Friday, December 18, 2015

Be Careful My Sturdy Heart


Rock carved by the waves
A rock so sturdy and so tough can be deformed even by a tiny persistent wave. Likewise, a good character can eventually be corrupted by giving in to little innocent-like temptations. Guard your heart, my friend, from these things. 

 Image found using Google Image Search: "rock waves"

Thursday, December 17, 2015

The Focus, Fixing Your Eyes on Christ



One thing I have noticed, that when you focus your camera on to a tiny flower, the mighty mountains behind it become blur. In the same way, the Enemy wants us to focus on the problem to make it big. But God wants us to fix our eyes on Him because reality is, Jesus Christ is much bigger than any and all of our problems. Shift back your focus to Christ, my friend, and He would grant you the peace that passes all understanding.

 Image found using Google Image Search: "camera focus on flower mountain background"

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

In Highs, In Lows, Be Satisfied in Christ


After a 20-minute climb up the hill, I reached the peak and was awestruck by God's greatness through His creation, viewing them from the top - the sea, the sunset, the trees, the beach. But then, I realized I have to descend back to the shore - I cannot stay on top all the time. Life may bring you to your highs and lows, but always remember that a heart completely surrendered to Christ is a life completely satisfied by Christ. Be delighted in Him, in your highs and even in your lows. 

 Image found using Google Image Search: "view from top of a mountain"

Grace that Tamed a Raging Sea Like Me



The vast sea can be as violent as a devouring lion, but can be as peaceful as a grazing deer in a matter of hours. All is because of the wind which the human eye cannot see. In the same way, our heart as violent as the lion can be tamed only by God's grace through our faith in Jesus! Graze in His amazing love, my friend!

 Image found using Google Image Search: "raging sea"

Friday, December 11, 2015

The Rainbow After the Rain



A rainbow cannot exhibit its beauty without a shower of rain. A butterfly cannot unfold its splendor without first struggling as a larva inside its cocoon. In the same way, faith in Christ is tested through many trials and hardships. Do not give up, my friend! Instead, lift it all up to Jesus Christ.


 Image found using Google Image Search: "rainbow in a rain"

Thursday, December 10, 2015

The Sky, My Heart, and the Hand that Holds Them Both


The same sky lightened by the sun will be the same sky brightened by the moon and the stars. Be encouraged that the same Hands who are holding the sun, the moon and the stars, are holding your heart. My friend, the same Mighty Creator who by His Word created and sustains everything, knows every detail of your heart - your joy and your pain. Cry out to Jesus, my friend. He listens.

 Image found using Google Image Search: "night sky"

Monday, December 7, 2015

The Bamboo Grows, So is Your Faith in Christ



A bamboo shoot has to grow its roots first before it grows its 30-foot stem. This is a lesson that we have to learn - we cannot climb the ladder of success without proper foundation. Build your life on Jesus Christ, He is the firm foundation!

 Image found using Google Image Search: "bamboo shoot"

Friday, November 27, 2015

Little Unnoticeable Blessing Called New Morning



The roosters are crowing, the birds are singing their songs, and the sun is about to rise again. Thank God you are still breathing today! Pause and learn to appreciate those little unnoticeable blessings.


 Image found using Google Image Search: "rooster in the morning"

Thursday, November 26, 2015

The Sun Rises, The Sun Sets



The sun sets in the west, and then rises in the east after a number of hours. Just like the night that does not last forever, are your troubles and pain. Rise from your hardships as you fix your eyes on Jesus!


 Image found using Google Image Search: "sun rise"

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Lesson From the Oak Tree



A mighty oak tree was once a tiny acorn seed. Let us be reminded that while we are waiting upon the Lord, He is working in growing us up.


 Image found using Google Image Search: "oak tree" and "acorn seed"

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Conquer Your Fears, Failures and the Future



What is your Fear? Are you afraid of the dark?
Frightened to take risks because of the fear of failure?
Scared of the uncertainties of the future?

Darkness is oftentimes associated with nasty monsters, creepy villains, and scary demons. Fear of the dark frequently is rooted from childhood experiences.

Fear of failures is one of the major reasons why even a very capable employee would not volunteer for an upcoming Project. He would rather choose to be silent and would just go with the flow, hoping that someday his manager would just suddenly notice him and appoint him to lead a Project.

A saying goes like this, "No one knows what the future holds." That is an accurate statement! Really, no one could predict exactly what the future may bring. These uncertainties might cause anxiety and fear to creep into you slowly every day, if not addressed properly.

How should you respond to your Fears, Failures, and the Future?

