ENEMIES OF LOVE

The true secret to our success as humans is Love.  satan relentlessly deceive and pressure us to step out of love by sending us situations that tempt us to stop loving and giving way to the “enemies of Love.”

Ignorance to the devil’s devices make us fall prey to such enemies, so it is critical for us to be aware and keen to such devices.

To do that, we stay on top of God’s Word.  Knowing the difference between staying in love’s path and falling for its enemies is the vital step in the recognizance of such wiles.

More often than not, we don’t realize that resisting temptation is pretty simple.  Simple is not to be confused with easy.  A temptation is merely a presentation of an influence brought into our lives of an opportunity to sin.  We need to step back and recognize such temptation for what it is so that we don’t buy into it before we even realize something is being sold to us.

These enemies of Love are envy (discontent and ill will because of another’s advantages, possessions or success), jealousy (stronger than envy, suspicious, apprehensive of rivalry or resentfully envious.) In Proverbs 6:34 says “jealousy is the rage of a man.”  Pride is another enemy of Love. It is an overly high opinion of oneself, exaggerated self-esteem, or conceit and shows itself in arrogant behavior.  When pride rears its ugly head, we need to recognize it and quickly humble ourselves.  Bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness are also enemies of Love and hinder our happiness especially to those of us who have been hurt or abused.

Take some time to do some serious soul-searching and rid yourselves of such enemies of Love.  Listen to your words and what your tongue unleashes.  It will take some time of course, and we are not perfect, but be mindful in your daily lives.  In order to achieve true success in our relationships, on the job, marriage, etc. make a genuine decision today to start walking in LOVE.  On that note, I have a lot of work to do myself.

UNTIL MY NEXT RANT.... (here we go) LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!!

1 Corinthians 13:4-7  “Love is patient and kind.  Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.  It does not demand its own way.  It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.  It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

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SWEPT AWAY - GOD IS IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM

I struggled all week to find the words to express my deepest sympathy for the devastation that hit my birth country, The Philippines.  It felt like the financial and supply donations was hardly enough to comfort the pain and suffering I’ve seen in the wake of this cruel Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.  The death toll, the sick, the children, the animals and those who have loved ones still missing is simply unimaginable to me.

It really hit home (pun intended) because I remember back when I was still a child living with four other siblings, we were hit by a powerful storm while my parents were on vacation in the U.S.  Our electricity was out for at least a week.  The winds were so strong that our jeep parked in front landed four blocks away by the entrance of our community.  Not only did it go straight to the end of our street but made a turn and ended up there.  My dad’s friends came to bring us food and water.  We were very fortunate that our area wasn't flooded and electricity was restored faster than any other area.  The name of that storm was Yoling.  The intensity of that storm didn’t even come close to Haiyan/Yolanda.  It tugs at my heartstrings, but more importantly, it is the Holy Spirit that gives me that push to help out in any way I can.

For days I am transfixed on this.  Via social media I was able to get information and share them as well.  The help extended by the rest of the world is what was so astounding.  There is your proof that God moves in every way.  The concerted efforts from donations, medical assistance, and the uniting of hearts from love is what you now see.  My heart is overjoyed and overflowing with awe which cements the fact that God is very very much alive in our world.

This morning I opened my bible.  The daily verse that came up was in Joel 2:23 “Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem!  Rejoice in the Lord your God!  For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness.  Once more the autumn rains will come, as well as the rains of spring.”  My human self was taken aback at first.  You should have seen my face.  But then I lingered at the thought and it hit me.  Of course!  Yes, the rains (the storm) hit the Philippines and devastation is all around but we are a people of deep faith.  The Filipino spirit and faith in God is stronger than any storm and they will overcome and bounce back from.  It would be so easy for them to blame God to be subjected to such tragedy but instead they find a way to smile and rise above it, believing that there is a rainbow at the end of the storm.  God is present in Tacloban that not even the stench of death that lingers in the air could kill their hope or spirit.  From it will arise so much more positive testimony that we may never even learn about because there are thousands, even millions of spirits from all over the world who will be touched about the blessings, the grace, the power of God!  Without even knowing it, this will be a testimony that stays with them forever!  PRAISE GOD!!!

Until my next rant... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

SHACKLED

The devil has a stronghold on us all because this is his world and he doesn’t bother to break down anyone who lives in his ways and already conquered.  He instead piles the garbage on those who live in line with God or those who are still on the fence. he knows our spirits are easily broken where family, personal lives, friends, and finances are concerned.  Believe it or not, the devil has strength here, this is his territory, his stomping grounds, if you will.  Unfortunately, we were all born of the flesh and live in his world.  However, his power is no match for the one who trumps them all.  But alas, God has given us our own will, and due to His unselfish nature, He doesn’ t impose on it and neither will he force us to love Him.  

We sometimes feel like there is no relief in some of the trials we go through as humans.  We are shackled with no choice but to live in such an imperfect world and subjected to its disdain, frustration, depression and grief.  Have you ever stopped to think if there is ever one time in your life when you were truly happy?  

Isaiah 10:27, “In that day the Lord will end the bondage of His people.  He will break the yoke of slavery and lift it from their shoulders.”   Isaiah talks about Jesus here.  It was the promise of God to us that this deliverer of sins will one day rid us of all of the guilt, shame, defeat, disdain, frustration, etc. that we have been feeling.  Before Jesus, people would offer up animal sacrifices to God and He was a harder God to forgive.  But because of His great love for us, He offered up His only Son as a sacrifice and an atonement for us.  If you break that word down... At-one-ment, it is exactly what God wants to have with us, and at one ment, a best friend.  How could we ever be so deserving of this, when we are such sinners?  Just reverse the situation.  Would you be that forgiving as to offer your own flesh and blood to someone you would like to forgive?  I’m pretty sure the answer is a resounding NO!  That is what makes God so awesome!  It is because HE COULD! AND DID!  For undeserving people like us!  All He ever wants back is for us to love Him!  How unselfish of Him.  Then He goes further as to free us from what holds us back and says, “Your sins are forgotten as far as the east is from the west!”  We all know that the east and the west will never touch each other.  That’s how much he cares about our sins when we ask Him to forgive us.  Unlike the devil who holds on to every negative event in our life and throws it in our face more often that we desire.

Why don’t we finally be free from the shackles that bind us and moves us so far from God’s love by confessing that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, that He died on the cross to forgive our sins and then walk in His path?  It’s easier than you think, but for it to be a success you have to move away from the temptations of this world.  I wish you would if you haven’t already.

Until my next rant.... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!!

DOCTOR, DOCTOR, I AM SICK

Besides being afflicted by a temporary illness such as a cold, the flu, coughing, etc. that is mostly caused by climate, environmental change or just simply catching the bug from another person, most chronic and long term diseases are caused by our own neglect.  Take for instance the big C word.  I have not heard any doctor ever give a person afflicted with this disease a direct cause.  But common sense will tell us, it is caused by abusing and pushing our bodies to the limit that is much more than it can take.  

Some people abuse substances like alcohol, cigarettes, drugs and worse yet, stress and non-forgiveness.  There are other psychological causes as well.

Inasmuch as I strongly agree that if we already have some kind of condition to rely on modern medicine to correct it, I also strongly recommend a  relationship with God to heal our bodies.  Our bodies are much more complicated than we give it credit for.  Our biological system is so intricate that each part, down to the cell, has a function that work so perfectly with each other.  Our bodies are not made to be abused the way we abuse it but it does chug along and tries to keep up with us.

My point is that the power that created the body heals the body.  Say for instance you created a robot and was successful at what you wanted this robot to do.  When it does malfunction, who would be best to know how to fix that robot but you?  It is no different than God.  We are all of His creation and he even went as far as confirming in the Bible that we were made in His image.   It all boils down to the fact that He is the one we need to call on before we even call the doctor unless it is in dire emergency.

I remember back in 2001 when I would get these shooting pains in my stomach.  I had no insurance at the time so going to the doctor would be such a hardship the way they charge.  Furthermore, I don't know if it was going to be some major surgery, so I placed my hand on the spot that was in pain and prayed for God to relieve me of this unknown symptom because I was scared.  I started to take deep breaths, imagining with every inhalation carrying a thick black smoke from the spot, up through and out of my nose and out of my body with every exhalation.  I did this over and over until the pain slowly but surely went away.  After the pain was gone, I thanked God for healing me.  Years later in 2011, I went to the doctor after feeling a mass inside my stomach.  She diagnosed it to be a fibroid so large that it had to be removed along with my uterus and ovary.  I didn't have any pains until then and at this time had health insurance in place.  The bonus?  No more monthly visitors!

Now call it what you want, mind over matter, or whatever you like.  All I know is that the word disease comes from "dis" ease and I know God is my ultimate healer.

Until my next rant.... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!