2024

Unlike the last and previous years, which God had already impressed me His Words that I will cling on for the whole year even before the new year arrived, this time I had a hard time knowing His Words for me for 2024.

So I kept asking Him to reveal His Word for me this 2024. And then I realized that perhaps I am not hearing His Word for me this year because I am lacking personal time with His Word. I got so used to my relationship with Him to the point that I became complacent. And although I already have an intimate relationship with God, it's not a reason to forget reading about His Word. Although He has already put His laws into my heart and mind, as long as we are free to open up and read a Bible, we must take advantage of this freedom.

So  I am sharing you His Words for me this year: 

1.

Jam 1:22: "But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."

2.

Prov 1:20-30: "Wisdom cries aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open square: She cries in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she utters her words, saying, How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? and the scoffers delight in their scoffing, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and you refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But you have ignored all my counsel, and would have none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear comes; When your terror comes as desolation, and your destruction comes as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish comes upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: Because they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would have none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof."

3.

Prov 2:1-2: "My son, if you will receive my words, and lay up my commandments with you; So that you incline your ear unto wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding;"

4.

Prov 1:8: "My son, hear the instruction of your father, and forsake not the law of your mother:"

5.

Eph 6:1-3: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor your father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth."

I hope we all get through this 2024 with God's Word lighting our path. Have a wonderful new year with God as our lead. Shalom.

May we Always be Reminded

Awit 103:1-5:

"Purihin mo ang Panginoon, Oh kaluluwa ko: At lahat na nangasa loob ko ay magsisipuri sa kaniyang banal na pangalan. Purihin mo ang Panginoon, Oh kaluluwa ko, At huwag mong kalimutan ang lahat niyang mabubuting gawa. Na siyang nagpapatawad ng iyong lahat na mga kasamaan; Na siyang nagpapagaling ng iyong lahat na mga sakit; Na siyang tumutubos ng iyong buhay sa pagkapahamak: Na siyang nagpuputong sa iyo ng kagandahang-loob at malumanay na mga kaawaan: Na siyang bumubusog sa iyong bibig ng mabuting bagay; Na anopa't ang iyong kabataan ay nababagong parang agila."

I need to be reminded of these every millisecond. I don't want to ever forget how gracious God is. I need my soul to always be in worship and thankful of God. These words are so true. And may my whole being praise God for who He is in my life. He deserves all the glory, praises, and gratitude. 

And may you be reminded of these too. 

God bless and Shalom.

Awit 103:22: "Purihin ninyo ang Panginoon, ninyong lahat na mga gawa niya, Sa lahat na dako na kaniyang sakop; Purihin mo ang Panginoon, Oh kaluluwa ko."

P. S. You can use English translation if you can't understand this Bible version. Awit is Psalm. 

For the anxious

If you are being bothered with anxiety, here are some of the verses I've encountered and chased away the dark clouds surrounding my mind.

Hope these help you as well as it did to me. Truly, God is a promise keeper and a refuge in times of needs. Truly he gives peace to the anxious mind and will never abandon you whenever you need help. Just keep on trusting Him and you will see. 

These are translated in Filipino version, feel free to search for a King James Version for English translation. 

Awit 89:2: "Sapagka't aking sinabi, Kaawaan ay matatayo magpakailan man: Ang pagtatapat mo'y iyong itatatag sa mga kalangitlangitan."

Awit 89:34: "Ang tipan ko'y hindi ko sisirain, Ni akin mang babaguhin ang bagay na lumabas sa aking mga labi."

Awit 92:5: "Kay dakila ng iyong mga gawa, Oh Panginoon! Ang iyong mga pagiisip ay totoong malalim."

