Is the Good News worth sharing?

For most, good news, I believe and all would agree that it is worth sharing. With all the bad news we hear every now and then, these things place us in a very bad mood or gloomy atmosphere. So a good news would be a great thing to lighten up our day.

But sadly there is one good news people don’t bother or would even take notice today. Even a hint of it might actually put other people feel indifferent, insulted or even attacked by it. Many people would actually think such news, even with a glimpse of it, is not really good news to them. Now, you might ask, is there really such a good news that is not a good news to others? Well, if I would really think over it, I think there are because sometimes it depends on how we perceive what good news really is. But again, I believe there is one good news which is supposed to be good news for all yet is seen as bad news or not so really news for others at all. It is actually rubbish to them. And I would simply reveal it to you who read this, which is the good news of Jesus Christ!

Now, two things can happen after you’ve seen the name. One, of course there is a possibility that you are slightly interested about what I’m talking about. Second, you totally have no interest so you just stop reading this post. If you decide to stop reading, well, I would respect that. Thing is, the good news of Jesus Christ can either be a hoax for all 2000+ years or so… or it is actually true and real good news. BUT, to think of it as hoax for 2000+ years, I would ask, why do you think people still believe on it and to the point that one can lay down his life for it? Now you may think I’m kidding, but hey, just look at history and even for the last 2000 years. Although I must say, there are inconsistencies. I mean, even the Bible declared there are false Christians as called. But if you find a true and genuine Christian, you’ll be sure that they will lay down their life just for you to hear, know and understand the gospel. And that’s one reason why I’m actually writing this. Although I have to also say, because of miscommunications, misconceptions, and misleading images of Christianity, the real and genuine Christianity have lost its true image compared on the early ages of Christianity. The apostles to be exact and many early believers gave their lives just for the sake of the gospel or good news of Christ. If only people will ask “why?” and try to seek out the answers to this, then they will know.

And I for one would try to give my best means of answering that question “why?” And why is it really a good news?

First off, before the good news, I have to make one understand that before the good news, there is a bad news, a reason why the good news has to be made. And this is simple, and I would like to start it with another question which is, “Why is there death?” You see, this is one mystery not even scientist could explain why there is such a thing called death. Scientist can explain or discuss the process of going towards death, but none could explain why? They will just say “It just happens.” This is their dead end. But the Bible actually has a reason or a logical answer if one considers it. And the Bible points it simply toward “sin.” (Romans 3:23 & 6:23). If you will read Rom. 5:12 & 19, here gives a glimpse of how did sin affect man and results to death.

Romans 5:12 (NIV)
"Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned"

Romans 5:19 (NIV)
"For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous."

That’s the bad news and for that bad news to be replaced with the good news. One must know and understand that the good news started when God loves us so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die in the cross as a means of payment or ransom for sinners like me and you so that there would be a way for us to be brought back to Himself. And that friend can happen when one places their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ – meaning, if you believe, trust, and surrender your life to Jesus Christ. Consider these verses which can explain further:

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Ephesians 2:8-9
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Titus 3:5
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"

Romans 10:9-10
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Now, again, to many (because even the Bible spoke of this reality of people not really having an interest) these are rubbish and foolish. BUT, to someone who understands and fully comprehends, this is the best good news one could ever receive. And it is also worth sharing to others even if many would reject it. Furthermore, to the one who receives this great news, it is not just a great news, it actually is the greatest hope one could ever hope for in this world, because it exceeds far more than life and death. It is infinite, if one could really start by understanding this good news of Christ Jesus!

Church at Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7)

                How do I start sharing my thoughts on this? Or what I’ve learned out of it? But in actuality, I think I learned just a few. Most of it would be a reminder and a rebuke! I’ve chosen to write my thoughts on these as a means of mastering / practicing my thoughts on this topic, as I will be sharing this Bible verses to our brethren at The Living Word Baptist Church (TLWBC). 

                It’s a reminder since I still remember before Bro. Roy Sanoy spoke about these things in the early years of the TLWBC. But I hardly can remember what were his points or the lessons or message from it. And that would be a good question to ask the members if they too can remember some of it. It is indeed interesting that most often, we forget what we learn. But nevertheless, I’m sure one of the main goal of every teaching / preaching of God’s Word is a changed life, a life that leads to Christ-likeness. I could still remember the question of manong Roy every time he speaks, “So what?” Meaning, what’s the point of learning all these things? And it’s good to ponder and personally realize it. The Word of God is not just about acquiring facts or knowledge but it’s about a changed life leading to glorifying God.

                Now let me get back to the topic itself! As per my research, the book of Revelations was written or authored by John, the last apostle of Jesus also known to be the beloved John. He wrote this book (Revelations) approximately 90 years A.D. and on this time, Christians were persecuted still under the Roman Empire. And so, the book of Revelations was written mostly known to be a prophetic book, but its main content or goal is to give hope amongst the persecuted Christians. Hope that truly Jesus Christ is coming again to take His people and to reign as the King of kings and the Lord of lords! For a truth, it has been 2000 years long and Christ has not come yet, nevertheless, His coming is sure for God is a Faithful God and does not lie. As His Word has promised, so shall it be fulfilled and therefore His coming is very near than it ever was.

                It is interesting that even with the current issues of the government or presidencies; this is a good reminder that there will never be a real perfect and greater government than that of the Lord Jesus Christ’s. People these days hope on a man or a person, but so easily man itself will look for holes or something that will pull the man down. And thing is, they surely will fall! Because man is not perfect! Only God is! Only the Lord Jesus Christ! Sad thing is we Christians tend to forget where we place our hope. I hope it’s not in this world but it is in Christ and for all eternity. Therefore, please do not bother yourself on the things of this world or even be consumed by worry or fear. Our life is in God’s hand! So whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s (Romans 14:8).

                Now, about the book of Revelation! It’s a book to give hope for Christians even in the midst of persecutions or strife or struggles. And I pray indeed that we are reminded of that blessed hope.

                Now, the verses 1-7 of chapter 2 reveals God’s message to the church in Ephesus. A little background of Ephesus is that the place is actually a center of trading and a place of dockyards where ships dock coming from different places. And, understanding this situation we could get to understand more by picturing our own place of trading, where ships comes in and foreign people come in. Understanding this, we could at least see the kind of people live in this place and what are their practices. And it is more probable that immorality can be visible in the area. The believers then most likely are the minority. Therefore standing for what you believe in Christ is a great struggle in the area.

               

V. 1        “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands."

                Angel of the church as we know is God’s messenger, which at this time we know as the pastor. “Him who holds the seven stars” talks about Jesus Christ.  

V. 2        “I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false."

Two things I wish to share from this verse,

               

                First, is the key word “know” from “I know your works, toil and patience / endurance…”. And if I may ask, “Does God know our works as a church? Do you think our church is doing well?“ Our churches should be, unless we choose to be ashamed of our church and that God is not interested of our church.

                Second, is the key word “tested” or “tried” (from other version). It indicates that the Ephesian church is able to know who’s who? Who are the true apostles of Christ and are not? How about us? Do we have the ability to discern who are the genuine and true teachers / preachers of God’s Word? Or we simply listen to any doctrines and false teachings? Teachers will not say “I’m now going to teach a false doctrine!” That’s absurd of course. Thing is false doctrines will look like a good and great doctrine. It will never manifest itself as false or wrong or evil. And how will we discern which is which? Be like the Berean Believers (from the book of Acts)! They compared and checked every word that came out of apostle Paul whether it is indeed written and in accordance to God’s Word. Be warned! It doesn’t mean it’s a verse from the Bible and we simply believe it. This requires also extent of studying and really comparing from other principles or doctrine of God’s Word because we should understand that no principle or doctrine in the Bible should contradict itself. If it contradicts principles / doctrines, then there is a problem on how we understand God’s principles.

                Considering these things, a Christian has to really grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Learning and growing towards maturity is truly a life long journey! It stops only when you stop breathing. Therefore, never ever be satisfied in what you already know for if Paul himself declared these words “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Phil. 3:10), how much more ought to be for us?

By the way, growing mature in our spiritual life does not depend on the years we listen or read God’s Word. It is measured on how our life reflects what we learn and how we manifest Christ-likeness as what I’ve shared early on (Romans 8:29).

V.3-4     “I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first."

Two things I wish to share from these 2 verses.

 First, is the question to reflect, “Are we also enduring, patient even in the midst of being scorned, persecuted, or in the midst of a great trial? How are we bearing the name of Christ?” Do we call ourselves Christian only on times we are fine and happy? Whereas, take it off when we are in trouble?  The Ephesian believers did not but continued faithfully and steadfastly!

But second thing I wish to ponder on, is where we would really be shocked or greatly stop and think hardly of it! The Ephesian believers left their first love! Their love for God has grown cold! And yet, it is amazing that they could still do what God has told them. Possible? Yes! Of course, it’s possible! We could observe that amongst ourselves. Even pastors or workers, especially them, are the biggest target. Teaching or preaching God’s Word, but the heart is not right. And if we read furthermore from the verses, the result is disastrous or tragic.

It makes me wonder though; do we really personally understand what it means to love God? For me? The thought of loving God is somewhat indescribable or unfathomable. How can a creature love an Almighty God, One Who is above and exceeds the limit of what we can even know? It is for me incomprehensible, but I look to His word for a better understanding and one that we could relate to. When it comes to God’s love, the 2 greatest commands come in. Love God with all that you are and love thy neighbor as thyself! Further on we read I John 4:19-21 and these verses instruct us that we manifest God’s love on how we love others, specially the brethren in the Lord. And so we ask? How is our love for the brethren or for others or even our enemies? Remember Jesus’ words? Some or many would say “impossible!” Well, yes if we let ourselves have full control of our will and our character BUT if we let God or Christ live in us and through us, SURELY IT CAN BE DONE! Because our forefathers in the Faith have already been able to do so! Still, impossible? Apostle Paul is one example. Have you not even comprehended how great a sacrifice he had to go through? All in the name of the gospel of Christ! It was for people he never even knew! The gentiles as we are, filthy in the eyes of the Jews! And yet the gospel of Christ was spread all throughout the whole earth. What an amazing love!? And that love comes from the love of God!

                In reality, we can never love God unconditionally like how He loves us. That’s because He already first initiated (chose without any condition) to love us. And so, we have no other chance         to love God unconditionally. We love Him because He first loved us!  

So, how are we manifesting God’s love towards others? Are we helping, serving, giving and forgiving others? If not, we ought to check our hearts. But one has to also check, that doing these things does not guarantee that you really love God. It is a little bit confusing, but the point is, these things we do for others are the result of how we really love God. It is not a cause or the initial spark of our love for God. Instead, it’s a reflection. Or, like the ray of the sun, that ray represents our action or our love towards others whereas; the sun represents our love for God.

Well, I hope we get at least an idea of how do we really love God. And as the verses warns the Ephesian, hope we are warned too. As Christians or even servants of God, the enormous number of activities or programs we do is not the measure of how great our love for God is. And it’s not in numbers of attendees or members I believe God is interested on, but on how many are truly converted and how faithful and passionately growing and serving they are. It is my prayer that we Christians indeed continue to grow, continue to know and continue to love God and others. But further on, be watchful that our love for God does not grow cold. For when it does, all our doings or actions or activities or programs are worthless and vain. It will be for nothing. Because reading verse 5 says, if one does not repent, God will take away the light as a church. In other words, the church becomes useless and powerless in the midst of where it stands. It becomes like one of the dark. The church may be big and has huge number of members, but without the love for God, it’s just like an organization. Doing all the things they could do, but without power and no impact on those that surround them. Want to know how your church is doing? Go out and ask the neighborhood who is not a member of the church. Then you will know. It’s far from the picture of the first Christian church, where people’s heart was broken just simply hearing the gospel of Christ. Souls were moved by the Spirit and the Lord Himself added to the church daily.

(V. 7) Those who has ears to hear let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches…

Life Like A Road Or Pathways

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy^[a]that leads to destruction,

and those who enter by it are many. 

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life,

and those who find it are few.”

