Born Replicas

2 Kings 16:11

So Uriah the priest built an altar in accordance with all the plans that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus and finished it before King Ahaz returned.

I may be five days behind, but I’ll still say it with glee: Happy December everyone! Indeed, ‘tis the season to be jolly - the weather is cold, people are kind-er, and yes, Christmas decors are all up. This year, for the first time, I’m far away from my mom and her boxes of holiday ornaments. It’s a lot easier if you have supplies and allow creativity take its course. But to create from scratch? How do I choose a tree for instance? To think it’d be THE tree for a decade at least. Thanks to Google, I was able to find samples and inspirations too. Now all I have to do is gather my preferences, add some personal touch, and voila! I can have my own themed house. Of course I’d fool myself and sign as the designer, hahaha :>

When King Ahaz  sat on the throne of Judah at age twenty, it seems his eye was fixed on making his name known, that is, apart from being the son of the silver jubilarian Jotham or his golden grandpa Uzziah. He wanted his own signature, and a distinction under that seal. So instead of walking in the traditional, godly ways of his fathers, he made himself different, hip and updated. He browsed through foreign religions and found sacrificing his son in the fire appealing.  Later on, when he visited Damascus, he saw an altar there and readily sent a sketch to Uriah the priest to make a replica. Not many had the luxury traveling to and fro Syria and sure there were no strict copyright laws then. He could easily claim all glamour and glory for the new temple add-on. But his vanity crossed more lines. Not only did he insult God’s original design for a bronze altar, he completely discredited its use by pushing it back row to give way to his new altar. Regardless if in pretense, he ordered burnt offerings to continue there, we know for sure it never reached heaven’s gates. It may be bigger in size, trendy to some – but it still came short of THE standard. Fancy, but still a waste.

Anything not done in God's way is an offense to God's worth. As sole creator and idea-‘man’, it is an insult to deviate from His set rules and standards. He may have used up only six days and called it good, it doesn’t mean He wasn’t thorough and that His good isn’t best. The Bible may have been written three thousand years ago, by some uneducated men according to critics, but with God inspiring those hands, it’s still to us relevant and to the world, the best seller. Why? Because God is peerless! He is above all. Man’s greatest achievement is but a faint forgery of His works. We may try pushing His name on the back row but that cannot hide the truth that it shouldn’t be our signatures sealing those projects, keeping those relationships, meeting those needs. We are merely replicas inspired by His excellence, instructed by His love. We are all but copies – crafted in the image of the Almighty. We’re called to conform to the likeness of His Son, not to pursue originality. Maybe that’s the clue why we’re not functioning quite well in life – we’re deviating from His intended design.  Now, we have twenty six days to consider a restart, to choose to embrace being His replicas. Second class? Nah! We are the faithful copy of God’s firstborn. Woew! You sure you still have better ideas?

The Avenger

2 Kings 14:25

He was the one who restored the boundaries of Israel from Lebo Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, in accordance with the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, spoken through his servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath Hepher.

When the official trailer of The Avengers came out, I was one of the billions who made that statement: ‘This I gotta watch!’ Seeing Earth’s mightiest and Marvel-ous heroes in one film is just overwhelmingly superb. I’d probably get star-struck, so like when I first saw Optimus on iMax; and panicking too – like when all his Autobots started to transform. They were doing a great lot in seconds and I only have two eyes to catch up on them :> With this movie, I have to admit I’m also looking forward to hearing Ironman’s funny, quirky lines. This genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist will sure steal a lot of scenes. And yes, we'd probably disregard he’s boastful and mocking and a womanizer.

To Israel in the eighth century, they’ve found an avenger in Jeroboam II. His father named him after the considered great founder of the northern kingdom. Jehoash probably hoped his son will complete the prophecy for a deliverer, which he accomplished halfway.  And indeed his son lived up to everyone’s expectations. He was able to recover their lost territories as it was during the golden days of Solomon.  His forty one years on the throne was the longest of all northern kings. Archaeological evidence, according to Wikipedia, confirms that his was the most prosperous reign Israel had yet known. The prophet Amos recorded his lifestyle luxurious, but rebuked him for corruption and injustice. Outwardly, he was their knight and shining armor, but inwardly, he caused their moral decay. “Did we not take Karnaim by our own strength?’ - - was his great script and everyone applauded. They looked at the past, saw the Syrians’ oppression, and were just glad it was all behind them. Sadly they missed that part where God heard their cries, remembered the covenant He had with their forefathers, acted on grace and compassion, and empowered their called-heroes.  He deserve a mention right? All the glory actually. But their hero concealed that story. ‘Hush! We must not mention the name of the Lord’ was his line in Amos chapter 6.

