As a father of a 9 year old, it amazes me how quickly they have matured from the days of when they just think about what is for their benefit to now being sensitive of hurting me or my wife’s feelings. My son has been using this phrase in times of correction or for attention and clarification. He utters this to avoid hurting our feelings. Subsequently, I ask myself am I that sensitive? Perhaps it’s just a precaution in his part, which I find a step further to emotional maturity.

In reflection of our Christian walk, the words offense, offended, offending often come about in our dealings with our Christian and non-Christian peers. As a stick to a heart, especially those harboring sensitivity, offense through words or actions could cause tension, especially in God’s work. Haughty or proud eyes, a lying tongue, murmurs behind other people’s back, clearly are things we may deal with. Sadly, at times, we may see this among our brothers and sisters. Even apostle Paul experienced this in the early church, having written that he too had disputes and faced many trials in the Lord’s work. Ecclesiastes 1:9 say, “That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done,  and there is nothing new under the sun.” It is nothing new, but having been present in the work of the Apostle Paul amidst the offense, he wrote:

We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. (Corinthians 6:3-10)

Clearly, Paul is only one of the many examples who never took offense and just folded in rant. If Joseph took offense in prison after being a morally righteous man, what would have happened? If Esther took offense to the plot and just ran out of town what would have happened? If Nehemiah took offense to the discouragement he heard with rebuilding the temple and attack while doing the work, what would have resulted?

We come to the point wherein we ask ourselves if we hear these voices behind us, terms of rejection, disapproval of men. I believe, sometimes, we would rather live with men’s disapproval than God’s, out of some inherent mechanism to please. But do not be hindered; a lot of people were hindered, but by God’s grace, they still carried on. Look back at your past victories and realize how far God has taken you. Surely, now is not the time for us to abandon the work after all he has done.

Clearly, my brothers and sisters, do not let the sleepers dictate how we should praise and work for God’s service. Like in 2 Kings 3, just focus on God and take no offense to what we hear or what we see amidst the dirt and barren land. Let’s continue to praise Him, for the spring will come forth in God’s time, and then this valley, which has been a barren desert, will be full of ditches to refresh and renew. Keep playing that harp of praise, and dig for God’s work and glory.

-Cliff Carino

Drifting away can become very unnoticeable. Every summer, I usually go to the shore with family and friends. Once we get into the ocean and become occupied with the water, we later look up and notice that we have drifted away from where we first entered. We never intended to move along with the water and move away from where we came. Similarly, I get carried away with everything I do and float away from God; everything can be anything from school, family, work, and even ministry.

Try and remember the first time you fell in love with God. Right away, I remember having the passion to do anything for the Lord, looking for what I can do to get so close to Him daily. It was the start of my daily devotions, becoming a prayer warrior, giving offerings and service; all those things I wanted to do because I had changed. Then over time, things happen; life happens. School comes along, family problems occur, ministry is calling your name, a new job offer…etc. With disregard, you learn that you might have drifted away.

You begin to feel guilty at the realization that you might have drifted away. I start to feel heartless and notice that I am faking certain actions. In Isaiah 29:13, the Lord says, “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.” I know how to act like a Christian, and I do, but I am faking. I say I will pray for someone, but then later, I don’t. I begin ministries, and later notice, I am not beside God.

I recently took up the responsibility and position as the youth leader. I think “great, I believe I am well equipped for another ministry in which to get involved.” As I begin meeting with the youth weekly, I notice that as I lead Bible study, I am missing something- that love I first had when I first started to be on fire for Christ. I am not walking beside God, but I have drifted away, still living a Christian life, but with no real love and heart.

To know that you have drifted is one thing, but to know that you have drifted yet still fake a holy life is another. Revelation 2:4-5 “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” God is always there loving you unconditionally. Yet we forget He is there, and seasonally, we aimlessly wander somewhere tangent from God. To get back to where we first entered the water, remember the firsts you had when you fell in love with God. I started to pray and read my bible every day. I am not saying I return to those first days, but I began to do the things I first did when I began to love God.

Instead of listening to what we have already been taught once, we should remember it daily. “We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away” (Hebrews 2:1). In that way, we can continue living beside the Lord and not get lost in life. And we do not become the seed that fell along the path or the seed that fell beside the rocky places, or among the thorns (the parable of the sower found in Matthew 13:1-23). We can become the seed that fell in good soil to produce thirty, sixty, or hundred times of what was sown, because we not only listened once, but understand and live it daily.

by Sarah Grace Sabado

Complaining about how difficult and stressful our jobs are can become a daily discourse. Sometimes, we go to lengths with comparing and wishing we had other people’s seemingly easy life. Other times, we complain about how some people have it so easy and how lucky they are that they have “this” instead of “that.” Remember that complacency and contentment is unattainable in this world. You just keep wanting more and more once you acquire your present desires. The Word says on James 5:3 “Your gold and silver have become worthless. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of the judgment.” There’s no reward for being the richest, nor is there a crown for the best complainer. So what’s the cure? What needs to be done in order for this disease of indulging and whining to stop?

