Living by God's Will

 

“Come now, you who say, “today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit, ¹⁴yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:13-14)

How many of us have repeated this saying: "If God wills, or If the Lord wills..."? Many times, when we say this saying, we don't think about the profound and true meaning of these words. Why? Because in reality, our entire life—every day, every hour, every minute of it—depends on God's will.

These three simple words carry within them a universe of meaning that we often overlook in our hurried daily existence. When we calmly say, "If God wills," we're acknowledging, perhaps without realizing it, one of the most fundamental truths of human existence: we are not the ultimate authors of our own story. Yet how often do we live as if we were?

James asks a critical question for us to reflect on: What is our life? Have you thought about the answer to that question? It's a question that stops us in our tracks, forcing us to confront the reality of our existence beyond the noise of our daily routines, our plans, and our carefully built schedules.

The answer James gives us is also significant: “We are like a mist that appears and disappears in a short time”. In other words, our lives are temporary. This metaphor is both humbling and beautiful. Think of morning mist rising from a lake or a mountain, present one moment and gone the next. There's something almost poetic about this comparison, yet it carries a sobering truth. Our lives, no matter how significant they may seem to us, are but a brief moment in the grand tapestry of eternity.

Nothing and no one guarantees that you will live another day. This isn't meant to instill fear, but rather to awaken us to the preciousness of each moment we're given. Every sunrise is a gift, every breath an act of divine grace. It is only by God's will that we live, that our hearts continue to beat, that our lungs continue to draw air.

We often live lives out of control, outside of God's will. How easy it is to fall into this pattern! We wake up each morning assuming the day belongs to us, making plans as if we were guaranteed tomorrow, pursuing goals as if our strength and wisdom alone would secure them. We schedule our lives down to the minute, fill our calendars with appointments and commitments, and rarely pause to ask, "Lord, what would You have me do today?"

We often want to use this saying to justify our behavior or the decisions we make, as if God's will be for us not to obey Him. This is perhaps one of our greatest spiritual deceptions—using God's sovereignty as an excuse for our disobedience or laziness. We might say, "Well, if God wills it, it will happen," while neglecting the very responsibilities and callings He has placed before us.

James commends us to think differently. Instead of seeing the Christian life as just another commitment in life, we must understand that everything we do, we do to serve the Lord. My plans are His plans. This shift in perspective changes everything. Suddenly, our work becomes worship, our relationships become ministry opportunities, and our challenges become chances to demonstrate faith.

The story goes that the great composer Johann Sebastian Bach, upon finishing each of his compositions, would write the letters SDG. These letters stand for Soli Deo Gloria, to God Alone be the Glory. This was Bach's way of reminding himself that his music wasn't a way to do a job, it was a way to honor God. Bach understood that his extraordinary talent was not his own achievement, but a gift from the Creator to be used for the Creator's glory.

Imagine if we approached every task, every conversation, every decision with Bach's mindset. What if we ended our workdays, our parenting moments, our acts of service with the same dedication: "To God alone be the glory"? How different would our lives look if we truly believed that our abilities, our opportunities, and our very existence are gifts to be stewarded for His purposes?

We must learn to depend on God's self-sufficiency and understand that His will for our lives is to give us His best. This doesn't mean life will be easy or that all our desires will be fulfilled according to our timeline. Rather, it means trusting that the One who created us knows what we truly need for abundant life, both now and in eternity.

We, too, must honor God by giving Him our best. Not our leftovers, not our second efforts, not what remains after we've served our interests first. Our best energy, our finest gifts, our deepest devotion belong to Him who gave us life itself.

May God bless you and keep you, and may these words renew your spirit as you surrender each moment to His perfect will.

Dr. Dimas Castillo

Rooted in Christ

 

"Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught,and overflowing with gratitude." Colossians 2:6–7

Not long ago, I had a conversation with someone who truly loved gardening. As they shared their passion, I was reminded how much goes on beneath the surface of a plant—how much we never see. My friend told me, “Under every tree, you will find an elaborate and fascinating system of roots.” That imagery struck me deeply.

Curious, I looked into it further. I found that roots are far more than just anchors in the soil—they are lifelines. They draw in essential nutrients, water, and oxygen. They stabilize the plant in storms. They store nourishment for difficult seasons. In other words, if a plant’s roots aren’t healthy and deep, the rest of it cannot survive, much less thrive.! What a powerful image of our life in Christ!

Rooted and Built Up in Him

Paul’s words in Colossians 2:6–7 remind us of the foundation of the Christian life. Just as we received Jesus Christ as Lord—by faith, with humility, in dependence, we are to *continue* in Him the same way. Not with self-effort, but by staying connected to our source.

We are to be *rooted* in Him—meaning our lives are to draw from Him constantly. Not occasionally. Not only on Sundays. But daily, deeply, consistently.

·       When the winds of life blow—whether it’s sickness, loss, uncertainty, or fear—it is only the roots that hold us firm.

·       When the spiritual drought comes, it is the unseen root system of trust, prayer, and Scripture that keeps our faith green and alive.

Just as a gardener places each plant in the right soil for maximum growth, so God has planted us in Christ. And Christ, in turn, nurtures us with His Word, His Spirit, His presence, and His love.

Established in Faith

The more rooted we are, the more *established* we become. This is not about being perfect, it’s about being grounded. Just as a tree with deep roots can bend but not break in a storm, a believer rooted in Christ can stand firm through hardship.

Paul adds that we are to overflow with *thanksgiving*. Gratitude is the fruit of someone whose roots are drinking deeply from the well of grace. The more we grasp what Christ has done for us, the more grateful we become—not just in good times, but even in seasons of trial.

Letting Jesus Be the Gardener of Our Soul

Jesus is not only the soil we are planted in—He is also the gardener who cares for our souls. He prunes what needs cutting. He waters with compassion. He nurtures with truth. He is patient, persistent, and passionate about your growth.

Jeremiah 17:8 paints a beautiful picture of a person who trusts in the Lord: "They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

You were not meant to survive on your own strength. You were meant to *abide* in Him—to let your roots go down deep into Christ.

Reflection and Application

·       Are your roots in Christ healthy and deep, or shallow and struggling?

·       Are you regularly drawing nourishment from His Word?

·       Are you allowing Him to stabilize and strengthen you during storms?

Perhaps today is the day to stop merely surviving and start thriving by choosing to abide in Jesus more intentionally. May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may the Lord use these words to renew your spirit.

Dr. Dimas Castillo

Trapped… but Not Defeated

 

Exodus 14:10–18

Key Verse: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – Exodus 14:14

Have you ever felt like you were trapped with no way out? Maybe it was a financial burden that came out of nowhere, a health crisis with no clear solution, a relationship that unraveled, or a time when false accusations turned trusted friends into skeptics. Life can quickly back us into corners that feel impossible to escape.

That’s exactly where the Israelites found themselves in Exodus 14. After being miraculously delivered from Egypt, they found themselves stuck: the Red Sea in front of them, the desert to the side, and the Egyptian army charging from behind. There was no visible way out. They were, in every human sense, trapped on a dead-end street.

But their story didn’t end there—and neither does ours when we walk by faith.

1. God Uses Tough Times to Grow Us

What’s remarkable is that God led them to this spot. Exodus 14:1–4 makes clear that their path—though it looked like a mistake—was part of God’s plan. Why would God do that? Because He wanted to reveal something deeper: His power, His faithfulness, and His ability to make a way where there was none.

Hard times often feel like punishment. But more often, they’re preparation. God uses difficulty to correct, deepen, and strengthen our faith. Just like plants grow deeper roots when surface water is scarce, our spiritual roots grow deeper when life is hard. Faith isn’t proven in comfort; it’s revealed in crisis.

2. Peace Is a Choice, Not a Feeling

The Israelites responded like many of us would; they panicked. “Why did you bring us here to die?” they cried. (Exodus 14:11). In fear, they lashed out at Moses and doubted God's goodness.

Yet Moses responded not with a strategic plan, but with a profound truth: “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord…” (v.13).

Fear is natural, but faith is intentional. Peace in the midst of pressure doesn’t come from understanding the plan; it comes from knowing the One who holds the plan. When we choose to look at our problems more than we look at God, anxiety grows. But when we fix our eyes on the Lord, peace becomes possible—even in impossible places. 

