WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU ARE WEAK

A radical truth from God -

Let the weak say they are strong. - Joel 3: 10

It didn't say, "Let the weak say they are weak."

Most of the times when we are weak, we complain and emphasize our weakness. Most of the times, we declare our discouragements, our disappointments and our frustrations. And the more we speak about our weakness, the more we get weak and oftentimes, this aggravates to doubt, fear, and anger. God says in this passage, that we must declare the opposite. When we are weak, we must declare we are strong.

This does not mean that God doesn't care of our weakness. The truth is the opposite - God cares for us so much that He is giving a formula for us how to be strong. This also doesn't mean that we ignore our weaknesses. The truth is clear, God recognizes our weakness. He said, "Let the weak..." so it means God knows our weakness. The truth is - God is offering a formula for us how to be strong and what to say when we are weak. And God said when we are weak, we must say we are strong.

The reason is this - our life go to the direction of what we say. Our words has a powerful creative power to change things. God wants us to say " we are strong" when we are weak, because there is no need of emphasizing weakness, but rather to emphasize our strength in God.

Let the weak say they are strong.

It also didn't  say, "Let the weak think that they are strong."

To think is not enough. We must declare what we believe. This is the reason why "faith comes by hearing", and not by reading the word of God alone. When we hear, it means someone spoke, and it includes us in this regard. We must speak the word of God so that we can hear. And by so doing, our faith increase and our strength too.

Let the weak say they are strong.

It didn't also say, "Let the weak invite friends to talk about their weakness."

Our weakness can be passed to others when we emphasize too much about it. Words of discouragement can influence others. God said, "let the weak say they are strong."

You produce what you say. Your life go to the direction of what you declare. If you are weak, you can never be strong by saying you are weak. Better declare and say that you are strong. This is not my idea. This is God's. Say what God wants you to say.

So when you are weak, you know now what to say.

radical quote | art roy remy

“Leaders

should not lead the churches 

by imitation

but by revelation from God.

What has been revealed to someone for his church

could be different for our church. 

Understanding this make us to follow God's revelation.

And this also make us to respect other churches though may be different from us.

God did not call us to imitation.

God called us to revelation.

When was the last time you asked God, 

"Lord, what is your plan for us? 

Are you revealing something?"

- A r t  R o y  R e m y, Lecture to my Radical Students

THE TRUE MEANING OF THE WORD "COMMEND" IN ROMANS 5:8

I have known and have been familiar with the verse Romans 5: 8 -

"But God commended His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

But only this time I have discovered what it really means why it said, "commended." Some even used the word "commanded" mistakenly. But the word used was "Commended." I thought the meaning of this word just means -

        - demonstrated;
       -  gave;

But when I traced back to its original Greek word, it's Greek word is "sinustemi." You will be amazed what it means. The word actually means -

- to place together;

- to put in the same place;

 - to stand or near side by side;

Isn't this amazing to discover? So Romans 5:8 means more than we usually understand. What God is saying to us through this verse is that God did not gave us love, but He stand near to us side by side, and this is through the incarnation of Jesus Christ. It is different when He just gave the gift of eternal from He himself became the gift, became human, and stood with us side by side. "Commended" means that His love was ultimately demonstrated when Jesus came down and died on the cross for us.

So now we can fully understand why His name "Emmanuel" means "God with us." He promised us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. It means, "Jesus is with us- side by side." It means that no matter what happen in life, Jesus is with us side by side. It also means "no more condemnation." God the Father cannot condemn us because Jesus is with us side by side. And the most amazing thing about this was He chose to stand with us side by side while we were yet still sinners. So meaning, Jesus loves us fully and unconditionally. This means too that your victory is sure and secure because it depends on you holding Him, but Him holding you. Yes, we are with Jesus all the time, side by side.

That is the meaning of the word "commend."

- Art Roy Remy

TO ALL EMO's, THIS IS FOR YOU

[See graphic arts below]

I have ministered to many EMO's in various community, schools and churches. Oftentimes, they have been looked at with disdain and prejudice just because of how they look. Good thing, God don't judge us based on outward appearance. I have experienced that people who look rebellious are just actually people who are needing love.

I have encountered group of young people in one campus who were kick-out by the school because they started to make cuts in their arms using a cutter. When I counseled them, each one of them shared their frustrations and pains in life. One has a broken family, another has been physically abused. And goes the story of each one trailing stories of frustrations, self-pity, self-condemnation and guilt.

Oftentimes, these young people have been misjudged just because of their looks, their hair-style and their music. Even churches has the wrong goal to change their culture and their looks without addressing the pain and the reasons why they are doing Emo. Instead of receiving love, what they received is prejudice and rejection. All they need is to be listened at, to be cared for, to be accepted, and to be helped.

One Emo asked me, "Does Jesus loves an Emo like me?"
I told him the stories of the "emo's" in the BIble - the lunatic whom Jesus healed, the demonized boy, and Mary Magdalene. And I showed her my own scars in my left and right arms, "Even before this emo culture has emerged, people has been already struggling with self-hate, depression, frustrations and guilt. It's as old as the world. But there is hope. I experienced this freedom and I want to share it to you."

I told the 13-year-old girl who has the worst cuts in her arms, "You don't have to do this anymore, because Someone has already been wounded for you. Jesus has already been punished, cut and wounded for you. It means you are loved, accepted, and forgiven."

"So then it could mean Jesus is also an Emo in this regard?", the girl asked me.
"Well, if we take Jesus becoming "human" to die on the cross, and "emo's" are humans, then it is right, Jesus is an "emo" in this context. He became "emo" for you and died for you to have freedom. If you were called today as "Emo," He was called in his time as "Man of Sorrows." You don't have to do this because Jesus is hurt looking at you doing this because He loves you so much. He already shouldered all the pains and the sins."

This emo girl together with her friends cried as they received Jesus in their lives.

Emo culture, is just one of the many cultures of the new generation has. Instead of looking at them with disdain and prejudice. I think we can only reach them not through condemnation, but through the love of Jesus.

To all EMO's out there - Jesus loves you.
I dedicate the work of arts below for you.

2011 IS COMING; IT INVITES US TO PAUSE FOR AWHILE BEFORE PROCEEDING

Two last numbers of the new year says it all. Two numbers which stands for an icon, a symbol, a button -

pause

2011 is coming, and it is inviting us to pause for awhile and,

- reflect.

Pause for a while and,
1. Count the blessings of the past year.
2. Learn from all of your experiences whether good or bad.
3. Cherish relationships above all - the laughter, the fun, the tough times, the love, the victories.
4. Celebrate your best victory from the tests you have passed this year.
5. Never carry any bitterness, hate and indifference for the new year.
6. Be thankful of all God's provisions.
7. Reflect on what you have done to make your life better, and how you make someone's life better.
8. Reflect on God's love.
9. Embrace God's grace.
10. Claim a promise from His words which you will hold for the next year.
11. Believe that the best is yet to come. Believe and declare.

2011 is a wonderful year filled with God's favor and blessings, but before you proceed,

pause

Embrace the Giver before being so excited for the Gifts.
Exalt the King before extending His kingdom.
Embody character before prosperity.
Embrace God's love, God's favor and God's presence.

Take a deep breath. Be excited. The best is yet to come.

LIFE DOESN'T BRING YOU JOY; YOU BRING JOY TO LIFE

Photo courtesy: Kirsten Paulick

When your expectation of joy absolutely rests in what life can give you, you will be disappointed. Life is not all good days, there will be bad days. Life is not all riches, there will be scarcity. Life is not all laughter, there will be crying. Life is not all mountains, there will be valleys. Life varies.

This is our common mistake why we cannot have true happiness - we expect that it is life that will bring us joy. Well, here's a radical truth and here is the understanding of how you will truly have joy in this life, and it's this -

Life doesn't bring you joy; you bring joy to life.

This means - joy is a choice not a circumstance.
It is not what happens to you but what you make happen in life.
It is not how someone or something in this world has made you happy; it is how you bring joy to someone's life.
Meaning, joy is not from outside-in, but from inside-out.
This also means that joy comes from within first.
From the joy you have within your heart, you will be the one to give joy to this life.
And how can this be? Or how can you have joy within your heart?

Well, it's none other but to have the Very Source of all joys. It is having Jesus in your heart. No wonder Jesus said, -

"These things have I spoken unto you, that MY JOY will remain in you , and that your JOY will be FULL." - John 15: 11

Without Jesus in your heart, you can never be happy even you have everything in these world. Life can never make you happy because the only one who can give you joy is  the One who made life. The only way to have joy and to truly enjoy life is to have Jesus. This is why joy is from inside-out.

Thus, you are the one to bring joy to life because Jesus is in your heart as your joy.
Since Jesus is in your heart, you are not dependent on life to bring you joy but rather you are the one who brings joy to this life.
You bring joy to good days and bad days, to riches and scarcity, to laughter and crying, to mountains and valleys. You can fully enjoy life because of who you have and not what you have. And you can enjoy life to the fullest, as what Jesus said, because you are the one who bring joy to life.

"No wonder I am enjoying life to the fullest."

