Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them ''Do not be afraid! I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people''.
Them message above was delivered by an angel of the Lord to the shepherds the night when Jesus was born.
The birth of Jesus, for me, was one of the greatest demonstrations of how much love God has for us. A love that was so much willing to take the very nature of human and die on the cross just to bring back the br0ken relati0nship with Him. And that Jesus who was for me the very image of love, the human form of love, for God is love.
God is for us!
That is why Jesus came to this w0rld almost 2000 years ago.
To know that God is for us will entirely change our perpective on life. We will stop thinking of God as someone looking down from behind the big clouds, ready to yell 'gotcha' anytime we make mistakes or everytime we mess up.
Instead we will realize God loves us; God is with us; and God is for us! God is for our success in life; he created us for a purpose and he wants us to succeed. It is God, our creator, who will measure our success in life, and no one else.
This is extremely good news!
It means we do not need to be afraid of God because God is for us. Yet some people are so afraid of God they get nervous just talking about him.
Do you kn0w why? They feel guilty, and then they start thinking ''if I get close to God, He is going to lecture me. He's going to remind me of h0w bad I am with all the things I have done wr0ng then I feel even worse''
Nothing could be further from the truth of God. Jesus said '' I didn't come into the world to condemn it, but to save it'' in effect, Jesus is saying '' I didn't come to scold you, I came to save you''.
And if God is with us and for us then who can be against us?
The arrival of this Jesus into the world is to save people not to scare us. That's why when the angel was telling the shepherds about the birth of Jesus, the first thing he said was ''Don't be afraid''.
Pastor Rick Warren said: ''When God sends a message to people in the bible, it's not unusual for the first words to be ''Don't be afraid''. There are 365 messages from God in the bible that begin with a phrase like ''Fear not'', in other words, every single day of the year you can read a message from God that says in effect ''you don't havd to be afraid, I am for you, I am with you and I love you''
Let us put in our mind that we celebrate Christmas because of this good news from God!
Dec 20, 2008
Dec 12, 2008
Why Jesus is the Immanuel?
Have you ever thought why Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23 refer to a name Immanuel that will be given to Jesus yet Jesus was never called and named Immanuel when he was born?
Isaiah 7:14 ''therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; the virgin will be with a child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel''
Matthew 1:22-23 ''all this took place to fullfill what the Lord had said through the prophet; The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and they will call him Immanuel which means ''GOD IS WITH US''
Whey Jesus named Jesus and not Immanuel?
Let us take a look at these passages...
Matthew 1:21 ''she will give birth to a son and you are to give him name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins''
The passage above was told to Joseph through a dream by an angel of the Lord. Another passage from Luke 1:31 when the angel of the Lord appeared to Mary. ''you will be with a child and will give birth to a son and you are to give him name Jesus''
What Jesus and Immanuel mean?
Jesus is a greek name that means ''SAVIOUR''. And is a form of the hebrew name ''Joshua'' that means ''THE LORD SAVES'', while Immanuel means ''GOD IS WITH US''.
Jesus is the Immanuel! Why?
Have you ever been to a baby dedication where the child's full name is announced to everyone, and the baby has three or four different names?
Sometimes there may five or six names in the middle?
The baby Jesus was like that; God gave him several names to tell us about the character of Christ and the purpose of his life. One of Jesus' names is ''Immanuel'' it means ''GOD WITH US'' (Matthew 1:23)
He is with us always and forever and he will never leave us and he will never abandon us (Hebrews 13:5)
You may have been abandoned in life by your parents or your spouse or your children or your friends. Because of that abandonment, you approach this christmas in pain and full of heartache. But the bible says God will never abandon you.
Everyone else may abandon you but not God. You may not feel God's presence in your life right now but that is no indication that God is not there, he is with you - even now unto the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).
Would you be surprised to hear that God hates loneliness?
He not only hates loneliness, he understands what it means to be lonely. The bible records that when God created man he said ''it isn't good for man to be alone'' (Genesis 2:18).
Loneliness is not an issue unique to you or to people who are single. There are many married people who are painfully, desperately lonely. You feel lonely because God created you to need people in your life - but regardless of how many friends you have - your loneliness will still remain until you are intimately connected to God.
The good news is this: because of the birth of Jesus, you now know that God is with you, and never have to face another day alone. God being near removes your fear. You don't have to worry, you don't have to sweat it, you don't have to be anxious about what's going to happen.
You may not feel like God is with you, in fact some days, you may not feel like he's on the planet! But his presence in your life has nothing to do with your feelings.
Through the birth of Jesus, God says '' I am going to give you hope'' If you are lonely this christmas, let Jesus fill the emptiness in your heart.
Isaiah 7:14 ''therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; the virgin will be with a child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel''
Matthew 1:22-23 ''all this took place to fullfill what the Lord had said through the prophet; The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and they will call him Immanuel which means ''GOD IS WITH US''
Whey Jesus named Jesus and not Immanuel?
Let us take a look at these passages...
Matthew 1:21 ''she will give birth to a son and you are to give him name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins''
The passage above was told to Joseph through a dream by an angel of the Lord. Another passage from Luke 1:31 when the angel of the Lord appeared to Mary. ''you will be with a child and will give birth to a son and you are to give him name Jesus''
What Jesus and Immanuel mean?
Jesus is a greek name that means ''SAVIOUR''. And is a form of the hebrew name ''Joshua'' that means ''THE LORD SAVES'', while Immanuel means ''GOD IS WITH US''.
Jesus is the Immanuel! Why?
Have you ever been to a baby dedication where the child's full name is announced to everyone, and the baby has three or four different names?
Sometimes there may five or six names in the middle?
The baby Jesus was like that; God gave him several names to tell us about the character of Christ and the purpose of his life. One of Jesus' names is ''Immanuel'' it means ''GOD WITH US'' (Matthew 1:23)
He is with us always and forever and he will never leave us and he will never abandon us (Hebrews 13:5)
You may have been abandoned in life by your parents or your spouse or your children or your friends. Because of that abandonment, you approach this christmas in pain and full of heartache. But the bible says God will never abandon you.
Everyone else may abandon you but not God. You may not feel God's presence in your life right now but that is no indication that God is not there, he is with you - even now unto the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).
Would you be surprised to hear that God hates loneliness?
He not only hates loneliness, he understands what it means to be lonely. The bible records that when God created man he said ''it isn't good for man to be alone'' (Genesis 2:18).
Loneliness is not an issue unique to you or to people who are single. There are many married people who are painfully, desperately lonely. You feel lonely because God created you to need people in your life - but regardless of how many friends you have - your loneliness will still remain until you are intimately connected to God.
The good news is this: because of the birth of Jesus, you now know that God is with you, and never have to face another day alone. God being near removes your fear. You don't have to worry, you don't have to sweat it, you don't have to be anxious about what's going to happen.
You may not feel like God is with you, in fact some days, you may not feel like he's on the planet! But his presence in your life has nothing to do with your feelings.
Through the birth of Jesus, God says '' I am going to give you hope'' If you are lonely this christmas, let Jesus fill the emptiness in your heart.
Dec 9, 2008
Beware Of The Christmas Symptoms!
As I am writing this blog we have 16 days, 3 hours, 22 minutes and 25 seconds remaining time before the celebration of our Saviour's birthday!
Christmas is just around the corner. And the season's spirit is being reminded us of by some of the following...
- Christmas songs being played on the radio in different frequencies.
- The seasonal blows of the wind.
- Churches conducting "Simbang Gabi" (Night Mass)
-13Th month pay/Christmas bonus
- School and office Christmas parties
-Christmas lights are displayed on every neighbor's house
-Christmas shopping
-tiangge
- What else? =)
But those are not the only things that we are observing today as Christmas' day is coming. There are some things that we should be more aware of especially on the very day of Christmas!!
Let me provide you some of those symptoms that will entirely invade your whole being unnoticed, come and take a look...
Be alert for symptoms of inner hope, peace and joy that can occur around this time of year.
Symptoms include:
A TENDENCY to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.
AN UNMISTAKABLE ability to enjoy the moment.
A LOSS of interest in judging others.
A LOSS of the ability to worry. (Very serious)
FREQUENT, overwhelming episodes of gratitude and peace.
CONTENTED feelings of connection with others.
AN INCREASING tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
AN INCREASED susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.
BELIEF in the Christmas angels’ message that we should be unafraid, whatever happens.
WARNING: There is no antidote.
Nov 27, 2008
Tagalog Father's Love Letter.
Aking Anak...
Aking AnakMarahil hindi mo Ako kilala, subalit batid ko ang lahat tungkol sa iyo
Awit 139:1
Batid ko kapag ika'y nakaupo at kapag ika'y nakatindig
Awit 139:2
Batid ko ang lahat ng gawain mo
Awit 139:3
Maging ang mga buhok mo sa ulo ay aking nabibilang
Mateo 10:29-31
Pagkat ika'y nilikha sa aking wangis
Genesis 1:27
Sa akin ika'y buhay, nakakakilos at ganap
Gawa 17:28
Pagkat ika'y nagbuhat sa akin
Gawa 17:28
Kilala na kita bago ka pa ipinaglihi
Jeremias 1:4-5
Hinirang na kita nang balakin ko ang paglikha
Efeso 1:11-12
Hindi ka isang pagkakamali, pagkat lahat ng araw mo'y nakatitik sa aking aklat
Awit 139:15-16
Aking itinakda ang panahon ng 'yong pagsilang at saan ka mananahan
Gawa 17:26
Buong ingat at buong inam kitang nilikha
Awit 139:14
Aking hinugis ang lahat mong sangkap sa sinapupunan ng 'yong ina
Awit 139:13
At iniluwal ka sa araw ng 'yong pagsilang
Awit 71:6
Ako'y di wastong pinakilala ng mga hindi nakakikilala sa akin
Juan 8:41-44
Hindi Ako malayo ni galit, sa halip Ako'y ganap na kapahayagan ng pag-ibig
1 Juan 4:16
At nasa 'kong puspusin kita ng aking pag-ibig
1 Juan 3:1
Dahil ika'y aking anak at Ako ang iyong ama
1 Juan 3:1
Aking ihahandog sa iyo ang higit pa sa maaaringibigay ng iyong ama
Mateo 7:11
Dahil Ako ang ganap na ama
Mateo 5:48
Lahat ng mabuting kaloob na iyong tinatanggap ay galing sa aking kamay
Santiago 1:17
Pagkat Ako ang nagkakaloob at katatagpuin ko ang lahat ngiyong pangangailangan
Mateo 6:31-33
Aking plano para sa iyong kinabukasan ay laging puspos ng pag-asa
Jeremias 29:11
Pagkat ika'y mahal ko ng walang hanggang pag-ibig
Jeremias 31:3
Ang aking isipan patungkol sa iyo ay sindami ng buhangin sa dalampasigan
Awit 139:17-18
At Ako'y masayang aawit sa iyo ng may kagalakan
Sofonias 3:17
Ako'y di titigil sa paggawa ng mabuti sa'yo
Jeremias 32:40
Dahil ikaw ang aking pinakamamahal na kayamanan
Exodo 19:5
Aking nais na patatagin ka ng buong puso't kaluluwa ko
Jeremias 32:41
At nais kong ipahayag sa iyo ang mga dakila't mahihiwagang bagay
Jeremias 33:3
Kung Ako'y buong puso mong hahanapin, Ako'y iyong masusumpungan
Deuteronomio 4:29
Hanapin mo sa akin ang iyong kaligahayan at aking ibibigay ang mga naisin ng iyong puso
Awit 37:4
Pagkat Ako ang nagbigay ng iyong mga naisin
Filipos 2:13
Ako'y makagagawa ng higit sa iyong iniisip
Efeso 3:20
Dahil Ako ang iyong dakilang mang-aaliw
2 Tesalonica 2:16-17
Ako din ang Ama na aaliw sa iyo sa lahat ng kapighatian
2 Corinto 1:3-4
Kapag ika'y bigo, Ako'y malapit sa iyo
Awit 34:18
Tulad ng pagkanlong ng pastol sa isang tupa, Kinanlong kita palapit sa aking puso