Maloi Malibiran-Salumbides, a Radio Announcer of 702 DZAS (FEBC Philippines), wrote in her article in "Protips" on July 29, 2014 Tips on How to Conquer Your Fears, Failures and the Future.

1. The best way to respond to your fears is this: Face Everything And Rise. Napakaraming uri ng phobia. May takot maligo, ang tawag diyan ay ablutophobia. Alam mo bang mayroon ding may takot na yumaman ang tawag naman sa phobia na iyan ay plutophobia. Ang takot naman na matuto ay may sophophobia. Many of our fears are irrational pero may mga takot din naman na bunga ng traumatic na karanasan. Kung pababayaan mo ang iyong takot na ma-overpower ka, marami kang mami-miss na opportunities sa iyong trabaho. Maraming magagandang karanasan ang hindi mo masusubukan. Kaya, face your fears and rise above them. There are different kinds of phobia.
2. The best way to respond to failures: Learn from them and move-on. Marami na tayong inspiration dito. Nariyan si Manny Pacquiao na ilang beses ng natalo sa laban pero palagi pa rin bumabangon, natututo buhat sa kanyang pagkatalo at nagwawaging muli. Mistakes can be our best teachers. Conquering our failures can be our best accomplishment. Pagdating sa failure, learn from them, try again and move-on.
3. The best way to respond to the uncertainties of the future: Be still and learn to trust. Magtiwala sa Diyos na nakaaalam kung ano ang nasa hinaharap. Magtiwala din sa iyong team na makakatulong mo sa iyong trabaho. Magtiwala sa iyong sarili at sa mga karanasan at kakayahang ibinigay sa iyo ng Diyos. Sabi nga ng awit, "I don't know about tomorrow but I know who holds my hand." Kung ang Diyos ang iyong pinagkakatiwalaan, kahit ang mga bagay na hindi mo alam ay di dapat maging dahilan upang mangamba.

But don't you know that there is a healthy kind of fear?

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;    fools despise wisdom and instruction." - Proverbs 1:7

If you fear the Lord, the Creator of everything, you won't need to be afraid of any created thing.

Even if you fail, you know that "all things work together for the good of those who love God..."

And though you are not certain of what the future holds, you are sure who holds the future - the One who is the Beginning and the End, Jesus Christ, and He promised to never leave you nor forsake you.

God's amazing grace is calling upon you, lay down your fears unto Jesus, by faith acknowledge that you need Him. Turn away from your sins. The truth is, we all do need God.

© 2015 Erickson Ibana

 Image found using Google Image Search: "fear"

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

What Satisfies You?


“Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.” - Paulo Coelho

What satisfies you? What is your treasure? What is your greatest desire?

Will you really be happy when you attain these:

  • Money? (unending passive income)
  • Real Estate Properties? (luxurious house and lot)
  • Fame? (be a star in a movie)
  • Relationship? (the most beautiful/loving person in the world as your special someone)


Given the chance to experience each of the above, let's examine if it is indeed the endless source of joy in your life...

Money

It was once said that it's "money that makes the world go round!" You use money to buy your basic needs: food, clothes, a decent house; and even for the not-so-basic ones like pleasurable moments watching the movie. What if you revolve your world around money? Will it really satisfy you? How ironic that a great number of depression and suicide cases are from the wealthy!

Real Estate Properties

Wouldn't you be happy if you have your own house and lot? You do not need to rent. You are secured both from the heat of the sun and the coldness of the storm. Imagine you have several world-class mansions on a thousand-hectare land! You sleep on the softest bed, with the most comfortable pillows. But really, could this make you satisfied? How come there were times that even the softest bed and the most comfortable pillows could not grant you the precious sleep that you desire?

Fame

Just within 24 hours, you gained a 39.5-million tweet popularity. From a common television watcher, you became the star - the actor to be watched at. Several commercial and movie contracts line up at your doors! But, would the applause and admiration of the crowd really satisfy your heart? Sadly, a number of movie and theater personalities committed suicide. Amidst the wonderment and appreciation of their myriad fans, they still felt lonely.

Relationship

It really is a pleasure to have such loving wife! Your marriage is on a constant up-and-down, but you both still manage to make each other happy. Plus you have the most beautiful lady in your arms, it seems you are in heaven whenever you are with her, and you could not ask for anything more! Unfortunately, life turns in an unexpected event, you learned that she has a terminal cancer and she only have less than a year to live. Could you still say that you are satisfied and joyful?

Reality

My friend, most of the times, reality strikes in the most unexpected way. And the truth is that everything will soon pass away. Money could be lost in a one-day stay at the casino. Your house could be burned down instantly with a leak in the gas pipe. A simple act of scandal could ruin a reputation overnight. A one-night-stand causing an illicit affair could destroy a family.

