It is not that easy to live a life of being a Christian when you are in a situation or place where most of the people are not believers like you. It feels like you are a small piece of burning coal being placed in the middle of the Antarctic Ocean.
So hard to maintain the fire and seems like everyone around you wants to loose it and eventually become like one of them, and that's what I do not want to happen. I want to continue to live a life of worship and full of thanksgiving to The Lord. I want to finish the race like what Paul did, I want to hear the words from the very lips of Jesus Christ, "Well done my good and faithful servant". I want to run and finish the race until the end.
Nov 2, 2009
Oct 26, 2009
Power Of Words
Have you ever thought how powerful our words are? Have you known that words would matter over life and death? That words are not just words that come out of our mouth? Words and what you say matter, my friend told me when we were talking about some crazy stuff like how animals, trees or plants talk to each other or if they ever had any other way of communicating to each other.
But do you really believe that words have power? Let see some of the scriptures found in the Bible talking about or referring to this topic of mine.
Paul said in Romans 10:9, "If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." How about that one? See, our words carry so much weight that they can even affirm our salvation, therefore, affect the spiritual realm.
Jesus once warned us about taking our speech too lightly, where can we find that, see this verse Matthew 12:36-37 "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
In Proverbs 18:21 we can also see that it says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it[for death or life].
Let me share you a story and it was about a group of frogs in the forest. These group of frogs were trying to go to the other part of the forest to see some things and insects to eat. Suddenly without noticing two of the frogs fell into the hole full of thick and tough mud, and the remaining of the frogs just stood around the edge of the hole and were keep on shouting to the two frogs that they will not going to make it out of the mud and just give up as trying to escape would do no good. And over and over, they continued to shout on the top of their lungs. One of the two frogs just gave up and died but not the other one. This frog kept on jumping and jumping with perseverance, determination and with all his strength until he was able to get out of the hole. The frogs were shocked and could not believe that He made it. But these frogs never known that he was a deaf frog and this deaf frog thought that other frogs were cheering him up that he could get out of the hole and just keep on jumping.
See that's how powerful our words are, so be careful when saying words make sure that it will help other and not will make them down. I also believe that if we continue to use foul words or languages and saying negative statements and things that do not really helpful, this will also continue to break our God's heart.
Hebrews 11:6 says: "Without faith it is impossible to please God." What kind of faith are we demonstrating when we speak words of doom and destruction over our friends, family members and other people around us? Shouldn't we be praying and standing on God's promises for them instead? And when we or someone is sick, aren't we focusing more on that the illness will not heal or will even become worst than on God's ability and willingness to heal that illness? Why don't we try to start today saying things that will benefit you and others, that will make you and others grow?
If you remember saying some things that you now regret, take a minute to repent for what you have said and think about the things that you could have said instead. Use God's word as a major part of you game plan.
Are you going to be the one talking about love instead of anger, unity instead of destruction and division, light instead of darkness, wellness instead of illness, thankfulness and praises instead of complaints, victory instead of poverty, brothers instead of enemies, peace instead of war, and forgiving instead of hating?
I can surely tell you that if you will have a courage and willingness to change your words, you will change your life and you can even affect all those people around you. May David's prayers be ours today: "May the words of my mouth and the thoughts in my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." -Psalms 19:14.
Before you leave this page, why don't you also pray with me...
"Lord, forgive me for the times my speech has been filled with doubt and destruction instead of faith and life. Cleanse my lips the way you did Isaiah's (Isaiah 6:6,7). Help me to speak words that please You and bless others. remind me of all Your precious promises of wholeness, life and victory. thank you that my words of life will bring people hope and healing!
But do you really believe that words have power? Let see some of the scriptures found in the Bible talking about or referring to this topic of mine.
Paul said in Romans 10:9, "If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." How about that one? See, our words carry so much weight that they can even affirm our salvation, therefore, affect the spiritual realm.
Jesus once warned us about taking our speech too lightly, where can we find that, see this verse Matthew 12:36-37 "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
In Proverbs 18:21 we can also see that it says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it[for death or life].
