Why do good things happen to those who do not even know Him?

I have been asked this question a couple of times. Even by people closest to me.

Early this morning God gave me the answer.

Ever ordered something in a restaurant and still want to take a bite of someone else's order?

Ever asked yourself, why didn't I order that? Why is his/her order better than mine? Why is his/her life better than mine? When in fact I know God?

Going back to the restaurant, I am very guilty of that. Every time Jason and I would eat out, I would often look longingly at his plate, and wish I'd ordered the same thing. Please excuse me, but I'd poke my fork first in his plate before I take a bite of my dish.

My friend, Toneth mentioned that to me earlier about always wanting someone else's order. In general, we would always look at the other's plate, we would always want someone else's life if not a bite of it. Even if we were sure that what we specifically asked for is what we wanted, there goes our envious heart comparing ourselves to others.

Last Sunday I was blessed to hear the message The Lord is My Shepherd by Pastor Peter Tan-Chi. In a nutshell it talks about the relationship between a sheep and its shepherd that is comparable to us and our relationship with God.

Everything about it was really impactful and these three verses I hold dear and which answer the question, Why do good things happen to those who do not even know Him?

1. Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need.

Sheeps are the most dependent of the animals. It often goes astray, finds itself in trouble, and is totally helpless that they cannot eat on their own. Without a shepherd, the sheep will get lost, get eaten by wolves, and die of hunger.

The good shepherd takes care of his sheep. The good shepherd cares deeply for his sheep. He provides his sheep with everything that they need. He feeds his sheep, gives them protection and security.

John shares with us who the good shepherd is - Jesus is the good shepherd.

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John 10:11-14

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—"

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The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep and protects them with all  he can. Jesus is our good shepherd who has laid down his life for us.

If God is our shepherd, we believe that He has given us everything that we will ever need. One thing that struck me last week was from Joy Tan-Chi's blog about what her mom told her, "There will always be someone more beautiful and smarter (and even richer, wittier, faster, etc.) in this world but God has given you everything you need to do his will and work".

It is our sinful heart that tends to always look the other way, look at others blessings and be envious of their lives. But with knowing that God is our shepherd, we can be assured that He has given us all that we need. We do not need to look the other way, but look instead deep in our hearts why we are having those feelings of jealousy or envy.

God is my shepherd. He has given me everything that I will ever need. He is my shepherd who has provided for me not only what I need, but so much more than what  I originally asked for.

2. Psalm 23:2 He lets me rest in green pastures. He leads me to calm water.

There is a saying that "the grass is greener on the other side". I heard this phrase a lot of times in high school at the peak of Filipinos migrating to the US, to Canada since the grass is greener there.

Our appetites are insatiable. We will never be contented nor be satisfied with what we have. We will always look at the greener side, the greener pasture, the better offering, the better life. Well who doesn't want to have a better life? Graze in greener pastures?

But when we know that God is our good shepherd, we know that even if we dislike where we are in - if we feel dead end in our work, our situation, our lives, WE TRUST that this is the greener pasture. God has put us here for a reason, for us to grow to know Him more, for us to love Him more and love the people around us more. It may be difficult and we want out. But the grass can't get any greener than this place where we are in. We may not understand it now because we feel differently. We feel hopeless sometimes. But we do not let ourselves be ruled by our emotions. We let ourselves be guided by the truth.

And the truth is this: That God loves us. He is our good shepherd. He lets us rest in green pastures. He leads us to calm water. Where we can take our fill and satisfy our thirst.

3. Psalm 23:4 Even if I walk through a very dark valley, I will not be afraid, because you are with me. Your rod and staff protect me.

A sheep with a good shepherd will never fear walking through a very dark valley. Because it knows that the shepherd would ward off the wolves and other threats using his staff. It knows that the shepherd will protect him.

As sheeps would often wander, the shepherd would sometimes use his rod to break off its leg. This is so that the sheep would not wander and endanger themselves to the point of no return. While the leg heals, the shepherd would carry his sheep on his shoulder. And when the sheep heals and is able to walk again, it would then know who the shepherd is and then choose to follow him.

Sometimes in our lives we would often encounter the discipline of God. Sometimes when we would often go astray, find ourselves fallen into temptation, God would discipline us. We would get angry, get hurt, but God assures us of His grace that He would carry us through. Having this encounter, we would then know God more and choose to follow Him.

If we were never broken, who knows what more danger awaits us, what more trouble we could not get ourselves out of. Jesus is the good shepherd who protects us.

