Sample 45 - Solid. (Bauang, La Union '12)


"In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory."

Ephesians 1:13-14

In Jesus Christ I have peace, indeed it is peace that goes beyond all understanding. Whenever things happen, whether they are blessing or trial to me, I am constantly ministered to by the Holy Spirit, constantly reminded of that powerful promised that all things work for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

When I joined the men's group in our church in an overnight outing over at Bauang, we camped out at a beach full of bamboo shacks. There was also this one bamboo shack that was situated around 50 meters off the shore and on the water. Apparently there are people who prefer drinking and/or sleeping on a bamboo house seemingly afloat on the sea.

I say 'seemingly afloat' because I learned from a friend of mine who was there before that this shack has legs that go all the way to the ground underneath. That house isn't just anchored, but grounded.

Grounded. We have a ministry that calls itself 'grounded'. I suppose each and every one of us who makes the choice to walk with Jesus Christ is reminded, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to stay focused on the prize, to forget what lies behind. This means that we should always, always remember that it is not about what we think or do, not about what we have, but it is all about the Lord whom we serve, and even in serving we are empowered only by the Holy Spirit. we are to recognize how hopeless we are on our own, and how all our hope is really on God through Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is what I believe is being 'grounded' in a Christian sense.

What we are blessed to have in this world may be anchors, but it is our relationship with God - made possible by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit - it is our relationship with God that really keeps us afloat and upright no matter how the wind and waves blow against us.

"Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 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, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."


Ephesians 1:15-23

God bless you.

_________________________
jb.redeemed
email me at jibee@rocketmail.com

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you His Shalom. - Numbers 6:24-26