Time flies so fast. Another year is soon to end. And soon, we are again to start anew.
Evidently today, everyone is just so busy doing the “ber” routine, on a “ber” setting. With the weather cooling down a bit, malls pretty filled-up and not to mention the traffic jam everywhere… well, Christmas is really just around the corner!
So good that we, Filipinos, are bestowed with a positive character toward anything we face. Walking back a bit, calamities that hit the country are still so fresh and in fact many haven’t recovered fully yet. And even if they do, scars would still be there forever present in their hearts. However, despite all these difficulties we faced, Filipinos still have the smile as we approach the Christmas season. What a good blessing that our God let us be. And looking at it, we really have a good understanding about what Christmas is. Or again… do we?
“Christ” (Mark 8:29) pertains to the anointed one, Jesus and “mas” means festivity or celebration. In short, we celebrate Jesus on Christmas Day. Though almost everyone already knows this fact, that we commemorate Jesus’ birth on this celebration, still there is something bigger that we need to know why we have to rejoice… and this is beyond just the birth. It is rather all about the reason why He was born and the purpose why He came.
We celebrate Christmas not just because somebody was born. It’s a part of it though. But what we need to appreciate is that upon His existence was a good message, so good that He had to bring it to us face to face. He chose to appear here on earth as human so as to declare the good news He has for us… and that is, the salvation and eternal life for all. And this is the biggest reason why we have to rejoice and celebrate, because we were given the opportunity of LIFE, that He paid for through His death on the cross.
Rick Warren in his book The Purpose of Christmas quoted, “God could have chosen thousand of ways to communicate with us, but since He designed us, He knew that the best way to communicate with us is face to face.”
True to words, Jesus could have given to us the message without making Himself suffer. But He considered us so special to Him that had to make sure that the message would be given clear and that the truth will reach us and set us free. He was oblivious of pain He had to pass through. He never even made use of just any best messenger to send His good news. He wanted it delivered and declared to us personally. And this is what we celebrate, His GOODNESS!
Jesus came and was born and we celebrate Christmas… and this is true. But as we look at the reason and the purpose why He came, aren’t we seeing any bigger motivation to rejoice? Thru His birth we were given the good message and the truth, and through His death we are given the gift of life. Praise Him!
Now, why Christmas?
Acknowledgment: JFA Interactive (www.jfainteractive.ning.com)
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Hidden Blessings in the Storms of Life
Because of global warming, the earth is now experiencing climate change that in turn causes calamities like storms, earthquakes and the like. Just recently, Philippines was struck by typhoons that devastated most of the living and caused hopelessness to many.
The sad part here is that, most of the Filipinos are eyeing on what they lost and they fear to still continue. They became hopeless. They were eaten by discouragements.
In the previous studies here posted, we’ve learned that our God has purposes in every situation He lets us face. When Peter sink when he got destructed by the winds in Matthew 14: 22-33, it was made to happen so Jesus can let the disciple see the power of faith and reveal to them His person.
Now, do we always have to look at storms as disasters that stop us from going? Or is there a hidden blessing behind?
Storms are God’s means of transportation. We are made to encounter trials in life so He can have means to come to us and show us how great He is in times we are so down.
a. He comes in the face of darkness – to tell us that in the shadows of fear, He is the light to give us hope.
b. He comes sin the face of disaster – to confirm to us that there is peace in Him in times of distress.
c. He comes in the face of the deep – to make us realize that He is a hand that reaches unto us (Matt. 14:30-31)
Storms are God’s means of Testing. Trials are God’s means of measuring our faith and trust to Him. He sets challenges to see how far we go with Him.
a. They reveal the savior – we are tested so we will appreciate who the real rescuer is, that He alone saves.
. message of peace
. message of power
. message of potential (be not afraid)
b. They refine the saint – Christians like gold, should pass over the fire to be finer and pure, thus we are made to face difficulties.
c. They remind the saint – obscurities remind us of how big our God is, that He can calm boisterous winds and can move mountains.
Storms are God’s means of Testimony. They prove who God is and how wonderful His capabilities are if we on focus our sight to Him alone.
a. They testify of His power – storms are God’s own way to showcase his greatness and magnificence.
b. They testify of His person – storms give evidence of who is He as our Lord and Savior.
