No Matter What

No matter what, my child, I will be.

“Will you be?,” I questioned the Lord,
“Will there be nothing that could separate us and break us apart?
I am still haunted by the echoes in my head.
I am still tearing down myself from all these thoughts.
I am being clouded by fearful imaginations,
That the day might come when I will fail you, Lord.
And that I might not stand in front of you,
That you would reject me.”

No matter what you fear, I will remain faithful.
No matter what you think, nothing can separate us.
No matter what happens, I will save you.

“Will you?” I questioned the Lord,
“Will you really? Some people say it’s difficult.
They say it’s hard to get to heaven.
That, If I am not persecuted, I will burn in the pits of hell.
At times, I think of you as a cloud of wrath,
Just waiting above until the time comes,
When you’ll strike with your iron fists of thunder
and send everyone helpless, desperate for life.
Your judgment scares me. I might not be saved.”

No matter what, believe me, I will rescue you.
No matter what they tell, I will never forsake you.
No matter what happens, I will love you forever.

“Won’t you?” I questioned the Lord,
“What if I fail? What if I sin against you?
What if I don’t make it through, and I won’t do
all that you command me to?
What if I don’t want to do anything at all?
I am not worthy at all.
I am not as good as them.
I could not preach you to my friends.
I am so tired, Lord. I am so unable.
Forgive me.”

No matter what you are, I will not hate you.
No matter how you fail, I will never be mad at you.
No matter what happens, I will keep you in my arms.

“Are you?” I questioned the Lord.
“Sometimes I couldn’t feel you.
I feel as if you’re leaving me. I don’t feel your embrace.
I cry because what I’m going through is so hard,
yet I don’t feel you. Would you do that?
Maybe it’s me. Yes, it is me…
Not reaching you enough. Not talking to you enough.
Not faithful or righteous enough in my actions.
Is that it, Lord? Please, tell me.”

No matter what you do, I will remain true.
No matter what you feel, I will be with you.
No matter what happens, I will pull you through.

“What about it?” I questioned the Lord,
“I am lazy. I make excuses to not know you.
I choose to sin instead of seeking you.
Sometimes my thoughts are filled with darkness,
Full of lust, of curses, of hate.
At times I hate you. And, at times I don’t believe you,
Will you still save me, then?
Will you still love me, then?
Will you still keep me in your arms, then?
Will you still pull me through, then?
I am tired of thinking like this, Lord.
I am tired of being like this,
I am tired of not looking, searching hard enough.
I doubt myself at times!
But, you are my only hope!”

… … 

“Lord, will you still love me?”

Then the Lord said to me,

My child, I will still love you, and will continue to love you.
I have forgiven all your sins on the cross.
I have demonstrated my love for you.
In me, you are no longer condemned.
I work even your mistakes into good.
In me, you are pardoned.
In me, you are healed.
I have redeemed you from the pit,
I have crowned you with compassion.
I have shown you what love is.
And I offer you rest from works.
I offer you peace.

Neither death, nor life,
Nor angels, nor principalities, Nor powers,
Nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth,
Nor any other creature,
shall separate my love from you.
No matter what happens, nothing can stop me from loving you.

Now, tell me, my child, do you still not believe that I truly love you so?
My love for you, I showed at the cross.
I ransomed you from the power of the grave.
Will you not believe that what I’ve done is finished?
Will you not understand that all you need to do is believe in me?
You need not labor, nor be heavily burdened,
For I have done everything for you.
Will you not find rest in me?

I cried, and nodded, as He boldly instilled upon me these words.

He loves me… no matter what.
Indeed, He does.
I may have a lot of questions,
a lot of doubts,
a lot of mistakes and failures,
but then…
All He asks me to do is rest..
To rest..in His finished work.
He is for me…no matter what.
And so, I will not let go of Him.
And so, I will not worry.
And so, I will not try to save myself.

God, You are my only Hope.

Scripture Reference:
I John 1:9, Romans 5:8, Romans 8:1, Romans 8:28, Psalm 103:1-5,
I John 3:16, Hebrews 4:10, Philippians 3:8, Isaiah 26:3, Romans 8:38-39,
Hosea 13:14, John 6:28-29, Matthew 11:28-30

Written entirely by tacticianjenro

This dialogue between the narrator and God has been in my mind for some time now. To be honest, I am so confused right now. These are all my questions to him, and I know a lot of you ask Him the same.

Yet He is the Truth – and the truth is, He loves us no matter what. We have to truly believe it.

Related Posts:
You Are Loved

Times of Honesty

Are you done forgiving, or can you look past my pretending, Lord?

I’m so tired of defending what I’ve become… what have I become?

Tenth Avenue North has hit hearts and their deepest, hidden questions we have of what we think about God in their song “Times“. It’s a very heartfelt song. The song shows the most honest questions one could ask to a Savior that we could not see with our eyes. Questions about apathy, doubts within ourselves that we just couldn’t open up and don’t have the audacity to reach to. Scars about our past that we couldn’t open up to our loving God. And that’s how we really should be – to be entirely honest with God.

Despite of myself, despite of all that I do, it’s such a good thing to know that God loves me and not because I deserved it. Despite of my past and my thoughts, my darkest secrets, His love is inside me, and is between everything. God proves He loves us despite who we are by dying for us, even while we’re sinners.

I’m there through your heartache, I’m there through the storm
My love, I will keep you by my power alone
I don’t care where you’re for and where you have been,
I’ll never forsake you, my love never ends…it never ends.

The band is great and they do a pretty good job to convey they message about Jesus. Jesus is not just some idol carved out of wood who we meet on Sunday mornings to sing praises to. He is a living person who is so in love with us. And we have to believe it. Because if we don’t believe He loves us despite of who we are — we’ll never know that it’s His grace alone that saves us.

I quote a certain part of Mike’s journal about the song:

“The message is that you’ll never be changed by the love of God
until you’re completely honest with yourself and how undeserving you are of it.
Only when we try to love God will we see our utter inability to do so.
And only when we understand that inability, will we begin to be in awe of his great love toward us.
In other words, to be a Christian is to live a life of response.
“God proves His love in this, that while we were still sinners, He died for us.”
And so, that should assure you greatly from your fears today.
Even though you’re a sinner, Christ loves you.
And if you’re really proud of how good you are, this should humble you.
You’re so bad Christ had to die for you.
His love is over and underneath.
Higher than the heights of our purity,
and lower than the depths of our depravity.
And not one of us are without our need of Him.”

A Prayer Story

He opens his eyes and welcomes the brand new day. He rises up and kneels down on the ground, at the side of his own bed. He knew that talking to God was a wise thing to do to start with his day.

“God,” he begins.

He lets out a sigh. He doesn’t really know if he’s praying right.

“God, thank you for everything…thank you for your gift of life, thank you for all the blessings… and…”

He stops for a while, and seems to be angry at himself; for what he’s feeling, perhaps…

“God…can I be honest with you?”

He paused a while, breathing in and out, closing his eyes, voicing out to God with all he could.

“How do I even communicate with you? Is this right?” he continues, his words shaking, “I don’t know. I’m afraid you might be mad if I said something wrong, if I said something that would insult you… something that’s not such a respectful approach. But, God, I’m tired… It’s time I became truly honest. Oh no…would you even still love me?”

Ugh. This is difficult. He thinks to himself. God, I don’t know.

But he begins to speak his prayer again. “Lord, I don’t know what to ask. Strength? Wisdom? Financial provision? I don’t know… it doesn’t seem to make sense at all. Am I even praying to you in a right way?”

God, please.

