“For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might that He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places…” – …
This blog really spoke to me and rebuked me. Watching the news last night as they covered the Lady Gaga Concert Protest, I thought, “well, at least they’re taking their stand.” But after reading this, I saw how biased most of us really are, including me. Not to mention, how so self-righteous I am so many times. Who am I to condemn another sinner like me. Apart from CHRIST, what have I to feel so righteous about. I’m no different.
The story shows that while none of the people could condemn her, there is one sinless person though. And that person WILL judge. And that’s Jesus Himself. The Bible says, He will return to judge every action, word, thought, and motive. At the end of our lives, we all will stand before Him and give an account. Lady Gaga will. So will the Pope. So will you. And we would all fail.
But because He loves us, Jesus died the punishment we should have died. He took away the rottenness of all our sin – the sin in Lady Gaga’s music and the sin in your heart when you couldn’t forgive someone – all of it, when He died on the Cross for us. And to those who believe Him, He gives new life. And that’s the only dividing line between who’s in and who’s out. And anyone who believes will be in. Even Lady Gaga.
In the words of my friend, Ryan, when asked about what he was doing about the upcoming Lady Gaga concert, “I’m gonna do what we’ve always been doing. Make disciples.”
-Pastor Joseph Bonifacio
Here’s the link to the post: http://www.josephbonifacio.com/2012/05/21/why-im-not-protesting-the-lady-gaga-concert/
I really recommend reading the rest of the blog.
Beautiful Ending Indeed
I Will Rise-Chris Tomlin
There’s a peace I’ve come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There’s an anchor for my soul
I can say, “it is well”Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the deadI will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles wings
Before my God, fall on my knees
And rise
I will riseThere’s a day that’s drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyesAnd I hear the voice of many angels sing, “worthy is the Lamb”
And I hear the cry of every longing heart, “worthy is the Lamb”
I have heard this song before, but never really understood its meaning and get what it was trying to say. But now I see that this is what my, and all the other believers’, ending is. Whenever the topics like the end of time is brought up, we all think of horrific happenings so much that we tend to forget the glorious part. Yes, there will be wars and rumors of wars, nations will rise against nations, there will be famines. JESUS HIMSELF said so in Matthew 24:6. But HE didn’t end there. HE continues on to say, “And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather His chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.” I don’t believe that the end of time is something to fear about; it’s actually something to be excited about. It’s something we’ve been waiting for for so long!
And if even the imperfect knowledge that you and I can have of our Father which art in heaven raises us to such rapture, and satisfies so deeply the roots of our being, then what must it be in that day when we look on HIS face! What will it be in day when we no longer depend upon our minds, but when, with pioneer eyes of our souls, we look without meditation upon the face of GOD HIMSELF! Wonderful! It’s good to get acquainted with GOD now so that at the end of time you won’t be embarassed in HIS presence.1
Here on earth, we see shadows everywhere, both during the day and during the night, big and small. But in heaven, there would not even be the smallest shadow we can think of. All will be filled with the light coming from GOD HIMSELF.
And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. (Revelation 21:23)
I’m excited to see GOD! HE’s nothing like I’ve ever seen before and will ever see. Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Transcendent… oh what more!!! To think that there is such a great multitude in heaven that no one could count worshipping GOD together (Revelation 7:9). And yet not a single one in that multitude will feel like he/she is far from GOD or GOD is still busy entertaining someone else! This life is never enough to know GOD fully. That’s why I can never say I’ve had enough or I know this and that already. I will never ever arrive at that point.
Another thing that comes to us when we meet GOD is a feeling of awful ignorance. . . But the closer we come to GOD, the less we know — and the more we know we don’t know.1
Even if I was to live another lifetime, that wouldn’t suffice. Sometimes I wonder if even eternity would be enough to know GOD fully! Will I ever grasped all HE is!
And I’m thankful to GOD eternally that this is my ending when I really deserve death. This is so far from what I should be given. But thanks be to GOD for being so gracious and merciful. There really is nothing I can brag about.
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1. A.W. Tozer, The Attribute of GOD Volume 2 (Camp Hill, PA, USA: Zur Ltd., 1997)
Only Because HE is Faithful
“GOD has blessed me not because I was faithful, but because HE is.”
Such were the words written to my best friend by one of her greatest friends. The letter was written aboard a plane on its way to Canada. It was her first time to ride a plane and it was already for an international flight. She indeed was very thankful. That line alone spoke to me. And I was reminded of it just now when I was listening to yet another song from Hillsong entitled “King of Majesty.”
