Attacking the problem

A wise man and a guardian had both been entrusted with the daily operation of a temple. One day the guardian died and needed to be replaced. So the wise man called a meeting of all his best disciples with the aim of choosing the guardian’s replacement.
“I will present you with a problem,” the wise man said, “and the first to solve it will be the new temple guardian.”
After his quick introduction, he placed a small table in the center of the room with an valuable porcelain vase containing an exquisite arrangement of roses.
“This is the problem,” said the wise man.
The disciples were confused at what they saw: beautiful paintings on the rare porcelain and an elegant flower arrangement. What did it mean? What were they not seeing? What were they to do?
After several minutes one of the disciples got up, looked at the wiseman and the disciples circled around him. He then boldly walked over to the vase and threw it on the ground, shattering the valuable work of art.
“You are the new guardian!” the wise man said to the student.
When he had returned to his place, he explained: “I was very clear. I had told you that I was going to set a problem before you, and that’s exactly what I did.  You were looking for an obviously negative thing, but it doesn’t matter how beautiful or fascinating a problem is, it has to be eliminated. A problem is a problem, period. It can be a rare porcelain vase, a love that is no longer healthy, a path that needs to be abandoned… There is only one way to proceed with a problem, attack it head-on and refuse to be mislead with its external beauty.
The same happens to each one of us. The only way to see results is to confront our challenges with all our strength.

The glory of man

No one goes to the doctor when they are not sick;
No one looks for a light when they are not in the dark;
No matter how bright the light may be, it will not solve a blind man’s problem.
No matter how high a sound may be, a deaf person will not hear it…
No one can be saved if they do not considered themselves lost.
No one has an encounter with God by chance.
There must be a reason for someone to seek and find Him.
Job was righteous and upright, God-fearing and avoided evil;
He obeyed the spiritual and moral demands that pleased the Lord.
But he did not know Him.
Divine permission was necessary for the devil to cause him pain and create a need for him to know the greatness of the Lord, which Job wanted, but did not know.
And have a need for Salvation.
The devil helped the Lord?
No. But God turned something evil into something good.
The Joseph's envious brothers sold him into slavery.
They intended evil against him. But God turned that into something good, to save many people.
"You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive," Genesis 50.20
Satan’s stupidity created the necessary conditions for Job to know God.
He continues to be stupid.
Creating the same situation of despair for mankind.
However, man has wasted the opportunity of finding himself lost, in order to seek Salvation.
God is the same, the devil is the same and mankind is the same.
God continues to want to save lives and provide an eternal life of quality;
The devil still wants to kill, steal and destroy;
Man continues lost in his physical and emotional dilemmas, and forgets about his spirit.
"Thus says the LORD: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the LORD." Jeremiah 9.23-24

Self-righteousness

He was not lacking righteousness.
Much less integrity of character.
His faith was enviable; he feared God and avoided evil.
Then what was his problem?
Self-righteousness.
Because his behavior was impeccable, upright, God-fearing and he avoided evil. Apparently, Job was perfect.
God exalted him in front of the devil, when He said: "...there is none like him on earth..." Job 1.8
Nevertheless, there was something excruciating and fundamental about him that subtracted from who he was: he only knew the Lord God from what he heard from others. Job 42.5
That was his big problem – which is also most people’s problem.
They are honest, upright, keep away from sin, have a ruled life, do not hurt anyone, but unfortunately, because of this self-justification, they are not delivered.
Everything leads us to believe that a deceiving spirit convinces them of their "purity and holiness”.
They do not need salvation or a Savior, because their "works" are like those of Job.
Job was so confident in his own righteousness that he goes as far as to say:
"Even today my complaint is bitter; my hand is listless because of my groaning.
Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come to His seat! I would present my case before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say to me. Would He contend with me in His great power? No! But He would take note of me."  Job 23.2-6
Notice that he was so confident in his own "purity and holiness", that he goes as far as to say:
"I would present my case before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say to me."
Many people do not have their lives transformed because of this self-righteous spirit: "I don’t do this, or that; I am faithful, I pay my tithe, I give my offerings; I go to church, read the Bible, pray, fast, etc, etc and etc ".
Just like the story Jesus said about the Pharisee:
"The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men - extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess." Luke 18.11-12
Meanwhile, "the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ “Luke 18.13
Jesus concluded: "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other..." Luke 18.14
Wouldn’t they be like the five foolish virgins? Matthew 25.1
They were virgins, who were apparently pure, holy, and saved, but they did not have the light from the oil of the Holy Spirit. The door closed, and they were left behind with all of their purity, holiness and virginity.
After a whirlwind of events, the LORD said to Job:
"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding." Job 38.4
In other words, the Lord answered Job: Who are you to profess all of these arguments before me?
Once he came to himself, Job finally admitted that his righteousness, though perfect in his eyes, was like a filthy rag before the Almighty.
Then he confessed:
"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You," Job 42.5

The secret of not being afraid

Everyone knows that fear is part of being human.
The rich are afraid of becoming poor, and the poor are afraid of not being able to support their family;
The oppressed are afraid of the dark, heights, elevators, not being accepted into a good school, etc.;
Healthy people are afraid of getting sick, and sick people are afraid of dying;
Sick people are afraid of not being cured;
Single people are afraid of being confined to loneliness;
Religious people are afraid of going to hell;
People that are in debt are afraid of not being able to make their payments on time;
Cheaters are afraid of being caught;
Criminals are afraid of being arrested;
Politicians are afraid of losing elections.
As you can see, in one way or another, fear is present in everyone's life. Some more, some less.
But everyone has this feeling.
Even those who were closest to God had fears.
Abraham was afraid of being killed because of his wife;
It was no different with Isaac;
Jacob fled because he was afraid of his brother Esau;
Moses fled Egypt because he was afraid of Pharaoh;
Gideon was afraid of destroying his father’s altar during the day;
David had the courage to face Goliath, but fled from his son Absalom;
The great prophet Elijah feared the threats of Jezebel and fled to the desert.
In all the history of humanity, Jesus was the only One who was never afraid. He confronted His adversaries and faced death without a sketch of fear. Why is that?
Because he was full of the Holy Spirit.
Being full of the Spirit of God means being empty of fear.
How is it possible to be full of the Spirit of God?
When the mind is 100% occupied with thoughts of God, with His Word.
Here lies the reason for this commandment: "... be filled with the Spirit," Ephesians 5.18
Filled with the Spirit means the absence of any influence from this world.
Including fears, threats and terrors.

How fast will you get up?

  
The fact that you’re going to fall at some point in your life is practically guaranteed. It seems to be something that mankind specializes in. Slipping up at work, in a relationship, your spiritual life, your finances, in decisions, business, friendships, opinions, your own expectations… the rocks along the way are by no means in shortage.
But slipping or tripping is not the main problem. The biggest mistake many make is to fall and stay down rolling around in their self-pity. Feeling sorry for oneself, ready to blame anything and anyone for the fall, pity-parties and the victim spirit.
Many of those who fell are still down though they could already be on their feet getting ahead, if they only stopped looking back.
The question is:
How fast will you get up?
After you fall down the only useful thing to do is to get back up and move forward, the difference being that this time you know how to avoid falling again.
Without a doubt, avoiding the fall is the best option. But if it happened, get up. Quickly. Look forward.
And don’t fall anymore.

No one inherits eternal life

The reason why we see so many unsuccessful Christians is because they WISH TO INHERIT eternal life.
These are two mistakes that can never be committed by those who want the seal of the Holy Spirit and eternal life:
The first mistake is to WISH.
We know there is a big difference between WANTING and WISHING. Those who WANT do whatever is necessary to succeed; they rise to the top of the mountain and surrender everything and everyone to call God's attention; while those who WISH, only do what they feel like doing.
The second mistake is wishing to INHERIT the Kingdom of Heaven.
See what the rich young ruler asked Jesus: "Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" Mark 10.17
'Inherit' means to take or receive by succession or will, as an heir.
He was rich, yet he was still young. Therefore, how had he achieved all of his richness? Surely, he inherited it from his parents. He had not worked and sacrificed to be rich, he had just inherited the wealth from his family; and it is only fair that he also ask the Lord Jesus how to INHERIT eternal life.
But, in this case, obtaining eternal life would not be as easy. If he 'wished' for something so precious, he would also have to surrender everything he had.
Eternal life, the new birth and the baptism with the Holy Spirit cannot be inherited. If so, all of the bishops’ and pastors’ children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren... would be saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. But we know that this is not the case. And why not?
"…the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. " Matthew 11.12
Therefore, after reminding him of the obedience to the Lord Jesus, and because He LOVED him, He said: "One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow me." Mark 10.21
Notice how Jesus asked him for everything he had, because He LOVED him, and He knew very well that if he did not surrender the things that occupied his heart, he would not inherit eternal life; but unfortunately, that young man was so attached to his material wealth that he sadly decided to walk away from the presence of the Lord Jesus.
Never do this! Nothing in this world was, is or will be more important than our eternal life.
God bless you!

