Not in an Instant

 Sometimes victory is not recognizable after one strike. It takes time. One little win after another until it is complete.

This too is a victory that God allows. It is His strategy to preserve His people while defeating the enemy.

²⁸I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way. ²⁹But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. ³⁰Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land. Exodus 23:28-30 NIV

Why does God sometimes seem to prolong and not take away in an instant our problems in one strike?

Why wouldn’t He just get our enemies, troubles, and trials out of the way in one blow?

1. God's protection.

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. ³⁰Let 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.’ ” Matthew 13:27-30 NIV

There are times when enemies and troubles must stay so we can be taken cared of. It is for our protection.

God, in His unfathomable wisdom, takes care of us even in the presence of those who harm us.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5 NIV

2. God's intention.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20 NIV

Joseph went through a great deal of "not-in-an-instant" type of victory.

• One moment he was his father's favorite, next thing he knows he is a slave.
• One moment he is his master's most trusted servant. Next thing he knows he was in jail.
• Then most trusted by jailkeepers. Then the 2nd most powerful man in the most powerful country in the world.
• Not a single moment was recorded that he was complaining. He just kept doing what trusting God looks like.
• When he had the chance to act in revenge against his brothers who sold him for slavery, he did not take it. Instead, he assured them he got their back.

Learn to embrace your God-ordained situation. Pray that God will take it all away but let His will be done.

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42 NIV

3. God's provision.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV

Take the days leading to the Day of the Pentecost as an example of how sometimes God sends His provision..

• ⁴On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. ⁵For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4-5 NIV

• ¹When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ²Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:1-4 NIV

Jesus could have just sent the Holy Spirit while He was still with them. Or maybe right after he left. His plan was to get them to wait on God's move, and they did. The result was victorious. 3000 people received Jesus. We remember how the heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents. 

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:7 NIV

On the Day of the Pentecost, 3000 sinners repented. There must have been an overnight celebration in heaven!

Listen, the enemy knows he has been defeated. Jesus made sure of that. What he does now is to try to deceive us into believing that he is the victorious one – a life most unbelievers find satisfying, giving in to the lust of the flesh and calling it good, seemingly getting in control of one’s life and choices.

Hear me out, if your choice or your newfound relationship, or your definition of success forces you to become a professional liar, if it isolates you from your usual support group, from your loved ones, from your family, from the people who have always been there for you, something must be up. You are switching sides when that begins to happen, and that is Satan’s scheme. He makes you feel like you are winning in life but his plan is leave you empty and broken. He wants you to value INSTANT GRATIFICATION.

The problem is that if you are switching to the enemy’s side, you’re already in too deep when you realize it. This is why we learn from the Word before these things happen. God’s Word is our guide.

1Therefore, 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. 2Do 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. Romans 12:1-2 NIV

Remain connected to your Christian brothers and sisters. Remain connected to God’s Word.

Remember,

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 NIV

Our victory might not always be in an instant, but our God's track record is a clean slate.

He wins all the time!

CONCLUSION:

With Jesus, even what seems like a loss is a part of the journey to victory.

Blessing our Nation in Perspective

 Elections are done. Winners won. Regardless of who we vote for or who we wanted to win, we now must do what a believer does to bless the nation.

When blessing our nation, we must be sure why we do it. Otherwise, it will be easy to just change our minds.

Here are 3 questions to help us put blessing our nation as an individual in perspective.

1. Why pray for authorities?

...so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 2 Timothy 2:2

It directly benefits us from its blessing.

"Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:7 NIV

God directs their hearts.

In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. Proverbs 21:1 NIV

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. Psalm 33:12 NIV

Praying for authorities keeps us from cursing them. It makes us hold on to the fact that God can do something.

Of course we don't just pray. We do our part - pay taxes, abide the law, help our community.

2. Why trust in God?

If it is us making things happen, or if politicians direct our nation's path, then why do we need to trust in God?

Clearly, the Bible teaches us to pray for those in authority and to submit to them. The same Bible teaches us to put our hope in God and God alone.

⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

“Only God can give us the protection that we need. Even the most powerful people who may have shown delight in us can suddenly change their minds and become against us.”

Here are two actual authorities who changed their stand about protecting certain individuals:

Pilate on Jesus

• ³⁸“What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. ³⁹But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?” John 18:38-39 NIV

• Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” John 19:4 NIV

• Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. John 19:16 NIV

• When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” Matthew 27:24 NIV

Notice how Pilate went from, "I find no basis of charges against him" to "handing him over to be crucified" to "I am innocent of this man's blood" in just a matter of hours. This must be a warning to anyone who puts their trust on man, and not in God.

King Nebuchadnezzar on Daniel

• ⁴⁷The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.” ⁴⁸Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. Daniel 2:47-48 NIV

• ¹³Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” ¹⁴When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him. ¹⁵Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.” ¹⁶So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” Daniel 6:13-16 NIV

There is Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, so as John the Baptist. Protected by authorities until they did not.

This is how fast man's decision change. Therefore, we must put our trust in God, not on man, not on any authority other than God Himself.

3. Why look unto Jesus?

On all these events, God, not any high-ranking government official, was the one who saved these men. Because they put their trust in God, not on man.

Jesus is the God who never changes.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NIV

If we don't keep our eyes on Jesus,

• we might look at authorities as our savior.

“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. John 15:5 NIV

• we might believe we are self-sufficient.

21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. Acts 12:21-23 NIV

• we might end up following the enemy.

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Matthew 16:23 NIV

Remember our goal

• To be Christlike, not just a model citizen.

• To win souls, not recruit party members.

• To make Jesus the center, not our heroes nor ourselves.

¹Therefore, 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, ²fixing 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. ³Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

 

Conclusion

By praying for authorities, trusting in God, and looking unto Jesus, we begin to be a blessing to our beloved nation.

When a Mother is Mothering

In Exodus 1, Pharaoh ordered Hebrew midwives to kill newborn Hebrew boys. When they refused because of fear of the Lord, he gave the order to his people.

Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.” Exodus 1:22 NIV

Jochebed, mother of Moses refused to be part of killing her own son. She put him in a basket and laid it in the riverbanks. The Pharaoh's daughter saw him.

⁷Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?” ⁸“Yes, go,” she answered. So the girl went and got the baby’s mother. ⁹Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.” So the woman took the baby and nursed him. ¹⁰When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water.” Exodus 2:7-10 NIV

I believe mothers of today's generation can still learn from Jochebed. Her motherly instinct to save, to take care of, to remain connected to and to train her child is a picture of what it looks like when a mother is mothering.

Mothering is the process of caring for children as their mother or of caring for people in the way that a mother does (Cambridge Dictionary)
When a mother is mothering, the best possible care is given to her child.
Let us look at how Jochebed mothered Moses and its implication in today's Christian mothering.

Intentional protection from literal death.

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Hebrews 11:24 NIV

Moses was born in Egypt at a time when Pharaoh ordered that all newborn Hebrew baby boys be killed. Perhaps this makes the part, "when he had grown up" in Hebrews 11:24 is significant.
He grew up because God has a plan to use him to lead His people.
Jochebed, when she did what she did for Moses was not just protecting her son's life. She was acting according to God's plan.

She could have just chosen to be controlled by fear of the Pharaoh, but her reverence to God and love for her own child drove her to protect the life of Moses when he, as a baby cannot.

Today's mothers have far more power to protect their child's life. The law has empowered them to have this “choice” during pregnancy. Although it's odd that mothers in newborn Moses's time struggle to protect their boys, there are some mothers today who would rather choose not to have a baby at all. They are even backed up by the law.

I pray that, like Jochebed, may present generation mothers choose to protect life.


Intentional preservation of godly culture.

He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. Hebrews 11:25 NIV

Moses's choice to be identified as a Hebrew even when identifying as a prince of Egypt is more advantageous of him is deeply rooted in his mother's influence and intentional training. Remember, his mother took care of him during his formative years. As she nursed him, she taught him living the Israelite way - loving the Living God above all.

As a result, he did not forget who he really was - a servant of God.

