160618: Heed the Word

“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (Isaiah 30:18)

God is full of love and compassion. Even to a sinful, disobedient, and obstinate people like us. He longs to see us return to Him and with loving arms will rush to bestow blessings upon a repentant sinner.

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength,” (Isaiah 30:15a)

Blessed are those who heed the Words of God.

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.

160318: I must stay at your house today…

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” (Lk19:5)

Zacchaeus was the Chief Tax Collector and was a very wealthy man. He was also a sinner for it is common knowledge that he collected more than is required. But when he learned that Jesus was passing by he climbed a tree to have a better glimpse of Jesus.

We see a fat, greedy sinner but Jesus sees a lost soul seeking to be saved. His encounter with the love and care that Jesus showed a sinner like him drove an inner transformation that led to repentance and the salvation of his soul.

Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (v9-10).

Jesus is knocking… I must stay at your house today.

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.

160315: We can be saved.

“Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” (John 8:10)

The woman caught in adultery was guilty yet was given a second chance by Jesus.

From the outside we are shouting guilty but only Jesus can see what’s going on the inside of the woman’s heart. Jesus saw a sinner that can be saved.

“No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (v11)

Rather than pass judgment we should bring people to the one that can change lives.

God’s kindness and the love of Jesus that we experience leads us to live a life of faith and repentance.

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.

160217: Cry it Out

“You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.” (Ps 86:5)

When trouble comes and we are in despair for we have done our best yet there is just no hope in sight. Consider that maybe the trouble can be traced back to past unrepented sins.

It is in these times that we come to God and sincerely pray and ask for God’s mercy.

“Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.” (v6-5)

Don’t despair. Cry it out to God. God hears the cries of His children and answers the prayers of a repentant heart.

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.

160106: By God’s grace…

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:44)

God is calling everyone to eternal life in Jesus. God’s inner voice in us draws us to accept the truth about Jesus. But not everyone will respond.

“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” (v40)

By God’s grace are we saved in Jesus Christ.

Umagang kay ganda at puno ng buhay kaibigan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

151228: Nothing is Impossible with God

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.” (Ps 51:10-11)

There is no sin so great that cannot be forgiven when we submit to God with a repentant heart and a broken spirit.

“The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” (v17 NLT)

We humbly come before God, cry out our sins, and seek forgiveness.

We start a new year with a renewed heart and spirit. Pure and steadfast.

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matt 19:26)

Umagang kay ganda at puno ng pag-asa kaibigan.