Monday, October 24, 2011

When Battered By Trials


Lead Me Lord
by Gary Valenciano

Lead me Lord, lead me by the hand
And make me face the rising sun
Comfort me through all the pain
That life may bring
There's no other hope
That I can lean upon

Chorus:
Lead me Lord
Lead me all my life
Walk by me, walk by me across
The lonely road that I may face
Take my arms and let your hand
Show me the way
Show the way to live inside your heart
All my days, all my life

Refrain:
You are my light
You're the lamp upon my feet
All the time my Lord
I need You there
You are my light
I (just) cannot live alone
Let me stay
By Your guiding love
All through my life
 

Repeat Chorus.
Repeat Refrain.

You are my light
You're the lamp upon my feet
All the time my Lord
I need You there
You are my light
I (just) cannot live alone
Let me stay
By Your guiding love
All through my life
All through my days
Lead me, Oh Lord
Lead me Lord
 There are times when we feel so strong. These are the times when it seems everything falls according to our plans. These are also the times when we think of ourselves as brave warriors ready to face any kind of battle, come what may.

I remember when I was a young Christian back then, when I have not experienced yet such great temptations, enormous defeats, multitude of unseen inner-self battles, and a number of painful betrayals. As young as I was, I thought life was so easy.

On the other hand, life is not so "pleasurable" as it seemed. There are times when God would let you feel pain, in order to remind you that you can always call upon Him for He is always at your side. There are times when you would encounter hurtful defeats, in order to remind you that the help comes from the Lord - the maker of heaven and earth. There are times when you would feel that you were abandoned and betrayed, in order for you not to build your world around people (or a person), instead build your world around God who knows you better than you know yourself - and He understands how you feel. There are times when all is left is to entrust everything up to God, in order to remind you not to lean on your own understanding, instead let go and let God help you. There are times when you experience a death of a loved one, in order to remind you that life is temporary and is fleeting so fast.


My friend, the Bible says:
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
   and his ears are attentive to their cry;
but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
   to blot out their name from the earth.

 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
   he delivers them from all their troubles.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
   and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 

~Psalm 34:15-18
Let God lead you, especially when times come that you don't understand at all what's happening around you, and inside you. God will hear you, for He is a loving and just God.

© 2011 Erickson Ibana

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Dealing With A Betrayal


"Is there any human feeling more powerful than that of betrayal? Ask a high school girl whose boyfriend has dumped her for a pretty cheerleader. Or tune your radio to a country-western station and listen to the lyrics of infidelity. Or check out the murders reported in the daily newspaper, an amazing number of which trace back to a quarrel with an estranged lover." ~Philip Yancey
Have you already been betrayed before?
  • Have you been dumped by your partner for another else?
  • Have you been cheated by a friend you trusted?
  • Have you been deceived by someone into believing something and hoping that he would help you, but turned out it was all for his selfish gain?
  • Has your spouse started loving someone else over you, that it makes you burning in jealousy and anger?
 But, don't you know that there is a similar story in the Bible?
When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods.” ~Hosea 1:2
In this book, God showed how furious He was and how He mourned when his children turns to idols to worship!
“For this reason I will fence her in with thorn-bushes.
      I will block her path with a wall
      to make her lose her way.
 When she runs after her lovers,
      she won’t be able to catch them.
   She will search for them
      but not find them.
   Then she will think,
   ‘I might as well return to my husband,
      for I was better off with him than I am now.’
 She doesn’t realize it was I who gave her everything she has—
      the grain, the new wine, the olive oil;
   I even gave her silver and gold.
      But she gave all my gifts to Baal.
" ~Hosea 2:6-8
The "she " here pertains to God's children of whom offered sacrifices to "Baal", a lifeless sculpture of a graven image of a man. God's jealousy was showed here. After all, Exodus 20:2-5 clearly says:
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

 “You shall have no other gods before me.