Awit 91:1-16: "Siyang tumatahan sa lihim na dako ng Kataastaasan. Ay mananatili sa lilim ng Makapangyarihan sa lahat. Aking sasabihin tungkol sa Panginoon, Siya'y aking kanlungan at aking katibayan, Ang Dios ko na siyang aking tinitiwalaan. Sapagka't kaniyang ililigtas ka sa silo ng paninilo, At sa mapamuksang salot. Kaniyang tatakpan ka ng kaniyang mga bagwis, At sa ilalim ng kaniyang mga pakpak ay manganganlong ka: Ang kaniyang katotohanan ay kalasag at baluti. Ikaw ay hindi matatakot sa kakilabutan sa gabi, Ni sa pana man na humihilagpos kung araw; Dahil sa salot na dumarating sa kadiliman, Ni dahil sa paggiba man na sumisira sa katanghaliang tapat. Isang libo ay mabubuwal sa iyong siping, At sangpung libo sa iyong kanan; Nguni't hindi lalapit sa iyo. Iyong mamamasdan lamang ng iyong mga mata, At iyong makikita ang ganti sa masama. Sapagka't ikaw, Oh Panginoon, ay aking kanlungan! Iyong ginawa ang Kataastaasan na iyong tahanan; Walang kasamaang mangyayari sa iyo, Ni anomang salot ay lalapit sa iyong tolda. Sapagka't siya'y magbibilin sa kaniyang mga anghel tungkol sa iyo, Upang ingatan ka sa lahat ng iyong mga lakad. Kanilang dadalhin ka sa kanilang mga kamay, Baka matisod ka ng iyong paa sa isang bato. Iyong yayapakan ang leon at ang ulupong: Ang batang leon at ang ahas ay yuyurakan mo ng iyong mga paa. Sapagka't kaniyang inilagak ang kaniyang pagibig sa akin, kaya't iniligtas ko siya: Aking ilalagay siya sa mataas, sapagka't kaniyang naalaman ang pangalan ko. 

Few verses before these talks about God being silent, but Him being silent does not disprove Him being faithful to His promises and words. 

Have a great day! Shalom. 

Lies Vs Truth

Last few days, I've been attacked by my own anxious mind (as always). Lies tried to linger in my mind. This lie kept popping up whenever I'm appreciating the goodness of God in my life. But few days ago, that lie has been so strong I cannot longer fight it with truth. It wants me to doubt, and I am slowly losing my confidence with the truth I have.

It says to me, "What if your God is not the real God? What if it's not God who kept saving you? What if you're not talking to the real God? What if He's not the One who kept sending your rescue? Because you don't deserve it all. Why would God bless and keep on saving someone who always fall short of His expectation?" 

But you know what, even in those silent battles, God hears. God sees. And here, right now, God gave me Isaiah 43:10 as an answer...

"10 You [are] My witnesses, says the LORD, and My servant whom I have chosen; that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I [am] He. Before Me no God was formed, nor shall there be after Me." (Isaiah 43:10).

Some verses from Psalms 37

 

There are two things that are being emphasized in the verses above:

1. Trust in the Lord - God has not failed yet and He never will. In Him there is victory. In fact, He is the victory. We know this for a fact but there are still times we forget about this truth because of certain circumstances. And may these verses serve as a reminder because really we needed to be reminded of this most of the time. He is faithful and He is true to His Words.

2. Righteousness - Was there a time in your life you have asked why it seems that the bad people are more blessed than the the ones who are always doing right? Honestly, I too, don't know why. But what we should do is not to keep on looking what's on the other people's plate and focus on what is there to be grateful for -- to look on your own plate instead. Because really  God never abandon those who trust and walks in His ways. He even went to get that 1 lost sheep who's been astraying, what more to those who are heeding His voice. And if you are doubting if you are righteous enough, I'm sorry but there is none that is righteous, no not one. Good thing, there is righteousness in Christ. If you have a personal relationship with Jesus, you are already clothed in His righteousness. Anyway, let's talk about it in another separate blog or you may want to open your own bible and have a quiet time with that topic. 

You can share your own insight by commenting. But most especially, hope these verses speak to you in a way that the Holy Spirit want it to be. 

God bless! 

Your Impossible

 (Mark 5:35-43)

"35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat."

"Be not afraid, Only Believe"

Most of the time impossible things or so doing them comes in a package with fear. You refrain yourself from doing something which this world considers impossible because of fear: fear of failure, fear of what's going to happen next, fear of what other people might say, etc.

