Wisdom: Comes From And Brings Down --- Heaven

Our current generation is now living a life affected mostly by the advancement of technologies, which are evolving too fast, dynamic, and influential. We can't deny it in our daily lives, personal, family, work, community, even here in our church. These enhances our living becoming more productive in doing other more important things to do. Moreover, people nowadays are becoming more intellectual, radical, social (at least in Virtual Space).

However, its danger is it also affects our wisdom. The thoughts in the mind reasons purely by what is in the mind injected by our studies, profession, and with these advanced technologies. We tend to equate them as wisdom, therefore, Atheist are now becoming more popular belief in this world. They nullify God because there is no more space left in our brain to know Him. 

Wisdom does not only comes in the mind, if it is, it's purely knowledge or intelligence. Wisdom only comes from our God, he delivered it through our experiences in our lives, through our hearts, and through His Spirit. If we talked spiritual matters to non-spiritual people, we talk non-sense to them. Because first, they are not interested to it as they wanted to occupy their mind with what the world's knowledge has to offer only. Second, they do not want to hear about Jesus and His teachings to trigger convictions to their heart. Lastly, they do not acknowledge a Divine guidance that everything they will do is a decision and action to be executed by themselves alone.

I am reminded in James 3:17 "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." The brother of Jesus who are among the people who doubted Christ when He was advancing His ministry here on earth, are now rebuked when Jesus show Himself alive and being true to about everything He and all the prophets had prophesied. But thank God, James has learned and told us where the wisdom will come from and what it bears. Apart from these categories are merely reasoning of pure intelligence.

We are not ask by God to rebel to anyone who do not believe in Him, indeed, he want us to maintain a good relationship with Him, do good works to them, that for every good things we do will be a slap on their face. Jesus' only desire is for us to preach His word and let it be heard in the ends of the world. But if we do these things, let the Holy Spirit of God lead us and share with us His wisdom. So that when we speak, it will show it purity, love of peace, considerations, submission, mercy, good fruits, justice and sincerity. 

God bless everyone!

Idolatry - The Danger of Like & Share Faith

Today as the technology advances, our generation is also pressured to embrace it. The social media, for instance, is becoming part of our daily lives not to include the different kinds of mobile devices to make these applications easily accessible. These technologies, indeed, influence us, rule us, and enslave us to the worst as we become more dependent to it. The absence of it now makes our day incomplete, especially to our younger to middle-aged generations.

Every technology owners would like to promote their products and will make every effort to make them attractive as every usage means profit. I know that it meant for a certain purpose, but mostly the product is being abuse in other aspect. And today as religions of the world are becoming unpopular and becoming a little piece of our lives, gods are now migrating to these new technologies. These become our gods. Idolatry is no longer contained to statues or any images worshiped by people, it is now elevated to the worship of the advancing technologies, rather to keep it a tool for our daily living only.

I just want to remind everyone to beware of this danger. We may not be worshiping it as we know it, but our attitude and hearts are indeed suggesting it. This similar situation occurred in the times of King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon where he forced his kingdom to worship the image he constructed asking even the Jews to do it. Except for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who refuse to do it even it will lead to their death.

Daniel 3: 16-18 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

A warning to everyone that we can live to the grace and mercy of our living God alone and we can rely to it; our faith should remain to Jesus who saves us. Not a simple like (thumbs up) to a certain chain post will heal you, prosper you, or save you from death (temporarily or eternally). Avoid the command to bow to the call of the social media to share it for simple reason of avoiding the bad luck as what the post suggest. Our God is not limited of space and time, much more to any man-made world of Social networking. Be firm, that the faith is only acted on the call of our True God, not from anyone else. 

God bless everyone!

The Best Decision Comes With Love AND Wisdom

The "ber" month has already started and we are looking forward to Christmas season and to a New Year. And our culture is to prepare as early as today for the Christmas celebrations, not only that, we are a fan of New Year resolutions. We prepare a long list of what we want to change or to happen in the next year to come.

And we all know that making decision is a difficult task. We have to consider many things before we come to the final one. And I know that there are many times in our lives where we are required to provide a critical choice. Like listing our goals for the next year, most of the times we only achieved few. Why? Simply because ... we are not used to the changes and are not prepared enough to pursue it. We need lots of preparations, we sometimes succeed but also we failed. But that is part of learning and a good exercise of making a sound decision as long as we are gaining the wisdom, the knowledge, and the experience every time.

In Philippians 1:9-11, Apostle Paul added "And I pray this, that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God."

