At the time of this writing the H4U team is all set for our Ozamiz outreach, all geared up for another battle…the battle for souls of men. It is not easy to fight battles. We can’t imagine the how hard it is unless we’re in the middle of it. But we know this in some degree – in the battles we fight each day. Some battles are a bit closer to home. Sometimes neighbors disagree; sometimes people battle not with guns or fists, but with words. There are also battles of ideas. If you believe in God and the Bible, you may find your beliefs under attack in the college classroom or in conversations with unbelieving friends. But I believe some of the fiercest battles are those fought inwardly—within oneself. They are private battles with pain or physical illness, depression, financial difficulty, grief, worry, stress, frustration, loneliness, temptation, and you could go on and on.

The question is: How are we going to find our way through? Well, the Psalmist, David the king, gives us the answer. His day, too, was one of trouble: “May the name of the God of Jacob protect you” (Psa.20:1b). There is where our refuge lies — in the name of the God of Jacob. Only God is adequate for the situation. If you are not resting upon the God of Jacob, you will never make it. What do you and I do when we face a day of trouble? We tend to panic, don’t we? We want to cast about for some kind of maneuver to accomplish what we want. We tend immediately to start manipulating, bringing pressure, trying to use trickery or dishonest methods in the situation. But the God of Jacob is our refuge and trust. David closed his psalm with these words – “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm (Psa.20:7).”

Chariots and horses were the most dreaded war machines of David’s day. The world today has its sources of confidence, too. But they will not suffice. There is nothing wrong with them, as such, except that they are not adequate for the task. David well knew that horses and chariots are needed in battle, but he also knew that if they are all you are going to trust in, you will not have much of a chance. Horses and chariots are not enough without the Lord of glory behind them.

What do you trust in today? What are you relying upon? There are many modern equivalents to these horses and chariots. You could say, “Some trust in ancestry and education; but I will rely on the Lord my God for power.” “Some trust in tranquilizers and pills but I will rely upon the Lord my God.” “Some trust in wealth and property, but I will trust in the name of the Lord my God for provision.”

Here is the note of faith, the quiet, confident expression of a man who has learned where true power lies, the only source of power in the world. And so he says, “I am not going to trust in anything secondary, but I will trust ultimately in the working of the Lord my God.” David’s confidence in the saving power of Jehovah assured him of victory. Beloved, we do well if we do the same!

Somebody once said, “Anyone can have a child, but it takes a special man to be a father.” I wholeheartedly agree and even add that ‘it takes total submission to our Father in heaven to be a father!’ Being a father is much more than performing a biological function. It is about loving and caring, guiding and sharing.

A father recognizes the importance of making time for those he loves…

A father is the head of his family. He does this, not out of insecurity, selfishness or pride, but out of the desire to be an obedient servant of God. (Eph. 5:22Eph. 5:22
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22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  

WP-Bible plugin) A father offers wise counsel so that he may lead his children to a path of righteousness. He is slow to anger, yet demands respect. “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; …” (Genesis 18:19Genesis 18:19
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19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.  

WP-Bible plugin) A father is strong, reliable and confident. But, a father is also tender, loving and understanding. “In everything, do to others what would you have them do to you…” (Matt. 7:12Matt. 7:12
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12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.  

WP-Bible plugin; Psalms 103:13Psalms 103:13
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13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.  

WP-Bible plugin). A father is a good provider. As long as he is capable, he is willing to labor hard to provide shelter for his family, and food on the table … “if any would not work neither should he eat” (II Thess. 3:10ss. 3:10
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10 He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.  

WP-Bible plugin).

A father recognizes the importance of making time for those he loves. A study shows that fathers of preschool children on the average spend 37.7 seconds per day in real contact with their youngsters. In contrast, the study indicated that children watch television approximately 54 hours per week. The average teen in our churches spends only 2 minutes a day in meaningful dialogue with his dad. 25% of these teens say they have never had a meaningful conversation with their father—a talk centered on the teens’ interests. “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6Proverbs 22:6
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6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Train...: or, Catechise in...: Heb. in his way  

WP-Bible plugin) A father is not judged by how much he earns or how many material goods he provides. What does matter to his children is if he has been a “father” to them.

Does your child need your love and forgiveness today?

There’s a Spanish story of a father and son who had become estranged. The son ran away, and the father set off to find him. He searched for months to no avail. Finally, in a last desperate effort to find him, the father put an ad in a Madrid newspaper. The ad read: “Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your Father.” On Saturday 800 Pacos showed up, looking for forgiveness and love from their fathers! Does your child need your love and forgiveness today?As what you have abundantly received from our heavenly Father (the knowledge of Him, His grace, mercy forgiveness, and love), which are far more important than silver and gold, give them NOW to your children. HAVE A MEANINGFUL FATHER’S DAY TO YOU DAD!

June 12 we celebrate our country’s Independence Day. We don’t want to take for granted those who shed sweat, blood and tears to gain our freedom. And we thank them for that. But are we really free? Sad to say the freedom is only skin-deep, so to speak. People are still bound to a greater enemy within – sin. The issue is not the color of the skin but the sin within. And it’s because of that, the Bible tells us that man is an enemy of God, separated from His life and lost. And the enemy of our soul, the Devil, has him in his grasp!

…He gave His Son Jesus Christ to die in our place on the cross of Calvary to reconcile us back to Him…

This is why in a free nation evil still continues to wreak havoc in the lives of men and women. That’s why in spite of man’s effort to improve himself and his surroundings – with the latest technology, man-made programs or what have you, it remains the same. Society’s ills are traced back to the heart of man. The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart. Wherever you go, whatever time period you live in, styles may change, fads come and go – the heart remains the same. It still is deceitful above all things. Who can cure it (Jer.17:9)? Unless the heart is truly freed from the power and influence of sin, there could be no real independence of the soul.

Now, one may say, “Me, a prisoner? I’m free to do what I want!” But Jesus put it this way, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (John 8:34John 8:34
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34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.  

WP-Bible plugin). If you have chosen to live your life disobeying God’s commands, you’re a slave. The good news is God has not totally left man alone. He Himself provided a way for him to be truly free. It cost Him greatly. He gave His Son Jesus Christ to die in our place on the cross of Calvary to reconcile us back to Him. Through Christ’s death and resurrection He purchased freedom for us.

How is this possible? When we put our faith in Jesus Christ He gives us new heart and changes us from within. He gives us new desires, new way of thinking, and a new way of living. And being so affects and influences the environment we are in. Oh what an impact we can make when we live up to our calling – pointing people to the One who can truly set people free. For whom the Son has set free – is free indeed. Let us call out men and women to this freedom we know. Let’s bring them to the feet of our Savior the bondage-breaker!

True freedom—spiritual freedom—is found only in knowing Jesus Christ. This freedom can never be taken away; this freedom is not limited by race, nationality, or social status; this freedom is available to all who choose to follow Christ. Are you among those who are “free indeed”? If not, I encourage you to ask Jesus to break the chains that bind you. If you already have found freedom in Christ, take a moment this morning to thank Him for liberating you from the bondage of sin and your past!

A life-changing mission —accomplished! Praises to Jesus our Savior whose heart beats for mission -for the rich, meaningful, and unforgettable mission trip of the Calvary Chapel Dumaguete’s Thailand Mission 2010 Team!





A life-changing mission — accomplished! Praises to Jesus our Savior whose heart beats for mission – for the rich, meaningful, and unforgettable mission trip of the Calvary Chapel Dumaguete’s Thailand Mission 2010 team.

It’s almost a month now after Election day and our next President is not yet been proclaimed…even with the automated machines! We’re hearing a lot of issues tossed around and debated at Congress. Let’s just pray that God’s will and purpose will prevail in such a time as this. Now while it’s important to be wise and responsible citizens, it’s even more important to remember that, as Christians, we are ultimately citizens of a different country – heaven. (Phil.3:20) For the believers heaven is our homeland. Although we live in this world, we do not belong here. Scripture tells us we are here as a stranger and aliens (1 Pet.2:11). We are journeying through this world to our eternal home.

Now, the greek word translated “citizenship” is the word from which we get the english word “politics” – and it has to do with one’s behavior as a citizen of a nation. In other words, our destination is not just heaven but that we are to live as citizens of heaven; we are to behave as citizens of heaven, worthy of our King. Is our life worthy of Jesus if we refuse to forgive those who offended us, if we harbor bitterness in our hearts? Is it worthy of Jesus when the world see us fighting among ourselves? Is it worthy of Jesus when we live like the world, with its attitudes and philosophies? Heavenly conduct should mark the Christian.

...as you walk daily with God on this earth, remember to keep a Kingdom perspective.

When Jesus walked the earth, He ushered in a new kingdom which is unlike any other known to man. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God long promised by the Old Testament prophets. His manifesto contained radical new ideas: “Blessed are the poor in spirit . . . Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake . . . Blessed are the peacemakers . . .” (Matt. 5:3, 9, 10Matt. 5:3, 9, 10
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3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. ¹⁰ Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  

WP-Bible plugin). Unlike politicians of modern times, Jesus was not concerned with popular opinion; He was concerned with speaking the truth. As Sovereign of this new kingdom, He calls His subjects to that same standard.

Matthew 6:33Matthew 6:33
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33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  

WP-Bible plugin challenges us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” In a society that encourages self-promotion, God calls us to live in a radically counter-cultural manner. Speaking of those who are entrenched in the kingdom of this world, Jesus says, “do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matt. 6:8Matt. 6:8
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8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.  

WP-Bible plugin). The subjects of God’s Kingdom walk to the beat of a different drummer. While we should be concerned with the present political environment, our primary focus should be on those things of eternal consequence.

So, fellow pilgrim, as you walk daily with God on this earth, remember to keep a Kingdom perspective.