A Little Sharing: Walking With The Angel

Three o'clock in the morning. The road to our village was dark and filled with resting cows and  furious barking dogs from the neighborhood taking their duty to guard their master's place or some were simply flocking by. My eldest son arrived at the village entrance from work...

A Little Sharing: Do You Know How The Devil Looks Like?

A pair of big dark scary horns, big red cape, dark skinned body with a very ugly face and scary laugh holding a big fork and sharp big teeth.- This is what we usually see on television, movies and paper backs whenever the description of the 'enemy' or the devil was described but these are not facts.

However, there is one way to know how it really looks like...

Do you have a plan or project?

Proverbs 11:14

¹⁴ For lack of guidance a nation falls,
    but victory is won through many advisers.

New International Version (NIV)

www.biblegateway.com

Kawikaan 11:14 (Tagalog)

Magandang Balita Biblia (TPV)

¹⁴ Sa kakulangan ng tuntunin ang bansa ay bumabagsak, ngunit sa payo ng nakararami, tagumpay ay tiyak.

Do you have a plan or project?

We have done so many projects in our company and even in our personal life.

As I have observed, the involvement of the majority is one of the factor that makes a project work or successful.

How it is to be a good friend to others then?

Proverbs 11:13

¹³ A gossip betrays a confidence,
    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

.

New International Version (NIV)

www.biblegateway.com

Kawikaan 11:13 (Tagalog) Magandang Balita Biblia (TPV)

¹³ Walang maitatago sa bibig na madaldal, ngunit ang tunay na kaibigan, iyong mapagkakatiwalaan.

A pot cover, cooking spoon and a little brown checkered teddy bear were my only friends and playmate when I was young. I was not used in dealing with other people which made it difficult for me to go along with the others as I grew up.  Often times I would ask myself if I am doing it right to create friends.

So, “How it is to be a good friend to others then?”

Listening Makes Us Wiser

Proverbs 11:12

¹² Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,
    but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.

New International Version (NIV)

www.biblegateway.com

Kawikaan 11:12 (Tagalog) Magandang Balita Biblia (TPV)

¹² Ang kapos sa kaalaman ay humahamak sa kapwa, ngunit laging tahimik ang taong may unawa.

After the first information reached or first side of the story had been laid down…WHAM!

Maang-maangan

Proverbs 11:11

¹¹ Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
    but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.

New International Version (NIV)

www.biblegateway.com

Kawikaan 11:11 (Tagalog) Magandang Balita Biblia (TPV)

¹¹ Dahil sa salita ng matuwid ang bayan ay tumatatag, ngunit sa kasinungalingan ng masama ang lunsod ay nawawasak.

White, yellow, slight or simple...no matter how we call “lies” it does not change that fact that it is a LIE.

An act of denial or in filipino “maang-maangan”, is an act of pretending not to know a certain things. In the course of our life, I believe a lot of us had done this. Pretending not to know an incident or a fact when asked means we are already doing this act.

Bad Guys Eliminated

Proverbs 11:10

¹⁰ When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;
    when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

New International Version (NIV)

www.biblegateway.com

Kawikaan 11:8 (Tagalog) Magandang Balita Biblia (TPV)

¹⁰ Kapag ang matuwid ay pinagpapala ang bayan ay nagagalak, ngunit higit ang katuwaan kapag ang masama’y napapahamak.

How would you feel if one had been proven guilty of a crime suffered while paying its penalty?

This is one honest remark. A reality…that people would be happy once the criminals are punished or the “bad guys” suffers.

A Wise Man's Move

Proverbs 11:9

⁹ With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape.

New International Version (NIV)

www.biblegateway.com

Kawikaan 11:8 (Tagalog) Magandang Balita Biblia (TPV)

⁹ Ang labi ng walang Diyos, sa iba ay mapanira, ngunit ang dunong ng matuwid ay nagliligtas ng kapwa.

Even with slight fever for a few days now after experiencing a few days of stomach pain and vowel problem did not stop me from going to work. Every time I wake up in the morning, I could not convince myself to take a day off…but I think I really need it…even if for a couple of days…for health sake.

Rescue

Proverbs 11:8

⁸ The righteous person is rescued from trouble,

    and it falls on the wicked instead.

New International Version (NIV)

www.biblegateway.com

Kawikaan 11:8 (Tagalog) Magandang Balita Biblia (TPV)

⁸ Ang matuwid ay inilalayo sa bagabag, ngunit ang masama ay doon bumabagsak.

