Spiritual Lessons

How to get close to God?

2009-12-16T19:42:00.000+08:00

It's pretty easy. It's through God's grace. Try thinking of grace like God's hand reaching out to you to pull you close to him. That doesn't mean that God's big arm is a tracor-beam that's going to pull you into the sky and fly you to heaven right this second. What it does mean is that he's asking you to become like a little kid, crawling up into his big, soft lap, giving every part of your life to him.

Sometimes you might not want to give God every part of your life, but when you give him all of yourself life gets really good! He's sp smart and good that he will take better care of you than anyone else including you. The closer you get to God, the more you experience the cool stuff that comes with having him as you perfect Father and best friend. Paul writes about some of this cool stuff in Galatians 5:22-23:

Joy. Even if your bike gets stolen, you can still be grateful for the other stuff that you have.
Peace. When your best friend is getting ready to move to another state, you won't freak out.
Gentleness. If everyone else in your class is making fun of the girl with the big teeth whi sits in front of you, you make an extra effort to be kind to her.
Self-Control. When you are tempted to check out the websites and chat rooms you know you shoudn'y, you shut down your computer and phone a friend instead.
Ask God to draw you close.Today.

Dad

2009-05-05T17:44:00.001+08:00

Lots of us have great dads - dads who play with us, pray with us, and love us. Some of us have not so great dads, and some don't have dads at all. No matter if you have a great dad or no dad, God is there to be your loving father - one who will never let you down.

Like a good earthly father, God the Father helps us learn how to live our lives for him through discipline and guidance. Being disciplined is rarely fun (remember the last time you were grounded?), but God promises that later you'll reap some great rewards if you learn from his lessons.

The God of the universe calls us his children! Realizing that amzing fact should make us want to obey our perfect Father and love him with all our hearts.

God Is With Us... In Our Confusion

2009-04-17T17:44:00.001+08:00

Being a teen can be a confusing time. There are lots of big decisions looming in your future. You're trying to figure out who you are and what God wants you to be. On top of all this, friends move away, people get cancer, parents divorce and there seems to be bad news happening all over the world. God seems far away when so much is happening that we don't understand. Sometimes when we ask "why?" God shows us the answer clearly. Other times, he simply lets us know that he still loves us, but it is not for us to know all his reasons. It's hard to not get the answers we want, but God knows best, and sometimes we have to just rest in that.

When faced with bewildering circumstances we are tempted to ask "Why?" But a better question to ask is "What?.. What do you have in mid now, Lord? Though it may sometimes seem that things are out of control, we can take comfort in God's enduring promises and constant presence.

We'e all experienced doubts about God. We may wonder, Is God real? Is he fair? Does he care? Having a case of doubts doesn't mean you're a bad person. It just means you need something to boost your belief system. After all, being a Christian is all about believing what other's don't.

When God is Silent

2009-03-05T17:26:00.004+08:00

Have you ever experienced that God seems so silent? When you ask directions, he's not responding? When you have physical illness and you pray that He will heal you there's no answer? When your kids are in the wrong path then you plead to light them up, still no answer? How do you respond to that situation? Do you respond by thinking that God is not interested or He's distant from you? or God doesn't care for you? Does God have a purpose for that? Ye, indeed. Then, how do you respond?

It was monday morning when I began to worry about my tuition fee in school. Enrollment will end on friday. I asked my dad to give me the money for my tuition fee, I need a php 15,000 for a down payment but my dad don't have that big money in a snap! So he told me to wait but It made me worry... I prayed to God "Lord, I'm praying before you to help me in my studies... I know your there listening and I trust in you". Tuesday came, still don't have the money. Wednesday... I went to school to talk to the business office if it is okay to get enrolled and pay the 15,000 later but she said no... Thursday... I prayed again to God about my situation but no answer... Now, its friday... last day of enrollment, my dad still didn't provide the money and I begin to cry... in the last hour of the enrollment my sister who lives in Florida called at home and said Have you been to school? Are you enrolled? I said no. Then she said get a paper and a ballpen and write this numbers. It was a no. to get the money from the western union. I was so happy and hurriedly went to school to enroll myself. Trusting God is what we should do if God is silent to us.

Sometimes God is silent but He's not silent all the time. Then, what is God's silent all about? Have you been angry with God or discomforted if he doesn't show the way to you? God's silent is very good for us. Silent time is silent God's preparation. What are the reasons for God's silence? One is... God wants to get our attention. He wants us to pray and talk to him because we have given Him less time. Second is God wants us to confessed our sins. God wants us to realized that we have done something to Him.

