The Father to the fatherless

The Father to the fatherless
By: JefLivs

A man isn’t only a provider to his family but a pastor to his family as well.

As man, we should not only be focused on the money we give but on how we nurture our family morally and spiritually.

Many of us complain about the world today but we fail to address issues on families. More than COVID-19, FATHERLESSNESS is a pandemic destroying families. It is not the NEW NORMAL and it shouldn’t be.

Many families today are living with physically present fathers but emotionally, morally and spiritually detached from their families. God never instituted broken families. God is the author of marriage and family. We have a God of restoration. We have a God who value relationships.

Who is your Father? For the fatherless, you have a Father in Christ.

Happy Father’s Day.

Silent Confession

Silent Confessions

“Lord, patawad... Pagkat ako'y makasalanan... Makasalanang nilalang. Lord, patawad…” Reminds me of a popular song from Bassilyo. 😀 I am not a fan but I like the way he made his confession in a song.

Confessing to someone is one of the most difficult situtions one could ever be. It requires lengthy reminiscing of things done and people whom we might have offended in the past. It is not easy bringing back all the buried memories back to our present consciouness but we need it for us to free ourselves inorder to move on with life, may that be to someone or to God.

Sin is a generational stain that taints us from looking at the bright side of life. It hinders us from receiving the enormous promises of God in our lives. It is difficult to move with heavy burdens. We somehow need to unload, humble down and confess our sins to God.

To confess is to admit we have sinned. It is humbling our selves to the Lord and not looking for faults. It is a faith declaration. Faith to whom? A declaration of faith to the one true God. It is Lordship. It is an acknowledgement of the power and soverighty of God over our lives and over our sins. We cannot walk in pride believing we are sinless in the basis of our own moral standards.

In my experience, a sincere silent confession with God brings freedom of the spirit. A relief from a mental torture of frustrations I hold inside my mind. A peace despite a storm and a renewed perspective in life. It is true that if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanese us from all wickedness.

As we embrace the New Normal let us spend time to confess everything to God. It does not only free us but also cleanse us. A reset. A renewed life in Christ cleansed by His blood.

Have a worry free day ahead.

#jeflivs
#preach2self

The Big “F”

The Big “F”

“Kapag binato ka ng bato, batohin mo ng tinapay na nasaloob ng steel cabinet”.

A funny saying in filipino that has been rephrased to fuel a revengeful spirit. I admit that during my childhood and childish years I was that kind of person who likes to get even, to inflict the same pain or greater to the one inflicted on me. May be some of you can relate to this but if not may be this can, “makarma ka sana”. Our default reaction when someone offends us is to revenge or curse that person and it feels good. Isn’t it?

We are religious in nature. We do ask for forgiveness from God countless of times. We pray and recite the Lord’s prayer too. But do we digest each and every word in the Lord’s prayer? It says, “ Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” Jesus himself revealed how to be forgiven, “forgive those who sinned against you”. This also reveals the sheeps from the wolves. It reveals the true nature of God.

Forgiveness brings a peace that enables us go on with life. Goodness from a worldly perspective does not access heaven, forgiven people do.

Have an inspring day ahead.

#jeflivs
#preach2self

A Courageous Spirit

A Courageous Spirit

The corona virus has caused fear and panic among us. It has changed our business plans and strategies. For some, this pandemic caused their lives, liberty and employment. It has prompted businesses to close down and we were one of those who were severly affected in the business industry. It’s hard.

Today, I received an assurance and a reminder from the scripture. It says, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love, and self-control.” It was a relief from a day of thinking how to make ends meet for it is an assurance from God that we will survive. It also gave confidence and cleared my thoughts from which business strategy I should take . It was a relief!

But reading the whole chapter made me realized that this verse is not about my business and financial security. Reading further reveals that this is about the assurance of God to those who share and proclaim the gospel. It was St. Paul’s letter to Timothy reminding him that God has given not the spirit of fear but power and love, and self-control to those who serve Him.

See, we can relate verses from the bible in the way we handle business and finance. It works but the very essence of the scriptures isn’t just about money. The essence is about our Salvation and His Lordship over our lives expressed by His great Love for us. We have our jobs, businesses and whatever that’s keeping us busy to earn a living; It’s fine, but remember that we also have a responsibility mandated by God - to spread the Gospel.

A courageous spirit is assured for those who carry and share the gospel. It is not a spirit of fear that reigns in them but power, love and self-control.

Have a great morning!

—————-
#Jeflivs
#Preach2Self

Wishes Come True

Wishes Come True.

By: Jefferson Jeflivs Livara

The secret to an answered prayer is clearly stated in the bible. Sometimes, we treat God as a genie. A slave of our own wants but do we treat Him seriously as Lord?

The promises of God are for those who believe, abide and remain in His words. The bible holds countless promises for us which remain untapped. It is only revealed the moment we start reading it. It doesn’t cease there; It continues until we start living in His words.

The greatest manifestation of how we love God is not expressed in the bible verses we post and how many times we post or say we love Him but in obedience to His commands. Apparently, every promise from God comes with a command.

Now, you want your wishes come true? Remain in God and His words remain in you. Ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Have a great Tuesday morning.

#jeflivs
#preach2self

You Intended it for Evil but God intended it for God.

When you feel like you’ve been treated unfair and unjust, read the story of Joseph.

When others try to ridicule you and do evil things against you, remember the life of Joseph. He was wronged and was sold as a slave but became the Prince of Egypt. Watch: 

https://youtu.be/Wp8LulDzQgU

When people think of evil thing against you, trust God’s plan and If you feel your plans are not working out well, trust God. Sometimes God allows us to experience hardship and trials to prepare are for God’s best in our life. Joseph was mocked and was sold to Egypt as a slave but the plan of God in his life was greater. He came to be the Prince of Eqypt and led more people to have faith in God.

Evil intentions do not prosper. The plan of God does. It is written, “𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒍 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝑮𝒐𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅...”

From the life of Joseph - “The Prince of Egypt”.

“𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒍 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝑮𝒐𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅...” Genesis 50:20.

The God We Cannot Fool

We can fake good deeds, post bible verses and shout “Halleluiah!”; But without a genuine love for God and to our fellowmen, we are just playing with our salvation. No matter how hard we try to create an impression, time will reveal our true intentions.

We can buy things that make us look good and pleasing to others but there are things we cannot buy to make us pleasing in God’s sight.. We cannot fool God. We cannot be christians repeating the same sin over and over because of the idea that God is forgiving and merciful. Remember that our God is also JUST.

How do we see God by the way? Is God something we can place in our pocket that we open in times of need and close when we do not want Him see what we do? If that is the case, we are creating a God we can dictate... we are making ourselves greater than God.  

If we’ve been baptized and call ourselves Christians, did we fake our repentance?

True repentance brings transformation

True repentance does not allow us to do more sins. 

True repentance gives us the ability to forgive others

True repentance allows us to ask for forgiveness

True repentance erases records of wrong just like love

True repentance makes us thankful

True repentance draws us closer to God.

We die once and live forever. Let us not take for granted the life God has promised us. We can fool others sometimes but we cannot fool God all the time.