Are you sure?

When it comes to driving, I'm a calm driver -- as my wife sees me (Praise God for her) and I do believed her (not just because she's my wife but that's what I have observed also); I haven't had any experience of road rage but I almost lost everything four nights ago.

I was driving with my family going home after church, a car came from nowhere cut our lane and almost hit us.

My initial reaction was, I gave him 5 seconds of massive ear bursting horn (in my mind I want to pull over and make him realize what could happen if we had an accident).  At the back seat, my wife tapped me on my shoulder and tried to calm me down, she told me to ignore him and be thankful that no accident happened.
I took a deep breath and ask God for deliverance.

After awhile, I noticed that he slowed down and went 5 cars behind us. (I guess he already realized what he has done).

As we near to our place and already  calm as if nothing happened.
I was thanking God for the discernment, being able to control myself and used my wife to speak for Him.

How I wish the same thing happened to Hanun (King of Ammonites).
Nahash died and his son Hanun succeeded him. David sent envoy as a sign of sympathy because Nahash has been kind to him. However, Hanun listened to the wrong information given by his commanders, so he seized the envoy, shaved them, cut off their garments at the buttocks, and sent them away. That's how the Ammonites been defeated.

Please read the whole story. 1 Chronicles 19

Decision making is very crucial in our daily life, but what is more crucial is, do we discern? do we seek God when we decide?

What if I didn't listened to my wife and gave-in to the rage burning inside of me? I guess it would be a total disaster then regret it after. 

Each and everyday we make decisions, from simple things up to the matter of life and death. These decisions will either make us or break us, whether it is personal or influenced by someone; At the end of the day we are still responsible for it.

This is a good reminder for us that if we happened to encounter what I've experienced or any situation in life that we need to decide, let's ask ourselves for the second time "Are you sure?" just keep and calm and seek God, for God is with us.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. " - Jeremiah 29:11

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31

Read your Bible, pray every day, and you’ll grow, grow, grow.

"To God Be The Glory"

 ~ If this post somehow helped or inspire you, please share your thoughts in the comment section ~

Thank You and God bless. 

Which is Which?

One of my motto's in Life is "It's better to be RIGHT than to be KIND".  

It is because I see loopholes in KINDNESS; An opportunity to the other person to take advantage of you. Well, that's the way I think  (triggered by past experiences).

Few weeks ago, one of our elders had his message in the pulpit where he talked about I Cor. 6:-11 then
he concluded his message by a saying that "It is better to be KIND than to be RIGHT" because you'll have an opportunity to show love.

WOW! his message really struck me. Many questions and past situations suddenly popped to my mind. Personally, I asked myself, which is which? Is it better to be RIGHT or KIND?

I was reading 2 Samuel when the story of "King David and Shimei" interest me.
When King David escaped from his son Absalom, and went Bahurim. A Benjaminite, same as clan of Saul named Shimei is approached and said to him.

"...Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!” Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.” But the king said, What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, Curse David,’ who can ask, Why do you do this?
     David then said to Abishai and all his officials, My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to.  It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.” So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself." - 2 Samuel 16:7-14

After reading these passage, I was reminded about the message of our elder.
King David was able to show kindness to Shimei despite of what he did to him.
He's the king, he can do anything but he humble himself towards Shimei.

As the story goes, King David was restored as King of Israel.

"...As the men of Judah had come to meet the king, Shimei hurried down and meet King David.
When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell prostrate before the king 19 and said to him, May my lord not hold me guilty. Do not remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind. For I your servant know that I have sinned, but today I have come here as the first from the tribes of Joseph to come down and meet my lord the king.” Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, Shouldnt Shimei be put to death for this? He cursed the Lords anointed.” David replied, What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? What right do you have to interfere? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Don't I know that today I am king over Israel?” So the king said to Shimei, You shall not die.” And the king promised him on oath." - 2 Samuel 19:18-23

Maybe Shimei came to his senses that he should not do what he had done to David after their last encounter. So, he took this opportunity to apologized before the king. Or maybe, when Shimei had known that David was again the King of Israel and thinks that David may go after him, he took his chance to apologized to King David in front of the men of Judah.

Regardless of Shimei's reason why he had done that (only God knows); despite of what he did in the past, David had shown him kindness and mercy, letting Shimei lived twice.

(I imagined in movies, the hero usually get killed in this kind of scenario. While villain is apologizing, he'll struck the hero and died instantly.)

The story still continues...

When the kingship was passed on to his son Solomon and before David died. He remembers Shimei and asked Solomon to use his wisdom to deal with him.

"And remember, you have with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, who called down bitter curses on me the day I went to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord: I will not put you to death by the sword.’ But now, do not consider him innocent. You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to him. Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood.” - 1 Kings 2:8-9

"Then the king sent for Shimei and said to him, Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and live there, but do not go anywhere else. 37 The day you leave and cross the Kidron Valley, you can be sure you will die; your blood will be on your own head.” 

Shimei answered the king, What you say is good. Your servant will do as my lord the king has said.” And Shimei stayed in Jerusalem for a long time.

But three years later, two of Shimeis slaves ran off to Achish son of Maakah, king of Gath, and Shimei was told, Your slaves are in Gath.” At this, he saddled his donkey and went to Achish at Gath in search of his slaves. So Shimei went away and brought the slaves back from Gath.

When Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had returned, the king summoned Shimei and said to him, Did I not make you swear by the Lord and warn you, On the day you leave to go anywhere else, you can be sure you will die’? At that time you said to me, What you say is good. I will obey.’ Why then did you not keep your oath to the Lord and obey the command I gave you?”

The king also said to Shimei, You know in your heart all the wrong you did to my father David. Now the Lord will repay you for your wrongdoing. But King Solomon will be blessed, and Davids throne will remain secure before the Lord forever.”

Then the king gave the order to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck Shimei down and he died. The kingdom was now established in Solomons hands. - 1 Kings 2:36-46

Truly God blessed Solomon wisdom. He can easily struck down Shimei, instead he showed him kindness by allowing (with condition) him to live in Gath. However, when Shimei broke his vow, Solomon did not hesitate to do the the right thing.

There is nothing wrong in doing what is right, yet being kind is another thing. 

I can simply say "Hello!" when a friend greeted me, but there's a difference when my response is "Hello! How are you?".  Hope you know what I mean. :)

Our God is a forgiving God and He's also God of many chances,  yet He is just. He never let the wicked unpunished.

Although my motto is "It's better to RIGHT than to be KIND", but in reality, I usually do practice to be KIND. :)

Lastly, which is which? Either of the two, you can never be wrong but there is wisdom in being KIND.

"TO GOD BE THE GLORY"

"Read your Bible and pray everyday and you'll GROW, GROW, GROW"

 ~ If this post somehow helped or inspire you, please share your thoughts in the comment section ~

Thank You and God bless. 

Has your pet talked to you lately?

Do you have a pet (let's say a dog) who are very dear to you? He does everything you told him to do.  He's protective, disciplined; you trained him well, and you treat him as part to the family.

One time, a gathering held in your house, and you want to impress your visitors by showing some tricks that your pet can do.

However, instead of doing his tricks, he just stared at you and did nothing. What will you do?

I guess, the worst you can do because of the embarrassment, burst in anger and beat your pet. Of course, he'll do nothing, and maybe he will just accept everything that you might do because you're his owner, and he loves you.

What about the other side of the story? Your pet's reason why he just stared at you and did nothing.

What if God allowed him to speak and tell you the reason, then you realized and regretted that what you did to him was wrong?

This what happened to Balaam and his donkey. For the complete story, please read Numbers 22:21-39

Balaam was riding on his donkey, when the donkey turned-off the road, crushing Balaam's foot and lay down under Balaam.

So Balaam, beat his donkey three times and if had an opportunity he would kill him.

When the angel of the Lord opened the donkey's mouth and opened Balaam's eyes, he understood and realized that what his donkey did was to save his life.

Sometimes we're like Balaam when it comes to our pet, we can easily be angered and beat them. We turned on them whenever we get disappointed even in little things.

I pray that we would appreciate our pet more than what they now because we didn't know what they're doing is for our own benefit.

Credits to the owner of this pic

I believed that pets are very essential to us because they can provide an array of mental and physical health benefits. 

Dogs particularly can ease loneliness, reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, promote social interaction, encourage exercise and playfulness, and provide unconditional love and affection. Caring for a dog can help children grow up more secure and active or provide valuable companionship for older adults. Perhaps most importantly, though, a dog can add real joy to any human life. (www.helpguide.org)

"The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.  " Proverbs 12:10

Read your Bible and pray everyday and you'll grow, grow, grow

To God Be The Glory

 ~ If this post somehow helped or inspire you, please share your thoughts in the comment section ~

Thank You and God bless. 

The alternative to New Year's resolution

Before the new year started, I already have my new year's resolutions. However, these resolutions are not new. These are the same resolutions two or three years ago. Why I keep on repeating my new year's resolution? It simply because each year, I failed. 

I know most of us have had experienced this, and somehow it's kind of frustrating (it is really frustrating). You want to change things for the better, then you realized that you are also the reason making it harder. 

Dawn of January 6 around 4:30AM, I woke up then told myself "I want something new this year, no more new year's resolution but something new, different and better." So, I asked the Lord "Lord what do you want me to do this year? ". 

I opened my digital Bible and look for a topic from a reading plans. There are many interesting topics available, but God led me to the topic "One Word That Will Change Your Life." 

When I started reading it, it was like God is already talking to me, and bit by bit He's leading me to answer my question. 

The topic tells about that New Year's resolutions don't work and 50% of resolution-makers fail by the end of January, and 9 out of 10 quit by March! Imagine that statistics. I think, I'm one of the 50%. :) 

The topic suggests that instead of resolutions, get One Word for the year...but be careful! It might just change you.

There is a reason why they say, Get One Word for the year but be careful. As soon as you discover your word, the battle will begin. It will initiate a process of teaching, developing, refining, and molding. God will use your word as a light and a mirror - illuminating your path and revealing things that need to change. It facilitates a great journey of highs and lows all designed to make you into the person you are created to be.

It is simple, yet challenging.

The topic has three reference Bible verses, but before I read these verses, I changed it to "Three Words That Will Change My Life" just to make it more personal. The trick was; I'll choose one word for each reference. 

Luke 10:41-42:

Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 18:22

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, you still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Mark 10:21

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. One thing you lack,” he said. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Upon reading the second verse, I already had an idea, what are the words would be, and it was confirmed by the third verse. 

...then I said "Wow! it was a direct answer from God."

Me: Lord what do you want me to do this year?

God: Better.. Follow.. Me..

I paused and realized everything what I've done, I want to be, and I want to do  then I prayed. 

I thank Him for these words and asked Him to help me to follow Him.

Now, I will not be frustrated in losing weight but gladly to fulfill His will. 

These three words that I received are not good for one year only but for the rest of my life. These words are meant to be shared to inspire and give hope, especially to those people who are finding an alternative to New Year's resolutions. 

Lastly, while doing this blog, I went to the reading plan reference and found out that the first Bible reference is Psalms 27:1-14. 

Read your Bible and pray everyday and you'll grow, grow, grow..

To God Be The Glory.

 ~ If this post somehow helped or inspire you, please share your thoughts in the comment section ~

Thank You and God bless.