Third is we are not ready to listen to him. Fourth is He's teaching us to trust Him. When God is silent, can you trust him? Despite that silence, God wants us to trust him deeply. Fifth is... God is teaching us to distinguish His voice from others. He's voice is far more clearer than others. Lastly, He's bringing us to a deeper understanding by praying down the wall. God wants us to keep praying. You don't quit because his silent, right? By continually talking to God, you might break that silence with God.

Do you been excited being quiet with Him? Can you trust being with his presence? How do we respond when He's quiet? Remember, if a person who never kneels before God has a problem. Some people respond by being guilty. They feel that God is displeased with them and God is shutting the heavens. Some have this feeling of being separated and fear. Has God deserted? Then, what is the best way to respond to God when He's silent? How should we respond? Then, ask God why... God won't punish you if you ask why he's silent. It doesn't bother Him. Secondly, remember that his silence doesn't mean that He's inactive. God is not a God in demand. When God is not silent he is listening to your prayer and his doing something about it. If he's silent just trust quietly with Him and anticipate a more intimate relationship with God.

God is silent because he wants god to be silent. Respect Him when he chooses to be silent. Lastly, continue reading the word of God. Continually talking with God breaks the silence. Always remember that when God is silent He's up to an intimate relationship from you.

Life's Most Important Activity

2009-02-06T13:42:00.000+08:00

Each of us has different kinds of activities. But what is the most important activity in our lives? Is it spending time with our friends for leisures? or working to support our families? As a christian, the most important activity that we should do is to have a private meditation with God. Sometimes, we keep on talking and talking to God but why not give ourselves a time to listen to God. Let God do the talking for a while. Listen to him in a quiet place and a relaxing place,where you feel comfortable with. If you haven't try it... why not give it a try today? Choose the time that you are free and pick a quiet place where you can have a private conversation with God. As a followers of Christ let us read the bible everyday and listen to what God is saying.

How to Stay Young and Fruitful All Your Life

2009-01-08T22:38:00.002+08:00

Do you use miracle medicine to stay young? Exercise daily? Dieting? These may promise to preserve our mental acuity or physical appearance. But they fall short of the abundant life Christ wants to give you. According to Dr. Stanley, there are things that we should do to keep us young and fruitful throught out our lives.

1. Keep leaving. Those who want to be youthful can not carry around the weight of emotional baggage. Painful memories may come to mind, but don’t allow yourself to dwell on them. God doesn’t want you to focus on the past. Christians should enjoy the present and anticipate the future.

2. Keep Longing. Never stop thinking about what the Lord may want to do through you. People with no purpose in life will age faster than those inspired by God-given goals.

3. Keep Looking. Read His Word and expect Him to reveal spiritual truth. Pay attention to the voice of the Holy Spirit as He guides you moment by moment.

4. Keep Laboring. Today, many people want to work less than that. But God designed us to be active. Exercising our bodies—through manual labor and other physical activity—keeps them healthier.

5. Keep Leaning. Turn every burden and worry over to God.

6. Keep learning. Acquiring new skills or knowledge stimulates our minds. Research has discovered that people who stop educating themselves usually age faster.

7. Keep loving. A loving person always smile and happy. Happiness makes that aging process slower.

8. Keep laughing. It relaxes your body and helps release tension and stress.

9. Keep your language positive.

10. Keep listening to the Lord. When you pray, don’t do all the talking. Ask the Father to guide your life each day.

God is With Us in Our Everyday Lives

2009-01-04T14:14:00.002+08:00

Maybe you think that God doesn't want to "be bothered" with the details of your everyday life... stuff like tests, fights with your parents, and struggles with your friends. Well, if you thought that way, you'd be wrong! God is right beside you every moment of every day, and he wants you to talk to him about everything. If you'll do that, you'll find that he will become your best friend, one that will never let you down.

"The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one ca fathom.

He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

God never stops wanting to hear from us about every aspect of our lives. So while we all must grow up, we never have to stop being God's child.

God is with us Always

2008-12-20T14:11:00.000+08:00

Nothing in this world is permanent. You are changing every day, and so is everyone else. Friendships that you thought would last a lifetime fade away. People you thought would always be there die. Nothing lasts forever. Nothing, that is, except God. When everything else seem to crumble around you, God is your solid place to stand. He never changes and he never goes away. His promises will never fail.

God loves us so much that he wants to share forever with us. He wants us to know eternal joy and peace with Him!

Your Dad, The Hero

2008-12-01T12:18:00.001+08:00

Check out some of Dad's amazing abilities!

Mind reading: He knows when it's report card day. He knows when you haven't done your homework. He even knows that it was you who broke the computer and not your little sister! Nothing can get past Dad and His amazing telephatic abilities, so you can forget trying to make up a believable lie. One good thing about this power - Dad also knows when you've had a bad day at school and need a trip to the arcade to cheer you up.