When Jesus said in Mark 5:36, to not be afraid, He acknowledges the fear that the leader of the synagogue is currently feeling due to the situation of his daughter. Now, I will tell you personally, that what Jesus said "be not afraid" is not easy, especially when you're in the situation that is so fearsome for you. But right after that phrase, he said, "only believe", I am not telling you that it's much easier to do so but it does give relief. Relief in a sense that all you have to do is replace your feeling of fear with believing... believing in who He is, in what He can do. And once you cross that line, just like what happened in the verses I provided, you too will be amazed and awed of how God worked through your impossible.

Bible Verse Photo Blog (Eighth Entry)

(Since I've been challenged by a friend to post inspirational Bible Verse for 14 Days, I decided to indulge deep into God's Word I'd be sharing and post it here. Here is my 8th entry.)

"Sapagka't akong Panginoon mong Dios, ay hahawak ng iyong kanang kamay, na magsasabi sa iyo, Huwag kang matakot; aking tutulungan ka."

Isaias 41:13

"For I, Jehovah your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, Do not fear; I will help you." 

Isaiah 41:13

DO NOT FEAR

I've been told that based on study there are 360+ DO NOT FEAR phrases in the verses of the Bible. Enough for our everyday lives for a whole year. It signifies that we have something to hold on to everyday against fear. When fear crept in, we can rely on God's Word and promises that there is nothing to fear. 

The verse above doea not only say to NOT FEAR, i love the words that follow it -- I WILL HELP YOU. And that is very comforting words to someone who has been experiencing panic attack or anxiety. It gives reassurance and a reminder that God's help will come there is nothing to worry about. 

I pray that you take a hold of this God's promise whenever you are in fear. God bless. Shalom. 

See you again on my next entry. 

Bible Verse Photo Blog (Fifth Entry)

(Since I've been challenged by a friend to post inspirational Bible Verse for 14 Days, I decided to indulge deep into God's Word I'd be sharing and post it here. Here is my fifth entry.)

"Hindi ba kita inutusan? Ikaw ay magpakalakas at magpakatapang na mabuti; huwag kang matakot, ni manglupaypay: sapagka't ang Panginoon mong Dios ay sumasa iyo saan ka man pumaroon."

(Josue 1:9)

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid, neither be dismayed. For the LORD your God [is] with you in all places where you go." 

(Joshua 1:9)

NOTHING TO FEAR

This verse should be written in our hearts and minds. So the moment fear starts to bother us, we have a strong reminder who is with us. Fear is always around the corner of our minds, that's why we must have a weapon against it. People with anxiety know exactly what I'm talking about. And if you can't relate to this, at least know this for the sake of someone you know who has.

According to the data, 40M Adult in US alone suffers from anxiety and only almost 37% of it receive treatment. Most of them fight this battle alone. And if we will based it on this data, there is a high probability that you know someone who is battling with anxiety, not to mention depression. And am telling you, knowing and sharing them things that could help their battle is also a treatment. Them, knowing that someone is there for them in their battle, most of the time ease their anxiety.

It maybe a long process before they fully conquer anxiety or maybe they wont. Just continue to be there, like how God is to them. They need to be reminded always of that -- that God is with them always, nothing to fear. 

See you on my next photo blog. Shalom! 

SOURCE: https://nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Anxiety-Disorders

Bible Verse Photo Blog (Fourth Entry)

(Since I've been challenged by a friend to post inspirational Bible Verse for 14 Days, I decided to indulge deep into God's Word I'd be sharing and post it here. Here is my fourth entry.)

"Huwag kayong mangabalisa sa anomang bagay; kundi sa lahat ng mga bagay sa pamamagitan ng panalangin at daing na may pagpapasalamat ay ipakilala ninyo ang inyong mga kahilingan sa Dios."

(Mga Taga-Filipos 4:6)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
(Philippians 4:6)

SOMEONE YOU CAN FULLY TRUST

This verse is relatable in every angle. I don't have to share much about this, because I believed, the readers themselves have experienced the truth and reality of this verse.

Also, the message is very clear. "Do not be anxious about anything..." - this is very powerful once you master it. But believe me, it wont be easy. That's why "...but in everything by prayer and supplication," comes right after. Because we need to acknowledge the fact that our anxiety can only be lifted away by entrusting it to God. Don't forget "...with thanksgiving" because we need to be reminded of what God has done and given, reminding yourself that He got you, what else can't He handle? And then, "...let your requests be made known to God." - because He is your friend, Someone you can fully trust. 