Oh, Lord...am I in trouble or what?

I woke up very early in the morning to find my self troubled with what we are going to have this day…with nearly a few hundred pesos in my purse… I nearly cry thinking how could we ever survive this?

Two months ago, I let my husband leave his job. He had been finally tired of the work that he had been doing for 23 long years. He tried all his best to explain himself and convince every one in the family why he should leave his job.

Placing Our Hopes To GOD

Proverbs 11:7

⁷ Hopes placed in mortals die with them;

    all the promise of^[a] their power comes to nothing.

New International Version (NIV)

www.biblegateway.com

Kawikaan 11:7 (Tagalog) Magandang Balita Biblia (TPV)

⁷ Ang pag-asa ng masama ay kasama niyang pumapanaw, ang umasa sa kayamanan ay mawawalang kabuluhan.

Continuation…

After the hospital visit we managed to reach the church early. Seated at the second to the last row, I was thinking how money had great effect in our lives after seeing a mother’s peace of mind and contentment. Her dream for her son had finally come true. Her son finally was able to support them and his family. Mother had placed her hopes with his son. I just prayed that she would be thankful to God for such blessing of peace of mind through him.

While in this state, my eyes was looking at the church youth practicing their part on praise and worship when a church worker approached me and had managed to sell two sachet organic coffee which I do not intend to use but bought it because of the sympathy I had for him. I know he needs money badly too and had been placing his hope for survival with God. I do not have much but is willing to share a little. He lived a very basic and simple life but a smile would never go out of his face. Often times in his testimony, he would say God had never failed him.

He and another church worker asked me to give an inspirational song before the message of the night was given. I also give in to that. Totally unprepared, my heart prepared the song for me and before I was able to sing the song the church Pastor announced the need for the church electrical wiring replacements and my brother in Christ – Steven gave a testimony being under a great challenge in life at the moment then I knew right then and there why my heart chose the song.

It was titled “ Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh, God my Father.

There is no shadow of turning with Thee.

Thou changes not Thy compassion they failed not.

To Thy great faithfulness, Lord unto me.

Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed, Thy hand had provided

Great is Thy faithfulness Lord unto me.

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witnessed

To thy great faithfulness mercy and love

Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed, Thy hand had provided

Great is Thy faithfulness Lord unto me.

Parson for sin and peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence Lord to cheer and to guide

Strength for today and bright hopes for tomorrow

Blessings all mine with ten thousands beside

Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning new grace I see

All I have needed Thou hast provided

Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

In every aspect of nowadays life, Money has a great involvement… may it be personal, family, church and others. But there is a realization on one aspect that money cannot provide, the ability to move on with our lives when we place our HOPES to GOD.

Proverbs 11:5-6

⁵ The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,

    but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.

⁶ The righteousness of the upright delivers them,

    but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.

New International Version (NIV)

www.biblegateway.com

Useless Wealth

Proverbs 11:4

⁴ Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath,

    but righteousness delivers from death.

New International Version (NIV)

www.biblegateway.com

Duplicity

Proverbs 11:3

³ The integrity of the upright guides them,

    but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

New International Version (NIV)

www.biblegateway.com

Kawikaan 11:3 (Tagalog) Magandang Balita Biblia (TPV)

Ang tuntunin ng matuwid ay katapatan, ngunit ang masama’y wawasakin ng kanyang kataksilan.

Market Experience

Have you ever been cheated at the market place?

I have seen this...not only once but many times! as far as I can remember. 

I am a type of person who likes to invest in loyalty, honesty and fair dealing. Once I like a "tindera" or seller/dealer,  I have the tendency to become a "suki"or regular customer or shop and I am a type of customer who recommends the stall of my "suki"to others.

Weighing It

Weighing is not only done to any of material things and the scales were not the only unit we use to weigh.

Akalain Mo 'Yon...(A Poem)

I was doing my daily journal and searching myself for the Lord's message for me  for the day...trying to see what God would teach me today...I closed my eyes... search my feelings and began writing soon as I opened my eyes...

HOW TO ATTAIN STABILITY

Losing the grip?

We always work hard to have stability in life...Keeping a job, having the family intact and with close ties, having good friends, staying in good position whether in work, home or in society and staying blessed… this is what God had promised us to be or to have when we choose to be righteous or good. (Not self righteous-this is different.)

THE DOOR

Who are the people who hated the righteous?

