Many people want to trust God but many people fear the God they want to trust in.
I have been a christian for many years now. Although I still struggle in my every day walk, I am very thankful for my church that they taught me the basics of having faith and of increasing one's faith.
One lesson I never forgot was the OBJECT OF YOUR FAITH. It's not the strength of your faith, but the object of your faith. The object of your faith is very important because this will either make you or break you. The object of your faith must be credible and sturdy. Not only should the object of your faith withstand the test of time, but the object of your faith should not be prone to change like the changing of the season. The object of your faith also has nothing to do with your feelings.
Imagine this skinny guy skating on top of a frozen lake. In his mind, he trusts that the ice will carry his weight. His faith on the ice is very strong. He is confident he will not fall. He steps on the ice. It cracks. He falls into the icy lake.
Now imagine this big gigantic guy who steps on the lake. The temperature has been negative for weeks and the ice is thick and frozen solid. Yet he is afraid that the ice will not hold his weight. His confidence on the ice was weak. But the ice did not crack. It held his weight in spite of his feelings towards the object of his faith.
Many of us think the strength of our faith is the one that will carry us through in times of trouble. If our faith is strong, then we can make it. But if our faith is weak, then we will fail. The truth of the matter is, it is the credibility and reliability of the object of our faith that carries us through. Even if we had the strongest of faith but the object of our faith is not reliable, chances are, we will be disappointed and will fall away. But if God is the object of your faith, even though you falter, He will continue to remain reliable and credible. Not because of who you are, but because of who He is. He does not change His mind. He is not fickle. Numbers 23:19-20 says "God is not human that He should lie, not a human being, that He should change his mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? " The more we know God through prayer and the reading of His word, the more we realize He is someone you can cast your burdens upon. He is true to His word. He is credible and reliable.
Many times in my life, I have often questioned and complained when things don't go my way. I don't ask God, "why me". I ask God "why not me?" Why not the tickets I wanted for a particular concert? Why not this guy I have been praying for for some time? Why not a vacation to this place I've been dreaming of? Why not this promotion or increase that I have been hoping for? Why why why?
However, the Holy Spirit corrects me by reminding me that the object of my faith is credible. That God loves me and will never do anything to harm me. "For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plants to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
I remember years ago, I was waiting for this promotion "due to me" since I was the next person in line for the position. So imagine my surprise when I found out my managers opened the position to outsiders instead of promoting me! I bawled my eyes out. I was so hurt. That was the time I was starting to attend bible studies. I was starting to have a relationship with the Person of my faith. God is credible. God is reliable. When God closes doors, He opens windows. I processed my hurt into curiosity. I prayed, "Okay God. What are you trying to say? Where do you want me to go?"
Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you shall find. Knock and a door will be answered. A few years after, I resigned from that company and applied as a full time church worker in the same christian church that was holding the bible studies. That was almost 15 years ago. I have been working under my church for 11 years already and I couldn't be any happier! To be honest, I felt out of place working for a company. God knew me best and He knew where I would flourish. God gave me a purpose. I was not to be a manager but to be a church worker in service for Him for His glory.
For those who are struggling with the object of your faith, may this prayer help you in your journey.
Dear Lord,
Forgive me when I have doubts to who you are, when I question your goodness because of the things going on around me. Help me to know you more, for me to understand and accept your ways. I want to trust the object of my faith. You said in Jeremiah 29:13 that I will seek you and will find you if I seek you with all of my heart. Help me to know and trust you more. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Friday, December 21, 2018
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
My Munting Muni Muni - Diet before it's too late
One of my closest friends used to tell me if I didn't change my eating habits, I was going to get sick. That was around 4-5 years ago. He would gently remind me on many occasions that God has been blessing me with so many things but I will not appreciate or enjoy these blessings if I did not take care of my body.
I was classified as Obese 2, diabetic and worse, I was stubborn and lacked self control. With my loving junk food and having a sweet tooth, how could I say no to chips, ice cream, and pizza? My friend would see me gobbling these yummy treats and say enough already since my cravings had been satisfied. Did I listen? Noooo! I had to finish the entire bag of chips! Or would have a double portion when one would have sufficed.
It was not as if I did not try dieting or exercising. I tried swimming 3x a week. Treadmill every other day. HCG diet for a month. Cohen diet for 2 months. On and off for many years but to no avail. On all four activities, I got sick and the momentum of losing weight would stop.
I remember crying out to God and asking for help again and again. Others may be addicted to porn, gambling, smoking, drinking, or drugs. I was addicted to food. In my self assessment, I was also stress eating and had an instant gratification mentality. When the workload was heavy, I'd leave my desk to find something to eat thinking I was hungry or that I deserved to reward myself (in my case with food). If some people were called Anorexic, I guess I was the opposite of that. This was really more of a mental and emotional problem rather than a physical one.
Sometime in the 80's, there used to be a toothpaste commercial showing a set of false teeth being dropped into a drinking glass half filled with water. The voice over would say, "Sandaling pangangalaga o panghabang buhay na pagsisisi." My sister and I would remember that commercial and laugh whenever we were too lazy to brush our teeth before going to bed. That commercial was shown almost 3 decades ago.