In our Ladies’ Lifegroup last Wednesday, our leader shared of a missionary who financially helped a poor person in need. Grateful and overwhelmed, that person ran to him, on his knees, kissing his hands and thanking him nonstop. The missionary immediately picked him up and asked him to quit thanking him. ‘No, no! It was from the Lord really!’  Come to think of it, how many times have we possibly robbed God of the glory by not redirecting people’s gaze upward?  ‘You’re welcome’ may be a polite phrase, but it doesn’t give praise to God at all.  ‘Don’t mention it’ is worse. Of course we won’t completely do away with that sense of ‘it was pleasing for me to do’ and that we still promote gratitude here. We may be the actors playing the role, but in the end, we do need to give Him all credits. Admit it: we’re all humans and we don’t have powers. There’s only one Avenger in fact. Without Him, we’re a flop!

Don’t Force It

1 Kings 19:12

After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after a fire came a gentle whisper.

‘You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink’. There are really things in life we can’t force. Sleep for example. I’m not insomniac or anything, but there are those nights, especially in anticipation for a full next day, that I can’t simply find sleep. Tossing and turning for an hour is so irritating and frustrating. Experts recommend total relaxation to free the brain and muscles from tension. And if it still wouldn’t work, they say get out of bed for it might have already associated your lying down with unhappiness. In short, trick your mind. But nothing seemed to work on the eve of my wedding. ‘Til I bent my knees and prayed. Truth is, only ‘God grants sleep to those He loves’. No tricks. No pills. All grace.

Zeal. It was Elijah’s description of his ministry. Confronting the highest rulers of the land TO confining himself with ravens and a widow TO climbing Mount Carmel for a display of fire and rain. He knew he pushed his all to perform his call. Feeling hard pressed and crushed, perplexed and in despair, persecuted and abandoned, struck down and he knew what’s next – he will be destroyed. ‘I did my best, but my best wasn’t good enough’ could be his night’s song. There were no more pages in his DIY books. No more sites that Google or Wiki can open, or offer. He was drained, empty and an admitted failure. He can’t turn Israel back to God. Not via preaching. Nor by miracles. After his litany, which God sincerely listened to, Elijah was asked to stand on the mountain. Before his very eyes came the wind then the earthquake then the fire. The last one was an orchestrated dejavu to prepare his heart for God’s gentle whisper. When he heard it, only then did he cover his face with his cloak. That was God’s presence. It did calm his soul. But based on his repeated answer to God’s repeated question, he wasn’t all back yet. So since relaxation half-fixed him, God called him out of bed and gave tasks to focus on. All were his needed proof that he was not alone and his ministry's not over yet. What came as a surprise to Elijah was the remnant of 7,000 Israelites, whose knees have not bowed down to Baal, whose hearts remained devoted to God - - with or without his efforts. No wind nor earthquake, not even fire can reform hearts – nothing but God’s gentle whisper.

Serving in the kids worship ministry has been a weekly faith-stretch for me. No amount of preparation or creativity or fancy can predict what will transpire when you’re with kids. It’s another thing of course if you come in unprepared. That’s planning to fail. Last Sunday was one of those down moments – if I’d look at it my way. They were so distracted, non-participative and loud. I’ve exhausted all skills I’ve acquired in my 20 years of ministry – to no avail. I sat back, thought a lot, and felt discouraged. Quitting came as an idea too, but that I readily dismissed. Then this devotion. Guess I too was counting much on zeal and the concept that success equals big things. But with or with me - with or without wind, earthquake or fire – it is ultimately God who will make things happen, even with a just a breath of His whisper. Only His Spirit can work in the hearts of those little tots. Not by might, nor my power. There are just things in life we can’t force. I love how Larnelle Harris sang it: ‘It’s not in trying but in trusting, not in running but in resting, not in wondering but in praying, that we find the strength of the Lord’. Now, that’s a breeze :>

Don't Change Channels

1 Kings:18:21

Elijah went before the people and said, ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him.’

Growing up in my mom’s ancestral home with just one television set for sixteen people was a heartbreaker. The big boys – my lolo, my uncles, plus my dad of course – and their sports channel reigned T-Th-F and Sundays. The big girls and their afternoon telenovelas were my other competition. Sometimes, they’d allow my cartoon network in between commercial breaks. It’s usually the time I’d pray hard they wouldn’t notice time. The frustration comes when both shows have their ads simultaneously and in our clicking channels every so often, one either missed a crucial peak or a momentous ending. At a young age, I’ve learned that peace and satisfaction only comes when one submits fully to the other. Since both couldn’t enjoy a half-show, I, then, bitterly accepted my Saturday lot. It may just be a day for me, but at least I have the tube all by myself.