Comment down if you have something to share too or thoughts to share. Shalom! 

Bible Verse Photo Blog (Second Entry)

(Since I've been challenged by a friend to post inspirational Bible Verse with photo for 14 Days, I decided to indulge deep into God's Word I'd be sharing and post it here. Here is my 2nd entry.) 

"Mula sa wakas ng lupa ay tatawag ako sa iyo, pagka nanglupaypay ang aking puso: patnubayan mo ako sa malaking bato na lalong mataas kay sa akin." 

Awit 61:2

"From the end of the earth I cry to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the Rock higher than I." 

Psalm 61:2

THE ROCK HIGHER THAN I

Some say that the Bible should be interpreted metaphorically and figuratively. I don't want to cause an argument here, but I believed, that God's Word is also literal. 

Psalm 61:2 can be interpreted both ways, depending on one's situation.  The picture above could be the literal scenario. As you can see, there's a climber (yes, there's a person in the picture, find it 😅), exhausted and maybe faint-hearted, praying to God for a shelter; a refuge for the exhausted body; something that would bring refreshment for the body and maybe for the soul too. And then, he found one. 

And that's where we see it metaporically and figuratively. That God is our shelter and refuge; the Rock that is higher than us. The One whom we long for when we're weary and tired. Tiredness that neither sleep nor rest cannot mend. Only Him - the Rock that is higher than us; whom our soul long for. 

And if ever you're in that sotuation, remember that Rock where you can always run to. Call unto Him, our God, who is ready to wrap you up in His arm to regain the strength of your soul and to keep you going. His comfort will surround you, just call unto Him and allow Him. He loves you so. 

See you again on my next entry. Shalom and God bless! 

Bible Verse Photo Blog (First Entry)

(Since I've been challenged by a friend to post inspirational Bible Verse for 14 Days, I decided to indulge deep into God's Word I'd be sharing and post it here. Here is my first entry.) 

"28 Sapagka't iyong papagniningasin ang aking ilawan; liliwanagan ng Panginoon kong Dios ang aking kadiliman." (Mga Awit 18:28)

"28 For You will light my candle; the LORD my God will make my darkness light." (Psalms 18:28)

LIGHT IN THE DARK

I don't know about you, but Psalm 18:28 is one of God's Word that God keeps on proving in my life. 

Having anxiety or panic attack is not as easy as you think it is or that you would rather have it than any sickness. I would never wish someone to have it; and you would never want to have it if you only know how it would crash you mentally; I would never wish someone to experience it just so they would know how hard it is to live with it. And yes, I am a Christian. And don't ever judge us having a little faith or faithless nor as if we're lacking trust with God that's why we're this. Don't. You don't know what you're talking about, so don't. The least thing we want to hear is condemnation. So if you don't have the heart to hear, you have no right to speak. 

And that's the darkness where I sometimes find myself. That is my darkness or one of it. But I never stay too long in that place because the moment my mind starts to get dark, I call on to God, and He is always rescuing me. Bringing light to that dark. Leading me to His light. Leading me with His Light. Embracing me with His truth that there's nothing I should be afraid of. That He got me.  He got it. 

His Love is so big, so is His Mercy and Grace. He doesn't mind how big is your faith, just have faith. He doesn't demand us to love Him but how can you not love Him back when you experienced Him? That is the purest form of love. 

You may not know it yet, but maybe God has already saved you a hundred times before you would even know it. Jesus has already offered His life for you to be saved. Just know Him and have a relationship with Him. If you want to have a relationship with Him, pray and talk to Him with all your heart. Admit that you are a sinner and that you need a Savior to walk away from sins and that Jesus died for your sins. Accept Jesus in your heart as your personal Savior and God of your life. And claim that you now have a relationship with Him. Just talk to Him wholeheartedly. 

Shalom and See you on my next entry.