It is interesting that the Bible, even if it was written thousands of years back, is still relevant to the modern age!

In John Chapter 4, there is this Samaritan woman who came to draw water from the well. Jesus asked for a drink. Then Jesus turned the conversation from the simple water from the well towards the "Living Water" that can really satisfy the longing of the heart.

Then Jesus asked the woman to bring her husband. Why do you think, of all He would ask, it was her husband? Because the deepest desire of that woman was to satisfy her heart with relationship. In fact, she already had five husbands, and the one she is with her now is not her husband!

Jesus Christ knows the deepest longing of the Samaritan woman's heart, and He knows yours too! Are you trying to fill in your heart with acquiring money, properties, fame, relationship, or any other things? Jesus said to the woman:

“Everyone who drinks of this water [the physical and temporary, things of this world] will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him [Jesus Christ Himself as the Living Water] will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” - John 4:13-15

Friend, only Jesus Christ can really satisfy your heart. Everything will soon pass away. Talk to Him today, surrender your life, and desire for Him. Treasure Jesus Christ in your heart, and find joy in Him.

"God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in him." - John Piper

© 2015 Erickson Ibana

Image found using Google Image Search: "heart" and "treasure"

Monday, January 26, 2015

3 Things to Know About Passion



What drives your passion? Are you passionate on what you do? Or are you the typical just-go-with-the-flow guy who just wants to finish the day to go home and rest?

There is so much about PASSION that we oftentimes neglect, things that we might know already. For many, it is just a word to describe the feeling when you are so hooked into a television series, sports, or even the arts.

And when it comes to life-size Art paintings, perhaps the Sistine Chapel contains the best among all of the art works. As Wikipedia describes it:

"The composition stretches over 500 square metres of ceiling, and contains over 300 figures."

But what makes it more interesting is the person who painted all of the 300 life-size figures. While he was doing his work, he was asked why was he putting on so much effort on painting those images on corner parts of the ceiling where no one could ever notice them. His answer was remarkable:

"God will see."

The artist was Michaelangelo. HowStuffWorks describes his work as:

"Working on scaffolding was physically demanding, and Michelangelo created image after image on an ever increasing scale. He eventually exerted all the power of his mind and spirit, using themes and motifs from past sculptural works in his glorious fresco masterpiece. The four-year ordeal proved physically and emotionally agonizing for the reluctant artist."

How can a person do such a marvelous thing! Could it be that Michaelangelo found the secret to unleash his passion?

The Book of Colossians (Chapter 3; Verses 23 to 24) tells us to:

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

3 Things to Know about Passion


1. The Scope: "Whatever you do..."

This encompasses almost all of the things that you do - washing the dishes, reading a book, walking out on a cold morning for your exercise, etc. This also involves the work that you have - may it be as a teacher, an engineer, a housekeeper, a bookkeeper, a store owner, or a store keeper, etc. In short, the scope is everything that is on your reach to accomplish.


2. The Attitude: "Work heartily..."

In order to know how it is to work with all of your heart, first let us look at working halfheartedly. Have you seen someone do a task that you ask them to do halfheartedly? Isn't it that you feel that he could do even much more if he had just done it wholeheartedly? What would you feel if he did it with all of his heart? Great, isn't it? That's how to work with all of your heart. You give out all that you can, all that is from within, to complete the work. But this will be hard if you will not know the third secret.


3. The Source: "...as for the Lord and not for men."

The truth is, you cannot please everyone no matter how hard you try. Every person is unique. Every person has his own likes and dislikes. And that includes your boss, your workmates, your friends, your neighbors, your family. So instead of putting all of your effort to please men, focus on pleasing God.

But this will not mean anything to you unless you have a personal relationship with Him already. The Bible says that it is SIN that separates man from God:

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." - Romans 3:23

And with SIN, we will be forever be separated from God:

"For the wages of sin is death (into hell separated from God in eternity), but the free gift of God is eternal life (to be with God in eternity) in Christ Jesus our Lord (Jesus the only way, the truth and the life)." - Romans 6:23 (parenthesis phrases mine)

You will not understand how to work for the Lord unless you know the Lord of whom you will be working for. But the good news is: God longs for you to call upon Him and to surrender your life unto Him. Turn away from your sinful lifestyle. As John 1:12 says:

"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."

You call unto Jesus Christ, surrender your life unto Him and make Him your Lord and Savior. He will give you the passion that you wish to have.

© 2015 Erickson Ibana

Images found using Google Image Search: "passion" and "col 3:23"