There are distractions everywhere. I have to immerse myself in His Word. It’s the only thing I can, and should do.

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. (Colossians 4:5 ESV)

Why make the best use of your time? There are many reasons. This is an attempt to list up some.


・ God made you with the ability to do so
・ Jesus' death gave you freedom to do so
・ God's Holy Spirit gives power to do so
・ As disciples we are commanded to do so
・ Husband, parents were charged to do so
・ It's beneficial in the future to do so
・ We become good witnesses when we do so
・ We become encouragements when we do so

Beautiful imagery of Redemption and Restoration: “Awake, awake, put on your strength. Put on your beautiful garments. Shake yourself from the dust and arise. Be seated. Loose the bonds from your neck.”

You know, God really just wants for us to put our trust in Him. As an eternally wise, eternally strong, eternally loving Father to his children. He does not force this on us, but lets us realize this for ourselves. And He wants us to “play well with others”, most especially with our brothers and sisters.

Don’t be a “downer”. Be a bearer of good news & peace. Bring good news of happiness, salvation – pointing others to God who reigns.

Thoughts on Colossians 3 (part 2)

Wives, submit 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 provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:18-24 ESV)

We dissect these few verses often, as we should because there is a wealth of wisdom in them. I cannot do that – not yet at least.

What I did notice is the flow of the chapter: it started with general concepts (v12-v16), then an overarching theme (v17), then specific examples (v18-v22), then an reiteration of the overarching theme (v23-v24). I’ve read somewhere that this is a very good flow for presentations. Cool.

Second is that Christianity is not limited to Sundays, even not limited to alone time with God during the week. It should permeate every moment, every relationship, every action. I cannot separate “Christian time” from “Family time”, from “Professional time”.

Which is difficult! But! It’s actually good for me. It sounds like extra work, but it’s actually the opposite. The burden seems heavier, but now you have the superhuman strength of God. It is a great blessing to be able to include God in every aspect of my life. Don’t waste this wonderful opportunity.

Lastly, whatever it is, do it heartily.

Puso. At para sa Panginoon.

“Stop, Look, and Listen.” Just like the song my grandfather used to sing to us when we were young.

Stop, take a step back, take some time for this. You are going through something – fear and dismay, sorrow and sighing, oppression and humiliation, anxiety and worry. Be still, even for a moment.

Look. Look around you. God created, and is sovereign over, everything you see. Even those that are in the heavens that we don’t see. He who, with a word created things out of nothing. With a word He can make rivers dry up, deserts bloom, bring about and calm storms. He can bring the dead to life, both physically and spirituality. Nothing is impossible for Him, in fact He does impossible things to prove this point. Look at your past, look at the lives of people whose hearts are fully committed to Him. Look at His great faithfulness. The things of this world, the people of this world, even the world itself will fade. But He will not. His strength, His faithfulness, His goodness never fails.

So Listen. He is calling out to you. Listen to the great things He will do. Listen to how He will bring about His justice. Listen, you who seek the Lord, you who have put your trust in Him. Listen and you will be comforted, strengthed, lifted up, encouraged.

It’s been a while…

We reap, what we sow. Yet God, is still more powerful.
He extends His saving grace. Reach out, He calls for you and He is near.
No sin too great, no sinner too small, for the power of His relentless love.

He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord God helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up. (Isaiah 50:8, 9 ESV)

When the Accuser comes, tell him this – he no longer has power over you. The charges against you have been cleared – paid in full. By the One who – with a word – can bring rest to the weary. By Him who was obedient even in the face of a grave injustice. By Him whose resolve is as great as His love.

You can put your trust in Him. You should. In the darkness, His light shines. He will guide you.