Today's Verse
1 Peter 1:15-16 (NLT)
But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”
Thoughts
For much of us, holy living is kind of strange idea that is hard or maybe impossible to achieve. We were all born sinful and we live in this corrupt and wicked world that we can easily get influenced by it or ride into its ways. In Genesis 6:5, the Lord God looked into the people of the earth and said with desperation that “every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually”.
Many people do not want to become Christians because they think that life will become boring and they will lose all their “good times” with sin. Thinking that there is God up there who is some kind of cosmic killjoy. And yet, even Christians tend to think that way too. Bible study becomes boring, prayer time becomes boring, and going to church is not cool!
Peter who had denied Jesus three times in a row, now has understood what is it all about holy living. After all, holy living – with all the hardships, trials, persecutions, and even physical death – will someday meet its match when Jesus will return and be revealed to the whole world (verse 7)! There is that great inheritance – incorruptible, undefiled, unfading, waiting for those who lived a holy life (verse 4).
On the other hand, if we persist to live unholy lives, consequences are waiting on the other side of the bridge. The Bible says there is no inheritance in God’s kingdom for those who sin continually in the eyes of God (1 Cor 6:9). If you truly are a Christian, cleansed and saved by the blood of Jesus, prove by living a holy life.
Sad to say, people have watered down the idea of sin and made them sound politically correct, thereby misleading many people into committing these very sins. Abortion is now termed as unwanted pregnancy or pro-choice. Genocide as ethnic cleansing. Sexual immorals as intimate partners, or sexual liberals. Suicide as bi-polar disorder. Homosexuals as same-sex partners. And many others. But, in the pure eyes of God, sin is sin, and holy is holy. Are you looking forward for heavenly inheritance? Live a holy life and reap the rewards that await for those who are committed.
Prayer
Dear Lord Heavenly Father, You desired that your children would live holy lives for You are holy. Even the desire to be holy, You have given us for we can do nothing good by ourselves. Forgive us for many times giving in to our worldly and selfish desires. In Jesus' name, Amen.
O Deus bless o!
(God bless you! In Portuguese)
Living and Active
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
We Reap What We Sow
Today's Verse
Genesis 29:25 (NKJV)
So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?”
Read Chapter: Genesis 29
Thoughts
The principle of sowing and reaping is now working in the life of Jacob. Here in our passage, Jacob the supplanter, met his match – his uncle Laban. After deceiving his brother and dad, now he is the one about to be deceived by his uncle. At first, Laban seemed generous that he offered Jacob salary for his services. But as the story goes, Jacob ended up being tricked.
Jacob requested Rachel as the prize, for seven-year labor. This seems typical in Middle Eastern culture even until these days, that a guy will pay huge amount for his bride. In Saudi Arabia, a guy will pay at least 27,000 dollars for a bride. At the end of seven years, Jacob thought he finally achieved his dream prize – Rachel. He was wrong, Laban switched the older Leah for Rachel on the wedding night, as it was the tradition for the older to be married first. Seven years was like seven days to Jacob, because of his love for Rachel. But now, he had to work again for another seven years. Fourteen years past, and Jacob got a tender-eyed Leah, and beautiful Rachel, plus two maid-concubines Bilhah and Zilpah.
In this life, we cannot escape the consequences of our wrong actions - whether it is sin, wrong decisions, unwise moves, or whatever. It is just a matter of time that it will ripen and fall into our basket - we will reap what we sow. However unfortunate Jacob had gone through, God was still in control and protecting Jacob. God allows the natural things as consequences of our actions to mold us, and shape us according to His will. God had given us the Bible as our manual to guide us, but not to stop us from what we want to do. He often times put a blockage on our path to protect us, when we pray for guidance and protection, but when we do not take heed and just keep going then we reap the consequences.
So, do we have to blame God for the bad things that happen to us? The answer is no. God is our Father that He cares too much for us to be hurt, but He is holy and just that He allows us to go through our own consequences – and so we reap what we sow.
Prayer
Dear Lord Heavenly Father, give us the wisdom to follow and obey You. Help us to learn from our own mistakes, and help us to grow into maturity even as we walk with You Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Genesis 29:25 (NKJV)
So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?”
Read Chapter: Genesis 29
Thoughts
The principle of sowing and reaping is now working in the life of Jacob. Here in our passage, Jacob the supplanter, met his match – his uncle Laban. After deceiving his brother and dad, now he is the one about to be deceived by his uncle. At first, Laban seemed generous that he offered Jacob salary for his services. But as the story goes, Jacob ended up being tricked.
Jacob requested Rachel as the prize, for seven-year labor. This seems typical in Middle Eastern culture even until these days, that a guy will pay huge amount for his bride. In Saudi Arabia, a guy will pay at least 27,000 dollars for a bride. At the end of seven years, Jacob thought he finally achieved his dream prize – Rachel. He was wrong, Laban switched the older Leah for Rachel on the wedding night, as it was the tradition for the older to be married first. Seven years was like seven days to Jacob, because of his love for Rachel. But now, he had to work again for another seven years. Fourteen years past, and Jacob got a tender-eyed Leah, and beautiful Rachel, plus two maid-concubines Bilhah and Zilpah.
In this life, we cannot escape the consequences of our wrong actions - whether it is sin, wrong decisions, unwise moves, or whatever. It is just a matter of time that it will ripen and fall into our basket - we will reap what we sow. However unfortunate Jacob had gone through, God was still in control and protecting Jacob. God allows the natural things as consequences of our actions to mold us, and shape us according to His will. God had given us the Bible as our manual to guide us, but not to stop us from what we want to do. He often times put a blockage on our path to protect us, when we pray for guidance and protection, but when we do not take heed and just keep going then we reap the consequences.
So, do we have to blame God for the bad things that happen to us? The answer is no. God is our Father that He cares too much for us to be hurt, but He is holy and just that He allows us to go through our own consequences – and so we reap what we sow.
Prayer
Dear Lord Heavenly Father, give us the wisdom to follow and obey You. Help us to learn from our own mistakes, and help us to grow into maturity even as we walk with You Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
A World Gone Wrong
Today's Verse
Genesis 6:5 (NLT)
The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil.
Read: Genesis 6:1-8
Thoughts
Mankind basically did not change after the first worldwide judgment – by the deluge or great flood. Everything started right, and then suddenly, it goes wrong. Why is that, you may ask? Verse 5 says, our thoughts and imaginations are consistently and totally evil, that is why. We live in sexually active environment, where perversion is all around – on TV, in the internet, billboards, magazines, advertisements, everywhere. Even if you go to Saudi Arabia where woman are wrapped with abayas and body exposure is prohibited, you can still see the lust in the eyes men, they even lust among fellow men!
Sexual sin is basically the highlighted sin in verses 1 to 8. It spread like epidemic in the days of Noah that God cannot tolerate anymore the evil that it brings. It was like, they have sex to breed good kind of warriors, in order to conquer territories. Now, as to the puzzle who “the sons of God” who intermarry with the “daughters of men” are, is still unclear to many Bible teachers. Some suggest that they are fallen angels, and some suggest they are the godly lineage of Seth (Adam’s son who replaced Abel), who intermarry outside the lineage.
It is sad to know that the world we live in today is already in that direction, where evil continues to flourish around us, especially sexual sin. Even the immediate consequence of this sin in the form of STD, HIV, AIDS or what have you is still being ignored by many. Much worse, the increase of abortion, divorce, homosexuals, bisexuals, and the like is unstoppable!
God will again purge the whole earth the second and last time. Not with flood, but with fire. We do not know what kind, but some suggest it could be through nuclear war, or secret weapons that could melt flesh, or comets and asteroids that will collide with earth and generate extreme heat, we just don’t know. What we know is what Luke 17:26 says, “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man.” Are you ready, when that time comes? Jesus – the Son of Man - is the Lion and the Lamb (Rev. 5), He was the Lamb and offered as sacrifice for our sins, and He is also the Lion who will judge the condemned to be thrown into the lake of fire. Will you face Him as the Lamb or as the Lion?
Prayer
Lord God Heavenly Father, forgive us for we are soaked in sin around us. Help us to be pure that You may find us worthy when You return. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Genesis 6:5 (NLT)
The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil.
Read: Genesis 6:1-8
Thoughts
Mankind basically did not change after the first worldwide judgment – by the deluge or great flood. Everything started right, and then suddenly, it goes wrong. Why is that, you may ask? Verse 5 says, our thoughts and imaginations are consistently and totally evil, that is why. We live in sexually active environment, where perversion is all around – on TV, in the internet, billboards, magazines, advertisements, everywhere. Even if you go to Saudi Arabia where woman are wrapped with abayas and body exposure is prohibited, you can still see the lust in the eyes men, they even lust among fellow men!
Sexual sin is basically the highlighted sin in verses 1 to 8. It spread like epidemic in the days of Noah that God cannot tolerate anymore the evil that it brings. It was like, they have sex to breed good kind of warriors, in order to conquer territories. Now, as to the puzzle who “the sons of God” who intermarry with the “daughters of men” are, is still unclear to many Bible teachers. Some suggest that they are fallen angels, and some suggest they are the godly lineage of Seth (Adam’s son who replaced Abel), who intermarry outside the lineage.
It is sad to know that the world we live in today is already in that direction, where evil continues to flourish around us, especially sexual sin. Even the immediate consequence of this sin in the form of STD, HIV, AIDS or what have you is still being ignored by many. Much worse, the increase of abortion, divorce, homosexuals, bisexuals, and the like is unstoppable!
God will again purge the whole earth the second and last time. Not with flood, but with fire. We do not know what kind, but some suggest it could be through nuclear war, or secret weapons that could melt flesh, or comets and asteroids that will collide with earth and generate extreme heat, we just don’t know. What we know is what Luke 17:26 says, “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man.” Are you ready, when that time comes? Jesus – the Son of Man - is the Lion and the Lamb (Rev. 5), He was the Lamb and offered as sacrifice for our sins, and He is also the Lion who will judge the condemned to be thrown into the lake of fire. Will you face Him as the Lamb or as the Lion?
Prayer
Lord God Heavenly Father, forgive us for we are soaked in sin around us. Help us to be pure that You may find us worthy when You return. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Unconfessed Sin
Today's Verse
Psalm 32:3 (NLT)
When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day.
Read Chapter: Psalm 32
Thoughts
Sin. The thing that separates a person from the Holy God. The thing that can separate a man from his wife. The thing that separates a son or daughter from his or her parents. The thing that pulls a person down into the pit of hell. We must know that God never sends a person to hell, people chose to go there because they cling to their sin. Sin is a sin whether big or small. Even when we think we are not like the criminals in jail, we are still sinners (Romans 3:23).
In our passage, we see King David’s own description of keeping unconfessed sin. He committed murder and adultery. He planned that his faithful soldier Uriah be killed in the battlefront that he may take his wife Bathsheba (2 Sam 11:15). All along, David thought he had gotten away with his problem and apparently enjoying his sin. But God dealt with him straight to his face, through the prophet Nathan. We see the expression “You are the man!” from Nathan when he confronted David for trying to cover up his sin (2 Sam 12).
Are you keeping unconfessed sin? Do you feel that groaning inside, making your bones grow old – as David described? Do you feel like wasting away and your vitality being dried up? These may be signs that the Lord wants you to bring out unconfessed sin. Otherwise, if you enjoy doing sin and never felt any guilt, you may not belong to God’s family and God’s Holy Spirit is not in you. For the Holy Spirit is the One who convicts us of our sins (1 Thes 1:5).
We often fall into keeping sins, how little they may be. It is like taking a baby python, or baby jaguar as our pet that we get used to it. And when it grows, it is like nursing death in our lap. One day, we find our pet eating us up. That’s how unconfessed sin works in our lives. Unless we confess them, throw those deadly pets away into their place, we are endangering our lives into the pits of hell. David’s son King Solomon wrote, “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” (Prov. 28:13). Are you willing to receive mercy? Confess your sin before the Holy God, and His arm is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear (Isaiah 59:1).
Prayer
Dear Lord God, we sin as we live in this world. But thank You for the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all our sin. Help us to acknowledge them everyday that we may find mercy from You. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Psalm 32:3 (NLT)
When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day.
Read Chapter: Psalm 32
Thoughts
Sin. The thing that separates a person from the Holy God. The thing that can separate a man from his wife. The thing that separates a son or daughter from his or her parents. The thing that pulls a person down into the pit of hell. We must know that God never sends a person to hell, people chose to go there because they cling to their sin. Sin is a sin whether big or small. Even when we think we are not like the criminals in jail, we are still sinners (Romans 3:23).
In our passage, we see King David’s own description of keeping unconfessed sin. He committed murder and adultery. He planned that his faithful soldier Uriah be killed in the battlefront that he may take his wife Bathsheba (2 Sam 11:15). All along, David thought he had gotten away with his problem and apparently enjoying his sin. But God dealt with him straight to his face, through the prophet Nathan. We see the expression “You are the man!” from Nathan when he confronted David for trying to cover up his sin (2 Sam 12).
Are you keeping unconfessed sin? Do you feel that groaning inside, making your bones grow old – as David described? Do you feel like wasting away and your vitality being dried up? These may be signs that the Lord wants you to bring out unconfessed sin. Otherwise, if you enjoy doing sin and never felt any guilt, you may not belong to God’s family and God’s Holy Spirit is not in you. For the Holy Spirit is the One who convicts us of our sins (1 Thes 1:5).
