Salute to the Graduates

This coming Sunday, the Biblical Seminary of the Philippines will have her 50th commencement exercises.  Of the graduates, eight will be local students; meaning those who were born locally.  Eight?  Yes, only eight.  But make no mistake that having eight new graduates in a year is already an achievement in itself.  Because in reality, not many Chinese-Filipino are responding to call for fulltime ministry.  Hence, as Dr. Joseph Shao (President of BSOP) used to say, graduates of BSOP are “Jewels of Chinese churches.”  Congratulations to you all!  Welcome, and let us hand-in-hand work for the expansion of God’s kingdom here.

Live as Strangers

Farmers in Japan produce full-grown melons – not ordinary melons – but squared-shape melons for shipment.  They put into cubes of translucent plastic the melons while it was still on the vine.  The idea is to make it easier for them to fit into refrigerators.

It’s amusing to think how a naturally round melon can become square because of the shape of the container in which it is grown. This reminds of the forces in the world that exert influence on us and attempt to shape us.

The Bible in 1Peter 1:17 pointed this very fact. Indeed, we need to live as strangers here and in reverent fear of God; for God is a Father who judges deeds impartially. Mere profession of faith won’t count, true conversion should exemplify repentance and submission.

Punching Bags

Acts 9:15-16

But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go!  This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.  I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

These are the words of Christ to Ananias.  True enough, as pastor we are expected to suffer for the sake of the Gospel.  Yes!  The church is not a haven for the meek and gentle, often times it is chaotic.  Understandable, for Christians although redeemed by God still possesses their sinful nature.  We pastors should accept the fact that we are like punching bags.  We are expected to absorb the blows even if it is already below the belt.  We should learn to withstand each blows and not give up.  We were never called to fight but to be there when the boxer eventually tires out and quit.  Only then are we to step in and serve as towel and wipe out his perspiration.  We need to pray that God will allow us to be the towel in the shortest time possible, but remember not our will but His will.  Let us endure for the Lord, because Jesus endured much for us to be saved!  God bless

God is in Control

It has been quite sometime since I started my new ministry.  I graduated from the seminary last summer, and I am now pastoring a Filipino-Chinese church.  Thanks be to God, He has been working mightily in our midst.

Two weeks upon our arrival, the resident pastor of the church step down and handed the ministry to us.  I know God have clearly led me to pastor this church, but I never expected such a huge responsibility as early as that.  I pray and rely upon the Lord for wisdom.  It is good that there are three of us, all new graduates, who came together.  However, I am expected to spearhead, mainly because of my maturity in terms of age.  The ministry is both a challenge and a good opportunity to learn.  Certainly there are heartbreaks and frustrations, but make no mistake that God is our comfort and strength.  Throughout my ministry here, I am reminded of a passage in Acts 5:38-39.  This particular passage gave me encouragement and comfort.  The passage speaks about the early ministry of Peter and and the other apostles.  They were persecuted and questioned.  But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, whom the Bible described as honored by all people stood and spoke these words:

“I advise you:  Leave these men alone!  Let them go!  For if the purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Isn’t it comforting to be assured that as long as we are doing the Lord’s work, God will be fighting for us? Fellow pastors, I encourage you all to rest upon the leading and guidance of God.  Let us faithfully do His work and leave all our concerns and hurts to God.  Please pray for all workers of God, for our struggle is not against flesh and blood … but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Eph. 6:12).

God bless and be comforted by the Word of God!

The Book of Revelation

The Book of Revelation is one of the most neglected book in the Bible.  There are several reasons why people shied away from this book.  For one, people find it difficult to interpret because of its many symbols.  Some dislikes it because its frightening.  Others neglect it because they believed the book speak about the future and not relevant in our present time.  However, I believe the greatest hindrance is because there are a variety of interpretation to the Book of Revelation.

The Book of Revelation is one of the most important book in the Bible.  It was written for people who are undergoing persecution and hardship.  It assures believers of their victory, because Jesus Christ has already won the battle.  And the only thing being awaited is the completion of God’s plan at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Revelation is not a book of prophecy per se.  It is a book of hope.  For this reason, it is a must read book.  I hope pastors like me will preach more on this book.  The church can definitely benefit from its rebukes and warnings.

How should we approach the book?  Read the Book of Revelation in the light of the whole Scripture.  The triumph of Jesus Christ is the central message of Revelation.  The images of darkness is nothing but a word of caution that demonic activity continues on as the Church awaits Christ’s Second Coming.  The Returning King of Vern S. Poythress is a helpful aid in understanding the Book of Revelation.  I have been using it as a guide in my weekly Sunday school lesson.  May the good Lord help us in the expansion of His kingdom.  God bless!

Greetings to my readers …

Hello to all my readers. It has been more than 3 months since I last made a post on my blog. Due to my busyness I wasn’t able to make any post beyond that. But I will try to make more updates on my blogs as frequent as I can. I miss your interactions and comments.

For now, I just leave this verse for all my readers to ponder. Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

The Ascension of Christ

Last May 1, as I read Our Daily Bread devotional for that day. I was reminded that it has been 40 days since we last commemorate Christ’s resurrection. Which means, May 1 is Ascension Day, a day often neglected by many Christians. The New Testament Scripture in Acts 1:3-11 narrates what happened at this time some 2,000 years ago.

Acts 1:3-11
“³After His suffering, He showed Himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. ⁴On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about. ⁵For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

⁶So when they met together, they asked Him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

⁷He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. ⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

⁹After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.

¹⁰They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ¹¹“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”

What can we learn from these passages:

1. The ascension of Christ commence the coming of the Holy Spirit (vv.3-5).
2. The coming of the Holy Spirit is for us to be empowered, and become witnesses of Jesus Christ (vv.6-8).
3. The ascension of Jesus Christ effectively calendared His Second Coming (vv.9-11).

Now as we reflect on these biblical facts, let us be vigilant that we do not concern ourselves with other things than those Jesus Christ has reminded us. Last words are important words. People who are leaving or dying will never utter insignificant word, but only things that are of importance. How much more Jesus? Let us not allow worldly concerns cloud us of more important things. The believers at that time, mostly Jewish, were so concerned of the restoration of kingdom of Israel, that they almost miss the more important points (v.6). Witnessing about Jesus Christ is the single most important task each and every believer. May God continually remind us of this one fact, not only during Ascension Day but everyday. For definitely, Jesus will one day return just as He had promised (John 14:1-4).

 

April 30, 2000 – “A Day of Grace”

Eight years ago, as we mourned the death of our only son, God posthumously used our son to bring us to salvation. Through a pen holder that my son had given me months before he passed away, God’s light shone forth. “Give yourself to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will help you (Psalm 37:5, GNB).” These are the words printed on the pen holder. Indeed, the Word of God is sharper than any double-edged sword…it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Heb. 4:12). Through this simple passage, me, my wife and two daughters came to faith in Jesus Christ. God truly works in a mysterious way. God turned that tragic loss into glory. Thanks be to God that our son is safely secured at the palm of our Master’s hand. Moreover, we have the assurance that the words inscribed on our son’s epitaph … “Till we meet again” … will one day come true as promised in 1Thessalonians 4:13-18.

May God continue to use us in furtherance of His kingdom. To God be all the glory and honor.

Can we be part of Church ministry yet not know the LORD?

1Samuel 3:7

“Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD. The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.”

Samuel grew in the presence of the Lord and learned to serve in His tabernacle, yet he did not have a personal experience with the Lord (v. 7). How important it is for those who are raised in Christian homes to make their own personal decisions for Christ. Also, being part of a Christian ministry does not guaranty spirituality. True spiritual comes by ones encounter with God. Thanks be to God that through His living word (the Bible) we can know Him, and develop intimacy with Him. Let us not be content and merely serve God, instead serve Him with passion and intimacy.

Before my graduation …

Tomorrow will be my graduation ceremony, and I wish to thank the following:

• I thank God for His faithfulness (Phil. 1:6). He faithfully worked out His call and actively guided me all throughout my seminary training.
• I thank the Biblical Seminary of the Philippines for equipping me, and for encouraging me all throughout my seminary training. God through this seminary exemplified His love for me.
• I thank Grace Gospel church for their love, prayers and support. I will always treasure my experiences with you. I hope one day God will allow me to return the love that you had accorded me and my family.  May the good Lord be with you always.
• I thank Cebu Gospel church for the trust and opportunity that you have given me. May God continually kept me faithful as I serve you.
• I thank my dear friends. Thank you for your guidance, encouragement and support. May God continue to use you in furtherance of His kingdom.
• I thank God for giving me a very supportive wife and daughters. My family sacrifice a lot to support God’s call for full time ministry. May they continually uphold my ministry.
• I thank all those people whom God used to touched my life, whether positively or negatively. Nothing is ever wasted in God’s sight. To God be the glory!

Psalm 37:5 “Give yourself to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will help you!”