JRM Sydney Podcast: Recent Episodes
Towards a right and fruitful relationship with JESUS
Welcome to JRM Sydney Podcast. We are a caring church committed to bring people into a right and fruitful relationship with God; a Christ-centred, Bible-based family where JESUS is the head and members are disciples to LOVE GOD and LOVE ONE ANOTHER. We pray that you will be edified, enriched and empowered as you listen to this collection of messages and teachings. Be blessed!
How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? JOHN 5:44
If there is a longing in your heart this Advent for something that the world has not been able to satisfy, might not this longing be God’s Christmas gift preparing you to see Christ as consolation and redemption and to receive him for who he really is?
How is the heart prepared to receive Christ for who he really is? It is very simple.
The coming of Jesus was a search-and-save mission. “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)
The word advent means “coming.” In this season of the year, we focus on the meaning of the coming of the Son of God into the world. And the spirit of our celebration should be the spirit in which he came. And the spirit of that coming is summed up in Luke 19:10
Jesus came into the world at the first Advent, and every Advent since is a reminder of his continual advent into more and more lives. And that advent is, in fact, our advent—our coming, our moving into the lives of those around us and into the peoples of the world.
This is the famous question Jesus asked Peter, James, and John, after they fell asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane: “Could you not tarry one hour?” (Matt. 26:40; Mark 14:37). Jesus could rightfully ask this of us, His twenty-first century disciples. In our busy-ed life, we often push aside prayer when we’re pressed for time. But just like the disciples, we stand to lose an intimate connection with Jesus and an enlightened eternal perspective.
But God reminds us of the supreme value of being with Him and the superior height of His thoughts. In times of tarrying, God holds our gaze. And fuels our prayers. And give us His perspective. We receive directions in areas that could have been blocked for months. Most of all, our hearts are lifted and refocused by spending time with the Lord.
In this podcast exhort, listen to 7 keys for effective tarrying times with God.
The Greek word for tarry is grégoréo, and it means to be vigilant; to be responsible. A Christian who is vigilant and responsible in prayer is vigilant and responsible in life. Let's not neglect our Tarrying time together.
I guess most of us are often intrigued by the Holy Spirit. Like moths, we are attracted to the warmth and the light of His flame. Our desire is to come closer . . . to draw nearer, to know Him more fully and intimately, to enter into new and stimulating dimensions of His workings . . . without getting burned. I know that is true of me, and I suspect you often feel the same.
This month, we are entering a new series in our church called "Living in the Spirit", but a life in the Spirit (the Christian way) is not possible without knowing and encountering the source of that power. So, let's get reacquainted with the Holy Spirit.
Once every year in our Church, we celebrate what we call our FIRST FRUITS SUNDAY. This is normally every February (after the first month of “harvest” of the year is finished). Often in churches, there are plenty of Biblical terms and phrases we hear but may not understand. One such term is first fruits. So the obvious question is:
WHAT IS FIRST FRUIT?
The first fruits offering was an offering commanded by God to the Israelites in the Old Testament. It's mentioned several times and is in general a part of the Principle of the First in the Bible.
Exodus 23:19a: "The best of the first fruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God."
Leviticus 23:10: “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land that I give you and reap its harvest, you shall bring the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest."
Proverbs 3:9-10: "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine."
The most comprehensive passage about the first fruits offering is found in Deuteronomy 26. It explains that the purpose of the first fruits was to acknowledge how God took the Israelites down to Egypt, multiplied their number, released them, and gave them the land of Canaan for an inheritance. God told the Israelites that the first fruits offering was to be given in THANKS for "cities that you did not build, and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant…" (Deuteronomy 6:10-11). In the majority of appearances, first fruits is associated with THANKSGIVING to GOD for bringing the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan.
Find out more about our First Fruits Sunday:
https://www.jrmsydney.com/post/first-fruits-offering
Welcome to 2022! This year, we are carrying the theme: Changing Seasons, UNCHANGING GOD. There is an old hymns that says:
"On Christ the Solid Rock, I stand. All other ground is sinking sand."
Together let's continue to stand secure on the ever stable, steady and firm foundation; the Solid Rock - JESUS CHRIST.
Knowing that our God is IMMUTABLE (unchanging) should give us Comfort, Confidence, Courage and Conviction as we go forward and upward in this new year!
This month of November, we are exploring the ROOTS of our faith and the origins of the Church through the Book of Acts. How did the early Christians, Followers of the Way, thrive and grew and spread greater and further even in the midst of unparalleled opposition, persecution and hardships? Let's rediscover the secrets of their flourishing lives and walk with the Lord.
This month of November, we are exploring the ROOTS of our faith and the origins of the Church through the Book of Acts. How did the early Christians, Followers of the Way, thrive and grew and spread greater and further even in the midst of unparalleled opposition, persecution and hardships? Let's rediscover the secrets of their flourishing lives and walk with the Lord.
This month of November, we are exploring the ROOTS of our faith and the origins of the Church through the Book of Acts. How did the early Christians, Followers of the Way, thrive and grew and spread greater and further even in the midst of unparalleled opposition, persecution and hardships? Let's rediscover the secrets of their flourishing lives and walk with the Lord.
Let's be inspired and encouraged today by the sharing of Sis Mylyn on Psalm 37 on the Heritage of the Righteous and the Calamity of the Wicked.
Psalm 37 1 Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off;
But those who wait on the Lord,
They shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth,
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
16 A little that a righteous man has
Is better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
But the Lord upholds the righteous.
18 The Lord knows the days of the upright,
And their inheritance shall be forever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time,
And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20 But the wicked shall perish;
And the enemies of the Lord,
Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish.
Into smoke they shall vanish away.
21 The wicked borrows and does not repay,
But the righteous shows mercy and gives.
22 For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth,
But those cursed by Him shall be cut off.
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the Lord upholds him with His hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lends;
And his descendants are blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good;
And dwell forevermore.
28 For the Lord loves justice,
And does not forsake His saints;
They are preserved forever,
But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land,
And dwell in it forever.
I have experienced 3 consecutive miscarriages... 1 in 2018, 1 in 2019 and another 1 in 2020, and even before Skylar came, I already lost 1 too, so I have 4 miscarriages in total and that's 4 babies in heaven.
So we seek medical advice and we went to a reproductive immunologist in 2019 just after I had a miscarriage and the doctor found out that I have APAS. It is an Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome, it's a disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks normal proteins in the blood.
It can cause blood clots to form within the arteries, veins and organs. It can also cause miscarriage and stillbirth in pregnant women and there's no cure for antiphospholipid syndrome, but medications can reduce my risk of blood clots.So my immune system mistakenly attacks my growing baby.
During that time, the doctor didn't give me any medication but he advised me to lose weight just for at least 5-10 kg. So I decided to lose some weight and even exceeded what was required of me. I lost 20 kg.
After achieving my desired body weight, I and my husband decided to give it another go. Yes, we got pregnant again so we went back to our specialist and he advised me to be on heparin injections for my entire pregnancy.It was painful to accept that I have to go through that journey just to have a baby. But I bravely faced all the injections every night, and I am thankful for my husband who bravely administered those subcutaneous injections for me. But then again just after a few weeks, I miscarry.
After 3 consecutive miscarriages, I guess in the natural, it's pretty obvious that we can't have another child. But we have a Supernatural God, that gave us supernatural strength and grace to hope again. And with the help of my mom, our church family ate Hazel, ate Tess, pastor Jeff and my Selah DG family. We trusted the Lord and believed that He is a way maker, a promise keeper and a miracle-working God.
So we moved on and continue the race that was set before us. We just enjoyed our lives together as husband and wife, doing the ministry as a family and getting busy in the Kingdom. 2020 was indeed a busy year for us in the ministry, I remember that's the time when we first launched our first ever JRM Kids TV aired in April 2020 then JRM kids Fest in November that same year.
We just stand on the promises of God. I remember what my husband says, that the Lord will not withhold any good thing from us and when He gives something He will not add trouble to it.
So we stand in faith, enjoy our Christmas together, feasting and enjoying Gods faithfulness in our lives.
So on the 1st week of January, we had the biggest news ever and found out that we are pregnant again!!!
We didn't go back to our specialist anymore but we go directly to Our Great Physician. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against doctors but we choose to trust Him more and depend on God alone. After weeks and months of waiting in the middle of the pandemic, at 37 weeks our miracle baby is born. Here she is... Baby Oceanne Zephaniah.
Romans 8:32-34
32 For God has proved his love by giving us his greatest treasure, the gift of his Son. And since God freely offered him up as the sacrifice for us all, he certainly won’t withhold from us anything else he has to give.
And just before I end. I wanted to share what I have written in my journal. Dated 05 June 2019.
To God be all the glory.
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
As familiar as these words are in the Lord’s Prayer, their meaning and significance often escapes us.
What is the Kingdom of God? What does it mean for His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven?
In this prayer, Jesus summarized God’s plan and goal for history and creation.
The reason is simple: God is turning the entire earth into an extension of his heavenly kingdom. God is the coming King and his will will be done on earth just as fully as it’s already being done in heaven.
This is the story of the Bible - the Kingdom of God that has come, and is present here now through His Church and is yet to fully arrive!
Let's lean in now as we understand that this world is not our home. We are pilgrims here on earth; exiles from where we truly belong. Our citizenship is the Kingdom of heaven and let's learn from Daniel and his three friends how they lived as exiles in Babylon as a picture of how we also should live here in our present Babylon while waiting to return Home.
His Kingdom Comes!
Bro Jerry and Sis Tess reminds us of the importance of watchfulness and preparedness as we continue to anticipate the coming of the Lord. What really matters now are the things that matters in eternity. Are we ready?
Matthew 12:29-40
29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Watchfulness 35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Let's join the Sandoval Family in today's devotional and continue to be instructed by the Word on how to be a faithful and wise servant as we wait for the Master's return.
Matthew 24:45-51
45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Jerico and Shine share today's instructive devotional on our readiness for the coming of the Lord. Let's lean in and be found alive, alert, awake and enthusiastic.
Luke 12:35-48 Watchfulness 35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Mark 13:33-37 33 Be on guard! Be alert[a]! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
Leo, Juli and DJ share today's devotional on the Parable of the Ten Virgins and how it pertains to the Coming Kingdom of Heaven and how we should be ready and prepared fro the Day of the Lord's return. Let's continue to listen and medtitate the Word today.
Matthew 25:1-13
1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
As familiar as these words are in the Lord’s Prayer, their meaning and significance often escapes us.
What is the Kingdom of God? What does it mean for His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven?
In this prayer, Jesus summarized God’s plan and goal for history and creation.
The reason is simple: God is turning the entire earth into an extension of his heavenly kingdom. God is the coming King and his will will be done on earth just as fully as it’s already being done in heaven.
This is the story of the Bible - the Kingdom of God that has come, and is present here now through His Church and is yet to fully arrive!
Let's lean in now as we understand that this world is not our home. We are pilgrims here on earth; exiles from where we truly belong. Our citizenship is the Kingdom of heaven and let's learn from Daniel and his three friends how they lived as exiles in Babylon as a picture of how we also should live here in our present Babylon while waiting to return Home.
His Kingdom Comes!
Sister Grace shares today's devotional on how we as a modern-day church could reflect the realities of the early church in Colosse in prayer, in fruitfulness in every good work and in patient endurance and joy; knowing we have been transferred from the dominion of darkness to the Kingdom of the Son of God. Let's lean in to the Word.
Colossians 1:3-14
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
The Laguatans share with us this powerful and curious Psalm about God's rule above all and His soveregnty. As Eternal, All-powerful King of all, He reigns and is not worried at all. Let's rest on this truth. He still sits on the throne.
Psalm 2
1 Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”
4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 “I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:
He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have become your father.
8 Ask me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron;
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Angel and Weia share our inspiring devotional today. The book of Acts ends with Paul's house arrest and an open-ended manner in chapter 28, as if to say "to be continued"... and indeed it has continued. The mission went on to spread in the entire world and we are now part of that mission. We are the Acts 29 generation. So let's go!
**Acts 28:17-31
17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. 19 The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. 20** For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”
21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”
23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
27 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” [29]
30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
As familiar as these words are in the Lord’s Prayer, their meaning and significance often escapes us.
What is the Kingdom of God? What does it mean for His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven?
In this prayer, Jesus summarized God’s plan and goal for history and creation.
The reason is simple: God is turning the entire earth into an extension of his heavenly kingdom. God is the coming King and his will will be done on earth just as fully as it’s already being done in heaven.
This is the story of the Bible - the Kingdom of God that has come, and is present here now through His Church and is yet to fully arrive!
Let's lean in now as we understand that this world is not our home. We are pilgrims here on earth; exiles from where we truly belong. Our citizenship is the Kingdom of heaven and let's learn from Daniel and his three friends how they lived as exiles in Babylon as a picture of how we also should live here in our present Babylon while waiting to return Home.
His Kingdom Comes!
Today's devotional is shared by Marinel and Alona. Let's lean in as we continue to increase in the revelation of the eschatological plan of God and the good news of His Second Coming.
Revelation 1:1-8
1 The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Greetings and Doxology 4 John,
To the seven churches in the province of Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits[a] before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,”[b]
and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”;
and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”[c]
So shall it be! Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
[a] That is, the sevenfold Spirit
[b] Daniel 7:13
[c] Zech. 12:10
Eugene, Daniel and Ate Melba leads us in today's devotional and looks at the passage that touches on humility and generosity that we should exhibit in the upside-down Kingdom of God. Let's lean in and be exhorted.
Luke 14:7-14
7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Dave, Abby and Zairus, beautifully exhorts on a childlike faith that we need to receive and to continually be amazed by the Kingdom of God. Let's lean in and be inspired by this message.
Mark 10:13-16
The Little Children and Jesus 13People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15Truly I tell you, anyone, who will not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” 16And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Allan & Queena shares an insightful devotional on what it means to truly worship God. Let's be reminded of the reason, essence and means of our acceptable and proper worship to the King.
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Annika and Hannah leads us in today's devotional and amply illustrates that the Kingship of Jesus is not of this world, and so is our citizenship to His Kingdom, by the grace that has been given to us. Let's continue to listen...
John 18:28-36
Jesus Before Pilate
28 Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?”
30 “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.”
31 Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.”
“But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. 32 This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die.
33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”
35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
KG and Dan share with us this insightful devotional on Jesus' Triumphal Entry to Jerusalem as King fulfilling the prophecy of the prophet Zechariah.
Let's lean in and gain revelation of the beauty of JESUS's kingship and how we should respond to Him.
John 12:12-19
12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”
14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey’s colt.”
16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.
17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
Let's join the Batino Family as we reflect on the Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price
Matthew 13
The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
44“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
As familiar as these words are in the Lord’s Prayer, their meaning and significance often escapes us.
We'd like to share with you these powerful teachings from our recently concluded Virtual Family Camp,
What is the Kingdom of God? What does it mean for His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven?
In this prayer, Jesus summarized God’s plan and goal for history and creation.
The reason is simple: God is turning the entire earth into an extension of his heavenly kingdom. God is the coming King and his will will be done on earth just as fully as it’s already being done in heaven.
This is the story of the Bible - the Kingdom of God that has come, and is present here now through His Church and is yet to fully arrive!
Let's lean in now as we understand God's goal in history, how soon it is approaching and how we as a Church will be ready for His return.
His Kingdom Comes!
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
As familiar as these words are in the Lord’s Prayer, their meaning and significance often escapes us.
We'd like to share with you these powerful teachings from our recently concluded Virtual Family Camp,
What is the Kingdom of God? What does it mean for His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven?
In this prayer, Jesus summarized God’s plan and goal for history and creation.
The reason is simple: God is turning the entire earth into an extension of his heavenly kingdom. God is the coming King and his will will be done on earth just as fully as it’s already being done in heaven.
This is the story of the Bible - the Kingdom of God that has come, and is present here now through His Church and is yet to fully arrive!
Let's lean in now as we understand God's goal in history, how soon it is approaching and how we as a Church will be ready for His return.
His Kingdom Comes!
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
As familiar as these words are in the Lord’s Prayer, their meaning and significance often escapes us.
We'd like to share with you these powerful teachings from our recently concluded Virtual Family Camp,
What is the Kingdom of God? What does it mean for His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven?
In this prayer, Jesus summarized God’s plan and goal for history and creation.
The reason is simple: God is turning the entire earth into an extension of his heavenly kingdom. God is the coming King and his will will be done on earth just as fully as it’s already being done in heaven.
This is the story of the Bible - the Kingdom of God that has come, and is present here now through His Church and is yet to fully arrive!
Let's lean in now as we understand God's goal in history, how soon it is approaching and how we as a Church will be ready for His return.
His Kingdom Comes!
Let's explore the Parables of the Kingdom. Today, Aguilar Family shares with us the Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast. Let those who have ears, let them hear... :)
Matthew 13
31He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
33He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[b] of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
34Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:
“I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”
Let's Explore the Parables of the Kingdom. Tonight let's look at the Parable of the Weeds. Whoever has ears, let them hear...
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 The Parable of the Weeds
24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
The Parable of the Weeds Explained 36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.
Luke 14 The Parable of the Great Banquet
15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” 16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ 23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”
Our September series is another exciting journey and will be about the Topographic Symbols and Landscape of the Bible and what they mean or represent for our lives in the present. We often read Scripture verses or stories in the Bible involving mountains, rivers, gardens and deserts. (E.g. mount Sinai, river of life, garden of Eden and Gethsemane, the desert wanderings of Bible characters, etc? We also sing songs about them e.g. Desert Song, Come Alive in the River, Graves into Gardens, etc; but half the time we don't get them. We want our church to have a revelation of their rich meaning and understand them in light of God's will and ways to situations and seasons of our lives. So come, pack your bags and gear up as we trek the heights, ride the waves, smell the scents and traverse the vastness of God's beautiful picture of grace through this sceneries in His Word.
Joey, Anna and Aeva share with us the beautiful story of the jailer who Paul and Silas led to Christ Jesus and the salvation that has flowed into the rest of his household. Let's be blessed as we listen on.
Acts 16:25-34
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.
Sis Terry shares with us a very crucial passage in understanding the heart of God for true fasting. God is not impressed with religion. Genuine faith and relationship with God will always be translated into a life of humility, love, justice, mercy, righteousness and compassion. God is calling us to the true essence of fasting.
Isaiah 58
1 “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
2 For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.
3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’
“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?
6“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
13 “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14 then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”
The mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Jessica, Alyssa, and AJ share God's Word with us today based on Matthew 5 and how counterecultural and counterintuitive is the character and teachings of Jesus which ought to be our example; for us to serve as salt and light of the earth.