This may sound vague but the Lord lets His people undergo trials in order for Him to reveal His wondrous supremacy and control and to make them endure refinement. These are the blessing we should always look at amidst every circumstances we face. There is always a treasure buried deep in the filthy ground. And we need to learn to find it all the time. There is goodness in God’s letting of storms – that is to see hope instead discouragements… to hold on to Him instead fear.
Think about: Psalms 46:10 says “Be still and know that I am God”. This only characterizes God’s unfailing promises. Those who are disheartened are then commanded to take courage. Be still!
Acknowledgment: JFA Interactive - Sermon by Rev. Eric Atienza, Oct. 18 09, Jesus For All Ministries, KKFI Seminar Hall, Manila.
The sad part here is that, most of the Filipinos are eyeing on what they lost and they fear to still continue. They became hopeless. They were eaten by discouragements.
In the previous studies here posted, we’ve learned that our God has purposes in every situation He lets us face. When Peter sink when he got destructed by the winds in Matthew 14: 22-33, it was made to happen so Jesus can let the disciple see the power of faith and reveal to them His person.
Now, do we always have to look at storms as disasters that stop us from going? Or is there a hidden blessing behind?
Storms are God’s means of transportation. We are made to encounter trials in life so He can have means to come to us and show us how great He is in times we are so down.
a. He comes in the face of darkness – to tell us that in the shadows of fear, He is the light to give us hope.
b. He comes sin the face of disaster – to confirm to us that there is peace in Him in times of distress.
c. He comes in the face of the deep – to make us realize that He is a hand that reaches unto us (Matt. 14:30-31)
Storms are God’s means of Testing. Trials are God’s means of measuring our faith and trust to Him. He sets challenges to see how far we go with Him.
a. They reveal the savior – we are tested so we will appreciate who the real rescuer is, that He alone saves.
. message of peace
. message of power
. message of potential (be not afraid)
b. They refine the saint – Christians like gold, should pass over the fire to be finer and pure, thus we are made to face difficulties.
c. They remind the saint – obscurities remind us of how big our God is, that He can calm boisterous winds and can move mountains.
Storms are God’s means of Testimony. They prove who God is and how wonderful His capabilities are if we on focus our sight to Him alone.
a. They testify of His power – storms are God’s own way to showcase his greatness and magnificence.
b. They testify of His person – storms give evidence of who is He as our Lord and Savior.
This may sound vague but the Lord lets His people undergo trials in order for Him to reveal His wondrous supremacy and control and to make them endure refinement. These are the blessing we should always look at amidst every circumstances we face. There is always a treasure buried deep in the filthy ground. And we need to learn to find it all the time. There is goodness in God’s letting of storms – that is to see hope instead discouragements… to hold on to Him instead fear.
Think about: Psalms 46:10 says “Be still and know that I am God”. This only characterizes God’s unfailing promises. Those who are disheartened are then commanded to take courage. Be still!
Acknowledgment: JFA Interactive - Sermon by Rev. Eric Atienza, Oct. 18 09, Jesus For All Ministries, KKFI Seminar Hall, Manila.
In the Eye of the Storm
During last week’s discussion, we have learned that storms of life come and go… but Jesus no matter what still remains beside us. He is walking along with us always and carrying us in His arms when the going gets tough.
This week’s sermon is a continuation of what we need to understand about the storms of life. We will look through the reasons and purposes behind every trial we face as Christians. Should we really have to always be negative about the bad things we experience? Or is there a purpose all behind it?
In the eye of the storm, there are depressing truths about it that we need to disregard and there are good things about it that we should consider.
I. Storm comes in path of obedience. Being a Christian and being with God doesn’t promise us a good life but a life of struggle in the widest battleground. The more we obey, the more we are tested of our faith and our perseverance to continue. This doesn’t mean though that God makes us miserable in payment of the promised salvation upon accepting Him in our life. This just makes us endure the world and still see the goodness amidst every strike face.
II. Storm makes it appear that Jesus doesn’t care. This is how we usually react on every problem we face. We take it as misfortunes. We call it an unreasonable phenomenon of retribution for our disobedience. We feel that God doesn’t care at all.
Remember when Jesus had to die in the cross of Calvary? And he even asked the Lord, Eli Eli lama sabachthani? But did the Lord really did forsake Him?
We always react unconstructive as we deal with life’s challenges. Because we don’t focus our sight to the glory of the Lord that’s why we are easily moved by small predicament we encounter along our walk in life. We panic very easily. We forget that we have Lord that could always take us and save us from whatever despair. Why not we think of peace instead panic?
