What Would You Like to Ask God?

Can you really question God? Do you feel it disrespectful to ask why God does or does not allow certain things to happen? 

If  you had the opportunity, which of the following questions would you like to ask God?

¤ Does my life have a purpose?

¤ What will happen when I die?

¤ Why do you allow me to suffer?

"All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness."  - 2 Peter 3:16

Clear answers to all the questions above can be found in this link:

Should We Question God?

God is Our Helper

When fear threatens to paralyze us, the following verses can help us block it from entering our hearts and thus prevent any emotional damage that it might do to us. Meditating on them and implicitly trusting in the One who gave such assurances are the keys to unlock their true power.

"...be of good courage and say: 'Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'"

-Proverbs 13:6

photo by Charlene N.K.

"In God I have put my trust. 

I shall not be afraid.

What can earthling man do to me?"

-Psalm 56:11

photo by Charlene N.K.

"You have drawn near in the day that I kept calling you. You said:

 'Do not be afraid.'"

- Lamentations 3:57

photo by Charlene N.K.

"Do not be afraid because of their faces, for ‘I am with you to deliver you,’ is the utterance of Jehovah."

- Jeremiah 1:8

photo by Charlene N.K.

What God's Word Can Do to Us

The wise King Solomon said, "To the making of many books there is no end, and much devotion [to them] is wearisome to the flesh." (Ecclesiastes 12:12) This is true as regards the endless publication of books today, which would sometimes wear us down when we try to read many of them.

However, there is a book that is not only delightful and refreshing to read, but can also help us in every aspect of our lives. This book contains guidance, laws and principles that are not burdensome to follow at all but are a source of pleasure if we truly endeavor to apply them in our lives. 

God's Word is as refreshing as the raindrops

"The law of Jehovah is perfect, bringing back the soul.
The reminder of Jehovah is trustworthy, 
making the inexperienced one wise.
The orders from Jehovah are upright, 
causing the heart to rejoice;
The commandment of Jehovah is clean, 
making the eyes shine.
The fear of Jehovah is pure, standing forever.
The judicial decisions of Jehovah are true;
they have proved altogether righteous.
They are more to be desired than gold, 
yes, than much refined gold;
And sweeter than honey and the flowing honey 
of the combs."
- Psalm 19:7-10

Yes, God's Word, the Bible, is not wearisome to read, but instead, it is a healing to the soul. Isn't it worth our time and effort to read it daily?

(NOTE: In quoting this Scripture, I employed the original rendition of the Hebrew Scriptures with regards  the use of God's personal name.)

Refreshment for the Weary Ones

"Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down,

and I will refresh you.  Take my yoke upon you

and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly 

in heart, and you will find refreshment for your souls.

  

For my yoke is kindly and my load is light.” 

- Matthew 11:28-30

In this modern fast-paced world, where most people must work harder in order to survive, it is not easy to live a stress-free life. More often than not, we find ourselves drained of energy after performing our responsibilities. Our body wears down and our mind becomes too weary to think clearly. Because of physical exhaustion, we cannot do other things that we want to do. We feel frustrated. 

However, the Great Teacher extends to us the invitation above. He bids us to go to him so that we will be refreshed. We need to abide with him under his yoke, which is kindly and light. This means that we must keep following him and observing his Father's commandments which are not burdensome at all to follow. Far from adding more weight to our already existing loads, they give us more benefits in that they help lighten our burdens and refresh our spirits. 

We can only perfectly understand the significance of this invitation and truly experience remarkable refreshment if we hold dear what Jesus says and keep on doing it all our lives.

A Light To Guide Us

"Your word is a lamp to my foot,

And a light to my roadway."

-Psalm 119:105

This world is in  dismal state where people grope about in  darkness, not knowing whether there are predators that lurk in some hidden corners and suddenly prance at them. Or there may be some boulders along the way that may cause them to stumble and get hurt.

On this account, we need a lamp to light our road way. According to the aforementioned Scripture, "Your word", referring to the Word of God, is the light that guides us. God's written word, the Bible, is filled with divine guidance and principles that  help us to evaluate our situation and offer us the right course to take. In order to have this light, we must spend some time each day to examine God's Word, meditate on what we read and apply the principles in our lives. If we do this, we can protect ourselves from dangers, and we can walk straight on to success. 

A Promise of Refreshment

"For he has satisfied 

the dried-out soul;

And the hungry soul he has filled 

with good things."

