You could hear it coming. My wife Lolit went to our room’s window wondering what she was hearing. I heard it too. It sounded like an old air-condition engine, according to her. Coming from afar slowly approaching, my wife standing in front of the window, feels the coolness of the air, until it fell…and it fell hard! The rain came down hard! Yes, at the time of this writing it was raining. And I heard from the news that some parts of our country are experiencing a storm.

“Storms have a way of revealing what is real and lasting…”

I remember watching many great storms that hit Metro Manila. I watched those storms peel shingles from roofs and send them flying through the air like feathers, I thought, storms have a way of revealing what is real and lasting. In times of our deepest crisis, we gain wisdom that enables us to discover who we really are, of what we are truly made, and what life is seriously about. I’ve seen storms uproot trees and wondered how deeply rooted am I in the Lord. It is not the storm without, but the enemy within that poses our greatest threat.

There’s a story of a ship that was caught in a storm. The frightened crew hears a terrible crashing sound below. Immediately the men know what it is: a cannon has broken loose and is crashing into the ship’s side with every smashing blow of the sea! Two men, at the risk of their lives, manage to fasten it down again, for they know that the unfastened cannon is more dangerous than the raging storm.

“How does one weather the storms of life?”

Many people are like that ship—their greatest danger areas lie within their own lives. How does one weather the storms of life? An old seaman said, “In fierce storms we can do but one thing. There is only one way to survive; we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there.”

Beloved, this is what we must do. Sometimes, like Paul, you can see neither sun nor stars, and no small tempest lies on you. Reason cannot help you. Past experiences give you no light. Only a single course is left. You must put your soul in one position and keep it there. You must stay upon the Lord, fix your eyes on Him and, come what may— winds, waves, seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers—no matter what, you must lash yourself to the helm and hold fast your confidence in God’s faithfulness and His everlasting love in Christ Jesus!

“Fix your eyes on Him… come what may… no matter what… hold fast your confidence in God’s faithfulness and His everlasting love in Christ Jesus!”

“Who shall separate us from the love of God? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?…..No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us…nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom.8:35-39)!” That’s the best position you can be most secure – in His love! The rain may fall down hard but His love is your everlasting shelter from the storm.

This is the topic based on 2 Cor. 1:3-4; 5:5-72 Cor. 1:3-4; 5:5-7
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; ⁴ Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. ⁵ Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. ⁶ Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: ⁷  

WP-Bible plugin, I had the privilege to share during the first CC Missionaries Fellowship held last week at CCTC. How timely, how fitting and how relevant the topic not only for missionaries who experienced difficulties in the field but to all of us who are all subject to weakness, pain and trouble.

“Seeking God in our trouble should be our first response…”

Let me just share with you an excerpt from my notes: Have you ever known someone who was ill, and the doctors have done all they can do, so they say, “the only thing you can do now is PRAY.” When a sick person hears that, they sometimes frown and say, “Oh no! Has it come to that?” In other words, they act as if prayer is the last resort. But seeking God in our trouble shouldn’t be our last resort; it should be our first response!

He is the One “who comforts us in all our troubles.” My favorite word from that verse is “in.” Where is God? Well, He’s everywhere, of course. But the Bible says He is with us IN all our troubles to comfort us. Now, our modern use of the “comfort” has robbed it of some of its strength. To us, it’s a soft, sentimental, soothing feeling. We even use it to described a soft, fluffy covering for a bed, a comforter. But in the Bible, “comfort” is an action word. It’s the Greek word “parakaleo”, which literally means, “one who comes alongside to help.” It’s the same word Jesus used in John 14-16 to describe the Holy Spirit. Our English word “comfort” comes from a combination of two words that means “with strength.” The “fort” in comfort reminds us of the word fortify, or fortitude. So, to comfort means “to come along someone and to give them your strength.”

“God comforts us IN all our troubles…”

Let me give you a visual definition of “comfort.” Imagine an elderly man or woman is standing at the bottom of a steep set of stairs. They look up and wonder if they can make it. If you see their need and then come alongside them help them up the stairs, you are giving them comfort according to the Bible meaning of the word. If you see their need and just yell, “Use the handrail!”—that’s not comfort. Or if you yell, “Go use the elevator around the corner!” That’s not comfort. In order to comfort them, you must come alongside them and physically give them your strength to help them.

Got that picture? Because that’s what God does when He comforts us IN our troubles. He doesn’t just call out from heaven, “Hey use the handrail!” He comes alongside to help you. How? Through His Word as the Spirit gently reminds us of His promises. Through His presence and the spiritual strength He provides. And also, through fellow believers! That’s why we need to stay connected to the church!

Psalm 46:1Psalm 46:1
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46 To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. for: or, of ¹ God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  

WP-Bible plugin – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” God doesn’t want to be your 911 number, He wants to be your 24/7/365 number—your EVER-PRESENT HELP—right now. So turn to Him first, not just when things get really bad and you’ve run out of all your other options. And when you do, He comes alongside you to hold you and strengthen you!

Yes they still go at it. They’re still pointing fingers on who’s to blame. Yes, those responsible for the failure of the hostage-taking crisis should answer to the law. But it seems that all they do is play the blame game. Someone has said, “If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.” The first people on earth, Adam and Eve, first played it so it’s not surprising that the children would follow. The Lord God asked, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten the fruit I commanded you not to eat?” Yes,” Adam admitted, “but it was the woman you gave me who brought me the fruit, and I ate it.”

