Money

Jesus declared "you can not serve God and Money". Money can be our lord and master...but we can use money to give glory to our Master. This is the next red-letter words in my Bible

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, ...

... But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, ...

... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also...

... If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. ...

... "No one can serve two masters... You cannot serve both God and Money...

... "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, ...

... Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ?

... For the pagans run after all these things, ...

... But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

.... Each day has enough trouble of its own. Mat 6:19-34

RG: Lord, what shocked me in this passage is You elevated serving Money with Serving God in the same level but in contrast. I thought the battle for lordship in ones life is only between You the devil and self, but here you are contrasting You and Money.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: Yes RG, I have to emphasize this because Money is a very strong driving force in the heart of man. Money continued to be the SECRET MASTER of many people who profess to know me.

RG: Lord if I examine my heart, yes, indeed in many instances I am driven by money. But isn't legitimate Lord to desire to have money? We have our needs that we know money can meet.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: "Needs that we know money can meet!" Do you hear yourself saying that RG? who then meets your needs?

RG: Oh oh, I know that you are the one meeting our needs. Now I got your point Lord, why money can be our Master instead of You, because money can also meet our needs and not just needs including our insatiable wants.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: You see RG, money is highly convertible to meet ones needs. Money can be easily converted to any forms of pleasure that you like, to comfort that to want, to power that you want to have, to almost everything that you can think of in this world. Most of the things that you ask of Me can be answered by money. That is why it is very easy to turn to money and make it your master.

RG: Lord, this is a very dangerous trap! Lord, please teach me how I should view money, I know that money is not evil but the love it can lead me to be enslave to it. How can I avoid making money as my master?

The Lord Jesus seems to say: First of all RG, you must reckon everything from the time when you trusted me for your salvation. You must trust me all the way including your basic needs, and your family's needs. Not only in the present but also in the future. If you cannot trust me for your basic needs, you will begin to worry and scramble yourself up to find more money on your own.

RG: Lord, this is exactly the description of me when I was pursuing a better and comfortable life, before you called us to be here.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: There is nothing wrong RG with living a comfortable life, but if your commitment to comfortable living goes beyond your commitment to follow me, then the love of money will start to crawl in your heart. And when you can not secure your future, you will try harder and harder until you have what you want. Once you started to have money, you want keep it all to yourself, after all its the fruit of your labor. But slowly your trust is now shifting from me to your money. And because you consider it as "your money", it become difficult to see Me in the picture, I don't have even a say where you should spend your money.

RG: Lord, please help me to sort this out, how can I put you clearly into the picture?

The Lord Jesus seems to say: You see RG, if you are fully trusting me for your needs. Its easy to see and acknowledge that everything that you have comes from Me and is part of the way I am providing your needs. I am the one who is blessing your efforts. I am the one who is giving you the ability and opportunities to earn money. If this is the way you view how you get your money then you will give me the freedom to tell you where you should spend it.

RG: Oh, Lord I am beginning to understand, thank you Lord for your assurance that you will meet our needs.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: That's too small for Me RG, in fact I am providing each of my children not only their needs, but a lot more so that they can invest them for eternity. I want them to store it in heaven by helping the movement of the furtherance of My Kingdom here on earth. This is good for your soul, for where your treasure is there your heart be also. You sometimes wonder why your heart is very far from Me, well, simply because your treasure is not aligned to what is precious to Me.

RG: What a beautiful picture Lord on how we should handle our money. So instead of making money as our master, we can actually use the money that you gave us to honor you and bring glory to your name.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: That's right RG, but I am so sad about the reality that many of my children, are wanting to put the control of money unto their hands, not because they wanted to invest for eternity but they wanted to satisfy every cravings of their flesh and everything that their eyes can see. I am sad RG that I have given many of my children the ability to earn money more than what they need, but instead of sharing it to the poor and spending it for the furtherance of the Kingdom, they spend it all for themselves and building more reserves so that they can sustain their lifestyle. Even the so called full-time workers are not spared. The commitment to a comfortable life of some of my workers is so strong that, money becomes the motivation even among the so called ministry.

