First Sunday of Advent
for Sunday, November 30
Mark 13:36-37
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: “Watch!”
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During my elementary years, I would know that Christmas is really near, not only because of the Christmas songs being played frequently in the radio or decorations being put up, but because my teacher would ask us to make an Advent Wreath. As I light up the first candle, I know that the celebration of the birth of our Lord is only four weeks away!
This season of advent, I would be in Mexico, preparing the plant, together with the team, for it’s biggest reengineering project ever. And hey, I would be home in three weeks, in time for the Christmas celebration with my family.
Advent is a season of preparation. If the season of Lent prepares us for what happened on Good Friday (execution) and Easter (resurrection), then during Advent, we thank God for Christ's first coming (Christmas), prepare for his final coming at the end of time, and celebrate Christ's presence among us today through the Spirit. Let us light up the path today for the Lord and prepare His way as He comes to our hearts.
Almighty Father, Your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of Your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces His glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit Who prepares us for His coming. Prepare our hearts and remove the sadness that hinders us from feeling the joy and hope which His presence will bestow, for He is Lord forever and ever.
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, excite in us a wonder at the wisdom and power of Your Father and ours. Receive our prayers as part of our service to You, our Lord who enlists us in God's own work for justice. Excite in us a joy responsive to the Father's joy. We fervently seek His will so we can serve with gladness, singing and love.
Amen +
Lord, make us turn to You; let us see Your face and we shall be saved.
Friday, November 28, 2008
GIVE THE LORD GLORY
Psalms 92:6
Come, let us bow down in worship… kneel before the LORD who made us.
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Another great song. Based on Psalm 96. Composed during the composer’s year of service as a Jesuit Volunteer. This song proclaims incessantly that the glory of the Lord is the human being fully alive in love and generosity.
Give the Lord glory and honor!Give the Lord glory and praise!Give the Lord glory and honor, glory and praise!
O sing a new song to the Lord!O sing to the Lord, all the earth!Tell among the nations His gloryAnd His wonders, to all now proclaim.
Give the Lord praise, all you peoples,Unto Him glory and power!Give the Lord the glory of His name.Bring an offering and enter His courts.
Come and let us worship the Lord!Let all the earth tremble before Him!Proclaim to all the nations: God is king!He governs His people with justice!
Give the Lord glory and honor, glory and praise! Glory and praise!
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, You are holy and worthy of all our praise and adoration. You are calling us all to a higher standard of integrity and obedience than ever before. You are warning us to walk our walk as You reveal it to us -- and You are calling us to do what we say -- to be doers and encouragers and not just talkers. To You be all the honor and glory!
Amen +
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
Come, let us bow down in worship… kneel before the LORD who made us.
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Another great song. Based on Psalm 96. Composed during the composer’s year of service as a Jesuit Volunteer. This song proclaims incessantly that the glory of the Lord is the human being fully alive in love and generosity.
Give the Lord glory and honor!Give the Lord glory and praise!Give the Lord glory and honor, glory and praise!
O sing a new song to the Lord!O sing to the Lord, all the earth!Tell among the nations His gloryAnd His wonders, to all now proclaim.
Give the Lord praise, all you peoples,Unto Him glory and power!Give the Lord the glory of His name.Bring an offering and enter His courts.
Come and let us worship the Lord!Let all the earth tremble before Him!Proclaim to all the nations: God is king!He governs His people with justice!
Give the Lord glory and honor, glory and praise! Glory and praise!
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, You are holy and worthy of all our praise and adoration. You are calling us all to a higher standard of integrity and obedience than ever before. You are warning us to walk our walk as You reveal it to us -- and You are calling us to do what we say -- to be doers and encouragers and not just talkers. To You be all the honor and glory!
Amen +
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
TIME WITH GOD
Luke 21:33
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
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God is always busy. He is always busy loving us. And yet, we busy ourselves with taking care of earthly things. Some things that are not evil in themselves may have an evil influence if they crowd God out of our lives. Biking and playing badminton is not evil. If it is, then I'm in real trouble, because I love to do those things. Going to malls and amusement parks is not necessarily evil. Having fun is not evil. But these things (and other normal activities in life) will crowd God out of our lives if we let them.
We must make time with the Lord a number one priority. There are lots of choices in life, and those choices will determine the priorities in our lives. So we must be careful or the "busyness" and simple pleasures of life may crowd out our time with the Lord. One day, I will pass away and so do all those things that I have done. But God would continue to exist in the hearts of many in this world. If God will not exist in my heart today, then I would certainly not exist with Him in the afterlife.
Spend a personal time with the Lord. Even Jesus has been very busy. He ministered to the people in His time. He met their needs. He helped them. And so everybody wanted His time. But in spite of the demands on His time, Jesus made it a priority to get away and spend time with the Father.
So then, we must be changed on a daily basis. It may sound overly simplistic, but continuing change in the Christian life comes from spending time with God. He is the beginning and He will be the end. His words and promises will all be fulfilled. He has been a faithful God and has given us immeasurable blessings. Live in Him. Live with Him. He is our God and His words must not pass away from our hearts.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, help all who pray to be obedient to Your call when they receive it. Be especially watchful over our church leaders worldwide as their role is key and their obedience vital. Help all of us to learn from our past mistakes so we will not repeat them. Amen +
Here God lives among His people.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
-------------------------------------------------
God is always busy. He is always busy loving us. And yet, we busy ourselves with taking care of earthly things. Some things that are not evil in themselves may have an evil influence if they crowd God out of our lives. Biking and playing badminton is not evil. If it is, then I'm in real trouble, because I love to do those things. Going to malls and amusement parks is not necessarily evil. Having fun is not evil. But these things (and other normal activities in life) will crowd God out of our lives if we let them.
We must make time with the Lord a number one priority. There are lots of choices in life, and those choices will determine the priorities in our lives. So we must be careful or the "busyness" and simple pleasures of life may crowd out our time with the Lord. One day, I will pass away and so do all those things that I have done. But God would continue to exist in the hearts of many in this world. If God will not exist in my heart today, then I would certainly not exist with Him in the afterlife.
Spend a personal time with the Lord. Even Jesus has been very busy. He ministered to the people in His time. He met their needs. He helped them. And so everybody wanted His time. But in spite of the demands on His time, Jesus made it a priority to get away and spend time with the Father.
So then, we must be changed on a daily basis. It may sound overly simplistic, but continuing change in the Christian life comes from spending time with God. He is the beginning and He will be the end. His words and promises will all be fulfilled. He has been a faithful God and has given us immeasurable blessings. Live in Him. Live with Him. He is our God and His words must not pass away from our hearts.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, help all who pray to be obedient to Your call when they receive it. Be especially watchful over our church leaders worldwide as their role is key and their obedience vital. Help all of us to learn from our past mistakes so we will not repeat them. Amen +
Here God lives among His people.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
LOVING KINDNESS
Psalms 100:4-5
For He is good: the LORD, whose kindness endures forever, and His faithfulness, to all generations.
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I still remember that my class section in Grade 3 was “Kindness”. But I tell you, that section is not really kind to others. Not that we bully other kids in school, but we are really a rowdy bunch – teasing each other, running around after school, shouting on top of our voices. It was children having pure fun. And those days were really fun as we do what we really want to do.
Kindness in scripture is more often equated with love. The word for kindness in Hebrew and Greek is interchangeable with mercy, goodness, loyalty, faithfulness, but most of all steadfast love. Kindness is the visible action of love directed toward others. Similarly, God is praised for being kind – for showing His steadfast love in so many ways. But, sadly, it is really hard for us to show the same kindness that God is showing us. Why?
This is because our culture tolerates rude, angry, unkind, and violent behavior. No one really likes this, but they have become so commonplace that we have just accepted it. Even after going to mass or service, most of us would start saying bad things about others once we get out of the church. This has got to stop. We should not be kind in names only (like my section in grade school). We should live it everyday, as the Lord is good, whose kindness endures forever. How can we be kind to Him, and yet be very unkind to others.
Cultivating kindness will overcome so many of the problems we suffer. It is that simple. If David could demonstrate the kindness of God then I believe we can too with the help of the Holy Spirit. We hope that we, the people of our ages and the generations to come will truly be called Christians or the Kind Ones. Let us strive to live up to both names.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, You are the source of true kindness. You are our only hope. We trust in You for all the promises of forgiveness and help and life that Your Son bought when He died. We belong freely to You forever and ever.
Amen +
Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.
For He is good: the LORD, whose kindness endures forever, and His faithfulness, to all generations.
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I still remember that my class section in Grade 3 was “Kindness”. But I tell you, that section is not really kind to others. Not that we bully other kids in school, but we are really a rowdy bunch – teasing each other, running around after school, shouting on top of our voices. It was children having pure fun. And those days were really fun as we do what we really want to do.
Kindness in scripture is more often equated with love. The word for kindness in Hebrew and Greek is interchangeable with mercy, goodness, loyalty, faithfulness, but most of all steadfast love. Kindness is the visible action of love directed toward others. Similarly, God is praised for being kind – for showing His steadfast love in so many ways. But, sadly, it is really hard for us to show the same kindness that God is showing us. Why?
This is because our culture tolerates rude, angry, unkind, and violent behavior. No one really likes this, but they have become so commonplace that we have just accepted it. Even after going to mass or service, most of us would start saying bad things about others once we get out of the church. This has got to stop. We should not be kind in names only (like my section in grade school). We should live it everyday, as the Lord is good, whose kindness endures forever. How can we be kind to Him, and yet be very unkind to others.
Cultivating kindness will overcome so many of the problems we suffer. It is that simple. If David could demonstrate the kindness of God then I believe we can too with the help of the Holy Spirit. We hope that we, the people of our ages and the generations to come will truly be called Christians or the Kind Ones. Let us strive to live up to both names.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, You are the source of true kindness. You are our only hope. We trust in You for all the promises of forgiveness and help and life that Your Son bought when He died. We belong freely to You forever and ever.
Amen +
Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
WE ARE LOVED
Luke 21:17-19
You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.
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Just a mere mention of his name, I would really get very angry. He has written my name on the board for being rowdy in class when our teacher was away. I was scolded and told to stay back. It was really demeaning and shameful. At least for me. And looking back at that time, I would just imagine how hard it was for me to live – hating that classmate every single day of the week. It was pure insanity on my part.
Today, millions, if not billions of people are being persecuted because of their belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. And it started even thousand of years ago, when the early Christians have suffered and endured persecutions because of their faith. They were killed and fed to the lions simply because they love and serve You, Oh Lord. For that, it is already comforting to know that this has not happened to me, to us. At least, not yet. But if it does happen, and the “opportunity” comes to present itself, I only ask one thing from You – that You may grant me the strength – mind, body and spirit, to accept whatever You what me to do. You have done that two-thousand years ago, and you have become our hope that does not disappoint.
In this very dangerous world, we must put our trust totally in Him as He promised that nothing, even the strands of our hair, will be destroyed if we just believe in and follow Him. Let us persevere in our faith, always praising and glorifying His name. Ask for forgiveness through our prayers so we may become the true blessings to others. Do not be afraid, for He is our Lord.
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, there is nothing too hard for You! And you being our Master, should put all our faith on this fact. And every evil, disabilities, sufferings, and disasters of this world would be nothing but mere instances in a likewise ordinary day.
Amen +
Great and wonderful are all Your works, Lord, mighty God!
You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.
------------------------------------------
Just a mere mention of his name, I would really get very angry. He has written my name on the board for being rowdy in class when our teacher was away. I was scolded and told to stay back. It was really demeaning and shameful. At least for me. And looking back at that time, I would just imagine how hard it was for me to live – hating that classmate every single day of the week. It was pure insanity on my part.
Today, millions, if not billions of people are being persecuted because of their belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. And it started even thousand of years ago, when the early Christians have suffered and endured persecutions because of their faith. They were killed and fed to the lions simply because they love and serve You, Oh Lord. For that, it is already comforting to know that this has not happened to me, to us. At least, not yet. But if it does happen, and the “opportunity” comes to present itself, I only ask one thing from You – that You may grant me the strength – mind, body and spirit, to accept whatever You what me to do. You have done that two-thousand years ago, and you have become our hope that does not disappoint.
In this very dangerous world, we must put our trust totally in Him as He promised that nothing, even the strands of our hair, will be destroyed if we just believe in and follow Him. Let us persevere in our faith, always praising and glorifying His name. Ask for forgiveness through our prayers so we may become the true blessings to others. Do not be afraid, for He is our Lord.
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, there is nothing too hard for You! And you being our Master, should put all our faith on this fact. And every evil, disabilities, sufferings, and disasters of this world would be nothing but mere instances in a likewise ordinary day.
Amen +
Great and wonderful are all Your works, Lord, mighty God!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
GOD OF JUSTICE
Psalms 96:13
…before the LORD who comes, who comes to govern the earth, to govern the world with justice and the peoples with faithfulness.
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I have always thought life is unfair.
I have been faithful to my wife for 13 years, yet, here is an actor who has a wife and a number of mistresses and children out of marriage. But he is by far, richer than me with all those big houses, money and cars. I have been working for 15 years now, and I can say I have been generally honest in my dealings with my company and suppliers. Yet, here is a politician known to have amassed great fortune from graft and corruption, but he is still free, rich and well-loved. As a child, I would complain because my mother would always ask me to run errands, and point to my brother saying, “It’s supposed to be his turn!”
So many cases and situations in life, I shout “NOT FAIR!” Until I realize that isn’t this the same thinking that Cain has? He thought that God always favor Abel, and out of envy, he allowed sin to enter his door and be his master. He thought God is unfair so he killed his brother. From this, we shall realize further the basic truth. We are not the true judge of what is fair and what is unfair, because our concept of fairness is tainted by envy and selfishness – it centers on ourselves and what we believe ought to be. But God has His plans and purposes. And believe you me, those are fair and for the goodness of all.
Almighty Father, You are a just and faithful God. Gently look at our hearts, for You are the only One who can really judge the hearts of men. I may perceive others to be worthy of Your wrath or even hell, but You are the only one who knows what should be done. Life may never really look fair to us, but Your grace is much bigger than we’ve sometimes allowed ourselves to believe.
Let us pray +
Lord God, Your work is perfect, Your ways are justice, You are God of truth and without iniquity. And in all of these, we only trust in You.
Amen +
The Lord comes to judge the earth.
…before the LORD who comes, who comes to govern the earth, to govern the world with justice and the peoples with faithfulness.
------------------------------------------
I have always thought life is unfair.
I have been faithful to my wife for 13 years, yet, here is an actor who has a wife and a number of mistresses and children out of marriage. But he is by far, richer than me with all those big houses, money and cars. I have been working for 15 years now, and I can say I have been generally honest in my dealings with my company and suppliers. Yet, here is a politician known to have amassed great fortune from graft and corruption, but he is still free, rich and well-loved. As a child, I would complain because my mother would always ask me to run errands, and point to my brother saying, “It’s supposed to be his turn!”
So many cases and situations in life, I shout “NOT FAIR!” Until I realize that isn’t this the same thinking that Cain has? He thought that God always favor Abel, and out of envy, he allowed sin to enter his door and be his master. He thought God is unfair so he killed his brother. From this, we shall realize further the basic truth. We are not the true judge of what is fair and what is unfair, because our concept of fairness is tainted by envy and selfishness – it centers on ourselves and what we believe ought to be. But God has His plans and purposes. And believe you me, those are fair and for the goodness of all.
Almighty Father, You are a just and faithful God. Gently look at our hearts, for You are the only One who can really judge the hearts of men. I may perceive others to be worthy of Your wrath or even hell, but You are the only one who knows what should be done. Life may never really look fair to us, but Your grace is much bigger than we’ve sometimes allowed ourselves to believe.
Let us pray +
Lord God, Your work is perfect, Your ways are justice, You are God of truth and without iniquity. And in all of these, we only trust in You.
Amen +
The Lord comes to judge the earth.
POOR WIDOW’S OFFERING
Luke 21:3-4
“…this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood”.
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People are watching the rich depositing their large offerings – bundles of money, maybe. And they would be very proud as people would talk about their offerings. But no one would notice the poverty-stricken widow, who reached into her rags to withdraw these two thin coins and deposit them into the collection box. That offering may already be enough for her meal for the day. And no one sees the look of joy on her face as she gives to her Lord the little she has. Yes, no one sees. No one notices. Except Jesus…
God's Son noticed it. And He says to his disciples – “Did you see that?” They looked over where He is pointing, but all they see was a tired old widow running away from the collection box. Maybe, she was afraid that the rich men will rebuke her. But, Jesus remark is very clear. “She gave more than all of those rich people put together,” and they looked at him in astonishment.
Her act was motivated by the knowledge, by the spiritual thrill of heart, that she belonged to God. She had received freely, and her gratitude to God revealed itself in contentment, a total confidence that the Lord was able to supply her daily need. She lived in total dependence upon God. How about you? How about me. Have you given God your all, whether large or small? If you have, then you know having the heart of trusting God for the next step, the next meal, the next project. And you know the reward of loving God with a joy and purity that reward you with His glorious presence.
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, I am more and more aware that those whom You will reward with the greatest crowns are not as likely to be the well-known Christian leaders, but the faithful men and women who regularly lay their whole life and livelihood on the line for you. I pray that I might someday you might count me worthy to stand among these ordinary Christian heroes. In your Holy Name, I pray.
Amen +
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, a reward from God his savior.
“…this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood”.
-------------------------------------------------
People are watching the rich depositing their large offerings – bundles of money, maybe. And they would be very proud as people would talk about their offerings. But no one would notice the poverty-stricken widow, who reached into her rags to withdraw these two thin coins and deposit them into the collection box. That offering may already be enough for her meal for the day. And no one sees the look of joy on her face as she gives to her Lord the little she has. Yes, no one sees. No one notices. Except Jesus…
God's Son noticed it. And He says to his disciples – “Did you see that?” They looked over where He is pointing, but all they see was a tired old widow running away from the collection box. Maybe, she was afraid that the rich men will rebuke her. But, Jesus remark is very clear. “She gave more than all of those rich people put together,” and they looked at him in astonishment.
Her act was motivated by the knowledge, by the spiritual thrill of heart, that she belonged to God. She had received freely, and her gratitude to God revealed itself in contentment, a total confidence that the Lord was able to supply her daily need. She lived in total dependence upon God. How about you? How about me. Have you given God your all, whether large or small? If you have, then you know having the heart of trusting God for the next step, the next meal, the next project. And you know the reward of loving God with a joy and purity that reward you with His glorious presence.
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, I am more and more aware that those whom You will reward with the greatest crowns are not as likely to be the well-known Christian leaders, but the faithful men and women who regularly lay their whole life and livelihood on the line for you. I pray that I might someday you might count me worthy to stand among these ordinary Christian heroes. In your Holy Name, I pray.
Amen +
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, a reward from God his savior.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
DID IT FOR YOU
For SUNDAY, November 23...
Solemnity of Christ the King
Matthew 25:40
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
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This Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King (properly the Solemnity of Christ the King in the Roman Catholic Church) which is the last holy Sunday in the western liturgical calendar. Next week, we would start with the new liturgical year, starting with the Advent season as we prepare for Christmas, the birth of our Lord.
In today’s gospel, Jesus is trying to tell us that we are living in this world so others may be blessed through us, especially the least of our brothers. And who would they be? He introduced to us some of them: the hungry, thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the ill and those in prison. And He is very clear that whatever we do to our little brothers, we are doing it to Him – “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me”.
He have taught and loved us through examples and parables. So it is only proper that we must deal with other Christians out of humility rather than pride, for we have no excuse for responding to fellow believers in a spirit of arrogance, haughtiness, or superiority.
All of this means that whatever we do for any being, we do for God. Whatever we do for the least one, the one who suffers, we do for God. When we help someone, even in small ways, it is God we are helping. It is God helping God. All happening within ourselves, because He lives in us. And when we share, we share ourselves, our very being – blessing others for the glory of God, from Whom all is given.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, may we forever embodies humility – make the esteem effort to listen, accept others - no matter what their race, their religion, their education – or lack of it, or their station in life.
Amen +
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Solemnity of Christ the King
Matthew 25:40
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
----------------------------------------------------
This Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King (properly the Solemnity of Christ the King in the Roman Catholic Church) which is the last holy Sunday in the western liturgical calendar. Next week, we would start with the new liturgical year, starting with the Advent season as we prepare for Christmas, the birth of our Lord.
In today’s gospel, Jesus is trying to tell us that we are living in this world so others may be blessed through us, especially the least of our brothers. And who would they be? He introduced to us some of them: the hungry, thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the ill and those in prison. And He is very clear that whatever we do to our little brothers, we are doing it to Him – “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me”.
He have taught and loved us through examples and parables. So it is only proper that we must deal with other Christians out of humility rather than pride, for we have no excuse for responding to fellow believers in a spirit of arrogance, haughtiness, or superiority.
All of this means that whatever we do for any being, we do for God. Whatever we do for the least one, the one who suffers, we do for God. When we help someone, even in small ways, it is God we are helping. It is God helping God. All happening within ourselves, because He lives in us. And when we share, we share ourselves, our very being – blessing others for the glory of God, from Whom all is given.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, may we forever embodies humility – make the esteem effort to listen, accept others - no matter what their race, their religion, their education – or lack of it, or their station in life.
Amen +
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
ALIVE IN HIM
Luke 20:37-38
“…He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.”
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It is clear that life does continue somehow beyond life here on earth, that we move into a new age, a new place, that cannot be described by or even compared with our earthly existence. One thing we can learn from this encounter between Jesus and the Sadducees is that there is no need or even point in trying to go into elaborate and detailed descriptions of what resurrection life will be like. Simply relax and be at peace in our faith.
Our hearts and souls should always yearn for Him. For that is the very essence of our lives – to serve and follow His will and be the temple of the living God, so we may join Him in the after-life. This is the very promise of the Resurrection. After the grim reality of death and suffering, we would all be raised again, completely free from sins. I surely believe and know that Jesus lived and died and was resurrected. If I am wrong, well, I am to be pitied, but nothing is lost, and know many would and do. But if I am right...well, imagine the treasure I would have gained in Heaven!
We are a resurrection people – we profess at the heart of our faith that “Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again”. Although we love to elaborate, and to speculate on what it will look like, and to tease ourselves with the when and the how it will all come together, at the center of our faith is what Jesus proclaimed here – “He is God not of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all of them are alive.” In life, in death, in the resurrection we are still reconciled with God, inseparable from His love in Christ, the living Son of the God of the living.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, make us faithful followers of the spirit of your resurrection. Grant that we may be inwardly renewed; dying to ourselves in order that you may live in us. May our lives serve as signs of the transforming power of your love. This we ask of you, Lord Jesus, living and reigning with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever.
Amen +
Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
“…He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.”
----------------------------------------------------
It is clear that life does continue somehow beyond life here on earth, that we move into a new age, a new place, that cannot be described by or even compared with our earthly existence. One thing we can learn from this encounter between Jesus and the Sadducees is that there is no need or even point in trying to go into elaborate and detailed descriptions of what resurrection life will be like. Simply relax and be at peace in our faith.
Our hearts and souls should always yearn for Him. For that is the very essence of our lives – to serve and follow His will and be the temple of the living God, so we may join Him in the after-life. This is the very promise of the Resurrection. After the grim reality of death and suffering, we would all be raised again, completely free from sins. I surely believe and know that Jesus lived and died and was resurrected. If I am wrong, well, I am to be pitied, but nothing is lost, and know many would and do. But if I am right...well, imagine the treasure I would have gained in Heaven!
We are a resurrection people – we profess at the heart of our faith that “Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again”. Although we love to elaborate, and to speculate on what it will look like, and to tease ourselves with the when and the how it will all come together, at the center of our faith is what Jesus proclaimed here – “He is God not of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all of them are alive.” In life, in death, in the resurrection we are still reconciled with God, inseparable from His love in Christ, the living Son of the God of the living.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, make us faithful followers of the spirit of your resurrection. Grant that we may be inwardly renewed; dying to ourselves in order that you may live in us. May our lives serve as signs of the transforming power of your love. This we ask of you, Lord Jesus, living and reigning with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever.
Amen +
Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
Friday, November 21, 2008
HOUSE OF PRAYER
Luke 19:46
“My house shall be a house of prayer…”
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I have been praying as long as I can remember. I was taught to pray in the morning, before meals, after meals and before retiring in the evening. All through my life, I have experienced the power of prayer – in times of family trouble, marital trouble, financial trouble and personal difficulties.
God welcomes all of us into His House. God invites everyone to come to Him. He wants everyone to bring their burdens to Him in prayer. And when they do, they will find acceptance, comfort and help from Him. Though we come mourning to the house of prayer, we shall go away rejoicing. We will find needs met when we cast our cares and burdens upon the Lord. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we ask or imagine. So lets ask that His kingdom come, His will be done in our lives, our church, our city and our country. What He wants us to do is much bigger than we are, but it is not bigger than God. We need to demonstrate our trust in Him to fulfill the vision He has given us and seek the Lord together in prayer. With God’s help let us make His house, a house of prayer for all the people.
Almighty Father, the power of prayer does not reside in me. The power of prayer resides in You. I shall put all the confidence in You when praying: that if we ask anything according to Your will, we know that You hear us. And if we know that You hear us - whatever we ask - we know that we will have what we asked of You, in Your time, not ours.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I pray for the goodness of everyone. May we constantly seek You and continuously praise Your mighty name. Be merciful to us and be forgiving. We are all sinners, so I am not really better than others. And there is no more comforting truth in this world than this: Christ Jesus came into the world to forgive sinners. And for that, I humbly and silently pray with all my heart and thank You.
Amen +
How sweet to my taste is Your promise!
“My house shall be a house of prayer…”
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I have been praying as long as I can remember. I was taught to pray in the morning, before meals, after meals and before retiring in the evening. All through my life, I have experienced the power of prayer – in times of family trouble, marital trouble, financial trouble and personal difficulties.
God welcomes all of us into His House. God invites everyone to come to Him. He wants everyone to bring their burdens to Him in prayer. And when they do, they will find acceptance, comfort and help from Him. Though we come mourning to the house of prayer, we shall go away rejoicing. We will find needs met when we cast our cares and burdens upon the Lord. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we ask or imagine. So lets ask that His kingdom come, His will be done in our lives, our church, our city and our country. What He wants us to do is much bigger than we are, but it is not bigger than God. We need to demonstrate our trust in Him to fulfill the vision He has given us and seek the Lord together in prayer. With God’s help let us make His house, a house of prayer for all the people.
Almighty Father, the power of prayer does not reside in me. The power of prayer resides in You. I shall put all the confidence in You when praying: that if we ask anything according to Your will, we know that You hear us. And if we know that You hear us - whatever we ask - we know that we will have what we asked of You, in Your time, not ours.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I pray for the goodness of everyone. May we constantly seek You and continuously praise Your mighty name. Be merciful to us and be forgiving. We are all sinners, so I am not really better than others. And there is no more comforting truth in this world than this: Christ Jesus came into the world to forgive sinners. And for that, I humbly and silently pray with all my heart and thank You.
Amen +
How sweet to my taste is Your promise!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
RANSOM PAID
Revelation 5:9
…for you were slain and with your Blood you purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation.
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It was my first time to go to the school fair to commemorate my school’s foundation day. My mother gave me money-tickets so I may enjoy the rides like the merry-go-round, the train; enter the booths where I can watch magic shows. Of course, there is food – hotdogs, Filipino delicacies and “palamig” (cold drinks).
But what really caught my fancy at that time are the colorful circles drawn on the ground. I looked and wondered what they are for. I stepped on them and suddenly, two grade 6 students grabbed me and took me to a “jail”, where I cried and cried. I didn’t know that my mother saw what happened and she just followed us. Upon seeing her, she immediately explained that it’s just a game. And I have to pay them money-ticket (ransom money) so I may be released from the “jail”. Since then, I would make sure that I see where I am walking on to avoid those colorful circles.
As we go through lives, we are being tempted by “colorful circles” that may cause us to commit sin. Luckily for us, there would be no angels to grab us and put us to jail. And even luckier for us, we don’t have to pay for our freedom with our lives because Jesus has already taken care of that for us. With His blood and sacrifice, the ransom for our sins has been paid.
Lord Jesus, I always trust in Your words and in Your promises. Your gift of salvation is a gift of love. As I have accepted You as my Lord and Savior , I know that I am now under greater responsibility to make sure my life, and the lives of those I love, are in total obedience to Your Words and Your will.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, help me choose the right words and the right actions so I may resist temptations. I don’t want to be forever in the mercy of death, so I continually seek for Your love and forgiveness. Teach me to turn from my wicked ways and finally, sin no more.
Amen +
The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
…for you were slain and with your Blood you purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation.
----------------------------------------------------
It was my first time to go to the school fair to commemorate my school’s foundation day. My mother gave me money-tickets so I may enjoy the rides like the merry-go-round, the train; enter the booths where I can watch magic shows. Of course, there is food – hotdogs, Filipino delicacies and “palamig” (cold drinks).
But what really caught my fancy at that time are the colorful circles drawn on the ground. I looked and wondered what they are for. I stepped on them and suddenly, two grade 6 students grabbed me and took me to a “jail”, where I cried and cried. I didn’t know that my mother saw what happened and she just followed us. Upon seeing her, she immediately explained that it’s just a game. And I have to pay them money-ticket (ransom money) so I may be released from the “jail”. Since then, I would make sure that I see where I am walking on to avoid those colorful circles.
As we go through lives, we are being tempted by “colorful circles” that may cause us to commit sin. Luckily for us, there would be no angels to grab us and put us to jail. And even luckier for us, we don’t have to pay for our freedom with our lives because Jesus has already taken care of that for us. With His blood and sacrifice, the ransom for our sins has been paid.
Lord Jesus, I always trust in Your words and in Your promises. Your gift of salvation is a gift of love. As I have accepted You as my Lord and Savior , I know that I am now under greater responsibility to make sure my life, and the lives of those I love, are in total obedience to Your Words and Your will.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, help me choose the right words and the right actions so I may resist temptations. I don’t want to be forever in the mercy of death, so I continually seek for Your love and forgiveness. Teach me to turn from my wicked ways and finally, sin no more.
Amen +
The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
GLORY TO GOD
Revelation 4:11
“Worthy are you, Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things; because of your will they came to be and were created.”
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I am happy that you are happy! Throughout my life, I have received numerous greetings telling me (or maybe asking me) to be HAPPY.
“Happy Birthday”, “Welcome to the Christian World”, “Happy Graduation”, “Best Wishes and May You Be Happy”, “Merry Christmas”, “Happy New Year”, “I know you are alone, but I hope you are happy and not lonely”, “Happy Halloween”. Even in a recent survey by AXA-Asia Life, Filipinos are the second happiest and most optimistic people in Asia, next to Indians (the one on motorcycles, not the one on horses). We all want to be happy, but true happiness must come from Him, and not from any material things. Realizing that we have God as our Father and that he loves us, is reason enough to be happy.
Sin has destroyed the original happiness that God provided to man. Let us restore that in our hearts by loving Him back and obeying His will.
We should be very happy just knowing that God loves and care for us – for He loved us first. We are very valuable to Him, and we shall never even give that fact a hint of a doubt. Let us be thankful that True Happiness is His will for all of us, and that He always want only good for us, because that’s just how He is. For He is truly wonderful – and to Him back all the glory, honor and praise.
Let us pray +
Oh Lord, may we never let anyone tell us any differently about the love You shower us. We are children of God and have inherited all that is Yours. All our needs are met by You and come only from You. Through our lives, we have an abundance, prosperous and healthy, and in You, our souls are prospering. All of this is because of Jesus and our identification with Him.
Amen +
Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!
“Worthy are you, Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things; because of your will they came to be and were created.”
--------------------------------------------
I am happy that you are happy! Throughout my life, I have received numerous greetings telling me (or maybe asking me) to be HAPPY.
“Happy Birthday”, “Welcome to the Christian World”, “Happy Graduation”, “Best Wishes and May You Be Happy”, “Merry Christmas”, “Happy New Year”, “I know you are alone, but I hope you are happy and not lonely”, “Happy Halloween”. Even in a recent survey by AXA-Asia Life, Filipinos are the second happiest and most optimistic people in Asia, next to Indians (the one on motorcycles, not the one on horses). We all want to be happy, but true happiness must come from Him, and not from any material things. Realizing that we have God as our Father and that he loves us, is reason enough to be happy.
Sin has destroyed the original happiness that God provided to man. Let us restore that in our hearts by loving Him back and obeying His will.
We should be very happy just knowing that God loves and care for us – for He loved us first. We are very valuable to Him, and we shall never even give that fact a hint of a doubt. Let us be thankful that True Happiness is His will for all of us, and that He always want only good for us, because that’s just how He is. For He is truly wonderful – and to Him back all the glory, honor and praise.
Let us pray +
Oh Lord, may we never let anyone tell us any differently about the love You shower us. We are children of God and have inherited all that is Yours. All our needs are met by You and come only from You. Through our lives, we have an abundance, prosperous and healthy, and in You, our souls are prospering. All of this is because of Jesus and our identification with Him.
Amen +
Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!
SAVING THE LOST
Luke 19:9-10
“Today salvation has come to this house… For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost”.
“Today salvation has come to this house… For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost”.
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Zacchaeus, was the chief tax collector in Jericho. Tax collectors were notorious for cheating the general public to fatten their pockets. They would assess a tax, and if the person refused to pay or called it unfair, Herod's soldiers would threaten him. And whatever he collected over the amount required was his to keep. So, he is wealthy, hated by people and lastly, short. He was so short that he has to climb a tree just to satisfy his curiosity of seeing Jesus when He passed by Jericho.
This is the reason why people were surprised when Jesus called him and asked him to go down because He is staying at his house that night. This would mean preparing a dinner, a bed and his self in welcoming Jesus to his household. And he immediately did what he was told. Zacchaeus is overjoyed. Here he was, a social outcast being offered the opportunity to host one of the most famous men in the country. He scrambles down the tree and welcomes Jesus.
Like Zacchaeus, Jesus is inviting us to dinner not because He wants to eat with us. He is inviting us to dinner, because He wants us to eat a piece of Himself. He knows our longing for Him and our faith in Him. Jesus’ invitation is for providing salvation and forgiveness to a wealthy man of this world who is starving for spiritual life. And he is waiting for our repentance. Jesus takes our shame upon himself willingly, waiting, hoping that we will understand and repent. What grace! What mercy! “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost”. That means, you and me.
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, as I read about Zacchaeus, I think of my own selfishness. Help me to see you at work in people around me. Help me to be willing to risk whatever reputation I have to join you. I long to see your salvation shine more brightly through me. In your holy name, I pray.
Amen +
“I will seat the victor beside Me on My throne”.
Zacchaeus, was the chief tax collector in Jericho. Tax collectors were notorious for cheating the general public to fatten their pockets. They would assess a tax, and if the person refused to pay or called it unfair, Herod's soldiers would threaten him. And whatever he collected over the amount required was his to keep. So, he is wealthy, hated by people and lastly, short. He was so short that he has to climb a tree just to satisfy his curiosity of seeing Jesus when He passed by Jericho.
This is the reason why people were surprised when Jesus called him and asked him to go down because He is staying at his house that night. This would mean preparing a dinner, a bed and his self in welcoming Jesus to his household. And he immediately did what he was told. Zacchaeus is overjoyed. Here he was, a social outcast being offered the opportunity to host one of the most famous men in the country. He scrambles down the tree and welcomes Jesus.
Like Zacchaeus, Jesus is inviting us to dinner not because He wants to eat with us. He is inviting us to dinner, because He wants us to eat a piece of Himself. He knows our longing for Him and our faith in Him. Jesus’ invitation is for providing salvation and forgiveness to a wealthy man of this world who is starving for spiritual life. And he is waiting for our repentance. Jesus takes our shame upon himself willingly, waiting, hoping that we will understand and repent. What grace! What mercy! “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost”. That means, you and me.
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, as I read about Zacchaeus, I think of my own selfishness. Help me to see you at work in people around me. Help me to be willing to risk whatever reputation I have to join you. I long to see your salvation shine more brightly through me. In your holy name, I pray.
Amen +
“I will seat the victor beside Me on My throne”.
Monday, November 17, 2008
HEAVEN IN SIGHT
Luke 18:42-43
“Have sight; your faith has saved you”. He immediately received his sight and followed Him, giving glory to God.
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We can read in throughout the scripture – Jesus taking out afflictions not because He wants to, but because that person believes and have faith in Him. The blind man's persistence and his urgent calls for help were rewarded as others before had been rewarded for their persistence: the woman who pleaded for her daughter's life against even the objections of Jesus himself or the woman suffering from hemorrhages who reached out in the crowd to touch even a portion of His garment. In all of these, their faith has made them well.
These people were rewarded for their faith. They had a common desperation in their approach to Jesus. They saw themselves in all humility as absolutely dependent upon Him, their only hope. They understood more than others around Jesus. The blind beggar could see far more clearly and his belief is even much stronger than the disciples and the crowd who could only see a person who was just passing by.
The miracle stories of Bartimaeus seeing again are signs of who Jesus is for us. We should invite Him in out hearts, seeing with the eyes of faith. Perhaps dimly at first and in need of correction, but nevertheless focused on the source of life and light that the Lord is offering to all of us.
Make sure we never go blind again and continue to see. The change was permanent and this drastic changes in our lives should also be permanent and plain for all to see. May others see all the good and right things in us so they may know that the Lord our God is really a merciful and loving God.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, forgive me for my unbelief. Renew my faith with the unstoppable faith that Bartimaeus possessed. Let me be quick to praise God and to follow you in the Way. In Jesus' name, I pray.
Amen +
The LORD watches over the way of the just (&) way of the wicked vanishes.
“Have sight; your faith has saved you”. He immediately received his sight and followed Him, giving glory to God.
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We can read in throughout the scripture – Jesus taking out afflictions not because He wants to, but because that person believes and have faith in Him. The blind man's persistence and his urgent calls for help were rewarded as others before had been rewarded for their persistence: the woman who pleaded for her daughter's life against even the objections of Jesus himself or the woman suffering from hemorrhages who reached out in the crowd to touch even a portion of His garment. In all of these, their faith has made them well.
These people were rewarded for their faith. They had a common desperation in their approach to Jesus. They saw themselves in all humility as absolutely dependent upon Him, their only hope. They understood more than others around Jesus. The blind beggar could see far more clearly and his belief is even much stronger than the disciples and the crowd who could only see a person who was just passing by.
The miracle stories of Bartimaeus seeing again are signs of who Jesus is for us. We should invite Him in out hearts, seeing with the eyes of faith. Perhaps dimly at first and in need of correction, but nevertheless focused on the source of life and light that the Lord is offering to all of us.
Make sure we never go blind again and continue to see. The change was permanent and this drastic changes in our lives should also be permanent and plain for all to see. May others see all the good and right things in us so they may know that the Lord our God is really a merciful and loving God.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, forgive me for my unbelief. Renew my faith with the unstoppable faith that Bartimaeus possessed. Let me be quick to praise God and to follow you in the Way. In Jesus' name, I pray.
Amen +
The LORD watches over the way of the just (&) way of the wicked vanishes.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
THE FEAR OF GOD
For November 16, Sunday...
Matthew 25:21
Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities.
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We have all heard about the “parable of the talents”. This parable would tell us that we all should use our God-given “talents” for it would displease God if we “bury them”. But let me share with you another lessons that we can get from this parable. A lesson about doing nothing because of the wrong feeling of fear towards God.
The servant who has one talent would not invest them and even dug a hole in the ground and hid his Master’s money. And what really is the reason? As he pointed out, “I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid…”. He fears his master, even fearing him more knowing what he can do once he lost that money. Most of us are like this servant. We fear the Lord in the wrong way. We always see God as a wrathful God who would punish us once we make mistakes. We see God as a ruthless God who would drown people in flood or maim people through fires. And so we are all afraid of Him, thinking that once we fail to use our talents or skill, He would make us suffer. So we just hide it “under the ground”.
So, free ourselves from fear. Fear of the Lord does not equate to being afraid of Him. This gift fills us with a sovereign respect for God that we avoid sin. But it should not prevent us from using our talents to the betterment of our fellowmen. This is not a fear that leads one to despair, rather it must be coupled with trust, and most importantly, love. If we fear anything other than God, we are deceived. God is the only thing in the universe worthy of fear. Let us serve God with thankfulness in the ways which please him, but always with reverence and holy fear. So, are you still afraid?
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, if You kept a record of sins, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. Teach me to be faithful in You, knowing that I can do anything because of You.
Amen +
Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD.
Matthew 25:21
Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities.
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We have all heard about the “parable of the talents”. This parable would tell us that we all should use our God-given “talents” for it would displease God if we “bury them”. But let me share with you another lessons that we can get from this parable. A lesson about doing nothing because of the wrong feeling of fear towards God.
The servant who has one talent would not invest them and even dug a hole in the ground and hid his Master’s money. And what really is the reason? As he pointed out, “I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid…”. He fears his master, even fearing him more knowing what he can do once he lost that money. Most of us are like this servant. We fear the Lord in the wrong way. We always see God as a wrathful God who would punish us once we make mistakes. We see God as a ruthless God who would drown people in flood or maim people through fires. And so we are all afraid of Him, thinking that once we fail to use our talents or skill, He would make us suffer. So we just hide it “under the ground”.
So, free ourselves from fear. Fear of the Lord does not equate to being afraid of Him. This gift fills us with a sovereign respect for God that we avoid sin. But it should not prevent us from using our talents to the betterment of our fellowmen. This is not a fear that leads one to despair, rather it must be coupled with trust, and most importantly, love. If we fear anything other than God, we are deceived. God is the only thing in the universe worthy of fear. Let us serve God with thankfulness in the ways which please him, but always with reverence and holy fear. So, are you still afraid?
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, if You kept a record of sins, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. Teach me to be faithful in You, knowing that I can do anything because of You.
Amen +
Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD.
INCESSANT PRAYER
Luke 18:7
Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to Him day and night?
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At the top of the Good Earth Emporium in Manila is a pet shop. The first time I saw those cute puppies, I came to knew that I want one. Constantly, I would ask my father to buy me one. His response is, “when the right time comes”. I didn’t know when would that right time be, but since then, I have been constantly reminding my father about having a dog. And he would just nod – as I am being persistent, he in turn, is being patient.
When I reached the age of 11, my persistence bears fruit. I got my first dog, a black poodle, which I lovingly called “Dollie”. As I take care of Dollie, I came to know why my father is being patient on me. Taking care of a dog is not a joke. Food, water, cuddle, bath, play – these are the only things they want, and as a responsible owner, these are the things I have to provide. Imagine having that dog at the young age of 6, I would certainly have failed to do my responsibility, and that dog would suffer. The time was not right for me then. My father knows when.
God is more than a father, He is more than a judge. He is our Lord, our God – worthy of our unceasing praise and prayers. If faith is the furnace of our lives, then His grace is its fuel. And the divinely appointed shovel for feeding the burner is prayer. If I lose heart and lay down the shovel, the fire will go out. I would eventually grow cold and hard. Focus on our heart attitude. “Rejoice always” is an attitude of joyfulness. How do we rejoice and give thanks? Through prayer! It expresses itself throughout the day with silent prayers of vital communication with the LORD. We can't always stop and kneel, but our heart attitude can still be “praying without ceasing”.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I pray to you without ceasing. I bring back to You my life of prayer without losing heart. And when Jesus comes, I hope that He would see the faith in me, and be worthy to join Him in Heaven.
Amen +
Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Friday, November 14, 2008
THE LAST DAYS
Luke 17:26
“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man…
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The year is again nearing its end. And like before, there will again be a lot of prophecies about what will be happening next year. Of course, there would also be those predictions about the end of the world or the second coming fo Christ. Prediction books have even been written picking the exact day of Jesus' return. But these are all WRONG preaching. Only God the Father knows when it will be – even Jesus doesn't even know as He told His disciples: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father”.
All we need to do is to be prepared. We must all be ready and watchful, unless we will come into the false promises of this earthly life from one generation to the next and assume that Jesus won't return after all. “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare”.
As St. Peter has all warned us, and so we must be prepared – “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness” (2 Peter 3:3-4, 8-13).
Are you ready for the last day?
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, help us to be ready for Jesus' sudden coming. Shake us awake. Help us not to be lulled to sleep by the unbelief Teach me the true value of material things so that I do not cling to them. Help my eyes to be ever looking for His appearing. In the holy name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen +
With all my heart I seek You; let me not stray from your commands.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
THE KINGDOM IN OUR MIDST
Luke 17:20-21
“The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed… For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”
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I already have a concept of our dream house. But it is still a concept – kept in my and my wife’s mind. We are still paying for the lot so we cannot build it yet. And until it is completely built, it would remain a dream – soon to be realized. Until we see it, feel it and live in it, we would only be living in our dreams. That is the reality of living in this earthly world.
Jesus is offering us more than this earthly world. He is offering us more than just a dream. Yes, He promised us heaven and the Kingdom of God. Yes, He promised us eternal life and His second coming. Jesus did not want us to expect an immediate kingdom, but He did purposefully cultivated our expectation for a kingdom in the future with Himself as its Monarch. But now that promise is not just a dream for it lives in our every hearts. All we need is to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Christ inaugurated this final stage of the kingdom in his earthly ministry. It continues today in the Church, but it will reach its ultimate end when Christ returns in glory.
The Kingdom of God is not a visible territory with borders. It is not a capitol building with beautiful architecture. Instead, his Kingdom, God's Kingdom, has already begun to make its appearance as people bow their hearts to the King and offer themselves in service to His rule. The question then is not "Where is the Kingdom?" but "Is my heart ready to yield to the King?"
Have you truly yielded your heart, soul, mind, and strength to do the Lord's will? Can the influence and power of God's Kingdom be seen in your life?
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I praise You for Your power and glory. I praise You for Your work of deliverance and salvation in our lives. I praise You for Your promise of a home and a great future with us. Now I ask that Your will be done in my life as I offer myself to serve and honor You as the only true and living God, in Jesus' name.
Amen +
The LORD shall reign forever…
“The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed… For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”
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I already have a concept of our dream house. But it is still a concept – kept in my and my wife’s mind. We are still paying for the lot so we cannot build it yet. And until it is completely built, it would remain a dream – soon to be realized. Until we see it, feel it and live in it, we would only be living in our dreams. That is the reality of living in this earthly world.
Jesus is offering us more than this earthly world. He is offering us more than just a dream. Yes, He promised us heaven and the Kingdom of God. Yes, He promised us eternal life and His second coming. Jesus did not want us to expect an immediate kingdom, but He did purposefully cultivated our expectation for a kingdom in the future with Himself as its Monarch. But now that promise is not just a dream for it lives in our every hearts. All we need is to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Christ inaugurated this final stage of the kingdom in his earthly ministry. It continues today in the Church, but it will reach its ultimate end when Christ returns in glory.
The Kingdom of God is not a visible territory with borders. It is not a capitol building with beautiful architecture. Instead, his Kingdom, God's Kingdom, has already begun to make its appearance as people bow their hearts to the King and offer themselves in service to His rule. The question then is not "Where is the Kingdom?" but "Is my heart ready to yield to the King?"
Have you truly yielded your heart, soul, mind, and strength to do the Lord's will? Can the influence and power of God's Kingdom be seen in your life?
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I praise You for Your power and glory. I praise You for Your work of deliverance and salvation in our lives. I praise You for Your promise of a home and a great future with us. Now I ask that Your will be done in my life as I offer myself to serve and honor You as the only true and living God, in Jesus' name.
Amen +
The LORD shall reign forever…
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
SPIRITUAL LEPERS
Luke 17:12-13
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
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A young man who had been raised as an atheist was training to be an Olympic diver. The only religious influence in his life came from his outspoken Christian friend. The young diver never really paid much attention to his friend's sermons, but he heard them often.
One night the diver went to the indoor pool at the college he attended. The lights were all off, but as the pool had big skylights and the moon was bright, there was plenty of light to practice by. The young man climbed up to the highest diving board and as he turned his back to the pool on the edge of the board and extended his arms out, he saw his shadow on the wall. The shadow of his body, was in the shape of a cross. Instead of diving, he knelt down and finally asked God to come into his life. As the young man stood, a maintenance man walked in and turned the lights on.
The pool had been drained for repairs.
We are all lepers – spiritual lepers, that is. What is worse, this disease affected our hearts, totally ignoring God up to a point of doing those that are exactly the opposite of His will. And worst of all, some of us do not believe that they ever can be healed! Yet, there is hope. There is hope when Jesus sends His gospel to us, and bids us to repent. "I believe in the forgiveness of sins": this is a sweet sentence of a true creed. Believe in the renewal of our hearts; for the Lord can give new hearts and right spirits even to the evil and unthankful; cleansing our heart, our soul, our spirit – giving us salvation!
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, I am unclean as a leper shouting to You for forgiveness from afar, for I cannot approach You and unworthy of even Your gaze. But You did differently. You are the One who even approached me and healed me of my spiritual illnesses. And You even gave up Your life to ensure ever-lasting comfort, joy and peace with the Father. I shall always go back to give You thanks and praise. Amen +
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
----------------------------------------------------------
A young man who had been raised as an atheist was training to be an Olympic diver. The only religious influence in his life came from his outspoken Christian friend. The young diver never really paid much attention to his friend's sermons, but he heard them often.
One night the diver went to the indoor pool at the college he attended. The lights were all off, but as the pool had big skylights and the moon was bright, there was plenty of light to practice by. The young man climbed up to the highest diving board and as he turned his back to the pool on the edge of the board and extended his arms out, he saw his shadow on the wall. The shadow of his body, was in the shape of a cross. Instead of diving, he knelt down and finally asked God to come into his life. As the young man stood, a maintenance man walked in and turned the lights on.
The pool had been drained for repairs.
We are all lepers – spiritual lepers, that is. What is worse, this disease affected our hearts, totally ignoring God up to a point of doing those that are exactly the opposite of His will. And worst of all, some of us do not believe that they ever can be healed! Yet, there is hope. There is hope when Jesus sends His gospel to us, and bids us to repent. "I believe in the forgiveness of sins": this is a sweet sentence of a true creed. Believe in the renewal of our hearts; for the Lord can give new hearts and right spirits even to the evil and unthankful; cleansing our heart, our soul, our spirit – giving us salvation!
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, I am unclean as a leper shouting to You for forgiveness from afar, for I cannot approach You and unworthy of even Your gaze. But You did differently. You are the One who even approached me and healed me of my spiritual illnesses. And You even gave up Your life to ensure ever-lasting comfort, joy and peace with the Father. I shall always go back to give You thanks and praise. Amen +
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
DUTIFUL SERVANTS
Luke 17:10
When you have done all you have been commanded, say, “We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do”.
------------------------------------------------------
Some, if not most of us, has gotten used to having someone to work for us in the house. They may be relatives or a total stranger. To the Jews in the First Century Roman empire, slavery was just a fact of life. Many villages would have one or more wealthy persons who owned slaves.
In today’s gospel, Jesus just reemphasize the role of a slave or servant in the house. The slave had to prepare the meal and serve the master and his family before he could eat himself – all that after a hard day in the fields! You may say that is not fair. But fair or not, the slave was expected to work in the fields and prepare the food afterwards. That was his duty. The master wasn't there to serve the slave, but the slave is expected to serve the master.
However, in our relationship with the Lord, we always think that we are the master and God is our slave. Our prayers tend to be "give me" prayers – “Please help my business succeed”, “Heal my mother's cancer”, “Provide food to those experiencing a famine”, “Work in my boss's heart to give me a raise”. Is this any way to address God to whom we owe our allegiance, life and salvation. We are His servant, not the other way around!
Our prayer should be of servant’s prayer: “Father, what do you want me to do today?”, “How can I help my friend learn to be brave in face of sufferings?, “Give me strength and boldness to witness for you so others may know You.”
We are His servants, His slaves first. We are not to presume upon God and expect his thanks. Instead we are to serve him dutifully without any expectation of reward. And after we have learned that lesson of obedience, hear His voice as He call us his "friends."
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, give me a servant’s heart. Help me to better understand my appropriate role as your slave, so when you graciously grant me your friendship I might truly appreciate your love. Amen +
Take delight in the LORD, and He will grant you your heart’s requests.
When you have done all you have been commanded, say, “We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do”.
------------------------------------------------------
Some, if not most of us, has gotten used to having someone to work for us in the house. They may be relatives or a total stranger. To the Jews in the First Century Roman empire, slavery was just a fact of life. Many villages would have one or more wealthy persons who owned slaves.
In today’s gospel, Jesus just reemphasize the role of a slave or servant in the house. The slave had to prepare the meal and serve the master and his family before he could eat himself – all that after a hard day in the fields! You may say that is not fair. But fair or not, the slave was expected to work in the fields and prepare the food afterwards. That was his duty. The master wasn't there to serve the slave, but the slave is expected to serve the master.
However, in our relationship with the Lord, we always think that we are the master and God is our slave. Our prayers tend to be "give me" prayers – “Please help my business succeed”, “Heal my mother's cancer”, “Provide food to those experiencing a famine”, “Work in my boss's heart to give me a raise”. Is this any way to address God to whom we owe our allegiance, life and salvation. We are His servant, not the other way around!
Our prayer should be of servant’s prayer: “Father, what do you want me to do today?”, “How can I help my friend learn to be brave in face of sufferings?, “Give me strength and boldness to witness for you so others may know You.”
We are His servants, His slaves first. We are not to presume upon God and expect his thanks. Instead we are to serve him dutifully without any expectation of reward. And after we have learned that lesson of obedience, hear His voice as He call us his "friends."
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, give me a servant’s heart. Help me to better understand my appropriate role as your slave, so when you graciously grant me your friendship I might truly appreciate your love. Amen +
Take delight in the LORD, and He will grant you your heart’s requests.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
FORGIVENESS
Luke 17:5
If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
-----------------------------------------------------
Forgiveness. We all heard the word. We all know what it means. But only a few of us, very few, really do give it to someone who ask for it. It is the most difficult thing in the world for us to do. After all the talk in the church about forgiveness, peace, love and healing, there is actually very little of it that is truly demonstrated. Most of us like to think of ourselves as peacemakers, lifts up spirit of those fallen, but even the most deeply spiritual today are guilty of not showing a spirit of forgiveness.
And worse, the very being who gave us life and spirit is the very same being that we all hold grudges against. He is no other than God himself. How many times have we pointed to Him as the cause of our sufferings. We are mad at Him, saying – “Doesn't God protect His own? I can't pray anymore with real trust in Jesus, because I carry in me this idea He failed me”. So we must learn to forgive God first. God has really never sinned against anyone, but still, we hold a subtle grudge against Him. Come into His presence to pray with something bothering us deep inside, about the way He has not done what we thought He should. And then forgive Him. And then forgive ourselves.
In His love, God knew that our conscience needed to be freed from guilt and condemnation. He knew that forgiveness of sins was our greatest need. In the ultimate act of love, God not only suffered the pain of our wrongdoings by sacrificing His Son on the cross, but also paid for the ransom through the same Jesus Christ, in order that we may have forgiveness. All we need to do is to accept His free gift of forgiveness.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I know that I have broken Your laws and my sins have separated me from You. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus name,
Amen +
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness… and those who dwell in it.
If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
-----------------------------------------------------
Forgiveness. We all heard the word. We all know what it means. But only a few of us, very few, really do give it to someone who ask for it. It is the most difficult thing in the world for us to do. After all the talk in the church about forgiveness, peace, love and healing, there is actually very little of it that is truly demonstrated. Most of us like to think of ourselves as peacemakers, lifts up spirit of those fallen, but even the most deeply spiritual today are guilty of not showing a spirit of forgiveness.
And worse, the very being who gave us life and spirit is the very same being that we all hold grudges against. He is no other than God himself. How many times have we pointed to Him as the cause of our sufferings. We are mad at Him, saying – “Doesn't God protect His own? I can't pray anymore with real trust in Jesus, because I carry in me this idea He failed me”. So we must learn to forgive God first. God has really never sinned against anyone, but still, we hold a subtle grudge against Him. Come into His presence to pray with something bothering us deep inside, about the way He has not done what we thought He should. And then forgive Him. And then forgive ourselves.
In His love, God knew that our conscience needed to be freed from guilt and condemnation. He knew that forgiveness of sins was our greatest need. In the ultimate act of love, God not only suffered the pain of our wrongdoings by sacrificing His Son on the cross, but also paid for the ransom through the same Jesus Christ, in order that we may have forgiveness. All we need to do is to accept His free gift of forgiveness.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I know that I have broken Your laws and my sins have separated me from You. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus name,
Amen +
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness… and those who dwell in it.
SOUL CLEANSING
John 2:16
“Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”
----------------------------------------------------
We always see Jesus portrayed as serene and full of caring for His sheeps. Or the suffering Jesus, carrying the cross, being mocked by the crowd, being crucified and yet retain the serenity of His face. Or the triumphant Jesus having defeated death in His resurrection, with His face in glorious light and pompous serenity. Very seldom, if not, do we see Him with a whip in one of his hands as he chases animals and people out of the temple, as he overturns tables where people are selling animals and converting money. And yet, this is the way Jesus is portrayed in today’s scripture. He is a man on a mission, and he will not stand for his Father’s temple to be desecrated.
He did this not because he hates those merchants. He did this because these people are making easy money. They would sell the birds and the oxen for sacrifice in the temple, and these people would sell them at a higher price. And Jesus would not allow them to continue. In the coming days, people doesn’t need sacrifices anymore to atone for their sins. He would be ready to sacrifice Himself for our salvation. He is ready to cleanse us out for in three days, He would rise again as the true temple of God.
Jesus cleansed the temple. He took God’s house and made it right. He did it physically twice in His ministry, then He did it again on the cross. You see, on the cross he cleansed this world of its sin. This is where we turn to God and ask Him to cleanse us of our sin. This is where we ask Him to come in and overturn our tables, not out of anger but rather to make our lives and our community into what He has created us to be. Perhaps the fierce Jesus is needed. Perhaps Jesus needs to come in with a whip to cleanse us out.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, clean out my heart. Come into my life with your whip and cleanse me out. Take those parts of my life that take me away from you and get rid of them. Fill me with your Spirit. Lord, you have the power to forgive and you have the power to change me. All of this in Jesus’ name.
Amen +
God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress.
“Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”
----------------------------------------------------
We always see Jesus portrayed as serene and full of caring for His sheeps. Or the suffering Jesus, carrying the cross, being mocked by the crowd, being crucified and yet retain the serenity of His face. Or the triumphant Jesus having defeated death in His resurrection, with His face in glorious light and pompous serenity. Very seldom, if not, do we see Him with a whip in one of his hands as he chases animals and people out of the temple, as he overturns tables where people are selling animals and converting money. And yet, this is the way Jesus is portrayed in today’s scripture. He is a man on a mission, and he will not stand for his Father’s temple to be desecrated.
He did this not because he hates those merchants. He did this because these people are making easy money. They would sell the birds and the oxen for sacrifice in the temple, and these people would sell them at a higher price. And Jesus would not allow them to continue. In the coming days, people doesn’t need sacrifices anymore to atone for their sins. He would be ready to sacrifice Himself for our salvation. He is ready to cleanse us out for in three days, He would rise again as the true temple of God.
Jesus cleansed the temple. He took God’s house and made it right. He did it physically twice in His ministry, then He did it again on the cross. You see, on the cross he cleansed this world of its sin. This is where we turn to God and ask Him to cleanse us of our sin. This is where we ask Him to come in and overturn our tables, not out of anger but rather to make our lives and our community into what He has created us to be. Perhaps the fierce Jesus is needed. Perhaps Jesus needs to come in with a whip to cleanse us out.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, clean out my heart. Come into my life with your whip and cleanse me out. Take those parts of my life that take me away from you and get rid of them. Fill me with your Spirit. Lord, you have the power to forgive and you have the power to change me. All of this in Jesus’ name.
Amen +
God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress.
Friday, November 7, 2008
SERVE AND LOVE HIM
Luke 16:13
No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
That great wisdom from my father, I still keep in my heart - “You should eat to live and NOT live to eat.” I would like to extend this further and exclaims – “I should work to live and NOT live to work.” One cliché about money is that “it is the root of all evil.” But I would rather say that “it is more of the LOVE FOR MONEY that is the root of all evil.”
Whenever we open our wallet we should remember that those blessings and treasures are not ours alone. They are only entrusted to us, as keepers and “treasurers” of God. Money is not bad if we are responsible in using them. We should think not only for the good of ourselves by for also for the welfare of other people on need. Charity given to the poor would stand to a man’s credit in the world to come. A man’s true wealth would consist not in what he kept, but in what he gave away.” What we will get in heaven depends on how we use the things of earth.
We should know the difference between love for money and loving You and my neighbors. Money in itself is not evil. Money can also make many good things possible. But, we all should come to realize that money is a good slave but a terribly bad master. For what end we use money as means, shows whether money is the root of all evil or not. We should realize that the way we handle life here on earth reflects the kind of life we will have in heaven then we can aspire for serving only one God. If we can be entrusted with small things, great blessings will surely come.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, may I use all the resources You are giving me to uplift the spirit of others, to show them how You really care, to make them aware of Your true love. Detach my mind and my heart from love of money so that I may use money to make lives better and never allow money to use me. May I use money for the good of others. For the only greatest riches that we should aspire for, and as You promised, is the gift of eternal life!
Amen +
Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
That great wisdom from my father, I still keep in my heart - “You should eat to live and NOT live to eat.” I would like to extend this further and exclaims – “I should work to live and NOT live to work.” One cliché about money is that “it is the root of all evil.” But I would rather say that “it is more of the LOVE FOR MONEY that is the root of all evil.”
Whenever we open our wallet we should remember that those blessings and treasures are not ours alone. They are only entrusted to us, as keepers and “treasurers” of God. Money is not bad if we are responsible in using them. We should think not only for the good of ourselves by for also for the welfare of other people on need. Charity given to the poor would stand to a man’s credit in the world to come. A man’s true wealth would consist not in what he kept, but in what he gave away.” What we will get in heaven depends on how we use the things of earth.
We should know the difference between love for money and loving You and my neighbors. Money in itself is not evil. Money can also make many good things possible. But, we all should come to realize that money is a good slave but a terribly bad master. For what end we use money as means, shows whether money is the root of all evil or not. We should realize that the way we handle life here on earth reflects the kind of life we will have in heaven then we can aspire for serving only one God. If we can be entrusted with small things, great blessings will surely come.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, may I use all the resources You are giving me to uplift the spirit of others, to show them how You really care, to make them aware of Your true love. Detach my mind and my heart from love of money so that I may use money to make lives better and never allow money to use me. May I use money for the good of others. For the only greatest riches that we should aspire for, and as You promised, is the gift of eternal life!
Amen +
Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN
Philippians 3:20
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
-------------------------------------------------
Me and my family lived in China for three years. And for that period of time, we enjoyed the warmth and hospitality of the Chinese people as well as the cold, snowy and windy nights of winter. However, in that three years of stay, we did not become Chinese. We still converse in Tagalog and still eat, as much as possible, “menudo (pork stew)”, “nilaga (boiled in broth)” and “adobo (chicken in vinegar and soy sauce)”. Because citizenship is really based on loyalty and mindset, not location.
As we go and live through these days of our lives here on earth, we must strive to always think, act and set our minds on things above us. I know, there are people that choose to change citizenship, with the way they act and behave, but isn’t it that You have already forgiven them, Oh Lord. May they all come to their senses, and start accepting again their true citizenship.
Hope for heaven, for full communion with Christ “and all the angels and saints”, is the very motivating factor, the driving force, of Christian engagement in this world. Christian hope for the coming of God's Kingdom asks for both things from God: that his Kingdom may come in glory and that his Kingdom may begin already here on earth. And only then would they really experience the real joy of living together with the King of all nations and heavens. My passport is ready and my visa is forever – Heavennation, here I come!
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, for now, we live in this other side of heaven, knowing that sometime in the future, we would join You in that place where our loyalty should lie, where our true citizenship is rooted. Lord, give us a healthy appreciation of the beauty and wonder of this world. May we pour ourselves out, living for you. But also may we be so fueled by the reality that this is not the last worLd. This is not our true home but our destiny is eternal life with you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord and him alone.
Amen +
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
-------------------------------------------------
Me and my family lived in China for three years. And for that period of time, we enjoyed the warmth and hospitality of the Chinese people as well as the cold, snowy and windy nights of winter. However, in that three years of stay, we did not become Chinese. We still converse in Tagalog and still eat, as much as possible, “menudo (pork stew)”, “nilaga (boiled in broth)” and “adobo (chicken in vinegar and soy sauce)”. Because citizenship is really based on loyalty and mindset, not location.
As we go and live through these days of our lives here on earth, we must strive to always think, act and set our minds on things above us. I know, there are people that choose to change citizenship, with the way they act and behave, but isn’t it that You have already forgiven them, Oh Lord. May they all come to their senses, and start accepting again their true citizenship.
Hope for heaven, for full communion with Christ “and all the angels and saints”, is the very motivating factor, the driving force, of Christian engagement in this world. Christian hope for the coming of God's Kingdom asks for both things from God: that his Kingdom may come in glory and that his Kingdom may begin already here on earth. And only then would they really experience the real joy of living together with the King of all nations and heavens. My passport is ready and my visa is forever – Heavennation, here I come!
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, for now, we live in this other side of heaven, knowing that sometime in the future, we would join You in that place where our loyalty should lie, where our true citizenship is rooted. Lord, give us a healthy appreciation of the beauty and wonder of this world. May we pour ourselves out, living for you. But also may we be so fueled by the reality that this is not the last worLd. This is not our true home but our destiny is eternal life with you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord and him alone.
Amen +
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
WE COMPLETE HIM
Luke 15:10
“I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
----------------------------------------------------------------------
My Father bought me a ring. It has three colorful stones – white, red and green. I have no idea then yet of diamonds or precious stones. For me, these stones are precious. That is why when one of the stone fell and got lost, I started crying and told my father about it. He told me that he will just buy me a new one, and yes, he did. As for the old ring, I stopped wearing them for without that one stone, it is not anymore complete. It is not about that stone. It is about the completeness of it all.
The lost sheep and the lost coin are more than the prized possessions of their owners; they are also parts of a whole. The sheep belongs to the flock and the coin to the purse; without them the whole is not complete. The search, then, is a quest for restoration and wholeness. In this sense, all of us who are part of God’s creation should be just as anxious as God until the lost are restored and we are made whole again by their presence.
When we got lost, God’s family is not anymore complete. And so He has to search for us and invite us to be with Him again. And He did more than searching. He even sent His Son to the “lion’s den” so our sins may be forgiven. Jesus was crucified and died so that in His resurrection, we would be complete again and be part of God’s family in Heaven. And when He sweeps, God searches and also cleanses. God, broom in hand, patiently sweeps away the dirt from our lives and restores us to our God-given image. And as we are found, the whole community in heaven rejoices. Be willing to answer God’s call, "Rejoice with me”.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I got lost but You found me. Still, I would run away from You and seek my own satisfaction. But, You would never give up. With a staff or a broom at hand, You would find a way to make me return back to You. And as I accept Your mercy and forgiveness, heaven would rejoice for Your family would be complete once more, through Jesus our Lord.
Amen +
Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
“I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
----------------------------------------------------------------------
My Father bought me a ring. It has three colorful stones – white, red and green. I have no idea then yet of diamonds or precious stones. For me, these stones are precious. That is why when one of the stone fell and got lost, I started crying and told my father about it. He told me that he will just buy me a new one, and yes, he did. As for the old ring, I stopped wearing them for without that one stone, it is not anymore complete. It is not about that stone. It is about the completeness of it all.
The lost sheep and the lost coin are more than the prized possessions of their owners; they are also parts of a whole. The sheep belongs to the flock and the coin to the purse; without them the whole is not complete. The search, then, is a quest for restoration and wholeness. In this sense, all of us who are part of God’s creation should be just as anxious as God until the lost are restored and we are made whole again by their presence.
When we got lost, God’s family is not anymore complete. And so He has to search for us and invite us to be with Him again. And He did more than searching. He even sent His Son to the “lion’s den” so our sins may be forgiven. Jesus was crucified and died so that in His resurrection, we would be complete again and be part of God’s family in Heaven. And when He sweeps, God searches and also cleanses. God, broom in hand, patiently sweeps away the dirt from our lives and restores us to our God-given image. And as we are found, the whole community in heaven rejoices. Be willing to answer God’s call, "Rejoice with me”.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I got lost but You found me. Still, I would run away from You and seek my own satisfaction. But, You would never give up. With a staff or a broom at hand, You would find a way to make me return back to You. And as I accept Your mercy and forgiveness, heaven would rejoice for Your family would be complete once more, through Jesus our Lord.
Amen +
Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
CROSS, NAILS, SPEAR
Luke 14:27
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
---------------------------------------------------
My father is a cursillista. Cursillos in Christianity is a ministry of the Catholic church founded in Majorca, Spain by a group of laymen in 1944. Its method focuses on training lay people to become effective leaders over the course of a three-day weekend. In their group, my father is the sought-after speaker for Lesson No. 10, “Ang Pamumuno” (or Leadership).
When I accompanied him one time on his talk, he started with a story. It is about a war wherein a soldier saw a cross. On that cross is the image of Jesus without hands and feet, destroyed when the enemies bombed the Church. This soldier, then, wrote something and put it on top of the cross. It reads,
“We are the hands and feet of Jesus Christ!”
Lord Jesus, I have put the nails through Your hands and feet. I have thrust the spear through Your side. I have done this because of my sins. And I am doing this because I still sin. Your forgiveness is my only hope. And Your forgiveness You have given – purely, unconditional, selfless – all out of love. We have to know our purpose and our destiny. Otherwise, we would just be focusing on our crosses, complaining how heavy and difficult they are.
Let me be Your hands and feet as we I journey in this temporary life. Teach me to even carry my own cross, imitating the obedient and perfect life that You have shown us. Let me reach out to others and let them feel Your unending love. Though I know that I am not worthy to receive You, but only say the word and I shall be healed.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, let us understand that the crosses that come our way were never meant to hinder us from reaching our God-given destiny. Rather, they were meant to help us and strengthen us so we can be the kind of persons we are supposed to be. Teach us to take our eyes off our suffering for a moment, and see the blessings being poured upon us in the process. Amen +
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
---------------------------------------------------
My father is a cursillista. Cursillos in Christianity is a ministry of the Catholic church founded in Majorca, Spain by a group of laymen in 1944. Its method focuses on training lay people to become effective leaders over the course of a three-day weekend. In their group, my father is the sought-after speaker for Lesson No. 10, “Ang Pamumuno” (or Leadership).
When I accompanied him one time on his talk, he started with a story. It is about a war wherein a soldier saw a cross. On that cross is the image of Jesus without hands and feet, destroyed when the enemies bombed the Church. This soldier, then, wrote something and put it on top of the cross. It reads,
“We are the hands and feet of Jesus Christ!”
Lord Jesus, I have put the nails through Your hands and feet. I have thrust the spear through Your side. I have done this because of my sins. And I am doing this because I still sin. Your forgiveness is my only hope. And Your forgiveness You have given – purely, unconditional, selfless – all out of love. We have to know our purpose and our destiny. Otherwise, we would just be focusing on our crosses, complaining how heavy and difficult they are.
Let me be Your hands and feet as we I journey in this temporary life. Teach me to even carry my own cross, imitating the obedient and perfect life that You have shown us. Let me reach out to others and let them feel Your unending love. Though I know that I am not worthy to receive You, but only say the word and I shall be healed.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, let us understand that the crosses that come our way were never meant to hinder us from reaching our God-given destiny. Rather, they were meant to help us and strengthen us so we can be the kind of persons we are supposed to be. Teach us to take our eyes off our suffering for a moment, and see the blessings being poured upon us in the process. Amen +
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
“DOMINUS IESUS”
Philippians 2:10-11
…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
God loves the world and all He has created. However, people have chosen to be separated from God by committing sins. But Jesus provides the bridge for us to receive God's grace of forgiveness for our sins and fulfill the hope of eternal life. This was the purpose of Jesus Christ and the very reason why Jesus is our Lord. He completed His purpose by being crucified, willingly, so God could be glorified through His resurrection. He lived His life while here on earth in perfect obedience to God regardless of the pain and suffering.
The Scripture is very clear that Jesus is our one and only Lord and God:
John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Colossians 1:15: "He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." Jesus provides eternal hope, through God's grace, for everyone who believes He is the Lord.
Jesus honored God throughout every event in His life. He was humble and gentle mirroring God's Spirit. This is further proof why Jesus is Lord. Jesus still lives in heaven at the right hand of God. We cannot see Him, but must rely on the documented facts and His message of salvation for all who believe in Him. When we choose to place our faith in Jesus Christ and trust God, He has promised to secure a place in heaven for each of us, “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you (John 14:2 KJV)”.
Let us pray +
Teach me, my Lord Jesus, to be sweet and gentle in all the events of my life – in disappointments, in the thoughtlessness of others, in the insincerity of those I trusted, in the unfaithfulness of those on whom I relied. Jesus help me and never forsake me!
Amen +
To Him my soul shall live; my descendants shall serve Him.
Monday, November 3, 2008
TRUE HOSPITALITY
Luke 14:13-14
…invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
In the ancient Mediterranean culture, people who invited you to a dinner do not say "Thank you!" They say, "Pay me back." A guest is obligated to play host in return. Nowadays, we do say thank you, but do we really mean it. Why do we invite guests or friends into our homes for a meal, or take them out to a restaurant? Are we trying to impress them, hoping to win their favor, so they will do good things for us?
In our today’s gospel, Jesus is expounding the concept of true hospitality. This kind of hospitality is inviting people to a banquet because we want to be with them, talk to them and not because we are expecting that they invite us in return. True hospitality is being able to share our blessings with others so they may experience God’s love through us.
Moreover, Jesus is also trying to tell us that in relating with our neighbors, we are to have a servant’s heart. If we invite someone to our home, we should look for someone with a need – someone we can help in some way. When we give to those who are able to reward or repay us in some way, we are not really giving. We are only making a self-centered investment. Real giving involves giving to one who is unable to ever repay in any way.
If we are faithful to serve others through our hospitality, God will be the one who will bless us. Though it may not be in this lifetime, but surely, it will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. When you give to the Lord with no expectation of any other compensation in this life, then your heavenly reward is secure.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, give me a servant’s heart. Help me find ways to show hospitality to those in need, not to win their favor, but to reflect your love to them that they will seek to know you better.
Amen +
In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
ETERNAL HAPPINESS
John 6:40
For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.
What makes you happy? What makes you very happy? You may say, that would be relative, which, by logic, is correct. Happiness "happens" when you satisfy a desire. If you desire a cool drink on a hot day, a glass of ice water can make you happy. If you desire a million dollars, winning the lottery can make you happy. If you desire fame, winning a gold medal in the Olympics can make you happy. But all of which will only be for a while. Eventually, a cool drink, a million dollars, or even an Olympic gold medal becomes a memory. None of them lasts forever. None of them can make you perfectly happy. Eternal happiness can only exist if there is something that is perfect, that has no limit, that can be enjoyed forever. The common name for this Perfect Being that has no limits and that can be enjoyed forever is GOD.
God is offering us the perfect happiness in heaven. In fact, He has given us that happiness through His Son, Jesus Christ, because He loves each and everyone of us. To share eternal life with God after our earthly death, we must believe and obey all of his teachings. We must believe in our one and only Lord and Savior, who is Jesus Christ. Then follow His commandments: that is love God and love others. And the happiness we would experience would be absolute and never relative, lasting forever because we would be with God who is perfect.
If you dare to ask the question, “What must I do to attain eternal happiness?” be aware, because deep down inside you already know the answer.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, in glorifying Jesus and sending us your Spirit, You open the way to eternal life. May my sharing in this Gift increase my love and make my faith grow stronger. Send Your Spirit to cleanse my life so that the offering of myself to You may be pleasing to You. May my sharing in the Eucharist, our Bread of Life, bring me eternal life.
Amen +
Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
WIPE TEARS AWAY
1 John 3:1
See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.
Roberto D. Manacsa, Sr – my father and my mentor
Died: February 9, 2002
Victoria C. Manacsa – my mother, my cheerleader, my no. 1 fan
Died: March 31, 2006
Yes, I am an orphan now. But everything that I am today is because of the guidance, love and care that they have given me. I grew up in an environment thick with crime, vice and disease (physical and spiritual). Some people would speak of the district of Tondo as if it were a backwater community of the downtrodden and the unfortunate.
We can live good or follow the wave. But, my parents did better, we simply chose that we live right. They sent me to a Catholic private school, where my knowledge of the Lord and his love was founded and nurtured. In my high school years, I went to Torres High, one of the best secondary schools in the nation, producing eminent graduates who excelled in journalism, literature and public service. There are shortcomings, yes, but their kindness, openness and love of God have more that made up for those.
Oh Lord, wipe away every tear in my eyes, and there shall be no more crying, mourning and pain. For we shall live through and for Your son, Jesus, who is the resurrection and the life.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, place orphans in the care of godly men and women who know you. Let them know of Your care. Bless those who care for them. Give them peace of God that passes all understanding. Help me love an orphan today in Your Name.
Amen +
For they lived their lives for You.
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