“I waited and waited and waited for God.
At last he looked, finally he listened.”
Psalm 40:1

*Waiting for the Lord can transform us into a people of growing faith

God answers prayers. This I believe in my heart because He has answered many of my prayers. I’ve learned that before He  responds He would make us wait for a while. The waiting game is a challenge for it tests our patience.

It would be nice if He answers right away but He wants to cultivate in us faith and perseverance. Believe it or not, God is interested in the development of our character. Consider it a good thing if you get through trials because such testing of faith develops perseverance so that in the future, we may be mature and complete. (James 1:2-4)

Wait on God and you will receive. Maybe not always the way you want it but in a manner He knows is best for you. He loves us so He wants us to be made in complete in Him. His promises are true.

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, butthat you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV)

Unity in Christ is commanded to us by Christ. However, it is one of the most challenging things to do. Christians like you and me must remind themselves that being united in Christ is expected of them.

It has always been a struggle for some to be in harmony with a brother or sister because of attitudes and differences. But God— we thank Him for His great love–enables us to love and respect one another. His grace makes us accept our indifferences and remind us of the truth in Jesus Christ.

As much as we hate sin, it is everywhere. It can be found in places or situations where law is present. There won’t be a wrongdoing considered if there is no given command.

Rules are not meant to be broken but they only show the character of a person. The nature of law gives life and death to someone. Follow the law and your life will be full. Disobey the commands and rules and you can be sent unto your deathbed.

Sin brings death, no doubt. There are no levels and types of sin either. A sin is a sin is a sin. You disobery God’s law—that’s SIN.

It doesn’t matter if you did it in secret or has been put to shame because of it.  There is no sin heavier than another.

Do we stay slaves to sin? Do we remain deceived by the enemy? No. There is a God who became man to save us from our sins— His name is Jesus. He was crucified on the cross, died, and resurrected after three days. This magnificent God is so loving that He allowed himself to be punished for our sins. How worthy to be praised! Who am I that He chose to save? I am nothing but am now free— no more slave to the sinful nature.

As one desires to leave evil behind, admit that you cannot go through life alone. Only the grace of God will enable you to turn away from all evil.

THE FIGHT AGAINST EVIL IS WON TOGETHER WITH CHRIST.

 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.  If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
1 John 1:7-9 

SINNERS CAN BE VICTORS TOO.

 PSALM 133

1 How good and pleasant it is
    when God’s people live together in unity!

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 (NIV)

Do not strive to win the approval of others. Don’t even dare please men. Don’t think about it but rather gain the confidence of God. Being a servant of the Lord requires you to “wow” the Master with your character, work, and relationships.

Oftentimes, we forget how to be humble. In this day and age of social networks–Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram–it is so easy to show off what we love, hate, and have. Other people would say it’s not showing off but a way to inspire others to work hard and reach for their dreams. (True story. I saw this in an Instagram profile.)

There is nothing wrong with doing this. I would be a hypocrite if I say I don’t post the things I love, have, and still want. Why do I do that? I don’t really know. I guess I want to share the things that make me happy.

I smile at pretty stuff and pretty sights. I sometimes hope to bring a smile to those who will see my posts whether they are my new purchase or anything that has to do with my toddler. But really, do people care? I also don’t know. I just know that there are a few who’d say, “She went shopping again…” or “She’s wasting her husband’s money…“.

I have no intention to brag. I guess I want the world to know that I am not behind the curve just because I am a stay-at-home-mom. Self-pity often comes. More often than not, it’s me saying, “I am blessed by my Boss–God.”

I still earn my own money. This I can say with pride, and only because of His Grace– that I use my own shopping money. Of course, husband and I still have a concept of community. “What’s yours is mine, what’s mine is mine. Haha. Just kidding on the latter.

But does that really matter? That I earn or that I have things? Do I really want people to notice how God has blessed me and my family? Admit it, we are guilty of showing off at times.

Do you want people to see that you are not behind a trend? What do you and I gain from all these things? They are meaningless.

What is true humility? How can I stay humble? How can people see Christ more in my life? These are the questions I now ask.

I hope and pray that people see more of Who is in my heart– Jesus. That people notice my attitude and that I have hope, faith, and love– that I have an inner peace. The kind of peace that passes all understanding.

There is nothing wrong about wanting nice things. I only hope and pray that I keep things in perspective. And I hope that people are drawn to the real me–my inner beauty—Christ in me.

 If I have to “brag” about myself, I’ll brag about the humiliations that make me like Jesus.
2 Corinthians 11:30 (The Message)

You and me—the world can be so focused on material things that it can be a challenge not to be that way.  It can be difficult to be humble. But we have Jesus as a model of true humility.

Grateful to the Lord for all the blessings. May I be the kind of person now that people will see special because of the One who owns me.

May I strive to showcase more of what God has done in this world, His Word applied in my life, and the Truth revealed in me.