Darkness is everywhere and there is always a threat of danger around us. But as Pastor Peter says, "Security is not the absence of danger, it is being in the presence of God" We are assured of safety, we are assured of His presence.

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Sometimes when we ask ourselves, why  is their life better than mine, ask yourselves again who is God to you? Who is He in your life?

Why look at others when you can look to God who is your shepherd?

We really can't say and choose who God should bless or not. But instead of having these feelings, I look into the attitude of my heart, find comfort in God and find comfort in His many promises.

God never withholds any good things from those who walk uprightly, who do what is right (Psalm 84:11)

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Living with and for the risen Christ

Being raised in a Catholic family, in a Catholic school, and undergoing several theology courses (which I studiously read and researched about), I knew for a fact who Jesus was, his life in general and that Jesus died and was raised on the third day.

It was the same old story every Holy Week for me. But really, what does the risen Jesus mean to me or to my life?

Did it actually even mean anything to me? Why is that most of the time our lives are as if he were not alive? Why is it that we do not reflect the risen Jesus in us? Why are we still angry people, lonely people, anxious and frustrated people living routinary and dead-end lives?

This Holy Week was different to me. This year I was blessed to have attended a retreat, Live Like You Mean It, and also heard the service in CCF by Pastor Peter, Jesus and Pastor Bong's afternoon service.

Live Like You Mean It in a nutshell taught me how to Live passionately for God despite the many failures in life, God is our strength - our abilities are limitless. He is the perfect image of success as He rose from the dead. No one can ever measure to His victory and as children of God, we draw life and strength from our father to reach our fullest potential - to be Christlike in every way. He is our father who adds everything unto us as we seek Him first and accept Him in our hearts. (Matthew 6:33)

In the service, we are faced with the truth about Jesus Christ.

Knowing about Christ, we come to encounter 2 Christians:

1. Traditional Christians who go according to tradition yet fail to deliver when asked why they believe and what they believe in.

2. True Followers of Jesus who know Jesus, strive to know him sincerely and are ready to die for him.

How many of us can honestly say that we are ready to die for Christ?

As Pastor Peter says, unless we are ready to die for Jesus are we ready to live for Him.

We do not know how it is to live for Christ if we cannot give up our lives for Him.

TRUTH IS EXCLUSIVE.

There is an absolute TRUTH.

 I used to argue that truth is relative to  respect individuality. But if truth is relative than 2 + 2 can be 10 or 100.

We can tolerate but we have to acknowledge that there is truth and we should speak the truth in love. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. If you are not for him, then you are against him. There is no gray area. It's either you believe in Him or you don't. It matters because in the end it will be just you and Him, and Him knowing if you have lived your life for God.

Why should we follow Christ? How does he stand out from all the others?

His birth was unique - He was born of the Virgin Mary.

His teachings are unsurpassed - to love your enemies as yourself which is the highest moral standard.

His whole life was unique - He gave sight to the blind, He brought the dead to life, He walked on water among many others.

His death and His resurrection was unique - How many others out there have died and have rose again? How many others will tell about their own death and resurrection?

The difference of His life and death is that there was proof.

And many even until now are living witnesses to Jesus.

Many atheists like C.S. Lewis have brought their life to Christ. The greatest example in their time was Paul. He was the chief persecutor of Christians but when he met Christ, he chose to die for Him. Most of the New Testament books was written byPaul - the most evil, horrible person then who crucified Christians and stoned them to death. He had blood on his hands and yet the transforming power of Christ restored him and gave him a devoted commitment and a 180 degree change in his life.

1. Other proofs that Jesus lived was that many historians and hostile witnesses wrote about him. They acknowledged he existed in letters telling they wanted Christians killed because of "this Jesus Christ".

2. The Empty Tomb was proof that he died and rose again. Romans are the most discplined soldiers. For letting a prisoner escape means death to them. The tomb was sealed, waxed and guarded by soldiers. But no Pharisee, no King, no soldier, no collaborative might from the authorities can stop Jesus from rising again.

3. Women of that time weren't regarded as important. But it was written that the first witnesses of Jesus' resurrection were 2 women: Mary and Mary Magdalene. The latter was not just any woman, she was regarded lower than women because she was treated as unclean. Why write that women are witnesses? And an "unclean" woman at that was the first to testify?

