BEYOND THE OUTER SHELL

Good looks, flawless skin, ideal body figure, and everything pleasurable – these are the world’s concepts of beauty. Who doesn't hanker after, dude or lady, that picturesque appearance? I would be a liar to say I don’t. Some would do anything and everything to pull off, even selling their souls – a sad patent truth. We strive and make every effort but never content. We badly want to be a lot more attractive, be a replica or even more than that ideal celebrity.

But is it just all about the outer shell?

At the end of the day, is it all worth it to give our all to achieve the looks that we always dreamed of?

Of course it’s never a crime to make yourself more attractive, with the right reasons, go ahead. However, 

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; 

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

-          PROVERBS 31:30     –

We pull out all the stops, with all the remedy available, but still we grow old and wrinkle. With whatever ways we have, we’re not getting any younger. And at our life’s closing stages, what’s remembered? It’s always more of the worthwhile comings and goings. Needless to say, but please let me say again, real beauty is beyond the outer shell. What’s of first importance? – The Things Eternal!

“For physical training is of some value, 

but godliness has value for all things,

holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

-         1 TIMOTHY 4:8     -

After all, it’s in the eyes of the Almighty that we are bound to give account of.

 “Stop judging by mere appearances, 

and make a right judgment."

-          JOHN 7:24      -

 “... The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. 

Man looks at the outward appearance, 

but the LORD looks at the heart."

-          1 SAMUEL 16:7        -

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, 

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

-          COLOSSIANS 3:17   -

 “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”

-          EPHESIANS 1:4-5     -

 “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

-          EPHESIANS 2:10     -

“As for those who seemed to be important-whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance - those men added nothing to my message.”

-          GALATIANS 2:6      -

1 PETER 3:3~4

What GOD’s WORD says about Premarital Sexual Connection?

An out-of-the-blue conversation with my eight-year-old sister:

Sister: (suddenly asked, jumping from an unrelated topic) Isn't it that the wedding is prior to pregnancy?

 Me: Yes.

Sister: But, why is “_________” pregnant? Her wedding is still on process, right?

Me: (stunted and speechless for a while) Ahmmm… if you do the same I will shave off your hair! (Intently said) God is not pleased if you do that. That’s immorality – a grave sin!

Argh! That conversation made me gulp intensely and scratch my head. I know she’s confused and it’s so hard for her to absorb that what is now ‘the usual’ is immoral. And immorality is even something deeper and harder for her to catch. A lot of people are in such situation that seems viral. And worse? It is very much saddening that those who strive to do it the right way are the ones being considered inconsiderate, insensitive and judgmental and appeared to be bullied for being out of trend.

If this is the situation today, what would become of the next generations?

It, being ‘the usual’ NEVER makes it right and acceptable!

What GOD’s WORD says?

1 Corinthians 6:18 - Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body  

1 Corinthians 6:9~10 - Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  

1 Thessalonians 4:3~5 - For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.

INDEED, TRUE LOVE WAITS!

MY CALLING

The world today is highly combative and extremely intimidating. This cruel world makes an undergrad like me want to step back and just hide. With all the so called pro’s, certified, experts and all that in each and every genre of life, it’s just sooo hard to find a place to fit in. Of course there are few whom I am so thankful of who are genuinely kind and generously helping but reality says that many of those ahead look lowly on those behind. And I noticed some who are pretentiously kind and helping but actually are just trying to show off and make an impression.

Anyways, it is just sooo sweet and heartening to know that the Almighty’s standards are very far different from the world’s.

- I CORINTHIANS 1:25~31 - 

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength."

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 

Therefore, as it is written: 

“Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

These verses convicted me ten years ago when one noteworthy day as I went in the chapel (Pakna-an Christian Chapel at Kagape Road Pakna-an Mandaue City, Cebu) seeing a lot of children praising God and listening to His Word and a few Sunday School Teachers leading.

There’s this irrefutable call deep within. A call that also troubled me because I am not fond of children to begin with, plus, not a teacher by profession, not even credentially qualified. Hence, I fervently prayed asking for clear guidance and strong confirmations of HIS will. And God willing, a gracious decade didn’t pass by in vain. The Lord instilled in me that I don’t need a certificate or any official documentation. I don’t need to be a pro or an expert in the eyes of men to qualify in His ministry. This reminds me of His called and loved apostles who are almost all unschooled. Such is His mercy and grace!

I love this God-given ministry. And seeing the Sunday School children grow in the Lord is wonderful and beyond price. My first students back in 2003 to 2004 who used to cling at my arms or held my hands tight are now taller than I am. Awww… those unforgettable days! And best of all, some of them are now fellow believers and also helping in the same ministry. I surely know it’s none of me but absolutely of God’s wonderful works that made these children grow awesomely. And I am more than thankful to the gracious Almighty for this undeserved yet great privilege and opportunity.

I’m definitely not a pro, not a Bible expert, and not even worthy to be called a teacher but I AM A WITNESS OF JESUS CHRIST, HIS GREAT UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, HIS UNFATHOMABLE SACRIFICES, SUFFERINGS AND DEATH ON THE CROSS FOR EACH AND EVERY SINNER, AND HIS RESSURECTION FOR EACH BELIEVER’S JUSTIFICATION ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE.

And now I am on my blessed three years and counting at the newly opened Lilo-an Christian Church situated at Tayud Liloan, Cebu. ALL GLORY TO THE ALMIGHTY!

as of writing my post I saw this on Facebook