While doing my devotion I was able to come across the teaching of Jesus about loving your enemies. For me this is one of the remarkable teachings of Jesus about being a follower of Him, loving your enemy instead of fighting them back. Probably when this teaching was heard by those people living in Jesus' times said , "Have you gone mad? Love your enemies while Moses told us that tooth for a tooth and eye for an eye?".
We both understand and agree that it is not that easy to follow this law of loving your enemies. It's not easy especially if they hurt us so bad and so deep. We mostly fight back when our feelings are being hurt and when someone just stepped on our pride. I do not know about you and what you are going through right now but I believe that if anyone of us has Christ and his love in our life and heart, there is nothing impossible and everything will be just easy to do even loving our worst enemy.
Jesus said: "You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy."
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:43-44).
Today let us ask ourselves; Are we tough enough to take this challenge? Tough enoug to set aside all the bad things that were made to us by our enemies,persecutors and people who hurt us?
If so...
Why don't we grab a pen and paper and try to write down all their names and let us include them in our prayers. Let's pray for them like what jesus did when he was being crucified (Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34). Let us also pray for ourselves that God would give us strengtth and courage to love those people and understand them and give us more patience and love for one another. Let start it tonight listing down their names and praying for them and start loving them tommorow and show them who Jesus' followers really are and what love is all really about!
Please take also time to meditate on the following verses below that give us reason and some point why we have to love our enemies:
God commands us to love.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another (John 13:34).
But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:27-28).
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse (Romans 12:14).
We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it (1 Corinthians 4:12).
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21).
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing (1 Peter 3:9).
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble (1 John 2:9-10).
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:35).
But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice (Philippians 1:18).
Apr 24, 2009
Apr 17, 2009
Wothless Or Priceless?
The death and resurrection of Jesus was the only way our sins were forgiven. We are all aware that by breaking God's law (sinning), death will be the penalty of it no matter what.
There are a lot of great religious teachers and founders throughout human history. When it comes to teaching, there were all good at it. Everyone of them had a gifted mind and incredible way of teaching. Jesus was one of them, founder, teacher, leader. But Jesus was very different among them. What makes Jesus so different among them? It is because Jesus was the only one who died and rose again from the dead. No other religious leader has ever claimed of going back to life from being dead, only Jesus.
Here below are some of the bible passages that tell about the ressurrection of Jesus.
John 11:25-26
Romans 1:4-5
Romans 6:8-11
Philippians 3:10-12
1 Peter 1:3
Matthew 27:50-53
Matthew 28:1-10
Mark 16:1-8
Luke 24:1-12
This truth is extremely important. Pastor Rick Warren (Author of best selling book Purpose Driven Life) said: "That's of critical importance because it's not the life of Jesus that saves you; it's not the teachings of Jesus that save you; it's His death and resurrection that open the door for your salvation."
Christ died for our sins and bible clearly supports that. No one is perfect, everyone has failures and no one is good enough before God. That's true. All of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Roamns 3:23).
Bible teaches us that justice requires punisment. That if you do a crime, you must pay the time. That if you break God's laws, you must pay the penalty of it which is according to the bible, "The wages [for our] sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
In other words, there should be someone to pay for all the wrong-doings we have done against God. It's either us or someone else to be the one to pay for us. And at this time, Jesus came down from heaven in the very human form and willingly offered His life for the full restoration of the broken fellowship with the father. For us to have the full pardon from God. For the forgiveness of sins that were made by our forefathers and sins that were also made by ourselves. For us to have life with Him in heaven. For us not be condemned by God anymore. For us to be taken away from the threat of fires of hell. For us to show that Jesus really cares for us.
The Good news is: "Through the blood of His Son, we are set free from our sins. God forgives our failures because of His overflowing kindness" (Ephesians 1:7)
PAstor Warren also said that when Jesus died on the cross, two things were revealed to us!
1. It shows how much our forgiveness cost.
2. It shows how much God values us.
The highest price we can pay for anything is to give our life for it. And that's what Jesus did. He gave His blood. He gave His life. It was extremely expensive. Grace is free but it is not cheap. It cost Jesus His life, but He paid for our sins.