III. Storm reveals the real enemy. Look through. If we are going to tie everything together, what make us quit are our own dealings with storms we face. Our FEAR, FAITHLESSNESS and HOPELESSNESS are what drive us uncomfortable with every bit of test we have. Because we look at the big waves, we are shrinking. If we only continue focusing to our God, we will not see all these problems and we will then be not move by it.
IV. Storm drives us to Jesus. During storms, many have nothing to run to but God. And so many pray and get their hope from it. If we try to look at it, God sometimes has to take all that we have in order for us to see Him. The fact is, many people are being blinded by everything that they have, thinking that we, all by ourselves can get through life. But our God is a jealous God. And sometimes He has to make things that will make His goodness appear right our very eye.
V. Storm always reveals something new about Jesus. In every trial we face, Jesus has something new to reveal. Aside from new learning we get from it, we also see how He is so magnificent and able to wash our every troubled mind. He reveals how big is our God and that even storms calm just by His word.
God embraces us no matter what.
It maybe so very hard facing difficulties in life. But at the end of the day, nothing makes us real courageous as does the fear of God. If we really know our position in front of our Lord, and if we just can see the benefits of storms that come and go, and if we only believe that Jesus doesn’t leave but always remains… we’ll know that we are not forsaken but loved.
Think about: Why do we fear? Because we are of little faith of how great our God is. Didn’t the Lord promise us that when we cast all our burdens to Him he would carry us through? So why fear storms?
Augustine once said, “Fear God and we need fear no one else”. This is so true. Nor death, nor anger, nor famine, nor storms can move us. Our God is a big God!
Acknowledgment: JFA Interactive - Sermon by Rev. Eric Atienza, Oct. 11, 09, Jesus For All Ministries, KKFI Seminar Hall, Manila.
This week’s sermon is a continuation of what we need to understand about the storms of life. We will look through the reasons and purposes behind every trial we face as Christians. Should we really have to always be negative about the bad things we experience? Or is there a purpose all behind it?
In the eye of the storm, there are depressing truths about it that we need to disregard and there are good things about it that we should consider.
I. Storm comes in path of obedience. Being a Christian and being with God doesn’t promise us a good life but a life of struggle in the widest battleground. The more we obey, the more we are tested of our faith and our perseverance to continue. This doesn’t mean though that God makes us miserable in payment of the promised salvation upon accepting Him in our life. This just makes us endure the world and still see the goodness amidst every strike face.
II. Storm makes it appear that Jesus doesn’t care. This is how we usually react on every problem we face. We take it as misfortunes. We call it an unreasonable phenomenon of retribution for our disobedience. We feel that God doesn’t care at all.
Remember when Jesus had to die in the cross of Calvary? And he even asked the Lord, Eli Eli lama sabachthani? But did the Lord really did forsake Him?
We always react unconstructive as we deal with life’s challenges. Because we don’t focus our sight to the glory of the Lord that’s why we are easily moved by small predicament we encounter along our walk in life. We panic very easily. We forget that we have Lord that could always take us and save us from whatever despair. Why not we think of peace instead panic?
III. Storm reveals the real enemy. Look through. If we are going to tie everything together, what make us quit are our own dealings with storms we face. Our FEAR, FAITHLESSNESS and HOPELESSNESS are what drive us uncomfortable with every bit of test we have. Because we look at the big waves, we are shrinking. If we only continue focusing to our God, we will not see all these problems and we will then be not move by it.
IV. Storm drives us to Jesus. During storms, many have nothing to run to but God. And so many pray and get their hope from it. If we try to look at it, God sometimes has to take all that we have in order for us to see Him. The fact is, many people are being blinded by everything that they have, thinking that we, all by ourselves can get through life. But our God is a jealous God. And sometimes He has to make things that will make His goodness appear right our very eye.
V. Storm always reveals something new about Jesus. In every trial we face, Jesus has something new to reveal. Aside from new learning we get from it, we also see how He is so magnificent and able to wash our every troubled mind. He reveals how big is our God and that even storms calm just by His word.
God embraces us no matter what.
It maybe so very hard facing difficulties in life. But at the end of the day, nothing makes us real courageous as does the fear of God. If we really know our position in front of our Lord, and if we just can see the benefits of storms that come and go, and if we only believe that Jesus doesn’t leave but always remains… we’ll know that we are not forsaken but loved.
