Just watch ♥

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGlx11BxF24&feature=youtu.be

Homepage: http://www.fallingplates.com/

Faith and Sight

Background image from http://www.superbwallpapers.com/nature/sunrise-behind-the-mountains-16270/

Background image from: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraurql7VUEZ2umDo8eYGkx_A-x6ype3xxZPQFI0nXobIlH_CD5LuKrIe04yvdm9hnAMWXLJKM9N77sMBV50a0pbhjYQ4auiWXaPIzM17oj1EN1emIhQWInJrOuhotcnV04MC4/s1600/sunrise+mountain.jpg

Persevere! (Study!)

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge, will award unto me on that day." - Paul (2 Timothy 4:7-8)


People in the academe and the "intellectual" fields honor God with the minds He gave them. That's a double, even triple whammy for me: I'm a university teacher, a graduate student, and a Sunday school teacher. But like any other divine appointment, it is God who enables those He calls. I may get tired sometimes, but the feelings of fulfillment and living out your purpose are well worth it.

I've been plagued by discouragement many times: from people, failure, and distractions. If this were a race, I've stumbled, fallen, and run off course. But God simply encourages us to just get back on track:

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." - Paul (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

Just keep at it. The more steps we take in the right direction, the more empowered we feel, and the more encouraged we are to finish the race.

Persevere! And if you're a student: Study Hard and Study Well! :)



Image credits:
http://cdn.bills.com/images/articles/originals/GoodIdea.jpg
http://blogchase.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Study-Hard.jpg
http://images.travelpod.com/tripwow/photos/ta-0113-e42c-20fa/study-hard-nanjing-china+1152_13001086172-tpfil02aw-12181.jpg
http://blueprintprep.com/lsatblog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Alex-lsat-blog-coffee-study2.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9n4cOETGYvgLmuUGAETjesiCIYcu4SwTKeTp5UnWHvxsvgC0LBsrLc4o4ZKwJghj4F62zYoSnDBXPWxox1l-o_mDF-nE2wecLVYMzBwfzPNfkxw4A-9kBJPoEVgvDj5IXkSs/s1600/paintings%252C+coffee+024.JPG
http://imgix.8tracks.com/i/000/213/692/c/study-7304.jpg?fm=jpg&q=65
http://schoolofrockpaperscissors.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/coffee-tea-bible-study.jpg
http://litreactor.com/news/study-shows-coffee-shops-foster-creativity-through-ambient-noise
http://blog.loyola.edu/thestudy/files/girl-studying-science-M.jpg
http://c3e3.com/hpu/unhappytstudent.jpg
http://imgix.8tracks.com/mix_covers/000/831/506/97944.original.jpg?fm=jpg&q=65&sharp=15&vib=10&w=521&h=521&fit=crop
http://www.desktopwallpaperhd.com/wallpapers/8/4022.jpg
http://www.otea.info/wp-content/uploads/study-.jpg

His work is finished.

It's Holy Week. The perfect time to remember what God has done... and the perfect time to remember that it is already done!

Photo: http://www.123greety.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/jesus-quotes-cross-wallpaper.jpg; Text: mine

Nothing we can do (or not do) can make us more saved.

May we honor God in truth and in the right way. ♥

Think Different: Do the Same to All

What treatment do we give?

 http://ivysays.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/biatch.jpg; edited by Teci :) 

Do we treat people differently when they're facing us and when their backs are turned?

Do we act extra nice toward our boss, and extra mean toward our *rival*?

Why the difference?

God is good to the good and evil.




What about the treatment we get?

 http://images.clipartof.com/small/227147-Royalty-Free-RF-Clipart-Illustration-Of-A-

Grumpy-Toon-Guy-Getting-Rained-On-And-Walking-Under-An-Umbrella.jpg

Do we feel that good things only happen to good people (and complain)...?

Or do we feel that good things only happen to bad people (and complain)...?


Why the difference?


God is good to the good and evil.



May we be more consistent--- in being kind, gracious and loving --- to everyone around us.



I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous...  
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
--- Jesus (Matthew 5:45,48)

Why Christians need not fear

In Edward R. Dayton's book "Tools for Time Management" (yes, Time Management!):

• "Life is too short to spend it half-heartedly."
• "Of all the people in the world, Christians should be the ones with the greatest ability to grow. Our past is forgiven and our future is secure."

God reminds us many times, "Don't be afraid." Many times we need to know why. Here are just some:


1. Jesus says to His followers (John 16:33)

• "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

 
2.  From Paul's first letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 3:21-23)

• "Everything is already yours as a gift --- Paul, Apollos, Peter, the world, life, death, the present, the future --- all of it is yours, and you are privileged to be in union with Christ, who is in union with God." 

3. From John Piper's letter to the people in Jerusalem

• We will not die apart from God’s gracious decree for his children. (James 4:14-15; Matthew 10:29-30; Deuteronomy 32:39)
• Curses and divination do not hold sway against God’s people. (Numbers 23:23)
• The plans of terrorists and hostile nations do not succeed apart from our gracious God. (Psalm 33:10; Isaiah 8:9-10) 
• Man cannot harm us beyond God’s gracious will for us. (Psalm 118:6; Psalm 56:11)
• God promises to protect his own from all that is not finally good for them. (Psalm 91:14) 
• God promises to give us all we need to obey, enjoy, and honor him forever. (Matthew 6:31; Philippians 4:19)
  
• God is never taken off guard. (Psalm 121:4) 
• God will be with us, help us, and uphold us in trouble. (Isaiah 41:10, 13)
  
• Terrors will come, some of us will die, but not a hair of our heads will perish. (Luke 21:10–11, 18) 
• Nothing befalls God’s own but in its appointed hour. (John 7:30)
• When God Almighty is your helper, none can harm you beyond what he decrees. (Hebrews 13:6; Romans 8:31)
  
• God’s faithfulness is based on the firm value of his name, not the fickle measure of our obedience. (1 Samuel 12:20–22)
  
• The Lord, our protector, is great and awesome. (Nehemiah 4:14)
  

 
What shall we say then? Paul writes to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 15:58):

• "With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort."