THE WAY OF LIGHT

THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF BARNABAS, CHAPTER 14: 5-25

Of the way of light, a summary of what a Christian is to do, that he may be happy forever.

Now the way of light is this: if any one desires to attain to the place that is appointed for him, he will hasten there by his works. And the knowledge that has been given to us for walking in it is to this effect:

You must love HIM that made you; you must glorify HIM that has redeemed you from death.

You must be simple in heart, and rich in the spirit. You must not unite to those that walk in the way of death. You must hate to do anything that is not pleasing to God. You must abhor all dissimulation. You must not neglect any of the commands of the Lord.

You must not exalt yourself, but must be humble. You must not take honor to yourself. You must not enter into any wicked counsel against your neighbor. You must not be over- confident in your heart.

You must not commit fornication nor adultery. Neither must you corrupt yourself with mankind. You must not make use of the word of God to any impurity.

You must not accept any man’s person, when you reprove anyone’s faults. You must be gentle. You must be quiet. You must tremble at the words which you have heard. You must not keep any hatred in your heart against your brother. You must not entertain any doubt whether it will be or not.

You must not take the name of the Lord in vain. You must love your neighbor above your own soul.

You must not destroy your conceptions before they are brought forth, nor kill them after they are born.

You must not withdraw your hand from your son, or from your daughter, but will teach them from their youth the fear of the Lord.

You must not covet your neighbor’s goods, neither must you be greedy. Neither must your heart be joined to proud men, but you must be counted among the righteous and the lowly. Whatever events will happen to you, you must receive them as good.

You must not be double-minded, or double-tongued, for a double tongue is the snare of death. You must be subject in fear and reverence to the Lord, and to inferior masters as to the representatives of God.

You must not be bitter when ordering any of your servants who trust in God, for fear that you may not fear him who is over both; because he came not to call any with respect of persons, but whomever the Spirit had prepared.

You must communicate to your neighbor of all you have; you must not call anything your own, for if you share in such things as are incorruptible, how much more should you do it in those that are corruptible?

You must not be too eager to speak, for the mouth is the trap of death. Strive for your soul with all your might. Do not reach out your hand to receive, and then withhold it when you should give.

You must love, as the apple of your eye, everyone that speaks to you the word of the Lord. Call to your remembrance, day and night, the future judgment.

You must seek out every day the persons of the righteous and both consider and go about to exhort others by the word, and meditate how you may save a soul.

You must also labor with your hands to give to the poor, so that your sins may be forgiven you. You must not deliberate whether you should give, nor, having given, complain about it.

Give to everyone that asks, so will you know who is the good rewarder of your gifts.

Keep what you have received; you must neither add to it nor take from it.

Let the wicked be always your aversion. You must judge righteous judgment. You must never cause divisions, but make peace between those that are at variance, and bring them together.

You must confess your sins and not come to your prayer with an evil conscience.

This is the way of light.

 

 

LIGHT OVERCOMES DARKNESS

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Light is the absence of darkness and darkness is the absence of light. Light is living, darkness is dead. Darkness cannot overcome the light! Light overcomes darkness in the same way that good overcomes evil.

JESUS is the Light of the World. When JESUS came to this Earth, He showed us the light. He showed us that we are living in darkness and without Him there is no light. We live in a world filled with the darkness of Sin. The Light of the world, JESUS, has come to overcome the darkness of Sin and Death. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came to earth to overcome darkness for us. But we too must walk in God’s light as Jesus does. We must always overcome darkness and bring His light. We must have God’s light in our hearts so that others may see the light.

Light penetrates darkness, enabling us to see our way. By this, many people are afraid of light. Many people love to live in darkness because they don’t want to be exposed. When someone brings light (truth) to us, how do we react? Many would not believe or would not accept the light. Many become angry or will hate the one who is showing the light because they are used to live in darkness. Some people don’t feel comfortable with Jesus or with the true Christians. Why? Because they are ashamed of what that Light reveals about their motives and conduct. Jesus said people “love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil.”

When we enter a movie house, our eyes cannot see at first. Our pupil will then dilate in order for us to see in the dark. Within few hours inside the movie house, your eyes become comfortable in the darkness. When you get out of the place, you will now face the light outside and it hurts your eyes because it will now again try to cope up with the new environment. This is the same when we are used to live in our sins. It hurts us deeply and we cannot change easily because we were comfortable living with it than living in righteousness and holiness.