“God, I ask you to be more open to me, and to share yourself so I could know how very real you are… I know, I doubt you sometimes, Lord. I doubt myself. I don’t know if my faith is even authentic or if I’m just fooling myself with what I’m saying right now. But… I have a lot of fears and frustrations. I’m just so at a conundrum right now…

“God, I know you’re there. You’ve said so. You’ll never leave me, nor forsake me. I don’t know how I can make it, continuing like this… I know, people might think I’m foolish, or people might try to correct me, or  rebuke me, or try to fix my broken pieces… well, I don’t want to feel this way at all, yet going against it just seemed harder.

“I don’t feel fine at all.”

He pauses after that, not knowing what to say anymore. It’s just so hard to pray when you just don’t feel like it… It’s just not right. I don’t feel right. I don’t feel as if I’m in a position to even approach Him right now…

I feel like a hypocrite, keeping myself together, when I actually feel like I’m fooling myself. I’m a sinner. I’m an idiot.

He rises up from his kneeling, and decides to start his day, but then, at some point, he still wanted to speak to God… he had to. He knew he needed to.

“God,” he began to pray again, kneeling on the floor, “God. Despite of all that I feel, despite of all my questions…despite everything…I’ll still believe that you love me. I’ll still believe that you’ll pull me through all this. So, please, please stay with me. Please, God, be with me and never let me go. I don’t know… I’m not being a good son. I’m not being a good worshipper. I feel terrible. So, please, God, never let go….

Please…never let go.

Is this enough? Is this right? Is this how I should pray?

“In Jesus’ mighty Name. Amen.”

He got up, and worked up a forced smile. Better get ready for school.

But, wait, He thought. He went for the Bible near his bed, and opened it, his eyes automatically set on the verse he saw, highlighted by a marker – Philippians 1:6. And he read it aloud.

“He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

He smiled. That was a good enough encouragement.

God, I trust you.

He went out of his bedroom, and down the stairs, ready to face the world.

Notes: This is a short story I wrote. The man was being honest to God about how he felt, and so am I… His prayer is all my heart has been shouting all the while. I’m covered with doubt and anxiety, though I know I shouldn’t be. It feels as if I haven’t reached where I should be yet. But, like the man in the story, he trusted God and just as Philippians 1:6 says, he’ll complete whatever he has finished.

 It may sound as if it’s an excuse to not do anything (since Jesus will complete me anyway), and I’m still questioning myself whether I am right with this or not, but I have to just trust Him. I don’t need to try or seek insurance, because it’s Jesus alone who saves me! Not my good works, not my actions, not who I am. Though I am shaking, and fearful, because of the knowledge of how terrible I am, I… I still don’t know. I still need to find out. I still need to see whether I am in the light, or whether I have to get to some level or reach some floor to truly say that “I am in the light”.

 So, thanks for reading all of this. It’s just me being honest. ^_^

___
Related posts:
No Matter What
A Thinking Story
Times of Honesty

The Pessimistic Optimist

Just had to think of a nice blog post title.

I don’t know about your views, but, I know how optimistic most people can be. I see their point and how they seem so positive and that’s a nice thing – to think on the bright side.  However, they seem to put you down for not being positive like them.

You know, like, when they go saying things like ‘be happy’, and ‘you can do it‘, with this big smile on their face and give you a pat on the back and you seem to see how confident they are with their life and they seem to belittle you for not being like them.

And that’s what I sort of frown on – that dark side of optimism where people get their pride up on you.

I know, sounds like words coming from someone who’s a bit weak-willed and so downright pessimistic.

But, isn’t that what someone who’s lacking hope would feel like?

Smiling on the outside, trying to be this optimistic, normal and happy person, but on the inside, he’s being attacked by his insecurities and the traits of pessimism that perhaps, he grew up with, adapted from his surroundings, or from his lack of hope and confidence in his own.

For people like them, hearing bright words from a friend who’s confident that everything will turn out well doesn’t seem to help at all.

I know those because I’ve been there.

I’ve felt powerless and insecure.

Diffident and fearful.

And if I’d be truly honest with myself, I know I’m still there, at times, too.

And if you’d be truly honest with yourself, I’m sure you have been there, too.

