Pray High

In our journey as Christians, we face problems, persecutions, and personal struggles. There are moments in our life that we feel so down, depressed, lonely, and sad. We are in a constant struggle. As long as we are here on this world we are still vulnerable to temptations, problems, and struggles. But the good thing about us who have Jesus Christ in our lives is that we know that we are not abandoned. We are not alone in our struggles. WE HAVE A GOD. In our constant struggles in life we become even more stronger in the LORD, especially when we overcome the problem, knowing that God is walking with us.

In our journey in life, then, prayer is a valuable weapon. It is our way of communicating to God. In our prayers we can report to God and cry, “Abba Father!” “Help me, oh, LORD.”

Prayer is a powerful tool. Through prayers we can intercede for others. Through prayers we can have hope. Hope in the Living God who will answer us in His own time. We must pray diligently and wait until God answers us. Though there are times we feel like God is not listening to our prayers anymore, that He is not answering us. But in such cases, God is being silent for a reason that He alone knows. It might be He wants us to understand something.

But to pray once is sometimes not enough. We have to pray higher. Remember that prayer is our great way of communicating to God, whether it be solemn, or in a not-so-formal way. There are no requirements when we pray to God, it doesn’t need position, status, formalities, or anything. Just pray and be yourself when talking to Him. God knows your heart. Your motive.

God loves it when we pray. Because He knows that we are thinking of Him and that we need Him in our lives.

Always have a quiet time with the LORD.

And pray. But praying once is not enough. PRAY HIGH.

All articles are written by Jenine Silos. Unless otherwise stated.

The Thing You Really Love is Sometimes the Thing You Have to Give Up

Written by: Jenine Silos

I like my hair. In fact, I love it. It is long, straight, and dark. It has never tasted strong chemicals from saloons, except for hot oil. But hot oil is not a strong chemical. My hair is just naturally straight and smooth. Many compliment my hair.They like it, too, just the way how I like it.
It took me one year to have grown my hair long. In many months I have combed it almost every night, so that it will grow fast. That was it until two days ago.

Because I cut my hair.

I still like it but not the way I like it when it was still long. It is now short, sort of bouncy, and dark. It is still straight but short. One of a woman’s treasures is her hair. But why would a woman like me, me who like my long hair so much, would cut my hair short??? For new looks? New style? Just to get attention? Certainly NO! Because I love my long hair, and in fact, I don’t plan to cut it until I get married! Yes, I’m serious about it.

So why, oh why, did I cut it short?

It happened two days ago. After our midweek service, I was with my church friends and we fellowship to one another. When suddenly I asked my two brothers in Christ out of joke, just to see their reaction or opinion about it, “What do you think if I cut my hair short?”

And they immediately replied, “Of course, NO. Definitely not.”

I said, “Why should I not cut it?” I don’t plan to cut it short, but I plan to cut just the ends of my hair, but I asked them anyway.

“Because you already look fine with that hair. You don’t have to cut it. It’s long and it’s nice.” They answered.

Out of the blue, our cell leader, Ate Ann, went to us and she was staring at me seriously. And said, “How about you cut it short, Neen?”

“No~ Ate Ann, I like it long.” I immediately replied.

“Why not try it? I want to see some changes in your face. I think short hair will make you look younger.” She said.

“No, Ate Ann. I have a rounded face, short hair will make it look rounder, I tell you.” I honestly said, my voice pleading for her to change her mind.

She looked at me, and I was like, uh-ohhh, “No, Jenine. I want you to cut your hair. And I want to see the changes this Sunday.”

“This Sunday?” I almost shouted. “But Ate Ann…Cutting it short and that fast…oh please.” I turned to look at Jan Lord and Juffet, then Jan Lord said, “Yeah, that’s it. You have to cut it short, Neen.”

And I was like, what?

Continue to page 2.

Humble Yourself and Submit to Authority

Written by: Jenine Silos

What does the bible say about submission? What does it really mean? Is it really necessary for Christians to have a submissive heart? And why do we need to submit?

Hebrews 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

Submission means consistently putting other needs and benefits before your own, a willingness to yield or surrender to somebody.

Submitting to leaders is not a fictional principle, but it is very biblical! God commands us to submit to those who are in authority over us. Romans 13:1 “Let every person be subject to governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

By submitting to our leaders, we are also submitting to the One who is in authority over us—that is, Christ. In order to submit, we really need to have a humble heart, a heart that is willing to surrender and lay down everything before God. Hence, we should desire and pray for a humble heart, and be willing to completely submit to God.

We must not only submit to our leaders, but to “each other.” Ephesians 5:21 “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Paul is teaching us to submit to one another. And that’s the gospel of Christ, being slaves to each other. And even though we have our own spiritual leaders (and that we have to submit to them), all of us have no other leader but Him. We are all under Jesus’ leadership.

We need to submit to our leaders because God said so. Romans 13:1-7 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.”

Titus 3:1 “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,”

So if you find a hard time in humbling yourself to your leaders, then pray to God. Pray to Jesus and ask for Him a humble heart. But asking for a humble heart actually starts with a desire, and that desire leads you to decide — a decision to deny yourself and completely follow Christ.  There are people who have the desire but they don’t have firm decision, some could not even decide because they know that if they will, they will have to abandon their sins—the worldly pleasures.

Pray for a humble heart. And submit to Authority—Jesus Christ, including to those people who are instituted by God, the leaders.

Never Stop Learning!

Written by: Jenine Silos

Photo credits: delisiaraceli.com

Learning happens all the time. It simply happens wherever you are even when you don’t expect it at all. The necessity to acquire knowledge to compete with today’s standards is not enough reason to start learning, because learning will present itself without actually wanting it; sometimes you will just know something when you realize it’s already there.

Suppose you go to a coffee shop, and it’s not the usual shop that you go into but it’s the nearest one to your school so you go there anyway. Then you order a cup of brewed coffee with a plate of pancake. And you ask the attendee for the wifi’s password while you start up your laptop, and they reply “Sorry Miss. But we don’t offer WiFi in our shop.” Suppose you thought that every coffee shop is a wifi area, however, this circumstance helps you to conclude that not all coffee shop is a WiFi Spot. It’s not a big knowledge but it’s an experience wherein you learn that not all coffee shops are wifi spots. You never expect it from the start, there’s no necessity of it, but you learn something new.

Learning is not just all about acquiring of knowledge just for the sake of it. Learning is there when you realize something new aside from what you already know. It is there even when you don’t expect it.

Well, the principle of learning is very simple—it just never stops!

How great would it be if we apply the principle of learning to our relationship with Christ! Can you imagine a relationship with Christ that just never stops? Suppose a person isn’t a follower of Christ, he knows there is a God but he doesn’t seek for it, because he doesn’t want a God to rule his life. But that’s not enough reason for him not to know God. Because in one way or another, Jesus Christ himself, our LORD and Savior, will present Himself to that man. He will be known even when a person claims he doesn’t need God. Jesus did not come to call the righteous, but the sinners, that include those people who live a godless life.

And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17)

How great would it be if we apply the principle of learning to our daily walks with Christ! We will then never stop getting thirsty for the word of God. We are always hungry. Hungry for the new revelations and wisdom from God! True learning is acquired from God and not by man’s works alone—and it never stops!

Even when a person doesn’t have the desire to learn about God, in one way or another, God himself will be made known to him. But the crucial issue is not about his learning, but it is when it already involves his personal RESPONSE. God will reveal himself to us, but knowing He is real will not save us. Because what matters now is the way how we respond to His calling…by that I meant…

“Do you believe that Jesus Christ cleansed our sins by dying at the cross? Do you accept Him as our personal LORD and Savior? Are you willing to die and give up yourself to faithfully follow Him?”

For to us, in Christ, we should never stop learning more about Him. Be a lifelong student of God!

Jesus is the Only Way

Photo credits: touchyaneighbor.com

Written by: Jenine Silos

We Christians do not take on people personally. While some others think that we’re so religious to a point that we seemed (for them) to be condemning unbelievers, others think that we’re so annoying—with all that preachment and holiness stuffs. Most often than not, our best persecutors are our families and close friends.

