Hi friends!
This serves as your invitation to the most amazing banquet the world will ever see! Whoever sent this to you must really care about you to let you know about this great event.
Please read the story below to understand the purpose for this invitation.
*************************************************************************************
(Excerpt from "50 days of Heaven" by Randy Alcorn)
My friend Ruthanna Metzgar, a professional singer, was asked to sing at the wedding of a very wealthy man. The wedding reception was to be held on the top two floors of Seattle's Columbia Tower, the Northwest's tallest skyscraper. Ruthanna and her husband, Roy, were excited about attending.
At the start of the reception, the bride and groom approached a beautiful glass and brass staircase that led to the top floor. Someone ceremoniously cut a satin ribbon draped across the bottom of the stairs, and the bride and groom ascended, followed by their guests.
At the top of the stairs, outside the door to the great banquet room, the maitre d' stood holding a bound book.
"May I have your name, please?"
"I'm Ruthanna Metzgar and this is my husband, Roy."
He searched the M's. "I'm not finding it. Would you spell it, please?"
Ruthanna spelled her name slowly. After searching the book, the maitre d' looked up and said, "I'm sorry but your name isn't here."
" There must be some mistake," Ruthanna replied. "I'm the singer!"
The gentleman answered, "It doesn't matter who you are or what you did. Without your name in the book you cannot attend the banquet."
He motioned to a waiter and said, "Show these people to the elevator, please."
The Metzgars followed the waiter past beautifully decorated tables laden with shrimp, whole smoked salmon, and magnificent carved ice sculptures. Adjacent to the banquet area, an orchestra was preparing to perform, the musicians all dressed in dazzling white tuxedos.
The waiter led Ruthanna and Roy to the service elevator, ushered them in, and pressed G for the parking garage.
After driving several miles in silence, Roy reached over and put his hand on Ruthanna's arm. "Sweetheart, what happened?"
"When the invitation arrived, I was busy," Ruthanna replied. "I never bothered to RSVP. Besides, I was the singer. Surely I could go to the reception without returning the RSVP!"
Ruthanna started to weep-- not only because she had missed the most lavish banquet she'd ever been invited to, but also because she suddenly had a small taste if what it will be like someday for people as they stand before Christ and find that their names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
*************************************************************************************
Venue: Brand new street to be announced but here's a description of the grandest hotel you'll ever see!
It's a square city with gates and walls, approximately 1,400 square miles in measurement.
The wall is made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.
The foundations of the city walls are decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation is jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eight beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.
The twelve gates are twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl.
The great street of the city is pure gold, like transparent glass.
For more information, check out Revelations 21:10-27
Date: Anytime, anyday now. So, RSVP!
*************************************************************************************
Preparing for the banquet
For every American who believes he's going to Hell, there are 120 who believe they're going to Heaven. The truth, according to Jesus in Matthew 7:13-14, is that only a few find the narrow road to heaven.
Because of the "good" things we do (plus we don't ever think our actions are evil), we automatically assume that we are going to Heaven. We may be attending church, singing in the choir, helping in a soup kitchen, working for a worthwhile cost, doing our jobs excellently, being good mothers and fathers -- but all these are not enough to earn our entry to Heaven. Remember, it doesn't matter who we are or what we've done! All that will matter is if we've responded to God's invitation. Have you RSVP'd?
We forget that our sin (singular) is enough to keep us out. (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 59:2, Habakkuk 1:13)
"Nothing impure will even enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." Revelations 21:27
Because God wants each of us to make it to this banquet, He has been sending invitations upon invitations to us. Have you RSVP'd?
God is merciful and we will find Him if we seek Him with all our hearts (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
When I finally paid attention to God's invitation, I prayed this prayer everyday, "Lord, please make a true Christian out of me." I believe that God heard me and sent people to my life help me understand what the Bible says about "getting ready" for the banquet.
I truly believe that heartfelt prayers of seeking God will be heard and answered. Of course, when God gives us directions, we must follow.
Have you been putting off God's invitation? Now is the time to respond. RSVP now!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Delightful God
Lord,
Thanks so much for this beautiful day. I'm a little bit behind from my schedule because I got distracted by less important things. I'm sorry but I'm ready to repent.
Lord, thanks so much for all that your created for us -- not just to provide for us but to give us enjoyment. The scripture says,
1 Timothy 6:17
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."
You richly provide us with everything for our enjoyment. Like a loving Father who is delighted to see his child enjoy a gift, so are you delighted when we appreciate your gifts.
Thank you Lord for the gift of life -- both physical and spiritual. Thank you for our lives that are hidden with Christ right now. It is a source of inspiration for me to think that my rewards are not of this world and my endeavors are not of this world. My real life is hidden with Christ and as I go faithfully about my earthly business, I am investing in a life that's infinitely more worthy than this world -- my life in heaven.
I now understand better why the Bible says in Hebrews 11 that the world is not enough for those brothers and sisters who lived their lives in faith. They were looking forward to a better world -- a bigger city. This world is too flawed and too imperfect to invest our time, energy, and resources in it. I will invest in heaven Lord.
