ARE WE DOING ENOUGH?

Are we doing enough?

Are we too preoccupied with our own affairs to set aside time to help others, other people who have no way of repaying us?

I think we should find ways of helping other people out, our brothers and sisters but most especially, unbelievers who have yet to experience the love of Christ through us.

I believe the best way to manifest Christ's love to the lost world is through service.

The women's shelter is a good example of service (sadly Atmosphere has praise practice on that evening). I also believe we should come up with a volunteer service to hospitals to offer comfort and prayers, help out in homes for the aged. This is something we can do once a month too, as the Praise Ministry. All others can definitely be involved, but I'm hoping it can be something we can do as a group. This can also serve as a growth opportunity for us- an exercise of selflessness, since it will take away precious rest time but surely will bring us joy indescribable.

If the Christ can wash the disciples feet, we can wash each others feet too.

ENLIGHTEN ME...

I am going through the old testament right now, currently I'm reading Joshua.

I was thinking as I was reading... Rahab lied to the her townsmen about hiding the Israelite spies. It helped Israel, she lied to do it, but it saved her and her family. Seems like she got away with sin... I'm confused.

About Israel acquiring the Promised Land... why did they have to invade occupied land? They massacred thousands of innocent people ( women, children and harmless men). Couldn't they just occupy non-populated land?

I guess I'm ignorant about these things. When I encounter areas of the bible that I can't understand, I just tell myself,God can do anything he wishes, he is God. But sometimes I wonder why he would allow entire races to be annihilated without giving them much of a chance.

Do any of you have any answers to my inquiries? Enlighten me please.

CONSEQUENCES OF SIN

I recall reading Deuteronomy and the fact that Moses and Aaron weren't able to enter the Promised Land because they sinned against the Lord...

"This is because both of you broke faith with me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because you did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites. " (Deut. 32:51).

I thought, wow, when we sin against the Lord, we rob ourselves of blessings. Though we are saved, we still pay for the consequences of our actions, we can still lose the joy of our salvation.

All the more I appreciate the Lord's grace, His forgiveness that's readily available for those who are humble enough to ask for it.

In the past, I found it hard to ask for forgiveness. I felt shame and now I admit pride. When we don't ask for forgiveness right away we don't want to admit we are wrong, we want to live with our sin a little bit longer ( the same goes for our relationship with others).

Now, I ask for forgiveness right away, soon as I realize I sinned against the Lord. I don't want to lose my fellowship with the Lord because I'm still in sin. I want to experience the continuous flow of blessings. I want to reclaim the joy of my salvation, which I lost in the past.

We should never take sin lightly. Let's help each other purify our lives by lovingly and gently rebuking each other when necessary. It's not easy for anyone to listen to other people correct them, but we are called to do so. Without each other we cannot grow.

God bless us all!!

SIMPLE THINGS

In the past, I had to be out of the house everyday. I was bored at home. I didn't like staying home. Now, I have a new appreciation for my home.

I have a greater appreciation for the simple things. I don't need to have something new every week. I don't need to eat out every week. I look at what I have and realize I have more than enough.

Everyday I teach my daughter to be happy with what she has. Whenever she sees a new toy on TV, she asks me if she can have it, then after a few minutes she tells me it's okay if she doesn't buy it. When we set aside her small clothes and her baby toys she tells me, "Mama, are we giving those away to kids who need it?" She doesn't resist it, she's happy were giving it away.

Mika has a kind heart. I see it as her mom. She loves to share. I want to be like her. I'm learning a lot from my little 5-year-old.

Let's share, with a thankful heart. I"m sure all of us have more than enough to live. God is good, he provides for all we need. Let's help provide for the needs of others.

REFINED BY THE FIRE

It's the same thoughts all over again. Unhappy with my work, longing to do something more. Need to make more money. I need a vacation but can't afford it. Oh, my human-ness. I whine and daydream of better days.

I watch a show on TV about poor people in China, people who are sick and can't get medical care. People who are disabled and can't work. People who live under the worst conditions...

I forget about my problems. I remember to be thankful. I remember that the Lord has my life in the palm of his hand. He isn't done with me yet.

Everyday concerns are still real. All the trials still hurt. Waiting is still a pain. But I am not waiting in vain. I am not walking alone, I know it not only in my head but I really feel that reality deep in my heart. That is why I can feel the burn and still be thankful. That is why I can still count my blessings. That is why I am still hopeful.

I wait eagerly for the Lord to work a miracle in our life. I know he is watching me. I know he is building my faith. What is faith without it being tested after all?

TRADING UNCERTAINTY WITH PEACE

Marvs job is in a period of uncertainty right now. We're still waiting for the transfer hoping that he gets the same schedule so we can continue to have the same income and so he can continue serving in ministry and attend the Sunday services. In the back of our minds we're hoping that he will still have a job in the next coming months and hopefully years ahead.

I lost a significant amount of hours at work. Once again we try our very best to be faithful in using the resources God has given us wisely.

Moments arise when I feel panicky inside. Then I pray for the Lord's peace to overcome the fear I feel inside. After all, he did promise to never leave us and to provide all our needs. Then I remember that he is always on time. Never early, never late.

I pray that he gives me patience and joy amidst this troubling time in our life.

Isn't it wonderful to know that we have a God whom we can run to and cling to?

I will always remember the times he came through for us. He always has and he always will.

WHISPERS OF THE ENEMY

I gave in to the whispers of the enemy. I sinned against the Lord. I was so sorrowful. I pleaded for forgiveness soon afterward for I so quickly felt the distance between us. I never want to be apart from my God. I wanted to restore our fellowship.

I hear a voice tell me I was a loser. I was weak, I gave in, I'll always give in and never conquer my sin completely. Another voice tells me, we will fall but the Lord will cleanse us and help us to start all over again. We will be victorious.

I choose to listen to the voice of truth. I stand up knowing I am forgiven. I will start all over again knowing that in the end, I will be the winner.

We are all going to fall every now and then. But when we ask for forgiveness and deep in our heart plead the aid of the Holy Spirit, victory is not just a hope but will be a reality.

Praise the Lord for the God that he is!! He heals the broken heart and sets the captives free!!!