RG: Lord, please help me to trust you. You know that I am a worrier, I am worrying, about my children, I worry about helping our relatives, I worry about our growing old and so many other things. I want to come and look to you alone as our provider...

The Lord Jesus seems to say: Here is my deal with you RG "seek first my Kingdom and my righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you as well" let me rephrase it "You take care of the things that are dear to Me and I will take care of the things that are dear to you"

RG: Oh Lord, this is too wonderful to behold!

Prayer

There are so much to learn about prayer...This is the next red-letter words in my Bible.

"... when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites...

... But when you pray, ... pray to your Father...

... when you pray, do not keep on babbling ... many words.

... This, then, is how you should pray..." Mat 6:5-15

RG: Lord until now I cannot fully understand what is it in prayer that seems mysterious sometimes. Others would consider it as power to get things done specially when it involve spiritual dimension. Other consider it as a mark of a saints. Lord please teach me what really prayer is.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: First of all RG prayer is not for show. So don't pray so that others would know or others would see or hear your well arranged words with highly spiritual sounding words with matching rise fall of your voice to show how spiritual you are. In other words you do not pray to promote yourself.

RG: Whuuo... this is heavy Lord.. I remember my self engaging to this kind of prayer during prayer meetings or praying when there are people around... Oh Lord, please free from theatrical prayer. Please continue Lord to teach me what payer really is.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: Secondly, prayer is not for magical power, that when you pray several times a day, or repeating certain words, or in certain position or with certain accessories, or in certain place with matching trembling hands and rising and falling of voice, then you make things happen or you force God to make it happen.

RG: Lord, I am tempted to do this whenever I face difficult situation. When I am sick and when I am facing a personal, family and even ministry problem, I want them to vanish right away so my prayer sounds like magical. And when it does not happen, first I will begin to justify that probably its like this and like that... but later on, I observed my self that little by little I am drifting away from you...then the worst thing that happened to me was when I resented you ... because you seems to be not listening to me... you don't let the things that I prayed happen. Until now Lord I still have that tendency... so sometimes I would say to my self, I better not pray...what's the use of praying if God don't let it happen.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: Yes, RG I remember that time that you resented me so much when things are not happening the way you wanted it to be in the training apartment that you started in Cebu. I was overwhelmed by your demands (hehehe)... you were so confused who is the Lord between the two of us. And when I did not do what you want you started to resent me and did not want to talk to me for eight months!!! can you imagine that! hehehe but of course I treasure that time because finally you learned who is Lord between the two of us, and you learned that there is no place on earth to hide that I can not find you and reach you with my love.

RG: Yes Lord, I remember that moments and I treasured it too.. Lord, please tell me, if prayer is not about asking you so that things would happen then what is it?

The Lord Jesus seems to say: Well, RG, prayer is about GOD and about your relationship with Him, yes He cares about you but it is all aligned to who He is and His relationship with you. You see in the first two things I mentioned what prayer is not, they are all about you. Both theatrical and magical prayer are all about your old self. You are just using prayer to advance yourself and your agenda, and you are not just using prayer, you are also using Me.

RG: Urgh!!! kasakit Lord, but you are right...forgive me Lord, and please teach me what prayer really is.... ahh ok Lord, I remember now, you did not explain what prayer is to your disciples but instead you taught them how to pray. Lord please teach me also how to pray.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: Ok RG, I will teach you the same prayer I taught to my first disciples. Go ahead write it down.

RG: Oh this is exciting, Ok Lord here it is:

'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' Mat 6:9-13

Oh I didn't realized that it was very short.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: Yes it is short but it says it all. It starts with defining how you should approach God when you pray. "You are his son and He is your Father!". As a Father, God longs for you to talk to Him about anything and you should rejoice that His dwelling place is in Heaven. It doesn't implies that He is a distant father, because he is everywhere but rather it says about His character. Here on earth, fathers are not perfect, all tainted with sin and selfishness but not your father in Heaven where holiness, faithfulness and love abounds.

