Times of Testing

"Even if God whom we serve will not save us, know, O King, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statues which you set up." Daniel 3:18

In the Book of Daniel we encounter a King who decrees that all his people worship his god, and bow down before a 90 ft. tall golden statue. Everyone obeys except three young Jewish men by the name of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. The King gets furious and ordered their presence before him. "I will have you thrown into the fiery furnace!!!" The three answer that their God can rescue them, but that, "Even if God whom we serve will not save us, know, O King, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statues which you set up."

How admirable that these young men put no conditions on obeying and loving God! Many people, even long time preachers, have stopped believing in God and obeying Him because God did not fit into a box of their own making. "I'm not going to believe in God anymore because what kind of a god allows people to suffer?" Or, "I'm not going to church anymore because the Bible is full of errors.” The excuses can go on and on.

Twenty-one years after Charles "Chuck" Templeton became an evangelist, he declared himself an agnostic and he died an agnostic. He was quite a popular evangelist, and preached with Billy Graham. Many thought that he, not Billy Graham, would become the biggest evangelical preacher in history. Towards the end of his life, he was interviewed by Lee Strobel, the writer of "The Case for the Real Jesus". When asked about Jesus, Templeton became melancholy and said, "I adore Him. I miss Him." How sad that because Templeton couldn't explain everything in the Bible to his satisfaction, he turned away from his best friend! 

Lord, may I follow and obey even during times of testing, and even when I have doubts!

Look to Jesus

“Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he recovered." Numbers 21:9

This story in the Old Testament which happened while the Israelites journeyed to the Promised Land, shows how God dealt with His people to discipline them. The Israelites were grumbling, murmuring, complaining that they had NOTHING to eat or drink. In truth they had fresh manna to eat every day from the hand of God, and even lots of quail in the evening. They also had water. But like Adam and Eve in the garden, they listened to our ancient enemy. The enemy likes to deceive and loves it when we are ungrateful.

Sometimes God teaches us by allowing hard things to come into our lives. This time He sent saraph serpents, venomous snakes. Some of the people were bitten and died, and they pleaded with Moses for help. God then instructed Moses to make a replica of the snake and mount it on a pole. "Those who are bitten will live if they simply looked at it."

We too are frequently bitten by sin which leads to death. But if we look to Jesus who became sin as He took all our sins with Him on the cross, we will live. What a compassionate God we serve! 

God is Not Sleeping

“O eternal God, You know what is hidden and are aware of all things before they come to be..” Daniel 13:42

The beautiful Susanna was falsely accused by two lascivious old judges of having a tryst with a young man. She cried out to God as the elders made their accusations. As she was being led to her execution, God stirred up the Holy Spirit in Daniel, who was still a young boy at this time. He lead the people back to court and questioned the judges separately. One judge claimed the young man was with Susana under a mastic tree, and the other claimed they were under an oak tree. Since both trees had a great difference in size, it was apparent to all that the two judges had lied, and they were both put to death. Virtue triumphed. 

It may seem today that God is sleeping, for there are a lot of lies being believed, public money being stolen without punishment, and big time criminals protected by authorities who should prosecute them. 

My late father used to reminisce a lot. He told us about his older brother, Dever, who was part of his church’ group of young men who wanted to spread the truth to combat the lies of the Japanese propaganda machine. They would listen secretly on the radio for news about the Americans and would mimeograph it to distribute. The Japanese would tell the Filipinos that the Americans were defeated and far away, when the truth was that they had landed in Lingayen and moving steadily to Manila. When found out and caught, these brave young men were beheaded and put in a mass grave. Now my uncle Dever is honoured as a martyr in North Cemetery. 

God is searching for young men and women like Daniel and my uncle Dever who are brave enough to stand for truth and justice. Where are they today? We each need to stand for truth and justice so that God will fight for us. 

Life is a Stock Market

“Brothers and sisters, I consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish…” St. Paul to the Philippians 3:8

A friend told me about a woman she was trying to evangelize. She was so rich she didn't have to work, and was going to pay all expenses for my friend so she would have a companion on her trip abroad. My friend was frustrated because in spite of all her material wealth, she kept complaining and complaining. Instead of using her money to do good, she would buy men in her search for love and give them condos or a car or whatever. 

Saint Paul used to glory in his power, his education, his position and his birth into a pure-blooded Jewish family of the tribe of Benjamin. And then he met Jesus on the road to Damascus and realized all that he valued was not worth anything.

If we could see into the future and know for sure which stocks would increase in value, and which stocks would decrease, we could become very rich! We would get a hold of as much money as we can, and fill our portfolio with stock that would make us millionaires! But we do not need a crystal ball. Jesus already came to tell us that we cannot bring our wealth, power, beauty, perfect diction, Master's degrees, popularity, business prowess, etc. with us to heaven. In a way, life is a stock market. There is a vast portfolio to choose from. Where do we invest our life, our heart and mind? Lord, may I choose wisely, may I choose You!

Lion’s Prey

“O LORD, my God, in You I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and rescue me, Lest I become like the lion's prey, to be torn to pieces, with no one to rescue me.” Psalm 7:2-3

Young David was not afraid of lions. When King Saul told David he could not fight Goliath on account of his youth, David proclaimed, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:34-37) 

David had confidence that God would save him from the lion and any enemy. What’s more, when the lion came to attack David’s sheep, he did not see the lion as something to fear, but as a gift from God, an opportunity, a blessing in disguise. Without the lions and the bears, David would not have the experience to fight Goliath, which eventually led him to the throne. 

If we have steadfast faith, we too will see challenges, trials, dangers and suffering as training from God for blessings and opportunities He has in store for us. Thank You Father! Help us to have the confidence of David, and the eyes to see our challenges as blessings and opportunities! 

He Giveth More Grace

“Many are the troubles of the just man, but out of them all the Lord delivers him.” Psalm 34:19

Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932) had many troubles. Both her parents died when she was young. In her early twenties, the second year of her teaching career, she began experiencing symptoms of early rheumatoid arthritis. This progressed so severely that at age 30, she could no longer walk. Her body was twisted, her hands disfigured and she barely slept from the pain. 

Her adoptive family taught her the Scriptures from when she was young, and in her agony, she was able to lean on and reflect upon God’s Word and His promises. She started composing many inspirational poems and became known as a Christian writer. Soon her works were published and widely read for its themes of hope, God’s eternal goodness and love in the midst of trials. 

This is one of her well loved poems: 

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,

He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;

To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,

To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,

When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources

Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,

Our God ever yearns His resources to share;

Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;

The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Standing in the Gap

“Moses, His chosen one, withstood Him in the breach to turn back His destructive wrath.” Psalm 106:23

Moses' job was very difficult. He had to listen to God, and obey Him. He also had to get the Israelites to obey God as well! In spite of the many miracles, signs and wonders the people witnessed and experienced, they were still prone to disobedience, complaining and idolatry. 

Moses left them for 40 days and 40 nights, during which time, God gave him very detailed and intricate instructions about the consecration of Aaron and his sons to the Priesthood, the Bread of Presence, the Holy of Holies, Ark of the Covenant, the Sabbath, etc. (Exodus 25-31). When he came down, Moses' wrath flared because the Israelites were dancing gleefully around a golden calf!!! He threw the calf into the fire, ground it down to powder and made them drink it with water. 

The next day, when his anger abated, he decided to go up the mountain again to plead with God for forgiveness. He stood in the breach, asking God to relent. Who is the elect, the chosen, who can stand in the breach? Can we? Can we stay the wrath of God when He is angry because of our sin? 

In Ezekiel 22:30, we read: "I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn't have to destroy the land, but I found no one." Are we doomed because no one can stand in the gap for us when we sin and are disobedient?

But there is Someone greater than Moses who stands in the gap for us! Dear Jesus, thank You for loving us so much that You gave Your very life for us. You are the perfect, flawless lamb who took our place before God! He sees Your righteousness, not our sin! 

Unfailing Love

The other day, my 4 year old grandchild had a project. He wanted to publish a book on Amazon and we used Procreate to make the pages. 

“Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.” Isaiah 49:15

There are numerous stories of a mother's unfailing love, but this one highlights a mother's love even in death.

36-year old Patsy Lawson left for her teaching job one morning, with her two children. She was planning to drop them off at the baby sitters, but they never got there. 8 1/2 hours later, her husband James found Patsy and their 5 year old daughter Susan dead inside their badly damaged car. The car was submerged, upside down, in a very cold mountain stream. James saw that even if Patsy was dead, she had been holding 2-year old Gerald's head above the 48 degree water. He was barely alive. For hours, his wife had held up the toddler's head so he could breathe, until she froze to death. (Story from Pastor James S. Hewitt's book, Illustrations Unlimited)

Who can measure a mother's love? Who can measure God's love? How inconceivable is it that God, who created us in love, would give His only Son to die for us in love? That kind of love never forgets, always forgives, and is ever faithful.

Our Refuge and Strength

“God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress, Therefore we fear not, though the earth be shaken and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea.” Psalm 46:2-3

I was talking to a friend a few days ago and she said that sometimes she felt hopeless, not with her own personal situation but with what is happening around her. I told her I totally understood. It can seem that the world is hurtling towards disaster. Here in our own country we are so divided, I cannot comprehend how we continue to shortchange ourselves in voting for almost the worst leaders possible. In the world stage, the Middle East is a powder keg, and Europe is losing its moral compass. So so sad. This terrible state of affairs can't help but color my prayer time. So many people are distressed and discouraged, and wondering how we got here. 

I enjoyed reading "Fervent", written by Priscilla Shirer, a preacher I always learn from. She also acted in the movie "War Room", which is about strategic prayer. In one of the front pages of her book, this caught me, a passage from "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers":

Theoden: “I will not risk open war.”