When the Lord called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, he had reasons not to do what God wants him to, and he actually bargained with God. But his final response was still to obey his God.

His first 40 years of existence was spent as a prince. The second 40 as a fugitive. His last 40 as leader of God's people on their way to the Promised Land. Therefore, Jochebed's protection of him as a newborn and as a boy, and her preservation of his godly culture was just as significant as him leading the Israelites. All these were pre-conceived in God's mind. That was His plan all along.
Only an all-knowing God can execute that.

I pray that, like Jochebed, Christian mothers of today choose to preserve godly culture in their own children.


Intentional influence to imitate Christ.

He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. Hebrews 11:26 NIV

Some parents worry that when their children grow up, they might forget what their parents taught them.
The thought of them choosing not to become what you have influenced them to might be terrifying.
Those worries are for tomorrow. The Bible teaches us to not worry.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 NIV

You see, every generation has its own dilemma of drifting away from God. Yet, every generation has someone or some people raised up by God to effect revival. So, don't worry about the world your children will inherit. Just make sure you do your best to intentionally influence them to imitate Christ.

As much as you can, protect, preserve, and influence your child while praying and declaring that they will choose to be Christlike amid changing times.

Look at how the Apostle Paul commended Timothy's mother and grandmother, pointing their influence on him.

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5 NIV

Intentional Mothering to raise children.
Someone once shared to me the phases of parenting. I can't find it now, but the closest one is, Focus on the Family's "The Four Phases of Parenthood." A slight difference on  "Controller," the article used "Commander" and there was no specific age mentioned. I am sharing this from memory of when it was shared with me.

• Controller (0-6 years old) - The phase when we control almost everything about our children - what to eat, when to sleep, when to go out, what to wear, etc.

• Coach (7-15 years old) - the phase when parents coach their child. Since this is the age when they go to school, this is where we teach them, "Don't talk to strangers," "What do you do when you are bullied," "This is how you behave when in someone else's house," etc.

• Counselor (16 - 24 years old) - This is when parents listen more to their children. They have their own thoughts, own understanding, own opinion, own experiences, etc. Therefore, listening will make us understand them more. When they share their feelings or experiences, we let them talk and not take the spotlight from them. When they come for help in decision-making, we present them possible options and let them decide.

• Consultant (25 years old and above) - This is the phase where parents just wait for their children's availability. This is where we should be able to say, "I did my part as a parent. It's time you do it on your own, but if you need me, I am here." They are no longer kids. They are adults.

It is wrong to be a consultant when you are supposed to be their controller. Likewise, it is wrong to be their controller when you are supposed to be their consultant.

When we get things mixed up, some children feel like they are not loved.


What about the motherless?
I acknowledge that there are those who felt or experienced not being properly taken cared of by their own mothers. There are also those who did not have a mother figure at all. God does not forget them.

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” Isaiah 49:15 NIV

As long as our focus is Jesus, God can turn our story into an inspiration and a display of His goodness.



CONCLUSION

Remember, when Jesus came to earth as a man, He had to have a mother. God, in His sovereignty could have chosen not to, but He values family and the role of a mother in developing god-fearing people.

Christian mothers mothering are part of God's great plan to preserve people whom He uses and will use for their own generation.

This verse sums it up:

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6 NIV

Conscious Decision to be Christlike

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 NIV

When we received Jesus as Lord and Savior, and truly live according to His will, change is inevitable - our physical, emotional, and spiritual appearances will change for the better. Hence, some who used to know us would not be able to recognize the new us.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV




But these changes do not just happen by chance.

Above anything else, these were planned by God. The people whose lives were changed had a conscious decision to remain in God.

I believe that is the key on our end - we must have a conscious decision to be Christlike as we remain in God.


Here are some reminders for our journey with God in our new lives.


Consciously resist the devil.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 NIV

The devil will never stop convincing us that it is still the same us, that we do not need God, and that our old lives are better (money, men or women, control, more options, old buddies are better, etc.) This must be why Peter reminds us,

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

So, don't go to the enemy's camp, and claim you were tempted if you gave in. Be as far from it as possible. We are supposed to move away from temptations, not play with it.

