ONE GOD, FOREVER (05-31-12)

2 Corinthians 13:13

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

The Trinity is the term employed to signify the central doctrine of the Christian religion -- the truth that in the unity of the Godhead there are Three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, these Three Persons being truly distinct one from another.  

The Trinity is One. We do not confess three Gods, but one God in three persons.  The divine persons do not share the one divinity among themselves but each of them is God whole and entire:  “The Father is that which the Son is, the Son that which the Father is, the Father and the Son that which the Holy Spirit is, i.e. by nature one God”. 

The divine persons are really distinct from one another.  “God is one but not solitary”.  "Father", "Son", "Holy Spirit" are not simply names designating modalities of the divine being, for they are really distinct from one another.  They are distinct from one another in their relations of origin: “It is the Father who generates, the Son who is begotten, and the Holy Spirit who proceeds”.  The divine Unity is Triune. 

The divine persons are relative to one another.  Because it does not divide the divine unity, the real distinction of the persons from one another resides solely in the relationships which relate them to one another.  While they are called three persons in view of their relations, we believe in one nature or substance. 

This sharing in the life of the Trinity is meant to culminate in heaven, where we will see the three Persons - face to face, united to them in unspeakable love. 

O most holy Trinity, Almighty God, we adore You, Who give life and vigor to every creature and Who shed light eternal where there is darkness.  We offer You our hearts, our souls, and our whole being, today and on the days to come, that we may offer perfect praise and love to your glorious Name. Amen + 

Glory and praise for ever!

A HEART IN PRAYER (05-30-12)

Matthew 6:7

“In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.”

First, it was just a babble.  But after a while, your baby would utter the first word – “Mama”.  A feeling of joy crept in you and started to cry.  Then, your baby would repeat it many times again, “Mama, mama, mama”.  Would you feel annoyed?  Of course, not!  It was music to your ears! 

Years later, he would grow up to be a very fine, young man – full of faithfulness and fear of the Lord.  And every day, he would say to you, “Mama, I love you”.  And he would repeat it many times.  Would you feel annoyed?  Of course, not!  No matter if he would repeat it many times, it would still be music to your ears. 

This is the same with praying.  Matthew 6:7 does not really mean that we should not pray repeatedly, as some would tell you.  This verse only mean that it does not matter how many times you repeat something or how complex the words, it would not mean anything if it is not coming from the heart.  Like the pagans before that only “babble” – that is, to utter a meaningless, confusing litany of words or sounds. 

A person with a heart after God can pray and be effective in fewer words and a simpler language in communing with the Lord.  Pray from the heart and seek the things of Him.  Learn how to talk to Him.  Don’t be afraid if you repeat your words or you forget some words.  He understands that because he is not listening to your every words.  He is listening to what your heart is saying. 

Then, be still and listen for His small voice in your spirit as you pray.  Allow Him to speak to you, don't shut Him out.  Because similarly, He doesn't speak to your head, He speaks to your heart.  So listen to His voice in your heart and rebuke any you hear in your head. 

Almighty Father, we love You.  We know that this is all You want. Everything else falls into place after that.  Walk with us in our lives.  In the end, we would not ask of anything from You anymore because You are already within us.

Your works, O Lord, are justice and truth.

TRUE WEALTH (05-29-12)

Matthew 6:20

But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. 

I noticed my wife checking on some safety boxes.  I asked her if she intends to buy one.  She replied that she is thinking of buying one so she may safekeep her jewelries and some money.  But she noticed that the big-sized boxes are expensive so I just told her to buy the smaller one.  Then she remarked, “Well, if I buy the small one, the thief would just carry it with him rather than opening it.”  Hahaha… she’s right and we both burst into laughter.  And she ended up not buying anything at all. 

Our Lord used three graphic figures to emphasize the temporary nature of material things.  He spoke first of the moth, which destroys.  Then he spoke of rust, which cause decay.  Then he referred to the thief, who steals.  What men give their lives to may be destroyed or decayed and ultimately will depart forever. 

Our Lord did not condemn wealth, but He warned against loving wealth.  Our Lord was not concerned with what a man has, but with a man’s attitude toward what he has.  The Scriptures does not condemn the accumulation of wealth but, when God gives a man wealth, He holds him responsible as a steward. 

We overcome our attachment to self-centeredness by storing up for ourselves treasures in Heaven through expressions of love, kindness, compassion, experiencing the presence of God, seeing the face of Christ in others, and doing good to others in as many ways as we possibly can without asking for anything in return. 

Only the Spirit of God – “Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth.”  Earthly treasure is not true wealth; true wealth is godliness. 

Let us pray + 

Almighty Father, teach us to experience treasures in heaven and thus escape yearning for earthly things.  Teach us to live in the sunshine of Your love, forever seeking Heaven which begins right here in our hearts.  Amen +

From all their distress God rescues the just.

GENUINE LOVE (05-28-12)

Matthew 5:44, 46

But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you… for if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?

This commandment from Jesus had me thinking.  For almost everyday, we would encounter people who would make our lives miserable – a neighbor who would spread gossips about us, drivers cutting us off in the street, unresponsive co-workers or even bosses, service (supposed-to-be) people who would make us wait and wait and wait… can we really love these people?  Our human instinct would say “we cannot”.  

The unfortunate thing about feeling this way is that it really hurts us emotionally, and sometimes physically, so that we can’t think clearly.  God did not create these people to be evil; they became that way on their own or through the influence of the people and situations around them; and this grieves God, as it would any loving parent. 

 And Jesus showed how it can be done. 

We need to grieve for them, along with God.  So our prayers should also contain a prayer for them... not a prayer to bless them, but a prayer to soften their hearts to feel the pain and suffering that they are causing, so that they would turn from their evil ways and be saved from the wrath to come. 

The prescription to love your enemy and to denounce evil with good is sometimes thought of as an impractical and perfectionist ethic, able to be practiced only by a few exceptional souls.  And when we think clearly, we are able to find ways to peacefully take a stand against these forces of evil. 

We need to continue to be the loving, compassionate, and peacemaking children of God we have been called to be.  We may have hated someone in our life, but always remember to hate the actions done and not the person.  We must continue to show love to that person so that same love may change him and change us.  Loving others is taking out the enemy within. 

Almighty Father, Teach us to love our enemies.  Teach us to trust in You, knowing that this is how we have been called to be. 

Where true love prevails, there no enemies are found.

PRAYERS FROM THE HEART (05-27-12)

Matthew 6:6

But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.  And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

Prayer is the raising up of our minds and hearts to God, either to praise Him, or to thank Him, or to beg His grace.  As such, the Christian tradition comprises three major expressions of the life of prayer: vocal prayer, meditation, and contemplative prayer.  They have in common the recollection of the heart: 

1.      VOCAL PRAYER, founded on the union of body and soul in human nature, associates the body with the interior prayer of the heart, following Christ's example of praying to his Father and teaching the Our Father to his disciples.  We are body and spirit, and we experience the need to translate our feelings externally. We must pray with our whole being to give all power possible to our supplication.  During Sunday mass or services, we are called to vocal prayer as we worship and glorify Him.

2.      MEDITATION is a prayerful quest engaging thought, imagination, emotion, and desire.  Its goal is to make our own in faith the subject considered, by confronting it with the reality of our own life.  We are usually helped by books:  the Sacred Scriptures, particularly the Gospels, holy icons, liturgical texts of the day or season, writings of the spiritual fathers, works of spirituality, the great book of creation, and that of history the page on which the "today" of God is written.  Eventually, this prompts the conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ.

3.      CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER is the simple expression of the mystery of prayer.  It is a gaze of faith fixed on Jesus, attentive to the Word of God, a silent love.  It achieves real union with the prayer of Christ to the extent that it makes us share in his mystery.  It is the humble way of surrendering to the loving will of the Father in ever deeper union with his beloved Son.

Take, O Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding and my will; all that I have and possess.  You have given them to me; to you, O Lord, I restore them.  All things are yours:  Dispose of them according to your will.  Give me your love and your grace; for this is enough for me.

Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

TRANSFORMED BY THE SPIRIT (05-26-12)

John 20:22-23

“Receive the holy Spirit.  Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

“Through the Holy Spirit we are restored to paradise, led back to the Kingdom of heaven, and adopted as children, given confidence to call God our Father and to share in Christ's grace, called children of light and given a share in eternal glory (St. Basil).” 

On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came down visibly on the Apostles. He gave them the power to speak in strange tongues to the crowds that came to Jerusalem for that Feast. He also transformed them, from selfish and timid men into giants of courage and faith.  He makes holy the souls of the just by His presence.  But a Spirit is not present in the sense of taking up space.  We say a Spirit is present wherever it causes an effect. 

In the soul, the Holy Spirit transforms it, making it basically capable of taking in, after death, the infinite streams of knowledge and love that flow within the Holy Trinity.  Thus we are really "sharers in the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4). This is a dignity so great that any earthly honor is insignificant beside it. 

There is no gift of God more excellent than this, and there is no greater gift of God than the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit came to remain with the Church forever.  This is the promise of Jesus Himself.  He dwells in the Church permanently and unfailingly, performing in it without ceasing, His action of life-giving and sanctification. 

May we confidently and continually beg of Him to illuminate us daily more and more with His light, inflame us with His charity and inspire us with faith and love.  Receive Him and let the Holy Spirit dwell in our hearts, forever. 

Let us pray+ 

Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ,  Amen +

Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

STANDING TALL (05-25-12)

2 Corinthians 6:7

“…in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness at the right and at the left…”

When was the last time you faced squarely – head-on – the Goliath in your life.  I remember and recall a few – when my father was diagnosed with failing kidney due to diabetes; when the company I joined only 7 months earlier closed down its operations; finally deciding to expatriate to China but knows nothing about the place, the people, the language. 

I felt afraid, angry or upset when what I call big problems or challenges comes.  In effect, my attitude clouds my mind and eventually forgot the only path towards a resolution:  God.  Because of this, problems in our lives (even the ones we can easily solve) often are viewed as Goliath – ten feet tall and so overwhelming. 

David was not afraid for he knows fully that he has God with him.  It is not the sling or the stone that killed Goliath, but rather his trust and love for the Lord.  His whole self has become an instrument of God to finally conquer the Philistines and bring peace to Israel.  

When everyone was afraid, David stood tall! 

As we face the Goliaths in our life, Spend a quiet time talking to God, alone.  Allow him to fill your heart with the Holy Spirit so you may see the problem as not so overwhelming.  Allow Him to give you the courage and strength to overcome any problems, and in doing so, learn from the experiences you have been blessed with, be it bad or good. 

These attributes will allow you to conquer anything… even problems that seem 10 feet tall. 

Let us pray + 

Almighty Father, what it is that You want me to learn?  Let me live my life according to Your overall instructions.  Give us the courage, strength and clarity of mind in facing the goliaths of our lives, that we may conquer them in Your name.  Amen +

The Lord has made known his salvation.

AMONG THE SAINTS (05-24-12)

Matthew 6:34

Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.

It has been years when he was finally laid to rest.  Yes, rest, as Papa is now among the angels and saints in heaven.  He is now with the Lord God… waiting for us. 

There were worries about the future.  There will always be.  But with God in our midst, we all know that worries are nothing.

All of us would like to be free from worries, but it seems impossible.  And yet, all we need to do is to put ourselves in God’s hands.  Jesus exclaims - Have no anxiety at all. Do not let your hearts be troubled.  And St. Paul tells us the way: 

“Brothers and sisters: Have no anxieties at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.  Then the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” 

Let us pray + 

Almighty Father, teach us to stop worrying and keep in our hearts that you will always be there for us.  That we are far more important to You than the birds in the sky and grass in the fields.  Teach us to keep our faith alive and believe in You always, constantly thanking You, praising You and loving You.  For we know that You already know what we need, now and forever. 

Amen +

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.

LIFE WORTH LIVING (05-23-12)

John 21:25

There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.

Jesus lived for only 33 years and yet the gospel of John proclaims that His life was so rich and colorful that “if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.”  You may say that it was just a figure of speech, but hey, remember that Jesus has been with God since the beginning of time. 

