MY BIRTHDAY!

It’s another day lived for God’s glory! I thank Him for this wonderful day.

Last night I was thinking about what special thing to do today. However, I have not come up with the brightest idea. What I know at this very time is that, tho there’s no plan at all, I am very happy. Though I only got 300 pesos in my wallet, I’m in bliss. Praise God! He will provide!

Why am I happy? Small things are just around, and these make me happy. Gifts should not be grand to make my day. Simple greetings from my friends and family will make this special day complete. This is the reason why every birthday, about two days before the big day, I do the countdown myself. I believe that no time should be wasted on frowning over the fact that people forget my day. I work on it so that in advance, they are followed-up! Haha. I don’t want them to feel the guilt of forgetting my birthday. On the other hand, I also don’t want myself feel sad when they forget it. It’s a choice. And I am glad I did the initiative myself. You see, it’s also their choice if they will greet me and celebrate with me or not. The thing is, they are reminded. haha. The one who will be the most excited about the birthday is the celebrator him/herself, so I'd rather do the first move.

My excitement is driven by my heart that is very grateful to God. I am so thankful that God is giving me another year to live.

Another Year Nearer To My Death

Earlier, as a treat to my self, I got the time to watch my favorite movie, “Facing the Giants”. I have watched it for the 5^th time and the ounces of tears are still the same! The story really touches my heart.

What struck me today in that movie is that scene where David and his father are talking about David’s try out for the team. Tears fell when the lines pushed through my heart that “as long as I live, I want people to see how strong God is in my life!”.

Who may know, this might be my last birthday, only God knows what will happen. I trust God. As I always say to myself, God has a plan and things will come in His time. I should not think about my end of time, but rather, think about how to prepare before the end.

Birthday Holiday And Presents From God

God’s gift to me today is to take some “rest”. Last night, one client gave me a birthday holiday, and this morning, another accepted late outputs. In other words, no pressure today! I am planning to start writing the book that I was struck last night. This is a big challenge to me since I am now being granted by God with higher pay on my work. I need to give my best shot in managing my finances. Next sem, I will be sponsoring another scholar. Yey! 3 scholars this year.

I remember how hard it is to make ends meet but truly, nothing is impossible with God. I believe, if God is in my place, He will even give more than what I am giving them. I just want these people know that we have a big God who provides.

I am revealing this because I want other people to be inspired by what God can do. We don’t have to have millions to support others. God knows our needs. All we need is to trust. I remember the last time I had to give my tithe to the church, it was my last money in my wallet. I didn’t want to ask God, “Lord pahiram muna nito ha?”. Trusting God that He will provide, I gave it to Him that day, when I don’t have anything but my fare to guinobatan. You know what happened? The next day, one client came, and just last week, I had $55 from him. Next week, I will have $60 or more! I can’t help but cry about this, God is just amazing. He is always faithful. He did it many times in my life. Amazing God.

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Later I will be back for the rest of what will happen this day! Happy New Year to me! God is so great in my life and I want people to see how great is that word “great”!

Do not boast

Beware.. you might just realize that
you are being too righteous.
Remember God said through the apostle Paul:
No one is righteous.. no one.
(I'm also telling this to myself)

For a couple of times this week, I have encountered people who caused some bruises in my mind, which tries to be sensitive at all times. These people whom I thought to be humble, because they are under a wonderful process called “road to Christ-likeness”, gave impact to me, as a believer of Christ.

This is not to criticize them but for the sake of pondering more on what I have learned. I know some of them for quite a long while now, yet I know, I have more to know about them.

Some people (in particular situations, may include ME) become too careless about relating what they know about God and the bible. The driving force, when they talk about God’s glory, is sometimes not anymore LOVE, but self righteousness and for worse, self-wisdom. When a person has a lot of knowledge about the bible, he/she tends to get drowned of the overflowing principles, which he/she claims to be God’s privilege for him/her. However, when he/she starts to talk, you will feel it – you won’t feel love, but rather, you will feel smaller than you are.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. - 1 Corinthians 13

I believe that when our brothers and sisters in Christ talk, we should feel the LOVE from God, not the boasting tongue. Some will say : Praise God, I have already finished the book of Isaiah, tomorrow I will be reading Micah. But when you look at his/her lifestyle, the reading seemed to be useless. How come he/she uttered praises to God? Let's be careful.

Most of the time, we get tough struggles as we saturate ourselves to God’s word. Satan can use the inputs for us to feel so proud. There are times that we might focus on the teachings of God and not to God Himself anymore. It’s like having a lot of money. You intend to give them to the poor and the church (as what God wants), then realize that you are already considering money as your/others' main source of security. Let’s not forget that money is a tool that should not come between us and God. Same as our mind, it is God’s tool for us to learn. Do not use it for personal security. God is our fortress, shelter, and refuge - not our mind – nor money.

Now, I have learned from God that I need to be more sensitive about the use of His word. It is He who should talk, not me. My mind and mouth are His tools. He is in control. I must not use these to boast. I should let Him stay inside me and purify my heart so that His righteousness (not mine) will come out. My words may hurt people, but God’s word will not. I'd rather use His word, which is the powerful sword against the enemy. Praise God for this realization. By now, I am praying for my brothers and sisters whom I have learned this matter from. I believe God has a way to let them know that He is the only holy and righteous God. No one is perfect enough to have the right to boast about anything. No one.