It’s 9:30pm and I still have work tomorrow, but never-the-less, I want to take this opportunity to write this blog before the New Year begins. I just got back from bible study and man, awesome WORD today (as usual! hehe), I learn a lot from my pastor and from the Holy Spirit who never fails to deliver the message well to my heart and mind!
Our passage was from the book of 2 Kings, chapter 16-17. Basically, these passages talked about Ahaz, the king of Judah. Ahaz was a king who did not do right in the sight of the LORD; He worshipped idols and did detestable things which were against what GOD taught. He was a cowardly man who trusted in the number of soldiers men had and gave his riches (which belonged to the LORD) to ally with the enemy so he could be spared and protected rather than to trust an almighty GOD. On the other hand, his son Hezekiah was a total opposite. Hezekiah trusted the LORD and because of this Judah was delivered from the hands of the Assyrian Army, exactly what Isaiah the prophet had prophesied.
2 Corinthians 5:7 says and I quote, “We live by faith, and not by sight”. In this story, I can correlate these two men with the kind of people in society today. One man puts his trust in his wealth and his security in what he perceives to be powerful in the eyes of many while the other man has faith in GOD; he is sure of what he hopes for and certain of what he does not see (Hebrews 11:1).
As we approach a new year, could you ever rely on your wealth or status in life to guarantee you that the upcoming year will work fine for you?! That you won’t have problems to face? Of course not! No matter what circumstance you are in now, tables can turn and no matter what you have, it can never give you assurance that it will last forever… but one thing for sure that will last forever, the assurance in accepting Jesus and putting our trust in HIM.
If I asked you, are you SOULED OUT or SOLD OUT?! You can either be Ahaz, sold out to the world, or Hezekiah, souled out for the LORD. What do you rely on most? The profession you have? The money you earn? The relationship you are in? Or in the GOD who holds the world in the palm of His hands?! If you made an answer already, then most likely you know who you represent…but for those who are taking both sides, with all compassion I’d like to remind you on James 4:4, and that’s not a pretty picture guys, its not!
Remember, our circumstances may change and inevitable things can happen but our AWESOME GOD remains the same, as it says in Hebrews 13:8 and I quote, “JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY and TODAY and FOREVER.” So as we embrace year 2010, may we put ALL OUR TRUST and be SOULED OUT to the ONE who has never failed to keep HIS PROMISES!! BLESSED NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!! ROCK’ON JESUS FREAKS!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Why I praise Him
Happy Holidays everybody!!! It’s been a couple of months (to be specific, 10 months!) since I last wrote. Ever since God provided me with a job, I never really had the chance to write, and I know it’s no excuse to be “busy” on things that which is not the Lord’s business but yah… I did loose a little of my momentum in writing for a while. But never-the-less, I’m back on track, and taking my spare time to praise JESUS for what an awesome year it has been and before it ends, I’d like to share with all of you some reasons of why I LOVE to PRAISE and GLORIFY the LORD so much…
Psalms 139: 14 “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”
First and foremost, I praise the LORD for every breath of my life. Though, I may not be the “cream of the crop”, I’m blessed knowing that I have my life to live serving His greater purpose in my life. I praise Him that He made me unique and special in His eyes, that even if I may not live up to the standards of society, I know that to the LORD, I am precious enough that He would be willing to humble Himself and die for me and take all the guilt in my heart just so I can spend Eternity with Him…
2 Corinthians 12:9 “...My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness”……2 Corinthians 12:10 “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses in insults, in hardships, in persecution, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Like a tiny bug in a big jungle…I’ve never really thought of myself as a “somebody”. I’ve been picked on, laughed at and had my share of tough times, and when it comes to sharing who Jesus is in my life, not many are willing to listen or believe in what I’ve got to say. But despite the difficult circumstances I had to go through and will be going through, I’m thankful for the confidence I have in Jesus that though I may be small and frail, may it be in mind or body, I know God’s strength will always be enough (even MORE) to get me through the obstacles ahead of me.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green; it has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Like every living thing on this planet, we all need water to survive. But aside from the water that we drink, we also need the “living water” that nourishes not only our body, but our mind and spirit. I praise the Lord for He continues to mold me and has given me the heart to know Him more. I praise the Lord for His Word that continues to equip me in making the right choices in my life. I thank God for planting me in rich soil and continuing to take care of me day by day so that I may bear good fruit pleasing to Him.
