All by His Grace

A variety television commercial I enjoy at Christmas time show two neighbor in a friendly competition  with each other to see who can spread the most  Christmas cheer. Each keeps an eye on the other as he decorates his house and trees with light. Then each upgrades his own property to look better than the other's. They then start competing over who can give the most extravagantly to other neighbor's running around cheerfully sharing gift. (2Corinthians9:15).Thank be to God for His indescribable gift. God's people aren't in a competition to see who can give the most, but we are called to be "ready to give. Willing to share" (1Tim.6:18). The apostle Paul instructed the church of Corinth. "Let each one give as his purpose in his heart not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves the cheerful giver" (2Corin.9:7). As Christmas time, as we  share the gift with  others, we remember the generosity of God  toward us. He  gave us His Son. read this, "Jesus set aside His riches and entered into His Creation in a state of poverty in order to enrich us all by His grace. 

Christmas Light

When I think about  these holiday lights, I am reminded of the Light that makes Christmas a holiday for many a single Light so bright that it illuminates the whole with truth, justice, and love. This Light Jesus is everything that the world is longing and looking for (Isa.9:2,6-7). And He has told His followers to display His Light so that others will see and glorify God (Matt. 5:16). Imagine if Christians worked as hard at shinning and synchronizing the light of God's love as the families of that neighborhood, community, family, and friend, work when they illuminates their street with Christmas lights Perhaps then the people celebrate His glory in the fulness of time. in (Luke 2:10).the Lord bring Goodnew tiding of great joy to all that we should not be afraid to share the goodnew to all mankind that the angel said fear not. We will rejoice the King of Kings is born. Our Savior. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light (Isaiah 9:2). Jesus said to Himself: "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12). In dark world, people don't see a great light without wondering why it's there and what it means, we get to tell them, so feared not the angel said. 

Talakayan Bayan: "Bakit Pa Tayo Magbabayad!" (12 December 2019)

Desire that make War within us

In letter of James a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribed which is scattered abroad Greeting! Where do you think all these appalling quarrel of war came from? Do you think they just happen? Think again? They came because you want on your own way! You put yoke within on brother, you forget that both of you are my people in the beginning. Paul tried to get them to understand the inner conflict that all who belong to Christ will experience. This battles is between "the flesh"(our simple human nature). The Holy Spirit who lives within us. "Water" is symbol of Holy Spirit  and you change it into commodity and you make an oath in Me, by risining your hand. They came about because you want on your own way, now you have fight deep in yourself a sin which your brother will judge you. (James 4:1-3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Because our self centered nature wants its own way, it fights the rule of Christ within us. So we often end up doing our will rather than God's (Gal:517) if you read to 18 you are not under the Law. You understand that James is not writing about the world war conflict. Although the principle certainly appllies. He's writing to the churches. But this fight is about heritages the natural resources that become yoke of the filipino people Itself. Usually over something pretty has nothing to do with theology. Remember the story of the church that has no electricity in the first time. They were having a business meeting about what type of chandelier would be appropriate. When one Deacon againer came in late. He immediately protest about the chandelier. Saying, in the first place, we got one of them. Chandelier, ain't a soul in this church who know how to play it, and beside that we need light in this place. James returns to the subject of jealousy and selfish ambition"(James 3:16) that leads to war and fight and eats like gangrene into the heart of the church the congregation which the apostle themselves formed were tainted with the same impurities which are still prevalent in our time. 

You Are Guilty of Sin

What does it take to know Jesus in an intimate and personal way? The Bible calls it being crucified with Christ, but you could call it "saying no to sin." Ask the Lord to give you His resurrection power and help you squelch anger, stifle gossip, and put a lid on those mind games. "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passion and desires (Gal. 5:24). We use words in strange ways. Let us read some line. A man, far gone in drunkenness and in dreadful disarray, staggered down the street and bumped against a stout woman of appalling respectability. She glowered at him and said, "You horrible creature. You are the drunkest man  I have ever seen." The drunk paused in his uneven progress, turned slowly, and said, "Lady, you're the ugliest woman I have ever seen, and that's worse. Because when I wake up tomorrow morning, I'm going to be sober. The apostle Paul spoke of this when he said," I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection.. Be coming like Him in His death." Paul realized that in order to know Christ fully, it meant crucifying the old man. Mortifying his sinful nature with all its passion. Nailing worldly afflection to the cross. Reckoning himself dead to sin and alive to God. We say we want to know the Lord's love, to feel His favor, to experience His Joy and peace. We want to know  His presence and His smile. But could we say we are dying to know Him? If so, Jesus ask you to meet Him at the Cross. Let's deal with our own sin and not become expert in pointing out the sin of others. Don't be too harsh with the one who sins nor pelt him word or stone, unless you are sure, yes, doubly sure, that you have no sin of your own. The message is clear Christ shows mercy to us when we admit our sin, but He Judges our hypocrisy and pride when we refuse to be humbled in His presence. The voice of the people is the voice of God. 

What About Evil

Whenever people set themselves against me and My goodness, thats evil. Why there is evil in the world? Because they love more, more more, Lord, our heart often run after "stuff," Teach us not to be obsessed with collecting more and more material goods. May we instead learn what it means to be "rich" toward you. One of Satan's subtle deception is that you can do things in secret that will never be revealed. This is simply not so. The Bible stresses that everything done in darkness will one day be brought to light. So before you commit yourself to do anything questionable, seriously, ask. Yourself. Some people love shop. They have a perpetual desire to buy, buy, buy. The craze to find  the latest deal is worldwide. There are huge shopping malls in China, Philippines, Britannia, United States, around the world. A rise in store purchases and online buying show that buying is a global phenomenon. "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he posseses (Luke 12:15). The knowledge that God sees what we do, the certainty that we are accountable for every word  and action, ought to dissuade us from sin. For all of us must appear before Christ, to be judged by him. We will each receive what we deserve. According to everything we have done, good or bad, in our bodily life. But we can become so alienated from God that even this knowledge does not deter us. God promises that He will publicly expose our sin so that we must give an account to others for our actions. Shopping can be fun. Certainly. There is nothing wrong with trying to find a real to enjoy the things God has given to us. But when we become preoccupied with obtaining material goods, we lose focus. Scripture commands us to expose the deeds of darkness as we become aware of them. (Eph.5:11). As Christian we are to be the light that dispels darkness in our world. Sin cannot continue in the Christians experience, for light cannot dwell with darknesd. The only insurance against having your sin exposed is living blameless life. Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of Justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him. (Isaiah 30:18).

God Keep you in His sight

Let Me tell you a secret. You can be winner without putting anybody down. Look around you. Who are the people that are the most stressed out and unhappy? Aren't they the ones who are constantly trying beat other people out? The one who put other people down to make themselves look good? You can pull for others instead of trying to beat them out. Your only competition should be between yourself as you are and yourself as you want to be. In that competition, your own progress will be your prize. As you learn to always pull for others without pushing yourself to the front, you'll find that I'll lift you up. At times, God will be the only witness to your righteous behavior. Sometimes God is the only one who will understand your motives. Sometimes you will do all you know God has asked you to do, only to face ridicule from others. At such times all you can do is maintain your integrity, trusting that God always keeps His eyes on you. God looks favorably upon those who walk with integrity; doing what they know is right, regardless of how others percieve theirs action. Humble yourself before the Lord, and  he will lift you up. (James 4:18). Take Joseph was a righteous man who had cultivated a reputation for godliness in his community. Then word spread across the community that Mary, the woman to whom he was engage, was expecting a child. There would be many who would assume the worst of this apparently scandalous situation. Joseph probably experience gossip from some, ostracism from others. Yet he was a man of integrity, aware that God knew the truth of his relationship with Mary. In (Psalm 41:12). As for me, you uphold me in my integrity, And set me before your face forever. The most important thing is not that people know the truth. The most important thing is that you are a person of integrity before God. When no one seems to understand why you have done something or when others question whetber you have done all you should have done, your confidence should not be in the hope of vindication in in the eyes of others. It should be in the knowledge that God keeps in His sight. If you have this confidence, it will be enough to sustain you. And they will be in your side.