Handling Criticism

        Never ever compare yourself to others. You don’t need to copy someone. You are unique , one of a kind and special in our Lord’s eyes. when it comes to this topic I would remember Charles Spurgeon. A key to his perseverance in preaching through adversity was that he had settled who he was and would not be paralyzed with external criticism or internal second-guessing.

“You are not defeated when you lose. You are defeated when you quit.” says P.Coelho

One of the great perils of living under continual criticism is that this is a constant call for you to be other than what you are. And, in fact, a humble saint always wants to be a better person than he is. Learn to love who God made you to be.But there is a great danger here of losing your bearings in a sea of self-doubt. Not knowing who you are. Not being able to say with Paul, “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Cor. 15:10 ). You have to know who you are in God’s eyes. (speaking to myself too).

Be yourself, dear brother, for, if you are not yourself, you cannot be anybody else; and so, you see, you must be nobody … Do not be a mere copyist, a borrower, a spoiler of other men’s notes. Say what God has said to you, and say it in your own way; and when it is so said, plead personally for the Lord’s blessing upon it”. – C. Spurgeon.

I’m grateful to God for my fiancée, she would always remind me not to compare myself to another. It’s either I’ll look down on someone being proud or Go the opposite road of self-pity or false humility. Stop living your life to please somebody. Live to please God.

Don’t just listen to anyone’s criticism. Choose people whom you could trust to speak truth into your life. You can be sure their criticism is out of their genuine concern for you. They will hugely affect and better your character, performance and the skills you need to work on. I’m sure you surround yourself with people like that. I so grateful that God has blessed us with great friends and mentors whom we can ask for help and wisdom especially during times of making tough or big decisions.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Ps.139:14) Grace of God liberates us from performing and trying to please others.

Clear the Stage

“Worship is more than a song“…… sharing this nice song “Clear the stage” by Jimmy Needham

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze
If that’s the measure you must take to crush the idols

Jerk the pews & all the decorations, too
Until the congregations few, then have revival

Tell your friends that this is where the party ends
Until you’re broken for your sins, you can’t be social

Then seek the Lord and wait for what He has in store
And know that great is your reward so just be hopeful

‘Cause you can sing all you want to
Yes, you can sing all you want to
You can sing all you want to
And still get it wrong;
worship is more than a song

Take a break from all the plans that you have made
And sit at home alone and wait for God to whisper

Beg Him please to open up His mouth and speak
And pray for real upon your knees until they blister

Shine the light on every corner of your life
Until the pride and lust and lies are in the open

Then read the Word and put to test the things you’ve heard
Until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken

‘Cause you can sing all you want to
Yes, you can sing all you want to
You can sing all you want to
And still get it wrong; worship is more than a song

We must not worship something that’s not even worth it
Clear the stage, make some space for the One who deserves it

Anything I put before my God, is an idol
Anything I want with all my heart, is an idol
Anything can’t stop thinking of, is an idol
Anything that I give all my love, is an idol

‘Cause I can sing all I want to
Yes, I can sing all I want to
I can sing all I want to
And still get it wrong
And you can sing all you want to
Yes, you can, you can sing all you want to
You can sing all you want to
And still get it wrong; worship is more than a song
Worship is more than a song

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze
If that’s the measure you must take to crush the idols

Jesus be the center

Jesus be the center of our lives….

Jesus at the center of it all

Jesus at the center of it all

From beginning to the end, it will always be

It’s always been You Jesus

Jesus

Jesus be the center of my life

Jesus be the center of my life

From beginning to the end, it will always be

It’s always been You Jesus

Jesus

Nothing else matters

Nothing in this world will do

Jesus You’re the center

Everything revolves around You

Jesus You

(At the center of it all, center of it all)

From my heart to the heavens

Jesus be the center

It’s all about You

Yes it’s all about You

Jesus be the center of your church

Jesus be the center of your church

And every knee will bow

And every tongue shall confess you Jesus

Jesus

To know Him is to want to know Him more.

by: George Mueller

When we became a little acquainted with God . . . our true happiness . . . commenced; and the more we become acquainted with him, the more truly happy we become. What will make us so exceedingly happy in heaven? It will be the fuller knowledge of God.

Therefore the most crucial means of fighting for joy in God is to immerse oneself in the Scriptures where we see God in Christ most clearly. When he was 71 years old, Mueller spoke to younger believers:

Now in brotherly love and affection I would give a few hints to my younger fellow-believers as to the way in which to keep up spiritual enjoyment. It is absolutely needful in order that happiness in the Lord may continue, that the Scriptures be regularly read. These are God’s appointed means for the nourishment of the inner man. . . .Consider it, and ponder over it. . .

Especially we should read regularly through the Scriptures, consecutively, and not pick out here and there a chapter. If we do, we remain spiritual dwarfs.

I tell you so affectionately. For the first four years after my conversion I made no progress, because I neglected the Bible. But when I regularly read on through the whole with reference to my own heart and soul, I directly made progress. Then my peace and joy continued more and more. Now I have been doing this for 47 years. I have read through the whole Bible about 100 times and I always find it fresh when I begin again. Thus my peace and joy have increased more and more. (76) He was seventy-one and he would live and read on for

Our Living GOD Cares for You

My dear Christian reader, will you not try this way? Will you not know for yourself . . .

The preciousness and the happiness of this way of casting all your cares and burdens and necessities upon God? This way is as open to you as to me. . . .

Every one is invited and commanded to trust in the Lord, to trust in Him with all his heart, and to cast his burden upon Him, and to call upon Him in the day of trouble. Will you not do this, my dear brethren in Christ? I long that you may do so.

I desire that you may taste the sweetness of that state of heart, in which, while surrounded by difficulties and necessities, you can yet be at peace, because you know that the living God, your Father in heaven, cares for you.

See that your Soul is Happy

by George Mueller

According to my judgment the most important point to be attended to is this: above all things see to it that your souls are happy in the Lord.

Other things may press upon you, the Lord’s work may even have urgent claims upon your attention, but I deliberately repeat, it is of supreme and paramount importance that you should seek above all things to have your souls truly happy in God Himself!

Day by day seek to make this the most important business of your life. This has been my firm and settled condition for the last five and thirty years. For the first four years after my conversion I knew not its vast importance, but now after much experience I specially commend this point to the notice of my younger brethren and sisters in Christ:

The secret of all true effectual service is joy in God, having experimental acquaintance and fellowship with God Himself.

Why is this “the most important thing”?

Why is daily happiness in God “of supreme and paramount importance”?

One answer he gives is that it glorifies God. After telling about one of his wife’s illnesses when he almost lost her, he says, “I have . . . stated this case so fully, to show the deep importance to be satisfied with the will of God, not only for the sake of glorifying Him, but as the best way, in the end, of having given to us the desire of our hearts.”

Being satisfied in God is “of supreme and paramount importance” because it glorifies God. It shows that God is gloriously satisfying. But there is another answer: namely, that happiness in God is the only source of durable and God-honoring self-denial and sacrifice and love.

If Jesus has a resume….

The Resume of Jesus Christ

Address:     Ephesians 1:20

Phone:        Romans 10:13

Website:      The Bible . Keywords: Christ, Lord, Savior and Jesus

_____________________________________________________

Objective

My name is Jesus -The Christ. Many call me Lord! I’ve sent you my resume because I’m seeking the top management position in your heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.

_____________________________________________________________________

Qualifications

I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19)

I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7)

I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7)

I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13)

The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14)

_____________________________________________________________________

Occupational Background

I’ve only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49 ).

I’ve never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.

My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15 -17)

_____________________________________________________________________

Skills Work Experiences

Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18).

I am a Wonderful Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33 ).

Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9)

_____________________________________________________________________

Educational Background

I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6).

In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3).

My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105).

I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21).

_____________________________________________________________________

Major Accomplishments

I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26 ).

I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15 ).

I defeated the arch enemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15 ).

I’ve miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead!

There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot – the BIBLE. You don’t need an Internet connection or computer to access my website.

_____________________________________________________________________

References

Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healing, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance.

_____________________________________________________________________

In Summation

Now that you’ve read my resume, I’m confident that I’m the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47 ). When can I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15 ).

 

Happy New You! Happy New Me!

Happy New Year and Happy New You and Me!

This is the time when a lot of people start writing plans, goals, dreams, resolutions, faith goals and stuff. I would like to share my personal prayer and devotion to you through this blog post for the this first day of this year.

This new year I pray for a new me, May the lord will keep on making me new in every areas of my life.

Bible says ” Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here! “- 2 Corinthians 5:17

He doesn’t mend, repair, fix or patch us up. He completely remakes us New on the inside.

And once we let go and let God be the Lord of our lives, the one who seats on throne of our hearts. We are actually letting him do his process of sanctification in our lives.

And don’t be surprised to see how God will cause your confidence in your own strength, will power, capabilities virtues and power wither away. You’ll find out how small and weak you really are apart from him. You’ll realize how lifeless our “old lives” was when we don’t have him yet. That apart from from Him we are really nothing.

Sad thing is that a lot of us still miss this, they still adhere to their old selves. and settle for less. They are already satisfied with their lives.

Let me quote  Oswald Chambers when he said, “We want to cling to our natural virtues while all the time God is trying to get us in contact with the life of Jesus Christ.”

This means its not just our character, quality, attribute, virtue, morality or some part of us that the Lord changes in us, God promised us not half nor partial, It is our WHOLE being which He promised to change as we allow him.

Ephesians 4:24 says “to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. “

He doesn’t just upgrade us nor transforms us to be better but rather, God changes us and makes us anew.

Because our natural virtues, could never even come close to what Jesus Christ wants. No natural love, no natural patience, no natural purity can ever come up to His demands. Apart from him, our efforts are really like filthy rags ….but nothing in his sight.

But as we bring every part of our lives into harmony with the new life that God has placed within us. Yes, it may not be instantaneously or overnight but as we keep allowing His hands to mold us, he will start showing the characteristics, the image and virtues of His son, our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

May they see Jesus IN and through our lives.

Lord this is my prayer, this is our prayer, that every hour, day, week , month, and year you keep making us new. In Jesus name we pray, Amen!

Hidden with Christ in God

by Christian Ongtangco

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

-1 cor 10:31

Recently I’ve been interested in learning more about the ministry of healing and miracles, as it has happened in our church. A lot of people got healed and experienced the power of God. And I really admire the pastor’s humility as he kept on saying it’s the Lord that heals not us. It’s possible to all christians not just pastors/deacons/elders. The Lord heals and still does miracles for His people to see His power, know who He is and give glory back to Him. Here are some of the lessons I’ve learned from that experience.

We have a tendency to look for wonders in our experiences, and we mistake heroic actions for real heroes. It’s one thing to go through a crisis grandly, yet another to go through every day glorifying (worshipping) God when there is no witness (nobody notice or give credit), non limelight , and no one paying attention even the remotest attention to us or recognizing our efforts. I’ll be really honest here. There are times this is not easy, sometimes we want to be recognized, It would make me happy to have people reading my blog or appreciate us for what we’re doing or have done.

If we are not looking for halos, we at least want something that will make people say , “what a wonderful man of prayer he is! or, “What a wonderful man of prayer he is! ” or, What a great woman of devotion she is!” If you ate properly devoted to the Lord Jesus, you have reached the lofty height where no one would ever notice you personally. All that is noticed is the power of God coming through you all the time.

We want to be able to say, ” Oh, I have had a wonderful call from God!” In reality even if I work in the church, I was a missionary or a pastor, I still have nothing to prove, boast about or have reasons to feel proud, If not for what Christ did for me. But to do even the most humbling tasks to the glory of God takes the Almighty God Incarnate working in us. Like putting envelopes in the chairs, arranging the information table outside the worship hall before the service starts, praying for someone, doing a keynote/powerpoint (doing things people don’t usually notice). To be utterly unnoticeable requires God’s Spirit in us making us absolutely humanly His. Someone told me “The true test of a saint’s life is not successfulness but faithfulness on the human level of life.” More than our character or lifestyle its God’s working in our lives.

I’ve n meditating in Colossians 3:3 this morning,

“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

We tend to set up success in Christian work as our purpose, but our purpose is to display the glory of God in our lives, to live a life “hidden with Christ in God” in our everyday human conditional. For me that’s so powerful!

“The true test of a saint’s life is not  successfulness

but faithfulness on the human level of life.”

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