I know. Jeremiah, the apostle Paul, Peter too and all the disciples know. They'd been there. They understand. But most of all, GOD KNOWS. He understands. He'd been there. Jesus was mocked and been insulted but He did not retaliate; when He suffered, he made no threats. Instead, He entrusted himself to him who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23). Entrust everything to God. Just commit your cause to the Lord. Sing to the LORD and give praise to Him in your circumstances for He will surely rescue you from the hands of the wicked. (v.13)

"But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; 

   so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. 

They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; 

   their dishonor will never be forgotten. 

LORD Almighty, you who examine the righteous 

   and probe the heart and mind, 

let me see your vengeance on them, 

   for to you I have committed my cause."

v.11-12

It was hard for me when some of my friends started to put a distance between us because of my faith but I don't really care now as long as the distance between me and God is not too wide, as long as I am not far away from my God and as long as I have God in my life. I don't know how many so-called 'friends" I will lose along the way but as long as I have God and never be forsaken by Him-my Best friend, I know I will be okay.

 (My heart still cries out for them. I will try to win them by love and continue to pray for them too... Someday, they will understand me and my faith. Someday, they will join me in praising God- together, in unity- with the Body of Christ).

To my Mighty warrior -the One who understands me be the glory!  

Your sister through the blood of Christ,

Rizeru

WHICH KING ARE YOU?

WHICH KING ARE YOU?

Jeremiah 24

MESSAGE:

Then the LORD asked me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?”

   “Figs,” I answered. “The good ones are very good, but the bad ones are so bad they cannot be eaten.” 

v. 4 

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU NEED TO MAKE A HARD DECISION and it seems that you don't really have  a choice? If you choose option one, you will have to sacrifice and have a great loss. On the other hand, option two is risky and if you'll make one mistake you will lose just the same.

Two kings from the old testament can understand your predicament. They were given only two options and one end up being regarded as a bad fig while the other was as good fig.

What happened? Who are these kings? What are their options?

THE TWO KINGS:

• JEHOIACHIN, son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, became king at the age of eighteen and reigned in Jerusalem for three months. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father had done.

• ZEDEKIAH, Jehoiachin's uncle, was made to be king in place of Jehoiachin by Nebuchadnezzar. He was twenty one years old when he became king and reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, just as Jehoiakim had done.

THE TWO OPTIONS:

Because of the LORD's anger from their evil ways, the LORD sent Babylon against Judah and Jerusalem. Though they sinned against God, He still loves them and gave them a chance to live. He gave them two options. 

In Jeremiah 21:8-9, the Lord says:

" See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; they will escape with their lives." 

• Option1 : To stay in the city and die (the way of death). 

• Option 2: To surrender to your enemy (Babylonians) and live (the way of life).

If you were in their shoes, what would you choose? If God has commanded you these things, what will your reactions be?  

Imagine yourself to be either of these two kings. Your kingdom is being attacked by a great army of a powerful kingdom. You are given only two options. To surrender and live or to stay and die. You tried to consider both.

If you'll stay and fight, there's no guarantee you'll win. But if you'll win, you will be able to keep your position and possessions and you will also be regarded as a great king and a hero to your people. However, God already said that you will not win but will die. Will you accept and believe what God has said? Or will you think God is undermining your strength and power? Will you go continue to prepare for battle, count your fighting men and continue to believe that you have enough men to defeat the enemy?

Or maybe you believe and not doubt what God says. But are you willing to go out and leave your kingdom, your wealth, and position? Are you willing to give up everything you have and surrender to your enemy? Are you willing to accept defeat and lose your pride?

THE TWO BASKETS OF FIGS

Although both kings did evil in the eyes of the Lord and both deserves to die, one of them chose the way of life. 

He was king Jehoiachin. He listened and obeyed God. He surrendered to his enemy and so he and the people with him (the officials, the craftsmen and artisans of Judah) were regarded as good figs. The Lord says, "Like these good figs, I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I sent away from this place to the land of the Babylonians" (v. 5). He accepted defeat and lose his pride. He let go of all his possessions- left everything he treasured so dear to him and everything he was proud of. He saw their gold and wealth taken away as plunder by the Babylonians. It was painful seeing the thins they worked hard for years being taken away. It was difficult leaving their comfort zone. What he and the people with him did was a total surrender for they only have their own lives to bring with them. However, because of these also, they learned to depend on God alone for their protection and for their joy. When they turn to God, they return to God with all their hearts. No more pride, possessions and position that owned their hearts and hindered them from loving God.

On the contrary, Zedekiah did not listen and obey. He was too obsessed with his possession and did not want to lose his kingdom and his position as king. He depended on his own strength and power. Maybe he though he could win or maybe not. He was on a suicide mission. Maybe he thought it is better to die with his crown still on his head and lie flat -with blood-on his treasures than to surrender and die to his pride. He must have thought that to die is better than losing all he treasured so much in his heart. Zedekiah was foolish and stiff-necked that God considered him as poor figs. He was proud but end up shamed and "became an object of ridicule and cursing; a reproach and byword, an abhorrent and an offense to all the kingdoms of the earth" (v. 9).

APPLICATION:

We all did evil in the eyes of the Lord. 'For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). We all deserve to die but still God loves us an does not want us to die and so He let us choose the way of life and the way of death. 

If you are already a Christian, will you continue to stay in the "sin city" - the place where you did all the detestable things against God, the person you used to be? Will you continue to sin? Will you be like Zedekiah who was stubborn and remained stiff-necked? Are there things you haven't yet surrendered to God? Are you willing to let go of what you are holding on s dearly?

You see, God loves us so much that He has given us a warning so that what happened to Zedekiah and also to Jehoiachin and the entire Judah and Jerusalem will not happened to us. 

You, a Christian, are now a king but you are subject to the King of kings. Learn to submit to Him. Do not continue sinning or God will send Babylon (problems, trials, etc.) and hand you over to the enemy and allow the enemy to steal your joy, destroy your wealth and kill you. In heaven, God will give us crowns and we will cast all our crowns at the feet of the Lamb. Here on earth, we must practice and learn to die to our own will, desires and pride (the crowns we are holding on to). Surrender. Obey God even if it will cost you to leave everything you treasured and loved. Make God your treasure and your First love.

If you'll obey God, He  promised this, "Because you have obeyed me, I will consider you as good just like these good figs. My eye will watch over you for your good and I will bring you back to your possessions, positions and not only that, I will build you up and not tear you down. I will plant you and not uproot you. I will give you a heart to know me that I am the LORD. You will be my people, my child, and I will be your God for you have return to me with all your heart" (v.4, paraphrase mine).

If you have not yet accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, accept Him today. Place your trust in Him. Accept that you are a sinner and that you deserve to die for the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). GOD loves you so much that He has set before you the way of life. He is Jesus Christ. Repent,surrender and choose Him and you will live.

THE REST OF THE STORY:

Zedekiah was captured and his  sons were killed before his eyes. His eyes was put out and he was then taken to Babylon and was put in prison till the day of his death.

Jehoiachin was released from prison on the thirty-seventh year of the exile. He was treated kindly and was given a seat of honor higher than those of the other kings wo were with him in Babylon. He put aside his prison clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at the king's table (2 kings 25).

To the King of kings I lay down my crown and give glory!

Your sister through the blood of Christ,

Rizeru

WHAT TYPE OF CLAY ARE YOU?

WHAT TYPE OF CLAY ARE YOU?

Jeremiah 18

MESSAGE:

"Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand..." v.6

APPLICATION:

God is the potter and we are the clay. It is God who created us and is continually shaping us into something beautiful. We were just dirt on the ground - useless as it seems but God saw our potential. He saw something in you and took you out from the ground and put you in His hands.

But what type of clay are you? Are you a sandy clay or a hard clay that is difficult to mold? Or a soft clay - flexible, that whatever shape or design God wants you to be, you won't be too hard to be molded. 

Allow God to rain down on you so that you become a soft clay. God never wants you to undergo sufferings but if it's the only way you'll be able to be open to His will, He will allow it. Though the enemy wants to destroy you through the sufferings you are in, God can  use such trials to make you into a better person.

Let the circumstances and problems make you a better clay. God will not rain down on you or allow too much trial to totally wash you away but He will just pour enough water to make you suitable and ready to be put on the wheel. God will never allow problems to flood and wash you away. He allows enough water- you are able to take. Sometimes, we can say that we are in the flood but it is the enemy's lie to us and and that's what he wants us to believe. 

God says, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man and God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. And when you are tempted, He will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

"But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him." v. 4

The Lord gives us many chances. Like that pot the potter was shaping from the clay which was marred in his hand and yet formed into another, God will never give up on us. He will not throw you away whenever you stumble or whenever you are marred and not form into perfection. Though many times we didn't pass on quality check, could not pass for export, and that we are deserving to be rejected - a factory defect with less value - God did not throw you away. Instead, He will always take you willingly into His hands and let you undergo into the process again and again until you are form into the shape that He thinks deem best. God will never give up on you. So don't you ever give up on GOD!

God has great patience on you so have patience with God! He is lovingly holding you, so hold on to Him too! You are on His hands. He is excited to see the product. He is not in a hurry. He will wait on you, until you are ready to be taken out from the oven.