Love is and always be the primary foundation of every decision; not of anger, of malice, of advantage, or of selfishness. Moreover if added with knowledge and insights; it will produce not only but the best one. We will know it as the best only if it results to sincere, blameless, and righteous consequences. Of course, it is achievable and will not be difficult through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

God bless everyone!

Acknowledge Individuality - Break the Differences

It is too common for us to be easily annoyed when things that surround us are not what we expect to see, hear, experience, and the like. When our family and loved ones are getting into addictions, when our work colleagues adds cause you more pressure and stress, when your community are not improving rather getting worse, and many more. We wish that it is better if they are not around or exist. 

Paul in his encouragement to us in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 not to look at the weaknesses of the people around us. He says "12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who labour among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you,13 and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all. 15 See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all." 

Our human instinct is to give the same of what we receive, as we ourselves wanting to act on behalf of the principle of sowing and reaping for others. We have already forgotten that this principle is a divine blessing and not a curse. That is why Paul reminds us not to pay evil back with evil. He wants everyone to extend helping hand to everyone who are in need, not only in material scarcity but mostly to those who are weak in flesh, in mind, in attitude, in character, and in spirit. 

The next time we look at someone you really annoyed with, take a deep breath, close your eyes, and remind yourself that he is also a human like you and are equal. So that when you reopen your eyes, you will see a new creation whom Jesus also shed His blood for and has forgiven. Now, it is your chance to show kindness and share the same grace you received from God above! 

God bless everyone!

Do you think it’s right? Yes or No?

"Do you think it’s right?"

When I was asked with this similar question, I feel obliged to provide a qualified answer acceptable to the person who asked this. Not only that, I also have to carry the burden of the real story behind this simple query. The question has options to be answered in many ways such as political, legal, moral, spiritual, etc. It will depend on how I perceived it based from whom it originates from.

As a servant of the Living God, I need to consider an answer which mostly morally and spiritually right and not only the legally acceptable. There are many political rules, laws, rights in many parts of the world that seems wrong a few years back but now legislatively right. There are norms and cultures that are previously detestable but now socially tolerable because it adapts according to the trend in our current generation which now are politically right.

In Philippians 2:1-2, Apostle Paul says “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”

These phrases reminded me that we as Christians should keep ourselves in the attitude of Jesus in soul (thinking), in heart (love), in spirit, and in mind. That with the unity of these four aspects of our lives with Him, we can naturally produce encouragement, comfort, common goals, care and compassion to others.

Keeping these as part of our very selves, the answers to the above questions is for sure the most acceptable answer not only to the person who asked it from you but also to the God who is associated well to your being. It will flow naturally and as a result, it produces an acceptable and suitable wisdom to both. Be firm to answer it a Yes or a No, the why will be answered with the help of God who stays in your being. 

God bless everyone!

A Genuine Christian Is Free Of Self-Deception

When we were young, we were brought up by our parents to what they want us to be. Usually they groomed us to be the person whom they admired and hoped to become but didn't happen. They wanted us to continue the dreams they did not achieved. But I know that other parents wanted to bring out the best from their children and allow them to choose the path they want to take. Whether we like it or not, our success and failure are a product of how our parents guided and influenced us.

It has no difference to what God's desire for us, his children. He surely desire to let us find our true selves whom God plan us to be. But most of the time, we want to be of someone else rather than simply be ourselves. There is no wrong in this attitude, if and only if this desire is also aligned to our capabilities, skills, characters, and God's will and purpose in our lives. Like our biological parents, God is so glad to see his children succeeding in their lives and to all the aspects of it. But if not, then this attitude is just a self-deception and will lead us to failure one day.

Apostle Paul reminded us in Galatians 6:3 when he says "For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself." We have given the spiritual gifts, talents, and fruits; and God wants us to use them not for our own glory but for Him. We have to serve in God's vineyard but we cannot simply assume any roles, responsibilities, and tasks without His approval. Therefore in everything we do for God's Kingdom, we have to review it at all times as Paul suggest in verse 4 to "Let each one examine his own work. Then he can take pride in himself and not compare himself with someone else."

God wants us to be the person with integrity and be proud of our achievements in different areas of our lives but it must be of no self-deception. He loves us as a real person and not as a puppet that lives only in others expectation. Do not allow selfish ambition, envy, arrogance, and power overcomes us. Rather, let us remain humble before others and before our God and live as genuine as possible without any trace of self-deception. 

 

God bless everyone!

Listen to Jesus' Voice to Walk By Faith

Getting lost is a difficult situation. You are exerting all efforts to figure out how did you get there, and worse, how will you get over it? We started to worry, panic, and fear especially if no one to give you some help. Are we in this situation now? Are we in a position that we have tried our very best to resolve things but we still found ourselves to nowhere? Where are we heading?