How much are your worth? Jesus says, with His arms stretched out on the cross, "This much I'm willing to die for you." You may think that you're worthless because of things you've done wrong. But Jesus says, "No. You're priceless. And I'm willing to give My life in order to pay for your sins."
There are a lot of great religious teachers and founders throughout human history. When it comes to teaching, there were all good at it. Everyone of them had a gifted mind and incredible way of teaching. Jesus was one of them, founder, teacher, leader. But Jesus was very different among them. What makes Jesus so different among them? It is because Jesus was the only one who died and rose again from the dead. No other religious leader has ever claimed of going back to life from being dead, only Jesus.
Here below are some of the bible passages that tell about the ressurrection of Jesus.
John 11:25-26
Romans 1:4-5
Romans 6:8-11
Philippians 3:10-12
1 Peter 1:3
Matthew 27:50-53
Matthew 28:1-10
Mark 16:1-8
Luke 24:1-12
This truth is extremely important. Pastor Rick Warren (Author of best selling book Purpose Driven Life) said: "That's of critical importance because it's not the life of Jesus that saves you; it's not the teachings of Jesus that save you; it's His death and resurrection that open the door for your salvation."
Christ died for our sins and bible clearly supports that. No one is perfect, everyone has failures and no one is good enough before God. That's true. All of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Roamns 3:23).
Bible teaches us that justice requires punisment. That if you do a crime, you must pay the time. That if you break God's laws, you must pay the penalty of it which is according to the bible, "The wages [for our] sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
In other words, there should be someone to pay for all the wrong-doings we have done against God. It's either us or someone else to be the one to pay for us. And at this time, Jesus came down from heaven in the very human form and willingly offered His life for the full restoration of the broken fellowship with the father. For us to have the full pardon from God. For the forgiveness of sins that were made by our forefathers and sins that were also made by ourselves. For us to have life with Him in heaven. For us not be condemned by God anymore. For us to be taken away from the threat of fires of hell. For us to show that Jesus really cares for us.
The Good news is: "Through the blood of His Son, we are set free from our sins. God forgives our failures because of His overflowing kindness" (Ephesians 1:7)
PAstor Warren also said that when Jesus died on the cross, two things were revealed to us!
1. It shows how much our forgiveness cost.
2. It shows how much God values us.
The highest price we can pay for anything is to give our life for it. And that's what Jesus did. He gave His blood. He gave His life. It was extremely expensive. Grace is free but it is not cheap. It cost Jesus His life, but He paid for our sins.
How much are your worth? Jesus says, with His arms stretched out on the cross, "This much I'm willing to die for you." You may think that you're worthless because of things you've done wrong. But Jesus says, "No. You're priceless. And I'm willing to give My life in order to pay for your sins."
Apr 15, 2009
Apr 6, 2009
What are your plans this coming holy week?
Most of us have great plans for this upcoming Holy week. Some will spend this time with their families. Taking vacation in some wild and cool resorts and beaches all around the nation or even out-of-the-country trip. Enjoying the given non-working holydays.
Those are good and that is undisputable. But the most important of all is the true meaning of holy week. Before we go to the celebration party, let's take a little and quiet time with the Lord meditating on the real message of this Holy week. And offer a "Thank You" Prayer to Him!
For me it is all about salvation and victory!
Jesus died for us, bearing the ugliest punishment that a man could ever have for the forgiveness of sin.
God bless People. Let's continue to serve, worship and praise Jesus for all those things that He has done for us!
Those are good and that is undisputable. But the most important of all is the true meaning of holy week. Before we go to the celebration party, let's take a little and quiet time with the Lord meditating on the real message of this Holy week. And offer a "Thank You" Prayer to Him!
For me it is all about salvation and victory!
Jesus died for us, bearing the ugliest punishment that a man could ever have for the forgiveness of sin.
God bless People. Let's continue to serve, worship and praise Jesus for all those things that He has done for us!