By using God’s light, it is like using an X-ray machine in order to detect broken or fractured bones or any other problems inside our bodies. God wants us to see our flaws and sins in order for it to be forgiven. God wants to expose our brokenness in order to heal us. But sadly, many people are afraid to be exposed. Are we going to hide our brokenness for the rest of our lives? Don’t we know that if we ignore or hide it, it will never be healed? It will spread more; it will become worse just like how a disease or a broken bone becomes infected when it is not cured.

Some people are drawn to Jesus because love and truth appeal more than hatred and deceit. While on the other hand, some people were drawn to Satan because coldness or hate appeals more than love. Darkness does not lead us toward life but toward death.

Daddy Holy said that if you have hidden even a small darkness or hole inside your heart, that hole will be used by Satan to destroy you. So we must always ask the LORD to search our hearts and heal every broken part of us so the Devil will not find an entry point. “Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.” Luke 11:35

Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

We must follow JESUS so we will always walk in His light. The more that a person follows JESUS, the more he sees his flaws and inequities because it is being revealed by His Light. The Way of JESUS is not the easy way but the hardest way. If you are looking for an easy way, you cannot follow Him. If you just want to listen to other people because what they are saying is good in your ears, comfortable and easy to do, then you are now turning away from JESUS. You are following the other way.

Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” John 12:35-36

 “But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” John 11:10

If we walk in darkness, we will stumble. We will stumble because there is no light. JESUS will not be with us if we continue to walk in darkness. Before, Daddy GOD showed me in a dream that I was walking in darkness. Then, I called out to Him and the night turns into a day. He showed me the path where I should walk. That path is narrow; a rough road with many rocks and bumps. But I chose to walk in that path because it is the way Home.

         “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

         “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6

         “For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.” 1 Thessalonians 5:5

         “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8

You are the children of light, the children of the day! Let your light shine out! God has put you in a place for you to serve as a lamp for others. Don’t be afraid. Take courage! Don’t hide the lamp! Set it out! Set it out in front of others! Darkness cannot overcome you because you are children of light! JESUS light radiates on you because you follow Him.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

 

ALL GLORY TO GOD!

-Daddy’s girl

Have you died so you may live?

“I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!” 1 Corinthians 15:31

DEATH is PAINFUL. When I was a child, I fear death. I hate death. Death for me means sadness and separation. I always thought that death should be the last thing to happen because it is the worst thing on Earth. It is the end of life. When I was eight, my grandfather died. I remembered that it was the first time that I cried to GOD, raised up my hands to heaven and prayed “JESUS, please don’t let Lolo die, please heal him.” But after a while, Lolo died. At twelve my Lola died, followed by my younger brother who died at seven, and then my other grandmother followed also. Oh how painful is death!! I even had a phobia of dead people before that I can’t even go near to the dead body of my brother to hug him before he was buried. These painful deaths made me wonder more about eternity. Daddy GOD removed all my heartaches. He gave me hope through JESUS that physical death is not really the end at all. Death is temporary. Yes, death is painful but it is the beginning of life, a life of eternity with our Maker.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

“We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8

Just like how physical death of our body is painful, it is same with dying in ourselves so we may live for JESUS. To live we must die. But then, you may ask, “How must we die, that we may live forever?” The answer is that we must die to our sins. The “old man” must die so that the “new man” in Christ can live. Many people can’t accept or endure that they must die in their old selves. They don’t want to be renewed. They chose to run from GOD and live the life they want, the life living in sins.

Daddy GOD said that we must die every day. We must kill our selfishness, our own desires, our pride, our lust, our self righteousness, our laziness, our being envy, our greed, our hatred, the love of money and all other sins that we are in bondage of. It is really painful and it is not easy. To live a surrendered life is very difficult. But we must endure it and we must overcome it because if we can’t endure this painful death, we are not worthy to be with GOD someday. It is not enough that you said with your lips that you accept JESUS as your savior. If you really accept Him then you must allow Him to live in you. Every single day we must be willing to put to death those parts of us that GOD hates.

The more a person is closer to GOD, the more he realizes how unworthy he is because of his sins. Every day, Daddy Holy is showing me my blemishes, my flaws or my sins. So every day for me is a struggle. I die every day. But through this comes growth and new life. Sometimes I feel like I am not worthy of Daddy’s love anymore. All my sins, I think if it were gathered together will form a big mountainous of garbage waste. But Daddy GOD is so faithful and patient. When I ask Him for help whenever I cannot bear the pain anymore, He will gently ease the pain. So I know that I am not alone because He is with me. He bears every sorrow. Death is indeed painful but He wants us to die in our old selves because He loves us so much.

I know that there is still a lot of sins left in me, and I know that for the rest of my life I will have to crawl up on my cross every day and crucify those parts of me that Daddy GOD hates. It is painful and uncomfortable. But I must overcome. We must all overcome.

When we learn to give despite of our lack, we are dying to self. When we help others without thinking of being tired, you are dying to self. When we are being accused and we don’t let anger arise in our heart or defend ourselves, we are dying to self. When we don’t care about what other people will think of us but care what GOD will think, we are dying to self. When we are content of anything that GOD gave, be it food, clothes or climate that is dying to self. When we hate our comfort so we can labor for GOD, we are dying to self. When we don’t accept any praises or we don’t boast of our own good works or achievements we are dying to self. When we can give everything to GOD, even it is our own life we are dying to self.

Can we accept life that JESUS gave us, the life of suffering and death? Can we be fool for JESUS sake? Can we still love despite of loss? Can we humble ourselves, pick up our own cross and follow Him? Have you died so you may live?

“He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to Him who for their sakes died and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15 

I have learned to love death. Death is beautiful. Death is pleasant. By every death of our life, JESUS lives in us. By every death of our sins, JESUS shines in us. By every death of “self” God is being glorified.

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” Revelation 14:13

 “If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Romans 14:8 

ALL GLORY TO GOD!

-Daddy’s girl

August 31, 2011

The Peace that JESUS gives

July 10, 2011

JESUS SAID, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Most people say that they have no peace or rest.  They will always complain that they have so many problems, trials, and sorrows that are too much for them to handle. And because of this, many often look out to other things (mostly worldly things) to look for solutions or in order for them to have some peace. But this peace is not the real peace that JESUS gives. True peace will not be found in outward things or in the world.

JESUS left His peace to His disciples when He said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”  JESUS didn’t mean the outward peace. If it were so, why do His disciples and followers had suffered great persecution and trials? Many of them died and were martyred. Most of them didn’t have the happy life in this world but the most bitter of all, yet they chose to be with JESUS. They chose to be with the LORD because of the true peace and happiness that the LORD gives.

What JESUS meant was the true, inward peace of the heart and it lasts forever. It is not like what the world gives us which is the false peace that doesn’t last. No one in this world will have rest and peace without troubles and crosses. JESUS told us to carry our own cross. He didn’t promise to give us an easy life without pains. But He promised to be with us all throughout our journey.

Some people will drift away from the LORD when they experience problems and afflictions. Many people will only love the LORD because of the good things and the comfort that He has given us. Some of us will go back to our old self and will go back to the world because it is more convenient and an easy life. Did JESUS told us that we will have an easy, comfortable life after knowing Him? No! Did the apostles and followers of JESUS have a good life in this world? No! The truth is most of them experienced the bitterest life. But they were the happiest people because they have known the true eternal peace which is GOD Himself.

Let us all seek for the peace that Jesus gives. Let us only seek for the true peace of the heart that will help us overcome all of our life’s problems. This peace helps the person to be patient within, just like the apostles of JESUS amidst all the sufferings. If you are a child of GOD, you will not ask GOD to take away all the pains but you will ask HIM for the strength to endure. If you have the PEACE of JESUS you will be unmoved whatever happens. And because you have hidden His peace inside your heart, all the bitterness of this world will become sweet to you.

GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST THE PRINCE OF PEACE

ALL GLORY TO GOD!

-Daddy’s girl

Welcome to my blog!

DEAR LORD, make me an ambassadress of Your PEACE,

that where there is hatred, I may bring Your LOVE;

that where there is error, I may bring Your TRUTH;

that where there is doubt, I may bring Your FAITH;

that where there is despair, I may bring Your HOPE;

that where there are shadows, I may bring Your LIGHT;

that where there is sadness, I may bring Your JOY.