-Psalm 107:9

Our constant daily struggles can make us weary. Pressures and anxieties lie on our shoulders like heavy loads, gradually sapping us of energy. We want to do other things that we truly enjoy but it may not be possible because of the numerous responsibilities that we should primarily accomplish. 

Added to our endeavors to make a living, we also encounter problems with our fellows which can be discouraging and can drain us of what strength is left in us. Our soul becomes "hungry" and "dried-out", as the Scripture says.

Nevertheless, our loving Father has this promise of saturating or fully satisfying us. He sees to it that we can maintain good spiritual and emotional health which are vital for us to keep our joy amid difficulties. Such godly joy prevents us from losing our power to go on living and succeed in whatever we do.

Again, we can see from this passage that God is interested in our feelings as individuals, and he assures us that he will refresh and satisfy us. But for us to benefit from this loving assurance, we must have full trust in him and run to him for assistance. Only then can we truly feel and understand the import of this promise.

He Keeps Watching Over Us

"Were I to take the wings of the dawn,
That I might reside in the most remote sea,

There, also, your own hand would lead me

And your right hand would lay hold of me." 

- Psalm 139:9,10

Wherever we go in the world, whether in the brightest of places or in the deepest of shadows, our Heavenly Father has his eyes upon us, taking note of what we do. Whatever we do, be it  pleasant in his eyes, or unpleasant, still he takes note of it. Even if we try to hide from him, we cannot escape from his ever watchful eyes.

 

However, this fact should not make us uncomfortable. On the contrary, we should be happy because he is always there on the lookout for our own safety. He is not out to find fault with us or to make us feel exposed or unworthy because of some mistakes that we make. Rather, he is there, watching over us, in order to find opportunities for him to help and protect us from anything that may put us in danger. He is a loving and caring Father who wants his children to live a happy and successful life.

Keep On Asking, And You Will Receive

Some people don't get what they ask for and  can't find what they're seeking for. This is especially true with regards to their pursuits of material things or emotional needs. However, persistence is one good quality in order to get what one truly needs. In the Scripture below, the Son of God tells his listeners,

“Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you. For everyone asking receives, and everyone seeking finds, and to everyone knocking it will be opened."

- Matthew 7:7,8

This inspirational passage has its more profound application for us as regards our relationship with our Heavenly Father. It is to Him that we ask for whatever we need, but we must ask them in the right way. For instance, in order to have the basic material things that we need, we have to ask him for qualities that enable us to work in order to produce our material necessities. We also need to ask for wisdom and endurance to cope with difficult situations. If we feel that we are too weary or weak to care for our responsibilities, it is urgent that we ask for strength to carry them out.

It's not enough to ask just once though. As the Scripture shows, we must keep on asking. This doesn't mean that the Almighty doesn't hear us the first time we ask. Of course, He knows what we need even before we ask Him. But if we keep on asking Him, we demonstrate that we are sincere in our requests and that we rely on Him and trust that he can give us what we ask for. So we need to keep on asking, not doubting at all that He will provide for us, and we will surely receive.

Will Our Home Planet Continue to Be Ruined?

The whole world expresses concern about the recent oil spill that has brought extensive destruction to our planet. Many are still not aware how enormous and grotesque the effect has become. Some are apprehensive about how much more damages it may yet bring in the future.

It's not only the oil spills that have caused alarm to humans, but also the other exploitations of our natural resources in the name of money. The earth is being made sick by stripping it of its precious elements. In turn, humans are also forced  into a predicament where there seems to be no way out for them. They are unsure of what the future may bring. Will unscrupulous humans continue to wreck their own home planet?

The world's greatest and most reliable book of prophecy reassures us that the Almighty God and Creator will "bring to ruin those ruining the earth." -Revelation 11:18

He wants this precious planet to be restored to its original condition just as He purposed it to be. It will again become a pristine and peaceful habitation for all righteous mankind who submit to His Sovereignty. Everyone will take good care of this home planet and preserve its natural beauty forever.

Evildoers Will Not Prevail

"Do not show yourself heated up because of the evildoers.

Do not be envious of those doing unrighteousness.

For like grass they will speedily wither,

And like green new grass they will fade away."

- Psalms 37:1,2

Throughout the world, wickedness and lawlessness prevail, which cause the peace-loving and righteous ones to be troubled at heart. They wish that evildoers would be eliminated. Others develop hatred for such persons, willing them to go to death.

On the other hand, there are also those who have become rich or prosperous by engaging in some illegal money-making activities (unrighteousness). It looks like those who engage in such questionable practices are more blessed.