Super Strength: He can teach you how to bike all morning long and still have energy to help you with your math homework. Even when he's dead tired from the office, he'll still watch TV with you so you can both cheer for your favorite basketball team. Next time you "win" at arm wrestling, let Dad know you're on to him.

Teleportation: He drops you off at school. He picks you up at the end of the day. Once, he even magically appeared out of nowhere to bring you to the hospital when you broke a bone in soccer practice! Fast car? That's what he wants you to believe! Dad can actually slip between dimensions and travel through time to make sure he's always there for you!

Supreme Knowledge: How does Dad know all the capitals of the world - and the name of all the MVPs for the last 20 NBA seasons? You can go to him for any info you need and he willingly shares his years of knowledge with you - maybe he has a super computer chip in his brain...

Homing Sense: You're never lost with Dad around! He can find the teensiest street in the middle of nowhere. Just say the name of the place you want to go and his spectacular radar sense will know exactly how to get there! ery useful for secret missions to find the mystical treasure of the Feiry mountain - or where to go to snag that rare Pokemon card you've been trackling down for years!

Big Heart: Our favorite super power - and Dad's too. It's the source of all his other powers. Even if he doesn't defend the world from aliens or stop a villain from conquering the world, his big heart is what transforms him into a real superhero!

A Life-Changing Prayer

2008-11-25T12:21:00.000+08:00

When a person ask you to pray for them, how do you respond? Are you brave enough to say "Yes" and pray for them? Or are you afraid to pray because your prayer might not be good for them? Prayer is very important in our daily lives, it will lift anyone up to God. Our family, our friends and our relatives. When you pray consistently and sincerely, prayer has the power to save anyone from their difficulties, hardships and sufferings. It doesn't mean you will live in a problem-free life but God can use you to have an impact on those who are around you.

What are the essential elements of this life-changing prayer? Ask the Lord that the person would...

1. Be filled with the knowledge of God's will 2. Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord 3. Be "bearing fruit in every good work" 4. Be "increasing in the knowledge of God" 5. Be "strenghten with all power" 6. Be "joyously give thanks to the Father"

If you haven't pray for a while. Take a break and pray to Lord now and Pray sincerely.

Daily Rules From God

2008-11-20T12:16:00.000+08:00

1. Wake Up!! Decide to have a good day. "Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up!! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart." I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up!! Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "He who guards his lips guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!!... For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything.. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up!!... To the Lord.
"I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me." Phillippians 4:13

6. Reach Up!!... For something higher. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path."
Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up!!... Your Prayers.
"Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING."
Philippians 4:6

Ecclesiastes

2008-11-19T12:14:00.000+08:00

I really like the book of Ecclesiastes because it contains reflections of an old man, the "Preacher," as he considers the question of meaning in life. He looks back and sees the futility ("vanity") of chasing after even the good things this life can offer, including wisdom, work, pleasure, and wealth. Even if such things are satisfying for a time, death is certain to end this satisfaction.

In fact, God's judgement on Adam for his sin echoes throughout the book. Yet the person who lives in fear of the Lord can enjoy God's good gifts. Young people, especially, should remember their Creator while they still have their whole lives before them.

Traditionally interpreters of Ecclesiastes have identified the "Preacher," who is also called "the son of David, king in Jerusalem, as Solomon.

The best book

2008-11-17T12:15:00.000+08:00

Nowadays, variety of books are piled up in the book stores. Books that are entertaining to read. Books that are so expensive, popular and on trend. Have you ever ask yourself which book is the best among you read? Books that are worth reading? Worth keeping? For me, all those books are not important except the BIBLE. Bible is the most important book in the whole universe. It is the manual guide of human race.

Bible is inspired by God. It was created thousands years ago and its still used today. The content of the bible is about the past, present and future. And also, the bible tells us how God sacrifice His own life just for us. Life of Jesus christ is also included. All you want to know in life is found in this book. Everything you ought to know.

Bible is the best book. If you haven't read any page of the bible. I suggest to start reading now. And feel the transformation in your life. Godbless everyone.

Ecclesiastes

2008-11-15T12:14:00.000+08:00

Traditionally interpreters of Ecclesiastes have identified the "Preacher," who is also called "the son of David, king in Jerusalem, as Solomon.

Influential singer and songwriter

2008-11-13T12:13:00.000+08:00

John Lennon a member of The Beatles and also a solo artist. He loved to watch TV. He wrote the famous Beatles song "Good Morning, Good Morning" after seeing an ad for breakfast cereal. John fell in love with music when he was really young. When he became a teenager, he started to have problems with his eyesight so he always had to wear eye glasses later became his trademark!