I have been a born again Christian for more than two years, nevertheless, in my daily walks with Christ I have been confused why people love to persecute us with our faith—the faith which we cannot see but so true and alive within us. Until a basic thought, and yet the most critical fact, has enlightened my mind:

It is hard for those who do not believe in Christ, for those who do not walk with Him, to understand the way of a Christian living. Which is why, it is not hard for them to persecute us Christians. And it is a constant affair that they are likely to question our faith. It is likely for them to feel uneasy, sometimes annoyed, whenever we start to preach or share the good news. Sometimes even, I think they see us as someone who carries a contagious disease wherein they cannot dare to go near us.

And yet despite some people who refuse to accept the Truth in their lives, we Christians are in a constant struggle to pursue what is right in the eyes of the LORD: that is, to win them back no matter what it cost.

And just like everybody else, we Christians are also humans. Though our emotions are still there, we cannot hate the sinners, we cannot hate our brethrens. In fact, we do not hate them at all. Even if we do, we have no right to do so. Because we’re sinners as well. The only difference is that we are already cleansed from our sins. Jesus Christ who died at the cross washed our sins away. And He could do the same for you and everyone else if only you would have faith in Him, only if you accept Him and repent your sins before Him. Only then you are saved.

God hates the sin and not the sinners. Without God’s grace and love, we are spiritually and physically dead already. And as a Christian who knows the grace and love of God, it is our responsibility to share the good news about Jesus Christ, our Personal LORD and Savior.

Once again, we do not take on people personally. But one thing is certain, that we Christians do not force our religion to other people. We do not insist to force people to believe in our religion, as some others would immediately think that way. Because it’s not about religion. What we’re actually doing is helping our brothers and sisters to return back to God and be reconciled with Him, which can only be done by building a personal relationship with Jesus Christ his Son. In order to build a personal relationship with Christ, the initial requirement is to believe in the Son, to accept Him as our Savior who washed our sins away by dying at the cross. We must first acknowledge Jesus Christ as our Savior—the only way to be saved, in fact!

“32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33)

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Jesus is the only way to salvation. To be reconciled with the Heavenly Father, Jesus, and in Him alone is the only way. Seeking Him through reading the scriptures (the bible) you will find the answers that humans could not give. And to have an understanding of God’s word we need the conviction of the Holy Spirit, so we really need to pray and seek for it. So pray diligently.

Once again, the initial requirement to be saved is to have faith in the Son, to believe and accept Him as our personal LORD and Savior, and to believe that He paid the price by dying at the cross. By faith in Jesus Christ alone we can be saved. But it is important to note that it’s not by faith alone, because when there is faith there also is commitment. We are committed to follow Jesus Christ and walk in His ways.

So rejoice, because Jesus Christ is the only way!

Why Do We Need to Be Saved?

Photo credits: dadsteachthebible.blogspot.com

Written by: Jenine Silos

Why do we need to be saved? Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” (John 8:34)  Whether you believe it or not, whether you deny it or not, we are all guilty before God. Even if we deny our guilt and sins, even if we do not see our own wickedness, behold, for there is a God who sees it all. He sees everything that we do and think, he sees the righteous and the wicked.

The moment of our birth we already have sinned, for we carry the blood of our ancestors Adam and Eve, who committed the first sin because they disobeyed God’s command. “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—“ (Romans 5:12) The whole human race is affected by Adam’s sin!

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23) Sins make us guilty before God and we all deserve His judgment. Sin separates us from God, and because we are separated from Him, we face the awful prospect of “the wrath of God” which is eternal.

We also need to be saved from our ignorance of the one True God. Believing there is a God is not enough, in fact, there’s a lot of gods that people worship. But we need to know that we must be saved from believing false gods, because there is only One True God! The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel.

We need to be saved from the state of our alienation from God, thus we must restore our fellowship with Him—but we cannot do it ourselves. We cannot save ourselves. Even the richest man and the wisest man cannot bring salvation to himself. By doing good works is not the way to salvation, because in order to be saved we need a Savior.

And because God love us so much (that’s why he wants us to live in relationship with Him), because God is so faithful, and because His grace is abundant, God made a way for us to be saved. He sent his Son—Jesus Christ—to die at the cross in exchange for our sins so that we are saved! So that we are reconciled with God—the LORD All-Powerful.

Decide now or never. Accept Jesus Christ as your personal LORD and Savior…because only through Jesus Christ we are saved. Believing that Jesus died at the cross for us, believing in Him and to walk with Jesus, is the only way to salvation.

Examine yourself…and ponder with this question: “Who is the God you believe in?” “Is he the God who actually exists and has revealed himself to us in His son, Jesus Christ, or is he a god conceived by humans?”

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The Love of God

Children: They Are What They See

Photo credits: Neen

Written by: Jenine Silos

In the eyes of children whatever they see is right. Therefore, be very careful and be very conscious of whatever you act and do in front of them, for they cannot discern what is right from wrong unless you correct and teach them diligently.

Children are full of thoughts and questions; they are very curious and observant of their environment. If they are not answered well they will look for something else to suffice their curiosity. And if they are not guided thoroughly they will be like a lost sheep in a deserted plain.

The kind of environment they dwell in has a major role for developing their characters, and it is the adults’ responsibility to take care of them; parents are commanded to teach their kids according to the ways of the LORD.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

A child’s character is mostly influenced by those people around him. They will not say foul things if they have not heard it in the first place. They are what they see. And they are what they hear. When a kid grew up in a home full of hurts and pain, that child will carry the same hurt and burden until it becomes so unbearable for them to even understand the way of life. When no one guides them, they will end up isolating themselves, they will end up hurt and ruined. But if a child grew up in a pleasant home with loving, caring, and God-fearing people, they will surely end up carrying the same attitude, and their character will be pleasing to the eyes of the LORD—if and only if, the parents have done their duty and responsibility as the LORD has instructed them to do so.

Many parents in this generation fail to do their duty as parents. Parenting is not an easy job, but that is where God’s grace and His word comes in. For a parent who truly seeks the LORD, who truly abides in His commands and laws, shall see the righteous way in dealing with their children. The LORD will be with those who are in Him. Read the Word of God, trust in Him and in His heart, and you shall find the help you needed to train up your child.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Remember: Children….they are what they see.

So train them up, and lead them, and help them develop their characters according to the ways of the LORD, so that they may also teach and train their children according to the ways of the LORD. And the LORD our God will be glorified in His name.

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6. Why Sundays are Happy Days?
7. Give Thanks
8. Understanding God’s Plan
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God’s Ways and Thoughts are Higher than Ours.

Written by: Jenine Silos

Here in the Bible we encounter God and we come to know His amazing love for us. The Bible also is a book about people who have a problem with God, they who have a hard time seeing eye to eye with a God who says, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.’” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com

“My thoughts are NOT your thoughts…My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” This passage clearly tells us that God’s thoughts are higher than ours, literally and figuratively! Even when you study the scriptures a thousand times, there are still lots of things that you will not understand unless God will give you wisdom.

Someone I know said he’s wondering how God came up with the concept of a girl. “So where did God base His concept of Eve?” and I was like…. “whoa”. Blended with dismay, I replied in as gentle as I could, “There are things that we cannot understand because only God can, and we cannot. He’s the intelligent designer so he designs everything.” The last part of my answer though went lower and I have no idea whether he has heard it.

And did you not know, you have no right to question God’s works, just now, you sounded like your doubting His majestic powers. I added, although I said it only to myself.

In the book of Genesis God created man in His own image and likeness. He created Adam, then Eve. I get his point, and the way I discern his thoughts were like this, “God created Adam, then that probably means that God has the features of a man, meaning, God already has an idea about man. But what about Eve? How did God create Eve out of His own image? Where did God base his ideas regarding woman?”

There are two possible options that I’m seeing at the back of his brain:

1. Probably, the Virgin Mary was already with God during the creation. That’s how God based his concept concerning women.