Apr 4, 2009
Liwanag Sa Dilim
Matthew 5:14-16 - You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.
Hindi maitatago ang liwanag ng isang maunlad na bayan kung ito ay matatagpuan sa isang mataas na burol sa gitna ng gabi, kahit gano ka pa kalayo hinding-hindi maikukubli ang kinang ng mga ilaw na nagmumula dito. Noong panahon ni Kristo, karamihan daw sa itaas ng mga burol malapit sa dagat ng Galilea makikita ang mga bayan na kung saan ang mga ilaw niyun ay kitang-kita sa gabi. Ang mga taong kausap ni Jesus ay malamang na pamilyar sa tanawing ito. Safad (Ngayon Zefat), isang bayang kapuna-puna lalu na tuwing gabi na nakapwesto sa isa sa pinakamatataas na burol sa Galilea, at ito raw maaari ang bayan na nasa isip ni Jesus nang sambitin niya ang mga nakatala sa Matthew 5:14.
Noong mga unang siglo, ang mga lampara na ginagamit na ilaw sa mga bahay ay gawa sa maliliit na mga sisidlan na naglalaman ng oilive oil at may mitsa na nakalutang sa ibabaw. Kapag sinindihan, ang ilawan o lampara ay inilalagay sa maayos na pwesto upang maliwanagan ang lahat ng nasa loob ng bahay. Hindi man kasing liwanag ng ating mga ilaw ngayon gaya ng incandecent at flourescent, ang mga ilawan nila noon ay sapat na para makapagbigay ng liwanag sa buong tahanan lalu na kung ito ay nakapatong sa isang sentro at medyo mataas na lugar. Dahil sa ang mga ilawang ito ay ginagamitan ng apoy para sindihan, hindi na nila ito pinapatay kapag sila ay matutulog na. Sa halip ito ay tinatakluban o tinatakpan lang nila ito ng isang parang malaking plato o isa pang sisidlan. At malamang sa malamang ito rin ang nasa isip ni Kristo nang bigkasin niya ang mga nakasulat sa Matthew 5:15.
Ano ang pinakaibig-sabihin ni Jesus tungkol sa bayan na maliwanag na nasa ibabaw ng burol at sa ilawang nasa loob ng tahanan na nagbibigay liwanag? Nais niyang iparating sa atin na bilang kanyang tagasunod at tagapagsalita ng katotohanan ay dapat na hindi ikinukubli ang liwanag at katotohanan na ibigay niya sa atin. Gusto Niyang maihayag ng maliwanag ang kanyang mensahe ng katotohanan sa mga tao upang walang sinuman ang malito kung ano ba talaga ang katotohanan at kung papaano at saan o kanino ito matatagpuan.
Bilang liwanag ng sanlibutan, gawain nating ihayag ang tama sa mali. Sa verse 15 sinasabi dito na dapat isiwalat ang katotohanan. Kung wala ang spiritwal na liwanag, hindi mapupuna ng mga tao ang kaibahan ng mali sa tama o kasinungalingan sa katotohanan, katulad na lamang ng mga taong nasa madilim na lugar na hindi makita kung saan ligtas maglakad. Sa verse 14 naman ay nagsasabing kailanangan natin mapanatili ang pagpapatotoo kay kristo bilang pangunahing batayan ng mga tao dito sa madilim na mundo.
Tandaan na ang pinakamensahe ng Diyos tungkol sa ating liwanag, nasa loob ka man ng bahay o sa itaas man ng bundok, ay huwag itong hayaang maitago lang! Ang Panginoon mismo ang naglagay sa'tin sa itaas ng burol at sa patungan ng lampara upang hindi maitago o matakluban, kundi upang magliwanag!
Verse 14 clearly indicates that we are to proclaim the truth publicly as well as privately. In a dark world where the majority of people around us are lost, God wants our testimony to shine out not only "in the house" but "on the hill." It should shine out for great distances and to many people. It goes without saying that there will be numerous times when people will be offended at the truth and not want to hear the truth and turn away from the truth. After all, Jesus did say that people "love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil" (John 3:19).