Father, I lift up all my activities today and I ask that you give me the energy, power, confidence, skills, drive, passion, courage to fulfill all of them. May my spiritual muscles be exercised. May my faith be built up. May my perseverance grow as I go after the goals we have set yesterday.
I pray for the following activities:
1) Make 40 cold calls. I am afraid but I will master my fear because You are my God and You have created all men equal. I shall not make idols of people by fearing them or being intimated by them. If they reject me and are mean to me, I will bless them and love them, because they need You. I will conquer my fears with your Holy Spirit. I will talk to them in faith and confidence because my goals are now your goals and I commit the results to You.
2) Create a database of partners.
3) Call Jenna, Kim, Nicole. You are a God of relationships. I have friends and sisters right now who need encouragement. May I never forget that life is all about relationships. I must not neglect my friends, family, community, church mates.
4) Prepare Alyssa's phone rebate.
5) Listen to Brian Tracy and read Rainforest Strategy. I acknowledge the wisdom that you have bestowed upon all men. As I learn skills, practicals from people of my trade, may I do so with wisdom to examine their advice in the light of the scriptures. Yet, may I be humble before any knowledge that's good and that will build up my character.
6) Read Career Direct. Lord, let me understand the career exam I took and accept who You created me to be and not deny it. Let me not worry about results and money and future. Let me just use the talents, skills, desires, heart, dreams that You have invested in me. Let me do everything in the name of Jesus, not in my name.
7) Write letter for faxing.
8) Sign up for business luncheon.
Father, these are only acitivites. The results are upon your hands. I pray for Joe as well. May You strengthen him and remind him of Your love always. May he not be burdened by unnecessary worries. May he also surrender the results to You. His quota are your quota and his goals are yours as well.
Love you Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Thanks so much for this beautiful day. I'm a little bit behind from my schedule because I got distracted by less important things. I'm sorry but I'm ready to repent.
Lord, thanks so much for all that your created for us -- not just to provide for us but to give us enjoyment. The scripture says,
1 Timothy 6:17
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."
You richly provide us with everything for our enjoyment. Like a loving Father who is delighted to see his child enjoy a gift, so are you delighted when we appreciate your gifts.
Thank you Lord for the gift of life -- both physical and spiritual. Thank you for our lives that are hidden with Christ right now. It is a source of inspiration for me to think that my rewards are not of this world and my endeavors are not of this world. My real life is hidden with Christ and as I go faithfully about my earthly business, I am investing in a life that's infinitely more worthy than this world -- my life in heaven.
I now understand better why the Bible says in Hebrews 11 that the world is not enough for those brothers and sisters who lived their lives in faith. They were looking forward to a better world -- a bigger city. This world is too flawed and too imperfect to invest our time, energy, and resources in it. I will invest in heaven Lord.
Father, I lift up all my activities today and I ask that you give me the energy, power, confidence, skills, drive, passion, courage to fulfill all of them. May my spiritual muscles be exercised. May my faith be built up. May my perseverance grow as I go after the goals we have set yesterday.
I pray for the following activities:
1) Make 40 cold calls. I am afraid but I will master my fear because You are my God and You have created all men equal. I shall not make idols of people by fearing them or being intimated by them. If they reject me and are mean to me, I will bless them and love them, because they need You. I will conquer my fears with your Holy Spirit. I will talk to them in faith and confidence because my goals are now your goals and I commit the results to You.
2) Create a database of partners.
3) Call Jenna, Kim, Nicole. You are a God of relationships. I have friends and sisters right now who need encouragement. May I never forget that life is all about relationships. I must not neglect my friends, family, community, church mates.
4) Prepare Alyssa's phone rebate.
5) Listen to Brian Tracy and read Rainforest Strategy. I acknowledge the wisdom that you have bestowed upon all men. As I learn skills, practicals from people of my trade, may I do so with wisdom to examine their advice in the light of the scriptures. Yet, may I be humble before any knowledge that's good and that will build up my character.
6) Read Career Direct. Lord, let me understand the career exam I took and accept who You created me to be and not deny it. Let me not worry about results and money and future. Let me just use the talents, skills, desires, heart, dreams that You have invested in me. Let me do everything in the name of Jesus, not in my name.
7) Write letter for faxing.
8) Sign up for business luncheon.
Father, these are only acitivites. The results are upon your hands. I pray for Joe as well. May You strengthen him and remind him of Your love always. May he not be burdened by unnecessary worries. May he also surrender the results to You. His quota are your quota and his goals are yours as well.
Love you Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Monday, January 26, 2009
God -- the desire of my heart
Psalm 73
vs 21-22 "Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you."
Dear Lord,
Like the theme of Psalm 73, I have envied the world and the prosperity of the wicked. I wonder still how people who do not have your Spirit could be so successful in this world.
Why didn't my conscientiousness and hardwork pay off at work? Why did I lose my job despite my loyalty, perserverance, and sincerity?
I am confused bout my direction lately and I really need enlightenment from you. Please help me Lord. I'm sorry if I seem like a senseless animal to you sometimes. Who am I to question the God of the universe?
You see my past, present, and future. The Bible says I can trust You. I will trust You Lord and in the end I know I will be glad. I love you!
23-24 "Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. "
Never have you left me all alone Oh, Lord. I belong to You and like a Father, you hold me by my right hand to guide me. I am convinced that even now, though I feel lost and without direction, You hold me by the hand.
Lord, thank You so much for guiding me and loving me as your child. I know that You care so much about me and never will You ever think of harming me. Everything You ever did and allowed to happen was for my good. I am sorry that I am so shortsighted and faithless at times. Sorry if I hurt your feelings that way.
In the end, I know I will rejoice because You are a God and Father I can trust. Thank You Lord.
25 "Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. "
Lord, though the world bribes us with so much materialism so we can put our trust in them...they do not compare to You. Though we find ourselves in the pinnacle of success, it'll be meaningless without You.
The truth is...You are all we need. To know that You are beside me Lord. To know that even in this uncertain moment, You are guiding me. To know that the course of my life is in your hands, is the greatest security I have.
You keep me sane. You keep me hoping. You keep me persevering. You keep me praying. You keep me dreaming. You sustain me.
My heart knows that there is nothing and no one greater than You. You are really what and who I long for. I love you.
26 "My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. "
It is a fact of life that we will grow weary, but when we hope in You, You strengthen us. You are the strength of our hearts. You will not let me be so hopeless as to allow my heart to collapse. When all my human strength is exhausted, when my cross seems so heavy for me to bear, You will carry it for me.
You are mine forever, Lord. Never will you turn your back from me. Never will you forsake me. Thank You Lord. Amen.
27-28 "Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do."
You are my shelter Oh Lord. Why should I leave you? If I leave you, I die. Lord, You are my refuge. Embolden me to share your good news to people -- that they may also taste that You are good.
Oh, Lord, earth has nothing I so desire. You are the real desire of my heart. I long for your presence. Amen. I love you. Amen.
*************
Lord, I cast all my anxieties upon You. Everything that's in my heart, I entrust to You. Every detail of my life that creates even just a hint of worry or anxiety or sadness -- I lift up to You. You promised that if we trust You, You will give us the desires of our hearts. You promised that we can seek You first and You will give all other things.
We can afford to leave everything behind for You because great are our rewards in heaven.
Let me never forget Lord that I am living a life that's hidden with Christ right now. Every decision I make, every word I say, every thought I think affects that "real" life.
Help me remember that is for that life that I live right now. It's the life that I will live with You for eternity.
Lord, hear my prayers:
1. I pray for the strengthening of my heart and spirit. Help me not wallow in defeat and self-pity. Help me reject the thoughts of failure, hopelessness, defeat, uncertaintly, and doubt from my heart. Keep me spirtually sharp that I may reject the lies of the enemy and pray at all times, in all occassions.
2. I pray for faith and guidance about my present and future endeavors. Help me live life to the full and without regrets -- because I follow your will and your lead. Encourage me as You've encouraged the great men and women of the Bible who did great things for You in their lifetimes.
3. I pray for humility. I pray that pride will never stand in my way again. I pray that I may, in everything, acknowledge You and Your power, before men, before angels, before every authority in the physical and spiritual realm.
4. I pray for a wise heart -- that I may learn and understand your words all the days of my life. That I may live life to the full by following your commands and keeping your words in my heart.
5. I pray the same for my husband because we are one. He is my leader, even as You lead Him. You have given him authority over me. Please give him double portions of your spirit that he may lead me, us (family) closer to You. Draw him close God and empower him doubly. Put your favor upon him Oh Lord and bless the works of his hands.
6. I pray for our marriage -- that we may serve as a light, a ray of hope among marriages around us. May we value our marriage as You value the church. May we truly love, and serve one another in sickness and in health, in poverty or abundance. May people, thru our marriage, see Your power. May we be examples, counselors, to marriages especially to those couples who are yet to know You and have a relationship with You.
7. I pray for our children -- that we may rear them in the training and instruction of the Lord. May the Bible be the ultimate source of our wisdom. May we trust Your ways over our ways. May we hold unswervingly to the wisdom from your words. May our children grow seeking You and loving You with all their hearts, mind, and soul. May they become a light to their generation. May Alyssa and Dayton love one another and be loving to one another. May they feel a special bond of love as brother and sister. May Dayton do great things for You. May they both choose to have a relationship with You. Please help me have a smooth delivery. Be my doctor, my doula, my midwife, my comfort, my coach during my delivery. I need You Lord.
8. I pray for your families -- mom, dad, sisters, in-laws. We pray that they may become Christians. I pray for tatay and nanay to grow mature spiritually. May they grow in their love for You and for others. May Ever and Mike become Christians. May Tito Jimmy's family become Christians. May our family in the US become Christians. May You put a hunger and thirst in their hearts for a real relationship with YOu.