RG: Ok Lord, so my prayer first of all should be out of my relationship with you as my Father. Thank you lord for making me a father to my three sons, at least I know how it is to be a father, as imperfect as it is, you gave me a glimpse of how you feel when your children come to you to talk about anything.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: Not only God is your Father RG, this Father that you have is also a reigning holy King and God of the universe. He has His big plan of regaining back part of His Kingdom which was surrendered by Adam and Eve and usurped by Satan. You are part of this redemption, that's how you become His son, you are now His ally. So,your prayer should always be align to who God is and to His Plan. That is why you say "Let Your Name be glorified, Your Kingdom come, and Your will be done here on earth as it has been in heaven"

RG: Lord, I know I can not align my prayers if the things that I do and the way that I am is not align to God and His plan. How about my needs and my family's needs Lord where is its place in my prayer?

The Lord Jesus seems to say: He wants you to depend on Him for your needs, he knows it even before you ask, but he just want you to ask. Its not just the asking that is important to God its the joy of hearing your voice because you are His son. That is why He loves you to do it in a daily basis. So you should pray "Give us THIS day our daily bread", so that tomorrow you will come again to Him.

RG: Oh Lord You are amazing, thank you for causing me to come to you daily...

The Lord Jesus seems to say: Since you are now my son and my ally, I want you to extend to others what you receive from Me. So you should be able to pray "forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sins against us" . There is something that snaps in our fellowship as Father and son if you can not do to others what I have done to you.

RG: Oh Lord I treasure our companionship as Father and son. You are not just my Father, you are my friend too and I don't want anything that would break it.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: Neither I RG. I treasure our friendship more than you do. So I want you to pray " That you will not be led into temptation but let God protect and deliver you from evil" Don't be on your own, always depend on your Father, because that is the essence of prayer. Prayer puts you and God to its right place.

Hypocrisy

I learned that hypocrisy is a silent destroyer of our relationship with God...God hates hypocrisy... this is the next-red letter words in the Bible.

"Be careful! When you do good things, don't do them in front of people to be seen by them. ... don't be like the hypocrites... Mat 6:1-18

RG: Lord please teach me about hypocrisy.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: RG, it is exactly what I said it is "doing good things to be seen by people". It's not real, it's plastic, it is not who you really are from the inside, it's for a show. And I don't like it.

RG: Lord, I read from the Bible how you unleashed your anger towards the Pharisees because of hypocrisy.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: Go ahead RG, write that portion of the Scriptures here so that while you are writing and reading it you can feel my heartbeat against hypocrisy.

RG: Yes Lord here it is;

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. Mat 23:23-29

Lord, You were really angry when you saw the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and teachers of the law.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: Not only to the Pharisees and teachers of the Law RG. At the beginning of the Church I made a clear and strong signal that hypocrisy should never be part of my people. There was point in time when everybody were selling their possessions and bringing everything into the Apostles feet for distribution, there was this couple wanting to make a show for everyone to see that they were doing the same thing. I want you also to write that story here RG so that you can feel my heartbeat against hypocrisy.

RG: Ok Lord here it is;

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God." When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price." Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. Act 5:1-11

Oh Lord this was really a fearful sight that Ananias and Sapphira just fell dead on their feet. I know that it was not because they did not give 100% of the sales that they suffered death, but it was because they lied and make others believed (including the Apostles) that they gave 100% of the sales to show to the people how dedicated they are.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: That is right RG, all acts of hypocrisy are lying. Hypocrisy RG is not only present among unbelievers, it is present among believers, oh yes, the saddest thing is, it is ruining the lives of many Christian Leaders.

They are so good and loving to their constituents but harsh to their wives and children.

They are so good and making advise and quoting verses but ignoring same advise and verse.

They have done so little in the ministry but very quick to take the honor of some successes in the ministry.

They are quick to say "I'll pray/I am praying for you" but have never prayed for so long.

Theyare quick to give to some announced needs but neglect the need of his neighbor and family members.

I can enumerate more and more acts of hypocrisy here and I want you to know that I am very sad that my children has to engage in this charade.

RG: Lord I am guilty of hypocrisy, forgive me Lord... please teach me more about this silent destroyer of my relationship with you.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: Hypocrisy is an attempt to maintain an image, it is also an attempt to exalt yourself and gain honor and glory. You know from the start RG that honor and glory should only belong to God and you will always be in trouble if you attempt to take it and put it in you. When Satan tried to get it and put it on himself, he ends up as the enemy of God. God is a jealous God and He can not allow His glory to be taken by others. It's not not because He is a self centered God, but it is for your own good, you are created as a giver of glory to God not a taker of glory that belongs to God.

RG: Lord teach me how can I overcome hypocrisy.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: First settle it in your heart that ALL GLORY and HONOR should only belong to God. Let God exalt you if He wish but never seek it from people. Secondly, I think you need to know by heart that I have already accepted you as you are, so don't have to lie and be hypocrite just to feel accepted by people. Make my acceptance as more important than the acceptance that you long from other people. I love you RG, I know you and I choose you to be mine, you don't have to make a charade of who you are, I have forgiven you and accepted you as you are and now I am working to transform you into my own likeness.

RG: oh Lord, my God how wonderful you are!

New Standard of the Law

What kind of holiness the Lord expect from us? Can we live to his standard? Here are the next red-letter words in my Bible.

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.... Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.... Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Mat 5:17-48

RG: Lord I thought when I accepted you in my life I will no longer be under the Law but here, you seem to be saying the opposite.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: Exactly RG, in fact I am setting a higher standard than the Law.

The Law says that when you murder you will be subject to judgment BUT I say, when you hate your brother you will be subject to the same judgment.

The Law says do not commit adultery, BUT I say, when you look at a woman lustfully you are already committing adultery.

The Law says when you want a divorce just give her a certificate of divorce BUT I say, don't even think of divorce, for you will be causing her and other to commit adultery.

The Law says fulfill your oath, BUT I say, don't even make an oath simply make your yes be yes and no be no.

The Law says eye for an eye, BUT I say do not even think of revenge instead offer more of yourself.

The Law says Love your neighbor and hate your enemy BUT I say love them both, pray even for your enemy.

RG: Oh Lord, you have indeed set a very much higher standard than the Law. If no one has ever followed the Law how much more these revised standard.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: and this is my final words RG as far as the new standard is concern "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. "

RG: Lord, I thought your yoke is easy and your burden is light. How can it be easy and light if your standard is very high!

The Lord Jesus seems to say: Hehehe you are missing the whole point RG, read again what I said before I lay down the new standard.

RG: Ok here's what you said "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: Who will fulfill them? You or me?

RG: Oh Lord, so it's YOU again who will fulfill them.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: Yes RG, when I came here on earth, I have fulfilled even the comma and period of the Law. The biggest of which is the Death that the Law requires for anyone who sins.

RG: Lord, I'm beginning to understand why your yoke is easy and your burden is light. It's because you yourself has fulfilled it in me. Unlike the way religion put burden to people.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: And here is my Good News to you RG. The fulfillment of the law does not end on the cross because when I gave you myself as my greatest gift, I also chose you in whom I can fulfill the Law. In fact I will fulfill in you not only the Law but even higher standard than the Law.

RG: Oh Lord this is too much for me to handle, how can you do that to a sinful man like me?

The Lord Jesus seems to say: Oh RG, my son and my friend, until now you have not understood what I've done to you. I purchased you with my precious blood. I made you holy, and that's what you are! Holy man of God!

RG: Oh Lord forgive me... I know that I can only be holy because of you, but how can I maintain that holiness?

The Lord seems to say: Oh RG my son, my friend, you don't even have to think how to maintain your holiness. I've done that already! What you need to do in order to experience this holiness is you ABIDE in me. Apart from me RG you can't do anything. That is why I told you that you treasure ME as your greatest gift from God because I will be your holiness, in fact I am your everything.