Our lives are like a boat and we ride to it. We go to a journey that mostly relies simply to ourselves and serve to be the captain of it as we sail through the sea. But the trip is not always safe and smooth. Strong winds challenge us, the sea currents defy us, and sometimes even the lightning strikes us. We encounter troubles, storms, and even disasters as we go along.

In John 6:16-21, the apostles sailed through the night and they seem lost as they are occupied with worries because of the storms shaking their boats and filling them with water. Then Peter saw Jesus walking on the water from a distance and added fears to their struggles. At last Jesus speak to Peter and so they willfully allow Him to be with them in their boat. After Jesus came in, immediately they reached their desired destination. (John 6:20-21, But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.)

In times of adversities, we lost our focus on the object of our faith and starting to divert our attention to the storms in life which usually build up the walls of doubt and later develop into ghost that fears us, destroys our focus, and kills our faith. The object of our faith is no other than Jesus, our Salvation and our Eternal Life. Even if we lost Him from our sight, we must not forget about His voice. He speaks to us. His voice is loud and clear, preached and echoed in every letter inscribed in the Bible. If we listen and follow His voice, even though we are lost, we will still find our way towards Him through faith.

The best thing is when He comes into our boat (our life) the effect is immediate; you will reach the very shore of your destination, it may be a longer journey but you are initially directed on the right track; what a good start, indeed!

God bless everyone!

Church, Do It In the Name of Jesus!

The humble beginning of our satellite church here in Point Cook started from a simple bible study meeting. We opened our place for this kind of gathering and later decided to open for the home church service. Is our church real? It looks like a fancy little group of people who simply gathers together with the appointed pastor leading the group in every services and activities.

We need to be careful of what our church bears and does that recognize us as a genuine Christians. Paul shared in Colossians 3:16-17 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Primarily, our church must dwell in God's words. We need to soak ourselves with the Words of God; we must read the Bible that records the word spoken by God and Jesus. If any Christian faith-claiming organizations prohibit at least a single member from reading the Bible, they are a big hoax. If school courses require many books for references to study, we are not the exception to this with our Bible, which also survives time while preserving its content and the wisdom that strengthens our faith.

Secondly, our church must be attending services that enjoy the spiritual fellowship. The church is God's people and we are called to gather to exhort one another, learn and be inspired from everyone's wisdom and be in unity in praising and worshiping the Almighty God.

Thirdly, our church must be known as Church that bears the name of our Lord Jesus Christ as the author of our salvation, the giver of Grace and Mercy, and the Son of the Living God. If a church exist less of Jesus or not acknowledging Jesus as God, that church is simply a big cult.

Lastly, our church must always be grateful to God - The Father - through His only Son Jesus in everything. It must be the core of our existence to live in harmony, in unity, in victory, and most especially in eternity with Jesus. 

God bless everyone!

True Freedom Through Spirit-filled Lifestyle

Looking back to my earlier days, I feel chained by poverty that seems too impossible for me to get out of it. I still remember that as I age more and understand what my true situation was, I feel even harder for everyday that ends. It was a difficult situation for me, indeed; but I thank God for He did a great job to put everything in my life in order under His careful instruction and supervision.

God made us and breathed us to life, and so His spirit was shared in us too. Only if we learn to believe that God does exist in our lives, then we can make use the power behind it to the most possible way. God is too willing to free us from any form of bondage like pain, sufferings, inequities, and sins. He wants to restore not only the broken relationship between us and Him but also to restore us as His precious creation. We are the only creation of God that He breathed to live, and that makes us the apple of His eye.

Paul, in His letter to the Corinth churches, reminded them the presence of God's Spirit and the privilege that it brought to those who acknowledge it. It was stated in 2 Corinthians 3:17 --- "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom." God wants us to experience true freedom that can't be influenced by anything the world can offer, but only if we learned it through His divine presence in our lives.

Jesus in His ministry on earth promised us to send The Father's advocate and that is the Holy Spirit. It should be the our utmost desire to acknowledge Him in every moment we live because He gave us more than freedom and these are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). I encourage everyone to enjoy true freedom by living a spirit-filled lifestyle.

God bless everyone!

Shared Responsibility: Do Not Be A Stumble Block

During my advanced military training way back on my university days, we were thought of the very common principle “Obey first, before you complain.” This discipline has embedded to me and I allow myself to submit to any person that has authority over me, most especially to our God. In the same way, I am sharing the same principle to others if there are opportunities and with shared responsibility.

