Something More from True+Life Retreat: Serving like Martha with a Heart of Mary

 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”- Jesus Christ- (Luke 10:41-42) 

 For a lot of singles from B1GSouth who were able to attend the recently concluded TrueLife Retreat held last November 28-December 1 in Rizal Recreation Center; they might find this verse somewhat irrelevant to the overall theme of the retreat which is God's immense love for humanity. But in light to a perspective of a volunteer during the retreat like me, this verse seemed to really fit. 

I was part of the Production Team during the retreat. I have done prod-ing before, it's a familiar ground for me. But with this retreat, God has revealed to me a lot of new things which I didn't know before. 

A week before the retreat, I was asked if I could join in the advanced party (preparation day), a day before the retreat proper. I was appalled and at the same time privileged that I was tapped for the task, so I said yes to it and committed my day setting up the backdrop for our stage design, brainstorming for the getting-to-know-you-activity, and other retreat stuff. Advanced party had been such a long day but fun-filled considering that I was serving a King with lovable and godly brothers and sisters in Christ as a company. It was indeed tiring---yet a blessing. 

Day 1 of the retreat came. I was happy to see my droup mates (family) who actually came to attend the retreat. I was so elated and was so looking forward to our breakout discussions together right after each message. But considering the nature of a prod person, I was always busy. My first breakout activity with my group was half-baked. I had to attend to other needs of the entire retreat that concerns the Production Team. It was an eventful day I must say. My mantra at that time were, "outstretch" and "coolay" (cool and okay). We had to deal with the paradigm shift regarding the program schedule. But praise God, by His grace, He carried us through. Day 1 was a testing water for the facilitators, dgroup leaders, speakers, and volunteers. But God's sufficient grace poured out in each of us.  

Although all was well, a part of me was troubled. Truth be told, it felt as if I was not experiencing what I needed to experience because I was too busy prod-ing. It felt as if I've been missing something, and I find it ironic. I decided to join the retreat because I was looking forward to see what I've been missing but then, it seemed that during the retreat, I've been missing a lot. Missing quality time with my dgroup, missing witnessing life's testimonies on how God had transformed their lives; missing the heart of worship; missing my quality time with Him, alone. 

During our team huddle, we had a deal that there would be messages and breakout sessions which we would be missing out on the second day because we had to prepare for the True Moments (Recreational Activity) and for the True Bonding (free-flowing-fellowship). However, we could still join the dawn watch and have a personal devotion or quality time with God. I was hesitant to agree upon it. I asked the team if I could join even in the breakout discussion. They were diplomatic and gracious enough, they allowed me to do so, but still, I felt so stuffy inside. I didn't want to miss any of the messages, neither the breakout discussions. But responsibility knocks in, and I had to toe the line.

First night of the retreat came in. I was able to listen to message 2 care of Kuya Francis Gerald Tupaz. I also got to join in the breakout discussion. After that, we had our volunteers' huddle when we would share the things for improvement. I was able to do things at hand at that time but my inner senses were battling in. I was troubled deep down, and I couldn't even process it and break those mixed emotions into pieces. Then I went to the tree house to join the prayer huddle of the prayer team. Before we started interceding for the retreat matters, we had our sharing. Then, at that moment, I just slipped. I poured my heart out to my fellow intercessors. I told them I was feeling like a "Martha" (Martha was a sister of Mary who was busy preparing something to eat for Jesus and His men. See Luke 10:38-42). I was busy with a lot of things that it felt as if I was missing out something. But of course, since I embraced the tasks as a prod-person, I had to be ready for some adjustments.

But by God's grace, He granted me peace. He provided me clarity in the midst of the blurriness I was battling with. My brothers and sisters from the prayer team gave me sound and godly advice. One of the things that etched in my mind, heart, and spirit that they told me was, God looks at the heart. It doesn't matter if I was doing my tasks in prod team and missing some of the retreat activities or messages for as long as my heart is set for the Lord, He will still be honored and glorified. 

In Martha's case, she was busy, and at the same time, she was complaining. She only did things because she thought it's important. Sure thing it was, but what she failed to understand is that serving the Lord should give her great joy. The reason why Mary was more favored was that she knew what was more important and that was to seek the Lord.

When I was younger, I thought being busy doing ministerial tasks could make me become like Martha. But God has revealed to me something more than what I understood before. He taught me that I can still glorify Him even in the midst of my huddle moments for as long as my eyes and my heart are fixed on Him. I have realized that I could serve like Martha yet having a heart of Mary. My hands can get busy, but my heart and my spirit must be focused only on the Lord. That's what true service is all about.

There are a lot of things that God had taught me in this retreat. This is just a part of the many revelations He had for me. There's truly something more in TrueLife retreat.

Peter is my Man!