Remember,

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 NIV

and

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Mark 8:36 NIV

 

Consciously resist backsliding.

If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 2 Peter 2:20 NIV

How do we consciously resist backsliding?

Spend time fellowshipping with believers.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 NIV

In the fellowship of believers, there is unity; there is growth; there is encouragement. If there are conflicts, the Bible is rich with instructions on how to resolve them.

In our effort to be better, we get to sharpen each other in the knowledge of God.

Spend more time in God's Word.
Whatever we feed our mind more becomes our standard on almost everything. The music we listen to, the movies we watch, the books we read. They all contribute to what we believe in and how we react to things.

So let us spend more time reading God's Word. In this manner, we will have the standard of the Bible on how we must live.

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17 NIV

The Word of God is our weapon against the enemy.


Spend less time with the world.

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. Romans 12:2 NIV

Don't get me wrong. We want to win our friends for Jesus. In fact, we want to bring as much people to the Lord. But we must make sure we spend more time in God's Word, and with fellow believers.
At the first sign of the devil's scheme, refuse to be part of it right away. Do not delay. The more we delay, the more damage the enemy makes.


Consciously connect with God.

"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." John 15:5 NIV

Our lifeline is Jesus Christ Himself. Being closer to the world means being far from Him. We must consciously remain in Him at all times.
Always go back to the truth.

Jesus died for us, so we don't have to.

He took the punishment, so we don't have to.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV

The Lord chose to die for us while we were still sinners as a demonstration of His love for us. This same love is where we should remain so we may enjoy the life we now have in Him.
This is the same love that keeps us safe from the enemy.


Conclusion

The life we now live is not independent from its Source - God. In fact, it is so dependent on Him, nothing in what we can do counts to eternity if it is done without Him. Our salvation depends on Him. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves from hell. Only through Jesus Christ may we be saved. Without Him, we are doomed to hell.

For this reason, we live for Christ, and we do our best to be like Him.

Being alive in God is accompanied by a conscious decision to stay alive in Christ and dead to sin.

Believers on Governing Authorities

The Bible is rich in instructions to believers.

From honoring parents, to disciplining children, Loving God, Loving our neighbors, forgiveness, repentance, and many more.

It is also clear on how we, as Christians should treat governing authorities.

¹Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ²Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. ⁴For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. ⁵Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. ⁶This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. ⁷Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Romans 13:1-7 NIV

 

Here are some basic instructions regarding governing authorities according to the Bible.

Submit to governing authority.

¹³Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, ¹⁴or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. ¹⁵For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 1 Peter 2:13-15 NIV

Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. Romans 13:2 NIV

As believers of Jesus, we must submit to authorities. The Bible says rebellion against God-established authorities is punishable.

Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. Romans 13:5 NIV

God wants our decision to submit to human authorities to be a result of our obedience and love for Him.

 Pray for human authority.

¹I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ²for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV

We must pray that the governing authorities would listen to God's voice; that they may serve with the fear of the Lord; that there would be peace.

Does it mean we should stop questioning wrongdoings of authorities? No, amen. We may call out and hold them accountable, but with respect. And the prayer must continue.

Remember, we are free to choose who to vote for, but we are also called to pray for whoever wins the election (the governing authorities). Remember, they are established by God.

3. Pre-eminence of God's authority.

²⁸“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” ²⁹Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!" Acts 5:28-29 NIV

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Romans 13:1 NIV

God Himself established authorities. He is superior to it.

But keep this in  mind - when we are forced to hurt God's heart, that is the time we may disobey human authority, for we are called to honor the superior authority of all – God.

Conclusion:

Submit to and pray for human authority, but keep in mind that God is the King of kings, Lord of lords, God of gods.

When we are forced to choose between God and man, the choice should be easy - God, the one who established these human authorities.

 

x

Fighting the Temptation of Spiritual Selfishness

 

No matter how good a Sunday Service is, or a prayer meeting or your personal devotion, we know that it will end at a certain time. It may take longer or shorter than usual, but it will surely come to an end. Then you'll go back to where the actual battle is, your life and everything around you.
 

