THE TV IS MY SHEPHERD...

A brilliant insight from Pastor Alfred Yumul…

The TV is my shepherd,

I shall want more.

It makes me lie down on the sofa.

It leads me away from the faith;

It destroys my soul.

It leads me in the path of sex and violence for the sponsors’ sake.

Yeah though in the shadow of Christian responsibility,

There will be no interruption, for the TV is with me.

Its cables, programs and remote control especially Korean novels, they comfort me.

It prepares a commercial for me in the presence of my worldliness;

It anoints my head with humanism, consumerism, and materialism;

My coveting runneth over.

Surely laziness and ignorance shall follow me all the days of my life

And I shall dwell in the house watching TV forever.

An Appeal to the Christian Families - by Hazel Yee

This has been the case in most homes today even in Christian setting. We have witnessed how our little ones, the adult and even the matured in the faith turned away from the presence of God because we have been controlled by TV, it is a sad reality that Christ is removed from the center of our family and replaced not only by statues as our idol but also by TV which offered sex, violence and materialism that has a negative effect on us. Like other mediums such as computer and other gadgets, if we do not know how to control them, these certainly will govern us making us a puppet in a string. We are appealing to all Christians to be sober minded not gratifying the flesh but allowing God the Holy Spirit to control us so that we may inherit eternal life, for those who walk according to the flesh is govern by the flesh and will inherit corruption. Think about these things…

Thanks again to Pastor Alfred Yumul of Jesus Never Fails International Christian Ministries

A Letter to Cong. Manny Pacquiao

Dear Cong. Champion Manny Pacquiao:

We who consider you as the people’s champ will never forget how you fought for us. Despite of your loss, we will remain true to you. We want you to know that we are grateful for you because you have shown the spirit of a true warrior not only in times of victory but in times of defeat. You have done well to represent our country; because of you our nation has found its way globally in terms of sports, therefore in times past we have rejoiced in your victory and we will stand and back you up, never forsake you in times of defeat.

People may persecute you because of your faith but please continue to stand for God who will be there for you especially in your darkest hour. We your fans will be there to support you, to honor you and to pray for you, in these times of defeat please know that we the people of the Philippines will be your strength for you serve our strength and our inspiration. Be brave Cong. Manny Pacquiao, the Lord is with you and the Body of Christ shall stand for you!

You have fought well, fought bravely and you fought not only for yourself but for the Philippines, when you fall, God will uphold you so that you will stand, stand to represent the King of kings, for Him who will never leave you in times of victory and defeat. Rest in the presence of God, wait upon Him and open your hearts so that you will hear His voice speaking to you. Do not be moved by the voices of this world but be strengthened and be guided by the voice of truth coming from the Truth. You are precious in His sight and what He planned for you is amazing, full of hope and abounding in wealth not of this world but of the coming eternity with Jesus!

The Lover of Selena: Story by Hazel Yee

            It was already 3:00 in the morning, Selena was sitting at the edge of the bed when the man finally stood up to prepare to leave, “Hey, here’s your 1000 as agreed,” the man threw the money on the bed then left. Selena picked them up, counted the money and shove them to her purse. She lighted a cigarette while staring blankly on the lights outside the window of the motel. “Next time, give me a fresh young girl, not this one ok? Anyway, I’ll call before I get here,” Selena could hear the man while talking to Paula, the gay manager of young girls in that prostitute den as they exchange their laughs, Selena bit her lips then went to the comfort room to shower.

       She stood motionless while the water streams down over her body, as the water washes her face so does her tears flow from her eyes. She grabs the soap and scrubs her whole body with it as if it can wash all the filthiness brought about by the different men she slept with.

            Selena was in this kind of living since 16, now she’s in her 20’s, she was forced by her mother to work as a waitress in a pub, little did she know that her job as a waitress has extensions within the cubicles of that bar where men would pay for sex, young and innocent, Selena entered the world of prostitution to provide for her family. Selena doesn’t have any choice; their need for survival put her in a situation where she herself can’t break the contract. As years pass by, the horror, pain and guilt intensify every time she would offer herself as a means to gratify the flesh of men, young and old as her young body was abused and wrecked a hundred times.

            Eyes of condemnation pierced her everywhere she went, as if an arrow was struck right through her, men disrespect her, women despise her and the society has abandoned her. “Look at the way she acts, it is as if she’s a saint, but in fact an expert on bed!” She heard one time when she was passing by the street in Tondo, Manila, followed by a loud chortle of insult. There is nothing she could do but to live up with their ridicule, what they said about her is a fact and she couldn’t deny that. If only there are other means, she thought to herself, she would do anything to escape that kind of life, but it’s hard to find a job in a world where the society has marked you with a reputation as a “hooker.” Selena once tried to work in a fast food chain but her contract was terminated instantly the moment the management did a background check on her due to the gossip of some employees with “itchy tongues”, she had to look for another job, but it seems that the easy ones are behind the “motel doors”.

            “God, I’m tired of living this life, I’m tired of being used and abused, I don’t think I could go on a little longer, I’m tired, I’m really, really tired…help me, if You are really there, save me from this life…” Selena cried with a soft voice, she knew that she doesn’t have enough strength to continue and even face another customer for the night. Just then she heard a faint knock on the door, she gave out a deep sigh, this is her fifth customer and whatever happens she wants to end it all as quickly as possible. She fixed herself and walked slowly toward the door, she opened the door without looking at the man who was standing outside patiently.

            “Please come in,’ Selena motioned the man to sit as she started to undress while facing an opposite direction. But to her surprise, she felt the man wrapped a robe around her, “I’ve been longing to do this to you for a long time,” Selena could hear the gentle voice and felt the warm hands over her shoulders, “I know all the tears you cried, there is not a tear that falls from your eyes that is unknown to Me for I know them all, this is not what I planned for you, it hurts Me so much to see you ruined, to live in guilt, in fear and in rejection.”

Selena faced the Man, His warm smile and gentle look comfort her, His presence lifted the burdens which was upon her shoulders a long time ago, she knew that what she felt is brought about by the divine presence. She burst into tears, “Why just now Lord, why have You abandoned me for so long?” He hold her face and wiped the tears, “I never abandoned you, never, I am close to you more than you’ll ever know, but you can’t hear My voice because you are deafened by the voices of this world, I’m just here waiting, waiting for you to call My name…but when you cried just now, I immediately came to your rescue, you see, I will never interfere with your will without your permission. But I’m here all this time willing to save you, just say it, and allow Me to restore you…” Selena exclaimed in tears, “Yes Lord, I’m willing, please save me!”

The Man embraced her and with a smile He led her outside the door. As they were walking downstairs Selena could feel the strength of His arms, the security, comfort and peace she never felt before. Tears run down her cheeks, as if a thorn that was struck through her was being pulled, she heard Paula’s voice, “Hey, where do you think you’re going?” but the Man’s look silenced him and he stood there appalled. Selena could see the door, as they were walking towards it, all the memories of her life flashed before her eyes, and her vision dimmed, “Selena…as you walk through this door you’re stepping into a new life, from darkness to light, all the memories of your life will never be forgotten but it will be a memorial for you on how your life was changed as a testimony on how gracious the Lord your God is. So strengthened yourself and know that in every step of the way, I walk with you,” the Man said to her gently. The Man holds Selena’s hands tightly, she gathered all her strength and together they walked out of the door. Upon stepping out, men of stature meet them and greeted them with a smile, Selena could see the Man nodding and each man gathered around them, and suddenly they were walking together as if being escorted with a throng of powerful army!

They stopped in front of a building; Selena could hear people singing, “Go ahead Selena, walk in… remember I am with you and I will uphold you and strengthen you,” Selena walked slowly toward the entrance, until she reached a large room filled with people singing, when she looked around, the men who were with her were no longer there and so does the Man who gave her the robe she was wearing.

Soon people approached her and welcomed her with a smile, one man introduced himself as Pastor Dave and told her that they were having an overnight prayer meeting; Selena felt no indifference amidst these people, immediately, she felt the warmth, care and belongingness offered by these strangers, one woman approached her, “Hi, I’m Cathy, I saw you at the market one time, I approached you and gave you a Christian booklet, you look so preoccupied that time, I tried to start a conversation but then you left right away and you forget the booklet I gave you,” the woman explained briefly, Selena then remembered her, she must have been so focused where to get money to pay for the rent for their apartment and for the electric bill so she unintentionally ignored her. “Ever since that day, I never ceased to pray for you and I’m hoping that I could see you one more time, indeed God answers prayer, because here you are, I’m so happy to see you…” continued Cathy.

“My name is Sandy, I’m not sure if you remember me, but I always sat by the restaurant across the motel bar where you’re working, I took notice of you the first time I came to dine in the restaurant when you came in, you sat all alone in the corner weeping, I felt the burden in my heart to tell you about Jesus Christ, how He save me from the pit of destruction, because I once was in that situation before, I know the pain you’re going through, since then, I’ve been praying for you.” Sandy stated, yes, Selena remembered her, she was always at the restaurant across the street, she remembered her as the “stranger” who smiles every time they met, one time, she gave her a Christian tract about God, but she threw it in garbage.

It’s all coming back to her now, she remembers them, she realized that God is real and He’s there all this time for her, all these people who were praying for her though a complete stranger yet God put in their hearts her face so as to include her in their prayers, it was not God who took it so long to notice her, to hear her, to answer her, it was her who delayed her approach to God.

You see there is no such thing as accident in God’s vocabulary, but to Him, He purposed everything under heaven for men to realize that there is God who cares, loves and is willing to rescue you. No matter how marred or ruined you are, God has the power to restore you, to put together the broken pieces and to make you new again. Now, Selena is living a new life, she was given a job as an assistant teacher in the same church where people welcomed her, her past doesn’t matter to her anymore, she serves as a living testimony of God’s grace and forgiveness to all men and women who are living in the dark world of prostitution and sex slavery. There is hope and that hope can only be found in God alone.

Selena may be living in you, you may feel hopeless, unwanted and unloved, remember there is this Man who is willing to put His arms around you, who is willing to rescue you, who is willing to show that you are love dearly no matter who you are, where you came from or what you have done in the past, Selena experienced the restoration of God, all her shame, guilt and fear were nailed on the cross by this one Man… Jesus, the Lover of Selena…

Why Me Lord? - A Short Story by Hazel Yee

            I was a Christian for twenty years; together with my husband we've done service for the Lord and committed ourselves to the ministry. My husband, Tom and I were church workers, and for ten years of marriage, we were not given a child to complete the family. My husband has accepted our fate for he always say that the Lord knows what He’s doing, but for me, I am finding it hard to accept this, I always thought that we deserve all good things from God for we were His good servants after all, we did everything we can to serve Him and make ourselves available for the work of the Lord, so I am fully convince that we deserve better than this…yes better than all of these!

            I was feeling a little bit of perturbed with my life lately, my husband was assigned to pioneer a church in Laos and I decided to stay not because I don’t want to go but I’m beginning to lose interest in the ministry, I was assigned to lead a Sunday school class for kids and coming to class every Sunday morning feels burdensome for me.

