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.

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.

The Gift of Faith vs. the Grace of Faith.

taken from “George Mueller” by John Piper.

The difference between the gift and the grace of faith seems to me this.
According to the gift of faith I am able to do a thing, or believe that a thing will come to pass, the not doing of which, or the not believing of which, would not be sin; according to the grace of faith I am able to do a thing, or believe that a thing will come to pass, respecting which I have the word of God as the ground to rest upon, and, therefore, the not doing it, or the not believing it, would be sin.

For instance, the gift of faith would be needed to believe that a sick person should be restored again though there is no human probability: for there is no promise to that effect; the grace of faith is needed to believe that the Lord will give me the necessaries of life, if I first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness: for there is a promise to that effect. Matthew 6:33 . (42)

Mueller did not think he had any biblical ground for being certain that God would spare his wife Mary. He admits that a few times in his life he was given “something like the gift (not grace) of faith so that unconditionally I could ask and look for an answer,” (43) but he did not have that rare gift in Mary’s case. And so he prayed for her healing conditionally–namely, if it would be good for them and for God’s glory. But most deeply he prayed that they would be satisfied in God whatever he did. And God did answer that prayer by helping Mueller believe Psalm 84:11.

No good thing will God withhold. God withheld no good thing from him, and he was satisfied with God’s sovereign will. All this, he says, “springs from taking God at his word, believing what he says.”

The link between man and God

taken from the “Einstein” conversation with a professor,
Professor : You are a Christian, aren’t you, son ?

Student : Yes, sir.

Professor: So, you believe in GOD ?

Student : Absolutely, sir.

Professor : Is GOD good ?

Student : Sure.

Professor: Is GOD all powerful ?

Student : Yes.

Professor: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn’t. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?

(Student was silent.)

Professor: You can’t answer, can you ? Let’s start again, young fella. Is GOD good?

Student : Yes.

Professor: Is satan good ?

Student : No.

Professor: Where does satan come from ?

Student : From … GOD …

Professor: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?

Student : Yes.

Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct?

Student : Yes.

Professor: So who created evil ?

(Student did not answer.)

Professor: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don’t they?

Student : Yes, sir.

Professor: So, who created them ?

(Student had no answer.)

Professor: Science says you have 5 Senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son, have you ever seen GOD?

Student : No, sir.

Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?

Student : No , sir.

Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?

Student : No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.

Professor: Yet you still believe in Him?

Student : Yes.

Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?

Student : Nothing. I only have my faith.

Professor: Yes, faith. And that is the problem Science has.

Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?

Professor: Yes.

Student : And is there such a thing as cold?

Professor: Yes.

Student : No, sir. There isn’t.

(The lecture theatre became very quiet with this turn of events.)

Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don’t have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.

(There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theater.)

Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?

Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn’t darkness?

Student : You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light. But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and its called darkness, isn’t it? In reality, darkness isn’t. If it is, were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?

Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man ?

Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.

Professor: Flawed ? Can you explain how?

Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can’t even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.

Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?

Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.

Student : Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?

(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going.)

Student : Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor. Are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?

(The class was in uproar.)

Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor’s brain?

(The class broke out into laughter. )

Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor’s brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?

(The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable.)

Professor: I guess you’ll have to take them on faith, son.

Student : That is it sir … Exactly ! The link between man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and moving.

Preacher’s job got simpler

Repost from: stevemurrell.com

While reading a familiar scripture this morning, I think my job as a teacher/preacher just got clearer and simpler.

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”" -Isaiah 52:7

1. The job of the preacher is to “PROCLAIM salvation” not to debate, argue, appease, apologize, placate or politic. Simply proclaim the truth.

2. The job of the preacher is to “bring good NEWS” not to bring good advice. News is something that already happened, not something that might happen in the future. Salvation is the same as news, past event not future speculation.

3. The job of the preacher is to remind God’s people that “GOD REIGNS.” In difficult times people need to know that God controls the affairs of man. All of them. All the time. We also need to know He is in charge during the good times, lest we take credit for our own success.