²After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. ³His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. ⁴And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. ⁵Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” ⁶(He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) ⁷Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” ⁸Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. Mark 9:2-8 NIV

No tabernacle is big enough to contain the Law, the Prophet and the Gospel. (Moses, Elijah and Jesus Christ); so God brought His tabernacle (cloud that covered them).

As mentioned in this passage, Peter's idea of building a shelter was a result of being "greatly afraid." Sometimes when we are scared, we tend to say or do things we don't really mean. I believe this is what happened to Peter. The thing is, at a glance, it may be viewed as "Spiritual Selfishness."

Spiritual Selfishness

Spiritual selfishness is the desire to keep all good spiritual experience to oneself.
Jesus commissioned His disciples to "make disciples." We must share the gospel.

Spiritual selfishness is when we are ready to share Jesus, yet we choose not to. It is also when we choose not to learn to share Jesus even if we have the capacity to.

In his awe and fear, Peter must have thought of staying in that moment forever.

When we are in the presence of God, we enjoy it. We love being ministered to, but we must never forget the people whom God ministers to through us.


When tempted to become spiritually selfish, let us remember...

... Jesus modeled spiritual generosity.

Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. Mark‬ ‭9:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬

When the cloud has gone, Moses and Elijah left, but not Jesus.
Although He was with people who knew exactly who He is and how to talk with Him, He chose to remain with His disciples. He to trained them, He completed His mission, He did the work.

Imagine if Jesus was spiritually selfish. He would have just left an unfinished business. (Of course this is highly unimaginable. We know He did what He came do and completed it.)

Another instance that Jesus was spiritually generous was when Lazarus died. Here's part of His conversation with His disciples.

⁷and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” ⁸“But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” John 11:7-8 NIV

He still went back to Judea to minister even after threats on His own life. Jesus modeled spiritual generosity.

... God confronts spiritual selfishness.

After Jonah did what God wanted him to do and the people of Nineveh repented from their sins, He confronted him about his display of spiritual selfishness.

⁹But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” “It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.” ¹⁰But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. ¹¹And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” Jonah 4:9-11 NIV

God reiterated His concern to people who were ignorant of their sins.

The punishment for their sins is inevitable unless they come to repentance, and since the New Testament, receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.

God's desire is for sinners to come to repentance.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NIV

... we fight spiritual selfishness.

How do we fight spiritual selfishness?

Understand that Jesus Christ died for all.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV

Pray for them.
Witness to them.
Reach out to them.

Remember to be guided by God's love.

³²“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 

³⁵But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 

Luke 6:32, 35 NIV

We do not love the way the world loves, but the way God taught us to.
Do not sin in the name of love.
You do not let the one you love live in sin or be led to destruction.

Immerse yourself daily into His Presence.

Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Mark‬ ‭9:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬

Listening to Jesus, The Word is more than just reading. It involves evidence of listening - action.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 NIV

Let us do our daily devotion.
Let us read His Word daily.
Let us decide to serve Him and Him alone.

The more we are immersed in God's presence daily, the less time we have to be spiritually selfish.


Conclusion

We fight spiritual selfishness by remaining in God's presence.
There is no way anyone immersed in God's presence would choose not to share Jesus to others.

Heaven is real, so as hell. No matter how much we may disagree with a person, we do not wish for them to go to hell.

In fact, in God's presence, we are moved to win as much people as we can by God's grace.

Spiritual selfishness dies when we are truly renewed by His grace and mercy.

It's Our Turn

 After His resurrection, Jesus met with His disciples and commissioned them. This is especially necessary to be reviewed so we may always be reminded that being saved opens us to discipleship.

¹⁸Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

 

While this passage is for His disciples, Jesus is in its the center, front, and back.

The authority of Jesus.

Jesus died and rose again. He has defeated death. He has proven that nothing is over Him. All authority has been given to Him.

He did His part. He went through all that He came to do. Now salvation is available because of what He has done on the cross.

 

The commission from Jesus.