But not really, because the Scriptures above shows that such persons will speedily wither and fade like the grass. They will not prevail forever to ruin the peace of the righteous ones. They may be here now in this world, but in the near future, they will be gone forever.

There Won't Be Any Beggars If...

....Everyone would live a righteous life.

Well, I'm not referring to those who have become rich because they have worked hard or received some inheritance or the likes.

This is about those who may not have the advantage of having a job due to some complicated situations, those who may not have guts and impetus enough to live a better life, or those who have lost hope, feeling that the world conditions are too much for them.

The following quote shows us that the righteous ones will never be left entirely, even their offspring. This is the observation of an ancient king, which is also confirmed by my personal observation and experiences.

"A young man I used to be, I have also grown old,
And yet I have not seen anyone righteous left entirely,
Nor his offspring looking for bread." - Psalm 37:25

Being righteous here means keeping the laws and guidance of our heavenly Father, who is ever loyal to those who completely trust in Him. We can develop such trust by carefully examining His Word and exerting efforts to apply in our lives the righteous principles that we have learned from it. Then our loving Father will always be there to guide us and provide for our spiritual and material needs in different ways.

Music Video: This is the Way

Seeing the Future Through Faith

"Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld."

- Hebrews 11:1

Mankind's future seems uncertain, especially in view of world conditions that are getting worse each passing day. Many spend their lives just to "live and let live", believeing that this life is all there is, followed by nothing.

However, as what I've stressed in my previous blogs, there is a wonderful future that lies ahead of us. It may be hard to believe, considering that it's an ancient promise and that mankind has been waiting for too long for its realization.

Here now is where faith comes in. It's believing in something that we cannot see and knowing in our heart that it's there, or it will come. That is why the quote above says that "faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for." If we have faith, we don't doubt at all that our hopes will become realities.

What a Comforting Thought!

If we are faced with adversities, which are extremely difficult for us to tackle, and it seems like there's nobody around to support us, still, we are not alone in our struggles. The following passage shows us that there's Someone who is always holding our hands and supporting us.

" For I, Jehovah your God, am grasping your right hand, the One saying to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I myself will help you.’" - Isaiah 41:13

These are the reassuring words of our loving Father, who is always on the lookout for those who trust Him and turn to Him for support. Relying on Him at all times makes us feel secure and gives us inner peace, which are essential for living a happy and meaningful life amid all these troubles that we are subjected to.

Spring's Promise

After  a long sleep in winter, natural creations wake up to a new day. Once again, colorful vegetation is alive and exudes in fresh beauty. Young plants begin to burst out in an explosion of colors that paint the entire surroundings. The atmosphere gives off a kind of beauty that brings delight to the heart of appreciative humans. To them, the new season is a reminder that there's a loving Creator who put all these wonderful things on earth to make us happy and enjoy our lives.

Such change in season also brings to mind the Creator's promise to make all things new in the future. This old world will be cleansed of all elements that destroy the beauty of this planet, and will be replaced by a new world order where righteous mankind will attain perfection and eternal life. 

 

This is the  essence of paradise. Not just  a beautiful surrounding filled with colorful flowers, but a wonderful place where wickedness, sickness and death are non-existent. It's a place where people can truly enjoy life without any worries at all. (Revelation 21:3-5)

 

Indeed, it's a new beginning, the awakening of all things wonderful...like SPRING.

"When I Am Weak, Then I Am Powerful"

"Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses..... 

For when I am weak, then I am powerful." 

- 2 Corinthians 12:10

The daily pressures, challenges and adversities that we face may weaken and paralyze us. However, these are the times when we need strength to cope with our situation. And where can we get the power that we need? No other than the One who gives energy to the tired ones, the Almighty God, Jehovah. All we need to do is approach Him in prayer and ask for His holy spirit to guide and strengthen us. In that way, the most powerful force in the universe, God's holy spirit, empowers us to deal with difficult situations and succeed in our good works. And then we can confidently echo the expression of the apostle Paul quoted above.

An Unbelievable Promise Will Be Fulfilled

We have seen many promises broken, even the simple ones that can easily be kept. Sometimes, we stop believing in any promises because we don't trust them anymore. However, there is a promise to us by Someone who has always kept His words. Most of His written promises have been fulfilled, and we are now awaiting for the grand fulfillment of one promise that sounds impossible to us. It is our Creator's promise to restore the original beauty and purity of our home planet where righteous mankind will dwell eternally in perfection. (Psalm 37:10,11,29)

The certainly of the fulfillment of this promise is underscored in the Scripture quoted below, and illustrated by these three pictures that I have taken in winter and spring.

"For just as the pouring rain descends, and the snow, from the heavens and does not return to that place, unless it actually saturates the earth and makes it produce and sprout, and seed is actually given to the sower and bread to the eater,  so my word that goes forth from my mouth will prove to be. It will not return to me without results, but it will certainly do that in which I have delighted, and it will have certain success in that for which I have sent it." - Isaiah 55:10,11

Yes, from the beginning, our Creator had it in His heart to create humans and  for them to enjoy living forever in perfection on a paradise earth without any disturbance. However, that purpose was interrupted by the rebellion of some individuals, but which will be corrected soon. Just like what the Scripture above says, He had said it, and so He will fulfill it; it is His delight, and it must succeed. It's like the rain and the snow that has melted, making it possible for the vegetation to grow.  We can also place our full confidence in this promise because Titus 1:2 says that God cannot lie in His promise to give us everlasting life.

Meditating on our Significance

I specifically created this 3d image to stress one Scripture that inspires us to examine ourselves in comparison to celestial creations. Such awe-inspiring heavenly bodies tell us about the Great Creator who placed them up there for us to marvel at and enjoy  in the dark of the night. If we look at them, we can see that we are just like tiny dusts in the vast universe that is filled with gargantuan creations, so insignificant as it seems. But then, behind all these creations, along with all the other earthly ones, there is a powerful message that our Creator is trying to instill in our hearts and minds: WE ARE NOT INSIGNIFICANT AT ALL BUT ARE PRECIOUS IN GOD'S EYES. He highly values us so that He took the initiative to provide the means for our eternal salvation - that of his giving his beloved only-begotten Son. He let him die in our behalf so that we can live forever.

"When I see your heavens, the works of your fingers,
The moon and the stars that you have prepared,

What is mortal man that you keep him in mind,
And the son of earthling man that you take care of him?"
- Psalm 8:3,4 

And yes, God takes good care of us and sees to it that we have the power to overcome obstacles that might get in our way to His promised Paradise. All we need to do is humbly submit to His sovereignty and obediently follow His direction.

The Book That Answers Life's Big Questions

"READ any newspaper. Look at television, or listen to the radio. There are so many stories of crime, war, and terrorism! Think about your own troubles. Perhaps illness or the death of a loved one is causing you great distress. You may feel like the good man Job, who said that he was “drenched with misery.”—Job 10:15, The Holy Bible in the Language of Today.

Ask yourself:

• Is this what God purposed for me and for the rest of mankind?
• Where can I find help to cope with my problems?
• Is there any hope that we will ever see peace on the earth?

 The statements above comprise the introduction of this book that's well distributed and read throughout the world. This book, entitled What Does the Bible Really Teach?, has benefited millions of honest-hearted ones searching for answers to life's perplexing questions. Their lives have undergone big changes as they took to heart the message and made efforts to apply what they have learned. They have found true happiness and satisfaction, peace of mind, solutions to their problems, and the hope of a wonderful future.

This book explores the following questions and gives accurate answers based on the Book of all books - God's Word, The Bible.

• Why do we suffer?
• How can we cope with life‘s anxieties?
• How can we make our family life happier?
• What happens to us when we die?
• Will we ever see our dead loved ones again?
• How can we be sure that God will fulfill his promises for the future?

This link directs us to this book, and we can read its content without purchasing it at all. 
http://www.watchtower.org/e/bh/article_00.htm

How Can You Find Inner Peace?

Because of the countless problems, pressures and anxieties that humans are incessantly subjected to, it may be a struggle for many to cope with, let alone eliminate, the internal chaos that such troubles bring upon them. They try many ways to push away such inner turmoil and make room for true peace within themselves. But such peace seems elusive to them.

For me, inner peace is not that hard to attain. In fact, it has become a natural process that is taking place inside me even amidst the invasion of prolonged adversities. It has helped me move on with my life no matter what seemingly insurmountable obstacles try to get in my way. I can move forward to achieving the goals that I have set.

Perhaps, you too are searching for that kind of inner peace. There's a perfect guidance that has been well-tested and has helped millions throughout the world, including me. You will also experience such inner peace if you take to heart and follow the guidance found in the link below. Why not check it out and see how it works.

http://www.watchtower.org/e/20050701/article_01.htm