Galatians 2:16 “Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.”
I praise the LORD that He takes the burden off our shoulders. I thank the LORD for fulfilling what we could not fulfill. I thank the LORD for the cross; that He took the punishment which was made for us. I thank the Lord for the Law that continues to remind me that I need a savior to cleanse me from my sins. I thank the LORD for His great love; that though we don’t deserve His mercy and grace, He gives it to us freely.
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your GOD goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”… Matthew 6:25-27 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear…Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”
I praise the LORD for the provisions He continues to provide for me and my family. I thank the Lord that I don’t have to be fearful of tomorrow, knowing that everything is under His control and that He already knows my dreams and my future, my beginning and my end. I praise the LORD for His unfailing faithfulness, that though I doubt Him at times, He continues to reveal His awesome works in my life letting me know that all I need to do is TRUST Him Fully and everything will just fall into place.
Romans 11:36 “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen”
I praise the LORD and thank Him for the contentment in my heart. I thank the LORD for the heart of worship. I thank Him for the works that He does in my life and the lives around me. I thank the LORD for entrusting me for what I have, though everything in my hands is His. I praise You, LORD GOD, for being the center and purpose of my life.
May the LORD be glorified in our lives, friends! I know each and every one of us has our share of burdens but I pray and hope that none of it will rob us of our JOY in Jesus. Remember He’s given us a hope that no one can take away, our temporary lives is nothing compared to what awaits us with our LORD. May we stand fast in our faith always!!! Keep Rock’n for Christ!
Psalms 139: 14 “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”
First and foremost, I praise the LORD for every breath of my life. Though, I may not be the “cream of the crop”, I’m blessed knowing that I have my life to live serving His greater purpose in my life. I praise Him that He made me unique and special in His eyes, that even if I may not live up to the standards of society, I know that to the LORD, I am precious enough that He would be willing to humble Himself and die for me and take all the guilt in my heart just so I can spend Eternity with Him…
2 Corinthians 12:9 “...My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness”……2 Corinthians 12:10 “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses in insults, in hardships, in persecution, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Like a tiny bug in a big jungle…I’ve never really thought of myself as a “somebody”. I’ve been picked on, laughed at and had my share of tough times, and when it comes to sharing who Jesus is in my life, not many are willing to listen or believe in what I’ve got to say. But despite the difficult circumstances I had to go through and will be going through, I’m thankful for the confidence I have in Jesus that though I may be small and frail, may it be in mind or body, I know God’s strength will always be enough (even MORE) to get me through the obstacles ahead of me.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green; it has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Like every living thing on this planet, we all need water to survive. But aside from the water that we drink, we also need the “living water” that nourishes not only our body, but our mind and spirit. I praise the Lord for He continues to mold me and has given me the heart to know Him more. I praise the Lord for His Word that continues to equip me in making the right choices in my life. I thank God for planting me in rich soil and continuing to take care of me day by day so that I may bear good fruit pleasing to Him.
Galatians 2:16 “Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.”
I praise the LORD that He takes the burden off our shoulders. I thank the LORD for fulfilling what we could not fulfill. I thank the LORD for the cross; that He took the punishment which was made for us. I thank the Lord for the Law that continues to remind me that I need a savior to cleanse me from my sins. I thank the LORD for His great love; that though we don’t deserve His mercy and grace, He gives it to us freely.
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your GOD goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”… Matthew 6:25-27 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear…Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”
I praise the LORD for the provisions He continues to provide for me and my family. I thank the Lord that I don’t have to be fearful of tomorrow, knowing that everything is under His control and that He already knows my dreams and my future, my beginning and my end. I praise the LORD for His unfailing faithfulness, that though I doubt Him at times, He continues to reveal His awesome works in my life letting me know that all I need to do is TRUST Him Fully and everything will just fall into place.