So if cheering someone up with happy, bright, encouraging words wouldn’t work, then, what will?

For me, it just might be the opposite.

It’s stripping yourself of your pride and confidence.

For me, it’s letting go of your egos and the good image you’ve been protecting.

Because sometimes, we just have to be willing to be sad with someone to show that we truly care. Sometimes, we just have to cry and show how we weak we are, too.

Besides…without God, we’re all weak.

Well, the Gospel of Christ puts it this way. Christ says that it’s not positive-thinking that can ever save us.

That, it’s not hardwork, it’s not doing our best, it’s not the laughter and jokes, not the happy music, not the best moments in life that will give us what we need.

It’s Christ, and Christ alone.

Its Christ saying that you can’t do it on your own.

You can be happy, you can smile and look forward to good things with that wide grin. But, then, your puzzle is still incomplete. It’s still missing Jesus.

I don’t know if it’s just me and my melancholy, anyway, but that’s what I hold on to.

“If you’re too tired, too frustrated, and you want to give up, the truth is…we can’t save ourselves. Everything we do to try to get somewhere, to attain something might lead us somewhere but it’s all a dead end. But I know someone that leads to life, and that’s Christ. He’s the only sure thing that never fails. He accepts anyone despite their successes and failures. And I don’t think we have to try to prove anything, to try to change ourselves for him. He’s the one who changes us.”

I’m still young, and I don’t have all the answers. So what can you say about all my thoughts?  Comments help out a lot.

___
Related posts:
You Are Mistaken
Legalism and How It Can Kill Your Faith (goldenbible.wordpress.com)

It’ll All Be Clear

“Settle down, it’ll all be clear
Don’t pay no mind to the demons they fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost you could always be found
Just know you’re not alone
‘Coz I’m gonna make this place your home”

These are lines from Phillip Phillips‘ song “Home”. And yes, he won American Idol.

But, he’s not really the main topic here, but it’s the amazing lines presented within his coronation song. I guess, it’s really such a great inspiration for me. Especially the lines I mentioned above.

I guess, I have been much too worried over the past…again. As usual I have been anxious and afraid because I know my insufficiency, and some things just get too much for me. One thing that pressures me, as well, are the people around me, different people with different outlooks, who shove their different ideals in life down into me as if it’s the only thing that’s right…

Somehow, I want to find the direction that I feel is right for me and not just follow a set of instructions.

No matter what, I know it’ll all be clear someday.
I’ll just keep on being honest, clinging to Truth, and I know, someday I’ll feel at home, or – I’ll reach home. That place where I could be truly genuine and filled with Love.

I shouldn’t be afraid. Perfect love casts out fear, and I want to experience God’s perfect love for me. I know, it goes on and on, but, I’ll stay grounded in that truth that it’ll all be fine.

Well, I guess that’s it. No worries, just relax, and rest.

Blessed are the children for theirs is the kingdom of God.

“Blessed are the children for theirs is the kingdom of God”
by Danny Randall

(I asked for his permission if i could post this, and he gladly agreed. His words have truly inspired me and I hope it does inspire you too.)

    It’s amazing to me how much of my life I was motivated by what I was against and I actually thought I was living in freedom! It’s so easy to rally around a cause, especially when everyone around you agrees with you and pats you on the back for standing up for the truth. For me what I was against was man-made religion and all the evil that comes from it. I would quote Blaise Pascal’s famous quote, “Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from a religious conviction,” often to justify my anger and self-righteousness towards those I thought were the enemy.

The problem with being motivated by what your against is that it inevitably leads you to demonize those you disagree with, while at the same time only listening to those who agree with you and confirm that your right and everyone else is wrong. It’s also impossible to grow that way. We don’t grow by only being around people who think, act, talk, and believe exactly like we do. We grow by taking in different perspectives and being willing to learn from (maybe especially by)those we disagree with. We grow by being honest with ourselves when what we are doing/thinking/believing isn’t working and being willing to admit we are missing something and asking for help.