4. Lives of the Disciples. Peter who declared to follow Jesus wherever he went shrunk away when asked if he knew Jesus Christ. Even denying him 3 times. But after the resurrection all were brave to face persecutions and even death. Nothing and no one can stop them from proclaiming that Jesus was alive.

5. Thomas. Doubting Thomas. If you knew him, you would know that he is very much like us. We need PROOF to know that something exists, very much like him. When he doesn't believe, it would take much to convince him. It would take long debates, senseless arguments. But once he saw Jesus and placed his hands in Jesus' wounds, he went all out for Him.

God appreciates an honest seeker, he knows your heart and will take the initiative to show that he is Lord like what he did with Thomas.

With all the proofs and the living witnesses of Christ, we know that Jesus rose again. We can hold on to his promise of the forgiveness of sins, victory over sin and an amazing future of eternal life. We can hold on to bible verses - His living word. We know that God is alive.

When you encounter Jesus, you can never be the same. Just look at how much people are transformed and are willing to die. How unbelievers turned to become committed followers. How much wisdom the people we thought foolish possesses. How much strength we thought people who are weak have. Life is never the same.

What is the difference of our faith?

Christianity is never afraid. It is not afraid to be scrutinized, it can be studied and investigated, its proofs are piling up and the truth remains. As you study further, you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. You can never truly study  or know Christ and come out the same person.

I used to rush into arguments when something about my faith is being doubted by others. But I never really knew Christ then. I was afraid to pick up my Bible and confirm what is true. I was lazy and trusted whatever my professors / priests taught me.

But the moment I started reading and started having a relationship with God, I appreciated more what they taught me and it has been the most enjoyable and experiential theology I have ever had.

Knowing and seeing proof that Christ alive begs my first question then,

What does it mean then to live for Christ?

We have been dead. Living a tired, frustrated, angry, lonely, miserable and meaningless life. But all these cause of sins have been nailed to the cross and have died with Jesus Christ. Because he paid for our sins, we are a new creation and we are resurrected to a new life in Christ if we accept this gift from God. An abundant life awaits our sincere acceptance of this truth.

Seeing the proofs that He has resurrected, we can live for Christ and hold on to His promise that He shall be back again. Our love and service for Christ and for others will never be in vain, because we claim in the proof that he lives. (1 Cor 15:58)

If we truly know Him, we will love and serve Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. Or else we can choose to remain living a lukewarm, shallow Christian life and be deprived of a meaningful, abundant, and worry-free life with Christ.

You may choose to continue living an empty life, work for your salvation or you can start resting in the power and strength of Jesus Christ.

Life has never been the same for me when I knew Him. As my friend once reminded me, God did not promise life with Him would be easy, but that He would be there for me and deliver me. I hold on to His promise that life with Him is more abundant, more meaningful and filled with love than I have ever imagined it could be. :)

Loving without Limits

Someone once told me, when you love, you love. There is no degree to loving.

Leo Tolstoy defined love with this:

“Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love. Everything is, everything exists, only because I love. Everything is united by it alone. Love is God, and to die means that I, a particle of love, shall return to the general and eternal source.”

But what is love really? We often use it carelessly - a word so full and deep lost of its true meaning.

Defining love cannot be separated with how you love.  It is a conscious and a total effort of giving in one self to the beloved. Last Sunday, we were shown how to love the real way in How's Your Love Life? and Loving God Passionately in CCF service.

Everything begins with love and what we love takes hold of our life. If we love God then, then we know He holds our life. He directs our being in our daily living.

But how do we say we love Him? Is it just a mere acknowledgment that we do? A mere escape from the lips and an empty public declaration?

Loving God and even just simply loving includes a total involvement of the heart, soul, mind and strength. It is giving our best because we are enjoying the gift from the Lord.

In Luke 10:27 it is said,

He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; ...

How does it mean to love God with all our heart?

Loving God with all our heart means surrendering even our emotions to God. We love Him in our own self, our own personalities, our reasoning. But our focus is on Him, not on us. We just simply love him the way we love. The way we make time for our beloved, our family members, our friends. It is a commitment of the heart. Putting Him first above everything. Dropping everything to be with Him the moment He calls you. Fearing to break His heart and disobeying His will.

As Bob Pierce of World Vision said, "Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God." It's the ultimate love that binds, that is courageous to stand up for your beloved, and hurt with things that hurt him.

Loving God with all our  soul...