RG: Oh my God, ... my Lord,... my Father... and my Friend, teach me to love you and treasure you in my life more than anything else. Help me to abide in you not just on a daily basis but moment by moment Lord. I remember just now that those moments when I sinned, it was the time that I was not abiding in you.

Blessed to be a Blessing

What is God's purpose when God called us to himself? Here's the next red-letter words in my Bible.

Mat 5:13-16 "You are the salt of the earth.'.... "You are the light of the world.

RG: Lord what do you mean by being salt of the earth and light of the world?

The Lord Jesus seems to say: You know RG when the Father brought you to me, I have two main purposes. These purposes are generally the same as when I called Abraham out of Ur of Chaldean. First, I want to bless you. Second, I want to make you a blessing to others.

RG: Wow Lord! what a purpose to live with. Oh I like the first one, but I need more grace for the second one hehehehe.

The Lord Jesus seems to say:Yes I know, I can still smell your concept of blessing. I want to

reitirate RG that the ultimate "Blessing is ME".

RG: Yes Lord I need to learn this "that the ultimate blessing is YOU". It will not matter what my life situation is, may I be in abundance or in wants, in good health or in sickness, honored or ridiculed and persecuted.I understand that although I have you in full as the "great blessing" yet many of its effects has yet to come.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: That is right RG, unless I am sufficient to you, you will never experience the abundant life that I promised you to have.

RG: Lord before we leave this topic of "Blessing me" puede mohirit? You mentioned about Abraham, and if I look at him in the Bible, indeed he became very wealthy, and he indeed became a great nation, is this not your ultimate blessing to him?

The Lord Jesus seems to say:Hehehehe I know what you are implying, but go ahead read the life of Abraham and find out what is his greatest blessing. Everytime you read any form of blessing I gave to Abraham list them down.

RG: Oh This is exciting...ok Lord I will read about his life again.. (turned to the Bible and start reading from Gen 12) Ok Lord I will start my list now:

1.I will make you into a great nation (Gen. 12:2)

2.I will make your name great (Gen. 12:2)

3. I will make you a blessing (Gen. 12:2)

4. I Will deal with people the same way they will deal with you. If they bless you I bless them If they will curse you I will also curse them. (Gen. 12:3)

5. I will bless all people on earth through you. (Gen. 12:3)

6. I will give this land (Canaan) to your offspring.(Gen. 12:7)

7. Abram (In Egypt) acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, menservants and maidservants, and camels.

8. Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.(Gen 13:2)

9. Their (Abraham and Lot) possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. (Gen 13:6)

10. (Abraham, Standing in Canaan God told him)"Look north, south, east and west all the land you see I give you and your offspring forever.(Gen 13:14-15)

11. I will make your offspring numbering like the dust on earth (Gen13:16)

12. Abram (became mighty) returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him (Gen 14:17)

Ok Lord I think I have listed all and these proved my point on how you blessed Abraham.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: I want you to read a little bit farther...

RG: Ok Lord, I am now in Gen 15...(shocked!) Oh my God, here is what you want to say about your greatest blessing to Abraham.

Gen 15:1 After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward."

Oh Lord, so it was not the things I envied about Abraham's blessing. But Abraham's greatest blessing is YOU...YOU are his greatest reward!

The Lord Jesus seems to say: You are right RG, It's my personal relationship with Abraham that I valued most, the same way as I value my relationship with you. That is why my greatest blessing and reward to both of you is MYSELF. Yes, there were great men in the Bible like Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David and many others. Many of them became wealthy and mighty. But I want you to remember them as "men who walked with ME", "MY friends", "men after My own heart" and "men who trusted ME".

As to the other blessings? who gave and will fulfill them anyway? is it not I? I gave them to you according to what you can handle and for a purpose. Abraham can handle great wealth and power, and you can handle the things that you have now. At the end its not how much I gave you, but I will make an account on how you handle them.