Let me share you a story and it was about a group of frogs in the forest. These group of frogs were trying to go to the other part of the forest to see some things and insects to eat. Suddenly without noticing two of the frogs fell into the hole full of thick and tough mud, and the remaining of the frogs just stood around the edge of the hole and were keep on shouting to the two frogs that they will not going to make it out of the mud and just give up as trying to escape would do no good. And over and over, they continued to shout on the top of their lungs. One of the two frogs just gave up and died but not the other one. This frog kept on jumping and jumping with perseverance, determination and with all his strength until he was able to get out of the hole. The frogs were shocked and could not believe that He made it. But these frogs never known that he was a deaf frog and this deaf frog thought that other frogs were cheering him up that he could get out of the hole and just keep on jumping.
See that's how powerful our words are, so be careful when saying words make sure that it will help other and not will make them down. I also believe that if we continue to use foul words or languages and saying negative statements and things that do not really helpful, this will also continue to break our God's heart.
Hebrews 11:6 says: "Without faith it is impossible to please God." What kind of faith are we demonstrating when we speak words of doom and destruction over our friends, family members and other people around us? Shouldn't we be praying and standing on God's promises for them instead? And when we or someone is sick, aren't we focusing more on that the illness will not heal or will even become worst than on God's ability and willingness to heal that illness? Why don't we try to start today saying things that will benefit you and others, that will make you and others grow?
If you remember saying some things that you now regret, take a minute to repent for what you have said and think about the things that you could have said instead. Use God's word as a major part of you game plan.
Are you going to be the one talking about love instead of anger, unity instead of destruction and division, light instead of darkness, wellness instead of illness, thankfulness and praises instead of complaints, victory instead of poverty, brothers instead of enemies, peace instead of war, and forgiving instead of hating?
I can surely tell you that if you will have a courage and willingness to change your words, you will change your life and you can even affect all those people around you. May David's prayers be ours today: "May the words of my mouth and the thoughts in my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." -Psalms 19:14.
Before you leave this page, why don't you also pray with me...
"Lord, forgive me for the times my speech has been filled with doubt and destruction instead of faith and life. Cleanse my lips the way you did Isaiah's (Isaiah 6:6,7). Help me to speak words that please You and bless others. remind me of all Your precious promises of wholeness, life and victory. thank you that my words of life will bring people hope and healing!
Oct 8, 2009
How much is Jesus worth to you?
What was the most expensive gift have you ever given to someone? What motivated you to spend that much for the person? Apparently, when you are motivated by love, price is not a constraint; but nothing is too expensive when you spend it for the one you love. Also, when you are motivated by love, you do not mind bearing the shame and risking your life to save or protect that person, do you?
Judas and Mary. On the outset, both of them appeared to be sincere followers of Jesus. Nonetheless, we see the difference when we look at their lives closely. John 12 reveals to us a stark contrast between the character and motives of Judas and Mary, and ultimately, in the way they valued Jesus Christ. Judas Iscariot was chosen to be part of Jesus' inner circle. Judas probably had a career that he had to leave in order to follow Jesus. The disciples trusted Judas enough for them to delegate their group's money box to him. None of them ever assumed he would steal their funds nor sell their master for 30 silver coins. But in reality, Judas pilfered money. Thus, it was not a surprise to hear a rebuke from him such as what retorted to Mary. "Whay was this perfume not sold for three hundred dinarii and given to poor people?" Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it. Eventually the same greed led him to hand Jesus over to the chief priest and elders in exchange of 30 silver coins, which at that time was the price of a slave - the price that tag Judas set on his master's head. He saw something in Jesus that was worth his time but not worth his heart.
Mary of bethany, on the other hand, was a close friend of Jesus. For her, the cost was not an issue. Mary took a pound of very costly perfumeof pure nard, and annointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair, and the house was filled with wthe fragrance of the perfume (John 12:3).
Nard was an expensive oitment imported from India. The scriptures shows that Mary did not mind consuming this perfume worth a year's wages just to demonstrate her love for Jesus. Mary considered everything rubbish compared to love for Jesus. She honored Jesus by anointing His feet wit pure nard and wiping it with her hair. Mary's acct was a statement in itself, telling us that she regarded the best part of her, which in her case was her crowning glory, her hair, as nothing compared to the least part of Jesus, His feet. Her act of worship was done extravagance, in humility and with self-abandonment. It didn't matter what people woould say and do to her if only to give the honor to the One whom it is due. She reckoned Jesus worthy of her everything. People who claim to be followers of Jesus almost look the same from the outside but inside they have different motivations for doing what they do. What Judas regarded was a waste of money, Mary generously poured out as her love offering to Jesus. Judas had a superficial religion but Mary found a loving relationship in Jesus. Judas followed Jesus for selfish gain, but Mary followed Jesus selfless giving. We remember Judas for a life that led to self-destruction while Mary will forever be remembered as the woman who honored God by ofgering her best.
Our love for Jesus is observed in our attitude and behaviour not only in public but also in private lives. When people look at us, do they see Jesus? When they come closer to us, do they feel the love of God? Jesus said in Matthew 25:42, "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." How much we value Jesus will be evident in our lives for others. Jesus told his dicisples, "A new commandment I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my dicisples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35).
What about you? How much do you value Jesus? Remember that you can only give what you have. We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19). Do you already have a loving relationship with Jesus to begin with? For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). If you have not started a personla relationship with Jesus, you can come to him today and surrender your life to him. In this time of crisis, we have before us countless opportunities to show God how much He means to us by actively loving others. What is that nard that you can pour out as a sign of your devotion to him? What is that costly perfume that you can offer to our brothers and sisters who are in great need?
Judas and Mary. On the outset, both of them appeared to be sincere followers of Jesus. Nonetheless, we see the difference when we look at their lives closely. John 12 reveals to us a stark contrast between the character and motives of Judas and Mary, and ultimately, in the way they valued Jesus Christ. Judas Iscariot was chosen to be part of Jesus' inner circle. Judas probably had a career that he had to leave in order to follow Jesus. The disciples trusted Judas enough for them to delegate their group's money box to him. None of them ever assumed he would steal their funds nor sell their master for 30 silver coins. But in reality, Judas pilfered money. Thus, it was not a surprise to hear a rebuke from him such as what retorted to Mary. "Whay was this perfume not sold for three hundred dinarii and given to poor people?" Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it. Eventually the same greed led him to hand Jesus over to the chief priest and elders in exchange of 30 silver coins, which at that time was the price of a slave - the price that tag Judas set on his master's head. He saw something in Jesus that was worth his time but not worth his heart.
Mary of bethany, on the other hand, was a close friend of Jesus. For her, the cost was not an issue. Mary took a pound of very costly perfumeof pure nard, and annointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair, and the house was filled with wthe fragrance of the perfume (John 12:3).
Nard was an expensive oitment imported from India. The scriptures shows that Mary did not mind consuming this perfume worth a year's wages just to demonstrate her love for Jesus. Mary considered everything rubbish compared to love for Jesus. She honored Jesus by anointing His feet wit pure nard and wiping it with her hair. Mary's acct was a statement in itself, telling us that she regarded the best part of her, which in her case was her crowning glory, her hair, as nothing compared to the least part of Jesus, His feet. Her act of worship was done extravagance, in humility and with self-abandonment. It didn't matter what people woould say and do to her if only to give the honor to the One whom it is due. She reckoned Jesus worthy of her everything. People who claim to be followers of Jesus almost look the same from the outside but inside they have different motivations for doing what they do. What Judas regarded was a waste of money, Mary generously poured out as her love offering to Jesus. Judas had a superficial religion but Mary found a loving relationship in Jesus. Judas followed Jesus for selfish gain, but Mary followed Jesus selfless giving. We remember Judas for a life that led to self-destruction while Mary will forever be remembered as the woman who honored God by ofgering her best.
Our love for Jesus is observed in our attitude and behaviour not only in public but also in private lives. When people look at us, do they see Jesus? When they come closer to us, do they feel the love of God? Jesus said in Matthew 25:42, "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." How much we value Jesus will be evident in our lives for others. Jesus told his dicisples, "A new commandment I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my dicisples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35).