As the authority, He has the right to commission.

The commission is, 

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19-20a NIV

This is exactly what the disciples did. The book of Acts is full of all they did in obedience to Jesus Christ.

 

The assurance of Jesus.

When Jesus commissioned His disciples to make disciples, He gave them an assurance.

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b

He assured them that His presence will go with them.

 

What does the Great Commission have to do with us?

 

Jesus did His part.

Jesus did the hard part. He took the punishment so we don't have to. As His word declares, "It is finished."

After the disciples' first preaching, the people asked what must they do after hearing about Jesus.

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. Acts 2:38 NIV

As His followers, the disciples passed on what they heard and learned. It was passed on and on. As it reached us, it is our turn to preach this same gospel.

 

Jesus expanded the family.

We have been saved when we received Jesus as Lord and Savior. The story becomes more exciting as we become part of His family. We now win people for Him. Even before His death on the cross, He has expressed the truth that there are still others who must be brought to salvation

I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:16 NIV

When we became part of God's family through Jesus Christ, the family naturally expanded. This shall continue expanding until Jesus returns.

 

Jesus chose His people.

It was not an accident that the gospel was shared to us, and we were saved. God planned it. Jesus chose us.

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. John 15:16 NIV

This passage must encourage us to keep moving forward by sharing the Good News. Imagine, the God who created all things saw us and said to Himself, "I am choosing these people, and I will use them. They will bear fruit."

 

Conclusion:

Today, the people may hear about Jesus through us, because now, it's our turn.

 

On Social Media

The urge is too great not to respond to something you strongly believe was meant for you, specially when it is something bad and it did not specifically mention your name, but just the very situation you are at.

BUT HEAR ME OUT.

Publicly confronting an unnamed individual anonymously behind one's keyboard is NOT a display of courage. If anything, it is one of the lowest coward moves in today's generation.

A truly strong, brave, loving, courageous individual would confront in private. His/Her goal is to mend, not worsen an already bad situation.

So, IF you would listen, this is my advice. Or you can stop reading here.

Do not respond the way they want you to. Do not fall into their trap. If they did not name you, do not assume it was you. For they can easily say, they were not talking about you. (One of the lowest coward moves, remember?)

Instead, move on with your life. Keep doing what you are doing. Your real friends, your family, the ones who really love you will say something if there is any concern about your attitude. Consider what they say. You don't have to believe it right away, but if you count them as closest to you, or if you discern sincerity in them, at least give it a thought.

You are loved. Remember that.

People's opinion of you becomes a background noise that can be cancelled when you know who you are in GOD.

Jesus Christ died for you. You are loved. Remember that.

May the power of the Holy Spirit strengthen your patience and self-control, so you may never engage in an ugly battle where no one wins.

Lastly, because God loves us, may we be able to declare by actions, words, and thoughts, "I love You, too, Lord."

As posted on my facebook profile:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16Eoey6K7i/

Between Death and Resurrection

7th of the Seven Last Words of Jesus on the Cross

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. Luke 23:46 NIV

Some observations about the passage:

• Jesus consciously entrusted His Spirit unto God the Father.

• He knew exactly what He was doing.

• As such, He could have remained alive on the cross if He chose to.

• He was conscious and aware of what was happening.

• He willingly chose to die on the cross.

• In fact, during His arrest, Jesus stopped His disciples from using violence to stop what was about to happen.

• ⁵³Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” Matthew 26:53-54 NIV

What was going on between His death and His resurrection?

1. Jesus retained the power He has.

Jesus's power and divinity were not affected by His death. He has the power to lay down His own life. He has the power to take it up again.

¹⁷The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. ¹⁸No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” John 10:17-18 NIV

The death of Jesus did not mean He ceased to exist. It was part of His plan. Through this, He proved what He once claimed.

²⁵Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 NIV

2. Jesus restored the way things were.

⁴⁴It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, ⁴⁵for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Luke 23:44-45 NIV

The Israelites used to go through a high priest for the forgiveness of sins. He enters to the Most Holy Place to offer sin offering. The Holy Place and the Most Holy Place are divided by a veil. This veil was torn through Jesus Christ from top to bottom. This means we may now go directly to God the Father for repentance. We do not need a high priest to represent us before God anymore. Praise be to Him who reconciled us to God the Father.

We can pray directly to God the Father, in the name of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ restored our line of communication through His life.

3. Jesus revived the life they had.

Jesus Christ revived the lives of the holy people.

⁵¹At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split ⁵²and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. Matthew 27:51-52 NIV

Eternal life is now possible because Jesus defeated death. This is the same reason why we do not fear death. The Apostle Paul once said,

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 NIV

Even between His death and resurrection, Jesus chose to complete His mission.

Conclusion:

Jesus knows who to trust. He knew that the only safe place for His Spirit is in the Hands of God the Father while He completes His mission.

Amid His suffering as He hang on the cross, Jesus never thought  of ever stopping. He chose to go through the most horrible way to die for our sake.

Declaration of the Finisher

6th of the Seven Last Words of Jesus on the Cross

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30 NIV

"It is finished"

In Greek, "Tetelestai," which means, "It is done", "It has been paid in full." It does not only mean His suffering is done. His shout, "Tetelestai" is a shout of victory.

Mission has been accomplished.

All prophecies about the Messiah have been fulfilled in and by Jesus. Therefore, there is nothing left for us to do, but receive His free gift.

There is nothing else we can do to add up to what He has accomplished. Everything has been taken cared of 

I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. John 17:4 NIV

No more unfinished business.

Connection has been restored.

The redemption of man from sin was made possible by Jesus's complete work on the cross. He took care of the reconnection of man to the God the Father

He paid the wages of sin. Our ransom has been paid. He suffered on our behalf.

so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:21 NIV

The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. Romans 6:10 NIV

All that is left to do is repent from our sins and believe in Him.

⁸For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

Enemy has been defeated.

This means death has been defeated.

⁵⁶The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 NIV

Just when the enemy thought he won by Jesus's death, Christ proved His divinity by still accomplishing His mission between His death and His resurrection.

Conclusion:

Jesus knows how to finish well. He completed His mission, making sure all has been taken cared of.

"It is finished!" is a declaration that Jesus is victorious!

Let us celebrate Jesus because He has done all that is required for our salvation. All that is left for us is to receive it.

Fluid for the Living Water

 5th of the Seven Last Words of Jesus on yhe cross

²⁸Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. John 19:28-29 NIV

It is interesting that when the nails pierced through the hands and feet of Jesus, He did not say a thing about its pain.

When a crown of thorns was put on His head, He did not say a word. 

When they divided His clothes, He did not yell, "Hey, those are mine!"

Yet, when He felt thirst, He said, "I am thirsty."

None of what Jesus went through were painful enough to make Him say a word.

The one physical need He wanted eased up was thirst.

Here are some truths and lessons we can learn from the 5th of the Last Seven Word of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Jesus felt real thirst.

Jesus got thirsty even before the crucifixion.

⁵So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. ⁶Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. ⁷When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” John 4:5-7 NIV

So, after a long, painful journey, it's understandable He's thirsty. Physically, it's possible.

More importantly, it was it was prophesied.

My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Psalm 22:15 NIV

Jesus revered God's Word.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." Matthew 5:17 NIV

²⁸Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” John 19:28 NIV

He did not skip one step. He went through it all to complete His mission to save.

so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 NIV

Servants in God's vineyard must revere God's Word, just as Jesus did.

Jesus modeled faithful service.

Dying on the cross was part of God's plan of redemption.

Feeling thirsty was part of Him dying on the cross.

Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 are powerful prophecies about the Messiah.

To be clear, Jesus's suffering on the cross is about Jesus completing His mission.

It has always been and will always be about Jesus saving us. He is the center of the story, not us.

For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:36 NIV

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16 NIV

Yet we can still learn from Him about faithful service while hanging on the cross.

Ministry will cause inconvenience.

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45 NIV

Ministry will require sacrifice.

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. Luke 9:24 NIV

Ministry will demand faithfulness.