Romans 11:36 “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen”
I praise the LORD and thank Him for the contentment in my heart. I thank the LORD for the heart of worship. I thank Him for the works that He does in my life and the lives around me. I thank the LORD for entrusting me for what I have, though everything in my hands is His. I praise You, LORD GOD, for being the center and purpose of my life.
May the LORD be glorified in our lives, friends! I know each and every one of us has our share of burdens but I pray and hope that none of it will rob us of our JOY in Jesus. Remember He’s given us a hope that no one can take away, our temporary lives is nothing compared to what awaits us with our LORD. May we stand fast in our faith always!!! Keep Rock’n for Christ!
Friday, February 6, 2009
GLOBAL WARMING: not human-caused!
First and foremost, I believe this issue isn’t new to any of us. Global warming is in the news, the internet and we can read about it on the newspapers day by day. Evidently, the effect of Global warming has begun to spawn beyond our very eyes and has caused a remarkable change in population and disequilibrium among the habitats of different species, and has affected the society and communities we live in as well. But, the question is this: Is the cause of Global warming truly because of increases in “anthropogenic” greenhouse gases concentration? Are the effects of such greenhouse gases in our atmosphere truly as ALARMING as what the media claim it to be, or should we hear another side of the story?!
According to Arthur B. Robinson, Noah E. Robinson, & Willie Soon (Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine) increases in atmosphere carbon dioxide during the 20th and early 21st century has not shown any deleterious effects on the earth’s climate and weather but has shown a remarkable increase in plant growth. According to scientific data gathered by scientist, evidence showed that there is a direct proportional correlation between the increase temperatures on earth with regards to Solar Activity, as compared with hydrocarbon use which had no correlation at all. Glacier shortening patterns on a graph showed a continuous slope trend which increased consistently without any abrupt change during the 1800’s until the present time, despite the fact that there was an increase in hydrocarbon consumption beginning in the 1950’s. Data also showed that there have been greater rainfalls and decrease tornado activity as compared to previous years. (To fully understand the information stated above, please click on the link which I’ve provided at the end of my blog.)
In understanding Global warming, we also have to understand greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are gases in our atmosphere that absorb and emit radiation within the thermal infrared range, which all help in determining the temperature of the earth. Though the Sun and water cycle maybe responsible for the weather and energy balance of the earth, without these gases the earth would be so cold that it would be impossible to support life. The primary greenhouse gas responsible for the vast majority of greenhouse effect is water vapor, which contributes 36–70 percent. Carbon dioxide, which contributes 9 –26 percent provides only a tiny fraction of the greenhouse effect. Though burning of fossil fuels has increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, it does not mean that it is the cause of global warming. In fact, higher concentrations of carbon dioxide could actually be a result of warmer temperatures. On Earth, the majority of carbon lies not in the atmosphere, but in the oceans and rocks. Just 0.00035 percent of Earth's atmosphere is made of carbon dioxide.
According to Arthur Robinson and the others, data gathered showed that increase atmospheric carbon dioxide has fertilized plants. Increase Carbon dioxide levels have enabled plants to grow faster and larger and to live in drier climates. As mankind moves some of the carbon in coal, oil, and natural gas from below the ground to the surface and the atmosphere, it becomes more available to living things. We are actually, living in a lusher environment of plants and animals.
From this point, you must be thinking, “are you sure there are more animals now, when the truth is different species is actually becoming extinct?” Ok, I won’t oppose on that fact, that there are species coming to extinction, especially Adelie Penguins of Antarctica, where the population has reduced to about 80 percent and Emperor Penguins whose numbers have set to shrunk from 3,000 breeding pairs to a mere 400 pairs by the year 2100 (that’s a pretty long time from now though!). But just because certain species are on the verge of extinction, does not mean that we are clearly to blame for it. Even fossil records show that species such as the Miohippus and woolly mammoths flourished in changing climates in Noah’s Flood and eventually went extinct on there own. Though extinction is inevitable due to Global warming, it is estimated that only 0.7 percent are expected to disappear by year 2050, not 20 to 50 percent that some predicted. But we have to acknowledge that if increase carbon dioxide is causing more plant growth, then couldn’t we also correlate that animal life would increase proportionally?! And new species of animals can flourish as well. (Uhm… that’s something to think about too, don’t you think?!…)
With the evidence presented and gathered by scientist, we should take a look at the facts first before concluding that global warming is “human-caused”. And with regards to such information, I’m not suggesting that we don’t have to recycle and dispose our waste properly and make sure our environment is beautiful and make efforts to preserve it, what I’m saying is that, as Christians in our community, we have to understand issues like this in a Christian PERSPECTIVE, knowing what is important and what our priorities should be. The implication of what I’m trying to bring out in this article is the same as what Miranda Christian had to say in her article entitled "Global Warming in Perspective" which says and I quote, "we mustn’t place higher priority on the environment as compared to the people who inhabit it."
We clean our surroundings, we take care of our plants and animals, we dispose our trash properly not because of Global warming, but because we want to glorify GOD in everything we do and we want to please HIM. We take care of our environment because He gave us dominion over it and He knew that we would be good caretakers of the earth He created. Instead of blaming the Industrial Revolution for Global warming we should acknowledge that we are blessed by it, with what it has contributed to our environment (if we only knew the facts before we spoke!). As the world puts much emphasis on adapting to new technologies that would limit carbon dioxide emission that would only cause a minute decline in the rise of the earth’s temperature, without regards to the cost: who is most greatly affected by this?! It would be us!!! Economists analyzed that it would be far too expensive to adapt to strategies in cutting carbon dioxide than just adapting to increasing temperature. What would happen to poor countries that would have to abide to such policy? Will they not become even poorer then how they already are?! Outweighing the situation here is very critical, especially when we are talking about lives, we should have our priorities rearranged and be focused on things which are more important; human welfare should take precedence over environmental issues.
Brothers and sisters, let’s not get too pre-occupied with trying to reduce-carbon dioxide emissions and trying to deal with global warming as compared to helping our fellow man. Acts 2:44-45 says and I quote, “All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.”
As believers, let’s get our priorities straight, we aren’t living for this earth in the first place but for the coming KINGDOM of GOD. But a day will come when a true Global Warming will arise, 2 Peter 3:10 says and I quote, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.”
www.petitionproject.org/gwdatabase/GW_Article/GWReview_OISM150.pdf
www.channel4.com/science/microsites/U/ukweather2080/guides/planets.html
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/08/0829_020829_summit5.html http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=64734
http://answersingenesis.org/contents/379/am/v3/n4/global-warming.pdf
According to Arthur B. Robinson, Noah E. Robinson, & Willie Soon (Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine) increases in atmosphere carbon dioxide during the 20th and early 21st century has not shown any deleterious effects on the earth’s climate and weather but has shown a remarkable increase in plant growth. According to scientific data gathered by scientist, evidence showed that there is a direct proportional correlation between the increase temperatures on earth with regards to Solar Activity, as compared with hydrocarbon use which had no correlation at all. Glacier shortening patterns on a graph showed a continuous slope trend which increased consistently without any abrupt change during the 1800’s until the present time, despite the fact that there was an increase in hydrocarbon consumption beginning in the 1950’s. Data also showed that there have been greater rainfalls and decrease tornado activity as compared to previous years. (To fully understand the information stated above, please click on the link which I’ve provided at the end of my blog.)
In understanding Global warming, we also have to understand greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are gases in our atmosphere that absorb and emit radiation within the thermal infrared range, which all help in determining the temperature of the earth. Though the Sun and water cycle maybe responsible for the weather and energy balance of the earth, without these gases the earth would be so cold that it would be impossible to support life. The primary greenhouse gas responsible for the vast majority of greenhouse effect is water vapor, which contributes 36–70 percent. Carbon dioxide, which contributes 9 –26 percent provides only a tiny fraction of the greenhouse effect. Though burning of fossil fuels has increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, it does not mean that it is the cause of global warming. In fact, higher concentrations of carbon dioxide could actually be a result of warmer temperatures. On Earth, the majority of carbon lies not in the atmosphere, but in the oceans and rocks. Just 0.00035 percent of Earth's atmosphere is made of carbon dioxide.
