When God Doesn't Answer Your Prayer ...

(Source: www.joiecatipon.deviantart.com)

Christianity is not a religion, but more to a relationship with God. And the way to build this relationship, is through praise, worship, quiet time and prayer. The hardest of these would be prayer.

I believe everyone of us had a moment of disappointment with God; when He doesn't answer our prayer. We got angry, frustrated and discouraged.

But hold on, why are we like that? Think about it. It is the relationship with God. Are we only looking at Him as a "genie in the lamp"? The one who will always grant our wishes with a finger-snap. Or are we looking at Him as a maid or slave? Whom we could order around, doing what we wishes. Then we are building the wrong kind of relationship.

We should always look to Him as a Father. Don't come to Him when there is a problem to solve, wishes to fulfill, work to be done. Come to Him with the motive of building a relationship with Him. And it is not an once time act. It must be done continuously.

Sometimes, a prayer can be go unanswered for years. But know this one thing, God know what's the best for us and only prepared the best for us.

... for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. - Matthew 6 : 8

What I Fear

(Source: www.norcalblogs.com)

What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. - Job 3 : 25

Fear is something that everyone has faced, ever since we were small. It doesn't matter how old we get, there will be small portion of fear in our lives.

But the fact is this; the more you feared, then more likely it will happen. Why is that so?

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. ... - Proverbs 23 : 7

Surely we know this verse, or heard it somewhere. Our mind is probably the strongest weapon we have, it could either make us or break us. Therefore, we must control what is in our mind. How to do it? Feed our mind with the right information!

Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need. - Philippians 4 : 6

Three keys as we learn from the verse above: Do not worry, pray & give thanks to God.

Believe me in one thing; surely God is big enough and more than enough for everything that we need to go through in life.

Misinterpretation of The Bible?

(Source: www.fairviewbiblechurch.org)

In today world, even in the past, Christians are being divided into different denominations. Each claiming to be teaching the right one.

But when we look at all of them, aren't they teaching based on the Bible? Still, why is there still dispute between denominations?

In fact, I could say all of them are correct in their teachings, as long as it is based on Bible.

Interpretation of the Bible could vary between individual, churches and even leaders. There is no such thing as misinterpretation. Just pray for understanding and wisdom when you are reading Bible. That's the only way to make sure you fully understand the Bible.

2012: NOT End of The World

The title above doesn't imply that I know for sure that 2012 is not the end of the world. Since no one knows exactly when it's going to happen. What I'm talking about is our lives. Have we been living 2011 in despair, turmoil, fear for everything, uncertainty? And unsure of whether 2012 is going to be the same or worse?

Fear not, I got a good news!

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Jesus Christ. - Philippians 4 : 19

The promise given to us, that God will take care of us and supply all our needs. Things are definitely going to get better. Because when God says so, He will do so.

Sometimes, we didn't realize how blessed we are, that we still got a shelter over our head or clothes to keep us warm or food that kept us from hunger. Those every little things in life are God's way of caring for us. It didn't have to be a mansion, designer clothes or food that are costly.

In the new year, learn to be thankful for every single things in our lives; no matter how small they are or how insignificant in our eyes. The truth is; if those insignificance in our eyes add up together, imagine what you have right now. Never lacking in every single things. Just got to keep praying!

My Mouth & My Heart

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. - Psalm 19 : 14

A very meaningful verse from King David. A lot of times, we might be saying all the great things about God, but  in our heart? Are we keeping all the negative stuffs? Or the words that we speak, are they bringing negative impacts on others?

The tongue can bring death or life ... - Proverbs 18 : 21

Yes, you can either build others up or you bring them down with our words. Encouragement often plays a very important role in every successful person out there. Start sending out positive words to others and ourselves  encouragement and praise.

King David was said to be "A man after God's own heart" and now imagine the meditation of his heart. It seemingly impossible for him to sin against God, but it happened. Yet he repented, truly repented. Not as a lot of us, including me myself find it as a struggle, a battle need to be won everyday.