9. I pray for your jobs/business. Please give us a double portion of your spirit. Please bless the works of our hands. Please bestow your favor upon us and increase our territories. Please help us to become financially free. Please help us to become good and faithful servants and stewards of You. Please bless Joe's job and provide for us. Bless us Oh Lord. Grant us peace from the worries of life and bless us. Let us never eat the bread of idleness, but may we never trust only in our own strength, knowledge, skills, and abilities. May we see miracles in our daily lives.
10. I pray for the church and our Bible Talk. Help us all grow in our love, knowledge, desire of YOu. Help us all to be united and love one another. Give us wisdom. Please help our family group to truly become family. I pray for Mike and Stefani's leadership. May we be great support to them as they grow and learn in their leadership. May they be servant leaders and may they love the members of the family group, as you love them. I pray for Jim and Lauren's family and marriage to be strengthened. May their relationship with You be strengthened as well. Please provide for Drew and Gedline and their family. Please be with their marriage and don't let Satan have a foothold in their marriage. I pray for Jerry and Alison to be pure and faithful. May they be faithful to You and glorify You with their relationship. I pray for Kimberly to grow in her stewardship. Please entrust her with a ministry. Please help her grow in her character of patience and purity.
11. I pray for those who are sick. Gary Hedman -- a miraculous and fast recovery from surgery. Ben Hermantin -- spiritual, physical, emotional provision. Please restore him to and even beyond 100% that he may work again and provide for his famly. Karlene to be strong and faithful in this time of testing and to be great inspiration and support to her husband. Deb Rawls not just to be healed of cancer but to be miraculously and completely healed. May You, our great physician, who raises the dead to life-- show our skeptical and faithless hearts, that You are able to completely heal us from everything that ail us.
12. I pray for the singles and campus ministry to grow. I pray for those in leadership to grow in their humility and reliance on You and your word.
13. For friends to study the Bible and become disciples: John and Stacy, David Jermaine, Nicole, Khue, Dave Le. May You put a deep hunger and longing in their hearts for You. Pray that Teresa and Vic become pregnant with a girl this year and for Dave and Michelle to have twins. For Mona's family to become Christians. For Emily Babel to grow in her wisdom in motherhood.
14. I pray that my dream to build a business and non-profit, become a counselor, writer, and speaker become a reality -- ALL TO YOUR GLORY LORD. May I always do things in your name, not mine. I love You Lord. I pray all these in Jesus' name. Amen.
vs 21-22 "Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you."
Dear Lord,
Like the theme of Psalm 73, I have envied the world and the prosperity of the wicked. I wonder still how people who do not have your Spirit could be so successful in this world.
Why didn't my conscientiousness and hardwork pay off at work? Why did I lose my job despite my loyalty, perserverance, and sincerity?
I am confused bout my direction lately and I really need enlightenment from you. Please help me Lord. I'm sorry if I seem like a senseless animal to you sometimes. Who am I to question the God of the universe?
You see my past, present, and future. The Bible says I can trust You. I will trust You Lord and in the end I know I will be glad. I love you!
23-24 "Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. "
Never have you left me all alone Oh, Lord. I belong to You and like a Father, you hold me by my right hand to guide me. I am convinced that even now, though I feel lost and without direction, You hold me by the hand.
Lord, thank You so much for guiding me and loving me as your child. I know that You care so much about me and never will You ever think of harming me. Everything You ever did and allowed to happen was for my good. I am sorry that I am so shortsighted and faithless at times. Sorry if I hurt your feelings that way.
In the end, I know I will rejoice because You are a God and Father I can trust. Thank You Lord.
25 "Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. "
Lord, though the world bribes us with so much materialism so we can put our trust in them...they do not compare to You. Though we find ourselves in the pinnacle of success, it'll be meaningless without You.
The truth is...You are all we need. To know that You are beside me Lord. To know that even in this uncertain moment, You are guiding me. To know that the course of my life is in your hands, is the greatest security I have.
You keep me sane. You keep me hoping. You keep me persevering. You keep me praying. You keep me dreaming. You sustain me.
My heart knows that there is nothing and no one greater than You. You are really what and who I long for. I love you.
26 "My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. "
It is a fact of life that we will grow weary, but when we hope in You, You strengthen us. You are the strength of our hearts. You will not let me be so hopeless as to allow my heart to collapse. When all my human strength is exhausted, when my cross seems so heavy for me to bear, You will carry it for me.
You are mine forever, Lord. Never will you turn your back from me. Never will you forsake me. Thank You Lord. Amen.
27-28 "Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do."
You are my shelter Oh Lord. Why should I leave you? If I leave you, I die. Lord, You are my refuge. Embolden me to share your good news to people -- that they may also taste that You are good.
Oh, Lord, earth has nothing I so desire. You are the real desire of my heart. I long for your presence. Amen. I love you. Amen.
