“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” (Prov. 31: 28-29Prov. 31: 28-29
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28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. ²⁹ Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. have...: or, have gotten riches  

WP-Bible plugin) Husbands, Dad, Kids, you need to tell your wife and mom what a blessing they are. You need to tell them that what she does for you really matters, not because it’s Mother’s Day, but because they really do matter! You need to express appreciation for everything she’s given you through the years. Everything she does for you is because she loves you. They say that a woman’s work is never done and that’s especially true of a woman’s work at home. Do you know what the most demanding job in the world is? Being a mother and a wife.

Think about it. A mother has to be a nurse, a teacher, a dietician, a housekeeper, and a cook. It takes hard work to build and maintain a family! Rise up and call her blessed! It’s in the ten commandments: ’Honor your father AND your mother. Teenagers and children, God forbid this to happen, but suppose your mom was killed in a car accident this afternoon and you had to go to her funeral Tuesday. What would you wish on Tuesday you had told her today? Tell her before today is up.

And what about you husbands? Would you say these words if you lost your wife this week: “Why did I get upset over such stupid little things? Why didn’t I encourage her more? Why didn’t I build her up and let her know how much I love and appreciate her?” O how we need to live in the light of our dying! Death puts everything in perspective! Husbands, teenagers, and children, praise her while you have her.

For you ladies: “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised (Prov.31:30).” It is interesting that there’s very little emphasis in the Bible about the woman’s sexuality. That’s because it’s not the woman’s sex appeal that makes her attractive. It’s her character that makes her attractive! It’s what’s on the inside! How do I know that? Because 1 Peter 3:31 Peter 3:3
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3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;  

WP-Bible plugin says that “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should come from your INNER SELF, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” Peter is not saying that you can’t ever wear nice clothes or make up. But he’s saying that true beauty is deeper than that.

As you know, every physical body has an enemy that will ultimately win—AGE! Physical beauty will pass away with the years no matter how many creams or treatments we use to try to prevent it. The good news is that the fear of the Lord brings lasting beauty to a woman’s soul. Without this inner attractiveness, physical beauty is merely superficial and temporary.

Precious Women of God, seek to be truly beautiful by honoring God above all else in your life. And as a parent, purpose to pass on a spiritual legacy that values true feminine beauty: the love of the Lord.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

1. H4U Siquijor Committee Head Debriefing next Sunday, May 15 at 7 pm here at CCD.

2. YOUTH CAMP 2011 is fast approaching!

• THEME: DISCIPLES OF JESUS 2 Timothy 2:22 Timothy 2:2
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  2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. among: or, by  
  
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• DATE: May 15—20
• VENUE: Calinawagan Beach Resort
• COST: P1,600 (food, lodging, & camp t-shirt) Today is the last day to register.
• This is open to all high school and college students.
• We are opening it also to our Youth leaders of our outreaches. If the Lord touches your heart to sponsor any youth from our outreaches please approach the Youth table at the back.
• SNACKS DONATION is highly appreciated.
• Transportation is needed on May 15th and May 20th. Please approach Luke for information.

3. The Sunday School Ministry will be holding an Outreach Seminar on May 28, 2011 here at CCD, from 8:30rom 8:30
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30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.  

WP-Bible plugin am to 3:30 pm. It is a seminar/workshop on the different creative gospel presentation methods. This is open to all CCD ministries, fellowships, and outreaches. Lunch and training materials are free. Please sign up at the back after the service.

Here we are at the door of 2011. Counting this day we are 6 days to go into the New Year. Just like many of you I’m amazed at how time flies. It seems that with each passing year time just speeds up. I’m very grateful though, to the Lord Jesus, of how this year indeed has been great! What a journey! What an adventure! Great things He has done! Praise to His holy Name!

Now, we all can do one of two things this coming year: We can waste it away by sitting around and worrying about the things we failed to accomplish this year, or the mistakes we made throughout the year; we can sit around and have a pity party because things didn’t go the way we wanted them to; OR, we can decide to make the most of this coming New Year. Besides there is nothing we can do to change this year. The good news is we can learn from this year and today we have the opportunity to start over and make some changes.

WARNING: pity parties not good for the heart...

God brings life to us in small pieces that we know as hours, days and months. At the beginning of every year He says, let’s wipe the slate clean and let’s start with a brand new year. It’s like God is saying, “Let’s start over. ” And that’s good news! But one thing I exhort all of us among many others for the new year is – COMMIT YOURSELF TO RESTORE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS. Romans 12:18Romans 12:18
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18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.  