FIVE STEPS OF LEADING OR MENTORING OTHERS

I was so blessed to learn this "Five Steps of Mentoring Others" by Larry Westfall shared to us through the recent message of our Pastor. I think it is worth sharing. This process can be applied not just for church leadership but for discipleship, workplace leadership, networking, child rearing, and even for friendships.

I DO. YOU WATCH.

I DO. YOU HELP.

YOU DO. I HELP.

YOU DO. I WATCH.

YOU DO. SOMEONE ELSE WATCHES.

[And the process starts over with someone else.]

WHAT IT MEANS TO CAST YOUR BURDENS UNTO THE LORD

A fisherman gets ready to cast his net into the sea to catch fish.
He must throw all of the net into the sea.
The net will settle down beneath the waters.
Then, the fisherman will wait.

After a few minutes, the fisherman felt the weight of the net beneath the waters. This means that he has a great catch! This is the opportune moment for him to to pull up the net to his boat as fast as he can.

This was the picture which the Lord was telling to us when He said in His words -

"Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain you." - Psalm 55: 22

The word, "cast" here literally pertains to how a fisherman cast his net into the sea. What God meant was- when we have problems, burdens and worries, we must cast all of these to the Lord. Casting it all to the Lord means you depend on Him. Casting it all means, surrender. You are tired of them, and the only best way to do is to "throw" them all to the Lord in surrender. Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you.

If you will not throw the net into the sea, don't expect a great catch.
Same thing, if you don't throw all of your burdens to the Lord, don't expect a great catch of blessings.
God wants you to "let go and let God." You will not get a "great catch" if you just keep it to yourself. Throw it all to God. Cry it out to God and confess, "Lord, your will, not mine be done."
Throw the net into the sea and let it settle down deep beneath the waters. Yes, cast your burdens to the Lord and let it settle there. If you have to wait, then wait for the answers. But surely since you throw it all to the Lord, God will bless your patience and your surrender.

When you cast it all, you will get a great catch.
Isn't this a wonderful and radical truth-

God uses your burdens to get your blessings.

Your burdens are but the nets on which God will use to give your break. Your bad times are but the thing that will catch the good times that are coming. If you will not cast the net, you will not get a great catch. But if you cast it all, o, expect a great catch. Use your burden to catch your blessings.

Go out there and throw the net into the sea.
Let it settle down beneath the waters.
Wait. Patiently wait.

And you feel that the net gets heavier and heavier.
It is not a sign of a problem but of a blessing.
The more it gets heavier, the more it means the blessing is bigger.
Pull it up as fast as you can, and enjoy your blessings from God.

But if you didn't throw the net, you will not have a big catch.

THE BREAKTHROUGH OF YOUR RISING

This is the breakthrough of your rising.

No rising, 

No breakthrough will rise for you.

Another radical truth –

Before breakthroughs will come.

You will be broken first.

Because you must be ready.

This is why you have been broken in the past.

God is making wings in you.

But when you rise up.

Breakthroughs are all for you.

Rising here is no more of rising to kneel, nor rising to walk, 

nor rising to run – you all have done that already.

This time rising up so high -

so you can fly.

When your soul has been broken and you win through it,

It is now the time for all challenges and breakthroughs to be broken in pieces for you to be attained.

Breakthroughs come to be used by used-to-be broken souls who rise above them.

This means that this is the completion of your rising.

It means this –

You rise up from your past and face the bright present.

You rise up from scarcity and go for abundance.

You rise up from religion and go for relationships.

You rise up from status quo and go for greatness.

You rise up from fear that holding you back and go for fulfillment.

You rise up from all accomplishments and do more feats.

The rising here doesn’t speak of your coming back.

This speaks of the completion.

Rising up don't just mean to stand up.

Rising up don't just mean to run.

But to – FLY.

Speaking of world domination –

You will cover more landscapes when you fly more than you do in running.

Rising and doing something what you were created to do.

Rising up to world domination.

Rising up and spreading the love out there.

People will see the light from the brightness of your rising.

It is simply because it is no more about your failing nor of your rising but about the lives that will be touched when you go full blast with the potentials of your life.

More of touching people’s lives.

More of contributing to make this world a better place.

More of changing the world.

More of love, happiness and good life.

This is the breakthrough of your rising.

This is the moment you have waited for.

This is your time.

Not just kneeling.

Not just walking.

Not just running.

Not just conquering.

But – FLYING.

You are not made to crawl. You are made to mount.

This – is the breakthrough of your rising.

-

Art Roy Remy's Creed for World Domination

BE THANKFUL FOR THE THINGS YOU CAN'T DO

Oftentimes, we always gets frustrated of our inadequacies. We lament and we feel as a failure on the things we want to do but we can’t do. A person wants to paint but it is not his gift to paint and thus ends in frustration. A young man wants to explore the world but lacks the money to fulfill it. Response? Frustration. A mother wants to do everything for her kids but found herself short. An aspiring singer wants to fulfillment in her career but lacks the exposure and the equipments. Her response? Frustration.

Even you has a share of this kind of story. You want to do something but you found yourself short, inadequate and lacking. You oftentimes end up in frustration and ask “Why can’t I do it?”

But you know what?

You can be thankful even of the things you can’t do.

Why? You may ask.

For these simple reasons –

It prevents you from being proud.

We got to accept that we are not like Superman. Actually after observations of Superman, I found out that even Superman or any superheroes has limitations. We have seen how Superman has his weakness that Lex Luthor can even at times defeat him knowing that Luthor is not that super-human like him. That makes Superman - human.

And that is the purpose of your weakness, too-  to remind you that you are but human. It is a reminder for you to be humble. God said, “without Me you can do nothing.” At one time, an atheist has questioned this truth – “Why is it that  I can still do many things though I don’t believe in God?” My answer was- “Your unbelief doesn’t make God non-existent. Whether all of this world says there is no God, still God will be God. And the fact that you can do something though you don’t believe in Him, is even a favor from Him and you have nothing to be proud of.” 

So, if there are things you can’t do, be thankful for it prevents you from being proud.

Another reason why you ought to be thankful –

It prevents you from your own destruction.

God will not commit mistake in making you not to do a certain thing. A seemingly hindered event, schedule or appointment could be a disappointment to you but you actually don’t know that God has just been protecting you all the time. God will not give you something that will destroy you. So be thankful if you cannot sing like Celine Dion though you dream being like one. Be thankful if you cannot be like Manny Pacquiao. Be happy if you cannot be popular like the celebrities. You are what you are.

This leads to the reason that will inspire you –

It is pointing you on what you really can do.

Yes, on what you are really good at. Oftentimes, because we want to do many things we end up doing nothing. We cannot be Jacks of all trade. We may have a knowledge of a little bit of something but we must be good of what we really good at. The reason why you are not allowed to do a certain thing is because you are being pointed to the thing that is really meant for you.

So what if you cannot sing like Josh Groban? So what if you cannot be like Kobe Bryant? Be thankful of who you are. For sure, you can do something worthwhile. Discover it and focus on it.

And of the things you can't do, be thankful. You are just being prevented for your own good.

The God of mercy shall prevent me... - Psalm 59:10

WHAT IS THE TASTE OF THE WHITE OF AN EGG?

Good day! What do you have for breakfast?
I hope there is a fried egg.

It is because this is connected to this witty and radical truth -

Don't you know that the white of an egg was mentioned in the Bible? And we can get some valuable lessons from this truth? Well, it was recorded in the oldest book of the Bible which is the Book of Job. Job said in chapter 6, verse 6 -

Can that which is unsavory be eaten without a salt? Is there any taste in a white of an egg?

For sure, you don't like fried or poached egg without a salt. If you do, then Job is challenging you to answer his question- "If there is no salt in an egg, what is the taste of the white of an egg?" I give you time to think, or ask your kids, or maybe experiment with it by tasting an egg with no salt.

Whatever your answer is -

               actually, that is not the issue here.

The true issue in this verse was this -

             the severe suffering and poverty of Job that he didn't even have a salt to put taste to the only food he got and that is an egg. Don't you know that having no salt in a house in Israel at that time is the worst indication of poverty? This was what Job experienced at that time.

The worse was, three of his friends visited him but just gave him words but no actual help. My, they could have at least gave Job a salt!

Here are the lessons I got from this observation:

If you have a fried or poached egg for breakfast, be very, very thankful. Lots of people around the world cannot eat what you're eating because of extreme poverty. And if you're fried or poached egg tasted good because of the salt in it, also be very thankful. In some parts of the world, some may eat fried egg but they have no salt to put flavor in it. So be very thankful of your life if you can eat three times a day.

Sometimes, there are lots of small things in our lives that we need to appreciate because they are part of making our lives full and complete. Just imagine if there are no salt and eggs in the world?

Also, I learned a valuable lesson by observing what the three friends did not do to Job. They just brought words but no actual material help, not even a salt! This speaks to us to be more than just be thankful of the salt and fried egg in our breakfast table. This speaks to us to do something to participate in any effort to help the poor in our community. We cannot address the needs of poor people with our words no matter how religious it may sound. We must do something to help them for an egg with no salt still has no taste no matter how we persuade them that the egg tastes good.

Go outside and go to the poor areas in your community, ask a child the same question of Job -

 "What is the taste of the white of an egg?"

