Vignettes From The Pearly Gates (Part 7)

(Day 7)

God is not seeking for perfect men, He knows we can never be perfect; He is not seeking for self righteous and seemingly "good" men, only God is truly good and righteous. He is seeking men with these qualities: "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word." (Isaiah 66: 2b)

Posted by Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational

Love- The Unquenchable Fire That Warms Our Hearts

Amidst all the darkness, the bitterness, the hatred, the loneliness and sorrows that abound the world, there is a bright shinning element that lightens up the heavy burdens of our existence, and that is love. It is the unquenchable fire that warms our hearts and thaws the coldness of even the most frigid individual. There is no exception. All individuals have the right to love and be loved.

When the eyes of those who are truly in love are locked in that longing and endearing glance, there is that moment of magic that no power on earth can ever negate. And when that longing and endearing glance ends up in a passionate embrace and tender kiss, the world stops revolving for a time to give way to that instance of magic and enchantment.

Yes, no words can ever describe the joy and the increasing beat of the heart of the one who is truly in love. There is no distance, no hindrance, no barrier that could ever separate two souls truly in love with each other. The heart knows, the heart discerns the presence of a love one because time stands still whenever our beloved is around. Music fills the air and the surrounding scenes turn rose colored. There is magic everywhere and we feel like dancing to the beat of the rhythm of our hearts. Our souls soar to heavenly heights screaming with pure joy and ecstasy. Yes nothing, no force on earth can ever replicate the marvelous feeling of being in love. LOVE CONQUERS ALL.

Vignettes From The Pearly Gates (Part 6)

(Day 6)

Everybody else may seem to have the better things in life; we may seem to be perennial losers in the rat races of the world; others may seem to be more appreciated, highly honored and continually praised by men; but remember this, we are co-heirs with Jesus Christ in the kingdom of the Father and realize that, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Corinthians 2: 9)

Posted by Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational

Transformation- The Key To Lasting Change

Every year as the new year approaches, we make a list of our new year's resolutions. At the advent of each new year, there is always a stirring in our souls to break free from our wretched past. But after only a month or so of futile attempts, we always end up a miserable failure. Why? Because by nature, we are weak and prone to sin. By nature, we are prone to violate our own moral standards. And even if we honestly want to change and take on a new path in life, it is almost impossible for us to do so without assistance from a higher supernatural source.

True transformation, wherein we finally break free from our wretched and sinful existence, is done only through the assistance of the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit can effect a genuine and lasting change in our lives where we choose to live a godly life rather than a sinful existence. This is what is termed a born again experience and it can be effected only if we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, confess our sins to Him and let His most precious blood wash clean all our sins in life.

By doing this, we invite the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and our long dormant spirit suddenly becomes alive and active. Thus we become a new creation. Our old sinful selves are dead in transgressions and we are now alive in the grace of God and declared holy by the righteousness of Jesus Christ. That is true transformation wherein we live a new life dedicated to loving and serving God and becoming a vessel and a conduit of God's blessings and grace to others.


THE HARVEST IS PLENTY BUT THE WORKERS ARE FEW. WILL YOU HEED THE CALL OF THE LORD TO BECOME A WORKER IN HIS VINEYARD?

Posted by Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational

Vignettes From The Pearly Gates (Part 5)

(Day 5)

Hurting? Rejected? Are you being loved as much as you are loving? Are you measuring the love that you are receiving more than the love that you are giving? Then know that, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13: 4- 8a)

Posted by Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational

By The Fruits You Will Know The Tree

Do sour trees bear sweet fruits? Or sweet trees bear sour fruits? No, sweet trees bear sweet fruits, and sour trees bear sour fruits. So it is true that by the fruits you will know the tree. This is also true with humans. We know who the person really is by his fruits- how he interacts with other people. A person can say all he wants to say but people will only see the very examples that he does, especially in interacting with other people.

So you want to know how a particular person interacts with others? Ask his immediate family. Ask his house helps and subordinates if he is the superior of other employees. Ask his neighbors and friends. Ask his church mates. The very persons who really know him is his spouse and his parents. Ask them who he really is. You may be surprised by their candid answers.

We may not leave any monuments or lasting memories behind when we are gone from this world, but God will never forget the little things that we have done each day to give a little ray of sunshine to a gloomy neighborhood; that sweet smile that transformed the dreary day of the people we chanced to encounter everyday; the kind words of love and comfort that we generously gave to those in need of them; the extra mile we went through with a friend just to help him get by with his problem; the glass of cold water we handed down to a thirsty stranger or the piece of bread to a hungry beggar; the selfless acts we did when we give way to others even if it is already our turn at the gate.

These and every little selfless acts of kindness we do everyday to all people will reflect the glory of God in our lives and will serve as tiny seeds of righteousness planted in different souls. In due time and with the right conditions, these tiny seeds will sprout, grow and mature into fruit bearing trees that will also produce the sweetest fruits that will reflect and magnify the glory of God in this world.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

You Are The Sunshine of My Life - Stevie Wonder (1970s) USA




by Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational

Vignettes From The Pearly Gates (Part 4)

(Day 4)

The mind is the battle ground of opposing heavenly forces. Good or bad, we choose whatever predominates our mind. But whatever predominates our mind goes down to the heart, and out of the preponderance of the heart determines what we say or do. Let us then fill our minds with, "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." (Philippians 4: 8)

Posted by Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational