28: Conviction

Have your convictions remained the same over the years, despite of the many things that had happened in your life - good and bad? I believe mine changed. Perhaps, some of them. One perfect example is drinking (alcoholic drinks).

When I entered college, it was when I started drinking socially. I got drunk a few times too - not a pretty site to see. I really didn't see anything wrong about it. Until God changed my heart about it when I started walking seriously with Him. He convicted me about it and without any hesitation, I decided to stop. He made me realize that I didn't get anything good from it. 

Either you believe in the Bible, being the final authority in your life or if you don't believe, need not to worry.  You can't find any verse in the Bible that says drinking is a sin. But getting drunk, of course, just Google verses about it, and you will see there are a lot. 

But it doesn't mean that because drinking is not a sin, we just freely do it. We always have to consider the people around us. If you have a friend whom you know is struggling with alcoholism and still you continue to drink, or if you have a friend who gave up drinking and you still force that person to drink, then that's a different story.

Romans 14: 13- 18

13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

We all believe in different things. We stand up for something because of different reasons.  It's truly difficult not to judge others if we measure it against our beliefs. I, myself, is sometimes guilty of it. But I'm just grateful that God didn't give us the task to be the judge of this world (well, we can never be qualified with our imperfection). As Romans 14:12 says, " So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God."  Not ourselves to others. 

I pray that with what I believe in, I will not cause anyone to stumble. Not to judge, but to accept and love just like what Jesus did for me who is imperfect and a sinner.

To God be the glory! :)

28: Discipline

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,

    and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, 

    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Hebrews 12: 5-6

At a young age, my siblings and I understood very well what discipline is. My father was a disciplinarian especially when it comes to our studies. We were not allowed to watch television on weekdays. We were not allowed to get grades below 80%. It's non-negotiable. No excuses. And so, it taught us to really take our studies seriously. And I was grateful for that. Because I won't be where I am now if my father didn't really push us to give our best.


And as I started working and living independently, discipline has to come from within me already. I need to practice it. And most of us would agree, it's not very easy. As for me, it takes God's grace to really be able to live it EVERYDAY. 


How about God's discipline? Have you been in one? I'm very much encouraged with the whole chapter of Hebrews 12. Days have been tough for me recently. Mentally & emotionally. But I know this is God's way of disciplining me, molding me. It's up to me to submit to His discipline. Well, I'd rather submit. At some point in my life, I've totally ignored God that it brought me to a much painful journey. So now, I'd rather obey because as always, God knows what's best for me.


They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. - Hebrews 12: 10 - 11

In Quietness, In His Presence

I read Psalm 131 tonight. And I felt my heart speaking the verses. For quite a while, being calm and quiet has been my weapon in facing certain things in my life. It's not because I'm afraid but because I chose to submit to the Lord. Right now, all I want is just to enjoy my walk with Jesus. And at this time, it is a walk of quietness and stillness with Him.

My heart is not proud, Lord,

    my eyes are not haughty; 

I do not concern myself with great matters 

    or things too wonderful for me. 

But I have calmed and quieted myself, 

    I am like a weaned child with its mother;

    like a weaned child I am content.

Israel, put your hope in the Lord

    both now and forevermore.

I don't know why. But I'm starting to get poetic lately. I just usually express myself through my journal, pouring out everything. But lately, God inspired me to be poetic. :) He certainly does! So, I'll just grab it while the bubble is there. :) I got inspired reading those verses that I made a few lines of mine.

In the midst of clamor,

I chose calmness.

For my mind to ease

and my heart to rest.

In Your Presence, O God

my soul finds peace.

What else would I ask,

when you are enough?

[Journey on Waiting 5] Going poetic

As I was going through blogs about waiting, I've somehow made reflections that I would want to express it in a poem. :) It's been so long since I wrote a poem. That last one I believe was in college. Here goes my freestyle poem writing... Haha!

Why wait?

-------------------------------

Why should I wait?

When they say,

that all that matters

is today?

Why should I wait?

When they say,

things can happen

without delay?

Why should I wait?

What's the deal?

Well, my Maker told me,

"For I am God, you be still."

What's the point of faith?

What's the point of hope?

What's the point of tomorrow?

If we don't wait?

What's the point of grace?

What's the point of the cross?

What's the point of salvation?

If we can't wait?

Don't focus on waiting.

But fix your eyes on the Blessing.

For the Blessing in waiting,

is a relationship with a King!

Happy Waiting! :)

28: Career Choices

My first job is still my current job. After I graduated from college, I immediately looked for a job that suited my degree. And gratefully, God gave me the best job. I can't believe that I'll be turning 7 years in the company this August. I remembered I was about to give up when I thought that nothing great was going to happen in my career. Then, all of a sudden, opportunities came, just at the right time. Talking about God's timing. :)


There are times that I would think about trying other companies and seeking better opportunities but I really never do anything about it. I never submitted any resumes or even deliberately look for jobs. Those were just spur of the moments. But not until I got back from Canada. I was opened to a lot of options. And my desire to work abroad grew. Actually, I got a change of heart because I never wanted to work abroad before. 


But right now, I'm not yet sure if this is what God wants for me. It would take a lot to actually leave my current job because I still enjoy what I do and now having the chance to really mentor a team, it would also be a lost privilege for me. When there was a door for me to go back to Canada, I wanted to take control and push it. But I didn't. I trusted God. Because I believe that no one could ever hinder His plans. It was a great opportunity but God knows what's really best for me. 


Just this week, I posted my updated resume to job sites and I received some responses through email and even got a phone call. I wasn't expecting any of it. And I actually felt scared. I'm not sure if I would even be qualified or if I'll even pass the interviews. It was the same feeling when I was looking for a job for the first time. I'm not even sure if it's even the right thing to do for now.


I was very much encouraged with the message today. Practicing God's presence. This is what I really need to do more than anything else. To be able to hear God clearly and know His will for me, I need to be in His presence constantly. I got so focused thinking what are the next steps I need to do instead of focusing on God. More than anything else, I need to understand the heart of God for my career. Why, what and where? And make it the desire of my heart as well.

^{Hebrews 13:5}

 Keep your lives free from the love of money and 

be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;

  never will I forsake you.”

Knowing that God will never leave me no matter what, I just have to wait and be still.