And in His three years of public ministry, He has achieved what no other man has done – to die and be resurrected, all for the glory of God and for our salvation.

It may be one book or a worldful of books.  It doesn’t matter anymore.  What matters now is that Jesus has really made a lasting change in the lives of many – including you and me. 

If someone would write a book about your life, would it be as interesting?  Would it be focusing on the wordly things that you achieved, or would the pages be focusing more on the lives that you saved because of Him?

Rewrite the pages of your life.  Rewrite it now with the Lord as the author.

Let us pray +

Lord Jesus, you came that we might have life, and have it abundantly.  Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins.  I ask You to forgive me and to come into my life right now.  Amen +

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds…

TEND MY SHEEPS (05-22-12)

John 21:15,16,19

“Feed My lambs… tend My sheep… follow Me.”

Because of fear of being jailed with his Master, Peter denied Jesus three times.  Ironically, his denial was predicted by Jesus, himself, which made Peter felt really bad about what happened and “wept bitterly.” 

However, unlike Judas, Peter did not let those things ruin his life and his relationship with the Lord.  He really regained enough composure.  I believe the first thing he did was to pray alone to God and seek for forgiveness.  And he was forgiven.  In his heart, he knows. 

After resurrection, Jesus gave him another chance.  He asked Peter three times if he loves Him.  And Peter responded three times “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” 

Three denials totally wiped out by three assurance of love.  Three denials totally wiped out by total forgiveness from the Lord.  Moreover, he even directed Peter to be the leader of His flock – “feed My lambs, tend My sheep, follow Me.” 

Going back now to my own life, how many times have I denied the Lord? Peter denied him only three times; I denied him many more than that!  But again and again, He in turn ask me, “do you love Me?”  How many times will I have to say, "I love you" to overcome my countless denials of Christ? 

I denied Him and yet the Lord instead has called me to his side, to serve and to teach, bringing the Word to those who are where I was, and who have surpassed where I am even now. 

When we learn to follow Jesus, we will be able to feed the lambs, tend the sheep, and feed the sheep.  Let us be willing to follow Christ and so fulfill the calling he has placed on our lives.  Love Him.  Follow Him. 

Let us pray + 

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your mercy.  I love You and will follow You.  Amen +

The Lord has established his throne in heaven.

THE RULE OF LOVE (05-21-12)

John 17:24

“Father, they are your gift to me.  I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me…”

It would really be unthinkable if someone, with such great power, would suddenly abolish God’s Ten Commandments.  Imagine the chaos.  Imagine the unimaginable – sins, in its truest and purest form, reigning over the land, consuming every being, until the generation we know now vanishes from this earth, completely.

This is the reason that even Jesus, who is the greatest man that ever lived, did not even bother to abolish the law.  And He has no intention to do such thing.  He came not to abolish, but to fulfill.

And these laws are still valid today.  And they will always be valid because they are part of the natural law, the conditions necessary for human beings to live together in society in peace and in justice.  We all are barbaric human beings – from the time Moses received the law and up to now.  We need laws in order to effect order and put the barbarism in our hearts in check.

And how did Jesus fulfilled them?  He tells us that love is the fulfillment of the law.  Not killing will not fulfill the law – if you see hungry children dying everyday, and doing nothing about it.

Not stealing will not fulfill the law – if you steal the future from these children by doing nothing to alleviate their plight.

We are all commanded to love God, our self and our neighbor. And it is the indissoluble bond between the love of God and love of self and neighbor that is the key to making love the fulfillment of the law.

Let us pray + 

Lord Jesus, You are the personification of love and the fulfillment of the law.  You are the fullest expression of the love of God for us, and the fullest expression of the human response to that love.  Teach us to follow Your example and be the fulfillment in the life of others.  Amen +

Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

CONSECRATED IN TRUTH (05-20-12)

John 17:18-19

“As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world.  And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”

I was watching the game show, “Family Feud” (Philippines edition), when a question was asked – “Based on 100 people surveyed, name a book in the house that is being read the LEAST.”  And do you know the number one answer based on survey?  Yes, you are right – it is the “Bible”. 

And I would say that in some houses, the Bible is NOT being read anymore. 

And then, we would have the guts to tell our friends that we are at a lost in life.  That we have too many problems to handle.  That it looks like God is not taking care of us.  That God (or destiny) is punishing is so we are experiencing too much sufferings. 

For we are like Pontius Pilate asking Jesus, “What is the truth?”, when in fact, the truth is already in front of us.  And all we need is to read about it, accept it, live it and share it. 

Knowing God is essential for Christians.  A relationship with Him with close interaction is what life is all about.  Hearing God's voice and knowing His presence daily can take your Christian experience to the highest level. 

The Bible reveals to us the way for us to hear God's voice and to know Him better.  Through prayer, study, truth and intimate knowledge of Jesus Christ all Christians can know God better when they know how to listen to Him with their spirits. 

Open your Bible today; read about the truth.  Read about a life so worth-living that someone died for it so we can all have eternal life with God. 

Let us pray + 

Almighty Father, from this day forward, I seek Your Truth and whatever it may look like.  Protect me Father and help me to always speak the Truth and to purposefully move away from omissions, lies and anything that is not a deliberate reflection of Your Truth.  Amen +

Awesome is God; he gives power and strength to his people.

YOUR WORD, OUR LIFE (05-19-12)

John 17:6

“I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world.  They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.”

Words spoken 2,000 years ago, still they are as true and as relevant in our lives today.  So it really is amazing that the words of Jesus Christ continue to set the bar that no one can reach. 

However, some of us would twist these words to suit our lives, so we can continue to live in our lies.  “An eye for an eye”, “divorce as promulgated by Moses”, “animal sacrifices” – these are old thinking that was already renewed through Christ. 

“Love your enemy”.

“Love your wife; listen to your husband.”

“I am the way, the truth and the life”.

Jesus claim is so revolutionary that it was considered insane by some rational person. Yet, somehow, I know deep in my heart (as I am sure you also believe and know), that he spoke the plain truth. 

And while I, as a sinner, might have problem reconciling His words with what I really want to do in my life, I cannot deny that He spoke with the authority and wisdom that can only come from a loving, omniscient God. 

May God give us the strength to follow the words and actions of Jesus Christ and not be swayed by the tides of a changing world. 

Let us pray + 

Lord Jesus Christ, may we forever live and believe in your very Words.  No one can twist them, for they are Words of Life.  May we follow Your example forever, only believing in You and Your mighty words and deeds.  Amen +

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST (05-18-12)

Acts 19:5

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Our soul is worth more than the whole world and everything in it. 

Jesus says in Matthew 16:26, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”  Our soul is the part of us that is going to continue to live on forever throughout all eternity.  We cannot afford to lose our soul and be eternally punished. 

Galatians 3:26-27 (KJV) says, “For you are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”  All of us want to be children of God, but it is our faith in Christ that leads us to become children of God.  This verse also tells us how our faith leads us to be children of God. 

Jesus says in John 8:24, “For if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”  In order to do the will of the Father, we must believe in God and in Christ, otherwise we will die in our sins and be lost.  If God is to be believed at all, He must be believed fully.  Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”  We must diligently seek to know all that God wants us to do and then gladly do it.    

Do you believe in God with all your heart?  Do you believe and have all the confidence in Him and you will do anything and everything for His glory?  Are you a child of God?  Have you been baptized into Christ so you can be a child of God?  As Hebrews 2:3 says, "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" 

We know there is no escape.  Please don't neglect your salvation. 

Let us pray + 

Almighty Father, I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer.  Amen +

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

WITH YOU ALWAYS (05-17-12)

Solemnity of the Ascension 

Matthew 28:20b

“And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

I still remember the song we sung during our high school graduation – “Farewell to you my friend, we’ll see each other again, don’t worry cause it’s not the end of everything.  We may be miles away, but here is where my heart will stay, with you, my friend with you.”  It was such a beautiful song with a beautiful message, that for friends, distance is nothing and being separated is not really the end of everything.  All the memories will forever be in our hearts, for us to retrieve, at an instant, in the future. 

Jesus is not just a friend.  He is our Master, our Lord, our Savior, our God.  He is our best friend.  For the disciples, they would feel the same grief and sadness as we say goodbye to our friends.  They are saying goodbye to a friend and master.  But Jesus told them not to be troubled, for He is sending the Holy Spirit who would be forever with them, forever with us until He returns back again to claim us and bring us to eternal life. 

If Jesus is in you, the whole Heaven is in your heart, right now, including the Father and the Holy Spirit, and the Blessed mother, and all the angels and saints… because where Jesus is, there is the Father and the Spirit, and where Jesus is, there is the Blessed Mother and all the angels and saints. 

The joy the disciples had after the Ascension should be the same joy that shall make us worship Him continually and to preach everywhere, without any fear, the good news of the Lord.  This joy is for you and for me, only if we believe, because there is more joy and happiness on those who have not seen and yet have come to believe. 

Jesus came and went back to the Father, but He will not leave us.  Seek Him always through the guidance of the Spirit.  He is with us, forever.  We will be with Him, forever. 

Almighty Father, make us joyful in the ascension of your Son Jesus Christ.  May we follow Him into the new creation, for His ascension is our glory and our hope.  Where He has gone, we ultimately will come.  Amen+ 

God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

I SHALL RECEIVE (05-16-12)

John 16:23b-24

“Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.  Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.”

When alone, I thought of many things.  I thought of things that bother me at that moment.  I thought of things that might happen tomorrow, whether expected or unexpected.  What if something bad happens?  What if something happens on which we are not prepared to face?  What will to happen to me?  What will happen to my family? 

However, there are so many things that I should be thankful about.  Though there are a lot of challenges and problems that we face today, just think of what the Lord God can do and provide us to conquer them all.  When we do that which is right God provides for our needs, and we in turn glorify Him, by offering praise, that is by giving thanks to Him. 

Therefore, if we do that which is right, we will honor God, by thanking Him from the heart. 

There are still a lot of things that I think I need.  But I should thank Him for all the things He has given me.  Prayer with thanksgiving is prayer with faith.  True faith will result in prayer with thanksgiving, and when prayer is offered with thanksgiving, God will honor that prayer. 

When we worship God with thanksgiving we should do so by making mention of His great works with joyful singing. A joyful and thankful heart is true worship. 

Let us pray + 

Almighty Father, let the word that goes forth from our mouths speak of your peace, and let us proclaim our hope in Christ as Savior of all humankind.  We pray that you will bless all of us, as we have come to experience your presence among us.  Give us your guidance, O God, and empower us for your work.  For we claim nothing for ourselves, but return all honor and glory unto you, and offer our thanks and praise.  Amen +

All you peoples, clap your hands; shout to God with cries of gladness.

REJOICING FOREVER (05-15-12)

John 16:22

So you also are now in anguish.  But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.

It was my first time to go to the US for a training and business meeting.  I was excited at first, having arrived in the most progressive first world country on earth.  As soon as arrived at the hotel, a feeling of loneliness crept inside me.  Here I am, thousand of miles away from my family.  It was daytime, while my wife and kids must be sleeping soundly at home.  I have been away for only a day, and I already missed them. 

Sometimes, if not most of the time, we feel the same way in our relationship with God.  We feel alone, as if the Lord is sleeping or have taken a break in taking care of us.  We feel that all our prayers are not being heard at all.  We feel that, in those time of trouble, we are left alone. 

But, it is noteworthy that God's people, throughout history, have had a history of getting discouraged and feeling alone.  The instances of this in the Bible are so numerous that you can probably chalk it up to our human nature.  While the constant discouragement is a long-running thread, it is comforting to notice God's response in return:  a reminder that he's in charge, in control, and we are not to fear because we are never alone. 

He is always by our side, carrying us through all our troubles and never allowing our soul to experience decay and loneliness. 

While he is not present physically in the world right now, He is merely a prayer away from us.  When you feel alone, open your eyes - the truth that you're not alone is a reality.  God is faithful and keeps His promises even when we don't, and we have His word that He is with us. 

That promise should be sufficient to carry us through all circumstances and problems that come in our lives. 

Let us pray + 

Almighty Father, You have engraved my name on the palms of Your hands; You are my Lord and my God, so who would be against me.  Amen +

God is king of all the earth.