Means valuing God above everything even in sin. It is dying to your sin and the temptation to sin every day of your life. It is denying the lust of the eyes, flesh and the pride of life. To what extent are you willing to suffer for your beloved?

More importantly it is also this...

At this point, who or what is your LIFE?

 Are you willing to give it up for God?

Loving God will all your soul is the union of loving God with our personality and everything that "gives us life and breath" in this world.

The people who inspire you, the thing that motivates you, you give to God. He or She is God's. Your work, your family is God's. Everything is God's. Giving all these up for Him is a sign of total commitment to God - of how much you love Him with your soul. Placing Him above your family, your wife, husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, children, work, and passions.

Loving God with all your MIND...

When you love God with your mind, you love Him in truth. Sometimes people use the term "God's will" as an expression to justify situations and even their actions, however they do not consult His will.

How do we know of His will? God has provided us with His word to know what is true and what is right.

Loving God with your mind is aligning of what we know is TRUE to what TRUTH really is. There is a constant truth, one that doesn't change through time and goes across cultures and different upbringings. This is the truth of Scriptures.

It is also consulting God and viewing things from His perspective as we make decisions. The way to know His perspective is to constantly fill ourselves with His word. The more we are exposed to Him, the more like-minded we become with Him.

It is understanding His love for us by loving our neighbors. Imagine loving someone who wronged you.  That is how fully encompassing God's love is for us. That's what we are called to do - to love without limits, without choosing who to love.

Loving God with all your STRENGTH...

Is devoting to glorify Him with every breath of our lives.  God gave his 100% for us to love Him 100%. We are capable and complete to love and be loved back.

It also means giving back to God entirely. Not half-baked, not half-full. It is wanting to make ourselves useful for God. The greatest kings in the Bible did not desire significance, they were after working for God. Why?

It simply is because we are so grateful of his blessings, we enjoy it so much and we want to give Him the best. Like when someone gives you a gift when you don't expect it, you feel like  you cannot thank that person enough and you are willing to return the blessing you received. Or when someone has forgiven you when you did not deserve it.

That's what God's grace does to you. It is an undeserved gift, an unmerited favor and thus we cannot help but give Him our all.

It is a mistake to think that we are not enough or that we are weak to give this 100% of ourselves.

God is telling us, "Don't think about your weakness, but think about my strength."

"In your weakness... I am strong" 2cor 12:11

God will again help us pull through to love him 100%.

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Loving God passionately is to depend on Jesus totally. It is obeying him even if it is not easy for us but because we know it is right.

The moment we love God begins the moment we can love everything the right way :)

Transforming Power of Prayer

Last week, I was able to join Dawn Watch though online. I was really moved by Pastor Bong's message on praying meaningfully.

All of us have prayers and usually our prayers are what we want in life. We ask God for requests may it be small decisions to major ones.  As simple as a prayer like, God if it is your will, may I be able to travel this year, may I be short listed for my dream career, may my business succeed, or that my love life will blossom. We also tend to give God deadlines or even ask for signs, I myself am guilty of that.

When the deadline is up, we see no signs and we find that our prayers are not answered the way we want it, we become frustrated and then rebel against God. We choose to do things our own way because we feel we can't trust God on certain aspects in our lives. We try to control everything and force things to happen in fulfillment of our desires.

We fail to understand God's higher purpose and focus on ourselves rather than on Him.

As Pastor Bong said, Prayer is not about answers but rather an encounter with God. It is not changing the will of God but changing our will to conform to God's will.

The power of prayer is that as we pray unceasingly, we may not know it but we are slowly purified and transformed into the likeness of Christ. We see how big God is and how little our problems are. We see our total dependence on Him and we are humbled by knowing that we alone cannot make things happen without Him.

The best answered prayers are the prayers that we wait upon and pray earnestly for. And the reward of that answered prayer pales in comparison for the relationship that has been established between you and God.

Never stop praying. Pastor Bong reminds us with this:

If the request is wrong, God says no.

If the timing is wrong, God says slow.

If you are wrong, God says grow.

BUT...

If your request is right,

timing is right,

you are right, God says YES. God says GO.

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God knows what is best for us. He knows our deepest desires even before we speak about them. We may think that earthly riches would make us happy, but God gives so much more to make us happy when we seek Him first. He gives us all things for us to enjoy.

"Pray sincerely, never stop knocking.

Pray until His kingdom is established in our hearts.

Pray until we conform our hearts to God's plan.

Pray until God becomes bigger.

Pray until HE becomes your everything."