Treasures of Hope
"Precious instructions from the Word
for optimistic Christian Living!"
By: Ptr. Rasty C. Montorio
for optimistic Christian Living!"
By: Ptr. Rasty C. Montorio
AUG 2008
Read previous articles from Treasures of Hope:
JANUARY 2008 - THE PLAN! (Putting our future in the right path.)
We are all concern of our future. That is the reason why out of curiosity people are resorting to any ways just to find out what lies ahead of them. But for the people of God, we shouldn’t be resorting to any belief or occult thing that this world is offering. We can be sure of our future because it all lies in the hand of the Master Planner.
FEBRUARY 2008 - THE LOVE JOURNEY (Steps to step into the realm of Christian Love Affair.)
One of the well-known topic that most of our young people in church wants to discuss is about Boy-Girl Relationship. Well, we cannot avoid it because almost all of us in some point of our life have experienced to have some crushes and puppy loves.
MARCH 2008 - FAITH AND FEAR (The difference makes the difference.)
The word fear has always been connected or equated in the life of a person. Each one, regardless of status in life, rich or poor, strong or weak has fears. Maybe that’s the reason why the word “phobia” has been invented and connected to almost all kinds of things.
APRIL 2008 - THE HANDS THAT UNSHACKLES - Part 1 (Prayer’s Secret, Revealed)
It has always been said that when we pray, 90% of the task is already done. If that is so, why is it that a lot of Christians are not really serious in the ministry of prayer? As we study the text, let us try to discover some facts about prayer and unveil the truths that will benefit us as Christians.
MAY 2008 - THE HANDS THAT UNSHACKLES - Part 2 (Prayer’s Secret, Revealed)
There are lots of things prayer can do to us as we continue to practice it in our lives. In the last issue we have enumerated some of it. Let us continue to discover to unravel the treasures we can discover regarding this matter…
THE ESSENCE OF CHANGE-(Welcoming New Things in Life)
In our passage, fasting has been mentioned very frequently, but we will not be discussing about that subject at this time. I want us to focus on coping with change. A situation that happens in our lives in a very consistent manner, sometimes it favors us but sometimes it isn’t. But whether we like it or not, we need to and we have to face it.
A DECIDED SERVICE - (Making our own option)
Everything that happens in our life is in one way or another is being determined by us. This means whatever it is that we are experiencing at the moment is just a byproduct of the decisions we made in the past. This is the beauty of the “free will” that God has given us. We are the ones who are making decisions in our lives. But we need also to realize that there is such thing as consequences - the repercussions of the good or bad decisions that we have made.
JANUARY 2008 - THE PLAN! (Putting our future in the right path.)
We are all concern of our future. That is the reason why out of curiosity people are resorting to any ways just to find out what lies ahead of them. But for the people of God, we shouldn’t be resorting to any belief or occult thing that this world is offering. We can be sure of our future because it all lies in the hand of the Master Planner.
FEBRUARY 2008 - THE LOVE JOURNEY (Steps to step into the realm of Christian Love Affair.)
One of the well-known topic that most of our young people in church wants to discuss is about Boy-Girl Relationship. Well, we cannot avoid it because almost all of us in some point of our life have experienced to have some crushes and puppy loves.
MARCH 2008 - FAITH AND FEAR (The difference makes the difference.)
The word fear has always been connected or equated in the life of a person. Each one, regardless of status in life, rich or poor, strong or weak has fears. Maybe that’s the reason why the word “phobia” has been invented and connected to almost all kinds of things.
APRIL 2008 - THE HANDS THAT UNSHACKLES - Part 1 (Prayer’s Secret, Revealed)
It has always been said that when we pray, 90% of the task is already done. If that is so, why is it that a lot of Christians are not really serious in the ministry of prayer? As we study the text, let us try to discover some facts about prayer and unveil the truths that will benefit us as Christians.
MAY 2008 - THE HANDS THAT UNSHACKLES - Part 2 (Prayer’s Secret, Revealed)
There are lots of things prayer can do to us as we continue to practice it in our lives. In the last issue we have enumerated some of it. Let us continue to discover to unravel the treasures we can discover regarding this matter…
THE ESSENCE OF CHANGE-(Welcoming New Things in Life)
In our passage, fasting has been mentioned very frequently, but we will not be discussing about that subject at this time. I want us to focus on coping with change. A situation that happens in our lives in a very consistent manner, sometimes it favors us but sometimes it isn’t. But whether we like it or not, we need to and we have to face it.