3. When You Don’t Know What to Do, Do What You Know

God told Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to move forward” (v.15). It may sound strange; move forward where? There was a sea in front of them! But Moses obeyed. He raised his staff, and God did the impossible; He parted the waters.

There will be times when we don’t understand what God is doing. But in those moments, we’re called to keep doing what we know is right. Keep walking in obedience. Keep praying. Keep trusting. And then watch—watch with anticipation to see what God will do.

Conclusion: Trust, Wait, and Watch

In conclusion, we should notice several things about the times when our backs are against the wall.  First, dead ends are God’s opportunity to show His glory. The Israelites learned that day that no situation is beyond the reach of God’s power. What they thought would be their death became their deliverance. What seemed like an ending became the beginning of something unforgettable.

Second, we should remember that tough times do not mean that God is mad at us. There is a harmful notion going around that says that a true and faithful believer never encounters hard times unless they have done something wrong. This is bad and destructive theology. There are scores of references in the Bible that show God's saints going through adversity, not because they are being punished but because they are being used and trained by God. Tough times do not mean that God has turned His back on you.

Third, we need to be reminded that we must choose the attitude that we have for difficult times. We can panic or we can trust.  We can focus on opportunities or liabilities. We can turn away from the Lord or turn toward the Lord. It may not feel like we have the choice of what attitude we will have, but we do.  The negative responses will come naturally.  You will have to make a choice to respond in faithful confidence.

Finally, we are reminded once again that we should never underestimate the power and wisdom of God. No matter how hopeless a situation may seem, we may be on the threshold of one of God's incredible displays of His wisdom and power. We may not see the waters’ part, but we may see lives transformed, circumstances changed, and opportunities provided that would have never happened if we hadn't trusted, waited, and watched what God would do.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may the Lord use these words to help you renew your spirit.

Dr. Dimas Castillo

Keep Asking, Keep Searching, Keep Knocking

Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:7–11

This teaching from Jesus tackles a common and uncomfortable truth about prayer: many of us don’t pray regularly, not because we don’t know how, but because deep down, we’re unsure it makes a difference. We may say we believe in prayer, but our lack of consistency reveals doubts. Jesus speaks directly to this in Matthew 7:7–11, offering encouragement and correction in how we approach God in prayer.

The passage contains a powerful promise: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened." This seems straightforward, but the promise is often misunderstood. It’s not saying that persistent prayer guarantees you’ll get whatever you want. Instead, it reveals important truths about the nature of prayer and the God to whom we pray. First, we must understand that this promise is specifically for believers who have a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is the Creator of all, but He is only a Father to those who are born again.

From this foundation, the passage explores three key qualities of effective prayer: confidence, persistence, and boldness.

1. We Should Pray with Confidence

Jesus compares God to a loving parent. If earthly parents, despite their flaws, give good things to their children, how much more will God, who is perfect, give good gifts to His children? This means we can approach Him confidently, knowing three things: First, His Love: Just as children trust their parents’ desire to provide for them, we can trust God's heart. He wants to meet our needs—not because we’ve earned it, but because He loves us. Second, His Ability: Nothing is too hard for God. Whether we need healing, guidance, strength to overcome sin, or help in hardship, He is more than capable of answering. He is the right one to turn to. Thirdly, His Kindness: God will not give us something harmful, even if we ask for it sincerely. Just as a parent wouldn’t give their child a snake when they ask for a fish, God filters our requests through His perfect wisdom. Sometimes His answer is “no” because what we want would hurt us. James 4:2–3 reminds us that selfish motives can hinder our prayers.

2. We Should Pray Persistently

Jesus’ command to keep asking, seeking, and knocking emphasizes persistence. But persistence is not repetition. It’s not about saying the same thing over and over as if God needs convincing or can be manipulated. Persistent prayer reflects a sincere heart continually turning to God, submitting requests while trusting His will.

So, what should we be seeking, asking, and knocking for? The Westminster Shorter Catechism offers a definition: “Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to His will...” True prayer is not about pushing our will onto God but aligning our desires with His. It’s saying, “Here is what I want, Lord, but I trust Your wisdom more than my own. If this is not good for me, help me want what You want.”

