Yes to God

when somebody is preaching at the pulpit, maybe a brother or a sister or Pastors or Prophets, they are engaging us in a transaction in heaven. when the word of God suddenly spoke to your heart and you say Amen, it is as if receiving a blank check. The promise you hold is the amount so you have to withdraw till the appointed time. That is the representation of God's fullfilment by Jesus Christ.

An example about receiving and reaping the word is the life of Mary. When Angel Gabriel sent the word, she received it, and the Savior is born. Imagine what a willing heart and the word of God can produce? A simple Amen 2000 years ago changed the world. It set a time on history from BC to AD, Jesus saves. But one fact about saying and reaping the Amen is it always points toward God. MARY'S AMEN ISN'T ABOUT MARY ANYWAY. IT'S ABOUT GOD GIVING HIS SON AS A RANSOM FOR MANY. So the fullfilment of your personal word isn't about you, it's about God being glorified through your life. In fact, your situation is necessary so God can be God in your life, So He can prove that there's no other God like him. And today you'll have more reason to thank him because God won't let his name be trampled down. He will fullfil his promiise for the sake of his name. This is not selfishness, it just happen that you're one of the lives God chose to prove himself. Hallelujah!

God hurts!

If God is good then we should thank Him even in pain. "Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal us later." (Rom. 8:18)

So what are the types of God's discipline? here is what Deuteronomy 8 verse 2 says, "Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands"

to humble

to humble means you've been proud. for what's the purpose of a humbling experience if you're already down to earth? and yes, God is healer, protector, and shield but He would rather choose to hurt you than to see you die. He will inflict a severe damage in you up to the point that you're totally broken. He'll hurt you because your favorite sin has to be purged away. And we know that sin's penalty is eternal separation; God loved you so much he will never tolerate it. Once God tolerates your sin it is as if saying, "I am tired of you. I confronted you many times and in many ways but you don't respond. Now, suffer your own decision, I give up!" But that's not the story of the cross because when we don't care for God before, he cared for us most. So your pain is the best lesson you'll have because godly sorrow leads to repentance. And when God is chastening you, He is actually giving you a second chance.

to test

"to test you in order to know what was in your heart" you may be serving God so well but let's not forget his characteristic -jealous God. He is so critical about affection he would test you even if you're evidently faithful. let's take Job for example. He is a righteous man who offers atonement just in case his children cursed God or sinned unintentionally. He appeals to conscience than to mere law, not like the pharisee. God knew his heart and is so confident about Job's faith, he allowed satan to take away everything but not Job's life. At the middle of suffering the Messiah is revealed when Job pleaded that if there is only a mediator for man and God, which speaks of Jesus Christ. Let's take Jesus as example himself. Even before time began, when no one else is created, He said to the Father, ''Here I am, Take me." So before Isaiah wrote it, Christ already did it . He is the wisdom of God, the alpha and omega, and all scripture point to him. In reality He mourned and cried to God about sin, death on the cross, that he never commit. But in order know what was in Jesus heart, test is needed. "Saying, Father, if you be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done." Luke 22:42

Don't play politics on Church

One alas for politicians is their technical back-up. today, we see sons and daughters of former politician to enter or remain in politics. Their campaign is a plus factor when a traditional surname is heard. Poe, Estrada, Arroyo, Aquino, Villar, Magsayay, Enrille; and we're not listing the provincial names yet, are for example. They're trying to emphsize the good things that "Name" acquired. It could have been their father or uncle or spouse, but as long as that Name is recognized then it will be used. However behind politics, here we see two kinds of false service;

1.) those who help only to manipulate other's guilt
2.) those who  help in return for something.

Later we will talk about what  the bible say about this attitude and how it can be prevented, but for now let's go to our scripture

"But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? ⁸ Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. ⁹ And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham."

Matthew 3:7-9

"...who warned you to flee from the coming wrath"

John the Baptist, one day, confronted the teachers of the law about the person who made them realize they're not saved. It could be their conscience rebuking them or someone became vulnerable enough to accept truth and confroted them. By the way, the ministry of John son of Zechariah is the Baptism of Repentance. He cries out "make straight in the desert a highway for our God." It means good deeds isn't the assurance of salvation, but a changed heart connected to the Lord. Having learned of his preaching, the Pharisees and Sadducees then used Abraham as back-up. 

"...do not think you can say to yourselves, we have Abraham as our father"

Technically the blood of Abraham is in Pharisees and Sadducees for they are Jews. They cling to Abraham as being the friend of God. But to us who rely on the blood of Christ shed on the cross, salvation came through the realization of forgiveness greater than anything we can work for.

A brother earns 200,000 a month, for example. He tithes ten percent therefore giving 20,000 to church. He became so enthusiastic and bought new drumset, new bass, new guitar, new keyboards, and even a violin, windchimes, triangle, harp, and lyre. He confirmed his calling deep within and gave up work for good. He became the director of music ministry not only on the local church but on provincial and international conventions also, having a masteral on music and art. But somehing happened on the seventh year of his great walk with Lord. He met a young dancer, became attracted to her, and slept with her. The whole impression of the church is broken. From someone to be look up to, a leader whom every youth seek to follow, to a disgrace in faith because of sin.

This is where politics arise. What can the director do to cling to his position



1.) manipulate other's guilt

obviously the local church benefits from his talent and skill. it is a plus factor to attend orchestraic services, at least for the ears of newbies and the traditional. So he can brag about that valid fact.

2.) help in return for something.


helping the youths and promising minister to hone their potential is his boast as well


The former director brought up his ministry around the world, his on-fire services every sabbath, and the triangles. Now we realize that serving God is not about how much you sacrifice in and out your circle of influence. Rather it is the purity of heart from start to finish.

THE BIBLICAL WAY HOME

As Revelations 3 emphasize,

verses 1-3 "“To the angel^[a] of the church in Sardis write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits^[b] of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. ² Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. ³ Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief,and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Still repentance is the key to go back to JESUS. And the grace to make things right, break self righteousness, and be washed by the blood of Christ is still new every morning.

to end in conclusion, let's pray for our fallen brothers and sisters who were once on-fire, but find it difficult  to praise God today. Let the grace we need be of the same measure that''ll touch them home. In fact, let's pray to be the instrument broken enough to dig them through. Let the chance we enjoy today be the change they longed to see... in Jesus name Amen.

kung ikaw si satanas/ if you were satan

kung ikaw si satanas, gagawin mo ang lahat wag lang makatanggap ang tao ng salita ng Dios. dahil nakakapag isip naman ang tao pero hindi nila alam ang totoo, bakit hindi mo nalang papaniwalain sa kasinungalingan? bakit hindi mo dagdagan o bawasan? dahil si Hesus naman ang dapat nilang makilala, bakit hindi mo nalang tanggalin mismo si Hesus? likas naman talagang sasamba ang tao at meron ka naman lahat ng yaman sa mundo, pasambahin mo nalang sa pera. Ipamukha mo kailangan nila 'to, 'yan, 'nun, hanggang mamatay sila kakatrabaho. likas namang sasamba ang tao, at palakasan lang naman ang politika, pasambahin mo nalang sa pinsan, lolo, o kahit kapitbahay niya, WAG LANG SI HESUS! basta wag lang nilang malamang tapos na ang plano ng Dios at pwede nang maligtas sa paniniwala lang. Hayaan mo silang gawing 5-6 ang kasalanan, dadagdagan, babawasan. Hayaan mo silang mamatay kakasakripisyo - kahit pa magpapako sa krus - basta importante lang, babalik parin sa kasalanan. dahil ang kabayaran ng kasalanan ay kamatayan, mamatay na silang lahat! wag mong ipaintinding libre ang kaligtasan, hayaan mo silang pagtrabahuhan iyon. bigyan mo ng maraming batas at pagnaibigay na ang lahat, isumbat mo kulang pa! alam mong malapit ng dumating si Hesus, gawin mo na ang lahat para mapunta ang tao sa impyerno. konti nalang ang oras mo, kilos na!

seduction of media

He finished watching TV downstairs. It was a documentary series about animals and its attitude and habitat. The reason is valid. He will report on Science next week for the completion of clearance. He is a normal student, aiming to get the job done; of course, in return for some incentive. The day is ripe but he has some time to spare. The boy quickened for a rest only to find out that the 2 minute  break showing a liquor is in mind. Bodies flashed all around. Bikini babes are dancing on a pole while drinking the product, and a tag line called it off. There his wild enthusiasm starts to accumulate. He got up, turned the PC on, and started clicking its default browser. He goes to Youtube and searches the liquor brand. During its loading ques, a thumbnail caught his attention; "Naughty Nights".

Drowning in curiosity, he opened it and a prompt warning appeared; "Containing adult material... click yes if you are 18 and above". The 12 year old set his registered age to 22 because of social media pretension. Then a click happened. It is the click that consumed his 45 minutes and stole his innocence. Youtube contains pornography. The impression of informative and fruitful video sharing has been broken. Now, adult materials couldn't be blocked by anti-porn programs because even respected site contains one. What happened to men's wholesome purpose to provide update around the world? Does this purpose conceal evil behind? Worse yet, does it tolerate such prostitution once it is passed through?

Mental sex is still sex. And a heart that pursues sex will have sex anytime sooner. It will demand sex in any way and to any one. And sex beyond matrimonial boundaries is sin. Sin will wage death. If we keep bowing down to wrong things, nothing will happen. So let us be aware of the world and its wickedness. But being aware isn't the real thing. It is measured on how we respond to what we now. A kid won't hesitate drinking hot water unless he once burned. It is the realization of being hurt that taught him to be caution while drinking. And so it is with real life. Sin, unless it is realized to be harmful, will be ignored until nothing is left but a shattered resentful life.

DOTA; a demonic game

I was 3rd year High School back on 2006. My classmates are talking about it. Every after school day, at 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm they'll be racing down the nearest computer shop. 1 hour rent for two groups of excited teen is enough to enjoy a great show! There'll be hacking, slashing, healing, killing, and most of all, god-liking. If you're a player, you'd know what I mean. I'm trying to say the experience of that precious FIRST BLOOD! chant of a manly voice over when you kill a foe - probably your friend whose goal is to hunt you again, with much better weapons though. What I'm saying is the creeps and every left or right tower you PUSH (a slang term we use to indicate united attack) to gain money and experience so an item be created. With that precious item and a boost of gem or anything that'll add up to its attribute to slay in one shot. I'm trying to explain the sudden rush of emotion every time you click the SS and hear DOUBLE KILL, TRIPLE KILL... OWNING! That moment of honorable boasting plus bad mouthing if you know what I mean?

So how can such a good game that brings bonding and enjoyment for its player be such a claim? Is this post  just a claim from the rival company to destroy an image? Am I reading the right title - with no euphemism and other purposely destructive arguments? How can my favorite game be what you clam it is. Show me!

Here are the reason why:

1. it promotes killing
2. it steams you to be godlike
3. it summons false god

First Blood! #1

The game will start when you've chosen a character. Naming a few, there is a bone archer or a gigantic scorpion that can cause earthquake or an old sniper plus a one shot kill ability or a tiny rock that must not be taken for granted. The game will demand you to think of the strongest weapon. And if your a winning-type, it has to be done as soon as possible! You'll accept no defeat. A click forward will mean victory at all cost. But the only way to win is to kill.

Do you know what the bible says about murder? Is it about killing? Well then how about righteous killing, for  instance when the men of God kill their enemy? They technically killed someone which is congruent to murder. 

²¹ “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,^[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ²² But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister^[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’^[d] is answerable to the court.And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. Matthew 5:21-22 

It's not about the way someone is killed physically, it's about the heart that pursues killing. That is murder! And a lot of games especially Grand Theft Auto shapes this generation to kill, and we're fond of it. If these game be our past-time - a repetitive consciousness of WHAT I WANT, I GET, AND IF I DON'T GET IT, I KILL - how do you think a 48 hour player respond to the real world? Is it a manly consideration that life isn't a fairy tale? That means while living on this world, problems will come and has to be faced for a concrete solution. Or will a gamer respond with tantrums since he can't face reality? This game will only produce a murderer. 

god-like #2

How did lucifer fall? Isn't it because he wants to be like God? And since Jesus overcame the grave which means full restoration is available so sinful man can go back to God, satan is already judged in hell. But the end has not come yet so as long as he has time, he will capture man with deception to sin. So when man sins, he has done his job, another soul is candidate for hell. But can't we realize these things while hearing the voice-over chanting "god-like!" It is as if saying, "because you have slain this much you are god." And this is the truth about satan says John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." 

The thief, even if he is caught, will do everything to deny the truth. He will deny his reason. He will deny other members. He will even deny his name. And that's how satan denies defeat. He will say to man, who is caught in sin, that you can be like god. In fact, he will say that there is no God or that God is supposed to be blamed because of allowing painful situations. satan will do everything he can to snatch you to hell!

false gods #3

Since satan has already belittled the image of God in a players' mind, and since man's nature is created to worship God - to love, to adore, to look high into - why not create a diversionary tactic? satan is not a fool about the strengths and weaknesses of man. he knows that when man discovered his authority through the blood of Christ, he is defeated - yet again. That's why prevention is better than cure. Why allow man to break through in spirit and go back again to grace if he can just supply man with lots of "recreational activity" to keep him busy, at least up to his life time or till Christ comes. And yes, this tactic doesn't confine itself to online games alone. 

Imagine a 14 year old kid who's personality is close to anti-social because of a traumatic past or being bullied at school. He can't do anything right. He wants affection nobody is concerned is to give. But something happens every time a computer game is played. At that game, he becomes a hero. There he is strong, he is needed, he is adored by other players, and most of all, during his 1 hour rent he felt loved. It is far from the reality of his life. What a sweet escape! But this diversion is never meant to be the solution. And in the long run, when this kid becomes an adult and start a family of his own, the same attitude towards life will be repeated - a sweet escape. In fact, considering the severity of his past and the scheme of opportunistic evil, he might fall to drug addiction or worse to suicidal. And it all began from a pattern of escaping life.

Before  anything else, here is my conclusion. The time is near when good is treated as evil and evil is treated as good, "But the one who endures to the end will be saved" Matthew 24:13 The next thing I'll show you is the effect of restraining games from a player in real life.