Korean Burger King in Gyeongju

Fear No Evil

Are you lonely? Who do you turn to if you need help?

Living alone here in South Korea I faced loneliness everyday and longingneaa to see my family back home in the Philippines. But I need to do this for our future. My teaching career requires me to study at the doctoral level. I chose to sacrifice 3 years of studying here abroad for a lifetime achievement for my college and my family. But its not eastmy to be alone here and face problems by yourself.

But the Lord reminded me of his goodness and mercy hearing from the messagr in Psalm 23.

Even I faced fears in the valley of uncertainty. God is always certain and omnipotent. He is our rock and will give us the firm foundation in our lives.

Even if I am far away, my hearr is with the Lord and He will comfort me and my family while we are away from each other. Our love will always bind us together no matter how far the distance is.

Love your enemies

Did someone bully you and hurt you the most? Did you hate them?

I was bullied by my classmates in high school and I didnt stood up for myself. I was afraid to get angry with them or I am shy to show my anger to anyone because I dont want them to dislike me. I was always pleasing everybody. 

On the other hand,  while I was working, my boss always scolded me even if I already followed the orders and rules. It seems not enough because my boss will always be angry if not on the mood or just hates you for some little things.

Despite all the hurt and the memories of my emotional and psychological suffering, I forgave them and moved on with my life right now. I remember the verse from Proverbs 12:21. That no matter how evil they are your goodness should overpower it.

To elaborate on this one verse, the preceeding verses in Proverbs 12:19-20 , emphasize the forgiveness of our enemies and let God do its works.

This teaching reminds us to have compassion and to show love even to our hard core enemies. If Jesus Christ took the sacrifice to save us from our death to sin in order for us to receive salvation by his grace, we can also show mercy and love to our enemies.

Treasure in your Heart

They say the one you long most once you have it you don't want it anymore. Have you achieve what you really wanted in a long time? But after possessing it do you feel empty inside?

Humans as we are, we dalways seek for more and our satisfaction level increases as we increase our desires. But Jesus in His sermon on the mount emphasize in Matthew 6:21 this verse.

Where is your heart right now? What treasure is inside of it? Material things will be rotten and rusted but if we store our wealth in heaven, we can possess it for a lifetime. When we die, we cannot bring riches in our coffins. But if we invest in the Kingdom of Heaven today, we will enjoy the fruits of salvation through eternal life with Christ. 

Choose the treasures that you will store and only put it in your heavenly account.

Faith comes from hearing

Listening and Doing

Do you do what you say? Its easy to say it but its hard to do something if you are not committed to it.

In my years as an employee, I have a vision in my head about the things that I want to accomplish and I will do something about it. I took a new job to buy a house. I prayed to have a permanent job in a government institution. I gave my all in applying in a state university even its not yet regular and now I am 10 years in government service. I had a part time job to buy a car, eventhough I had no enough money. I was faithful that God will provide for it.

If we are committed to do something and we want it, we will act on it and make time for it. Its how we listen and read Gods words from the bible. We meditate and comprehend the words and apply it in our daily lives. Its useless to listen without grasping the message and putting it into heart.

In James 1:22-24, it was very clear how important it is to listen and act on God's teachings from the bible. If you dont, its like looking yourself in the mirror and forget about your face.

My brothers and sisters, listen to Gods word, obey and practice it everyday. Lets equip ourselves with the words of God. Be a committed follower of Jesus Christ by listening and doing.

Reconcialiation

Are you angry with someone? Can you easily forgive when you are hurt?

Humans as we are..its not easy to forgive and forget. But if we put God at the center of our lives, we are at peace and reconcile with people who hurt us easily. That is how God empowers us to become Christ-like.

In 2 Corithians 15:18, Paul reminded the people of Corinth about the ministry of reconciliation. As Christians, we need to practice what we have learn in the bible which is FORGIVENESS. An easy word to say but difficult to practice.

Can you forgive and forget despite how hurt you are in the past? Yes you can! By the grace and love of Christ and by his Holy Spirit, we are set free from the bondage of sin. Therefore, in reconciliation we are free from the chain of hatred and let go of this trap to find peace and tranquility in forgiveness. We can if we try and we act on it. Be courageous and follow Christ..be forgiving.

Fixing Things

Do you repair broken things? Is it better to prevent things from being broken so you don't have to fix it?

In the house, we accidentally break our glass, windows, vases, mirrors, gadgets and many more. We didnt mean to break it because it was just an accident and we have no intention to destroy it. When we have broken things, we find ways to fix it and sometimes spend money to return it to its original form. 

