Messages & Notes - 2008

December 01, 2008

2008-12-01T16:55:00.006+08:00

The glaring sun is halfway passed noonday.
The wind blew and spread the heat of the day.
After a while the peculiar songbird sounded.

Between midday and evening, thunders roared.
Who noticed the lightnings amidst the glaring sun?
Those who also set their watchful eyes at the sky.

Can rain pour down on a bright sunny afternoon?
Yet though the sky is clear, the rain poured gently.
Then at the eastern horizon showed a faint rainbow.

Though time seems so slow when waiting,
And hours seem so quick when delaying,
Yet all is synchronous to the sun's rhythm.

An evening followed after by a morning is a day.
Each day has a name and they are just as they are.
As the cycle of the days, so will the period be...

Until one day, the eyes will see what was foreseen.

November 23, 2008

2008-11-23T10:55:00.001+08:00

There are mountains and there are valleys. When strong winds blow and heavy rains pour, crumbling debris and water cover the valleys. But is it because the valleys are low that they are the ones flooded and crushed by debris?

Is it because the eye can't see itself that it only looks at others? Is it because the hand can't hold itself that it only grasps and pulls others? Can the ear hear itself, or the nose sniff itself? Can't the mouth bite itself?

It's easy to preach to the choir when the mistakes of others are made the subject.

Be Not Conformed to the Ways of this World

2008-11-01T04:57:00.006+08:00

By Peter the Apostle
Excerpt from his epistle to the Romans
[Romans 11:36 - 13:14]

For of God, and through him, and to him, are all things. For ever to him be the glory.

Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.

Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith. For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don't have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, if prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; or service, let us give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching; or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another; not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer; contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don't curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Don't set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don't be wise in your own conceits. Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.

If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment. For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is right and good, and you will have praise from the same, for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn't bear the sword in vain; for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.

Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are ministers of God's service, attending continually on this very thing. Give therefore to everyone what you owe: taxes to whom taxes are due; customs to whom customs; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.

Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not give false testimony,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Love doesn't harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law. Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed. The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let's therefore throw off the works of darkness, and let's put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.

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In our deepest desire for change, for a better life, we resort to different means to achieve it. Most people consider wealth as the measure of a better life; for in this world, wealth is absolute power. But as stated in Luke 12:15, life doesn't consist of the abundance of the things which a man possesses. There is more to life than materialism. Man doesn't exist for things, rather things exist for man. As Jesus said in the book of Matthew 6:25-33:

I tell you therefore, don't be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothing? See the birds of the sky, that they don't sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you of much more value than they?

Which of you, by being anxious, can add one cubit to the measure of his life?

Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin, yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won't he much more clothe you, you of little faith?

Therefore don't be anxious, saying, "What will we eat?", "What will we drink?" or, "With what will we be clothed?" For the Gentiles seek after all these things, for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.

If all we aim for is the bottom line, we are aiming too low. - William Baker, President & CEO of a big media network.

And also one thing, sometimes we easily forget that real change does not come from the leader we choose. Leaders are just the instruments through which God works his plan for a nation. Many people wrongly put their whole trust solely in the perceived capacity of a prospect leader rather on God who could stir in any direction the heart of any man whom He chooses to be His servant. God sometimes places someone in authority to test or to discipline a nation.

October 31, 2008

2008-10-31T04:23:00.002+08:00

Thus says the Lord:

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say, "I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;" and don't know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me. He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. (Revelation 3:15-22)

Renounce the hidden things of shame, walk no more in craftiness, nor handle the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commend yourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 4:2)

Be full grown men, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Lord; that you may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of a body of ideas, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; but speaking truth in love, you may all grow up in all things into him, who is the head, the Lord; from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:14-16)

God will frustrate the devices of the crafty, so that their hands can't perform their enterprise. He will take the wise in their own craftiness; the counsel of the cunning will be carried headlong. They will meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope at noonday as in the night. (Job 5:12-14)

No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24)

Walk not according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience; among whom you also all once lived in the lust of your flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. (Ephesians 2:2-3)

October 30, 2008

2008-10-30T16:36:00.002+08:00

I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse: therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your seed. (Deuteronomy 30:19)

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Gimaa barbarom na ambo omg Onelico kos woro yiro's koyosalom yo kamg amyo's mogoharob mgo nogodomghibota yo anootab mgo kodomohamom.

October 29, 2008

2008-10-29T00:59:00.005+08:00

He directs it forth under the whole heaven, and His lightning unto the ends of the earth.

After it a voice roars; He thunders with the voice of His majesty; and he restrains not the lightnings when His voice is heard.

God thunders marvelously with His voice.
He does great things, which we can't comprehend.

For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth;’
likewise to the shower of rain,
and to the showers of his mighty rain.

He seals up the hand of every man,
that all men whom he has made may know it.

Then the beasts go into coverts,
and remain in their dens.

Out of the chamber of the south comes the storm,
and cold out of the north.

By the breath of God ice is given;
and the breadth of the waters is straitened.

Yes, He loads the thick cloud with moisture.
He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning:

And it is turned round about by his guidance,
that they may do whatsoever He commands them
upon the face of the habitable world,

Whether it be for correction, or for his land,
or for loving kindness, that He causes it to come.

(Job 37:3-13)

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Did you see the lighting as it flashed brightly
across the rainy night sky?

Like scattered roots of an old tree,
it traces its path down into the deep.

Did you hear the roaring of the thunder
as the lightning kissed the earth?

Like huge boulders rushing down the mountains,
it rumbles as it goes by.

Look at the silhouette of trees afar,
can you see the tiny lights twinkling like fireflies?

The lightning flashes and behold,
wayfarers peaceful in the dark of night.

At dusk, pilgrims tarry beneath old trees
knowing it will be night soon.

Enduring the season,
victuals they spare for the cold and misty sojourn.

When the sky puts its light out,
the world sits idly by and goes to sleep.

Suddenly it pours, lightning flashes,
and its thunder awakens the world.

October 04, 2008

2008-10-04T15:57:00.003+08:00

Spiritual things have the Lord revealed,
So that peace may be to them that love Him.

Tribulations there are in the world:
But of good cheer let them that love Him be;
For the world have the Lord overcome already.

The Lord's weakness is much stronger than men's might;
His foolishness is much wiser than men's wisdom.

The things the world calls foolish He chooses,
That those the world calls wise He might put to shame.

The things the world calls weak He selects,
That the things the world calls strong He might put to humiliation.

He chose the lowly things of the world,
and the things that are despised,
and the things that are not,

That He might bring to nothing the things that are:
So that before Him, no flesh should glory.

A Distinctive Sword Shall Visit the Waterways

2008-09-30T17:02:00.002+08:00

September 25, 2008

2008-09-25T04:48:00.003+08:00

Their wealth will become a spoil, and their houses a desolation. Yes, they will build houses, but won't inhabit them... (Zephaniah 1:13)

Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of chastening; and the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy... (Zephaniah 1:18)

Most assuredly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. (John 12:24)

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When the last of the fruits of the trees shall have touched the ground, within a period of time they will sprout and in time will bear much fruit. But if they are not allowed to fall to the ground, nothing will grow to bear new fruits.

August 31, 2008

2008-08-31T04:26:00.003+08:00

01. Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established. (Proverbs 15:22)

02. A man's heart plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

03. There are many plans in a man's heart, but the Lord's counsel will prevail. (Proverbs 19:21)

04. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; But the Lord weighs the motives. (Proverbs 16:2)

05. Commit your deeds to the Lord, and your plans shall succeed. (Proverbs 16:3)

06. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts. (Proverbs 21:2)

07. When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16:7)

08. There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 16:25)

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09. It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness. (Proverbs 16:12)

10. Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth. (Proverbs 16:13)

11. The king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it. (Proverbs 16:14)

12. In the light of the king's face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain. (Proverbs 16:15)

13. The king's heart is in the Lord's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires. (Proverbs 21:1)

14. By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone. (Proverbs 25:15)

15. In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge. (Proverbs 28:2)

16. When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked bears rule, the people mourn. (Proverbs 29:2)

17. If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked. (Proverbs 29:12)

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18. The heart of the righteous studies to answer: but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. (Proverbs 15:28)

19. One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; One who rules his spirit, [is mightier] than he who takes a city. (Proverbs 16:32)

20. A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool. (Proverbs 17:10)

21. He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding. (Proverbs 17:27)

22. Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning. (Proverbs 17:28)

23. A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion. (Proverbs 18:2)

24. He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him. (Proverbs 18:13)

25. The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge. (Proverbs 18:15)

26. The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense. (Proverbs 19:11)

27. A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control. (Proverbs 29:11)

28. An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment. (Proverbs 18:1)

29. That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar. (Proverbs 19:22)

30. To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:3)

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31. The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out. (Proverbs 17:14)

32. A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good. (Proverbs 16:29)

33. An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. (Proverbs 17:11)

34. Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger. (Proverbs 29:8)

35. The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the life of the upright. (Proverbs 29:10)

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36. Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. (Proverbs 17:13)

37. He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord. (Proverbs 17:15)

38. A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice. (Proverbs 17:23)

39. To also punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity. (Proverbs 17:26)

40. To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice. (Proverbs 18:5)

41. He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him. (Proverbs 18:17)

42. A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free. (Proverbs 19:5)

43. A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish. (Proverbs 19:9)

44. A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity. (Proverbs 19:28)

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45. The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head. (Proverbs 20:29)

46. It isn't good to have zeal without knowledge; nor being hasty with one's feet and missing the way. (Proverbs 19:2)

47. A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. (Proverbs 18:19)

48. The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the hearts. (Proverbs 17:3)

49. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (Proverbs 18:21)

50. The Lord has made everything for its own end -— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil. (Proverbs 16:4)

August 17, 2008

2008-08-17T12:56:00.001+08:00

The northeasterly wind has blown hard;
causing the southwesterly wind to swirl into multiple heads.
Many clouds nearby will grow dark and darker.

As time rolls by, the winds will continue to blow.
Each wind will cause some clouds to be drawn close,
while other clouds are caused to be drifted away.
Different trees will sway their leaves to the rhythm of the winds.

When the sun will be nearing its way to complete the day,
it's bright light will highlight a broken passageway.
Unless the bridge is restored, who can cross it?

Where are the repairers of the breach?
What good are they for if they are not
sent to restore what has been broken?

Where are the builders of the structure?
Of What use are they if they are not
sent to rebuild what needs to be reconstructed?

Honey may be sipped so sweetly,
but only with the sweat of the brows.
Yet, who can disturb a hive without agitating a swarm?

June 07, 2008

2008-06-07T08:55:00.004+08:00

When the time comes, multitudes will gather attracted by something -- like night insects attracted to the light of a lamp. Wherever the object of their attraction has presence, there also will many of them be drawn. Their appearing out will signify the coming of another season.

On that day, many will gather in the glen of elucidation. Libation will flow from mountains, hills will secrete a kind of nourishment, and a spring will flow to water the land of acacias.

May 31, 2008

2008-05-31T04:11:00.002+08:00

[James 4:13 - 5:6]

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow let's go into this city, and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit.” Whereas you don't know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.

For you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that.” But now you glory in your boasting. All such boasting is evil. To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn't do it, to him it is sin.

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming on you. Your riches are corrupted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be for a testimony against you, and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up your treasure in the last days.

Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you have kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of those who reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Armies.