Isaias 40:11
Isang araw papahirin ko ang bawat luha sa iyong mga mata
Pahayag 21:3-4
At aking papawiin ang lahat nghirap na iyong dinanas sa mundong ito
Pahayag 21:3-4
Ako ang iyong Ama, at iniibig kita gaya ng aking pag-ibigsa aking anak na si Jesus
Juan 17:23
Pagkat kay Jesus, ang pag-ibig ko sa iyo ay nahayag
Juan 17:26
Siya ang ganap na sinag ng aking pagka Diyos
Hebreo 1:3
Siya ay dumating upang ipakita na Ako ay panig sa iyo, at hindi laban sa iyo
Roma 8:31
At upang sabihin sa iyo na hindi ko binibilang ang iyong mga kasalanan
2 Corinto 5:18-19
Si Jesus ay namatay upang ikaw at Ako ay magkasundo
2 Corinto 5:18-19
Ang kanyang kamatayan ay naging ganap na kapahayagan na ng aking pag-ibig sa iyo
1 Juan 4:10
Aking ipinagkaloob ang lahat ng aking iniibig upang makamit ang iyong pag-ibig
Roma 8:31-32
Kung iyong tatanggapin ang kaloob ng aking anak na si Jesus, tinanggap mo rin Ako
1 Juan 2:23
At wala nang makapaghihiwalay sa iyo sa aking pag-ibig
Roma 8:38-39
Umuwi ka na sa akin at Ako'y magpapahanda ng pinakamalaking handaan na mangyayari sa langit
Lucas 15:7
Ako ang Ama sa pasimula pa, at palaging magiging Ama
Efeso 3:14-15
Ang tanong ay… Maaari ba kitang maging anak?
Juan 1:12-13
Ako ay naghihintay sa iyo…
Lucas 15:11-32
Nagmamahal, Iyong Tatay
Makapangyarihang Diyos
..."Father's Love Letter Used By Permission Father Heart Communications Copyright 1999-2008 Translated by Luther Jeremiah G. Oconer http://www.fathersloveletter.com/"
Nov 24, 2008
Jesus will come...
Jesus will come to earth again to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.
Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement. So Christ was crucified once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him. -Hebrews 9:27-28.
''Behold I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs those who practice magic arts,the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood''.
'' I Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright morning star.''
The spirit and the bride say, ''come!'' and let him who hears say ''come!'' Whoever is thirsty let him come, and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book. If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plaques described in this book and if anyone takes away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
He who testifies to these things says, ''yes I am coming soon''.
Amen. Come. Lord Jesus, the grace of the Lord Jesus be God's people, Amen. -revelation 22:12-21
It is so very nice to know that Jesus himself tells us that someday He will come for His followers and will give the salvation to those who are waiting fro him.
I remember those words spoken by Jesus during His time here on earth as human whenever I listen to the song entitled "You'll Come" by hillsong. It gives me more strength to keep on living with Jesus here in my heart and follow him whenever possible and maintain the fire in my heart for our beloved saviour.
I admit to myself that it is not that easy to live life fully surrendered to Christ and what I can really assure you is that nothing more will give you happiness than being secured in the loving and victorious arms of Jesus. (thank you Jesus for the love).
Money can give you happiness.
Promotion can give you happiness.
Nice house can give you happiness.
Friends can give you happiness.
Family can give you happiness.
Those happiness are not permanent.