However, is it good to focus on prevention rather than the after-event solution? If we change our mindset and dwell on mechanisms to prevent breaking things then we dont have to fix anything. That is also how we live in Christ's presence, we build relationship and make it strong so that we may become resilient when faced with different challenges.

In the letter of Paul to the people of Ephesus during his captivity, he mentioned the key approach to handle our sufferings and the right mindset in doing so. In Ephesians 3:12-13 it says:

Paul reminded the Ephesians to not worry and focus on God's presence in our lives through faith in Him so we will have freedom and confidence. He emphasized not to be discouraged during sufferings because all of these things are for His honor and glory. God is always the guardian of our body, mind and soul.

Let us lift up to him all our burden for He will make it lighter! Amen!

Voice

Are you confident to share the gospel? Can you defend you faith to non-believers?

I read the bible and try to comprehend its messages and apply it in my daily life. But I am not confident to speak and share and I do not always remember the key verses that I need to share to someone. I really wanted to equip myself and share the gospel to someone who is struggling and I want that person to be encouraged and realized that everything will be okay if they put their trust and faith in the Lord. Another thing is I think I am young and not that good in speaking, thats why I am not confident to speak.

But all these things should not be an issue because in Jeremiah 1:7-9, it is said:

God has put words in our mouths so that we have a voice to be used to share the great message to everyone. Being young is not a hindrance because God is always there to guide us and put the right words in our mouths and become a voice echoing his message of love, hope, kindness, perseverance, humility, generosity and honesty. Lets proclaim the goodness of God through our VOICE!

My First Korean Class Video

 

Born Again

Have you experienced a new life with Christ? Have you left your past life and started a new life with Jesus Christ?

When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we abandoned our past selves and being renewed by  Him. Just as how Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead. We can too are dead with our past sins and being renewed living in rightheous way.

We are all sinners. But the life with Christ has conviction and honor. Let's give thanks to Him for this wonderful life with Him. Let us have joy and peace in His presence. Let' s thank for everyday.

Trust in the Lord

Do your trust God completely? Do you havr faith in Him?

I experience a lot of challenges in life and I always worry. I worry about money, if I can still have money left to buy food and pay for my bills. I am worried if If I can pass my exams and submit my assignments. I am worried by the safety of my family back home. I am worried living alone here in South Korea. But one thing is for sure. We can do all things if we put our trust to God.

In Proverbs 3:5-6, it is written:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5‭-‬6 NIV

https://bible.com/bible/111/pro.3.5-6.NIV

As christians, we do not need to react based on our own but we nees to entrust to God all our worries and cares. He will not forsake us. As a matter fact, He will give us strenght, wisdom and knowledge in everything that we do. Let's keep our trust unto Him always. 

Shade

Its already summer here in South Korea. The temperature is around 15 to 29 degrees Celsius, but its expected to increase because of El Nino. During this hot days, we want to protect our skin by using sunblock and find shade in an umbrella or trees. In my life with Christ, I always find shade in His presence through the Holy Spirit. His presence gibes me courage and strenght to move forward despite the extreme heat of hardships.

Psalm 122:2 highlighted how our Lord  is our ultimate helper and acknowledge that He is our savior the maker of Heave and Earth. The whole chapter clearly decribes how God gives us courage in times of trouble.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Psalms 121:1‭-‬8 NIV

https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.121.1-8.NIV

Let's honor God today and praise His name. Whenever we feel sunburned by the trials in life, let's find shade in God's presence in our lives. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!♥

Endurance

When you faced problems, do you lose hope and discouraged right away? Don't worry about tommorrow because tommorrow will worry itself.

I faced a lot of trials in my life. Before I understood the power of Jesus Christ in my life, Inam.always sad and stressed and worried when I faced problems and trials. I oftern have monetary problems, deadlines to follow and pressure from work. But when I have learned more about the bible and meditate on the messages, I have known that faith in God will give you peace even in trials. You just need to lift up all your worries and cares to Him.

Paul wrote a letter to Romans, and he emphasized what trials are meant for. It makes us stronger and gives us endurance. It gives us hope and peace in our hearts when we have problems.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Romans 5:1‭-‬11 NIV

https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.5.1-11.NIV

The only way to achieve hope and peace is through Christ Jesus. Accept Him now as your Lord and Savior and receives salvation by grace through faith!

