Not Wild or Rebellious!

"His children must be believers who are not wild or rebellious." Titus 1:6

 

Here Saint Paul is instructing Titus, whom he had left on the island of Crete, how to choose leaders. He gave detailed instructions on the character of an elder, a servant of God. What struck me out of all the qualities was this one about how his children ought to behave. They should be believers, and they should not be wild, rebellious, or insubordinate. When you think about it, how can a man lead a group effectively if he can't take care of his own children?

Yesterday we attended the 36th anniversary of Christ's Youth in Action, an outreach founded by our community to evangelize the youth and to train future leaders for the Church and society. I was pleasantly surprised to see the son of a couple in our community lead the worship. I have known this young man ever since he was a baby, and have seen him grow up. I thought he was rather shy, but there he was in front of this huge group of university students, telling a story about his grandfather who passed away this year. Tito Eli, his grandfather, was one of the pillars of our community. He was like a father to me and to so many. He advised us, led us in a very gentle but firm manner. His son, Gerry and wife Dory, are my examples of people with a heart for service. If there's something that needs doing, they are there, generously giving their time. And now here is their son John! Three generations serving the Lord! How He must be pleased! 

It's terribly difficult to bring up children. We don't want to be too strict, but it's never a good idea to be too lenient either. And what's good for one child isn't necessarily good for another. I think the absolute best way is to hem them in prayer. The wife of Max Lucado, the writer and preacher, walks around her home praying for her husband and her children.  In Lamentations 2:19, we can read, "Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer, pleading for your children..." Yes Lord, You know what is in a parent's heart. Hear our prayers and pleadings for our children. 

Harvest of Blessing

"My concern is for the ever growing balance in your account." Phil. 4:17

 

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes to say that with the gift he received from them, they have a well-earned reward from God, they have treasures in heaven! In the Amplified Bible, we see "harvest of blessing that is accumulating to your account". We certainly would want that! And what did the Philippians do? They gave money, perhaps, or food so Paul would be more comfortable in the Roman prison. So when we provide in any way for God's work, missionaries, pastors, priests, we add to our balance. When we give to the poor, God's favored people, we also add to our harvest of blessing. When we give tithes, or alms, our eternal bank account increases. The amazing thing is, it is also God who provides for every good work. "And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others." (2 Cor. 9:8)

 

The Hero is a Crook!

"Give account of your stewardship..." Luke 16:2

The parable of the dishonest, devious, shrewd, unrighteous steward can be puzzling. After he connived with his master's debtors by reducing their debt, the Master commended him!!! He gave his dastardly manager credit for being enterprising! The hero of this story is a crook!

At its simplest, it seems to me that Jesus wanted to point out that the steward was taking care of his future, so that when he lost his job, he would have people who would welcome him, and receive him into their homes. Jesus was bemoaning the fact that "the children of this world are wiser than the children of light." (Lk. 16:8)

To Jesus, we should be shrewd enough to take care of what will happen to us when we leave this world. But are we? Do we study our manual, the Bible, in search of instructions on what to do to ensure a welcome in our heavenly home? Do we realize that we should be exactly like the steward? What we have, our money, our home, even our children, are not really ours, but God's. He is the Master in the parable. We are mere stewards and here, Jesus is saying, use the Master's money and resources. Be generous with it! Be wise with what God has loaned to us here so we can have a secure future in heaven! 

Gaining Heaven!

"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ." Philippians 3:7

 

Yesterday my friend was telling 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 and 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! 

WOYWW: The Lord is my Shepherd

Last week my sister found these 

mini canvases on easels and said

I should paint on them.

When I started, I couldn't stop! 

So addicting! 

I can certainly sell this in

Art in the Park next year! Yey!

Got to go back and buy some more! 


 "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." Psalm 23:1

When you read Psalm 23, it is all very pleasant and serene, refreshing and comforting. But to be part of the Lord's flock, first we need to be marked. A shepherd uses what they call a "killing knife" to make a notch in the ear of  his sheep, a distinct mark so he can tell his sheep apart from others. That's painful to both the sheep and the shepherd. We too are marked, set apart, sealed by the Holy Spirit. Not only that, if a lamb goes astray too often, a shepherd has no choice but to break two of his legs. After the shepherd sets it, he carries the lamb around on his shoulders for several weeks. That creates a bond between them and the sheep stays close to the shepherd after that. 

Yes, the Lord is our Shepherd. He takes care of us. Only His goodness and kindness follow us all the days of our lives. If there is anything that happens in our lives that is difficult, hard to understand, we need only to have faith that our Shepherd is doing what He needs to do to keep us close. Sheep are known to be stubborn, and maybe that's why Jesus said we are like sheep! We like to go our own way even if there are wolves waiting to devour us! (Is.53:6)

Lord, You are my Shepherd and I belong to You! Help me always to keep on the right path! 

Previous Posts

For my growing collection of prompts, 

inspirations, creative pursuits,

courageous artists and their art, join me here!

or on Facebook and Instagram

Joining the lovely Julia Dunnit for a 

peek at desks and projects!

I find a lot of inspiration

visiting my friends here:

Mondays @ Soul Survival
Small Wonders, Testimony Tuesday,  Titus 2 Tuesdays, 
Count Your Blessings, Word Art Wednesday, Wildly Original

What's It Wednesdays, Unite, 

 Rubie Tuesday Link Up, Be Inspired

 A Little R and R,  No Rules Weekend Blog Party
Cheerleaders of our Faith, Reflect
Art is Beauty

Wow Us Wednesdays, Sitting Among Friends

The Weekly Creative, Three Word Wednesday
Great Blog Train Bloghop, Cheerleaders of Faith
Women with Intention Wednesdays

Thoughtful Thursday,  Hearts4Home Thursdays, Thought Provoking Thursday

Thriving Thursdays with Serving Joyfully

Thursday Favorites, Desire to Inspire Legacy Leaver Thursday
Beloved Brews Thursdays

Creative Things, Bloom! Soul Survival, Inspiration Gallery
Family Fun Friday, Hearts for Home Thursday

Dance with Jesus Friday

Blessings!

Patsy  

Blessed are the Meek!

"Blessed are the gentle..." Matthew 5:5 (NAS)

In most Bibles this passage reads, "Blessed are the meek..." but meekness is not a 'popular' virtue these days. In novels, someone who is meek and unthreatening usually is not the hero of the story! When we think meek, we think downtrodden and almost certainly miserable, at least I do! 

What does it mean really, and more importantly what did Jesus mean? In the Amplified Bible, it reads, "the mild, patient and long-suffering". In Wikipedia it says, "restraining one's own power so as to allow room for others." So apparently meek can mean one has inner strength, self-control. Saint Paul described a servant of the Lord to Timothy, that he "must be gentle, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose." (2 Tim. 2:24–25) One has to be strong to be meek! 

Usually when I think I am wronged, I get ready for a fight. I went to the bank last week and they said they were charging me for the bank statement I was asking for. "I'm not going to pay," I started, and explained it was their fault, etc etc. in a voice that was definitely not meek. I got what I wanted, but I did not inherit the earth! In Matthew 5:5, Jesus says that the meek, the gentle, the patient inherit the earth! Shouldn't we practice meekness, patience and gentleness then? Let's be on the lookout for opportunities to practice self-control so the Lord can give us our inheritance! 

 

 

The Only Treasure

"You should be pleased that they cannot repay you..." Luke 14:14

I am always struck by how opposite Gospel values are to the way of the world. Here Jesus teaches that we should look for ways to do good to people who cannot pay us back, or give us something good in return. This is exactly the kind of generosity God has shown to us. Giving without counting the cost and continuous openhandedness with us even when there is nothing we can give back. 

 

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we were always on the lookout for people to be generous to? My brother-in-law is like that. He found a scruffy looking foreign couple in the streets. Apparently they were lost. He brought them home to stay the night. Then one time he noticed another foreign couple discussing whether to buy some peanuts. Apparently they did not have much money. He invited them to dinner at a restaurant and found out they were a missionary family from Sri Lanka. Another time he picked up some nuns who were getting wet because of a strong rain. 

And then there's Mang Urot who feeds hungry people in the street every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. He and his family, and sometimes volunteers cook food for 80-100 people and serve it in front of Bank of Commerce along Quezon Avenue. Anyone can come and eat. 

"At long last, what is there left from life? What’s left to me? Strange as it seems, only that, which I gave to others…" (Vahan Tekeyan) Indeed, when we get to heaven, the only treasure we will have is that which we gifted others from our heart, with no ulterior motives! 

 

Jesus in Our House!

"Zacchaeus, come down quickly for today I must stay at your house!" Luke 19:5

The story of Zacchaeus is a favorite because of its comedy. Imagine a small stocky man waiting in a crowd of people. He wants to see so he cranes his neck, tries to crawl in between all the legs, but the crowd is thick and he is unsuccessful. He then runs to a Sycamore tree, a tree that can grow up to 100 feet tall. He can see Jesus clearly now as he is high above the people. And Jesus can see him! 

Are we willing to go to absurd lengths to see Jesus? I know fans of actors and actresses, K-Pop groups, singers who go to extreme lengths to see their idols. A rich fan covered his palace and car with pictures of Indian star Shah Rukh Khan. Another wrote a love letter in her own blood asking her favorite actor to marry her. And another tried to commit suicide so he could give his kidney to his idol! 

How wonderful is it that we don't have to climb trees, or write letters in blood or call attention to ourselves to meet Jesus? Every day all we have to do is go to some quiet place and talk to Him. If we want to get to really know Him, we can easily read the Bible and every single time, Jesus shows up. Thank You Lord that You delight in showing me Your heart. That there is nothing more You want than to come and meet me in my house! 

 

The Lowest Place

"Go and sit at the lowest place..." Luke 14:10

If Luigi reads this, he will know I'm preaching to myself! Jesus in this verse is teaching the Pharisees and other guests at a Sabbath meal that they should be humble, and not try to exalt themselves and look for places of honor to park themselves. In the Bible, God promises a lot to those who are humble, and it is a very valuable lesson. If we learn to be humble, there will be less conflict in the world. Most of the clashes I've got myself in had pride at the very root of it. 

Humility is not thinking less of myself, but thinking of myself less. It is valuing, loving others more than myself. That's really radical, because the world will tell us that we have to love ourselves more than others. I think humility is really a stepping stone to loving others. We don't become wrapped up in our own little world feeling entitled because what I am doing is more important than what others are doing. We look for ways to build other people up, instead of ways to put ourselves front and center. We pay attention to other people and what they need instead of looking at our phones, or listening to music, not wanting to be bothered. We are not afraid to serve and help others and do menial things because we do not think we are above others. 

 

I still remember when SM Mall of Asia opened. There was a big celebration, lots of people, lots of food and drink. After all, it was touted as the largest mall in Asia. I saw Harley Sy, one of the owners, bend down and wipe some spilled water on the floor of Surplus Shop, one of their flagship stores. If it was me, I would have called someone to do it. 

 

Ric Warren tells of a time he and the CEO of Chik-fil-A were at a competitor's toilet and the CEO got a paper towel and wiped the sink clean. "Why did you do that?" Ric Warren asked. The CEO answered that they train their people to always leave a place better than how they found it. I guess that's a good thing to remember. To always leave not only a place, but a person, better than how we find him or her. If we paid attention to people more, what they need, how they are feeling, we will be able to show them that they are important, no matter who they are! Whether they be a Senator, a garbage collector, a telemarketer (my pet peeve!), a begging child, a drug addict, a prisoner, a CEO...each one matters! 