“Often we seek to blame others for our behavior and our failures…”

Adam both blamed the woman and God who gave him the woman! Then the Lord God asked the woman, “How could you do such a thing?” “The serpent tricked me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.” It was the classic “The Devil made me do it,” defense! Yes the Devil will tempt us to do wrong, yes he wants you to fail as a Christian. But you don’t have to. One of the greatest promises in the bible is found in 1 Corinthians 10:131 Corinthians 10:13
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13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. common...: or, moderate  

WP-Bible plugin, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”The bible never says that we won’t be tempted, but it does say we don’t have to give in to temptation.

Now, how often in our lives do we seek to blame others for our behavior and our failures on others? ‘It was because of my parents, or my teachers, or my friends. They led me astray.’ Beloved, when you blame others, you give up your power to change. And so you don’t need to change if it was someone else’s fault that you sinned. Very seldom do you hear someone say “I sinned, it was my choice, nobody forced me, tempted me or enticed me, I did it because I wanted to.” And there’s no forgiveness for that.

Many suffer for years with a guilty conscience because they are not willing to come to the place where they acknowledge their sin. They will not call it what God calls it. We all tend to cover up sin and make it sound nicer than it is. “No this is not sin, it’s a weakness!” “No, this is not gossip, it’s just telling you this so you can pray.” We use pleasant names to describe it. Thus, we try to cover over our sins. But we can never be forgiven while we do this, for the first step in the process of forgiveness is an acknowledgement of sin. Not trying to cover it up, blame others for it, justify, rationalize or make excuses for it! But when we stop protecting our sins, and confess them, then we receive forgiveness and the process of restoration begins. And we not only regain a better relationship with God – a peace with God, but we also feel His peace within and at peace about ourselves!

“So, confess, admit, open up… and you shall be free!”

As believers, many of us understand intellectually what it means to be forgiven. We know that Christ’s death atones for our sins. By placing our faith in Him, we are saved into an eternal relationship with our Lord that never changes. Even though we may still sin after becoming a Christian, we know that when we turn to the Lord with a repentant heart, confessing our sin to Him, He washes our sin away. First John tells us that when we confess our sin, God “is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:91 John 1:9
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9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  

WP-Bible plugin).

“It may seem like our sins are beyond God’s forgiveness…”

Yet sometimes, people discover that they are unable to find that feeling of reconciliation with God. No matter how often they confess and after doing all that they can to make reparation for their sin, they still feel as if they cannot be forgiven. It may seem like their sins—things like pornography, drunkenness, abortion, or adultery—are beyond God’s forgiveness. They continue to carry the burden of their guilt along with them each day, weighed down by a feeling of permanent distance in their relationship with the Lord.

Perhaps the waters of guilt have washed over you, and you feel like you are sinking in sorrow and regret. What could be preventing you from moving beyond your past and feeling forgiven? I have observed a number of mistaken ways of thinking that are common among those who struggle with past sins. I’ll only share one (but the most common) due to lack of space. Crossing over these thought “barrier” is a major step on the road to feeling forgiven . . . and free.

“We have made our particular sin out to be uniquely bad and Christ’s payment to be inadequate…”

“What I have done is too bad. I know that God is forgiving, but I cannot be forgiven for this.” This barrier ensnares many sincere believers because it gives such a strong appearance of sadness over sin. It feels like a righteous response; we don’t want to downplay the gravity of our sin. Yet an honest look at the above statement shows that it is not really humble nor is it true. In effect, it implies that Christ’s death was not enough to pay for all sin. It is as though we are saying, “Maybe His atonement covers the sins of the rest of the world. But Jesus’ death cannot cover this.” We have made our particular sin out to be uniquely bad and Christ’s payment to be inadequate.

What a far cry this is from the truth! If our sin is an exception to God’s forgiveness, then Scripture lies because it declares, “Everyone who calls upon the name of the LORD will be saved” (Acts 2:21Acts 2:21
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21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.  

WP-Bible plugin). No exceptions! The truth is that our sin is no worse (and no better) than the rest of humanity’s. All sin is evil in the Lord’s sight. Yet Christ’s death is sufficient(see Colossians 1:20-21Colossians 1:20-21
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20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. having...: or, making ²¹ And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in...: or, by your mind in  

WP-Bible plugin; Hebrews 7:24-25Hebrews 7:24-25
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24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. an...: or, which passeth not from one to another ²⁵ Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. to the...: or, evermore  

WP-Bible plugin). It is more than enough—many, many times over—to cover all the wrong we’ve ever done and will ever do. No sin is beyond God’s forgiveness. Hallelujah!

As we remember the Lord today at the Communion table, rejoice in that truth and give Him thanks!

A tree fell and it caught our TV cable that made it snap and resulted in a 2-day cable-less existence. That was ok. No big deal. But when our internet connection, for whatever reason it was cut off, that’s another story. It affected me, my work and the kids…their assignments and all! Now that’s a big deal! One day without it…it was okay. 2nd day, it’s still kind of ok, but when it was 3rd day, we all started squirming, feeling restless, incomplete that we can’t connect. Yes, Globelines took a long time coming to fix it. But then, I realized something. Those times without TV cable and internet connection were actually a good thing. We had more time together as a family, more time with the Lord in prayer and His Word, more time with just thinking, meditating, just there being still before the Lord. And I really began to like it.