 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me
...
Imagine the feeling of being betrayed by a close friend, deceived by your partner, or deliberately being fooled by your spouse! Imagine that burning passion within you. Then, how much more God feels when we sin against Him!

As a matter of fact, "Baal" is not just a lifeless sculpture. It can be in the form of:
  • relationships (boyfriend/girlfriend)
  • career
  • hobby or recreational activity
  • achievements or success
  • ministry
And the list goes on...
Have you noticed something from the list? Actually, "Baal" can be anything that replaces God in your heart!
Everything in the list above is not bad, in fact these are God's gifts or blessings to us. It becomes an idol or "Baal" the moment we desire them more than desiring to love and please God!

Have you asked yourself before, "Is God egocentric or selfish that He wants me to love Him first before anything else?" Now, let me give you a definite answer:


God wants us to love Him above every "thing" or every "one" else, because these "things" and these "ones" would eventually leave us - these are just temporary, like a flower quickly fading, like a wave tossed in the ocean, like a vapor in the wind. And God knows that if these have already departed us, we would be left unloved, alone, and hurting. But  God will never die, and He will never betray you because He loves you!

God loves you so much! Why? Because you are His greatest creation! And He yearns your love so much, if only you could let Him love you.

But you must first surrender everything to Him, leave your life of sins, and completely let Him be the center of your life. God cannot force anyone to love Him, but He is always eager and waiting for you to run to Him.
God the lover does not desire to share His bride with anyone else. Yet, amazingly, when Israel turned her back on God, He stuck with her. He was willing to suffer, in hope that someday she would return to Him.
Hosea, and later Jesus, prove that God longs not to punish but to love. In fact, He loved us so much that He sent His Son to die for us! ~Philip Yancey
 In fact, Jesus Christ died on the cross to show His love for you! How? By receiving the punishment of death that we deserve because of our sins, but rising again on the third day - showing that He has already defeated death.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~Romans 6:23
And Revelations 3:20 describes Jesus waiting for you to respond to His love:
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
 The truth is, the world may betray you - even your closest friend can betray you, consciously or unconsciously, your career may someday fall into ruins, your achievements will someday be forgotten, and your good deeds will someday be like just a wilted flower. But God will never leave you nor betray you!

Make Jesus the center of your life, and for sure, you can withstand even the most painful betrayal of your life.


© 2011 Erickson Ibana

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

I'm Waiting


I’m Waiting
by John Waller

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait

Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve you while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord
Sometimes, waiting isn’t fun at all…

I remember seeing the movie “Fireproof”. Caleb and his wife had a terrible fight that would be leading to an inevitable divorce. At first, due to his anger, Caleb would agree at once at his wife’s dare. But, as time went by, through the good counsel of his friend, his mother, and ultimately, by his father, Caleb started to realize the importance of his family – his wife.

It all started when he found the greatest love of all – the love of God through Jesus. It was only after he had let Christ be the center of his life that he started seeing life in a different way, in a better perspective. He realized he has hurt his wife so badly that her heart has gone so cold towards him. He tried every way possible just to win her back, but it seemed these attempts just made her farther away.

Then, the waiting began. However hard it was, Caleb waited, while doing everything to win her heart back. There were times that he would do the dishes, he would clean the whole house even after his job as a firefighter, he would make a meal for her, and even he would leave a bouquet of roses at home with a note! (The funny thing here is: before, he couldn't buy even just a stem with a petite flower, thinking it was just a waste of money!)

The ultimate sacrifice that he had made was when he sent his savings to pay the hospital bills when his mother-in-law became sick and also for the wheelchair needed. He paid those bills secretly. The interesting thing here is that those savings were supposed to be for his "Ultimate Dream of his life" yacht! And his wife knows that this dream was very important to Caleb.

While waiting, just like the song:
•    Caleb was hopeful, though it was painful,
•    Caleb was peaceful, though it was not easy,
•    Caleb was patient and faithful,
•    and most importantly, Caleb served and worshiped the Lord, even while waiting!


