The Poor Rich

Leviticus 23:22 ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field when you reap, nor shall you gather any gleaning from your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger: I am the LORD your God.’”

Reading this verse, I can't help but to thank God and praise Him.

A poor family like us, have experienced going to the field after peanut harvesters are gone. True enough, inside the soil are ground nuts remnants. We call this process in Ilokano vernacular "Tudtod" (picking of whatever remaining on the ground).

In a fish pond for example, when harvesters are gone, we took possession of the pond and inside those muddy areas we still catch some fish, big and small, enough viand for a day or two.

Well, that is life living far from the City. Here, the poor are entirely dependent on jobs and helps from the government. Even the goods coming from generous heart, local or international, intended for those affected by calamities are not exempted from some greedy people the victims thought to rescue.

Ezekiel 22:29 The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger.

Some Leaders are corrupt. Yes, they are greedy dogs which never have enough. They all look to their own way, every one for his own gain, from his own territory. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world?

Proverbs 22:16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.

The Inheritance

For the Family whom I loved so dearly.

God shall call anyone unto him, into the house of God built by Jesus Christ - the stone which was rejected by the disobedient, which has become the chief cornerstone.

Acts 2:39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.

It is the desire of my heart with a fervent prayer that all of you whom I dearly loved are with me in the house of god which is the Church of God purchased by the blood of Jesus that whosoever believe in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

1 Timothy 3:15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Like me, must even you also be under His grace for outside the Church God judges.

Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

1 Corinthians 5:13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.

That is why, I do not want you to be outside the Church where evil mostly dwell, rubbing elbows with those evil persons who was removed in the Church.

Ephesians 1:18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

This is my ardent desire, a gift and inheritance that I can left as a legacy to all of you deprive me not before I die.

If God permit and you are called, I thank Him for the grace and mercy to you it has been given.

Discovering God's Will

Matthew 7:7-11 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Is the almighty God whom we pray, capable of giving all things that we ask for?

Acts 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

Breath is more important than food. You can live in days without food but you can not live within an hour without a breath, though we must eat less in order to live longer.

What is our assurance that God will do all the things that He promised.

Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

2 Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Hebrew 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Remember that the Father which is in heaven give good things according to his will.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Why is it then that we have prayers mostly not granted?

James 4:10 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

When the prayer is not in accordance with His will, and will not do us good, He don't even listen.

Lamentations 3:44 Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through.

For a prayer to be surely granted, we must know first the will of God.

Just to give you an idea, I will cite below some prayer which are in accordance with His will.

The will of God is: Ephesians 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

The Prayer: Father, please heal my wife who is sick. Make her healthy like me because I love her and I can't bear to see her suffer.

The will of God is: Romans 12:20 Therefore “ If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

The Prayer: Father, give me extra food that I may share it to a neighbor who is my enemy for years.

The will of God is: Proverbs 19:14 Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD.

The Prayer: Father, You are the only one who can search the heart of every man, give me a prudent wife that I shall love as my own body.

You may have a prayer more acceptable to God than mine. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Evidently, the prayer of a righteous man, Elijah revives the Widow’s Son.

1 Kings 17:20-22 Then he cried out to the LORD and said, “O LORD my God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge, by killing her son?” And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the LORD and said, “O LORD my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.” Then the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived.

What is the will of God to Elijah?

1 Kings 17:8-9 Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.”

Rottenness In The Bones

I was awaken early morning by a noise from my disgruntled wife. Scolding my daughter for not helping her do the household chores. On top of her voice, she said, I am not your maid who should always wash the dishes. I rushed to the kitchen to do it myself only to find out that she is nearly finished.

Why is she complaining while doing it? Clearly, it's a waste of time for creating an unfavorable atmosphere that weaken my spirit and rotten my bones.

Finding a good wife nowadays is like finding a needle in the midst of a bush.

Proverbs 31:10-27 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Proverbs 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman not fearing the Lord, she is disgusting.