If there’s anything I’m learning recently, it’s that those who are most secure in their identity are the one’s who are free to be wrong, boast in their weaknesses, and ask for help when they need it. It’s such a lie to believe that the goal of mature Christianity is not needing help. The goal is community with each other where love thrives between us as we live, learn, and grow together. In fact Jesus said it was only when we learned to love each other this way that the world would believe we really took His message seriously.

The problem is most people can’t afford to be wrong. So many (including myself more than I’d like to admit)have their self-worth tied up in being right, having the answers for every problem, and basically having it all together(or at least trying to make it appear that way). I mean, what would people think if we really voiced the concerns and quit trying to sweep everything under the rug while maintaining appearances??? What would happen if we not only DIDN’T hide our weaknesses anymore but actually became free enough to BOAST in our inability to handle these things and put our actual trust in Jesus’ love and presence as the only way any of our mess will be sorted out???

I’ll tell you what would happen-We would experience the kingdom of God. The realm where you have to become like a little child if you want to mature. Children know how dependent they are. They are not ashamed of it, they actually BOAST in it! They know their parents will take care of them so they live in the moment, laughing, playing, and enjoying every little thing. They are typically uninhibited in expressing all sides of their emotions spontaneously. They can be crying one moment and the very next they are smiling running around wanting you to play with them. This is what Papa God wants for all of us-A life free from worry, stress, anxiety, and that nagging feeling that everything really is up to you to make it happen.

But there’s a reason we don’t live in that reality. We are still somewhere in our hearts unsure and unconvinced of Papa coming through for us and taking care of those things that matter most to us. Sure we can quote a billion scriptures about our identity and we have loads of Bible knowledge but in the end we haven’t let the simply reality of Papa’s goodness and reliability sink into our hearts. We live as professing Christians who are actually functional atheists. We believe it’s all up to us to make it work. We think the weight of our lives is all on our shoulders so we freak out! We blow up at people and we don’t know why. We get incredibly anxious for no apparent reason and seem unable to shut it off. We live in a fragile emotional space terrified of being vulnerable for fear of being rejected. Why? Because we don’t really believe Daddy has our back.

One things for sure though-all of our doubts, fears, and lack of trust don’t change the fact that Papa is TOTALLY reliable, good, tender, loving, and protects us and looks out for us all the days of our lives! Even if we are faithless He remains faithful because He cannot deny His own nature. Your faith doesn’t get God to do stuff for you. He’s already decided that everything He has is yours. Your faith(trust) in His character let’s you experience the quality of life He experiences all the time, even in your worst moments and most challenging circumstances. The revelation of Daddy’s heart for you and His commitment to you brings within it total freedom to be a child again. To live fully and freely in every moment. The pressure is not on us. It’s on His shoulders so you can relax and enjoy your life. You can enjoy the process of growing in the understanding of who God is and who you really are because your joy is not in the end-product but in the RELATIONSHIP WITH PAPA ITSELF!!!!

In an age where we just want God to fix everything and make everything go our way, God seems to be a disappointment! He is not interested in quick-fixes(which aren’t real anyways) or in just solving your immediate problems. Of course He will take care of those things but that’s not primarily what He’s after. He’s after romance. He’s after intimacy. He’s after our hearts and our affection. That’s what His goal is. What parent has a child just so they can meet their needs and solve their problems??? No people become parents because they want to create someone in their image that they can love and adore and enjoy for their entire lives. LOVE is the motivation and the reward as well. Love is what ignites the deepest parts of us. And that spark of love is nothing less than God Himself being revealed! God is love!

The more we consciously choose to rest in Papa’s faithful love and character, the more we will experience the freedom He already died to give us. And we only experience this love and freedom of Papa when we become like children again. When we allow ourselves to be weak, vulnerable, fragile, and helpless. We can be naked an unashamed before Papa because He loves us exactly as we are. Honesty and acknowledgment of my need have fostered more intimacy and freedom in Papa than anything else I know of personally. I pray everyone who reads this feels the Father’s voice compelling them that it’s ok to take the mask off. There’s nothing to prove or earn. Your His child that He loves, and you have nothing to lose by being dependent on Him.

