We Need To Uphold & Promote the VALUES Recommended by God. (September 25, 2015)
by Tomas M. Barrameda II
Christians are taught how God is ALL Knowing, Almighty, and Omnipresent or everywhere. As The ALL Knowing being, He has the infinite wisdom that Man needs to gain solutions to each and all problems encountered in the lives of human beings. Logically, we should be able to say that because we believe in an ALL KNOWING God, we can find the required wisdom to clarify our minds about certain problems -- even the problems most people think cannot be resolved. In realities, however, the wisdom we seek might seem too difficult to find. The mere fact that big problems remain unsolved to this very day, would tend to prove Man seems not capable of understanding what God's Wisdom might be for the good of all. Seen from the common individual who just wants to be happy by solving little problems, there are very many testimonies wherein we hear about piles of frustrations because they could not receive solutions to their problems. So what can we do about it ?
Maintaining faith in God and praying are two critical steps to take. This looks difficult for people who rely more on their logic and the ways of the world. But by keeping to the Faith taught by God in the Scriptures, a firm believer remembers available options acceptable to God Himself. First of all, we can recall Joshua 1:8 which says.
"8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." (Joshua 1:8)
This does not have a condition which says that if we cannot find answers to problems, then the Godly Man may discard the Book of Laws, or stop meditating on Words of God, or stop obeying what God teaches. His teaching says ALWAYS. The golden values to practice in times of failures or difficulties would include what God spoke through St. Paul, wherein He Man should LOVE. And LOVE means patience, kindness, no envy, humble, no dishonor, unselfish, no anger, forgiving, always on the side of truth, always against evil, hopeful, and persevering. (1 Corinthians 13:4-13)
And if we ask why all these have to prevail, that is because it is written that "Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:8)
The Kingdom of God Man Should Seek
by Tomas M. Barrameda II
Very often in our daily lives, we wake up with expectations for a happy and fruitful set of events. Let each one not forget to pray to Almighty God. If possible, read the Holy Bible a little. Or reflect on God's teachings in the bible as you see realities unfolding in time. We are supposed to seek the kingdom of God and understand our present circumstances in the light of God's Will for each one and for all mankind.
Let's take a look at some of the commonly desired aspects of life in the Kingdom of God. Aside from LOVE, the Son of God (Jesus Christ) taught us that knowing more about God is essential to realizing the promise of Eternal Life. We find that in John 17:3 (International Standard Version) which says, "And this is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent—Jesus the Messiah." For people to know God, there has to be ongoing education about the teachings of God coming from the Scriptures and whatever reflections and meditations are founded on the Scriptures. What's so valuable about Eternal Life anyway? Why is it connected to the Kingdom of God ? In the first place, Man realizes his life to be limited in number of years. Yet we hope to continue existing beyond a lifetime.
There are arguments that want to reject hope for Life beyond one human life span. Many believe you should achieve all the best enjoyment in life now because after death, there will not be any opportunity to gain whatever it is desired by the person. In that argument, people who virtually reject hope for God's Rewards in Eternal Life always resort to "all means" regardless of whether or not such means are possibly God's Will. I had recently talked to a 91-year old woman who said: "What if it is true that religion was merely made by Man? Therefore, it depends on Man if his decisions will make situations better or not." And so, in her real life, she did provide herself the best possible good life she could get, forgetting all about what others might have to say about her simplicity by loving herself as best as she could. She is satisfied with herself. This sounds like a good way of living, does it not ?
However, there are other TRUTHS about the Kingdom of God that can make such policies in life regrettable towards the end. It is written Matthew 6: 19-21 (ISV)
Teaching about Treasures
19 “Stop storing up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But keep on storing up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal, 21 because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Also in the Words of another Apostle,
1 John 2:15 ( International Standard Version )
"Stop loving the world and the things that are in the world. If anyone persists in loving the world, the Father's love is not in him."
The normal reaction to these teachings would be to consider it unreasonable. It sounds like an invitation to practice suicide or attract ongoing sufferings instead of self-satisfaction. But towards the latter years of a person's life, if a person was obedient to the teachings of God, his mind and heart (the soul) will recall the many times he remembered to follow the precepts of the Lord which may have made life uncomfortable due to obedience. And having a personal relationship with Our Creator will make a big difference in the hopefulness and confidence of the
dying person. Indeed, there are rewards in the Kingdom of God long afer physical death.
James 1:12 (ISV)
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
1 Corinthians 2:8 ( International Standard Version )
"But as it is written, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him."
Revelations 22:12 (ISV)
International Standard Version
"See! I am coming soon! My reward is with me to repay everyone according to his behavior."
Let your Faith in God be strong. Reading or listening to Words of God will help keep that Faith strong, which is why God Himself advised daily reading or listening and also reflecting and meditating on Words of God. Man receives the gift of the Holy Spirit which is Faith. On our own, we can easily realize how our wisdom and mental faculties are very limited. Obedience was the problem of Adam and Eve even in their time. Until now, it remains to be the challenge which the presence of the Holy Spirit can resolve.
In other words, seeking the Kingdom of God is best done with the Holy Spirit. And to receive the presence of the Holy Spirit, we simply have to pray that the Holy Spirit be present in our lives.