Thank You

God by His grace has seen me "through" another week, a week where I was pressed (but not crushed), persecuted (but never abandoned), struck down (but not destroyed).

2 Corinthians 4:8-10 "8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

As I bring this week to a close, I rejoice and give thanks to Jesus who has seen me through...Whatever has happened this week has already happened...By His grace I have experienced success at some things and survived in spite of my failure in others...Blessings received and lessons learned...it is time to press on!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 3:12-14 "12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Thank You Father for the past week! Looking forward to worship this Sunday! Blessed be Your name!

A Love Letter To My Future Wife

To My Future Wife: Not a day goes by that I don't pray for you. I pray for God to preserve you, protect you and prepare you for that day when we spend the rest of our lives serving Him together...our hands held and raised high in praise of our King who brought us together...keep on loving Jesus more than me, my love. For only by doing so can you truly learn to love me in spite of my imperfections...
Draw near to Jesus moment by moment, trusting Him for and in everything...knowing that each step you take towards Him brings you closer to me.
I long for the day when we finally meet...whether it be here or in the mansion in heaven that Jesus has prepared for us.
Keep the faith, my love, my heart. Run the race He has set for you with passion and diligence knowing that I am here cheering you on and lifting you up in prayer.

I love you.

@RalphieTupaz

In Memoriam

What Am I Choosing To Remember Today?

Memory, learning and action are inseparable. What I chose to remember (or forget) become lessons learned and these lessons ultimately define my future actions. Nothing wrong with remembering or building memorials (whether physical ones or just in our minds ) in fact it goes way back to the old testament.

"Joshua 4:7 "...tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”

However, there is a need to be careful and selective on the memories I retain and the memorials I build. One of the devil's greatest deceptions is to cause me to continue to dwell on things, events, memories, people that have hurt, discouraged and or disappointed me. In so doing, rendering me (at the very least) depressed, paralyzed (unable to live out my faith), ineffective as witness /servant /follower of Christ and (at the very worst)/even hurtful to those around me and damaging to His great commission that He has laid out in Matthew 28:19

The question I ask myself is this “Do the memories I keep in my mind cause me to respond/act in a manner that is not consistent with the will of my Father in heaven? Do the memories I hold on to cause me to become angry, bitter, frustrated, resentful, disappointed, desperate? Are they robbing me of the joy of His salvation?” If so, then maybe its time to make new memories, maybe its time to tear down "old" memorials (whether physical ones or just in my mind) /memorial stones that I've put up that have become enemy footholds / strongholds in my mind and maybe its time to build new ones.

"2 Corinthians 10:5 "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

"Philippians 4:8 "8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

New memorials that would remind me of God's FAITHFULNESS, His POWER, His FORGIVENESS, His LOVE and GRACE instead of remembering the evil that men can do and have done to me. Perhaps its about time I started to really FORGIVE just as I myself have been FORGIVEN.

One thing I should remember and never forget is that I too was once in darkness, and I too was evil, I too was detestable and loathsome in the eyes of a holy God, I too was as much (if not more of) a sinner as those who have and are still doing me wrong—YET BY HIS GRACE I AM FORGIVEN!

Here are some thoughts I will dwell on and need to remember: Matthew 6:14-15; Matthew 18:21-35; Mark 11:25; Luke 17:4; Colossians 3:13;

Reflections on 2 Kings 6:24-32; 7:1-10 The King and The Four Lepers

As I was chewing through these passages, two things started to stand out for me. God reminded me of two things:

1. STOP LOOKING AT YOUR OWN CIRCUMSTANCES, LOOK TO ME INSTEAD! I really don't know why but all throughout my reading of this book, this lesson just keeps popping out and hitting me.

a. The Kings Response ( v.18-23)

God had just performed a mighty miracle by striking the Aramean army blind through Elisha. Yet, it seems the king had forgotten this. As they were being besieged again by the king of Aram, he saw the desperate plight of his people and his inability to save them. I would think that given the fact that he had just experienced God’s deliverance, he should not have been in despair. Unfortunately, he focused on the circumstances surrounding him and then looked at himself. Is there anything wrong at looking at or assessing the situations or the circumstances around us? Of course not; however, it’s the response after the assessment where faith is truly tested. The king was driven to despair. His heart was hardened as shown when he says through his messenger in verse 33: “This disaster is from the Lord. WHY SHOULD I WAIT FOR THE LORD ANY LONGER?” His response was to have Elisha put to death.

b. The Lepers Response (Chapter 7:8)

I am again amazed at the contrast God uses to make a point in this passage. From a high and mighty king housed in a palace and dressed in fine robes to four lepers, homeless, helpless, cast-out, most likely dressed in tattered sackcloth. The great thing here is that God reveals to us that the contrast between these two people is just on the outside. For in chapter 6:30 as the king tore his robes in despair we find him dressed in sackcloth as well under his robes. There was no difference between the heart condition of the king and the lepers.