First, realize that your God will provide in your time of need. No matter the depth of your proverbial destructive hole you’ve dug, God will always pull you out, provided you put your trust in Him. Whatever sins you’ve committed or how much you have disappointed God, He will always love you and be there for you. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Second, complaining about what you have (or don’t have), your tasks, how arduous it is, or how complicated things are, is unnecessary. Be happy with what God has given you and with what He has blessed you. If anything, we should thank Him every single second we get because He owns everything. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” Recently, I’ve been reading the book of Daniel, and I am astounded by how much this guy trusts his Lord. Despite all the disastrous and traumatizing dreams that he envisioned, he still continued to serve the Lord. Also, after being thrown in a lion’s den because he never ceased to pray to God three times a day, despite the decree of praying for thirty days only to the king, not once did he grumble and whine about the problematic intricacies of his life. Not once did he turn away from God when things got “too hot” or “too wild.” Not once did he complain or desire to live a life full of luxury or glamour, but God set all those things in his path because Daniel refused to stop serving the true King. Complaining won’t be an issue if you serve God faithfully because His rewards will provide for your needs.

God truly is our provider, protector, foundation, and our help when trouble stumbles in our life. I can testify to complaining and grumbling about how difficult life is, especially as a Christian in college; I can list plenty of things that I can complain about. However, I know that I can always rely on my God, no matter how far I’ve swayed off the path. I know that God already accepts me for who I am and not what I do. As long as I love Him and serve Him with all my heart, God will continue to be faithful. 2 Chronicles 31:21 “In all that he did in the service of God’s temple and in his efforts to follow God’s laws and commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he prospered.”

by Jaspher Cosico

Our God inhabits praise.

The problem with subjectivity is that everything can be justified, and truth isn’t absolute. Seemingly, there are more than two sides to a coin, and what is right is based on how something is defined, and typically, the one who can define their version vocally has the upper hand.

Somehow, the same is true inversely with the benefits of subjectivity; there are more than two sides of a coin. The problem is when we can fail to seek what is truly the truth of the matter. An even worse consequence is if we fail to conclude the matter with anything other than praise.

Being a wife of only five years and a mother of four years, I still feel I’m a novice to many of life’s experiences compared to successful veterans. When faced with personal difficulty in life’s matter, even in my familial relationships, I’m posed with a choice at the end of each day, “am I acting in praise?” The challenge is triggered by an aching conscience that demands an honest answer that cannot be denied, and despite my subjectivity, it demands the objective truth from me. At the core of my justifications, I’m brought to humility and asked “am I praising the Lord?” When the question is answered no, I ultimately swallow my pride and even find myself asking forgiveness from my four year old.

When answering the question, yes, when you can honestly face the brashness of life’s pointing arrows or even subtle scorn and still say yes to living in praise, then nothing has the power to crush you because our Lord inhabits the praise of His people. Never have I read of Biblical promises that our lives are spared by hurt, pain, nor trials, but the Bible is saturated with stories of people who have been delivered through praise.

One example is found in Acts 16:19-34 when Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown in jail for commanding a demon to leave a slave girl who profited schemers. Though persecuted by misinformed city officials, although doing God’s work, Paul and Silas audibly prayed and sang hymns while imprisoned (v.25).   I doubt Paul’s singing prowess was the proponent factor for their release and cause for the "massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations" (v.26).  Chains literally fell because despite being bound, their faith in God’s deliverance manifested in their act of praise.  Why would they be praying and praising had they not believed God is bigger than their circumstance?  The importance is that they did not run away in fear, cower in intimidation, or react in annoyed vengeance.  They chose to praise God.

Paul and Silas’ obedience to act in praise continued even after they chose not to encourage the jailer’s suicide.  He drew his sword in fear that their release would result in horrific consequence. Instead, Paul intervened to help his oppressor rather than destroy him.  Typically, human nature has the propensity to act to the latter.  But acting in a way that praises God, I believe, though the more difficult road travelled, leads to victory and freedom.  In the case of Paul and Silas, their merciful act resulted in that jailer’s salvation, with the added bonus of the salvation of his entire family.  "Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. 34 He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God" (v.33). 

The story doesn’t even conclude with Paul and Silas’ deliverance and the jailer’s salvation;  more truth is revealed because they chose to praise the Lord instead of react abrasively.  Ultimately, the city officials learned of the misinformation given to them.  And having been falsely accused, they were even asked for forgiveness (v.39).  

We all go through struggles and we all have our own stories, our own versions, but how we deal with the circumstances, we’re asked to make a choice to either act in praise or submit to reacting outside of praise.  At the end of the day, we’re all addressed by our aching conscience, demanding an honest answer on how we’re handling that given circumstance.  "Am I praising the Lord?"  How we answer it is between us and God.  But there is assurance that we cannot go wrong giving praise and living praise, for our God inhabits praise.  And imagine it, in our praise, God can cause the earth to shake.

Psalm 16:7
"I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me."

If I do not love God, it is because I do not believe I am loved.

“Believe the gospel,” easier said than done, I know.  However, I must say, as a Christian for about 4 years, that is the one thing I have found most lacking amongst the people I have met inside and outside of churches.  This is what I mean.  We are infinitely more sinful and conspiring than we would ever dare admit, and transversely, we are infinitely more loved and accepted than we ever dreamed because of what Jesus Christ has done for us.

It isn’t complicated, but the truth is our hearts must be soaked in the gospel every morning, every afternoon, and every night.  It’s out of the fact that we are already accepted that we preach, serve, and sing, not in attempts to be validated by our performance.  Granted, as a performer, this is something that I struggle with when I take the stage.  Every day I am assaulted by the pride of doing well or the sorrows of being insufficient.  Every day, I am profoundly aware that I need the gospel.

Religion says, “I obey, so I am accepted by God.”  But the gospel says this, “I am accepted by God based upon what Jesus has done for me, therefore I obey.”  So when we preach this, when we believe this, two things will happen.  One, we are humbled.  Being sinners, we realize it is not our services, our accomplishments, or youth programs that justify us before God.  It is Christ’s work ALONE that makes us right.  And it is His grace in us that enables us to do anything for Him.  Isaiah 26:12 – “all that we have accomplished, He has done for us.”  Secondly, we are given great confidence to approach the throne of grace in our time of need, since it is not our performance that we rely upon to do so. 

So here are the two things: great humility, great confidence.  This is what the church needs.  At the highest of human achievement and purity, Christ has gone HIGHER.  Under the depths of our failures and wickedness, Christ has gone lower.  To the successful and accomplished, recognize that you are still in need.  To the fallen and broken hearted, know that salvation is right where you fell.  This is His gospel.

It is not His need for what we can do, but simply, our need for what He has done.  

Great humility. Great confidence.  May the God of grace give us both.

-Wendell Jiao

Love is here. Love is now.

This is the song I picked as an introduction for our upcoming family camp (retreat). After several times having thoroughly listened to this song, I couldn’t help but wonder about the chorus, “love is here, love is now.“ I hear this phrase all the time from others, “Hey man, I would know God loved me if He would just do…” That’s the problem. What does God need to do to convince you of His love? Does He need to give you the man/woman of your dreams? Give you the easiest job in the world with a high paying rate? Give you straight A’s? I don’t know about you, but this is a dangerous game when we demand that God prove something that He’s already proven.

Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrates His love in this; that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” So if I’m feeling unloved or dissatisfied, then I MUST look to the Cross. “This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” (1 John 3:16a). No games, no tricks, just JESUS, and just His blood. Now take a step back. This means the duty of the Christian is no longer to work in order to earn God’s merit; Christ has already done that. And the new responsibility for those who are in Christ is to put all their effort, all their desire, and all of the work into simply RESTING in what Jesus has done for us. He demonstrates and proves his love one way; by suffering the wrath of God in our place. Over and over, it pains me when I meditate on this; my hands start to shake. Day in and day out, there was one sacrifice for all eternity.

What other proof do we need?

What act of love could go beyond that of the Son of God dying under the weight of our shame? The love we’re looking for is HERE. It’s now. It’s at the CROSS. 1^st John 4:10 says, “This is love: not that we love God, but that He loved us and gave His Son as a propitiation for our sins.” We already have what we seek, my brothers and sisters. And this is what we will fight our whole lives to BELIEVE.

I pray that by the end of the camp, people can walk away not just loving God, also believe that they themselves are LOVED.

Love is Here. Love is Now. Love is pouring from his hands, from his brows.

God Bless,
Wendell J.

East to West
by Casting Crowns

Here I am, Lord, and I’m drowning in your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don’t want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind, keeps me awake tonight

I know You’ve cast my sin as far as the east is from the west
And I stand before You now as though I’ve never sinned
But today I feel like I’m just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west
’cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
’cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again Your truth is drowned out by the storm I’m in
Today I feel like I’m just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

I know You’ve washed me white, turned my darkness into light
I need Your peace to get me through, to get me through this night
I can’t live by what I feel, but by the truth Your word reveals
I’m not holding on to You, but You’re holding on to me
You’re holding on to me

Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west
I don’t have to see the man I’ve been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
’cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other

One scarred hand to the other
From one scarred hand to the other

(Lyrics/Song “East to West” Copyright by Casting Crowns)

———————————————————————————————————

Even though this song basically repeats, it has such a strong meaning to it. It definitely has a strong meaning for me. In life, you should never base how you should live your life on your own understandings. I pretty much had to learn that the hard way many times, until recently I really learned that I shouldn’t. Everyone has their own problems whether it be small or little. Regardless, they’re problems which eventually build up. You can’t hide your feelings by being tough or showing a happy face all the time. No, it doesn’t work like that, because God knows your burdens. He knows everything you go through and who you really are. Your eternal happiness is through Him and nobody else. Maybe He’ll show his love through your friends, family, things He has blessed you with in life. However, no one can ever make you more happy and pleased than He will.

Jesus died for us and we need to live for Him. What He has gone through is more painful then any of has gone or will ever go through. We need to understand that this life is temporary; we will not live here forever, but have eternal life with him in heaven- but only if you can accept him in your heart.

I’m never satisfied with my life but I need to appreciate the things God has blessed me with. This is my ultimate favorite song just because of how it spoke to me. Everything happens for a reason. When Ate Marchesa told Wendell and I that we were going to sing this song for the Easter Concert this April, I just said yes because I love this song without even really listening to it.  However, one day, I was practicing and I just kept listening to it, and then realized how true this song was. It summed up how I should be living my life not just how I want to.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge, and he wil make your paths straight.

The dictionary defines depression as “a state of sadness or hopelessness.”

It is really surprising that 20 years ago, depression was not as popular or talked about as it is today. It was merely an emotional low. But now, it has also become physical, that anti depression drugs has become so prevalent and addictive to some in desperation.

In the Bible many people have had bouts of depression :

• Abram, because of the son he has still been waiting for.
• Jonah and his heat issues with the gourd and the east wind.
• David and his many Psalms who could have been a Psychologists dream patient.
• Job, which to me, is one of the symbols of great agony for losing everything he had.

King Saul also had bouts of depression in his life during the end of his reign, having in many cases, ended up as a failure in God’s eyes. But once in the stage of his kingdom, he showed a great remedy for depression: PRAISE.

1 Samuel 16:14-23 shares how depression sets in inside us. On the 14th verse, it says clearly why Saul succumbed to the harassment of the evil spirit. He lost the favor of the Lord after clearly disobeying a direct order of wiping out the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15). The troubled king suffered after his sin of disobedience. Let us ponder on this and think if we ourselves have clearly disobeyed God. I know for sure a lot of us can relate, but not asking forgiveness and continuing to make the Spirit mourn will eventually lead us to destruction, much like what Saul had experienced. Depression is a point of attack the enemy uses on us, and only God can take this away, not by just merely singing songs and clapping hands, but by the surrendering of our hearts completely to Him.

I can attest that there was also a stage in my life when I have been disobedient, and God allowed me to meet people and go through hardships and unnecessary hurt to make me understand that this world clearly has nothing for me. That period of time is one stage of my life that could have been used for the Lord, instead of finding solace in the dark. At the end of the day it will just be you and Lord. But thanks be to God, for He is the God of second chances. He gave Saul a shepherd named David, filled with God’s Spirit (verse 13), who played the harp in praise for which the evil spirit which tormented Saul departed. You may ask where was praise in David’s harp. We have overlooked that it said that David was filled with the Spirit of God after his Holy anointing with the prophet Samuel.

Praise and Worship is real. Have you tried playing praise music on the car or at home? Have you tried singing and blessing God while giving no care who is next to you during Praise and Worship time? (Psalm 134:2) Have you tried starting it during your daily devotions? I am telling you: when you find yourself in trouble, in an argument, or confused, or all the more depressed, take it from the Word, get your Praise songs, and let it play! Do not only listen to the rhythms, but the words. Grab a Bible and just praise the Lord; make music, your own music to the Him. Praise belongs not only at the pulpit during Sundays, but it is a personal decision and outlook of who God is in our lives. Determine if disobedience from God and the proud spirit of not asking for His forgiveness and control of our lives is leading an opening for the enemy to assault you. If we recall, seek forgiveness and repent, be assured that He will not let the righteous be moved. Through Christ, He has made us Righteous.

Depression will never be present if you have Praise and Worship and the living, reassuring Word of God in the forefront of your life.

Instead of focusing on how big your problems are, try focusing on how big your God is.

Psalm 43:5

Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise Him,
my Savior and my God.

(info on our devotion writers: click here)

Deuteronomy 8:2-3

God allows us to suffer difficulties and hardship for a purpose. God led the children of Israel to wander through the wilderness for 40 years in order to humble and test them. When they refused to obey Him and enter the Promised Land, the Israelites revealed that they did not really know Him. If they had, they would have had more faith. God spent the next 40 years testing the hearts of His people to see if they were prepared for his next assignment.

Testing reveals what is in your heart and produces a robust faith (James 1:3, 12). God allowed His people to hunger so they could experience His provision and develop a deeper level of trust in Him. As the people walked with God, they came to understand that their lives depended upon His word. They learned that God’s word was the most important thing they had. After depending on God for 40 years while living in the desert, the people listened when God spoke, and they believed. God provided them with water, food, and protection from their enemies for all those years. Maybe they only had  a pair of sandals and clothing, but they made it through. When they finally entered the Promised Land and waged war against their enemies, the Israelites knew that God’s word meant life or death. They were prepared to listen to Him, and as a result, He led them to an astounding victory.

When I have problems with my kidney, having undergone dialysis for almost 2 years now, at first I was bitter with God. I asked Him so many questions, and he said that he has a purpose.  I was able to witness to my doctors, nurses, technicians, and patients in the dialysis center. These days, we hear on the news about our economy getting worse, with American people jobless and homeless, and having lost their retirement savings and some of them even committing suicide. But if you are a Christian, Jesus Christ promised us eternity with Him, not a promised land. Just count all your blessings from God and you will forget all your problems. Remember we are aliens in this place; just wait for the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We are heaven bound!

Is God presently testing you in some area of your life? What has His testing revealed? Have you become bitter toward God because of where He has led you? Or have you come to trust Him more as a result of what you have gone through?

Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Deuteronomy 8:2-3 “And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did they fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.”

James 1:3,12 “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

I’ve been asking a lot of questions about character lately. My strong views and what I thought I knew have been either strengthened or torn asunder. What a person says…his words, or even who he appears or claims to be are no longer enough.

Talk is cheap. Quoting scriptures is even cheaper.

I don’t ever want the duality of having one hand raised high to praise God’s name while the other hand brings Him dishonor and shame.
I don’t want the arrogance of claiming exclusivity of God’s preeminence in my life and at the same time wound and maim the body of Christ.

I want to live my life with less words and more actions…promise less and deliver more.
I want my every action to be engulfed in wisdom, truth and love.
I want God’s love to be the ONLY way I love.

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right, persevering,
and steadfast spirit within me.

Arrogance vs. Confidence

Arrogance tears down
Confidence builds up

Arrogance = insecurity
Confidence = security

Arrogance is void of humility and humbleness
Confidence is void of haughtiness and ego

Arrogance is loud and obnoxious
Confidence is quiet and strong

Arrogance is selfish
Confidence is selfless

Arrogance is filled with guilt and shame
Confidence is open and unashamed

Arrogance is pretentious
Confidence is reserved

Arrogance is corrupt
Confidence is virtuous

Arrogance is full of lies
Confidence is based on truth

Arrogance revels in ignorance
Confidence is grounded in wisdom

Arrogance says “Everyone else is wrong and I’m the only one who’s right”
Confidence says “Truth and Wisdom are my guides”

Arrogance is shunned by God
Confidence is the way to approach God

Arrogance is where God ends and you thrive
Confidence is where you come to the end of yourself and totally rely on God

ARROGANCE

1 Samuel 2:3
Do not keep talking so proudly
or let your mouth speak such arrogance,
for the LORD is a God who knows,
and by him deeds are weighed.

Proverbs 8:13
To fear the LORD is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.

Isaiah 13:11
I will punish the world for its evil,
the wicked for their sins.
I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty
and will humble the pride of the ruthless.

Mark 7:20-23
He went on: “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’ “

CONFIDENCE

Isaiah 32:17
The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.

Proverbs 3:26
for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.

Ephesians 3:12
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

So, at the end of the day…when all is said and done…which one are you? Which one will you choose to be?

Which one?

Editor’s Note: Iman Serna is the eldest son of Rev. Manuel Serna, former Senior Pastor of SJBCI. Iman currently lives in Oklahoma with his wife Karen and son Troyer Keane. Iman is also serving as the Community Pastor of Destiny Church in Broken Arrow, OK.