Growing closer to Jesus

Abilities and accomplishments come from above; a branch detached from the tree trunk would dry and eventually die. No creation will ever be better than the Creator Himself!

Why bother and grow weary if you are not in control? Follow Christ and it will all go well.

for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Philippians 2:13 NIV
https://philippians.bible/philippians-2-13

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:4 NIV

Life is not made because you can sustained it by food but of how you can have true and lasting joy with the Lord. How good is it, if your where feed but not fully satisfied.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
-James 1:22‭-‬24 NIV

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.
Isaiah 26:4 NIV

The word from the Lord is dependable and true; nothing can alter it or change it. It will last forever.

Serving Jesus comes with a great cost, since you are opposing party of the world, it will hate you, but what is better, to suffer now with great reward later or to enjoy the lust of the flesh and be tormented for eternity.

No one wants to go to hell, since it is made up of fire, but how it is really like to be tormented in fire in unending cycle of suffering, "burning but not dying".

I once burned the tip of my finger in a candle as early as 4th grader student just to understand this mystery of not really wanting to go to hell. Even just the tip of my finger, the pain pierce up to my heart. This give me an idea of how terrible to have this kind of life for eternity, I guess even the worst people who curse God for fun if they would only realize this while they still have time, they will surely repent for it.

“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. - Luke 16:25 NIV

The grace of God is freely given,
but It is limited by time,
When will you know
when it is your last day?

How would you value your life?
Love yourself or Love others above yourself?

The best way to live is to start counting
your days, focus and invest more on after death, since it is far longer than our very short lives.

Jesus is the truth, the life and the only way to the Father. If you believe this, it will change your life's perspective and this will be the only proof that you understand the Gospel and accepted it by heart.

in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:7-10 NIV, emphasis added)

https://thecomingking.com/gods-amazing-grace/

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Acts 20:35 NIV
https://acts.bible/acts-20-35

https://pushpay.com/blog/20-reasons-its-better-to-give-than-to-receive/

20 Reasons Why It's Is More Blessed To Give Than To Receive Giving is easier said than done, but God shows us that giving is often better than taking. Here are 20 reasons why and examples on how to give freely.

"We are here today but gone tomorrow"

Either we can boast the world of our accomplishments, we still don't have the power to stop death from coming. We cannot be considered wise enough not to consider what will happen to us after death and not prepare for it.

Our lives are fragile. We are like a vapor—here today and gone tomorrow. If we fail to see this, we will arrogantly assume that we know what tomorrow brings. But only God, who holds each of our lives in his hands, knows what tomorrow will bring. -Open Bible

https://openthebible.org/open-the-bible-daily/human-life-is-beautiful-and-fragile/

rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:7‭-‬8 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/php.2.7-8.NIV

Philippians 2:7-8 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even dea | New International Version.. rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even dea

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.- John 13:7-8,15‭-‬17 NIV

Jesus was the king and Lord of All, the creator tor of heaven and earth, and posses the power of life and death but he didn't choose to be served and live a luxurious life in this world instead He served all those in need, the sick, and the lost.

As His genuine follower, to deliver His love to all is our main life purpose otherwise loving this world and it's temporary wealth will only destroy us internally to eternity without being conscious about it.

"Lost for being blind"

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.

"Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, "Strike these people with blindness." So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked. - 2kings 6:15-18

"Riches and power corrupt one soul but those who can see clearly can escape death and agony" - ar_ow

“Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty.- Malachi 4:1‭-‬3 NIV

"Limited time & non-guaranteed tomorrow"

while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
-Corinthians 4:18

"As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,
And its place acknowledges it no longer."
-Psalm 103:15-16

Given this serious matter, how will you value life and prepare for the afterlife?

Please watch the illustration of Francis Chan for the elaboration of this rope illustration in the link below.

https://youtu.be/86dsfBbZfWs

Francis Chan - Rope Illustration (Original) New podcast: http://almostheretical.comFrancis Chan shows us how life is like a small red piece of tape a the end of a long rope of eternity. Which part are ...

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

-John 4:23-24

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. - 1Peter 4:7-10

http://www.thechoicedrivenlife.com/how-to-be-a-good-steward/

How To Be A Good Steward How To Be A Good Steward. We need to be able to make good choices if we want to be a good steward of our own heart that lead us in the right direction.

The Rich Young Man
…“All these I have kept,” said the young man. “What do I still lack?” Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me. When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.…
-Matthew 19:20-22

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep, before its shearers are silent, so he did not open his mouth. - Isaiah 53:7

A typical churchgoer would always assume that if you are a follower of Christ blessing will follow you the rest of your life. Yes, you will be blessed not on the same viewpoint of this world but on the same path Jesus our Lord goes.

A journey of being a genuine follower of Christ will be hard and cruel, for this world will hate you. Since you are not of the world, but take heart Jesus has overcome this world.

https://www.goshen.edu/devotions/god-sees-heart/

God doesn't look at us the way we see each other, God can see through our innermost motives and judge us in it, for we cannot hide any secret from the Lord and this will be the basis of how we will be judged accordingly when we left this temporary life.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” -1 Samuel 13:7

False Teachers and the Love of Money
These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. -Luke 6:35

it's not how frequently you are involved in ministries and bible study but how you are reflecting the love of Jesus in your daily life on how you can able to respond to those people that don't mean anything to you.

And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
- Revelation 20:15

Jesus is the only way to the Father, aside from Him there is no other way. Living with Christ will surely reflect how you live your life, how you love and show genuine concern for the poor and helpless of this world.

"The greatest among you will be your servant.
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. [3]
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.
"Woe to you, blind guides! You say, `If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.'
You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?
You also say, `If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.'
You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?

-Matthew 23:11-19

The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. -1John 2:17

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 important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look 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? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:25-27,34

You will never know how God is good if you cannot give time to experience God in your life and if you treat Him like a genie in a bottle.

Quality relationship is the key, without it, you will be labeling yourself as something with an empty purpose with it.

Accept Jesus Christ in your life as your Lord and Savior for He is the only way to the Father and the key to eternal life.

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him

"God is at work in our life not us"

Hebrews 11:6-7
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

more value in brokenness?

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold — a metaphor for embracing your flaws and imperfections. “You won't realize your full potential until you go through the tough times,” Kumai says.

on the other hand, “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). There is something about reaching a breaking point that causes us to seek the Lord more sincerely. King David was once a broken man, and he prayed, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me… The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:10, 17). There are some things in our lives that need to be broken: pride, self-will, stubbornness, and sinful habits, for example. When we feel our brokenness, God compensates: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit” (Isaiah 57:15).

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:6-11)

Whenever we speak of freedom, we think of what we are wanting to establish, but this does not mean we are right since we want it. Most of the time what we want may endanger or corrupt our life since we are not all-knowing like God.

True and satisfying freedom comes only from the Lord as a form of grace and mercy, other than this it is not a freedom at all.