The king had one response—that is to blame God and vent his anger on Elisha. The lepers had a more complicated response. In their desperation they just decided to “give it all up” chapter 7:4 gives us a picture of just how desperate their situation was. I find it hard to relate to the king. I was never born rich or privileged in this life and as such cannot fathom the king’s despair. But God bless the lepers! I am humbled and reminded of how God delivered me from my own situation not too long ago (and maybe to a certain extent—even now).

2. REMEMBER THAT GOD IS SOVEREIGN.

a. The king , in his desperation, was driven to pride and lashed out in anger at God by intending to have Elisha killed. Why pride? I think it was because he felt “entitled”. He felt that he didn’t deserve to be besieged. Again, I am reminded of the times when I react almost like him, asking God “Why? Why are you allowing this to happen to me? Have I not accepted Jesus as my savior? Am I not one of your sons?” Then I remember what Jesus went through and I am all at once sobered and humbled. God shows His sovereignty by having Elisha boldly tell the king of what He is about to do and He does it in Chapter 7:16. He did not deserve this for his intentions were evil, yet God delivered him and the Israelites from the siege. Grace.

b. The lepers, in the midst of their own desperation were shown God’s power and grace. They found the Aramean camp empty and were able to eat and drink and get clothes and silver, etc. I would think that given this blessing they would have responded in thanks to God. But instead, they intended evil as shown in Chapter 7:8 (“Then they took silver, gold and clothes, and went off and hid them. They returned and entered another tent and took some things from it and hid them also.”) But even here, God shows His sovereignty by changing their hearts and causing them to report this to the palace.

In both these instances, God shows grace, sovereignty and power. He reminds me that He can use even the darkest and most dire of situations, the evil in the heart of both kings and men, even these He can use TO BRING ABOUT THE FULFILLMENT OF HIS PLANS. I’m reminded of Proverbs 21:1 “The heart of a king is like channels of water in the hands of the Lord. He turns it wherever He wishes.”

Brother/Sister in Christ as I am encouraged by this passage, I encourage you as well. If you are facing a difficult situation right now, if there are people who are intent on doing you harm, remember that the God you serve is a SOVEREIGN GOD! Call out to Him. He will answer you. He is your help, your protector, your watcher, your deliverer… (Psalm 121). Call out to Him. Do not make the same mistake I often make, looking at my own capabilities, looking to my own strength. Call out to Him and witness His sovereignty and power displayed and experience His GRACE.

2 Kings 6:8-18 Checking The Eyes of Our Heart

Elisha Traps Blinded Arameans

⁸ Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.”

⁹ The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” ¹⁰ So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.

¹¹ This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”

¹² “None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”

¹³ “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” ¹⁴ Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.

¹⁵ When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.

¹⁶ “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

¹⁷ And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

¹⁸ As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.

Reflections on 2 Kings 6:8-17 Checking the Eyes of My Own Heart

Ever had days when your morning starts out right all fired up for God then a barrage of bad news hits you non-stop the rest of the day? This was pretty much the day I had yesterday. Late afternoon, I tried to find comfort by listening bringing up my old playlists, songs, videos and eventually looking up old poems (Neruda, Frost, Stevenson, etc). They just got me to dwell more on my circumstances and made me even more desperate. Weary, I turned to the Psalms last night as I was about to go to bed. I was led back to Psalm 73. I found Asaph lamenting about his own situation and was strangely comforted knowing that even great men of God (Asaph) also went "through" something similar. In the end admitting and declaring that even if his heart and flesh fail, the strength of his heart and portion was God.

This morning in my quiet time, as I continued in my reading of 2 Kings, I came across this passage in Chapter 6:8-17. Elisha was with his servant and they were hunted down and surrounded by the King of Aram (v.13-14). Interestingly, I looked at my day yesterday and began to see the parallel. As one bad thing happens after another, its easy to feel as if we are being hunted down, targeted, surrounded, etc. In verse 15, Elisha’s servant comes out and sees them surrounded by an army of horses and chariots. At this point, the servant cries out “Oh, no my Lord. What shall we do?”. I praise God for the servant’s response. For here, I find myself convicted. I realized that yesterday, in the midst of what I was experiencing I failed to respond humbly by asking my Lord, “what would you have me do, Lord?” Instead, I found myself shooting from the hip, relying on my own strength and my limited wisdom and understanding to “handle” the situations I faced. Sadly, my strength, wisdom and understanding for whatever they’re worth, will never be enough. As such, I found the eyes of my heart and my thoughts focused on my surroundings, my circumstances, my troubles—the chariots and horses around me (v.15).

What I find so amazing in this passage is the contrast between the servant’s reaction and Elisha’s reaction. Elisha steps out and very calmly says to the servant “Do not be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” I can just imagine how the servant must have felt about his master at that time. He must have been saying to himself : “Uh-oh, now we’re really doomed my master has gone nuts and is seeing things that are not there!” I realize again the parallel in our lives today, when people around see us faced with impossible situations and in obedience and faith we claim God’s promises and rely on His power and faithfulness, people will think “we are crazy”. I dare to think that this is part of God’s design. For only in this manner will others see Him and know His power to deliver those who believe.