2. The book of Genesis and the creation of the first man and woman, to me, is a bit….vague.

I believe he’s confused, or if not, he doubted some parts in the book of Genesis. If my presumption is wrong, then how could he throw such a question to me? How could he doubt God’s creation? That’s very sad.

“My thoughts are NOT your thoughts…My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

The way how God work and think is something we, humans, could not completely understand. If we understand God’s thoughts, or if we think we could discern God’s thoughts, then is it not similarly saying that you are god yourself? Because no one on this earth could level with God’s thoughts! His ways are higher than ours.

God created Eve out of His own image: with hands and feet, with torso and head, with hair and with eyes, nose, ears and mouth! Eve, of course, is also created on God’s own image and likeness. His conception regarding woman or man, or how God came up with these ideas, is something we cannot question because we are not there during the creation–we only have faith and we believe in His word in the scriptures. If one who cannot believe in His word, that person then is lacking knowledge about God’s nature and thus, one cannot question God. If someone who questions the creation, then, examine yourself first–and ask this to yourself: “Have I ever question my faith?”

“Have you questioned your faith? Have you have any?” Faith is not enough, belief is not enough…but your commitment and your true fellowship with God is.

If you doubt the book of Genesis, then you actually doubt the entire creation. If people could re-interpret the creation and the word of God in the bible, especially in the book of Genesis, then that would also mean that people could re-interpret the entire Bible and make a new version out of it! As a concern Christian, I cannot tolerate this kind of misconception and practice, for I am looking forward to a generation that is a true follower of Christ.

Let’s make a stop to all of this wickedness and rebellious attitude towards God. Let us take off the blindfold that is blinding our eyes towards the Truth. Instead, let us help one another to know the Truth, and let us preserve our generation. A generation that fears God. A generation that doesn’t only believe in Him, but a generation that is a true follower of Christ.

***

6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

7 Let the wicked forsake their ways and the righteousness their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7

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7. Give Thanks
8. Understanding God’s Plan
9. Who am I?

The Love of God

Written by: Jenine Silos

I believe that love is the greatest gift of all.

Photo credits: http://spiritualbattleground.
wordpress.com

If there is only love manifesting everywhere and every time then such chaos in the world would not even exist, everything will be just fine.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 

There are faith, hope and love, but of these three, the greatest is love. When you love—loving your family, loving your enemies, loving your friends, and so on—is a great feeling, especially when you love someone that you really consider of a great value to you.

Loving is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud or rude. It is not selfish or quick tempered. To love means you have such great feelings within you, filled with so many, many emotions that are refreshing and good. Love is a gift from God. And the most wonderful representation of love is when God gave his only Son, when Jesus Christ died at the cross in order to save us all—the sinners—all because He loves us so dearly!

Even if we have the body yet we do not have these feeling (love, compassion, care, and so and so), without these we cannot be human persons but just a mere moving robot who doesn’t know how to feel anything. I cannot imagine myself in that situation. Could you?

A robot does move; any machine has its functions, even computers are multitasking. All of these have its form and body yet they do not have emotions and senses like humans do. A dictionary may have the complete definition of love, but a dictionary doesn’t know what it feels like to love, it doesn’t understand what loving is. Humans do. I do.

I believe that there is no such human who cannot love because everything is created out of the love of God (Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 And God blessed them…), God created the first man and woman and saw that it was good, God loves his creation and he blesses them. So by default, the seed of LOVE is already within us. Some people may not have understood the true meaning of love, because they are blinded by the pains and hurts of this world, they reject compassion because they isolate themselves. The seed of God’s love is already in us, however, by default we are already sinners because of the sin that is also in us (when Adam and Eve committed the first sin), but because of God’s amazing grace we are saved. That’s the LOVE of GOD!

To love is also to feel the hurt; one example of this is that when God the Father sent his only Son here on earth (For God so love the world that He gave his only begotten Son! John 3:16) As a father then, can you not feel any hurt when you give your only son just for the sake of saving other people’s lives? It’s painful, is it not? But because God love us so much, he has to feel the hurt of sending his Son for us to be saved—that’s the love of God!