Proverbs 10:28-29

New International Version (NIV)

See: www.biblegateway.com

²⁸ The prospect of the righteous is joy,
    but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

²⁹ The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,
    but it is the ruin of those who do evil.

LONG LIFE

Do you want to know one of its secret?

God teaches about love…to faith… to character…even up to health and diet.

In my early journal days, I browsed the old testament reading from the Chapter of Genesis until I reached the book of Numbers before I was asked to start reading the new testament alternately.

From the old testament I read, the message clearly revealed to refrain from eating pork and eat only the sea foods that has fins and scales (Fish), vegetables and birds (chicken).

A Little Self Evaluation

A Story About One of What Jesus Had Done To Me

I used to think that I have mastered the (GMRC) good manners and right conduct and good etiquette to the extent that I can even teach other people...

But God had showed me my reality when I started my journal…

THE BLESSING OF THE LORD

Let’s Shop Together!

Both employees came out of their “Boss” office receiving their pay checks. Both looking at their pay check, Employee One noticed the other has much higher pay.

Basis of Conclusions

He was three, she was five. He was coming down the stairs and she was seated in the second to the last row and using the third row as a “piano”…playing seriously as if she is Mozart.

Then…POW!

LESS TALK...LESS MISTAKE

Why?

We should know when to hold our tongues.

Let us pray…

Our Heavenly Father.Please discipline my tongue and learn to use it well and right.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Lesson Learned:

Talk sensibly.

ANGERVILLE

Do we keep one of these?

With an effort to keep silent during the “angry” moments, some tends to keep the resentment up to their hearts and mind and remember it for a long time.

The lack of opportunity to have the anger blurted out sometimes resulted to accumulating little angers and complain planted in the heart like little plants…and for some who tried to be very kind to others but forgot to be kind to themselves....they could almost have a plantation of anger in their hearts..it could be called an “Angerville”. (Taken from the idea of the word Farmville used in Facebook).

Keeping an "Angerville" is not a good idea. It might result to some damaging action that could not only affect ourselves but other people too. Too much anger could lead to lying, gossiping, back-fighting and an aim to destroy than correct. According to King Solomon,

See: www.biblegateway.com

We would not want to end up being a fool. It is best to try talking to the person we are angry with when we are already calm and have the ability to control our emotions. Explain to the person what causes the anger and give the other person some space to explain its side. We can try to have an open mind and come up with an amicable solution and most of all FORGIVE.

If possible, let our anger be diminishing like an alcohol that evaporates than setting it aside and keeping it till it grows...like an "Angerville".

Let us pray…

Our Heavenly Father. grant us enough patience and understanding so as not to let ourselves be taken away by anger by creating a scene or keeping it until we became destructive. Always give us a chance to clear our resentments and learn to accept reasoning.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Lesson Learned:

Anger is not a good tool to keep.

LEADER OF THE PLAY

We are all leaders in our own ways...

I was in the second year in high school. We were grouped by our teacher to make a re-enactment Florante and Laura. All my classmates went to our home to practice. As we were practicing the act, there were parts of the script that

INTENTIONS

Can we use cheat and greed for good intentions?

I was not aware of the commotion going on until the officer announced that there was a supervisor tampering his time card to gain overtime and have a bigger take home pay. All I said to myself was “Oh,who could that be?!” I was completely innocent of what was going on till then. I did not like the way things are turning out... immediately guessed that stricter rules would be implemented later on because of it…and it happened!

Almost a week passed before I knew who he was. I later learned that the supervisor reasoned out that he needed the money badly to support his nieces/relatives studies. Many doubted his reasoning but if it was true…

His intentions were righteous but the ways were wicked.

His righteous intentions gave way to his graceful exit from the company. He was asked to resign instead of being terminated. He would then have a chance… a new life to take… to change and be a better person. However, his wickedness cost him his job…the chance to earn in the recent company died. He was punished not only by the governing officers but all the people who knew his cheating actions. All sees him as a sinner that causes every one he left behind to suffer the new rules implemented by the company to prevent recurrence of his actions and implement traceability. Sad to say, because of this, some even thanked that he’s gone.

Proverbs 10:16

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ The wages of the righteous is life,
    but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.

See: www.biblegateway.com

Kawikaan 10:16 (Tagalog)

Magandang Balita Biblia (TPV)

Ang kinikita ng matuwid ay nagbibigay buhay, ngunit ang sa masama, winawaldas sa kasamaan.

We try to earn…we need to…but we must do it in a good way to turn our earnings to blessings and a source of life. We have to make sure that the earnings we bring home to our families were fruit of good labor and good intentions.