A DECIDED SERVICE - (Making our own option)
Everything that happens in our life is in one way or another is being determined by us. This means whatever it is that we are experiencing at the moment is just a byproduct of the decisions we made in the past. This is the beauty of the “free will” that God has given us. We are the ones who are making decisions in our lives. But we need also to realize that there is such thing as consequences - the repercussions of the good or bad decisions that we have made.
DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY!
(How to deal life’s troubles.)
TEXT: MATTHEW 6:25-27
All of us have experienced to feel overwhelmed with a lot of things bugging our minds. Sometimes these thoughts causes fear to us about many things in life. So when it is so big for us to think and seem no sure antidote to it, we begin to worry. Our passage tells us not to be overwhelmed too much with such worries in life that would not make any contribution in our life’s progress.
(How to deal life’s troubles.)
TEXT: MATTHEW 6:25-27
All of us have experienced to feel overwhelmed with a lot of things bugging our minds. Sometimes these thoughts causes fear to us about many things in life. So when it is so big for us to think and seem no sure antidote to it, we begin to worry. Our passage tells us not to be overwhelmed too much with such worries in life that would not make any contribution in our life’s progress.
I WHY WE ALWAYS WORRY?
A. Focus of sight is wrong - Me.
When our focus is always our own image, we begin to worry.
B. Place of endearment - Myself.
When we begin to just think of our own need, we begin to worry.
C. Source of comfort - My future.
When we begin to become pre-occupied of what will happen to you, we begin to worry.
D. Way of satisfaction - Self-indulgence.
When we begin to crave for more, we begin to worry.
E. Level of understanding - I love me.
When we begin to care for yourself alone and not thinking of others’, we begin to worry.
II HOW TO AVOID WORRYING?
A. Focus on God.
Loving God first will enable us to learn from Him on how to really treat ourselves and be able not to worry for ourselves.
C. Depend on Him at all times.
This teaches us the lesson of faith and trust in the Almighty God.
D. Be contented, give thanks in everything.
III FACTS ABOUT WORRIES IN LIFE.
A. Worries in life cannot be evaded.
Whatever we do, we cannot evade worries in life. Face it learn from them.
B. Worries in life can be created.
IV THE CONCLUSION.
Why do we need to worry if we can trust God? Let God be God, give your worries to Him and be happy!
There is hope for you… Be blessed!
We always worry for a lot of personal reasons. But most of the time our reasons are baseless and selfish in nature.
A. Focus of sight is wrong - Me.
When our focus is always our own image, we begin to worry.
B. Place of endearment - Myself.
When we begin to just think of our own need, we begin to worry.
C. Source of comfort - My future.
When we begin to become pre-occupied of what will happen to you, we begin to worry.
D. Way of satisfaction - Self-indulgence.
When we begin to crave for more, we begin to worry.
E. Level of understanding - I love me.
When we begin to care for yourself alone and not thinking of others’, we begin to worry.
II HOW TO AVOID WORRYING?
A. Focus on God.
Let us not waste our time focusing on the things that discourages us. This doesn’t mean not to face the problems you have. But looking up to God for us to be able gain strength in facing the troubles we have at the moment.
B. Place your love towards the Lord.Loving God first will enable us to learn from Him on how to really treat ourselves and be able not to worry for ourselves.
C. Depend on Him at all times.
This teaches us the lesson of faith and trust in the Almighty God.
D. Be contented, give thanks in everything.
Sometimes the source of our worries is not the problem of lack, but the problem of wanting for more. If this continues, we are cluttering our minds with more worries.
E. Be devoted and learn from Him. Always bear in mind that God is always aware in everything that happens to us. The fact that certain situation happens to us, it only means that maybe He allowed it to take place in our life for a purpose. Let us be sensitive for what lesson God wants us to learn through this instead of killing ourselves indulging in worries.
III FACTS ABOUT WORRIES IN LIFE.
A. Worries in life cannot be evaded.
Whatever we do, we cannot evade worries in life. Face it learn from them.
B. Worries in life can be created.
Most of the time worries in life have been the creation of our own selves. We worry on many things - things that have no enough reason to worry about. So it is not the situation that gives you worries but our own weariness that produces our unreasonable worries.
C. Worries in life can be directed. Instead of holding up to our worries, we can direct these worries to the ultimate source of peace - God. Don’t let it linger in your life, direct it towards God and let Him handle it for you.
D. Worries in life can be diverted. Instead of stopping your life with your worries, you can turn it aside and do something good and worthwhile in your life. You can still be productive and be happy in the midst of many worries. It is just a decision that would divert your situation.
IV THE CONCLUSION.
Why do we need to worry if we can trust God? Let God be God, give your worries to Him and be happy!
There is hope for you… Be blessed!