But Jesus can give us happiness that never fades. Happiness that someday He will come for us and bring us back home he prepared for us in heaven with the ever-loving Father!!!
Let me share you the lyrics of the song "You'll Come".
I have decided I have resolved
To wait upon you Lord
My rock and redeemer shall not be moved
I?ll wait upon you Lord
Prechorus
As surely as the sun will rise
You?ll come to us
As certain as the dawn appears
Chorus
You'll come let your glory fall
As you respond to us
Spirit reign flood our hearts
[ Hillsong Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com ]
With holy fire again
Verse 2
We are not shaken we are not moved
We wait upon you Lord
Our Mighty deliverer my triumph and truth
I'll wait upon you Lord
Bridge
Chains be broken
Lives be healed
Eyes be opened
Christ is revealed
Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement. So Christ was crucified once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him. -Hebrews 9:27-28.
''Behold I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs those who practice magic arts,the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood''.
'' I Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright morning star.''
The spirit and the bride say, ''come!'' and let him who hears say ''come!'' Whoever is thirsty let him come, and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book. If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plaques described in this book and if anyone takes away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
He who testifies to these things says, ''yes I am coming soon''.
Amen. Come. Lord Jesus, the grace of the Lord Jesus be God's people, Amen. -revelation 22:12-21
It is so very nice to know that Jesus himself tells us that someday He will come for His followers and will give the salvation to those who are waiting fro him.
I remember those words spoken by Jesus during His time here on earth as human whenever I listen to the song entitled "You'll Come" by hillsong. It gives me more strength to keep on living with Jesus here in my heart and follow him whenever possible and maintain the fire in my heart for our beloved saviour.
I admit to myself that it is not that easy to live life fully surrendered to Christ and what I can really assure you is that nothing more will give you happiness than being secured in the loving and victorious arms of Jesus. (thank you Jesus for the love).
Money can give you happiness.
Promotion can give you happiness.
Nice house can give you happiness.
Friends can give you happiness.
Family can give you happiness.
Those happiness are not permanent.
But Jesus can give us happiness that never fades. Happiness that someday He will come for us and bring us back home he prepared for us in heaven with the ever-loving Father!!!
Let me share you the lyrics of the song "You'll Come".
I have decided I have resolved
To wait upon you Lord
My rock and redeemer shall not be moved
I?ll wait upon you Lord
Prechorus
As surely as the sun will rise
You?ll come to us
As certain as the dawn appears
Chorus
You'll come let your glory fall
As you respond to us
Spirit reign flood our hearts
[ Hillsong Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com ]
With holy fire again
Verse 2
We are not shaken we are not moved
We wait upon you Lord
Our Mighty deliverer my triumph and truth
I'll wait upon you Lord
Bridge
Chains be broken
Lives be healed
Eyes be opened
Christ is revealed
Nov 20, 2008
Armour Of God? What Is That?
God's armor brings victory because it is far more than a protective covering. It is the very life of Jesus Christ Himself. "[P]ut on the armor of light," wrote Paul in his letter to the Romans, "...clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 13:12-14) When you do, He becomes your hiding place, and shelter in the storm--just as He was to David. Hidden in Him, you can count on His victory, for He not only covers you as a shield, He also fills you with His life.
"I am the vine; you are the branches," said Jesus. "If a man abides in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)
Since living in the safety of the armor means oneness with Jesus, we can expect to share His struggles as well as His peace. Remember, God has promised us victory in the midst of trials, not immunity from pain. So "do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you, but rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ..." (1 Peter 4:12-13) Christian heroes who have been tortured for their faith continue to testify to the supernatural strength--even joy--that enables them to endure unthinkable pain.
They affirm with Paul -
"that in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.... For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers.... will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:37-39)
This wonderful truth has become reality to all who believe and follow Jesus. When you put on His armor, His life surrounds you, keeping you safe, close to Himself, and free to be His precious friend and trusted companion. So "put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27) He is your victory!
Nov 18, 2008
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