“Our modern age suffers from a great lack of depth in our walk with the Lord…”

I think of the early church that had not much distractions like we do today. What we have in this present time produces shallow relationship with God. Our modern age suffers from a great lack of depth in our walk with the Lord. Many distractions work against a deep, substantial relationship. Jesus said that in the last days, the love of most would grow cold (Matt. 24:12Matt. 24:12
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12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.  

WP-Bible plugin). He warned about the traps that would hinder a deep relationship with Himself. He mentioned the cares of this life: the pressures of making a living, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desire for more and more things (see Matt. 13:3-23Matt. 13:3-23
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3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; ⁴ And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: ⁵ Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: ⁶ And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. ⁷ And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: ⁸ But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. ⁹ Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. ¹⁰ And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? ¹¹ He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. ¹² For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. ¹³ Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. ¹⁴ And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: ¹⁵ For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. ¹⁶ But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. ¹⁷ For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. ¹⁸ Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. ¹⁹ When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. ²⁰ But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; ²¹ Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. offended: he relapseth, or, falleth into sin ²² He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. ²³ But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.  

WP-Bible plugin).

"We know a little about everything, but not much about anything..."

Our electronic age brings further distractions. Television, telephones, cellphones, the world wide web and computer games constantly flood our minds with all kinds of stimuli and ideas, gobbling up time we might have spent in meditation upon God. We are living in an age when man has become very, very broad, but not very deep. Through the mass media we can now bring up many subjects. We know a little about everything, but not much about anything. And our relationship with God has suffered as a result. In many ways, the days of the apostles were far better to our own. More readily than today, they were able to have the kind of communion and fellowship with God that creates character God can use. Think about Paul, the apostle, when he walked from Jerusalem to Caesarea, about a three-day journey. He wasn’t listening to music or keeping up on the local news. He was surrounded by nature – by the trees, the flowers, the animals. At night he would wrap himself in his blanket and look up at the stars. How could he not think about God and His creation and His works? Solitude is very conducive to communion with God, to meditation on God.

" In Solitude... Stop, look and listen to the God who made you... He wants an intimate relationship with you."

Today, in a fast-paced, crowded, information-overload generation, you’ve got so much stimuli coming into your brain that you can’t commune with God and have a time of real spiritual enrichment. Our whole society and manner of living has taken us away from simplicity. We are not as close to God as the saints of old, and that may be one reason why we do not see much of His power evidence today as it was back then. Because a prayer-less Christian is a powerless Christian. A deep-abiding faith in God is nurtured in solitude.

So, beloved, from time to time, turn off that TV, close that computer, shut off that cellphone…and listen. Stop, look and listen to the God who made you – He who desires to be with you and show you things in His Word; He who loves you and wants an intimate relationship with you.

Now that our H4U Ozamiz is already done and is now a part of our church history, never think for a moment that the warfare we are engaged in is over. For life as a whole, much more the Christian life is a life of warfare! We are called to a battle, not to a life of ease; to a battle, to a warfare, to a wrestle, to a struggle” (see Ephesians 6:10-12Ephesians 6:10-12
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10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. flesh...: Gr. blood and flesh spiritual...: or, wicked spirits high: or, heavenly  

WP-Bible plugin). The word which Paul uses here actually refers to wrestling. It’s the kind that you see in a high school or college gymnasium, the kind where two guys are entwined with one another and are trying every kind of move that they can think of to pin the other guy to the ground. It’s the kind of battle where you have extremely close contact with one another. And yes, sometimes, if not most of the time, the struggle hits close to home…it’s very personal.

We cannot afford to put our guard down. We need to be in constant look out in prayer of the fiery darts that the enemy throws at us. Our enemy is relentless looking for opportunities at our weakest point to attack us. And one of the most dangerous places and times for temptation, for the Devil to attack is when we feel comfortable, successful, easy and light – just like King David’s fall when he was feeling secure, successful and comfortable! Of course, our ultimate rest from it is when we finally see Jesus face to face, but until then, we are engaged in a spiritual battle – whether we like it or not; whether we accept it or not! That’s the hard reality of life!

So how do we face this? Paul wrote, “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Eph.6:10). The human will does not generate this strength. It is not mere resolve, determination, or self discipline. While all of these are inherent in spiritual life, they are derived from true strength. There is a human attempt to be strong. We have all tried this. However, there is no ability in us to be strong in the face of a spiritual warfare. The strength is from the Lord. We have no sufficient strength of our own. All our sufficiency is of God. It is not our strength that equips us to stand; it is God’s strength invested in us when we submit to God.

To be strong in the Lord is to surrender and fully submit our heart, mind and will to Him. That is why James 4:7-8James 4:7-8
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7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.  

WP-Bible plugin tells us that the power of resisting is found through submitting to God (“Submit to God, resist the Devil and he will flee from you”). The devil does not flee from your power, but from God’s power within us that overcomes him. We have the promise that when we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. Resistance is no longer measured by our strength, but the strength of God who draws us out of temptation.

So, beloved, as Jesus said, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Always be in prayer mode and know that His strength is our strength!

Most of us were glued to our Television last Wednesday as we watched another historic event in our country, the inauguration of our 15th president, Benigno Aguino III. We heard his speech, simple and straight to the point, promises were made, as usual, but spoken straight from the heart, to the heart of the Filipino people…a people longing for true change. So, we all wish, hope and pray. And we can certainly contribute to this change as citizens of this country. But one thing is missing, one thing is lacking, one thing never emphasized…and it’s the most important of all – the God of the change! For only He, through Jesus Christ, can bring true change. It all starts in the inner recesses of man – the heart. And only He, who searches hearts and minds, He who weighs every motives and intentions of the heart can reach it, mold and shape it….even cleanse it – making it new. And that is through the gospel of Jesus Christ! Nothing less, nothing more, nothing else.

