Accept! Hope!

I've learned more about the life of Martin Luther and found out that He was not really into having revolution from the church instead he just wanted reformation. By this I have been affirmed that all people will not really understand the intentions of other people's hearts. Even if they do not know anything that is factually true about these intentions they have this big tendency to be quick in judging and accusing.

I always have this fear of being misunderstood or being judged by other people and I have this feeling within me that I really want to defend myself from all those accusing words, actions, and eyes. I can't explain the feeling that is deep within me in experiencing this injustice. I cannot fully understand how people is quick to judge without considering the hurt that it will cause to other people's feelings. But in the midst of these questions I have come to realize that this is really a result of our human sinfulness. Even I have committed and is still prone to commit this kind of unwise thinking and action.

In order to not get myself so exhausted with this kind of situation I will choose to understand and accept the reality of the world. Of course, I won't stop there I have learned that there is no hopeless case to Jesus and He is always able to change the hearts of the people. So I will try to always remember to pray for myself and for other people in changing our hearts and avoid having a judgmental attitude.

Attitude of the heart

I've learned the life of Henry VIII this week. He had six wives due to the desire of having a male heir. From his life before I have realized that most of the people now are just like him. We have this one great desire and we will do anything just to have it even if it means using and hurting other people.

I am also guilty of having this desire to gratify my own self by accomplishing what I want. Remembering when I was in my high school days that I usually urged my mother to give me what I am asking for and if she won't grant it I had this manipulation technique that I rebelled silently. It means having the so called "cold war", I didn't talk to her neither listened to her during those times that I declare that war. I did that because I know she would give me what I want in order to make me happy. I know that it was not right and I am shameful to have done that before. Unwise actions would really happen if I will push through in acquiring my selfish desires and it will cause other people to be hurt. I should always put in my mind that not all that I want I will have especially those that are selfishly desired by me.

This also might happened in the condition of my heart on how I lift up my petitions to God and I know this attitude is not pleasing to Him because He wants my desires to be always aligned to His desires and not just to my selfishness. I will always ask God to search my heart and help me evaluate the desires of my heart hoping that I can glorify Him with these desires.

To Him be the Glory!

I had learned about Ambrose of Milan this week and was amazed by one of the greatest accomplishments of his ministry. God had used him to touched and influenced one of the greatest contributor of the development of our church. Through this I've learned and affirmed that when we serve God and speak His word it will never be in vain because the Holy Spirit will really work in the people that we are ministering to through the efforts that we make.

Many times I heard stories from the ministers being frustrated and exhausted because they have been toiling and yet not even seeing the fruit of their labors. Even if I am just a weekender in the church that I am serving for almost four years I also had experienced and thought about this. It is really disappointing when you've given the best in you and it seemed like there is no reaction of growth from the people that you expect to grow. I remember how God carry me through that frustration and taught me to fully depend in His power. Yes! Many times I toiled with my own strength for the ministry and forgot to lift it up to Him and be fully dependent in Him about its results. He had taught me to pray and ask Him for the people in my ministry to grow in Him. By this the glory will not be recorded to me but to Him who is very much deserving to receive it.

I will always ask God to help me, I will with His help, love the people whom He loves so that I can genuinely pray and minister to them.