Finding fault

Have you confronted someone and told them their wrongs? How did they react? Naturally, people will be dissapointed and hurt if you tell them the truth about their bad behaviors. A true family and friend will always point out what is wrong with your attitude and will never tolerate it. Real people who loves youbare concerned with you and they want the best for you.

Its hard to know that we commites sin and it is pointed out by others. Jesus Christ message to His disciples, clearly pointing out to tell the faults of your brothers and sisters in private.

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Matthew 18:15‭-‬17 NIV

https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.18.15-17.NIV

Jesus reminded us to always be honest and tell our loved ones if they are wrong so they can correct it and live with a Christ-like attitude. It takes courage to tell the truth so that others may wake up from the bed of sin roses. If we truly walk with God, we shall share the gospel to our loved ones and teach them the rightheous way of Christian living.

Idols

Do you have a favorite star, actor or singer? We are fond of watching them to entertain us with their shows and concerts. Is the happiness with your idols comparable to our relationship with God?

It is not bad to appreciate someones's talent but let us remind ourselves to set our hearts and minds first to God before anything else. Personally, I am not really a fanatic with any famous person. I just appreciate them and watch their shows but I do not worship them as idols. Because only God is my Lord and Savior, who I idolize and to resemble a righteous living.

In Exodus 20, Moses announced the 10 commandments after he went down from Mt Sinai, seeing God in yhe fiery bushes.

And God spoke all these words: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. “You shall not murder. “You shall not commit adultery. “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites this: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven: Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold. “ ‘Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you. If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool on it. And do not go up to my altar on steps, or your private parts may be exposed.’

Exodus 20:1‭-‬14‭, ‬16‭-‬26 NIV

https://bible.com/bible/111/exo.20.1-26.NIV

Let this verse be a reminder to us to follow the commandements of God and focus on Him alone. 

Perfect Time

Its finals time in this spring semester here at Kangwon National University where I am currently studying my doctorate degree in economics. Before I came here, I prayed to God to grant me a scholarship abroad. I tried to apply from 2017 to 2021, but I did not make it. I was about to give up in 2022 and tried one last time to apply and I made it!

Just as there is a perfect time for every season in a year: winter, spring, summer and fall, our lives has different seasons of ups and downs. But during the highest points of our life, let' s remember God. During our lowest points, let's run to God. In our glourius ending, we are rest assures by God that its all worth it and it will end well. 

In Ecclesiates 3, the writer describe opposite seasons in our lives and how we are assured that everything will be put into place in God's perfect time.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him. Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account. And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there. I said to myself, “God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.” I also said to myself, “As for humans, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?” So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?

Ecclesiastes 3:1‭-‬22 NIV

https://bible.com/bible/111/ecc.3.1-22.NIV

This verse clearly reminds us that there are different seasons in our life. We may be in our high and low points but God is always on top of the situation. We should not worry and we should always put our trust in Him. 

I will follow Him

Have you fully commit yourself to Christ? It is easy to say yes but is it evident in your actions? 

As we walk with Christ daily, let us give our all to Him. We can strengthen our faith if we regularly read His messages from the bible, meditate on it, reflect on your experiences for some real life leasons and apply it in our daily lives. Living with Christ as the center, is not easy and there will be challenges. But one thing is for sure, oir God is the only constant in our lives.

We may fail in our goals, lose our jobs , no career and no money. Our God is our contant provider. He gives even before we ask because He knows what we need. 

To honor Christ, follow Him by sharing the gospel and take up the cross that He carried in order for us to receive salvation and eternal life.

God is within reach

Knowing God and understanding His presence has helped me cope with anxieties and kept myself calm and at peace.  

I was totally stressed every time my boss was angry. I cannot really fathom what will be her mood everyday. Sometimes she is in a good mood and always not in a good mood and all of her stresses will be exhausted in us. Those where the days that I always cry every night, my heart is always pumping fast and I do not know when will I find and calmness in my heart.

I realize that I dont need to go far, because God is within reach. When I devotee my life to Christ, reading His words from the bible, meditating on it and applying it in real life, I found peace in Him. I always worry about people saying bad things about me, I was always a people-pleaser, I dont want them to get mad at me. I always wanted peace with everyone. But as I learn to follow Christ, I realize that out live should be centered on Him and everyone else will be out into place. 

Even if we are alone and we feel in the dark, always remember that God is our light. Wherever we are, we there is always sunshine after the storm. There is calmness after the raging thunderstorms.  We can light up a fire in a dark cave. We only need God in our lives and He is always within reach.