*************
Lord, I cast all my anxieties upon You. Everything that's in my heart, I entrust to You. Every detail of my life that creates even just a hint of worry or anxiety or sadness -- I lift up to You. You promised that if we trust You, You will give us the desires of our hearts. You promised that we can seek You first and You will give all other things.
We can afford to leave everything behind for You because great are our rewards in heaven.
Let me never forget Lord that I am living a life that's hidden with Christ right now. Every decision I make, every word I say, every thought I think affects that "real" life.
Help me remember that is for that life that I live right now. It's the life that I will live with You for eternity.
Lord, hear my prayers:
1. I pray for the strengthening of my heart and spirit. Help me not wallow in defeat and self-pity. Help me reject the thoughts of failure, hopelessness, defeat, uncertaintly, and doubt from my heart. Keep me spirtually sharp that I may reject the lies of the enemy and pray at all times, in all occassions.
2. I pray for faith and guidance about my present and future endeavors. Help me live life to the full and without regrets -- because I follow your will and your lead. Encourage me as You've encouraged the great men and women of the Bible who did great things for You in their lifetimes.
3. I pray for humility. I pray that pride will never stand in my way again. I pray that I may, in everything, acknowledge You and Your power, before men, before angels, before every authority in the physical and spiritual realm.
4. I pray for a wise heart -- that I may learn and understand your words all the days of my life. That I may live life to the full by following your commands and keeping your words in my heart.
5. I pray the same for my husband because we are one. He is my leader, even as You lead Him. You have given him authority over me. Please give him double portions of your spirit that he may lead me, us (family) closer to You. Draw him close God and empower him doubly. Put your favor upon him Oh Lord and bless the works of his hands.
6. I pray for our marriage -- that we may serve as a light, a ray of hope among marriages around us. May we value our marriage as You value the church. May we truly love, and serve one another in sickness and in health, in poverty or abundance. May people, thru our marriage, see Your power. May we be examples, counselors, to marriages especially to those couples who are yet to know You and have a relationship with You.
7. I pray for our children -- that we may rear them in the training and instruction of the Lord. May the Bible be the ultimate source of our wisdom. May we trust Your ways over our ways. May we hold unswervingly to the wisdom from your words. May our children grow seeking You and loving You with all their hearts, mind, and soul. May they become a light to their generation. May Alyssa and Dayton love one another and be loving to one another. May they feel a special bond of love as brother and sister. May Dayton do great things for You. May they both choose to have a relationship with You. Please help me have a smooth delivery. Be my doctor, my doula, my midwife, my comfort, my coach during my delivery. I need You Lord.
8. I pray for your families -- mom, dad, sisters, in-laws. We pray that they may become Christians. I pray for tatay and nanay to grow mature spiritually. May they grow in their love for You and for others. May Ever and Mike become Christians. May Tito Jimmy's family become Christians. May our family in the US become Christians. May You put a hunger and thirst in their hearts for a real relationship with YOu.
9. I pray for your jobs/business. Please give us a double portion of your spirit. Please bless the works of our hands. Please bestow your favor upon us and increase our territories. Please help us to become financially free. Please help us to become good and faithful servants and stewards of You. Please bless Joe's job and provide for us. Bless us Oh Lord. Grant us peace from the worries of life and bless us. Let us never eat the bread of idleness, but may we never trust only in our own strength, knowledge, skills, and abilities. May we see miracles in our daily lives.
10. I pray for the church and our Bible Talk. Help us all grow in our love, knowledge, desire of YOu. Help us all to be united and love one another. Give us wisdom. Please help our family group to truly become family. I pray for Mike and Stefani's leadership. May we be great support to them as they grow and learn in their leadership. May they be servant leaders and may they love the members of the family group, as you love them. I pray for Jim and Lauren's family and marriage to be strengthened. May their relationship with You be strengthened as well. Please provide for Drew and Gedline and their family. Please be with their marriage and don't let Satan have a foothold in their marriage. I pray for Jerry and Alison to be pure and faithful. May they be faithful to You and glorify You with their relationship. I pray for Kimberly to grow in her stewardship. Please entrust her with a ministry. Please help her grow in her character of patience and purity.
11. I pray for those who are sick. Gary Hedman -- a miraculous and fast recovery from surgery. Ben Hermantin -- spiritual, physical, emotional provision. Please restore him to and even beyond 100% that he may work again and provide for his famly. Karlene to be strong and faithful in this time of testing and to be great inspiration and support to her husband. Deb Rawls not just to be healed of cancer but to be miraculously and completely healed. May You, our great physician, who raises the dead to life-- show our skeptical and faithless hearts, that You are able to completely heal us from everything that ail us.
12. I pray for the singles and campus ministry to grow. I pray for those in leadership to grow in their humility and reliance on You and your word.
13. For friends to study the Bible and become disciples: John and Stacy, David Jermaine, Nicole, Khue, Dave Le. May You put a deep hunger and longing in their hearts for You. Pray that Teresa and Vic become pregnant with a girl this year and for Dave and Michelle to have twins. For Mona's family to become Christians. For Emily Babel to grow in her wisdom in motherhood.