What about you? How much do you value Jesus? Remember that you can only give what you have. We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19). Do you already have a loving relationship with Jesus to begin with? For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). If you have not started a personla relationship with Jesus, you can come to him today and surrender your life to him. In this time of crisis, we have before us countless opportunities to show God how much He means to us by actively loving others. What is that nard that you can pour out as a sign of your devotion to him? What is that costly perfume that you can offer to our brothers and sisters who are in great need?
Sep 27, 2009
Naghihintay Ang Ating Korona
Kaya nga, tayo rin naman ay napapalibutan ng gayong makapal na ulap ng mga saksi. Ating isaisangtabi ang bawat bagay na humahadlang sa atin at ang kasalanang napakadaling bumalot sa atin. Takbuhin nating may pagtitiis ang takbuhing inilaan sa atin. 2Ituon natin ang ating mga mata kay Jesus na siya ang nagpasimula at nagpapaging-ganap ng ating pananampalataya. Siya ay nagbata ng krus alang-alang sa kagalakang itinalaga sa kaniya at hinamak niya ang kahihiyan. Pagkatapos ay umupo sa kanang kamay ng trono ng Diyos.
Noong 490 BC, Isang napakahalagang laban ang ipinanalo ng mga Athenian laban sa pwersa ni Haring Darius I ng Persia, sa isang malapit na kapatagan sa Greece sa bayan ng Marathon.
Sa paghahatid ng isang napakahalagang mensahe ng kanilang tagumpay, isang Griyegong sundalo na sanay magdadala ng magandang balita ay namatay - nakumpleto niya ang 26 na milyang layo ng pagtakbo at dala-dala ang magandang balita. At matapat niya itong ginampanan hangang sa sandali ng kanyang kamatayan. Sa ngayon ay ginaganap ang MArathon sa iba't-ibang panig ng mundo bilang paggunita sa kaganapang iyon 2500 taon na ang nakakalipas.
Sinumang nakaranas na ng pagtakbo sa isang marathon ay kayang sabihin sayo kung gaano kahirap ang palakasang ito. Kahit gaano ka pa ka-trained, gaano ka kagaling, at gaano ka kahanda, may mga sandali pa rin sa karera na parang gusto mo ng umayaw. Ngunit para doon sa mga nagpursige hanggang matapos ang karera ay may nag-aantay na gantimpala. Noong sa kapanahunan ni Haring Darius, mananalo ka lamang ng isang koronang gawa sa mga dahon ng laurel. Ngayon ang mga atleta ay naglalaban-laban para sa mga tropeyo at medalya.
Ngunit sa karera ng Diyos, tayo ay nananalo ng isang bagay na higit na mas mahalaga - isang koronang hindi nasisira.
Alam kong pagod ka na ngayon, sobra na sa trabaho at parang gusto nang sumuko. Magpakasigla! Kung naiisip mong hindi mo na kaya pang tumakbo, KAYA MO! Magpatuloy lang para sa dakilang regalong sa atin ay naghhihintay.
Kasama natin ang Diyos, nagpapalakas sa ating mahihinang mga tuhod at naggagabay sa atin sa tamang landas!!! Marami pang trabahong dapat gawin!
Noong 490 BC, Isang napakahalagang laban ang ipinanalo ng mga Athenian laban sa pwersa ni Haring Darius I ng Persia, sa isang malapit na kapatagan sa Greece sa bayan ng Marathon.
Sa paghahatid ng isang napakahalagang mensahe ng kanilang tagumpay, isang Griyegong sundalo na sanay magdadala ng magandang balita ay namatay - nakumpleto niya ang 26 na milyang layo ng pagtakbo at dala-dala ang magandang balita. At matapat niya itong ginampanan hangang sa sandali ng kanyang kamatayan. Sa ngayon ay ginaganap ang MArathon sa iba't-ibang panig ng mundo bilang paggunita sa kaganapang iyon 2500 taon na ang nakakalipas.