WP-Bible plugin – “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” “As far as it depends on you”. God is personally challenging each one of us to do everything we can to restore any relationships that have gone wrong in our lives.

God is personally challenging each one of us to do everything we can to restore any relationships that have gone wrong in our lives.

If you have caused a rift in a relationship then you have a responsibility to do everything you can to restore it. That everything includes the one thing we all probably find most difficult, asking for forgiveness. Are you among those people who find it hardest to say “I am sorry” to the people you’re closest to? I wonder how many marriages are not all they should be or could be simply because someone won’t say “I was wrong, I am sorry, will you forgive me?” Maybe God is saying to some of you that this change of year is the right time to restore that relationships broken by going and sincerely saying that you are sorry for those angry words or those selfish and un-thoughtful actions.

Make no mistake it will be hard to do but one of the most significant things that you can do to mark the New Year is not set off a firework but to admit your past errors in relationships and humbly seek forgiveness from the one you have hurt. Remember, God has forgiven you in Christ and the demonstration of that truth in your life is that you learn to forgive as well. And the result? Joy and peace in your life!

Will you rise to that challenge and make a commitment to restore your broken relationships in this New Year, even today? I pray so.

Will you rise to that challenge and make a commitment to restore your broken relationships in this New Year, even today? I pray so.



ANNOUNCEMENT:

• For those who ordered our 25th Anniversary and Hope For You Concert DVDs, they are now available at the back after the service.

• YEAR-END SERVICE this coming Thursday, Dec. 30, at 6 pm.

• H4U T-SHIRTS are now available at P250 each! For orders please approach the Youth table at the back after the service. This is a fundraising for the upcoming Youth Camp next year.

• Note: The OFFICE will be closed on Dec. 27 till morning of Dec. 30.

• No PRAYER MEETINGS on Dec. 21 and Dec. 28. Resumes on Jan. 4, 2011Jan. 4, 2011
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• BEREAN “GETTING DEEPER” CLASS resumes on Jan. 18, 2011Jan. 18, 2011
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Saying goodbyes are not necessarily what I’m looking forward to. There’s always that feeling of “death” inside of you, the prick in the heart, that sense of emptiness or void. This is how I felt when we sent off Pastor Jerry, Marisa, Dani and Jessica at the airport last Tuesday. 12 years of faithful and dedicated service. 12 years of God’s faithfulness in their lives that result in lives challenged and changed for the glory of Christ! Now the Lord moved them on to continue to do God’s work in a different place.

Pastor Jerry, Marisa and the kids

And yes, no matter where we are, we are His instruments – His hands and feet, mouths and ears. The location is not the question but our obedience to the call is. And all of us are called to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8Acts 1:8
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8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. power...: or, the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you  

WP-Bible plugin). But before you think of getting a passport, flying on a plane and learning a foreign language, there’s your neighbor, your classmates, your officemates even you’re family members to share God’s love to!

Especially during this Christmas season when many people’s attention are upon the birth of Christ, it’s a great opportunity to tell them the reason behind the season – that Christ was born to die for our sins. That those soft little hands fashioned in Mary’s womb were formed so that nails might be driven through them. Those cute little baby feet would one day walk up a dusty hill carrying a cross. That tender head would one day bear a crown of thorns.

That tender head would one day bear a crown of thorns.

Yes the baby grew up, died on a cross, was buried for three days, and rose again so that anyone can have a personal, intimate relationship with Him. God gave the most precious gift He had so that we could have a precious relationship with Him. There’s no greater news than that and there’s no better gift than to give them Jesus! And yes, the greatest gift one can receive is not found under the Christmas tree, but the One who was hung on a tree – called the cross!

So beloved, wherever you find yourself this Christmas, whoever you’re with, whatever you do, with gifts or no gifts, with much food on the table or no food at all, be a witness of Christ, and let Jesus and His gift of salvation be the center and focus of your celebration. For the truth is, there’s no other way and no other reason why we do what we do.

A CHRIST-CENTERED AND LOVE-FILLED CHRISTMAS TO YOU!

ANNOUNCEMENT:

• Our 25th Anniversary and H4U Concert are now available in DVD. One DVD for the Morning Anniversary Service, and one DVD for the Concert. Each DVD cost P80 pesos. If you want a set, that is P160. You may order with Sara after the service. Please pay as you order.

• For those who already ordered last week, you may get your DVDs at the back table after the service.