RG: Thank you Lord for driving it deeper into my heart. Thank you for giving your self to me as the Ultimate blessing of God. Now I am ready to listen for the next purpose why God brought me to you.

The Lord Jesus seems to say: When I came on earth, I came as light when you accepted me the light was transfered to you. I expect you to pass on this light to others. You are also the salt of the earth called to preserve the decaying society and be a seasoning in this unpalatable world.

RG: This is a big responsibility Lord. how can I do it?

The Lord Jesus seems to say: RG you cannot be a light and salt apart from me. As you walk close with me, people around you will see it and will be blessed. because if you walk close with me, you will be sensitive with my instructions and as you obey, people will be blessed. They will see you as my follower and then recognize God in you. Then you must tell them about me so that they too can receive the blessing. This is the way the blessing moves from one person to the other. This should continue until all nations on earth hear about this blessing and then I will come to give you and others who accepted me the full effect of this blessing.

RG: Lord why do you need to do it with us? You can do it by yourself or with your angels right?

The Lord Jesus seems to say: Yes I can...but I chose to involve you because I love you. I want to bless you more, I want you to know me better, I want to pour my heart to you what I feel towards these people. I want you to be my friend who knows my heartbeat, that's why...

RG: Oh Lord, I am your unworthy servant...but I thank you for the privilege for being salt and light.

Blessedness

I just realized that Blessedness or happiness according to these verses is rooted in heaven and in God Himself... these are the next red-letter words in my Bible.

"Blessed are the ....... for ........." Matt5:3-12

RG: Lord I want to live a blessed life what does it mean to have a blessed life?

The Lord Jesus seemingly saying: Go ahead list down the last portion of the verse and you will find out what is a blessed life.

RG: Ok Lord here are the list:

1. Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

2. They are comforted.

3. They are heirs of the earth.

4. They are filled

5. They are shown mercy

6. They see God

7. They are called sons/daughter of God.

8. Their reward in heaven is great.

Lord what a contrast on what we believe blessedness are. I thought blessedness are:

1. Having money to meet our needs now and in the future.

2. Having a decent house with enough space for the things we want to do.

3. Having car to take us where we want to go.

4. Having a family that are loving.

5. Having a wife/husband who love us and our children.

6. Having good health

7. Having a source of income/work which is easy and less stressful.

8. Having community/church/group who meet our spiritual and social needs.

The Lord Jesus seemingly saying: Yes RG unless you redefine what a blessed life means, then you will find life on earth miserable at least in one area of your life if not all.

RG: Lord it seems to me that a blessed life is a life which is rooted and focussed on heaven and in the future rather than here on earth and now. This is what made it difficult for us to understand or made it it less attractive to many, because people just want the "NOW".

The Lord Jesus seemingly saying: RG if you move one step forward on what you said "heaven and future" you will end up right in front of ME. That is exactly where the blessedness is. I love you RG and I want you to be always in front of me, right here in my presence.

RG: Oh Lord, I just want to be where you are..

The Lord seemingly saying: Yes RG, I already broke the barrier between me and you when I lay down my life on the cross, now you can be as close to me as you want it to be but I want to tell you that it will cost you something.

RG: Yes Lord I observed that its in the first part of these verses.

The Lord seemingly saying: Go ahead list it down

RG: Ok Lord I hope I will not discover something that I am not willing to pay. Anyway here they are:

1. Be poor in the spirit

2. Mourn (for your condition and others)

3. Be meek

4. Hunger and Thirst for righteousness

5. Be Merciful

6. Be pure in heart

7. Be a peace maker

8. Be willing to be persecuted and insulted

Lord, these has little things to do with what should I do but rather these are more of a descriptive of what should my heart be.

The Lord Jesus seemingly saying: You are right RG, but it will cost you your pride, it will cost you your comfort, it will cost your treasured sinful habits, it will cost you time and money to be really merciful, it will cost to walk extra miles, it will cost you your honor... it will cost you your life. Are you willing to pay the cost of a blessed life?

RG: (mummed and in deep, long silence...) Lord have mercy I need your grace to say yes!

