Grow with God

I am a work in progress. I knew God since I was a kid but I did not have a relationship with Him or have knowledge about His messages from the bible. I did not meditate the words from the scriptures, nor have I apply them in my life.

We can grow with the Lord. When I accepted God as my Lord and Saviour and was baptized last 2017, I fully committed to grow mature in my faith and to also guide my kids on Christian values. As I grow with the Lord, I also want my family to have a relationship with Him. I share the gospel to them and be a role model of good deeds that they can emulate. 

We are not alone in our walk and growing with God. He will guide us always. I fully entrust my growth and my childrens future to Him. As Paul said to the Thessalonians, we need to encourage other in faith.

Finding Joy in Sorrow

When you face adversities, do you feel sad and lonely? How can you find joy in sorrow?

In the book of Ezra, the prophet describe how they rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem for many years. As they built it, memories of their pre-exiled life lingered where they remembered happy moments. 

"When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the Lord, as prescribed by David king of Israel. With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: “He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away."

Ezra 3:10‭-‬13 NIV

https://bible.com/bible/111/ezr.3.10-13.NIV

The Isralites had mixed emotions of happiness and sorrow but their perseverance and faith lingered and they successfully rebuilt the temple. We can also find happiness in our sadness. If we submit plans to God, no matter how sad the outcome is lets still celebrate with joy because that is God's message that its not meant for you. 

Sacrifices are part of the process of success. We just need to be patient and wait for the final outcome. No matter how sad it is at first, have it in your heart to always find joy in sorrow!

The Peace of God

Do you have long time relationship that was broken and never mended?

Until now, I am hoping that I can restore my relationship with my former professors. They were our former supervisors. Our relationship were broken when they retired and it was not a happy parting of ways. There were some misunderstandings and lack of communication that led to this broken relationship. They may have hurt me and I might have hurt their feelings also, but I am always thankful to them for giving me the opportunity that I still enjoy today.  

I am praying that there will be an opportunity where we can talk together and reconcile together with my colleagues. Its a hard decision but I will make a way to find time and make an effort. Just like how God forgave us in our sins, we can also find peace and restore broken relationships.

We can always find peace in the Lord for He promise it to us.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:7 NIV

https://philippians.bible/philippians-4-7

We can only find peace through God's words. Read the bible, meditate on it and apply it in your daily lifes. Humble yourself and follow Him.

Rejoice in the Lord

Have you rejoiced in the name of the Lord? 

We sing song of praises as we rejoiced God's presence. We are longing for God's love and compassion in our lives. In times of despair and loneliness, we hold on to God's promises. We wait patiently for His response to our prayers. God answers are unexpected, it can be good or bad. But even if it does not favor you, don't worry because its not for you. God has prepared something greater and something bigger for you in the future. 

In Habakkuk 3:17-18, the prophet shared how we can rejoice in the Lord and be joyful despite how lonely are surroundings are.

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments."

Habakkuk 3:17‭-‬19 NIV

https://bible.com/bible/111/hab.3.17-19.NIV

There are days that we are weak and sickly and not in the mood. But no matter what you are feeling, our God is our constant source of joy. Always dwell in His kingdom, live in His presence, at home, school or work. He is always there beside you!♥

Saved through faith

Do you really on yourself or to God when you have problems? Have you experienced salvation? Have you accepted God as your Lord and Savior?

The answer is in the bible:

In the message of Paul to the Ephesians, he emphasized that we are not saved by good works but only through our faith.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:8‭-‬10 NIV

https://bible.com/bible/111/eph.2.8-10.NIV

We only need to accept God as our Lord and Savior and repent our sins and be dead from your past self and be renewed and be born again. We call upon the name of the Lord for He will send the Holy Spirit to do His mighty works here on earth.

We can call upon the name of the Lord. Whenever and wherever we are and no matter what circumstance we experience. We can always count on Him always. 

When we have problems, dont just rely on yourself and for peoples' wordly advices. Just pray and read God's word and it will open your eyes and will help you decide on what isbthe next thing you will do. The Holy Spirit will give you wisdom and knowledge in making each decision every day. 

So wake up! Pray, read the bible and share the gospel to your family, friends and co workers.

Jesus Answers

What problem are you unable to solve? How might Jesus relieve the pressure that you feel?

Every day we encounter problems and make decisions that will either be good or problematic. When we solve problems, do we do it on our own? Or you ask God for His guidance?

When I have problems before, I always worry, especially when it comes to money. From the time I had a small salary up until now that my current income is 10 times greater than my first job, I still have problems handling money. As my income increases, expenses also become larger. Its never ending I still work for money to survive and be able to provide food, shelter and clothing to my family.