When Elijah came face to face with Ahab and the northern kingdom, this was his opening statement: you cannot keep serving two gods. On one foot, these people submitted to the king and queen’s idolatry for it was trending and compulsory. Their other toe, however, was still clinging to their traditions and identity being seeds of Jacob. Elijah called them limps, or like birds hopping from one branch to another. They were mixing religions and in the process, pleasing none. God wouldn’t share seat with another. For there is no another. He wouldn’t accept half-hearted, half-devoted worship. For it wouldn’t be worship at all. Once and for all, Elijah called them for a decision. ‘Choose a God - not out of preference or popularity – but choose Him WHO IS God, then follow Him’.

Everyday, we come face to face with decisions and we hear voices left and right urging us that theirs is the best way in.  We have our parents and their years of care; our peers and their utmost loyalty; our teachers and bosses with their professional counsel; the social media and their latest inputs; and, yes our resume and what experience taught us. But is there anyone with God-credentials there? Anybody able to bring fire from heaven? Our frustration in life comes because we depend on people who like us are imperfect and limited. We cannot expect them to fill our every need because they are not God. We all wished for a perfect mate: someone who’s there for us 24/7; who know us inside out and would love us unconditionally; a doctor would be ideal for health purposes, or a lawyer maybe, to defend us; better if that someone would go out with us in nature trips, or stay all night hearing our complaints and bitter cries; best if he’d grow old with us so we don’t have to be alone again. You can add up more to this list, and the longer it gets, the more impossible you’d ever find all in a single person. Because they are not God. He alone is able to do all, and much more. But He is a jealous God. He calls for total, complete, undivided devotion. He is either your Lord of all or not at all. Don’t allot Him your commercial break for He deserves a full show. No changing channels. No peeks in between. That’s for your peace and satisfaction. And everyone else’s :>

Not About Me

1 Kings 11:31-32

“Then he said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand and give you ten tribes. But for the sake of my servant David and the city of Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, he will have one tribe.”

Last week, I received a text invitation asking me to consider leading a certain ministry. It came as a surprise because I still consider myself new to this place and because I know it’s a filled-up position. I was informed that unmet expectation was the reason for the vacant post. That was sad. Sadder because I know that person and for a time I was under her. The relationship will sure go through some awkward moments if I’ll say yes.  ‘Oh Lord, is this really your call? Why me?’ My mind readily listed my personal vision and theirs; my can-dos and the possible work scope; my existing roles and this added responsibility, to see if all will match and not run in conflict. On the side, of course, I considered my personal preference. Then I realized - - all my questions were all about me.

With ‘Jeroboam Rebels Against Solomon’ as heading, I was expecting to find him like Hadad and Rezon, who, although we’re raised up by God to become adversaries, were men with personal hatred towards the king. I was surprised that the call came to him while he was faithfully attending to his duties. He was known to be a diligent and excellent worker. Solomon saw that and put him incharge of the whole labor force of Joseph’s house. Some commentaries believe he had his eyes on the throne, but still, it wasn’t ambition that will pave his way up there. He was just one day going out of Jerusalem when Ahijah met him on the way, tore a new cloak into twelve pieces before him and handed him ten. The prophet explained it was God tearing the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand because of his disobedience, but for the sake of David and Jerusalem, two tribes will be kept for that lineage, while the bigger ten will be under Jeroboam. ‘Because of Solomon and for the sake of David’ were God’s reasons. We see no ‘because of Jeroboam’s credentials or character’ or grand plan like ‘I will make you great’. Although God promised He will build him a dynasty as enduring as David’s if he will walk uprightly. But it’s more like a reward after a job well done. His call was not in a silver platter. He will be called rebel before he can take the throne. He will go against the one who once gave him the promotion. His rule will be marked with Israel’s division. Not so glittering job opening right?

