160531: Anchored in Christ

 

“These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:7-8).

Our faith will be tested. The trials and testings we encounter in our lives are meant to reveal the genuineness of our faith.

The faith that is anchored in Christ will withstand any storm. It is far more precious than gold. For it lasts thru eternity, shields our future inheritance in heaven, and guarantees the salvation of our souls.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

 

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.

160530: Faith conquers the stronghold of the enemy

“March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in.” (Josh 6:3-5)

This is the plan God gave Joshua to conquer a heavily fortified fortress such as Jericho.

It certainly fails as an intelligent military strategy. Yet Joshua obeyed God without a trace of doubt. No ifs and buts, just complete trust and quick odedience.

“When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city.” (Joshua 6:20)

Faith conquers the stronghold of our enemies.

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.

160528: Praise the Lord

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”.(Psalm 150:6)  

Today we come before the Lord and procalim His greatness.

Our joy cannot be contained for we were once lost but was now found, damned but now saved.

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38)

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.

160528: Second chances

“And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.” (Jeremiah 18:4)

God does not discard stubborn clay even if the results are marred. God will carefully remold it until it suits His design.

Like the clay, by ourselves we don’t look attractive and but under skillful hands of God we can be transformed into something great. Even if we resist God’s molding and shaping and turn out to be marred, God will not throw us away. He will continue to reshape and re-transform us according to His plan.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Let God mold us and transform us into the likeness of Jesus.

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.

 

160527: Do not worry

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?” (Matthew 6:31)

Jesus teaches us not to worry for there are much more important things than physical needs and wants. The Lord God already knows that we need these things and He will provide and take care of our basic needs. To worry means we do not trust God and we have little faith in God’s ability to provide.

Jesus wants us to put our focus on the things that matter. And what matters most is that we be concerned about the things of God, His kingdom and His righteousness. This is what living by Faith means.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

Take care of the things entrusted to us by God everyday and God will take care of the rest.

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.

 

160526: Nothing to fear

“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? ” (Psalm 27:1)

The moment David was annointed and he defeated Goliath, a myriad of enemies seek to destroy him. The same is true with us, the moment we accepted Jesus as Lord and savior and made a commitment to follow Jesus, our war with the Devil and his minions started.

Our confidence comes from knowing that God lights our way in our dark moments and He saves us. When the enemy besieges us we can call on the Lord and run in the cover of His arms for protection.

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

There is nothing to fear when we are with God.

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.

160525: Claim the Promise

“I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” (Gen 17:16)

God said this to Abraham to fulfill His promise made 30 years ago. Abraham was now 100 years old and Sarah was 90 and well past the giving birth years so both laughed at God. Yet God is always true to fulfilling the promise he has made.

“Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.” (Genesis 21:2)

God is faithful to His promises. His Word will be fulfilled.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)

Be faithful and claim God’s promise to you.

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.

160524: Perfected by Faith

“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.” (Hebrews 11:39)

Faith is believing and obeying God’s voice no matter what happens. Even if in the eyes of men we appear foolish and utter failures, in the eyes of God we are victorious.

“God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:40)

In Christ we have received God’s promise.

Salvation is found in no one else but Jesus.

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.

160523: Living Faith Saves

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph 2:8-9)

Salvation is by the grace of God.

A free gift that God gives us through our faith in His Son Jesus Christ. This kind of faith is alive and must be seen in our changed lives. Living faith is evidenced by the good works we are doing to accomplish God’s will and purpose for our lives.

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph 2:10)

Living faith saves.

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.

160522: Perfect

“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.” (2 Sam 22:31)

Like David, today we remember the nature of God our Father and get encouragement to move forward and accomplish much greater things knowing He is behind us to boost our strength when we are in our weakest.

His Word leads us to the right path when we are lost and He gives us protection when we are most vulnerable.

Nothing will stand in the way of our victory.

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.