The Fruit of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22)

“Fruit of the Spirit” is a biblical term that sums up the nine visible attributes of a true Christian life. Using the King James Version of Galatians 5:22-23, these attributes are: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. We learn from scripture that these are not individual “fruits” from which we pick and choose. Rather, the fruit of the Spirit is one ninefold “fruit” that characterizes all who truly walk in the Holy Spirit. Collectively, these are the fruits that all Christians should be producing in their new lives with Jesus Christ. Source: allaboutgod.com

Kahapon lumipat muna ako ng place ng pinagbibigyan ko ng gospel tracts, the Holy Spirit leads me sa place na “uncomfortable” ako kasi alam ko na mataas ang tendency na makita ako ng mga kasamahan ko sa trabaho. I thank God I allowed the Holy Spirit to work over my will. Such a blessing nakita ko nga sila at nabigyan ko naman.

Darating din pala yun time yun mga bagay nahihirapan tayong gawin for the cause of the gospel of Christ ay magiging madali na. Kailangan lang  talaga ay faith sa Kanyang salita at prayers. A used to be a burden para sa atin ay magiging comfort kung gagawin natin ang gusto ng Holy Spirit, at ang used to be a comfort ay magiging burden kung i-grived natin ang Holy Spirit by disobeying His word.

Lahat tayo yan ang aim ang magkaroon ng love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance sa time na kailangang kailangan natin. Ok I’ll think with you, kasi gusto mo walang tulong ng Holy Spirit and kailangan mo ng peace. Then studied all books regarding peace, do think kaya mong i-apply yun peace kung wala kang temperace, love, etc. Though hindi mo nakikita ang importance ng ibang kasama sa fruit, ang mga yun ay malaking factor para ma excute ng maayos ang isa fruit na nag manifest sayo. Kaya ganyan ang fruit of the Spirit kasi hindi mo pwedeng tanggalin ang isa kanila though pwede sila mag stand alone. Still unsatisfied ka kung magkulang ng isa ang fruit of the Spirit kasi gusto ng Panginoon na ma-experience mo ang fullness to be with Christ. Kung mapapansin nyo ang wala sa fruit of the Spirit ay wisdom kasi hindi mo kailangan maging matalino to walk in the Spirit. But wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding (Proverbs 4:7) so kailangan natin ang wisdom to know fully the importance of walking in the Spirit and experience the fruit of it.

If We Confess Our Sins

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Na bless ako sa bible study namin kanina kasi pinag preach ni Bro. Anton yun isa namin kasama. I believed he is babe in Christ. Nag preached sya regarding sa sins na commit nya. I thank God kasi aware sya sa sins na commit nya at hinihingi nya ito kaagad ng tawad. Best of all naaalala nya yun ginawa ng Panginoong Hesus sa krus ng Calvary. He shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins. Maraming times talaga na hindi tayo aware sa mga “pet sins” na ginagawa natin kaya dumadating sa point na callus na yun heart natin at wala na tayong concern kung na please pa ba ang ating Savior.

Nagkaroon din ng discussion after ng bible study regarding sa problem ng isang woman na saved na pero may problem pagdating sa “live-in relationship”. Sinabi ni Bro. Anton ang sinasabi ng Bible about that, na hindi will ng Panginoon ang ganoon. I thank God andun yun willingness ng woman na maikasal nga sila. Sa nakakabasa po nito pakisama na lang sa prayers nyo. Maraming burden pagdating sa part ng saved woman kasi willing naman syang hiwalayan kaso andun yun mga question na paano nya susuportahan yun anak nila at nararamdaman nya na buntis pa siya. Nalulungkot ako sa nangyayari, yun nay un consequence ng sin natin whether we are saved or lost. I thank God sa advice ni Bro Anton na kung nasa will of God ka naman, God will provide.

Like yun verse ko ngayon na ginamit din ng speaker kanina, na IF WE, kailangan meron munang iniative on our part bago magakaroon ng forgiveness and cleansing of our sins and unrighteousness. Sabi ng Hebrews 12:1 the sin doth easily beset us, so hindi na bago yun sin na commit natin, it is the same sin that besetting us and Jesus Christ died for. Thank God, He is faithful kasi kung sa second or third time that we confess that same sin I think He will get annoyed. But He is faithful! Again maraming times gusto natin i-cover, gumawa ng excuse or make fun sa ating mga kasalan instead na i-confess to our faithful Savior Jesus Christ. Hindi ko alam kung gaano kalaki ang sin na tinatago mo but sabi ng verse He is just to forgive us. But hindi natin pwedeng tanggalin ang consequence ng mga ito at yan ang justice. Kagaya ng sinasabi ng Numbers 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

Obedience

Magkakaron ng “Authorized Blowout” sa church namin this Monday and Bro. Anton told me to prepare a message, plan daw nila na pag preach ako. Matagal ko na nagawa ito and added some supporting verses, I hope maging blessing sa makikinig at ma exalt ang ating Lord Jesus Christ.

Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. (Deuteronomy 11:26-28)

Sa verse na yan makikita natin talaga yun kahalagahan ng obedience dahil sa blessing and curse. Alam ko walang naghahangad ng curse but why are we finding hard to obey God? Do you believe that God will bless us if we obey what He is telling us in His word? Then why are we finding hard to obey Him? Do you find His commandments complicated? Then why are we finding hard to obey Him?

Why do we need to be obedient? As being member of the body of Christ, kailangan natin maging obedient kasi may nagiinatay na members ng body para makapag function ng maayos. Consider your own body, isa lang ang mag malfunction ay affected lahat. So being obedient is not only what we gain for but what you can contribute.

Para mas maintindihan natin ang importance ng obedience, let’s get some of the commandments from Colossians.

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. (Colossians 3:18)

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. (Colossians 3:19)

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. (Colossians 3:20)

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. (Colossians 3:21)

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. (Colossians 3:22-25)

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. (Colossians 4:1)

Every individual has certain commandment from God for us to be blessed and to be a blessing. Those commandments are specific, but many Christians didn’t enjoy the blessings prepared for them because they are “pakialamero”. Mas gusto pa nilang tignan yun duties ng iba kaysa bigyan ng effort yun binigay sa kanila. Sometimes tinitignan lang natin yun obligation na simple lang but kung iisipin natin ito na sobrang laki, I think wala na tayong time pa para sa ibang bagay na makakahinder sa pag finish ng obligation natin.

Meron 3 points ang Philippians 2 kung bakit maraming times na fall short tayo sa commandments ng Panginoon.

1. Our model of being obedient is not Jesus.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, (a.) thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (Our problem and will always be our problem is how we think we are. Sa isip pa lang talaga dun na masusukat ang pagiging obedient. Many times na deceived tayo ng sarili nating thoughts na tayo ay someone at hindi na natin kailangan sundin ang mga commandments Nya kasi hindi para sa atin yun.) (b.) But made himself of no reputation, (May reputation ka pa bang iniingatan? Or mga kasalanang nag bother sayo para wag sumunod? If you really do believed that Christ died for all of it, you have to claim that. If you’re in Christ, you’re a new man) (c.) and took upon him the form of a servant,(Not just thinking about it, or telling everyone that you don’t care or you don’t value your reputation anymore but show it of being a servant.) and was made in the likeness of men: (Philippians 2:5-7)

2. Our standard of obedience is not the cross.

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:8)

Sabi ni A.W. Tozer “My friends, what we need is not more instruction; we’ve been instructed to death.” Sa binasa nating mga commandments meron na bang time sa buhay nyo na halos ikamatay nyo na? Young people, may inutos na ba si nanay or si tatay na halos ikamatay nyo na. Ngayon kung itatanong nyo kung hanggang saan kailangan kayo mag obey, you’ve been instructed to death. Let’s get some verses reagarding death:

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:20-23)

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2 Corinthians 5:1)

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2Corinthians 5:8  )

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. (Revelation 14:13)

3. Our measurement of blessing is temporal.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

Loving, submitting, obeying, provoking not, giving – do you think God will command you that for nothing? God can give you more than what you expected like what He gave to our Savior Jesus Christ. Glory to His obedience!

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; 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. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Hebrews 12:2-3)

Give Thanks

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Hindi ko na maalala yun exact story nun elementary days ko about dun sa batang meron book na sinusulat nya lahat ng nagpapasalamat sa kanya. So kung kung aim natin ay maka received ng thank you, for sure mas na una na yun aim natin to do good for others. Like our Father in heaven through Jesus Christ na deserving ng ating biggest THANK YOU kasi all good things are from Him.

Nakapag preached na ko regarding giving thanks, but day by day nadadagdagan ang knowledge ko regarding dito at kung bakit God commands us to be thankful in everything. (1) Sa testimony ng iba, nabasa ko yun thank you letter ni Fel. Grabe yun simula elementary days naalala nya pa. What a memory! Also yun poem ni Glenda na God’s Wonderful People, na appreciate ko talaga yun kasi maraming times selfish ako at hindi ko naa appreciate yun hard times na kinakaharap nila bagkus nagiging critical ako. Doctrine, doctrine…pero kung hindi tayo thankful we are more sorry than them who know nothing. (2) Isang way talaga para matuto tayo ay iaallow ng Panginoon na maging victim tayo sa mga pangyayari para mas lalo nating maramdaman how guilty we are of being unthankful.

Bago lang ako sa company, marami pang adjustment na ginagawa. One time na high blood na naman ang manager ko. Well, kailangan na natin expect yun, kahit naman tayong believer nangyayari sa atin yun. Gaya ng sinabi ko mas maiintindihan natin ang pagiging unthankful kung tayo ang victim. Eto yun mga lesson na natutunan ko: (1) Lagi niyang inexpect yun capabilities ng pinalitan ko, so instead na maging sorry siya sa akin bakit kaya hindi na lang siya maging thankful na may napapagtyagaan sya kahit hindi same yun outcome. (2) Hindi nakaka encourage kung ipapadama natin sa isang tao how sorry we are for having him at akala natin makakapagpabilis ng work yun, that’s wrong perception. (3) Hindi nagiging matitibay ang relationship ngunit negative effect ang nabubuo at sooner ay reason para magquit. (4) Na lessen yun pagiging self-life character at nagiging dependent tayo sa sufficiency ng grace Nya. Kung mapapansin nyo yun last chapter ng Romans puro pangalan na lang ng tao na tumulong kay Apostle Paul ang nandun. Kasi even yun kino consider natin great men ng Bible ay kailangan din ng tulong. And we need to understand that being thankful has a great space on His word.

Our lives are full of trouble and that’s a fact of life. Kung meron mang magaagree sa atin about diyan ay ang word of God. It’s true na napakarami nating dapat i-regret but bukod sa nag aagree diyan ang Bible, binigyan din tayo ng Panginoon ng power to go on and that is how to be thankful. Being sorry will not help us to move forward but will drag us more to a place or memories where we fall. I know sometimes we can’t find anything to be thanked for. But having the thought that I still have this hope to give thanks to God, it’s a blessing indeed! Being sorry and thankful later, it’s a strange result for me. But being thankful, I don’t know if you will regret it later.

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, NEITHER WERE THANKFUL; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Romans 1:21) Walang tao ang hindi nakakaalam kung paano ang maging thankful kasi lahat nakaka received ng good gifts from above. Yun na yun pinaka basic at pinaka effortless na magagawa natin na gustong gusto ng Panginoon. Yet maraming tao, they choose to be unthankful. Gaya ng ginagawa natin sa finish work of Jesus Christ instead na magpasalamat at maniwala sa tapos at sapat na ginawa Nya sa cross, mas pinili pa natin na ignore yun. Mas gusto pa natin paniwalaan ang doktrina ng relihiyon kaysa sa sinasabi ng Kanyang Salita na si Jesus ay namatay para sa ating mga kasalan, nilibing at nabuhay muli maka ikatlong araw. Sa pag ignore sa bagay na yan ay being unthankful sa Panginoon na ginawa na lahat. At gaya ng sabi ko sa hindi mo paniniwala sa finish work of Christ, hindi ka nag forward patungong heaven but lalo ka nitong dina drag going to hell…

Thank God sa light Nya para masulat ito, in Jesus’ precious name. Amen!

The Old Rugged Cross

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

Refrain

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

Refrain

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

Refrain

He Is The One

Poem yan ni Fel Almazan na pina edit sa akin ng konti…hehe

He is the one who loves me unconditionally
Who gave his love for you and for me
Shed his blood in the mount of calvary
For the remission of sins to meet eternity

Jesus Christ is the one who showed perfection
Who did things according to his Father’s condition
The man who willingly forgave my transgressions
Even though I only caused him nothing but afflictions

In times of troubles, he makes things seemed alright
He watches over me when I’m in deep sleep at night
The one will never leave nor forsake me in His sight
He gives me hope, gives me light, to make my day happy and bright

A hope of eternal of life for God cannot lie
And remained faithful until He faced cross to die
Who can abide in His quick and powerful word?
Even the devil failed to tempt him by his sword

His Spirit is always there wherever I go
And reminds me of the good things that I should do
The one who changed my astrayed life,
Who brought me out from misery and strife.

Manasseh and Ephraim

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. (Genesis 50:20)

Romans 8:28 yan Old testament. Very beautiful verse. Came from a mouth who truly experienced afflictions from his own brethren. BUT GOD meant it unto good, pero andun pa rin humility after ng nangyari sa kanya. Hindi ko alam kung gaano kapangit ang nangyari sa inyo BUT God, sana bigyan din tayo ng grace na maalala palagi na we have a God that soon will meant it unto good. Note: Evil against me, I hope we will not render evil for evil. And again Joseph is thanking God not for personal but the salvation of much people. What a heart! Sobrang ganda ng story ni Joseph, lagi akong naiiyak kapag nababasa ko ito. I found 3 virtues na gusto ko talaga and I’m praying na biyayaan din ako ng Panginoon.

1. Fear of God

And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? (Genesis 39:7-9)

When we sinned it means that we don’t recognized Him as God. Flee fornication.

2. Acknowledging God’s wisdom

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. (Genesis 41:15-16)

Instead of boasting our knowledge and understanding, why don’t we thank God for using us to show other people (great or small) how great our God, after all, those wisdom came from Him.

3. Humility

And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. (Genesis 45:7-8)

His goodness leadeth us to repentance. Ganyan ang Panginoon makipag deal sa atin, after ng mga kasalanan na ginawa natin before Him, binigay Nya pa rin ang Panginoong Hesus para pagyaran ang lahat ng mga kasalanan natin. That’s why hindi tayo nagserve para ma makagawa ng way toward heaven kasi ginawa Nya na yun sa Calvary but we serve Him after we believed as our thankfulness. Ipapahiya ka Nya talaga sa sobrang kabaitan Nya, na ipurpose na lang heart mo na gusto mong maging servant Nya kasi di mo kyang bayaran ang ginawa Nyang pardon sa ating mga kasalanan.

Final thought:

And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. (Genesis 41:51-52)

Manasseh: Forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.

As I looked back sa mga nangyari sa buhay ko, hindi ko alam kung paano ako nakarating sa kasalukuyan. Akala ko yun times na afflicted ako katapusan na yun at wala na talagang solution. Forever ko na ng dadalhin. Sounds emo, pero I know lahat dumaan sa ganito at hindi ko alam kung mas matindi pa. Salamat ng maraming, maraming marami sa Panginoon Hesus for saving my soul nakalimutan ko na lahat ang mga nangyaring yun. Hindi ko kayang bayaran ang mga ginawa Nyang iyon. Lord let me never never outlive my love for Thee.

Ephraim: Caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

I do hope naging fruitful ako after ng mga nangyari sa akin. Mas tumibay ang pag trust ko sa Kanya. Mas naging malinaw ang gospel, at nakukuha ko ng magstand para dito. Importance ng salita Nya. Love for the family. Love for  the brethren. Love for the local church. Love for the pastor. Importance of prayer, bible reading. Being meek and quiet spirit.

Thank you so much, O God, for saving my soul. Thank you so much Jesus!

Help Meet

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. (Genesis 2:18)

I thank God sa preaching ni brother James Knox about that verse. Marami kasing nag claim sa verse na yan without clear understanding. They believed that God promised every man an help meet. Pero kung titignan yun verse THE MAN, not a man, ibig sabihin kay Adam lang sinabi yun. Kaya na frustrate sila sa Panginoon dahil akala nila na nagpromise ang Panginoon na hindi tinupad. At marami naman ang blessed man na may asawa pero hindi naman binibigyan ng value. Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. (Proverbs 18:22) Sabi ng verse you have a good thing, not just a good thing but from the Lord. In this present evil world, I don’t know kung meron pang ma consider na good thing but thank God if you have a wife, you have a good thing.

Help meet, yan ang nakitang wala kay Adam. I hope bigyan din tayo ng Panginoon ng help meet na makakatulong natin all the days of our lives. But gusto ko ‘tong i-meditate sa spiritual realm. Attraction talaga ng man at woman ay hindi di-deny ng Bible. Pero sana tignan din natin kung paano tumingin ang Panginoon ng makakapareha natin, an HELP meet. It is more than looking to a man or a woman na wala tayo, like yun mga dreams na gusto natin na hindi natupad at nakita natin sa kanila. Syempre more than din yun sa pagtingin sa looks as Proverbs says that beauty is vain but the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Before nakita yun “help meet” meron na kasing established na ginagawa si Adam. Pero sa ngayon ang maraming Christians nag pray ng someone na makakatulong nila para saan? At nagpray pa sila ng faithful servant para ano? I hope we’re praying that “someone” para maging help meet kasi we’re doing busy for God and somehow we need help. Wag natin silang ipag-pray para gawin lang natin decoration at cover up sa mga hindi natin nagagawa for Christ.

Gusto ko yun commentary ni Alfred Gibbs na ang formation ng woman ay not from his head to rule him, not from his feet to be despised, but from his side to be loved, nourished and cherished.

Abraham’s Covenant

Nakakapressure talaga ang cares of this world, kaya sabi nga sabi ng bible, Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it all the issues of life. Sa bawat araw hindi mo alam kung sino makakasalamuha mo, either magustuhan ka nila o hindi. But as a Christian kailangan talaga na wag masira ang testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ kapag ang situation ay hindi na maganda sa pagtingin nila the way we react. At lalong lalo na wag ma blaspheme ang Kanyang salita. But no amount of prayer, bible reading, daily devotion, tract distribution can change the fact that I am still living with this flesh. Maraming times talaga na nakakahiya ako kasi ni hindi ko man lang makuhang maghintay sa mercy Nya at bagkus I sinned a lot in my thoughts.

Thank God sa faithfulness Nya kasi andun palagi yun help ng Panginoon in perfect time. Hindi mo talaga mahuhulaan kung paano ka Nya i-relieved. Fellowship talaga with the brethren is very important. Nakausap ko sa chat ang isang kapatiran at kaibigan na naging malaking tulong talaga kahapon. I thank God kasi hindi namin pinaguusapan ang mga bagay the way this world talks. Hindi ko alam kung bakit maraming professing saved gustong gusto pa rin ang mga ganun usapin like, bumili ako ng ganito, nagpunta kami doon, nakita ko yun artistang yun…nakakapagod pakinggan. Napagusapan talaga namin kung gaano kahina tong flesh na to pagdating sa prayer, bible reading. I loved to hear that kasi nalalaman mo na hindi lang pla ikaw yun nag fall sa ganun situation. At yun humility before God nandun na willing mabago through His word. At nakikita namin yun sarili namin kasama ng mga unbelievers na nakakahiya kaming testimony sa kanila kasi di nakikita yun Christianity sa amin.

And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight because of his son. (Genesis 21:9-11)

Kung alam lang ni Abraham ang son na ipinagtatanggol nya. Yan ngayun ang Arab nation na pinagmulan ng Moslem sa atin. Hindi na ko magsasalita against them kasi wala yatang Christian ang hindi nakakaalam kung anong klaseng religion yan. They killed for their god but our God, the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins, buried and rose again the third day. Does their god rose from the dead? So why hoping for the dead one?

Makikita talaga natin sa passage na kahit fruit of sin ang ginawa ni Abraham ay andun pa rin ang love ng father for his son. Pero yun consequence like mistreat from Sarah ay hindi nya maiwasan. At lalong lalo na ngayon ang ginagawa sa nation natin ang pagkakamaling yan. Ganyan ang sin hindi natin nakikita sa ngayon ang wages kasi hindi naman palagi sa atin ang epekto maaaring sa susunod pang generation.

And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed. (Genesis 21:12-13)

So makikita natin na eto na yun start ng covenant ng Panginoon kay Abraham sa Genesis 17, a father of many nations. Napaka faithful ng Panginoon pagdating sa promises Nya kasi kahit fruit ng sin yun kay Hagar ay gagawin pa rin Nyang nation. Kya kung i-base natin yun ability natin na ma maintain yun covenant natin sa Kanya ay talagang come short tayo palagi but once na naipangako Nya na, kahit gaano maging kapangit ang testimony mo before Him, He will give it.

God’s promises through Jesus Christ ay talagang hindi natin masusukat but willing Nya itong ibigay kung andun yun belief and obedience. Sounds simplistic? Look around, you will see the promised nations of Abraham are dominating this world. Ang ability natin na makita kung gaano kalayo ang magiging cause ng kasalanan natin ay way, way ahead sa nakikita ng Panginoon. Kaya the bible tell us not to sin. How much more ang grace na meron Sya but ginawa Nya pa ring accessible through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All Flesh Is Grass

The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. (Isaiah 40:6-8)

Once again naging blessing na naman si Isaiah Caleb sa A People For His Name Baptist Church, kasi nabanggit ni Pastor Ben na after nun Sunday School nila ay nagtanong sya kung sino ang may question. Nag taas daw ng kamay si IC and his asking for a prayer kasi daw mag bible story telling daw siya. So ang 4 years old na bata ay marunong ng mag ask ng prayer. What a blessing! At early age natutunun nya na wag maniwala sa sarili nyang kakayahan at mag pray at mag ask pa ng mag pray para sa kanya. Praise God! Nun ma-check nila kung kailan daw mag story telling si IC ay next month pa daw. May dalawa akong natutunan dun, (1) yun childlike faith talaga is very important, ang maging dependent palagi sa Panginoon through prayers, (2) ang bata talaga, he doesn’t care kung anong time, basta pag binigyan mo siya ng duty akala nya bukas na yun. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15)

What shall I cry? Every people meron something na gusto nya i-proclaim, either i-shout out nya in public or put in a letter. This is the world system, “I, me, mine, myself”. Gusto nila palagi naiiba sila sa crowd na ginagalawan nila. But natanong mo na ba ang Panginoon kung ano ang gusto nyang sabihin sayo? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Hindi ko alam kung anong age mo ngayon at masyado ka pang nagsasaya sa popularity ng flesh mo but one thing is sure it will be withered as the Bible says. Punta na ko sa gusto kong sabihin, how much time ang binibigay mo sa flesh or body na sooner or later ay mag wither? And how much time naman ang binibigay mo sa Kanyang salita na shall stand forever?

I testified it long ago, SURELY the people is grass. Isa yan sa pinaka sure na comparison sa isang creation lamang ng Panginoon with flesh and blood. Na one day manunuyo, tatanda, lilipas, mangungulobot, manghihina at kung ano-ano pang pangit na mangyayari sa atin. Mabuti nga kung ganun kabilis na manunuyo at bukas wala na tayo sa mundo, pero bakit parang pag na realize mo na yun withering ng flesh ay para bang napakabagal at sumasakit bawat araw. So yan flesh mo, at sana ma appreciate mo yun truth na sinasabi ng Bible na don’t give your hope sa iyong flesh na any moment ay kukunin na ng lupa. SURELY, alam yan ng Panginoon kya kung babasahin natin ang Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Sure din ang mercy ng Panginoon, it is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consume. Everything na sure na mangyayari sa atin, instead na tanggalin Nya ay nag provide Sya na sure para hindi tayo mag glory sa flesh natin but ibigay sa Kanya ang lahat ng glory. Wag nyo sanang ika-disappoint yun but lalo nyo pang mahalin ang Kanyang salita na nagsasabi ng truth at nag provide ng remedy. Bukod sa surety na mag wither ang flesh, surety rin ang Hell para sa mga hindi naniwala na pinagbayaran na ng Panginoon Hesus ang ating mga kasalanan 2000 years ago at the cross of Calvary.

Sabi nun isang preacher, naalala lang daw natin manalangin kung mabilis magpatakbo ang driver sa sinasakyan natin pampasahero. Bakit kaya mas pinabibilis pa nila ang withering ng kanilang flesh kung sinabi ng Bible na it will surely wither? Bakit kaya sinasayang ng tao ang body nila sa paninigarilyo, pagiinom at kung ano ano pang mga sexual na kasalanan na ikadudulot ng mga sakit at ikabibilis ng withering of the flesh. Kasi hindi nila alam kaya the Lord is telling us to cry, All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field but the word of our God shall stand for ever.