According to the bible

happy are those

who Reject the advice of evil people

who do not follow the examples of the sinners

who do not join those who have no use for God

those who find joy in obeying tue law of the Lord

those who study the law of the Lord day and night

those who go to Him for protection

reference Psalms chapter 1amd 2

Adam the 1st man who dis obeyed God. They were given freedom to eat everything except for the tree of knowledge of good and evil

Why Adam and Eve  disobey?

Evil works ,  temptation is so subtle. Be wary of lies and deception, it may not appear as it is

Belen or manger scene is a Filipino traditional decor during christmas

It depicts the birth of Jesus Christ . The belen shows Mary, Joseph , Jesus , the angel, sheperds and the 3 wise men with their gifts.

From my chidhood I was made to believe that aside from the shepherds , Jesus had the magi as visitor in the manger . My question is, how long did Mary, Joseph and Jesus stayed in a manger? When did the Magi visited Mary and Jesus? Although not stated in the Bible , but to stay in a manger for a year or two seems not possible. Matthew chapter 2 tells a story about king Herods’ conversation with the Magi . Herod told them to tell him what time they saw a star and he calculated it to be two years , that is why he commanded his men to kill all boys in Bethlehem aging from 2 years down to infants when he realised the Magi deceived him by going out of Bethlehem the other way . Furthermore, Mathew 2: 11 says” on coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary and they bowed down and worship Him”

Base on this I believed that the 3 wise men visited Jesus not on the manger but on their home. Afterall who would stay in a manger for weeks much more so for 2 years. So when I prepare my belen this coming christmas I prefer not to include the 3 wise men.

Why do some Christians believe that apple is the forbidden fruit that Eve ate and shared with Adam.

Where is that story came from? Who invented that story. Apple is never mentioned in the story of creation. It is the “tree of knowledge of good and evil” that Eve ate.

Judges 2:10-11

“After the whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, a new generation grew up, who know neither the Lord nor what He had done for Israel”

“Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baal”

Reflection:

I was raised in a christian home. My father was a pastor in a pioneering church in our small community . I remember when there was no church in our place , we go to the house of our relative for sunday school service. There were only 2 evangelical christian families in our barangay. Our families took turns in conducting bible studies, prayer meetings and sunday services. We were very close not only of blood relation but also of faith.

Every sunday activity is an exciting one for me. As a child who had no immediate neighbor in the massive hacienda, going to the commercial center in our relatives house for sunday activities is a treat.

Attending sunday school and sunday worship molds my character and personality.

Now I am already a mother of three. I feel guilty that I have not passed on the tradition and faith that my father and mother taught us. Seldom do we go to church together. I feel they do not have strong foundation in faith where they can stand and fight for their faith when persecution happens.

I often told them how the love and grace of God sustained me all through the years with detailed and vivid stories of concrete example of how God helped me.

But I think it is not enough. I have not encouraged them enough to pray, go attend Sunday school and other church activities because they have not seen me doing all those things except the going to church every sunday for worship service.

Parents should really walk their talk.

It is not yet late. I can still do what should be done by Gods’ grace. God forbid that my sons and daughter serve “baal” in what ever form

Prayer:

Oh Lord my God when I’m in awesome wonder, when I considered all the things you have done in my life, my praise is not enough to give thanks for every blessing you have given me.

I pray oh Lord that I may pass on to my children the faith that my parents have taught me. The faith in Jesus Christ my savior , redeemer, sustainer who gives me life meaning and purpose.

I may not understand everything about my God, but I am sure He is not stupid. How can I understand everything about Him ? My ways are not His ways. And as high as the heaven is from the earth so is His thoughts higher than my thoughts.

My God created the heaven as His throne , and earth as His foot stool . He created me , a human being , with free will and concience and assign a number of days for me to stay on earth. And because I am a mere created being of the supreme and powerful God who judges persons and nations, I am trying my very best to do what pleases Him. I afraid of the thought on judgement day when my God will say ” I never knew you, away from me you evildoers” Matthew 7:23(NIV)

My God loves me I’m sure of that. He send His only Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. You may call that stupidity , but I call it grace. Such grace sustains me. I am not worthy of His love, I have offended Him many times, have not obeyed Him countless times, but He loves me just the same. I am loved not because I am good. But because He loves me and I choose to accept that love. He is not stupid in loving me.

This little bird , what is so important with it that it is mentioned six times in a Bible. I’m glad to know if God takes care of the sparrow how much more He will take care of us humans, created in His own image

I’ts Saturday and I love our brunch conversation with my daughter on this topic .

“To say that the phrase “money is the root of all evil” comes from the Bible is false. It has been a common misconception that 1 Timothy talked about evil this plainly and it is humorous how something as big as evil can come from a man made printed paper.

1 Timothy 6:10 says “For the LOVE OF MONEY is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” The complete phrase shows that instead of a man made object, man themselves, with their choice in their words and works, is the source.” she said

I agree with her, in fact the ability to acquire wealth is a God given talent. Our God who is a great provider wants us to live abundantly so that we can be a channel of blessings to others. It is the LOVE OF MONEY not the money itself is evil.

Had a very good late night conversation with my eldest son

Me: with this turn of events , I still believe all things works together for good to those who trust in Him.

Son: you had that same feeling before ?

Me: yes 13 years ago.. now leaving my comfort zone ..again

Son: mama, God is more interested in the accomplishment of His purpose than in your comfort. Kun bako saimo sa nakapalibot saimo.

Me: you’re right. Nalingaw ako..time and again I have proven that He knows what is best for us.

Son: yeah, what seems not good today may really be good tomorrow

We both laugh …and sabay sabing “matanga na” ..because that’s how we talk during late nights.. over a cup of chamomile tea for me and coffee for him.

My personal meditation on John 4:7-10 NIV

• When a Samaritan woman came to draw water , Jesus said to her ” will you give me a drink?”
• The Samaritan woman said to Him.”You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman . How can you ask me for a drink?(For Jews do not associate with Samaritans)

Why would Jesus ask from a Samaritan woman for water when Jews do not associate with Samaritans?

To ask help from a friend is a natural thing to do, but it takes so much humility to ask help from a stranger more so with an enemy. So maybe Jesus is teaching me here “humbleness ”

Jesus the ever powerful who multiplied the bread and fish can absolutely get water from the well without the help of the Samaritan woman. But he still said ” Will you give me a drink?” Jesus is teaching me the need for service to others . The importance of helping others who is in need regardless of their cultural background and religious beliefs

Also, He wants to reinforce his teaching about “love your enemy” if the Samaritan woman willingly give him water ,then thats showing love to her Jewish enemy

Traditions, practices, biases handed down from generation to generations affects our perceptions and decisions. Had it not been for the long time feud between the Jews and the Samaritans, maybe the woman would not hesitate to immediately give Jesus water, but instead she asked why do you ask water from me when you are a Jew.

• Jesus answered her”If you know the gift of God and who is it that asks you for drink , you would have asked him and he would have given you living water

Jesus revealed himself to the woman by making her aware of her need for a fountain of living water that never runs dry. That verse strikes me most.

Like a samaritan woman,I am also a sinner. I also need that living water. I need the living water that never runs dry.

A living water that is not stagnant, a living water that is flowing and make plants bear fruit. A living water that would quench my thirst and heal my spiritual dehydration

1st Samuel 4:1-11

Why were the Israelites defeated during their war with the Philistines when the covenant box was with them?Because the trust of the Israelites during their fight with the Philistines was not on the living God who gave them the covenant but on the Ark of covenant , they treated the ark of the Covenant as an amulet.

Let it be a reminder to me that the living God whom we Christians believed is a spirit that does not dwell on things made by human hands.

Outward symbols of faith like the church, temples, worship places, crucifix, scapular, images, can not save me from danger. Its only my faith in the living God thru Jesus Christ his son , that I am secured.

John 15: 14- 16

“You are my friends if you do what I command.

I no longer call you servants , because a servant does not know his masters business. Instead , I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

You did not choose me , but I choose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you what ever you ask in my name”

Congratulations!!!! JVCM Naga on your first church anniversary. To God be the Glory.

Your Theme: Another Sprout for the Kingdom of God and text Matthew 4:26-29 gives me a new insight .

Thanks God for His message thru the speaker.

The speaker encourages us to scatter rhe seed(word of God) and scatter it the way Jesus did.

Indeed , why should we worry if the seed we scattered will grow . The seed is “living and active” Hebrews 4:12, it will surely grow without us telling the seed to grow nor manipulating its growth.

In my own circle of influence, I hope I have done it right

Today (April 16, 2017) UCCP NEC is celebrating 2 important occasions, 102nd anniversary and  Easter Sunday. Our Guest Preacher is Bishop Emergencio D Padillo.

TEXT :Hebrews 12:1-12, 1Kings 3:9-14

The old testament text is a story of Solomon asking God for wisdom in leading the vast kingdom during his time. And God granted him his request and give him riches and honor in his lifetime.

The New Testament text talk about running with perseverance, fixing eyes on Jesus, enduring hardship as discipline, discipline producing a harvest of righteousness.

Sermon

The message delivered thru Bishop Padillo

There are 2 requirement in Pursuing the Faith Journey Towards Shalom. No 1. Know your direction as a person, as a church, practice prudence and vigilance. Jesus should direct our journey. The bishop emphasize on the need  for wisdom, specially today when evil thing when repeatedly done seems good thing, and good thing that no one or seldom done seems a passe. We need to ask wisdom to Discern between good and evil

2nd requirent in pursuing faith towards shalom is  Adequate preparation, like an athlete , individuals and church as well must ne ready to face the challenges and have discipline

Note: not the exact sermon of Bishop Padillo, just what was retained in my mind after the service

My reflection on Matt 16:16

A question that measures the degree of intimacy of the person asking and the person being asked. If I were among the 12 closest friend of Jesus what would my answer be. Or if I am asked today “who do you say I am”?. Would I just quote St Peter “you are Christ, the son of the living God”. Of course I do believe that, thats the core of christianity,believing in Christ. But I want a more personal answer , a personal experience Sometimes I do things out of tradition, of obedience of what the older generation have told us to do.

“Who do you say I am” You may ask me today. This I would say: I can tell You all my deepest fears and hurts and doubts without fear of being judged and look stupid.I can tell You all my dreams and aspiration, all my needs . I can pour out to You all that is in my heart, I cannot do this to others. When Im in a big dicision to make , it is You whom I confided . It is You who guide me and lead me.I believed that You know me more than I know myself, You are the source of every good and perfect gift I received . Many times I have failed and offended you , but because you loved me even before I have loved you, I can still be forgiven and you forget everything and I can start over again. How can a supreme eternal being love a mortal like me , I call it grace . Such grace sustains me .

To sum it up You are the Son of God, my Lord and Saviour , that is my personal knowledge and my personal relationship of You.

I just realized , when God promise something, He requires us to do someting before He give us what He promised . Take the case of Joshua , God promised him the vast land”every place where you set your foot” and protection”No one will be able to stand up against you….I will never leave you”

But theres a condition: “Be strong and courageous,” “be careful to obey the law” “meditate on it day and night”

Here’s another promise ” If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done to you”

So before asking anything from the Lord, it is important to abide in His word first.

I am not a Bible student, this is just my personal interpretation. Any thoughts about this? I will be very glad to hear from you.