Before, my idea of being obedient to this principle is simply following any orders given by my superior. And when it came a time for me to impart this to others, I feel the burden while sharing it to them. I have learnt that there is hidden joint responsibility to it which is to be a role model to my subordinates. The moment I told them about the value of full obedience without any hesitations, then the burden of bearing the influential authority and its responsibility felt heavier. Thereafter, everything I am about to say, to act, and to think must be carefully presented to avoid them copying anything that is wrong both to them and to the organization.

In the same way to our Christian Community, every believer has responsibility to carefully examine their ways in dealing with people of different beliefs, moreover, to weaker people of the same belief. Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 8:9, “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.”

Weaker people are mostly new members of our church who are starting to know our God and Jesus but also extended to those who have already been with us for longer time and remains child in their spiritual lives. They believe in God but also they look at us as an authority over their faith. Bearing this right is dangerous as it may lead them to stumble if we committed things which are against God’s authority and influence. Though we have the responsibility to behave well imitating Jesus as the best role model for Christian living, we also need them to understand who they should look up to and that is our dear Lord Jesus only.

We must lead them towards Jesus and focus their eyes only to Him, following His instructions, commandments, and teachings; so that even if we fail to the human standard, we will avoid contributing to their own stumble if there will be any.

God bless everyone!

The Price Of Your Soul

The legality of same-sex marriage in America has finally declared legal throughout its whole nation and is a trending topic in the whole world, indeed. Different Groups, Communities and even Christian Believers have their different views of this worldwide historical event of humanity. A dangerous question is --- what is our view about it?

In my personal view only and as per my Christian background, I strongly disagree of its legality. Not that I don’t want these people to be happy but I firmly believe that if this becomes the law of the land, the whole nation will be opened up to participate in vulnerabilities of its acts. Moreover, this does not differ to legalizing divorces, prostitution, gambling, adult pornography and the like. We all know how these legalities affects the people getting involve to it, enjoying it, and later on abusing it are ending their lives in miseries (but not everyone, of course, those who find their way out of it). I would like to remind myself about Jesus question to us in Mark 8:36-37 that asked us, “­­­­36­ What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”  

It seems to be that there are people who are looking for opportunities to win the world and yet losing their soul. Our soul is our very essence, the God’s design as part of His universal creation, which acts for a greater purpose in our lifetime to do His good will. And although we cannot control the world as we do not own it, WE CAN control ourselves. Even if we live in this world now where people are willing to lose their soul, we can still choose to keep our soul and avoiding what the world offers (1 John 2:16 - For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.)

Again, let me ask you the same question --- what can you give in exchange for your soul? 

God bless everyone!

Return To The Lord With All Your Heart

There are people whose hearts are hardened by their experiences and starting to ignore God and denying His utmost participation in our daily lives. Some are due to sorrows, difficulties, and disabilities but others are due to their self-confessed successes in our lives. We tend to forget God when we are reaping fruits of our labour like bearing education, a well-paid job, a great career and promotion, a good business, and many more. Because we enjoy them most, we get rid the joy God has given and shared to us from the time we were borne.

In His ultimate plan for us to reconcile with Him, He called everyone to return to Him with true repentance. He allowed His own Son, Jesus, to die for our sins and be restored with Him in the same way Jesus has risen and ascended to heaven to join Him. But He wants with all of our heart and not of compulsion. Even before the time of Jesus ministry here in earth, God wants His people to return to Him as He is merciful, compassionate, slow to anger, and most of all His loyal love to all of us. He confirms this in Joel 2:12-13, 12 "Yet even now," the Lord says, "return to me with all your heart - with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your garments!" 13 Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and boundless in loyal love - often relenting from calamitous punishment.

God, in the same way when Jesus arrives on earth to save the sinners, shows His abundant love to us (read John 3:16). Jesus is a reflection of God's mercy and compassion that He allowed Himself to submit selflessly to the will of God to save the humanity once and for all. Jesus teachings and words are all scattered like a seed in the field to grow. But the seed is now in the soil of our hearts to keep, to nurture, to grow, and to bear fruits. And no matter what external influences of the world to steal, kill and destroy it; we will remain steadfast and always returning to Him from this life and to the next life to come.
 

God bless everyone.

Christians - The Watchmen

Christians are known to be peace-loving people. We are expected to behave well both in private and most especially in public. As much as possible, we avoid getting involved in any trouble to anyone or caught having trouble to others but, of course, it's inevitable. 

There are times where we were witnessing others doing things which are against God's law and are evil in His eyes. Every believer is challenged when facing this kind of situation, especially if it involves our close families and friends. God drawn us to Jesus, therefore, we are saved by believing Him that He is the Lord, He is risen, and He is the Son of God. He has also given us His Lamp to be the Light of the world for those who are in darkness (Matthew 5:14-16) by doing righteous before the Lord.

