"ThE DeTeRmiNaNt."

       It gives me a smile on my lips. As I reviewed all the things that

happened last year, I realized that all of them will not be transpired

if not by the grace and mercies of our God. In spite of the gigantic

waves and strong winds that surged me and my family in the wide

sea of this life, God makes such storms to be calmed whenever

we come to Him always. And what was carved in my heart while

i'm in that experience is the thing that I will still continue this year.

                        That I will not compromise. I was molded in an environment that
                produces heartaches, hurts and pains. And through these things, I've

                pondered right ways how to deal and react with it when certain things 
                in life doesn't go my wanted way.

         This life is so full of many choices. And every decision has an

exchange of result. The choices that we make determines our destiny. 
In that line, we must meticulously and carefully know the wisdom we
need to learn, right principles that we should hold tightly on, beliefs that
we should firmly believe in, standards that we should first and must

to be considered, and views in life that we must live on. That we may

know where we will stand. On the right ground that makes us stable,

secured and assured. It will be the determinant if this year will be good

or not for you.

                                  The success or failure of an individual depends on their
                       perspective. This year, we should set it again, our perspective,
                       in the mind and the will of Christ. We should set it, firmly, on our
                       selves that the standards we've raised in our self can, and never
                       be compromised. That it will never change no matter what.

       This world never compromises at its own principles.

And we as believers have ours too. Does it mean that we

should set aside the principles we have in order for us to

make ourselves at ease? Certainly not. We have a natural

tendency to think that it's too hard to resist the flow of the

current. In others, they may say that its very hard to maintain

the standard they've set in them. But it is worth the effort 

when you remained still to His principles. Admittedly, it is

easier said than done. But it really counts.

                        And also, despite of the circumstances that you see and you're
                   going through is you still remain to be strong and faithful in holding
                  His promises, still doing the necessary, still standing on what's right
                  even though its unpopular, and still confronting and resisting
                  perverseness and sin.

         We must remain and have to be faithful because He

who has promised is also indeed, faithful.

                                   It's good to start the year proclaiming His promises and
                         declaring positive things in our lives but it is much better that
                         whatever we claim in our lives through the utterance of our lips
                         is also conformed in our actions.

        Probably you're now getting my point. Such thing

speaks to me as well. We should not compromise, as

much as possible. For it will be a molder of our habits,

attitudes, and values.

                                 If you think that you have to compromise a single principle

                    you've set upon yourself so that you'll be at ease, think again. And
                    if you plan to compromise the will of God to be manifested in your
                    life, oh please, don't do so.

        Those who walk earnestly, consistently, and faithfully

under God's direction will receive His full favor and blessing.

And this is a simple principle that I want to continue this year.

And I hope that it may apply to you as well.

                                  While I was operating our light board on our youth service

                     last Sunday morning, in the middle of praise and worship, a good 
                     friend of mine went to my place and told me about something. He
                     said:

                                "I remembered you and there's a stirring in my heart from 
                   God to just say it unto you."

                            "What is it? What's His word that He wants me to hear? I will
                     listen", I replied. 

                            "This is the word for you... 'TRUST.' "

                         

                                   Probably, he's right.

      It takes trusting in God not to compromise. Remember that

applying such insight will determine the fruit of the things that you

will do this year. Stay faithful. Stay trusting. For our God will never

compromise in fulfilling your plans and desires as long as you do

not compromise.

      Oh, by the way, compromising is not a part of His business.