Focus on Jesus

Iconoclastic Controversy - use of  images, idolatry and issues on icons bloomed during the 6th century.  They use this in order to worship the god they are worshiping. I have learned that it was during this time that Christianity was "paganized". This was still the time that a lot of wars were happening. They were desperate for their faith that they were side-tracked. They didn't notice that their faith was rapidly changing into the ways God did not wanted, but to what they wanted. I have also learned that lives of missionaries were very important in these times for they were able to lead others into the light, despite the darkness that was happening.

As I have reflected these learning in my life, I realized that the worst thing to have is to have an idol. An idol which we do not see as an idol, but we treat it as. Those things that we say are not more valuable than God, but we put more attention to it than God. Indeed, Peter Kreeft is right when he said, "The opposite of Christianity is not atheism, but idolatry".


I must really need to be careful and be on guard always. I  need to evaluate always and keep focus on the right track, not asking what and where my focus is, but on who my focus is. Jesus needs to be my ultimate center. He should be the one I must only focus to.

Though this world is full of trials and distractions, and we need to be watchful of them, we also need to be more careful of things that makes us comfortable and compromising. The things that are regarded lightly because it may seem it won't affect us that much, but are actually slowly creeping in and holding us back into our spiritual growth in Christ.

I must really need to be careful and be on guard always. I need to evaluate always and keep focus on the right track, not asking what and where my focus is, but on who my focus is. Jesus needs to be my ultimate center. He should be the one I must only focus to. May Hebrews 12:1-2 always be my reminder for it says “ Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every eight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God”. 

In Darkness There is LIGHT

We are now learning on "The Dark Ages" and I could not imagine how people in those days were like. With so much chaos and blood everywhere because of both sides trying to kill each other, I wonder how much emotional, physical and mental stress would affect to every individual. It is such a tragedy to witness other people quarreling, how much more witnessing wars and battle fields. The disease "Black Death" was also present at that time where it killed one-third of the people in Europe. There was also a terrible famine and hunger which caused lives to end. But no matter how dim that moment was, there was a light that shone throughout this darkness. Priests and monks were able to save the classical literature which include the Holy Scriptures and other writings and preserved them for the future. I learned that no matter how bad things may be, there's always one thing that will make it positive. I also learned that God has a purpose in every event that has happened, is happening and will happen.

There were times also wherein I experienced that "dark moments" in my life. There was a struggle inside of me. A war I could not stop but only feel the pain within. Every part of my nerves were in chaos and I just couldn't understand what was happening.  Everything was dark and everyday was gloomy. Those were times when I want to give up and end my life just to stop it. I was put in a situation where I felt like there's no way out, but I was wrong. There, in the midst of that great and dark storm, I saw a glimpse of God's light of hope. His help came at the right moment of my need. Though I was about to give up on myself, He never gave up on me. His Word became the light that shone so brightly that the darkness in me disappeared in an instant. He reminded me that He is there for me and He cares and loves me. He showed me that I can rely on Him and entrust to Him my burdens. He spoke to me through His Word like a gentle father, wanting me to trust Him that when I cannot, He can.

If not for the priests and for the monks who preserved the Scriptures at that time, maybe all of us would be in the darkness right now. God has truly used them for His Word to be preserved up to now. May God also use us, who knows His Word, the truth, to share it to other people who are still in the darkness. Some specific steps in order to achieve are the following: First, we must pray for a heart that is willing and bold to be used by God. Second, to study more of the truth, His Word. Third, to apply His Word in our lives and be a living testimony. And lastly, find opportunities to share His word and share it boldly.

Canon became Legit

This week I've learned about a hoggish man who was a heretic and a hermit. His name is Marcion of Sinope. He was born in a Christian family but was excommunicated by his father because he seduced a virgin and taught false teachings. He believed that there are two different Gods: the God of the Old Testament whom he defined as "evil" and the God of the New Testament whom he regarded as "good". He also believed that Christ was not born of a virgin which is not really what the Bible said. And there are many of his beliefs and teachings which are also far away from what the Bible says. He also created his own Canon of the Scriptures which became a threat to the church leaders, which also became the reason why the Canon of the Scriptures  which we use now, was formed. From that I learned that God uses even the actions of Marcion in order for the Scriptures to be completed and the Canon became legit.

I realized that in my life, God has also used many negative threats and problems that strengthened my faith in Him. Many bad circumstances happened in order for me to see and know my complete worth in Christ. God used a lot of people to push me hard even at my limit, so that I would push back and stand firm for God. As I look back, I pondered each of how they were able to help me in all aspects of my life. Some helped me in my spiritual growth, some in my emotional and social state, and some, in my psychological perspective. And I saw how God molded me into the person He wants me to be. I'm just thankful that even at the most painful moment of my life, God was there, comforting me and waiting for me to realize the lesson He wanted me to learn. I was able to acknowledge that God really has a purpose for everything. He breaks our hearts to show us that there's no way but Jesus and that we can't do anything without Him. He made me realize that I will only be complete and content in Him.

Whenever hardships come, I would see it as a testing of faith the would produce perseverance for me to go on and be able to endure in my faith. Now in order to continue to progress in my spiritual growth and relationship in Him, I would dedicate myself to give more time in prayer. For in Matthew 24:41 says, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak". I would schedule my prayer time on mornings and spend time talking with God before starting the day. Then I would focus my eyes on Jesus by throwing aside hindrances and sin by spending more time also in reading God's Word. Then apply it in my life. I would schedule that on evenings, before I sleep. With that, I'll grow more in Him, and be more productive and effective in my service for Him.