Well built

After the super typhoon Yolanda struck the Visayas region, images of shattered homes and washed out places was seen in places where the super typhoon landed. I was reminded of a Bible passage in

<sup>Luke 6: 46-49

46</sup> “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? ⁴⁷ As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. ⁴⁸ They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ⁴⁹ But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Those who trust in God is like a man who built his house in a solid foundation. Storms may come but it will not ruin the house. How many times our faith will be tested by so many storms in our lives.  So many winds of anxiety and hopelessness.  Sometimes the trials are unbearable and will drag us to give up. The Bible passage is a very good reminder for us to really put our trust in God. Lean on Him as our strong tower and do not depend on our own ability to survive.

If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again

          I've heard this poem from the  preaching illustration by Christ Commission Fellowship Pastor Peter Tan-Chi.  I was touched by this poem. 

Now I can see!

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind
   John 9:1-7 (NIV)

1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. ² His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
³ “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. ⁴ As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. ⁵ While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
⁶ After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. ⁷ “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

        Many times in the Bible I read about the many miracles Jesus did.  How He healed the many, raise the dead and feed thousands.  Now what's new for me? God's word never lacks new revelation.  Today, my eyes were open to what Jesus' actions and the blind's response which is in verses 6 and 7.   In verse 6, Jesus did His part by putting a mud with saliva in the blind's eyes and commanded him to go to the pool and wash. Now, I ask myself why Jesus have to do this and not simply heal the blind instantly as what He did to many.  
  
1. The  main reason of the thing is to display the work of God-- that people will see the power and authority of Jesus and believe in Him as the Mesiah or Saviour of the world. 

2. It's a test of faith for the blind man. Jesus want to see if the blind man will believe and obey him.  By this scenario, I was reminded of man called Naaman in the Old Testament where Elisha instructed him to wash seven times in the Jordan river for him to be healed of his leprosy.  At first, Naaman doubted and with his pride refused to do it but later on obeyed and was healed.  

3. The act of  compassion for Jesus for the blind man and the act of surrender of the blind to the authority of Jesus over his sickness and of his sin.

MESSAGE:
Things happened for a reason. Jesus healed the blind man to display the work of God and in another way the blind man was healed because he believed and surrendered his life to the light of the world.

PROMISE:
Jesus is the light and those who walk with him will never be in darkness.  Darkness of present life because of consequences from sin and darkness for eternity because of God's punishment.

COMMAND: 
Go!  
We must do the work of God.

WARNING:
No specific warning but beware not to walk in the light.

APPLICATION:
- I am thankful to God for every revelations from His Word.  I will keep in mind that things happens for a reason and the reason behind is always to display the work of God and glorify Him in my life.  
- I will humble my self before Him and be sensitive always to His voice. 

Antipolo Star Resort

Last April 17, we had our fellowship swimming with our family friends at Antipolo Star Resort.  It's the newest resort in Antipolo which offers saltwater swimming pool.

    What makes this resort unique is the overlooking view.  It's like an open window facing the Rizal's lowland and the sierra madre mountains.  So refreshing!

Though at this time this is the only swimming pool, we enjoyed it and for the first time had a dip in a saltwater swimming pool, .  I appreciate  the presence of friendly lifeguards around the pool area. 

The comfort rooms are clean and designed artistically.  The only problem was that they have toilets rooms and only one shower room. Ang result...haba ng pila sa shower room. :-)

In general, naging maganda at nag enjoy kami dito.  Maybe next time mas mapaganda pa nila ito at mas maraming pools na :-)

My Report in ASL 1

Assessment of Learning report from Mirasol C R

Cornelius

My devotion for  tonight is in Acts 10:1-8

I was blessed with a man named Cornelius.  He showed an exemplary character of  what a true believer of Christ should be.   Here are his good examples:

• He and his family are God fearing
• Devout to the work of the Lord
• Giver to the needy
• He prayed to God regulary

The characteristics of Cornelius showed his genuine relationship with God.  His closeness to God led him to  greater things:

• Cornelius prayers and gifts to the poor became a memorial offering before God.
• Cornelius became God's instrument in spreading the Word of God to the gentiles. 

 MESSAGE:
1. God does not look on the nationality and status of life of a person to do greater works. He looks at how a person do things that pleases Him.
PROMISE:
God remembers our prayers and act of worship to Him.
COMMAND:
No specified commands, but I should stick to the examples of Cornelius to be God fearing, faithful to the work of the Lord, generous and prays regularly.
WARNING:
No specified warning.
APPLICATION:
I was blessed and challenged by the examples of Cornelius.  I will pray to God that like Cornelius,
-I will teach my children and my whole family to be God fearing.
-I will be faithful to the work of the Lord.
-I will continue to be a channel of His blessings to those people who are in need.
-I will commune to God daily

Worry

Just a reminder...
In photo is my second child Nathanael John 😚