Dahil si Kristo ay ilaw ng sanlibutan (John 8:12), tayong mga kristyano ay ganun din. Nang maging Kristyano tayo hindi lang tayo nakatanggap ng kapatawaran ng ating mga kasalanan, nagkaroon din tayo ng bagong liwanag at buhay kay Kristo. Nalaman natin na hindi lang siya ang daan, siya din ay ang katotohanan at ang buhay (john 14:6). Dahil Siya ang katotothanan sa loob natin, tayo naman ang magsisilbing ilaw ng mundo. "For God Said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6).
Kailangan din na tumugma ang ating mga ginagawa sa ating mga sinasabi patungkol Kay Kristo at sa mga turo niya. If there is no walk to back up our talk, our "light" may be a mere profession of faith--only mental assent to the truth. (2 Corinthians 13:5)
So let's our light shine before men. Let us not climb down from the hill where Jesus put us because of fear or anything else. And let us not hinder the light of other believers in the body of Christ. We must make every effort to let the true light shine out clearly in this very dark world.
Hindi maitatago ang liwanag ng isang maunlad na bayan kung ito ay matatagpuan sa isang mataas na burol sa gitna ng gabi, kahit gano ka pa kalayo hinding-hindi maikukubli ang kinang ng mga ilaw na nagmumula dito. Noong panahon ni Kristo, karamihan daw sa itaas ng mga burol malapit sa dagat ng Galilea makikita ang mga bayan na kung saan ang mga ilaw niyun ay kitang-kita sa gabi. Ang mga taong kausap ni Jesus ay malamang na pamilyar sa tanawing ito. Safad (Ngayon Zefat), isang bayang kapuna-puna lalu na tuwing gabi na nakapwesto sa isa sa pinakamatataas na burol sa Galilea, at ito raw maaari ang bayan na nasa isip ni Jesus nang sambitin niya ang mga nakatala sa Matthew 5:14.
Noong mga unang siglo, ang mga lampara na ginagamit na ilaw sa mga bahay ay gawa sa maliliit na mga sisidlan na naglalaman ng oilive oil at may mitsa na nakalutang sa ibabaw. Kapag sinindihan, ang ilawan o lampara ay inilalagay sa maayos na pwesto upang maliwanagan ang lahat ng nasa loob ng bahay. Hindi man kasing liwanag ng ating mga ilaw ngayon gaya ng incandecent at flourescent, ang mga ilawan nila noon ay sapat na para makapagbigay ng liwanag sa buong tahanan lalu na kung ito ay nakapatong sa isang sentro at medyo mataas na lugar. Dahil sa ang mga ilawang ito ay ginagamitan ng apoy para sindihan, hindi na nila ito pinapatay kapag sila ay matutulog na. Sa halip ito ay tinatakluban o tinatakpan lang nila ito ng isang parang malaking plato o isa pang sisidlan. At malamang sa malamang ito rin ang nasa isip ni Kristo nang bigkasin niya ang mga nakasulat sa Matthew 5:15.
Ano ang pinakaibig-sabihin ni Jesus tungkol sa bayan na maliwanag na nasa ibabaw ng burol at sa ilawang nasa loob ng tahanan na nagbibigay liwanag? Nais niyang iparating sa atin na bilang kanyang tagasunod at tagapagsalita ng katotohanan ay dapat na hindi ikinukubli ang liwanag at katotohanan na ibigay niya sa atin. Gusto Niyang maihayag ng maliwanag ang kanyang mensahe ng katotohanan sa mga tao upang walang sinuman ang malito kung ano ba talaga ang katotohanan at kung papaano at saan o kanino ito matatagpuan.
Bilang liwanag ng sanlibutan, gawain nating ihayag ang tama sa mali. Sa verse 15 sinasabi dito na dapat isiwalat ang katotohanan. Kung wala ang spiritwal na liwanag, hindi mapupuna ng mga tao ang kaibahan ng mali sa tama o kasinungalingan sa katotohanan, katulad na lamang ng mga taong nasa madilim na lugar na hindi makita kung saan ligtas maglakad. Sa verse 14 naman ay nagsasabing kailanangan natin mapanatili ang pagpapatotoo kay kristo bilang pangunahing batayan ng mga tao dito sa madilim na mundo.
