Reflection series: 2 Kings Chapter 6

 2 Kings 6: 17-18

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.

This is the time when Elisha was dealing with the enemies of Israel which are Aremeans. Elisha prayed to God to open the eyes of and his servant saw with his spiritual eyes that the hills are full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. Then Elisha prayed once again to blind the enemies and the Lord blinded the enemies. 

1. We shall not pray for the enemies downfall. Elisha only prayed for their blindness but not ask God that they shall be killed. Most of the time, when watch on tv showing the news about killing and unreasonable terrors of violence, we sometimes wish for these bad people their death. While it is understandable, it is only God who has the right to judge.

2. We ask the Lord’s wisdom on what to pray and how to pray to make sure that the Lord want’s us to pray what we are praying to Him. 

3. We ought to pray our enemies that their eyes shall be opened so they will also came to know the Lord. Only God is capable of turning away from thei evil ways. 

Reflection series: 2 Kings Chapter 5

 2 Kings 5:25-27

Now he went in and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “Where did you go, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant did not go anywhere.” Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants? Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.” And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow.

Gehazi was a servant of Elisha who lied to Naaman about receiving rewards after Elisha healed him from his leprosy. Elisha knew that his servant Gehazi took 2 talents from Naaman even though Gehazi tried to keep it away from his knowledge. Gehazi from rebuked by Elisha telling him that it is not the right time and it was inappropriate to receive a reward at their current situation. As a result of his sin, the Lord inflicted Naaman’s leprosy to him and his descendants forever. Ministers like them carry great responsibility and the reason of severe punishment is the witnessing. Since Naaman was an unbeliever, Gehazi’s witnessing for the Lord got destroyed by his greed. 

1. Sometimes, we do not realize that our hearts are already covetous and our actions and witnssing were compromised. We need to keep our hearts in check so we won’t be swayed and get distracted by our desire to accumulate material things.

2. We ministers carry a huge responsibility of becoming a salt and light to the unbelievers. We always ask the Lord for wisdom how we should behave or treat unbelievers most especially if they are aware that we are Christians. Whether we like it or not, our behaviors and speech are being carefully observed. 

Reflection series: 2 Kings Chapter 4

 2 Kings Chapter 4: 38-41

Death in the Pot

38 Elisha returned to Gilgal and there was a famine in that region. While the company of the prophets was meeting with him, he said to his servant, “Put on the large pot and cook some stew for these prophets.”

39 One of them went out into the fields to gather herbs and found a wild vine and picked as many of its gourds as his garment could hold. When he returned, he cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were. 40 The stew was poured out for the men, but as they began to eat it, they cried out, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it.

41 Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He put it into the pot and said, “Serve it to the people to eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot. 

No matter how tough and how desperate we feel in our situation, God will always find a way.  If he can make rivers in the dessert and if He can dried up the sea just like what He did in Jordan river so the Israelites would reach, nothin is impossible with God. There is always a solution no matter how tough the problem is.

Application:

1. In this time of pandemic, we put our trust in the Lord. We focus on HIm and not on our problems. We fix our eyes on Jesus and not on what is happening with the world. 

2. No matter how difficult the situation is, we humble ourselves to God and cry for help. The Lord is our Helper who gives us wisdom and strength to overcome life's difficult challenges. 

Reflection series: 2 Kings Chapter 3

2 Kings 2:2-3

 2 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, but not as his father and mother had done. He got rid of the sacred stone of Baal that his father had made. 3 Nevertheless he clung to the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them.

A sin is a sin. No matter how big or how small it is, it brings the same result which is death. Joram son of Ahab chose to sin against God which causes his followers to sin and did not repent from it. It is his willful decision to enjoy the sin and continue to tolerate the Israelites to do the same. 

Application: 

1. A sin is a sin period. As a child of God, we need to be conscious of every sin that clings our life whether it is an evil thought, a negative emotion, or words that we utter that we think does not please God. 

2. We ask the Lord to search our heart just like the prayer of David in Psalm 139:23-24. "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. We do not tolerate any kind of sins to linger in our thoughts and actions. 

3. We always ask the help of the Lord to pursue the path of righteousness so we can lead other people with integrity.  We ask the Lord's grace and wisdom that we do not became lenient on any sin so we will not became other's down fall. 

24 See if there is  offensive way in mand lead me in the way everlasting.

Philippines-- The SALVATION CAPITAL

This was my dream a couple of days ago-- The Philippines will be a salvation capital of the world. Not only that more and more Filipinos will be saved but the Lord will use our country in mobilizing the mission and churches all over the world. 

The pandemic will not hinder the Filipinos from spreading the gospel all over the world. It encourages me to know that there the churches are continuously reaching out not just in our local community but in other countries as well using the technology and social media.  

This is no longer surprising but I know that the Lord wants to maximize the Filipinos in sending more missionaries around the world while simultaneously doing a church planting anywhere in the Philippines. 

During this pandemic, I had to admit that I am also experiencing metals stress, once in a while I will be distracted with what is going on. But the Lord is consistent on reminding me to go back to my original purpose which is sharing the gospel to the rest of the world. 

