Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.

Philippians 4:6-7

There are challenges in my life.  Difficult people to deal with. Tough tasks to complete. Financial issues to deal with. Family to take care of. Relationships to maintain.  Nothing is ever easy. Not everything ever goes according to plan.

But I learn, over the years walking with God, is to trust everything in Him.  Bring my concerns to His feet. I look at God and wonder, why am I fretting over little things? God is the master of the universe, the creator of everything.  Why am I worried?  All I need to do is bring up my issues in prayer. According to His design, it will be done.  I just have to know what He wants me to do – and be obedient.

Lord Jesus, I thank you for being here for me.  I don’t know much about everything, but I know this: You know everything! This is why I depend on you. I can’t do this alone.  I can’t handle everything on my own. Please Lord, give me the strength and wisdom to handle the problems of my life, with dignity and grace that only you can provide.  Don’t let me worry. Guide me all the way!  Thanks you, Jesus.  In your name. Amen.

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Of course, God has promised that I’ll be with Him because He gave His son for me. The bible says so:

But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful. But there is more! Now that God has accepted us because Christ sacrificed his life’s blood, we will also be kept safe from God’s anger. Even when we were God’s enemies, he made peace with us, because his Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by his Son’s life.

Romans 5:8-10

It’s a beautiful picture of sacrifice and love.

So how do I know how I’ll be there with God?  In John 3:16, it’s simply accepting Jesus as my personal savior. When I’ve truly accepted Jesus, His grace and love pour out of me – and consequently, I will no longer be afraid.

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The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them.

John 15:13

I am a friend of God.  God is my friend. He longs for that relationship, that fellowship with me.

And He also gives His life to me, so I can be free.

It’s the ultimate sacrifice.  The price of love, Jesus’ way.  What a friendship.  I have a place in heaven because He gave His life for me.

For this, I’m extremely grateful and content.

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God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.

Galatians 5:22-23

I’ve worked all my life to achieve the level of “joy” that is both fulfilling and sustainable. Can I really be happy all the time?  Can I really be joyful in other days other than Christmas?

Apparently, the bible says I can!  I have to know God and His spirit will give me that joy, peace, and happiness. Knowing God is knowing how to live life according to His design. I’m meant to be with the creator of this universe. Thus, I can only live under God’s rule.  I can only live by His purpose. I have to live up to my purpose, as He made me to be.  It’s extraordinary for me to know God’s with me – and He always want to be with me.

It’s a joy to know you, God!

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I do this because I have a sense of responsibility. I have a standard to keep.  I try not to procrastinate.  I genuinely care what happens tomorrow, so I have to clean up what I did today.  There are certain things that’s beyond my control, I get that, but those that are in my grasp, I have to get a handle of it and resolve it before the night’s end.

I imagine myself, although not as bold, as Jesus praying at the garden of Gethsemane, until He sweats of blood (Luke 22:44). That must’ve been one agonizing prayer, and why not – it’s the salvation of all human kind!  Then when Jesus was at the cross, His last words were “It is finished!” (John 19:30) For Jesus, it was death as the final rest, for all of His tasks on earth. Of course, my end of day’s rest is not as dramatic, but I can symbolize my sleep as a point when I can say it is finished – no more probem, no more conflict, no more things to do.  Tomorrow will be a good day!

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Then, the church decided to give me medial jobs – to pack up the chairs, help haul away the musical instruments.  Nothing significant. Nothing people would notice. I was a teenager.  I needed something more so people would notice me.  I wanted to make an impression.  I wanted something more significant.

Little did I know I have to keep working on it.  I have to be able to overcome many things, including my pride and vanity.  I need to experience the triumphs of being a Christian, such as leading people to Christ, pray for others, serve others, and turning away from sins and temptations of sins.  I failed all of that. I turned away from Christ and rejoined the world again: selfish, prideful, care free, blasphemous, and unteachable.

Over ten years later, I realized what a fool I’ve been. I saw the consequences of being away from God for so long. My life went no where. My priorities were wrong. I could’ve been somebody – but instead I was just drifting, not setting roots, felt so lonely and lost.  That’s when I met my wife and I returned to the path that God had originally set for me.  I set my life straight with Jesus, again. I’ve accomplished a lot since then and felt useful again.

I experienced victory. Long after my early years of accepting Christ.  I want to keep this fire alive. Not be shaken by this world or the devil’s temptations. My Jesus is stronger and I will stay faithful, as He’s faithful to me (Hebrews 13:5). God is my strength. I will always have His victory!

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Now, with all of those behind me, I can look back and just smile. The past can’t hurt me. I’m smarter and experienced now. I understand what I’ve been through. I’m glad I can use my history to guide my future.

But, I think His story is much better to use to guide my future. Jesus had died to save me from sin. Jesus went through all of those suffering to show how much He loves me. His teachings, recorded in the bible, gave me knowledge and faith.  Knowledge that illuminate my path while walking in this world.  Faith knowing God is truly in control.  I can leave everything to Him. Face the future without fear of rejection or failure.

I can truly thank God in all circumstance (1 Thes 5:18), just because His will always be done.

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Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Proverbs 13:10

It is stupid for me to be driven by pride. Pleasing people I don’t like. Accumulating wealth to impress others. People’s attention is short. People also get envious – and most of the time, devious. They’ll try to bring me down. They’ll try to put me down.

I must realize it’s godly wisdom that will save me. God’s words will lead me the correct way to live. Jesus is a perfect example of humility and strength. The righteous will remain standing, and the meek shall inherit the earth. (Psalm 37:10-11)

That’s God’s honest truth.

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So how can we ever get any peace?

There is only one kind.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15

In Christ alone, I can attain the peace that is badly needed. His grace and mercy lift up my hearts, being called upon to serve others – not to be selfish. Not to be like this world. But only to heavenly purpose.

I am forever thankful for Christ’s love, and the peace that follows Him.

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At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:3–7

I see a lot of hate in this world. I see people are just simply unkind to another. I see people reject each other. It happens to me. I’ve committed the same sins, also, to others.

However, all I have to do is look at Jesus. Focus my eyes on Him. I’m so valuable to Him, that He died for me. That’s not hate on the cross – that’s the greatest love of all!  He gave me everything.

That’s grace.

God is good – all the time! He does all things with a purpose. I’ll let His will be done.

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