This is then we, who call ourselves followers of Christ, come in to effect change. How? Colossians 4:5-6Colossians 4:5-6
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5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. ⁶ Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.  

WP-Bible plugin tells us how (Go read it) – First is PRAYER – Pray for open doors (and hearts) to share Christ in your workplace, neighborhood, home and wherever you are. Always be in prayer mode. Second is BE WISE IN THE WAY WE ACT – To be wise in the way we walk means that we’re careful not to say or do anything that would make it difficult to share the gospel. Often this simply means that we need to remember that those who don’t yet know Christ are watching us. Beloved, we need to be careful about the way we act because people are making decisions about the validity of Christianity based upon how we’re living. Somebody wrote – “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day, I’d rather one would walk with me than merely tell the way, the eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear; Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear.” When we pray, God will give us open doors, let’s not shut them by our behavior! But rather, allow our behavior to be the means that God uses to open doors.

Third, MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY – This phrase is a commercial term and means to “buy up.” It’s the picture of finding something on sale and buying all you can afford because the price is so good. Likewise, we’re to buy up every opportunity to speak for Christ when we see one. Time is short, life is short. Every moral decision is important, every opportunity is important. It’s going so fast. Make it count. How? Redeem it. Find ways in which you can say, `I don’t need to waste this time because I don’t have a lot of time left!’ And fourthly, GRACIOUS SPEECH – Our wise walk should lead to wise words. If our actions are right, then we will earn a hearing. Don’t blow that opportunity by using words that are harsh, judgmental and hard to understand. Use words that are gracious, merciful and will make people want to hear more. How can we make the gospel attractive to them if our talk doesn’t match our walk? May our confession match our profession!

Beloved, we are not called to be so heavenly minded with no earthly good, for we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Live it out and true change will happen through the power of the Spirit of Christ!

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
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
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!

Calvary Chapel Dumaguete looks back on the year 2009 celebrating God’s faithfulness! Indeed He is the God of the Breakthrough!

“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.” (Psa.62:1). If you are of average weight and height, here is what you will go through in an average 24-hour period: Your heart will beat 103,689 times. Your blood will travel 168 million miles, as your heart pumps approximately 4 ounces per beat. You will breathe 23,040he 23,040
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Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!

WP-Bible plugin times, inhaling 438 cubit feet of air. Your stomach will take in 3.5 pounds of food and 2.9 quarts of liquid. You will lose 7-8 pounds of waste. If you are a man, you will speak 4,800 words. If you are a woman, you will speak close to 7,000 words. You will move 750 muscles, and exercise 7 million brain cells. No wonder we’re tired!

“How long would this continue…how long should I hold on…would this ever end?”

But there is weariness much more draining than physical fatigue. It’s the kind of weariness you feel when you just don’t know if you can go on another day. It’s the weariness a father feels when his child is doing wrong. It’s the weariness a friend feels who has been abandoned or misunderstood. It’s the weariness a wife feels whose husband has rejected her. It’s the weariness which can take a toll on even the most seemingly successful individual – even a child of God, a servant of God.

Have you ever become so weary, so tired of life’s battles? And worse, all your resources – material, emotional and mental are already depleted that you have nothing left so you just want to give up? If anyone was ever weary, David was (read Psa.62). He had grown weary from the constant assaults of his enemies! He is so worn out and tired that he is about to fall down and collapse. David asked what we also ask when we are in the midst of troubles, “How long?” “How long would this continue…how long should I hold on…would this ever end?” Yet in the midst of his weariness he is able to find rest – where? In a Liquor Bar? In Drugs? In Entertainment? No. In God alone (read vs.1) –

Beloved, there is place of rest for the weary – and it is in God alone. Jeremiah 6:16Jeremiah 6:16
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16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.  

WP-Bible plugin – “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.” When we are in the weary times of life, it is as if we have reached a crossroads and we must now choose which way we will go. In this passage God is telling us that we must choose the good way because that is the only way to “find rest for your souls.”

He listens. He cares…. simply REST in Him!

The opposite is there is no rest for the weary when they will not listen to God and choose to go their own way rather than “the good way.” What is “the good way” that Jeremiah wrote about? It is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way” (John 14:6John 14:6
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6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  

WP-Bible plugin). He also said, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28Matthew 11:28
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28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  

WP-Bible plugin). Truly, Jesus is the good way — the only way — that provides rest for our souls. Call on Him. Pour all your heart out. Let go. Let Him fill you with love and grace. He listens. He cares….and simply REST in Him!

As I was watching a basketball game the other day a thought came to my mind, as if the Spirit of God gently reminding me – that Life in general is not a game! Oh we wish it is! But not so! Most of the time it’s a battle, it’s a struggle; a lot of tears and pain, heartaches and hurts. Beyond the smile and the laughter is a hurting and weeping heart – crying out for love, pleading for help, begging for relief! We live not in a fantasy world nor in video game world, but in a real world of sin and trouble! What do we do when life turns to the worst? When the battle rages and we’re in the thick of the fight? When our enemy is gaining ground and we’re losing our grip? Psalm 46:1-3Psalm 46:1-3
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46 To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. for: or, of ¹ God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. ² Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; midst...: Heb. heart of the seas ³ Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.  

WP-Bible plugin – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

When life presses in upon us, when trouble comes, then we can know that we have a place to run to. God is our refuge and strength. It does not matter what form the trouble takes, or how it is delivered, or how long it stays. God alone is our accessible, protected place of refuge and retreat. We can hide there and know that nothing can get through to us unless it goes through Him first. In any battle you need a safe place…a fortress where you can go to rest and recoup and think. One of the most beautiful pictures of spiritual refuge is found in Psalm 91:4Psalm 91:4
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4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.  

WP-Bible plugin where it says, “God will shield you with His wings.”

Have you ever seen little chicks hop around, chirping, pecking, doing “little chick stuff”? If the mother hen becomes aware of a predator or a threat to her offspring, she responds by lifting her wings and within seconds, all the baby chicks disappear underneath them. Now, the predator sees nothing but one mean-looking mama who just dares the enemy to take a step forward! She is a refuge for her children…..she is their protection. Now eventually, the chicks will have to crawl out and face the real world again. But for a season, there is nothing quite like the soft shelter of those wings—the downy feathers caressing their heads; the mother’s warmth stilling their shakes; her heart’s steady beating gradually calming their fears.

And God delights in spreading His protective wings and enfolding His frightened, battle-weary children. God is our refuge! And one way that we let God be a refuge for us is to simply talk to Him about our struggles. Psalm 62:8Psalm 62:8
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8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.  

WP-Bible plugin says, “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” So the passwords that open the gates into the refuge of God are the soul – wrenching words that flow out of our hearts, when we finally decide to trust God enough to tell Him about our struggles. Somewhere in the middle of taking that step of faith, the gates open, and God’s wings extend.

God delights in spreading His protective wings …enfolding His frightened, battle-weary children…

Jesus is our refuge even when what seems permanent and unchangeable changes. When the world seems to crash in around us, He is still there. When the world does not make sense, He is still there. When the problems overwhelm us, when we are afraid, when we are hurting, God is still there. He’s an ever-present help! Thank You Lord!

More than 100,000 people were feared dead Wednesday after a cataclysmic earthquake with 7.0 magnitude in the Richter scale struck Haiti, filling the streets with corpses and burying thousands under razed schools, hotels and hospitals. Parliament has collapsed. The tax office has collapsed. Schools have collapsed. Hospitals have collapsed. What a devastation! As many people are, my heart breaks and go out to the victims and to the survivors. Pray that God would use whatever happened there to turn hearts to Jesus Christ!

He wants to tear down the scaffolding and reveal the unshakable realities that are eternal…

GOD TODAY IS SHAKING THINGS. He wants to tear down the scaffolding and reveal the unshakable realities that are eternal. Too many people are building their lives on things that can shake. But a Christian can be confident, for we shall receive an unshakable kingdom. In fact, we are part of God’s kingdom today! Now what shall we do as we live in a shaking world? Listen to God speak and obey Him. Receive grace day by day to serve Him with reverence and awe. Do not be distracted or frightened by the tremendous changes going on around us. Keep looking to Jesus Christ and run with perseverance. While others are being frightened we can be confident!

ESTABLISH YOUR PRIORITIES. When you begin to establish priorities, you have to decide just where God stands in your life. So ask yourself, “Who or what is most important in my life?” And I’m hoping that your answer will be, “My relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, is most important to me.” If so, then put that at the top of your list of priorities, & say, “This will affect my decisions, my scheduling, my relationship with others, & my whole outlook on life.” The next in the list is your family. If you’re married – Your wife; if you have small kids – Your kids. They’re growing up ever so fast. These are precious moments. Don’t let them get away. Make sure that you spend quality time with your children. Make sure that your family is very high on the list.

And if you are single, listen to Paul’s advice: “I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man/woman is concerned about the Lord’s affairs – how he/she can please the Lord. Her/His aim is to be devoted tot he Lord in both body and spirit (1 Cor. 7:32-341 Cor. 7:32-34
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32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: that belong...: Gr. of the Lord ³³ But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. ³⁴ There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.  

WP-Bible plugin).” And for the church as a whole – let’s keep our eyes on Jesus and the harvest field – for they are ripe for harvest; and let’s continue to be faithful to His Word and to help others know the Word – to disciple them – for this is Christ’s mandate for the church!

See to it that we do not refuse Him who speak (Heb.12:25). God still do speak through His Word…

See to it that we do not refuse Him who speak (Heb.12:25). God still do speak through His Word and His creation today. Is anybody listening? Are we listening, church? We have this ever shining hope in our hearts, are we sharing it? Do we tell others of this hope we have in Christ? Why not when God wants to use you to be a messenger of hope in this ever darkening times! Jesus’ return is near. Is anybody listening?

“Lord, grant us ears to hear, eyes to see, hearts that are yielded to You only. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.”

Two weeks into the New Year, already many people’s hopes of a better future on earth are dashed to pieces. The world remains the same, no change for the better. Same condition. Same situation. It’s still a hard life. Tomorrow is another day to worry about. Not to a child of God! Would it not be better to leave tomorrow with God? Didn’t Jesus say that we should not worry about our life, what we will eat or drink; or about our body, what we will wear (Matt.6:25)? That the birds of the air do not sow or reap and yet our Father feeds them? That we are more valuable than they (Matt.6:26).

Would it not be better to leave tomorrow with God?

Instead of worrying about tomorrow we’re taught to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” What does it mean when we pray this prayer? First, it means we are saying that we trust God as the source to supply all the physical needs of our lives. In Deuteronomy we’re reminded, “It is God who gives you power to get wealth” (8:18). All the resources at our disposal are gifts from Above, James 1:17James 1:17
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17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.  

WP-Bible plugin, says.

Second, notice that this trust in God for these needs is for each day. In the first century, bread had to be made on a daily basis. They couldn’t just buy a couple loaves and put them in the freezer. It was baked fresh every day and was an essential part of life. Jesus was instructing His disciples to ask God for what they needed to live for the day. Like manna that comes once a day, God provides one day at a time. So when we pray “Give us this day our daily bread” we’re showing that we’re depending on God a day at a time. It doesn’t say, “Give us next week our weekly bread.” Jesus urges us, “Don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing….Do not worry about tomorrow” (Mt 6:31, 34Mt 6:31, 34
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31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ³⁴ Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.  

WP-Bible plugin). Instead trust Him each day at a time!

How much is enough, Lord? How much is too much? What can I live without?

And this prayer, thirdly, means Contentment – Some people are never satisfied with what they have. Beloved, God gives us that which is necessary, not always the wants of life; He provides for our needs, not our “greeds”. It’s when we insist our “wants” that lead us to troubles and debts! Listen to this prayer of a fellow-believer that I know also expresses our own –

“Lord, sometimes I fear the things I have. They steal my best time and energy by crying for my attention: ’Buy me! Eat me! Wear me! Upgrade me!’ And so I am hungry, because I am feeding my greed and not my soul. How much is enough, Lord? How much is too much? What can I live without? I don’t want too little, for fear of becoming bitter and anxious. Nor do I need too much, lest I turn complacent and blind to the needs of others.

Give us this day our daily bread….I need bread to stay alive, but without the Bread of Life I will never truly live. Teach me contentment, Jesus. Show me a way of true delight in the things of this earth, without mad cravings to own or control. Increase my hunger for You and for the things of Your Spirit. May I never desire anything – a tasty meal, a beautiful dress, even a cozy home – unless You are in the desire, helping me to be grateful and generous.” Amen.

This was what we heard over the airport P.A. system as we sat there in the waiting room. Our flight home was cancelled due to zero visibility here in Dumaguete last Thursday afternoon. Excited to get home but God had another plan – an extended time with my family in Manila. We were able to spend the new year with them and it was indeed a blessing in disguise. This reminds me of another kind of cancellation that I always rejoice in – “He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.” (Col.2:13b-14)

Jesus paid in full what you and I cannot pay…

We were completely forgiven! What wonderful words these are. Look at the scope of forgiveness: “He forgave us all our sins.” How many of our sins? ALL. Not just the past sins, not just the present sins, not just the big sins, not just the little sins but ALL of them. Do you get it? It means those times in your past that plague you with guilt . . . He forgave those sins. That means every single one, even those that you have a hard time forgiving yourself of. And those times when you let others down and hurt them, He forgave those sins too. And all those times you promised you did something for the last time . . . and then you fell again . . . God forgave those in Christ too. He forgives the hidden sins and the public sins.

How is this possible? Paul tells us that God canceled the written code that was against us. This is the Law. The Law is holy and good but we are not, so we are condemned because we cannot fulfill the Law. The Law was against us and stood opposed to us because all it could ever do was point out our sinfulness. But the condemnation this Law brings Jesus has removed from us. It’s not that the Law He removed but the condemnation it brings to us due to our sins. He died in your place. His goodness was applied to your account. Your debt was canceled. That’s what it means when He shouted, “IT IS FINISHED!” The debt is paid. Jesus paid in full what you and I cannot pay. The debt of our sins is gone forever because of His blood shed once and for all!

We stand on the verge of a new spiritual venture… a new calling to serve the Lord in the new year.

So, beloved, you who believe in Jesus, as we are now into the New Year receive afresh His forgiveness and acceptance. If you’ve been holding on to the past, it’s time to accept the hurts and losses of our pasts in such a way as they no longer influence or control us, where they no longer have power in our lives. Don’t be a prisoner of your past. Past blunders, mistakes, failures and hurts need not have a stranglehold on your life.

We stand on the verge of a new spiritual venture; a new calling to serve the Lord in the new year. In a sense, the challenge of a new year is like standing on the edge of the fresh sand of a wave swept beach. Or, holding a clean sheet of paper or a clean slate. And that once again, we are given an opportunity to trust God, to walk with Him and show us great and mighty things He wants to and will do in and through us for His greater glory. HOPE IN HIM, FOR ONLY IN HIM IS HOPE!

There were some American soldiers stationed on a small island in the South Pacific during WWII. Monkey meat was a real delicacy on this island, and the islanders showed the Americans how they captured monkeys — 1. Put an apple in a wide-mouth jar. 2. Tie a rope around the jar. 3. Tie the other end of the rope around a tree. 4. Wait patiently.

Eventually a monkey will come along, look curiously in the jar, see the apple, reach in and grab it. The monkey’s hand easily compressed to fit into the jar but his fist, holding the apple, was too large to pull out. The monkey, however, would predictably refuse to let go of the apple. The monkey was in effect, tied to the tree by the rope, the jar and the apple. Very soon…monkey adobo! Now think about this for a moment… Was the monkey too stubborn or too stupid to let go of the apple? You know what? It really doesn’t matter. It is the same result: one dead monkey.

Now for the real question…Did the monkey have the apple or did the apple have the monkey?

It is only by letting go that we become free…

There are things that bind us. As long as we hold on to them, their power over us continues. It is only by letting go that we become free. It’s only by surrendering everything to Christ that we experience true freedom.

Now, true freedom is NOT having the freedom to do whatever you want, however you want to do it. We are free in Christ indeed. That means we have the freedom to obey God and live fruitful lives or we have the freedom not to obey Him and choose sin. If we are sincere in our faith we must not willingly abuse our freedom. Paul writes, “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature” (Galatians 5:13Galatians 5:13
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13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.  

WP-Bible plugin). Jesus didn’t set us free to give us an excuse for sinning. He set us free from sin so we could enjoy a relationship with the Father. He set us free so we might choose to obey and serve Him with sincerity of heart.

We are free to choose the best…

You see freedom has boundaries in order to keep us safe. In Christ we have freedom – within the boundaries of God’s Word. We are free from the punishment of sin, from eternal death, from the past, from fear of the future, but we are not autonomous. We are not free to do our own thing. We are not free from responsibility. We are not free to sin. In fact the Bible says that we are not our own we were bought with a price. That means we belong to Jesus! So it’s not me who is in-charge anymore – it’s Him!

So when Jesus sets us free… We are free to rise above our sin. We are free to live a holy life. We are free to finally CHOOSE what is right. We are free to choose the best. We are free to keep growing. We are free to reach the potential for which God has designed us! Live free!

Today the whole nation commemorates the dead. Cemeteries are filled with people remembering their loved ones who passed away. Death. A very unpopular, not-part-of-daily-conversation kind of a word. We avoid going to funerals if possible and we never just drop by a funeral home to have a cup of coffee. We work out and lose weight and lower our cholesterol and we try to be careful so that death won’t come too close to us. But sometimes death comes and knocks at our door. Other times death breaks the door down and comes barging into the living room whether we like it or not.

Sometimes death stares us in the face and we don’t know what to do or how to respond…

Death is never easy to deal with. Most of the time we can avoid it or try to postpone it or keep it far away from us. But sometimes death stares us in the face and we don’t know what to do or how to respond. In fact, the longest walk you’ll ever take is the walk away from the grave of someone you love. If you have never done that, you can’t imagine how difficult it is. To walk away and feel as if the world has come to an end. It is the longest walk and the saddest day. Every step takes you away from the tombstone of a broken dream. And what is worst is: hell awaits those who do not have Jesus! But there’s good news. Imagine this conversation between a Christian and Death –

CHRISTIAN: Hello, Death, my old enemy. My old slave-master. Have you come to talk to me again? To frighten me? I am not the person you think I am. I am not the one you used to talk to. Something has happened. Let me ask you a question, Death. Where is your sting?

DEATH, sneeringly: My sting is your sin.

CHRISTIAN: I know that, Death. But that’s not what I asked you. I asked, where is your sting? I know what it is. But tell me where it is. Why are you fidgeting, Death? Why are you looking away? Why are you turning to go? Wait, Death, you have not answered my question. Where is your sting? Where is, my sin? What? You have no answer? But, Death, why do you have no answer? How will you terrify me, if you have no answer? O Death, I will tell you the answer. Where is your sting? Where is my sin? It is hanging on that cross. God made Christ to be sin—my sin. When He died, the penalty of my sin was paid. The power of it was broken. I bear it no more. Farewell, Death. You need not show up here again to frighten me. God will tell you when to come next time. And when you come, you will be His servant. For me, you will have no sting.

Where is my sin? It is hanging on that cross.

If you are a believer of Christ, Death need hold no more terror in your life. For Christ “Tasted Death” for us, and triumphed over it on that First Easter Morning. That first Easter morning will ever be known as THE DAY DEATH DIED! So rejoice this morning that through Christ we have eternal life!

This is the theme of our just concluded Calvary Chapel Regional Conference. It was indeed a time of refreshing, encouragement, and instruction. We were reminded to live, work and serve in the light of Jesus’ return. In the parable, the king gave one mina to ten of his servants and told them to ‘Put this money to work until I come back.’ Or, as the KJV puts it, “occupy until I come.” That they were to be engaged in business with this money, to use for the benefit of the kingdom.

Have you been reluctant to use God’s gifts for God because you think you don’t have enough time?

How true also with us. God expects us to put into practice, to use the gifts He has given us for the benefit of God’s kingdom. He has given each one of His servants valuable gifts. He has commanded us to “do business”, to occupy until He returns – for whose benefit? Ourselves? No, His kingdom! Now we all have different amounts of money, and spiritual abilities, but what are some of the things all of us have been given equally by God? I can think of at least three gifts we’ve all been given in equal amounts –

(1) Time – I’m not talking about the length of your life, because that varies. But each of us has the same amount of time each day–24 hours. Even though we have the same amount, wouldn’t you agree some servants do a better job managing those 24 hours in terms of doing business for God? Have you been reluctant to use God’s gifts for God because you think you don’t have enough time? Do you need more time? Here’s what you do. Start using the time you have to do business for God. Soon you’ll find you have more time. You won’t get 25 hours a day, or eight days a week, it will just seem like you have more time! If you don’t believe it, try this. Starting tomorrow, get up 30 minutes earlier and give that time to God in prayer and personal Bible Study. If you do that regularly, you’ll find you seem to have more time instead of less time.

(2) Truth – As servants of God, we all have the same instruction manual, the truth found in God’s Word, the Bible. God hasn’t given me any more truth than what is available to you. What do you do with the truth you know?

All of us have opportunities to serve our Master…

(3) Opportunities to serve God – All of us have opportunities to serve our Master. Some servants just do a better job of taking advantage of those opportunities. The faithful servants in the parable didn’t play it safe. They risked their lives in doing business for the Master. God honors that kind of bold faith. When you risk it all on serving God, even though you may be afraid, you’ll find that God gives you more and more opportunities!

The undeniable truth is we will be judged by how we manage His gifts. God is looking for a few good spiritual entrepreneurs who are willing to risk their lives doing His business because they love Him. Will you be one? I pray so.

Weathermen reported that there will be 4 to 5 more typhoons that will hit our country before the year ends. Just as we’re still in the rehabilitation stage from Ondoy’s aftermath it seems the nation is yet to brace for another calamity. God forbid. I pray not. And as much as prayer can make a difference, there are things in this life that only God knows why they are allowed to happen. But as I was contemplating on this, with a burdened heart, I can’t help but think of the worst storm that will befall upon the earth…soon!



“Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near.” Zephaniah 1:7Zephaniah 1:7
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7 Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. bid: Heb. sanctified, or, prepared  

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I’m reminded of Rev.8:1, “When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” It is right before the final series of judgment that is to come upon the earth. It is a strange, eerie, but awesome silence as if all of Heaven is holding its breath. It’s the lull before the storm. I believe that what they see at the opening of the 7th seal is so terrible, so horrendous, so incredibly frightening, that no one in heaven dares to breathe a word— like the silence in the courtroom, just before the verdict is read–it’s like the silence in the executioner’s chamber, just before he pulls the switch, or administers the lethal injection!

Zephaniah 1:7Zephaniah 1:7
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7 Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. bid: Heb. sanctified, or, prepared  

WP-Bible plugin “Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near.” Zechariah 2:13Zechariah 2:13
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13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation. his...: Heb. the habitation of his holiness  

WP-Bible plugin – Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.” And also, Habakkuk 2:20Habakkuk 2:20
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20 But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. let...: Heb. be silent all the earth before him  

WP-Bible plugin – “But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.” At that point in the book of Revelation, judgment is about to come to the earth like never before. The storm is about to break in all of its fury, and the enormity of what is about to happen causes even God to pause!

Beloved, a great storm is coming…but in Christ you are safe in His hands, washed by His blood and surrounded by His mercy! When things are not going well, when you are down and discouraged, when you are overwhelmed with the pressures and pain of this life — take heart! In a flash…in the twinkling of an eye…in a moment…everything can change. So, the next time someone says “in a moment” – be reminded. That’s all it takes for everything to change.



To be ready is to simply trust Him each moment of your day, to seek to please Him and live godly lives… 2Pet.3:11-13

But in the meantime, what are we to do? We’re to be always ready! And to be ready is to simply trust Him each moment of your day; to seek to please Him and live godly lives (2Pet.3:11-13). 1Jn.3:3 – “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” And we’re to help others get ready for Jesus’ return. How? By sharing the gospel. What about family members and friends who would be left behind? Are we doing the best we can to influence them to accept Christ as their personal Savior? Time is getting shorter. Look up, for your redemption draws near!





Sounds familiar? Facebookers see this all the time in their Facebook account. And there they write whatever is on their mind. Glad that there is still some control of what is only allowed to be written there. Can you imagine if everything that goes on in our mind is written there? If you’re honest, it’s not all pleasant. And so, speaking of the mind, don’t you know that the greatest conflict taking place in the world today is the battle for control of our minds? So much of the walk of the Christian comes down to our minds.

The greatest conflict taking place in the world today is the battle for control of our minds…

You see, what feeds our fears and anxieties are an unhealthy thinking. What intensifies our worries is having negative and bad thoughts. It’s in the mind where worries and fears find their nest. The battle is in the mind. Wrong thinking leads to wrong feelings and before long the heart and mind are pulled apart and we are strangled by worry and paralyzed by fear. Somebody wrote, “Sow a thought, reap an action. Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny.”

The battle for any temptation in your life begins in your mind; regardless of what the temptation is, the battle begins in our mind. What we think about, we will eventually feel, and what we feel we will eventually act on. Beloved, pay attention to what you are thinking about. Don’t allow your mind to wander in all kinds of directions. Instead we are to think of whatever is “true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Phil.4:8)!

Here are 8 filters. Everything we hear & everything we see need to pass through them. And if it doesn’t make it through these 8 filters then it shouldn’t be in our mind & in our heart. These are guidelines for us to have good discernment in a world that is full of lies and impurities! There is so much garbage in this world. And the old saying “garbage in, garbage out” is true. So think about it.

We are commanded to have pure thoughts, to have minds focused on what pleases God…

Church, we are commanded to have pure thoughts, to have minds focused on what pleases God. The Christian life is to be marked by a holy mind-set – that leads to holy living. We of course do this through the Word of God, giving regular, focused attention to the Bible, opening our minds to its truths, wanting God to mold our thinking by His Word. We do this through fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, building each other up. And through the working of His Holy Spirit in us!

So, WHAT’S ON YOR MIND?