(Matthew 7:13-14)

God’s Word often illustrates our life like roads or pathways. And yes, indeed pathways often picture our lives while here on earth. Sometimes we compare our life like a journey and the end whereof is death or the time we face our Creator.

For some or others, they may disagree in the concept of this. In reality, there are those who believe our life is like a mechanical programmed activity. These will be those who believe that man has no will at all. Well, that’s a hard thing for me to understand or believe. But as for me, I prefer to believe on the God of the Bible and His truths.

And the verse posted talks only of one meaning and one truth or should I say Biblical Truth! That THE ONLY ONE WAY that leads to life is that of through Christ Jesus, as represented by the narrow way. It may not clearly say but understanding and studying the whole context of the Bible is that the center of everything or man’s salvation or the main subject of His or God’s Word is Jesus Christ! If you would believe this truth, you have to also understand and believe that many will not believe this truth and that they are led to the broad or easy way which leads to destruction. And that’s reality or Biblical truth! (I say Biblical truth because there are people who don’t believe in this truth)

And so yes, as the verse says too that only few find it! And that’s something that many should be alarmed, if one believes in the Bible. All throughout His Word, God has not closed and re-iterated this truth in all history. Remember Lot and his family? Or Noah and his family? They have always been the minority. And that’s something churches need to also think about: Not everything that is decided as majority is always right. What makes it right is when this decision is purely from the Lord Jesus Christ or God’s divine wisdom.

Well, that’s the very most important truth people these days need to understand because this talks about the reality of man’s destination. And God’s Word is clear that there are only two destinations of life after death: A life where we are present with God or a life from whence we are separated eternally from Him, which means or talks about the lake of fire. And God’s word is very clear on this.

But that is not the end of the truth about pathways. In the Christian life, life still can always be portrayed as pathways or more of crossroads, where one has to learn to decide. Whenever the time of making decisions, I’m sure most of us feel like we are on a crossroad. We try to think which road leads to something or which is which?

Observing how life goes on, I get to understand that when we’ve chosen or made a decision, we also have to face consequences or effects of our decisions. It is interesting that things change after those decisions. They may be bad or they may be good. Nevertheless, one needs to learn to accept it and go on so one can truly move on to the next journey of one’s life. It is interesting to remember the days when we were young, especially when one has friends or even best friends so to speak. It felt like as if we will never part (maybe connected to the fad word “forever” of this period of time). But I’m simply talking of friendships or you may call it a “barkada”. Thing is, when we decide, priorities are considered. And I’m sure, rarely we would prioritize our “barkada”. Therefore our relationship with them surely changes too. Not talking about the closeness of each friend (though at times on case-to-case-basis there are exemptions). Point is, our behaviors and interactions will change. Whether one likes it or not, it will change. The real reason of this is of course the fact that people change, and a lot of things do change. As they say, “change is the only permanent thing in this world”. But, there is another that does not change and that would be God.

Well, that’s life! It’s like a pathway, a road, a crossroad. And too often we face crossroads because life is full of decision making. And one has to ask, “Are we ready to face every consequence of our decisions?” It is worth pondering...

The struggles of the Christian Servant

Then he said to them all:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves 

and take up their cross daily and follow me." 

(Luke 9:23)

This I write simply to express my thoughts and observations in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ not to generalize but may give a picture to some of our personal and daily struggles. By this, it is my prayer that other Christians be informed of such struggles and perhaps reflect on what may be our responsibility towards others, specially our fellow laborers in the Lord. For sometimes, we think we already know and we’ve heard of it but in effect we do not care. We do not care for the reason that it is in our nature, it is in our flesh / carnality.

Nevertheless, God works in mysterious ways and that He works in the hearts of people, whether the person is His’ or not His child. All throughout in God’s written Word, God showed how He works in all for our good. Remember Pharaoh, how God hardened his heart? Or, Joseph’s brother who meant evil toward Joseph but God meant it for good? Or even the kings in power, unknown if they are God’s people or not, like King Nebuchadnezzar, King Darius or King Cyrus yet God has worked in their lives. These are just proofs that God is at work in good or even in bad circumstances.

