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!”

A Reflection on How God Direct My Path

After four years of seminary training, the time to make a decision has come upon me. I refused to make a decision base on my own preference, thus, I asked God to direct me to a place of His will. After struggling in prayers for sometime, God impressed upon me His word. Revelation 3:7-8:

^“7These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. ⁸I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”

It took me several months of prayers and reflection to discern which church the passage refers to.  Finally, God clearly led me to a decision.  Now, as I looked forward to my ministry on that particular church, I rest upon His leading and guidance.  For indeed, Jesus alone holds the key of David, and He alone can open a door of ministerial opportunity.  Now, my prayers is for God to sustain me so that I remain faithful all throughout my ministry.  All honor and glory belongs to God alone!

Church Planting; not by might nor by power, but the Spirit of God

A pastor who thrives to involve himself in church should have a spiritual vision. Spiritual vision refers to the leading of the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6-10). Church planters should understand that no one can just plant a church, apart from the Lord’s leading. Palms 127:1a says, “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” It is God who empowers us to open and to shut (Rev. 3:7). Thus, the first step to successful church planting is to humbly seek the LORD’s guidance.

This is the first lesson I learned from my short church planting work.  May the good Lord continue to empower us.

Happy New Year!

Yeah, it is kinda late to be greeting you, but as the saying goes “it is better late than never.” Time flies so fast, we are now in the month of February. In a few weeks, people in different parts of the world would be celebrating Valentines Day. But before that we will first have Chinese New Year. People who believed in Zodiac signs would again be crazy checking out their fortune. The feng sui expert will again have their peak season. However for us Christians, we know that our security and future resides upon the love and mercy of our almighty God and Father. An assurance that Paul wrote about in Ephesians 1:3-14. Hence, we do not have to fear about our future, because our eternal security comes by the grace of God through faith in Christ. No wonder, Paul in 1Corinthians 15:19 said, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” Let us not look at the things that are seen but on those that are unseen (2Corinthians 4:16-18).

Revelation 20:1-15 – the “thousand years”

The Christian church throughout its history has debated against each other on their understanding of the “thousand years.” As the context has clearly stated, the “thousand years” is directly connected to the reign of Christ together with His believers (Rev. 20:4). It is also a period wherein Satan would be restrained for a period, before unleashing him again for the last time (Rev. 20:1-3). Some have understood this event as something in the future, and others see it as a present event. I believed the disagreement arise not from hermeneutical differences but from theological. Often times, our theological bias cause us to interpret a certain passage differently. CAN”T WE EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS AGREE WITH ONE ANOTHER IN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF “THOUSAND YEARS“?

Few More Days and It’s Christmas

At Christmas Is Christ Happy Over Us?

“Mommy,” asked Jane, “what makes everybody so happy at Christmas?” “Well, because it is the Lord Jesus’ birthday … and because we love Him … and because we are happy about His coming to this world.”

Jane thought a minute and then said, “Then is the Lord happy about you?” “Oh, little girl, what a question you have asked!”

Is the Lord Jesus happy about us on His birthday? Is he really happy because He sees within our hearts a deep, true love for Him? Does He see a satisfying love and not just a seasonal affection stirred up by the festivities of Christmas? What He wants more than anything else on His birthday is the love of our hearts.
***Story taken from: A Treasury of Bible Illustrations.

 

 

Reaction:

Last Night, as reported in the News, traffic was heavy because of Christmas rush. People are busy trooping to the malls and shopping center, to buy gifts for their love ones and friends. If only the same spirit be manifested for Jesus Christ, how much better would the world be. And I am sure, Jesus Christ will be happy with that.

 

 

 

Christianity Can Benefit from Pyschology

I read the book Saving Your Marriage Before It Start by Dr. Les and Leslie Parrott, both psychologist (http://www.christianbook.com/html/authors/1301.html). Through the seven guidelines that they posted I was better informed of marital relationship. This book provides insights that are not clearly stated in the Bible – the needs of every husband and wife. This does not mean I do not uphold the sufficiency of Scripture. The Bible is complete, inerrant, and all sufficient in its message for salvation. There is no knowledge that can supersede the Bible’s truthfulness. But the Bible does not attempt to address every issues of humankind. Thus, at times the Bible seems to be at odds with science. Psychology being a branch of science, which deals with the study of human behavior and mind, is often seen in the same perspective. The book certainly will be of great help for those in the pastorate. Pastors as shepherd of God’s flock not only address the issues of sin and salvation. They are also obligated to care for their sheep.  I will reiterate my previous stand, indeed, Christianity can benefit from psychology (November 23).

Infant Baptism?

 

Proponents of Infant Baptism have 4 basic arguments:

1. One of the arguments proposed in favor of baptizing infants is that entire households were baptized in New Testament times (Acts 16:15, 33). Certainly such households or families must have included children. Consequently, groups who hold this position believe this practice should be extended to the present day.
2. A second argument cited is Jesus’ treatment of children. Jesus commanded the disciples to bring the children to Him. When they did so, He blessed them (Mark 10:13-16). Because of this example from Jesus, it would seem inconsistent to deny baptism to children today.
3. A third argument put forth by covenant theologians is that children were participants in the Old Testament covenant: “And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you” (Gen 17:7). They were present when the covenant was renewed (Deut 29:10-13; Josh 8:35). They had a standing in the congregation of Israel and were present in their religious assemblies (Joel 2:16). The promises of God were given to the children as well as adults (Isa 54:13; Jer 31:34). Circumcision was administered to infants in The Old Testament. Since baptism has now replaced circumcision, it is natural that it should be administered to children, according to those who practice infant baptism.
4. A final argument presented in support of infant baptism is the historical evidence. Infant baptism has been practiced in the church from early times, certainly as early as the second century, according to those groups that baptize infants.

*** Taken from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Thomas Nelson Publishers, © 1986), Baptism.

Should we agree with these arguments? Should we practice infant baptism in our church?

 

Are You a Pastor?

Ministers Must Deal Faithfully

Ministers should not be merely like dials on watches, or milestones on the road, but like clocks and alarms, to sound the alarm to sinners. Aaron wore bells as well as pomegranates, and the prophets were commanded to lift up their voices like a trumpet.  A sleeping sentinel may be the loss of the city.

 

From: Heartwarming Bible Illustration, ©1998 AMG International Inc.

Face to Face with the Muslims

Almost a month after our short term mission exposure trip, I still think about it. That trip allowed me to have a first hand encounter with Muslims. Contrary to what was being presented in the media, Muslims are humans after all. They can be as nice as any Christian can be. However, I specially empathize with the Muslim women. Gender discrimination continues to be a problem. Let us continue to pray for them.