Fresh Start Daily

Devo: Mark 12:38-40

“Then He said to them in His teaching, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

I learned to be specific in my prayers so my prayers are almost always long. Last year, I started to be more specific about some things so my prayers are longer than before. I pray for my family, friends, students, acquaintances, strangers, etc. It’s been good. I like that I get to do that. I’m happy also every time I get to check answered prayers. However, lately, because of I’ve been busy, my long prayers are rushed. Sometimes my prayers are like items to be checked off the list and I hate it. I feel that I am disrespecting God.

I like being in God’s presence when I am soaked in prayer. I tell God that after all this busy-ness is over, I will bask in prayer again. I still utter long prayers when I’m busy. However, because they’re too long and I don’t have a lot of time, I don’t get to do it wholeheartedly anymore. I usually do this before I start my day and before I sleep. During the day, I say short prayers to God such as, “Please guide me today,” “Help me, God,” etc.

Then I was reminded by God that short prayers are okay before I start and end the day. It’s better to say short but heartfelt prayers than long but mindless prayers. I felt relieved after that. I know short prayers are okay, but I was insisting on including everything in my prayer list. I think it’s because it became a habit that when I didn’t get to do it, it felt like my day wasn’t complete. It wasn’t because I felt holier by doing so.

There is nothing wrong with long prayers as long as it’s from the heart. It’s good that we get to pray for other people. However, God sees beyond the length of our prayers. He sees beyond the words, many or few. I am learning not to feel guilty if I don’t get to say everything that I want to God. It honestly surprises me every time God answers wishes that I don’t get to utter to Him. He is so, so, so, so good! He knows our needs and even without us asking sometimes, He provides.

I promised Athalia that we would go to Fiesta Carnival when she gets here so today, we went there with mama.

She couldn’t contain her excitement!

When she tried the bump car, she said she’s not a good driver and I told her that it’s okay and that at least she got to experience it.

I’m grateful that we finally got to do it. Thank God for the holiday. My prayer is that my brother and his family will have a memorable summer vacation.

I went jogging in Quezon City Circle this morning. I have taken a lot of pictures there before but I haven’t captured some parts of it yet so here are some pictures I took today.

Devo: Mark 10:17-22

The rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked Him what he could do to be saved.

“What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” V. 17

Jesus answered his question and said,

“You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.'” V. 19

The rich young ruler told Jesus that he observed all those things.

“Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” V. 20

“Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘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.” V. 21

“But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” V. 22

This is a sad story. He wanted to be saved but on his own terms. He didn’t really want to follow Jesus. He wanted to fit Jesus in his plans.

“…what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

His question focused on works to earn salvation. He thought that we could work our way to heaven, but nothing could be further from the truth. We cannot inherit eternal life by good works.

“One thing you lack…”

Since the man said that he obeyed all the commandments, that he did all the works to be perfect, Jesus showed him that salvation is not earned or deserved. It is not by works but by grace.

“Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven…”

Jesus said that he would have treasure in heaven if he did those things. However, the man left sorrowful. He didn’t like what Jesus told him to do. He couldn’t give up his possessions. Earthly possessions mattered more to him than heavenly treasures.

It’s in contrast to the story of Zacchaeus, who, despite all the money he amassed from overcharging people’s taxes, decided to give them all back to the people. He climbed a sycamore tree despite the crowd that became an obstacle for him to see Jesus because of his small stature. He looked for a way so he could see Jesus because he believed in him. His giving up of riches shows humility and obedience to God.

Jesus, in spite of the crowd and Zacchaeus’ location, saw him. I believe an ordinary human being wouldn’t see Zacchaeus up in the tree because of the crowd gathered around him. He probably wouldn’t bother looking up. Jesus, even without seeing Zacchaeus in the tree, would still know his heart.

A lot of people nowadays are so hungry for success. I see many people on social media flexing their hard work and achievements. There is nothing wrong with working hard and wanting to succeed. God wants us to work hard. However, if our focus is material wealth, other things will be set aside, such as our spiritual health.

If we were in the shoes of the rich young ruler, would we also walk away? Will we be able to give up all of our possessions to follow Jesus knowing that we will let go of everything we worked hard for? My prayer is that I will never fall in love with this world. That despite the blessings that the Lord gives, He will always be my greatest blessing and my sweetest gift.

