EVERLASTING GOD

Isaiah 40:29-31
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Deuteronomy 7:9
9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

In Isaiah 40:29-31, God is the everlasting God. And in your walk of faith if you feel like giving up just remember that God is always there to pick you up. Don’t ever take God’s love for you for granted. Have faith and know that God will be your support. Love God, obey Him, and our faithful God will see us through.

-Kuya

TREASURES IN HEAVEN

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content
whatever the circumstances. Philippians 4:11

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into
the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and
clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into
temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge
men into ruin and destruction. 10For 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. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Treasures in Heaven

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust
destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do
not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be
also. 22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole
body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will
be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is
that darkness! 24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and
love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You
cannot serve both God and Money. Matthew 6:19-24

We are at the beginning of 2009. As we watch the news, we feel very uneasy with what will happen in our future. We even have predictions from Gerald Celente that makes us even more uneasy with our situation. Like Paul said in Phil 4:11, he is content for whatever the circumstances. This is a guy who suffered so much (check 2 Cor 11:23-27) but he still persevered, having faith in the Lord that he would be taken care of.

Matthew 6:19-24 said it for us. We have this American dream in our heads: fancy cars, big houses, the easy life. But what's really important? Treasures here on earth or in heaven? Don't get me wrong having money is not a bad thing but look up Matthew 6:24 it says...you cannot be devoted to two gods. Having money is different from worshiping money. Just from my experience at work, getting money at first wasn't a big deal. Whenever I'd get my pay check I wouldn't even think about what I'd do with it. It wasn't a big deal to me. But recently, when I checked my hours and I calculated how much money I'd get, suddenly all these ideas went through my head. Questions I know I shouldn’t be asking myself, like what things I should buy or getting excited the day I'd get it. I caught myself thinking this way and I said to myself "Whoa, slow down. Why am I even thinking like this?" Whenever you get money, just ask yourself, "What are your intentions?" Is it for yourself or is it to forward the work of God? One thing I learned through out the years is that you cannot lie to yourself. In the words of Master Yoda, "Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose."

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future.

-kuya

JOSEPH

"When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that that Lord gave him success in everything he did, 4Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant..." Genesis 39:3 NIV

Ever felt that you were in the wrong place at the wrong time? Maybe you've felt that you didn't belong in a certain situation? You were placed somewhere that you despised. Maybe you have to take up a subject in school that you're no good at. Maybe you have a job that just down right sucks. What do you do?

In Genesis 39, here we see a short part of Joseph's story. He was a guy, loved by his father and hated by his brothers. His brothers were so jealous and so angry with Joseph, that they sold him into slavery. He then ends up at one of the Pharaoh's officials' home. In this scripture, it shows how Joseph was placed somewhere he didn't belong, somewhere he didn't want to be and was made to work as a slave in a strangers' house. But despite that, he gave his best, being faithful, wherever he was, because he knew God was with him. Joseph excelled so well in everything he did that even the master saw the Lords' hand. Because of this, he entrusted Joseph with everything except the food he ate.

As an Ate, these scriptures spoke loud and clear to me. I've realized that in order to be trusted with bigger things in the future, I have to be faithful with the smaller things I've already been entrusted with. Joseph is also a good example to me when it comes to letting your life speak for your faith. Even when Joseph didn't talk about his faith, the Egyptian master saw the Lord's work in him because he succeeded in everything. Josephs' life serves as a reminder to be excellent in every area, even if I may not like the situation I'm in because in the end, God's glory will be shown.

I encourage anyone reading this to read over Genesis 39 too! Email us and share whatever insights you received during your devotions! (:

-ate