• CHRISTMAS GIFT-GIVING FOR OUTREACHES – everything is already covered. Thank you for your quick response. The Women’s Fellowship will be packing the goods this Monday, Dec. 20 at 9:00 am. If you want to help out, you are most welcome

PLEASE TAKE NOTE on the following schedule:
• CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE on Dec. 24, Friday at 6 pm. (There will be no Thursday Bible Study on Dec.23.)
• YEAR-END SERVICE on Dec. 30, Thursday at 6 pm.

• No PRAYER MEETINGS on Dec. 21 and Dec. 28. Resumes on Jan. 4, 2011Jan. 4, 2011
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• BEREAN “GETTING DEEPER” CLASS resumes on Jan. 18, 2010Jan. 18, 2010
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After a very busy but very fruitful and memorable anniversary celebration as a church, we now enter into the Christmas season. How time flies so quickly indeed. We’re entering that season again when to merchants it is the busiest time of the year. Stores stay open longer, & hire extra people to accommodate all the shoppers. It means more profit, hopefully enough profit to see them through lean times ahead. For some employees it means a Christmas bonus, a little more money in their pockets to do things that they want to do. For many teen-agers & adults it is a time of fun & parties. For children it is a time of impatience, with time seeming to pass so slowly, as they wait for that morning when they can open their gifts.

So before we get into the hustle-bustle of the time, before we get caught up in the web of stretched schedules and non-stop feasting….

It’s a blessed thing — but it’s also a major period of increased stress for many people. So before we get into the hustle-bustle of the time, before we get caught up in the web of stretched schedules and non-stop feasting….just a pastoral reminder: Stop! Chill! Relax! Don’t forget what it’s all about! Sometimes I get the feeling that we are like the people who decided to throw a party to honor a very special friend. They sent out invitations, decorated the hall, & had the food catered. All the people came together at the designated time, but to their surprise, the guest of honor was not there. Finally, they made the embarrassing discovery that no one had ever invited the guest of honor!

I wonder if that happens at Christmas time. Do we go through all the decorating, and buying presents, and preparing elaborate meals, but somehow forget whose birthday it really is? Yes I know, Christmas is not really Jesus’ birthday, but it is wise to redeem the season to focus our attention to one of the greatest miracles of all time, the Incarnation, God becoming man – to save us from our sins!

Yes, that’s why Jesus came. God ‘in the flesh’– was born to die. He was born to take to Himself our brokenness and guilt and shame. Christ came to deal decisively with all the things that we want to escape this holiday season. You can only understand what is going on at Christmas if you see the road Jesus will travel. It is a road that will take Him to Egypt, to Nazareth, and throughout Palestine. But it will end only a few miles from Bethlehem. On a hill outside Jerusalem. At a cross. Only if you see that the road winds its way to Calvary will you understand why this Holiday Season is a holy season. Only if you understand the cross will you understand Bethlehem’s crib.

So, don’t get caught up with what the world views as a great Christmas. It’s not about gifts. It’s about God’s greatest and best gift – His Son, Jesus Christ! If you already have received that gift, if you already have Him, then you already have everything!

Announcement:

• Our 25th Anniversary and H4U Concert are now available in DVD. One DVD for the Morning Anniversary Service, and one DVD for the Concert. Each DVD cost P80 pesos. If you want a set, that is P160. You may order with Sara after the service. Please pay as you order.

• Last day to sign up to be part of the THAILAND MISSION TEAM will be today, Dec. 12. For those who signed up, please fill up the APPLICATION FORM provided at the back table. Last day to submit it will be on Thursday, Dec. 16.

• We are now accepting donations in cash or in kind for our yearly CHRISTMAS GIFT-GIVING for our dear brothers and sisters from our outreaches. Please refer to the flyer for details.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE on the following schedule:

• CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE on Dec. 24, Friday. (There will be no Thursday Bible Study on Dec.23.)
• YEAR-END SERVICE on Dec. 30, Thursday.

PLEASE COOPERATE WITH OUR PARKING PERSONNEL. Please park properly, no double parking; park on the west side and don’t block any driveways. If possible, share a ride, car pool, or ride a pedicab.



It was a great 25th anniversary celebration we had that culminated in the Hope For You (H4U) concert. It was indeed a display of His greater works! And that only is a preview of the greater things to come, of the greater works He will do in our midst for the coming years. Praise be to Jesus Christ the miracle-worker, the life-changer!

