It’s been in the news, talk programs and social networks all over the world with mix reactions and comments, good and bad. No. I’m not referring to the Miss Universe Pageant that landed our own Miss Venus Raj to the Fourth runner-up position. I’m referring to a more serious and tragic event – the Hostage massacre that killed eight tourists last Monday. It was a sad day indeed.

“The wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart”

Now, Scripture tells us that there is a terrorist out there lying in wait to take you hostage. He is a spiritual terrorist, but he is very real. One of his tactics is to keep you away from the truth. Jesus said, “The wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart” (Matthew 13:19Matthew 13:19
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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.  

WP-Bible plugin). Don’t fall prey to this adversary by failing to listen to and obey God’s Word. Maintain a steady schedule of Bible study so that you can stay safe from the devil’s wiles.

Scripture calls Satan “the tempter” (1 Thessalonians 3:51 Thessalonians 3:5
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5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.  

WP-Bible plugin). Another of his tactics is to lead you into temptation so that you’ll walk away from God and into the enemy camp. When temptation comes your way, know that it’s a scheme to lure you from the God you love. Trust that “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (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). God is stronger than the tempter, so rely on Him for strength to fight the temptation. Remember, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:41 John 4:4
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4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.  

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...true freedom—spiritual freedom—is found only in knowing Jesus Christ.

We’re thankful for those who have been freed by the hostage-taker. And true freedom—spiritual freedom—is found only in knowing Jesus Christ. This freedom can never be taken away; this freedom is not limited by race, nationality, or social status; this freedom is available to all who choose to follow Christ. Are you bound today by something? Are you being held as a hostage today – unforgiveness, alcoholism, pornography, bitterness, any other addiction? Admit it before God and ask Jesus to break the chains that bind you. For whom the Son has set free is free indeed (John 8:36John 8:36
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36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.  

WP-Bible plugin)! If you already have found freedom in Christ, take a moment this morning to thank Him for liberating you from the bondage of sin and your past.

Stay in God’s Word so that you can be strengthened within...

Beloved, the world is an ugly place and “your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:81 Peter 5:8
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8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  

WP-Bible plugin). But you can “resist him, steadfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:91 Peter 5:9
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9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  

WP-Bible plugin). Stay in God’s Word so that you can be strengthened within. Stay in fellowship with other believers because there truly is strength in numbers. And stay in prayer so that you are walking strong in obedience to God’s will for your life. You can overcome the ultimate terrorist by faithfully following your great God. And hey, let me remind you, he’s already a defeated foe!

The Old Gospel Song

It’s been raining hard, floods in some parts of Manila, classes and offices suspended at the time of this writing. And there I was missing my kids terribly, can’t wait to go home. It was a good time with my family though. Nice to minister and spend time with my Dad and Mom who are not getting any younger. Well your life may be in a storm right now and the flood waters are engulfing you. If you are, let me remind you that God has the whole world in His hands.” Remember the old gospel song? He’s got the wind, the rain, the tiny little baby, yes, even you and me in His hands.



He’s got the Middle East in His hands (that’s a relief, isn’t it?), not to mention North Korea and Iran…

His Sovereign Hands

How easy it is to forget that! And it isn’t limited to our geography or our culture, you know. He’s got the Middle East in His hands (that’s a relief, isn’t it?), not to mention North Korea and Iran, Cuba and India, Indonesia and Russia—all right there in the palms of His sovereign hands. And while we’re at it, He’s got our future, our children, our circumstances, our friends, and our foes in His hands . . . within His grasp . . . under His control. He’s there—in charge.



God Knows Your Ways . . .

But there are times when we find it really hard to believe that our circumstance is truly in His hands. Not only are the wind and the rain and the tiny little baby in His hands, but so are life’s minor interruptions as well as major calamities. In fact, would you believe they never leave His attention? There will be times we will need the reminder of the wise prophet named Isaiah, “Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.” (Isaiah 49:16Isaiah 49:16
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16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.  

WP-Bible plugin) In other words, God sees us exactly as we are . . . warts and all, needs and all. He sees everything. And how close does He view it? It’s in the palms of His hands. God knows your ways . . . and He knows them continually. That includes your responses, your experiences, your reactions, what you call your calamities, your dead ends, your so-called impossible situations.



He has inscribed you and me on His palms. Things aren’t out of control…

Unshockable

Not only does He have you and me, the wind and the rain, and the tiny little baby in His hands, He has yesterday’s failures. He has today’s challenges, He has tomorrow’s surprises right there in His hands. And not one of them causes God to gasp. Not one causes Him to react with surprise, “Ah! I never knew that.” Not one. He is unshockable, He is immutable.

He’s got the whole world in His hands. What’s more, He has inscribed you and me on His palms. Things aren’t out of control.

…a loneliness that is caused by sin and being estranged from the God who gives life.

This was Michael Jackson’s reply to his friend who asked him if he’s lonely. You would never think that in spite of the fame, riches, and success that a man in his calibre would say those words. But if you know the Scriptures it is not surprising. It reveals to us that these things would never make anyone happy. Solomon can testify to it, “Everything is meaningless under the sun!” Many people today can relate…for many are lonely. And I’m referring to a loneliness that is caused by sin and being estranged from the God who gives life. And even the Son of God knows what it’s like to be lonely as He begins to carry the sins of the world to His shoulders.

Isn’t that a comforting thought? Jesus walked this valley before us. He felt the pang of isolation in the Garden of Gethsemane. And He felt the ultimate loneliness on the cross when He bore our sin. Because He has gone before us, He is our lifeline of hope. The author of the letter to the Hebrews assures us, “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:15-16Heb. 4:15-16
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15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.  

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Jesus will meet you in your loneliness with a word of understanding and a heart of compassion. With Christ, you can be alone without feeling the sadness of loneliness. Right now, your aloneness is like an emotional desert, where the landscape is barren and all you feel is the heat of the sun and an awful thirst for companionship. Now, contrast this desert image with a garden image. Imagine yourself alone in a garden, listening to the soothing sounds of the birds and the relaxing rhythm of the wind in the trees. In the garden, you experience solitude—an entirely different sensation. Solitude brings refreshment, peace, and meaning.

How can you start feeling less like you’re in a desert and more like you’re in God’s garden? First, be right with God by confessing your sins. Let Jesus cleanse you by His blood. Second, stay close to the Lord through prayer and Bible reading. God invites you to share everything that you’re experiencing with Him: Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. (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). Third, look for people who need a friend and show Christ’s love to them. Seek out people who are likely to relate to you, those with whom you share common interests. Often people around us are also lonely and looking for companionship. Maybe you could connect with others in your church or your neighborhood.

Go to Jesus today and He can turn deserts into gardens.

Beloved, He is close to the brokenhearted. Go to Jesus today and He can turn deserts into gardens. He really can. May you find His peace in your lonely place.

Prayers are made for rain to break a three-month dry spell that has reduced water supplies and caused sporadic electricity blackouts in many parts of Luzon. The rain and typhoons that usually hit the Philippines by July have been delayed, leading to low water levels at several dams that feed hydroelectric power plants and causing at least one facility to shut down. Newspaper reports said many farmers have been forced to stop planting because of a lack of water. ”Our water is not enough. Our soil is thirsty. Our plants are dying,” one official said.

Indeed lack of water causes things to dry and die. And there’s another kind of dry spell that all people experience – even Christians – the dryness of the soul! Are you dry inside today? David, experiencing the same wrote, “ As the deer pants for streams of water, my soul thirst for You, oh God (Psa.42:1).” I read something about some characteristics of a deer particularly when he is thirsty. When a deer is thirsty, he will run full speed until he finds some water. When he finally finds it, he will stick his face into the cool stream, forgetting everything else around him. This is unusual for deer because they are normally very alert and cautious. But, when they’re panting, they’ll do almost anything to quench their thirst. During drought conditions deer will alter their daily routine to make sure they can find water.

Beloved, are you thirsty? Are you in a “dry spell”? When we are down and needing of refreshment, the only place to go to is God. As thirst draws a deer to streams, so thirst in our hearts is designed to draw us to God. When all else fail, God satisfies. Our longing for God cannot be satisfied by anything else. What about money? Christina Onassis, the daughter of wealthy Aristotle Onassis said, “Happiness is not based on money, and the greatest proof of that is my family.” What about success? Pop-star Madonna, when asked the question, “are you a happy person?” Replied, “I’m a tormented person. I have a lot of demons I’m wrestling with. But I want to be happy.” Comedian Eddie Murphy said, “I feel something’s missing… No matter how much money you make, or how many cars or houses you have, or how many people you make happy, life isn’t perfect for anybody.”

Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks of this water shall thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life (Jn.4:13-14).” Jesus is saying to many people today, “Your thirst has been misplaced, the answer to your soul’s thirst is Me. One drink and you’ll never thirst again.” His water is the water of eternal life. You may be here this morning and you’ve drunk from many wells (religion, career, relationships, things) and remained thirsty. Take your thirst to Jesus today and ask for His living water! It is free, it is refreshing, it’s rejuvenating, it is yours! Simply ask Him and He will fill you!

HAVE YOU EVER FELT GIVING UP LATELY? Then read on. A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. So, this the man did, day after day.

For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down; his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all of his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain. Since the man was showing discouragement, the adversary (Satan) decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the weary mind: “you have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn’t moved.”

Thus, giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. Satan said, “Why kill yourself over this?” “Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort; and that will be good enough.” That’s what he planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. “Lord,” he said, “I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?”

The Lord responded compassionately, “My son, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your hands are calloused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven’t moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. This you have done.

Now, my son, I will move the rock.” At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is just a simple obedience and faith in Him. By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves mountains. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Gal. 6:9Gal. 6:9
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9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  

WP-Bible plugin).” “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised (Heb.10:36).”

“You Will Not Have to Fight this Battle”

Do you know what the middle verse of the Old Testament is? It’s 2 Chronicles 20:172 Chronicles 20:17
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17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.  

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“You will not have to fight in this battle.”

This is a significant verse – and not just because it’s the middle point of the Old Testament. It’s significant because of what it says to those of us fighting a battle – and we all are. King Jehoshaphat and the Israelites were about to be attacked by three enemies: the Moabites, the Ammonites, and the Meunites. Imagine, three against one! This was a triple threat. Jehoshaphat had to be worried about how they could defend themselves in such a battle, but God knew what he was thinking. He said, “You will not have to fight in this battle.”

God is much better at fighting your battles

What God tells Jehoshaphat in this passage, and what he would remind us today, is this: “The battle is not yours; it’s mine. You don’t have to fight in it.” It’s God’s problem. Let Him solve it. The fact is, if you are God’s child, then your problems are His problems. And He’s much better at fighting your battles and solving your problems than you will ever be. Your job is to trust Him to work it all out. The reason why we have so many tired, fatigued, and discouraged Christians is they walk around with this Atlas complex – “I’m carrying the entire world on my shoulders! And it all depends on me.” The day you resign as General Manager of the Universe, you’re going to find that it doesn’t fall apart. You can relax in faith, trusting that God is able to run things without your help.



God doesn’t lose battles!

Twice in this passage it says, “Don’t be afraid,” and “Don’t be discouraged.” Has God ever lost a battle? No. He doesn’t lose battles. And because He’s never lost a battle, we should never be afraid. God has a reputation for winning. We are on the winning side. Regardless of the problems or difficulties or the barriers or the circumstances or the delays, ultimately, we are on the winning side. Oh yeah we may lose a few skirmishes here and there, but ultimately, we’re on the winning side. There’s an important phrase in verse 17. God tells Jehoshaphat, “Take up your positions and stand firm.” What does it mean to stand firm? It means to have a mental attitude of quiet confidence. It is never God’s will for you to run from a difficult situation. Instead trust Him. Now what am I to stand firm on while I’m waiting for God to fight my battles? You stand firm on two things:

1. The character of God. He’s faithful. He does not bring us this far just to leave us and let us down. Have faith in the nature and character of God.
2. The truth of His Word. God’s Word is faithful. You can count on the promises found in the Bible.

So beloved, stand still. Remember Who the battle belongs to. Trust that He is able to deliver you. And then watch Him do it!

“With Jesus Christ in your life, your eternal victory is secure…”

I watch the Olympic games when I have the chance to. Again it’s interesting to me how the Olympics or any sport can be a picture of life. In our lives, as in sport, we will encounter both victory and defeat. But, we don’t need to dwell on defeat. You see, if you have Jesus in your life, your eternal victory is secure. When Christ died on the cross, He forever defeated the power of sin and death to give us new life. As Christians, we can rejoice in ultimate victory: “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:571 Cor. 15:57
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57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  

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Scripture teaches that in this world, we have a choice: to experience defeat by allowing the world to overcome us or to be overcomers through faith in Christ. Thankfully, we have this promise: “Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith” (1 John 5:41 John 5:4
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4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  

WP-Bible plugin). Jesus told His disciples, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33John 16:33
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33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.  

WP-Bible plugin). Are you an overcomer or have you allowed yourself to be overcome?

If you’re feeling victorious in your life today, rejoice in God’s goodness. However, if you’re feeling discouraged, look to Christ. As the writer of Hebrews said: “Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls” (Heb. 12:3Heb. 12:3
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3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.  

WP-Bible plugin). Turn to Christ when you feel defeated, knowing that He has won the battle for your soul. The setbacks are only temporary but our ultimate victory is eternal and assured!