Matthew 5
Salt and Light 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Love for Enemies 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
God spoke to Abraham in the desert.
God spoke to Jacob in the desert.
Joseph’s life was a desert
He spoke to Moses in the desert.
David was honed and shaped in the desert along with his mighty men
He spoke to Elijah in the desert. (Before 1 Kings 18 is 1 Kings 17)
He prepared John the Baptist in the wilderness
Even Jesus went into a desert and was tested before He began his public ministry.
The apostle Paul prepared in Arabia for 3 years after his conversion before he met with the. apostles. Galatians 1:10-20
Hebrews 11 which is the Hall of Faith. Almost every single character there are called, prepared and shaped by God in the scorching heat of the desert.
Why is Solomon not there? Why is King Saul not there? They did not go through the desert and they did not finish strong either. Their faith muscles were not built and the luxuries and comforts of being a king consumed them.
Know this, if you are finding yourself in the desert right now, it’s not a punishment - or a consequence of your bad actions - you did nothing wrong - but somehow the Lord allowed it - take heart - it means GOD WANTS YOU TO FINISH STRONG.
You have a calling and God is preparing you.
Psalm 63 A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah. 1 You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you;
your right hand upholds me.
Galatians 1
Paul Called and Prepared by God in Arabia 11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.
18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.
Our dear brethren Steve and Patrizia Wirth grace our devotional sharing today on the value and power of Unity. Our God is the God of Unity and He calls us to a life of unity. There is where His blessings and anointing flows. Let's listen meditatively and be exhorted once more.
Psalm 133 NKJV
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
2It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.
3It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore.
Our Kuya JayR and his beautiful family leads us today in our devotion and exhorts on the overflowing hope that flows from our God of Hope. May our hope tank not just be always full but overflowing.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Abiding or remaining in the vine is the secret to a growing and fruitful faith life. It pertains to our relationship or connectedness to the Lord. Oftentimes, we can get overfamiliar and religious but not really consciously connected and relying on the Lord. he is our only source of life. Our life will naturally produce good fruits when we are connected to the Life-giving flow of His Spirit. Today let's be blessed by the sharing of father and daughter tandem Kuya Jobve and Sofia on John 15.
John 15
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
Worship with us and meditate this song of thanksgiving as our dear Sheland renders a beautiful rendition of one of our favourite worship songs in this season.
Thank You Jesus for the Blood _ Cover by Sis Sheland Faelnar
I was a wretch
I remember who I was
I was lost
I was blind
I was running out of time
Sin separated
The breach was far too wide
But from the far side of the chasm
You held me in your sight
So You made a way
Across the great divide
Left behind
Heavens throne
To build it here inside
And there at the cross
You paid the debt I owed
Broke my chains
Freed my soul
For the first I had hope
Thank you Jesus for the blood applied
Thank you Jesus it have washed me white
Thank you Jesus You have saved my life
Brought me from the darkness into glorious light
You took my place
Laid inside my tomb of sin
You were buried for three days
And then You walked right out again
And now death has no sting
And life has no end
For I have been transformed
By the blood of the lamb
Thank You Jesus for the blood applied (thank You Jesus)
Thank You Jesus it have washed me white
Thank You Jesus You have saved my life
Brought me from the darkness into glorious light
There is nothing stronger
Then the wonder working power of the blood
The blood
That calls us sons and daughters
We are ransomed by our father
Through the blood
The blood
There is nothing stronger
Then the wonder working power of the blood
The blood
That calls us sons and daughters
We are ransomed by the father
Through the blood
The blood
Thank You Jesus for the blood applied
Thank You Jesus it have washed me white
Thank You Jesus You have saved my life
Brought me from the darkness into glorious light
"The Day of the Lord" is what every child of God should be looking forward to with joy. And even as we wait, we are instructed in the Scriptures to keep watch and to keep on keeping on with all diligence and faithfulness. Let's join the Sandoval family as they share the Word of the Lord today.
1 Thessalonians 5
The Day of the Lord 5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Final Instructions 12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
The apostle Paul's passion and unstoppable devotion to JESUS, our Lord is truly inspiring and worth emulating. Today, the Hular family gleans over a portion of his story and how the Holy Spirit empowered him in this passage.
Acts 19:1-22
1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”
“John’s baptism,” they replied.
4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.
11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.
13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.
17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
21 After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.” 22 He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.
A blessed Monday everyone! Today, we are blessed to hear from the Cabingan Family sharing on a very crucial turning point in the history of Christianity - Jesus Ascending and the promised empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Let's lean in!
Acts 1
1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them 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. 4 On 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. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But 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.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They 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.”
A Blessed Saturday brethren! This is the day that the Lord has made... Oh how easy it is to miss the mark of each day.. to miss the graces and gifts that are already in front of us. Today let's be reminded about the prayer in psalms..
Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.
And let's be fully present and never miss out on God's Presence..
John 20:24-25
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But let us be like the believers in Acts, always fully present and anticipating that God shows up everytime we come to Him..
Acts 2:42-47
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[d] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
The great Love of God that has been lavished on us ought to lead us to a life of love and purity and a holy hatred to sin. Bro Chris and Sis Jona Gonzales shares the Word of God fromthe letter of the apostle John.
1 John 3:1-10
1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.
How important is it to cultivate an eternal perspective in the midst of temporal afflictions? Like Paul, let's train ourselves to lift our eyes and look up when things around us afflict us. Let's join Juli, Leo and DJ and they share the Word today.
2 Corinthians 4
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Today's devotional shared by the Guevara Family brings us to the nature of our unfading hope that is found in our salvation through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Let's listen in and be blessed!
1 Peter 1
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Praise to God for a Living Hope 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
It's a beautiful day to be inspired and refreshed once again by the Word of God. Mardo Family joins us today in our devotional and shares the letter of John to the early church reminding them of the indicators or fruits of a genuine fellowship with Christ. Let's continue to learn from them.
1 John 2
1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers 3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God[a] is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.
9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister[b] is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister[c] lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.
Reasons for Writing 12 I am writing to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
14 I write to you, dear children,
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.
On Not Loving the World 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[d] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Our September series is another exciting journey and will be about the Topographic Symbols and Landscape of the Bible and what they mean or represent for our lives in the present. We often read Scripture verses or stories in the Bible involving mountains, rivers, gardens and deserts. (E.g. mount Sinai, river of life, garden of Eden and Gethsemane, the desert wanderings of Bible characters, etc? We also sing songs about them e.g. Desert Song, Come Alive in the River, Graves into Gardens, etc; but half the time we don't get them. We want our church to have a revelation of their rich meaning and understand them in light of God's will and ways to situations and seasons of our lives. So come, pack your bags and gear up as we trek the heights, ride the waves, smell the scents and traverse the vastness of God's beautiful picture of grace through this sceneries in His Word.
Sis Mylyn and son Ben share today's beautiful devotion about the heart of David for God and how he was called to be a man after God's own heart. Oh may we all cultivate a heart for God similar to this man of God. Be blessed!
Psalm 51
A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.
18 May it please you to prosper Zion,
to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
in burnt offerings offered whole;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Our devotional today is shared by Bro Jerry and Sis Tess Manalang on a specific account of Paul And Barnabas ministry work in Cyprus on Acts 13. Let's be reminded that Kingdom work can only be done by Kingdom-empowerment - the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:1-12
1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
On Cyprus 4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.
6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”
Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
Sister Grace Crisolo graces us for today's devotional. This passage of the Scriptures reminds us to be always vigilant and spiritually equipped for battle. Let's do just that!
Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
The passage we read is about spiritual warfare. In any battle, we will not win if we don’t know who our real enemy is. As Christians, we are always reminded that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the evil spirit and principalities, battling in our hearts and minds, and even around us. In the verses we read, Paul said we can defeat the enemy by first, being strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, and second, by putting on the whole armour of God. These two are essential because like in actual battle, we cannot put armour on a weak soldier. The soldier must be strong first. Before a soldier is given a gun, he goes through training first and must develop self-discipline. Being strong in the Lord is relying on his mighty power, at the same time stepping up to do the word to grow and not just sit passively.
Second, Paul said to put on the full armour of God, not just one or two or some. It is the full armour of God that will enable us to withstand firm against the tricks, schemes and deceptions of the devil. It is not we ourselves who will withstand, but it is Christ Who is Himself our armour. Our strength is found in him, as we believe in His Word and promises to us. Putting Jesus as our own armour means believing that we don’t have to give in to sin, and to rely on God and not on our own understanding. We are to meditate and reflect on God's Word at all times, feeding ourselves on the Bread of Life. We must take up the spiritual armour of Christ because our enemy is not earthly but spiritual. This reminds us of our need and dependence upon Christ as we cannot win the battle on our own, but by the power of God as we are filled with the spirit of God.
In the last verse that we read, it says we must pray all kinds of prayers at all times and we must pray for all the Lord’s people. In these very trying times, we must cover each other in prayers so that we may all and together win this battle.
It's a blessing to hear today the Word of the Lord from our dear Bro Frizal and Sis Mariel Munjil as they share and encourage us to continue giving our lives to the Lord as a Living Sacrifice.
Romans 12:1-8
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Humble Service in the Body of Christ
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ, we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Today's devotional is shared by Sis May Alicbusan. Let's explore James chapter 5 and be encouraged oncea again by the letter of the apostle James to the early church.
