Ardent for Christ

Even through my imperfections, you love me still…

How does God love?

and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.” — Deuteronomy‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house…

“Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.” — ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” — ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Hence, “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.” — John‬ ‭7‬:‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

How will we know?

Yes, we have all been there. We are just like Simon Peter. We do things out of good will, and though God weighs the heart (Proverbs 21:2 ESV) as He did back then with the woman anointing Him before His death (Matthew 26:6-13 ESV), we must know that if it is not God’s Will, God will say so.

Peter did all of this in act of his good intentions. He wanted to help Christ in every aspects of his life while Jesus was still with them.

Familiar?

(The servant’s name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

Hotheaded for he drew his sword out in John 18‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬, “Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear.

“Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.” — Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭33‬-‭35‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him,

He also said another thing akin to this in Matthew 26:33-35 ESV, telling Jesus he would never defy Him, but was corrected:

But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.””

And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.”

Impulsive because he spoke out of turn in Matthew 16:21-23 ESV, “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

But life as we know it, of course, Peter has his own flaws. He was considered as impulsive and hotheaded.

Peter’s life story was seen first in Matthew where Jesus met him where he was, fishing in the Sea of Galilee. There Jesus called onto him and his brother, Andrew, to follow Him.

Peter and Andrew were a fishermen chosen by Jesus to be fishers of men.

COURTESY FOR ALL OF THE OWNERS OF THE PICTURES

For: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah” — Psalm‬ ‭46‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” — ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

For: “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” — Deuteronomy‬ ‭31‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

That is why, we MUST turn to our One true God: “God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”” — Exodus‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Remember that in this world, Satan can rule and take over our fleshes, for our flesh is weak (Matthew 21:46 ESV) and our hearts are deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9).

But, remember:
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” — Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

These are the things that have been going on for centuries. Some may think it is natural, that it is a repetitive pattern in the world, that if God is a ‘oh-so good God’, why is He allowing all of this bad things happening?

3. Ongoing corruptions in various countries in Asia

4. Wars

5. Typhoons in the US

1. Earthquakes in various cities in the Philippines:
• MAGNITUDE 7.4 in Davao Oriental
• MAGNITUDE 6.9 in Bogo, Cebu
• MAGNITUDE 5.0 in Cabangan, Zambales
• MAGNITUDE 4.0 in Pugo, La Union
• MAGNITUDE 4.5 in Maconacon, Isabela

2. Christian Massacres in Nigeria