Though his talent for drawing got him into the Liverpool College of Art, John decided to focus on his music career. He is best known for being part of The Beatles. Along with Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, he changed the way the world listened to music. John wrote a lot of songs and made rock music not just about rocking and rollin - he made sure his songs also had a lot of deep social messages that influenced how people thought about the world. But the band knew how to have fun too - many of his songs are also known for their funky lyrics, like "I Am The Walrus" and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds."

The Believer's Passion

2008-11-11T08:12:00.000+08:00

A believers passion can fade out if left untended. Just like a burning fire, it wont burn continuously without putting something to keep it alive. This usually happens to a new believer. They share their burning faith to others, serving God passionately but this enthusiasm fade unintentionally.

When trials struck their lives, they might think that God is not answering their prayers, that God doesn't love them anymore which causes a believer to cool down. He then, pray's less. Making a distance from God slowly and slowly until there is now a gap. Other believers can be sidetracked by the priorities in life. Doing the worldly things, putting the unimportant the most important like, spending all the time working, studying, playing and ect. Whatever the reason behind it. Satan is the root of that. He seduce every members of the church, lure's believer away from God. Away from the ways of God.

Drifting from God is difficult to notice. There are six question that help you determine whether your passion to God remains on fire. First is ask yourself, do I delight in Him? Am I willing to serve Him and others? Second question is, "Do I spend time reading the bible everyday?". Next, do I pray knowing that is there listening to every word I say? Fourth is, do you go to church regularly? The fifth question is do I experience happiness, contentment and hope with God? And lastly, do I stand firm in my godly convicetions?

If your answers have changed from yes to no, your passion may be fading. Right now, tell God about this. Ask God to keep your fire burning.

Indescribable

2008-11-09T05:10:00.000+08:00

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea

Creation's revealing Your majesty

From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring

Every creature unique in the song that it sings

All exclaiming

Indescribable,uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.

You are amazing God

All powerful, untamable,

Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim

You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go

Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow

Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light

Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night

None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name

You are amazing God

All powerful, untamable,

Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim

You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.

You are amazing God

All powerful, untamable,

Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim

You are amazing God
Incomparable, unchangeable

You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same

You are amazing God

For Laugh...

2008-11-08T09:09:00.000+08:00

Video Game-trianed surgeons are the best!

Mom wants you to be doctor? Tell her to fork over the cash for a top-notch console. The Director of the Advanced Medical Technologies Institute in New York, Dr. James Rosser Jr., whose job it is to improve the ways doctors are trained, believes that "Nintendo surgeons" who clock in at least three hours a week of finger-mashing video games make fewer mistakes when operating and finish the job faster. Rosser used the Nintendo game, Super Monkey Ball, to test his theories. Med School, here we come!

Tsunami tragedy triggers unlikely animal friendships

After losing its family in the devastating tsunami that hit Asia and Africa early this year, a baby hippo found an unusual new friend - a 100-year-old tortoise. "Owen", the hippo, was rescued and moved to an African zoo where it met its new pal, Mzee. They now hang out together all day, eating and sleeping together - practically inseparable. Park officials report, "The tortoise behaves like amother to it." Hmmm, sounds like a Pixar movie in the making! ^_^

Frustration...

2008-11-06T12:09:00.000+08:00

We all have our frustrations in life. Some feel hindered from achieving goals. Because of this our possible reaction would be blaming circumstances or others instead of ourselves. These forces may cause unhappiness. But we can't be in peace if we take this steps.

There are three possibilities I know that may cause frustration. One is not being able to accept who we are, as ourselves. Some people desires to have talent, personality, or ability, but it turns out that you don't have this attribute. But, they’re exactly what we need to follow God’s will for our life. Dwelling on what we lack or what we would change distracts us from service.

Second is the unwillingness to face our past. We may have our painful past and memories or even recall horable mistakes that brought us heartaches. We just need to face and admit them. Then we can confront this from any emotional and psychological issues to move in peace.

Third is the denial of our behaivor and bad personality that are outside of God's will. Holding on to our bad and unGodly attitude won't get us anything good, instead it makes us try to justify ourselves to our Father and others.

We may have different source of frustration, but there is only one way to end this, and that is by relying on God for the strength to cope with it, and surrender to Him and he'll do the rest.Frustration...

Disclosure Policy

2008-11-03T09:07:00.000+08:00

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact ritz_saikano(at)yahoo(dot)com.

This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content.

The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

Konnichiwa

2008-11-02T08:11:00.000+08:00

Hello, this is Ritzchelle and welcome to my blog... another blog of mine. I don't know why I love to create blogs. Well, hope you'll visit this blog often.