Think about: Why do we fear? Because we are of little faith of how great our God is. Didn’t the Lord promise us that when we cast all our burdens to Him he would carry us through? So why fear storms?
Augustine once said, “Fear God and we need fear no one else”. This is so true. Nor death, nor anger, nor famine, nor storms can move us. Our God is a big God!
Acknowledgment: JFA Interactive - Sermon by Rev. Eric Atienza, Oct. 11, 09, Jesus For All Ministries, KKFI Seminar Hall, Manila.
Storms of Life
Mark 4:35-41 discusses how Jesus was able to show to His distrusting and doubtful disciples His power to control even the storm and huge waves they fear about. This speaks so much of faith that we as believers sometimes forget. We are easily moved into worries by simple waves of life.
Parallel to this is the little faith of Peter told in Matthew 14:22-31 where Peter was let to walk on the waters but when he was disturbed by the boisterous wind, he suddenly became afraid and started sinking. This is the same situation many of us are facing right now. We are of little faith. We are always bothered by trials we face in life.
As Christians, we are placed over troubled waters. We are in battlefield that is stormy and restless. This is the spiritual storms of life… the thing we have to deal with everyday. Remember that no man of little faith can ever survive this. Be not like the disciples when they doubted and thought that Jesus was just letting them die while they were all so afraid of big waves eating their boat out, or Peter who was immediately destructed by unruly strong winds.
While living with these storms, here’s what we need to focus on:
(1) Never give up. We should never be letting go and just drop on the ground. We are made powerful by God to survive every test and that we are victorious. We are his soldiers completely geared-up to battle and win… and, giving up is not ours.
(2) Stay focused. The only thing that can make us blind of the destructing trials in life is our being focused to Him all the time and always. Keeping our eyes to Jesus and centering our lives to Him alone will make us survive this stormy life.
(3) Remember that Jesus is with us. And with Him in our lives, we are nevertheless in full protection and safety no matter how big storms may come our ways. He is our fortress, our rock and deliverer. He is our shield and the horn of our salvation, our stronghold.
As clearly relayed in FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND, man has always been walking together with Christ keeping us company in all our walks may it be bliss or despair. And when we see that it seems He abandoned us when the going gets tough, think other wise. Because it is rather He is the one carrying us and our burdens and He do the walking for us. Never doubt on Him. Keep faith.
Think about: Storm will come. Storm will go. But Jesus still remains. So why worry?
Acknowledgment: JFA Interactive - Sermon by Rev. Eric Atienza, Oct. 4, 2009, Jesus For All Ministries, KKFI Seminar Hall, Manila.
Parallel to this is the little faith of Peter told in Matthew 14:22-31 where Peter was let to walk on the waters but when he was disturbed by the boisterous wind, he suddenly became afraid and started sinking. This is the same situation many of us are facing right now. We are of little faith. We are always bothered by trials we face in life.
As Christians, we are placed over troubled waters. We are in battlefield that is stormy and restless. This is the spiritual storms of life… the thing we have to deal with everyday. Remember that no man of little faith can ever survive this. Be not like the disciples when they doubted and thought that Jesus was just letting them die while they were all so afraid of big waves eating their boat out, or Peter who was immediately destructed by unruly strong winds.
While living with these storms, here’s what we need to focus on:
(1) Never give up. We should never be letting go and just drop on the ground. We are made powerful by God to survive every test and that we are victorious. We are his soldiers completely geared-up to battle and win… and, giving up is not ours.
(2) Stay focused. The only thing that can make us blind of the destructing trials in life is our being focused to Him all the time and always. Keeping our eyes to Jesus and centering our lives to Him alone will make us survive this stormy life.
(3) Remember that Jesus is with us. And with Him in our lives, we are nevertheless in full protection and safety no matter how big storms may come our ways. He is our fortress, our rock and deliverer. He is our shield and the horn of our salvation, our stronghold.
As clearly relayed in FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND, man has always been walking together with Christ keeping us company in all our walks may it be bliss or despair. And when we see that it seems He abandoned us when the going gets tough, think other wise. Because it is rather He is the one carrying us and our burdens and He do the walking for us. Never doubt on Him. Keep faith.
Think about: Storm will come. Storm will go. But Jesus still remains. So why worry?
Acknowledgment: JFA Interactive - Sermon by Rev. Eric Atienza, Oct. 4, 2009, Jesus For All Ministries, KKFI Seminar Hall, Manila.
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