"The Author of time, who lived in the eternal, was made incarnate in time that we might live with the eternal in view." ~Ravi Zacharias
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Friday, November 15, 2013
6:21 AM
MC Aguja
Religion is man-made
The Gospel is God-made (Gal.1:11)
Religion is man's attempt to reach God
The Gospel is God's attempt to reach man
Religion is based on self-righteousness
In the Gospel, only God is righteous
Religion is man-controlled
The Gospel cannot be controlled
Religion is characterized with man's effort
The Gospel is purely God's effort
Religion is do, do, do
The Gospel says, 'done'
Religion is man's strength
The Gospel is God's power for the salvation of man (Romans 1:16)
Religion is an attempt to create a god you can control
In the Gospel, God took the initiative to save us given that we are powerless to control our eternal destiny.
(Need to add more?)
6:07 AM
MC Aguja
In Ephesians, it has been said that 'we were created in Christ Jesus to do good works in which God prepared in advanced for us to do.'
It was God who had made the preparations. He has prepared us (the one to do the work) and the WORK itself.
It was God who had made the preparations. He has prepared us (the one to do the work) and the WORK itself.
God is the One initiating the idea, giving the strength and the opportunity. We've got no credit for the exploits we do.
5:51 AM
MC Aguja
We were made for eternity. Realizing this truth releases in us the enabling power to stand firm in the Lord, knowing that the sufferings we are experiencing here on earth are temporary. (Phil. 3:12-4:1).
5:37 AM
MC Aguja
Someone gossiped about you.The one you trust betrayed you.
Your close friend abandoned you for another.
When we experience things such as these, how do we respond?
Do we bury them inside?
Do we blame God?
Do we look for an escape and go to another place?
Do we find a way for revenge?
Do we give up on God?
In times like these, it's very hard to think straight. You look for someone to understand you, but they're not around. Locked inside the cage of self-pity, you lack the strength to go on.
Yet, there is a way out. Faith is the way out. Oh well, this five-leter-word is power-filled. But before we discuss how faith delivers us, let's talk about what it is not.
Faith is not an intellectual assent. Many think that when they know facts about the Bible, they have faith. Faith is more about the condition of the heart and not the propositions inside the head. Faith is a deep, deep trust anchored on the Savior, not on situation, people nor possessions.
Faith is not a feeling. Feelings come and go. Faith is holding on to His Word even when the situation says otherwise. It is being persuaded that God will do as He promised, no matter what the situation. He will fulfill His purpose, not because we deserve deliverance, but because He is true to His Word.
If you have faith you'll think that the failure or hurt you're experiencing is not the end of the world. It changes your perspective regarding the things you are going through. You see yourself as a victor, not a victim. You are sure that God will make a way for you and are willing to wait on Him. And as you wait you don't get impatient nor in despair because you have tasted that God is better than any other answer or relief. You learn to worship Him for who He is, not because of what He can give or do. HE HAS BECOME YOUR TREASURE. And as you learned to delight in Him, you discover that the things in this world no longer holds you.
5:34 AM
MC Aguja
These are the books I treasure the most :)
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| This book was given to us by CBS Asia. |
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| I got this through some generous people who donated to CBS Asia. |
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| I only bought this book for 200Php. It's Kuya from CGM who sold this book to me. I used to see him selling books in our seminary and in one of the conferences. I like the way Mark Dever clarified the definition of the Gospel and some misunderstandings about it. |
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| Thanks to Sir. John Pesbre who compiled these statements. I put small post-its to easily find the set of confessions |
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| Thanks to Mr Mitch Glasser who brought this to me for free. Actually, I signed up to their site that I may have it. I wasn't expecting that they will seriously send it. It has a great content and has clearly proven through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah |
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| It's the first book I got which was written by Dr. Ravi. I was a Philosophy major then and was experiencing struggles in my faith. I then saw the reasonableness of my faith. |
5:26 AM
MC Aguja
Nostalgia longs for what we were. Faith longs for what we
will be. -RC Sproul JR
In the middle of adversity it is easy to lose faith and hope in God, thinking that He is done with us. We have tendencies of nostalgia, thinking what went wrong in the present for it doesn't cohere with the past triumphs and accomplishments. But we failed to see the bright side of it.
Think of what you will be after a year or so, being made strong through the fiery circumstances you are in.
5:25 AM
MC Aguja
I was in denial the moment I received a message about Jomby. I was in a camp that day and it's quite bothering to know that one of your friends passed away. But I was relieved when I was reminded that he is already with the Lord.
I will miss jomby! At the age of 24, he has accomplished a lot for God's Kingdom. When I visited his wake I heard a bunch of good testimonies about him.He has never wasted any season of his life in any other pursuits. His pastor, churchmates and even the church building itself give evidences that God's work had been His priority. I firmly believe that a warm and indescribable welcome has been given to him in heaven.
He has been one of the busy officers in District Four Youth, Laguna. His loud 'banats' liven the meetings and fellowships. He has been available whenever there are tasks in JSBC and even in D4 Youth. I remember those times we spent together during the meetings in D4 Churches, and even at our house. He has been a delight and an encouragement to us.
Here's a portion of one of our conversations. Since I got sick that time, he never failed to make me smile. He had been pushing me to get well that time so that we could play 'golf'. :p
Indeed, his life is an example of one that is well-lived. His passion, faithfulness and readiness to serve God are the characters I admire about him.
God used his death to remind me that life is short and that I should prioritize what is really important. Investing my time, emotions, talent, etc. on wrong things will result in regret in later days to come. What could be more fulfilling than to live our lives doing what God wanted us to do? What could be more satisfying than making much of Jesus 24/7?
May we, readers, consider what God sees important. It's time to make a difference for His glory!
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| Christmas in November @ JSBC Pangil. |
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| Same event, with Cyrus Antoni. |
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| One of D4 Christmas Parties, Siniloan Baptist Church. Approx. 5 years ago. |
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| D4 Youth Retreat a year ago. |
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| Another d4 event at Canaan Retreat Center. |
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| @ NTBC Paete, before PASS Ako, 2012. |
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| Youth Leaders' Fellowship at JSBC. It's almost 2 years ago. |
5:24 AM
MC Aguja
Your worth does not depend on your accomplishments nor what others think about you. It is based on how God sees you in Christ. It says in 2 Corinthians 5:21,
'God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.'
You are God's righteousness in Christ. This is the identity which cannot be shaken nor taken away from you. It is firm and unending. It doesn't increase nor decrease. It does not depend on your performance but on what Christ did.
'God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.'
You are God's righteousness in Christ. This is the identity which cannot be shaken nor taken away from you. It is firm and unending. It doesn't increase nor decrease. It does not depend on your performance but on what Christ did.
5:23 AM
MC Aguja
'Can we trust the Scriptures?'
'Is the Bible error-free?'
'Is the Word of God relevant in this age?'
Such are the questions asked by many regarding the Bible. Throughout the history the Scriptures have been receiving countless attacks from the skeptics. Yet many claim that it has been transforming their lives since they took hold of it.
Can we really prove the reliability of the Scriptures? Are its claims worthy of our faith? Were its writers moved by God? Let the following proofs shed light to its veracity.
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| Passages from Isaiah |
- The New Testament ranks first in manuscript count. Having 20,000 copies, it had beaten the number of Aristotle's copies.
- The writers of the Scriptures, 40 in number, were saying the same thing, affirming God's attributes and decrees and claiming that the Messiah is the solution to man's sinfulness. such authors came from different background, locations and generations. Many of these firsthand witnesses died for their faith. Who would die for an unworthy cause?
- It is filled with fulfilled prophecies; not one of them failed. A great example will be the incarnation, death and resurrection of Christ which was foretold in Isaiah 53, Psalm 22 and Genesis 4:15. The miraculous existence of the Jews also confirmed the prophecies made about them in Genesis 12:2-3 and Ezekiel 37:21.
- The Bible mentioned accurate scientific facts. The Hydrologic Cycle was described in Ecc. 1:7, Is. 55:10, Ps. 135:7; Earth's shape in Is. 40:22 and its activities in Job 38:12, 14; blood circulation in Lev. 17:11, nature of the flesh in 1 Peter 1:24-25; atomic disintegration in 2 Peter 3:10.
- Historical records affirm it. It says in 1 Cor. 15:17, 'If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.' Luke, a historian, made a careful report of the early churches' activities in Acts. Archaeology confirmed the details explained in that book. Old Testament-related documents were reported to be unearthed. Tacitus, a secular historian, mentioned in his book (The Annals) a group who worships Jesus.
- The Scripture passages themselves provide that the Scriptures is the inspired Word of God (1 Tim.3:16, 2 Pet. 1:21). Scripture authors also considered inspired their co-authors' writings. In 2 Pet. 3:15-16, the author mentioned Paul and his letters, considering them as Scriptures. Paul also mentioned Deut. 25:4 in one of his teachings. Even Jesus quoted numerous passages from the OT.
Sources:
Josh McDowell. More Than a Carpenter.
Morris, Henry. Many Infallible Proofs.
5:20 AM
MC Aguja
Anguished spirit.
Tortured mind.
Sweat and tears.
Drops of blood.
For me.
"He said, “Father, if it can be done, take away what must happen to Me. Even so, not what I want, but what You want.” An angel from heaven came and gave Him strength. His heart was much troubled and He prayed all the more. Water ran from His face like blood and fell to the ground." Luke 22:42-44
The passion about to come He faced willingly
Prayers, cries, submission He did that I may see
The cost it took that I may live
And know the depth of His love for me
To share in His sufferings is my portion
So I'll gladly made a bold decision
To carry my cross as I follow Him
Enduring every pain for the fame of His Name
5:18 AM
MC Aguja
Never think that you have exhausted God's grace. A mind driven by law and performance thinks that it may have received much of God's goodness and that it came to the point where there's nothing left and God has already given up on him. Grace still powerfully does its work when you fail. Where sin abounds, grace superabounds.
The Spirit of grace carries you in every season. It is equivalent to what you are going through. Grace=struggle; grace=sin; grace=doubts; grace=dreams. Grace builds up.
All the days of your life God's goodness and mercy cover you. Are you in the desert? God's covering is upon you. Are you struggling with doubts? Remember that in God's grace He has not given you over to the doubt. Grace never fails
The Spirit of grace carries you in every season. It is equivalent to what you are going through. Grace=struggle; grace=sin; grace=doubts; grace=dreams. Grace builds up.
All the days of your life God's goodness and mercy cover you. Are you in the desert? God's covering is upon you. Are you struggling with doubts? Remember that in God's grace He has not given you over to the doubt. Grace never fails
5:17 AM
MC Aguja
"Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God." (KJV)
Jesus--the truth. No lie comes from the truth. When we see Jesus we gaze at the truth. No heaviness, deceit, manipulation. Just peace. We ourselves will be affected. We won't be pretentious. We'll be truthful and naked as a child. We won't be deceived with appearances; we'll love substance. We will rest cause we are relying on the One who knows everything. No need to know everything, just know the ONE who knows everything!
Jesus--the truth. No lie comes from the truth. When we see Jesus we gaze at the truth. No heaviness, deceit, manipulation. Just peace. We ourselves will be affected. We won't be pretentious. We'll be truthful and naked as a child. We won't be deceived with appearances; we'll love substance. We will rest cause we are relying on the One who knows everything. No need to know everything, just know the ONE who knows everything!
5:16 AM
MC Aguja
When He is the center of our focus, we see things differently--with the eyes of faith and not as they are. We see things with eyes made holy, as God sees them. Everything makes sense in the light of His presence.
Stilled by His radiance. Consumed by it, sin is effortlessly repulsed.
Stilled by His radiance. Consumed by it, sin is effortlessly repulsed.
5:12 AM
MC Aguja
Doubt points you to the dark side.
Doubt blinds you. You can't see the victories.
Doubt locks you in the dungeon of fear.
Doubt hinders you to enter His presence.
Joy is the city, faith is the gate.
Jesus doesn't want you to trust your senses but
To take hold of what your eyes of faith have seen
Faith is the ticket to your destiny.
Doubt blinds you. You can't see the victories.
Doubt locks you in the dungeon of fear.
Doubt hinders you to enter His presence.
Joy is the city, faith is the gate.
Jesus doesn't want you to trust your senses but
To take hold of what your eyes of faith have seen
Faith is the ticket to your destiny.
5:10 AM
MC Aguja
Mark 5:25-34Have you experienced spending much money for a certain cause?
Many of us tried to save money to buy celfones, gadgets and things we need. We also spend much of our allowance to go online (facebook, DOTA, etc.)
Some of us don’t mind spending much to get beautiful (parlor, dress, polo) For these efforts to save and spend we enjoy their benefits.
Yet this certain woman spent all she had and yet didn’t get what she needed. Worse, she ended up suffering.
She suffered from hemorrhage for almost 12 years and had been looking for cure. She spent all she had to get healed yet she was frustrated. Imagine the pain of seeing your savings fly by just because of an illness. Feel the discouragement of not getting the healing you’ve been longing to experience.
News about Jesus reached her and when she heard it, she didn’t hesitate to go with the crowd. She didn’t doubt His power and simply believed that Jesus was able to heal her. This time, she did the ultimate step of faith---she touched Jesus’ clothes. Jesus, feeling that the power came out of Him, looked for the woman and declared healing, peace and freedom.
Maybe right now you are experiencing a situation seemingly impossible to overcome. You may have a problem in your family or maybe you are having a hard time with one of your subjects. Or you’ve been wondering where you are going to get the money for your tuition fee.
Worse, for a very long time you’ve been asking God to heal you. You’ve been worried how you might be happy again since your close friend left you.
Due to these things we end up tired, and some of us do the best that we can yet nothing happens. We end up down and hopeless.
What gave the woman hope? It was Jesus. She heard about Him--that He works miracles and He is able to heal. She believed right away that He is able.
You need not lose hope because you have Jesus. If you know Him, you will trust Him. In which area in your life do you need to trust Him?
Don’t limit what God can do cause He has got all the power to heal, free and restore you. He gives provision, wisdom or strength to those who ask Him. Mind you, He has got a lot to give. He has got the ability and willingness to meet your every need. Some people are willing to help us just like the doctors who tried to heal her, yet they have limitations. God is able, all we need is to tap into His power. Just like the woman who reached out and touched Jesus’ clothes, we need to make a step of faith as well.
When Jesus felt the power had gone out from Him, He tried to find the one who tapped into it. Our act of faith catches God’s attention . Faith paves the way for God’s power to move in your life. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been suffering or how big the problem is; His power flows to those who reach out to Him in faith.
In what area in your life you need to have your faith activated?
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