If the child answers, "Salty" or, "Delicious", then it means that they can cook fried egg properly because they have salt. But if the child answers, "I don't know. It doesn't have any taste." Then you can presume that their family is in extreme poverty.

In your work or school today, ask someone, "What is the taste of the white of an egg?" They may answer different answers and they will be puzzled why you asked that question, but the point here is the curiosity and the appreciation of simple things in life, and to be conscious of the blessed life we have.

WHAT DOES IT PRACTICALLY MEAN TO "HIDE IN GOD"

Can you see a little boy in this photo?

We always sing and quote these words in our worship - "Hide me under the shadow of your wings" but practically speaking I was wondering what it really implies. So I asked God in prayer and solitude, "Lord, what does it mean to hide me in your presence? "

Yesterday, this question was answered through a little boy in my neighborhood. This little boy is playing hide-and-seek with the other kids. The little boy rushed past from me to find a place where he can hide. He hid at the back of an old bicycle parked in the sidewalk. Though he tried to hide, part of his body can still be seen, and not to mention that he was saying words out of excitement or maybe out of fear. As expected, he was easily seen and tagged by his playmate. The boy tried to argue with his playmate, but of no avail. His playmates told him, "If you don't want to be easily seen and tagged, be sure you hide well."

This observation answered my above question what it means "hiding in God."

I learned the following:

I must hide all of me in God.

Hide everything in God- your past, your problems, your talents, your potential, your all in all so that either your enemy, your critics, your friends or any people will only see God in your life. When you hide in God, enemies cannot see you, critics cannot harm you, and praises cannot fool you. They see God not you.

I must be silent and just depend on Him.

Complaining and speaking negative words out of fear shows that you are not hiding in God. What is the use of hiding from someone when you are so noisy? No wonder we are easily detected and tagged by the enemy because of our complaints and negative words. When some people are against me and misjudging me, the answer is not hate and hurting words. The answer is just to hide in God in prayer and keep my mouth shut. That- is hiding in God.

I must chose something bigger than me to cover me.

That is common sense. I cannot hide at the back of a bicycle. It is smaller than me. If I chose some place to hide, I must be sure it must cover all of me. Talents are not enough to cover. Riches are not enough to cover. Influence is not enough to cover. All these things are not bigger than me. If I must hide myself, I must hide in God for He is bigger than anything in this world. Be sure where you place your confidence. Be sure it is enough to cover and hide you.

The little kids in my neighborhood played again a next set of hide-and-seek. This time the little boy I was talking about hid himself at the back of a big garbage bin. As I passed by, his playmates gave up finding him. He won the game.

He hid himself fully.

He didn't utter a word.

He chose something bigger than him to cover him.

He waited patiently.

He was not seen.

He fully hid himself.

Question answered.

[So about the above photo, can you see the little boy? If you can, then he was not hiding well.]

WHY YOU NEED A POSITIVE INSPIRATION EARLY IN THE MORNING

Every early in the morning, the shepherd must lead all of his sheep to the open green field while the dew from the ground and grass are still fresh and wet. This is done everyday early in the morning for the purpose to let all the sheep absorb the cool dew and the moisture to their thick fur. If the sheep will not go outside early in the morning to absorb the dew, the sheep will not have enough moisture in its body that it may not endure the heat of the day due to its thick fur and the humidity of the field. Oftentimes, if the sheep lacks moisture in the body, it will just faint and fall down anytime of the day.["Twe-we-weng"-  Sound effects for a sheep fainting]

Same thing, your bearing, mood and attitude for the whole day depends on how you "absorb the moisture" of positive inspiration in the early morning.

You don't need to absorb the following in the morning:

- negative thoughts;
- make-believe world;
- worries from yesterday piled up with today's worries;
- negative reports;
- bad news[may it be from newspaper, the net, Facebook or Twitter]
- negative people.

What you need is a refreshing dew that will give moisture and cool your heart and mind to sustain your attitude through the whole day.

His favor is as dew upon the grass. - Proverbs 19:12

If you lack inspiration in the morning, you may not endure the heat of the day - stress, pressure, and challenges. If you have no inspiration in your heart, you may just "faint" anytime. And the sound effects of a sheep fainting? "Twe-we-weng"


This is why you need to absorb any positive inspiration in the morning as you can. "Like" posts in Facebook which are positive and cool. Read something that will encourage and uplift you. Enjoy your coffee and breakfast and as you pray, pray verbally declaring that "this is the day that the Lord has made- a day of blessings and favor."And let me guarantee you, the word of God is better than anything else in this world to refresh and strengthen you every morning. Read and "absorb" the coolness of God's word in your life. The Word of God is called "The Good News" so why listen to bad news in the morning? The Bible is not a religious book; it is a revitalizing book.

And it is guaranteed, when you have enough absorption of positive inspirations in the morning, o, whatever you face during the day, you will never faint but rather, you will enjoy and triumph in the day.

Sheep, -
just be sure you absorb the morning dew as much as you can in the morning.

Or else -


"Twe-we- weng!"

A PRACTICAL CHECKLIST IN MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT YOUR JOB OR CAREER

As a spiritual mentor, there are lots of career people who asked counsel from me in regard to the job they will take or to the career path they will tread. They asked if the word of God has practical guidelines in which they can know to base their decisions. As far as I know, the answer is - Yes. There are practical guidelines which we can make as a checklist before making decision about our jobs and career.

The checklist which I refer to is found in Philippians 4 4- 9:

"Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto men. Be careful for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God, and the peace of God which passes understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally brethren, whatsoever is true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you."

So let me arrange to you this checklist based on these verses and as you make you decisions concerning your job or career, consider these first:

Prayer
What you face is not a - problem, but an exciting challenge to pray. This prayer must be a prayer of rejoicing and not sadness. This means that you are not complaining with your present situation but rather being thankful of what you have, no matter how hard the challenge is. This prayer is of thanksgiving and not of complaining attitude. It must not be based on complaints because complaints clouds our decision, and besides, complaints also breeds complaints. What you complain now, you will again complain in your new job. Approach things in a positive and thankful attitude. Hence, this prayer must be a declaration of your faith that better things are about to come in the decisions you will make. You make decisions based on inspiration and not on desperation. And at times, you have to wait.

Purpose
Is this job aligned with your life's purpose? Will these be true, honest, pure, lovely and of good report? Or let me revise the question - "Will this MAKE YOU true, honest, pure, lovely and of good report?" If the answer is "Yes" then go for it, but if not, then don't.

Passion
Do you really like this work? Be sure this aligns to your passion because if it is not your passion, you will never last with it. Don't sacrifice payment in exchange of your purpose and passion because you will only be efficient in any work when you are passionate with what you are doing and not just because you are just being paid.

Payment
Is the payment aligned with the first three checklist? Is it favorable and fair? Of course, you must consider these also because the word of God also teaches that the worker is worthy of his hire[Luke 10:17; Also read Deut. 24:15]

Progress
Will this be a stepping stone towards the fulfillment of your dreams? Will this job be a stop-over, a detour or a  main avenue towards your dreams?

Peace of God
As you depend on God in prayer, God will surely give you peace in making the right decision, and also right after you already made the decision. God is not the author of confusion. He will always guide you to what is best. You take note in the last part of the verse that it said, "DO, and the God of peace shall be with you."

Projection
This is what amazed me about faith and declaration. The reason why the above verse said, "The peace of God passes understanding" because there maybe things you may not understand in making decisions but because you believe in God's leading, for sure He will give you peace that even passes understanding. You don't have to know everything or else you will live by sight and not by faith. This is what faith plays a vital part. Don't declare what you don't want. Believe and declare what you want.  Believe and declare that your God can control everything to give you favor, and be excited with it. Anything is possible to him or her who believes.

You can add to these checklist but this is so far what I use based on these verses.
You don't have to be confused nor fear because when you believe, God will move according to your faith.
Believe that the best is yet to come. You are highly favored, don't forget that.

10 PROMISES FOR TODAY'S 10/10/10

Today is 10.10.10.
10th day of the 10th month of 2010.
Although Bible Numerology is not a mandate nor an absolute rule, but we can get inspiration from it through some observations in the Bible. Though some attribute number 10 to Law which is the Ten Commandments, the 10th part of the income which is the tithes, and the 10 plagues, I prefer to attribute it to the New Testament since we are no longer under the law but under grace, no longer under the Old Covenant but under the New Covenant. If there were 10 commandments in the Old Testament, there were also 10 "I AM" promises of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Isn't this wonderful?


According to Bible Numerology for the New Testament, number 10 represents PERFECTION and COMPLETENESS. Perfect Ten- not because we are the ones who are perfect. O, nobody perfect! This is not also because today is a perfect day. O, there is no perfect day, no perfect life, no perfect home, no perfect church. You know why number 10 is perfect? It is because the one being represented by 10 is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Only One who is perfect. It is perfect 10 because His 10 "I Am" in the New testament are perfect promises for us.


Number 10 also represents "Completeness." This is a great promise since Jesus has completed the requirements to pay for our sins. Jesus became our completeness. Jesus gave 10 "I am" promises in contrast to 10 commandments. The Ten commandments is about the law. His 10 "I am" is about His grace. Religions and rituals were built around the 10 commandments while true relationships were built around His 10 "I Am" promises. 


There are 10 "I AM"'s spoken by Jesus in the Book of John: 


1) I am the Bread of Life (6:35);  - a promise that He can provide for your needs.
2) I am the Bread of Life which came down from heaven (6:41); - a promise that He can give you life.
3) I am the Living Bread (6:51); - a promise that He can give you life to its fullness.
4) I am the Light of the world (8:12);  - a promise that you are assured of guidance.
5) I am One that bears witness of Myself (8:18); - a promise that who you believed in is True
6) I am the Door of the sheep (10:7,9); -  a promise that He will always provide a solution.
7) I am the Good Shepherd (10:14); - a promise that He will always take good care of you.
8) I am the Resurrection and the Life (14:6); - a promise that He can always give you new beginnings.
9) I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life (11:25); - a promise that He can always give you a way
10) I am the True Vine (15:1,5).- a promise that He can make your life abundant.


You will see here that Jesus wants relationship with us to be personal. He introduced himself, not the law. He knew that what we need is Him, not the ten commandments. He knew that completeness can only be received through Jesus. The law was made from the past. His "I am" is always for the present. God doesn't want you to live through law but in freedom. God wants you not to live based on your past but on your bright present as well as for your bright future.


So as you celebrate, enjoy and be in awe of this day - 10/10/10; be more in awe of Jesus personal promise for you how He said "I am." This is an assurance to live everyday based on Him as a person and not based on opinions, situations and occasions.


God bless your 10.10.10 today.
Perfect number? I don't know.
One thing I know - I have a Perfect God who loves me and cares for me everyday of my life.


- A r t  R o  y  R e m y

PLEASE BEAR FOR AWHILE; YOU ARE BEING LOADED WITH BLESSINGS

PLEASE BEAR FOR AWHILE;

YOU ARE BEING LOADED WITH BLESSINGS

You open a site, a file, a video or an image.
This symbol appears, giving you a message that you have to wait.
You became impatient in waiting. You demand that the loading should be faster and instant.

You prayed. You expected something from God.
Seemingly, this symbol appears in your career telling you to wait.
This symbol appears in your work telling you to wait.
This symbol appears in your relationship telling you to wait.
You became impatient in waiting. You demand that the blessings ought to be given faster and as much as possible, instant.

God is saying -

"Please bear for awhile; you are being loaded with blessings."

Don't focus on the waiting; focus on the upcoming blessings.
Yes, you are being loaded with blessings everyday.

The Psalmist said in praise,

"Blessed be the Lord who daily loads us with blessings."

But many times, we want the answers to our prayers to be given right now, right away and right at this moment, but God said -

"Please bear for awhile; you are being loaded with blessings."

Yes, bear for awhile.
Bear some tests.
Bear some criticisms.
Bear some hard works.
Bear some time.
But don't hit the "escape" button in life or else you will cancel the blessings.
Bear in mind that it will be sooner than you think, the blessings will fully load to you.

One day, I am in the living room and I tried to connect to the Wifi in our house through my laptop. But with many attempts, it failed to connect to the Wifi. I was already impatient and in the brink of getting frustrated and angry, until I discovered that the Wifi has no problem. The problem is in the setting of my laptop. The wifi connection in my laptop is in disabled mode. Silly me! No wonder the Wifi cannot connect to me.

Isn't this true also in our lives? God has always been ready to bless us everyday. He promised that His favor is even new every morning. But the question is - are we connecting to Him? Do we allow that He connects with us or we just go on independently with our own lives?

I became wise since then. Every time I try to connect to the wifi through my laptop, I make sure that my laptop is open for connection. And when I see the symbol or icon just like above which tells me to wait, I always reflect that this is same with life. Blessings are guaranteed by God. Everyday I am loaded with blessings. but I got to wait. I got to be patient. I got to trust God.

I must bear for awhile; anyway, I am being loaded with blessings.

And by the way, when you wait like this, it doesn't mean the blessings hung, it just means that something bigger and greater is about to appear to surprise you.

So, if you have to wait, please bear for awhile; you are being loaded with blessings.

- A r t  R o y  R e m y

WHAT FOUR THINGS GROWING CHURCHES HAVE IN COMMON

I have studied and compared four growing churches.

I grouped them into two groups-

traditional, and

modern.

It is amazing because though they were totally different

yet their churches are growing both in quality and quantity.

These are my comparisons.

WHY JESUS DID NOT SAY, "SEEK ME FIRST" BUT RATHER HE SAID, "SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD"

Jesus could have said,

"Seek me first" 

rather than

"Seek first the kingdom of God." 

Saying those words could still be right, valid, and righteous, but since He did not say it, he means something different why He emphasized that we must seek His kingdom first.