It was a blessing to worship the Lord together as one big family. Not only to worship together but to serve together. Seeing the pictures, hearing the testimonies during the preparations, I couldn’t help but thank the Lord for you church. Everyone did their part, every gift exercised, every precious time given. It was indeed a display of unity and cooperation for one purpose and goal – for God’s greater glory!

So, as your pastor, along with my wife and kids, thank you so much for the partnership in the gospel through the years. “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:3-6Philippians 1:3-6
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3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, remembrance: or, mention ⁴ Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, ⁵ For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; ⁶ Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: perform: or, finish  

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Yes, He’s not yet done with us. God never starts a work and leaves it unfinished, that would be a contradiction of His character. God is not like man. We start things but we do not finish them. Thank God that my hope in Christ does not rest upon my will power. It rests upon the fact that God would never have started the work in me if He had not decided to finish it. Paul says the same thing in Romans 5:10Romans 5:10
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10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.  

WP-Bible plugin: “If, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, how much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” In other words, if Christ died for you when you were an enemy and a rebel and hated Him; how much more, then, will God keep and sustain you and finish the work He began now that you are His child?! The character of God guarantees the completion of the work.

Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We don’t just do good works as a result of the work of grace in our hearts, we are a good work ourselves—God’s own good work. The word in the greek is “poeima” where we get the word POEM. But it’s more than a poem, it’s a work of art.

We are like a beautiful work of art, painstakingly designed and crafted by the Master Craftsman himself. We don’t yet see the final result, but God does.

You see, beloved, you are a work of art. If the work depended on us, we would fail. But it doesn’t. We are like a beautiful work of art, painstakingly designed and crafted by the Master Craftsman himself. We don’t yet see the final result, but God does. So we can trust Him when He gives us the promise, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

So, with one heart, one mind, one purpose – let Him continue to work in us and as we do, we shall see greater works done, for His greater glory!

ANNOUNCEMENT:



• H4U NIGHT OF TESTIMONY & THANKSGIVING on Dec. 9, Thursday at 5:30 pm, CCD! It’s a special night of testimony for the H4U Concert! Everyone is welcome, especially those who took part in the working committees:

- H4U Band & CCD Choir -H4U Counseling Team
- Physical Set-up & Aftercare - Security
- Transportation - Documentation
- Techical Team - Food
- Stage Crew/Stage Décor - Freaks Drama Team
- H4U Ushering Team - First Aiders

This is a lovefeast affair, so bring some simple snacks to be shared by everyone!

• ATTN: H4U Committee Heads Debriefing tomorrow night, Monday, at 7 pm here at CCD.

• Since we no longer have the parking area across the street, PLEASE COOPERATE WITH OUR PARKING PERSONNEL. Please park properly, no double parking; park on the west side and don’t block any driveways. If possible, share a ride, car pool, or ride a pedicab.

• We are now accepting donations in cash or in kind for our yearly CHRISTMAS GIFT-GIVING for our dear brothers and sisters from our outreaches. More details to be announced later.

• Berean Getting Deeper Class resumes this Tuesday, Dec. 7.

• We are now forming the team for next year’s THAILAND TRIP. Please be praying. There will be a sign-up sheet at the back.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE on the following schedule:

• CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE on Dec. 24, Friday. (There will be no Thursday Bible Study on Dec.23.)
• YEAR-END SERVICE on Dec. 30, Thursday.

Just recently I learned that September is a Peace Month. Peace. A wonderful word but most elusive. This is the reason behind a lot of troubles today. A lack of peace. So we long for it. We pray for it. And to others they fight for it. But truth must be told: It’s not innate. It doesn’t come from within us. For we are naturally at war…at war with God (Rom.5:10; Col.1:20). The lack of peace is due to a broken relationship with the God of peace. And yet He provided a way for man to be brought back to a relationship with God, and that is through His Son Jesus Christ! Through faith in Christ we were reconciled to the Father. And that’s the only time that we can truly experience peace within us. Peace is not a pursuit, it’s a by-product of being at peace with God. And once we have this peace then it flows over to people around us. Now you become a conduit of peace.

...once we have this peace then it flows over to people around us. Now you become a conduit of peace.

Are you at peace this morning? You may have allowed worry and fear dominate your thinking. Trust Him instead. “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.” (Isaiah 26:3-4Isaiah 26:3-4
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3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. perfect...: Heb. peace, peace mind: or, thought, or, imagination ⁴ Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: everlasting...: Heb. the rock of ages  

WP-Bible plugin) Almost always, you keep your mind stayed on whatever you are trusting. When you trust money, there your mind is focused. When you trust your job, there’s where your mind is steady. It’s when we get too focused on our problems that we get all tense and anxious. “But if I don’t worry about my problems, who will?” you say. I’m not advocating that we don’t work on our problems, or that we ignore our problems. But there are times when we simply spend too much time focused on our problems, and not enough time focused on our God who is able to handle our problems. So God gave us a tool – it’s called prayer! (read Phil.4:6-7).

It’s when we get too focused on our problems that we get all tense and anxious...

So why do we find it so difficult to trust Him? Often, it’s because we’re afraid that things won’t go as we want them to unless we control them ourselves. The less we are in control, the more anxious and worried we become. Author Hannah Whitall Smith wrote, “It is not hard, you find, to trust the management of the universe, and of all the outward creation, to the Lord. Can your case then be so much more complex and difficult than these that you need to be anxious or troubled about His management of you?”

You know who’s a peaceful person? A prayerful person. A person who learned to give everything to God and trust Him with them. The peace of God comes when you rest your case fully in His hands. When you say, “Well Lord it’s in your hands.” When we simply put the whole matter into His hands, and however He responds, we know it’s going to be the best. That’s when we can say “thanks” and that’s when we receive His peace. The peace of God is not something you can manufacture, buy, or earn. It is a result of a heart that is totally surrendered to Him. When we bring our lives under God’s authority by turning away from sin and seeking Him with our whole heart we receive something priceless…THE PEACE OF GOD.

The peace of God is not something you can manufacture, buy, or earn. It is a result of a heart that is totally surrendered to Him.

When you are wrapped up in the arms of Jesus, and you know that you have an all-powerful God who hears your prayers and is in control of every situation, that’s when you can have real peace, perfect peace! Peace comes from trusting someone trustworthy. Is He trustworthy? Indeed He is!

Congratulations to the Graduates! To the College students (and to the parents’ wallet also!) there’s always that feeling of relief and release! All the time, energy and money spent will culminate in graduation day. Alas! Whew! They’re not a waste after all. Praise God! Another chapter of their lives is done and another chapter will be written.

Following Jesus is not a one hundred meter-dash run but it’s a marathon…

“What’s next?” is the big question. Some might have the idea already but many may still be standing on the crossroads of life wondering which way to take. May our Lord Jesus give them wisdom and guidance as look to His guidance. The Christian life is like that. Following Jesus is not a one hundred meter-dash run but it’s a marathon. It’s a lifelong assignment. Empowered by His Spirit and guided by His gracious hand, we go from chapter to chapter, phase after phase, change after change, from faith to faith until we reach the finish line. And there at the finish line, is our graduation day. We graduate from this life either by translation (via rapture airlines) or by physical death. The Bible calls our “graduation day” the “Bema Seat of Christ.” It’s a judgment not unto condemnation but unto rewards or lost of rewards (1 Cor.3:12-15).” For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done in the body, whether good or bad (2 Cor. 5:102 Cor. 5:10
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10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  

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Until that day, like the apostle Paul, by the grace of God we must FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, FINISH THE RACE AND KEEP THE FAITH (2 Tim.4:7).” If we do there is in store for us the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to us on that day – to all who have longed for His appearing (2 Tim.4:8).”

Crossroads…

For those who are on the crossroads, let me share this with you:



“Sometimes, when I look back and think of all the “could-have-beens” in my life,

I often wonder: did I make the right choice? Did I miss a road sign?…

Am I on the right track?… CROSSROADS…

They happen all the time — saying goodbye to some, choosing only one.

Letting go, holding on… settling for now, but facing what must come…

Yes, in life we all reach a crossroad sometime.

We make painful decisions and take some risks as we pursue our dreams.

But one should not stay at the CROSSROADS too long.

For even the birds have to leave their nests sometime and learn how to fly.

Life’s road is long and rough, and there are stretches when one has to do it all alone.

And should you meet the cross at the road, be consoled.

Yes, more often than not, the road less traveled will surely bring you home.

Face the light and the shadow falls behind you.

Turn your back and the shadow stays in front of you.

Indeed the truth hurts, but it will surely set you free.

The bitter pangs of parting will give birth to another moment called growing.

So grow on… until it’s time for you to move on…and face the crossroads again,

knowing that God loves you and is in control of everything. Be strong at the crossroads.” 

Automobile drivers know that the rear view mirror is an important part of a vehicle…but they don’t fix their eyes on it, always looking at what’s behind. It’s going to be disaster if they do! And do you notice that it’s so small compared to the windshield in front of you? What is it saying? That we’re to look ahead more than we look back! As we enter into the new year, I have a Word from the Lord for all of us: THE LORD SAYS, `Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I’m doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:18Isaiah 43:18
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18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.  

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God is saying, …”don’t think about the past. It’s over. If you can learn from it, learn well, but the book’s closed on it.”



Listen to what God is saying in this verse. Forget about what’s happened before. He says don’t think about the past. It’s over. If you can learn from it, learn well, but the book’s closed on it. We need to understand that God is far more interested in our future than He is in our past. Some people think that God is stuck on their past. That all He wants to do is remind them of the things that they have done wrong. God is more interested in your future than He is with your past. That’s where you’re going to spend the rest of your life. He says, “Forget about your past. Forget about the former things. Don’t think about it. Look at the new thing I’m going to do.”

Israel was being punished for their sins and rebellion against God. God wanted to give hope and encouragement to His people. He wanted them to know that even though they were being punished they were not being forsaken. God wanted His people to understand that the punishment that they were experiencing would not be the end of them. The fact is that God want to give them a fresh start in life, a new Beginning in life. Israel no doubt was discouraged because they thought this was the end of them. They had gone too far, they had sinned and rebelled against God to the point that He would no longer be their God. Maybe they thought ‘God would not deliver us again, it’s over’. They could remember the former things, but they couldn’t see their future. That is why God said; “ I am going to do something new.



Every new day His mercies are fresh and every day is an invitation to receive afresh His mercy, His forgiveness.

Maybe that is where you are this morning! You feel that you have made so many mistakes, you have failed God so many times and you have sinned it all away. That God doesn’t want anything to do with you. You feel and believe that you have no future with God. The good news is, God is saying, “ It’s not over, I have plans for your life. I am about to do something new for you. ” And you don’t have to wait for a new year to do that. Every new day His mercies are fresh and every day is an invitation to receive afresh His mercy, His forgiveness. God wants to do a new thing in your life. Come to Him with humility and repentance today, with heart wide open to receive His healing grace and with your mouth ready to declare His goodness and faithfulness!

A SPIRIT-FILLED, CHRIST GLORIFYING NEW YEAR TO ALL!



This day the whole world focuses on one event — Christmas. Everything will become secondary for one 24-hour period while we celebrate Christmas. But what is so special about Christmas?  It is the centerpiece of our history. Even our calendar is dated from



God split history with the event of Christmas. Everything is either A.D. or B.C.

the reference point of Jesus Christ. God split history with the event of Christmas. Everything is either A.D. or B.C. What is so special about Christmas? Read Philippians 2 and you’ll know. There is the greatest explanation in the Bible of who Jesus Christ is and what He came to do. This is the bedrock, the foundation of all that we believe. I want to give you the 4 R’s of Christmas –

1.THE RELEVANCE OF CHRISTMAS: GOD CAME TO EARTH - When Gen. Douglas MacArthur landed at the Island of Leyte on Oct.20, 1944, fulfilling his promise to return, that was big news. That is nothing compared to the news when God invaded earth. It was big news when man landed on the moon and walked there. It’s bigger news when God landed on the earth. Jesus Christ is God Himself. It was God that came to earth!

God invaded earth. That is the relevance of Christmas. Over and over the Bible repeats and Jesus proclaims that He is God. We must remind ourselves that Jesus did not begin His existence in the manger at Bethlehem. He was without beginning. Jesus even declared in John 8:58John 8:58
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58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.  

WP-Bible plugin – “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am!”

II. THE REALITY OF CHRISTMAS: GOD BECAME A MAN – This is even more difficult to understand. If you were God and were going to come to earth, of all the ways you could choose to reveal yourself, would you come as a baby? As a human being? The reality of Christmas was that Jesus Christ was a real man, flesh and blood, bones, hair. He was a real person, not a myth, fable, a nice story. Our God has not remained remote and unapproachable. He has come to us in person. He did not just write us a letter. He did not just send us a representative. He did not just speak His laws from a mountain. He came to us as one of us. The Infinite became an infant. The Eternal One became a little one.



Jesus didn’t stay in a crib in a manger. He grew up went to a cross and… laid down His life for us.

