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Now, speak it with faith and by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT and begin to do it.  This is the flow of GOD’s Kingdom.  This is how we master the human experience!

If indeed we trust GOD, we should be speaking His word, just like the LORD JESUS; and so silenced the enemy.

The Word stills the enemy; so shouldn’t our hearts be stilled before a holy GOD?

GOD backs up His word with the honor of His Name!

Man seeks knowledge about the future but mostly for personal gain.  The LORD is good and He guides the humble so he may not stumble.  Each step either brings us closer to our destiny or leads us astray.  But those who know the Word shall perform exploits for the Almighty!

Think DESTINY!

Each victory, no matter how small, is a building block to a better tomorrow.  Each victory makes us realize how fragile life is and how precious each moment can be.  Many times, we lose the battle; and we really lose it when we don’t learn its lesson.  Each hurdle is a gift to be cherished and an opportunity to be opened.  To shy away is already a defeat by itself because it prevents you from becoming.

Becoming is just like a caterpillar who looks so beautiful by itself, squirming and eating away at a leaf.  One might wonder.  Why must it stop and turn into a pupa; hiding as if in suspended animation?  But in a few days, it comes out with wings, metamorphosed into a beautiful butterfly, able to fly!  No longer earthbound, it spreads its wings and leaps into a sky full of opportunities.  It is fulfilling its destiny!

You and I were never meant to be earthbound.  A child once said that the Bible is actually an acronym for:  B – Basic, I – Instruction, B – Before, L – Leaving, E – Earth.  How apt!  You and I were meant to soar to greater heights by the power of the Wind.  Without the Wind, we will fall back to earth; but with the Wind, flying is not a struggle but a pleasure!

The more independent you are of GOD, the more you lose.  The more dependent you are on GOD, the more you win!  The more you win, the more you discover your real you.  As you soar with GOD, you discover your destiny, not invented by your own fallible imagination but a destiny prepared for you beforehand by the most loving Father of the universe!

“Have you never heard or understood?  Don’t you know that the LORD is the everlasting GOD, the Creator of all the earth?  He never grows faint or weary.  No one can measure the depths of his understanding.  He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; He offers strength to the weak.  Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up.  But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength.  They will fly high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:28-31).

Have you ever wondered what eternity is like? What is eternity anyway? To most of us, eternity is a never-ending experience in real life; a continuation of what joyful experiences every man presently has. Most people associate eternal life with a life after death. The fact that we talk about it in terms of the past, present and the future only indicates our finite and limited perspective.

What is the biblical idea of eternity? The first book of the Bible, Genesis, chapter 1:1 says, “In the beginning, GOD…” Before there was anything, before there were angels or man or any other creature or any creation, there was only GOD. GOD was in the great expanse everywhere. The angels sing GOD was, GOD is and always will be! GOD is the great Sovereign who created time and all the laws of time. All of creation is bound by time and none may transgress it except if willed by the One who created it. The Mighty GOD and everlasting FATHER will rule forever with fairness and justice (Isaiah 9:6b-7). Our great GOD inhabits eternity and His rule is characterized by fairness and justice. In GOD’s presence, there is security, stability, equitability, holiness, love, joy and peace. Eternity is GOD, for everything flows from Him. Eternity is knowing and loving GOD. For now, we only know a little but when we enter eternity, we will really know as we are known by GOD. GOD is the source of all good and useful knowledge; knowledge that reaps good results. Even now, the secret wisdom from GOD is reserve only for those who seek Him earnestly and walk with Him daily. We can gather our thoughts but it is the LORD who gives the right answer (Prov 16:1).

Without GOD, there is no eternity. So, a people without GOD is without hope.

For now, there is a time for every activity under the sun. There is a saying, “everything is timing.” You may have the resources to invest but if you don’t have the wisdom to discern the right timing and the right opportunity, you will not expand and multiply your resources. There may be a good business opportunity, but if you don’t have discernment to “see” the right time to invest in the market, you might end up losing your money. To know the right time is very tricky because as humans, we don’t control the variables even in one circumstance. We don’t see beyond “now” although we can surmise and presume based on historical data but the assurance of success only belongs to GOD. The problem with historical data is that it is past and the past does not necessarily repeat itself. There is always a new twist hanging in the balance. Our world has become more complicated. Information is available in an instant through cyberspace but whether man has grown in wisdom is a big question mark. The recent world financial crisis is still growing and no man has brought forward any viable solution. All proposals are uncertain and many of them are a rehash of failed courses of actions of previous recessions. Our leaders are hoping against hope that this time it may work. Man is a slave of time. Man is in a rat race.

How can man get out of the rat race? There is wisdom in the words of the Teacher of Proverbs: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight” (Prov 3:5,6). It is so presumptuous for man to think that he is the captain of his soul and the master of his destiny. If man can’t control one iota of circumstance, how can he control his destiny? However, man has one God-given ability that does determine his destiny – the freedom of choice. All of man’s life is a product of his choice whether good or bad.

Therefore, choose your eternal destiny!

In an age where information doubles at an unprecedented rate; where the old rules of economics hardly work in a multi-layer, global market; where old norms of business paradigms are constantly challenged; where constant stress threatens the health of every worker, are you keeping pace? Are you merely surviving? Or do all the challenges drive you to strive and thrive in enemy territory?