Most of the times, we are the impatient ones. We wanted to break free from the hands of the Potter, sometimes we want to jump out from the oven even when it's not the appointed time for us to go out. That's why often times we end up marred, spoiled, damaged. Because we are stubborn, we always wanted our own way. We want our own design but our view is only limited so we often end up broken. 

"But they will reply, ‘It’s no use. We will continue with our own plans; we will all follow the stubbornness of our evil hearts.’”  (v.12)


Do not follow your own plan or follow the stubbornness of your heart and do not forget God who is the owner of everything. (v.15)

 God has the perfect view. He can see us clearly, see even the deepest part of our hearts. Therefore, let God teach us to be flexible, to be obedient in His plans because His design is better than ours. It is not for us to dictate God what is good for us. 

Do not argue with your Maker. Do not command Him what to do.

“Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker,
   those who are nothing but potsherds
   among the potsherds on the ground.
Does the clay say to the potter,
   ‘What are you making?’
Does your work say,
   ‘The potter has no hands’? 
 Isaiah 45:9

God is the Potter and we are just clay. We must learn to submit to the Ones who hold us and be grateful that He took us - dirt - in His hands. He never even think that by picking us up and holding us in His hands, our dirt - the residue of us- is in His hands. He's not afraid to make His hands hold dirty and muddy you. He took us in His hands not caring if by doing that His hands will become "dirty" also. "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21) Because for God, it doesn't matter, as long as we will be form into something beautiful. It's all because He loves you. 

God has great and beautiful plan for your life. He has something good in mind intended to do for you (v.10) Surrender your will to God!


To the Potter be the glory! 

Your sister through the blood of Christ,

Rizeru

God vs. Satan's Point of View

GOD VS. SATAN'S POINT OF VIEW

Job 2

Message:

"...shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" v.10

APPLICATION:

"Treat me right and I will be your best friend. Treat me wrong, you've just met your worst enemy."

It was my motto during High School. I used to think and live my life that way. I would say, "I am a good friend to those who are good to me but I could be bad, very bad, if you are bad." I was like a mine hidden on the ground-harmless when untouched but step on it and it will explode to hurt and to kill.

How many of us has exploded, has thrown off shrapnel- hurtful words- to those who hurt us? If somebody throws a stone at you, did you give back bread or did you pick up the stone and throw it back? When something bad happen, how did you respond?

"Skin for skin! A man will give all he has for his own life. But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face." v.4

“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.  But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” Job 1:9-11

This is how Satan sees man. In Satan's POV, man is selfish. Man would only worship God because of all the good God has done or given to him. Man would do good in order to gain something but if he can't get anything from God or from anyone, he will curse, hate and leave (Job 2:4). 

But GOD disproved Satan. For God, man is good because he is good, because God created man to be "very good" (Genesis 1:31) and because God created man after His own image, man supposedly has inherit God's trait or character. God loves because He loves. God is kind because He is kind; faithful because He is faithful; because that's simply who He is. What He does, did and will do does not depend on how man would treat Him. And God believes man can be like Him - not as God but in character. 

And Satan could never see that. He did not see man the way God see us because he could only perceive man base on his own character. He perceives man is selfish, ungrateful, deserter -because that's who he (Satan) is. He sees man as a reflection of his self. Satan's distorted view of man shows how distorted, evil  and darkened his heart and mind are.  

I don't know about your life and what you've been or are going through but I believe most of us are familiar with the life of Job and how he responded to the bad things that has happened to his life. Regardless of his great loss- livestock, seven sons and three daughters - he still maintained his integrity (v. 3). He did not sin (v. 10). He did not curse God even though his wife incited him to. Instead, he responded, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (v.10) Imagine the look on Satan's face, shamed by Job's response (Job 1:20). Job did not disappoint GOD. Imagine God's face - His smile radiating His face. 

How about your life? Are you living your life a disappointment to God or a life that makes Him proud?  Which point of view was disproved by your life? Satan's or GOD's? Which point of view are you siding with? Are you seeing people through the eyes of Satan or through the eyes of God?


I remember I heard this song "Father's eyes" by Amy Grant. It was one of my Bible study Leader's favorite song. 

She's got her Father's eyes,
Her Father's eyes;
Eyes that find the good in things,
When good is not around;
Eyes that find the source of help,
When help just can't be found;
Eyes full of compassion,
Seeing every pain;
Knowing what you're going through
And feeling it the same.
Just like my Father's eyes,
My Father's eyes,
My Father's eyes,
Just like my Father's eyes.

"Father, give us eyes just like yours. Lord, help us see people, things, and situation through Your eyes so that we may respond the way You do, with love and not with hate, with compassion, with kindness, with great patience, with mercy.  Amen" 

To the Eyes that see me through it all(good and bad) and yet still love me be the glory!