Mount Hermon Prevails

"What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?" Matthew 18.12
The sheep that were on the mountain represent those who have faith to sacrifice. They only depend on the One who called them to the mountain (the place of sacrifice). They live in green pastures, and this is where they receive guidance to handle their business, family, love life, etc.
They are protected and are untouchable, because they obey.
They are different from the sheep that went astray, because they stopped sacrificing.
Because of this, he was lost, disoriented, without knowing what to do with his life, and at the mercy of the devil. Experiencing a bitter life, like those who have never sacrificed on the mountain.
The campaign of Mount Hermon – the Mount of Transformation – was, is and will be for all those who want to prevail, and are willing to sacrifice.
It is for those who left, but want to ascend the mountain again.
It is for those who have never had a taste of God’s power and are willing to obey.
After all, those who are on the mountain, the Place of Sacrifice, are with God.
And if He is with us, who will be against us?

You’re responsible for this

It has never been so easy to criticize, complain, and point fingers, as it is today. The internet guarantees open leeway for trolls and other notorious critics. But of course that behavior as a whole is nothing new. People were always like that. The only thing is that before they didn’t have a megaphone, which is the Internet today, to announce their thoughts.

Here’s a proposition, a principle that you will probably find much easier to live by: the “you’re responsible for this” principle. It works like this:
Every time you want to complain about a situation or about someone, you will be responsible to fix it. If you don’t want to be responsible in doing anything to fix it, then shut your mouth.
For example: you criticize the lack of cleanliness in your work place. So now you’re responsible for fixing the problem. Pick up the vacuum, or go speak to the person in charge of the cleaning team, or go and ask for more trashcans in your section, or go clean your own plate in the kitchen after lunch. Perfect, now you’re responsible. If you don’t want to be responsible, then please don’t criticize how they’ve cleaned. Spare someone’s ears.
You thought the presentation of the marketing manager was tedious. An hour long of blah, blah, blah, which didn’t amount to anything. So now you’re in charge of improving the quality of the presentations of the company. You’ll give your feedback (who knows maybe even the two colleagues you talk to will too,) give suggestions for improvement to the presenters, you’ll contribute ideas, you’ll contact the HR department about communication training for the presenters, or perhaps even give those “bores” a book on the subject. Anything contrary, zip your pie hole and focus on your own life.
Perhaps you consider this principle a bit radical. Instead of complaining, if everyone applied this principle at work, at home, in school, in the community, in the city and in their own lives, imagine how better everything would be.
So remember, when your tongue itches and you feel tempted to criticize someone or something, first ask yourself if you are prepared to be responsible to improve the situation. If not, choose silence.
P.S. Try out saying this to someone who lives complaining and criticizing in your ear. Very, very soon, they will stop…
P.S.S. See that Jesus applied this principle too: When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, “This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat.” But He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.” – Mark 6:35-37

The cry no one wants to listen to

"Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares. She cries out in the chief concourses, at the openings of the gates in the city she speaks her words:
“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge." (Proverbs 1:20-22)
Everywhere, in every situation, we have the opportunity to learn. Wisdom is all around us, screaming, trying to get our attention.  There are a lot of lessons that still need to be learned everywhere. Knowledge is like ripe fruit on a roadside just waiting for someone to take it and eat it.
Wisdom in this Proverb symbolizes God himself (that is why it is capitalized).  He wants to teach us through every opportunity, whether good or bad. You do not need a high IQ to understand Him, nor be a Super-spiritual person. You only need humility and attention.
This wisdom that God wants to share with us, is much more valuable than knowledge acquired from books and in any University. It is wisdom for life, to conquer and establish happiness, something that the wise of this world cannot find. He wants to give us the wisdom to have a happy marriage, to live at peace even in the midst of war.  Turn away from evil, overcome yourself, and build a righteous life.
You too can acquire this wisdom, but you have to learn to tune in the Voice of God, above all voices of this noisy world.