How to Please God?

As a Christian, it is always my desire to please God. But the question is "how"?

And without faith it is impossible to please God... - Heb.11:6

Faith therefore matters to God. It is therefore an everyday call for us to see how much faith we have in Him.

True faith does not show when everything seems ok. It is seen during storm. It is very easy to say "praise God" when every thing is on its right place but when you are not fine and perhaps nothing seems to be positive around you, like you see nothing but problems and troubles, can you still praise Him?

Praising God in the storm is a big challenge. Times of trouble and tests are actually the best moments to praise Him. The faith that we have in Him pleases Him during such times.

By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. - Hebrews 11:21

Jacob, even when he was facing death, still had his heart to worship God and bless each of Joseph's sons. Yes, he was still able to worship and bless, while abandoning what he was facing - death. His faith is in God alone even in the end of his time.

All of us should have the faith that Jacob had. Faith that causes blessings and worship to God even when we are facing trials, especially, the final test.

The Rain Became Typhoon!

(Based on my testimonial post yesterday)

Amazingly, the rain sent by God yesterday continued to be a storm.

I still stand in awe.

Issued at: 5:00 p.m., 13 July 2010
(click here to download 5 p.m. forecast-Adobe PDF format)
Synopsis : At 4:00 P.M. today, the center ofTyphoon "BASYANG" was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 40 kms North Northeast of Daet, Camarines Norte (14.4 °N, 123.3 °E) with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph. It is forecast to move West at 22 kph.

Metro Manila

24°C to 30°C

Moderate to Strong: Southwest Manila Bay: Moderate to Rough

from: http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/

God sent Rain!

I am still in awe of what God has done to me earlier. Wow, what a God. I can't wait to share it to the world.

Ganito kasi yon. At first, I don't know why my feet brought me to the last room in our house, where I can hear anything that is happening next to the two walls. I heard three people having a conversation (this is very unusual, because that place, which we call HQ, is a very private place for the kids worship/fellowship/discipleship/etc.). Apparently, this is the first time that it happened. I was momentarily curious about what's happening. I was asking, what are these people doing in this place that we are offering to God. Then I stepped a little closer to the window, where they are sitting nearest to.

Sadly, I recognized that it was my lola, tito, and a certain man. My lola was scolding my tito because of too many things about family, and other mistakes he has done in his life (that's in front of that certain man-who is perhaps a kumpare of my tito). All along, my lola is the one who was just talking. My tito butts in at some point in the "scolding chapter of this story" but thank God because he was not raising his voice to my lola, and somehow, the certain man tried to regulate the "sermons" of my lola. Later in the conversation, they tend to change the topic. A sudden shift to talk about our family. I heard their gossips about my mom (who has not done them any wrong, except her being part of a poor family). Plus the mistakes that were encountered by family. I really felt so judged, though I know that I am not the one they are juding, but my father and mother. I know you will understand what I feel because you also has a mom and dad. It was really hurting to my ears to hear them saying bad things about my parents, and take note, in our own place.

Instead of confronting them, I started to pray to God: "Lord what will I do. I'm hurt. You said I should not repay evil for evil."

I knew God didn't want me to lose temper. It was really hurting to realize that they are invading our privacy with the place because they did not even dare to ask permission if they (my tito and another man) can use the place, they were just "illegal bystanders" in the first place, but I didn't take that in a serious note. The point is, i wish my lola has stopped saying bad things about my family, and continously making herself as an example of a good life (pointing the spotlight to her past and what she has gone through- which she boastes earlier). I kept my silence while I heard them. I submitted to God. I did not confront them.

Continually I prayed to God. Singing songs of worship and praise. I left the room when I heard that my lola finally left the two. I sit on my work-shop and ask God for wisdom, so I can understand what He was trying to teach me with this situation going on. Later, I was prompt to play the keyboard and sing the song "Give us clean Hands".

I went to the same room (same place next to them) My tito and the man were still there. I am bothered because I've sneaked on them and seen that they were drinking liquior! Take note, that place that they are invading and drinking liquior in is a holy place for us. I was really hurt. But then, I asked God for wisdom. I had to do something. I plugged the keyboard in then started to play.