Devo: Mark 9:2-13

Jesus took three of His disciples, Peter, James, and John and led them to a high mountain.

“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them.” V. 2

According to Oxford English Dictionary, the word “transfigure” means “to alter the figure or appearance of; to change in outward appearance; to transform.”

“His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.” V. 3

Before the transfiguration of Jesus, He told His disciples that He must suffer many things.

“And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” Mark 8:31

Jesus’ disciples were probably disheartened after hearing those words. Peter even rebuked Jesus for what He said. However, Jesus rebuked him as well for what he said. Witnessing Jesus’ transfiguration helped His disciples realize that Jesus, being the Son of God, is sovereign. Though He mentioned about the sufferings that He had to experience, He was still in control.

I love what I read from enduringword.com:

“Jesus also dramatically showed that cross bearers would be glory receivers. The goal isn’t the cross. The cross is the path to the goal, and the goal is the glory of God.”

Sometimes we forget that there is an end to our sufferings. We become so focused on the pain that we forget that God allows it for a purpose and that we should focus our gaze on Jesus.

“And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.” V. 4

When I read this, my thought was, Moses didn’t make it to the Promised Land but he made it to heaven. Moses died and was buried while Elijah was caught up to heaven. It’s an assurance for us who believe that there is life after death. It also shows us that those who believe in God will end up in heaven, like Moses and Elijah.

“It gave them confidence in Jesus’ claim to resurrection.” enduringword.com

I’m grateful for the good weather today. I’m grateful for the sunshine. I’m grateful for another day. Every gising is indeed a blessing!

I got sick in 2020 and the doctor asked me to get a chest X-ray. The doctor saw that there’s a small lump outside my heart in the X-ray. He asked me if I exercise and I said “no”. After that, I started exercising once a week. I don’t really have time to do it during the work week but I do intense workout on weekends, usually on Saturdays. Exercise isn’t easy, but it is rewarding. I feel so much better after. I feel lighter. I don’t feel bloated. I don’t run out of breath too easily when I climb the stairs or do other strenuous activities.

It has physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits. It helps clear the mind. When we go out and see other people and things, our perspective changes. It helps deviate our negative thoughts to other things. I am an introvert and I do enjoy my “me” time. I always find something to do at home, but it’s also important for me to go out.

Some people say that we’re going to die anyway so there’s no point in watching our diet and in exercising. There are people who take good care of their health but still get sick, and there are those who seem not to care about their lifestyle but live long lives. I know that our time on earth is in God’s hand. I remember our pastor saying that as long as we have a mission, we are immortals. I believe in that.

However, those people who say that we’re going to die anyway seek medical help for their illnesses. It doesn’t make sense because if they want nature to take its course, they shouldn’t bother getting treated. I just find that illogical.

It’s not an excuse to abuse our bodies. It says in the Bible that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we have to take care of it. Just because we believe that our time is in God’s hand, it doesn’t mean that we can eat whatever we want, not exercise, and not get enough sleep.

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is self-control. We cannot give in to every desire. Plus, greed is a sin, and sin has consequences. If we are not disciplined with our lifestyle, we will definitely reap the consequences. God may allow us to live long in spite of neglecting our wellbeing, but we will not be efficient because of an illness.

I’m not an expert. I exercise not necessarily to look a certain way. I do it more for health reasons. I understand that it’s hard when we don’t feel motivated. There are also times when I don’t feel like doing it. However, because I know that it’s important for our wellbeing, I drag my feet to do it. One of the pastors in our church always say that if there’s no one to motivate us, we have to motivate ourselves.

Laziness is also a sin. God doesn’t want us to be lazy. I know that it’s easier to sleep in when I don’t have work. However, we have to keep showing up even when we don’t feel like it. By continuously doing it, we form a habit, and eventually, that habit becomes a discipline.

If we truly care about our loved ones, we will take good care of ourselves first. We cannot help others if we ourselves need help. Also, I want to be healthy so I can do God’s mission in my life. I want to be able to go where God leads me to fulfill my purpose. I want to be able to do the task that God has given me.

We just stayed in the AirBnB yesterday. It was rest day for my parents and work day for me. Today, I wanted to visit the Bangkokian Museum but it’s closed on Tuesdays (too bad!). The Suan Pakkad Museum which is just near our AirBnB is closed for repair. So, we decided to just go to the airport early (around 10 a.m. Philippine time). I also don’t want to be tired before we fly back home so we’re here at the airport enjoying our downtime. Our flight is at 11:10 p.m. Thailand time. The Philippines is one hour advanced than Thailand. I didn’t change the time on my phone so I wouldn’t get confused.

I guess I will share my observations in this country as a first time visitor. Thailand is heavy on tourism. There are tourists everywhere! It’s like half of the population are tourists. It’s also easier to communicate with the locals here than the people in Vietnam. It’s probably because they’re used to having foreigners around. Bangkok streets are clean. You’ll only see garbage bags at night. I didn’t see unpaved roads. The drivers stay on the right side of the car, like in Malaysia.

They tend to have heavy traffic during the rush hour but it’s nothing like the Manila traffic where you can get stuck for…ever! (Take everything with a grain of salt.) They have pictures of the king and the royal family on the side of the streets and on the facade of some buildings.

They also try to eliminate beggars. I saw a poster that said, “Stop begging by not giving”. I only saw maybe 4 beggars on the street in our one week of stay here. Personally, I don’t see anything wrong with giving alms especially to those who really are in need. Somebody has to start somewhere. I hope the government is giving them opportunities to earn to get them off the streets.

It’s also hotter here than the Philippines by a few celsius but I can really feel the difference. The temperature they have now is similar to the temperature in the Philippines in summer. Although on Sunday, we felt that the air got cold.

Cannabis is legal here. I saw several cannabis stores around Bangkok. They also put it in cookies, brownies, candies, balms, etc. I believe the sales is regulated. Otherwise, it can be abused.

Their food is mostly sweet and spicy. I like Thai food. Even their street food is good! Some are just a little too oily. Here, when you say “not spicy”, they mean mild spicy. When you say “spicy”, they mean super spicy. 😅 Thai food makes me frequent the bathroom. 😅😂

We didn’t visit the temples here. Although the boats in the Royal Barges museum had engravings of their gods, I did not know it prior to our coming. I’m not being legalistic. It’s just my personal conviction. Some say that it’s okay to visit them for the sake of knowledge–to learn their history and see their architecture. However, I’m okay not knowing or seeing them. I was only able to visit this country because God gave me the opportunity. I didn’t want to use that opportunity to go to places where people worship His enemy.

I can say that I did enjoy the time we spent here. I like their food (but not the super spicy ones!). The people are nice, orderly, and respectful. I am grateful that God protected my parents and I in our entire stay here. For an introvert like me, Bangkok is like a big party place with people from all around the world. I hear different languages everywhere, mostly from European countries. The city is vibrant and alive with so many activities for visitors. Staying here for good is, I think, for someone who likes the hustle and bustle.

I enjoy traveling, learning other countries’ culture and traditions, meeting new people, and trying their authentic cuisine, but I don’t have to see all the countries in the world. An experience like this is a perk from God that I don’t deserve. Seeing other countries is an experience I can live without but I am grateful for. The best destination is, and will always be, heaven. My ultimate goal is still God’s presence.

I decided to have this trip because I wanted to bond with my parents more while waiting for the spouse visa, if God will allow me to live in the U.S. with my husband. It’s not that I won’t see them anymore if I will be granted the visa, but of course, it won’t be as often as when I’m in the Philippines.

Airport food:

We attended the 9 am service in ECB (Evangelical Church of Bangkok) in Sukhumvit Soi 10 near Asok BTS station. It’s an international evangelical church. The sermon today is about being a devoted servant of God.

We went back to our AirBnB to rest then we went to Iconsiam to register for the dinner cruise that I booked online last Wednesday. We waited till 4:40 Thai time. While waiting, we went back inside Iconsiam. The mall was packed! It’s a big mall but it was super crowded.

The dinner cruise started at 5 p.m. We enjoyed the food. There were also singers (Filipinos!) on the boat. The cruise lasted for 2 hours. Then we went to Chatuchak (Night Market) to buy pasalubong because we don’t want to go there anymore tomorrow. I have work again tomorrow and I just want to stay in the AirBnB.

ECB

Korea Town

Iconsiam

Palanquin

Phra Wo (a.k.a. Wo Cho Fa) – palanquin for the king or queen