Tag Archives: God

Insights

Make a Ditch

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 “Thus says the Lord: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.’ For thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’ And this is a simple matter in the sight of the Lord.” – 2 Kings 3:16-18

Have you been praying for something and you feel like nothing is happening? When I read those verses in 2 Kings, I can’t help but be ashamed of how demanding I can get with God. Especially this verse- “And this is a simple matter in the sight of the Lord”. 

As I was reflecting on those verses, I was so reminded of how naive I could get on how God works. Especially when the season of waiting is getting longer. We start to question if God really hears us or if He even is really doing something.

To give you a background of those verses… During the old times of Israel, the king of Israel, Judah and Edom were going to a battle against the Moabites. On their journey, they ran out of water for their army and for their animals and so the king of Judah looked for a prophet to inquire the Lord. And so Elisha spoke to them those very words from the Lord.

There was only one thing that God asked them to do. To fill the valley where they  were at with ditches. How hard could that be right? But then, the follow up was that they will never see rain or wind to fill those ditches with water. Do you think that makes sense? If there’s no rain, then how could they have water?

There are times in our life that God would ask us to step out in faith even if it doesn’t really make sense for us. And most of the time, we would always question God’s ways. If there is no rain coming, will you ever dig a hole?

But that’s how God works. Most of the time, He works behind the scene. We don’t see how He orchestrates things. We will not see how He will fill the ditch with water. We will just see the water, that’s all. That’s why He asked us to live by faith and not by sight.

And indeed, God fulfilled His promise. Everyone got provided with water. If they did not make a ditch, they will never have water. Is there anything in your life right now that God is asking you to take a leap of faith?

The most assuring thing in those verses did not just end with His promise. He ended it with the words most of us would always forget. IT IS A SIMPLE MATTER! We forget that we serve and worship a powerful God. The One who created the whole universe. We forget that we seek a sovereign God. And in Him, nothing is impossible.

I hope those verses will encourage you to take a leap of faith in Jesus and  to trust and wait on God’s behind the scene plan and timing based not on your own confidence or faith, but based on God’s character and of who He is in your life.

Go make that ditch! God bless you!

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Daily Quotes, Insights

STOP! Turn to GOD

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It is so true that in the pursuit of pleasure, we chose to do so many things that damaged and hurt us. We chose to compromise that in the end, turned those temporary pleasures into deep wounds that are so painful to heal and leave us scars.

If you are in this situation, don’t lose hope. What’s amazing about God is He can turn those scars into something beautiful. The consequences maybe painful but God will carry you through if you stop and turn to Him. Turning to God and pursuing Him instead will give you a brand new start. It is never too late.

If you are in the verge of compromising, STOP! If you seek pleasure, seek God. He alone can give you pleasure and joy that will last. He alone can satisfy you. There are no regrets when you choose to obey and wait on God.

“For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, and the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.” Psalm 107:9

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Daily Quotes, Insights

Faith Goals

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Do you still make New Year’s resolutions? I know some people have stopped making those because they are never accomplished or probably because other things happen along the way. I mean, there is no right or wrong when you make it or not. As for me, I always set new goals every year. I carry over my previous year’s goals and then just add new goals for the new year. I call them my FAITH GOALS. I call them faith goals not because I leave everything to just my faith. I call them faith goals because I know that it is not just by my own effort but also with God’s provision, wisdom and guidance that I will be able to attain those.

But I tell you, not all of my goals are achieved by every end of the year. Mostly only 1 or 2. I just continue keeping them in my list until slowly all of them will happen. Or, I take out some from my list if God leads me to a different direction.

Setting goals is never too late for anyone. It doesn’t even have to be done just every start of the year. And goals don’t have to be tangible all the time. Character building can also be a faith goal. Like, being more forgiving, being more kind, being more tactful or being more disciplined in reading God’s Word and in prayer.

Whatever our goals may be – be it being able to buy a new home, get a Master’s degree or to spend more time with family, less time on internet, more time for ministry – we can really know if it will happen if we take a leap of faith. Trust that God cares about your goals and He will not let you pursue something that is not what is best for you. Have faith and always be patient!

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Insights

Waiting Season

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As we WAIT on certain things to happen in our life or someone to come into our life, the journey is never always smooth and comfortable. We get excited at first, then impatient as we go on, we tend to lose hope, get up again, then doubt, then up again, and so on. Waiting is not a phase but a season that would come and go in our life. And it is a season that helps us also to be better.

Waiting taught me to always be hopeful for the best, knowing that God will always provide what is only good for me. And as I hope, it taught me to be more prayerful. The only weapon I have when I start to get impatient on things. Prayer makes me lift up everything to God constantly. It keeps me close to God. And as I pray, I am reminded also to remain faithful. Waiting also takes a leap of faith. When God tells me to move or act, I need to trust God by obeying Him. When He asks me to pause, I need to do the same. When God would ask me to stop waiting, I have to trust Him also. I need to do my own part in faith. It’s never easy. It’s easier said than done sometimes. But that’s what’s amazing about waiting also. God will carry us through it.

How about you? What have you learned in your seasons of waiting?

Daily Quotes, Insights

Define YOU

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Have you reached that point that you are so confused of who you should be or what you should become? Are you in that situation wherein so many people are trying to dictate the person you should become? With so many things around that influence us with the way we think about ourselves, we can’t avoid to allow those things to define us.

Today, I hope that you will be able to let go of that pressure from the world in becoming the person you are not suppose to be. God does not care about your status in life. He does not care how much you have accomplished. He only CARES about YOU. What He LOVES about you is YOU. He only WANTS YOU. He CREATED you. He DEFINES who YOU are. And do you know what is the only thing He wants you to be defined of? That you are His precious CHILD. That’s why God sent Jesus because He wants you to be His child. If you have Jesus in your life, you are given the privilege to be God’s precious child. Just imagine the blessings of being a CHILD of God!

“In love, He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will…” Ephesians 1:5

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Daily Quotes, Insights

Y.O.L.O

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Y.O.L.O – Familiar with this acronym? This acronym is frequently used mostly by the young generation of today. For those who are not familiar, it means “You Only Live Once”. Per Wikipedia, it implies that one should enjoy life, even if that entails taking risks, as if there would not be another chance for it.

Nothing is wrong with enjoying life. Nothing is wrong with taking chances. Nothing is wrong with pursuing your dreams. Nothing is wrong with being happy. Indeed, we only have one life to live. However, we always have to remember that in every action, there is always a consequence to it. And, there’s no escape from that.

If you want to live up for the “YOLO” theme of life, I hope that you will choose to do it the right way. If we have God in our life, we can always seek wisdom from Him to help us live not just an enjoyable life, but also a life that is honoring & pleasing to Him. A life that will cause you to be a blessing to other people. A life that will leave a GOOD LEGACY.

“Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” Proverbs 21:21

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Daily Quotes, Insights

Mistakes

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How many times have you made the same mistake over and over? What do you think is the reason why you keep repeating it? I have those cycles as well in my life and I’m not proud of it. Sometimes, I just thought that I will be able to handle the situation and I won’t fall into the pit anymore. I feel like I’m invincible. But, I was dead wrong.

These are the times when I depend on myself more than fully depending on God. I fail to submit to Him and instead do things my own way even if I already failed the first time. I realize it takes humility to be able to let go and let God take control of the situation. And, it is only through God’s goodness and grace that we are able to humble ourselves as well.

Are you willing to let go and let God redeem you from your past failures?

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11

“The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.”