In a constantly changing world, it is a great comfort to know that our GOD never changes. When all you have to look forward to is work and more work. It is certain that you will experience more and more stress each day. The good news is, GOD can be your compass to point you in the right direction. He is the great Guide who has walked the path before us, who has climbed every hill and mountain and forged every river we will cross in our entire life. JESUS beckons, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). This is in direct contrast to the standards of the world whose only concern is the revenue bottom line.

The question is who is your boss? You see, there are only two bosses. Either, you serve GOD or you serve the devil. Unfortunately, the devil is a very cruel and hard taskmaster. He will keep you working like a hamster running endlessly on a never-ending spinning wheel, and mind you, never getting anywhere! The devil will promise you the world but his track record reveals that he is the father of lies. He already stole your birthright in Eden and he aims to ultimately destroy you. He paints a beautiful picture of your future while craftily sabotaging what little honor you have left.

But if you work for GOD, He promises to “give power to those who are tired and worn out; He offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31). As JESUS said, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world! I came so that you may have life and have it abundantly.”

Do you have a life? Or do you just exist? Life comes from GOD and only GOD can give a real meaningful life. Give whatever is left of you to Him and He will make you whole and complete. No man will ever know victory until He follows the victorious One!

Someone once said, “Live passionately, love completely, learn humbly and leave boldly!” Only those who are walking boldly with GOD daily can pursue this goal.

In an age where information doubles at an unprecedented rate; where the old rules of economics hardly work in a multi-layer, global market; where old norms of business paradigms are constantly challenged; where constant stress threatens the health of every worker, are you keeping pace? Are you merely surviving? Or do all the challenges drive you to strive and thrive in enemy territory?

In a constantly changing world, it is a great comfort to know that our GOD never changes. When all you have to look forward to is work and more work. It is certain that you will experience more and more stress each day. The good news is, GOD can be your compass to point you in the right direction. He is the great Guide who has walked the path before us, who has climbed every hill and mountain and forged every river we will cross in our entire life. JESUS beckons, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). This is in direct contrast to the standards of the world whose only concern is the revenue bottom line.

The question is who is your boss? You see, there are only two bosses. Either, you serve GOD or you serve the devil. Unfortunately, the devil is a very cruel and hard taskmaster. He will keep you working like a hamster running endlessly on a never-ending spinning wheel, and mind you, never getting anywhere! The devil will promise you the world but his track record reveals that he is the father of lies. He already stole your birthright in Eden and he aims to ultimately destroy you. He paints a beautiful picture of your future while craftily sabotaging what little honor you have left.

But if you work for GOD, He promises to “give power to those who are tired and worn out; He offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31). As JESUS said, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world! I came so that you may have life and have it abundantly.”

Do you have a life? Or do you just exist? Life comes from GOD and only GOD can give a real meaningful life. Give whatever is left of you to Him and He will make you whole and complete. No man will ever know victory until He follows the victorious One!

Someone once said, “Live passionately, love completely, learn humbly and leave boldly!” Only those who are walking boldly with GOD daily can pursue this goal.

December 31, 2008

“You search the Scriptures because you believe they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures points to Me! If you believed Moses, you would have believed Me because he wrote about Me.” – John 5:39, 46

From beginning to end the Scriptures tells the story of GOD who courts His people with love and compassion. The Story tells of a GOD who would send His only SON to suffer and die at the hands of the people He loves. For ages the Israelites have been expecting the Messiah that the Scriptures foretold.

JESUS was the Rock that provided water to the millions who thirst in the desert. JESUS was the Manna provided by the FATHER, the living Bread from heaven to nourish His people. JESUS was the Lampstand that provided light to the world. JESUS was the mercy seat that covered the Torah. JESUS was the innocent Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. The lamb was to be stretched on a cross and roasted whole with no bones broken. JESUS was the altar that provided water for the cleansing of all guilt of the priests. JESUS was the incense, the eternal intercessor who prays for us in heaven. Even the furniture in the Holy Place was arranged in a cross!

When we read the Scriptures, we need to open our eyes to the truth – GOD loves us with an everlasting love!

December 30, 2008

“The SON can do nothing by Himself. He does only what He sees the FATHER doing. Whatever the FATHER does, the SON does.” – John 5:19

The GODHEAD is in complete unity. As JESUS walks empowered by the HOLY SPIRIT, He obeys the FATHER absolutely even to the point of death.  This is the model we should follow if we are sons of GOD.

Our spirits should rule our wills and our emotions and thus empower our bodies to do what is good and right in the eyes of GOD.  This mode will only succeed if our spirits are empowered by the HOLY SPIRIT.  Man was never created to be independent but to be forever dependent on GOD.

If we walk with GOD every moment of our lives, we would learn how to live. We would become like Enoch who walked daily with GOD and who was taught personally by GOD, knowing heavenly mysteries. Paul also walked with GOD and was brought to heaven and mysteries were revealed to him. You might think that they are exceptions. But GOD knows those who are His and He reveals His secrets to men who would give 100% of themselves to Him. Are you such a man?