James 5
Patience in Suffering 7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
The Prayer of Faith 13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
Our September series is another exciting journey and will be about the Topographic Symbols and Landscape of the Bible and what they mean or represent for our lives in the present. We often read Scripture verses or stories in the Bible involving mountains, rivers, gardens and deserts. (E.g. mount Sinai, river of life, garden of Eden and Gethsemane, the desert wanderings of Bible characters, etc? We also sing songs about them e.g. Desert Song, Come Alive in the River, Graves into Gardens, etc; but half the time we don't get them. We want our church to have a revelation of their rich meaning and understand them in light of God's will and ways to situations and seasons of our lives. So come, pack your bags and gear up as we trek the heights, ride the waves, smell the scents and traverse the vastness of God's beautiful picture of grace through this sceneries in His Word.
Sis Hazel shares with us what it means to anchor our faith in Christ alone and what it means that He is the cornerstone of our salvation.
Acts 4
1The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is
“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Mark 1:35-39
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he travelled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Jesus knew the balance of rest and work. And we observe that He lived each day with the right priorities in place. He doesn't start each day with work but with rest - spiritual rest - in prayer - alone with the Father. He rested but was never lazy; He worked but was never busy. God is not a God of laziness nor of busyness. He is the God of Purpose and Discipline. Never mistake busy with purpose. We can be busy but not productive. We can spend time, resources or energy but to no avail of what really matters in life nor of any value in eternity nor to leave behind a good legacy. Laziness is not godly, but so is busyness.
Satan wants us lazy so we don't live our lives to the full. But Satan also wants us caught up in busyness so we don't live our lives serving the Lord. Both laziness and busyness rob us of living at all! It is only when we know our Creator and Saviour, that we discover and understand why we were created and empowered to live it.
Observe Jesus. He was neither lazy nor busy! He was purposeful. He came to accomplish His mission and He did it in the right rhythms of God's kairos. He was never in a hurry nor was he running late or overly stressed, neither cramming nor worried nor passive with apathy. He was gracefully paced and took His signal from the Father. He did not start the day with work. He started every day with rest - with prayer - with spending time with the Father. And that's what made His work effective and productive and blessed many.
Bro Regie and Sis Girlie lead us in today's devotional and looks at the infilling of the Holy Spirit among the believers in the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. Let's listen in and may what they have experienced also become ours in increasing measure.
Acts 2
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 “‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy...
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
**Let's join the Juicos in this interactive Family Devotion and continue to meditate on the GLORY of GOD. Let's be inspired and filled with wonder as we worship our LORD today.
1 Chronicles 16:8-36**David's Song of Thanks
8 Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
10 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
11 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
12 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles and the judgments he uttered,
13 O offspring of Israel his servant,
children of Jacob, his chosen ones!
14 He is the Lord our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.
15 Remember his covenant forever,
the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
16 the covenant that he made with Abraham,
his sworn promise to Isaac,
17 which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant,
18 saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan,
as your portion for an inheritance.”
19 When you were few in number,
of little account, and sojourners in it,
20 wandering from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another people,
21 he allowed no one to oppress them;
he rebuked kings on their account,
22 saying, “Touch not my anointed ones,
do my prophets no harm!”
23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Tell of his salvation from day to day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
25 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and he is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his place.
28 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come before him!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
30 tremble before him, all the earth;
yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,
and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
32 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
33 Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Our dear sis Anabelle together with her son Stanley and daughter Bella reminds us to pray as Moses prayed in this Psalm and gain a heart of wisdom as we live our lives in the light of eternity.
Psalm 90
A prayer of Moses the man of God. 1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
3 You turn people back to dust,
saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”
4 A thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.
5 Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—
they are like the new grass of the morning:
6 In the morning it springs up new,
but by evening it is dry and withered.
7 We are consumed by your anger
and terrified by your indignation.
8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.
9 All our days pass away under your wrath;
we finish our years with a moan.
10 Our days may come to seventy years,
or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
11 If only we knew the power of your anger!
Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.
12 Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
13 Relent, Lord! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendour to their children.
17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 20
A psalm of David
1 May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. 3 May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. 4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. 5 May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests. 6 Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. 8 They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. 9 Lord, give victory to the king! Answer us when we call!
JI Packer says: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." What we believe about God affects how we live, how we make decisions, how we view ourselves and others, and how we respond to circumstances we face in life. Our beliefs about God also affect our relationship with Him or the lack of it. It’s important to have a right and healthy knowledge and view of God—one that is based not on our feelings, experience or opinion but on the truth of His Word. The God of the Bible is beyond predication. He is incomprehensible and yet He chose to step into human history and reveal Himself and desires to be in relationship with His creation. This month we are diving into the Attributes of God - the nature and character traits of God as they are revealed to us in the Scriptures.
The Aguilar Family shares today's devotional on the authenticity, clarity and sureness of our faith through the Light that is JESUS and how his light pierces the darkness and enables the forgiveness of our sins.
1 John 1
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete.
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
SIs Alona and Sis Marinel share with us this inspiring devotional on the right attitude and mindset in the midst of sufferings - Christlikeness!
Be blessed as you listen in today's sharing.
1 Peter 4
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
2 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will, should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
The Florentino Family bringing us the Word of God today on Taming the Tongue. Such a timely reminder, encouragement and challenge for us all. Be blessed!
James 3
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
The Laguatan siblings, Annika and Hannah leads in today's Devotional and shares with us the power of a life lived by faith. Be blessed!
Hebrews 11
4 By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. 7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she[b] considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
Hebrews 11: 39- 40 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
The Quodala Siblings, KG and Dan, leads in today's Devotional on how we shine like stars in the dark sky and make a difference in simple and doable ways in the midst of this warped and crooked generation.
Philippians 2
12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
Jessica, Alyssa and AJ share our devotional this morning on the struggle between the flesh and the spirit. Let's be encouraged, challenged and empowered as we receive the Word of the Lord today.
Galatians 5
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
JI Packer says: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." What we believe about God affects how we live, how we make decisions, how we view ourselves and others, and how we respond to circumstances we face in life. Our beliefs about God also affect our relationship with Him or the lack of it. It’s important to have a right and healthy knowledge and view of God—one that is based not on our feelings, experience or opinion but on the truth of His Word. The God of the Bible is beyond predication. He is incomprehensible and yet He chose to step into human history and reveal Himself and desires to be in relationship with His creation. This month we are diving into the Attributes of God - the nature and character traits of God as they are revealed to us in the Scriptures.
Father and daughter tandem, Bro Jobve and Sofia, leads our Devotional today. Be blessed as we learn the gifts uniquely given to us and its purpose to serve the Lord.
1 Corinthians 12
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
Unity and Diversity in the Body 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
The Cabingan Family is leading us in today's powerful devotional from Romans 8. Let's lean in and be blessed!
Romans 8
1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit that gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the spirit
38 For I am convinced neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Today's Devotional is shared by the Dela Cruz Family. Listen in and be blessed!
Romans 5
Peace and Hope in Christ
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ 12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%205&version=NIV
Today, we are blessed to have the Francia Family to share our Devotional about Godly Wisdom.
Proverbs 8
4 “To you, O people, I call out;I raise my voice to all mankind.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,knowledge rather than choice gold,11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies,and nothing you desire can compare with her.
12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;I possess knowledge and discretion.13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil;I hate pride and arrogance,evil behavior and perverse speech.14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;I have insight, I have power.
15 By me kings reignand rulers issue decrees that are just;16 by me princes govern,and nobles—all who rule on earth.17 I love those who love me,and those who seek me find me.
32 “Now then, my children, listen to me;blessed are those who keep my ways.33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;do not disregard it.34 Blessed are those who listen to me,watching daily at my doors,waiting at my doorway.35 For those who find me find lifeand receive favor from the Lord.36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;all who hate me love death.”
JI Packer says: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." What we believe about God affects how we live, how we make decisions, how we view ourselves and others, and how we respond to circumstances we face in life. Our beliefs about God also affect our relationship with Him or the lack of it. It’s important to have a right and healthy knowledge and view of God—one that is based not on our feelings, experience or opinion but on the truth of His Word. The God of the Bible is beyond predication. He is incomprehensible and yet He chose to step into human history and reveal Himself and desires to be in relationship with His creation. This month we are diving into the Attributes of God - the nature and character traits of God as they are revealed to us in the Scriptures.
Sis Terry and her son Erwin shares with us our Devotional today. Be blessed! Psalm 27 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
**Psalm 103 (NKJV)
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more.
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children,
18 To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules overall.
20 Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.
21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
22 Bless the Lord, all His works, In all places of His dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Today's Devotional is shared by the Sandoval Family. Let's be blessed and discover how a criminal is given access to paradise.
Luke 23:33-43
33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Let's join Bro Allan and Sis Queena as they share today's devotional.
Isaiah 53 NKJV
1 Who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
He has no form or comeliness;
And when we see Him,
There is no beauty that we should desire Him.
3He is despised and rejected by men,
A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
4Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes, we are healed.
6All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, everyone, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Let's join the Cruz Family for our Devotional this morning.
Luke 22:31-32
31“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.
32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.
And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Let's join the Hular Family as they share our Devotional today:
Matthew 21:18-22
Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, He was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then He said to it, “ May you never bear fruit again!”. Immediately the tree withered.