We sometimes have that concept that we’re like a central object and all else revolves around us. We see God as having a personal plan for us and our future, and it will be the best ever... for us. We consider a course, a job, a relationship, on the condition that it will lead to our advancement or greater gain. Max Lucado in one of his books compared that to the primitive idea of seeing the earth, instead of the sun, as the center of the solar system. But we have the truth now. God is the reason and purpose for everything. Jeremiah 29:11 is God’s plan of bringing His people back to a relationship with him. That is the hope and the future. Not some retirement insurance. Delighting yourself in Him is finding Him as the sole fulfillment of your desires. He is the blessing, not His gifts. I will say yes to that work invitation if He confirms it, despite of possible relational issues, leaving aside work comfortability, and regardless of personal preferences. His will is the main thing. I remember my violent reaction when I came across God’s comfort with the purpose of making us comforters. I was then passing through a dark valley and the thought that I’m enduring it all for the sake of another made me cry ‘unfair’. It clouded the beautiful truth of receiving His firsthand comfort. Add to that the privilege of working with equals being with Him.  I like how The Message wrote Psalm 84:10,11: ‘One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship, beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches. I'd rather scrub floors in the house of my God than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin.’ How can I forget? It’s just not about me :>

Don’t Miss the Pointe

1 Kings 8:66

“On the following day he sent the people away. They blessed the king and then went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things the LORD had done for his servant David and his people Israel.”

This is Cross Pointe logo – our church here in Cebu. It’s formerly known as GCF and that’s how we came to know it. Coming there the first time, my gaze was all front: instruments, stage, backdrop. Will this be our new church Lord? I’m wondering and seeking for clues to know its vision, their worship ministry set up, the kids program,etc. Then I tried to decipher their logo. I find it summer-ish because of the seemingly palm tree, plus of course the beach association of the province. Yes, I saw the cross there – as all Christian churches bears His name. I like the color too. I think I stopped there because the service was starting. Last Sunday, the speaker brought my eyes back to where I left off. He was challenging the church to take hold of its calling – to point people to the cross. And as if in cue, the arrows all pointing to the cross surfaced like those in 3d movies or pop-up books. Oh! So that’s the point! Who’s talking about summer or trees or colors? hahaha!  Now I can say Cross Pointe –that’s my church! And i know why!  

Like all celebrations, it starts with a program and ends with a feast, yey! If I’ll summarize the temple dedication program, I think it looks like this: Processional (Arrival of the Elders of Israel, Ark brought to the Most Holy Place) - Presence of God Filled the Temple - Preface Story of God’s Promise - Prayer of Dedication - Preaching - Presentation of Offerings. The celebration after was held fourteen days in all. It was a vast assembly and it sure was overflowing with provisions. Going home they were blessing their king, joyful and glad in their hearts. We’re sure they were still talking about it the following days. Like how Pinoys do it after a good Pacquiao fight or how men discuss NBA these days. But what is commendable in today’s reading is what they were really talking about that very much gladdened their hearts. Was it the offerings? Seeing  twenty thousand cattles and a hundred twenty thousand sheep and goats being sacrificed and that they had to concentrate the middle part of the courtyard because the bronze altar was too small to hold it all was enough scene stealer. Not that? So was it the attendance? It might have surprised them to see how Israel has really grown to as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. Not close? Was it the food then? Or the gold? Were they starstrucked seeing the Pharaoh’s daughter? hahaha :> Amazingly, Israel got it right this time. ‘They were joyful and glad in heart for all the good things the Lord has done for his servant David and his people Israel.’

We’ve found our love-relationships, we finished well in school or got promoted in work, we enjoy night outs with good friends, we take part or witness big events, we rejoice in great stories, we travel here and there - - and we feel it’s a great life to live. Our hearts are full and our faces show delight - -for all the good things? Should we stop, cut the statement in half and miss out the point? Will we put value in an artwork apart from acknowledgement that it was done by the master artist? Isn’t that why signature brands are expensive? But how come we exclude God in our journeys, in our conversations, in our lives? Isn’t He the point of it all? Will it even be called a blessing if we disregard the Giver, who by the way is no less than the King of kings? If He is not what makes our hearts joyful and glad, can something or someone even come close to take second place? I pray we’ll take time to check our life’s logos again, and make sure the arrows are all pointed to Christ. We wouldn’t want to miss the point, right?

Who’s Who?

2 Samuel 7:18-19

“Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: ‘Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign Lord?’

Centuries ago, man believed that the earth is the center of the solar system. We are the reference point and all else revolves around us. Also true with all firstborns. We cry and our parents rush to attend to us. We smile and they’d babble with us. We get sick and everyone stays in the house. All works in harmony with the reference point. Until Copernicus dethroned our world and pointed to the sun. Until our brother was born and took centerstage.

In the second half of this chapter, God wowed David with His  overwhelming blessings. He reminded this once-shepherd his awesome journey from sheep pen to cedar palace - - a cast out turned crowned king. God made him look around and see peace in the land and favors from heaven. Now who would ever think there’s more to most, or higher than highest?  Only in God’s dictionary! He promised David his lineage will occupy the throne forever. No insurance could beat that. David was understandably humbled and dumbfounded. His first words were, ‘Who Am I?’. He was way before Copernicus so let’s be more considerate :> He saw himself as the reference point and knowing his flaws and failures, he couldn’t understand why grace is coming his way. ‘It is just too much!’ was his receiving speech. But because he was in the praying posture, God’s glory so shine he couldn’t help but put his gaze off himself. Then it hit him: not who I am, but because He is I AM! ‘How Great You are, O Sovereign Lord!’

Think about it. We usually cry for our rights, our well-deserved benefits, our long years of hard work. We feel we’re treated unfairly and ignored and uncared for. But if we want to push ourselves as the reference point for His blessings, do you think we’d even reach minimum? Not even our best efforts could outweigh our daily sins, make that per minute for ungodly thoughts. Praise God He is the point of grace. He gives because that’s who He is. Not even when He rewards us for faithfulness that it shifts to our share of work. It is still God who empowered us for service. Discontent says ‘It’s too little’. Pride says ‘it’s too much’. God says, ‘I AM. Is anything too hard for me?’

I For U

2 Samuel 5:12

“And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.”

Last night, God answered our prayers to finally be part of a group here in Cebu. Having no family and friends in this city is lonesome and we’ve been hungering to meet people to relate to and be accountable with. Praise God for opening a new bible study group for couples, complete with baby sitters to attend to our kids :> Our first session last night was from Andy Stanley’s iMarriage. What struck me was the sad scenario of being  usually committed to a marriage rather than be committed to my partner. The former’s focus is ‘I’, the latter is ‘U’, meaning my spouse. All the while I thought achieving peace in marriage is good enough. It was a realization that my pursuit of a win-win goal, especially in a conflict, still boils down to ‘I’ because I want MY marriage to work out. How true. So me.

David waited seven years after Saul’s death for Israel to finally acknowledge and anoint him king over the land. Add to that the length of time since Samuel first poured oil over his head and told him he’ll be the next king. He waited long, endured much, went through a lot - - from stature to experience to wisdom, he sure is now more than fit to lead and has the right too. Amidst the glitters and glory of the throne, David did not forget why he’s there. Not because of his credentials. Neither for his comfort. He knew better than claim he earned or deserved it all. ‘By God and for the People’ was his script. No ‘I’, all ‘U’.

iMarriage seeks to address the ‘I’ of almost always having our expectations work for us. But never in God’s kingdom can we find God calling an individual for his own name. Instead He promotes the ‘I’ on the premise of serving the ‘U’. Why do you think you got that raise, and the promotions? Why do you have such influences, why that position? Just for 'I' and 'I's' family's sake? Not even Jesus Christ promoted Himself when He came to be with us. He always mention that He was sent to do His Father’s work - - that is, to serve His people and bring Him glory. No 'I', all 'U'!

Major Major!

1 Samuel 20:31

“As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send and bring him to me, for he must die.”

A hindrance is something or someone that interferes with or delays action or progress.  It makes a situation burdensome and a person weighed down. As a young, full time, home based mom, I try to make wise use of my time by having set-goals. I had to. For if not, I fear my life will just slip away, leaving me depressed and depreciating, haha :>  Daily, my major tasks are this devotional blog, my curriculum project in Windsong, and the kids homeschooling. That moved kids-sitting, household chores and social networking to minor status. Trouble comes when I shuffle categories along with my mood swings, or when the minors, literal and otherwise, hinder me from sticking to the majors. Now you know how I get angry, irritated and guilty. That’s twelve I’s and ME’s in just one paragraph!

When we make everything around us about us, we push all else to the minor category, or worse, be our major competition. King Saul was so obsessed in keeping his line and his rule that he disregarded both law and reason to his satisfaction. He saw David advancing from being a lowly shepherd to becoming a well-loved soldier. This flock-tender was now his son’s best friend, his daughter’s husband, and Samuel’s new apprentice. More and more for David meant less and less for him. Like Natalie Portman in the Black Swan, Saul couldn’t bear seeing someone standby as alternate. Especially not his harp-player.

What Saul and I, and many of us fail to realize is that God alone owns the center stage. That linear lifeline is not intended for us to draw our self-declared agenda, thus discredit others for standing in the way. God’s will is the only way. Either we walk alongside Him or be a hindrance to Him. Choosing the latter will not stop Him, but it will surely stop us. May God’s word be our guide in aligning our priorities right. It’s a major major mistake not to - -  enough to lose our crowns.