III. THE REASON FOR CHRISTMAS: JESUS CAME TO DIE- Jesus didn’t stay in a crib in a manger. He grew up went to a cross and voluntarily laid down His life for us. The Bible says He did it for two reasons: 1) To demonstrate God’s love (Romans 5:8Romans 5:8
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8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  

WP-Bible plugin); and to 2) To die for our sins – (I Peter 2:24r 2:24
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24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.  

WP-Bible plugin). Somehow what He did 2000 years ago can make a difference in my life right now. I can be completely forgiven for everything I’ve ever done wrong or will ever do. That’s the reason for Christmas. The angels said, “For unto you this day is born a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

IV. THE RESULT OF CHRISTMAS: JESUS IS LORD – He did not remain dead. He rose again! And the Father has given Him the place of top honor in the universe. He’s honored above all else – the highest place. Is He your Lord today? Celebrate Christmas worshiping, adoring, loving the Lord of all!

A CHRIST-CENTERED AND SPIRIT-FILLED CHRISTMAS TO ALL!





Many people have asked me this question. For some suggest that there are several reasons why a Christian should have nothing to do with the modern celebration of Christmas.

First, some say that a Christian should have nothing to do with the modern celebration of Christmas, because of the name of the holiday, Christmas. The very name Christmas is offensive to some because the name is derived from the combination of two words, “Christ” and “mass”. The word means “the mass of Christ.¨ Some, therefore, are offended by what they think is an association with the Catholic Church. But the root meaning does not in reality have anything to do with Catholicism it means “Christ is sent.” It would seem that name accurately presents what the holiday is all about. In fact Galatians 4:4Galatians 4:4
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4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,  

WP-Bible plugin says, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son.”

Second, some say that a Christian should have nothing to do with the modern celebration of Christmas, because of the use of Christmas trees. Some quote Jeremiah 10:2-4Jeremiah 10:2-4
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2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. ³ For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. customs...: Heb. statutes, or, ordinances are vanity ⁴ They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.  

WP-Bible plugin as forbidding the use of Christmas trees (Go and read it). If indeed this passage referred to decorated Christmas trees it would most certainly be wrong to have them. But when we read this verse in the context of the whole chapter we find that what is being described is the practice of felling trees and carving idols from them.

I, personally, do not put up Christmas tree in our house not because it’s idolatry, no, simply because it’s something that you can live without. In our family we like to always keep things simple. Now it is true that some Christians are offended or stumbled by Christmas trees so for them it’s wrong. I respect that. But I don’t find it a sin to put up one. Why? Because just as we are redeemed people, we’re called to redeem our society and point them back to the cross. What do I mean? I can use a Christmas tree to tell people that God also has a tree, it’s called the Cross and explain to them how Jesus was hanged on a tree(1 Peter 2:241 Peter 2:24
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24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. on: or, to  

WP-Bible plugin).



“I can use a Christmas tree to tell people that God also has a tree…”

And Thirdly, some say that a Christian should have nothing to do with the modern celebration of Christmas, because December 25th is the wrong date. Jesus was probably not born on December 25th. This date was chosen because it was a pagan holiday already being celebrated. It seems Christian leaders endeavored to keep Christians from being a part of this pagan celebration by giving them a Christian festival on the same day, celebrating the birth of Christ.

Would the Lord be opposed to the celebration of a non-biblical holiday? We might find some guidance in what transpired in John 10. Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem at the beginning of an observance of a non- biblical holiday (non-biblical in the sense that it was not commanded in the word of God) called the Feast of Dedication or Feast of Lights (Channuka). How did Jesus respond? Did He stay at home and refuse to participate? Did He condemn those that did participate? NO!! He was right there in the temple in the middle of the celebrants using it as a teaching opportunity.

That’s what we’re to do. What is not an obvious sin we can use as a teaching tool about Jesus Christ. We should be right there among them looking for every opportunity to tell them about the reason for the season, the child who was born to save them from their sins. Let us approach this Christmas echoing the glory expressed by the angel in Luke 2:10-11Luke 2:10-11
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10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  

WP-Bible plugin, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord!”

I just had three weddings officiated these past three consecutive weeks. What a blessing and a privilege to officiate them. I never lose the thrill and excitement of witnessing two lovers become one in the eyes of God, the perfect Match-maker! It always remind me of our (the church) soon coming wedding day with our Groom, Jesus Christ.