            I accepted a part-time job in a government office, the salary is not rewarding, but I had no choice, we need resources to compensate for the monthly bills, there are times I want to question God about this kind of life that I have; everything is average: an average job, average house, average friends, for a total of average life, I thought that God promised good and satisfying life, how come I got stuck in this average situation!

            It was Friday night when I received a long distance call, it was from my husband, his voice was shaking and bristly, “Dear, I want you to pray for us here, some of the locals who were against the faith confess us to the authorities, causing trouble within the church I was pastoring, they arrested all the church leaders and we will undergo interrogation, please pray for us, I was given a chance to inform you, but I don’t want you to be worried but be strong in the faith. I love you, I want you to know that I thank you for bearing life with me together, your love has been my strength and I’m so sorry if I failed to give you…tooot!” dead air, until I heard the beep, the phone was cut on his end, I was worried, I called the pastor, they came to my house and we intercede for him and the brethren.

We prayed endlessly for the whole week, but no news from Laos came. One afternoon, I was praying alone in my room, I heard a loud knock at the door, I rush to see who it was, I was stunned to open the door seeing a wooden coffin right in front of my house! In it was my husband wearing just a plain shirt and pants, the coffin was delivered to us by the local police together with one native member of the church he was pastoring in Laos, I don’t have time to ask why, how and when because my heart was filled with bitterness, anger and rebellion! Chanda a native from Laos reached out and gave me a letter, a hat and a scarf all belong to Tom, when I opened the letter, his handwriting was obviously shaky while he was writing the letter, it says, “My ever dearest Rachel, I’m so sorry if I can’t be with you on our 11 years anniversary, I’m so sorry if I can’t bring you the gift as I promised, but as I close my letter, I want you to promise God that no matter what happens you will remain in the faith, be strong and continue the work God has started in us together, don’t ever let go, you may forget me but don’t forget God. I love you and I am looking forward to see you in heaven, love always, Tom.”

I burst into tears, his words doesn't have any effect on me, I cried so hard and I regretted the fact why I let him go to Laos, for months I’m keeping up with the bitterness in my heart, I let it all out, I blamed God for everything, I asked God “Why me?! Why all this?! Why did You let it happen, I thought You are powerful but how come You can’t even move a finger to stop all these events? You are so unfair!”

Suddenly the place where I was standing became so dark, I don’t know what was happening, I looked around me until I saw a faint light to my right, then I heard noise of people shouting, I ran to where the noise came from until I reached a street crowded with people, there was a man filled with blood walking down the stony road, His feet was wrinkled and His legs were shaking, the soldiers were continually beating Him up, I could see the flesh torn from His body, yet He never quit, He was enduring the heaviness of the cross He was carrying upon His shoulders, He continued to step little by little until He reached the place of Calvary.

I followed and was shocked to see the event as it unfolds right before my eyes. When the soldier struck the nail upon His hands, He gave out a loud cry, and then they pierced His feet. He was in so much pain until they erected the cross and I could see from where I was standing the tears flowing from His eyes, He looked at me and He gave a smile, I could hear His Words speaking to me, “Child, it’s all for you, all the beatings, all the shame, all the pain, the nails, the crown of thorns and the cross, I gladly accept because of you, it is unfair but it’s nothing compared to what I can offer you, I never ask why Me Father and why for them because I know that you are worth to die for.”

I cried, those words echoed in my heart and I fell on my knees with repentant heart, I realized that I was so self-centered and for years of my service with the Lord I was complaining about this and that, I failed to thanked God for His blessings and I realized that I was so possessed with self-satisfaction that I failed to see that in my lack God is my completeness. I thought that life was unfair, but Jesus has suffered all injustices in this world to make me just with God, I realized that it is not my service for the Lord that cause me to receive blessings but it is God’s unmerited favor, His love and compassion and the reason why I failed to see it is because my eyes were clouded with anger and unthankfulness.

“Rachel, are you alright?” it was Sandy, “You passed out and your neighbors took you in, the congregation are preparing for the wake of Tom, just relax and we’ll take care of everything, be strong, we’re here for you.” Her reassuring words and warm smile put me back in my senses, I stood up and women from the ministry guided me to see Tom in a dark brown coffin which the church members purchased. I looked and somehow I remembered the Man, Jesus on the cross, I was strengthened, the grief and pain in my heart was gone and I looked on my right hand, it was Tom’s letter all crumpled up, I held it tightly and with a smile I whispered, “I’ll see you in heaven Tom, you me and Jesus.”

Teacher Sarah: Our Sunday School Teacher A Short Story By Hazel Yee

Teacher Sarah was our Sunday school teacher, she’s fun, approachable, caring and loving. Among all the people in the church, she is someone I will never forget. One of the things that I will never forget is the way she taught us in our Sunday school class, she comes in prepared, and bringing all the stuff she needs for the class. Her eyes were always beaming with excitement as she starts the lesson with singing, dancing, storytelling and games.

However, despite of her efforts, her students failed to notice her sacrifice, love and commitment in bringing them in relationship with God. Sad to say, I was once participated in pranks we kids played on her: one Sunday morning, she was discussing a topic about the faith of Abraham, she was happy and energetic as usual, when she gave out a question, no one was answering, that was the time we start to giggle. She seemed not to notice that we were wearing earphones and we are not paying attention to her all the time until she called me, I dramatically stood up and blurted out “Ano po yun”?, [What’s that?] and everyone laughed out loud!

That was one of the incidents we played on her, we never realized how badly it affects her but she never show any hint of dismay. One time when I was going to the church library, I heard a soft whimper from the prayer room; it was Teacher Sarah, praying. I was just about to continue my walk to the library when I heard my name being mentioned in her prayer, she was praying for all of us, for the first time I felt the heaviness in her heart, “Father I commit my students to You, do not let them go astray, let Your Word be powerful in their life to change them according to Your will, shield them by the blood of Jesus so that the power of the enemy may not take hold of them. Lord I am limited in my understanding and ways and my days are numbered so before I pass away, may Your Word be rooted in them…”

I was stunned, tears began to flow down my eyes, we never realized how much she loved us and how heavy her burden is for us. I hurriedly wiped my tears in my eyes when I heard that she was standing up, I ran to the library and there I continued to cry.

It was Sunday morning, all of us were present that day, eagerly waiting for the coming of Teacher Sarah, we prepared our Bible; she always remind us to bring our Bible for almost every Sunday school class she would get upset for continuous reminding us to bring it for we carry our cell phones more than our Bible, we readied our pens and notebooks for we always forget that these two are pairs, sometimes we have pens but we don’t have papers, or the papers without the pens. I talked to everyone in our Sunday school class about Teacher Sarah’s prayer and just to show how much we appreciate her, we are turning a new leaf!

When the door finally opened we were surprised that it was not Teacher Sarah, the new teacher told us that she will be taking over the class in the meantime while Teacher Sarah is not around.

It was almost four months and we never heard any news from her, until one Sunday service, our pastor announced that Teacher Sarah passed away due to brain tumor which she was suffering for a long time. She continued her sacrifice and she never showed any quitting for the sake of her love for the Lord and for us. I cried over the news and I noticed that all her students cried at the same time, I remembered how bad we treated her, how we ignored her and upset her because of our stubbornness, I remembered how she gave everything for us, treated us to McDonalds or a free lunch or when we needed advice she was there all the time, yes, I remembered everything and how I felt regret for treating her that way.

“Hello everyone, I’m so sorry if I can’t be with you, I even failed to say goodbye on our last meeting, but that’s alright, I was diagnosed with brain tumor and I’ve had this for over a year,” it was a video of her in the hospital, she was lying with oxygen tubes attached on her nose, she had lost her hair and her skin and lips look so pale, but she never failed to wear a smile. “I will miss every one of you, my pastor, my friends and my students, you have been God’s gift to me that made me what I am today, a strong person inside this sick body. Someday when you see me, this body is renewed never again deteriorates. And I am praying especially for my students that none of you be lost so that when Jesus appears in all His glory we will see Him face to face and we will see each other, what a glorious sight that would be! I want you to be strong, influence the world for Jesus, love Him above all else and honor Him with your life. I wish I could see you now but I guess I will be stuck here in the hospital for a long time. Anyway, God bless you all!” That concludes the video, the atmosphere was filled with sadness for a person so wonderful died and we her students failed to show how much we loved her.

When we came to her wake, her sister reached out to us one by one a thank you card which according to her, Teacher Sarah wrote one week before she died. She also showed us some of her visual aids which were unfinished and a picture of us in the room during one of our Sunday school class. She filled her life with the memory of us even before she passed away and she was thankful for every experience.

A thousand times we made her cry, we ignored her and we played pranks on her. Though there are times we made her smile but there are more times we upset her because of our immaturity, but she responded with love, care and understanding. Teacher Sarah taught us many important lessons but one thing we will never forget is to value a person and treat everyone as a gift from God, because the life of a person has its limits and you don’t know when so while you can value everyone as if this is their last day on earth. There are many Teacher Sarahs today, she may be your mom or dad, a friend, a pastor, a church mate or someone you are ignoring within your community, turn a new leaf today before they say goodbye tomorrow…

Unbelief: Diagnosis, Paralysis and Cure

TITLE: The Paralyzing Effect of Unbelief and It’s Cure

TOPIC: Unbelief: Diagnosis, Effects & Cure 

 Introduction:

What is UNBELIEF? According to dictionary, unbelief is doubt, withholding of belief, incredulity, and skepticism, disbelief on divine revelation or divine providence or scheme of redemption.

Greek word for unbelief is “APISTIA” which is unreasonable, obstinate, rebellious, prejudiced, presumptuous, insolent, stubborn, self-willed, boastful, insensible, hardening and deceitful.

Unbelief is the core of paralysis that eventually has an effect not on the power of God to perform wonders but on man’s capacity to experience what God has in stored for him, it is worst than fear because unbelief is as act of rebellion and stubbornness toward the divine manifestation of God and His existence.

I.                     What is Jesus diagnosis of unbelief?

a.     Unbelief is a SIN – John 16:9

Unbelief is the foundation of sin, it is rejecting the very existence of God, it is putting to question the evidences of God and denying the power thereof.

b.     Unbelief will be condemn – Mark 16:16

This is the case where the Word of God is preached yet they do not believe. Faith is essential to take the Word of God by heart that is the only time a person can be saved but despite of the Word preached to them, they remain to be unbelievers: they deny His word and they caused judgment to fall on them.

c.     Not numbered with Christ’s sheep – John 10:26

Those who do not believe are not part of Jesus’ flocks, only those parts of His can experience the privilege of God’s provision, protection and favor. Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees and asked Him directly about Him being the Christ, but He refused to tell them the truth because of their unbelief, despite of the miracles which He performed in the sight of the people, they never accepted Jesus’ words because they do not recognized Him for they were not His sheep and will never be…

d.     God’s wrath is upon him – John 3:36

Wrath of God is defined as temper, violent emotion, anger and in this verse it implies the judgment of God:

Hebrews 3:11 – “They shall not enter My rest…”

Revelations 14:10 – Wrath of God 

II.                   What does unbelief paralyzes in us?

Unbelief paralyzes our five senses; faith is believing the things unseen, when you have faith you conquer the limitations of your senses, resulting the materialization of the things immaterial and the realization of the things incomprehensible. Thus, unbelief does the opposite…

a.    Unbelief paralyzes our vision – John 12:37-40 “…because their eyes were blinded and hearts hardened.”

Our eyes are clouded with the glaucoma of unbelief that we failed to see the wonders Jesus has performed in our midst. In this passage, Jesus was doubted by the people of that region even though they witnessed the miracles He performed, Jesus withdrew from the people not because His powers won’t operate due to their unbelief but because it will be useless to perform miracles in their midst for this has been God’s means to save the people. How can He continue the signs and wonders and show more of what He can do if the people’s unbelief had already offended Him?

·       In the story of Elisha and his servant found in 2 Kings 6:13-17, when the Syrian army surrounded Elisha in the land of Dothan the whole Syrian army gathered around him, when the servant saw the army he was in fear, Elisha told his servant not to be afraid, so he prayed to God to open the eyes of his servant and there he saw the host of God surrounding the whole army of the Lord.

·       Also in John 11:39-40, when Jesus commanded that the stone that covered the tomb of Lazarus be pulled away, Martha his sister said that the body is stinking already for Lazarus has been dead for four days already – Jesus rebuked Martha and told her that her unbelief will cause her not to see the glory of God, sometimes Jesus performs wonders in our midst yet since we are too focused on the impossibilities of things we tend to forget that we are serving the God of possibilities, unbelief has taken the opportunity from us to see the glory of God and to experience His power.

·      Moreover, unbelief causes us not to please God – Hebrews 11:6, in this verse we see the necessity of faith to please God, without faith it is impossible to come to Him, pray and expect from God – how can God operate and how can He be please if we do not believe: pleasing God requires faith and unbelief causes God’s wrath to rest to the unbelievers.

b.     Paralyzes our feet to walk on water – Matthew 14:27-31

Unbelief paralyzes our feet to walk on water. In Peter’s case he sank when he saw the raging seas ready to topple over him. As Christians, we were given opportunities, means and strength to walk over the waters and pacify the uncontrollable circumstances of life. However, if we withhold faith to overcome the raging seas and tempest of life as Christ has enabled us to just like Peter when Jesus asked him to walk over the waters, we will sink like him.

c.     Unbelief paralyzes our rights to the privilege of miracles and wonders of God – John 12:37-40 – this is the sad part of unbelief, we were given full access to the blessings and wonders of God but we will not be able to take advantage of it because of our unbelief.

Faith is God’s gift to us as man’s means to experience fully the wonders, miracles and mysteries of God. It is up to us to nurture it by exercising faith according to the measure God has given us…little by little until the mustard seed grows and develops into a full grown tree. Matthew 17:20

d.     Unbelief paralyzes our hearts to be saved – Luke 8:12

Unbelief paralyzes our hearts to believe fully and accept the works of Jesus as a condition to be saved – Satan stole the opportunity and turns away our hearts from Him leading us to the damnation of our souls.

e.     Our unbelief paralyzes our hands to perform miracles and wonders for God – Mark 9:17-18

Unbelief is the reason why we cannot perform miracles and wonders, Christians were given and empowered with gifts and will operate as the need arises that all who witness will believe – miracles and wonders are not a natural event but supernatural brought about by the supernatural works of the hand of God, miracles were performed to confirmed His power, Hebrews 2:3-4; Mark 16:20 and Acts 14:3. If we failed to believe then we hinder the operation of miracles, unbelief acts like a clog within the channel of blessings from the throne of God.

III.               What are Jesus’ prescriptions for unbelief? Mark 9:29 - Unbelief can be cured only with prayer and fasting:

A.    Prayer verse 24 – when the father appealed to Jesus for healing of demon possessed boy, he exclaimed, “Lord I believe, help my unbelief!” He declared two things:

Ø  “Lord I believe…” – states the father’s desire to believe tells of future condition. Upon saying this, he wanted to believe in Jesus and His power to heal though he was frustrated to see the failures of the disciples causing him to doubt; now he is declaring his desire to believe.

Ø   The father’s desire to be healed of unbelief – his present condition. When he exclaimed “…help my unbelief, he accepted that he is sick and therefore needs healing. To admit to God that we have a problem and that we want to be healed is to admit our need for God and our dependency on Him, this kind of prayer moved Jesus with compassion that’s why He healed first the spiritual sickness of that man and later on He healed the physical sickness of the boy. To be healed of the paralysis, we need to come to Jesus admit our dependency on Him and allow Him to heal us of our unbelief.

B.      Fasting verse 24 – to abstain from pleasures, to seek God’s will and be in solitude with God. When we fast we should feed our inner man who is connected with God – our spirit.

Ø  Fasting humbles our soul – shows total dependency on God to feed us with spiritual meal. Psalms 35:13

Ø  Mastery over temptation of unbelief etc. – genuine fasting opens the channel between God and man, thus allowing God to freely pour His spiritual blessings for the victory of the unbelieving hearts.

Ø  Power over demons – since unbelief has a demonic origin, fasting empowers the spirit to overcome satanic influence of unbelief. Having dominion in spiritual realms.

Ø  Develops faith – you master your body and your senses which is material and physical by nature that’s what fasting can do, it allows you to operate in faith taking control of the flesh as you conquer you unbelief and fear.

Ø  Crucifies unbelief – after having been attached to God and detached from the world, faith is developed, exercised, therefore putting to death the spirit of unbelief and all its satanic influence and manifestation.

IV.               Conclusion:

The possibilities of all things happening under the command of God are based upon our faith. This is not a matter of what God cannot do or can do but what God can do if we believe, it is what man can do and experienced if he believes. God’s power is never limited by our unbelief, there’s no question on God’s power – it is God’s discretion to withhold the blessings from the unbelievers due to their unbelief for unbelief is an offense to God and His almighty acts!

What If You Had an Expiration Date?

All food labels must have an expiration date to ensure all customers that what they are buying is safe to eat, some of the labels read “BEST IF USED BY _____”, others were tag as “CONSUME BEFORE _______”. I remember one time when I was craving for an egg sandwich, I have already mixed the ingredients: eggs, mayonnaise, onions, salt, and liver spread. After my hearty meal, I remember going to the comfort room for almost every hour because of diarrhea. It’s a good thing that I have prescribed medicines stored, after praying and taking up the medicine my diarrhea was cured that instant, I checked everything that I ate and the last thing I noticed was the expiration date of the mayonnaise, it expired 2 months ago. I’ve learned a valuable lesson, it is indeed best if used before the expiration date!

What if God has labeled us with expiration dates? When will it be? What would you do if you knew your expiration date? How would you allow God to use you or how would you consume your time before you expire? Some people live as if life on earth will not expire; I saw a cartoon which implies that after The Fall [the disobedience of Adam and Eve], everything on earth expires, all the riches and splendor of this life, your loved-ones, all that you worked hard for and that includes life. That is why it is advisable to make our self usable for God and His kingdom. Unfortunately, a lot of people are exact the opposite, I met people where we were supposed to conduct Bible Studies every week said that they are still young, there are lots of things for them to do with their lives, they will consider serving God when they have finally accomplished their dreams. This saddens me, the God who created and given them life and abilities was last in their priorities, they will give themselves to God at a time when they are no longer capable of serving, when they are already expired…

God wants to use us at the prime of our lives, not at the time when we are wasted or useless: like the mayonnaise, what good is it but to be thrown away! Some people consumed their lives with a lot of vices and prodigal living, their bodies are atrophied due to the illnesses their acquired because of their wrong choice of lifestyle. How can we present ourselves to God in a condition like that? The Bible declares in 1^st Corinthians 6:19-20, “"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body.” Our body as God’s temple must be holy and perfect for His dwelling place that is why Paul urged the Christians in Romans 12 verse 1, “To present our bodies as holy and pleasing to God which is our reasonable service.” We should give our life to God and remember to honor Him with our life in our younger years because this is the time when we can serve Him all the more and all the better! I am so blessed to follow the footprints of my mother Emma Sibi, in her age of 63 years old she is still active in serving God, she’s a missionary in our church, a Sunday School teacher and Bible Study leader. I admire her passion for God, I remember her saying, “I think that I will never grow cold of serving and loving God for He is my all!” I am so proud because of the testimony and heritage she’s living! Her age is not a hindrance because she decided to give her all to follow God at the prime of her life that is why until then God is fully blessing her with many spiritual blessings that has been her means of continuing the race.

People should always acknowledge that life itself has its limitation, God in His infinite wisdom and righteousness will not at all time argue with man or persuade him. He has set a time for man to consider his ways, to seek Him while He may be found, to call on Him while He is near, because time will come when God will no longer hear our call for help, He will no longer be there for us, and He will never be found. God’s absence is the worst thing the world could ever experience than any problem a man could live through in his lifetime. We should be thankful because the Spirit of God and His grace are still upon us that is why we are still relieve and strengthened when trials come our way, imagine praying without getting the help that you need would you survive?

Furthermore, if God in His grace and compassion has set a time for people to come to Him for repentance and man did not respond, remember the mayonnaise, or the worthless salt that lose its flavor? It would be better for it to be thrown and trampled underfoot. The frightening reality that people need to realized is that God is a loving God but He is also a just God, in all the opportunities that He gave to spare your life so that you would come to Him in repentance and yet you have rejected His free gift, what does the Bible say about this…”It’s a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God!” – Hebrews 10:31.  To be under His grace and protection is a refuge and relief but to be under His judgment is the worst reality a man could experience – it would be better if you had not been born!

So think about this…the next time you see an expiration date, ask these yourself, “Am I nearing my expiration date? How did I consume my time before my life expires? What if I expire tomorrow? Be wise, seek God and remember Him in the days of your youth, before you expire!

“Seek the Lord while He may be found;

    call upon Him while He is near;

let the wicked forsake his way,

    and the unrighteous man his thoughts;

let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion on him,

    and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”

Isaiah 55:6-7

“Now all has been heard;

    here is the conclusion of the matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments, 

    for this is the duty of all mankind. 

For God will bring every deed into judgment, 

    including every hidden thing, 

    whether it is good or evil.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Think About RH Bill...

I am anti abortion and pro-life. Some say that RH Bill is giving option to couples to plan their family well with healthy precautions and means. Like what I have commented on a blog about RH Bill @definitelyfilipino.com, it would definitely affect our nation if families will not consider family planning in a godly way, parents should be responsible for their children's future, their food, clothing, shelter, education, love and affection, some parents failed to provide these important needs to their children that's is why they suffer. Suffering children become the problem in our society; some of them grow up with no sense of value, they ended up thieves, drug addicts, prostitute and later on producing the same result just like them.