GRIEF TO JOY (05-14-12)

John 16:20

“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”

We all live in a troubled world.  But that doesn’t mean that we have to accept them in our lives.  We need to come to the point in our lives where we relinquish to God whatever others - or our circumstances - would take from us.  Being a Christian doesn't make us somehow immune from the ills and afflictions of our common fallen humanity, nor does it guarantee us protection from evil acts which others may perpetrate. 

Trouble and disaster – whatever their cause – are never the final word.  Be still!  The Lord is God! The Lord is in our midst! God is our refuge and strength! Put our trust in Him!  Live under his grace! Know his peace in this troubled world! 

When we learn to follow Jesus, we will be able to feed the lambs, tend the sheep, and feed the sheep.  Jesus commissioned Peter to do these things, but he has also commissioned us.  Let us be willing to follow Christ and so fulfill the calling he has placed on our lives.  Love Him.  Follow Him. 

Our greatest challenge for this age, then, is to live as God commands, to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom of God in all the world, to make disciples in all nations and to care for the disciples God adds to His Church today.  Love Him.  Follow Him.  Be with Him, today. 

Let us pray + 

Almighty Father, may You enlighten our mind to think only of whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable – and if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy – may we keep thinking about these things (Philippians 4:8).  Amen +

The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

SPIRIT OF TRUTH (05-13-12)

Luke 18:7

“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.  But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.”

You and your family are all dressed up to attend the Sunday Mass.  When suddenly, a friend called you inviting you to a party, and you need to leave now.  Would you go with your friend or with your family? 

You are ready to attend a bible study.  When, out of nowhere, you hear a tiny voice telling you to just go home and have some beer and watch a DVD movie.  Would you heed that tiny voice? 

The spirit of truth…

… or the spirit of deceit. 

Most of the time, we listened to the latter… for it surely gives us more pleasure for the flesh. 

Let us keep in mind the fact that the forces of Satan are working day and night to draw us into error of thinking, error of action, error within the church, error within the world, and error in our minds and hearts. 

The only defense against these cunning wiles of the serpent, is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of the Truth – within us, as he is always bringing us to the truth of the Word of God. 

God has always communicated the truth, Satan the lie.  So are you for deceit, or for the truth? 

Let us pray + 

Almighty Father, teach us to believe only in Your words and follow Your commandments.  We listen only to You and we belong to You always and forever.  Thank You for giving us the Spirit of the Truth.  Amen +

His majesty is above earth and heaven.

COME AND STAY (05-12-12)

Acts 16:15

“If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my home,” and she prevailed on us.

What a great invitation – inviting the Lord to come and stay in our home.  It is not just believing or getting to know Him, but also accepting Him in our household and in our hearts.  Accepting Him as our Savior and never again be separated from Him now and forever. 

And no more asking ourselves, “where am I and where am I going”.  

The question, "To whom shall we go?" suggests that we do need someone to whom we may go – most of the time, for help or to ask for favor.  We should soon realize that joining Jesus is not fun.  Joining Him means being at constant struggle to overcome the devil for Satan will never allow that to happen.  We would be tempted constantly. 

Jesus did not come to this earth to make it a better place to live, to offer fun and recreation to mankind.  He did not die upon that cruel cross in order for man to have a good time.  He died to save us.  Where else will we find one such as HIM?  Here is one who can lift us above the things of the world. Here is one who can lift us through bad surroundings, through failures, through difficulties, through trials.  Standing alone we may not be able to succeed, but with Jesus by our side, we can. 

Let Him come and stay.  You, and I need, someone to whom we must go.  Someone who is dependable and trustworthy.  Someone who can meet our every need.  Jesus is the answer.  He offers what no one else can offer.  He can give you hope.  He can bestow upon you spiritual blessings.  He can give you freedom from sins.  He can bring you home to the  Heavenly Father when our days on this earth are finished. 

Let us pray + 

Almighty Father, only You can satisfy our needs.  Only to you shall we go.  For your Spirit gives life; the words You have spoken heals us.  We accept Your invitation of being in Your love forever.

Sing to the LORD a new song of praise in the assembly of the faithful.