Special of the day!

Inspiring story for everyone...hope you take time to read this short presentation.


Special of the Day

What a true friend should be

There is a story about two friends who were walking through the desert. Halfway through the journey they had an argument and one friend slapped the other in the face.

The one who was slapped felt hurt, but without saying anything he wrote in the sand: "Today my best friend slapped me in the face."

They kept on walking until they found an oasis where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped began to drown and his friend saved him. When he recovered from the ordeal, he wrote on a stone: "Today my best friend saved my life."

His friend asked him, "Why, after I hurt you, did you write in the sand and now you write on a stone?"

The man, smiling, replied: "When a friend hurts us, we should write it down in the sand, where the winds of forgiveness can erase it away. And when something great happens, we should engrave it on the stone of the memory of our heart, where no wind can erase it."


Jesus is one of a kind friend...always forgiving,loving and always cheers us up!

Do you agree?

photo courtesy : http://www.flickr.com/photos/a7nthony/5388274537

ARE YOU BLESSED?

If you own just one Bible ... you are abundantly blessed. 1/3 of all the world does not have access to one.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation ... you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death ... you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep ... you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If your parents are still alive and still married ... you are very rare, even in the United States.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful ... you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder you are blessed because you can offer God's healing touch.

If you prayed yesterday and today ... you are in the minority because you believe God does hear and answer prayers.

If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.

If you believe in Jesus as the Son of God and as your Saviour ... you are blessed as being part of a small minority in the world

Thank you God! 

Hope you can share this article to others, to let them know that they are also blessed. 

God loves you so much!

Sharing is caring :D

photo courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharad_munish/331042032

Want a worry free life?

Here is another simple yet meaningful story for you...

God's Coffee 

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. 

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee. 

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: 

"If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. 

Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. 

What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups. 

Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live. 

Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us." 

God brews the coffee, not the cups.......... Enjoy your coffee!  

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything." 

Jesus said:

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[e]?

   ²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Just what the story (God's coffee) illustrated, what is more important:

the cup or the coffee?...is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

In reality, many of us really forgot this lesson from Jesus. I know it is really hard not to worry because we are living in a very fast paced life, many responsibilities that need to fill-in, we need to survive the tough economy, need to feed our kids,need to send them to school, need to help our love ones, need to help other people, need to fulfill our dreams and a lot more.

But we need to remind our selves that we need to trust God. He knows everything, He knows our needs and we need to realize that He really knows what is best for us! And surely He will provide for all our needs because He loves us so much! 

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? This is very true right? So don't worry, because Jesus said so. 

What shall we do then?

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Another scripture said in Psalm 46:10 " Be still and know that I am God".

Jesus loves you so much that's why He don't want you to spend your lifetime worrying. Let us enjoy life with Him. Let us focus on heavenly things and not on earthly or material things.

"Take delight in the LORD,
   and he will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalms 37:4

Jesus wants us to simplify our lives and for us to focus on the beauty of the true life.

Enjoy life with God and stop worrying! 

Life is good! :D

- Your spiritual foods and inspirations

photo courtesy:http://www.flickr.com/photos/69959971@N03/6387755285/

How to overcome impatience?

Hope this can help!
Pause for a while and take time to read this article. If we will apply this in our everyday life...I believe it will help us to be more optimistic, cool, patient , grateful, joyful in spite of any annoying situations and will help us to  live a more happy life!


Lessons from 9/11, the annoying little things:

• A head of a major company survived the tragedy of "9/11" in New York because his son started kindergarten.
• Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.
• One woman was late because her alarm clock didn't go off in time.
• One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident.
• One of them missed his bus.
• One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change.
• One's car wouldn't start.
• One went back to answer the telephone.
• One had a child that dawdled and didn't get ready as soon as he should have.
• One couldn't get a taxi.
• Another story was a man who put a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work but before got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today!

Now when I am stuck in traffic...
- miss an elevator...
- turn back to answer a ringing telephone...
- all the the little things that annoy me...
- I think to myself...
this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment.


The next time your morning seems to be going wrong,
- the children are slow getting dress,
- you cant seem to find the car keys,
- you hit every traffic light...
- don't get mad or frustrated;


God is at work watching over you.


May God continue to bless you with all those annoying little things - and may you remember and appreciate their possible purpose.
                                                                                                                          - author unknown


Always look at the positive side of every situations. God has always a reason / purpose for everything. 


Be grateful always. As one quote said -  "The world always looks brighter from behind the smile


Let us inspire others...kindly share and post your comment below.


photo courtesy:flickr

HANDS OF THE MASTER

Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted an old friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her. Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE." 

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. 

In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." 

At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear,

 "Don't quit." Keep playing." 

Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obligato. 

Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. 

The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. 


However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful. 


The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit." "Keep playing." May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. 


Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped, rather, He equips the 'called.' 


My quiet time today is about "Gideon". I believe that many people can relate to the story above and at the same time about Gideon. If you want to Read the whole story of Gideon,you can find it in the Book of Judges chapter 6 to 8. Now let us see how the Bible introduced Gideon...


Here is his conversation with the angel of the Lord: 

¹¹ The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. ¹² When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.”

¹³ “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”

 ¹⁴ The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

¹⁵ “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”  - Judges 6:7-15

Oftentimes we see ourselves as weaklings, least from God's family. But God see us differently..."The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” God believes in us!

Like Gideon,as long as we submit to God and allow Him to use us. He can do awesome things through us!

So every time you feel like giving up to life's challenges, problems and even your weaknesses...

Always listen to the Master "Don't quit." Keep playing!." Because as it is written "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9

Remember also that if you want your life to be a true masterpiece...you must entrust it to the "MASTER"

                               - to God be the glory!

                               Christopher Timoteo de Guzman

                                Your Spiritual foods and Inspirations

photo courtesy:http://www.flickr.com/photos/livinitout/2079936055

God's love letter, specially for you...

My Child -

You may not know me, but I know everything about you 

- Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up - Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways - Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered - Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image - Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being - Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring - Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived - Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation - Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book - Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live - Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made - Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb - Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born - Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me - John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love - 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you - 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your father - 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could - Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father - Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand - James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs - Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope - Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love - Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore - Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing - Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you - Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession - Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul - Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things - Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me - Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart - Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires - Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine - Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager 
- 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you
 - Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart - Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes - Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth - Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus - John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed - John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being - Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you - Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins - 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled - 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you - 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love - Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me 
- 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again - Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen - Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father - Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is - Will you be my child? - John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you - Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad, Almighty God

photo courtesy:http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephoto/1519649375

Lunch with God

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer and started his journey.


When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man. He was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie. He gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer. Again, he smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.


As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old man and gave him a hug. He gave him his biggest smile ever.


When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I had lunch with God." And before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? He's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen."


Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and asked, "Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." And before his son responded, he added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."


'No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." 1 John 4:12



People come into our lives for a reason. But many times we neglect them and often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. 


Let other people to see God through you!

You raised me up!

Hope you will be inspired and learn something from this powerpoint presentation...

You Raised Me Up_365 Days Encounter With God
Close your eyes and listen to this music:"You raised me up" by Josh Groban 

Twilight Saga Within Us!

Hello friends, I find this short story very relatable ...

Two Wolves

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that was going on inside himself.

He said, "My son, it is between 2 wolves.

One is evil: Anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego...

The other is good: Joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith..."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather:

"Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied:

"The one I feed."

There is a continuous  battle within us...battle between good and evil.

Who will win depends on us!

What we need is H.U.G

      First of all I want to introduce my self, 
I'm Christopher de Guzman

or simply "Chris". Happily serving God and part of the mission team here in Bulacan. I'm part of the core group of Bulacan Christian Church (BCC). We're affiliated with the Metro Manila Christian Church (MMCC) and the International Churches of Christ (ICOC). 
We have no full time workers for now, so the core group leadership is the one who leads the BCC. Inspite the fact that we are all working and family men,  we made a commitment to serve God and His church. 
We commit our selves to do the purpose of seeking and saving the lost, and spreading the Word of God and His love. 
I decided to do this blog to share what I am learning from God's Word, life experiences and wisdoms from other people, 
also for those members who missed hearing the message and also for future references.

    

"what we need is H.U.G" 
An acronym where: H-umility in serving,U-nity, G-ratitude that encourages. 

      In the Bible, the 1st century church disciples greet one onother in a holy kiss, now in our church , we greet each other through a warm and pure"HUG". A HUG with pure love trully encourages right? 
      But my message is not about literal meaning of hug, I just use the acronym to make it sweet (he he)...So here is my message:

                                    
"What we need is H.U.G"

1. Humility in serving

God is a servant.

Everyday in our life, God is there, feeding us, protecting us, providing us, guiding us, teaching us, saving us… 
The King has become your servant!

Jesus Christ set an example what humility is…He became servant to all. He washed all His disciple's feet. He was born in a humble manger not in extravagant and luxurious palace. He was raced in a poor home not in a royal family like kings and princes. He came not to be served but to served.

 Matthew 20:25-27

Vs. 28 “ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve”

      So this is what we need in our church, we need to serve each other as Jesus did.

2. Unity

      

We need UNITY in our church. This is God's desire for us...to be united.

Ephesians 4:1-6

Vs. 3 “ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

 John 17:11

Vs  11…so that they may be one as we are one.”

John 17

Vs. 21 “ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you..”

Note: One of the most impressive things about the Bible is the way it is linked together, with consistent themes running throughout, from beginning to end. Though written over a span of 1,600 years and composed by more than forty writers of various backgrounds and skill levels, God sovereignly authored it with one united voice. And He continues to speak through it today without ever going off-message.

          Unity. Togetherness. Oneness. These are the unshakable hallmarks of our God.

          From the beginning of time, we see His unity at work through the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God the Father is there , creating the heavens and the earth.

         The Spirit is “moving over the surface of the waters” (Gen 1:2). And the Son (Jesus) , who is the exact representation of His nature. ( John 1:1-4,14). They are joined in speaking the world into existence.

          “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our Likeness” (Genesis1:26)

          Us. Our – All three are in perfect oneness of mind and purpose.

         

Unity is a sign of a healthy church, sector, housechurch, bible talk, family or a relationship.

Are you united with your group?

Are you one in heart and united?

Our heart and mind should be toward unity and not rebellion.

What shall we do to have unity?

a.Submit to God , be humble

b.Fight for it!

-unity is possible if everyone makes an effort

     c. Challenge sin

         - sin divides our group

Challenge: we must repent

                     Let us continue discipling one another

     d. Resolve conflict (conflict will result to bitterness)

matthew 18:15

      e. Love one another

      f. Pray, ask the Lord to reveal anything in your own heart that is threatening oness with other disciples/spouse. Pray that He would do the same for them and if appropriate, discuss this matter openly, seeking God for unity

Do you still remember Tower of Babel?

Gen 11:1-6

Vs. 6 “ The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them”.

      The lesson here is even God believe that nothing is impossible for men to accomplish if they are united, so why not be united for God's purpose. My brethren, there is power in UNITY!.

3. GRATITUDE that ENCOURAGES

How grateful are we after God had loved us, cleansed us and forgave us from all our sins?

Does our gratefulness reflects in our lives and in our actions?

Even God was encouraged when we are grateful…

Luke 17: 1-18. The story here is about the 10 men who had leprosy, they cried out for Jesus to heal them. All of them were healed, but only one returned to thank Jesus and gave praise God.

Vs. 17-18 “ Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”

      What do we feel when our own child, thank us when we gave them something? What joy when we see if they are so greatful for the gift we gave to them...isn't it encouraging?

      I believe God will be encourage and will be glorified when we are thankful/grateful.

Gratefulness keep us being humble always!

Be grateful and thankful always!

“ Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”

-         1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

“always giving thanks to God the Father for everything; in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”

-         Ephesians 5:20

          Let me tell you  a story from Bo Sanchez...

“I Love The Perfection Of Your Imperfections.”

         

          One day, a wife came to her husband with a magazine in her hand, “Darling, this article is wonderful. It describes a little activity that we can both do to improve our marriage. Can we do it together?”

          “Sure,” her husband said.

          “It says here that for one day, each of us will separately write a list of what areas we want the other to change. Little annoyances, little irritations, etc. And then tomorrow, we share this list to each other. Deal?”

          “Deal!” the husband smiled.

          That day, the man sat on the living room with paper and hand. The wife went to the bedroom and did the same thing.

          The next day, over breakfast, the wife said, “Game? Can I start first?”

          “Yes,” the husband said.

          The wife pulled out three pages. Single spaced. Font 8. It was a long list. She began to read her list. “Darling, I don’t like it when you do this…” On and on, she read the little ways her husbands annoyed her.

          The man felt a sting in his heart. The wife noticed this and asked, “Do you want me to continue?”

          “I can handle it. Go on,” the man said.

          So the wife continued to read.

          Finally, the woman said, “Okay, it’s your turn.”

          The husband pulled out his piece of paper and said, “Yesterday, I asked the question what are the changes I want in you. But hard as I tried to think, I couldn’t think of one thing.” He then showed to her the empty piece of paper in his hand. “Because to me, you’re perfect in your imperfections.   I’ve accepted who you are—strengths and weaknesses. And I love the whole package. I love the mix. You are a wonderful person and I love you so much.”

          The wife began to sob, rolled up her three pages in her hand, and beat her husband on the head, “Kaw talaga!” And hugged him tight for a very long time.
                                                            (excerpt from Bo Sanchez articles)

Practicals:

a.    Appreciate God in every second of our life, be thankful in everything

b.    Appreciate and give appreciation to atleast 5 people everyday – give them letters / card / encouragement note or even text

c.      One of the ways to show gratitude is to simply to say it

Here’s your assignment for this lession: Go to 1, 2, or 3 people in your life and thank them for the blessing that they are to you. 

Be specific. Write them a letter of gratitude. 

Thank your wife for the small things she does for you. 

Thank your husband for going to work everyday.

Thank your mother for the way she serves you.

Thank your child for being a wonderful child.

The next time a loved one presses your clothes, or takes out the trash, or fixes the car, or takes care of the baby, appreciate them in your heart and in your words.

      Hope this message will help us. What we need is H.U.G...

H-umility in service U-nity G-ratitude that encourages

      To God be the glory!

Hope you follow my future blogs...be a follower of this blog. Thank you very much for your time reading. God bless!

Hope to share your thoughts below: