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  • On Christmas, think about this: Why do you do what you do?

    “His Name Shall Be Called Wonderful” by Simon Dewey

    Read: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

    Believe it or not, I don’t get paid for this and a lot of other things I am doing. So why do I do them?

    Everything I do is a response to the love of God:  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only (or only begotten) Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). I think that we’ll appreciate the love of God more if we  know the true value of God’s gift to us: Jesus.  And when we do, we’ll respond to the love of God in a deeper and greater way.

    Scriptures reveal Jesus to us. The opening of the Gospel of John declares: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind” (1:1-4).  It is quite clear that Jesus is presented here as one who was (still is) God. If you believe in Scriptures as the Word of God, then this is a revelation you must accept.

    In addition, you must also believe the other revelation, that the Word who was God became human: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (v. 14). Thus the Word who was God and became human is appropriately called Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). This phenomenon, the union of deity and humanity in Jesus, which theologians call the hypostatic union, is not easy to comprehend. But that’s okay. In the same way as, for example, we appreciate the universe although it seems infinitely so vast and our knowledge of it is quite limited,  so we don’t have to understand things completely to appreciate them. The important thing is that we have a better appreciation of what God has done in giving Jesus to us.

    Christmas is a time to celebrate the gift of God. But the story of the gift of God in Jesus does not end in the Savior’s birth. Christmas is just the beginning. It does not end in the death of Jesus, either. It goes on and on, for the gift of God will never end. It is eternal! The moment we believe in Jesus we receive God’s gift of eternal life (John 3:16). However, experiencing the completeness of life will not take place until “the last trumpet” sounds (vs. 51-54):

    Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

    The gift of a loving God in Jesus is eternal life. Jesus was born as a human being. He died on the cross for our redemption. But he rose again! So those of us who believe in him will no longer “perish” but that through him we have eternal life!  It is in response to this great love of God that I do what I do. And I believe, as Scriptures says, that my “labor in the Lord is not in vain” (v. 58). How about you? Why do you do whatever you do? I hope that the same Scripture will encourage you and, if it already has, will continue to motivate you:

    “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

  • Tukso, Layuan Mo Ako!

    Dear Kuya Ed,

    Ako po ay namamasukan bilang isang katulong dito sa Hong Kong. Malapit lang sana ito sa Manila, kaya lang hindi po ako makakauwi ngayong Pasko dahil bago pa lang po ako sa trabaho. May asawa po ako pero wala pa po kaming anak. Nalulungkot po ako dito at may isang lalaking may gusto sa akin. Ang problema po, parang natutukso na rin po ako sa kanya dahil mabait. Ano po ba ang dapat kong gawin?

    Darlene

    __________

    Dear Darlene,

    Mahirap nga ‘yang sitwasyon mo–malayo ka sa asawa mo. Ang dapat ay lagi kayong magkasama dahil yan ang dahilan kung bakit nag-aasawa ang tao. Pero nandyan na ‘yan. Mahirap mang gawin, subalit kailangan mong magpakatatag. Iwasan mo ang lalaking may gusto sa ‘yo at huwag kang padala sa tukso. May asawa ka na at ang mga pangako na ginawa mo sa inyong kasal ay binigkas mo hindi lamang sa harap ng tao kung di sa harap ng Diyos.

    Kung ikaw ay hiningi ng tulong sa Panginoon, tutulungan ka Nya. Bibigyan ka ng Panginoon ng lakas upang maiwasan mo ang tukso. At ganito ang sabi sa Biblia, “Walang pagsubok na dumating sa iyo maliban sa karaniwang pagsubok sa tao. Ang Diyos ay matapat, na hindi ka pababayaang masubok nang higit sa makakaya mo. Kasabay ng pagsubok, gagawa siya ng paraan para makaligtas ka nang sa gayon, makayanan mo ang pagsubok” (1 Mga Taga-Corinto 10:13).

    Ang dalangin ko, sana ay magkaroon ng pagbabago sa buhay nyong mag-asawa upang kayo ay hindi na muling magkalayo. Tawagan mo sya at ipadama mo sa kanya ang iyong pagmamahal at katapatan.

    Lumiham kang muli at ipaalam mo sa akin kung may pagbabago, hane?

    Kuya Ed

  • Reason for Living

    I took this pic with my wife's cell phone.
    “I live to surf.”

    Read: Acts 20:22-32

    22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

    I’ve been away from home since last Friday night. I am with my family and friends visiting with other friends in Southern California. Last Sunday morning we watched a popular preacher’s TV show. He spoke about reaching “your promised land” (success, prosperity, or similar) that might require our willingness to embrace change, or something to that effect. Using Israel’s story in the wilderness, he said that sometimes all we need to do might be just some “tweaking” to change things, and that might involve getting rid of some temporary “scaffolding” (like people) that do not help us become successful. So in an indirect way, he taught people to use other people for their personal benefit.

    But those of us who are familiar with the story know that Israel, God’s people, needed more than a little tweaking here and there–they needed to repent, stop complaining and obey God! If the preacher did not use a Scripture passage, I was fine with his inspirational (not biblical) message. But when one uses Scripture as a diving board, it disturbs me.

    In this passage in Acts 20, we see a different picture of a believer in the Apostle Paul. His ultimate goal in life is not personal success but “to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Don’t get me wrong, I am not against anybody pursuing success in, say, business. I am involved in one myself. But we are not to forget that God has called us to fulfill a higher calling and that people are not to be used by us to fulfill our selfish ambitions. As followers of Christ, we should be willing to make sacrifices for the sake of others as we proclaim the gospel, “the good news of God’s grace” in Christ who died so that through faith in him they, too, may have eternal life.

    Jesus “died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”*   

    *2 Corinthians 5:15

  • Enjoying Freedom

    Read Galatians 4:1-7

    4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

    Freedom. When people talk about it in America I often wonder if they know what it really means. Those that have experienced enslavement in one form or another, however, know exactly what it means. But in a spiritual sense, I think people have a good idea of what freedom means because, if I’m not mistaken, it’s part of everyone’s experience to try to overcome things that enslave–perhaps drugs, a bad habit, or something else.

    For some religious people, enslavement can take the form of legalism. For example, I’ve encountered people who say they believe in Christ but think that they have to be morally perfect to be saved or get to heaven. That’s ironic because God sent His son Jesus to set us free because, on our own,  we cannot do it.  And it also underestimates the redemptive work of Christ. We are not to abuse the grace of God in Jesus but we are also not to think of it as not sufficient for our salvation.

    Spiritual freedom is a gift from God in Jesus. If you believe in Jesus you can enjoy it!

  • Jesus: God with Us

    Read: Isaiah 53

    The virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. —Isaiah 7:14

    “Yeah, right!” If Christopher Hitchens were still alive today, that’s probably how he would respond to Isaiah 7:14. But to us who believe, the revelation that Jesus is Immanuel, “God with us,” makes our hearts rejoice and moves us to praise.

    Whenever we reflect upon the birth of our Savior, we cannot help but think of his death as well. Jesus came to die for us. His death may once again cause people like Hitchens to mock our “fanaticism.” But those of us who believe respond with deep gratitude to God who has kept his promise and fulfilled the prophetic words of 53.

    Jesus was born and died for us, let us live for him.

  • Christopher Hitchens dies…got a song for him?

    Christopher Hitchens dies

    By Bethonie Butler

    Christopher Hitchens in D.C. in 2010. (Marvin Joseph — The Washington Post)And in light of the sad news Friday about Christopher Hitchens’s death, we wonder what song would honor the quick-witted and outspoken writer. He countedBob Dylan among his favorite musicians, so a Dylan song might be appropriate. We like “Mozambique” by Dylan and Jacques Levy.

    Have suggestions? Add your song selections in the comments, and tell us why they go with the news of the day. We’ll add some of your comments to this post.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/arts-post/post/congress-passes-deal-christopher-hitchens-dies-soundtrack-of-the-day/2011/12/15/gIQAVKgWyO_blog.html

  • Undying Love

    Read: Luke 15:11-24

    11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them

    Verse 11 is key to knowing what this parable, which has been called “Parable of the Prodigal Son,” is really all about.  One important  thing I learned in seminary is that Bible narratives have generally one important purpose: to draw people’s attention to God. God is always the story’s hero. Yes, even in narratives in which God or God’s name is not mentioned! I think this parable is no exception. In fact, as if to make sure that we don’t miss it, it tells us right at the beginning that it’s about the “man who had two sons.”

    So as we reflect on this parable today, let’s focus on God our heavenly Father whose love for us never ceases. The prodigal son is a very important part of the story, but when we read it, the father that represents God in the story should be the focus of our attention.  The parable is about God, our loving heavenly Father whose love for us is undying. There is nothing we can do that can make God not love us. That being so, the proper response to the unconditional and unceasing love of our heavenly Father is to love him and be faithful to him.

    God’s love for us is undying, so should our love for God.

  • Easier Said than Done

    Read: Romans 12:9-21

    17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 

    There is so much going on in this passage. I choose the verses above to be our focus because what they express seems to pose the greatest challenge, at least to me. Immediately after reading v. 17 my thoughts race to find some of the worst examples of the evil deeds that people can do and have done to believers. The pictures that come to mind are those of believers who were tortured and murdered for their faith. If I were the father or brother of one of those killed, would I be able to control myself and not take revenge?

    Most believers would probably easily say yes. But not me! Perhaps I am not as strong as others. Even just an insult is already hard for me to take. However, I believe that by the grace of God I, or any believer, can do what the Scripture says.

    I can’t, but by the grace of God, I can.

  • How to Look Beyond Great

    Read: Colossians 3:12-17

     12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

    Fashion and beauty is a multi-billion-dollar industry.  Helping people look nice has created a lucrative business for the likes of YouTube celeb Michelle Phan (whom my daughter Kristina frequently watches). Out of curiosity I went to Miss Phan’s YouTube channel to find out what she’s up to today. Well, it’s something I’m not into (honest!) but my I’m sure my daughter and Ruth, my wife, would be very much interested in: “Fun Holiday Lip Looks with One Lipstick.”

    It’s nice to always look great. But there is a kind of “fashion” that never goes out of style! The Scripture text above is great advice about “what to wear”: “clothe yourselves with….” If we fail not to clothe ourselves with these virtues, then we’ll look really good, we’ll be happy about ourselves, and the world will see the Lord’s beauty through us!

    Christian virtues never go out of style. Wear them…always.

  • ‎”Collaboration is the stuff of growth.”

     ‎”Collaboration is the stuff of growth.”

    That’s a quote from the video (click below to watch) that my Facebook friend, Gladys Pearl, shared on her wall. It’s a statement that those of us who want to grow should take to heart.

    RSA Animate - Changing Education Paradigms

  • Need something good to think about?

    Read: Philippians 4:4-9

    8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

    If you’re wondering about what to think about, the verse above should make you wonder no more. Although it might be rare, sometimes we find ourselves having plenty of time. When we do, it can be a time to feed our minds with the right stuff. I think it’s important. Why? Because what we think helps mold who we become. It’s like eating. If you feed yourself with junk foods then your body will become fat and unhealthy.

    So why don’t you pause for a few moments and think about anything true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable, or anything excellent or praiseworthy. So go ahead, do it … it’s good for you, for your personal growth.

    What you think is what you become. 

  • There Was A Man

    _

    John 1:6-8, 19-28 (NIV)

    There was a man…

    This beginning statement of the narrative tells us that whoever this man was, he’s no longer here. He’s gone. He’s dead.

    The same statement can actually be the beginning of the story of any person who once walked upon this earth. In fact there is a song by Carpenters that begins with the same line, “There was a man.”

    But the song continues not with a positive description of the man, like what we have in this narrative in John, but with a negative one:

    There was a man

    A lonely man

    Who lost his love

    Through indifference

    It’s a sad story of a man whose love “went unshared.” The song goes on and it tells us more about this man:

    While life goes on around him everywhere
    He’s playing solitaire

    When I’m gone, that’s not the kind of story I want told about me. What I want is a story similar to that of John the Baptist. Although he lived a short life–or “shortened” life because Herod had him beheaded–John lived a full and meaningful life.

    How did it happen?

    Sent from God

    First, John had a strong sense of calling. He knew he was called by God for a specific purpose. He knew that his purpose was to prepare the way for the Messiah. So John lived his life fulfilling his purpose with single-minded devotion.

    John preached repentance and assisted people in sealing their commitment to the Lord through baptism. He was quite a sight in the river Jordan that some thought that he was the Messiah they were waiting for. But John would not give in to the temptation to pretend to be another man.

    In life, there may be that temptation to portray ourselves not really as who we are, perhaps because we want people to see a better picture of ourselves. On Facebook, some people hide their face by not posting a profile picture. But there are some who post a picture of themselves taken 30 years ago! Why? Maybe because they want people to see them looking better than how they look now.

    How did John the Baptist overcome the temptation to show himself as someone greater than he was?

    Who are you?

    John knew who he was and was happy with his identity. He knew that he was not the light but that he was only a witness to the light. So John did not pretend to be the light. When asked if he was the Messiah, he said “no.” Elijah? Another “no.” The Prophet? Still “no”! He knew he was not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet. And he did not pretend to be any of them.

    John knew who he was and had a clear picture of his identity: “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

    John may have lived a short life but it was a purposeful and meaningful life. Why? Because he lived life according to his calling and identity. Do you?

  • Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

    Read: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

    11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

    Everything that this guy (“son of David, king in Jerusalem,” 1:1) said in this passage–indeed in all of Ecclesiastes–should be read in view of his conclusion in chapter 12:  13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind     

    When we do, then we get the idea that everything we do should be done in awe of a good God whose good commandments we should keep, and a God who “will bring every deed into judgment” (12:14). And when we do, then everything becomes not meaningless. Indeed, as Christian believers, everything we do becomes meaningful when done to the glory of God. “So,” as the Apostle Paul told believers, “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

    Life is meaningful when lived according to its purpose.

  • Say Yes and Be Blessed

    Read: Matthew 1:18-25

    22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). 

    “If God said it, it’s gonna happen.” I heard that, or something like that, many times. It gives you the impression that people just yield to the will of God. But we know that it’s not always the case. Part of being human is the power to make our own choice. Thus, we can say either yes or no to God.

    In this Scripture narrative, Joseph said yes. But what if he said no? Could it have prevented the fulfillment of the Lord’s word through the prophet? I don’t think so. Being God, the Lord is able to do what he said he would do regardless of a person’s decision. Nobody, and nothing, can thwart the plan of God.

    But because Joseph said yes, he was blessed! He became a major participant in God’s plan of salvation. And all of Christendom remembers him, especially during this Advent season.

    If we want to be blessed to the Lord we must say yes.

  • Getting On the Path of Wisdom

    Read: 1 Kings 3:1-9

    7 “Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

    Solomon is well-known as Israel’s wisest king. But he is known for it not because of a latent talent. God gave it to him. Solomon himself confessed his lack of discernment and wisdom by comparing himself to “a little child” that did “not know how to carry out (his) duties.”  His humility paid off because God granted him his request for a “discerning heart” and ability “to distinguish between right and wrong.” Regardless of our calling in life, we all need to get on the path of wisdom for obvious reasons. And Solomon has shown us how to start on that path.

    Acknowledging our ignorance is the first step we take on the path of wisdom.