Of the twelve apostles who I have come to know during apostles series in our Dgroup, I liked Simon Peter and John the Beloved the most. They have distinct characteristics that I can relate myself with.  But I chose to delve on Simon Peter because I felt an affinity about this man. It’s like I could not think of any other apostle who I could possibly associate myself with.

Simon Peter was dynamic, bold, likes to initiate and to take charge of things. He was an ardent servant of Christ. But just like anyone else, there was a point in time when he turned his back to Christ for his own convenience.

Just like him, I am a type of a see-saw believer when I was still younger. I used to be vehement in honoring and serving the Lord, especially when things go smoothly. But when things get tough, it’s just so easy for me to deny Christ and turn my back to him--- not just for three times, but for innumerable times.

But God is just so gracious, even after the betrayal that he got from Peter’s denial during His trial. When He came back, He entrusted Peter with so much. He had given him a task and that is to tend his sheep. (John 21:16). When He was given such a task, Jesus also told him how he would die for Christ’s sake. That time, he did not protest to the Lord that it certainly would not happen the way he had about the cock crowing.

Tradition tells us that Peter was crucified, as was Jesus, but in his case he asked to be placed upside down on his cross because he did not consider himself worthy to die the same way as his Lord. So when Jesus said to follow him was he talking about how Peter would die? Yes but I don’t think he meant just Peter’s physical death.

Earlier in his public ministry Jesus told his disciples, “’If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.’” (Matthew 16:24) He also said “’He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.’” (John 12:25) Even if we never become martyrs we are all called to take up our own cross and it will be different for each one of us. What exactly is the cross? In a nutshell it’s death to self.

Another thing that I like about Peter is that he lived up to his name. His name became his character. What kind of a guy was Simon, renamed Peter (meaning “Rock”) by Jesus? His name became his prophetic destiny, as he was a strong pillar to the pioneering (infant) Christian church. When Jesus first knew him however, you might have thought his new name would be “Rash” rather than Rock. He was impulsive, emotional and impetuous--- just like me. Passionate to be sure, like when he “struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear” (John 18:11) in the Garden of Gethsemane.

It’s often said that our greatest gifts are also our greatest weaknesses. Peter is a good example of that. When Jesus first saw Peter and his brother Andrew casting their nets he said, “’Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” (Matthew 4:19) They didn’t mull it over for a month or two or consult with family and friends. “Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.” (Verse 20) See, decisive!

It’s good to be decisive but the negative side to that is being rash, hotheaded, reckless and premature. Peter could easily lay claim to those things too. And what came out of his mouth was also the best and the worst. When Christ asked his disciple who they thought he was it was Peter who said, “You are the Christ.” (Mark 8:29) But near the end of Jesus’ ministry it was out of the same mouth that came the words, “Woman, I do not know Him.” (Luke 22:57)

When there was a point in time when I had to decide whether I’ll stay in my previous work or push-through a three-day-evangelistic event, I was so decisive, I chose the latter. I highly believed it was the right thing. At that time, I thought I was like Peter who simply laid down my net. But when my net hasn't gotten any fish right after, I was dismayed and disappointed that I resented God. Saying things like, “Lord, I did it for you, could you just do something for me too?” There was a point in time when I was so hype up but when things got pretty messed up, I just deny the Lord. I was selfish, I just wanted Him for my convenience. I was a radical worshipper and an irrational one at the same time.

When Jesus told Peter that the day would come when others would lead him where he did not wish to go he was telling him that in order to follow him he must give up those very things that made him who he was. God created Peter with a unique personality that was good. But in the end he would have to lay it down. Death to his self, his flesh, his desires and even that which was his best to use for God’s kingdom. That was his cross.

As we choose to lay down our life let us contemplate Peter, a worthy role model in our daily trek to the cross. Then finally, consider this: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18) HE is greater than I.

Faith that Lives: How to Give

Ravi Zacharias once wrote, "The older we get, the harder it is to fill our hearts with wonder"

For a kid, even a drop of a water bottle or a plastic cup for a toy could bring him/her such joy. But for us who are already adults in a very sense of the word, it would take more than just a drop of water bottle for us to have simple joys in life, and perhaps it is our human nature. We have this insatiable need in satisfying ourselves with greater possessions for us to be happy. And the world capitalizes on this human nature. The world capitalizes on our need to be satisfied with things. So how does the world program us? The world tells us, "You want more, we'll help you get more!" As we delve in this worldly pursuit, the higher standard bars we're putting in ourselves for us to be satisfied and for us to be fulfilled and to be happy. Little did we know, those needs, those wants-- they are all temporal. 

In James 5:1-6 it says,  "Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you."

In this passage, James was not actually against rich people; he was only against the way some rich people were living their lives. What James resented was their lifestyle and how they treated the poor people. They were hoarding wealth, but they did not know that their wealth has been rotted, and even their clothes have been eaten by moths. What James was trying to imply is that, the rich people were so focused on temporary pursuits. They focused on their wealth, that they became so selfish. They wanted more, so they got more, even at the expense of the poor people. But their wealth did not give them satisfaction nor joy. Acquisition of material possessions will not make us happy. So what then, will bring us happiness? The answer is... GIVING. 

In the story of Mary pouring perfume on Jesus' feet found in John 12:1-3 it says, "Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume."

 In these verses, Mary GAVE COMPLETELY. She did not hesitate to pour that expensive nard on Jesus. She did not have any reservation. How about us? How do we give? Do we give willingly and selflessly? Do we give our utmost to the Lord and to others? Or are we just giving away our excesses? 

After Mary had poured the nard on Jesus, Judas Iscariot reacted and objected on what Mary has done. John 12:4-6 it says, "4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.[b]” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it." 

Imagine the worth of that nard! One year's wages! If someone earns 15,000 a month, multiply it to 12 months, that will cost about 144,000! That costs a lot! But note, Mary did not hesitate to give what she thought what's due for Christ, her Lord. She gave completely---no hesitations, no reservations. She gave it all. I remember Khalil Gibran once said, “You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” 

Another characteristic of the way Mary gave was that, she GAVE SACRIFICIALLY. At that time when patriarchal (characteristic of an entity, family, church, etc., controlled by men)was prevalent, it was hard for a woman to work and to earn money. They were given very slim chances to earn money. I bet a year's wage for her was a huge deal, but that did not stop her from giving something for and to the Lord. She was willing to sacrifice a year's worth of her earnings to honor the Lord. Giving until it hurts is the essence of GIVING SACRIFICIALLY. How about you, what have you sacrificed to give to the Lord and to others? Have you given sacrificially? At times, it is when we sacrifice something (we deemed really important to us )

for the sake of others gives us an incomprehensible kind of fulfillment. 

Third characteristic with the way Mary gave was, she GAVE UNCONDITIONALLY. What's amusing with Mary's way of adoring God was found in verse 3 that says, "she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." At that time, the filthiest part of one's body was their feet, because they had to walk along sandy roads with only sandals as their footwear. And for women, the most important or they considered most beautiful part of their body was their hair (even up to these days). Guess what, Mary gave off the most beautiful part of her to wipe Jesus' feet. 

For her, her best is nothing compare with the least about Jesus. She gave without any condition. She did not ask for anything in return. She did not count nor calculate the worth of her perfume nor her hair to Jesus. She just gave them away. Generosity is genuine if we give unconditionally. God Himself modeled to us this kind of giving. He unconditionally gave His only Son for us to be in union with Him once again. Jesus loves us unconditionally that He gave Himself selflessly when while we're still sinners, He died for us. 

Let us all remember that a faith that lives also requires a heart that is willing to give---COMPLETELY, SACRIFICIALLY, and UNCONDITIONALLY. 

Not Too Young to Serve

    Have you ever been looked down upon or being underestimated simply because you're young? The words, "You're still young, you can't do it", "Let the elders do it, they know better". Sounds familiar right?

      I myself had experienced that kind of feeling when I was so eager to do a certain task but my age kept on getting in the way. It seemed to me that, you should grow older first in order for you to gain the confidence of people in you. 

      In some many ways, age matters. But there's one thing that we could do regardless of how young or how old we are, and that is ministering to others. 

     Ministry is the result of the overflowing blessings that we receive from the Lord. We are so full, that we could not actually contain it, so we pour it out through our service to God and to people in a form of ministry. 

      I remember few years back when I came to know Christ--who He is in my life, what He has done for me, and what He wants from me. As soon as I realized that, I came to repent for my sins and accepted Him as my Lord and personal Saviour. Since then, I wanted to be near Him and so I had my daily devos, I attended Sunday services, and sought godly counsel from godly people around me. Of course, there were bumps along my walk with the Lord. There were times that I stumbled and went cold towards God. But He was just so gracious because He was constantly pulling me back to Him at that time, even up to now. 

     As I went closer and closer to God, there was an urge in me to serve Him in whichever way I could. I wanted to share Christ to others. I wanted to teach kids in Sunday School. I wanted to sing songs of praises to Him in choir. I wanted to enjoy the fellowship of young believers in youth ministry. That 'burden' or desire to serve the Lord had gone deeper and deeper. By God's grace, He let me serve Him in the ministry with the gifts He had blessed me with. Until such time that a BIG task was given to me about six or seven years ago. 