But when I have Jesus Christ in my life, I surrender to Him all my worries and cares and I was able to to fully entrust to Him, my wealth. Jesus Christ emphasized that when we encounter problems we should not worry.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25‭-‬34 NIV

https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.6.25-34.NIV

Before you even ask God knows what you need. Just lift up to God all your worries and cares and do not be pressured if you think, you have nothing, because despite we lack materials things, we are wealthy because God is the center of our lives. He gives us wisdom and knowledge from the bible and guides us in our daily living.

Serving God

Do you honor God everyday? At work? In school? How can you show a Christ-like attitude everyday? Are you living a double life?

If we accepted Christ in our lives as our Lord and Savior, we should be following His teachings and apply it in our everyday life. We can honor him daily through our daily works. I am currently a PhD student here at Kangwon National University in South Korea, how can I honor God here? In everything I do,  I would be an diligent student who will follow the advise of our professors and I will be honest in my submitted works with no plagiarism and I will not cheat in the exams. These simple actions relating to my current role in school is doing what a student do by honoring God in every way.

Paul in his letter to the Colossians in verse 3:18-25, he shared specific instructions that Christian households should practice:

Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. 

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.

It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.

Colossians 3:18‭-‬25 NIV

https://bible.com/bible/111/col.3.18-25.NIV

Paul emphasized in this verse that we are serving the Lord as we do our different roles in the households and in our works. We should be consistent in being a righteous person inside and outside church. As believers, we should be a role model and embodies a Christ-like character.

Lets not live a double life but a consistant Christ-like life!

Daily Routine

Are you bored in doing the same thing everyday? Sometimes we might be tired of doing the same thing everyday. People will give up and find other things to do while others choose to stay because they have no choice. What if you realize that doing the same thing is actually a blessing from God?

King Solomon felt the same thing in Eccelesiastes 2:17-26, where toil is meaningless:

"So I hated life, because the work that is done -under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. For a person may labor with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then they must leave all they own to another who has not toiled for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless. A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind."

But He the realize that having these routines are actually a blessing from God. Being able to wake up, eat, clean, study and work are blessings because we are still alive and doing these things to gain wisdom and earn money. He emphasized that if we honor God, He will blessed you and give you knowledge, wisdom and happiness.

So, look around you and realized that no matter how we faced different trials everyday in life, we are blessed. Always be thankful for everything you have and pray to God and be grateful.

Tangible love

Do you feel God's presence in times of trouble? Is it hard to feel His love and power if have struggles? 

Sometimes we felt alone and abandoned if we fail and our prayers are not answered. We thought that we are neglected and isolated where no one cares on how we feel. Is God present in this time of trouble? Yes! Definitely! 

God may not answer our prayers right away. We should not worry because He is just sending a message that we are not yet ready and its not yet time. I patiently waited for a long time for God to answer my prayers when I said to Him , I want to study abroad. I failed in 7 applications but got successful at the 8th time. Is God only present during my 8th try? No! He was always present. He was there during my 1st and 7th try even if it failed. During those failures, He is sending a message that it was not for me. But I didnt stop applying because I felt that God is telling me to continue and just wait for the final results. I had the wonderful result at the end.

If I gave up during the 2nd and 7th time, will I be able to have the result that I've been waiting for during the 8th time? No! We should always lift up to God all our plans and dreams because He will support it all the way!

Rise up! Be Faithful! God's presence is tangible!

Stories of Faith

Faith can move mountains. Do you have wonderful stories of faith that you can share to others?

I have experienced a lot of challenges in life financially, emotionally, academically, spiritually and psychologically. These experiences will shape our character and will make us resilient if we encounter again these struggles in the future. Thus, we become stronger, better and bullet-proofed. 

As a believer, these stories that we have in the past, although some may be messy, can be transformed as a MESSAGE to those people who needed to hear and can relate to it and be inspired to walk in faith. We can look back to our experiences and this can become our faith stories to tell.

Based from 1 John 1:3, we can share what we have experience to have a fellowship with our fellow believers. Telling stories is an effective way to communicate and connect to people around you and drawing them near to God's presence. When 2 or 3 are gathered in God's name, He will be with us through the Holy Spirit. 

Don't be afraid to share your stories of faith!

Living in God's Presence

 In today's CCF Service, we were introduced to a new series, which is WORTH IT! FINISH WELL.

Pastor Peter Tan-Chiu's message today focused on the story of Joseph (Genesis 39 -50) of how he lived in God's presence despite the trials and sufferings he experienced. Joseph felt the presence of God in the bad and good times. He trusted the Lord and blessed his people.

The main message delves into how we can live in God's presence consistently in our work life, moral life, thought life, and family life/legacy. 

Pastor Peter shared some quotes: 

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trials and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. " - Helen Keller

"Every trial produces hidden treasures". - Steven R. Sutt

We reflected these messages in our CCF discipleship group here in South Korea.

In life, we may face a lot of struggles and a lot of people may hurt us in the process and the journey to healing is not instant. Be patient, trust God for His plans and all your works shall be established. Let's remain in the vine, for God will always abide in us. It's important to always spend time with God, every day and in every aspect of our life. We should be consistent in living a Christ-like life when we are at work and when we are with our family and friends. We should not live a double life. Let's make it a habit to read God's word, in order to influence the way we think and what's inside our hearts, because it will reflect in our actions. 

Let's live in God's presence 24/7!

Learning a Korean Song in our Korean Class Program at Chuncheon Central. Methodist Church

 We learned a new Korean song!

Choices

Are you afraid to make a risky choice? or Do you follow what your heart says?

Everyday we struggle to choose what things to buy, savings to invest or making career decisions for yourself and your family. Its hard and sometimes or always you are not sure if you made the right until you witness the results of your actions.

I made some tough decisions leaving my family back home to pursue my doctoral degree here abroad in South Korea. I made this decision because its hard to find a scholarship in the Philippines that pays well and will give enough money to pay for my bills at home, and my food and logding here in Korea. Aside from that, its been my dream to study abroad and having a degree here will help internationalized our faculty profile.

This is a big decision and entails 3 years of sacrifice away from my family and colleagues. But I made such decision because I know that there will be positive results of this action. I could contribute more to the college and will ensure stability in my career, which will really help my family in yhe future.

In every big decision I make, I pray and dwell on God's word in Proverbs 16:3:

This is my foundation and basis if I will push through with my decision or not. I lift up to God all my worries and cares and He will surely answer the desires of my heart. Just give your 100% trust to Him! 

KNU Library Seat Reservation

 

One of the unique things about using the library here at Kangwon National University (KNU), South Korea, is that they have excellent study areas and in order to secure your seats you can make reservations online.

Check out our website: https://wwwk.kangwon.ac.kr/www/index.do

Keeping in Touch

"Am I connected? Is the signal, okay?"

There are a lot of reasons today why our family and friends cannot contact us. It's either your internet is slow or you don't have a signal for your mobile data. This is the digital age and wherever we are in the world, we can stay connected if we want to. What's your excuse?

Just like having a connection with our loved ones, are we closely linked to God every day of our lives? Keeping in touch with God's word is our lifelong commitment to a Christ-like life. Everyday morning until evening we should connect with His messages in the bible and reflect and apply them in our daily lives. Having a consistent connection with the Lord will help us to focus on his teachings and will not lead us astray.

Connect and get moving. Stay connected. Keep in touch day and night! Amen!♥

I am heard

Silence breaks us especially if we are alone and we feel abandoned. Living alone here in South Korea, I felt alone and not hearing anything inside my room. I ask myself what if something happens to me here and no one knows? I don't have my family and my friends are not living in my apartment, will someone save me if I am sick or having trouble? 

These worries and anxieties fill my mind and build a weary heart inside. But despite the silence and feeling lonely at times, I dwell on God's word. Prayers are my only refuge and my strength when I am alone. The words of God give me the courage to continue my academic journey here because I know He will give me wisdom, guidance, and protection every day. He always listens to my request.

In Psalm 116:5-6 it says, "The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me(NIV)." This is a reminder that God is always there even if you felt alone and even in silence when you hear nothing at all. His presence is always there, you just need to call upon His name and He will be present. 

I am heard. You are heard. God always listens.

Pleasures with God

I am delighted with the Lord's presence in my life. Even if I am alone and I have no one to turn to. God is there to guide me in the direction that I need to take. My decisions in life right now are based on His teachings. I worry about some things about my studies here in South Korea and struggle to budget my allowance since most of my money is sent back home and I am left with only meager funds for my housing, food, and electricity bills. 

In these challenging times that I faced daily, I always cling to God's word so I will not be put astray and just focus on His promises. In Matthew 6:25(NIV), Jesus said "“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?". This is always what comes to my mind if I worry about money. I should not worry about it and put my trust in the Lord's provision. 

My pleasure in life comes from God and it gives me strength and endurance to start my day and equip me with the right mindset to do my duty in school, church, and community. I am delighted with the presence of God in my life for it gives me a heart of peace and tranquility, and reminds me not to worry and always cling to His words always. Amen!

Namsan Tower Tour in Seoul

My Graduate Seminar Presentation

My Fellow HEAT Scholars in KNU

Our Korean Class Program Tour at the National Museum of Korea and Namsan Tower in Seoul, South Korea

 

Streets of Seoul, South Korea

Me at the top of Namsan Tower, Seoul, South Korea

Overlooking Seoul at the top of Namsan Mountain

Historical relics at the National Museum of Korea

National Museum of Korea

Han River Bridge