Overcomers

Through a bit of searching, a bit of truth-filtering, I have realized a lot of things.

One of those things are how the world defines “overcoming” and how the Bible has a different side on it.

Everyday, the world strives hard, puts so much effort on becoming better, helping one’s self and trying harder just to become a better person. There is an imaginary ladder where the people who are “stronger” and who has the more victories and accomplishments are on the top while those who have lesser strength and achievements are on the bottom.

This worldy thinking is contradicted by the Bible – where 1John 5:5 says:
“Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

It’s clear that we are not overcomers based on our effort, based on our achievements, our successes, or how well we serve/perform as an individual. It is our faith that makes us an overcomer.

That’s such a great hope and it’s indeed a great and mighty truth. While this world continues to think based on how well we do, how well we act/do/create things… but then, that is not how God defines someone who is strong. God defines us based on our fatih — and that faith comes from Him even — and that’s a good reason to think equally of others.

Whether you are weak now, or whether you are strong. Whether you have failed many times or you succeed in an array of things, you are an overcomer if you believe in Jesus Christ. Believe He saved you and that He keeps on saving you everyday. =)

 

Secrets We Make, Topics We Avoid

My older sister has put up a blog here at WordPress, at http://secretbedbugs.wordpress.com.
The blog is about the things that Christianity can be unaware of – behind all the curtains are the struggles of faith and living the right way. I guess my sister really understood how that feels like. You will know what she’s been through by visiting the blog, and hopefully be open to these things that the church may actually be blind do.

Because, really, the church is not a museum for the holy, but a hospital for the broken…and sometimes our present churches fail to be like that.

Do me a favor and visit her blog, and perhaps even follow/drop a comment. You’d be shocked to find all the darkness and mystery around in our life. And if ever you do visit, thanks.

Casting All My Cares

“Cast all your anxiety on him,because he cares for you.”-1Peter 5:7 

Sometimes, giving up or letting go seems harder because of all the possibilities you know might happen if you lose grip of the wheel…

Possibilities of negative outcome from just leaving the heavy baggage on the floor can plague us.

Sometimes we want to come back and pick up the weight — because, come to think of it, we think carrying things seems to be more “proper” and “comfortable” for us rather than letting our Father God handle that weight for us.

It’s a challenge for us, I guess.

Sometimes, I wish I could be able to sing this song wholeheartedly:

“I cast all my cares upon you,
I lay all of my burden down at your feet,
And anytime I don’t know…
what to do.
I will cast all my cares upon you.”

Whether it be the thoughts that overwhelm me or the things that plague me concerning
my health,
my future in college,
the regrets I’ve felt from making bad choices,
and all the contradictions in my head…

…I know that God cares for me.
And even if I get emotional, or even if my legs might feel wobbly…
and…even if at times, I don’t see myself going anywhere at this state
…my Father will remain faithful.

And, therefore, I’ll be fine, yes…
Even if I leave that heavy baggage on the ground,
or loosen my grip on that stirring wheel.
I’ll be fine.

Pursuit for Reality

art by tacticianjenro

The Pursuit for Reality

So many voices in my head, telling me what to do.

So many choices I need to make, things I’ve done, I can’t undo.

So many lies amidst the truth, producing guilt..confusion..in me.

That’s why I need to take a stand. Take a step in this pursuit for reality.

Hello everyone. Pardon for not writing as often here in my blog.

Well, I’ve been thinking about this these past weeks. Seems like I don’t have a clear vision of what I am supposed to be doing or I’m just lazy enough to let complacency get in the way of my purpose. Right now, it’s summer, and I’m pretty much in front of the computer all the time.

I always get sidetracked…even if I don’t want to. I always gaze on other things instead of focusing ahead.

It’s really scary. I don’t want to lose myself. I want to feel God keeping me and wrapping His arms around me.