      At the age of 17, I was asked to deliver a sermon for our Youth Sunday celebration. I was blown away. I was astounded. I could not actually believe that they would entrust me with such a huge and arduous task. I told them I was too young to preach, I was not capable, that someone else could do it better than I would. Until it dawned on me the story of David when he defeated Goliath. He was so young that time. He was actually unequipped to fight with Goliath but God delivered Him, He did not fail David, He was faithful. At the thought of how young David was when He fought Goliath, I was moved and I was so blessed and inspired by Him. He did not hold on to his strength, instead he clung onto God. So to speak, I accepted the preaching task. 

     The moment I told my folks about it, they we're like flabbergasted at the thought of me preaching the Word of God in behalf of the youth ministry. They were too protective of me that it felt as if they doubted me and they looked down on me simply because I was too young for the task. I was saddened by the fact that people who are closest to me were the ones who actually did not believe that I could do it. 

       Then I was led to a verse that made me realized that it's not about the age that matters in serving God. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."  

       I may grew older than I was six or seven years ago, but still I am not yet in my prime days so I am still young, and there are still people who actually find me incapable of doing things simply because I am young. But God reminded me that no matter how young or old I could be, it doesn't matter. He calls me to be a model to believers and to the yet-to-be-believers with the way I speak, think, and behave. He calls me to minister in His name by living a life to the full-- in a God-honoring manner. 

Let not be our youthfulness be a hindrance for us to share the gospel and the love of God to others. But rather, let us use this youth season of ours to serve the Lord at our utmost. 

As the verse in 1 Samuel 16:7b tells us, The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 

You and I are not too young to minister. You and I are not too young to serve the Lord. You and I are called to spread the gospel. It isn't about the age, it's about our heart's desire to honor and serve Him. 

[Author's Note: This is for a devo in youth fellowship of Kabataang Unida Ekyumenikal, a youth ministry in our family church in San Pablo City, Laguna]

Who Am I?

Socrates once said, "Know Thyself". It is in knowing our inner self which gives us an assurance of who we really are. We are secured when we know the inner core of ourselves.

For years, I've been searching for meaning in my life. I longed to know the essence of my existence. I took several personality tests. I even tried using random computer applications regarding knowing your personality and style. That's how I wanted to know who I really am because I've been living a life that measures up to the expectations of  the people around me. I may seem to be outspoken, but there's this voice that was screaming out loud within me. There's this unleashed part of me that wanted to come out but it couldn't, because in the first place, I wasn't exactly sure of what and who I really am. Not until I attended a Singles' event that made a significant impact in my life. 

I came across a page from my B1G8 retreat manual last year, it's about "My Identity in Christ". I was really curious because I really wanted to have an identity of my own and not basing it on how people perceive or expect me to be. And so, God, as gracious and faithful as He is, He revealed to me three main points as to who I really am in His Son, Jesus Christ. 

First, I am ACCEPTED. What the world or the enemy kept on telling me during my growing up days were, "You will never be good to anyone" "No one likes you" "No one will accept you, unless you do this and that". I've been blinded by those deceits and lies. All along, I kept on striving to be at my best at all times because that gave me an assurance that people would like me and would want to be with me. It brought out arrogance and perfectionism (in a negative sense) in me. I was so driven to please others and to do my best in everything. I always wanted to win, I was so competitive that time. Failures and disappointments, were my worst nightmares. I was really afraid to fail, thinking that if I'd do, people would reject me. But then, certain verses affirmed me, that there's nothing I could ever do that would make God love me any less. In heaven's eyes, I am accepted and here are the verses that prove it: 

• I am forever free from countenance (Romans 8:12)
• I am assured that things work together for good. (Romans 8:28) 
• I am free from charges against me (Romans 8:38-39) 
• I have been established, anointed and sealed by God. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22) 
• I am hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)
• I am confident that the good work God has began in me will be perfected (Philippians 1:6) 
• I am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20) 
• I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and sound mind. (1 Timothy 1:7) 
• I find grace and mercy in times of need. (Hebrews 4:16) 
• I am born of God. The evil one cannot touch me. (1 John 5:15) 

Second  point which God revealed to me was, I am SECURED. On a facade, people may see me as a confident woman, because I naturally am an extrovert type. But little did they know that behind my outspoken personality is a girl with suppressed thoughts and emotions. I was so afraid of people criticizing me. I was insecure. I am a middle child and an only girl in the family. I used to be compared with my elder brother and I resented that. I wanted to be at par with him or even outshine and outwit him. That's how insecure I was. I wanted the limelight, I wanted to be loved. I wanted to be wanted and adored. But little by little, as I grow in the love of Christ, I came to realize that I don't need to be the best in order for me to be wanted and loved. Because He loves the imperfect me, perfectly. It gave me an assurance. I felt secured that if God is for us, who and what can be against us? I realized that nothing could separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus. Having such an encouragement enabled me to believe that I am indeed secured in God. Here are the verses that prove that we are all secured: 

• I am Christ's child. (John 1:2) 
• I am Christ's friend (John 15:15) 
• I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
•  I am united in the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:17) 
• I have been bought with a price. I belong to God. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
• I am a member of Christ's body. (1 Corinthians 12:27) 
• I am a saint. (Ephesians 1:1)
• I have direct access to God. (Ephesians 2:18) 
• I have been redeemed and forgiven (Colossians 1:14) 
• I am complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10) 

Last point is I am SIGNIFICANT. Satan has the habit of inculcating in our finite minds that we are actually individuals without significance. He has his schemes in telling us that we are NOT worthy, that we are NOT essential. But the truth of the matter is that, in heaven's eyes, there are no losers. Everyone, even the tiniest portion of His creation is significant in His eyes. Remember after He finished creating the earth? He said that it was good. Do not believe the lies of an evil. I came across a Facebook status from a friend that says, "WOW- Woman-of-Worth". I was astounded, by the fact that while I was busy wallowing in the pit of mediocrity God's been telling me that I am worthy. He proved it right when He died on the cross for me about 2,000 years ago. Here are the verses that tell that we are all significant:

• I am salt of the earth, and light of the world. (Matthew 5:13-14) 
• I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of Hid life. (John 5:15)
• I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. (John 15:17)
• I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:18)
• I am God's temple (1Corinthians 3:16)
• I am a minister of reconciliation for God. (1 Corinthians 5:17-21) 
• I am God's co-worker. (2 Corinthians 6:1) 
• I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm. (Ephesians 2:6)
• I am God's workmanship (Ephesians 2:10) 
• I can do all  things in Christ who strengthens me.  (Philippians 4:13)

Knowing these things made me feel secured of who I am and when someone asks me what my identity is, I'd say, "My identity is found in Christ". 

Cause and Cure of Conflict

(Author's note: This is a message recap from the Singles' Connect Service last Saturday, October 26, as preached by Bro. KC Cheng) 

Do you know a person who is after having conflicts with others? Apparently, most of us are striving not to cause conflict with others. But at some point, we are bound to create conflicts, even for the pettiest reasons. We can find an excuse for a conflict in almost everything. 

We can see conflicts in government, in family, in churches. The family of God is also marked with conflicts. Yes, even at such places where peace of Christ would come out. There are denominational disputes; inhibitions; majoring on the minors and minoring on the majors (which I find very ironic);  type of music; preaching style; baptism by immersion or baptism by sprinkling. Churches actually split because of these, and both sides think it's because they don't know the Bible. But it's not actually the lack of knowledge of both parties, the problem lies in applying it. 

Some of us have the unconscious tendency to focus more on being right than building relationships. When unbelievers challenge your faith, what do you feel? Do you have the sudden urge to defend it with Biblical verses to prove a point, then try to make them see that they're wrong and you are right? Or do you try to compassionately understand where they are coming from?  If you say you're only defending God's word, then well and good, praise God for your heart. We are actually called to defend the gospel but the question is, are you actually doing it because you love God and the person that you're talking to or you just have the satisfaction in proving that what you actually believe in is right?

In James 4, James did not only raise a question of what causes conflict but he also gave cure for the conflict. James 4:1-3 say, What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive,because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

James went straight to the point that what causes conflicts are our selfish pleasures and desires. Imagine a life when everything happens accordingly to your plans. It's like when you want something, you get it--- anything that you plan is just get done. But we all know, that's not how it works. We don't always get what we want because someone out there wants something else that conflicts with our desires so things don't go our way. Someone out there wants the same thing as you do and he gets it so you can't have anything. Someone out there also didn't do what we wanted them to do, so things don't go as we expected. And there are many times that when we actually don't get what we want or if things don't go our way it's just so natural for us to get frustrated and blame someone else, especially when we know we are right.

It just feels good to put the blame on others and say things like, "I told you so". We all know that is easy blame others. So easy that we don't need to practice it. Most of the time we are good in finding the external factors because it's just so easy to blame others and dwell on the 'if only' sentiments like, "If only he/she is like this", "If only he/she would do this", "If only things go my way, the world will be a better place to live in" But the truth of the matter is, as James tells us, the source of the problem is not out there, the cause of conflict is within you, within us. You and I have to be very honest with ourselves, we may think of ourselves as godly persons. That we are saved by the grace of God through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ, and that our sins were washed away. Yet, there's still the dark old self in us, who loves the world and what it has to offer. We are still consumed by our selfish desires and when we don't get it, we become unhappy and frustrated, so we get involved into quarreling and conflicts. Selfishness, when it is observed in another is so obvious and ugly, but selfishness within us can be surrounded by a lot of irrationality, excuses, and spiritual blindness.

As children of God we know it's wrong, but somehow, we can't help it, it pops out unwillingly from the inside where we know the spirit also dwells and we have to be thankful enough for the Spirit, because it doesn't get tired, it is patient enough to rebuke us in our sinfulness. Romans 7:25 states, 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature[a] a slave to the law of sin." This is the battle within us. In Romans 7:22-23 it says, "22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me." 

Going back to James 4, three sins in particular were singled out in the text. One is covetousness, lack of prayer, and adultery. First is covetousness. James 4:2 it says,"2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God." In the New American Standard Bible (NASB) version, it says, " 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. The word "lust" here came from the Greek word "epithumeo" which was also used by Jesus Christ found in Luke 22:15 that says,"15 And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer". Studying the word "epithumeo" it means 'to turn upon a thing', 'to have a desire for' and 'of those who seek things that are forbidden'. Epithumeo as a word is not all negative. We can long for or desire something which is good like as Jesus expressed His desire in Luke 22:15. But the flip side of this word is, when we lust after something or seek things which are forbidden. There are many things a person might have a strong desire that may occupy one's mind that drives him to do whatever it takes just to have it, leaving behind the concerns of others. When we get frustrated, when we do not get what we want, we sometimes fight and we sometimes kill. Both literally and figuratively. We kill them with gossip, slander, and do a lot of things just to bring them down. We must always examine ourselves regarding the motives of our desires. Is it something that glorifies God or merely gratifies us? Is it something that we lift up and surrender to God or do we try to accomplish it ourselves? This question leads to the second cause of conflict which is the lack of faith. 

In James 4:2b-3 it says, "You do not have because you do not ask God.3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.". Let's face it, we do not always surrender our desires to God, at some point, we think we could handle it or we can make it on our own. Do you agree that our lack prayer shows that we actually believe that we can handle the situation based on our own choices? We don't believe that He will grant us what we need or what we want so we try to have it our way. We don't trust His timing, we don't believe that God holds our best interest. Do we think we can do any better? 

But James straightly points out asking is one thing. We should ask with the right motives. It is not wrong to ask God to grant our heart's desires, but it's better if we will ask Him in conformity of His will in our lives. Our prayers can sometimes be utterly selfish, like the "name it, claim it" approach to prayer or the "prosperity gospel". It sounds good, even motivating, but the problem is, it does not work that way. Sometimes we want so much even it is not in line with the will of the Lord for us. Greedy prayer is not a matured prayer. Greedy prayer is not a godly prayer and sometimes, we even negotiate with God as if He needs something from us. In fact, we are not entitled to make requests to God with the intention of telling what God has to do. When we pray, we must be in the Spirit of Jesus' prayer that says, "Not my will, but Your will be done". 

Psalm 34:7 says, "Take delight in the Lord,and he will give you the desires of your heart." Matthew 6:33 says, "33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." The big difference there would be what fills our hearts at the time of our prayer. If you ask for worldly riches first and promise to submit to God after He grants your desires, then you use God as a tool to acquire your worldly pursuits. But if you delight in Him first and seek after His kingdom before anything else, what you treasure is more likely to give life with what God wills in your life. We cannot serve the world, while claiming we belong to God. We cannot desire to be with God if we desire the world as much. It's also said in John 15:18-21, :"8 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’[a] If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me."

The third cause of conflict is adultery. James 4:4 says, "4 You adulterous people,[a] don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God?Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."  The word "world" used in this context does not entail the earth that the Lord has created which then He said, was good. It simply means the way of living in this world. It is when we give our hearts over the material things of this world or to prioritize people more than the Lord. Then unintentionally, we become adulterous people, but not in the context of sexual infidelity. In this verse, James is talking about spiritual adultery, when we become unfaithful to God. Before we were saved by the blood of Christ and before we become His children, we were His enemies first. In Romans 5:10 it says, 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! So if you are close to be doing the things of this world which you were previously belonged with, then that is being spiritually adulterous to God. In the Old Testament, God is seen as the husband of Israel. In the New Testament, Jesus is seen as the bridegroom and the Church is His bride. When we are having an affair with the world, then we are being unfaithful to the Lord. We are either of the Word, or of the world. We cannot have the best of both worlds. We cannot serve two masters. 

After the causes of conflicts have been mentioned, now what's the cure for it? There are four ways to cure a conflict. First, SUBMIT ourselves to God; second RESIST devil; third, COME near to God; and lastly, STOP judging others. 

SUBMIT ourselves to God. James 4:7 it says, "7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." The word 'submit' here is a military command to put things in order. To submit to an authority means yielding to a will over the other. When we submit to God, we obey God's commands rather than following our selfish desires. In John 3:30 it says, "30 He must become greater; I must become less.” In our life, it must be God's will over ours. It must be God's plan over ours. Our mantra should be, "Not our way, but God's way". We submit to Him because we love Him and we believe in His Lordship over us. We follow Him and obey His commands, and with these, we will the privilege in knowing what is His will for our lives, because His will for us is to do it, His way; because when we do it His way, then we are obeying His will. And we're doing it because we don't have to, but we want to. When you find yourself in conflict with others, you find the urge to fight back, isn't it? But if we put Christ to be in-charge of our lives, and we're living in submission to Him, then His peace will rule our lives. 

Psalm 34:14 it says, "14 Turn from evil and do good;seek peace and pursue it." This verse involves the second cure for the conflict which is RESIST the devil. If we have not submitted our lives to Jesus it won't go us anywhere. To resist the devil without submitting to God is actually impossible. The Bible declares that He who is in us is greater who is in the world which is Satan. But why is it so hard to resist temptation? It's simply because Satan does not appear to be a monster in our eyes. The devil is adorned with rationalizations, excuses, and worldly wealth. 2 Corinthians 4:4 says, "4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." The devil rules the world with deceptions, he leads the world astray. Revelation 12:9 says, "9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him." He does things to keep us away from the Church. He intends us to become spiritually blind and to ultimately cause trouble  and inhibition among us. When we come to realize the power of God against the power of Satan, we will then realize that the god of the world is a coward. As 1 John 4:4 declares, "4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." And as children of God, we must yield to God so we may resist the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11 tells us, "10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on thhane full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." What are the armors of God?  The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace and preparation, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. This promise assures that we can be spiritually armed in war against Satan with God's armor. For the Bible declares, if God is for us, who can be against us? 

The third cure for the conflict is COME NEAR to GOD. In verse 8, James says, "8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.". Isn't that an incredible promise? The Lord wants to walk with you and me, He wants us to be very close to Him. So how can we draw near to God? James suggests that we should clean up our hearts and minds.If we remove the pollution in our lives the more we can get closer to the holy and mighty God. It also says in 1 Peter 2:11, "11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul." We need to express our deep longing for the Lord. We need to humble ourselves before Him with pure hearts and clear intentions that we may gain intimacy with Him. God's kingdom is in heaven and it entails a very promising picture wherein there's no pain and suffering, there are no tears, only pure joy. But is that what we're only after why we would want to get closer to God? I hope not. But at some point, there are times that we see Jesus as if he is only a vehicle for us to get in heaven rather than a destination of being with Him. That's not what intimacy is, being intimate with God is having a desire to be where He is, regardless of the pain and suffering that awaits you when you are with Him--that's intimacy. 

Then as we go deeper in our relationship with God, we come to see others as how He sees them--with COMPASSION. And that leads to the fourth cure for conflict which is STOP judging others. James 4:11-12 says, "11 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister[d]or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it,but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?" When we set ourselves up as a judge, then, we are spiritually in trouble, conflict is an unavoidable result. James reminds us that God is the lawgiver and the judge, not us, definitely not us. He says that we have no business in judging our neighbors and in speaking slanderous things about him or her. We could say, we are only discerning a person. But there's a very thin line between discerning and judging others, so we have to be very careful. For discernment is used for the well being of others, judgment is condemning them, in order for us to feel good about ourselves. So we should always examine our hearts. Let's keep in mind who we are in Christ so that we may see and treat others as Christ sees and treats us. We are all sinners, who need love and grace from God each day. We are no better than anyone else, we're just better off with Christ. . Romans 2:1-3 also reminds us, "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?" We are not called as judges and lawyers, because that's what God is actually doing, He is the only one who is entitled to do that because He is the lawmaker and the judge in the first place. God gives us more grace. The more humbled we are, the more grace we receive, and the more grace we receive, the more we could pass it on to others. 

Just try to imagine, what if we prioritize others than ourselves? What if we come near to God, resist devil, and stop judging others? What if we focus more on yielding to God's will in prayer than trying to do things on our own? What if we get contented with what God gives us? What if we fully surrender our lives to Him? Wouldn't be the causes of conflict be eradicated and the grace and love of God surround us? 

Friends, we know the causes of conflict, we know the cure of it either. The question is, will you still be dwelling on the causes or will you delve on how to cure it? 

Launch into the Deep

Launch into the Deep. This statement caught my attention. I pondered much about it because I find it quite paradoxical.

    I reflected upon the Bible passage found on the book of Luke 5:1-11. It is the story wherein Jesus chose His first set of disciples. From this story, I got to know what “Launch into the Deep” really means. The first three verses say, “One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around Him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.”