What I learnt This Year

Before this year ends, I wanted to share online what God has patiently taught me, not because I wanted the world to know some stuff about my life but because somewhere out there, some people or even just one person might stumble across this blog and find exaxtly what he/she needed. I don't believe in co-incidence anymore, so if you're reading this, believe me, God has led you here. 

This blogsite talks about my walk with God. No it's not a religious site, this is a slice of life kind of blog like how we do it in other social media platforms, sharing parts of our daily activity. That is exactly what I share here, only I give further deep details. 

I always believe in the saying that everything happens for a reason. If it rains, oh there must be a reason (there's a season); when my phone got stolen, oh there must be a reason (and there's a lesson); when my name was not listed on the Nursing Course and instead was on BMC (Bachelor in Mass Communication), there is a reason (could it be destiny/fate). Every big situation that has happened in my life has a reason. But a random co-applicant in a company is just random; a girl who just stole a taxi ride is random; a long line on the counter is just random. And the list goes on. Yep, for me everything happens for a reason but minor things which have less impact in my life just randomly happens, or so I thought. The saying "everything happens for a reason" taught me that "everything" literally is "everything". Probably, God was laughing on how I claimed to believe in that saying but not entirely applying it. So He showed me. Proving everyday that He has a plan in my life, even before I was born.

This thing also happens in our walk with God. Claiming we believe in His miracle but look for explainable reason when a miracle happened. Miracles can sometimes be explainable, but the explainable reason behind it is still an orchestration of God.

So, I made a list on what this generation's faith has become (You are free to appeal/correct me if you find me wrong):

1. We, Christians, believe that Jesus heals, we have read Bible scenarios where Jesus healed, but in doubt that a person with terminal illness will be healed even after praying for the healing. We say in our prayers "if it's Your will" because we really seek God's will. Do we? Or behind that phrase lies the unsureness that God can heal that person? Do we utter "if it's Your will" in our prayers so that when that person didn't receive healing we have a scape goat like "oh it's not God's will." Can we go back to the Bible scenarios where Jesus heals and count how many of each scenario has "if it's Your will" in it. When someone asks for a healing from God, I'm sorry, but i don't think it isn't God's will to heal that person. As long as that person wants to be healed, IT IS GOD'S WILL TO HEAL AND GIVE LIFE! We just need to have faith.

2. We say that God is the same God yesterday, today and forever. But doubting that a super typhoon could be stopped where in fact God has divided a sea in the old testament and Jesus commanded the roaring sea and wind to be at ease in the new testament. How did that happen? Moses obeyed; Jesus made the nature obey but he also said to his disciples "you of little faith". Obedience and faith come together. You cannot say you have faith yet not making a step when God says take a step. I don't think that Moses just obeyed, he obeyed because God says so, and that is faith (not even sure if he's aware of it because many times he just keeps on doing the instruction of God but I see that as faith). Again, we just need to have faith.

3. We are so afraid to offend people because God is compassionate (that is true) and we must emphasize on His love rather than the truth that He too burnt Soddom and Gommorrah; that Jesus called many people hypocrite and got angry, shouting, throwing things/merchandises here and there at the court of God (read the Bible for more of this instances). We are emphasizing big time on His love forgetting that He too is Holy and Just. I am not saying that it is wrong to preach about His love, many people need to hear about it, but we are not to tolerate one's sinful living and call it love. You rebuke whom you love. They too must know that God's love is so big that He keeps on reminding a way out of that sinful living through Jesus (John 3:16) because He knows that if you don't destruction awaits you. The good news is, God is forgiving and there is salvation in Jesus when you repent your sin and accept Him in your heart as personal God and Savior of your life. We can always come to Him in repentance. And when you realize that there is so much love in Him it will make you want to love Him too. And that's the beginning of change. Because you cannot say you love someone and doesn't want to be a better version of yourself, in fact He will be the One to give you that strenght. And then that's when genuine relationship and faith in God begins.

I am not being blunt here because I'm perfect and I don't sin and I have a humongous faith in God. I still fail as a Christian, many times. And taking a leap of faith is not easy as it seems. You'll need strength and courage from God. Jesus told his disciples "you of little faith" maybe for 2 reasons: 1) He asks for us to take a hold of our faith. 2) It is not easy. But, remember Matthew 14:25-31, where Peter was walking on water too and he got bothered by the waves he started sinking, he called on the Lord, and Jesus came to his aide telling him "you of little faith, wherefore did thou doubt?" That indicates that you will never be alone in your walk in faith with Him.

