WHAT IF WE ARE HIT TO THE CORE?

Very recently we witnessed 2 of our own public figures seemed to "fail" from their expected performances. Regine Velasquez who lost her voice on the concert day itself and Manny Pacquaio who was knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez in their 4th encounter.

We can say, they were hit to the core. Two things they have in common: (1) they failed on what they do best, singing and boxing respectively, (2) and these happening after they publicly professed their personal relationship with the Lord and striving to live Christian lives.

Some people ask why these things happen to them just when they tell the world about their renewed faith. They are supposed to be more successful because they are "nearer" to God. But God has a different meaning of success. To Him it means when you have shifted your focus from material things and worldly success to things of God and heaven.

Who said that with our relationship with Jesus everything will go as the world sees it? There will be testing of faith and usually they are the things/ people we value which may be involved. It's part of developing our character that will ultimately bring glory to God. I'm sure Regine and Manny cried and got scared at the moment but they showed that they put their hopes in Jesus and believed that there's a greater purpose why things happen.

I admire these 2 people for not giving up their faith despite the painful events that happened to them. And I pray that they remain steadfast and perseverant for they will bring many to the God's kingdom.

I just remembered a verse in Philippians 3:14, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

God is not done with us. And just like Abraham, when he believed God, it was credited to him as righteousness (Romans 4:3).

It's not easy when our faith is tested. But for sure if we pass it God will remember us. And this is more important. (Courtesy: Written by by Judith Atienza-Cinco)

If God is for Us, Who can be Against Us?

You will know there is a God in heaven and when you see what He does, you will know it. Do not fear the terrors of the night nor the dangers of the day nor the prestigious that stalks in the darkness nor the disaster that strikes at midday. I remember the song “Our God” by Chris Tomlin and it’s not just a famous song lyric, it’s the Scripture in the bible found in Romans 8: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” What a great hope. It's also comforting to know that God's Spirit is within us. It is good to have those times to get away together in the midst of the craziness of life! Therefore we will not fear " Listen once more to His wondrous words in Isaiah 41:10: "Fear not; for I am with you: do not be dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness." In the midst of all that can come at you in life and the struggles, we can be reminded that God is for us. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.  So today, if you are feeling like everyone and everything is coming against you… hold your head up high and stand up tall, proud, and firm on your feet, God is on our side! and "if God is for us, who can be against us?"   

WHAT IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES?

God’s love. We all have them. Only we don’t always act on them. How many times have we wanted to say, share or be something but just sat back and let the opportunity pass? These are some of the realizations I have all throughout the training for victory.

I really wanted to share the word of God everyday, but at the end I am no better than the person who didn’t think it and didn’t do it. In fact, I can do it but I fail to do speak not because of my inability or even lack of opportunity, but rather my lack of initiative, commitment and compassion to lost people. This training made me realized that God’s Love is within us, waiting to be shared. Sometimes our love cup is emptied, not because of overt cup emptying, but merely because no one cared enough to fill it. I know, it’s much harder to love someone than it is to merely beat them. In fact, no one ever really wins. The truth is that Love – and only Love – wins. Our love is not to be measured by the minimum of what we can do, nor is it to be limited only to those who appear deserving. Our standard for real love is that God because He first loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins and we have no reasons not to share it.

I’ve always asked God how can I impact other people’s lives through his love.  God had given me quite a strange answer to all the questions I’d been asking Him. Since then, I’ve known that it takes only one person to make a difference. That one person starts a chain of discipleship. He or she may directly impact the life of only one person, but that person may pass it on, and it can travel the world. One action is just one action. But it can light up the way of others for years. I believe that we only have to respond to the challenges to become extraordinary. The lives of countless ‘ordinary’ people who said ‘yes’ to the challenge change the course of history. By saying ‘yes’ and carrying it through, God made them greater than what they were. They became at the very least, ‘extraordinary’.

At the end of the day, I pray I could declare that “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith, henceforth there is laid for me that crown of righteousness…[2 tim 4:7].

V-Ubelt Training for Victory