Just as Isaiah 40:31 says:
But those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
The once impossible became possible, and the once inevitable became evitable. Caleb’s wife began to see the changes in his life. She started to see Christ’s light shining in and through him that it also led her to believe the hope Caleb is holding on to. She did not carry out the divorce, and she opened her heart once again for Caleb.

Indeed, waiting could be so hard. But why not serve and worship God while waiting?
Why not put your hope on Jesus – who sees your needs, knows how you feel, and loves you so much?

He has a promise:
•    your strength will be renewed,
•    you will soar on wings like eagles,
•    you will run and not grow weary,
•    you will walk and not be faint.

But before the promise, there is a premise:
•    put your hope in the Lord!

© 2011 Erickson Ibana

Sunday, October 9, 2011

A Time of Love

 The man came home from work late again, tired and irritated, to find his 5 year old son waiting for him at the door.

Daddy, may I ask you a question?”
“Yeah, sure, what is it?” replied the man.

“Daddy, how much money do you make an hour?”
“That’s none of your business! What makes you ask such a thing?” the man said angrily.

“I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?” pleaded the little boy.
“If you must know, I make $20.00 an hour.”

“Oh,” the little boy replied, head bowed.
Looking up, he said, “Daddy, may I borrow $10.00 please?”

 The father was furious. “If the only reason you wanted to know how much money I make is just so you can borrow some to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you’re being so selfish. I work long, hard hours everyday and don’t have time for such childish games.”

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.


The man sat down and started to get even madder about the little boy’s questioning. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money.

After an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think he may have been a little hard on his son. Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $10.00, and he really didn’t ask for money very often.

The man went to the Door of the little boy’s room and opened the door. “Are you asleep son?” he asked.

“No daddy, I’m awake,” replied the boy.
“I’ve been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier,” said the man. “It’s been a long day and I took my aggravation out on you. Here’s that $10.00 you asked for.”


The little boy sat straight up, beaming. “Oh, thank you daddy!” he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow, he pulled out some more crumpled up bills. The man, since the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, then looked up at the man.

“Why did you want more money if you already had some?” the father grumbled.

“Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do,” the little boy replied.

“Daddy, I have $20.00 now. Can I buy an hour of your time?”

~Author Unknown

Source: http://www.touchinglovestories.com/lovestory247.htm
Pause for a while.

  • How much time have you spent pleasing your boss – working so hard for the company?
  • How much time have you spent talking with your son, asking him if he already has someone from school that he likes or has crush on with?

  • How much time have you spent with your workmates during your recreational/team building activities?
  • How much time have you spent appreciating the work-of-art drawing of your daughter, building your bond with her as you compliment her?

Then, how come when your children grew up to be a misguided and rebellious adult, you ask bitterly, “Where did I go wrong? Isn’t it that I worked so hard for them? Isn’t it that those Overtimes at work are for them – to have a better future?”

Really?
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:25-34)
Choose what’s more important for you, and spend more time on it… more time of love!

© 2011 Erickson Ibana

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Steve Jobs Died


Oct 5 (Reuters) - Apple Inc (AAPL.O) co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs, counted among the greatest American CEOs of his generation, died on Wednesday at the age of 56, after a years-long and highly public battle with cancer and other health issues.

Jobs' death was announced by Apple in a statement late on Wednesday. The Apple.com homepage featured a black-and-white picture of him with the words "Steve Jobs, 1955-2011."
 But, who really was Steve Jobs besides being the former CEO of Apple Inc.?


Steve Jobs, as Forbes.com describes at a glance:
With $7 Billion Net Worth as of September 2011

Forbes Lists
#39 Forbes 400 (The Forbes 400 Richest People in America)
#110 Forbes Billionaires (The World's Billionaires)
    #34 in United States
#17 Powerful People (The World's Most Powerful People)
 And Steve Jobs' profile as described by Forbes last September 2011?
August should have been a triumphant month for Apple co-founder Steve Jobs; his once written-off tech company briefly topped Exxon Mobil as the most valuable U.S. corporation. But later that month he resigned as CEO to battle what most believe is his final bout with cancer. The Reed College dropout founded Apple in his garage. Jobs created the Macintosh in 1976 and was fired 9 years later after a power struggle with Chief Exec John Sculley. He returned to Apple in 1996. Still most of his wealth still comes from Disney, due to Disney's purchase of Pixar in 2006; as the largest individual shareholder, he owns about $4.47 billion of Disney stock.