 

Hearing our Father!

"Jesus went out to the mountain to pray..." Luke 6:12

The continuation of that verse is, "spending the night in communion with God." When my son wants to spend time to talk with me, I am delighted. So too does the Father take pleasure in our company. He is so happy when we take time off, select a special place (doesn't have to be a mountain!), to spend time with Him. We don't have to have special words, a different more pedantic tone of voice to speak to our Father. We just have to be ourselves. We just have to be honest and open and willing to listen. 

In John 10:27 it says, "My sheep hear my voice." If we are His sheep, His child, part of His people, hearing Him is the default mode. A.W. Tozer said, “A person who does not believe that God speaks will discount it when He does speak, every time.” God does speak, but like everything in life, if we want to be good at hearing God, we have to take the time to DO IT! Do what? Get to know Him. Read His word. Spend time talking to Him. Listening to Him.

 

Lord, I know You want to speak to us! You did and are doing everything just so we, Your children, get to know You, and hear You. You even sent Your Son so He could talk to us and we have a means to really get to know You and what You value. Thank You that You put no limits to our intimacy with You. The more we know You, the more we will be able to hear You! 

Put on the Armor of God!

"Put on the armor of God so you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil." Ephesians 6:11

 

Yes, the devil, our arch enemy, hatches so many schemes against us that we are not aware of. Small petty strategies that could wear us down like water wore down the limestone formations in Coron and Halong Bay. Then of course there are the grand war games against us that is like a life-long chess game. 

I've been praying about my impatience for some time now. And so far I've won little battles against being impolite against telemarketers on the telephone. Sometimes I even amaze myself, but yesterday I lost it again! A Bayantel rep called on my cellphone to tell me that my telephone bill was paid. I was super annoyed. Really? I'm so busy and you call me on my cellphone to tell me that? Of what earthy use is that to me? You can imagine what I said to him and my tone of voice. I immediately regretted it, knowing that I lost this little war. 

I realize that behind all my physical struggles there lies the spiritual reality that the enemy is in a battle to win my soul. The enemy knows he can form many weapons against me but I don't know if he knows it's not going to prosper (Is. 54:17). I don't know if he knows we are victorious in Christ, that we can be made competent and effective by His Spirit. I don't know if the enemy knows that we have power and authority he will never have access to.  I don't know if he knows about our secret weapons, the full armor of God! It's not MY business to know what the enemy knows or not. I think it's more important that I be convinced about MY power in Christ, MY victory, MY authority. I need to know that even if I lose little battles, I am for sure going to win the war, because God is fighting for me! 

 

 

WOYWW: The First will be Last!

"And behold, some are last who will be first 
and some are first who will be last." Luke 13:30

This phrase can be found also in Matthew 19:30, Matthew 20:16, and Mark 10:31. 
And Jesus means exactly what he says. 
The thief hanging on the cross beside him must have done 
terrible things for him to merit the absolute worst punishment, 
but he received heaven's reward after he repented. 
That thief received the same fullness of life eternal 
that Saints Peter, Paul, and Timothy received. 
The thief just got through that narrow door! 
We will never know who we will meet when we get to heaven. 
(We're getting there not because of any good we've done 
but because God will finish the work He started in us!) 

We can try to think of the most evil person we know, the one who murders people, babies even, the one who goes to a crowded place and plants a bomb, the one who rapes, who deceives, who lies, etc. And then when we see Saint Peter, we can ask him, "Why is that person here? I served God, tried my best to be good, 
told the truth, and prayed every day! And that person, what did he do?" 
Saint Peter might answer, "He repented and asked for mercy!" 

It's the same as the workers in the vineyard in the 20th chapter of Matthew. 
Some worked a full day, others just an hour, and they all got the same wage! 
There can't, after all, be any more or less of eternal life. 
And NONE of us deserve the reward of heaven. None! 

