Forgiveness

The season of Lent is here again. It comes every year to regularly remind us to think of our sins and ask for forgiveness from God. Along with this act is also the selfless forgiving of others who sin against us.

But why do most people find it hard to forgive? While we are taught that compassion is a good virtue, the process of healing from a damage done may not take instantly. The readiness to respite maybe influenced by reasons and intensity of the damage done. But in totality the action revolves around the character of humility.

We accept the fact that we all have once sinned. The way we accept and treat our own sins has direct relationship with how we treat the sins of others on us. Meaning, even though there is an accepted moral guidelines of how to treat errors, we still use our own meter stick. When we believe that we should be pardoned instantly from a simple lie, we practice it by granting apology to those who lie to us.

The problem arise when our judgment become one sided and self-centered. There are cases when we believe that cheating others could be a sin worth to forgive in an hour yet when we are cheated we condemn the person and even put on severe punishment before forgiving the sinner. Oftentimes the decision for pardon is based on the character of the sinner. Under the same circumstances we forgive our best friend quickly than a stranger. More often we pardon our friends easily than our family members.

But God is teaching us to be impartial. To treat everyone as equals. Jesus even gave quick pardon to the thief on the cross. In one encounters with the disciples, Peter asked Jesus "“Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Even seven times?” and Jesus said to him: “I do not say to you, even seven times, but even seventy times seven times." (Mt 18:21-22).

Forgiving is a really good virtue. There is no limit; there are no conditions. If we only forgive those who forgive us. What difference we have with the criminals.

image from: www.artnsoulwrks.com
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The wine of life

"And no one puts new wine into old wineskin; if he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskin. And no one after drinking old wine desires new; for he says, `The old is good'."(Luke 5:37-39)

Renewal requires a full change; a complete turn around by burning bridges. The path to righteousness is really hard because we are enveloped with easier and physically satisfying alternatives. These hinder the total conversion that we desire. But Jesus clearly stated, when we need to reap the glories of a renewed life, we should leave behind our old ways, sins and earthly desires alike, and live a new life completely or else we will "burst."

The last line of the verses tells us that many failed by accepting the notion that old ways are better without trying the new. Jesus promised, and many attested that life in Him is rewarding if you just believe Him hook, line, and sinker.

If you doubt, don't doubt without bothering to try. There's no harm in trying anyway. Have a relationship with Jesus now.

"Everything is vague to a degree you do not realize till you have tried to make it precise." Bertrand Russell
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Mediocrity

"...What word is this, for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they go out?" (Luke 4: 36).

The words of these verse clearly illustrates how Jesus has control even the evil sides of human beings. He promised we too can do the same even with a minute amount of faith. But when we see believers giving in to temptations of the world we would always say "to err is human".

Mediocrity is such a wretched virtue if a person accepts and have trust on Jesus. We heard the promise and we have seen the example. What needs to be done is hone it and have control. Just as Jesus can drive the devil out, we too can say no to temptations of the world.

"People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents." Andrew Carnegie
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The secret to success

"... '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."(Luke 5:5-6)

How many times in our lives we struggle to achieve what we dreamed of? We exhaust ourselves without reaching our desired outcomes. Yet, we do not accept the fact that there is the Giver just waiting to be tapped for help. We are arrogant enough to trust in our own capabilities.

This society is teaching us we are solely responsible with our fate. It is true. But the responsibility includes aligning our mind with the one responsible with our presence on earth. God leads us the way through Jesus Christ.

If you are in the middle of nowhere in your quest today, just call Jesus and He lights your path.

"When every ways seem to fail trust in Jesus and He will save your ship." Annon

image taken from: gbcdecatur.org
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Facing a delimma

Everyday of our lives we are faced with the task of deciding. Whether we made the right decision or not would depend on how we weigh the outcomes. But would you believe that there are situations when even people know that the best outcome would result from a certain decision, yet they don't choose it?

Yes, it is absolutely true, and one of it is neglecting Jesus' call. Following Jesus would give us the best results, if not in this life in the next. Nevertheless many still take this for granted and opt to go otherwise. A lot of reasons are cited and more often they are "options from this world."

