His Answers to My “Why”s

 “God loves you, God cares for you, God hears you,…”

Those are things that we often hear from people around us especially when they are expressing sympathy towards our nothing-they-can-do-to-help sad lives. There is always only one thing remains unanswered in our minds; “If God blablabla us, WHY are we stuck in this depressing situation at the first place?”

The truth is God always long to spend time with us. At times of overflowing blessings, when life seems to be too good to be true, you and I sometimes forget Him. Think back, when do we fall on our knees and pray? When do we recognize His presence in our worship? Yes, during times of need. God lets us experience downfalls to draw us near to Him.

“But I never miss out on giving thanks to Him, never for once I forget to offer and tithe, never will I forget Him after all those blessings. WHY do I still have to face lost of loved ones, rejection, failures,…?”

Now you must be thinking that I have prepared an awesome answer to that question, but I don’t cause it never got answered.

How do I then remain a believer in the God who can’t answer that life mystery?

The bible tells me that Jesus is Immanuel, God is with us. I might not know why things happen in my life, but I know never will He leave or forsake me in those times. The bible also tells me that He went through all our sufferings just to understand our pain. As we go through hardships, He is there with us, weeps and suffers with us. Now if there is someone who would ask the question, WHY, it would be Jesus asking, “WHY is He there with us?” I guess we all know the answer, “because He loves us..”

Worthiness

Worthiness : Level at which someone or something deserve to be valued.

What we tend to say in our prayer or write in our journals: "I am NOT worthy of being Yours or being loved by You," I think I said that sentence more than what my fingers can count.

Questions to ask yourself:
Are you not worthy to be your parents' children?
Are you not worthy to be LOVED by your parents?
Do your parents care for you because you are worthy to them?
Do your parents have consideration of your worthiness in their mind?

One thing you need to know not to build pride but confidence in yourselves...

"I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father." Psalm 2:7

YOU are children of God
He is YOUR Father
Will your father love you ONLY IF you are worthy to him? No, he loves you no matter how many times you failed him.
If your earthly father can love you that much, what about YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER? How much more can He give you?

Now, ask yourself again that question.
"Am I worthy enough for forgiveness and love from my Heavenly Father?"

Got to Tell the World

Imagine yourself..

1. Stuck in the airport for hours because of delay. You are all by yourself surrounded by strangers, your electronic devices are out of batteries, and you had just TOO much sleep already. "What then could I do?", you thought to yourself.

2. You are in a restaurant's private room, attending a high school reunion. You are not really close with anyone, so you have no idea of what to talk about. "I just couldn't CLICK with these old friends of mine!", you screamed inside your mind.

3. You are asked to preach or share to a group of people whom you never knew before. "SHOOT! What should I talk about now?", you freaked out.

Those are just some of the situations that you may catch yourselves being clueless or out of place and do not know what to say.

I have just a perfect topic for you that could be suitable for all those awkward moments with whoever you're with. The topic is simply YOUR STORY! Yes, you can tell your story on how God works in or through your life.

"Tell your story" is my church's new theme which I think is really applicable to everyone. At times, people think that only extreme stories are worth sharing, like freed from addictions, healing, etc. Yes! Those stories are amazing and might never happened in your lives. "What do you want me to share then, God?"

Remind yourselves..

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come, the old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5 : 17)

THE NEW IS HERE, what's the new you? How did He transform you in to the NEW you?

It doesn't have to be extreme because each change that Christ has made in your lives are AMAZING by itself. There is no need to exaggerate to impress people because Christ's works' already IMPRESSIVE.

Before I accepted Christ, I was a fairly good girl, good grades, good family, good friends, everything seems to be fine. How can God change a good girl like me? Wasn't I already good? I might be having a decent life, yet God loves me too much to leave me with just a GOOD life. He gives a BETTER life instead, throwing the old me, and I become a new creation of His.

What's my story?

Nobody knows how I was always seeking for something in life, something reliable to hold on to. I came from a strong buddhist family where I was growing up being filled and edified with buddhism but I never truly BELIEVE anything. Then I went to Seattle where I accepted Christ to be my personal savior and much more than a mere religion. Now, every time I'm troubled with life problems, I have that someone to rely on, Jesus :D

I am not perfect in eyes of people around me even in my own eyes. My heart's always filled with lack of self esteem and confidence. Being in the social environment, at times, tortured me when people start staring or mocking me. Guess what! Now, I am perfect in my eyes because I know He created me perfectly. I am beautiful and perfect in the eyes of my creator! :D

I was not a druggie or an alcoholic or a sick person, but God still works in me. If He can change me, He will change you into a better person too :D Do not be afraid to share your story for it's not just yours, it's His too :)

New Year: Never Stop Dreaming

As you grow older, you'd like to think that dreams are meant only for little children.

Do you remember telling your teachers or parents about your ambitions when you're a kid? Doctor? Nurse? Pilot? Policeman? Singer?

But now...

"I'll go with whatever my parents told me to.."

"Wanna be rich? Just be a businessman..."

"No worry! I simply will continue my dad's successful business..."

Sounds familiar? Have those phrases ever slipped out o your mouths?

DREAMS are not only for little children, you know why? God has plans for all of you until the day you go back to Him.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

FAQ: How do we know His plans for us? He is a living God, your Heavenly Father, faithful Friend, and advisor. The answer is to communicate with Him, as He is urged to speak to you. HOW? Pray, pray, pray, and read His words. I do not know how He would communicate with each of you, but He could speak to you in many ways unimaginable.

FAQ: What if we are not capable enough? It's clearly mentioned how the Lord KNOW the plans to prosper and not to harm you :) You do not have to worry for He will provide you with whatever you need to fulfill His calling.

One of the most common things that happens is when things aren't seem to be hopeful. Remember Joseph in the bible? God gave him dream after dream that shows things bowing down to him; however, then, he was a slave. In the end, He became a king :)

Just like Joseph, life for you may not seems to be leading to a bright future; however, believe in Him always and never ever stop to have big dreams :D