14. I pray that my dream to build a business and non-profit, become a counselor, writer, and speaker become a reality -- ALL TO YOUR GLORY LORD. May I always do things in your name, not mine. I love You Lord. I pray all these in Jesus' name. Amen.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Mind on heavenly things
"Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Colossians 3:1-2
What if your mind is so set on heavenly things that you are of no earthly good?
This was exactly what I asked Joe, my husband when I started having my quiet time on "50 Days of Heaven", by Randy Alcorn.
When I was in college, and became a Christian for the first time, I got so fired up about heaven and about my salvation -- and of bringing as many as possible to heaven. To be honest, I poured my entire time, energy, heart, thought, ambition, mind--all my resources into the ministry.
It came to the point when I was not afraid of losing any of my earthly endeavors. I didn't care about what degree to finish -- it's not what I wanted to do with my life anyway. I didn't care about money at all. I have experienced hunger in some ways. I didn't care about grades. I became numb to what others said about me. Some of my friends and relatives thought I have trashed myself and my future. They say "sayang", which is the Filipino word equal to "damaged goods."
I spent so much time into counseling and into the ministry that I didn't get enough sleep. One time, my professor called me into her office and asked if I was taking drugs. I was losing weight, getting dark coz of exposure to the sun, often sleepy in class. I also was often late for her 7 am classes that eventually, she had to dismiss me from her class. It was a major subject and it took its toll on my education.
I guess I got what I deserved when even my university decided to dismiss me. It was such a bad example to other students that I was also kicked out of the ministry I was involved in.
What's my point here? I guess I'm confused. There was a point in my life that I was willing to leave everything behind for Jesus. I only cared about going to heaven and fulfilling the great commission in my generation. I will not claim to be perfect during those "zealous" times of my life. I knew I had sinned against God in so many ways even as I tried to "do" so many things that I thought was "heavenly."
Another thing that confuses me is the idea of success. In our workplaces, we are called to be successful. I have observed that in the corporate world, in order to be successful, you have to have a certain degree of pride and ambition, self-trust, drive, inward and egotistic focus, dishonesty if need be. You have to pour time, energy, thought, heart, mind, soul into it. If you truly want to be successful in the corporate world, you have to compete by comparing your performance with others. You have to work extra harder than everyone else. You have to set aside some of your other priorities such as family and God and work even beyond work hours.
What if you are a worker who simply wants a balance life? You want to be able to give heart, mind, soul, effort, energy and time to all your priorities in order of importance of course. How can you really excel when you try to be an 8 to 5 worker (because) you want to focus on other things after those hours? How can you compete with those who stretch their work beyond their normal work hours? Everyone knows that in this world, the least productive gets kicked out first.
Sure, we are to set our minds on heavenly things. What does it really mean? How does it look like? How does a mind that's set on heavenly things function? How should this kind of mindset affect our daily living?
Hmm...I guess the rest of Colossians 3 answers my questions:
3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Can it be that though I walk this earth, I'm actually living a different life in the spiritual realm? In that realm, all the good that I do matters. In that realm, my earthly achievements don't matter. In that realm, everytime I make the right decision, I am rewarded. In that realm, every little thing I did for God's kingdom is noted down. That is the "real" life I'm living right now. It is hidden with Christ in God...but someday, when Christ appears, I will also appear with him in glory.
Then I will meet my true self.
5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
To be heavenly focused means to get rid of the "idols" of my life. Sad to say, my present confusion on things might be because I have other idols in my life. There are evil desires and greed in my heart. I desire to be successful in the eyes of the world. I rationalize this by saying, "Well, as a Christian, I should be a great example to unbelievers."
This may be true, but God weighs the heart. Could He be seeing that I am in the danger of idolatry if I ever became successful in the standards of this world? Is this why He's held success from me?
For instance, I often tell Joe that in order for us to reach out to his parents, we have to gain their respect. I always said that, like every human being that looks at the outward appearance, his parents value the outward things. Therefore, we can only reach out to them once we've proven ourselves successful. I also have this nagging desire in my heart to "redeem" myself before my family and friends. I wanted to show them that I am not "sayang". I wanted to show them that I am still the Engracia they used to know -- smart, able, high-achieving.
I also have tendencies towards lust and impurities. The person who truly has his/her mind on heavenly things will not lust. It's unimaginable to be walking the spiritual realm with lust and impurity in my heart. My life is now hidden in Christ and behind that spiritual curtain, my real self is hidden.
But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Again, it is inconceivable for Christ to lie and to have these sins in His heart. I am being renewed in knowledge in the image of my Creator. Setting my mind in heaven means continuously repenting of my sins and growing to become like Jesus. This is how God wants us to live life from now on.
12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Compassion.
Kindness.
Humility.
Gentleness.
Patience.
Grace.
Love.
As long as I am growing in these aspects, I must be happy. My true self is hidden with Christ.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
The peace of Christ -- how I long for it.
Thankful-- when was the last time I was truly thankful?
Let Christ's word dwell in me richly.
Get involved with others: teach, admonish one another with all wisdom, sing together with gratitude in our hearts to God.
17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Do everything, say everything in Jesus' name. It's about Jesus. It's about his name -- NOT mine. Do everything in His name, not mine. No, no, not mine. How wrong of me to do things in my name.
18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
There it is...work with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as WORKING FOR THE LORD. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Main gleanings from this QT:
1. My real life is hidden in Christ. My reward and inheritance is from the Lord -- not from the world.
2. Heavenly mindset is getting rid of all the sins that used to enslave us before we came to know Christ. Heavenly mindset is growing in the fruits of the Spirit.
3. Work and serve the Lord wholeheartedly. Dedicate all my work and my words to Jesus and do them in Jesus' name.
Decision:
I am starting to build home business now. I have Joe and another friend to guide me through it. My husband has been truly insightful and helpful with his input but I tend to brush him aside and not take him seriously.
I didn't have a heavenly mindset. I thought I was doing it to feel fulfilled and to become accomplished as a person. I thought I needed to do it because we need money to support our family. That's why things were heavy in my heart and I couldn't find the motivation to go on.
But God has shown me this great opportunity. Yes, it is an opportunity to earn money. However, more importantly, it is an opportunity to glorify God. I MUST DO THINGS IN THE NAME OF JESUS, not in my name.
It is an opportunity to pour myself into things that matter most: GOD, family, ministry.
PRAYER:
Please God. Help me not get distracted. Help me remember what You just taught me today. I love you. Amen.
What if your mind is so set on heavenly things that you are of no earthly good?
This was exactly what I asked Joe, my husband when I started having my quiet time on "50 Days of Heaven", by Randy Alcorn.
When I was in college, and became a Christian for the first time, I got so fired up about heaven and about my salvation -- and of bringing as many as possible to heaven. To be honest, I poured my entire time, energy, heart, thought, ambition, mind--all my resources into the ministry.
It came to the point when I was not afraid of losing any of my earthly endeavors. I didn't care about what degree to finish -- it's not what I wanted to do with my life anyway. I didn't care about money at all. I have experienced hunger in some ways. I didn't care about grades. I became numb to what others said about me. Some of my friends and relatives thought I have trashed myself and my future. They say "sayang", which is the Filipino word equal to "damaged goods."
I spent so much time into counseling and into the ministry that I didn't get enough sleep. One time, my professor called me into her office and asked if I was taking drugs. I was losing weight, getting dark coz of exposure to the sun, often sleepy in class. I also was often late for her 7 am classes that eventually, she had to dismiss me from her class. It was a major subject and it took its toll on my education.
I guess I got what I deserved when even my university decided to dismiss me. It was such a bad example to other students that I was also kicked out of the ministry I was involved in.
What's my point here? I guess I'm confused. There was a point in my life that I was willing to leave everything behind for Jesus. I only cared about going to heaven and fulfilling the great commission in my generation. I will not claim to be perfect during those "zealous" times of my life. I knew I had sinned against God in so many ways even as I tried to "do" so many things that I thought was "heavenly."
Another thing that confuses me is the idea of success. In our workplaces, we are called to be successful. I have observed that in the corporate world, in order to be successful, you have to have a certain degree of pride and ambition, self-trust, drive, inward and egotistic focus, dishonesty if need be. You have to pour time, energy, thought, heart, mind, soul into it. If you truly want to be successful in the corporate world, you have to compete by comparing your performance with others. You have to work extra harder than everyone else. You have to set aside some of your other priorities such as family and God and work even beyond work hours.
What if you are a worker who simply wants a balance life? You want to be able to give heart, mind, soul, effort, energy and time to all your priorities in order of importance of course. How can you really excel when you try to be an 8 to 5 worker (because) you want to focus on other things after those hours? How can you compete with those who stretch their work beyond their normal work hours? Everyone knows that in this world, the least productive gets kicked out first.
Sure, we are to set our minds on heavenly things. What does it really mean? How does it look like? How does a mind that's set on heavenly things function? How should this kind of mindset affect our daily living?
Hmm...I guess the rest of Colossians 3 answers my questions:
3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Can it be that though I walk this earth, I'm actually living a different life in the spiritual realm? In that realm, all the good that I do matters. In that realm, my earthly achievements don't matter. In that realm, everytime I make the right decision, I am rewarded. In that realm, every little thing I did for God's kingdom is noted down. That is the "real" life I'm living right now. It is hidden with Christ in God...but someday, when Christ appears, I will also appear with him in glory.
Then I will meet my true self.
5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
To be heavenly focused means to get rid of the "idols" of my life. Sad to say, my present confusion on things might be because I have other idols in my life. There are evil desires and greed in my heart. I desire to be successful in the eyes of the world. I rationalize this by saying, "Well, as a Christian, I should be a great example to unbelievers."
This may be true, but God weighs the heart. Could He be seeing that I am in the danger of idolatry if I ever became successful in the standards of this world? Is this why He's held success from me?
For instance, I often tell Joe that in order for us to reach out to his parents, we have to gain their respect. I always said that, like every human being that looks at the outward appearance, his parents value the outward things. Therefore, we can only reach out to them once we've proven ourselves successful. I also have this nagging desire in my heart to "redeem" myself before my family and friends. I wanted to show them that I am not "sayang". I wanted to show them that I am still the Engracia they used to know -- smart, able, high-achieving.
I also have tendencies towards lust and impurities. The person who truly has his/her mind on heavenly things will not lust. It's unimaginable to be walking the spiritual realm with lust and impurity in my heart. My life is now hidden in Christ and behind that spiritual curtain, my real self is hidden.
But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Again, it is inconceivable for Christ to lie and to have these sins in His heart. I am being renewed in knowledge in the image of my Creator. Setting my mind in heaven means continuously repenting of my sins and growing to become like Jesus. This is how God wants us to live life from now on.
12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Compassion.
Kindness.
Humility.
Gentleness.
Patience.
Grace.
Love.
As long as I am growing in these aspects, I must be happy. My true self is hidden with Christ.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
The peace of Christ -- how I long for it.
Thankful-- when was the last time I was truly thankful?
Let Christ's word dwell in me richly.
Get involved with others: teach, admonish one another with all wisdom, sing together with gratitude in our hearts to God.
17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Do everything, say everything in Jesus' name. It's about Jesus. It's about his name -- NOT mine. Do everything in His name, not mine. No, no, not mine. How wrong of me to do things in my name.
18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
There it is...work with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as WORKING FOR THE LORD. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Main gleanings from this QT:
1. My real life is hidden in Christ. My reward and inheritance is from the Lord -- not from the world.
2. Heavenly mindset is getting rid of all the sins that used to enslave us before we came to know Christ. Heavenly mindset is growing in the fruits of the Spirit.
3. Work and serve the Lord wholeheartedly. Dedicate all my work and my words to Jesus and do them in Jesus' name.
Decision:
I am starting to build home business now. I have Joe and another friend to guide me through it. My husband has been truly insightful and helpful with his input but I tend to brush him aside and not take him seriously.
I didn't have a heavenly mindset. I thought I was doing it to feel fulfilled and to become accomplished as a person. I thought I needed to do it because we need money to support our family. That's why things were heavy in my heart and I couldn't find the motivation to go on.
But God has shown me this great opportunity. Yes, it is an opportunity to earn money. However, more importantly, it is an opportunity to glorify God. I MUST DO THINGS IN THE NAME OF JESUS, not in my name.
It is an opportunity to pour myself into things that matter most: GOD, family, ministry.
PRAYER:
Please God. Help me not get distracted. Help me remember what You just taught me today. I love you. Amen.
Show me the way
Dear God,
How are you?
You know that I got fired from Qwest recently for not hitting my quota. It's a big disappointment for me because, first of all I've never been fired. Secondly, I feel like I gave my best and yet it wasn't enough. It makes me feel inadequate and below average.
Now, I'm at home. I'm supposed to be resting like a lot of moms tell me. They tell me that I should get as much rest as I can right now because once the baby is out, I'll be so tired most of the time.
I do want to rest but the guilt in my heart about not working at these difficult financial times. My husband is left to work for our family. I also think he's very pressured about it, though he doesn't admit it.
It is true what he said about me last night. I am fleeting, fickle minded. I don't know what I want. It's sad. I don't want to be fickle minded. I've never kept a job for at least a year. I'm always attracted by something better or always think that the next career or job is the one I'm looking for.
I feel tired and sad God. I wish I could find a mentor to help me and inspire me and motivate me. Please help me Lord because I have no sense of direction career-wise. I'm sad about this. Please help me find my rest and finally have a career I will love and enjoy and that will meet our family's needs. I love you Lord and forgive me if I'm fickle minded. Please guide me and show me the way. AMen.
How are you?
You know that I got fired from Qwest recently for not hitting my quota. It's a big disappointment for me because, first of all I've never been fired. Secondly, I feel like I gave my best and yet it wasn't enough. It makes me feel inadequate and below average.
Now, I'm at home. I'm supposed to be resting like a lot of moms tell me. They tell me that I should get as much rest as I can right now because once the baby is out, I'll be so tired most of the time.
I do want to rest but the guilt in my heart about not working at these difficult financial times. My husband is left to work for our family. I also think he's very pressured about it, though he doesn't admit it.
It is true what he said about me last night. I am fleeting, fickle minded. I don't know what I want. It's sad. I don't want to be fickle minded. I've never kept a job for at least a year. I'm always attracted by something better or always think that the next career or job is the one I'm looking for.
I feel tired and sad God. I wish I could find a mentor to help me and inspire me and motivate me. Please help me Lord because I have no sense of direction career-wise. I'm sad about this. Please help me find my rest and finally have a career I will love and enjoy and that will meet our family's needs. I love you Lord and forgive me if I'm fickle minded. Please guide me and show me the way. AMen.
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