In Jesus’ day when a couple was engaged to be married, the Groom would leave His bride and go to his father and tell him he was engaged. The father would then give his son the portion of property that he had inherited and the son would begin to prepare a home for him and his bride. When the home was prepared he would tell his father he was finished and the father would send him to get his bride and they would be married. This is what Jesus meant in Jn.14:1-4 (read that). Jesus Christ is preparing a place for His Bride and He will come back for her.

The Wedding (see 1 Thes.4:15-18) – The sounding of the trumpet is like the wedding processional announcing to the bride that it is time. The Bride will be raptured up to the Groom. Once the Church is raptured out of this world we will all be judged according to our works. Once each member of the Church is judged, all that will be left will be the good things. The Bride now stands before the Groom pure (1 Corinthians 3:10-151 Corinthians 3:10-15
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10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. ¹¹ For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; ¹³ Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. it shall be: Gr. it is ¹⁴ If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. ¹⁵ If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.  

WP-Bible plugin). (Read Revelation 19:7-8Revelation 19:7-8
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7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. ⁸ And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. white: or, bright  

WP-Bible plugin) Yes, what you do here on this earth for Christ does matter. Don’t you want to have crowns in Heaven to throw at the feet of Jesus? Now that the Wedding of the Lamb has occurred, what is next?

The Wedding Supper. The Wedding Supper is the equivalent to our Wedding Reception (Revelation 19:9Revelation 19:9
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9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.  

WP-Bible plugin) – This is the time when the Groom gets to “show off” His Bride to His friends. And she is dressed in white reminding us that we have been washed by the blood of Lamb. The Wedding Supper is in honor of the Bride and Groom.

The Honeymoon (see Revelation 19:11Revelation 19:11
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11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  

WP-Bible plugin) – It is not an accident that immediately after the Wedding Supper we find the Groom on a white horse going to conquer the earth. Jesus will come again and set up His Kingdom here on this earth. He will bring His Bride with Him to reign for 1000 years on earth. This will be 1000 years of peace. The devil will be bound and after the 1000 years will be loosed and destroyed. This marriage will last forever and we will live in Heaven for all eternity.

Will you be part of that wedding day? Are you one of the “Bride”? You can be by saying “yes” to His love; and by receiving and accepting Him in your heart as your “groom.”

The Children’s Christmas Party

There’s a story of a 15 year old boy whose name is Sammy. He was a handicap, he is slightly retarded. Christmas is an exciting time for him. They were in church for children’s Christmas party. The pastor started picking up presents and calling out names; Sarah, Bobby, Susan… Sammy was on the edge of his seat — he was about to burst with anticipation. When his name was called, oh he leap on his feet and gladly received it. Sammy took the box and gently took off the bow, his heart was pounding. Sammy removed all the paper and laid it beside the box. And then he began to remove the lid — in his mind, all of the things he hoped to see flashed before his eyes in a second. Finally, as he got his big box open and he looked inside… he saw…NOTHING! He saw nothing — someone had played a trick on Sammy. When Sammy lifted his head, huge tears were streaming down his face. Who would do something so cruel — who would play such a mean trick on Sammy? The box was empty.

The Empty Box with Pretty Paper and a Beautiful Bow

Oh beloved, everyday, not just during Christmas season, all around the world, this same trick is being played. Though the names and exact situation are a little different — the results are still the same. The world promises people great things; happiness, wealth, pleasure, relationships, fame, success, power. And it wraps them up in a great big box, with pretty paper and a beautiful bow. And it hands us this box as a gift, we get excited; and we take off the bow — we unwrap the box and we open it with great expectations. And when we look inside, just like Sammy, all we find is an empty box. No hope, no life, no joy, no happiness — just huge tears of heart break streaming down our face! That’s the kind of gifts this world gives us! Have you ever opened one of its boxes? I think you have and it’s not fun is it? But beloved, the good news is, the greatest gift we could ever receive is a gift of Jesus from the Father in heaven; and this gift is not found in a box nor under the Christmas tree, but once was hanged on a tree! God has a Christmas tree – it’s called the Cross!



Remember the Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown!

Christmas is
not
just a
baby in a cradle
Remember this, Christmas is not just a baby in a cradle, but also the God-man on the cross. The angel said to Joseph, “You are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins!” The Cross is the ultimate goal of Christmas. And yet the story does not stop there. After the Cross is the Crown! Jesus resurrected from the dead and He’s alive forevermore! Because HE is risen, our sins are forgiven and we have eternal life! We have hope in this life and the life to come. That’s the good news of Christmas!
This Christmas season and all the seasons of life, remember the Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown!