As I set off to start another “toxic” DAY, (a doctor’s lingo) for a busy duty in the hospital, I whispered a prayer for an opportunity to MAGNIFY HIM. How can I make God big before others, when commercialism has made the act of celebrating more important than the Celebrant? How can I make Him known before others especially during this season when GIFTS have become more important than the GIVER of gifts?
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 )
God the Father gave the best gift, sending His Son into the world to be born, and later to die, for the sins of the world (that includes me!).
God the Son humbly submitting to His Father’s will, took off His royal garment (set aside His glory) and was “made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
He was born in a lowly manger, raised as a carpenter’s son: “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:3,4
On the cross years later, He fulfilled totally, the criteria for permanent and eternal salvation. “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities." (Isa 53:6 -11)
God so loved YOU and ME, that HE GAVE! I don’t have to go through any self-inflicted punishment nor am I required to do good works to be forgiven and saved. CHRIST did it all on the cross and all that I needed to do is to BELIEVE THAT HE DID IT ALL (for YOU and) for ME! "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom 5:8)
The best GIFT I have ever received in my life came one day, a few months prior to Christmas, when someone shared to me about the non-perishable gift of eternal life. I realized that I was a sinner bound for hell, “For the wages of sin is death…” and yet, someone intervened and died for me “… but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom 6:23)
Since then, I have come upon a peace beyond my understanding. Not a day goes by without me realizing more and more, that “without Him I am nothing” (John 15:5) and yet “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil 4:13)
This year, as I join other shoppers in the search for the “perfect gift,” the Lord reminded me that the best gift I can ever give, is the gift of Christ.
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10 & 11)
"One day when heaven was filled with His praises,
One day when sin was as black as could be,
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin,
Dwelt among men, my Example is He!
One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain,
One day they nailed Him to die on the tree;
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected:
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He!
One day they left Him alone in the garden,
One day He rested, from suffering free;
Angels came down over His tomb to keep vigil;
Hope of the hopeless, my Savior is He!
One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,
One day the stone rolled away from the door;
Then He arose, over death He had conquered;
Now is ascended, my Lord evermore!
One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,
One day the skies with His glories will shine;
Wonderful day, my beloved One bringing;
Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!
Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
Buried He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely forever;
One day He’s coming, O glorious day!" Wilbur Chapman
Monday, December 20, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
UNDER THE NARRA TREE
I still remember it well-- it was a glorious June morning. The whole country celebrated Independence Day while my husband Dan and I, after committing the day in prayer, spent our holiday in search of our “promised land.”
After scouting around the whole morning, we were getting ready to go home when our friend beckoned us towards a lot she was selling… and there it stood -- a poor almost lifeless tree, dried up from years of people burning trash beside its trunk. It stood forlorn - not quite, but almost in the middle front part of a vacant lot which the Lord was to give us.
Five months later, as the engineer began to “concretize” what the architect had on paper, the Narra tree seemed a burden and needed to be cut. Also, it was unsightly and very much in the way of the planned driveway. However, it’s a NARRA tree and therefore we had to have a permit to cut it. After days of deliberation (for I loved the way the tree seemed to “hang on for dear life”), I believe the tree won when we decided to modify the house plans and SPARE the Narra tree!!
Three to four months ensued… different batches of workers came and went… there were masons and carpenters then painters and tilers… weeds were pulled out and rocks were taken out as the foundation of the house was laid. It was on a sunny February morning the following year when we noticed that we had an entirely “new” tree before us-- left “alone” and freed from the daily dose of burning trash, our tree quietly developed until it grew taller than the two storey house, it’s branches like arms that reached out towards the sky… full of leaves – lovely, lively, GREEN leaves!
We have since then moved into our Faith House and nary has a day gone by when I don’t bask at the beauty the tree has added to our home. Every time I sit under the Narra tree, I cannot help but thank the Lord for the “singing” creatures it shelters, for the breeze that I feel after having rustled the tree, for the shade during the heat of the day and even for the shelter it affords in heavy rains.
I was once like that Narra tree – DRY and spiritually uncomely: Romans 3:10, 23 say “There is none righteous, no, not one…For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” I was a soul on the way to eternal fire!!
There is no place in heaven for a ghastly sinful creature as I, and on my own merit, I could not be spared. Ephesians 2:8, 9 declares “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.”
But what a blessed relief, although “… the wages of sin is death... the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Years ago, through a neighborhood Bible Club, I learned of that great gift: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) I called on Him, confessed my sins and claimed his gift of salvation. Romans 10:13 assures “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” God spared my soul and Jesus came into my heart!
“I waited patiently for the Lord;
and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
He brought me up also Out of an horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock,
And established my goings.
And he hath put a new song in my mouth,
Even praise unto our God:
Many shall see it, and fear,
And shall trust in the Lord.”
Psalm 40:1-3
I have since that time like our Narra tree, flourished under God’s tender care… stubborn- I fall BUT yielded- I grow. I am not as “green and fruitful” as I want to be at times, yet the Lord in His loving kindness honors my little efforts (I Samuel 2:30)
“The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me:
Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever:
Forsake not the works of thine own hands.”
Psalm 138:8
He is the Vine, I -- a mere branch, but as long as I abide in Him, I can through His strength bring forth fruit “for without Him, I can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
My dear FRIEND, I care for you deeply and God loves us more than any Narra tree! Christ addresses us today in Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
If you accept Christ into your heart today, you will be much better than our Narra tree. I know, for one day long ago - I DID! Won’t you accept His gift of salvation today?
“And he shall be like a tree
planted by the rivers of water,
That bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
His leaf also shall not wither;
And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
Psalm 1:3
Ipb083006
To have a personal relationship with Christ, I simply followed His word…I recognized that I was a sinner and confessed it to Him. I thanked God for sending His Son to die on the cross for my sins and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into my heart to be my Lord and Savior.
Since I got saved, the Lord has impressed upon me the importance of fellowshipping with other believers. Hebrews 10:23-25 instructs “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised; And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
I would like to invite you to come and worship with me sometime at
GOSPEL LIGHT BAPTIST CHURCH
23 Matahimik St.
Cor. V. Luna Extension near Kalayaan Ave.
Barangay Malaya, Diliman Quezon City
Church Services
Sunday School: 9AM
Sunday Morning Service: 10 AM
Evening Service: 6 PM
Wednesday Prayer Meeting: 7 PM
After scouting around the whole morning, we were getting ready to go home when our friend beckoned us towards a lot she was selling… and there it stood -- a poor almost lifeless tree, dried up from years of people burning trash beside its trunk. It stood forlorn - not quite, but almost in the middle front part of a vacant lot which the Lord was to give us.
Five months later, as the engineer began to “concretize” what the architect had on paper, the Narra tree seemed a burden and needed to be cut. Also, it was unsightly and very much in the way of the planned driveway. However, it’s a NARRA tree and therefore we had to have a permit to cut it. After days of deliberation (for I loved the way the tree seemed to “hang on for dear life”), I believe the tree won when we decided to modify the house plans and SPARE the Narra tree!!
Three to four months ensued… different batches of workers came and went… there were masons and carpenters then painters and tilers… weeds were pulled out and rocks were taken out as the foundation of the house was laid. It was on a sunny February morning the following year when we noticed that we had an entirely “new” tree before us-- left “alone” and freed from the daily dose of burning trash, our tree quietly developed until it grew taller than the two storey house, it’s branches like arms that reached out towards the sky… full of leaves – lovely, lively, GREEN leaves!
We have since then moved into our Faith House and nary has a day gone by when I don’t bask at the beauty the tree has added to our home. Every time I sit under the Narra tree, I cannot help but thank the Lord for the “singing” creatures it shelters, for the breeze that I feel after having rustled the tree, for the shade during the heat of the day and even for the shelter it affords in heavy rains.
I was once like that Narra tree – DRY and spiritually uncomely: Romans 3:10, 23 say “There is none righteous, no, not one…For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” I was a soul on the way to eternal fire!!
There is no place in heaven for a ghastly sinful creature as I, and on my own merit, I could not be spared. Ephesians 2:8, 9 declares “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.”
But what a blessed relief, although “… the wages of sin is death... the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Years ago, through a neighborhood Bible Club, I learned of that great gift: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) I called on Him, confessed my sins and claimed his gift of salvation. Romans 10:13 assures “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” God spared my soul and Jesus came into my heart!
“I waited patiently for the Lord;
and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
He brought me up also Out of an horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock,
And established my goings.
And he hath put a new song in my mouth,
Even praise unto our God:
Many shall see it, and fear,
And shall trust in the Lord.”
Psalm 40:1-3
I have since that time like our Narra tree, flourished under God’s tender care… stubborn- I fall BUT yielded- I grow. I am not as “green and fruitful” as I want to be at times, yet the Lord in His loving kindness honors my little efforts (I Samuel 2:30)
“The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me:
Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever:
Forsake not the works of thine own hands.”
Psalm 138:8
He is the Vine, I -- a mere branch, but as long as I abide in Him, I can through His strength bring forth fruit “for without Him, I can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
My dear FRIEND, I care for you deeply and God loves us more than any Narra tree! Christ addresses us today in Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
If you accept Christ into your heart today, you will be much better than our Narra tree. I know, for one day long ago - I DID! Won’t you accept His gift of salvation today?
“And he shall be like a tree
planted by the rivers of water,
That bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
His leaf also shall not wither;
And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
Psalm 1:3
Ipb083006
To have a personal relationship with Christ, I simply followed His word…I recognized that I was a sinner and confessed it to Him. I thanked God for sending His Son to die on the cross for my sins and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into my heart to be my Lord and Savior.
Since I got saved, the Lord has impressed upon me the importance of fellowshipping with other believers. Hebrews 10:23-25 instructs “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised; And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
I would like to invite you to come and worship with me sometime at
GOSPEL LIGHT BAPTIST CHURCH
23 Matahimik St.
Cor. V. Luna Extension near Kalayaan Ave.
Barangay Malaya, Diliman Quezon City
Church Services
Sunday School: 9AM
Sunday Morning Service: 10 AM
Evening Service: 6 PM
Wednesday Prayer Meeting: 7 PM
SA ILALIM NG PUNO NG NARRA
Natatandaan ko noon…isang maluwalhating umaga ng Hunyo ang bansa’y nagdiriwang ng araw ng kasarinlan. Matapos naming ilaan sa panalangin ang buong maghapon, nagsimula na kami ni Dan na hanapin ang aming “lupang pangako”.
Pauwi na sana kami matapos maglibot ng umagang iyon nang maisipan ng aming kaibigang ahente na ituro sa amin ang isa pang loteng kanyang iniaalok…
At hayun siya, isang puno na halos walang buhay, tuyot at sinalanta ng maraming taon ng pagiging tapunan at sunugan ng basura. Isang ulilang punong nakatindig sa harap ng bakanteng lote na siya palang aming magiging “lupang pangako”.
Ngunit nang sisimulan na ng inhinyero na isakatuparan ang magandang plano ng arkitekto, napag-alaman nilang ang punong narra bukod sa hindi kalugud-lugod pagmasdan nang mga panahong yaon ay nagiging sagabal pa sa nakaplanong driveway. Gayunman, ipinagbabawal ang pagputol ng mga punong kahoy lalo pa kung narra at walang pahintulot sa kinauukulan.
Hindi naging matahimik ang mga gabing nagdaan para sa amin ni Dan, naroon ang aming matinding kasabikan na simulan na ang aming bahay upang hindi abutan ng tag-ulan ang mga nakahandang materyales. Naroon ding nakatindig sa aming isip ang larawan ng kawawang punong yaon na para bang nagpipilit mangunyapit sa kakarampot na puwang ng lupa at nagsusumamong igalang ang kanyang karapatang mabuhay.
Sa wakas, nakuha niyang baguhin ang buong plano ng aming bahay upang mabigyang katuparan ang marahil ay mas malawak na hangarin ng Lumikha.
Ilang buwan matapos ang umaatikabong gawaan, ang bahay namin ay naitayo, napintahan at nalinis ang buong bakuran. At isang araw ng Pebrero ng sumunod na taon napansin namin ang kakaibang anyo ng punong narra sa gilid ng aming driveway. Mabulas na lumagpas pa ang taas sa aming bubungan. Makulay na ngayon ang mga dahon sa mga malalabay na sangang parang nagpipilit abutin ang pisngi ng langit.
Nakalipat na kami ni Dan sa aming bagong tahanan at bihirang araw ang hindi ko ipinagpapasalamat sa Maykapal dahil sa aming tahanan, na nagmula sa kaniya, at sa puno ng narra; lalo na sa mahinhing lagaslas ng kanyang mga dahon na iniuugoy ng hangin; sa mga awit baga o huni kaya ng mga nagkakatuwaang kulisap na sa kanya’y naninirahan; o sa malamig na lilim na inilulukob niya sa amin o inihahandog niya sa sinumang nakikisilong dahil sa init ng araw o sa malamig na patak ng ulan.
Minsan ako’y isang punong narra rin na uhaw sa kaluwalhatiang espiritwal: Mga Taga Roma 3:10, 23 “Walang matuwid, wala,,,wala kahit isa. Sapagka’t walang pagkakaiba: sapagka’t ang lahat ay nangagkasala, at hindi nangakaabot sa kaluwalhatian ng Diyos.” Ako’y isang kaluluwang natuyo sa walang katapusang apoy.
Ang maksalanang katulad ko’y walang puwang sa langit at hindi ako maliligtas kung sa sariling kakayahan ko lang. Mga taga Epeso 2:8, 9 “Sapagka’t sa biyaya kayo’y nangaligtas sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya; at ito’y hindi sa inyong sarili, ito’y kaloob ng Dios; Hindi sa pamamagitan ng mga gawa, upang ang sinoman ay huwag magmapuri”
Ngunit gayunma’y napakabanal na biyaya “…sapagkat ang kabayaran ng kasalanan ay kamatayan; datapuwa’t ang kaloob na walang bayad ng Dios ay buhay na walang hanggan kay Cristo Jesus na Panginoon natin.” (Taga Roma 6:23)
Mga ilang taon na sa pamamagitan ng isang Bible Club ay napag-alaman ko ang gayong dakilang handog: “Sapagkat gayon na lamang ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa sanlibutan na ibinigay niya ang kanyang tanging Anak, upang ang sinumang sa kanya’y sumampalataya ay huwag mapahamak kundi magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan.” (Juan 3:16)Tinawagan ko Siya, ikinumpisal ko ang aking mga pagkakasala at inangkin ko ang aking kaligtasan…”Sapagkat ang lahat ng nagsitawag sa pangalan ng Panginoon ay mangaliligtas.” (Taga Roma 10:13) Iniligtas ng Dios ang aking kaluluwa at nasok si Hesus sa aking puso!
“Aking hinintay na may pagtitiis ang Panginoon; At siya’y kumiling sa akin, at dininig ang aking daing.
Isinampa naman niya ako mula sa isang kakilakilabot na balon, mula sa balahong malagkit; at itinuntong niya ang aking mga paa sa isang malaking bato, at itinatag ang aking mga paglakad.
At siya’y naglagay ng bagong awit sa aking bibig, samakatuwid bagay pagpuri sa aming Dios:
Marami ang mangakakakita at mangatatakot, at magsisitiwala sa Panginoon”
Mga Awit 40:1- 3
Mula noon, nanagana ako tulad ng aming punong narra, sa pangangalaga ng Panginoon…Hindi ako naging masagana sa lahat ng pagkakataon ngunit pinahahalagahan ng Dios ang maliliit kong ipinamalas (I Samuel 2:30)
“Pasasakdalin ng Panginoon ang tungkol sa akin; Ang iyong kagandahang-loob, Oh Panginoon, ay magpakailan man; Huwag mong pababayaan ang ang mga gawa ng iyong sariling kamay.”
Mga Awit 138:8
Siya ang puno ng ubas ako ay sanga lamang ngunit hanggang ako’y nananatili sa kanya, sa pamamagitan ng kaniyang lakas, ako’y nagbubunga ng marami “pagkat kung ako’y hiwalay sa Kanya, wala akong magagawa.” (John 15:5)
Mga mahal kong Kaibigan, mataos akong nagmamalasakit sa inyo at mahal tayo ng Dios nang higit sa isang punong narra. Nagpapahayag ang Dios ngayon sa atin sa Apocalipsis 3:20 “Narito ako’y nakatayo sa pintuan at tumutuktok: kung ang sinoman ay duminig ng aking tinig at magbukas ng pinto, ako’y papasok sa kaniya, at hahapong kasalo niya, ay siya’y kasalo ko.”
Kung tinatanggap mo si Kristo sa iyong puso ngayon, magiging mabuti ka pa kay sa aming punong narra, malaon ko nang natuklasan yon at ginawa. Tatanggapin mo ba kaya ang alok ng kaligtasan ngayon?
“At siya’y magiging parang punong kahoy na itinanim sa siping ng mga agos ng tubig. Na nagbubunga sa kaniyang kapanahunan, Ang kaniyang dahon nama’y hindi malalanta; At anomang kaniyang gawin ay giginhawa,”
Mga Awit 1:3
Upang magkaroon ng personal na relasyon kay Kristo, sinunod ko lamang ang kaniyang sinabi…Kinilala ko ang ikinumpisal ko sa kanya na ako ay isang makasalanan. Pinasalamatan ko ang Dios sa ibinigay niyang anak na namatay sa krus dahil sa aking mga kasalanan at tinanggap ko Siya sa aking puso bilang aking Panginoon at tagapagligtas.
Simula ng ako’y maligtas, ikinital sa akin ng Panginoon ang kahalagahan ng pakikisalamuha sa aking mga kapwa sumasampalataya.
Ang Hebreo 10:23 ay naguudyok sa atin na:
“Na ating ingatang matibay ang pagkakilala ng ating pagasa upang huwag mag-aalinlangan: sapagka’t tapat ang nangako: At tayo’y mangagtinginan upang tayo’y manga-udyok sa pag-iibigan at mabubuting gawa: Na huwag nating pababayaan ang ating pagkakatipon, na gaya ng ugali ng iba, kundi mangngangaralan sa isa’t isa; at lalo na kung inyong namamalas na nalalapit na ang araw.”
Nais kitang anyayahan na minsa’y dumalo at makisamba sa
GOSPEL LIGHT BAPTIST CHURCH
23 Matahimik St.
Cor. V. Luna Extension near Kalayaan Ave.
Barangay Malaya, Diliman Quezon City
Church Services
Sunday Morning Service: 10 AM
Evening Service: 6 PM
Wednesday Prayer Meeting: 7PM
Pauwi na sana kami matapos maglibot ng umagang iyon nang maisipan ng aming kaibigang ahente na ituro sa amin ang isa pang loteng kanyang iniaalok…
At hayun siya, isang puno na halos walang buhay, tuyot at sinalanta ng maraming taon ng pagiging tapunan at sunugan ng basura. Isang ulilang punong nakatindig sa harap ng bakanteng lote na siya palang aming magiging “lupang pangako”.
Ngunit nang sisimulan na ng inhinyero na isakatuparan ang magandang plano ng arkitekto, napag-alaman nilang ang punong narra bukod sa hindi kalugud-lugod pagmasdan nang mga panahong yaon ay nagiging sagabal pa sa nakaplanong driveway. Gayunman, ipinagbabawal ang pagputol ng mga punong kahoy lalo pa kung narra at walang pahintulot sa kinauukulan.
Hindi naging matahimik ang mga gabing nagdaan para sa amin ni Dan, naroon ang aming matinding kasabikan na simulan na ang aming bahay upang hindi abutan ng tag-ulan ang mga nakahandang materyales. Naroon ding nakatindig sa aming isip ang larawan ng kawawang punong yaon na para bang nagpipilit mangunyapit sa kakarampot na puwang ng lupa at nagsusumamong igalang ang kanyang karapatang mabuhay.
Sa wakas, nakuha niyang baguhin ang buong plano ng aming bahay upang mabigyang katuparan ang marahil ay mas malawak na hangarin ng Lumikha.
Ilang buwan matapos ang umaatikabong gawaan, ang bahay namin ay naitayo, napintahan at nalinis ang buong bakuran. At isang araw ng Pebrero ng sumunod na taon napansin namin ang kakaibang anyo ng punong narra sa gilid ng aming driveway. Mabulas na lumagpas pa ang taas sa aming bubungan. Makulay na ngayon ang mga dahon sa mga malalabay na sangang parang nagpipilit abutin ang pisngi ng langit.
Nakalipat na kami ni Dan sa aming bagong tahanan at bihirang araw ang hindi ko ipinagpapasalamat sa Maykapal dahil sa aming tahanan, na nagmula sa kaniya, at sa puno ng narra; lalo na sa mahinhing lagaslas ng kanyang mga dahon na iniuugoy ng hangin; sa mga awit baga o huni kaya ng mga nagkakatuwaang kulisap na sa kanya’y naninirahan; o sa malamig na lilim na inilulukob niya sa amin o inihahandog niya sa sinumang nakikisilong dahil sa init ng araw o sa malamig na patak ng ulan.
Minsan ako’y isang punong narra rin na uhaw sa kaluwalhatiang espiritwal: Mga Taga Roma 3:10, 23 “Walang matuwid, wala,,,wala kahit isa. Sapagka’t walang pagkakaiba: sapagka’t ang lahat ay nangagkasala, at hindi nangakaabot sa kaluwalhatian ng Diyos.” Ako’y isang kaluluwang natuyo sa walang katapusang apoy.
Ang maksalanang katulad ko’y walang puwang sa langit at hindi ako maliligtas kung sa sariling kakayahan ko lang. Mga taga Epeso 2:8, 9 “Sapagka’t sa biyaya kayo’y nangaligtas sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya; at ito’y hindi sa inyong sarili, ito’y kaloob ng Dios; Hindi sa pamamagitan ng mga gawa, upang ang sinoman ay huwag magmapuri”
Ngunit gayunma’y napakabanal na biyaya “…sapagkat ang kabayaran ng kasalanan ay kamatayan; datapuwa’t ang kaloob na walang bayad ng Dios ay buhay na walang hanggan kay Cristo Jesus na Panginoon natin.” (Taga Roma 6:23)
Mga ilang taon na sa pamamagitan ng isang Bible Club ay napag-alaman ko ang gayong dakilang handog: “Sapagkat gayon na lamang ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa sanlibutan na ibinigay niya ang kanyang tanging Anak, upang ang sinumang sa kanya’y sumampalataya ay huwag mapahamak kundi magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan.” (Juan 3:16)Tinawagan ko Siya, ikinumpisal ko ang aking mga pagkakasala at inangkin ko ang aking kaligtasan…”Sapagkat ang lahat ng nagsitawag sa pangalan ng Panginoon ay mangaliligtas.” (Taga Roma 10:13) Iniligtas ng Dios ang aking kaluluwa at nasok si Hesus sa aking puso!
“Aking hinintay na may pagtitiis ang Panginoon; At siya’y kumiling sa akin, at dininig ang aking daing.
Isinampa naman niya ako mula sa isang kakilakilabot na balon, mula sa balahong malagkit; at itinuntong niya ang aking mga paa sa isang malaking bato, at itinatag ang aking mga paglakad.
At siya’y naglagay ng bagong awit sa aking bibig, samakatuwid bagay pagpuri sa aming Dios:
Marami ang mangakakakita at mangatatakot, at magsisitiwala sa Panginoon”
Mga Awit 40:1- 3
Mula noon, nanagana ako tulad ng aming punong narra, sa pangangalaga ng Panginoon…Hindi ako naging masagana sa lahat ng pagkakataon ngunit pinahahalagahan ng Dios ang maliliit kong ipinamalas (I Samuel 2:30)
“Pasasakdalin ng Panginoon ang tungkol sa akin; Ang iyong kagandahang-loob, Oh Panginoon, ay magpakailan man; Huwag mong pababayaan ang ang mga gawa ng iyong sariling kamay.”
Mga Awit 138:8
Siya ang puno ng ubas ako ay sanga lamang ngunit hanggang ako’y nananatili sa kanya, sa pamamagitan ng kaniyang lakas, ako’y nagbubunga ng marami “pagkat kung ako’y hiwalay sa Kanya, wala akong magagawa.” (John 15:5)
Mga mahal kong Kaibigan, mataos akong nagmamalasakit sa inyo at mahal tayo ng Dios nang higit sa isang punong narra. Nagpapahayag ang Dios ngayon sa atin sa Apocalipsis 3:20 “Narito ako’y nakatayo sa pintuan at tumutuktok: kung ang sinoman ay duminig ng aking tinig at magbukas ng pinto, ako’y papasok sa kaniya, at hahapong kasalo niya, ay siya’y kasalo ko.”
Kung tinatanggap mo si Kristo sa iyong puso ngayon, magiging mabuti ka pa kay sa aming punong narra, malaon ko nang natuklasan yon at ginawa. Tatanggapin mo ba kaya ang alok ng kaligtasan ngayon?
“At siya’y magiging parang punong kahoy na itinanim sa siping ng mga agos ng tubig. Na nagbubunga sa kaniyang kapanahunan, Ang kaniyang dahon nama’y hindi malalanta; At anomang kaniyang gawin ay giginhawa,”
Mga Awit 1:3
Upang magkaroon ng personal na relasyon kay Kristo, sinunod ko lamang ang kaniyang sinabi…Kinilala ko ang ikinumpisal ko sa kanya na ako ay isang makasalanan. Pinasalamatan ko ang Dios sa ibinigay niyang anak na namatay sa krus dahil sa aking mga kasalanan at tinanggap ko Siya sa aking puso bilang aking Panginoon at tagapagligtas.
Simula ng ako’y maligtas, ikinital sa akin ng Panginoon ang kahalagahan ng pakikisalamuha sa aking mga kapwa sumasampalataya.
Ang Hebreo 10:23 ay naguudyok sa atin na:
“Na ating ingatang matibay ang pagkakilala ng ating pagasa upang huwag mag-aalinlangan: sapagka’t tapat ang nangako: At tayo’y mangagtinginan upang tayo’y manga-udyok sa pag-iibigan at mabubuting gawa: Na huwag nating pababayaan ang ating pagkakatipon, na gaya ng ugali ng iba, kundi mangngangaralan sa isa’t isa; at lalo na kung inyong namamalas na nalalapit na ang araw.”
Nais kitang anyayahan na minsa’y dumalo at makisamba sa
GOSPEL LIGHT BAPTIST CHURCH
23 Matahimik St.
Cor. V. Luna Extension near Kalayaan Ave.
Barangay Malaya, Diliman Quezon City
Church Services
Sunday Morning Service: 10 AM
Evening Service: 6 PM
Wednesday Prayer Meeting: 7PM
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
ABIDING, THE KEY TO JOYOUS LIVING
CHRIST, THE SOURCE OF TRUE JOY
I woke up one morning at 3AM from a fitful sleep triggered by thoughts of a lady I had been dealing with the night before--I will refer to her as Martha. I woke up frustrated because of my inability to help her for she has had the same recurring problem on and off for many years. Having been busy with work the last couple of days didn't help, and I thought I was particularly impatient with her as she once more recounted her bitter tales and woes. I woke up thinking of her, praying that she would have victory over her hurts and bitterness because unless she does, she'll never have the fullness of joy that God promised to her as a believer.
"That your joy might be full" Christ's words rang in my ears as I continued to ponder. When I thought of how her joy had been even less than half full the past twenty years almost—I thought of how sad it is, and I prayed in my heart "Lord, how can I help her find joy?"
TRUE JOY TO THOSE WHO ABIDE
Joy In The Midst Of Trials
Where does a person's joy reside? I remember speaking on the topic of A HEALTHY HAPPY HEART in 2006 to a group of ladies from several churches during which we went through some biblically based principles by which we can go by. A few months after that, the Lord allowed a series of physical, emotional and spiritual trials to happen to me that put my gleanings to test. I survived that tough, unhappy and dark period of my life realizing that in the end, it made me understand and appreciate the principles I taught more fully -- that true joy comes when testing is endured in Christ. Ps. 119:92 says "Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction."
One can speak of the various steps that God gives and encourages us with to have a cheerful healthy heart in the Lord, but never really know what it means until our joy is tried—like mine had been, and this lady now. When my father got seriously ill back then, when trouble came, when I myself got sick and disheartened physically, spiritually… how did I "get my joy back"? The Lord nudged me, at three in the morning, to remind me that the joy has always been there! I realized as well that joy was never made full until I came to terms with it, that the beginning and end of it IS CHRIST. "The joy of the Lord is your strength"… because Christ lives in my heart, I have no excuse for not being joyful!
Why did Martha never have the victory over her self-pity and wounded heart? It's because she's never known and really relied on Christ enough. We cannot love the unloving…we cannot do good to those who have hurt us… we cannot give bread, turn the other cheek, nor go the second mile with someone who has been unkind, unloving, abusive and hurtful to us—on our own strength alone. Rom 5:6 says "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly but (Php 4:13) "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." John 15:5 says "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." If I abide, stay, continue, and remain— IN CHRIST, I will bear fruit. I suppose that includes the fruit of the Spirit.
TRUE JOY IS FOUND IN BEING DEPENDENT UPON CHRIST
John 15:6 says " If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered."
I remember asking a friend of mine to transplant a small palm tree from a corner of our garden to a big clay pot on our porch. I was saddened by what I saw three days later, my beautiful palm tree had shriveled, dried up, and later died. I made a mistake by removing it from its rich fertile home to a less favorable ground. If we are not careful, we will end up like that palm tree and like this lady who was overtaken by hurts and wounded feelings, winding up later with a shriveled and dried up spirit that has slowly pined away in bitterness. No Christian can ever bear fruit--have joy, love the unlovable and those that act unloving, if they do not abide in Him. Through the years, I have observed once cheerful spirited Christians get overwhelmed by bitterness so much that they slowly wither in spirit and their physique, sadly deteriorates with it. Proverbs 23:7 says "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:" As a person dwells on the fact that she is unappreciated and unloved—the more she becomes unappreciative, unloving and difficult to love. ABIDING AND HAVING JOY CANNOT STAND APART FROM THE OTHER. This ought to serve as a warning because we can fall into the same PIT and ROT in the same RUT.
JOY THROUGH PRAYER
John 15:7 says " If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
This verse is not some magic phrase that you say out loud and poof, you get your wish. It is, however, a step by step process that outlines for believers the key to answered prayer, and that is "ASK ACCORDING TO HIS WILL". No, I did not misread the verse; however, if we read it carefully we begin to understand that the more we abide in Christ and allow His Words to abide in us, the more we find ourselves asking according to what we know (have read in His Word) will be acceptable to Him and thus the greater possibility of an answer to prayer.
Martha, whom I have counseled with, claims she's prayed, she's tried, and done all she can to do what is right and to be loving. She however admits reaching her limit when it comes to turning the other cheek. She finds it harder and harder to continue to do good to her "unappreciative" family, to go the second mile (suffering inwardly), and giving bread (many times her own food literally to them), and yet has not had success or victory. THAT IS THE PROBLEM—WE CANNOT DO IT ON OUR OWN—it is not natural for the flesh to do good or what is right or loving. Romans 7:18 says "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not." Then again, I CAN DO ALL: keep on being patient, loving and forgiving, THROUGH CHRIST'S STRENGTH ALONE! WHEN WE FAIL IT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT BEEN VIGILANT IN FOLLOWING THE FORMULA—that of relying on God and not on self. John 15:7 says" If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." There is no quick way to a JOYFUL LIFE, to a forgiving heart, to victory over bitterness. We do not wake up one day and say "I'm bitter free"… "I've a joyful heart." There is no sure way to have victory but God's way.
JOY, THE FRUIT OF LOVING
I came home that night angry at myself, feeling helpless with Martha, and exhausted from hearing the same complaint and heartache, over and over and over again. I woke up that morning from a punctured sleep thinking "when will it be over?" and feeling at a loss on how to help her. I sat an hour later being thankful because the Lord reminded me of the way by which I can "handle" this Martha and how she can "handle" her problems. How? The answer is "I cannot and she cannot—on our own."
John 15:4 says "Abide in me, and I in you (stay, remain, continue in Him) as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." Why do we go around the world, go about our work, heavy laden from carrying the weight of our hurts and sorrows when God has said in Mat 11:28, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." We come, but we do not take His word and do what it says. We LEAN, but we do not LEARN that it is only in losing our lives that we find it, in giving up of our pride that we find joy that will remain. TRUE REST is elusive to anyone who goes about doing things on their own strength, to one who refuses to come to Christ and live his life in His (Christ's) terms and not theirs. Though they claim to be doing things through Christ, they DENY Him in their very actions, in their lack of forgiveness and love. "FOR WITHOUT ME YE CAN DO NOTHING," Without Christ, if I am not abiding in Him and allowing His Words to abide in me day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute (if needed), actively going back to scripture, meditating therein day and night, finding verses to help one's heart attitude to rebuke one's unruly spirit, again and again—then Martha, nor I or anybody else will ever find healing for their wounded hearts and consequently never experience true joy that has been promised to one who remains in Christ.
Hebrews 4:16 says "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." He who DOES NOT ABIDE in CHRIST CANNOT LOVE, forgive, go the second mile with anyone effectively. If Martha does not abide in Christ, allow His words to abide in her, then she will not bear the fruit of a loving heart. I know by experience that it is no easy formula for it runs contrary to the flesh, yet it is tested, sure, and the outcome guaranteed.
Abiding, the Key to Loving
Abiding enables us to continue in love. John 15:7, 9 says "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love." Continue, not in our finite, "self-ish" love, but in His. CONTINUE is the same word as abide. Abide, endure, and remain in Him, in His love. This is where we fail--we fail to CONTINUE IN LOVE.
What is TRUE LOVE? 1 Corinthians 13 aptly describes it as follows:
Suffereth long
Is kind
Envieth not
Vaunteth not itself
Is not puffed up
Doth not behave itself unseemly
Seeketh not her own
Is not easily provoked
Thinketh no evil
Rejoiceth not in iniquity (of other's or one's own)
Rejoiceth in the truth
Beareth all things
Believeth all things
Endureth all things
Never faileth
Continuing In His Love that our JOY may be FULL
John 15:10 says "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love." It will be difficult to abide in His love if we're not keeping His commandments. And we cannot do it on our own but only through Christ which strengtheneth us. Some literally HIDE His Words in their hearts though and keep it so well HIDDEN that it's never translated in actions.
The answer to my inability in helping Martha, and Martha's own helplessness is not simple but can be found and made easier through full surrender to Him who has spoken these words: John 15:12 says "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." It requires full obedience to His terms and not our own; in this case, loving with God's love and not with our finite, conditional love.
I need to continue to be patient and loving towards Martha, pointing her to Christ instead of pointing out her sin. Luke 6:41,42 says "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye."
Like all of us, Martha needs to abide more and more (remain continually) in Christ each day and (Joshua 1:8) not allow the "law to depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein" Then and only then will I and anybody else, have success "for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." This includes continuing in love and forgiveness, though (2Co 12:15) "the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved."
ABIDING JOY
Abiding, the Key to Restoring Your Joy
Are you an "Under-Joyed" Saint? John 15:11 says "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." Many a modern day saint goes about their life not having even half the joy that God has promised to them because their hearts are not even half full with His Words; often it is too full of one's hang-ups, leaving not much room for His Word. John 16:22 says "And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." Martha is literally in sorrow, not because she lost Christ, but because she has not kept guard and has therefore allowed Satan, through these people, to "take her joy away from her."
We all, like her, need to live each day as Hebrews 12 says "LOOKING UNTO JESUS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH." Jesus who, "for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God… Wherefore (because many are observing our lives) … let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."
Abiding In His Love, the Key to Abiding Joy
… In Him Abiding
Hebrews 12 vs.3 says to "consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." Are you fainting from your trials and temptations, sorrows and discouragements? It ought not to be so. Vs. 4 says "Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin… despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him… for whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth"
In vs. 11 we find, "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward (if YE YIELD to CHRIST, ABIDE in HIM) it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." If we yield unto His trials, enduring the difficulties in His strength, then we will eventually have success and bear the fruit of AGAPE love that enables us to forbear and to overcome bitterness.
… In Him Life Lasting Joy
Vs. 12 says " Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees." Am I, Martha, or are you allowing someone to take your joy from you? We will see Him again, and we shall rejoice, and no man will take our joy. We see Him now through His word. Are we abiding in Him? Are His words abiding in us ("Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee")? Are these words being translated into actions, righteous acts towards others?
Has someone or something taken your joy from you? Come to Christ that your joy may be made full! Psalm 16:11 says "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."
/ipb062709
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