People need to understand that bigger population will cause bigger problems, so it is important to plan your family well – it is not an abortion or anti-life if a couple plans to have a baby at an early stage of their marriage or in-between their births, what is a crime is if as parents you failed to provide food at the table, shelter your family in a livable home or even send them to school. That is a crime! Proper planning and birth control without the involvement of conception is safer...let's just do it the godly way.

God’s word in the Book of Genesis, saying “Go ye and multiply…” was His command to the first couple on earth, and taking that context to be Anti-RH Bill and applying it to our generation today is way out of context! We need to understand that God commanded the first couple to replenish and subdue the earth in order to be in dominion over what God has created because the fact is the quantity of people during that time is so small, but if you are going to apply that command today, it is no longer applicable, WE ARE OVER POPULATED!!! That’s the fact and you cannot deny that! So if you love your children, think about planning, RH Bill is not bad after all, again, it only gives option for couples to plan their families well. This would be better than killing a newborn baby compared to other countries because of their mass population.

P.S.

Actually my last statement is already happening in our country, just like what Sharon Palacios Mccarthney said, we found dead fetus and abandoned baby in parks, restaurants and in front of our homes, there was an incident when a newborn baby was eaten by a dog thinking it was a meal…is this what you would like to happen? If your irresponsibility would cause suffering to a child then you shouldn’t have think of engaging in sex without thinking the consequences of it. It breaks my heart because I don’t have a child right now and to see a little child suffer because of people’s cruelty and irresponsibility causes me to be emotional and angry!

Atonement: 2nd Part of Meaning of Christ's Death

2^nd Part Meaning of Christ’s Death

ATONEMENT

ATONEMENT – coming from the Hebrew words:

1.      “KAPHAR” to cover, purge, make an atonement, make reconciliation, cover over with pitch

2.       “PIEL” – to cover over, pacify, propitiate, atone for sin, make atonement for, atone for sin and persons by legal rites

All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 2^nd Corinthians 5:18-19

According to 2^nd Corinthians 5:18-19, we were once enemies of God but because of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary, He purged us, cover our sins and reconcile us to the Father. Jesus is the bridge to get us to the Father, and He is our only way, there is no way we can please God, there is no way we can reach His standard and there is no way we can be made righteous or justified by our own acts, the Bible declares in Isaiah 64:6, “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf,  and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

No matter how we tried to please God, our righteousness is likened to filthy rags. In Ephesians 2:8-9 it states there that, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Our salvation and reconciliation to God does not depend on how many times we pray, how much we donated to churches, how much we give to the poor or how fervently we follow the Ten Commandments, if these are sufficient for the salvation of souls, then Christ need not die on the cross, He need not suffer in the hands of sinners, He need not took the form of a servant and be marred on the cross as it is written in Philippians 2:6-8, Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage;  rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death —even death on a cross!

If one accepted the power of Christ’s work, he was made one with God, all his sins were covered, purged, atoned for and God removed the curse, judgment or condemnation to that person by restoring the favor which was removed by the effect of sins. The atoning power of Christ’s death takes away the power of sin and its effect, thus causing us to be made right with God, not by our own merit. It is the initiative of God to restore us back to Himself, it is God’s desire that all be saved not with human terms but with God’s terms. Therefore I urged you to come to God, if you are not yet sure of your salvation come to Jesus and be “at one” with Him.

The Holy Spirit and His Empowering Gifts for the Church - Preaching Outline

Theme:           The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Title:                Receive and Be Equip

Topic:             The Holy Spirit and His Empowering Gifts for the Church

Text:                1^st Corinthians 12: 1-12

Introduction:

Corinthian Church Background

Purpose of Paul’s writing answered the inquiries concerning marriage and foods offered to idols, and he also addressed the worsening conflicts in the church which dealt with immorality, divisions and contentions.

Insight:

Recalling Pastor Irene’s preaching she discussed about the Fruit of the Holy Spirit which dealt about the fruit as singular in unit but plural in sense. Christians must possess the fruit and be completed in Him because they are inseparable and all are product of the powerful will of the Spirit as He weakens the flesh.

I.                     Definition of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit:

Spiritual Gifts are plural in Greek word it is translated as Pneumatikos – pneumatika which pertains to the things of the Holy Spirit: non-carnal, religious, spiritual. It refers to the spiritual things of God that only the Holy Spirit can perform for it is His office. His works are for the great purpose of drawing men to God, glorifying God and equipping men for God’s work.

II.                   Who is the Giver of these Gifts? 12:4-6 and 11

The Holy Spirit imparts these gifts to whom He desires, to everyone. The administration meaning services, ministries and offices are the work of the Son and the operation under the sovereign control of the Father who is the Head of all.

III.                  What is the purpose of the Gifts? 12:7

The benefit of the Spirit’s Gifts is for the profit of all, for the believer mainly the Body of Christ to be equipped in Kingdom’s work and for the unbeliever for them to believe and be drawn to Christ.

IV.               Different Kinds of Gifts: 12:8-10

Gifts fall into three divisions:

Gifts of Revelation – the Mind Gifts

Gifts of Inspiration – the Vocal Gifts

Gifts of Power – Working Gifts

A.    Gifts of Revelation – the Mind Gifts

a.     Word of Wisdom – supernatural revelation or insight into the divine will and purpose showing how to solve any problem that may arise. Examples given: 1^st Kings 3:16-28; John 2:22; Acts 26:16.

