Got a Problem?

This entry is an excerpt on yesterday’s Sunday service.

John 5: 1-9 tells a story of Jesus healing a lame man who has been sick for 38 years. When Jesus asked him if he wants to get well, the man answered, “I can’t, sir. For I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred up. While I am trying to get there, someone else always gets in ahead of me.” (v. 7, NLT) During that time, it is believed that an angel stirs the waters in the pool of Bethesda and anyone who could get there first would be well.

When we encounter problems we want to be solved, how many times do we tell Him, “Jesus, I can’t”? But of course, we really can’t! That’s why Jesus asked the man if he wants to be healed. Jesus is asking us the same thing.

Jesus asked one thing; the man answered differently. Most of the time, we try solving our problems through ways we know until we lack ideas. How about letting Jesus be the solution to them?

That Piece of Land

I am a person who loves any body of water but certainly cannot swim. I still love it, though I know it could kill myself if go into a deeper part of it. No wonder the Israelites were afraid of crossing the Red Sea when they were set to a journey towards the Promised Land.

A lot of us might be familiar with how the Israelites behaved during the journey; heck, they were complaining even when they were still in Egypt! Then again, they were all set to return to the land promised to them until they came across the sea. And for their reactions, I suggest you read Exodus 14: 11-12. And oh, it hit me! I’m so guilty of such!

Like the Israelites, most of us trust God only until we see no land anymore. And I personally learned that I need to hold on to faith and realize that even if the other side of the ocean is out of sight, He could lift up the waters for us to pass.

Walking on Water

One of the things that lingered to me during this morning’s church service is the side story about Jesus walking on water. (Matthew 14: 22-36)

There were several instances in the Scriptures where Jesus and His disciples were in the water. One of the most memorable is that during a great storm where the apostles were  frightened when all the while, their Rabbi was fast asleep. Jesus calmed the storm (Mark 4:35-40) for them (and the disciples got a little bit “scolding” from Him.) But really, why all the fuzz? Why were they terribly terrified?

How can something this beautiful seem so unsafe?

What is a Testimony?

A friend came to me one time, asking me this thing, “How can you testify of God’s work in your life to other people if you have been a good person since you could remember?”

I somehow remembered, not once has it happened, that a person will come to me and tell me, “You’ve always lived straight since you were a child. You have never gone astray.” What they don’t know is I have.

A Test of Character

“Until the time came to fulfill his word, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.” – Psalm 105:19

Joseph is one of my favorite Bible characters. He has been through hardships and such but he has been consistent with his character – that of a person who fears the Lord. Imagine if you are in his situation – being doubted by your family because of your dreams, sold by your brothers as a slave (not to mention almost being killed by them), accused falsely by your boss’ wife, imprisoned for a deed you have not done, and forgotten by an inmate you have helped, you have all the reasons to justify your rebellion against God, knowing full well that you have kept your obedience on Him but He doesn’t seem to care. Joseph could blame everyone who has made his life miserable when he got power in his hands yet he did not do so.

Pursue

I know many of us are familiar with the words of Psalm 23. Some of us have even memorized its words since childhood.

I came across the chapter for my quiet time earlier. My favorite verse is verse 6. One of the popular versions is,

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

As I am reading the New Living Translation (Gifts and Rewards Edition), I have encountered another version of such verse with something that caught me with glee. It goes,

“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”

Notice the word pursue. I don’t know with the guys (or some girls out there) but this had an impact with me as every woman would love to be pursued. The word follow used in other versions may sometimes be associated with stalking (LOL) but pursue — it is done by someone whose love is sincere and willing. And yes, that is such an understatement.

Now, could you imagine the depths of God’s love for you? That He, the Creator of the heavens and the earth pursues you regardless of who you are and what your background is? That his goodness and never-ending love pursues you even if you are undeserving?

And you may say, “Oh, I don’t need it and I don’t care.” It’s alright. He just wants you to know that He is there and that you don’t need to be anything for Him to love you and shower with with His goodness.

Of Wars and Disasters

Last Saturday, me and my family (minus my younger sister who is at work) met with my father’s missionary friend who is attending a conference here in Manila. As you can see, my father is a seafarer and he met Bro. Robert when their vessel landed in South Africa.

Bro. Robert is a missionary to a lot of seafarers, many of which has become his friends. My father is one of them. I remember before, I was the one sending emails to him and his wife during the time that technology was not yet a trend (and my father, not yet that techie). Last Saturday, aside from us, several others visited him and there are still more who want to see him until their conference finishes end of this week.

My family with Bro Robert (center)

When Repetition is Necessary

Getting tired of all those playbacks? Don't.

Winning Over Battles

I must admit, the last few days back were a struggle for me – catching up with deadlines in school, messed up communications with several people, compromised quiet time, a lot of tasks to finish at work… The list could just go on. And there I go, lost, or well, most likely, doing the swerve.

Why Does God Allow Difficult Times?

In the different stories I’ve encountered of Israelites in the Bible, generally speaking, prior to every success or victory is a failure. Now I ask myself, “Why the need for that? Isn’t God all-powerful and can deliver them from all the hindrances that go along the way?”