Sinumang nakaranas na ng pagtakbo sa isang marathon ay kayang sabihin sayo kung gaano kahirap ang palakasang ito. Kahit gaano ka pa ka-trained, gaano ka kagaling, at gaano ka kahanda, may mga sandali pa rin sa karera na parang gusto mo ng umayaw. Ngunit para doon sa mga nagpursige hanggang matapos ang karera ay may nag-aantay na gantimpala. Noong sa kapanahunan ni Haring Darius, mananalo ka lamang ng isang koronang gawa sa mga dahon ng laurel. Ngayon ang mga atleta ay naglalaban-laban para sa mga tropeyo at medalya.
Ngunit sa karera ng Diyos, tayo ay nananalo ng isang bagay na higit na mas mahalaga - isang koronang hindi nasisira.
Alam kong pagod ka na ngayon, sobra na sa trabaho at parang gusto nang sumuko. Magpakasigla! Kung naiisip mong hindi mo na kaya pang tumakbo, KAYA MO! Magpatuloy lang para sa dakilang regalong sa atin ay naghhihintay.
Kasama natin ang Diyos, nagpapalakas sa ating mahihinang mga tuhod at naggagabay sa atin sa tamang landas!!! Marami pang trabahong dapat gawin!
Jul 25, 2009
Faith (Part 2)
''For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer''. Where is salvation for us? Where will we find saving faith? The answer is: From God.
The psalm continues, ''I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, 'I will confess my sin, my transgressins to the Lord'; and You forgave the guilt of my sin.''
God's forgiveness cannot be earned. It can never be deserved. Sins from the past cannot be made up for by doing ''good'' works. Salvation, God's gracious offer of forgiveness for all our sins, is a gift from Him. That's what the Bible says in Colossians 2:13 and 14.
''When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven all transgresions, having cancelled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us: and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
''What love, what grace that bore my sin and nailed it to the tree! No words can say nor tears express this joy He's given me.''
One of the Pastors I heard preaching said that, by the end of his junior year in high school his list of sin was so long. It was piled so high; the stink was so incredibly putrid. He did not think he stood a chance before the holy God. But of course he did not apart from Christ. But by God's grace He took those lists that all of us have and He nailed them onto the cross. Jesus bore them and took them upon Himself so that we might be forgiven. That is where saving faith starts: not by trying to make up or remove sin in our lives. When people wo do not work - come to God by faith - are declared righteous because of their faith. You trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ and you receive eternal life as a free gift. The just shall live by faith.''
At low point in this pastor's life, he remembers wanting to be like his Christian friend Mark who seemed to have it all together. He began to wonder what it meant to be Christian. One day, he found a New Testament lying on the street. He decided to keep it as good as 'lucky charm'. By God's grace, after some time he began to read it. He began to learn about Jesus.
His friend Mark then invited him to play volleyball at a center with a Christian youth group. There, another pastor shared the Gospel - the first time this pastor heard it. ''Jesus died for you, he paid for your sins on the cross.''
Then he prayed, ''Lord, will you forgive me? Will you save me? Will you accept me? Will you open your arms and let me draw near?'' And God did those by His grace.
From then on, he was never the same again. ''I got home and that night I went to sleep having a peace and a joy I never had before. I woke up and the peace was still there.'' I'll praise Him 'til I breathe my last on this my present home. And then I'll wake beside His throne and find He hasn't gone.
The psalm continues, ''I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, 'I will confess my sin, my transgressins to the Lord'; and You forgave the guilt of my sin.''
God's forgiveness cannot be earned. It can never be deserved. Sins from the past cannot be made up for by doing ''good'' works. Salvation, God's gracious offer of forgiveness for all our sins, is a gift from Him. That's what the Bible says in Colossians 2:13 and 14.
''When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven all transgresions, having cancelled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us: and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
''What love, what grace that bore my sin and nailed it to the tree! No words can say nor tears express this joy He's given me.''
