When God says …….
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11 KJV)
Signals the season of festivities for His arrival into our world.
That's Christmas!
What a very beautiful, meaningful and powerful word ever!
It is beautiful as it portrays the magnificent expression of love ever displayed. A loving God sending His only begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ stepping down into the earth He created to embrace His prodigal creation – all men, women and children who have been caught in the spiral roll of sin in a corrupted world. Yes, we all needed a Savior. And, out of His love He came to save us by His grace (Ephesians 2:8 NIV) and mercy so we can be with Him in eternity. He designed us to live in eternity where there are only two choices – eternal life or eternal death. God wants us to choose life, by accepting our Lord Jesus Christ in our hearts by faith to be our Savior. (Romans 10:9 NKJV). It is simple. Just accept Him and trust in Him and stay with Him by keeping ourselves fed by His Words – The Holy Bible.
It is meaningful as Christmas embodies His grace and mercy. You see, He does not expect us to work hard to impress Him with our self effort of goodness and perfection. He is already impressed with us. He loves us and nothing can ever change that. (Romans 8:31-39 NLT). He does not need our goodness and perfection. We can’t be. We are flawed in everything and every way. All He wants from us is have faith in Jesus and put our trust in the work He has done which He finished by dying in our place on the cross. Yes, He died so that we may live both flourishing in this world and rejoicing in eternity. No other father ever did that for us. Only Him, whose love for us is relentless. What a meaningful word it is. Christmas is God loving us!
It is a very powerful word to reflect on. This reminds us that when our Lord Jesus touched ground on earth at His birth in the manger in the little town of Bethlehem, a transformation occurred. The earth is changed. A world that was once hopeless is now hopeful. This world is now a Paradise restored in Christ. And, everyone who accepts Jesus the Lord of his/her life will become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). Yes, in Christ, we can live in the new paradise where all the provisions of grace are made available. And yes, there will still be challenges and trials and upheavals as we are still in the flesh. But, as we are in Christ, we can be at peace even in the middle of the turmoil of the world. When our Lord Jesus died on the cross, it did not end there. By His wounds, He healed our disease. He defeated death – ‘Where, O death, is your sting?’ (1 Corinthians 15:55). He rose from the dead to give us the power of His grace and mercy to live a victorious life, here on earth and in heaven (1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV).
This is why to me, Christmas is the most beautiful, meaningful and powerful word ever in the English lexicon. I trust it will always be. It is because Lord Jesus came. I can rest in this assurance: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21 NLT)
MERRY CHRISTMAS! I love you all!
In Jesus name,
And I say … AMEN!
Saturday, December 24, 2016
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Jesus Is Lord, He Comforts And Sustains
June 22, 2016
When God says .......
“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32, 33 NKJV)
He tells us that our public confession of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is our emblem of belonging with the Almighty God. Not only for the benefit of men that they too shall have the opportunity to receive Jesus through us, but also before our King who appointed us His ambassadors, so that He can affirm before our Heavenly Father that we are indeed His genuine disciples.
This is a warning against pretentious declaration as a matter of convenience when the goings is good and pleasant. That attitude of: - going along with the flow of the waves of time. One that sways every direction the wind blows. When in reality, true confession is punctuated by tight spots. When all the odds are against our physical fate, tests the quality of our faith. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the core, the cornerstone and the essence of our confession of faith. In whatever situations we are in, it is His Lordship over our life we confess. Not our circumstance. Especially in dire times, we lift His name high. Not the trouble we face.
In life and in death, in joy and in sorrow, Jesus is Lord. He comforts and sustains. I am grateful for His comfort in this time of mourning. He helps me face the reality that I will not anymore see my brother physically. He gives me the assurance that I will meet Nenie again one day in eternity in the presence of my Holy God. We will worship our Father together with the angels in the kingdom, where He granted us, my brother and everyone who believe a citizenship, which is in heaven.
His promise is true, by His grace through faith in Christ Jesus, as we accept and confess - He is our personal Lord and Savior we are saved. These passages affirm: "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” (Romans 10:9-11 NLT)
And I say ... AMEN!
When God says .......
“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32, 33 NKJV)
He tells us that our public confession of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is our emblem of belonging with the Almighty God. Not only for the benefit of men that they too shall have the opportunity to receive Jesus through us, but also before our King who appointed us His ambassadors, so that He can affirm before our Heavenly Father that we are indeed His genuine disciples.
This is a warning against pretentious declaration as a matter of convenience when the goings is good and pleasant. That attitude of: - going along with the flow of the waves of time. One that sways every direction the wind blows. When in reality, true confession is punctuated by tight spots. When all the odds are against our physical fate, tests the quality of our faith. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the core, the cornerstone and the essence of our confession of faith. In whatever situations we are in, it is His Lordship over our life we confess. Not our circumstance. Especially in dire times, we lift His name high. Not the trouble we face.
In life and in death, in joy and in sorrow, Jesus is Lord. He comforts and sustains. I am grateful for His comfort in this time of mourning. He helps me face the reality that I will not anymore see my brother physically. He gives me the assurance that I will meet Nenie again one day in eternity in the presence of my Holy God. We will worship our Father together with the angels in the kingdom, where He granted us, my brother and everyone who believe a citizenship, which is in heaven.
His promise is true, by His grace through faith in Christ Jesus, as we accept and confess - He is our personal Lord and Savior we are saved. These passages affirm: "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” (Romans 10:9-11 NLT)
And I say ... AMEN!
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Reflections from Musuan, Bukidnon. Philippines
May 20
When God says .......
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. (Matthew 10:16, 17 NKJV)
He warns us of life's challenges in this world. Men could deliver us for scourging in their synagogues. We may even become our instrument to self-destruct, if we forsake wisdom. We are to be wise as a dove lest we squander the limited time we have. We are in the midst of wolves. And, life is short.
I see how God uses bad situations to produce good out of a person. As I also observed how Jocy takes care of my brother Nenie is his state of coma for over a year now. The sight of my brother is very heart breaking. When I talk to him there is no hint of response. But his eyes are open and it blinks. Though not to converse. He at times stirs. I see in Jocy love without conditions. Considering that Nenie's present state is caused directly by abusive use of alcohol. His massive stroke was triggered by a drinking spree. That in spite, I watched many of my relatives continuously pouring hard drinks even at the wake of Sol. A sad sight. But I am thankful to God for giving me this opportunity to see my brother and other relatives in this part of the Philippines. I thank the Holy Spirit for prompting me to celebrate Holy Communion, the Breaking of Bread and Passover meal with my brothers. I thank our Lord Jesus Christ for His grace and His ever presence. I see His hands at work in every thing around us. He reveals many things out of my encounters on the journey and around here in Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines.
When God says .......
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. (Matthew 10:16, 17 NKJV)
He warns us of life's challenges in this world. Men could deliver us for scourging in their synagogues. We may even become our instrument to self-destruct, if we forsake wisdom. We are to be wise as a dove lest we squander the limited time we have. We are in the midst of wolves. And, life is short.
The Psalmist declared to himself: "My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass." (Psalms 102:11 ESV)
It happened to my cousin Sol. At age 53, he died while in his sleep on 5/19/16. He left his 6 children now totally orphaned. The youngest is in his senior high. One young lady and one young man are both in college. Good, 3 older siblings are working with stable jobs. The 2 oldest sisters are 26 and 24, respectively, and the next eldest brother is 20. I watched them at the wake of their father who was, as every father is, full of flaws. Yet they honor him. They are just made aware, they have a 3 year old sibling, whose mother just surfaced. With all their troubles of living, their father had another hidden problem they did not know. That's amidst their father having had no clear job for a long while. And here they are gathering around taking on the unwelcome task of preparing for their father's last rites.
It happened to my cousin Sol. At age 53, he died while in his sleep on 5/19/16. He left his 6 children now totally orphaned. The youngest is in his senior high. One young lady and one young man are both in college. Good, 3 older siblings are working with stable jobs. The 2 oldest sisters are 26 and 24, respectively, and the next eldest brother is 20. I watched them at the wake of their father who was, as every father is, full of flaws. Yet they honor him. They are just made aware, they have a 3 year old sibling, whose mother just surfaced. With all their troubles of living, their father had another hidden problem they did not know. That's amidst their father having had no clear job for a long while. And here they are gathering around taking on the unwelcome task of preparing for their father's last rites.
My eyes moistened with tears as I watched them. I talked to MaeAnn, the eldest. I told her I'm full of admiration her taking control of such an overwhelming situation, in maturely stride. Considering the bad cards she's been handed. Specially, taking care of her 3 brothers and 2 sisters as a very young teenager, when they originally lost their mother tragically. Their father was also critical from the multiple gunshots he got, when their parents were attacked in their home by a drug addict. With God's grace they were spared and their father survived. then. But, now he is gone too. And here she is having to carry all of it on her shoulders.