Righteousness

This the next Red Letters in my Bible

Mat 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

RG: Righteousness!!! Oh Lord, a very rare commodity here on earth, its not even use by people anymore in ordinary conversations. I can only hear it preached and read from religious book and of course from the Bible.

Lord Jesus seemingly saying: You are right RG, but you know the word righteous and righteousness are two words that supposed to be concerned with everyday living. It means being ‘right’, ‘fair’, ‘just’ and ‘honest’. A righteous person is one who does right or is in the right.

RG: Wow! what a description. I can just imagine if all the people in our society are like that. From traffic enforcers, police, in the marketplace, drivers, government officials, congressmen, senators, judges and President. What a wonderful place to be!

Lord Jesus seemingly saying: I'm glad that you are longing for such society. and I want you not just to long for it, but crave and thirst for it. I told you in our last talk, that when my Kingdom will be established here on earth it will be more than what who have imagined.

RG: Oh Lord, let your Kingdom come!

Lord Jesus seemingly saying: Not yet RG, I still have to gather more righteous people from among nations. I want every tribe and every nation on earth to be represented in that Kingdom. So I want you to continue to be my partner in this business.

RG: But Lord is there any righteous men left?

Lord Jesus seemingly saying: You are right, no one is righteous not even you. But that moment when you accepted the righteousness that come from the Father, I declared you righteous when you trusted me. There will still be many who will thirst for that righteousness, and like you, they will be declared righteous too.

RG: Oh God. Where will I be if you did not made me righteous before you? I thank you Jesus for what you have done in the cross, you made yourself unrighteous by paying the penalty of unrighteousness and sin so that I will be righteous before God. You cloth me Lord with your righteousness.

Lord Jesus seemingly saying: RG, now that you are declared righteous I want you to live to that name. Be holy for thats what you are. Exercise what is right, what is fair, what is just with all honesty and sincerity. This is what it will be when my Kingdom come.

RG: Lord, please be gracious to me, teach me, mold me to be able to live a righteous life.

Lord Jesus seemingly saying: Just remain in me, and let my words remain in you and you will be fine.

RG: Thank you Lord..... Hmmm, Lord can I ask You something? Since I begin meditating the red letters in my Bible you always bring to my attention "Your Kingdom" Your first preaching was to repent for the Kingdom of heaven is near" and then you are talking about Your Kingdom that is coming here on earth". Can you explain it further?

Lord Jesus seemingly saying: The Kingdom of God is in Heaven, I created the earth so that it will be an extension of my Kingdom. When I created man, I gave him this earth to be his dominion, he is suppose to subdue it and be the ruler of the earth. So the earth is man's dominion. My Purpose was, as man rules the earth he is to reflect my glory and my character that's why I created him in my image. But man surrendered it to Satan by listening to him and disobeying Me, so from that time on Satan has been ruling many parts of the earth, his unrighteousness, injustice, unfairness and dishonesty is just everywhere. You can see it in the government, in cities, in marketplace in the streets, at home and even in the hearts of individuals. His demons are also here. He is still working hard to subdue this earth in fact he will be ruling this earth for sometime under one government. But he can not subdue it because there will still be many people who will not bow down to him.

RG: Yes Lord I read it in your word and I heard it preached before.

Lord Jesus seemingly saying: You don't have to be ignorant about this RG.. look at the banking system how they are slowly merging and currencies are uniting. Look at the advancement of internet capabilities. Can you imagine if the data base of Face Book, Google, Yahoo and Microsoft be gather together? that is enough to track down all political leaders, professionals and intellectuals of the earth. Everything now are gearing towards one world government and in preparation for Satan's temporary establishment of his kingdom.

RG: Yes Lord I also read about tribulation, oh it's a dreadful story! but I know that you will come and rescue your people.