You don’t gain big reward by loving your friend or family whom you already love, but there is great reward by loving your enemy and to forgive them with the hurts that they’ve given to you.  It is part of loving that you must learn how to embrace the painful or negative results which it may also lead. It is a package, I believe, that when you love, you will have to consider everything whether it has to be joy or pain. If we have not loved, it makes us lesser than a functional machine.

God love us so much. And God has given us free will because God wants a true follower and a true worshiper—He wants a willing heart, not forced by anything. He gives us wisdom and discernment to choose between right and wrong. We are created to worship and please God, not our neighbors or any idols. We are instructed to love the LORD our God, the God who delivered the Israelites from Egypt, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

We may have grown up in an environment where there is no love, where there is no compassion, but it is our accountability if we continue to live our lives without learning how to love. It is already our accountability to disregard the seed of God’s love within us.

Therefore,

…”You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”   (Matthew 22:37)

*****

The Worst Incurable Illness

The Worst Incurable Illness

…is the Refusal to Accept the Truth

Written by: Jenine Silos

Ever since the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, committed a sin against God, all men since then fall short to sin and all creatures are bound to go the way of all the earth that is death. Many kinds of diseases and illness have emerged upon the earth, targeting humans and even the animals, not one is exempted. Why is that? Because we fall short to sin. And the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23)

Photo credits: http://wendy-jacob.co.uk

As the world advances in its technology, while people aim for more knowledge and fleshly recognition, the wickedness of men has also escalated, and it now seemed to be normal despite its absolute contrary to the will of God.

According to the research of ListVerse.Com, there are top 10 incurable diseases that are afflicting across the globe, these are the following:

1. The Common Cold

2. Cancer

3. Asthma

4. HIV/Aids

5. Diabetes

6. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

7. Influenza

8. Lupus Erythematosus

9. Polio

10. Ebola

(You can browse here to see more details about these diseases)

Until now, there are no devised medicines or permanent cure for these diseases despite the relentless efforts of the scholastic medicine scholars. This, however, is one of the mysteries that only the intelligent designer can ever solve: God, the creator of all things. The knowledge and wisdom of humans are limited, even the renown geniuses have their own limits, but unlike humans, the God of all things does not have limits. He sets his own limits and rules. And He alone can do that.

God can cure your asthma with just a flick of his finger, this is a remarkable works of God that we humans could not fathom no matter how advanced our technology is. God works in inexplicable ways that even the most intelligent psychologist in the world could not psycho it.

As an asthma patient before, I could say that having this kind of illness is the most untreatable one, terrible you may add. My brother, who is a nurse, often tells me that there is really no cure for it. Once he said, “Even if it (the asthma) stops bothering you now, it will still occur in your later life, which is when you are old. Asthma is a treacherous disease. ”

They say that these diseases are incurable, while some others say that only the miracles of God is the only cure. But I say that it is God’s grace that cures a hopeless illness.

An Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, has also no cure for it and it is the most terrible disease that I could think of other than asthma. Because it worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death. Having Alzheimer’s disease is the most tormenting illness if I were to say, because besides the fact that it’s untreatable, it slowly kills the memory of the affected person until he reaches death—tormenting not only his self but also the people who love him. An affected person of this illness will have mood swings, trouble in language even to the point that they forget what the meaning of every word they say is, and they slowly forget those people around them, including their names. They withdraw from their family and society, and gradually, their bodily functions are lost, ultimately leading to death. So what could be worse than this? Aren’t they any? There is. Know what as we go further.

To unbeliever’s point of view, Alzheimer’s disease, or any from those diseases mentioned above, is the most terrible illness you could have ever gotten. If you happen to acquire any of them, you would probably say:

“It’s hopeless from today onwards. I’d die soon, anyway.”

“I’m sick. And I’m sick of getting sick.”

“It’s the worst, why of all people, it’s me?”

“I’m just a burden.”

I might sound harsh but, I tell you, yeah, you did really have the most terrible illness! It is not about the illness itself, but you have just said it! I have said it before, too, so I know it. It is actually about you and the way you perceive it.  

A professor once said in our Philosophy class, “The worst incurable illness that a man has is not the illness itself, but the refusal to accept it. For there is no cure for this kind of illness, the illness that which you cannot accept.”

Now, to a believer’s point of view, this matter depends upon the way you perceive it, the way you see it, and the way you respond to it, and lastly, the way how we act upon the situation in accordance to God’s will.

Why not, instead of disdaining and pitying ourselves, we say:

“I’m sick. But my God is a Healing God.”

“It’s a terminal disease. But if this is God’s will, then there is a purpose behind it. So let His will be done.”

“When I die, don’t cry for me. In my Father’s arms, I will be. It don’t matter where you bury me, I’ll be home (in God’s heaven) and I’ll be free.”(Lyrics excerpt from “All My Tears” by Selah)

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 (New International Version)

“For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.” Philippians 1:21 (New Living Translation)

If you are a true follower of Christ, then death has no hold of you. The Bible says that death is even better, for we know that we will be home at last, to God’s kingdom in heaven. We will be able to see our Father in Heaven, and he is then able to say to us, “Welcome, my faithful servant!”

Does it not sound good to you? It surely does!

However, to someone who does not believe in God, to someone who cannot ACCEPT Christ in their lives, they will surely fear death. For they know where they are going to be, not in the Father’s arms, but somewhere that will torment them for the rest of their eternal life, the HELL.

Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, cancer, and those other incurable illnesses are not really the worst. Do you want to know what the worst, the most terrible illness is? The one that could not be cured? The one that will torment you for the rest of your eternal life?

It is the refusal to accept the Truth.

If you know the Truth, the gospels of Christ, and yet you refuse to accept Him in your life because you love your sins than Him, then I tell you for certain:

“You have the most terrible and incurable illness here on earth!”

For to me, as a believer and a follower of Christ, the worst incurable disease here on earth is the refusal to accept the Truth, which is Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

So, if you don’t want to have this incurable illness in your life, then go and repent your sins before the LORD, and seek to know Him.

Know the Truth. Do not REJECT it.

To know the gospels of Christ more, go to this site: KNOW JESUS.

Friday Fictioneers: One Road, Two Souls

I have not been participating in the Friday FF prompts for two weeks already, but oh well, here’s my Friday FF prompt this week. Thanks to Madison Woods.

One Road, Two Souls

Word Counts: 100

Doubt mixed with fear occupies the contours of his very young face.

They’ve just arrived from town to encamp in the forest.

He grabs the man’s arm; looking distantly towards the grassy road. “Father, can we not go on any further?”

The man smirks, “Why is that, son?”

There is a sigh from the boy. “There might be bears out there, hiding behind those big tress!”

“Well, is it alright for me to think that you’re simply telling me you are afraid?”

“If…father walks by my side, then afraid am not.”

He pats his head, and they pursue the road.

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Deuteronomy 1:31

And you saw how the LORD your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now he has brought you to this place.

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Psalm 103:13

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;”

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Colossians 3:21

“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”

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Related articles

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• God Will Never Put You Where He Cannot Keep You (shareaverse.wordpress.com)
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• BE STRONG and BE COURAGEOUS (pastorswifelife.com)

The Techno City

The Techno City

Jenine Silos

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Photo credits: http://www.ifimages.com

The sky is wide and blue. Bright and colored lights are everywhere. It is peaceful but the atmosphere they breathe is something their noses could not deny to smell—contaminated. There is no traffic in the air, but cars are hovering non-stop over the buildings. Some are small, some are big and tall.

In the epicenter of the Techno City there stood the largest building, but no, it is not just a building. It is the palace of the Elite Government. The Techno Tower.

Billboards overpowered the banners. Foods are not naturally made. Everything is man-made, artificial, or if there is something beyond that.