That's why King David said that The Lord is his Rock and Redeemer. We could also say that God is our Rock and Redeemer. The One who would be there for us to hold on to at every battle, every struggles in life. And the easiest way to do it, is to keep praying and reading the Words of God.

What The World Tells Us

How often is it that you are told how good you are and what a great job you have done?
How often is it that you are told that you can't do it, you're useless?

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Considering the two questions above, I believe you already figured out what the world always tell us. Yes, Negativity.

The world that we live in, this society tends to bring us down a lot more than to help us grow. Even if it's a close friend, how often is it will he / she tells you something positive, compared to all those negative stuffs told? It always get back to us, whether we take it silently or we rebuke it with positive stuffs.

The world will always set a high expectation on us. Yet some people in our lives, will at some point in time trying to bring us down, speak those negative words to us.

We on the other hand, supposed to give our best in everything we do, strive to be the best. Yet we cannot do it, because we are so bound by words from others.

Where do we find Encouragement? The Bible, The Word of God. We can always find the solutions there.

Next time when somebody tells you that you can't do it, remember God said that "Nothing is impossible." Just as easy as that. But first, we gotta know more about The Word of God. Start to read your Bible, meditate on it and pray more.
1. Stop putting your Bible on the shelf and take it out only on Sunday
2. Don't just try to remember what The Bible says only when you are troubled
3. Don't stop praying, especially when times are good

From now on, lives a life that's worthy to be told, leave a legacy start from now. If you don't challenge your mindset, you will never be who or what you want to be.

It is in our lives, and not from our words, that our religion must be judged. - Thomas Jefferson

In Pain?

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested. - 1 Chronicles 4 : 10

How would you feel if your name means "PAIN"? That must be tough on Jabez ever since he was born. Branded as "the one who brings pain", nobody would ever wanted that. Despised, looked down, and I think he might get bullied by his classmates.

But Jabez was never been brought down by the situation. In verse 9 it says that Jabez was more honorable than any of his brother.

How did he do that? There are two verses that told us about the whole life of Jabez. Yet in the entire verse 10, it only tells us about his prayer.

He is a prayer warrior indeed. Look at his prayer, he asked for 4 things:
1. Bless me
He can't expect blessing from other people. Remember, they hated him. God's blessing will always be his comfort.
2. Enlarge my territory
This doesn't necessarily mean his land, but his heart & his attitude as well.
3. Be with me
 He is asking for God's protection, strength, and sufficiency.
4. Keep me from evil
 He's in a situation where he could have hated everyone, but he didn't. He asked God to help him go through every temptations.

All those prayer only with one purpose, so that he will not cause pain. And God just granted what he asked for.

So, my question is: "Have you prayed like Jabez today? A Prayer that comes from the bottom of your heart."

Humble, Pray and Seek

If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. ~ 2 Chronicles 7 : 14

A lot of time, Christian will feel that they are more righteous compared to others. The truth is this, they tend to get hypocritical. We need to change! Remember the second greatest commandment, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Not putting yourself above others, but treat them equal. Therefore, why do we need to feel more righteous.

If we do not change, then the devil will comes and plant a seed called "PRIDE' in us. Pride will separates us from God and from people who loved us. When you have pride in your life, you will be drifted away from God. Divine blessings and protection will not be around you anymore. I can't imagine it!

Another thing; Ministry is given by God to us. Therefore do not be proud if you are serving in any ministry given to you. For it is given to you, and it will be taken away. As long as you serve, remain humble! Remember, the point of a ministry is to show your love for God and people.

Look at what the verse tells us:
> IF My people, who are called by My Name
   It means us, the Christians. This verse is for us, so pay attention.
> WILL humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turned away from their wicked ways
   Just as what the verse tells us; be humble, start praying and seek the face of God, and more importantly, walked away from sins.
> THEN I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
   That's the promise of  God for us, for our land, our country.

If you want to see revival in your place, in your nation; then start changing! Don't expect others to start, let every changes start from you, be a history maker, a planet shaker!

~ Being humble is the start of a great work ~