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’" Matthew 25:21 NIV

God's ministry here on Earth will only be victorius if it is done FOR God.

Conclusion:

Ministry is never convenient. It always involves sacrifice.

As long as we keep our eyes on Jesus and the story of the cross about Him, it is possible to go through serving Him victoriously!

Forsaken for Our Sake

 4th of the Seven Last Words of Jesus on the cross

When I was still teaching in high school, the elementary department have this program where each grade level would perform, usually a dance number for grades 1-3. While students perform, they only face one of two directions - towards the teacher who taught them the steps or towards where their parents are seated.

For students who just want to perform because they want their parents to see them dance, and neither the father nor the mother is there to watch them, it's a disaster. Once they step on the stage, their eyes would look for their mom and dad. If they are not there, they just start crying.

It is sad to not be seen by the one person whose attention you desire. Jesus Christ experienced such while hanging on the cross. When He was up there, something strange happened.

⁴⁵From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. ⁴⁶About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). Matthew 27:46 NIV

On the hours when the sun was supposed to be at its peak, there was darkness. Bible scholars agree that it was the time when God the Father turned His back on His only begotten Son.

It was also a direct quote from Psalm 22:1 when David wrote of a time of great suffering and abandonment.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? Psalm 22:1 NIV

How can this be?

Jesus asking, "Why have You forsaken me?" to the God who said, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5).

In addition, David once declared this truth:

"I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread." Psalm 37:25 NIV

The question remains. Why was Jesus forsaken?

2 Corinthians 5:21 explains a lot.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

He was forsaken for our sake.

It had to happen so that the righteousness that God required might be imputed unto us through Jesus Christ.

CONCLUSION:

Jesus Christ was forsaken that we might be accepted. What a Savior we have!

Jesus Uncancellable

Cancel culture

• the practice or tendency of engaging in mass canceling as a way of expressing disapproval and exerting social pressure (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

It is good when it benefits all. It is not good when it harms the truth. You get cancelled when you are beholden to someone or something when you care about what people say.

There were several times people attempted to cancel Jesus. Yet, none of them truly succeeded. Because Jesus is just uncancellable.

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. John 1:3 NKJV

 

Some ways they tried to cancel Jesus.

(Because there was no social media back then.)

Ethnicity and Background

¹Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him.  ²And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!” ³"Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him. Mark 6:1-3 NKJV

 

They acknowledged that Jesus is doing something great and mighty, yet because of His ethnicity, they rejected Him. Yet, Jesus did not stop doing what He does. 

⁴But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.”  ⁵Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  ⁶And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. Mark 6:4-6 NKJV

 

Arguments and Hard Questions

They tried cancelling Jesus by throwing Him arguments and hard questions (at least from their point of view).

Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. Mark 12:13 NKJV

 In context, Mark 12:13-34, He answered them all with wisdom.

Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” But after that no one dared question Him. Mark 12:34 NKJV

What does this mean?

They dared try to silence Jesus, they will surely try to silence you as His follower, but hold onto Him. He is 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.” John 14:26 NKJV

 

Suffering and Death

Jesus defeated the ultimate form of cancelling - death.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” John 11:25 NIV

“He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’” Luke 24:6-7 NKJV

¹²Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:12-14 NIV

 

The first time the apostles preached after the Holy Spirit came, this happened.

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2:41 NIV

There were healing of the sick, casting out demons, signs wonders and miracles.

The first century Christians had one central message: Jesus resurrected from the dead.

This is where we are now:

His Word and His Disciples

^1"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ²People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people." 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV

Even after the New Testament, they have tried to stop Jesus Christ.

He was never cancelled!

Our goal, as we live for Jesus is to disciple the present and the future generation.

¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

 

Stay connected...

• with the Word
• with the Holy Spirit
• with fellow believers!

 Keep moving forward.

Share, witness, testify.

Win souls for Jesus.

Take every opportunity to be equipped.

 

Our mission only stops when Jesus returns.

 

It will always be a privilege serving God.

Yes, we are replaceable, but the God who chose us is uncancellable.

Let us keep moving forward!