When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. How did the fig tree wither so quickly? They asked. Jesus replied, “ Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, Go throw yourself into the sea, and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
JI Packer says: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." What we believe about God affects how we live, how we make decisions, how we view ourselves and others, and how we respond to circumstances we face in life. Our beliefs about God also affect our relationship with Him or the lack of it. It’s important to have a right and healthy knowledge and view of God—one that is based not on our feelings, experience or opinion but on the truth of His Word. The God of the Bible is beyond predication. He is incomprehensible and yet He chose to step into human history and reveal Himself and desires to be in relationship with His creation. This month we are diving into the Attributes of God - the nature and character traits of God as they are revealed to us in the Scriptures.
**Let's join Bro Regie and Sis Girlie as they share the Word of God today.
John 17:9-24 NLT**
9 “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. 10 All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. 11 Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name;[b] now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. 12 During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me.[c] I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.
13 “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. 14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
**Let's join Sis Mylyn and Ben today for our Daily Devotion.
John 14:6
Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life, No one comes to the Father but by Me.**
**John 14:25-27
“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.**
Luke 10:37-37
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Mark 10:13-16 13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
2 Corinthians 4:7-11, 14, 16-18
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.
14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
JI Packer says: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." What we believe about God affects how we live, how we make decisions, how we view ourselves and others, and how we respond to circumstances we face in life. Our beliefs about God also affect our relationship with Him or the lack of it. It’s important to have a right and healthy knowledge and view of God—one that is based not on our feelings, experience or opinion but on the truth of His Word. The God of the Bible is beyond predication. He is incomprehensible and yet He chose to step into human history and reveal Himself and desires to be in relationship with His creation. This month we are diving into the Attributes of God - the nature and character traits of God as they are revealed to us in the Scriptures.
Matthew 7:7-11
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
We can remember this verse easily by the acronym ASK.
A - ask
S - seek
K - knock
These verses reveal our Heavenly Father’s character - a generous, loving and relational Father. Only a child with a relationship with a father can ask, seek and knock without having second thoughts or hesitation. Let's listen in as the Mirandas share this beautiful passage.
Be blessed and inspired by this Original Song entitled "Papuri Sa Iyong Pangalan"
Words and Music by: Ramil Crisolo
Performed by: Ramil Crisolo, Hannah Crisolo and Angel Crisolo
Watch video clip from: https://fb.watch/7aig_WM5Js/
Matthew 6:25-34
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
In this text, Jesus illustrates 3 basic necessities for human existence. Food, water, and shelter. Jesus is pointing out that God the Father is concerned even to the most basic needs that we have and tells His disciples to not worry. We all know what will happen if we don’t have these basic needs in our lives. We will not be able to survive. Bear in mind Jesus is not saying don’t eat, don’t drink or take shelter. He gives an assurance about God's Character and Integrity and that we can trust Him. Why? Because if we call God Father, then the Father will make sure that he will provide all the things we need according to His tender mercies and His richness.
Today’ we will be gleaning from the Book of Matthew Chapter 5 verses 13-16
Verse 13 says - 13“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
verses 14 to 16 it says - 14“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
When our Lord Jesus Christ said these words, he was speaking to a crowd of followers and disciples (not just the 12 disciples). He was teaching them that they who are following him, those who consider themselves as his disciples are the salt of the earth and light of the world. Let's continue listening on this short devotional with the Quodalas.
JI Packer says: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." What we believe about God affects how we live, how we make decisions, how we view ourselves and others, and how we respond to circumstances we face in life. Our beliefs about God also affect our relationship with Him or the lack of it. It’s important to have a right and healthy knowledge and view of God—one that is based not on our feelings, experience or opinion but on the truth of His Word. The God of the Bible is beyond predication. He is incomprehensible and yet He chose to step into human history and reveal Himself and desires to be in relationship with His creation. This month we are diving into the Attributes of God - the nature and character traits of God as they are revealed to us in the Scriptures.
Luke 4:18-19“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. 19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.
- Psalm 46:10 He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
- Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.
- Psalm 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!
- Psalm 62:5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.
- Job 6:24 Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray.
- Psalm 131:2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
- Isaiah 32:17 And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+19&version=NKJV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQgiqMDRdj0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq59iE3MhXM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7pJb49vVQY
Basics on How to Practice and Establish Your Daily Devotion
**It’s one thing to simply read scripture, but when you interact with it, when you learn to slow down to REALLY read it, suddenly words start popping off the page. This is what the Scripture describes as "meditation".
Learn how to SOAP daily in this blog segment we call, JRM Sydney H.A.B.I.T.S.**https://www.jrmsydney.com/post/how-to-s-o-a-p-daily
Luke 10:38-42 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
When our normal is shattered from life-altering experiences we are often left with fear, anxiety, heartbreak, and disappointment, eventually leading us to despair. Our hopes and dreams are dimmed by the hard reality of life. But hope isn’t just a fleeting wish, Hope has a Name and His Name is IMMANUEL - God with us! His Name is JESUS!
JI Packer says: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." What we believe about God affects how we live, how we make decisions, how we view ourselves and others, and how we respond to circumstances we face in life. Our beliefs about God also affect our relationship with Him or the lack of it. It’s important to have a right and healthy knowledge and view of God—one that is based not on our feelings, experience or opinion but on the truth of His Word. The God of the Bible is beyond predication. He is incomprehensible and yet He chose to step into human history and reveal Himself and desires to be in relationship with His creation. This month we are diving into the Attributes of God - the nature and character traits of God as they are revealed to us in the Scriptures.
JI Packer says: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." What we believe about God affects how we live, how we make decisions, how we view ourselves and others, and how we respond to circumstances we face in life. Our beliefs about God also affect our relationship with Him or the lack of it. It’s important to have a right and healthy knowledge and view of God—one that is based not on our feelings, experience or opinion but on the truth of His Word. The God of the Bible is beyond predication. He is incomprehensible and yet He chose to step into human history and reveal Himself and desires to be in relationship with His creation. This month we are diving into the Attributes of God - the nature and character traits of God as they are revealed to us in the Scriptures.
JI Packer says: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." What we believe about God affects how we live, how we make decisions, how we view ourselves and others, and how we respond to circumstances we face in life. Our beliefs about God also affect our relationship with Him or the lack of it. It’s important to have a right and healthy knowledge and view of God—one that is based not on our feelings, experience or opinion but on the truth of His Word. The God of the Bible is beyond predication. He is incomprehensible and yet He chose to step into human history and reveal Himself and desires to be in relationship with His creation. This month we are diving into the Attributes of God - the nature and character traits of God as they are revealed to us in the Scriptures.
JI Packer says: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." What we believe about God affects how we live, how we make decisions, how we view ourselves and others, and how we respond to circumstances we face in life. Our beliefs about God also affect our relationship with Him or the lack of it. It’s important to have a right and healthy knowledge and view of God—one that is based not on our feelings, experience or opinion but on the truth of His Word. The God of the Bible is beyond predication. He is incomprehensible and yet He chose to step into human history and reveal Himself and desires to be in relationship with His creation. This month we are diving into the Attributes of God - the nature and character traits of God as they are revealed to us in the Scriptures.
Welcome to the JRM Living Room. This month we are talking about our theme CREATED FOR WORSHIP. Exploring our God-given purpose and discovering the depths and wonder of God's plan for us and through us. Enjoy the conversation.
Welcome to the JRM Living Room. This month we are talking about our theme CREATED FOR WORSHIP. Exploring our God-given purpose and discovering the depths and wonder of God's plan for us and through us. Enjoy the conversation.
Welcome to the JRM Living Room. This month we are talking about our theme CREATED FOR WORSHIP. Exploring our God-given purpose and discovering the depths and wonder of God's plan for us and through us.
Welcome to the JRM Living Room. This month we are talking about our theme CREATED FOR WORSHIP. Exploring our God-given purpose and discovering the depths and wonder of God's plan for us and through us.
The enemy is powerless against a Christian who prays and obeys the Lord. Our victory in the Lord is lived out day by day in this sense. Our obedience is our weapon and prayers are arrows that assaults enemy territories in the heavenly realms. Let's learn from Brother Jerico Juico and be inspired to live our lives undaunted and unstoppable, fulfilling the will, purpose and calling of God in our lives.
In this Spiritual Warfare, we do not struggle for victory! Victory has already been won and sealed by the Lord's death and resurrection. We come FROM a position of victory and we keep on advancing. As we continue to understand that Christ has won it all, He also beckons us to His Commission. The KINGDOM of GOD is advancing one soul at a time. For the cause of Cross, the salvation of the lost and the glory of God! Let's Go!!!
In this instalment of our series, let's discover why Christian Mothers are among the most formidable spiritual warriors. The devil is terrified when moms discover the power of prayer and a devoted life. They leave an indelible legacy for their children.No wonder they are called "Ilaw ng Tahanan" (Light of the Home). The darkness cannot prevail as our moms lift up their hands and hearts in prayers.
"Life and Death is in the power of the tongue. Words have power. The universe was created when God spoke... and ultimately the WORD became flesh and dwelleth not just among us but to live within us! As GOD's redeemed and empowered children of GOD, our words have power too! And when we use them according to GOD's ordained purpose, they create, rebuild, restore, heal. It also can destroy the works of the enemy! It advances the Kingdom of God in our lives and on the earth and shatters the kingdom of darkness. Let's listen in as Sis. Mylyn basa powerfully exhorts us the power of speaking God's Truth in our lives.
Spiritual Warfare is a key topic that all believers should need to understand to have victory in his walk in the Lord. We battle the Devil, the flash and the structural evils of this world. The Devil, also called Satan, was an elite angel who rebelled against God, seeking to steal His glory and usurp His authority. He became the commander-in-chief of a war against God so God cast him out of heaven with a minority of angels now known as demons. Satan and his demons operate by deceiving us, seducing us, blinding us, accusing us, and seeking to influence us in such a way as to defeat us and thereby rob God of His glory (Ephesians 6:12). Join us in this series to unpack and grow in our understanding of this topic.
The resurrection places JESUS Christ in a class by Himself. It is what makes Him identifiable as the One True Saviour of all! - Messiah!
Other religions can compete with Christianity on many things - e.g. holy book, large following, religious traditions, morality, and contribution to human society, etc.
But only the Christian can say: “Our FOUNDER rose from the dead!” - END of conversation. And that Resurrection power is our living hope! That is where we are assured adn secured of our FREEDOM!
The resurrection places JESUS Christ in a class by Himself. It is what makes Him identifiable as the One True Saviour of all! - Messiah!
Other religions can compete with Christianity on many things - e.g. holy book, large following, religious traditions, morality, and contribution to human society, etc.
But only the Christian can say: “Our FOUNDER rose from the dead!” - END of conversation. And that Resurrection power is our living hope! That is where we are assured adn secured of our FREEDOM!
Welcome to our GOOD FRIDAY Service!
The crucifixion and resurrection place JESUS Christ in a class by Himself. It is what makes Him identifiable as the One True Saviour of all! - Messiah!
Other religions can compete with Christianity on many things - e.g. holy book, large following, religious traditions, morality, and contribution to human society, etc.
But only in Christianity had in its climax the humiliation of its God as its true glorification. Our Messiah defeated death by dying on the cross. And only the Christian can say: “Our FOUNDER rose from the dead!” - END of conversation. And that Resurrection power is our living hope! That is where we are assured adn secured of our FREEDOM!
This series explores how the same grace that brings us to faith in Christ is also the same grace that disciplines us in Christ. The grace of God is to enable us to practice the disciplines that Christ Himself taught His disciples. What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ? What lifestyle are we called to live and how can we grow in these virtues?
This series explores how the same grace that brings us to faith in Christ is also the same grace that disciplines us in Christ. The grace of God is to enable us to practice the disciplines that Christ Himself taught His disciples. What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ? What lifestyle are we called to live and how can we grow in these virtues?
This series explores how the same grace that brings us to faith in Christ is also the same grace that disciplines us in Christ. The grace of God is to enable us to practice the disciplines that Christ Himself taught His disciples. What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ? What lifestyle are we called to live and how can we grow in these virtues?
This series explores how the same grace that brings us to faith in Christ is also the same grace that disciplines us in Christ. The grace of God is to enable us to practice the disciplines that Christ Himself taught His disciples. What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ? What lifestyle are we called to live and how can we grow in these virtues?
This series explores how the same grace that brings us to faith in Christ is also the same grace that disciplines us in Christ. The grace of God is to enable us to practice the disciplines that Christ Himself taught His disciples. What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ? What lifestyle are we called to live and how can we grow in these virtues?
The Holy Spirit is not just given in the NT; he was operative throughout the whole of the OT: the Spirit is the creative power of God, was responsible for empowering civil and military leaders in the nation of Israel, and anointed the kings of Israel to enable them to fulfill their calling. Since the miracle of Pentecost, which was the fulfillment of OT prophecy, the Christian church has received the Spirit in a democratized fashion. Now, all Christians receive the gift of the Spirit to enable them to carry out the wide variety ministries God calls them to. The Spirit also enables supernatural gifts and signs to operate, such as prophecy and speaking in tongues. The Spirit guides Christians in their faith and is the seal upon them that they will ultimately inherit all the blessings of Christ. And above all else, the Spirit is given to shine a light upon Jesus and direct the focus of our heart’s confidence and adoration on him alone. This month, let's gear up for FIRE POWER; as we together pray Give Me Oil in My Lam and Keep Me Burning!
The Holy Spirit is not just given in the NT; he was operative throughout the whole of the OT: the Spirit is the creative power of God, was responsible for empowering civil and military leaders in the nation of Israel, and anointed the kings of Israel to enable them to fulfill their calling. Since the miracle of Pentecost, which was the fulfillment of OT prophecy, the Christian church has received the Spirit in a democratized fashion. Now, all Christians receive the gift of the Spirit to enable them to carry out the wide variety ministries God calls them to. The Spirit also enables supernatural gifts and signs to operate, such as prophecy and speaking in tongues. The Spirit guides Christians in their faith and is the seal upon them that they will ultimately inherit all the blessings of Christ. And above all else, the Spirit is given to shine a light upon Jesus and direct the focus of our heart’s confidence and adoration on him alone. This month, let's gear up for FIRE POWER; as we together pray Give Me Oil in My Lam and Keep Me Burning!
The Holy Spirit is not just given in the NT; he was operative throughout the whole of the OT: the Spirit is the creative power of God, was responsible for empowering civil and military leaders in the nation of Israel, and anointed the kings of Israel to enable them to fulfill their calling. Since the miracle of Pentecost, which was the fulfillment of OT prophecy, the Christian church has received the Spirit in a democratized fashion. Now, all Christians receive the gift of the Spirit to enable them to carry out the wide variety ministries God calls them to. The Spirit also enables supernatural gifts and signs to operate, such as prophecy and speaking in tongues. The Spirit guides Christians in their faith and is the seal upon them that they will ultimately inherit all the blessings of Christ. And above all else, the Spirit is given to shine a light upon Jesus and direct the focus of our heart’s confidence and adoration on him alone. This month, let's gear up for FIRE POWER; as we together pray Give Me Oil in My Lam and Keep Me Burning!
The Holy Spirit is not just given in the NT; he was operative throughout the whole of the OT: the Spirit is the creative power of God, was responsible for empowering civil and military leaders in the nation of Israel, and anointed the kings of Israel to enable them to fulfill their calling. Since the miracle of Pentecost, which was the fulfillment of OT prophecy, the Christian church has received the Spirit in a democratized fashion. Now, all Christians receive the gift of the Spirit to enable them to carry out the wide variety ministries God calls them to. The Spirit also enables supernatural gifts and signs to operate, such as prophecy and speaking in tongues. The Spirit guides Christians in their faith and is the seal upon them that they will ultimately inherit all the blessings of Christ. And above all else, the Spirit is given to shine a light upon Jesus and direct the focus of our heart’s confidence and adoration on him alone. This month, let's gear up for FIRE POWER; as we together pray Give Me Oil in My Lam and Keep Me Burning!
The Holy Spirit is not just given in the NT; he was operative throughout the whole of the OT: the Spirit is the creative power of God, was responsible for empowering civil and military leaders in the nation of Israel, and anointed the kings of Israel to enable them to fulfill their calling. Since the miracle of Pentecost, which was the fulfillment of OT prophecy, the Christian church has received the Spirit in a democratized fashion. Now, all Christians receive the gift of the Spirit to enable them to carry out the wide variety ministries God calls them to. The Spirit also enables supernatural gifts and signs to operate, such as prophecy and speaking in tongues. The Spirit guides Christians in their faith and is the seal upon them that they will ultimately inherit all the blessings of Christ. And above all else, the Spirit is given to shine a light upon Jesus and direct the focus of our heart’s confidence and adoration on him alone. This month, let's gear up for FIRE POWER; as we together pray Give Me Oil in My Lam and Keep Me Burning!
This month's series is called "RISE UP and BUILD" and we are exploring the post-exilic era of the Jews and their return to Jerusalem. We will rediscover the stories of Ezra, Nehemiah and Zerubabbel and rebuilding of the walls and the key theological idea of THE TEMPLE. Just like these men of God, God is looking for His people to respond to the call to rise up and build. Because if we look around us walls of protection are shattered and proper worship needs to be restored.
This month's series is called "RISE UP and BUILD" and we are exploring the post-exilic era of the Jews and their return to Jerusalem. We will rediscover the stories of Ezra, Nehemiah and Zerubabbel and rebuilding of the walls and the key theological idea of THE TEMPLE.
Knowing how to read the Epistles is very vital to Christian growth since they make up 21 of the 27 books in the New Testament. Paul wrote 13 of them. Three were written by the apostle John, two by Peter, one each by James and Jude (the brothers of Jesus), and one by the unknown author of Hebrews. Epistles are Letters written Post-Resurrection and in the era of the beginnings of the spread of the Church; meant to be read as a whole to a community of believers who are mostly non-readers.
Reading the epistles is like listening to a one-sided conversation or reading someone else’s letter without knowing the full context of what the other party said or they were talking about, that's why it is key to understand the sociocultural and cross-reference (Acts) context to these letters.
Most of these letters have three parts: (1) the opening; (2) the body; and (3) the closing. The opening of a letter has four different elements: (1) the sender (e.g., Paul); (2) the recipients (e.g., the Corinthians); (3) the salutation (e.g., “grace and peace to you”); and (4) a prayer (usually a thanksgiving).
A wide range of circumstances prompted the writing of the epistles. Disorder in a church, the threat of false teaching, trepidation about the end of the world, confusion about death, controversy over religious practices, ambiguity about ethics, weakness in leadership. Some epistles were meant as a word of encouragement or just a way of reconnecting. The books of Hebrews and Romans offer an expansive theological perspective. Some letters focus on a particular theological point: grace in the case of Galatians, Christ in the case of Colossians, the church in the case of Ephesians.