One of the Pastors I heard preaching said that, by the end of his junior year in high school his list of sin was so long. It was piled so high; the stink was so incredibly putrid. He did not think he stood a chance before the holy God. But of course he did not apart from Christ. But by God's grace He took those lists that all of us have and He nailed them onto the cross. Jesus bore them and took them upon Himself so that we might be forgiven. That is where saving faith starts: not by trying to make up or remove sin in our lives. When people wo do not work - come to God by faith - are declared righteous because of their faith. You trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ and you receive eternal life as a free gift. The just shall live by faith.''
At low point in this pastor's life, he remembers wanting to be like his Christian friend Mark who seemed to have it all together. He began to wonder what it meant to be Christian. One day, he found a New Testament lying on the street. He decided to keep it as good as 'lucky charm'. By God's grace, after some time he began to read it. He began to learn about Jesus.
His friend Mark then invited him to play volleyball at a center with a Christian youth group. There, another pastor shared the Gospel - the first time this pastor heard it. ''Jesus died for you, he paid for your sins on the cross.''
Then he prayed, ''Lord, will you forgive me? Will you save me? Will you accept me? Will you open your arms and let me draw near?'' And God did those by His grace.
From then on, he was never the same again. ''I got home and that night I went to sleep having a peace and a joy I never had before. I woke up and the peace was still there.'' I'll praise Him 'til I breathe my last on this my present home. And then I'll wake beside His throne and find He hasn't gone.
Faith (part 1)
I wake up every morning and find He hasn't gone. I realize His awesome love and worship Him in song.
The just shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4). Many times this passage is quoted in the new testament. Here is what it means: to ''live'' is to be justified by God. We, sinners, can only be justified by God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Apart from Christ, we cannot be declared ''not guilty.'' Apart from Christ, there is only death: seperation from God.
Faith alone is what saves a persorn from death. It is what connects us with the Lord in a way that enables us to experience eternal life and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
The just shall live by faith.
But what is faith? Have you asked yourself: ''Do I have the right kind of faith? If not, how do I find it? What does it mean to exercise your faith?'' Faith is coming to Christ just as you are for forgiveness and grace. Eternal life He's given me, peace of mind and heart. He's part of me and will always be, never to depart.
Faith begins with a need. All of us have a ''spiritual itch,'' an emptiness. When we become aware of this itch, we try to scratch it with any one or a combination of these: careerism, pursuit of money, immorality, drugs, alcohol. The list goes on. Sometimes we scratch it even with things that the world esteems as good pursuits: like sports or community service. Yet we remain empty. The itch persists. Why?
Because we ''have sinned an fall short of the glory of Go'' (Romans 3:23). This passage is square one for everyone of us. This is also where faith begins.
Faith begins with an awareness of our deep spiritual need. It is the acknowledgement that sin is present in our lives. Saving faith means coming to Christ just as you are: spiritually itchy, spiritually needy, spiritually empty.
I'll never be the same again since I first believed. What a precious day that was, salvation I received!
''All have sinned'', the bible laments. Sin, that enticing, candy-coated poison that has an all-too-human appeal to our senses. It tastes good for a while, but it certainly leads to death (Revelation 21:8). So many times we throw our lives and our future away for a momentary pleasure. That is the destructive nature of sin.
Let's read Ephesians 2: 1-3. ''you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of God's wrath, even as the rest''.
The just shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4). Many times this passage is quoted in the new testament. Here is what it means: to ''live'' is to be justified by God. We, sinners, can only be justified by God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Apart from Christ, we cannot be declared ''not guilty.'' Apart from Christ, there is only death: seperation from God.
Faith alone is what saves a persorn from death. It is what connects us with the Lord in a way that enables us to experience eternal life and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
The just shall live by faith.
But what is faith? Have you asked yourself: ''Do I have the right kind of faith? If not, how do I find it? What does it mean to exercise your faith?'' Faith is coming to Christ just as you are for forgiveness and grace. Eternal life He's given me, peace of mind and heart. He's part of me and will always be, never to depart.
Faith begins with a need. All of us have a ''spiritual itch,'' an emptiness. When we become aware of this itch, we try to scratch it with any one or a combination of these: careerism, pursuit of money, immorality, drugs, alcohol. The list goes on. Sometimes we scratch it even with things that the world esteems as good pursuits: like sports or community service. Yet we remain empty. The itch persists. Why?