Lord Jesus seemingly saying: Yes, That is the time when I will establish my Kingdom here on earth, because the earth is not his. This is reserved for the meek, and I see to it that the meek inherit this earth, I will give this to its rightful rulers, men who are like Adam before he surrender this to Satan. and I will be here to be the King of rulers, kings that will reflect my glory and my character. And you who have surrendered your life to me, should rejoice because you are a citizen of this Kingdom. Together we will rule this earth for 1000 years.

RG: Oh Lord, This is too wonderful to behold. You mean you will be our King and you will assign territories for us to govern? Oh Lord, a farm with pond for me is enough hehehehe I will be fishing the whole day.

Lord Jesus seemingly saying: Hehehehe sure you can have that pond teeming with so many fish but its more than that RG, there are so many wonderful things that will be there during this period, can you imagine this world ruled by Me?

RG: But Lord, I thought you are preparing us for heaven!

Lord Jesus seemingly saying: I will tell you more about that RG, but I want you to answer this; What did I promised you RG in John 3:16 when you believed?

RG: Eternal life.

Lord Jesus seemingly saying: Is living for 1000 years eternal life?

RG: Oh Oh... so there is more!!! Oh my God, Oh my Lord who can understand your ways! Your so great!!!how can you be mindful of me?

Lord Jesus seemingly saying: I love you RG, that's why I am mindful of you...as your son JI said of me "I choose to die just to have you by my side for eternity"

Meekness

The next Red letter in my Bible:

Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

This still part of a special teaching session of Jesus with His disciples.

RG: Lord, I noticed that you started your sentences with "Blessed" what do you mean by this?

Lord Jesus Seemingly Saying: It means supremely blest, fortunate, well off and happy.

RG: Isn't it Lord this what people are looking for? Many people now use "God Bless" as way of wishing happiness.

Lord Jesus Seemingly Saying: Yes, but they will not find real blessedness until they become a citizen of the Kingdom.

RG: So that's why you said Blessed are the poor in spirit for it will lead to them to the Kingdom. Blessed are those who mourn for they will long for the Kingdom and be comforted.

Lord Jesus Seemingly Saying: Now I'm telling you "Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth"

RG: Lord this is a surprise!! before I ask you the most important question what do you mean by meek? Is it the same as humility?

Lord Jesus Seemingly Saying: Humility and meekness are similar, both of them are attitude of the heart of not being boastful nor arrogant even if you know that you have power and ability, but instead willing to serve others and willing to submit to God silently. He has confidence in God that everything that is happening to him is part of God's purpose in his life, so he do not complain but continue to submit to God. This is the attitude that God likes because He can guide and teach a person who are humble and meek. These are the characters that the Kingdom of God values.

RG: You have shown us exactly what it is Lord when you came and submit yourself to the cross. And how can a meek person inherit the earth? is this the same earth where we now live?

Lord Jesus Seemingly Saying: Yes, in this present time this will be more of the inhabitants of this world. Example in your case you can inherit the people where you are, to win them to the Kingdom.

RG: Oh Lord you know that it is my desire.

Lord Jesus Seemingly Saying:But RG there is more, and I want you to look forward for this: The full inheritance of the meek as far as this earth is concern is when I fully established my Kingdom here on earth. You will be co-heirs with me. It's not just the people that you will inherit but the earth itself. You will be one of my governors and administrators you will be with me in governing this planet for 1000 years.

RG: When will this be Lord?

Lord Jesus Seemingly Saying: When I come for the second time..

RG: But I might be dead that time...please don't forget my children or grandchildren.

Lord Jesus Seemingly Saying: Don't worry, even if you are dead, I will resurrect you back to life and I will give you an indestructible body together with those who died whose lives are surrendered to me. Those who are still alive and are my followers will also have a changed body and together you will float and meet me in the air. Then we will come back to earth and established my Kingdom and we will rule this earth for 1000 years. This earth will be in great abundance as never before. There will be peace, love, justice, safety and prosperity. Wild animals will be setting side by side to each other, there will no more fear, no more tears...

RG: What a wonderful world it would be!!! Please tell me more about this Kingdom Lord... Oh I have so many questions but this sight is enough for me to contain right now!!!