According to Arthur Robinson and the others, data gathered showed that increase atmospheric carbon dioxide has fertilized plants. Increase Carbon dioxide levels have enabled plants to grow faster and larger and to live in drier climates. As mankind moves some of the carbon in coal, oil, and natural gas from below the ground to the surface and the atmosphere, it becomes more available to living things. We are actually, living in a lusher environment of plants and animals.
From this point, you must be thinking, “are you sure there are more animals now, when the truth is different species is actually becoming extinct?” Ok, I won’t oppose on that fact, that there are species coming to extinction, especially Adelie Penguins of Antarctica, where the population has reduced to about 80 percent and Emperor Penguins whose numbers have set to shrunk from 3,000 breeding pairs to a mere 400 pairs by the year 2100 (that’s a pretty long time from now though!). But just because certain species are on the verge of extinction, does not mean that we are clearly to blame for it. Even fossil records show that species such as the Miohippus and woolly mammoths flourished in changing climates in Noah’s Flood and eventually went extinct on there own. Though extinction is inevitable due to Global warming, it is estimated that only 0.7 percent are expected to disappear by year 2050, not 20 to 50 percent that some predicted. But we have to acknowledge that if increase carbon dioxide is causing more plant growth, then couldn’t we also correlate that animal life would increase proportionally?! And new species of animals can flourish as well. (Uhm… that’s something to think about too, don’t you think?!…)
With the evidence presented and gathered by scientist, we should take a look at the facts first before concluding that global warming is “human-caused”. And with regards to such information, I’m not suggesting that we don’t have to recycle and dispose our waste properly and make sure our environment is beautiful and make efforts to preserve it, what I’m saying is that, as Christians in our community, we have to understand issues like this in a Christian PERSPECTIVE, knowing what is important and what our priorities should be. The implication of what I’m trying to bring out in this article is the same as what Miranda Christian had to say in her article entitled "Global Warming in Perspective" which says and I quote, "we mustn’t place higher priority on the environment as compared to the people who inhabit it."
We clean our surroundings, we take care of our plants and animals, we dispose our trash properly not because of Global warming, but because we want to glorify GOD in everything we do and we want to please HIM. We take care of our environment because He gave us dominion over it and He knew that we would be good caretakers of the earth He created. Instead of blaming the Industrial Revolution for Global warming we should acknowledge that we are blessed by it, with what it has contributed to our environment (if we only knew the facts before we spoke!). As the world puts much emphasis on adapting to new technologies that would limit carbon dioxide emission that would only cause a minute decline in the rise of the earth’s temperature, without regards to the cost: who is most greatly affected by this?! It would be us!!! Economists analyzed that it would be far too expensive to adapt to strategies in cutting carbon dioxide than just adapting to increasing temperature. What would happen to poor countries that would have to abide to such policy? Will they not become even poorer then how they already are?! Outweighing the situation here is very critical, especially when we are talking about lives, we should have our priorities rearranged and be focused on things which are more important; human welfare should take precedence over environmental issues.
Brothers and sisters, let’s not get too pre-occupied with trying to reduce-carbon dioxide emissions and trying to deal with global warming as compared to helping our fellow man. Acts 2:44-45 says and I quote, “All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.”
As believers, let’s get our priorities straight, we aren’t living for this earth in the first place but for the coming KINGDOM of GOD. But a day will come when a true Global Warming will arise, 2 Peter 3:10 says and I quote, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.”
www.petitionproject.org/gwdatabase/GW_Article/GWReview_OISM150.pdf
www.channel4.com/science/microsites/U/ukweather2080/guides/planets.html
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/08/0829_020829_summit5.html http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=64734
http://answersingenesis.org/contents/379/am/v3/n4/global-warming.pdf
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