This month we will embark on the ever so crucial Letter of James.
Knowing how to read the Epistles is very vital to Christian growth since they make up 21 of the 27 books in the New Testament. Paul wrote 13 of them. Three were written by the apostle John, two by Peter, one each by James and Jude (the brothers of Jesus), and one by the unknown author of Hebrews. Epistles are Letters written Post-Resurrection and in the era of the beginnings of the spread of the Church; meant to be read as a whole to a community of believers who are mostly non-readers.
Reading the epistles is like listening to a one-sided conversation or reading someone else’s letter without knowing the full context of what the other party said or they were talking about, that's why it is key to understand the sociocultural and cross-reference (Acts) context to these letters.
Most of these letters have three parts: (1) the opening; (2) the body; and (3) the closing. The opening of a letter has four different elements: (1) the sender (e.g., Paul); (2) the recipients (e.g., the Corinthians); (3) the salutation (e.g., “grace and peace to you”); and (4) a prayer (usually a thanksgiving).
A wide range of circumstances prompted the writing of the epistles. Disorder in a church, the threat of false teaching, trepidation about the end of the world, confusion about death, controversy over religious practices, ambiguity about ethics, weakness in leadership. Some epistles were meant as a word of encouragement or just a way of reconnecting. The books of Hebrews and Romans offer an expansive theological perspective. Some letters focus on a particular theological point: grace in the case of Galatians, Christ in the case of Colossians, the church in the case of Ephesians.
This month we will embark on the Pastoral Epistles.
Knowing how to read the Epistles is very vital to Christian growth since they make up 21 of the 27 books in the New Testament. Paul wrote 13 of them. Three were written by the apostle John, two by Peter, one each by James and Jude (the brothers of Jesus), and one by the unknown author of Hebrews. Epistles are Letters written Post-Resurrection and in the era of the beginnings of the spread of the Church; meant to be read as a whole to a community of believers who are mostly non-readers.
Reading the epistles is like listening to a one-sided conversation or reading someone else’s letter without knowing the full context of what the other party said or they were talking about, that's why it is key to understand the sociocultural and cross-reference (Acts) context to these letters.
Most of these letters have three parts: (1) the opening; (2) the body; and (3) the closing. The opening of a letter has four different elements: (1) the sender (e.g., Paul); (2) the recipients (e.g., the Corinthians); (3) the salutation (e.g., “grace and peace to you”); and (4) a prayer (usually a thanksgiving).
A wide range of circumstances prompted the writing of the epistles. Disorder in a church, the threat of false teaching, trepidation about the end of the world, confusion about death, controversy over religious practices, ambiguity about ethics, weakness in leadership. Some epistles were meant as a word of encouragement or just a way of reconnecting. The books of Hebrews and Romans offer an expansive theological perspective. Some letters focus on a particular theological point: grace in the case of Galatians, Christ in the case of Colossians, the church in the case of Ephesians.
This month we will embark on the ever so crucial Letter called Hebrews.
Knowing how to read the Epistles is very vital to Christian growth since they make up 21 of the 27 books in the New Testament. Paul wrote 13 of them. Three were written by the apostle John, two by Peter, one each by James and Jude (the brothers of Jesus), and one by the unknown author of Hebrews. Epistles are Letters written Post-Resurrection and in the era of the beginnings of the spread of the Church; meant to be read as a whole to a community of believers who are mostly non-readers.
Reading the epistles is like listening to a one-sided conversation or reading someone else’s letter without knowing the full context of what the other party said or they were talking about, that's why it is key to understand the sociocultural and cross-reference (Acts) context to these letters.
Most of these letters have three parts: (1) the opening; (2) the body; and (3) the closing. The opening of a letter has four different elements: (1) the sender (e.g., Paul); (2) the recipients (e.g., the Corinthians); (3) the salutation (e.g., “grace and peace to you”); and (4) a prayer (usually a thanksgiving).
A wide range of circumstances prompted the writing of the epistles. Disorder in a church, the threat of false teaching, trepidation about the end of the world, confusion about death, controversy over religious practices, ambiguity about ethics, weakness in leadership. Some epistles were meant as a word of encouragement or just a way of reconnecting. The books of Hebrews and Romans offer an expansive theological perspective. Some letters focus on a particular theological point: grace in the case of Galatians, Christ in the case of Colossians, the church in the case of Ephesians.
This month we will embark on the Pastoral Epistles.
Knowing how to read the Epistles is very vital to Christian growth since they make up 21 of the 27 books in the New Testament. Paul wrote 13 of them. Three were written by the apostle John, two by Peter, one each by James and Jude (the brothers of Jesus), and one by the unknown author of Hebrews. Epistles are Letters written Post-Resurrection and in the era of the beginnings of the spread of the Church; meant to be read as a whole to a community of believers who are mostly non-readers.
Reading the epistles is like listening to a one-sided conversation or reading someone else’s letter without knowing the full context of what the other party said or they were talking about, that's why it is key to understand the sociocultural and cross-reference (Acts) context to these letters.
Most of these letters have three parts: (1) the opening; (2) the body; and (3) the closing. The opening of a letter has four different elements: (1) the sender (e.g., Paul); (2) the recipients (e.g., the Corinthians); (3) the salutation (e.g., “grace and peace to you”); and (4) a prayer (usually a thanksgiving).
A wide range of circumstances prompted the writing of the epistles. Disorder in a church, the threat of false teaching, trepidation about the end of the world, confusion about death, controversy over religious practices, ambiguity about ethics, weakness in leadership. Some epistles were meant as a word of encouragement or just a way of reconnecting. The books of Hebrews and Romans offer an expansive theological perspective. Some letters focus on a particular theological point: Christ is our All in All as in the case of Colossians. So let's go and rediscover this sometimes overlooked yet vital letter of Paul.
Knowing how to read the Epistles is very vital to Christian growth since they make up 21 of the 27 books in the New Testament. Paul wrote 13 of them. Three were written by the apostle John, two by Peter, one each by James and Jude (the brothers of Jesus), and one by the unknown author of Hebrews. Epistles are Letters written Post-Resurrection and in the era of the beginnings of the spread of the Church; meant to be read as a whole to a community of believers who are mostly non-readers.
Reading the epistles is like listening to a one-sided conversation or reading someone else’s letter without knowing the full context of what the other party said or they were talking about, that's why it is key to understand the sociocultural and cross-reference (Acts) context to these letters.
Most of these letters have three parts: (1) the opening; (2) the body; and (3) the closing. The opening of a letter has four different elements: (1) the sender (e.g., Paul); (2) the recipients (e.g., the Corinthians); (3) the salutation (e.g., “grace and peace to you”); and (4) a prayer (usually a thanksgiving).
A wide range of circumstances prompted the writing of the epistles. Disorder in a church, the threat of false teaching, trepidation about the end of the world, confusion about death, controversy over religious practices, ambiguity about ethics, weakness in leadership. Some epistles were meant as a word of encouragement or just a way of reconnecting. The books of Hebrews and Romans offer an expansive theological perspective. Some letters focus on a particular theological point: grace in the case of Galatians, Christ in the case of Colossians, the church in the case of Ephesians.
Today let’s rediscover the Epistle to the Philippians.
Knowing how to read the Epistles is very vital to Christian growth since they make up 21 of the 27 books in the New Testament. Paul wrote 13 of them. Three were written by the apostle John, two by Peter, one each by James and Jude (the brothers of Jesus), and one by the unknown author of Hebrews. Epistles are Letters written Post-Resurrection and in the era of the beginnings of the spread of the Church; meant to be read as a whole to a community of believers who are mostly non-readers.
Reading the epistles is like listening to a one-sided conversation or reading someone else’s letter without knowing the full context of what the other party said or they were talking about, that's why it is key to understand the sociocultural and cross-reference (Acts) context to these letters.
Most of these letters have three parts: (1) the opening; (2) the body; and (3) the closing. The opening of a letter has four different elements: (1) the sender (e.g., Paul); (2) the recipients (e.g., the Corinthians); (3) the salutation (e.g., “grace and peace to you”); and (4) a prayer (usually a thanksgiving).
A wide range of circumstances prompted the writing of the epistles. Disorder in a church, the threat of false teaching, trepidation about the end of the world, confusion about death, controversy over religious practices, ambiguity about ethics, weakness in leadership. Some epistles were meant as a word of encouragement or just a way of reconnecting. The books of Hebrews and Romans offer an expansive theological perspective. Some letters focus on a particular theological point. Today the true gospel of grace is found the case of Galatians. Let's dive in!
Knowing how to read the Epistles is very vital to Christian growth since they make up 21 of the 27 books in the New Testament. Paul wrote 13 of them. Three were written by the apostle John, two by Peter, one each by James and Jude (the brothers of Jesus), and one by the unknown author of Hebrews. Epistles are Letters written Post-Resurrection and in the era of the beginnings of the spread of the Church; meant to be read as a whole to a community of believers who are mostly non-readers.
Reading the epistles is like listening to a one-sided conversation or reading someone else’s letter without knowing the full context of what the other party said or they were talking about, that's why it is key to understand the sociocultural and cross-reference (Acts) context to these letters.
Most of these letters have three parts: (1) the opening; (2) the body; and (3) the closing. The opening of a letter has four different elements: (1) the sender (e.g., Paul); (2) the recipients (e.g., the Corinthians); (3) the salutation (e.g., “grace and peace to you”); and (4) a prayer (usually a thanksgiving).
A wide range of circumstances prompted the writing of the epistles. Disorder in a church, the threat of false teaching, trepidation about the end of the world, confusion about death, controversy over religious practices, ambiguity about ethics, weakness in leadership. Some epistles were meant as a word of encouragement or just a way of reconnecting. The books of Hebrews and Romans offer an expansive theological perspective. Some letters focus on a particular theological point: grace in the case of Galatians, Christ in the case of Colossians, the church in the case of Ephesians.
Today let’s continue understanding the Epistle to the book of Ephesians.
Knowing how to read the Epistles is very vital to Christian growth since they make up 21 of the 27 books in the New Testament. Paul wrote 13 of them. Three were written by the apostle John, two by Peter, one each by James and Jude (the brothers of Jesus), and one by the unknown author of Hebrews. Epistles are Letters written Post-Resurrection and in the era of the beginnings of the spread of the Church; meant to be read as a whole to a community of believers who are mostly non-readers.
Reading the epistles is like listening to a one-sided conversation or reading someone else’s letter without knowing the full context of what the other party said or they were talking about, that's why it is key to understand the sociocultural context to these letters.
Most of these letters have three parts: (1) the opening; (2) the body; and (3) the closing. The opening of a letter has four different elements: (1) the sender (e.g., Paul); (2) the recipients (e.g., the Corinthians); (3) the salutation (e.g., “grace and peace to you”); and (4) a prayer (usually a thanksgiving).
A wide range of circumstances prompted the writing of the epistles. Disorder in a church, the threat of false teaching, trepidation about the end of the world, confusion about death, controversy over religious practices, ambiguity about ethics, weakness in leadership. Some epistles were meant as a word of encouragement or just a way of reconnecting. The books of Hebrews and Romans offer an expansive theological perspective. Some letters focus on a particular theological point: grace in the case of Galatians, Christ in the case of Colossians, the church in the case of Ephesians.
Today let’s take a look at the Epistle to the book of Ephesians.
In this series, we have explored the KINGS and PROPHETS of the nation of Israel as told in the Old Testament. History is His story. Through these narratives, God wants to show us the thread of His unfailing love and faithfulness to His chosen people and also the pitfalls and examples from the kings, whether good or bad; and gain wisdom as to how their stories tie-up to ours and ultimately to the enthronement of JESUS, our King of kings.
In this new series, we are exploring the KINGS and PROPHETS of the nation of Israel as told in the Old Testament. History is His story. Through these narratives, God wants to show us the thread of His unfailing love and faithfulness to His chosen people and also the pitfalls and examples from the kings, whether good or bad; and gain wisdom as to how their stories tie-up to ours. In this episode, let's explore the events that led to the fall of the two kingdoms and the exile of God's people to Babylon.
In this new series, we are exploring the KINGS and PROPHETS of the nation of Israel as told in the Old Testament. History is His story. Through these narratives, God wants to show us the thread of His unfailing love and faithfulness to His chosen people and also the pitfalls and examples from the kings, whether good or bad; and gain wisdom as to how their stories tie-up to ours. In this episode, let's hear from Sister Hazel as she unpacks the story of King Manasseh's reign and the incredible picture of God's overwhelming MERCY.
In this new series, we are exploring the KINGS and PROPHETS of the nation of Israel as told in the Old Testament. History is His story. Through these narratives, God wants to show us the thread of His unfailing love and faithfulness to His chosen people and also the pitfalls and examples from the kings, whether good or bad; and gain wisdom as to how their stories tie-up to ours. In this episode, let's explore the events that led to the fall of the Northern Kingdom and the exile of God's people.
In this new series, we are exploring the KINGS and PROPHETS of the nation of Israel as told in the Old Testament. History is His story. Through these narratives, God wants to show us the thread of His unfailing love and faithfulness to His chosen people and also the pitfalls and examples from the kings, whether good or bad; and gain wisdom as to how their stories tie-up to ours. In this episode, let's explore the events that led to the fall of the two kingdoms and the exile of God's people to Babylon.
In this new series, we are exploring the KINGS and PROPHETS of the nation of Israel as told in the Old Testament. History is His story. Through these narratives, God wants to show us the thread of His unfailing love and faithfulness to His chosen people and also the pitfalls and examples from the kings, whether good or bad; and gain wisdom as to how their stories ties up to ours. In this episode, let's learn how the Kingdom of Israel was divided to the southern and northern kingdoms in the equally foolish leaderships of kings Jeroboam and Rehoboam.
In this new series, we are exploring the KINGS and PROPHETS of the nation of Israel as told in the Old Testament. History is His story. Through these narratives, God wants to show us the thread of His unfailing love and faithfulness to His chosen people and also the pitfalls and examples from the kings, whether good or bad; and gain wisdom as to how their stories tie-up to ours. In this episode, let's rediscover KING SOLOMON , the wisest king who ever lived, or is he really?
In this new series, we are exploring the KINGS and PROPHETS of the nation of Israel as told in the Old Testament. History is His story. Through these narratives, God wants to show us the thread of His unfailing love and faithfulness to His chosen people and also the pitfalls and examples from the kings, whether good or bad; and gain wisdom as to how their stories ties up to ours. In this episode, let's compare King Saul and King David.
This May, let's explore the BRAVE WOMEN of the BIBLE. These timeless, inspiring and powerful stories of godly women from the Bible are not just for girls but for all people to learn from because at the core of each story is its true main character- GOD! - and His faithfulness to those who believe in Him. Let's honour our women in our church this Mothers Day Month with some of the most anointed friends and mentors of our church family. In this episode, we are blessed to have Sister Charm Batino sharing with us some brave women in the book of Acts - the early church.
This May, let's explore the BRAVE WOMEN of the BIBLE. These timeless, inspiring and powerful stories of godly women from the Bible are not just for girls but for all people to learn from because at the core of each story is its true main character- GOD! - and His faithfulness to those who believe in Him. Let's honour our women in our church this Mothers Day Month with some of the most anointed friends and mentors of our church family. In this episode, we are blessed to have Sister Angel sharing with us the goodness of God in the life of of RUTH.
This May, let's explore the BRAVE WOMEN of the BIBLE. These timeless, inspiring and powerful stories of godly women from the Bible are not just for girls but for all people to learn from because at the core of each story is its true main character- GOD! - and His faithfulness to those who believe in Him. Let's honour our women in our church this Mothers Day Month with some of the most anointed friends and mentors of our church family. In this episode, we are blessed to have Rev. Ptra Guada Cayetano of JRM London sharing with us the legacy of Queen Esther.
This May, let's explore the BRAVE WOMEN of the BIBLE. These timeless, inspiring and powerful stories of godly women from the Bible are not just for girls but for all people to learn from because at the core of each story is its true main character- GOD! - and His faithfulness to those who believe in Him. Let's honour our women in our church this Mothers Day Month with some of the most anointed friends and mentors of our church family. In this episode we are blessed to have Rev. Ptr Serge Santos of JRM Vallejo California sharing with us the legacy of NAOMI.
This May, let's explore the BRAVE WOMEN of the BIBLE. These timeless, inspiring and powerful stories of godly women from the Bible are not not just for girls but for all people to learn from because at the core of each story is its true main character- GOD! - and His faithfulness to those who believe in Him. Let's honour our women in our church this Mothers Day Month with some of the most anointed friends and mentors of our church family.
Challenges in our lives are just opportunities to experience victories. And those victories are windows for us to see clearer God's faithfulness in our lives. This message continues to elevate our faith and understanding of the richness of God's purpose and work in and through our lives.
Sorrow, pain, hunger, violence, betrayal, suffering, injustice... on and on and on are the evils and ills of this present world. But we are not of this world... our faith in Christ gives us the assurance that this is just a passing.. this is not our permanent home. God is preparing a much better place for those who believe in Him. Let this episode lift up your eyes to our most blessed hope.
In this challenging era of this global pandemic, it is everyone's tendency to give in to hopelessness, depression and all sorts of stress and anxiety. Even Christians can lose faith and be overwhelmed by all the challenges and difficulties that these times bring. What should be our proper mindset and where are we fixing our eyes. The Psalmist says: "I lift my eyes unto the hills... my help comes from the Lord!" Let us be heavenly minded and build up an eternal perspective to an earthly pandemic.
Let us be reminded in this episode that the ultimate enemy - DEATH - was swallowed up and have been defeated through Christ's victory. What lesser foe is this pandemic. The same power that conquered the grave lives in you and me. Be encouraged today!
Psalm 91 1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
In the midst of the storm... In the midst of chaos... In the midst of a pandemic... we can be still and know that He is GOD! Jesus indeed is in our midst and with this Truth in heart we can sing: "With Christ in my Vessel, I can smile at the storm..."
This is JRM Sydney's 6th Year Anniversary with Special Guest Speaker Ptr Ted Pangilinan from ChurchOne in Goldcoast. Ptr.Ted has been a very dear friend and mentor of our church family and we are always empowered and blessed everytime he ministers to us. Enjoy this message.
In this month's series, ANGELS AND DEMONS, we are exploring the spiritual beings of the Bible and forming a proper beloef and perspective on whay their purpose are in God's spvereign plan.
In our series, we are exploring the Gospels and in this Fathers Day episode we look at the relationship of JESUS to Heavenly Father as our mark and model to how we should relate to our Heavenly Father as well. And for the fathers of the House, how important it is to model a type of father to our children that reflects also the character of God.