Encourage Daily | Mark 12-14

 

 

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WHEN YOU ARE NOT THE ONE CHOSEN

 WHAT WILL YOU DO IF YOU WERE JUSTUS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS?

So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

I’ve read the first chapter from the book of ACTS today and got hooked to the personality of Justus whose story in the Bible lasted for just 4 sentences. He was the one who got “rejected” when Matthias was chosen over him to replace Judas Iscariot and complete the 12 apostles again.

It was like a prestigious search. Being one of the 12 apostles, whom Jesus chose during His 3-year ministry, was really something. And two candidates emerged in that search: Matthias and Justus. Why them? Well, perhaps they were the elders who have shown great commitment and passion in the ministry of the Lord Jesus then. The two were chosen by the apostles and the congregation. Well it should’ve been one but why two? I guess the Lord allowed to have two options to teach us something.

credits: Bible Encyclopedia

Matthias was chosen over Justus by God through casting lots. Justus was not rejected by the congregation. It was that, He was not chosen by God to complete the 12. We can imagine what happened during that “big reveal day” and see how Matthias and his family celebrated and how Justus and his family faced the “defeat”, if they called it that way. After that, we have never heard of Justus again.

So I wondered, what happened to Justus after knowing that God did not choose him? Did he continue being compassionate to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ? Did he hate God? Did his family got embarrassed and move away from the church? No one knows.

Real Talk: If I were Justus, my initial reaction would be embarrassed and I will feel bad because my family were there too. When rejection strikes, I feel like I can bear the shame but knowing that my family is also hurt, I am more hurt. There will be a part of me that will ask God, “Why not me?” and I would struggle with that question for a long time.  Nonetheless, in my present status as a believer and child of God, I’d say that it will not last for a long time. I have faced a lot of rejections in my life but I believe I have already mastered the dealing of such situations. Yes it is painful! But God knows best! He will not put you in a position unless He knows it is really for you. You have a perfect place and purpose and only Him knows that.

Some things that you want to have may just slip away from your hands. You almost got it but it turned out that it’s not meant for you. Don’t  worry because the Lord is faithful. He knows you. He knows what’s best for you. Trust Him. I understand it is painful. Go ahead and be in the process of that pain. But do not dwell in the pain for a long time because you may miss a lot. Try your best not to focus on the rejection or frustration, but focus on Him and His great plan instead. He might be presenting something to you but you lost it because you were focused on the pain.

For whatever happened to Justus, I hope he still continued in faith. I hope he celebrated with Matthias that time. I hope he was resilient after knowing that God did not choose him to be there by believing that the Father has a greater plan for him. 

I believe God had a huge plan for him, it’s just that, being one of the 12 apostles was not for him.

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.

I'm thinking (oo naman, may isip ako no.. ano ka na), what if i reveal to you my wish list? hmmmmmmfffff..... Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think.. Think..........

Sige na nga... hay... Someday, i'll be going back to this checklist..

Let me paste here the entry from my secret diary (oo secret un ssshh) "bonding with God" last May 1... secret lang to ah, satin satin lang...

I won't be revealing everything here (5 pages kaya un! nyahar! tska private un between me and God lang) I'll just share to you the checklist i've made ;)

MY WISHLIST
* Own/manage a Christian radio station (eheem)

* buy LCD projector for our church (waw yaman)
* Own a music studio (feeling)
* Own a resort (grave na itich)
* Own a company (vongga)
* Drive/own a car (astig)
*Publish a best-selling book (waynat poknat)
* Fly to England and visit stonehenge (at ifokfok ang isa sa olo)
*Make a website for God!
*Give my dad his own poultry farm (he's just renting now)
* Give our pastor a vehicle (naks yaman tlga!)
* sponsor scholars (lufet!)
* Blow a candle on my 80th birthday (at humataw ng harlem)
* Produce a film (ako bida .. may manood kaya)
* Build a digital photography and film making firm (ang taray)
* meet the one who stole my laptop (and evangelize him/her)
* Read a book/week (soon 1 book a day, tao akoo!)
* Build a Christian library (gawa sa illustration board?)

counting............

WHATEVER IT IS THAT I WANT, I KNOW GOD HAS HIS OWN PLANS AND HE WANTS ME TO GET INVOLVED.. I'LL NEVER STOP WISHING.. BECAUSE HE IS GOOD, AND HE WILL GIVE ME THE CHANCE TO HAVE THEM ALL.. NONETHELESS,
"THY WILL BE DONE!"
HIS PLANS ARE PERFECT, MINE ARE NOT..
HIS WAYS AND THOUGHTS ARE HIGHER THAN MINE..




"He will give you your heart's desire and carry out all your plans."
-Psalm 20:4

As Free as a Child

juvy and jasmin

I can fly while swimming
(only if ate jasmin gets off my float)

I'm free!

God has given us the freedom to live. Yes, you may have never realized it but God has given you and me this special gift of freedom!

Whenever i play with my little brothers and sister, i feel so glad, i mean, the happiness that can never be bought in the mall, that feeling that can never be compensated by any amount... It is just an unexplainable bliss. I thank God for that gift to be happy.

These children in our house make our lives. God is so good that this home is called a home. I always hear laughs, cries, childish screams, and all that. But these are all giving me something direct into my heart. They touch me.

WHenever i see them, i remember what God said in matthew...

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Let's always remember this truth that God has given us. Let's ask for wisdom to understand what He wanted us to know. He has created a child in you and me that will reveal how humble God is. He died for you and me, though He is God. Now you are free. I am free. God wants you and me to be with Him soon. But before that happens, let's enjoy the freedom that He has given us. Do this in preparation for something eternal. God is waiting.......

Three special gifts from God

Maky, Aye, Ems

I love them. God has taught me a lot in my life and many of the learning I've got were through these three friends of mine. Glory to God, He can use anyone to change lives. You, my friend, can also be used by God.

ask wisdom to understand your purpose...

"God made us plain and simple but we have made ourselves very complicated"

--Ecclesiastes 7:29