We bow our hearts
We bend our knees
Oh Spirit come make us humble
We turn our eyes
From evil things
Oh Lord we cast down our idols

So give us clean hands
and give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Oh give us clean hands
and give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Oh God let this be
a generation that seeks
Who seeks Your face, Oh God of Jacob
Oh God let us be
a generation that seeks
Who seeks Your face, Oh God of Jacob

I know my tito and the man can hear me playing and singing. I intended to raise the volume of the keyboard and my voice. Still praying God will take control. As the volume gets stronger, I hear raindrops on the rooftop. Later, the rain has gone harder, driving my tito and his company away because the place they were in is reached by raindrops when it is raining hardly. (we only have a temporary roofing there)

Wow!

Praise God! Praise God. My heart sings praises that moment. God is powerful. He is indeed in control. I didn't even have to scold them to drive them away. It was God.

Later when the rain is through, I went to the place where my tito and his company were in. They' re not there but I found two bottles of red horse beer. I threw them away, knowing that I have the right to clean up the mess in the place where I am accountable to take care for. Then I put the table and chairs inside the room so it won't happen again.

When I was about to return inside, I heard my tito and the man. They've come back. They were looking for the bottles. I told them bravely, "I threw them away". I said it with a smile, still with respect to them as older people. Then I left them, trying to get the bottles on the other side of the fence. I don't know if they were able to get them. What I know is that, I had the right to tell them that they have done wrong to me and my family, especially to God. BUT I DID NOT. They did not respect the place and our family. BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT I AM NOT THE ONE TO TELL THEM THAT.

Simple acts like that can give major effect. But praise God, I didn't have to raise my voice to them. God will be the one to judge not me.

I pray that my lola, with her little time in this world, will see the truth. Live her faith. She prays the rosary twice a day, early in the morning and late at night before sleeping. But it is not the way to heaven but Faith that works. I also pray for my tito and his friend that they will also see the truth.

I believe, God is at work with everyone of us. Who am I to straighten the crooked stick? God will do His task. I dont have the right to hold grudge. I forgive them for what they've done.

Glory to God.

Praise Him. Forever and ever.

Amen.

Aging Eagle

My Exegesis Assignment for Hermeneutics (GCUM, BCCL)

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Interpretation of Isaiah 40:31

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles,

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint” NIV

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Natural Unit: Isaiah 40:1-31

Next Larger Unit: Isaiah 40:1 -66:24

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Historical Background/Facts/Notes:

Isaiah – Longest book in the bible next to Psalms and Jeremiah.

Prophet Isaiah is said to be the greatest prophet in history. He is a contemporary of:

Micah – in Judah

Amos, Josea, Jonah – in Israel

The book of Isaiah is like a bible in miniature, containing:

66 chapters = 66 books in the bible

first 39 chapters = the Old Testament

Last 27 chapters = the New Testament

Like the OT, the first 39 chapters of Isaiah is focusing on God’s judgment against the sin of people. On the other hand, like the NT, the last 27 chapters of the book of Isaiah focuses on God’s grace, giving the Lord’s comforting words to the hurting people of Judah as well as Israel.

Dead Sea Scrolls – 1947-1956

• Contain 19 copies of complete manuscripts of Isaiah
• Those found were 1000 years older than the existing copies the time before the dead sea scrolls were discovered.

Traditional Records say that Isaiah died under Kind Manasseh, who sawed his body in half.

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Passages Before: God is proclaiming, through the mouth of the prophet Isaiah, that He has had enough, and He is bringing judgment to the wickedness of the people.

Passages After: Isaiah 40 down to 66 focus on God’s giving of comforting words to the hurting people, after God has given His judgment to the nation. His words mirror the unending grace He is giving to people.

CIT: GOD RENEWS OUR STRENGTH AFTER ENDURING THE SUFFERINGS.

Keywords: Growth, Maturity, Eagle (and its aging process)

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Detailed Interpretation

Growth means being like gold that needs to undergo extreme pressure to attain purity, turning like steel that needs to be beaten hardly to gain strength, and sitting like diamonds on the rough, waiting for hundreds of years before finally shining with crystals.