There is no such thing as NATURE. Children cannot even define the word, people do not know it. They believe that a place like nature is just a legend. They only know the world they currently see – the exceptional technology of the Techno City, ruled by an extraordinary genius man named Mr. Zan Von Duor. He is a ruler that is unseen by everyone.

In the western side of Techno City, 100 miles away from the Techno Tower, lives the Family Buoyant. The Buoyant couple has an only child, his name is Wiki, a cheerful ten-year-old boy who loves books than playing with robots. He is sometimes lazy but wise.

“Mom, I read a book about nature. I think they’re AWE—SOME!” Wiki reported to Mrs. Buoyant when they’re eating dinner. They have noodles for dinner, machine-made.

Well, the average lifespan of people is thirty. And since there is no such thing as nutrients and herbs, their health is failing continuously.

At five you are still a kid, ten is considered a teenager.

At fifteen they are young professionals and it’s the start of their marriage years.

At twenty-five you are old. At the age of thirty they expect an incurable disease that’ll kill them. Beyond that, they are considered to be too old to survive the unclean air.

Wiki went to his grandpa’s house yesterday. He saw a book about plants and herbs, enthralled by this, Wiki started to believe that plants are not just a myth. “I think they’re real, Mom.” Wiki added, slurping some noodles.

Mrs. Buoyant irked a brow at him. “Don’t you ever say that in front of your father, he’ll spank you.”

“He’s always busy at work, anyway.” Wiki scoffed. Mr. Buoyant is working at the Techno Tower, and Wiki calls him “The Mad Scientist.”

“Where did you get that book you’re saying?” Mrs. Buoyant asked, finishing her noodles.

“At grandpa’s house.”

Wiki’s mother shook her head. “Son, that book you got is just a myth. Dad is full of weird imaginations. He’s a frustrated author.”

“No! Grandpa even wrote their definitions. The classifications of plants and herbs, even fishes are real! Fishes are not toys! They’re living creatures like us. Believe me, Mom. The hearsay from neighborhood is true!”

“Wiki—“Mrs. Buoyant gasped, “Your grandpa died without leaving a hint of evidence to prove his theory about nature.” She sighed in concern, “Son, I want you to throw that book. I don’t want you to spend your time believing a false theory. Okay?”

Wiki heaved his chest in disappointment. But he’s not giving up, in fact, it is just the beginning of his research.

I will prove to them that grandpa did not lie! He’s not a frustrated author. Nature and fishes are real!

“Okay, Mom.” Wiki said, rolling his eyes.

THE FOLLOWING DAY.

“Mom!”

“What is it this time, Wiki?”

“I saw this thing called seed at grandpa’s room!” Wiki reported to his Mom, his face was full of dirt for unknown reasons. When Mrs. Buoyant opened her son’s palm, her sudden excitement died momentarily.

“Son, that’s a rock.”

END

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“You shall not pollute the land in which you live…. You shall not defile the land in which you live, in which I also dwell; for I the LORD dwell among the Israelites.” (Numbers 35:33-34)

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“How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished.” (Jeremiah 12:4)

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“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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:13-14)

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Friday Fictioneers – Moths Conversation

This week’s photo prompt for 100-word flash fiction: Moths at the Drive-through. To read more about the details, check Madison Woods Friday Fictioneers. To the first timers who don’t know what is flash fiction all about, please refer to this link.

Words:  106

“I see such great blessings inside, some are wasted!” Said the brown moth, resting his thin wings on the windowsill.

“Wait. My wings are quite heavy.” Replied the green moth. He peeked inside the restaurant upon reaching the windowsill. Then he shook his head. “Humans don’t care about wasting food, do they?”

“Not all of them. I see lots of street children and oldies in their empty stomach—they’re increasing every day!”

“Oh, well. I’m not human so I don’t care about that. I just want to taste their foods.”

“You fool. We don’t eat their foods. You said it yourself…”

“…We’re not humans. We’re moths.”

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1 John 3:17 But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won’t help him–how can God’s love be within him ? 1 John 3:18 Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions. 1 John 3:19 Then we will know for sure, by our actions, that we are on God‘s side, and our consciences will be clear, even when we stand before the Lord.

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