Let us pray…

Our Heavenly Father. please guide us as we go on our work. Lead us to the right path to ensure that the ways we earn our living came from good labor and righteous ways. Help us observe honesty and keep us from sins brought by cheat and greed. With an aim to be good, there are some chances that we could only bring home so little to put in our plates for our family but we believe, Lord, no matter how little it is…if it comes in good faith it would be a blessing and would be multiplied with Your help and our effort.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Lesson Learned:

Wicked ways cannot be a good source to supply good intentions.

THE WEALTH

 You want to be rich? 

God encourage hard work and diligence. Most of us wanted to be rich in this world. This verse in Proverbs had proven what wealth can do to us and what would happen if we fell short of it.

Proverbs 10:15

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,
    but poverty is the ruin of the poor.

See: www.biblegateway.com

Kawikaan 10:15 (Tagalog)

Magandang Balita Biblia (TPV)

Ang kayamanan ng mayama’y matibay niyang tanggulan, ngunit ang kahirapan ng yagit ay kanyang kapahamakan.

Who doesn't want to be secured? 

Does a huge amount of money be enough to be my fortified city? 

Would that be enough to say that I am secured? 

Would it be enough for me to say that I would be happy till my last breath? Would it be enough for me to say that I would not be ruined if I am filthy rich with money?

What is wealth all about? Is it all about money?

We have seen a lot. 

We have seen how justice can be bought. 

We have seen how a human part be bought to extend a life.

We have seen how an innocent poor people ends in jail for a crime they did not committed because they cannot afford a good lawyer.

We have seen how power can be claimed in exchange of money and how the poor people's right were sold in exchange of a whole day meal in their plates.

So many people had been working so hard but some of us still feel it is not enough. Some of us had already to save many but still wanted more specially when we speak about money.

So...is being rich all about money?

I think not. 

Although in reality we need a lot of it nowadays to get by and prosper in this world.We try so hard to have this security and good life. We strive so hard not to be poor with material things but... there are more treasures we can be wealthy of... 

Good health is wealth.

and there are more! A happy loving family, true friends, knowledge-education, talent, experiences and there so much much more that we can be wealthy of but the best is a rich and healthy spiritual relationship with God.

We should not always be thinking that the only way to be rich or wealthy is to gain lots of money for it could lead us to a bad path. As we make a step to be industrious and decisive about working hard and making big sacrifices for the goodness of ourselves and our family, we should maintain a good relationship and consult God through our prayers and bible reading regularly. Let us not forget that BLESSINGS COMES FROM GOD!If we can maintain to be rich with God's guidance we are assured of abundant harvest and blessings because our faith is strong and healthy. We are assured of being wealthy along the way! Praise God!

The real fortified city is a rich spiritual relationship with God. It is something we should also be wealthy of. We cannot earn it in a single prayer or a single chance of reading our bible...we cannot afford to be poor in this relationship and be ruined...We have to work for it and be wealthy!

Let us pray…

Our Heavenly Father. Despite the fact that we work so hard to get all these materials things to prosper in this world, Dear Lord. We have done so many sacrifices by leaving our families behind just to work and earn...We face different issues and strive so hard to stay alive in everyday corporate battles...We work so hard to survive and  let our voices be heard in order to get a living...we stretch our minds and talents for creativeness, production and so much more, 

Father, May we always be reminded that we need you. We need you to survive...to have courage and strength...for guidance and love...and all of it can only be possible with a constant communication with you...Let us be rich, Lord, with your love.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Lesson Learned:

As we work hard, we should have faith and believe that God would bless us abundantly.

LEARNING...EARNING

Why choose to learn?

It's school time!

We go to school to learn academics.
We go to parents, family and friends to learn more about life.
We go to google to learn additional information about the world and current events.
We go to church and read our bible to learn about God and our purpose in life.
We go to different places to learn about culture, people and so much more...

Proverbs 10:14

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ The wise store up knowledge,
    but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

see: www.biblegateway.com

Kawikaan 10:14 (Tagalog)

Magandang Balita Biblia (TPV)

Ang matalino’y nag-iimpok ng karunungan, ngunit ang salita ng mangmang ay nagdadala ng kapahamakan.

We want to learn to be wise. 

While we learn...we also earn! We earn happiness, contentment, experience, respect, wisdom, dreams fulfillment, money, our living and many more...but most of all we earn the peace we want to have as we learn the love that God had for us. 

God wants us to be wise.

Let us pray…

Our Heavenly Father.  Thank you for this message, Dear God. It’s amazing that this verse came into me very timely…it is school time! You are telling me to give education an importance… to prepare our kids to school…to prepare ourselves to choose knowledge to be wiser. Thank you for this reminder. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Lesson Learned:

Choose education…to be wise.

"PATPAT"

Is beating a good discipline?

 

I got surprised how my uncle was able to pass the punishment my grandfather gave him without showing so much pain …he stood up as if he was not feeling pain at all! He even smiled at me!!!…oh, so wise! He placed a paper carton inside his shorts!!! Good defense!!!...hahaha!

At the count of 4, she should be laying on a bench facing the floor to receive the punishment for doing foolishness. Funny she did not feel the first

LOVE AND HATE RESULTS

Would you choose to hate or to love?

 

" Why did you love me, what did you like in me?"

I always had this question and seems not to believe that a handsome looking guy like my husband would love a simple looking lady like me.

My husband would then jokingly reply "Because your cup is "C"." followed by a laugh. (Well, for the ladies, I guess you know what he meant) Of course, that answer is not sincere. He had told me for the _th time that he love me just for no other reason at all but because I am me.

EVERYBODY NEEDS...

A GOOD ADVISE

 

When my sister call me to “vent out” her complains and frustrations concerning a situation that tested her patience. I would sometimes be left in awe and come up with nothing to say.

Like computer processor, sometimes, it is hard for me to process all the data

WATCH IT!

OH, ME AND MY BIG MOUTH!

 

A wink, sexy look or a look with desire, I never had these kinds of problem but I may have with the “chattering fool”. I may interpret this as given unsolicited advises, thoughtless comments or “honest opinions” which others were not asking for.

Advises, comments and opinions should be given with prompt and should be

A SECRET

Can you keep a secret?

Proverbs 10:9

⁹ Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
    but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.

Salin sa Magandang Balita Biblia: 

Kawikaan 10:9

Ang namumuhay ng tapat ay pinaghaharian ng kapayapaan, ngunit ang may likong landas ay malalantad balang araw.

Personal Application:

Being silent is different from keeping a secret.

“I kept no secret for there is no thought you have not known”…a line in the song “ With All My Heart”...one that I often sung in church mostly during our Vesper Service.

Can we really keep a secret?

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Do I Listen?

Proverbs 10:8

⁸ The wise in heart accept commands,
    but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

Salin sa Magandang Balita Biblia: 

Kawikaan 10:8

Magandang payo’y tinatanggap ng pusong may unawa, ngunit kapahamakan ang wakas ng mangmang na masalita.

Personal Application:

According to the book I read: Human Behavior in Business Organization written by Ione B. Mison and Lillosa P. Bernabe - new brain research suggests that emotions, not IQ may be the true measure of human intelligence.

The ability to control self emotion is one of the measurements of having

REMEMBERING YOU

Do I want people to remember me?

Proverbs 10:7

The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot.

Salin sa Magandang Balita Biblia: 

Kawikaan 10:7

Ang alaala ng matuwid, mananatili kailan man, ngunit ang pangalan ng masama ay tiyak na mapaparam.

Personal Application:

Christmas time, parties and special event in my life, these are the times that I have to recall the people that I want to be with. The people we loved and

SHOULD I TELL?

Do we have the courage to admit our own mistakes?

Proverbs 10:6

 Blessings crown the head of the righteous,
    but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.

Salin sa Magandang Balita Biblia: 

Kawikaan 10:6

Ang matuwid ay mag-aani ng pagpapala’t kabutihan,

   ngunit ang bibig ng masama ay nagtatakip ng karahasan.

Personal Application:

“I don’t know.”...after saying that, I would feel a kick in my chest and my stomach would start paining by uttering those words to cover up a mistake or tends to lie. I used to think that a person should manage to do something

THE SUNNY DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Should we depend on our children to take care of everything for us on our retirement age? 

Proverbs 10:5 He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

 

Salin sa Magandang Balita Biblia: 
Kawikaan 10:5"Ang nag-iimbak kung tag-araw ay nagpapakilala ng katalinuhan, ngunit ang natutulog kung anihan ay nag-iipon ng kahihiyan."

Personal Application:

After reading this verse, I can’t help but recall what I heard from a church message saying “From the age 18 to 50 is the sunny days of our lives. It is where our candles are highly lit up.”  So true, in these ages we can manage to earn and have employment…make a good harvest