Your sister through the blood of Christ,

Rizeru

PRIORITY MATTERS: Self or God first?

 PRIORITY MATTERS: Self or God first?

Haggai 1

MESSAGE:

This is what the LORD Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the LORD’s house.’”  Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai:  “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”  v. 2-4

APPLICATION:

Did you ever expected much from something or someone ,yet, it turned out to be little? You did your best. You exerted much effort, only to get less than what you've expected?

Maybe you are a student working on a thesis. You spend most of your time doing research in the library and on the net. You have less sleep and you've already spent too much money for it. You say to your self, "I am confident I'll get a high grade because  I did my best." But upon receiving your grade card, you were disappointed and even asked why.

Why, indeed.

God has an answer for your question.

Let's read what God has said to His people during the second year of King Darius through the prophet Haggai. He said,

" You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." (v.6)

Sounds familiar, right? Can you relate? 

In verse 9 of Haggai chapter 1, God gave us the answer. He continued, "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why? Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his OWN house." 

How  many of us who have been busy with  work, school and even with our family that we have let our relationship with God to remain a ruin? Many or most people are too busy making a living and not life. We focus so much on our work, on what to eat, drink or wear. We give too much attention in meeting our need. We exert too much effort for our self, our physical needs but left our soul starving for God. We forget the Giver, the Source of everything, the Answer to our needs, and yet we want to receive a blessing. 

Though we may get our desired work, eat everything we want and wear whatever we like, we will never be satisfied and happy. We will always be discontented. You may have all the riches in the world and buy everything you want but without God and without a right relationship with God, everything is useless.

The LORD commands us to "give careful thought to your ways..." (v.5, 7) He said it twice in that same chapter. Whenever God said something, we must listen. But when He said something twice, it means it is very important.  And if He will said something (whether it is a command, warning or a promise) thrice, it means that you should really heed, follow and make actions.


What did He say? He said to "give careful thought to your ways." God commands us to assess our way of living, our hearts, our lives. He wants us to check and examine how  and for whom we live. If you are a Christian, are you now living for God or still  for yourself?



A house if not well taken cared of will eventually be in ruin. You must continually build, repair and maintain it. You must also take good care of it so that termites will not  feed on it and destroy it and that no spiders would live and make cobwebs on it. And so  is our relationship with God. Just like any relationship, our relationship with God is two way. God does not do all the loving, communicating, talking, etc. We must learn to respond too. We pray, we listen, we talk, we spend time together with God. That's relationship. A one-sided love affair is not a relationship. Relationship is a connection.

So, how's your relationship with God? Is it in ruin? Is He number one on your priority list or still your self? Have you taken Him for granted? Were you too busy with other things that you have forsaken the Lord? 

If you found out, after assessing your life and "giving careful thought to your ways", that your relationship with God is in ruin; that there are parasites eating the line of connection with Him, you should listen and obey what He commands you to do.



God has given us this solution:
"Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the Lord. (v.8)

No, not literally.

After checking our lifestyle and our hearts, the next step is to recognize or know what are the timbers that needs to be brought down. What are these timbers God mean and  what do these timbers can do? 


Timbers that need to be brought down in our life could be sin, pride, selfishness and more. These are the things that could block or hinder you in knowing God deeply.


What are the things that need to be brought down from your life? What are the timbers that block you in knowing God deeply? Are there still sin that you are not yet willing to let go? 

You must bring them down first before you can build up! Therefore, bring them down! Cut them off! God is willing to help you. He is eager to help you but God could not help you if you are unwilling or will not allow Him to help you.



"Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands." (v.9-11)


If you want to be promoted in your work, if you want financial blessing and if you want God to bless you whatever you do or the works of your hands, then make God your priority. Put Him at the top of your priority list, not second nor third. Don't seek the gift. Seek the Giver. 


Again, if you want God to bless you, just follow these commands:

1. Give careful thoughts to your ways. 
2. Recognize and bring down the timber. 
3. Build.

"Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD." (v.12)


Just like Zerubbabel, Joshua and the remnants of Israel, be willing to listen and be attentive to the voice of the Lord and with holy fear (reverence) and a teachable heart, obey His command. Obedience is the key. 

If you will obey, God will stir up your spirit (v.14) and make you able to do the building work. It might seem difficult to follow all His commands but He promised and declared, "I am with you." (v.13)


".......and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the Lord. (v.8)  Honor God in everything that you do. Honor God with your lifestyle or your ways and your very life. Make God your first and ultimate desire and He will give you your hears desires. (Psalm 37:4) Seek Him first and ALL these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33). Make Him your priority. And you will receive, without even exerting too much effort you'll be amazed, blessings upon blessings.


To My One Desire be the Glory!

Your sister through the blood of Christ,
Rizeru