Tandaan na ang pinakamensahe ng Diyos tungkol sa ating liwanag, nasa loob ka man ng bahay o sa itaas man ng bundok, ay huwag itong hayaang maitago lang! Ang Panginoon mismo ang naglagay sa'tin sa itaas ng burol at sa patungan ng lampara upang hindi maitago o matakluban, kundi upang magliwanag!
Verse 14 clearly indicates that we are to proclaim the truth publicly as well as privately. In a dark world where the majority of people around us are lost, God wants our testimony to shine out not only "in the house" but "on the hill." It should shine out for great distances and to many people. It goes without saying that there will be numerous times when people will be offended at the truth and not want to hear the truth and turn away from the truth. After all, Jesus did say that people "love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil" (John 3:19).
Dahil si Kristo ay ilaw ng sanlibutan (John 8:12), tayong mga kristyano ay ganun din. Nang maging Kristyano tayo hindi lang tayo nakatanggap ng kapatawaran ng ating mga kasalanan, nagkaroon din tayo ng bagong liwanag at buhay kay Kristo. Nalaman natin na hindi lang siya ang daan, siya din ay ang katotohanan at ang buhay (john 14:6). Dahil Siya ang katotothanan sa loob natin, tayo naman ang magsisilbing ilaw ng mundo. "For God Said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6).
Kailangan din na tumugma ang ating mga ginagawa sa ating mga sinasabi patungkol Kay Kristo at sa mga turo niya. If there is no walk to back up our talk, our "light" may be a mere profession of faith--only mental assent to the truth. (2 Corinthians 13:5)
So let's our light shine before men. Let us not climb down from the hill where Jesus put us because of fear or anything else. And let us not hinder the light of other believers in the body of Christ. We must make every effort to let the true light shine out clearly in this very dark world.
Apr 1, 2009
SHINE
Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be light, bringing out the God colours of this world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this. As public as city on a hill. I'm putting you on a lightstand. Now That I've put you there on a hilltop... SHINE
Pastor Phil Dooley:
I want everyone get your mobile phone out. Would you do that?
How cool does that look?
You know, the light that you're shining that's how Christ wants you to live in the world to shine your light in some dark places.
And when we do that, that's when salvation starts to come, to our cities, to our families, to our nations and to the earth.
Do you believe salvation is coming?
Come on! Let sing about it tonight!
Salvation Is Here
God above all the world in motion
God above all my hopes and fears
I don't care what the world throws at me now
It's gonna be alright
Hear the sound of the generations
Making loud our freedom song
All in all that the world would know Your name
It's gonna be alright
'Cause I know my God saved the day
And I know His word never fails
And I know my God made a way for me
Salvation is here
Salvation is here
Salvation is here and He lives in me
Salvation is here
Salvation that died just to set me free
Salvation is here
Salvation is here and He lives in me
Salvation is here
Matthew 5:14-16 - You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.
Pastor Phil Dooley:
I want everyone get your mobile phone out. Would you do that?
How cool does that look?
You know, the light that you're shining that's how Christ wants you to live in the world to shine your light in some dark places.
And when we do that, that's when salvation starts to come, to our cities, to our families, to our nations and to the earth.
Do you believe salvation is coming?
Come on! Let sing about it tonight!
Salvation Is Here
God above all the world in motion
God above all my hopes and fears
I don't care what the world throws at me now
It's gonna be alright
Hear the sound of the generations
Making loud our freedom song
All in all that the world would know Your name
It's gonna be alright
'Cause I know my God saved the day
And I know His word never fails
And I know my God made a way for me
Salvation is here
Salvation is here
Salvation is here and He lives in me
Salvation is here
Salvation that died just to set me free
Salvation is here
Salvation is here and He lives in me
Salvation is here
Matthew 5:14-16 - You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)