LOVE GOD AND DO AS YOU PLEASE

We can be joyful at all times not because we are spared affliction but because we are completely satisfied in Christ. Jesus promises that we will suffer. In Matthew 10:17-18, Jesus warns his followers, "Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles." Although that quote may seem distant or irrelevant to Christians today, the point remains that, in the words of Christ, "if the head of the house [Jesus himself] has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!" Not only does Jesus promise that believers must suffer, the Apostle Paul assures us that the path to being an heir of God demands sharing in the sufferings of Christ (Romans 8:17). Similarly, Paul writes this to those in the church at Philippi: it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him (Philippians 1:29). Clearly, we, as Christians, will not be spared affliction. (In addition to the Scriptures above, see Acts 9:15-16, Philippians 3:10-11, and 1 Timothy 1:8-9.) Despite being assured affliction and suffering, Christ-followers can be joyful nonetheless. We can be joyful not by creating a bubbly-faced facade of happiness to hide reality but rather by confidently knowing that, in the face of immense sin and suffering, we are secure in Christ. Why fear and be saddened by those who can only kill the body when you're protected by Him who can keep you from hell (Luke 12:4-7)? Or, to put it positively, rejoice that you have received the Holy Spirit, who guarantees your eternal salvation—and thus, your eternal joy (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). The faith that justifies is the very same faith that satisfies. Saving faith satisfies us by weaning us from the short-lived satisfaction of sin to ultimate satisfaction in Christ. Thus, despite the fact that suffering will come even—or, perhaps, especially—to us who profess faith in Christ, we can have great joy not because we are spared affliction but because we are completely satisfied in Christ.
Love God and do as you please.

Jesus, who is God, made this observation: "If you love me, you will obey what I command" (John 14:15). Similarly, the Apostle John wrote, "This is love for God: to obey his commands" (1 John 5:3). And finally, the Psalmist wrote, "I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly" (Psalm 119:167).

When we love God, then we want to obey him; obeying him becomes a sign that we love him. Jesus linked love for God with obeying the commandments (i.e., with obeying God's law) in this way: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with your entire mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:37-40).

If you love God, then his Holy Spirit, who dwells in you, will conform you—all of you, including your desires—into the image of his Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). In this way, what pleases you and what pleases God become one and the same such that if you love God, you can do whatever pleases you and God will be pleased.

Sufferings

there is too much suffering in this world. suffering that brought chaos and confusion. suffering from diseases, suffering from financial difficulties, suffering from wrong decisions, suffering from climate changes- name it you got it. "suffering," said Buddha, "extends as far as the eye can see."

with all these sufferings around us many are bound to retreat to end all of these. but what are the causes of these sufferings? aren't we responsible of all these sufferings? we tend to blame God to be the cause of all these things or even blame others. to quote," it is human nature - the worst PART of human nature--to deny or downplay our own responsibility for effects we cause, and project the blame outside ourselves. But no matter how thoroughly JUSTIFIED blame may seem, it only CREATES more problems. And worse, blame can make existing problems practically permanent!"

we have to take responsibility of all that we do. for instance, suffering from financial difficulties which is very common to us. why can't we live with what we earn? easy to say, but hard to do. why? because there is so much pressure in these system of things where material things are being mostly desired by everyone. and we let ourselves succumbed to that system. we are overpowered by the materialistic part of ourselves. so how can we blame others for this suffering? what shall we do now?

what is important to be able to bear all these sufferings and to take responsibility with all of these is to be able to understand and accept the challenges of life. take time for prayer, meditation, and reflection. we should treat life's challenges as a form of exercise to build our spiritiual muscles.

as a conclusion, i would like to share what i have read in faithcrisis.com:

"Clearly, many CAUSES in our lives are outside our control. Here are a few of them: large scale circumstances like international politics; the free will choice of other people; random forces of nature. But no matter what happens in the world around us, each of remains the PRIMARY "cause" or influence in our own lives.

What WE do, what WE think, and especially, how WE feel most profoundly affects everything in our lives. What we MAKE of the events of our lives is more important, subjectively, than the events themselves. And our creative power is not limited to after-the-fact interpretation. Through the choices we make, we are principal creators of even the actual events our our lives as well.

Consequently, we are NEVER completely "at the effect" of circumstances --not even if we choose to feel that way. No matter what is happening in the world around us, we can ALWAYS make a positive difference in our lives. So the relevant questions is not, "Why is life victimizing me, but rather, "Why should I victimize MYSELF?

starting the day with God

it is nice to start the day with God. for we should put God first in everything we do. praying is the best tool to start with. as we pray, we should glorify him, thank him, ask forgiveness and your requests. oftentimes, we pray with repetitive prayers. but praying is like talking to God all your thoughts. we could also read verses in the bible and reflect it throughout the day.

as a start here is the verse for the day:

Daily Bible Verse

Thursday, March 06, 2008
Provided by Christ Notes

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it."

Mark 8:34-35 (New International Version)