Let’s look at the example about Paul’s account, Jesus revealed Himself to Paul who was at that time persecuting and killing Christians. After encountering the Lord, Jesus’ revelation to Paul dramatically changed Paul, from a non-believer to believer in Christ. He became Christ’s missionary for the Gentiles.

b.     Word of Knowledge – supernatural revelation of divine knowledge or insight of the divine mind, will or plan and also the plans of others that man could not know of himself. Examples given: 1^st Samuel 3:7-15; 2^nd Kings 6:8-12; Acts 9:11-12

Let’s look at the example on Samuel’s account; the word of the Lord was rare during that time and Eli’s house ministered to the temple of the Lord as priests. But Eli’s sons defiled the temple with their evil practice. And so God called for Samuel to pronounce judgment on Eli’s household and to prepare Samuel in the office of priesthood.

c.     Discerning of Spirits – supernatural insights into the realm of the spirits to detect them and their plans and to read the minds of men. Examples given: Acts 13:9-10; Acts 16:16

In Acts 13:9, Paul rebuked the sorcerer who tried to hinder the consul from hearing the Gospel, it is always God’s will for men to be born again that’s why by the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul was able to discern the plan of the spirits.

In Acts 16:16, Paul rebuked the young girl who was possessed by the spirit of divination: the purpose of this incident paved way for the deliverance of the young girl and the conversion of the prison guard and his entire household.

B.      Gifts of Inspiration – the Vocal Gifts

a.     Prophecy – supernatural utterance in the native tongues [1^st Cor. 14:3], it is a miracle of divine utterance not conceived by human thought or reasoning. It includes speaking unto men to edification, exhortation and comfort. Examples of given: Acts 3:21; 11:28; 21:11.

In Acts 21:11, prophet Agabus spoke a prophecy concerning Paul’s arrest by the Jews in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit gave this message in order to prepare Paul for the coming persecution, arrest and torment.

b.     Divers Kinds of Tongues – supernatural utterance in other languages which are not known to the speaker. Examples given: Acts 2:4; Acts 10:44-48.

On the account of Cornelius’ conversion and his entire household, while they received the Gospel, the Holy Spirit poured on them that they were able to speak in tongues, it was a sign for Peter that salvation is also for the Gentiles and the Holy Spirit show no partiality whether Jew, Gentiles, barbarian or wise or unwise as long as it further the works of God.

c.     Interpretation of Tongues – simply supernatural ability to interpret in the native tongue what is uttered in other languages not known by the one who interprets by the Spirit.

                                                               i.      In 1^st Corinthians 14:3 – its purpose is for the edification, exhortation and comfort.

                                                             ii.      In verse 22 – the kind of tongues described in this verse are tongues that can be understood by some such as the account in Acts 2:5-11 where the disciples when baptized by the Holy Spirit spoke in native tongues of the people around them. These are for the unbelievers to believe that through their miraculous exercise, sinners might see the manifestation of the supernatural.

                                                            iii.      Rules to follow: 14:27-28

1.      Let it be by two or at the most three and let one interpret

2.      But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church; let him speak to himself and to God for he edifies himself.

3.      Let two or three prophets speak and let others judge.

C.    Gifts of Power – Working Gifts

a.     Faith – supernatural ability to believe God without human doubt, unbelief and reasoning. Examples given: Romans 4:17; James 1:5-8

                                                               i.      In Romans 4, the Apostle Paul discussed about the faith of Abraham that accounted to righteousness.

b.     The Gifts of Healing – supernatural power to heal all manner of sickness without human aid and or medicine. Examples given: Acts 5: 12-16 and Acts 2:43

                                                               i.      In these two scenarios, the words of Jesus are true when He said that “You can do greater miracles than these.” John 14:12

                                                             ii.      This portrays that by the infilling of the Holy Spirit and operating in His gifts we can do even the impossible.

                                                            iii.      Healing is made possible by God in order for men to realize that it is His part of the redemptive work of Christ on the Calvary and He desires that everyone be healed.

c.     Working of Miracles – supernatural power to intervene in the ordinary course of human nature and to counteract nature laws if necessary. Examples given: 2^nd Kings 13:20-21, Acts 16:26 and Acts 28:3-6.

                                                               i.      Elisha’s bones revived man back to life

                                                             ii.      An earthquake opened prison doors and released Paul and Silas from chains.

                                                            iii.      A viper clung around Paul’s arms and he was unhurt.

V.                 Questions Regarding the Use of the Gifts:

a.     Purpose: - God’s administration and operations of the Gifts in the Church is for the

                                                               i.      Edifying the Body of Christ – 1^st Cor. 14:12

                                                             ii.      Strengthening the faith – Ephesians 4: 11-13

                                                            iii.      Equipping and empowering – Ephesians 4:11-13

                                                          iv.      Furtherance of the Gospel – 1^st Cor. 14:25

b.     All these purpose pertains to the things of the Spirit, in 1^st Cor. 12:3, all these things proclaim the Lordship of Jesus Christ as this is the will of the Father and the Spirit.

c.     The Gifts of the Spirit when and where can be used?

                                                               i.      Used when needed – 12: 7, chapter 14:3-6

                                                             ii.      Used where needed – 12: 7, chapter 14: 1-40

d.     Gifts of the Spirit can be chosen – 12:31

e.     Who may have them? Every believer 12:8-11

f.        Gifts can also be misused

                                                               i.      Numbers 20:7-13: Moses’ striking of the rock

                                                             ii.      1^st Cor. 13 – Gifts are nothing without love

VI.               Conclusion:

God the Holy Spirit has given us these gifts so that we may fulfill our work as His followers, to expand the Kingdom of God; the Church is not deprived so as not to fulfill her [Church] calling.

These Gifts are meant to be used for the sole purpose of God’s intention in the life of every believer and unbeliever. This is not to declare that you are greater, thus belittling others and considering yourself highly as others. Romans 12: 3-8.