   One question that crossed my mind when I read those verses was, “Why did Jesus choose to stay on Peter’s boat and preached His word?” There are few points that I would like to share with you about it. One, it’s simply because God knows EVERYTHING about them; everything about us. According to Luke 12:7, “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Second, it’s because Jesus had a plan for Simon and his fellows. Jesus gave Peter a heads up when he asked him to put out the boat a little from the shore, for the reason that He would launch them into deep waters in the latter part of the passage. Just like them. God has a plan for each of us. Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. His plan for them was to launch them into the deep, to call them into the ministry of discipleship.

  Who were Simon Peter and his fellowmen that Jesus chose them to be his disciples? They were not ministers and preachers in nature. Instead, they were mere fishermen.  But one truth has been revealed to me by this passage. Jesus QUALIFIES the UNQUALIFIED. Gathering of disciples was usual thing during that time. But the kind Jesus gathered, that was unusual. Fishermen, tax collectors, revolutionaries, and just main old sinners. Jesus launched them on a journey with God, a walk in which God begins to work in their lives. It only proves that, WE DO NOT NEED TO BE PERFECT TO COME TO GOD. RATHER, WE NEED TO TRUST GOD and LET HIM DO HIS GRACIOUS WORK IN TRANSFORMING OUR LIVES. He encourages those who know in their hearts that they need God and only Jesus has the power to forgive sins. In my very own experience, I felt that truth about God’s abounding grace and love when I received Christ as my Lord and personal Savior, when I was just 14 years old. At that age, I have lots of shortcomings and I committed a lot of mistakes that displeased Him, my parents, my friends, my loved ones, and even others. But all those things did not matter to Him; He looked past all of my shortcomings and imperfections. So now, with confidence I can truly say that I am living a joyful and worthwhile life, serving and worshiping only Him. 

    Verses 4-6 talks about the challenge of Jesus to Peter. The Bible says, “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch. ”Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.” Another thing that I have learned from these verses was, Simon SHOWED OBEDIENCE AT ITS FINEST. Imagine, a carpenter’s son taught a fisherman how to catch fish! And what was Peter’s response? Verse 5 says, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Despite their arduous efforts, they failed. Despite the fact that Jesus’ instruction to Peter was against his professional judgment as fisherman, Peter obeyed and he put the net into the deep waters. This is one great example of FAITH and OBEDIENCE at its finest. Though there are things in our lives that we can’t understand, we still recognize God and we choose to follow His very own will for our lives. That is one great manifestation of STRONG FAITH and INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP with GOD.

In verse 8, it says there that, SIMON WAS HUMBLED. “When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” Friends have you experienced that kind of feeling when you find God so big, gracious, and amusing that you got intimidated by His presence? The moment when you realized just how great God is and how filthy sinner you are and you felt that you are so undeserving? I submit to you brothers and sisters, that experiencing and encountering God’s power is not a reason to draw back from Him, but an opportunity to approach Him in the right basis, in faith, and dependence. Just like Simon, James, and John.

   Going back to verse 8, Simon Peter represents all disciples. His humility and awareness of his sin did not make him less qualified in the eyes of Jesus. It did not disqualify him from the service; in fact, they are prerequisites for service—HUMILITY AND REPENTANCE. Brothers and sisters, let me submit this reflection to you: God does not call those who think they can help God do His work. God does not need nor want servants who think they are doing God a favor. Jesus calls those who know they need to be humbled before His power and presence. Just like Simon Peter and his fellow men.

    Verse 10 reveals the truth about God—GOD IS A GOD THAT TRANSFORMS LIVES. Verse 10 says, “Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” The size of the catch tells Simon Peter and his companions that this event has not been an accident. The greatest moment in their fishing career caused them to stop and ponder on what God was doing. Jesus has taken Peter’s humble faith and scared him to death with God’s presence. But in the uncertainty that often surrounds faith comes the divine honoring of its presence and a calm voice that says, “Don’t be afraid”. Grace is active. Peter, James, and John learned that God would take the faith of humble fishermen and asked them to join Him in catching after people for the Lord. From, being mere fishermen, Jesus transformed them into fishers of men

    The last verse of this passage tells us the act of LAUNCHING INTO THE DEEP. It says, “So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” I was struck by this verse because I experienced the same thing: Leaving what you have and followed Jesus. Almost everyone knows about my humbling experience from my previous work, few years back. I was compelled to leave the school—FOR GOOD, in exchange for a 4-day youth event of KUE National and that was Summer Youth Camp. I chose what I thought was important and that was to serve Him and be a fisher of men. True enough, it has not been taken away from me.

     That overwhelming experience of mine paved the way into an intimate relationship with God. I may lost a job, but I got a life—a life with Him. He had launched me into the deep—a deep and no other kind of love could ever compare. Going into the deep is always something that is unfamiliar, sometimes illogical. It requires faith, obedience, and repentance, to the extent of going out of your own comfort zones, letting Him to make us more of Him and less of ourselves.

      Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you, let us all LAUNCH INTO THE DEEP.