The Bible says "only one thing is necessary and it is the best portion, and it shall not be taken away”(Luke 10:42)and it is believing and following Jesus. And I can attest you that among the many decisions I made in life, the best I did was accepting Jesus into my life.

Of course many of you will shrug a cold shoulder about this statement and won't dare to ask why. But only a wise man can say I like it until he tries it. So why not make it a try and experience it for yourself.

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Photo above: Kids from ages 8 and below joined a fellowship with other kids in the community who exposes them in a relationship with Jesus. At this very early age they were taught Christian values that they may nurture for the rest of our lives. Later on these children would be witnesses of the works of Christ and would join in the vineyards and work-fields of God.
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Mushrooms and humans

The mushroom is another wondrous creation of God. Besides being one of the largest member of a wide family of small organisms comprising the yeast and molds family, commonly called as Fungi, there are some characteristic in this fungus that strongly resembles some human idiosyncrasies.

One weekend morning while cleaning some loose twigs in the backyard I noticed this shiny white thing with some shades of brown over the crown (see photo). They weren't there yesterday From experience, i quickly recognized it as one of the edible wild mushrooms, whether it belongs to the pleurotus species or not I'm not quiet sure. But I was definitely sure it was edible so I picked it up. There were a few more around I had collected. When I checked it turned out some had been spoiled with the presence of worms.

I was amazed of how quick these fungi grows and how quickly they spoil. Just like mushrooms some people sometimes quickly shine to the apex of their religious faith and vanish as quickly as they surge. It is a natural thing, I feel, and just like mushrooms, if we do not "harvest" them while they are on their finest stage, put some spices, and cook them, then we could not eat them.

If you are a church leader, are you aware that there are mushrooms around your community? Then if you are, harvest them just before they fade and lose the value.
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Life is a contant change

Its been said that the only constant in life is change. This is the reason why a straight path may not be the best way to achieve glory even in ordinary life situations.

In carrying out projects and activities the rationalist always develops plan. But along the way, seldom it is carried out 100% according to what was laid out. Engineers always have "as planned" and "as built" drawings of their projects to highlight changes made along the way. What we think is good today may become bad the next time around and vice-versa. Everything changes and no identical activity even those accurately programmed in computers to occur 100% the same. The element of difference is of course - time. To give a concrete illustration, a New Year always comes at 12:01 of January 1, and the only change is the last digit of the year.

Since everything changes, our ways always change daily and what we achieve in life is a result of many left and right turns. The message is simple. Do not be afraid to change if that change is for the better.

In my life I had so many bad turns, but one good right turn I could remember was turning to Jesus. There are many trials ahead, yet I am confident I made a good change. If you are having trouble right now or feeling some emptiness, try calling on Jesus Christ, He will change you for the better.
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Be watchful

Many believers have stories to share about becoming lukewarm in their Christian service. Worst, some share having doubts and become weak in faith and gave way to the ways of evil. Much more also, though having faith, are complacent in their practice as followers of Christ. But what if during this time of negligence Jesus would come? What's gonna happen to us? Matthew 25:13 says, "you must be vigilant, because you do not know the day or the hour."

As I arrived home from office one day, I found the main door widely opened. I was bit worried as I knew my wife and the kids are still out. Who could have opened the door? I rushed to check if some things are missing. Gladly I found nothing was lost or stolen. I checked the bedrooms and found our Master's Bedroom locked. I always leave without locking that room, my wife don't lock the room either. I sensed some danger. If some burglar was still inside he might assault me. After careful inspection I realized no one was inside.

That incident made me decide to put some extra effort to cover some unfinished walls of the kitchen. At least this would prevent those with bad intentions to be tempted to sneak in. But I also felt and whispered to God. "If bad elements would really want to do bad, I know Lord this walls are not enough to protect my house. So I still trust You will protect us Lord."

The experience made me understand that becoming watchful is not only being prepared all the time but also to correct every errors and sins we have and cover our sinfulness with the cloak of righteousness so that we maybe worthy to meet Him when He comes.
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