Elisha must have realized this and begins to pray for his servant’s eyes to be opened. Then the Lord opened the eyes of the servant and the servant looked and saw the hills filled with horses and chariots of fire. Amazing! The passage continues in v.18-23, with Elisha praying and God striking down the enemy army and a feast ensuing as a result of the victory.

As a Christian, it gives me amazing comfort and peace to be reminded that my God’s resources (His word, His promises, His whole army!) are always there for me to call on should I ever need it. All I need do is “open the eyes of my heart” by intently reading His word to get attuned to His will and get to know Him. Then and only then will I be able to see and experience the immense presence and power of the God that I serve.

My prayer is that as Christians about to start this day that He has given us, we declare by faith that this and all the days of the rest of our earthly lives are days "that He has made". That nothing shall happen to us apart from His sovereign will and perfect plan. That the eyes of our hearts be opened so that we may see His will for us today as He speaks through His word (the Bible) and in so doing experience His faithfulness and power!

On Faith and Miracles (2 Kings 4:1-7)

The Widow’s Olive Oil

¹ The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”

² Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”

“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”

³ Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few.⁴ Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”

⁵ She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. ⁶ When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”

But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.

⁷ She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”

My Reflections on 2:Kings 4:1-7

2 Kings 4:1-7 Faith and Miracles: True faith is the key to experiencing miracles. Faith like that of the widow in this passage.
v.1 Brokenness,despair and faith. The widow first had to come to a point of brokenness. She had to be broken for her to realize that she needed a miracle from God to save her from her troubles. This is one of the things led her to seek Elisha and ask for a miracle. Interestingly, another factor that led her to seek Elisha was the faithfulness of her now dead husband as she mentions in the verse that "your servant (my husband) feared the Lord. This shows me that when people see us living out our faith it helps point them to the source of our faith.

v.2 Humility and Acceptance of our own limitations. Elisha asked the widow "What do you have in the house?" To which the widow replies,"I have nothing but a jar of oil." This for me illustrates the widows humble acceptance of her own inability. Much in the same way that in order for us to experience God's saving grace, we must first come to accept our own inability to pay the price of our sins and accept that it is only through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus on the cross that we come to salvation. (Ephesians 2:8-9 " For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.")

v.3-7 Acting, Obeying based on Faith. Elisha asked the widow to go and borrow several vessels from her neighbors. This must have seemed strange to the widow. She must have even been ridiculed by her neighbors for borrowing vessels when they knew she had nothing to fill them with. BUT THE WIDOW obeyed. This reminds me of what is said in Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
God through Elisha could have simply just filled out the one jar of oil that the widow had. However, to demonstrate His power and to reward the faith of the widow he filled several vessels. More than enough for the widow to pay off her debts and live out her life with her children. Which also reminds me of Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

My prayer is that if like me, there are current situations in your life where you find yourself broken, or helpless, or out of options or at your rock bottom, we respond in the same way the widow did. And in doing so, receive our miracle and experience God's faithfulness and power and know that God is real, true and LIVING God who is able to deliver those that faithfully depend and call on Him. May we experience Him just like the widow did in 2 Kings 4:7 and as promised in Ephesians 3:20

Responding to God's Call

The Call of Elisha

¹⁹ So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. ²⁰ Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will come with you.”

“Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?”

²¹ So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.

Reflections on 1 Kings 19:19-21 Responding to God's Call

v.19 God's choice: God chooses who He wants to call to serve Him. In the OT this was done through prophets. Elijah choosing Elisha, Samuel choosing David, Jonah called by God, etc. But thanks, be to Jesus that now all of us are called to serve.

1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

v.20-21 Our choice: Following God is a conscious choice that we need to make. Elisha chose to follow God through Elijah. He left his parents and all he held dear and all that represented him (slaughtered his oxen and burned his plow). He had to this before he could follow Elijah and become his servant. Just like Elisha we too have oxen and plows in our own lives that we may need to give up in response to God's call. I pray that God opens our eyes that we may see them and gives us the strength to do what is needed in response to His call.

When Jesus called his apostles, they too had to make a choice. They had to choose between their old life (fishermen, tax collectors, doctors,etc.) or choose to follow Jesus.

As Christians, when we chose to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we were saved. This choice did not make us perfect but made us forgiven / justified and redeemed by the blood of Jesus. It opened us to two things 1) Saving grace 2) Sanctifying grace. Salvation is one time. Sanctification is a process that goes on while we are still here on earth being perfected by God while living out our earthly lives.

Responding to God's call to follow and to serve (honoring God) is a moment by moment choice to honor Him and glorify Him in everything we think, say and do. Responding to this call not only transforms us and draws us closer to Him, but also helps others to see His power and draw them to Him.

My prayer is that beginning today we all become sensitive to His call in every choice we make.