Yet we worry_Matthew 6:25-34

Yet we worry despite memorizing these amazing verses that should give us comfort and hope. Despite our faith, despite our proclamations that "God is good", "God is in control", "God is faithful to all His promises", we still go on and have our anxious thoughts. Why then do we still worry?

Not to shift the blame but it goes back to the original sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eve. The serpent played on the very thing that made us uniquely human--our free will, and our downfall--our pride. Adam and Eve could have very well lived comfortably in the presence of God without having to worry about anything, but when the serpent offered them something more -- the ability to discern good and evil -- by eating from the forbidden Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and to become "like" God, they walked right in his wily trap. We are no different. We still want to be in control, no matter what we say otherwise. Our pride compels us to take charge...and then worry.

To stop worrying, therefore, we need to surrender our will to the Father's. He, is after all, God who is in control; he is faithful to all His promises; and, His plans for us are good.

How does my heart look?_1 Samuel 16:1-7

When the Lord sent Samuel to Jesse's family to anoint the new king, Samuel most likely had in mind what a king should look like -- tall, handsome, strong, a commanding presence, maybe a loud voice, fighting skills, etc. Like a beauty pageant, each candidate among Jesse's sons paraded before Samuel only to be rejected by the Lord. David, the youngest and relegated to watching the sheep while everyone else was invited to the assembly with Samuel, the Judge, was finally called in, as a last ditch effort. It was he that God had chosen.

Why didn't the Lord just tell Samuel right away to call for David? God wanted to teach Samuel, and us, that the world's standards are not God's standards. What we may think to be right is not right with God. Our worldview is to look at "looks" -- height, facial features, body build, color of skin, social status, income etc. Our Father who created all of us, knows every single cell in our bodies. He calls us to serve Him according to the status of our HEARTS, our obedience to Him and willingness to serve Him are what matter most.

Giving Glory_John 17:1-5

The Hebrew word kavod (K-V-D) has meant "importance", "weight", "deference", or "heaviness", but primarily kavod means "glory", "respect", "honor", and "majesty". In translating the Hebrew Bible, the Greek word used is δόξα, a word also appearing extensively in the New Testament which was originally written in Greek. (www.en.wikipedia.org) Sadly, in today's world, people often glorify other mere mortals who are as flawed as they are; many times, it is precisely for the flaws that they are glorified! Celebrities, artists, musicians, and yes, even politicians, are "idolized".

While I find nothing wrong when we admire others for their values, and how their lives impact positively others, it becomes wrong when admiration or even inspiration becomes obsessive to the point that the person is put on a pedestal. Only One deserves the praise, honor and reverence, and that is Jesus. In his prayer to the Father, he expresses that he has brought the Father glory on earth (humans now have seen the Father through Jesus) by completing the work you have given me to do (reconciling sacrifice through His death on the cross).

Temptation and Sin_Genesis 3:1-10

The story of the Fall of Man in Genesis 3:1-10 is one of my favorites, not because I like sin but because it shows how the original sin of Adam and Eve is lurking to make me fall as well. How easily we are deceived by the devil, the father of all lies! The serpent easily planted doubt in the minds of Eve, and of Adam who there beside her, by the way. The serpent asked, "Did God REALLY say, 'You must not eat from ANY tree in the garden?" By subtly twisting the truth he set the trap for the humans. How easily we are snared by our own lusts! When Eve saw the fruit of the tree, she saw that it was "good for food" (lust of the flesh), "pleasing to the eye (lust of the senses), and "desirable for gaining wisdom" (pride). How easily we think we can hide our sin from God who created us! Once they ate of the fruit, their eyes were indeed open, not to the wonders as described by the serpent but to their own nakedness (vulnerability, ugliness of sin). And as God called out to them "Where are you?" -- as if he didn't already know where they were -- they both hid, mistakenly thinking that God wouldn't find them.

Lord, how many times have I been deceived and succumbed to the temptations of the flesh, senses and of pride? Forgive me Lord! Help me see my own nakedness and how much I need Your Holy Spirit for discernment and faith. Help me to know that I am victorious over the serpent because Jesus has already won over sin and death on the Cross.

Led by God_Psalm 143:4-11

One of my life verses is verse 8, "Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul."

Everything depends on Him alone. He is my Good Shepherd, and like sheep who do not know where to go, I need to simply follow. The problem lies when I try to do things on my own or try to go where I want to go without first "lifting up my soul" and crying out, "Okay, Lord, show me where I should go!" This however is not in human nature -- this surrendering of will to someone else. We are filled with pride and think we can do things on our won. This is why we need to LEARN how to surrender our will to God.

Verse 10 then says, "Teach me to do Your will for You are my God; may Your Good Spirit lead me to LEVEL GROUND." Just as the psalmist wrote in Psalm 23. "He makes me lie down in green pastures...", God who is good will bring me to where it is level ground, where I can lie down and rest. There is no real rest until I am led, and when I learn to follow.

Hope_Ecclesiastes 9:4-12

At first glance, these verses seem so discouraging, with words like "meaningless life", "for in the grave where you are going", and "so men are trapped in evil times..." Yet, the message here is that while we live THERE IS HOPE!

Verse 4 says "Anyone who is among the living has hope...", and that we must enjoy God's favor or blessings.

Verse 7 says "Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is NOW that God favors what you do."

As flawed humans we tend to live in the past (regrets) and plan our future (anxiety) which we have no control of. This is why Jesus calls us not to be anxious about tomorrow in Matthew 6:34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day is enough trouble of its own." What He calls us to do rather is to BE PRESENT in His PRESENCE.

The Rubber Band

It’s commonplace enough, found in most office desks, kitchen drawers and even in my bag! It has a myriad of uses. I use it to hold together used wrapping paper or cartolina; bundle up straying electric cords; and ponytail my daughter’s hair. As children, my brother and sisters used them as slingshots with rolled paper as ammo. But as I reflect on our 2018, there is a priceless lesson to be had from the ubiquitous rubber band. My faith in our good God is very much like a rubber band. He stretches me to the point I feel I’m about to snap, and as I cry out to Him, He then releases me. Just as I become complacent, He once again pulls me to where I think is my limit. You see, when He calls us to do His work, He stretches our faith like a rubber band so we can be pliable to His will, and therefore we can accomplish more. Painful, yes, and many times exhausting physically and emotionally. 2018 was a strenuous year to say the least for my family. It strained our resources, our patience, and our resolve. But despite all this, we have found beautiful blessings in loyal people, faithful friends, and a purpose for the family that has remained steadfast. For all these, we are truly grateful. In all honesty, however, I whisper a prayer: “Lord, can the stretching please stop and let us catch our breath?” I have no answer, yet I look toward to 2019 in hope, and continue to pray— When we feel helpless with situations surrounding us and we feel hopeless, You are our Hope. When we see violence and hatred all around, You are our Peace. When misery and despair engulf us, You are our Joy. “We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in You.” -- Psalm 33:20-22