And I know that even if I don’t feel Him, He’s there, and His faithfulness is there regardless of what I feel.

I want to see a clear picture of reality, and hopefully, I may find it soon.

Life’s Little Big Blessings… (Bleeding Heart).

Amazing! I couldn’t believe that Anthony Baker (author of the blog, The Recovering Legalist) would feature me in one of his posts, and on top of that, his daughter Katie just made one of my poems entitled “Bleeding Heart” into a song! I mean – these are really life’s little big blessings that make me smile and get really thankful about all these things…things that might not seem significant for others, but to me, this is really something big.

You can listen to the song here: Bleeding Heart – by Katie Baker

You can find our conversation about making my poem here on the poem’s comments section: “Take my heart…and save it.”

This song shows a lot about what I’ve been feeling recently and I’ve been desperately crying out to God because I know of the darkness that’s still somehow making its way inside of me. But I am assured that Christ’s light is brighter and in time, I know He’ll be able to restore this bleeding heart that the world has somehow tainted.

Bleeding Heart also means that somehow…portraying false righteousness and not admitting our failures is damaging and wrong. I think we all need a bleeding heart to be made new again. We need to realize are filth before we can be cleansed.

-

Thanks again to Katie and her father for this song. Having one of my poems turned into a song is one of my life’s little dreams. And you guys just made that dream come true.

And thank you, God, for life’s little big blessings that you continue to pour – even if at times, I fail to see it. Hoping for more of things like these to happen in the future. ^_^ -Jenro

Links:
http://therecoveringlegalist.com
http://shutterelf.wordpress.com

1 John 4:16-18

“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.

God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment,

because as he is so also are we in this world…

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.

For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”

-1 John 4:16-18

 

 

The truths revealed in these Bible verses are just so amazing, it’s worth being in a single blog post just for all of you to see.

Abide in love. Live loved. Believe…that you are loved. No matter where you’re in, or what you’ve done, God’s love is for you, always.

Failures and Successes

Photos: Faded Skies

I went around the neighborhood yesterday to take pictures, and I’ve taken these. I love how the skies turned out – faded in color and yet you can see the lighter hues…it’s just amazing.

Not many people around our place appreciate the beauty of the skies, really…we’re just too caught up with pulling our own weight and putting much effort on our actions.

End-Times Realizations

photo by tacticianjenro

I just watched a Filipino documentary about the End, the Signs of the Times, those things about this world fading away soon upon Jesus’ coming. You know..the wars at the country of Israel. Iran. Russia. I have not been truly open to the news, but then, it’s a good thing I’ve watched this documentary because it opened my eyes to the present realities. The sure thing is, it’s indeed so clear that His coming is so near.

I guess I have been too focused on myself and what ought to happen to me, that’s why I have not been mindful of such present realities…but then, now I’ve realized what God has truly called me to do.

I have been searching, always so uncomfortable and confused about what I should choose, but then I got so focused here in this world rather than the truths present in the Word of God.

Well…I don’t want to live for myself anymore.

So, I live because of God…I’m 100% completely loved by God, no matter what.

What’s the next step? It would have to be…to live for Him.

Or more accurately…have Christ live through me.

Father, forgive me for being too blind of this world’s need – that need that only Jesus Christ can give and nothing else in this world could ever give.

Father, forgive me for fixing my eyes upon myself and what I do rather than fixing them on You. Help me fix these eyes on things that are not of this world, but on things that will last forever.

Father, I need You. The world needs You.
And I know You will be faithful.
You never leave. Your perfect love casts out all our fears. And we have nothing to fear. You love us, not because of who we are but what Jesus Christ has completed on the Cross.

How about you?

Of all the news you’re hearing about the End-Times, and the prophecies in the Bible slowly being fulfilled, what is your reaction to it? What do you feel? Because surely these prophecies are unfolding, and these are things that we should not be ignoring for sure.

I hope you set aside a few minutes to think about it.