We often fall into keeping sins, how little they may be. It is like taking a baby python, or baby jaguar as our pet that we get used to it. And when it grows, it is like nursing death in our lap. One day, we find our pet eating us up. That’s how unconfessed sin works in our lives. Unless we confess them, throw those deadly pets away into their place, we are endangering our lives into the pits of hell. David’s son King Solomon wrote, “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” (Prov. 28:13). Are you willing to receive mercy? Confess your sin before the Holy God, and His arm is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear (Isaiah 59:1).
Prayer
Dear Lord God, we sin as we live in this world. But thank You for the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all our sin. Help us to acknowledge them everyday that we may find mercy from You. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Compromised Life
Today's Verse
Genesis 19:29 (NKJV)
And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt.
Read: Genesis 19
Thoughts
Living a compromised Christian life always comes with a cost. Lot lost everything, including his wife, when God destroyed and burned Sodom and Gomorrah , and ending up with dysfunctional family. It started in Lot’s life meddling around in Egypt , when he and Abram “went down” to Egypt during the famine in Canaan . Egypt is a picture of worldly living.
When Abram and Lot parted ways after leaving Egypt , Lot lifted his eyes and saw the plains of Jordan and looked like Egypt ! So he decided to stay in the plains, and then in Sodom . But then, God decided to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of the extreme wickedness of the people.
We read that Lot even hesitated to leave Sodom . Except that the angels grabbed them out of Sodom by force. His wife longing for Sodom looked back and turned into pillar of salt, as the angels warned them earlier not to look back. Eventually, Lot and his daughters decided to live on the mountains. And there, incestuous relationship with his two daughters happened with the help of wine. Their offsprings of Moabites and Ammonites became fierce enemies of Israel.
When we chose to live a compromised life, one thing leads to another, and another, and so on. And when we stir the pool of sin, there are ripples and repercussions that we need to bear. Compromising starts with little things, grows to bigger things, we rationalize things, until our reasoning becomes desensitized, like what happened to Lot . Taking one small step at a time, until he was trapped into worldly living, and then destruction came.
Prayer
Dear Lord Heavenly Father, we always fumble and stumble as a result of our foolishnessyou’re your mercy nd grace, help us to stand up, cope up, follow You, and restore our fellowship with You. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Zum Gott der Ruhm sein !
(To God be the glory! In German)
Genesis 19:29 (NKJV)
And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt.
Read: Genesis 19
Thoughts
Living a compromised Christian life always comes with a cost. Lot lost everything, including his wife, when God destroyed and burned Sodom and Gomorrah , and ending up with dysfunctional family. It started in Lot’s life meddling around in Egypt , when he and Abram “went down” to Egypt during the famine in Canaan . Egypt is a picture of worldly living.
When Abram and Lot parted ways after leaving Egypt , Lot lifted his eyes and saw the plains of Jordan and looked like Egypt ! So he decided to stay in the plains, and then in Sodom . But then, God decided to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of the extreme wickedness of the people.
We read that Lot even hesitated to leave Sodom . Except that the angels grabbed them out of Sodom by force. His wife longing for Sodom looked back and turned into pillar of salt, as the angels warned them earlier not to look back. Eventually, Lot and his daughters decided to live on the mountains. And there, incestuous relationship with his two daughters happened with the help of wine. Their offsprings of Moabites and Ammonites became fierce enemies of Israel.
When we chose to live a compromised life, one thing leads to another, and another, and so on. And when we stir the pool of sin, there are ripples and repercussions that we need to bear. Compromising starts with little things, grows to bigger things, we rationalize things, until our reasoning becomes desensitized, like what happened to Lot . Taking one small step at a time, until he was trapped into worldly living, and then destruction came.
Prayer
Dear Lord Heavenly Father, we always fumble and stumble as a result of our foolishnessyou’re your mercy nd grace, help us to stand up, cope up, follow You, and restore our fellowship with You. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Zum Gott der Ruhm sein !
(To God be the glory! In German)
Monday, May 12, 2008
Words on parenting
Parenting is one of the most difficult tasks for a man and a woman having a family. The early years of parenting is exciting until a child reaches his or her teen years, then problems begin to pile up. But then, parenting should not be as frustrating only when we really learn and give time to our kids as we teach them the lessons in life. When we invest in our children time and effort, it would not be for long that we see the results pay off.Here are some simple words that may help, as we parents help our children grow and straighten up their life - TEACH your kids:
T - Train up a child in the ways of the Lord.
E - Encourage them to live Godly lives. Be a good example as parents.
A - Assure your love and support for your children equally. Show them your affection.
C - Chasten your children accordingly, not unreasonably. Correct them as God corrects His children.
H - Host your home as sanctuary for your children. Not as hostile battlefield.
God bless.
Making Wrong Choices
Today's Verse
Genesis 25:33 (NKJV)
Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.” So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.
Read: Genesis 25
Thoughts
Many sufferings faced by many people today are the results of bad or wrong choices in life. Given the opportunity to revert it back, they will say - they will never do the same thing again. It can be buying the wrong car, marrying the wrong person, getting into vices, not wanting good education, and many others that has lifetime impact in our lives. In our text, Esau tripped off into making the bad decision by selling his birthright for a bowl of stew – on the spur of the moment, and therefore losing the thing with lifetime value. You may say, how lame was that? We too can be as lame, when we despise those things that really matters.
We are living in a culture and society pampered with entertainment and easy lifestyle. As though, life is all about getting rich and getting happy, without the sacrifice of work and effort. We get disoriented and make believe on what we see on TV, on the movies, and other means of entertainment. All those are scripted and not real! And suddenly, we find ourselves waking up in the reality of life, and then we get disillusioned.
Birthright in the old days could imply the right to inheritance. If we translate today, it could mean wealth, priority, and power – all waiting for you. If you are flying, or checking in into a hotel, or getting into a line of people – being in the priority always pays a lot! There is a birthright waiting for each one of us, not for an earthly wealth and power but for a more glorious and lasting one. That is getting an inheritance and access to God’s heaven – only through Jesus Christ. An inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade – kept in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:3-5).
How can you get that birthright? Jesus said, you must be born again (John 3:7). The term born again may shun many people away, but what Jesus said – Jesus said, and nobody can change it. And it really shuns people even in Jesus’ time because they can’t get it. It sounded foolish to many people even today, yet it is what it is. The foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom (1 Cor 1:25). You need to be renewed, become brand new, fresh, born again – because birthright cannot be given to your old person!
Jesus is still calling for people to be born again into the Spirit of God (John 3:6). Will you be like Esau, who for the temporary appetite and pleasure of the flesh, exchange that which has lasting value – his birthright? If you are a Christian, are you enjoying temporary pleasures of sin instead of growing in the Spirit? Are you still living in the flesh? Take hold of that which has eternal value – born and live in the Spirit of God.
Prayer
Lord God Heavenly Father, thank You for the birthright we have in Jesus. Help us to live the newness of life in the Spirit. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Honorer le Seigneur Almighty!
(Honor the Lord Almighty! In French)
Genesis 25:33 (NKJV)
Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.” So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.
Read: Genesis 25
Thoughts
Many sufferings faced by many people today are the results of bad or wrong choices in life. Given the opportunity to revert it back, they will say - they will never do the same thing again. It can be buying the wrong car, marrying the wrong person, getting into vices, not wanting good education, and many others that has lifetime impact in our lives. In our text, Esau tripped off into making the bad decision by selling his birthright for a bowl of stew – on the spur of the moment, and therefore losing the thing with lifetime value. You may say, how lame was that? We too can be as lame, when we despise those things that really matters.
We are living in a culture and society pampered with entertainment and easy lifestyle. As though, life is all about getting rich and getting happy, without the sacrifice of work and effort. We get disoriented and make believe on what we see on TV, on the movies, and other means of entertainment. All those are scripted and not real! And suddenly, we find ourselves waking up in the reality of life, and then we get disillusioned.
Birthright in the old days could imply the right to inheritance. If we translate today, it could mean wealth, priority, and power – all waiting for you. If you are flying, or checking in into a hotel, or getting into a line of people – being in the priority always pays a lot! There is a birthright waiting for each one of us, not for an earthly wealth and power but for a more glorious and lasting one. That is getting an inheritance and access to God’s heaven – only through Jesus Christ. An inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade – kept in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:3-5).
How can you get that birthright? Jesus said, you must be born again (John 3:7). The term born again may shun many people away, but what Jesus said – Jesus said, and nobody can change it. And it really shuns people even in Jesus’ time because they can’t get it. It sounded foolish to many people even today, yet it is what it is. The foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom (1 Cor 1:25). You need to be renewed, become brand new, fresh, born again – because birthright cannot be given to your old person!
Jesus is still calling for people to be born again into the Spirit of God (John 3:6). Will you be like Esau, who for the temporary appetite and pleasure of the flesh, exchange that which has lasting value – his birthright? If you are a Christian, are you enjoying temporary pleasures of sin instead of growing in the Spirit? Are you still living in the flesh? Take hold of that which has eternal value – born and live in the Spirit of God.
Prayer
Lord God Heavenly Father, thank You for the birthright we have in Jesus. Help us to live the newness of life in the Spirit. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Honorer le Seigneur Almighty!
(Honor the Lord Almighty! In French)
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