God appoints us to be our brother's watchman. If we knew someone, whether we are in relationship with them or not, and they commit sins or wickedness; we MUST warn them! God spoke to His prophet in Ezekiel 33:8-9 that says "8 when I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you must certainly die,' and you do not warn the wicked about his behavior, the wicked man will die for his iniquity, but I will hold you accountable for his death. 9 But if you warn the wicked man to change his behavior, and he refuses to change, he will die for his iniquity, but you have saved your own life.

We value our relationship to everyone around us, but if it's about time to rebuke, to correct, or to warn them even at the point of breaking our connection with them, we need to do it. It is our obligation to comply to bring the lost souls back to God's feet and live a righteous lives. Whether they will change or not, we have at least done our part as primary accountable to their ignorance of God's righteousness. Moreover, we should be accepting others warning as well as submission to this same command of God especially if we are caught sinning against Him. 

God bless everyone!

Both May Or May Not Prosper, So Do It Anyway!

On the very first time that I decided to start the new FBGC church service in Point Cook, I feel worried about the possibility that it may not work for me. Moreover, I was also ordained to be the local pastor in this new community of believers. Although I have that desire in my heart and seeing the vision in my mind for what this church will look like, I really have no idea that I will serve as the pastor of this church, given my lack of experience in this field.

With my doubt, I did not stop to do what God has called me to perform. We open our home to serve as our initial venue for the opening of our church service, we organize according to what task each pioneering members can carry out, we plan for some activities that help us to grow as a church for both workers and members like Beginners Bible Class, organizing Cell Group for smaller group bible studies and fellowship, and many more. At this moment, we have just moved to a new place God has prepared for us to serve as new place of meeting with Him.

Truly God confirms to me that we are called to be qualified even if we are not. He also revealed to me that everything we do for God, let us just do it as what said in Ecclesiastes 11:5-6 that " 5 Just as you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones form in the womb of a pregnant woman, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. 6 Sow your seed in the morning, and do not stop working until the evening; for you do not know which activity will succeed - whether this one or that one, or whether both will prosper equally."

Therefore, I urge you to continue to serve in whatever God called you for - whether it is for a small or big task, for simple or complex roles, and for obvious or discreet service. As long as we do our part, God will also do His part. The success is not for us to think of as we do not really know how our God works.

God bless everyone!

Always Take A Second Look

Everyone is dreaming a good life free of any troubles, hardships, and sorrows. Who doesn’t want it? But when we are going to ask Jesus about it, I think he will give us a very good illustration of taking the path between life and destruction which I think in my own opinion refers to facing the different problems we may encounter of choosing Him against the world.

Jesus says in Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." He is warning us of choosing life against death, Him or the evil world, heaven or hell. He is showing us the options and the rewards after you have taken which path.

Jesus unfolds to us the true life while we are here on earth and living a life imitating Him and His deeds. Our eyes, as the windows of our soul, are easily blinded by the world due to the lust of the flesh. And what we see is what we want, that is why Jesus reminded us many times that walking with Him must be through faith and not through sight. Though we are experiencing sufferings today by obeying our God, therefore we cannot enjoy what the world enjoys; we are going to be rewarded in the end.

I urge you to always have a second look of what choices we are making in our lives. Always get ourselves reminded of Jesus’ reflection of the two different gates. Sometimes, those less popular one and hard to find will give the most precious reward. Be patient always if you think what you are doing now doesn’t make sense, for all your hardships does no really equate to nothing rather to a beautiful gift of life not only today but to the days to come where we will be forever with Jesus.

God bless everyone!

Be a Blessing, Not a Curse

I forgive but I do not forget!"

This quote is one of the popular, if not the famous statement, that we can hear or read in social networking posts coming from persons who received pains, betrayals, sorrows, and troubles from family, friends, acquaintances, or even strangers. It is a sad situation to witness that once best of friends with their number of years of great relationship will simply be ruined because of sinning against each other that reach ones limit. Then when they start talking to each other, they will learn the things that they hate from each other before, although they have already forgiven themselves before, but it was not really forgotten.

This kind of relationship and situation are becoming very popular now. Worst thing a person can do to others is to retaliate verbally, physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. We tend to cast curses, slander, or do the same way how it was done to us even to point of threatening others’ lives. Scary but true. It is simply because evil is taking that opportunity where a person is most vulnerable and that's when they are in their burning anger.