But the question perhaps arises on this time, after 2000 years after Christ has ascended to heaven and awaiting for His return, “Is God at work in the struggles of His servants?” Most likely Christians know already the answer to this question. And the direct answer is “yes”! But reality / circumstances of Christians often involves doubts for the reason that Christians are not “omnipotent” or “omniscient”. Furthermore, Christians daily suffer and face struggles in life even in the midst of our service to God. Human logic will often kick-in and ask the question “Why do I suffer and struggle when I am serving God?” These question often pops up I believe when we are at a need. I would have to go in a personal example for this because I or people close to me indeed face these circumstances.

My father is currently a local missionary and a church planter. Right now, I assist him in the ministry and get to learn how he handles the ministry at the same time see how God works through his life. For almost 5 or 6 years, I’m amazed that even in his old age, now 62 going 63 on June 2, 2016, God is still using him. But then, I also saw his “thorn in the flesh” or his “evil days” (Ecclesiastes 12:1) become a struggle. Seeing also that we are at a disadvantage in terms of finances, not that I neglect God’s provision, but knowing that what I earn and my father’s allowance is not enough to really provide for the needs in the ministry. It may provide our needs on a personal basis, but the ministry is also costly. We handle almost three (3) outreaches and sometimes there are people from different places who desire we also minister to them. Not sure why but perhaps because my father relates so much with our native / indigenous people. Understanding and knowing the culture and traditions, my father most likely can understand how our fellow natives think or behave. I on the other hand, do not have abundant knowledge of those since I grew up under his Christian home, whereas my father grew up in a pagan home. He was the first Christian and to experience the hardship of being the first Christian in a home. We and our other relatives have become the recipient of God’s blessings because of my father standing firm of his faith and much more extending to others, friends or strangers, through his evangelistic ministries.

Now? Even with my father’s experiences how God sustained him, even at times he failed and fall short, still we are hard-up in learning in trusting God. We continually are in the battle of faith. Battle of faith whether God really provides our financial needs or will God provide grace for us to go through it. For quite a long time, my father is suffering from a diminishing bone at his back (don’t know what it is called, I can only describe it) and just recently he is placed in a situation of hiking and take part of tiresome activities like working (not the main worker though, just supervising) to build chapel buildings and driving. With not enough financial allowance, we are hard up in providing for his medications. Because the doctor’s recommendation includes surgery and I think it’s even a very dangerous one since it involves the spinal column. Added to this, are our borrowed funds for the maintenance of our car which is used for the ministry. Transportation is mainly needed in our ministries as we go to different places and the vehicles we use suffer at some point. These are our current struggles and as I’ve previously said that what I earn and my father’s allowance isn’t enough, a reason why we had to solicit and ask from others for financial aid and assistance. It is indeed a blessing seeing how God provides through people who desire to help and partner with us, but sometimes makes me personally feel as though we are beggars or like Apostle Paul would term as a “burden”. That is why Apostle Paul himself had worked as a tentmaker to provide for his needs and need not for churches to help him financially. Here is why at times I ask, “How does God really provide our needs?” 

Another struggle I observe is not mine but for those believers who have unbelieving parents. This is the most common struggle for the first or only believer of Christ within a family, which I believe to be of greater struggle. A struggle I’m sure my father has an idea and has surely been familiar with. Sadly, there are those people whom I know who are still in this kind of struggle. Some still hanging, some I’m unsure. And, I understand, it’s never easy. I get to hear or listen to our brethren and their experiences of ridicule or mockery or oppositions from their love ones, specially their unbelieving parents. And it is sad that many can’t handle the pressure or can’t be victorious over these experiences of discouragements. And it is sadder that churches don’t even know how to deal or even help the brethren in such circumstances. As a result, they simply fade away and the church doesn’t even notice. Sometime I, myself, don’t notice. Though we have our personal struggles, it doesn’t give us excuse to forget our responsibilities as members of the church. This is where I ask myself, “What can I do?” Some would joke, “We indeed have many spiritual gifts and most have the gift of discouragement.” Well, it’s not really a good joke but it pictures the reality of churches these days. Those who have the gift of encouragement are rarely found or even known to be extinct. As a result, we lose fellow laborers of the Lord in the harvest field.