Magnifying God

by Christian Ongtangco

This Morning, I was just reminded of the time when i had a season of wearing eyeglasses during my college days, but i wasn’t comfortable wearing it so decided not to wear anymore. I can also remember the time when i got interested with lenses such as Microscopes and Telescopes.
And then a revelation hit me, In life you can magnify with a microscope or with a telescope. A microscope magnifies by making tiny things look bigger than they are. A telescope magnifies by making gigantic things (like stars), which look tiny, appear more as they really are.

That we should stop looking at how small we are,how limited, weak, unworthy, sinful and undeserving we are.

We must cease looking at our lives through the microscopic lens, this happens when we magnify our problems, circumstances, hurts, pains, bitterness making them overwhelm us like a tsunami or a mountain of problems.

Hebrews 12:2 says “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith”  let’s set our eyes unto Him and be reminded that no matter how small we are, and how small is this earth that we live in, rather we should set our focus on how great , huge and vast yet loving our God is. He whose power is immeasurable and unfathomable.

Despite of our insignificance, He still  knows us by name.

He is concern of us. He loves us so much that He still wants to be part of every area of our lives. “It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him?” – Hebrews 2:6

God created the universe to magnify His glory the way a telescope magnifies stars. Everything He does in our salvation is designed to magnify the glory of His grace in our life. Keep being amazed of how great and mighty is our God, be astonished of who He really is. May it be our lifelong pursuit.

Want to know How big our God is? see Great big God

“MicrOsCoPe oR TeLEsCope “

            This Morning, i just remember the time when i had a season of wearing Eyeglasses during my college days, but i’m not comfortable wearing it so decided to put it off. I can also remember the time when i got interested with lenses such as Microscopes and TelescOpes. After having thaT In the midst of my ReflectiNg , i realized who am i, a man that he is mindful of me, us his creation. It’s as if God in the world (earth) with a Microscope, that even though we’re so small and all that insignificant He is omnipresent and God could still make time for us and take time to listen our prayers and spend time with us.

         Then i asked myself how should i respond to that, I decided to see God as if i’m looking in Telescope, but it dawn on me that God not that far, that we are to look for Him because He is everywhere we are, in big things and even small stuff, huge problems or all blessings we must be reminded to look unto God, not just in his hands but his face. to be after Him than His blessings etc.

             Instead i decided to have a “Magnifying Glass” i wanna magnify God, His goodness, greatness, who He is and Who he has been and the things that he can and are about to do. above all the things that are coming our way i encourage us all to always Magnify Him!

Christian Ongtangco

PASSION TO WORSHIP HIM!

PASSION TO WORSHIP HIM!

Passionate worship doesn’t define your voice, your songs, your skills to play an instrument…or listening to a praise and worship music.

 

it defines the desire and the fire that your heart have in desperately longing to glorify God.

music is just an expression of our overwhelming love to the only One.

a passionate heart is the key of a passionate worship and God is well pleased not to hear a beautiful voice or a wonderfull song, but pleased to see a burning heart who yearns to honor and praise His Name.

worship is a lifestyle. it’s a desire. it’s the fire that’s burning your heart.

it’s the passion that drives you to live for Him.

Come On! Let’s give it Up for JC! We will continue to give GOD our best WORSHIP

I LOVE TO WORSHIP HIM!

” Seasons “

my poem about looking back , remembering and being grateful.

10th of November as i can still remember
My day of freedom finally came; yes i’m no more walking lame
You put away my shame in this big sphere that’s full of games
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonders
I notice You in childrens’ games in those smiles they all portray
Swaying are the hearts of love
The other part of me is flying like a dove
You are Summer
Leaves starts withering and the wind still keeps on whispering.
Sending us inside.
When everything in time and under the clear blue sky finally falls asleep.
You are Autumn
Tears from the sky when are they visiting?
Have You heard that hymn I wish to semblance?
I will never worry for a new rainbow is coming.

Every evening sky is an invitation to trace the patterned stars.
I will offer thanks for what has been and what’s to come.
In those gifts I have just receive and are going to open.
You are Winter
Even now and then you open door for new life to surface
Still i notice You as trees are waving “Hi”.
Turning out things green in how You bring new life within.
It only reminds me that it’s You who taught us how to breathe
You are Spring
As the moon enjoys its hiding,
Still I notice Your blankets of clouds every time I sleep
Still I notice You as days go by
Still I notice You when change begins

You are Summer, Autumn, Winter…Spring