As we talked she reveals to me that she's thankful God helped her with all her siblings to listen to her. Also God blessed her efforts to have all of them 6 siblings live together. She's pulling out 3 of her younger siblings who studied at CMU here in Musuan. She managed to find scholarships for the 3 of them in Cebu schools. She told me she is continuing also her 2nd degree in education which she already started before all this happened.
I see how God uses bad situations to produce good out of a person. As I also observed how Jocy takes care of my brother Nenie is his state of coma for over a year now. The sight of my brother is very heart breaking. When I talk to him there is no hint of response. But his eyes are open and it blinks. Though not to converse. He at times stirs. I see in Jocy love without conditions. Considering that Nenie's present state is caused directly by abusive use of alcohol. His massive stroke was triggered by a drinking spree. That in spite, I watched many of my relatives continuously pouring hard drinks even at the wake of Sol. A sad sight. But I am thankful to God for giving me this opportunity to see my brother and other relatives in this part of the Philippines. I thank the Holy Spirit for prompting me to celebrate Holy Communion, the Breaking of Bread and Passover meal with my brothers. I thank our Lord Jesus Christ for His grace and His ever presence. I see His hands at work in every thing around us. He reveals many things out of my encounters on the journey and around here in Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines.
As I meet the budding beautiful grand niece- in- law Theona, with her lovely parents Maimai and Tobert, and grands Tessie and Pete, all the tragic things I observed, are wiped off by their loving and warm welcome. They are the light in such a gloomy environment I stepped into. I am reminded, Lord Jesus balanced everything on the cross. His grace is sufficient. I know that Jesus loves us all. He loves me. We have His assurance, as the Psalmist declares: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (Psalms 23:1-6 KJV)
And I say ... AMEN!
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Over Four Billion Souls Are Neglected
May 10, 2016
When God says .......
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:37, 38 NKJV)
He likened the weary and spiritually hungry crowds that followed Him, to the ripen field ready for harvest. They have been subjected to all kinds of spiritual dehydration from the scorching ungodliness of their time. Just like us today, with religious leaders converting God's business into their own business enterprises, instead of doing God's business to bring the good news to all people. Thereby, neglecting the many peoples of the world - the plentiful harvest, who have been deprived by their wicked rulers, of access to the gospel of salvation and grace by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Yes, the multitudes then, as with the multitudes now in every parts of the world, are ripe for harvest. And every believer who has Jesus living in His heart is sent by The Lord of the harvest. We are all sent with each of our part to participate in the season of harvest. We all have a part to play. Anything counts. There are those who are already in the field, specially in Asia - with latest news of crackdown on underground Churches in China, they need our prayers. As well as the continuing slaughter of our brethren in the Mideast and the Coptic Christians in the northern part of Africa. We can also reinforce our missionaries in Cambodia and other areas of Asia with our material support. Any amount helps and can be channeled through:
www.PFCGlobal.ws
Or,
Partners For Christ Ministries
PO Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
As we consider reaching out to the neglected (over 4 billion) souls in Asia who have yet to meet our Lord Jesus Christ, let's reflect on the following passages from the letter of Apostle Paul to the Philippians. The first missionary of the gospel wrote: "I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. (Philippians 4:13-17 NIV)
And I say ... AMEN!
When God says .......
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:37, 38 NKJV)
He likened the weary and spiritually hungry crowds that followed Him, to the ripen field ready for harvest. They have been subjected to all kinds of spiritual dehydration from the scorching ungodliness of their time. Just like us today, with religious leaders converting God's business into their own business enterprises, instead of doing God's business to bring the good news to all people. Thereby, neglecting the many peoples of the world - the plentiful harvest, who have been deprived by their wicked rulers, of access to the gospel of salvation and grace by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Yes, the multitudes then, as with the multitudes now in every parts of the world, are ripe for harvest. And every believer who has Jesus living in His heart is sent by The Lord of the harvest. We are all sent with each of our part to participate in the season of harvest. We all have a part to play. Anything counts. There are those who are already in the field, specially in Asia - with latest news of crackdown on underground Churches in China, they need our prayers. As well as the continuing slaughter of our brethren in the Mideast and the Coptic Christians in the northern part of Africa. We can also reinforce our missionaries in Cambodia and other areas of Asia with our material support. Any amount helps and can be channeled through:
www.PFCGlobal.ws
Or,
Partners For Christ Ministries
PO Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
As we consider reaching out to the neglected (over 4 billion) souls in Asia who have yet to meet our Lord Jesus Christ, let's reflect on the following passages from the letter of Apostle Paul to the Philippians. The first missionary of the gospel wrote: "I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. (Philippians 4:13-17 NIV)
And I say ... AMEN!
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Celebration of Life for Mariecon Frias Bucasas
April 23, 2016 (Saturday 11:52 PM)
When God says.......
As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him. (Matthew 9:9 NKJV)
As Jesus calls us, we follow. There should be no turning back. No matter how important what we do might be, like this tax collector. There is nothing more important than God's calling for us.
When God says.......
As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him. (Matthew 9:9 NKJV)
As Jesus calls us, we follow. There should be no turning back. No matter how important what we do might be, like this tax collector. There is nothing more important than God's calling for us.
Life on earth is brief. Yes, it is even so fragile. But, thanks be to God, He equipped it with resilience to stand and fight against every forces in this fallen world. I saw that, in the battle of my niece Mariecon against the arrogant and ruthless aggression of cancer. It may have taken her body as she passed away in her young life at 40, but, she won the war with valor. Though heavy and overwhelming for our hearts to bear, we celebrated her short but well-fought physical life today. Which made me reflect upon the brevity of this journey we are all part of, called life.
Life in this natural dimension is described in the Bible as:
- Our best state is but vapor. (Psalms 39:5b)
- Our days are like a passing shadow. (Psalms 144:4b)
Short might this life be, but it is more than enough seed to sow towards life in eternity. Like when Karen Saadeh (Mariecon's friend since their childhood in Saudi Arabia) talked about relationship with Jesus Christ, today. Which reminds me of Apostle Paul's words: "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21 NKJV)
In Christ, as we follow Him, and having accepted Him our personal Lord and Savior, we are covered by His grace. And, His grace is sufficient for us to surmount every onslaught formed against us. Apostle Paul gives us these encouraging words: "If God is for us, who can be against us." (Romans 8:32b)
As we engage life in the physical realm with audacity - like my niece Mariecon did, if we place our lives in the saving grace of Christ by accepting Him our Savior, then follow Him as the tax collector did, we have a blessed assurance. We can stand with comfort in this exhortation from Apostle Paul: "Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8 NLT)
And I say ... AMEN!
Life in this natural dimension is described in the Bible as:
- Our best state is but vapor. (Psalms 39:5b)
- Our days are like a passing shadow. (Psalms 144:4b)
Short might this life be, but it is more than enough seed to sow towards life in eternity. Like when Karen Saadeh (Mariecon's friend since their childhood in Saudi Arabia) talked about relationship with Jesus Christ, today. Which reminds me of Apostle Paul's words: "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21 NKJV)
In Christ, as we follow Him, and having accepted Him our personal Lord and Savior, we are covered by His grace. And, His grace is sufficient for us to surmount every onslaught formed against us. Apostle Paul gives us these encouraging words: "If God is for us, who can be against us." (Romans 8:32b)
As we engage life in the physical realm with audacity - like my niece Mariecon did, if we place our lives in the saving grace of Christ by accepting Him our Savior, then follow Him as the tax collector did, we have a blessed assurance. We can stand with comfort in this exhortation from Apostle Paul: "Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8 NLT)
And I say ... AMEN!
www.PFCGlobal.ws
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Happy Resurrection Day. Let's Celebrate!
When God says .......
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. (Matthew 7:21 NKJV)
Here's a very important advisory we must seriously take to heart. Not just the fact that heaven exists, but also the need to have the passport to enter it. And the access code is not only knowing the way, but holding the key and putting into action what The Father in heaven wills to be done.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. (Matthew 7:21 NKJV)
Here's a very important advisory we must seriously take to heart. Not just the fact that heaven exists, but also the need to have the passport to enter it. And the access code is not only knowing the way, but holding the key and putting into action what The Father in heaven wills to be done.
What then is the will of the Father? It is important that we know His will. Not knowing results to not doing, and not doing leads to not entering God's heavenly rest.
So, we are to know that the Father's will for us, is to believe and trust in the finished work of Jesus. He took our sin by dying in our place on the cross. In death, He defeated death. He is risen to give us new life. He is alive so we can live a fruitful and meaningful vibrant life. That's our Father's will for us. Lord Jesus declared, and it is written: "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." (John 6:38-40 ESV)
And I say ... AMEN!
Happy resurrection day. Let's celebrate! Jesus is alive, forever and ever. AMEN!
Happy resurrection day. Let's celebrate! Jesus is alive, forever and ever. AMEN!
www.PFCGlobal.ws
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