I was reminded by the Bible verse in 1 Peter 3:9 which says "Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing." We mostly forget about this simple principle of acting graciously when we received evil and insult from others. Even Jesus teaching says that when someone strike us on our cheek, we turn the other as well (Matthew 5:39). Jesus knows that the person in anger is not fully aware of what he is going through. These people who are causing us pains are probably experiencing hatreds, sufferings, addictions, sins, troubles and problems; and reacting with same anger may not help them at all if the intention is to simply keep them away.

People in anger need help, they may be waiting for a blessing to come such us understanding, comfort, companion, sympathy, and the like. Instead of us returning them with evil and insult, why don't we try to bless them instead? Because with that humble attitude towards the others; you are already sharing the blessings that you have also received from Jesus --- the new you that bears the image of God. Therefore as a new creation, let us remember 1 Peter 3:8 - "Finally, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, affectionate, compassionate, and humble." Learn to be a blessing to everyone and not a curse.

God bless everyone!

The Bible and Its Design

The Bible is our “Basic Information Before Leaving Earth”. This serves as our primary reference for everything to live here on earth; in peace, in righteousness and in saving grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. It reveals great wisdom from different authors of the books, moreover, the scriptures spoken and written by our God. Everything written to it has great significance; well, it may be boring in some part of the books when read but that is of equal importance.

Why are we studying the Bible? Aside from being one of the longest surviving books of the early people, this is written not to entertain, inform, and teach the reader but to transform, inspire, refresh, and give insights and wisdom for those who dig on every stories, verses, and context inside of it. The message revealed is always new at every instance you read it, it maybe mysterious but this is how God designed it.

I have not seen any books that a single verse can give several meanings and penetrate the heart and mind of every vulnerable reader. The Bible is totally useless for those who do not want to be ruled by it. For some, it is a simple books placed in the corner of our bookshelves covered with dust. For most of us, even those who claim to be Christians, failed to unleash and experience the promises and power of every words embedded in it.

The Bible records what God did along with its endless stories, the Bible is also telling it again and again until the end has come. Ecclesiastes 3:14-15 (NET) "I also know that whatever God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken away from it. God has made it this way, so that men will fear him. Whatever exists now has already been, and whatever will be has already been; for God will seek to do again what has occurred in the past.

God bless us always!

Jesus - A Soul Caretaker

There was a recent miracle witnessed by the whole world over the execution of Mary Jane Veloso, the convicted drug courier to Indonesia and sentenced with a death penalty through firing squad. It was, indeed, a miracle because she was the only one spared of life among the eight other prisoners who were in the same firing line to face the gruesome act of Indonesian laws.

All Filipinos around the globe are celebrating and truly overwhelmed by God’s Saving Grace and granting the prayers to spare MJ’s life. Everyone is in the attitude of praise, giving glory and honour to Him. This event is a true test of faith not only by the Filipinos but by MJ herself. The scripture is true that “only our own faith can saves us.” MJ says that “Na kahit gahibla na lang na oras ang natitira, kung gusto ng Panginoon na mabuhay ako, bubuhayin pa niya ako.” Her story really moves every Filipino in their faith and in tears simply because everyone believes, she is only a victim of human and drug trafficking syndicate.

I wonder during the times of Jesus crucifixion or even the time He was sentenced to death, how many people have prayed to get Him spared? Is there any single person ever question the rule of court to get Jesus freed from any convictions? Indeed, even Pontius Pilate did not found anything worthy for Jesus to be sentenced to death but he still forced to die. Not even Jesus or even our God – The Father, saves Him from this suffering. It is simply because Jesus came to the world to save, and not to be saved. His sufferings are our sins which His body carried and is crucified together in the Cross of Calvary.  Worse is that He has to die with it as this symbolizes that our sins need to die as well.

But Jesus death is not a bad news at all, it looked bad but it is indeed a very good news; because He was raised on the third day to live and bring righteousness to everyone who will believe in Him. God’s wounds allow us to get healed in our own wounds --- wounds in physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of our lives, which can be found through all the sins we have committed against God. We may experience sufferings in times but like Jesus, we will gain righteousness and live with it the same like Him. And like Mary Jane, we may get lost our soul due to all troubles and pains; look for it again and return to God to let Him be the Caretaker of our souls.

"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. - (1 Peter 2:24-25)."

Improvement Through Faith

Preaching the Gospel of Jesus is the main task of every believer and follower of Christ. We will encounter many kinds of people of different norms and culture, life statuses, and levels of intelligence in every moment of sharing the good news brought to us by Jesus. And in the presence of dynamic information technology in today's generation, spreading the good news is being presented in more creative and fancy way, and distributed very fast and connecting to the world too easily.

But great power has great responsibility. Everyone wants to upgrade our skills in these technologies and embracing it, incorporating it, and becoming part of our daily lives. Our core of sharing the Gospel of Jesus is becoming a habit of simple explanation and message created by the author and we are agreeing only most often. Our job to scrutinize it, study it, and understand it is now disregarded; rather, we simply believe it to be the truth as it was revealed. If we lost our access to all our high technologies, we are getting lost as well in our faith.

Mostly, these technologies are becoming popular and forgetting the core of sharing the Gospel of Jesus. Instead of opening our bible and read it by ourselves with asking guidance from the Holy Spirit, we mostly rely to someone else's revelation. This attitude then reflects in our conduct to others, that is where everyone should be worried about. Paul reminds us in Colossians 4:5-6, "Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone."

With technologies, the sincerity of a person sharing the Gospel of Jesus is being hidden. The tone of voice, heart's faith, God's wisdom and revelation, and genuine emotions are not passed to the person whom we are sharing Jesus to. If we are true believer of Christ, we are responsible to maintain the integrity of every word of God and His scriptures; because modifying it will not cause any blessings at all but a curse. God is concerned more in upgrading ourselves through Faith rather than upgrading ourselves through technologies in the very Core of Jesus Gospel. 

God bless everyone!

Righteousness - A Work Of Faith

To most of us, churchgoers; coming to the church services is one way for us to show that we are active members of such church. However when outside of the church service, do we still keep ourselves active in expressing our faith? Or we simply keep ourselves quiet about it and simply go along with the worldly deeds of our unbeliever peers.

The brother of Jesus, James, reminds us in his epistle that faith must be accompanied with works -- "For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead." --James 2:26. There are two separate phrases in this verse which are correlated with each other as the former refers to the church and the latter to its member.

Being member of Christ's church does not start and end in coming and leaving the church service. Membership starts on the day of your salvation, the time you accepted Jesus as your Savior and repented on your sins; and ends in eternity with Jesus. Our physical death will not end our goal for eternity, it is only an end of our physical bodies but it continuous until Jesus has return and judge the world. Therefore, in everything we do, comprehend, think, and feel; it must exhibit our faith which Jesus established in our hearts. The faith that God gave us as a result of His salvation must support the fulfillment of the law of God and not to break it. The church that breaks the law of God does not bear the Spirit of God which he also leaves in us to be our guide and our power to advance all the good works God asked us to perform.

But being a member of the church is not a guarantee of eternity because every person has to work on its own salvation. Church of Christ has already established to bring every soul inside of it. But once you are in, every member needs to exercise the faith that they accepted, a visible faith that is lighted up and is giving light especially in darkness.

The faith does not just believe God and knowing Jesus, it has to be accompanied by works acceptable to God which is righteousness. As a clue in James 2:19 says "You believe that God is one; well and good. Even the demons believe that - and tremble with fear."

God bless everyone!

Be Contented as a Child

When I was looking at the old photographs of my children, it reminds me how beautiful they are when they were still babies and I noticed how quiet and contented they are when I was carrying them in my arms. It is good to be a child, indeed, as you are not aware what things are happening around you. 

Psalms 131:1-3 

1 O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor do I have a haughty look. I do not have great aspirations, or concern myself with things that are beyond me. 

2 Indeed I am composed and quiet, like a young child carried by its mother; I am content like the young child I carry. 

3 O Israel, hope in the Lord now and forevermore! 

The psalmist in Psalms 131 is trying to console himself and not to concern the things that are beyond his. With our limited knowledge and wisdom, we cannot explain and longs for things that cannot reach by human capabilities. There are things that we can only hope for to God that everything we need will be taken care of by Him. Like a mother to His child, God want us to rest in His Hope. 

Though we all on our way to maturity in knowledge, experience, and physical aspects; our attitude toward God's control over our lives must remain like a child. We need to be humble before God and do not boast about ourselves as his child doing everything he required from us to do. Instead, he encouraged us to hope in God about concerns that we cannot understand even to the point of suffering while serving Him. 

God wants to reach us and hold in His arms, and take his rest. Resting before God assures us of peace away from any troubles we are worried about. God wants us to keep ourselves quiet and be a child before Him, that as a child we simply trust our mother as she carries us in her arms. 

There, our contentment allows us to enjoy the moment with her. The next time we come before God, let everyone of us hope to the Lord now and forever to enjoy peace in eternity with Him. 

God bless everyone!!!

Be With God or Completely Useless

There was an event during the days of Jeremiah where God shows a great illustration of how he desire to bound Israel to Him forever, to be His chosen people (read Jeremiah 13:1-11). But in all the efforts of God to restore them, they keep on failing and breaking the heart of God. He was then making a decision to punish them and like the linen belt will be completely useless. God shows us that the linen belt was initially a new one. It is tied to Jeremiah's waist and it looks great, he is happy to wear it and show to everyone how good the belt is. Likewise as the chosen people of God and though we are not new, God declared us as His new creation when reconciled with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. It says in 2 Cor 5:17, "So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away - look, what is new has come!"

When Christ holds us or wears us in Him, His favors is also with us. He is too happy to showcase us as to world and how blessed we are knowing we are side by side with our God. What a great joy and privilege it is, indeed! But He also warns us that if we were kept away from Him, we are going to be useless. But that's the good thing about it; we are only going to be useless, if and only if, we are placed under the soil for some time and were ruined. This is a kind of warning that we do not want to happen in us, I believe.

God illustrated that getting ourselves away from Him; we'll end up being useless. We don't set our time, talents and treasure to Him anymore. We are too busy in our lives and keep on forgetting a time for prayers, devotions, reading the Bible, and fellowship. We are no longer interested to join the church services, meeting and gatherings and offer some help and assistance through ministries, evangelism and mission. We are so contained to the basic personal needs and gratifying wants, allotting nothing for the Lord; giving offerings and tithes now in compulsion.

All of these actions are becoming regular and seems to be normal, are also the soils that will bury us deep into ruin which later make us to be totally useless. Again in Jeremiah 13:9-10, “This is what the LORD says: ‘In the same way I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem. These wicked people, who refuse to listen to my words, who follow the stubbornness of their hearts and go after other gods to serve and worship them, will be like this belt—completely useless!"

God bless everyone!

Examine Our Ways and Return to God

“Why should any living person complain when punished for his sins? נ(Nun) Let us carefully examine our ways, and let us return to the Lord. Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven” - Lamentations 3:39-42.

When staring in a beautifully painted wall, we may get amazed to its outstanding beauty at the first look. But staring to it for some time, we start looking for the defects, a hole, paint patches, dirt, etc. The tendency of human mind is to always try to find out of what makes a perfect imperfect.

It seems that there is no difference in our relationship with our God, we tend to complain on His alleged imperfections to us especially when we feel punished by our committed sin. We assume that God is unfair as if it is Him who caused these pains to us. We are acknowledging our sin against Him, thus we repent, but we do not want to be punished. This is not a true repentance then, it is just admittance.

Though God accepted us wholeheartedly, we still have to bear the consequences of all our actions while still in earth - from past, present and future. Jesus forgives our sin when we confess before him and He breaks the eternal death as a reward for true repentance, however, it is not guarantee that you will have a good life based to what you like or based to human standard. But if we continue to our walk WITH Him, we are guaranteed of contented life through the guidance of His Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).

I encourage everyone to always examine our ways and return to God where we have to ask for His wisdom and guidance. We submit our hearts and long for God's help instead, rather than complaining of our situation that is not according to what we expect. Because changes in our sinful ways is impossible without God's lending hands. He is waiting for you to lift your hands to Him and He is very willing to reach you and renew your heart. For "... if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away - look, what is new has come!” - 2 Corinthians 5:17. 

God bless everyone!

Participate in God's Restoration

When we accepted Jesus as our personal Lord and Saviour with all our heart, in truth and in action; we experienced a rebirth of our spirit. We, together with Christ, have overcome death which is the wages of sin and given a renewed life born of Spirit from God and promised of eternal life with Him. This metamorphosis drama of redemption is indeed an illustration of God's abundant grace and love to all humanity. Finally, we are now restored in our relationship with God that once had been broken by our sin.

The faith of every believer, his cries, and his longings; moves God spirit and that what gives us the opportunity to live a renewed lives. Jesus, in one important event of his ministry on earth, awakened Lazarus who was buried for days then. You can follow this story in John 11:1-44. When Jesus called Lazarus to wake up, there was no participation from crowd occurred. However when Lazarus came out from his tomb, Jesus commanded them to "unwrap him and let him go." It was written in John 11:44 The one who had died came out, his feet and hands tied up with strips of cloth, and a cloth wrapped around his face. Jesus said to them, "Unwrap him and let him go."

These words of Jesus are of great significant to all of us, children of God, to do our part in every people borne of new faith after God's merciful redemption. We are ask to help the new believers in their journey of a righteous living, to unwrap them to unleash their new lives with Jesus and not to keep them in their dark, stiffed, and sinful old lives. From then, you also have to let them go if you help the person to find himself a new creation with Christ.

We have the responsibility with our fellow believers, not because we are their brothers and sisters in Christ but because we are simply ask by Jesus to do it.

God bless everyone!