Proverbs 12:4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

Parliament On The Streets

Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

Which means that If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. The reason why people staged parliament on the streets instead of going to court to seek justice against those erring rulers.

Proverbs 29:27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

People power, military coup de' etat, name it we did it only to find out that the leaders are unstoppable. Not fearing the Lord, they work more wickedly and the economy is continuously declining due to violence sending investors to move away.

One good example of a clash between the righteous and the wicked is the story of Israel against an Egyptian ruler named Pharaoh.

Exodus 7:1-5 And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land. And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.

What if God also harden our Leaders heart, are we not yelling at deaf ears?

1 Timothy 2:1-3 exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

Calling All Dog Lovers

I am calling all nations who are dog lovers.

Your dog is comfortably living and dependent with you.

On the contrary, street children are everywhere, hungry, cold, lonely, afraid, abused, sick, lost, sleeping in discomfort while some of you are bragging online about your major role as dog foster parents.

OMG, What's happening to this World?

We can't become holy or be eternally rewarded by feeding & caring for those greedy dogs.

Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

I saw that you have large and expensive buildings which was built for the primary purpose of worship - cathedrals, basilicas, mosques, synagogues, hagia sophia, etc. All closed for poor members who are forsaken to sleep on the street but your dogs sleep conveniently in the comfort of your own homes.

Are dogs more important than human? Why not sell those temples to accommodate the street children and the less fortunate members? God is not there anyway!

Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

Straight from God Himself

I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Job 32:9 Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.

Let our faith stand in the power of God.

Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

For it was prophesied that many will arise false Christs and false prophets and it was so.

Matthew 25:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Do not be deceived, let us therefore read the Bible.

Isaiah 34:16 Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.

For what to say, do, spend, eat, everything we need is here in this book.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Now try it, ask anything about your salvation here and get the words straight from God Himself.

I Will Be Like God

When Lucifer contemplated this thoughts in mind, he was cursed forever.

Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

Isaiah 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

Isaiah 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

A very desperate move indeed. Unlikely, mine seems not possible at a glance.

Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

The rich in this world can do this same kindness even to a foe.

1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

1 Timothy 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Basically, to be exceedingly kind and generous, one has to have lots of money.

But with the verses below, I have a second thought of becoming rich.

Mark 10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Matt 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Give me therefore neither poverty nor riches but give me only my daily bread.

Prov 30:9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD ?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.

"I will be like God" or "As if I were Jesus himself" is not an impossible dream after all for I can do kindness even without richness in all things.

Galatians 4:14 Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.

John 17:21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Meaningless Dreams

One of my sisters in Christ died yesterday. She never woke up from a tight night sleep.

A brother commented, good for her. Hearing this word, especially if you are not a Christian, you might say that he is bad.

Death in Christians is a moment of rest or a time for an indefinite sleep just waiting for the day of judgment. It is a graduation from a basic course because when you soon be rise up from dead and be made perfect, you will become a Judge and will live and reign with Christ for a thousand years.

Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Revelation 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

It was the heaven first that will pass away before the rest of the dead shall be awaken.

Job 14:12 So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.

Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

This is very different from the belief of other religious sectors that when someone die he will either go to heaven or in hell just like Jesus who rose up from the dead and ascended in heaven.

John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

This is still true as of this day, that no man has ascended to heaven except Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

The word "they" in the above verse include the souls of all who died righteous and those who died with Jesus. The word "us" refers to those who are righteous and are still alive. They and Us will be altogether and at the same time be made perfect.

In fact the "they" there was advised to rest yet for a little season.

Revelation 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

Revelation 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

Revelation 6:11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Some account of this topic was already discussed in my blog with the title "Beware of kneeling to Idols".

I am dreaming while sleeping many times but most of my dreams I am the Hero. Even in my dreams I must be the undefeated good guy for if I am not I might not wake up in the morning. Like in the movies as in a dream, generally, the bad guys ending is death and Heroes triumph.

But don't worry, most of our dreams are meaningless and prayer before going to bed is still the best protection.

Ecclesiastes 5:7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.