Lord Jesus, thank You for paying the price of admission to our eternal home! 
We will never realize how amazingly incredible our inheritance is 
until we join you, like the thief beside You on the cross, in Paradise! 

Previous Posts

For my growing collection of prompts, 

inspirations, creative pursuits,

courageous artists and their art, join me here!

or on Facebook and Instagram

Joining the lovely Julia Dunnit for a 

peek at desks and projects!

I find a lot of inspiration

visiting my friends here:

Mondays @ Soul Survival
Small Wonders, Testimony Tuesday,  Titus 2 Tuesdays, 
Count Your Blessings, Word Art Wednesday, Wildly Original

What's It Wednesdays, Unite, 

 Rubie Tuesday Link Up, Be Inspired

 A Little R and R,  No Rules Weekend Blog Party
Cheerleaders of our Faith, Reflect
Art is Beauty

Wow Us Wednesdays, Sitting Among Friends

The Weekly Creative, Three Word Wednesday
Great Blog Train Bloghop, Cheerleaders of Faith
Women with Intention Wednesdays

Thoughtful Thursday,  Hearts4Home Thursdays, Thought Provoking Thursday

Thriving Thursdays with Serving Joyfully

Thursday Favorites, Desire to Inspire Legacy Leaver Thursday
Beloved Brews Thursdays

Creative Things, Bloom! Soul Survival, Inspiration Gallery
Family Fun Friday, Hearts for Home Thursday

Dance with Jesus Friday

Blessings!

Patsy  

Seeds and other Small Things

"The Kingdom if God is like yeast which a woman took to knead into three measures of flour until a whole mass of dough began to rise." 

Luke 13:21

Jesus liked to compare His Kingdom to small things, yeast, and seeds. Apparently there is not much fanfare or big signs point to His Kingdom. Yeast and seeds, especially the tiny mustard seed, are so small and insignificant. It reminds me of Mother Teresa who often compared herself to a little pencil.  "I'm just a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world." "I am a little pencil in God's hands. He does the thinking. He does the writing. He does everything and sometimes it is really hard because it is a broken pencil and He has to sharpen it a little more."

Jesus started with a little band of insignificant men and women like us. They weren't very intelligent. They didn't have Master's degrees from important schools. They weren't eloquent speakers at the start. They weren't even very brave. But just like a tiny seed which grows in the right soil, and yeast which makes dough rise, we too can contribute our gifts and talents, no matter how little, for God to use in the growth of His Kingdom. How wonderful if God would say to me, at the end of my life here on earth, that I was good seed, a usable pencil, living yeast! 

Set Free!

"...she was badly stooped..." Luke 13:11

In Luke 13, we meet a woman who was bent completely forward and utterly unable to straighten up. She had been like this for 18 years, and scripture tells us, her infirmity was caused by a bad spirit. Jesus, when He saw her, said, "Woman, you are set free!" He laid His hands on her and she was instantly healed. 

"Anahwim", the meditation book I read everyday, says, "This woman represents us all. God has made us for higher things, but sin cripples us and keeps us focused on what is earthly. The whole human family is 'badly stooped' by the burden of sin. Our perceptions are distorted and our wills are weakened."

Indeed, many of us have damaged personalities, addictions difficult to get rid of, are messed up, rebellious, feeling rejected, etc etc. We need to straighten up. We need to dig into God's Word because only God and His Word can set us free. Joyce Meyer, the well known speaker, revealed that she was raped by her father more than 200 times until she was 18 years old. She never felt safe. He even wanted her to bring her classmates home for him to abuse!  Can you imagine how warped her personality became? But she was freed because she really dug into the Word of God, believed in it and applied it to her life. If there's anything we need to be freed from, to be healed from, never give up. Always know that we are loved unconditionally, and nothing is impossible with God!