We all need to be in pressure and be beaten. We often have to wait and be still because God is just around, checking if we are trusting in Him for whatever circumstance we are in.

Wait in God. Hope in God. Isaiah 40:31 is about God’s promise to us if we will learn how to put our total trust in Him, once we are trapped in a life-and-death situation in life.

In the 31^st verse of Isaiah 40, one important creature that God has made was mentioned- the eagle. Indeed, all of us can be compared to an eagle, especially when it undergoes its aging process.

Fact about the Eagle’s Metamorphosis

At a Certain point in an eagle’s life, it suffers a different method of aging. After a long time of successful flights on hunting preys and viewing every beautiful thing from above, it loses capabilities and beauty.

In this aging process, the eagle stays on the rocks, beating its beak and talon on the rough surface to break them. It endures the pain in plucking all its feathers. During the process. The eagle is almost defenceless. You cannot see a wild and brace hunter in its condition. Many eagles die at this point in their life. Nonetheless, the eagle who overcomes all these sufferings and pain, will get its feathers growing abundantly again, having its beak and talons sharper and stronger than ever. Later, the eagle who was once defenceless, ugly, and almost having no life at all, weary.. BUT persevering.. is spreading its beautiful wings, ready to soar on high again.

ISAIAH 40:31 is part of God’s comforting words to the people of Judah, who has undergone tragedies as consequences to her sins. After the sufferings, God has given them the second chance to live again. God’s amazing grace is everlasting!

Oftentimes, we transform like eagles, only if we endure and understand that God has designed such “aging process” to teach us something.

I would like to relate the inspiring truth with what God has said with His comforting words through the prophet Isaiah. Line by line..

(Let us call these E⁴ – E for Eagle)

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“But Those Who Hope In The Lord Will Renew Their Strength..”

We are ENERGIZED. God wants us to pause for a while and learn from His instructions and later, get recharged by His power. Sometimes, we put too much energy out of our own strategies and plans, without consulting God, hence, we are often left out. Wait on God. Trust in God. Hope in God.

“..They will Soar on Wings Like Eagles..”

We experience EXCEPTIONAL FLYING. If we only allow God to take in control of the process, He will show us the beauty of the result. He will let us see His “long-range viewpoint”, “bird’s eye view” so to speak. He will also let us feel the freedom like how an eagle flies. He will also let us learn to see things beautifully from above.

“.. They will Run and Not Grow Weary..”

We get more ENDURANCE. Does the eagle run? Perhaps during the defenceless-stage, when it cannot fly, it will surely run when a predator shows off on the rocks to harm it. When it runs, it will really cost the eagle a quite ‘good dose’ of endurance. When you think you can’t, you really can’t. But if you say “yes! I will run even if it seems impossible to escape”, you will indeed overcome. God is the source of our strength, even in the most impossible time.

“..They will Walk and Not Become Weary..”

We gain ENDLESS JOY. As we witness God’s work in our lives, we will see ourselves, constantly walking in step with Him. In this, we don’t feel tired bored, and bothered. We won’t notice how long and tiring it has been. We will just feel the contentment and unexplainable joy. How happy an eagle is, when it sees itself walk, run, and fly as it reminisces its awful experience on the rocks, beating its beak and talon, while plucking all the feathers out. It is finished. The eagle is free!

Conclusion:

As We TRUST IN GOD’s WAY, We:

• are Energized
• experience Exceptional Flying
• get more Endurance
• gain Endless Joy

Last words:

God came on earth to give everything He can. And until now, He is still at work in us. Let’s submit to Him. Jesus said, “I’ve come that you might have life..”

Let’s hold on to His promise, He surely won’t break it.

Life means constant problem solving. We should courageously solve the problems, with the right attitude, like the persevering eagle that has beaten its beak and talon, and plucked its feathers out.

As we grow enduring the different problems and challenges in life, trust in God, Hope in God.

So, when you get caught up by “the Aging Process”

Stand firm.

Gain life.

Break your talon.

Pluck your feathers out.

And you will see,

The beautiful creature

That God has designed

In your life long before you were born.

You are special to Him.

Trust in Him.

Because He knows what He is doing.

Prepared by Lanilane Ocbina

Glory to God!