This kind of prayer is powerful—it is honest, humble, and God-centered.

3. We Should Pray with Boldness

The passage reminds us that: We don’t pray extra because we don’t believe it will change anything. But that’s a foolish conclusion. Scripture shows us that God listens, cares, and responds. Still, the question remains: Why do so many prayers seem unanswered? There are several reasons: First, God has said “no,” not “nothing.” Sometimes, He answers differently than we hoped. Second, the timing isn’t right. God’s plans unfold in ways we cannot always see immediately.

Thirdly, God is waiting on us. We might be the answer to our own prayer—God has placed us in situations where He wants to work *through* us. Fourthly, we’re not praying for anything specific. Vague prayers like “bless my marriage” or “help our church” lack clarity. Specific prayers—like asking for better communication, deeper connection, or effective outreach—allow us to see God’s hand more clearly.

Conclusion: Growing in Prayer

Jesus presents prayer as simple: ask, seek, knock. But behind that simplicity lies a deep truth. Effective prayer requires knowledge of God’s will (through Scripture), faith in His power, and a sincere desire for His way above our own.

To deepen our prayer life, this passage encourages setting aside focused time, being specific in requests, maintaining the right attitude, and trusting the Holy Spirit to guide and correct our prayers. We’re reminded that God is more willing to respond than we are to ask.

Finally, imagine what God could do through us—through our church, our relationships, our mission—*if only we would ask*.

May God bless you, and keep you, and may these words help you renew your spirit.

Pastor Dimas

Three Marks of Genuine Faith

 

²⁶ If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world (ESV).

In James 1:26–27, the Apostle James offers a powerful litmus test for authentic faith. In a world where outward religiosity can easily mask inner spiritual emptiness, James strips faith down to its core, revealing three essential marks that distinguish genuine Christianity from superficial religion: control of speech, compassionate service, and moral purity.

1. A Controlled Tongue (v. 26)

James begins with a strong warning: If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. He uses the metaphor of a horse and bridle—just as a horse must be guided by reins, so must our tongues be governed with intentionality. Words are powerful; they can build up or destroy, bless or curse. Jesus echoed this in Matthew 12, saying that our speech reveals the condition of our hearts. It’s not just overtly offensive language that matters, but the subtler sins of gossip, sarcasm, and harshness. James isn’t calling for perfection but for active self-awareness and a desire to grow in speech that reflects a heart transformed by Christ.

2. Active Compassion (v.27a)

True faith, according to James, must be more than personal piety, it must overflow into practical love. “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…” In the context of James' time, orphans and widows represented the most vulnerable members of society. Helping them wasn’t just charity—it reflected a heart aligned with God’s. Yet James goes deeper than the acts themselves. What matters is the motive. Good deeds done for show or self-satisfaction don’t count as genuine faith. True compassion stems from a transformed heart that desires to serve others as an act of worship. It's love that often costs us something—time, comfort, convenience—and that’s the kind of love God values.

3. Pursuit of Purity (v. 27b)

The final mark of genuine faith is a commitment to remain unpolluted by the world “and to keep oneself unstained from the world”. James calls believers to live distinct lives, not isolated from the world, but not shaped by its values either. Sin, he argues, is like a contagious disease. To remain pure, Christians must guard their hearts, be selective about their influences, and immerse themselves in God’s Word—which acts like a vaccine, building spiritual immunity. This isn’t a call to legalism but to active resistance against compromise and moral decay. Purity isn’t about outward appearances; it’s about aligning our lives with God’s standards in every area, from thought to behavior.

Conclusion

James doesn’t mince words. He challenges us to examine our lives and determine whether our faith is genuine or just for show. Is our speech controlled? Are our hands busy serving others? Are our hearts pursuing holiness? These aren’t boxes to check—they’re signs of a life truly surrendered to Christ. At the end of the day, we can fool others and even ourselves, but we can’t fool God. James invites us to move beyond appearances and into a faith that transforms every part of who we are.

May God bless you and keep you, and may God use these words to renew your spirit.

Pastor Dimas