Going back to the present, I have lost 40lbs. in a span of four months. I also have breast cancer. Apparently, I did not pay heed to the message of the commercial as much as I should. As our pastor would say, you are free to choose but you are not free to choose the consequences of your (poor) actions.
Opting for naturopathy instead of chemo therapy, I don't eat as much as I used to anymore. I shifted to an all natural diet without processed food. Organic veggies as much as I can. Nuts for protein. Root crop or kamote for carbs.
Am I sad or depressed? Honestly, no. Am I regretful? Of course.
But am I happy? YES! Because I am no longer a slave to food! The bible says in Galatians 5:16-17 - So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
I know it is only by the Holy Spirit that I am able to say no to the cravings of my palate. Even up to now, I am amazed of how I can turn down lechon, leche flan, kare-kare....etc. laid down in front of me during parties or get togethers. This is a testament of the love of Christ that He will indeed send a helper (through the Holy Spirit) for those whose trust is in Him. All glory to Him and Him alone.
2 Corinthians 5:17
I was classified as Obese 2, diabetic and worse, I was stubborn and lacked self control. With my loving junk food and having a sweet tooth, how could I say no to chips, ice cream, and pizza? My friend would see me gobbling these yummy treats and say enough already since my cravings had been satisfied. Did I listen? Noooo! I had to finish the entire bag of chips! Or would have a double portion when one would have sufficed.
It was not as if I did not try dieting or exercising. I tried swimming 3x a week. Treadmill every other day. HCG diet for a month. Cohen diet for 2 months. On and off for many years but to no avail. On all four activities, I got sick and the momentum of losing weight would stop.
I remember crying out to God and asking for help again and again. Others may be addicted to porn, gambling, smoking, drinking, or drugs. I was addicted to food. In my self assessment, I was also stress eating and had an instant gratification mentality. When the workload was heavy, I'd leave my desk to find something to eat thinking I was hungry or that I deserved to reward myself (in my case with food). If some people were called Anorexic, I guess I was the opposite of that. This was really more of a mental and emotional problem rather than a physical one.
Sometime in the 80's, there used to be a toothpaste commercial showing a set of false teeth being dropped into a drinking glass half filled with water. The voice over would say, "Sandaling pangangalaga o panghabang buhay na pagsisisi." My sister and I would remember that commercial and laugh whenever we were too lazy to brush our teeth before going to bed. That commercial was shown almost 3 decades ago.
Going back to the present, I have lost 40lbs. in a span of four months. I also have breast cancer. Apparently, I did not pay heed to the message of the commercial as much as I should. As our pastor would say, you are free to choose but you are not free to choose the consequences of your (poor) actions.
Opting for naturopathy instead of chemo therapy, I don't eat as much as I used to anymore. I shifted to an all natural diet without processed food. Organic veggies as much as I can. Nuts for protein. Root crop or kamote for carbs.
Am I sad or depressed? Honestly, no. Am I regretful? Of course.
But am I happy? YES! Because I am no longer a slave to food! The bible says in Galatians 5:16-17 - So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
I know it is only by the Holy Spirit that I am able to say no to the cravings of my palate. Even up to now, I am amazed of how I can turn down lechon, leche flan, kare-kare....etc. laid down in front of me during parties or get togethers. This is a testament of the love of Christ that He will indeed send a helper (through the Holy Spirit) for those whose trust is in Him. All glory to Him and Him alone.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Saturday, January 6, 2018
Power of being in a Christian family
"Praying for you." Words coming from so many people too numerous to count. Makes me wonder. Who am I that people will actually take the time and effort to pray for?
But that is what belonging to a Christian family means. People I don't hang out with. People I rarely see or talk to. People I met just a couple of times... When they find out I have cancer, they will immediately say they will include me in their prayers. These are not empty words of comfort. I actually feel the sincerity of their concern and I am encouraged.
Some people cannot be with you physically. They cannot help you mentally, emotionally, or financially. But when they pray for you spiritually, this encompasses the physical, the mental, the emotional, and the financial.
There is a bond that binds us. Deeper than words can ever explain. It begins with the blood of Jesus Christ that teaches us to love unexpectedly and unconditionally.
I may be sick but I am in good hands. I am in God's hands.
But that is what belonging to a Christian family means. People I don't hang out with. People I rarely see or talk to. People I met just a couple of times... When they find out I have cancer, they will immediately say they will include me in their prayers. These are not empty words of comfort. I actually feel the sincerity of their concern and I am encouraged.
Some people cannot be with you physically. They cannot help you mentally, emotionally, or financially. But when they pray for you spiritually, this encompasses the physical, the mental, the emotional, and the financial.
There is a bond that binds us. Deeper than words can ever explain. It begins with the blood of Jesus Christ that teaches us to love unexpectedly and unconditionally.
I may be sick but I am in good hands. I am in God's hands.
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