Aragon: “Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not."

In page 2, I read and paraphrased this to fit my need: "A very real enemy has been strategizing and scheming against you, assaulting you, coming after your emotions, your mind, your future, your country. In fact, he's doing it right this second. Right where you're sitting. But I say his reign of terror stops here. Stops now. He might keep coming, but he won't have victory anymore. Because it all starts failing when we start praying." 

Yes, Lord, You are our strength and our courage. It doesn't matter what our world is embroiled in. In spite of what is happening, You are still on the throne, and You are in control, and like it says in Prov. 31:25, I can laugh at the days to come, because You will work things for our good. 

God’s Joy

“For I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight...” Isaiah 65:18

If we read the 65th chapter of Isaiah, we cannot fail to see how unhappy God is. “All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations, a people who continually provoke me to my very face .” (v.2-3) “I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.” (V.12)

And then the tone changes and God promises “to create a new heavens and a new earth; The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind. Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create; For I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight; I will rejoice in Jerusalem and exult in my people.” 

What changed? Always God is hopeful that there will be a ‘remnant’, a small group of people who will be obedient to Him, who will seek to delight in Him, who will not have rebellious spirits. Do we desire to be that people? A people God will call His joy and delight, the apple of His eye? How do we be that people? First, God already delights in us. Second, we are the ones that pull away, wanting to do things “my way”. Third, when we realize that we are running away from God and not toward Him, we can always, always make a decision to run back to Him, to repent. And like the prodigal son, we will be welcomed with wide open arms. 

Ambassador of Christ

“We are all ambassadors for Christ…” 2 Corinthians 5:20

I was reading about Salma Hayek teaming up with Unicef to eradicate tetanus. “Several years ago it was so hard to get media attention for this,” the Unicef spokesperson said, “Enter Salma, and here we suddenly had 30 media outlets hanging on her every word."

There was a John 3:16 challenge back in 2015 or 2016, where the challenge was for Christians to share the verse once a week with a lost person to invite them to a relationship with Jesus. After Football superstar Tim Tebow put John 3:16 on his eye black during a national championship game, this bible verse was googled 94 million times!!!!

We don't need star power to be ambassadors for Christ. We just need to KNOW Him, really KNOW Him!

The concept of "knowing" in a biblical sense involves a sense of intimacy, closeness, and sharing experiences. Knowing is translated from the Hebrew root word yada and appears almost 950 times in the Hebrew Bible. It means so much more than the  English word "know,”. Are we aware that it is love that the Lord desires, not sacrifice? That He prefers that we know Him and have a relationship with Him rather than fasting, and alms giving?

"Embedded in every work God does in our lives, is an invitation to an intimate relationship with His son." (From the “Word Among Us”.)

If we get to know Christ more and more, our words and our lives will be so compelling, that we would not need to be a popular actress or a famous athlete to be an ambassador for the One who calls us to be His very own! 

As ambassadors for Christ, what creative thing can we do so people will want to know Christ more? These days it is not so difficult because there’s Facebook and Instagram and a myriad other platforms and mission fields where we can set up our soap box. When we share about God’s love, we are scattering seeds far and wide, and God will be the One who will give the growth. 

It is Mercy I Desire

I have been busy with this acrylic artwork with paper elements. Painting and drawing it made me happy! 

“For it is mercy I desire, not sacrifice.” Hosea 6:6

In Matthew 12:7, Jesus quoted from this passage in Hosea when the Pharisees were on the judgement seat again in declaring what His disciples were doing was unlawful. 

When I was in High School, I had to memorize and recite Portia’s famous lines in William Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice”:

“The quality of mercy is not strained. 

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven 

Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: 

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. 

Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes 

The throned monarch better than his crown. 

His scepter shows the force of temporal power, 

The attribute to awe and majesty, 

Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings. 

But mercy is above this sceptered sway; 

It is enthroned in the hearts of kings; 

It is an attribute of God Himself; 

And earthly power doth then show like God's 

When mercy seasons justice.”

Yes, mercy is an attribute, a quality of God, love being the foundation of what He does. We do not deserve everything God does for us, especially His ultimate sacrifice of His Son Jesus. “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Are we merciful like God? When we are in a more dominant, more powerful position, do we show compassion? I remember clearly when I did not. We had ordered a meal at a restaurant in El Nido, and I instructed the young waitress to separate the bill. When she came back, I got so irritated because she did not follow what I asked her to do. I berated her for it and I am still ashamed of my behavior. 

Mercy, as Shakespeare wrote, becomes the throned monarch better than his crown. We are all sons and daughters of the King of Kings. I believe we are here on earth to learn the ways of our Father, not only mercy, but goodness, graciousness, generosity and kindness. But most of all, love. Let us always remember to wear our invisible crown as we go about our day, and make sure that we wear it like a son or daughter of a gracious and loving God.