Annderthesun

  This gospel in the first verses in Ephesians already captivates me.  Eph1:3 Blessed blessed blessing - eternal blessings, not temporal earthly ones. Blessing is already done deal. "before the foundation of the world"  v.4 election for holiness v5 predestination to be adopted as sons v.6 glorious grace ...in the Beloved (Jesus) In our world where consumerism is on top of mind, "what's in it for me?" is the game, I think this passage is ultimate benefit-talking.  However, this is the benefit one who do not deserve. This is by grace.  Eph 1:7   In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,  We like free stuff as consumers but this should be given biggest gratitude. Why? Because to those who would receive this gift, knew that he or she is: In need of redemption - when you need redemption, it means you are in a position where you cannot save yourself. People who thinks the opposite, w...

So Lord, I repent of this.  Pride deludes you of yourself. Your abilities, your strength, your 'power'. Hab 2:4   “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.  The Lord spoke to Habakkuk about the pride of Babylon and it's pretty much the same for every proud man. What comes after self glory? "not upright within him". It's an easy equation that: mind that says "I am great" + action of pride = sin From Daniel 5:23b And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored.                                                                                    ...

  Photo by Alexander Nachaj on Unsplash Hab 2:1 I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint.  Questioning God and complaining to God. These are sensitive matters of faith. Indeed, who am I to question or to complain before God who is Almighty? Yet, I learn something new each day from God's word. He is the Living God. He is my Father who is in heaven therefore, He wants His children to pray and and be honest before Him.  David, who is man after God's own heart, knew that we cannot hide anything as God searches all hearts; thus, children of God can confess all worries, all questions and all complains.  1Ch 28:9   “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you f...

                                                            Photo by Roger Bradshaw on Unsplash Habakkuk already knew what is to come from what the Lord told him to write (Hab.2:2). Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, Hab.3:17 Things will never be the same again. Nothing will remain "as usual". There will be new normal. When the fig tree is supposed to bloom, it will not. When vines should bear fruit, it will not. Even the olives should produce oil for butter, there will be no oil this time. The coming of captivity will bring them no more people to tend the fields, hence, it will yield no crop. And like the domino effect, there will be famine, no more food for people and flocks. ...

 A close friend died last night, not Covid-related.  My husband and I cried and just tried to comfort each other of this sudden event. It is even harder that because of the pandemic, you can't go personally to mourn with the family. I found myself lead to prayer instead, particularly asking God for extraordinary strength and peace to the family. God is indeed sovereign and His timing is always perfect. I remember how the Lord comforted us in the family when my father died. We were grieving but there was peace that surpasses understanding. We just miss him a lot.    If you are grieving today, listen to what Paul said in Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  How can Paul say such a positive thing about death? Remember who he lived for, "to live is Christ". Are you also living for Jesus Christ? Death is taboo to most people because of the uncertainty and sadness it brings. However, it's a reality and there's no way avoid it as all will ...

Ever since Covid19 news broke in January 2020, I have been monitoring the local and international news. Each morning we are tuned offline and online media to get the latest of what is happening. Currently, Philippines have 49 confirmed cases with 2 deaths. I had to take a pause and pray. Am I filling my head with news and then be filled with anxiety? Am I facing this crisis with faith in Jesus? Thankfully, I am reminded to open my bible, pray and also share to others that our God is bigger than any problems. I'm sure many are like me, bombarded with news that I tend to forget, how about the good news of Jesus? I like this blog from a pastor in Italy. A godly perspective in a dark situation. I choose to balance my information intake. Mark Oden said, The story of the Bible is the story of a God who entered a world infected with this virus. He lived among sick people, not wearing a chemical protective suit but breathing the same air as we do, eating the same food as we do....

A friend shared two links to me this morning. Both are about thoughts about Covid19 from known Christian leaders. See links below: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-do-we-make-sense-of-the-coronavirus https://albertmohler.com/2020/02/27/briefing-2-27-20 John Piper and Albert Mohler shared what I have been thinking about these past weeks, to understand God's will over the global spread of the virus. In my head, is this part of God's wrath in the end times? I am trying to recall, is there a prophecy that God will inflict many of disease so they would repent?  I can try looking up for bible verses but listening to the two links, I realized two key messages: Believe in God Life is like a vapor   Point 1: Believe in God In times of trouble our minds is the constant target of Satan to sow fear and doubts. Hearing this reminder is encouraging me to keep a mind that trusts in Jesus:    Piper said "Jesus has all knowledge and all authority ov...