God bless us! 

Pray Like Solomon

1 King 3:11-13

Solomom chose and asked God to grant him a wise and understanding heart because he knew leading people will not be an easy task. He needs discernment between good and evil and this should come from the Lord. (You may read 1 King 5-8 to verify this.)

Also, we must take note that he didn't ask for it for the benefit of himself but of the others... for the people he is leading. He didn't ask for it to become famous or that people will look up to him as someone great. He just wanted to lead the people with fair judgment that comes from the Lord.

These verses do not only show us the quality of a good leader but also God subtly emphasized that when we asked or pray for something it should not be because of selfish ambitions. So, may we all check our hearts for the things we are praying and asking God for. What is your purpose for praying it to God?

Have a great Sunday! Shalom!

The Irony of Saul

1 Samuel 26:35 and 27:1

If you have read the previous chapters and verses of this Book, we will be in sync with what I'll be sharing here. So if you haven't, please do read the story between Saul and David. 

The message of the Word above is crystal clear: not all who declare blessing in your life or praise you will not do harm on you. Notice that Saul is even calling David "my son". So, be like David: harmful as dove but wise as serpent. And do not worry, because just like how God revealed to David the schemes of Saul, He will also reveal those kind of people to you. Keep close to God for discernment.

In the previous verses, David did not harm Saul though he literally can but he is wise on how to handle his fight with the man. Be like David. 

The irony of Saul is a result of fear and envy. Do not forget that though Saul appears to be the villain here, God did anoint him with oil and chose him to rule over Israel. He was once chosen by God. And so, let this be a reminder to us to always guard our hearts. We may thought that we're walking with God but in reality we are slowly being like Saul. And that we should avoid. Keep close to God for discernment and for evaluation with our spiritual walk with Him.

Do not be like Saul. Be like David. Shalom! 

The Loyalty of God

1 Samuel 18:25-30

This incident is one of the wonderful instances where God showed and proved that what one meant for bad, God can turn it the other way around. He can make it good for you. He can turn the result into something great for you. That's why you don't need to worry about your enemy. They may be planning things to make you suffer or fail but when you have God and He is with you, success will still wait for you in the end, no matter what and how they strike you. Because you have God. Just continue to walk with Him.

And I am very much thankful that all through the years and forevermore, I have a big big great God with me. 

May you find HIS presence too if you haven't yet. 

To further know more instances regarding this loyalty of God, please read your Bible. 

The Answer to Our Whys

Joshua 7:6-9: "Then Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. And Joshua said, “Alas, Lord GOD, why have You brought this people over the Jordan at all—to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Oh, that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan! O Lord, what shall I say when Israel turns its back before its enemies? For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear it, and surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?”

We've all been here. We tend to question God when things don't go according to what we have expected or prayed for. Just like Joshua, we felt that God was not a good planner. Because if He is, why would he bring destruction to us? Why would He allow us to get defeated? Or let's make it sound personal: Why didn't I get promoted? Why did I fail the job interview? Why did we brake up? Why did I fail the exam? Why didn't God answer my prayers? Why the God of love, allow me to experience such pain when all I did was to follow His voice? And there are lot more whys... I cannot write all of them here, because it might take me forever.

Our whys can be answered by God right after we have asked Him or after several years or when we are already face to face with Him (meaning, dead). But it will be answered and it will make sense. But to give you an idea why God allowed certain defeat or as if He had brought us destruction, allow me to continue the verse above. And here it goes:

Joshua 7:10-13: "So the LORD said to Joshua: “Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. For they have even taken some of the accursed things, and have both stolen and deceived; and they have also put it among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they have become doomed to destruction. Neither will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy the accursed from among you. Get up, sanctify the people, and say, ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the LORD God of Israel: “ There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you.”

Yes, we have read it right. Sin was the reason why Joshua and the troops were experiencing defeat from the enemy. We must remember that yes, God is love but also God is holy and just.