Based on his profile, indeed Steve Jobs was a very wealthy person! With $7 B net worth, I think he won't have to work anymore just to enjoy life!

It is true, money is a very important commodity. In fact, almost every "thing" that we need has to be bought with money! The food that we need to eat, the clothes that we need to wear, the maintenance for the house that we live in, the bills that we accumulate as we use the electricity and as we consume water daily, the tuition fees for our children... You name it! You can add more things on the list.

In order to cope up with those above things, we really need to work hard and work smart! But, sometimes, it's really sad to hear news about people doing "everything" just to acquire money, even if it means to kill someone, or to steal from someone else.

Is really money "all" that we need? As 1 Timothy 6:10 says:
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Hmm.. one thing that I've noticed: it did not say "money is the root of all evil", but rather the "love of money"... and the last part says: "and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." Incidentally, more and more cases of wealthy people committing suicide and doing nasty things are getting into the headlines!

Money, compared to a kitchen knife, if used properly could grant enormous benefits. The beef steak and chicken curry that you enjoy, all reap the benefits of a knife. Imagine eating a whole chunk of beef, or a whole chicken in just one meal!

But just like the kitchen knife, money if used improperly, could bring disastrous things to you and to your loved ones.

How about you? Have you been so obsessed with acquiring more and more money that you trample upon your own integrity?

1 Timothy 6:6-8 advises us:
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
Steve Jobs' death reminds me that life really is short. When we die, everything that we acquire here on earth cannot be brought with us, and that is a reality of life. 

Let's evaluate ourselves, my friends...

© 2011 Erickson Ibana

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Does the Clay Know Better Than the Potter?



The Potter's Hand (by Darlene Zschech - Hillsong)
Beautiful Lord, Wonderful savior, I know for sure all of my days are held in your hands, crafted into your perfect plans
You gently called me into your presence, guiding me by Your Holy Spirit, teach me dear Lord to live all of my life through your eyes
I'm captured by your holy calling, set me apart. I know you're drawing me to yourself... lead me, Lord. I pray
Oh Take me, mold me, use me, fill me. I give my life to the potter's hand
Oh Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me. I give my life to the potter's hand
You gently call me into your presence guiding me by your Holy Spirit teach me dear Lord to live all of my life through your eyes
I'm captured by your holy calling set me apart. I know you're drawing me to yourself, lead me, Lord. I pray
Oh Take me, mold me, use me, fill me. I give my life to the Potter's hand
Oh Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me. I give my life to the potter's hand
I first heard this song last 2000. It was my first Youth Camp at Highlands, Baguio City.

While listening to this song, I was challenged to totally surrender my life to God, just like the clay to the Potter's hand.

It's been 11 years, and as I evaluate myself, I remember those times that as a clay, I didn't like the design of the Potter in me. I remember those times when I become so stubborn that I hurt God so many times. I remember those times when I stray away from His path, and did what was pleasing in my own eyes.

But, as I remember those times, I can't cease to feel this pain in my heart. Those times when I hurt God, I was just hurting myself as well.


Come to think of it, does the clay really has the right to complain when he does not like the design of the potter on him? Does the clay know more than the potter? Does the clay know what's best than the potter?

In Isaiah 45:12, the Lord said, the Great Potter:

I have made the earth, And created man on it. I—My hands—stretched out the heavens, And all their host I have commanded. 
Indeed, I don't have any rights to question you my God, you know what's best for me.

Please forgive me for being so arrogant and stubborn...

© 2011 Erickson Ibana