Some of the lines in the song included
YOU’re the Comforter to the lonely
YOU’re the Father to the fatherless
The Answer to my dreams
I see YOU round in righteousness
We cry glory, glory, we cry glory to the KING
I can sing that song because GOD has let me experience HIM. It’s so amazing to think that we can say such intimate words to Someone who is so high above it all and is holy, holy, holy. And it’s all because GOD gave us the very great privilege and honor to experience HIM intimately, to dwell where HE dwells, and experience a piece of heaven on earth. (And by the way, heaven is heaven only because GOD is there and hell is hell only because GOD is not there and satan is. We so often take for granted that word and throw it haphazardly in our statements whenever we feel like it.)
I strongly believe that each and every one of us can have a very close relationship with GOD. HE’s not a cosmic boss that just tells us to do this and that, but not this and that. No! HE’s a very personal GOD just as HE is sovereign. HE gave HIS everything, even HIS position of highest glory, to save us and have a real relationship with us. JESUS CHRIST’s sacrifice on the cross serves not only to save us from hell, but also to free us from the prison of sin, stop being trampled upon and made fun of by the enemy, and most important of all, to let us have an intimate relationship with GOD HIMSELF.
So, how can we say “Oh, LORD, better is one day in YOUR courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in YOUR house than dwell in the tents of the wicked. 1 There is none in heaven that I have besides YOU and there is none that I desire on earth besides YOU. 2 In YOUR presence, dear LORD, is fullness of joy. 3 I count everything rubbish because of the surpassing worth of knowing YOU, my GOD 4″ and really mean it? Because GOD granted us complete access to HIM. We can boldly come to HIM as HIS very own children through JESUS CHRIST.5 We can love HIM because HE first loved us.
By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise. (Romans 5:1-2, The MESSAGE)
Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. (Romans 5:2, NLT)
All we have to do is come to HIM.
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1. Psalm 84:10
2. Psalm 73:25
3. Psalm 16:11
4. Philippians 3:8
5. John 1:12
Written on May 8, 2012
The Greatness of our GOD
This song just really ministers to me. The first time I heard it at a youth camp, it ministered to me. What else can I say or add to this song. I really captures what I feel. Thinking about GOD’s greatness, I can’t even begin to gather the words to say or write to explain it. HE really is too awesome and beyond anyone’s comprehension and way beyond what words can express. Even the most flowery and figurative statements won’t suffice. Suppose we put together all the most eloquent people that ever lived, are alive, and will ever live in the whole world and have them write about GOD, even their works all put together wouldn’t be enough.
I especially love the chorus and the bridge where the composer just expresses how her whole life is not enough to know all about GOD and how nothing can ever separate us from GOD’s love. That truth really moves me because GOD has revealed to me how wretched and sinful I truly am and that despite all that HE loves me. It’s so amazing to think that no matter how many times I fall, GOD will always catch me. I can never fall beyond HIS grace; I can never stray too far that HE can no longer reach me. HE’s always here. HIS love will never grow tired. HE will never ever grow tired of me. And so, the least I can do is spend my life with HIM and for HIM through HIM. But that really is the least I can do because, again, my whole life wouldn’t be enough. And I wonder, would I ever understand all that GOD is even when I finally see HIM face to face to spend all of eternity with HIM? HE’s just too great!
But just a reminder,
“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4, ESV)
Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
“No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” (John 8:10-11, NLT)
Beautiful As Is
To girls, young ladies, and women.
I have recently found myself thinking what I’d wear and how I’d look like the next time I went out even if it’s days away. Moreover, by the time I came home from Church and my usual Sunday date with my best friend, especially when I felt like I looked so good in my outfit that day, I’d think of what I’d wear next Sunday. I have been afraid of not looking good enough and not to mention no longer being used to not wearing make-up wherever I went. Much of my thoughts have been devoted to looking good, acting in a way that would make me gain more “friends,” and things like that.
But now, as I was reading Leslie Ludy’s book Authentic Beauty I read the statement: HE wanted me to stop building my life aorund the pursuit of the oppposite sex and instead build my life completely aournd the pursuit of HIM. I WAS TO CONCERN MYSELF NOT WITH FINDING HUMAN LOVE BUT WITH FALLING MORE DEEPLY IN LOVE WITH JESUS CHRIST.1
GOD gently told me that I look good and, more than good, beautiful as I am. Though HE wanted me to fix myself, maintain proper hygeine, and be presentable, HE sweetly reminded me that HE didn’t want me to spend half an hour or so in front of the mirror every morning (or whenever I went out) covering up the face HE intentionally made to show HIS glory.2 Yes, I need to look good and presentable, but I must not let that consume me, my time, energy, and mind.
My PRINCE JESUS CHRIST tells me, “You don’t have to go through all that. You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you for I have cleansed and purified you (Song of Solomon 4:7, paraphrased, emphasis mine).”
We were created not to gain the approval of people, including guys, but rather run after an intimate relationship with GOD and the knowledge of HIM. In just a matter of years, and for some, months, those people we are trying to gain approval from will be gone. We might not even see them ever again. They’re not worth it. Their approval is temporal, it’s something we maintain. Isn’t that just tiring! Yes, we have to have a submissive spirit (remember, a rebellious and proud spirit is not from GOD), but we must not let seeking their approval grab hold of us.
As we let CHRIST consume us, HE is faithful to meet all our needs. Be it spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, material. HE created us and knows all our needs full well. And rest assured HE will generously and faithfully meet them. The more we try to hold tightly to temporary things the world offers, the more we can’t open them and receive the great things GOD will give us which are always the best. GOD’s promises are tangible!!! Let’s not forget that. Yes HE gives us peace, love, hope, and all that, but don’t worry because HE also gives us the tangible things that we need in HIS own perfect time. It’s like asking your parents for breakfast. They won’t tell you, “daugther, there are price hikes and we’re very busy. We can’t give you breakfast now.” No, they’d give you what you need.
As our pursuit of earthly and temporary beauty fades and we focus more on GOD, a different kind of beauty and aura starts to radiate in and through us. We’d be reflecting the TRUE BEAUTY there is — GOD.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Ps. 31:30)Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. (1 Peter 3:3-4)
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- Leslie Ludy, “Authentic Beauty: The Shaping of A Set-Apart Young Woman” (Multnomah Books: Colorado, USA. ©2003, 2007) p. 77
- Lisa Velthouse, “Saving My First Kiss: Why I’m Keeping Confetti in My Closet” (Regal Books: California, USA. ©2003)
Jack’s Story and What I Just Remembered
I am currently reading John Piper’s book Think: The Life of the Mind and the Love of GOD. I am now on chapter 9 which talks about how logic alone cannot save and crush the strongholds of sin. Only the HOLY SPIRIT can do that for “no one can say, ‘JESUS is LORD’ [and mean it] except in the HOLY SPIRIT.” (1 Cor. 12:3) But at a certain degree we do need to use logic and reasoning with the HOLY SPIRIT in sharing the Gospel and fighting for GOD’s TRUTH.
As I was reading all that, I was reminded of one of my favorite stories. I couldn’t help but re-read his story again. So, I grabbed Max Lucado’s book Fearless and started reading . Now, I’m here to share to you that story and what I was just reminded of after re-reading it.
Our story is about a guy named Jack who studied in Oxford University. Jack was described to be a militant nonbeliever. He resolved that GOD did not exist. So, he turned to academics, excelling in each field he took. He soon became peers with the dons of Oxford and began teaching and writing. But deep inside him, his doubts were starting to take on bad effects. He described his mental state with words like abject terrorism, misery, and hopelessness. He was angry and pessimistic, caught in a whirl of contradictions. He maintained that GOD did not exist, but he was also mad at GOD for not existing.
Some of his close friends were converted and started following and seeking GOD. Jack thought that it was all nonsense and did not fear being taken in. He later met highly regarded teachers such as J.R.R. Tolkien and H.V.V. Dyson (whom he also admired) who were devoted believers. They urged him to do something he had never done before. Read the BIBLE.
Reading the New Testament, his attention was caught by its chief figure: JESUS CHRIST. He dismissed HIM as a good moral teacher and a Hebrew philosopher. But he started to wrestle with the claims of JESUS: that HE is GOD and offering people forgiveness for their sins.
On the evening of September 19, 1931, Jack and his two colleagues, Tolkien and Dyson, enjoyed a long walk through the beech tress and pathways of the Oxford campus — an Emmaus walk, of sorts. For, as they strolled, they rehashed the claims of CHRIST and the meaning of life. They talked late into the night. Jack, C.S. “Jack” Lewis, would later recall a rush of wind that caused the first leaves to fall — a sudden breeze, which possibly came to symbolize for him the HOLY SPIRIT. Soon after that night Lewis became a believer. He “began to know what life really is and what would have been lost by missing it.” The change revolutionized his world and, consequently, the worlds of millions of readers.1
What caused C.S. Lewis, a gifted, brilliant, hard-core atheist, to follow CHRIST? Simple. He came in touch with CHRIST’s body, HIS followers and in tune with HIS Story, the SCRIPTURES. 2
What a powerful story. As we all see, it took devout CHRISTians to lead this militant nonbeliever to GOD. In the same way today, it will take devout CHRISTians who are willing to do whatever it takes to lead nonbeliever to GOD. If only we were not so lax, then what greater things we can do through CHRIST for GOD. I speak not only to you, but also to myself. I was struck with this call to move after reading Jack’s story again.
A.W. Tozer was so right when he said, “Oh the love of GOD! How little we know about it and how little we do with what we know!”3
My prayer is that GOD would rekindle the fire in each of us, that we would move and take every opportunity to share HIS WORD. Let’s not waste precious time. I did so with my classmates and I regret it. I wish I had done more with the long years we were together. And you know what, sometimes it takes just praying with them to touch and change their lives.
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1. Armand M. Nicholi Jr., The Question of GOD: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate GOD, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life (New York: Free Pres, 2002), 84-92, 111-14.
2. Max Lucado, Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2009), p.146
3. Aiden Wilson Tozer, “The Attributes of GOD (Vol. 2): Deeper into the Father’s Heart” (Camp Hill, PA, USA: Zur Ltd., 1997)
How GOD’s Children Are Special
There’s nothing so special and different about me. I’m also just another human being. I am like another soccer ball but with the signature of David Beckham, another pair of rubber shoes but with the signature of Michael Jordan, another notebook but I contain the signatures of Angelina Jolie, Sean Pen, Julia Roberts, and other Hollywood Stars. I am made of what other soccer balls, rubber shoes, and notebooks are made of. But what makes me significant and sets me apart from the rest is/are the signatures of important people on me.
As I said, I’m just another ordinary human being, but what makes me different and extraordinary is GOD. HE is in my life!
“It’s the signature of GOD in lives that makes us significant.”
-paraphrased words of Max Lucado, New York Times Best-selling Author
The very reason I went back to blogging is to help others through my articles. Above all else, I wish to honor and please GOD. I hope that you will be blessed through my articles. I hope that somehow they will help you in big or small ways.
Thank you! GOD bless!
Rest assured
” I don’t know what the future may hold, but I know who holds the future.” – Ralph Abernathy
That’s why i don’t need to know my future or consult anybody or anything about it. I know it will be great because i know GOD holds it and HE is good! HE fulfills HIS promises!
Whatever happens, whoever is around me, wherever i am, one thing remains true forever: GOD is with me and SURELY good and mercy will follow me all the days of my life (Psalm 23:6)!
Knowing who GOD has made me
For some weeks ago I’ve had some inner struggles. During those times I felt so weak and helpless and wicked, but GOD keeps on reminding me that though I’m weak HE is strong and is mighty to save me. Because of that whenever I’d receive complements and whenever people would tell me that they appreciate me for this and that (not bragging here) I’d tell them at the back of my mind, “you really don’t know how horrible I truly am” and “I’m such an ugly sinner.” I’d say things like that and lately I’ve found myself dwelling too much on such thoughts. It’s no longer right.
Now don’t get me wrong. At a certain degree we have to admit and acknowledge we are all that — a horrible, ugly, wicked sinner. It’s important in our coming to repentance and having saving faith, but we must not dwell on them. WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THEM, BUT NOT DWELL ON THEM.
Although we are all that we can never dismiss the truth that GOD saved us, HE made us a new creation in CHRIST (2 Corinthians 5:17), CHRIST’s blood has cleansed us, we are GOD’s beloved children (John 1:12). We can never disregard those facts and it hurts our DAD whenever we do. Making us dwell on our weaknesses instead of what GOD has already done and is doing in and through us is the scheme of the enemy to paralyze us, making us too ashamed of ourselves and so preventing us from taking part in GOD’s Works!
It is important that we remind ourselves this: “Alyssa (state your name), you are an ugly sinner; not only are you weak, but you are also wicked. BUT THANKS BE TO GOD! HE has saved you and is sanctifying you (Heb 10:11-18, I suggest The Message Bible). HE is faithful and will finish that awesome work HE has begun in you until your LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST comes again (Philippians 1:6) and after that you will come out as gold (Job 23:10).” The ‘BUT THANKS BE TO GOD’ is of utmost importance. You can never appreciate the good news without know the bad news. Bad news is we are hell bound and apart from GOD. Good news is JESUS CHRIST saved us!
Before I end I’ll share just a short story one of my pastors (Paolo Punzalan) shared to the congregation this morning.
One of his sons loved playing baseball and now baseball season was over and he’s currently playing basketball (if I’m not wrong). Whenever the boy tries to shoot the ball, whether or not he was able to make the shot, he’d look at his dad. It’s like telling his dad, “Dad are we okay? Am I still okay?” Pastor Paolo as a response would give a thumbs up to his son each time even if he missed.
The same goes with our FATHER GOD (I rather call HIM DAD, actually. That’s more intimate or less formal than the word FATHER). Each time we look at HIM, HE looks back and gives us that bright smile and thumbs up. HE gives us that even if we failed HIM and blew up. Why? Because HIS unconditional love is not “performance-based.” Even when we were still sinners HE loved us and proved it by dying on the cross for us (Romans 5:8).
“Doesn’t GOD get tired?” you may ask. No HE doesn’t. HE’s not like us humans. HE’s always overflowing with love, HE never runs out of it so don’t worry! “But don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (Romans 2:4)
Know who you are in GOD through CHRIST. Read the WORD —The BIBLE!
