170814: ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE WORD

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

Obedience to the Word of God gives us rest. When we allow the Word to judge and expose our thoughts and heart motives, we will experience peace and the full blessings of being a child of God. We will all one day report to the Lord regarding what we did or did not do with these precious Words of God,

“And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13)

Share God’s Word.

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.

160308: Drawn to the call

“For many are invited, but few are chosen.” (Matt 22:14)

In the parable of the wedding feast, God’s call for salvation was extended to all. Yet few responded with the right actions. Many will hear but only a few will truly listen, receive the call and respond. And the few that respond will further be screened out for only those who come dressed with the covering of the blood of Jesus Christ for their sins will be chosen and allowed entrance to the kingdom of God.

“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)

Many are called but on our own we are unable to respond. We must realize that God is working in us and drawing our hearts to answer the call.

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.

160218: The fine line that separates good from evil.

“Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.” (1 Thess 5:21-22)

It is the responsibility of all Christians to be discerning. Having the ability to see the fine line that separates good from evil.

Discernment is not an option but a must have if we want to live a life that pleases God. A life that is uncompromising, stands-firm to the truth, led by the spirit, and brings glory to God.

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God,” (1 John 4:1a)

There is one sure way to attain a discerning spirit and that is thru a deep knowledge of God thru the Word that He has given us in Christ.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2Pet1:3).

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.

160212: Our labor is not in vain.

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1Cor15:58)

Our walk with the Lord will have its ups and downs. We will face persecution and trials when we share the good news of salvation. But just when we are ready to give up, we find strength in the word of God.

“Go now to your countrymen in exile and speak to them. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says,’ whether they listen or fail to listen.” (Ezek 3:11)

Keep on sharing the good news.

Christ’s resurrection made available to us God’s glory in heaven.

Let our love for God and each other drive us to do His will.

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.

160113: Boldly make a stand for God

“The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” (Prov 28:1)

The sheer pressure of guilt makes the sinner paranoid. He is always worried, anxious, that someone might discover his evil deeds. He is always running away from an imaginary foe.

The righteous in contrast is at peace with himself, others, and with God. He is confident and bold in all his ways for he knows God is with Him. His courage comes from the Lord.

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”(2 Tim 1:7)

Boldly make a stand for the truth of God’s word.

Let your light shine.

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.

160112: Stand your ground

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Eph 6:13)

Faced by extreme trials and testings in our faith the natural reaction of man is to fall back, go the other way less troublesome, and quit.

But for the man of God the natural reaction is to wear the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, feet fitted with the gospel of peace, and the helmet of salvation.

Let us wear the full armor of God which is Jesus and arm ourselves with the sword of the spirit of God’s word and prayer.

Then we can stand our ground and move forward to claim the victory which is already ours in Jesus Christ.

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 15:57)

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.

160111: Make your STAND with Jesus

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” (1Cor16:13-14)

Christians need to stand-up for the faith because our enemy the devil is always on the lookout for opportunities to separate us from God. He wants us to be discouraged, disheartened, losing interest, fainting and to just quit doing the will of God in our lives.

But Paul has words of encouragement to help us stand-up with Jesus:

S – Stay awake, vigilant and alert;

T – True to God. Steadfastly faithful;

A – Assert your winning position;

N – Never surrender for we are already victorious in Christ; and

D – Devoted to God and one another.

Let us make our STAND with Jesus and accomplish God’s will and purpose in our lives.

“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.” (Mat10:32)

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.

160107: Faith enables the power of God in us.

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5)

Jesus was teaching his apostles about forgiveness when they asked to “increase our faith.” But Jesus responds by saying that it is not the quantity of faith that is important but the power of God in us because if we have faith even the size of a tiny mustard seed we can do great things for the glory of God.

It is either you have faith or don’t.

And there is one sure way to have faith.

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” (Rom 10:17)

Hear the words of Jesus. Read the bible. Accept God’s gift of faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and savior.

Let our faith enable the power of God in us to move us to do greater things. All for the glory of God.

Umagang kay ganda kaibigan.

160105: Confidence comes in knowing God’s will.

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” (Ps 143:10)

David was besieged by enemies and was weak and just about ready to give up. But he acknowledged his sins, accepted that he is under God’s chastening, and asked for God’s mercy.

Like David, we may be in a bad situation now due to our past sins but we must remember that God is using these as tools to bring us to repentance and to refine and mature us.  In our prayers, we lift our hands and cry out for mercy. For God always hears the cries of the broken spirit and the contrite heart.

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” (Ps 143:8)

Our confidence and strength comes from knowing we are doing God’s will.

Umagang kay ganda at kay linaw kaibigan.

160103: Living a Blessed Life

The Word of God is very clear on the sure way to a blessed life.

“But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:25)

We start the year right by joyfully seeking to know God thru the bible, by meditating on His word day and night, and more importantly by being doers of the Word.

“He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” (Ps1:3)

Read the Word. Live it. Pass it on.

Have a blessed life ahead.

Umagang kay ganda at puno ng pagpapala kaibigan.