Well, these are just two of the common struggles I know of. It is somewhat faith-disturbing but as I’ve learned, these are also times of opportunity in strengthening our faith. Though poses also a possible faith-deterioration which depends solely in the character of who we really are, a real and genuine follower of Christ or as God’s Word describes it as bastard / not really God’s child.

In the end, as a Christian, we always have to remind ourselves of God’s love displayed on the cross - the love that resulted in laying one’s life, Jesus’ life, for me and you. Though in reality, we so easily forget and forget to magnify that great love that has caused and resulted in our redemption. We forget the suffering, anguish and pain Christ had to suffer. We forget that we were God’s enemies yet even when we were His enemies, Christ died for us. Oh how, I pray we will never ever forget, that Love of God that caused the blood of the Lamb of God to be spilt. But then as the song says:

Lest I forget Gethsemane; Lest I forget Thine agony;

Lest I forget Thy love for me, Lead me to Calvary.

FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE YOUR HEART WILL BE ALSO(Matt. 6:21)

Matthew 6:19-21 is a very familiar verse. It encourages us to think more of spiritual things more than earthly things. It reminds us that there are far more valuables than the things we treasure here on earth, here on our lifetime. Can’t help but wonder how many things in this world have greatly affected our mindset and our perspective in life?

Surely, there are those who don’t believe on these words of the Bible. I assume billions of people don’t even care. Sad thing is, even Christians called, literally, don’t put these principles into practice, perhaps, affected by the cares of this world.

Sometimes I think about the kinds and ways of people make a living these days. In our nation? Very unfair, hard, really hard… one has to find two or three ways just to earn for a living. Those that are on higher ups, are the only few who could so easily gain much with the expense of those that are below them. Funny how that works, but it’s the reality. Most often, those that are below work harder and yet earn so little. And, it’s OK! Why? Because the principle is that “it is better to get something than nothing.” It is indeed a frustrating principle to places where the mighty and the powerful gets everything. The principle of “The strong survives and the weak is destroyed” runs in this system. And sometimes what is right and what is wrong is out of the picture. These are the principles that seem to run the systems of this world. God’s principle? Gone and even rarely affect God’s people.

Well, I don’t know if people would agree with me, it’s just how I see and observe things. And to be honest, it may have also affected my perspectives. But, I’m not willing to just simply not do something about it. I am a Christian and the principles of God I ought to live and I ought to stand for. For what it’s worth, it’s worth everything that I am because I am a follower of Christ, a follower of the Almighty Living God. Furthermore, God’s principles written in His word gives so much meaning and understanding to me.  It gives meaning and purpose to why I exist and to why I live.

If I were to ask you personally, “Why do you exist? Why are you living?” Are we living simply for the sake of living and then dying? Life ought to have a reason or a purpose. And the only One Who knows that, is the one Who created us, God. Just like an inventor, one invents for a purpose. So the thing one invents exists for whatever purpose the inventor intends it to be. One more thing, why would an inventor simply make something out of no reason or purpose? It’s meaningless. And for people who believe in that, I pity you. Because your life has no meaning and so, why live at all? Why love at all? Why be happy at all? It’s absurd to do things without reason at all. It’s illogical. And if still people think I’m being illogical? Well, here I’ll draw the line.

Nevertheless, that is not what I wish to dwell on. What bites me much, are on Christians thinking like non-Christians. Because a question bothers me on most of us Christians is “Why are we really living?” Why I ask this is because, how we live seem to be not showing what the real reason why we exist or why God allows us to continue living. If I were to ask, what do you really treasure the most? And if we look to God’s Word and compare to what God’s desire or will for us, would it be aligned or be in-line with His desires? Well, sometimes I think Christians would answer “yes” to this question but is it out of pure right intentions and really Jesus-like intentions? I would like to emphasize on “JESUS-LIKE INTENTIONS.” Or added to the “yes” answer are personal motives and own desires. Well, I know, I can’t and shouldn’t judge anyone because God is the Righteous Judge. But I do believe it is a fair question to ask ourselves, is it really for God’s glory or for our own glory? Again, I would ask, “Why do you exist, oh Christian?”

Simply put, if you know why you exist and what God intends you to be, then do it.