You have lived delicately on the earth, and taken your pleasure. You have nourished your hearts as in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have murdered the righteous one. He doesn't resist you.

The Workings of His Hands

2008-05-10T02:32:00.005+08:00

[Genesis 9:12-16]

God said [to Noah and his sons], “This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be for a sign of a covenant between me and the earth. It will happen, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow will be seen in the cloud, and I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh, and the waters will no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. The rainbow will be in the cloud. I will look at it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.”

*******

When light from a distant source, such as the sun, strikes a collection of water drops--such as rain, spray, or fog--a rainbow may appear. It appears as a multicolored arc whose "ends" seem to touch the Earth. Rainbows are seen only when the observer is between the sun and the water drops, so rainbows appear in the part of the sky opposite the sun. The center of the rainbow's arc is located on an imaginary line extending from the light source through the observer's eye to the area of the water drops.

Rainbows are most commonly seen when the sun's rays strike raindrops falling from distant rain clouds. Generally, this is only in the early morning or late afternoon. When the sun is too far above the horizon no rainbow can be seen. When the sun is lower in the sky, however, part of the arc becomes visible. In fact, if the sun is low enough and the observer is located in a place that is high enough, such as on a mountain or in an airplane, the observer may see a circular rainbow.

[Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia]

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Who causes the elements of nature to harmonize to exhibit the beauty of a rainbow? It is Him, the Lord of lords.

Understand the principles which operate under the conditions and circumstances during the occurrence of a rainbow -- and you will gain awareness and sensitivity to the workings of God's hands.

It is so easy to be distracted and lost when we are in the midst of turmoil and chaos. But when you have learned to recognize the workings of His hands, hope in Him will always awaken our slumbering confidence.

There may be dark clouds, rain, and wind, but do you realize that these elements and forces are basically the ones required for the sun to reflect a rainbow?

But wait till the sun shows as it is about to sit in the afternoon or when it is rising early in the morning and all of the needed elements and forces are present in the right condition and circumstance, you can't help it but marvel and praise the magnificence of the workings of God's hands.

May 09, 2008

2008-05-09T11:31:00.002+08:00

The Lord will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice. He will cause the mountains to bring prosperity to the people and the hills to bring the fruit of righteousness. He will judge the poor of the people and He will save the children of the needy. He will break the oppression of the people.

His pity is on the poor and needy. He will deliver them; for He heard their cries but they have no helper. He will save their souls and He will redeem them from oppression and violence. Their blood will be precious in his sight.

Opportunities In Disguise

2008-05-03T06:40:00.004+08:00

[Matthew 25:34-40]

Then the King will tell those on his right hand, "Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;

1. for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat;
2. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink;
3. I was a stranger, and you took me in;
4. naked, and you clothed me;
5. I was sick, and you visited me;
6. I was in prison, and you came to me."

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, "Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you? When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?"

The King will answer them, "Most assuredly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."

April 25, 2008

2008-04-25T03:53:00.004+08:00

You who dressed up your head with darkness and whose stare is like the tiger's eyes, hear.

Because you have set your heart to be enslaved by the east wind, you will be carried by the whirlwind -- unless you free yourself out. Because you have allowed yourself to be nurtured by this wind, you will gain the storm -- unless you break yourself loose.

Unless you repent and turn away from the wrong path you are walking, you will hear the loud rumbling of thunder in the noonday. And in the middle of that day, you will see the dark sky cracked through by a strong lightning. Then know that those shall be signs to you that the Lord has set and determined your day.

If you repent not, then in time your hand that used to gesture to your beard shall lose its strength and shall touch the ground. Your beard that has become the source of your strength and which you have taken so much care shall stiffen and shall fall off like dead dry leaves shaken from the branch and blown away by the wind.

Now that this word has been spoken to you, then it shall be so.

Something Shall Be Placed In Your Hand

2008-04-19T00:04:00.007+08:00

What is it that the Lord shall place in your hand? When the time comes, you will know what is it and what is it for.

The Lord has prepared this thing such that it is already a little bit ahead in its normal process of development. For unless the Lord prepared it that way, this thing will not be useful in your hands because of your weakness and of the harshness of the condition of the current season.

When the soil is tender and fine, when the ground is moistened by the dews, and when its odor smells in the air, only then you will know.

March 25, 2008

2008-03-25T00:53:00.004+08:00

[Genesis 41:1-8, 41:14-36]

And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.

And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.

And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.

Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.

And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river: And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow: And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness: And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine: And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.

And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good: And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them: And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.

And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one. And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.

This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.

And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.

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But unlike the situation of Egypt in those years of old, the situation of the world now has but less than three years to prepare before things will start turning to worse.

About four years ago, someone somewhere had warned the nations of a coming hardship, but it fell on deaf ears because who would believe the idea that something bad is going to happen in the future while everything is going so good at the present.

To those who repent, it is not yet too late. Therefore make use of the time left. Although you could not anymore produce and gather so much that there will be excess to give to your neighbor, but the Lord will increase and multiply your usual yield within this little time left so that there will be enough for you and your household when the days scarcity come. Therefore, waste nothing while you labor even harder to increase your yield.

Know that these times are seasons of great testings. When the days come, let the question be; "Will there be anyone still willing to serve the Lord when He has reduced greatly the means that men put their trust upon?"

In those days, true servants will be separated from the false ones. Pray that you will be among those whom the Lord will send to continue His work. For indeed in those days, so very great will be the harvest of souls (by reason of the hardship that will happen) but there will be few true laborers that are really willing to continue the work (by reason also of the hardship).

Marso 20, 2008

2008-03-20T02:38:00.002+08:00

Niadtong panahon nga bag-o pa nagsugod ang gyera sa Iraq, ang ato nga mga sundalong enhenyero gisugyot nga papaulion balik sa atong nasod agi ug bugti sa kaluwasan sa kinabuhi sa usa ka Filipino driver nga nabihag sa mga kaaway.

Gisaway pag-ayo sa daghanang mga nasod ang pagtuman sa Pilipinas sa kagustuhan sa mga kaaway. Ug atol niadtong mga panahuna, aduna'y mensahe nga akong gipahayag pinaagi sa text nga diin tipik sa mensahe nagapadayag mahitungod sa unsay dangatan sa mga naga unag mga nasod nga apil sa hiniusang pwersa nga nakig gyera sa Iraq.

Ang pag daus-os sa lakaw sa ekonomiya nining mao nga mga nasod maoy tukma nga nahisgutan sa maong mensahe -- ug karon nagasugod na kini sa pagkatuman.

Ang unang tipik sa maong mensahe mabasa niini: Messages & Notes - July 13, 2004.

Ang completong bersyon tua sa public cellphone sa atong Presidente. Hinaot unta nga wa pa mapapas ang tanang mga mensahe nga akong napadala niya.

(Way labot sa akong na post na sa akong blog, wala nako'y lain pang kupya sa akong daan nga mga text kay napapas ang tanan atol sa pagka-guba sa akong hard disk.)

There Is Real Hope For "Genuine Sinners"

2008-03-18T03:27:00.010+08:00

[John 3:14-21]

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

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In the light of this basic foundational truth, restitution prior to forgiveness is unnecessary. Restitution or restoration is but an inevitable consequence of a soul who has truly accepted and received God's forgiveness.

In the story of the corrupt tax collector Zaccheous, his acceptance of God's forgiveness did not came after the moment he pronounced he will make restitution, but rather it came when he believed in his heart that Jesus will seek and find him for he already heard so much about Him and His teachings.

In Luke 19:8, Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor. If I have wrongfully exacted anything of anyone, I restore four times as much.”

Clearly this is not just simple restitution but "over-restitution". Only an overjoyed soul who has truly accepted God's forgiveness can exhibit such kind of manifestation.

In Luke 9:10 Jesus said, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”

If restitution or restoration is a prerequisite for forgiveness, then what can a lost soul do prior to being found when he do not even know which direction to go? The only thing that is really needed is for one to know and believe that God really loves him/her so much that He did not withheld Himself (in/thru the person of Christ Jesus) to suffer for his/her sake so that he/she will be reconciled back to Him.

Restoration or restitution or reconciliation is just the result of forgiveness -- and not a precondition.

Forgiveness with a precondition is false forgiveness. Repentance without restitution is false repentance.

So is there real hope for all of humanity? Is there real hope for "genuine sinners"?

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The following are among the popular verses in the Bible that demonstrate true forgiveness without any precondition -- and while the offenders not even asking for it:

[Luke 23:33-34] And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

[Acts 7:59-60] And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Oh what a demonstration of genuine forgiveness!

The evidence that one is a true disciple is that he/she becomes like his/her master -- like master, like disciple.

March 11, 2008

2008-03-11T03:15:00.003+08:00

MENE, MENE, TEKEL.

Like thunder and lightning is the voice of the Lord.

There are seven intervals of time measure that had been appointed for the fermentation and purification of the wine. There will yet be more shaking and moments of allowing dregs to settle down. There will be more pouring out of the wine from vessel to vessel to leave out and remove the lees. And after the last time measure, the quantity that is left of the wine will be the portion that will be tested for its quality.

Will the wine's taste and scent be of fine quality? May it be tested to be so.

March 04, 2008

2008-03-04T12:43:00.003+08:00

When I opened my virtual window this morning and scanned the horizon for new signs, to my delight, I found one! Somebody somewhere has gotten the light bulb lit. I threw a morsel of bread into the river, and behold somewhere along the banks I found it grown bigger!

To the one who lit the light bulb, take good care of that spark of light. Nurture it secretly within your trusted circle of key persons. Make it grow just within yourselves for now. And when the time comes for you to show the light, it should have already grown brightly and clearly. Times and events will tell when is the right timing to expose the light.

When all of a sudden the light is exposed in its full brightness and intensity, it will be too overwhelming for the darkness to subdue it.

There is always hope. There is always a way -- a right way. But all depends on the right timing.

February 26, 2008

2008-02-26T20:03:00.002+08:00

[Isaiah 9:16 - 10:3]

Those who lead the people lead them astray; and those who are led by them are destroyed. Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, neither will He have compassion on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is profane and an evil-doer, and every mouth speaks folly.

For all this, His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still. For wickedness burns like a fire. It devours the briers and thorns; yes, it kindles in the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a column of smoke.

Through the wrath of the Lord of Hosts, the land is burnt up; and the people are the fuel for the fire. No one spares his brother. And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm...

Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; to deprive the needy from justice, and to rob the poor among the people of their rights, that widows may be their spoil, and that they may make the fatherless their prey!

What will you do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help? Where will you leave your wealth?

[Exodus 19:17-20]

Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the lower part of the mountain.

Mount Sinai, the whole of it, smoked, because Yahweh descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.

When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice.

Yahweh came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. Yahweh called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

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The day is coming when the Lord will separate the head and the tail from among the people. The honorable ones are the head, and the tail are those that practice and teach lies.

An anointed elder among the head will lead the people out of their situation into a place of hope -- in the presence of the Lord at the foundation of the nation.

The whole nation will be shaken by the Lord. The fire of His Holy Spirit will descend on the damaged morals and values of the society and on the broken foundations and pillars of the government. Unrighteousness, wickedness, and dead works will be exposed and be consumed by God's purifying fire. Like hay, wood, and stubble they will be burned intensely and the world will know of them because their bad reputation will ascend like the smoke of a furnace.

The blast of the people's trumpets will grow more bold and louder because the Lord will stir them up. Thru the anointed elder, the people will lift up their call for righteousness in the land, and the Lord will answer them by a "Voice".

In the fullness of the season of tests and trials, a season of new beginnings will follow. The Lord will call the anointed elder to a place prepared for him. And that day will be the start of a new course in the history of the nation.

Just as it is the Lord who determines the coming in and the going out of seasons, it is not for any one to know the length and duration of their period. It is sufficient for one to know what type of season he is in, because after all, it is for the Potter to decide what kind of vessel to make out of the clay. With God as the potter, and we as the clay, we are in good and perfect loving hands.

The Winds Of Change Are Blowing

2008-02-18T08:38:00.000+08:00

By Linda Patterson

The winds of change are blowing! Yes, they are blowing over the nations and I am calling My remnant body to arise. Even as you have gone through the long winter season I have been removing blankets that have bound you up and caused you to be restricted. Throughout this last season as you have allowed Me to do heart surgery in many areas of your life, you have kept your eyes fixed on things eternal and have not wavered from the call. You have been freed up to go into this new season of pinpoint accuracy in all things.

A wave of My Spirit is coming to catch you up, blowing a wind of refreshing upon you to thrust you forward. Yes, the wind shall carry you into the next phase of operation. This phase is one of abundant provision, one of preparation for taking you higher. It shall be a season of visibility as I wash over you with My latter rain. Obscurity, haziness, cloudiness, dullness shall fade away as I drench you in My Spirit. I am blowing on you My sons and daughters. I am blowing to usher you into a season of fulfillment, a season of great joy.

As the turbulent days increase throughout the nations the winds of adversity will blow. My remnant bride, you will walk in the eye of the storm. I fill you with My wisdom, I fill you with My love. You will walk forward unscathed by the battle raging around you for you are in My glory cloud of love. Through sorrow, adversity and pain, many will be drawn to the cross as My glorious love, mercy and grace shines forth through you.

My precious ones, endure in the night season. Look only unto Me. My warriors of the morning I call you forth to enter this new season, this new day and this new hour with overcoming joy.

February 06, 2008

2008-02-06T04:23:00.000+08:00

"He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food." (Job 36:16)

"Now the Lord has given us room and we will flourish in the land." (Gen 26:22)

It can be likened unto a birth. The baby first passes through a very narrow birth canal with tremendous pressure. This baby has known nothing but the security of the womb. Now suddenly, it's being forced out of it's safe place and not just with a gentle nudge either, but with great pressure. Why? Because without that pressure that baby is going nowhere!

The first thing that happens when the baby is thrust out into that open, spacious place after it learns it has to breathe on it's own now, is that it's lifeline to the mother is cut. It is going to have to learn to get nourishment a different way than it is used to. It's no longer going to be fed automatically through the umbilical... now life is going to be different. Everything is suddenly different. It must learn to breathe. It must learn to take nourishment. And it must grow and adapt in an environment that is much different than it was used to. No more water surrounding and cushioning every little bump. What an experience!

But what a freedom! Now it can exercise those lungs, those internal organs that have never yet been used! Now it can move around with ease and no restrictions. Now it will grow to be the person it was created to be! Think of how much revelation comes to that baby as it opens it's eyes for the first time and see a new world -- not just a dark world like in the womb -- but a world that is also filled with light, light that causes things to be seen.

The Lord is going to be doing some things in our day that we have never known fully. He is going to be expanding our horizons in ways we have not expected.

In the Bible, when the Lord is telling the prophet what is coming, it is to prepare the people not for what they are dealing with at the time, but for the immediate future. So, if you are experiencing a change of season, and it seems that you are in a "spacious place" right now, count it joy.

Ah, that spacious place... free from restrictions... a place of revelation... and a place where we can grow and flourish. What a lovely word, "flourish". It sounds so healthy, so full of life, so vibrant.

February 04, 2008

2008-02-04T17:07:00.000+08:00

Those who are behind the move to oust the current speaker of the house must think twice about their plan. They may succeed and then rejoice with their victory, but it will be not for long. The one they will put to replace the speaker may think it is a great honor for him to be chosen as the new speaker, but this is all what he will get. In the times and seasons ahead he will regret the day he sat on the chair of the speaker. Unless the would-be new speaker is helped by the would-be former speaker, they all will work in the house in vain.

For the current speaker, whatever will be the outcome of this episode will eventually lead him to a favorable situation. Things will be confusing for him at first but as time will unfold, things will slowly fall in place. If he must go, he must go with honor and a good fight. If he must stay, he must stay with dignity and a renewed enthusiasm.

To those who plan his downfall as a speaker, they shall regret the day they even thought of such thoughts. They have set the ball in motion and it will not stop spinning until it hits them back.

So will the coming days be like... and so shall it be.

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Do you think no one else knew it forming? As the sign tells, it is already known about halfway in its conception. Its cocoon is not yet fully spun, the Lord already revealed it to those whom He wanted to know of it. As soon as it was made known by the Spirit, there was a great urge to disclose it that early. Yet the Lord prevented it to be publicly known earlier, lest the test will be spoiled.

January 31, 2008

2008-01-31T03:01:00.000+08:00

Behold a sign in the sky.
A marvelous sight to see.
The sun peeping through
A window in a dark cloud
As it goes to complete the day.

You mountains and valleys,
The trees, the hills and seas.
Open your ears and listen.
Hear the word of the Lord.

At some point of the season,
Before all hope seem to fade,
The Lord shall open a way
In the midst of the dark days,
That those who are weary
May find and walk the way.

Therefore, arise and see.
Waste not your time vainly;
For the sun will not wait.
When darkness will lurk,
No one can do any work.

And then the wind will blow
To stir and close the cloud.
Then the sun will set below
To put the earth in shroud.

January 06, 2008

2008-01-06T07:57:00.000+08:00

MANTIS

The predatory mantis is well adapted for catching the living insects on which it feeds. It is often called the praying mantis because of the way it holds its prehensile front legs while waiting to make a kill. The mantis remains motionless or sways gently back and forth, with head raised and front legs outstretched in an apparent attitude of praying.

The lively coloration of the mantis may serve as camouflage or as a lure. It lies in wait among leaves while its large compound eyes search for prey. To better blend with its surroundings, it sometimes spreads its wings like a skirt. When an insect appears, the spiny forelegs jerk out to seize the victim. The prey is caught by the sharp, curved hooks at the end of the mantis's legs and is held firmly by the rows of spines. Within about one twentieth of a second from the time the mantis has spied its prey, it has retracted its front legs and is feeding on its catch. Although mantises hunt primarily insects, some larger species can overcome small vertebrates such as lizards, frogs, and young birds.

Mantises often devour one another, and it is common for the female to consume the male after, or even during, mating. The female then lays her eggs in a frothy mass, which, when dry, becomes a brownish, papery case. The mantis lives in tropical regions and also in temperate parts of the world. Many scientists classify it in the Dictyoptera order with cockroaches. They call the suborder Mantida from the Greek mantis, meaning "diviner" or "prophet." Some scientists place the mantis in the separate order Mantodea. Its popular names include mule killer, soothsayer, and devil's horse. (Compton's Encyclopedia)

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What is a clay-colored mantis have to do with an empty spoon on a dinner table at the third watch of the night?

Oh... what a season of testing it would be!

Just as answers are not given to the students before and during the test, so shall the coming seasons be like also. But just as helpful and guiding pointers are provided prior to an exam, so shall signs and guiding words be given. It is not head knowledge that will be primarily tested but rather the ability to apply what has been learned, and that is called wisdom.

While many aspects and facets of life will be involved, the main subject is all about winning -- winning life's battle, of which the only weapon that is really effective is Agape (the love of God).

[Isaiah 29:8-16]

It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?