Let us also not miss out the detail that Joshua wasn't the one sinning here (at least here) but his troops. But he was affected of course.

I am not saying that sin is the answer to your 'why'. I am not in the position to tell that. Sin is just one of the reasons. And make sure that was not the answer behind your 'whys'. And if ever it is, God said "sanctify yourself". Surrender it, let it go...

If you want to go into details or know the whole story regarding the verses here, please do so. Open your Bible. You might find answer to your 'whys'. :D

Never go back to your Egypt

Deuteronomy 17:14-17

14 "When you come to the land which the Lord your God is giving you, and possess it and dwell in it, and say, 'I will set a king over me like all the nations that are around me,'

15 you shall surely set a king over you whom the Lord your God chooses; one from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother.
16 But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the Lord has said to you, 'You shall not return that way again.'
17 Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself.

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The verses above were about the instructions of God to His people in choosing a leader or a king to govern them. He have set the standard and the qualifications. He also indicated some guidelines for the king. But what really caught my attention upon reading the words above was verse 16 and its last line: "You shall not return that way again.", And yes, it is talking about Egypt.

If you are familiar with the Bible and History, you already know that Israelites used to be slaves in Egypt. And God saved them and led them out of that place because He had made a covenant with Abraham. If you haven't heard about that, well, I suggest that you read the Bible (start from Genesis onward) because I won't be discussing about that, specifically in this post.

You can say that in this verse, God is literally reminding His people to never return to Egypt. But as I was meditating His Words, God made me realize something. Egypt also represents our previous life; our bondage; or maybe situation that God has already saved us from. And God is telling you, I mean telling me (because it was me who was reading His Words), to never return to my Egypt. And when He said "You shall not return that way again" He didn't mean your arrival again at Egypt, He is telling you that the moment you recognized that you  are heading your 'way' back at Egypt, you have to stop and turn your back. Because you are walking away to His promised land. You are walking away to His perfect plan for you! And you would never want that! I would never want that.

So whatever your Egypt is, please do not come back. Don't even try to place your feet on that way that will lead you back. Remember that God already took you and saved you out from that Egypt. Do not return.

I repeat, do not return to your Egypt.

He warns; He reminds

Many times in Deuteronomy, God warned His people not to forget God nor have other gods than Him.

He keeps on reminding His people to be cautious of their hearts and make sure that they are still serving the real and true God who saved them from Egypt.

The reminders and warnings are for us too - the ones who are reading the Word of God and the ones who are reading this. We should never forget the greatness of God in our lives when we are doing well in life. Oftentimes, we forget that we are in good shape or in good situation (whatever aspect in life it may be) because God brought us there. And because we are doing well, we become prone to focus more of our attention to the things that keep us away from God. And remember, anything that you prioritize before God, becomes your god. It falls under idolatry - whatever it is.

Let us think and re-evaluate our relationship with God. Are we still pleasing Him? Are you still giving glory to His name in everything you do? Is He still your priority?

He warned and reminded us many times. Yes, many times.

Check out some of these verses found in Deuteronomy for reference:

Deuteronomy 8:11-20

(NKJV)

11 “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, 12 lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; 13 and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; 14 when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; 15 who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; 16 who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end— 17 then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’

18 “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. 19 Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. 20 As the nations which the Lord destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 11:16-17

(NKJV)

16 “Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, 17 lest the Lord’s anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which the Lord is giving you.

You may read the whole chapter of Deuteronomy for other verses containing God's warning and reminders. :D

Genuine Worship

This verse clearly states that our God is a jealous God. Therefore we should always check our heart if it is genuinely worshipping none other than the Lord our God.

We must remember that anything that comes first before God can be our god. Let us always put God above everything else.

He deserves the first place in our heart.

He deserves a genuine worship.

With Cause

22 Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it.

23 And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord God.

-Ezekiel 14:22-23

These verses remind me that if we are allowing God to lead our lives, He surely is directing our lives, and He knows what He's doing very well.

These verses gives me strength to hold on unto God no matter what is happening. He does not do things without a cause and that is more than enough for me to keep holding on unto Him. And besides He holds me so dear too.

Thank you Lord for the cause You are doing in my life.