Because we ''have sinned an fall short of the glory of Go'' (Romans 3:23). This passage is square one for everyone of us. This is also where faith begins.
Faith begins with an awareness of our deep spiritual need. It is the acknowledgement that sin is present in our lives. Saving faith means coming to Christ just as you are: spiritually itchy, spiritually needy, spiritually empty.
I'll never be the same again since I first believed. What a precious day that was, salvation I received!
''All have sinned'', the bible laments. Sin, that enticing, candy-coated poison that has an all-too-human appeal to our senses. It tastes good for a while, but it certainly leads to death (Revelation 21:8). So many times we throw our lives and our future away for a momentary pleasure. That is the destructive nature of sin.
Let's read Ephesians 2: 1-3. ''you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of God's wrath, even as the rest''.
Jul 1, 2009
Now that I am a Christian
Now that I am a Christian, I am now a new one. All things that I have done have vanished.
''Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is now anew creation; THE OLD HAS GONE, THE NEW HAS COME.'' 2.COR.5.7
Now that I am a Christian, that I am now in Christ and He is in me. I have now the right, freedom and power to leave all the wrong doings behind and face tomorrow with a brand new life.
I am now a child of God.
''you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.'' Galatians 3.26
Whatever I do, I will do it for the glory of God.
'' so whatever you eat, drink or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.'' 1 Corinthians 10:31
Only truth will come out of my mouth.
''therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.'' Ephesians 4:25
No unwholesome talk will come from my mouth but only those things that will benefit others.
'' do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.'' Ephesians 4:29
I will get rid of all the bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander along with every kind of malice. I will be kind and compassionate to others. Forgiving each other just as Christ forgave me. Ephesians 4:31-32
I will obey, love and honor my parents everyday for the rest of our lives.
'' children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise. That it may go well with you and that you may enjoy it on earth.'' Ephesians 6:1-3
now that I am a Christian, I will seek nothing but the will of God. And when I find it, I will focus on this will of God and will enjoy it.
When I am weary, tired or depressed, I will just take a look on God's word for I know that out of it, I will find strength, rest and joy.
Now that I am a Christian, praying will be my priority in communicating with God.
I will never forget what Jesus did for me on the cross. His love, his sufferings, all the pain that he willingly took just to save me and give me life with him in eternal paradise.
Now that I am a Christian, I will leave no room for hatred. Only with love in everything I do and say.
And no matter what happens, in every circumstance I won't let this love and faith in Christ vanish.
''Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is now anew creation; THE OLD HAS GONE, THE NEW HAS COME.'' 2.COR.5.7
Now that I am a Christian, that I am now in Christ and He is in me. I have now the right, freedom and power to leave all the wrong doings behind and face tomorrow with a brand new life.
I am now a child of God.
''you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.'' Galatians 3.26
Whatever I do, I will do it for the glory of God.
'' so whatever you eat, drink or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.'' 1 Corinthians 10:31
Only truth will come out of my mouth.
''therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.'' Ephesians 4:25
No unwholesome talk will come from my mouth but only those things that will benefit others.
'' do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.'' Ephesians 4:29
I will get rid of all the bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander along with every kind of malice. I will be kind and compassionate to others. Forgiving each other just as Christ forgave me. Ephesians 4:31-32
I will obey, love and honor my parents everyday for the rest of our lives.
'' children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise. That it may go well with you and that you may enjoy it on earth.'' Ephesians 6:1-3
now that I am a Christian, I will seek nothing but the will of God. And when I find it, I will focus on this will of God and will enjoy it.
When I am weary, tired or depressed, I will just take a look on God's word for I know that out of it, I will find strength, rest and joy.
Now that I am a Christian, praying will be my priority in communicating with God.
I will never forget what Jesus did for me on the cross. His love, his sufferings, all the pain that he willingly took just to save me and give me life with him in eternal paradise.
Now that I am a Christian, I will leave no room for hatred. Only with love in everything I do and say.
And no matter what happens, in every circumstance I won't let this love and faith in Christ vanish.
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