Actually most believers thought that it is what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 but it is not. Many preachers and teachers misused the verse by saying "Seek God first" when actually what He said was specific as "Seek first the kingdom of God." God is different from the kingdom of God.

What do you think why He didn't said, "Seek me first" instead He said, "Seek first the kingdom of God?"

Answer is given after this photo.

Let me ask you - "Did you already accept Jesus as your personal Saviour?"
If the answer is, "Yes," let me ask you, "Where is Jesus?"
Most probably you will answer, "He is in my life. He is in my heart," and that is right.
So, let me answer the question above with a question -

So, why will you seek Someone who is already in you?

Get the point?

Truth: You will not seek Someone who is already in you.

Jesus even promised that He will never leave nor forsake you. He will always be in your heart. So the reason why He didn't said, "Seek me" because He is already in you. He said, "Seek first the kingdom of God" is because this is the thing you need to discover in your life while you live here on earth. The kingdom of God is not something to be received in heaven, but to be lived and enjoyed here on earth. The kingdom of God is right here and present now but you need to seek it in your life by having a victorious life, sharing the love of God to others, helping the poor, passing peace and kindness to others and experiencing the abundant life in Him. This is what we seek.

Jesus is always in you. You don't seek someone whom you know where he is.
You know where He is. What you and I were told is to seek His kingdom.

Get this radical truth?

ENCOURAGEMENT TO ALL WHO ARE BUSY AT CHURCH WORK EVERY SATURDAY

Before I proceed, let me salute you, thank you and praise God for you for volunteering to any church work every Saturday. What you do is very important for God's kingdom and you are a great blessing to many. Your work may not be noticed by some, but surely God is well-pleased in what you are doing for Him.


Saturday is one of the busiest days for most churches around the world. This is the day pastors and preachers recaps and prepares their messages, the choir and worship team practice their songs, some do visitations and invitations, the media team prepares the graphics needed for tomorrow, the workers clean the worship place, the pastoral team meets for things to be done, the youth practices their numbers, the teachers prepares their lessons, and the list goes on. 

It is true - what we are on Sunday is based on what we prepare on Saturday.

All of these works and preparations are needed and vital. God is pleased when His people do His work in the best of their abilities based on His love and grace. 

However, Saturday is also the day which is most prone to irritation and stress since this is the busiest day for all who are active in church work, not to mention that they have been also busy in their homes and in their work during weekdays. So, let me share to you some of radical truths I discovered in life being also a volunteer and a leader in the church :

1. My zeal is primarily for God and not for the people.
No matter what others do, I am still personally responsible of what I should do. What I do is all about Him, not about a program, a goal, a ministerial duty, an assignment or an image. My volunteering for a certain work is more than just fulfilling an assignment. It is all because His love and my expression of my love for Him.

2. I must be sure that my strength comes from what God says, more than what people says. 

3. I must move people, programs and activities through prayer. I cannot be too dependent on what I know or what I am good at, I must still depend on God in prayer.

4. I must not measure other people with the zeal or faithfulness that I have.
    If you do this, you will just be frustrated, and you will be coercive to other people.

5. I must lead people by motivation not by coercion.

6. My zeal must not center on performance of things alone but in building lives.    

    This is the common "lapse" for those who regularly work in the church. Because of their familiarity to   each other, for example the choir and worship team gathers to practice their song every week, but they are not conscious that they are also gathering to build their faith with each other. Same thing happens to the pastor and his staff, and other ministries. We don't just gather to achieve a goal, we gather for each one's soul. 

7. I must never justify laziness nor mediocrity. 

8. I must accept that I am not superhuman. If I am tired, I need to rest. If I am stressed out, I need to relax.

9. My zeal should never be for the expense of relationships. 

   Having this mindset makes us to be understanding and forbearing to others. This will refrain us from criticizing and being irritable. We should not allow things or matters in the church affect our relationship at home. When it is time for lunch or dinner, enjoy time in your relationships. And of course, talk good and positive things.

10. With all the things I have prepared, I must not forget the value of - a good laughter in during the day, and a nice sleep at night.  

Your best preparations during Saturdays is not just what you do with your hands, but what you do with your heart.

Watch your step when you enter God's house. Enter to learn. That's far better than mindlessly offering a sacrifice, Doing more harm than good.   

Don't shoot off your mouth, or speak before you think. 

Don't be too quick to tell God what you think he wants to hear.  God's in charge, not you—the less you speak, the better. 

Overwork makes for restless sleep.  Overtalk shows you up as a fool.   

When you tell God you'll do something, do it—now. God takes no pleasure in foolish gabble. Vow it, then do it. 

          - Ecclesiastes 5: 1-5




- A r t  R o y  R e m y