This week, we've discuss about the life of the people who made a great influence to us today. They made a lot of things to be remembered and by what they did, we have learned a lesson. In knowing of their contributions and the circumstances they've encountered I've learned a lot from their lives. For one thing, I've learned that if I wants to devote myself to God I need to sacrifice something or someone. In the service of the King it involves a lot of things. Another lesson I've learned is to continue to serve God even if it is a means of abandonment and rejections from the people I love for the sake of my faith. I realized how striking it was before. It really struck me how they where abandoned, perplexed, despair and crushed for the sake of the Gospel. I like their spirit of being so courageous that even their own family disowned them as a Christian.

               I was encourage as a believer to never give up and will not quit or even recant my faith when the enemy strikes me through persecutions. I remember someone has told me that following to the will of God is costly. Though serving God is not really easy because as the Bible says there's a lot of persecutions but it reminds me the security of the promises of God for me. Also it reminds me the things He did that enables me to be part of His kingdom. The way I think aspires me to continue to do something that is worthy of His calling and to do something that reflect His character. So whenever people or a particular person that would mocked me for the sake of my faith in Christ I will not let it be the reason to stop me form obeying God's commands. In my devotion to God I will continue to do something that would make a difference in people's lives and to continue to acknowledge God.

             In order to apply this in my life into practice I will dedicate myself as much as I can, and as much as I can do to the work that He has entrusted to me. Like the life of the people we have discuss, I will continue to complete the work I have began. I believe that my labor in the Lord is not in vain. In serving Him is through serving others so that the name of Christ be made known unto them. They are still many people who need God and I will serve Him that made an impact by standing firm for what is right. It is living a life that is worth living for. The purpose and reason why I am still alive is that God wants me to care about the people I am ministering to. Another positive changes is to be more devoted to God by means of prayer which builds an intimate relationship between me and God. Communicating to God is a way of thinking that there is no other person but me and God alone which helps me develop my prayer life.

              Being a blessing to the people I've been with is making myself a role model and inspiration to the people. Whatever I do in life, it will serve as a reminders that it is an spiritual act of worship and God loves  those people who seek and do His will as He pleases. According to Rick Warren “ a faithful servant never retire. You(I) can retire with my career, but never will retire from serving God”. By this statement I hope with myself to become loyal to Him no matter what it takes. As I go on in the process of shaping my life I will minister people as a servant for Christ' sake.

Reflection # 6

        I really can't believe during the time of reformation movement that caused many people dying and were killed brutally just to gain power and their other motives. Last Wednesday in the discussion it gives me a clear understanding and be able to think deeply and ask myself, “what if this situation will happen again in my time, what should I do as a christian?” I've learned that truly nothing happens by accident but everything occurs for a purpose. God allowed it to happen for us to learn and to be open minded that we are Christ ambassadors and we are to conquer for greater is He that is in us, we are not a loser. It hurts me because they don't even mind how many people they killed that was not supposed to do by their own hands. Another lesson I've learned that is that only God can judged and punished people though it is very hurtful to know what happen during that time. God is so merciful that He don't struck those people who touch lives of His people but rather He gives grace. Still God is the One who in control of everything even in a worst situation.

        Upon knowing this history in the church I am encourage to study more about the history and to know more about the facts in Christianity so that I can share it with my fellow believers who does not know these information. It motivates me to do something and to pray for those people who are demonstrating love of God courageously. It strengthens my faith and inspires me to be ready and be able to help believers who are not grounded well by the truths. I was reminded that "Do not repay anyone evil for evil" (Romans 12:17)  and "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath"  (Romans 12:19) but instead be good and compassionate that these people need the Lord. As a believer I should continue to proclaim the love of God even in risking my life.

        It inspires me to be more understanding and must have the attitude of forgiving to those people who did something to me or to my love ones. I need to trust God everyday of my journey in life in my ups and down times. It cheer me to read God's word in order to have an intimate relationship with the Father so that when circumstances strikes me I will not be easily fall but rather get up and kneel down on my knees to exercise my reliance to God and apply principles for living. I should have a right thinking in a broken world. I will continue to focus on God though life's storms may hit me but I must continue to surrender everything to God even my life.