I know that the Lord will continue to use our country in sending the message of hope around the world-- which is Jesus Himself. Just like how Isaiah responded to the Lord. We are willing to be sent out anywhere in the world to preach the gospel. 

The beginning of my devotion journey with the Book of Isaiah

 

I am really in struggle reading the Book of Isaiah. I just finished the book twice this year . This is the third time He asked me to read it. 

I really suffered in trying to unravel the mysteries of the book and I realized that I am completely lost. I still need to compile the reflections I have and I have to watch videos from youtube in order for me to learn. It's really such a shame to depend on commentaries. Don't get me wrong, I know that the Holy Spirit is there to guide me but it is also a prompting coming from Holy Spirit that I really need to study. I need to know the historical background and context in light of our current situation most especially in our country.

During the pandemic, I had more time to watch the news and know the latest updates about the corona virus. I had hope that this will just last in one or two months. How naive of me! The more I prayed to ask God to finally eradicate this virus, the more I grew impatient and I get discouraged. It's such a shame to admit that at some point I gave up. 

I literally stopped praying. And sometimes, I prayed out of obligation. No passion at all. It's really such a shame. I got badly hurt and defeated in battles that I tried to fight on my own. 

I am getting up. I have to. 

And I start reading again the Book of Isaiah.. I need to learn more. And I need to keep records of all the reflections in relation to the present situation of our country. 

If we are sensitive, this pandemic is a wake up call for us. For generations, it is always a heart cry of the Lord that His people with return to Him. 

He wants His people in the Philippines and the rest of the countries of the world to to turn back to Him. The days are getting worse. The humanity is always at lost with sins. Even the elected are falling away while some are sleeping. 

But nothing is impossible with God. As long as we dropped our pride and bring down our knees to repentance, the Lord will heal and restore us. 

In the Philippines, the government is full of corrupt and greedy leaders that oppressed the people. The corruption is deep seated that it will take I think decades before we can fully eradicate it. But the Lord remind me of His word is Isaiah 1:18

. 

The restoration will take some time but I know that the Lord is working behind the scenes. The changes already started and He will show even more. The Lord have me a deeper meaning on this verse. He will restore my country. 

This is just the start. There are still more to unravel on His word in the Book of Isaiah... 

How I Cope with Depression During Pandemic

 I have always wanted to start something. I wanted to write. But I am quite stuck up and don't know where and how to start. 

But I guess I just need to write whatever that comes in my mind. No topics. Just pure thoughts I need put in paper. 

I've been wanting to serve as the salt and light on earth most especially in this time of pandemic. Mental stress, anxiety and depression is inevitable. All of us are vulnerable. You are and I are not exceptions. 

So I ask myself.. Did I do something to combat depression and mental stress that I think will help others? 

I guess I had to record the obvious symptoms that I am experiencing depression and anxiety. Most of the time I would rather feel useless, all of  a sudden get frustrated over nothing. I fear the future on what is going to happen to me, thinking, what if one of these days I will get sick? Sometimes, I just felt that I want to be alone, don't want to talk, and just want to listen to music all night long. But I am a Christian right? Even a follower of Jesus is not invincible. However, I would say that having faith in Jesus is a huge factor that you will eventually overcome depression and anxiety. 

Here are some practical ways that I thought helped me go over with it. I'm struggling to have it from to time to time... I learned that no matter how hard you struggle, you have an option to fight it out. It's really a tough battle. But I trust that the LORD is fighting for me. 

.1. Prayer. Nothing beats prayer. I still struggle to pray, but prayer is the best medicine. 

2. Worship. Listening to worship songs easily energize and nourish my soul. It reminds me that God is in control of the situation and I will be reminded that God is bigger than our problems. 

3.  Talk to my few trusted friends. Sometimes, letting it out is also a struggle because we are afraid that we will be judged. But asking help from your friends whom you know will encourage and lift you up will give you strength.

4. Picture throwback. This is not really a popular method because having pictures that brings back good memories will trigger your depression, thinking on how you wish you could go back to the past. It maybe a double edged sword but for me, it helps me to feel even more blessed, appreciating the things I have. 

5. Reading the Bible. The Lord's promises are in the Bible. Whenever I feel discouraged, I will ask the Lord to reveal his word to me. Whenever I struggle to read the bible, I will listen to audio Bible or listen to podcast. 

6. Write journal. This is specially effective if you really don't have the energy to talk to someone but you're on your limit to hold back. Let your mind run wild with no inhibitions through writing. Nobody knows it except God, you, and your journal. 

7. Ask others to pray for you. It's ok to say it on facebook "can you pray for me because I am not ok?" But if you think you don't trust your friends in FB, then don't do it. 

8. Reach out to someone who is in need. I know you are having troubles on your own, but sometimes, you will feel refreshed and inspired when you encourage someone even yourself needs to be encouraged as well. 

9. Reduce your time in social media most specially facebook. Unless you've unfollowed and unfriended your toxic fb friends, they will be a major source of your depression. Don't get too consumed. 

I would suggest also that you go out, read your favorite books, watch or re-watch your favorite movies. I sometimes do this to cope.