GOD FASCINATES

DIRECTING MY THOUGHTS IN THE RIGHT WAY

2011-08-24T22:50:00.000-07:00

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalms 139:23-24, ESV.)

Before, that passage created discomfort in myself. Actually, I could not then honestly say, “Search me, O God, and know my heart!....”

Though I believed that God knew my thought or what’s in my heart, yet I would not like for Him to try me and know my thoughts. For I knew that there were many offensive things not only in my ways, but even in my thoughts.

But my attitude toward that passage had changed.

Now, I love to read it again and again. In fact, I want to include it in my prayer. It’s one of my new favorite passages in the Bible.

Why? Is it because there’s no longer offensive thought in my mind?

Actually, my attitude toward that passage changed when I encountered various verses in the Scripture that extol God’s Sovereignty, even in the spiritual salvation of His people, like:

”The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will” (Proverbs 21:1, ESV).

”…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules” (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

Because of the verses like the above, I am now confident that God could even lead my awry thoughts in the right way! I pray He would always examine what's in my heart, so He could cleanse it by the blood of His Son.

COULD YOU "CIRCUMCISE" THE HEART?

2010-12-14T20:53:00.000-08:00

God's Word declares:

"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good? Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. Yet the LORD set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day. Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn" (Deut. 10:12-16, ESV).

Again, "Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn."

Of course, we could not "circumcise" our heart literally. But, could we just choose or decide to do it? Could we just exercise our so-called power of the human will and "be no longer stubborn"?

We also read Ezekiel 18:31, “Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel?”

Could our so-called “freedom of choice” enable us to “make… a new heart and a new spirit” or “Repent and turn from all your transgressions” (verse 20)?

Could we just love God, or forsake our stubbornness, or repent just by the operation of the human will?

It’s easy to claim that we are able to do it. But consider God’s Word:

"This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).

In Deuteronomy 30:6, we read:

"And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live."

We also read in Ezekiel 11:19-20, “And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.”

And it was emphasized in Ezekiel 36:26-27:

Some claim that that promise is intended only for the physical Israelites. Unknowingly, they promote the “power of the human will," that they could just change their heart!

But even in the New Testament, God’s Word is clear:

“But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God” (Romans 2:29). Notice: “circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit” – not by any other means, but “by the Spirit.”

As we also read in Romans 8:8-14:

“Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness…So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”

It’s not by our human will or effort. Whatever “good” intention, decision, or action we have “cannot please God.” We always fall short of His perfect glorious standard.

If ever we love God, or we repent, or we have faith, or are saved, it’s because of His grace. That makes Ephesians 2:8 truly meaningful, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

Or, in the words of Romans 9:16, “So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” Because of His mercy, God has caused us through His Spirit to repent, believe in Christ and be saved.

Why Others Are Perishing?

2010-09-08T18:25:00.001-07:00

While others claim that everyone is already saved,
God's Word says there are those who are being saved
And those who are perishing (2 Cor 2:15).
But why some would perish, if God is loving?

But God is not only loving, He is also Sovereign.
He is also Holy, Just and a Righteous King.
He can choose to unleash His wrath to the wicked
And to those He called His mercy be extended (Rom. 9:22-24).

But isn't it that His Word could be heard by all?
His written words are read by both the wise and the fool?
Consider, however, when Paul was called:
God's voice he heard and was so awed (Acts 9:4-6).

To his companions it's just a sound they heard (verse 7).
Also at the cross two criminals heard Jesus prayed,
"Father, forgive them..." (Luke 23:34.)
One of the criminals hurled insults at him.

"Jesus, remember me..." the other criminal said.
For the message of the cross others could not heed.
To those who are perishing, it's foolishness;
But to those being saved, it's Power in it's fullness (1 Cor. 1:18)!

GREATEST DISAPPOINTMENT

2010-08-29T18:21:00.000-07:00

Gain we sought
But lose we bought.
Laughter we expect
But sorrow we get.

We work and save
And properly behave;
So in the end we live
In joy we believe.

But illness came
We could not tame.
Resources are drained
No one would lend.

We want the job
High grades and love
Peace, truth, health
Friends, rewards and wealth.

Yet not one is realized
Even it’s just disguised.
Indeed it’s painful
We suffer tho hopeful.

But the greatest of them all
When you meet your Creator
You thought you did so well,
But He said, “You evildoer!” (Matt. 7:23, NIV.)

You believe repentance is possible
As others taught you before
But after He said, “I never knew you…”
“Away from me…!” He also told you.

Is God Able To Lead You To Repentance?

2009-11-27T22:22:00.000-08:00

Man’s words, “…All humanity is invited and enabled by the Spirit to experience a radical change of mind away from sinful egoistic self-centeredness and toward God and his love experienced in union with Jesus Christ.”

Actually, those who are teaching that all humanity — according to them, every person in the world — are “enabled by they Spirit to experience a radical change of mind…” or to “repent” — are also saying that because of our human free will, others would also refuse to repent!

Just think about if this is Biblical or even logical: God would enable a person to repent, yet he could still unable to do it. Where is “enabling” there?

Besides, you cannot find a verse that shows God is enabling every person to repent!

Should we not accept God’s Word and realize that “…God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” (Rom. 2:4, NIV.)

Many, however, would prefer to extol the human free will and would be comfortable with the humanistic reasoning: God has enabled everyone to repent, yet others remain to be unable to do it!

Could we not bow down before the Sovereign Will of God as we accept that He determines whom He wants to lead or grant repentance? And if He leads you to it, you’ll be able to really have it?

Can You Call God, "Father"?

2009-07-20T16:39:00.000-07:00

While others claim that everyone is the child of God, God’s Word declares in Romans 8:14-16:

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” {NKJV).

Who are the “sons of God”?

The Bible says, “…as many as are led by the Spirit of God.” You cannot find a sentence or phrase in the Bible which says, everyone in the world is led by or has received the Spirit of God.

And we, who have received the Spirit, we are able to cry out “Abba, Father.”
We are able to call God as “Father” not because we have just an ideal physical father in this world.

Wether we grow up without knowing any father, or we have an undesirable earthly father, we can still call God, “Father” — not just from our throat, not just from our lips, but even from the heart, because of His Spirit who enables us!

As we also read in Galatians 4:4-6:

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’”

You may be able to call God, “Abba, Father” from the heart, not because you just decide, or you exercise your human will to do so. But God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your heart. And as God’s Word tells us in Romans 5:5:

“…the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

God’s Spirit does not force us to say, “Father.” Through His Spirit, genuine love for Him blossoms in our hearts that we are able to affectionately call upon Him, “Abba,” or “Papa,” or “Daddy,” etc

Ninoy Aquino "Had Seen" God!!

2009-06-07T02:56:00.000-07:00

Ninoy Aquino, the Filipino Senator who is now regarded as a Philippine hero, had known God during his solitary confinement in the Martial Law days in the Philippines.

My God, My God, WHY Have You Allowed Your Word To Be "Twisted"?

2009-05-06T23:12:00.000-07:00

“Ignorant... unstable” twisted your Holy Word (2 Pet. 3:16)!
Lord, why have You allowed it to be twisted?
Isn’t it tho many plans are in our heart,
It’s Your Sovereign purpose that prevails (Prov. 19:21)?

Tho we make plans, it’s You Who determine our steps (Prov. 16:9).
Even hearts’ desires and longings of a king,
You direct wherever You please (Prov. 21:1).
Yet, why allowed Your Word to be twisted?

You do what You please with the powers of heaven
And the peoples of the earth (Dan. 4:35).
And those who walk in pride You are able to humble (Dan. 4:37).
Yet, why allowed Your Word to be twisted?

Tho Your Word declares, You chose us who believe (1 Thess. 1:4-5),
But why allowed others teach everyone are chosen?
You say believers are saved and justified (Rom. 1:16-17; 3:38).
Why let others preach everyone is justified and will be saved?

You declare nothing is impossible with You (Luke 1:37).
But why let others imply it’s not possible for You
To create a new heart, a willingness that one may accept Your Gift?
Why allowed Your Word to be twisted?

Holy, Holy, Holy, are You, according to Your Word (Rev. 4:8 ).
So, Just are You in bringing wrath (Rom. 3:5)
On those “who are self-seeking... who reject the truth…” (Rom. 2:8.)
Why let others, as if, to say, You are Love, Love, and Love?

My God, my God, why have You .… ...? But …!
Didn’t You allow even the Personal Word,
Your Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to be crucified?!
Truly,You work out “everything in conformity” with Your Will (Eph. 1:11).

And the Word that goes out from Your mouth,
Will not return to You empty,
Will accomplish what You desire
And achieve the purpose for which You sent it (Isa. 55:11).

Like Your Son, Your Literal Word triumphs
Over misinterpretations and mistakes!
Forever it endures in spite of those who want to destroy it!
So grateful, Oh Lord, for the joy and peace Your Word gives!

MERCY Or "Foreknowledge"?

2009-03-03T22:30:00.000-08:00

Recently, I realized that someone "embraced" Arminianism, because she is "uncomfortable" with or could not just accept God's Word which says, "Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden" (Rom. 9:18, NIV).

She opted to believe how Arminians define "foreknowlege" -- God gives His Spirit to those He has chosen to be saved, because He knows beforehand that they would accept His offer.

I just don't know if she is also aware that the Reformed view of predestination did NOT just start from Calvin, but you could also read it in the book, City of God by Augustine -- not only in the letters of Paul.

Anyway, last time, we had a brief encounter. I told her, "I have something for you. It's Titus 3:5-6..."

And I continued to recite it, "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His..." -- "foreknowledge?" I asked her.

She was nodding in approval. But I shook my head and slowly quoted God's Word, "... according to His mercy..."

Our conversation was stopped, however, because someone had called her attention and talked with her for other matters. She just told me that she would look up the verse later.

If I could have continued, not only I would finish quoting Titus 3:5-6, but I would also tell her about a good illustration of mercy in the New Testament: the Samaritan who had mercy on the victim of the robbers (Luke 10:30-37).

The victim was "half-dead" -- unconscious -- and the Samaritan did not bother to ask, if he wanted to be helped. He just extended his mercy to him. And the victim had no ability to refuse the help of a Samaritan and prefer the assistance from a Jew. He did not have even the consciousness to ask for help.

We are victims of Satan -- spiritually dead -- totally helpless. Without the Spirit of God to enable us to draw near to Christ, we would not have any desire to follow Him. Even if we have the so-called freedom of the will, we could not exercise it for we are spiritually unconscious!

We read in Romans 8:6-8, "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God."

Thus, if not for God's mercy, we would not or we are unable to receive His Spirit and be saved. It's by God's grace.

Could we not submit and bow down to the glorious weight of God's Word: "It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy" (Rom. 9:16)?

Request Deletion

WHY Others Are Not Attracted To God?

2009-01-18T20:42:00.000-08:00

It is a popular belief or teaching that others are not attracted to God, refuse to follow Him, or find more pleasure in sin than God, because of our so-called free will.

And because of our human choice, others also believe that we are able to resist or disregard His Call.

BUT, what did the Word of God say?

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, told the Samaritan woman, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him..." (John 4:10, NKJV.)

If we really knew Who Jesus is, our reaction or choice would not be to reject or refuse Him or what He is offering!

Others reject God or refuse His Word because of their ignorance, or false or incomplete understanding of God. It is not just because of their choice.

But if we really knew Him, our immediate reaction is to admire, adore and worship Him -- not because we are forced, but because we are attracted to Him.

God SEPARATES...

2008-11-02T05:12:00.000-08:00

Let’s review Genesis 1:4, “And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness” (NKJV).

Notice the last part: “… God divided the light from the darkness.”

Other translations render it, “God SEPARATED the light from the darkness” as we read also in the New International Version.

God divides or separates. He does not mix the light with darkness.

In the future, there will be also separation among the nations. Jesus Christ said:

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…’ Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels…’” (Matt 25:31-34, 41, NKJV.)

There are those who teach that everyone will be saved. But according to God’s Word, He would say to those on His right hand, “Come…” but to those on the left hand, “Depart…”

God attracts. For while the devil tried to “mix it up,” God separates.

We read in Matthew 13:24-25, “Another parable He put forth to them, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.’”

The devil is the "enemy" who sowed the tares among the wheat. Now, let’s continue to read:

“But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' "He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?' "But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn" ' " (verses 26-30).

God may allow this time the “tares” and the “wheat” – the righteous and the unrighteous” – the believers and the unbelievers – to “grow together.” But the day is coming when they will be separated. As we read in Malachi 3:18:

“So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him” (NAS) – for, then, God will again separate the “light” from the “darkness.”

God Creates A NEW Heart

2008-10-27T01:34:00.000-07:00

A friend pointed out to me how to have a "healthy heart." According to him, "heal-thy-heart" could be achieved -- "if we heal our hearts from past wounds, insults, pains and forget about getting even & don't hold grudges..."

God, however, wants that we have not only a healthy heart, but a NEW heart.

We read in Ezekiel 18:311: "Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit" (NKJV).

And He Himself made this promise:

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezek. 36:26).

(Unfortunately, there are those who believe and teach that that promise was only for the physical Israelites.)

According to God's Word, what we need is a new heart -- I told my friend -- a heart that God can open, so we can receive all His Words (not only those that we can conveniently obey), a heart that can receive God's revelation of Himself, not only those human perception about God, a heart that can really love God for it experiences the very love of God, in spite of whatever trial or difficulty that could happen, a kind of heart that look to God as its Supreme Joy, not just the fulfillment of one's human desire, a kind of heart that lasts for eternity, cherishing God's Word (not just the philosophy or convincing arguments of men) -- a kind of heart that David prayed for:

"Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Ps 51:10).

Not just for a healthy heart, but, just like David, let's long for and pray for a new and clean heart.

God SATISFIES!

2008-08-30T15:50:00.000-07:00

Would you hesitate to become attracted to something that satisfies you?

An illegal drug even attracted many for it could provide an amount of satisfaction.

But we read in God's Word:"Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,And for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness" (Ps. 107:8-9, NKJV).

God SATISFIES the longing soul!!

Only God can fill and satisfy the human heart He created. If He reveals to you that "He fills the hungry soul with goodness" and only He Who satisfies, nothing else will bring you contentment!

But if we have just our own picture of God, we could even find Him boring or a burden. We could even entertain the thought that His Splendor could fail to attract our attention or to create interest in our heart! We could believe that His Supreme Goodness could just be disregarded. And His Wonders and Sovereign Grace could be rejected!

Be acquainted with Him and experience His Supreme Satisfaction!

NOT ALL Are God's Children

2008-07-21T18:01:00.000-07:00

Anyone could just claim that they are God’s children – even non-Bible believers could “believe” they are.

But it’s a very different thing, if God Himself will call you His child. “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1, NKJV).

If God Himself will recognize us as His children, our tendency is to be attracted to Him! For we are made aware that He is our Father!

Others claim that God has the same kind of love for everyone. They even teach that everyone in the world is a child of God. But God’s Word declares He has greater love for His own children. The New International Version translates the first part, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us…”!

We read also in 1 John 3:10, that there are “children of God and the children of the devil…” – NOT ALL are included in His Holy Family.

The Son of God told others, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do…” (John 8:42-44).

If we realize that He Himself has recognize us as His children and we experience His Great Loving Fatherly care, we will also embrace Him, as we see Him running toward us to welcome us!

Yes, we will choose to love Him – not because we choose Him to be our Father, but He has chosen us first to become His own children.

God A T T R A C T S ! !

2008-07-04T05:54:00.000-07:00

Could you afford to reject God? Could you just set aside His Supreme Goodness?

Would you be interested in something other than Him?

David, who had a glimpse of His Divine Beauty, declared:

"One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,To behold the beauty of the LORD,And to meditate in His temple" (Ps. 27:4, NAS).

"To behold the BEAUTY of the LORD"!!

Beauty attracts! It does not repulse!

We do not tend to reject something beautiful! We do not close our eyes to it. We are drawn toward it! We gravitate closer and closer to it.

If something beautiful that is created just out of nothing attracts us, how much more the BEAUTY that is there from all eternity and will go on for eternity!?

God's Beauty is unsurpassed. He who beholds Him will so admire Him and will be satisfied God Himself dwells in him.

SEE The GREAT IMPORTANCE Of BELIEVING In Christ

2008-06-18T15:24:00.000-07:00

Because of the passage, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive" (1 Cor. 15:22, NKJV) -- there are those who teach and believe that "all" or everyone in the world are "in Christ"!

But WHO are those "in Christ"?!

If we fail to grasp the meaning of that verse, we can easily agree that just like Adam, who did not believe God, we could also be in Christ! And so, we can fall into error that though we do not believe, we are also reconciled with Him, we are raised up with Him, we are justified, we are chosen, etc.

There are many verses in the Scriptures, however, that emphasized the need for us to believe in Christ. For example, John 3:18 -- "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

Notice the words, "... he who does NOT believe is CONDEMNED ALREADY"!

Now, let's go back to 1 Corinthians 15 and understand verse 22 in the light of the whole chapter.

Who are those in Christ -- and that all of them would be made alive?

According to Paul in verse 11: "... so we preach and so you believed."

Those "in Christ" as those who BELIEVED! They are those who are not condemned. They are reconciled with God. They are redeemed. They are raised up -- made alive -- with Him. They are chosen ones. They belonged to God. They are the spiritual children of God. They are guaranteed by God Himself that they would have their inheritance. They are those who really love God.

May you also see the need and the worth of believing in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

WHEN The Air Was "Gone"...

2008-06-07T16:38:00.000-07:00

When I was gasping for breath and I could not even think of anything, for oxygen could no longer reach my brain -- God was not even in my consciousness -- it was a very fearful thing! (http://www.christianster.com/ctan/html/showsharing.php?sid=57003&authid=99269&m=6&d=5&y=2008).

If you were helpless and hopeless and you could not even pray... and yet God gave you a joyful deliverance, only then you could have a better grasp of the meaning of the Grace of God.

Air began to fill again my lungs NOT because I was able to pray and ask God to save me. I was able to breathe again NOT because someone brought me to the doctor -- I was alone in the house.

I was able to breathe again NOT because I just exercised the so-called power of the human will to choose to breathe! My brain or mind was UNable to function properly, just as my physical body was wrestling with pain!

But because of God's Grace -- He allowed me to taste the sweetness of air once again and to enjoy the sweetness of His Grace!

Whether we have life in this world, or our life is extended, or even blessed with eternal life -- it's because of His Mercy.

We read in Romans 9:16, "So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy" (NAS).

The New International Version renders it, "It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy."

God COMPLETES

2008-06-01T00:06:00.000-07:00

Some are teaching: “GOD SAYS HE WILL COMPLETE THE WORK HE HAS BEGUN IN US. YET SCRIPTURE ALSO INDICATES THAT SOME WILL NOT COOPERATE WITH HIM.”

Indeed, there are those who will not cooperate with God. But they are not among those whom God has begun His spiritual work of redemption.

Paul wrote:

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:4-6).

When he stated, “… He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” – he was referring NOT to every human being, but to the believers – those who have “partnership in the gospel” – or as we read in verse 1, “To all the saints in Christ Jesus…”

It is wrong to imply that God who began to work in the life of a person – enabling him to come to Jesus, granting him repentance and faith – will not enable him to cooperate with Him until the end. The Sovereign God is not subject to the so-called “ningas-cogon” mentality – that He is good only to start something, but cool off before finishing it.

Besides, Paul wrote: “…BEING CONFIDENT of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…” He didn’t doubt. He was sure. He was confident.

For the completion of God’s Work in the life of the believers does not rest in our own hands.

Paul also wrote, "HE WILL KEEP YOU STRONG TO THE END, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful” (1 Cor. 1:8-9).

We read further in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” And verse 4 states, “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”

If God started to work in your life, will it be completed?

Yes, for He is faithful. So, “…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Phil. 2:12-13).

WHY Would God Open YOUR Heart?

2008-05-14T20:21:00.000-07:00

Let us read Acts 16:14, “One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message” – especially the last part, “The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message.”

A Bible teacher, who exalts so much the human free will, told me through the email that though God opened the heart of Lydia and she responded to Paul’s message, it does not mean that whenever God opened the heart of others, they would also respond just like Lydia.

As if he was saying, God could open our hearts, but, because we have the freedom of choice, we could still refuse to respond to the Gospel!

The verse, however, makes me realize that though the tendency of our fallen nature is to respond negatively to God, because of His grace, He would open our hearts, so we could respond positively to Him. We could not boast that we respond to His message, because we just choose to. We respond to Him, because He has opened our hearts.

We did not choose Him. He had chosen us. We called upon Him, because He had called us. We knew Him, because He first knew us and made Himself known to us. We loved Him, because He first loved us.

And God would open our hearts in order for us to respond to Him – not to resist or reject Him.

God SEEKS And SAVES

2008-04-08T14:17:00.000-07:00

We read in Luke 19:10, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

What a great comfort and encouragement to hear those words!

Jesus Christ came to seek... He Himself is the One who is doing the seeking. We do the hiding (Gen. 3:8). What a very foolish thing we do -- hiding from the only One who could give us happiness and satisfaction.

Whenever we hear His Words, "Where are you?" (Gen. 3:9) it does not mean that He does not know where we are. He knows exactly that we need His help, that apart from Him we have nowhere else to go.

He is seeking for us to help -- to save us. And when He seeks He finds. We cannot hide from Him.

Also, when He saves, He will surely save us. He will not just give us an option whether we choose to be saved, or not. Remember the story of the "Good Samaritan"? Did the Samaritan ever ask the victim whether he wanted his help? Yes, those who are lost are too helpless -- "half dead" -- to refuse.

Besides, Jesus came to seek and to save those who are aware and know they are really lost -- they do not know where to go, too helpless to save themselves.

God will not save those who believe that their good deeds, their good denomination, their good doctrines, their good choice, or whatever could save them.

Have you ever heard His Voice, "Where are you?"

Then, He was seeking to save you.

HOW MUCH TIME God Listens?

2008-04-03T14:13:00.000-07:00

How much time or how long do you pray? 5 minutes? 15 minutes? One half hour? An hour?

There was a point in my life that I was just concerned whether I prayed during the day, or not. Later, I was also asking the question: How long should I pray?

But, now, I believe that God -- through His Spirit -- will move His children not only what they ought to pray, but even for how much time they should pray.

Sometimes, I just prayed for a second... and the answer also came as fast as I finished!

Before I decided to leave the fellowship I was a member for several years, there were nights that I prayed without sleeping! It was really difficult to leave the fellowship of people you have learned to love, but, finally, my love for God's exaltation ought to triumph -- God answered my prayer positively that He even moved the heart of my spouse to agree with my decision.

How much time do I pray? It depends.

Actually, I just believe that I can always pray wherever I am and whatever I am doing. Sometimes, I feel that I am praying always.

I just learn to love doing it. For I believe that our Heavenly Father is always listening to us all the time!

We read in Psalm 22:24 states, "For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help."

Is EVERYONE Predestined To Be Conformed To The Likeness Of Christ?

2008-03-24T04:25:00.000-07:00

The denomination that I was once a member was now teaching, “…those God ‘predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified’ (Rom. 8:30). This statement describes every human being through their inclusion in Jesus' incarnation, life, death, resurrection, ascension (glorification).”

I don’t think the leadership of the group want to distort the Scripture. But, is it right to interpret the verse that every human being is predestined, called, justified and also glorified “through their inclusion in Jesus’ incarnation, life, death, resurrection, ascension (glorification)”?

In Romans chapter 8, we find that there are those people who “are controlled by the sinful nature” and those who “are controlled by the Spirit” (verse 9).

When Paul wrote, “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified,” did he refer to “every human being” – those who are controlled by the sinful nature and those who controlled by the Spirit – or only those who are controlled by the Spirit?

Let’s read verse 9, “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.”

Apparently, Paul was addressing to “you” – who are controlled NOT by the sinful nature, but by the Spirit. He was speaking to the “brothers” (verse 12) – who are “led by the Spirit of God” (verse 14) -- who “received the Spirit of sonship” (verse15).

He also wrote in verse 26, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”

When he stated, “…but the Spirit himself intercedes for US…” – he was not referring to every human being, for he clarified in the next verse, “…the Spirit intercedes FOR THE SAINTS in accordance with God's will” (verse 27).

And it is also clear in verse 28 that Paul was not referring to every human being, when he wrote: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those…”

Did he say, “…God works for the good of those ALL who are in the world”?

It didn’t.

Rather, Paul wrote: “… for the good of those WHO LOVE HIM…” And they were those “who have been called according to his purpose.”

Some are teaching that all “have been called” or will be called by God. In this verse, however, they are associated with those who love God. Those who love Him are those who are called. And NOT everyone is able to love God.

Paul was not, then, speaking to every human being in Romans 8. But to those who are controlled by the Spirit – to those who are led by the Spirit of God – to those who received the Spirit of sonship.

They are those who “are loved by God and called to be saints” (Rom. 1:7) -- enabled by the Spirit to come to Jesus, to believe in Him, and to love Him. They are “those God foreknew” and “predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son” (verse 29).

Not every human being will come, will believe, or will love Jesus Christ. For not all are predestined to be conformed to His likeness. But all “those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified” (verse 30).

No wonder, Paul also wrote in Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Do you have also the same confidence?

WHAT Do You MEAN, "LOVE The Lord..."?

2008-02-15T03:04:00.000-08:00

When I was still a Catholic and, then, converted to a group, which later confessed to be a “cult,” and even when there was a great change in the said group and it was accepted in the evangelical circle – I could not yet grasp so much the meaning of love.

My general understanding before of the command, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind…” (Luke 10:27) is just to serve God and even the readiness to sacrifice for Him above all things.

However, before I decided to leave the group that I became a member for more than 27 years, I was able to review the so called “love chapter,” which I read actually so many times before -- 1 Corinthians 13, especially verses 4-8:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.”

And I noticed in verse 6 the “ingredient” of love I missed for so long.

It says, “Love does not delight in evil but REJOICES with the truth.” Yes, love is not only, patient and kind… etc. It also REJOICES!

The command “Love the Lord your God…” gives me a new and even wonderful meaning. I could now relate it with other Scriptures, like Philippians 3:1, “…REJOICE IN THE LORD!”; Philippians 4:4, “REJOICE IN THE LORD always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”; and Psalm 37:4, “DELIGHT yourself IN THE LORD…”

Now, the greatest commandment gives me a new and fascinating meaning.

It seems to sound like this:“DELIGHT and REJOICE in the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind”!

If we love God, we delight in Him. We rejoice in and with Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who is the Truth.

Let JESUS CHRIST BE SEEN

2008-02-10T22:08:00.000-08:00

"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light” (Luke 11:33).

We usually understand the verse to refer to the good works that we need to perform.

But I love how the pastor of the present church I am attending referred the “light” to Jesus Christ.

Indeed, Jesus Christ Himself said: "I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).

And if we realize that He is the true Light, then, we will place where He is not hidden in our life. We will exalt and extol Him in our life – so obvious that others will see that He is in the center of our life, that He is the uppermost One in our heart, that He is our Savior and King!

What do we really extol in our life? What do we want to promote? Our personal belief? Our accomplishment? Our denomination? Our family, friends, or whatever?

Are we also sure that Christ is really in us?

Paul wrote the Christians at Rome:

“… And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ” (Rom. 8:9).

Though there are those who teach that everyone belong to Christ, it is clear from the Scripture that, if you do not have Christ – if you do not have His Spirit – you do NOT belong to Him!

“See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness,” Christ also said in Luke 11:35.

So important, indeed, to know that what we have is the true Light. Let’s be sure that we belong really to Him. “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you -- unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Cor. 13:5.)

And if He is really in us, let’s give Him the prominent place due the true Light, so that others may see Him in our life.

God Will Give All Things To Those WHO KNOW Him

2008-02-09T22:12:00.000-08:00

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

Those who consider themselves children of God, those who know God, the believers, or who belong to the “little flock” ought not to be anxious of anything.

In fact, Jesus Christ Himself told them not to be afraid of losing anything they value in this world. It could be material wealth. But we could also value health, position, knowledge, friendship, family, or even our personal belief.

He said, “Do NOT be afraid…”

Note very well that He was addressing the “little flock.” They are those who regard God as their “Father” – the faithful ones, the elect – “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God” (1 Peter 2:9) – they really know God, not just as a “loving God” who wishes good things for everyone, but the Holy God, who punishes those who do not know Him and are disobedient (2 Thess. !:8). They really know God, because they truly love Him (1 John 4:7-8).

So, if we are among them, we should not suffer anxiety, because God Himself is our Father. He is able to provide all our needs. We should not even be afraid to part way with those things we value. Why ? Because He is happy to give us all things He owns – His Kingdom!!

Like an ordinary child, who values what his physical father has and later be given to him, we need also to realize the Supreme Value of what’s in store for us.

What a great privilege to really know God and be chosen as His adopted child!

What an expressible joy to have Him, as our Holy Heavenly Father – the Source of our sufficiency and our real Treasure!

We do not have to fear that what we truly value will be lost from us.

BEAUTY Of God's Sovereignty

2008-01-26T23:26:00.000-08:00

How do we regard the Sovereignty of God?

Though we say that God is Sovereign, most of us try to elevate the so-called human free will over the Will of the Living God, the Maker of heaven and earth!

God’s Word tells us:

“Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is THE LORD'S PURPOSE THAT PREVAILS” (Proverbs 19:21).

“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I WILL DO ALL THAT I PLEASE” (Isaiah 46:10).

How much do we believe on those remarks of God’s Word? Do we perceive any limitation in the accomplishment of God’s purpose from those verses?

Should we say that “the Lord’s purpose… prevails” as long as it does not go against the so-called free will of man?

Consider what the man in the Bible who has the “right” to be proud acknowledged later on:

“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. AND THOSE WHO WALK IN PRIDE HE IS ABLE TO HUMBLE” (Daniel 4:37).

We are also familiar with Jonah. When he was commanded by the Sovereign God to “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it…” (Jonah 1:2) – not only he disobeyed…

“But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD” (Jonah 1:3).

Did the stubborn will of Jonah prevail, or God’s Sovereign Will?

We read:“Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.’ Jonah OBEYED THE WORD OF THE LORD and went to Nineveh…” (Jonah 3:1-3.)

God is Supreme.

But did Nebuchadnezzar or Jonah become like robots, because they ultimately subjected themselves to God? They didn’t.

God made them willing to do what He wanted. He enabled those who walk in pride to have humility. He enabled those who run away from Him to obey Him.

God's Beauty is also seen in His Sovereignty. He is able to accomplish His purpose even in our life, without the necessity of turning us into automatons, or forcing His Will upon us. He is able to make us willing!

WHEN The Sovereign God REDEEMS...

2008-01-13T14:27:00.000-08:00

"But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself" (Psalms 49:15, NIV).

I love the translation of New International Version of Psalm 49:15, “…he will surely take me to himself.”

A Bible teacher told me that there are those who are redeemed by the blood of God’s Son, yet, will NOT be saved!

What a great contrast with the positive assurance of the Living Word of the Sovereign God: If He will redeem you – even from the spiritual grave of sin – He will SURELY take you to Himself!

This reminds me of another verse: “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory” (Ps. 73:24).

The Sovereign God who caused Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge willingly: “…praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (Dan. 4:37) – is the same God who will guide you and afterward will take you into glory.

The same Lord who “moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm” to build the temple of God in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-2) and the God “who put into the heart of Titus the same concern” that Paul had for the Corinthians (2 Cor. 8:16) can also move your heart to believe and say:

“'In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins' (Eph. 1:7) and He will surely take me to Himself!”

HOW GREAT Is Your Regard For God (A Thought On Human Free Will)?

2007-12-29T00:20:00.002-08:00

"Praise the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great;
you are clothed with splendor and majesty" (Ps. 104:1).

Do we have such regard for God, "very great"?

Like the psalmist, could we really say to God: "You are clothed with splendor and majesty"?

How high and lofty is our regard for Him?

We may find it easy to say that we value Him more than our material possession. But do we also exalt Him more than our own abilities? Do we believe that He is even greater than our so-called human free will?

There are those who believe that because of our freedom of choice, we can even choose to resist the Attractiveness of God! Because of our free will, according to them, we could reject God!

Instead of teaching what God's Word declares that, those who ignore and refuse God and His Gift are in spiritual darkness or spiritually blind, and they fail to behold God's Attractiveness and Greatness -- they prefer to teach that there are those who could behold God's splendor and majesty, but they are not attracted or "refused" to be captivated by God's Beauty, because of their human choice!!

If we are not spiritually dead, if we are not spiritually blind -- our human free will to desire and choose what attracts us is NOT extinguished! Please read that again. And again.

Our freedom of choice does not extinguish our desire for what is attractive -- whether what we choose is not attractive to others.

The Great God who created us with our human free will -- has given us the freedom of choice that makes us desire what attracts us! Thus, when we are really attracted to something, we are not "forced." It is our natural tendency to desire what is admirable, as we desire for water when we are thirsty, or we want food when we are hungry.

The human free will that He gave us is NOT the kind of choice wherein we have to choose between being attracted or embrace what attracts us, and not to be attracted or resist what attracts us!

Our freedom of choice is our freedom to choose what appears desirable to us at the moment we make our decision. Our Great God has given us the human free will that we are inclined to choose and accept what is more pleasant compared with other options.

Thus, our human free choice will NOT "kill" or even lessen our admiration for God's Greatness! Our freedom of choice -- given to us by God -- will direct us to adore and come to Him.

Our God given freedom will NOT move us to ignore and reject Him, but admire and praise Him, and say, "O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty"!

WOULD YOU REJECT THE GREATEST GIFT?

2007-12-21T15:34:00.000-08:00

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17).

What is this “free gift of the water of life”?

We also read in Revelation 21:6, “He said to me: ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.’”

If we have this “water of life,” we will have satisfaction as a thirsty man is satisfied in drinking from the spring of water.

Jesus told the Samaritan woman, who would draw water from the well:

"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:13-14).

Water and other physical things will only give us temporary satisfaction. But if we have the “water of life” given by Jesus, we “will never thirst” – we will enjoy complete and eternal satisfaction!

Unfortunately, there are those who reject and will continue to reject this precious gift.

Why?

First, let us identify this “water of life.”

We read in John 7:37-39, “On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’ By THIS HE MEANT THE SPIRIT, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.”

Jesus Christ was referring to the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of God – His Spirit. Nothing in this world could satisfy our heart as the exceeding joy of the Spirit of Christ could give us. And yet, there are those who refuse to come to Him. They do not accept Him to control their lives. They resist the Holy Spirit.

Stephen told the Jews, who would stone him: ”You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!” (Acts 7:51.)

Notice that they resisted the Spirit, because they were “stiff-necked” and “with uncircumcised hearts and ears!” – as spiritually deaf, they did not hear the call: “Come! … take the free gift of the water of life.”

Also, there are those who cannot accept Him, because they do not know Him. Jesus said in John 14:16-17, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever -- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

Those who reject the Most Precious Gift are in spiritual darkness – spiritually deaf, spiritually ignorant – and with heart of stone. They cannot perceive the Great Worth of the Gift. The “culprit” is not actually the so-called “freedom of choice” of man.

As Jesus told the Samaritan woman, "IF YOU KNEW the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water" (John 4:10).

But by God’s grace, those whom He had circumcised the hearts, whom He made spiritually alive to hear the Sovereign call and to behold the Glory of Christ, and whom He enabled to come to the Son, they would choose freely to have the Greatest Gift.

They would, then, be feasting on the Word of God (the Bible), for Jesus Christ said: “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life” (John 6:63). And they would never thirst.

WHEN GOD CHOOSES...

2007-12-13T14:31:00.000-08:00

"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-" (Ephesians 1:4-5).

"For he chose us..." -- for some, they teach that "us" means "all" -- everyone. But though they teach that God chose ALL and included ALL, yet, they also add that NOT all will be adopted as God's children, NOT all will be glorified.

But, God's Word is clear. It says, "...chose us IN HIM.." He chose those who are "IN HIM" -- meaning, those who believe. As we read in verse 19, "...his incomparably great power for us WHO BELIEVE..."

Paul also wrote in verse 13, as he told the Christians in Ephesus:
"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. HAVING BELIEVED, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit..."

We are "in Him" -- in Christ -- when we heard the gospel and when we believed. Not all are chosen. Not all are "in Christ" -- not all believe the gospel.

How do we know if we are chosen?

We read in the early part of 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5, "For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, BECAUSE our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction..."

Paul knew that the Christians in Thessalonica were chosen, because they heard the gospel "not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction." Not only they believe, but they BELIEVED IN HIM -- "with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction."

We read in Romans 8:30, "And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified" -- it does not say "SOME will be glorified" -- God did not choose all to be adopted as His children. But all those who really believed in Christ would be adopted as His children and would be glorified.

Do You Know God That You Can Trust In Him?

2007-12-05T19:58:00.000-08:00

“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you” (Ps. 9:10).

It says, “Those who know your name will trust in you…” – those who know the Name of God will trust in Him.

There are those who read that verse and entertain the thought that not everyone who knew God would trust Him. Before they jump into that conclusion, first, they need to consider these words from the Daily Bread:

“It's one thing to know about God, but it's quite another to know Him personally.”

“It's not enough to know God with your head; you must know Him in your heart.”

“Knowing about God may interest us, but knowing God will change us.”

And, surely, those who knew the name of God were different from those who knew about God, those who knew Him with their head.

Those who knew His Name – not those who knew how to pronounce His Name -- were those who knew Him personally. They knew God with their heart. They knew and beheld His Supreme Attractiveness. They knew that God is not only Love, but also Holy, Just and Trustworthy, so they trusted in Him!

Those who are not attracted or do not trust in God are not those who exercise their human will, so they ignore or refuse to trust in Him, after they know that God is Attractive or Trustworthy. They do not really know God personally. They do not see the Supreme Beauty of God.

But, those whom God reveal Himself will really choose to trust in Him.

Have you?

If You KNOW GOD'S WONDERS...

2007-11-12T19:51:00.000-08:00

We read in Job 37:14-18, “Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God's wonders. Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash? Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge? You who swelter in your clothes when the land lies hushed under the south wind, can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze?”

If by God’s grace, through His Holy Spirit He would lead you to “stop and consider God’s wonders” – to behold His Attractiveness – will you end up unrepentant, unlike Job?

If He would open your mind to know not only His creative work, but also His sacrificial work to save you – will you not acknowledge your great need for the Savior?

And if you would hear His wondrous call and ask you, “Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?” (Job 40:8.) – what will be your response?

Would you choose to ignore, or resist Him, though you are aware of His Great Attractiveness?

Or, would you be attracted to His wonders and, like Job, you also humbly and willingly say: "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:5-6)?

GOD'S CALLING IS IRRESISTIBLE!

2007-10-27T02:52:00.000-07:00

“The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice" (John 10:1-5, NIV).

Why will “some choose to resist the Holy Spirit and throw God’s gift of grace back at his feet and reject him?” Why will some ignore or reject God’s calling?

Those who know the “attractiveness” of God’s calling – those who know His voice – listen to His voice and follow Him, according to Jesus Christ. They know they are called, so that they “may receive the promised eternal inheritance” (Heb. 9:15). They know they are called, so that they may “inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9). They know they are called “out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). They know they are called “to his eternal glory in Christ” (1 Peter 5:10). They know they are called “into his kingdom and glory” (1 Thess. 2:12). They know they are called to eternal life (1 Tim. 6:12). They know they are called “to peace” (Col. 3:15; 1 Cor. 7:15). They know they are called “to one hope” (Eph. 4:4; 1:18). They know they are called “to be free” (Gal. 5:13). They know they are called “to belong to Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:6) – “into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:9). They know they are called “to be holy” (1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Tim. 1:9).

Will you reject or resist the calling of the Shepherd, if you know He is Supremely Good?

Will you refuse to follow Him, if you know that with Him you “shall not be in want”?

Will you resist His call, if you know that He will make you “lie down in green pastures,” He will lead you “beside quiet waters,” He will restore your soul, He will guide you “in paths of righteousness”?

Will you ignore Him, if you know that though you “walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” you “will fear no evil, if He is with you? Will you choose to avoid Him, if you know that His “rod and your staff” will comfort you?

If you know that the Good Shepherd could even prepare a table before you “in the presence” of your enemies, He will anoint your head with oil and your “cup overflows,” and you can be sure that goodness and love will follow you all the days of your life, and you will dwell in the house of the LORD forever – will you still “choose to resist the Holy Spirit and throw God’s gift of grace back at his feet and reject him”?

It is unbelievable and unfathomable that there are those who are teaching you may not respond positively though you know the attractiveness of His “calling”!!

But Jesus Christ said, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you (no other than the Good Shepherd), you would have asked him… “ (John 4:10.)

He also said in John 14:17 that the world cannot accept the Spirit of truth, “because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you (His followers) know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

Does EVERYONE Know The BEAUTY Of God's Voice?

2007-10-22T05:50:00.000-07:00

Nothing is more compelling, captivating and thrilling than to know the beauty of the Goodness of God.

King David declared in Psalm 27:4, "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."

If we are attracted to physical beauty, what would it do to us if we are given the privilege to have a glimpse of God's Glorious Beauty?

Jesus said, "... the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice (John 10:3-4).

But does everyone know the Attractiveness of God?

While there are those who teach that everyone does, the Bible is plain that others know more the attraction in this world. They know the attraction of good paying job, good health, or good standing in the community.

In the churches, they know the attractiveness of good attendance, good income, good sermons, good theologians, etc.

Others know the attractiveness of sin.

God’s Word tells us that there are those who “do not know God” (1 Thess. 4:5; 2 Thess. 1:8). We also read in 1 John 4:8, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

If we know and hear God’s Voice, which is just attractive as His Being, I would rather assume that we will surely follow and gravitate to the Source than to assume that we will just ignore it. Only the spiritually deaf would refuse to answer His Call. Only he who does not know His Supreme Attractiveness will resist to come to Him and prefer the lesser attractions in this world.

Should we not desire to become more acquainted with the Beauty of His Goodness (as He reveals Himself in His Word) than to learn the “attractive” and acceptable teachings of some theologians?

Besides, we read in Jeremiah 9:23-24:

“This is what the LORD says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he UNDERSTANDS AND KNOWS ME, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth for in these I delight,’ declares the LORD.”

WHY Do You LOVE GOD?

2007-10-06T06:27:00.000-07:00

Jesus Christ said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30).

Why do you love God “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength”? Do you love Him because you are just commanded to do it? Or, you love Him because you are aware of His Glorious “Beauty”?

In Genesis 29, we read that “…Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful. Jacob was in love with Rachel...” (verses 16-18.)

Notice that Jacob was attracted to Rachel and was in love with her because of her beauty.

If physical beauty could attract us and caused us to love it, how much more if we know the Beauty of God?

We read in Jeremiah 9:23-24, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the LORD.”

Do we really understand and know the Attractiveness of the Lord – the Beauty of His “kindness, justice and righteousness”?

If you do, you do NOT need to be forced, be commanded, or even be told to love Him. God’s Loveliness and Beauty is much, much greater than that of Rachel! If you are spiritually conscious of the Beauty of His Goodness, you will not be repulsed by it. You cannot afford to ignore it. No one who “understands and knows” the Attractiveness of His Love and Justice will be inclined to reject Him.

It will become natural for you to be attracted and to love Him with “all your capacities and power.”

Those WHO BELONG To CHRIST Respond POSITIVELY To His Supreme Goodness

2007-10-06T06:17:00.000-07:00

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me -- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father…(John 10:14-15.)

Those who belong to Christ – His sheep -- know Him “just as the Father knows” Christ and He knows the Father.

They were able to know God not just through the beauty of His creation. They were able to know Him intimately – knowing that God Himself has an Awesome Attractiveness, that no one can match His Supreme Goodness – when God had revealed Himself to them -- to “those to whom the Son chooses” (Matt. 11:27).

God’s Word declares that there are those who do not know God (2 Thess. 1:8) -- spiritually blind to behold the Divine Goodness of the Shepherd.

But those who grasp the Goodness and Great Love of the Savior who died for them ((John 10:15; 15::13) – they will listen to His voice. They will follow Him (John 10:4). Those who know the Trustworthiness of the Shepherd will trust Him (e.g. Psalm 9:10; Matt. 9:28; John 9:35-38).

God’s Goodness will create positive response from those who belong to Him. For they know His Captivating Goodness – Love and Holiness, Mercy and Justice -- Redeemer and Avenger. They are given the wonderful experience to have a glimpse of the Splendor of God’s Glory!

Do You KNOW The Beauty Of God?

2007-09-28T17:09:00.000-07:00

In Psalm 27:4, David said: "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."

Are you aware of the Beauty and Goodness of God?

Jesus Christ said that, "...I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father..." (John 10:14-15.)

If we are His sheep, we know His Attractiveness! We would be aware of His Goodness. We will gravitate to Him -- not because we are forced, but we want "to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord"! We will come to Him, for we know that will find rest in Him.

Christ said earlier, "...The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice" (John 10:3-4).

If we are familiar of His Supreme Beauty, we will not ignore or reject Him. God's Son said that we will listen and follow Him.

God's Beauty attracts, not repels. Fortunate indeed are those who were given "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ"!

Like David, they could also say:"One thing have I asked of the Lord,that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."

GOD'S SOVEREIGN VOICE IS SUPREMELY ATTRACTIVE

2007-09-14T02:57:00.000-07:00

"And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice..." (John 10:16.)

Jesus Christ said that His sheep "will listen" to His voice. He did not say only some will listen. Nor some will not listen. He did say, "they will listen."

We read in verse 3, "...The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out."

Verse 4 continuous, "When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice."

Notice, the sheep listened to God's voice -- not because they are forced or intimidated. He "brought out ALL his own... and the sheep follow him" -- not because they are coerced.

"The sheep hear his voice..." "...the sheep follow him FOR THEY KNOW HIS VOICE."

There are those who teach that we can refuse to listen to God. That we can reject God's call.They assume that because of our human free will we can ignore His Voice.

I would rather assume that God's Voice is as Good and Attractive as His Being!

If we know His Voice, if we really hear and recognize His distinct, sweet, loving, gentle, yet sovereign voice -- we will not be coerced in listening, but we will be so attracted that we will love to hear and follow the Source.

But why is it that we read in the Bible that there are those who refuse God's invitation?

The answer: They do NOT know God's voice.

They are not really called by God. There are those who teach otherwise, but I would rather believe 1 Corinthians 1:23-24, "but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but TO THOSE WHO ARE CALLED, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" -- not everyone are called by God -- not everyone hears the inner, irresistible, comforting, assuring, Divine Voice.

Do you hear God's invitation to come and find rest in Him?

If you really know and hear His Call, you could not afford to ignore it -- not because you are forced or intimidated, but will be so attracted and captivated that you "will listen" and "follow Him."

How GLORIOUS Is GOD And HIS GIFT!?

2007-09-07T06:29:00.000-07:00

If you really know how adorable, how attractive, how glorious God and His Gift, could you reject, resist, or ignore it?

There are those who teach that even we know how glorious the Trustworthiness of God, because of our freedom of choice, we could still refuse to trust Him!

They teach that the Captivating Glory of God will not attract everyone who beholds it. They teach that there are those who know God’s Supreme Worth, but they will not accept, or receive Him.

God’s Word, however, tells us that there are those who do not obey and believe – who reject, or ignore God and His Gift – not because they see the Great Value of the Gospel and choose to refuse it, but because they do not see “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:4, ESV).

The unbelievers are spiritually blind. They fail to have at least a glimpse of God’s Compelling Beauty. They do not know the Glorious Worth of what is set before them.

Paul wrote, “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Cor. 4:3-4, NIV).

It is NOT “unfathomable” or “unbelievable,” therefore, why there are those who refuse to follow God, or reject His Irresistible Gift. They do not see or grasp the Divine Beauty.

But if you see, or know the Glorious Goodness of God and His gift, will you ignore or reject it? Would you be repulsed by the Divine Attractiveness?

The Son of God answers, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water" (John 4:10, NIV).

“If you knew…” -- instead of resisting, rejecting, or ignoring, not only you will be willing to receive or accept, but – “you would have asked him” – you would have asked for His Glorious Gift. Not only you would be attracted and believe the Giver, but you would proclaim His Awesome Goodness and Greatness to others (John 4:28-29).

If God healed you of your spiritual blindness and let you see “light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,” or if He has poured out his love into your heart by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5), you will not be forced by intimidation to trust God or accept His Gift, but you will be compelled by love for His Irresistible Glory!

God’s ATTRACTIVENESS Transcends Our Wildest Imagination!

2007-09-06T16:18:00.000-07:00

How we exalt or lift up the so-called freedom of the will of man! There are those who teach that because of our human freedom, we can ignore, reject, or resist God.

Yes, man is created with freedom of choice, but he is created in the image of God – and God is attracted to beauty and goodness. Thus, man is created to be attracted to what is beautiful. You don’t need to force him to appreciate what has attracted him.

But there are those who teach that you could ignore or reject the Greatest Attraction – God Himself!

Do you love a good song or melody? Are you captivated by the beauty of God’s creation, or by the lady or guy who is now your spouse?

God does not just deserve our usual admiration. If we behold His Goodness, Greatness, or Grandeur – we don’t even have to be commanded to love Him with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind!

If we are aware of His Attractiveness or Desirability, we cannot just ignore or resist Him. The psalmist declared, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you” ( Ps. 73:25).

Truly, only he who is spiritually dead, or spiritually blind can ignore and reject salvation. They are ignorant of it. They are not aware that He is offering Himself – Who is the Only Good and Divinely Attractive – and He is our Salvation!

God's "MAGNETIC" Beauty!

2007-09-06T16:12:00.000-07:00

Do you ignore something beautiful? Do you reject something that appeals to you?

There are those who teach that you can ignore God and even refuse His appealing offer! For them, it is unbelievable that there are persons who reject such "great salvation."

Actually, what is unbelievable is to teach that we have a God who lacks the appeal to draw someone to Himself!!

If there are those who reject, refuse, ignore God, they do so because they fail to grasp or comprehend the Glorious Beauty of God -- they are spiritually blind, or spiritually dead.

If they are able to exercise their free will or freedom of choice, they will freely approach the Attractive One, whose Great Beauty is irresistible!

Do you believe and follow God? If you do, be so grateful to God, through His Spirit, He made you spiritually alive -- has removed your spiritual blindness -- and enable you to behold His Magnetic Beauty to appreciate Him!

God ATTRACTS Whom He Has CHOSEN

2007-08-30T21:16:00.000-07:00

There are those who teach that God reveals His Attractiveness to everyone. But in the very next breath they said that not everyone responds positively! Teaching that everyone beholds the Supreme Attractiveness and yet not everyone is attracted does not make sense.

But the Bible says, “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him” (Matt. 11:27).

Not everyone knows the Glory or All the Goodness of God. We read in 1 John 4:8, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Also in 2 Thessalonians 1:8, “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”

There are those who do not know God.

God does not reveal His Glory to everyone. But only to “those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

And those who behold such Magnetic Attractiveness are attracted – not repulsed. They accept, believe and follow Him. They fall in love with Him – loving Him with all their heart, with all the soul, with all their strength and with all their mind .

Did God ELECT ALL To Be Saved?

2007-07-28T16:29:00.000-07:00

Because of the passage which says, "And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment-to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ" (Eph. 1:9-10; also Col. 1:19-20), should we believe that "all" are elected or chosen "to be holy and blameless in his sight... to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ" (Eph. 1:4-5)?

Should we not say that the word "all" in verse 10 of Ephesians 1 and Colossians 1:20 does not refer to everybody, otherwise we could also say that even the demons are also included?

Could we just believe that the word "us" in Ephesians 1:4 refers to the believers, just as we read in verse 19: "us who believe"?

If we believe that God elected or chose every person to be saved, then He would also give everyone the gift of faith (Eph. 2:8; Acts 13:48, last part) -- then everyone will be saved. But, unless we believe in universalism, we believe that there are those who would enter His Kingdom and the unbelievers would not be allowed to enter.

Could we just believe the Word of God that while others are given by God His Holy Spirt, there are also those whom He "gave them up.." (Rom. 1: 24, 26 & 28)?

Could we believe that while there are those who are being saved, there are also those who are perishing (1 Cor. 1:18; also Rom. 2:5)?

"What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath -- prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy...?" (Rom 9:22-23.)

Only God Can Make Us See!

2007-06-28T15:56:00.000-07:00

We read in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

What is worse than those who have blind eyes?

Those whose minds are blinded. They are unable to “see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” What they see is the glory of their own selves – that they could choose to come to God on their own. They may even believe that they are not so bad after all. They thought they could please God by whatever righteousness they could perform, or desire!

At least, those who are blind physically are aware of their blindness. The blind man in John 9 said, “…One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" (verse 25.) But those who are blind spiritually do not know they “are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” ( Rev. 3:17)!

If God will not heal us of our spiritual blindness, we will not see and appreciate the Worth of His Gift. But those whose eyes are opened and able to understand, they could not afford to refuse (1 Cor. 2:12-14) "the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ."

(For a related topic, please read my message God "UNWRAPPED " The Good Gift at http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=90153)

Even NOW We Can Enjoy God's Presence!

2007-06-09T01:34:00.000-07:00

"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" (1 Cor. 3:16).

Before, that verse didn't mean so much to me. I had the erroneous belief that the Holy Spirit was not Divine Being, but only a force, or influence of God.

When the leadership in our denomination changed the teachings and adopted the traditional Christian view of the Holy Spirit, and God also started to open my mind to His Truth, I began to see the wonder of I Corinthians 3:16 and also of similar verses, like:

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?" (I Cor. 6:19).

"...For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people'" (2 Cor. 6:16).

True believers are now enjoying the foretaste of Revelation 21:3!

Through the Holy Spirit, who is very God, dwelling in us, God Himself is NOW living in us! What joy! What comfort! What satisfaction we ought to be reflecting to the world, which is troubled with discontentment, sorrow and pain!

My GREATEST Desire

2007-06-03T03:59:00.000-07:00

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And being with you, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever” (Psalm 73:25-26).

When I first encountered that passage, especially the words, “…And being with you, I desire nothing on earth,” I asked the question: What did the writer of the Psalm see or know about God that he was able to say that?

And I told myself, I hope I could also say that to God. I hope I could also see His Great Worth that if I would be with Him, I would no longer desire anything on earth.

Many times I returned to that passage. When I would be tempted to desire so much for something, those words would also help me to re-direct my heart to God. Nothing in this world could even come near the Excellence of God.

Now, as God continuous to unveil His Goodness and Greatness, I am also learning to desire Him more and more. Yes, even more than anything desirable or pleasurable on this earth.

(For more on this topic, you may read my message at http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=88467.)

Have YOU Been Raised From The "Dead"?

2007-06-01T18:24:00.000-07:00

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, MADE US ALIVE with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions..." (Ephesians 2:4-5.)

The common teaching and belief is that even before his conversion, men has a choice to accept the offer of God. But how could a "dead" (spiritually) man have that choice?

"The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14).

"...the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so" (Rom. 8:7).

If we do not have the Spirit -- spiritually dead -- we cannot choose our way to God. We are incapable of making ourselves alive -- physically, or SPIRITUALLY -- and choose what He offers!

But God who makes the choice "made us alive with Christ"!

Jesus Christ who said, "You did not choose me, but I chose you..." (John 15:16) also said:"I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has NOW come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live" (John 5:25).

Are you one of those who have heard His Voice?

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above... Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your LIFE IS NOW hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory" (Col. 3: 1-4).

(If you have some questions on this topic, you may find your answer at http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=95996 or http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=94997.)

YOU Can Rejoice NOW!

2007-05-31T15:05:00.000-07:00

"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy" (1 Peter 1:8).

Before, I thought that this "inxpressible and glorious joy" is only possible in the future -- especially, at the second coming of Jesus Christ.

But verse 6 states, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials."

In other words, even now that we may "suffer grief in all kinds of trials" we can still "greatly rejoice"!

If we really love Jesus Christ, if we believe in Him we can be filled with an "inexpressible and glorious joy" regardless of the trial that is now happening to us!

The question is: Do we have now the love of God and the faith in the Son?

The demons believe and they shudder. God's children believe and they greatly rejoice.

Finding God by Dr. Larry Crabb

2007-05-26T15:25:00.000-07:00

"True passion for our Lord is a work of the Holy Spirit. It is he who entices us, luring us to pay attiention to Christ. He uncovers the stirring reality of Christ all through the Bible"

Had God CHOSEN To REJECT You?

2007-05-25T17:53:00.000-07:00

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him…” (Ephesians 1:3-4.)

God is the Sovereign who chooses.

And He chooses even “before the foundation of the world.” His choice will not be determined only after the return of Jesus Christ on this earth. His choice will not be determined only now if we change our way of life. But even before our birth! Yes, before the foundation of the world.

Furthermore, He “chose us in him before the foundation of the world…” NOT to be punished, or to be rejected later. He does not want anyone to suffer, or to perish.

But, “that we should be holy and blameless before him.” It is our own choice – the best that our freedom of choice can do is… – to reject Him, just like what Adam and Eve did. But God chooses a people to belong to Him.

If we have our own will to have our own way, God has the Sovereign Will to choose those who would be controlled by His Spirit to enable them to follow Him. (If you have some further questions, kindly read my message THE MOST HIGH CHOOSES at http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=97809.)

Why I Believe

2007-05-21T15:21:00.000-07:00

We read in the last part of Acts 13:48, “…all who were appointed for eternal life believed.”

The verse emphasizes to me that if God chose me before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless and predestined me to be adopted as one of his sons, then He will really work in me that I may believe. I believe because He has appointed me for eternal life!

Because of the said verse, I realize more that faith is indeed a gift from God. He gives it freely to those He chose before the creation of the world.

Finding God by Dr. Larry Crabb

2007-05-18T16:28:00.000-07:00

“We are here to know the Lord Jesus Christ – there is no other reason for living.”

The Divine Conquest by A. W. Tozer

2007-05-18T16:24:00.000-07:00

“God rescues us by breaking us, by shattering our strength and wiping out our resistance.”

CHOSEN BY GOD by RC Sproul

2007-05-18T16:00:00.000-07:00

“God is free. I am free. God is more free than I am. If my freedom runs up against God’s freedom, I lose. His freedom restricts mine; my freedom does not restrict his.”

God Does Not Operate By CHANCE

2007-05-18T15:19:00.000-07:00

There are those who do not believe that our physical universe was not realized by chance. Unfortunately, they believe that spiritual creation was realized by chance!

They believe that God offered mankind the wonderful gift of salvation and if by chance anyone who wants to accept it, then he will experience rebirth.

Could we not believe that even our spiritual rebirth does not depend on chance?

We have the gift of salvation not because we happened to accept it. To those who experienced spiritual creation – those who experienced salvation – they did, because God does not just offer it to them. He GAVE it to them.

The Sovereign God determined before the foundation of the world those who would be conformed to the image of His Son (Eph. 1:4-5) – who would be saved!

We accept the gift – not by chance – but God worked in us to will and to act (Phil. 2:13) -- He influenced our own will – so we would accept His gift.

If He will just leave us to our own so-called free choice, we will never do better than Adam and Eve (Please read my message The Most High CHOOSES at http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=97809).

God Wants To Do Something For YOU!

2007-05-18T14:48:00.000-07:00

There is a tendency for us to work -- to work to accomplish something for ourselves, or to please others. Even before the Sovereigh Creator, it is normal for us to believe that we can do something for Him.

Consider the words of Jesus Christ:

“Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.’ Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’ Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent’" (John 6:26-29).

The last verse says, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

In the God’s Word of Freedom, we read in verse 28, “The people asked Jesus, ‘What does God want us to do?’”

I love the paraphrase of verse 29, “Jesus replied to them, ‘God wants to do something for you so that you believe in the one whom he has sent.’”

Though the people would want to do something for God, God’s Word says, it is God actually who wants to do something for us!

As we read in part in Philippians 2:13, “… it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”

And what He wants to do for us – not to make us famous, healthy, or wealthy, but -- to believe in the one whom he has sent! For Him, it is more important for us to believe in His Son.

John wrote, “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).

To have a perpetual enjoyment in Him is what He wants for His children to have -- and He is working that they could have it.

(You may view my message The Sovereign Worker at http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=88687 to realize more what God can do for you.)

Could WE Really CHANGE God's MIND?!

2007-05-16T16:36:00.000-07:00

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words" (Rom. 8:26).

There are many instances in the Bible, wherein God seemed to change His Plan because of the prayer of a believer.

But could it be that it is God Himself who changes us?

And that in our prayer, through His Spirit, He moved us to make our longings be conformed to His Sovereign Will?

On our own, we do not know what is best and what is right. We are always biased in our request.

If ever our petition is answered, could it be that it is not only in line with His Will, but in the first place, He Himself has worked in our mind to ask for it?

In our prayer, could it be God is actually transforming our mind to be conformed to His Will?

We really need to pray -- more and more. So our mind could be transformed more to God's mind.

Does God Want EVERYONE To Come To Repentance?

2007-05-16T02:28:00.000-07:00

We read in 2 Peter 3:9 that God wants “that ALL should reach repentance.”

But the verse does NOT say, He PLANS that all should reach repentance. It is not His Sovereign Will to enable everyone to repent by giving them His Holy Spirit. He has given His Spirit to those who obey Him.

Will He forgive anyone who truly ask for His forgiveness, or who repents? Of course, He will. For He Himself is the One who enables those who come to Him to ask for forgiveness.

Then, why doesn’t He give His Spirit to all? By doing so, everyone would be able to repent.

The English Standard Version translates 2 Peter 3:19, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but he is patient toward you, not WISHING that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

God does NOT rejoice when someone will disobey and suffer in hell for eternity. He wishes that all of us should repent.

But He has a plan. He will give His Spirit to those “God calls to himself” (Acts 2:39). He will give His Spirit to ALL persons – to all He “CALLS TO HIMSELF” (Acts 2:39) – those He had chosen (Eph. 1:4). “For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion’” (Rom. 9:15).

Have you experienced genuine repentance?

Well, it's not because of your own desire or effort. It's because of God's mercy. In His kindness, He leads you to it.

When God DISPLAYED His Grace To Me...

2007-05-05T09:50:00.000-07:00

Almost five years ago, I was alone in our house and I suffered a severe attack of bronchial asthma. It happened for two consecutive nights. I could no longer breath! During the first night, it happened once. During the second night, it happened twice.

In each case, because oxygen could not reach anymore my brain, I could no longer pray, or even think of God. I was just struggling to have some air! At that moment, air was the only thing that I valued.

But in each case, when I thought my life was about to end, my breath was restored.

When I tried to look back and remember what had happened, I was filled with guilt that at those times, I desired more the air than the Creator of the air!

But the great lesson I learned, I experienced the grace of God. My physical life was extended not because I even prayed for it, or I did something to prolong it, but because purely of His mercy!

And because of the experience, it was also emphasized to me that God would extend my life to eternity not because I would ask Him for it or I would do something to have it.

God had given us this temporal life, or would extend it for sometime, or would give us eternal life -- not because of our own choice or effort, but because of His Grace.

(If you wish to learn more about the beauty of God's Grace, pleasre read my message at http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=87502)

Do YOU RECEIVE The Mercy of God?

2007-05-01T02:32:00.000-07:00

“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion” (Rom. 9:14, ESV throughout).

Because God is Merciful, we tend to believe that He will lavish all human beings the same amount of His Mercy.

Because He is Merciful, there are those who believe that He will save every person in every generation. They believe that the word “all” in Romans 11:26 refers to every person and not to every class or group of persons.

Because He is Merciful and Loving, there are those who even believe that He will not allow the sinners to suffer in pain in hell for eternity!

But in the early chapter of Romans, we read that there are persons who are NOT the objects of His Love and Mercy – but the objects of HIS WRATH (Romans 1:18).

God’s children were once like them (Eph. 2:3), but because of His Sovereign Choice – He shows Mercy to whom He has Mercy – instead of giving them up (Rom. 1:24, 26 & 28), He gives them His Holy Spirit to enable them to desire and to perform what is according to His Holy Will.

Are you able this time to repent, to seek, call and follow God? It’s not because you have .0001% goodness in your heart.

It’s not because you deserve 1,000% of God’s Mercy.

It’s because of His Sovereign Choice – choosing you from among the rest to bask in the Richness of His Mercy!

“Blessed is the man against WHOM the Lord will NOT count his sin” (Rom. 4:8). “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, MADE US alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved” (Eph. 2:4-5).

God's MERCY: Do NOT Take It For Granted

2007-05-01T02:26:00.000-07:00

It could be a tendency to believe that God is merciful, so He is bound to have mercy for every person and to provide each person the same kindness and favor!

But, we fail to realize that God remains to be merciful, whether we are recipients of it or not! Just like, He is Good -- His Goodness does not diminish or increase -- regardless of what is happening to us.

God's Mercy is His Sovereign Choice. To WHOM and WHAT "amount or kind" of mercy He would bestow is His prerogative.

Because of His mercy, others receive the air, the sunlight, the rain and other favor of His material creation. Others receive also His Holy Spirit.

Because of His mercy, others are recipients of the "crumbs"; while there are those who enjoy the "bread."

Is He Merciful to YOU?

WHY ADMIRE God For His WRATH?!

2007-05-01T01:56:00.000-07:00

It is really easy for us to admire and worship God for His Love and Kindness, but do we adore, and are we in awe of Him for His Wrath?

We unconsciously “isolate” His Wrath from His Goodness and Righteousness. We perceive His Goodness for His Love, Mercy, and other characters we normally admire of Him, but minus His Wrath!

But His Word tells us to NOTE both "the kindness and the SEVERITY of God" (Romans 11:22, ESV).

Should we not acknowledge that He is Good, because not only He is Love, but He is also like a consuming fire?

Perhaps, some Bible teachers and theologians are in error of trying to equate God’s anger with the outburst of anger of unrighteous, bias and fallen human beings. They taught and painted His wrath colored with self-gratification, or enjoyment of others' painful or agonizing suffering!

If we don’t define God’s Love, as we define human love – then, we should learn and appreciate His Wrath, just as we extol His Love far and above the kind of love that we ordinarily practice!

Do you think it’s time to acknowledge that His Wrath is Good, just like His Love, because it emanates from God Who is Good?

And, perhaps, if we learn to properly value His Wrath, we will also grow our hatred for every sin against Him, who will not allow any sin to exist in His Holy Presence.

The God Who "GAVE THEM UP..."!

2007-04-28T00:16:00.000-07:00

God’s Word describes not only the love of God, but also the WRATH OF GOD!

We tend to focus on His love, but He is also capable of wrath (Romans 1:18).

In the Gospel, God is presented not only as the Loving God who saves, but also as the God who is Just and “He will PUNISH those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thess. 1:8).

To the elect, God gave them repentance (2 Tim. 2:25; Rom. 2:4; Acts 5:31). While the rest, He “GAVE THEM UP…” (Rom 1:24, 26, 28, ESV.)

In the New International Version, we read:

“God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity…” “God gave them over to shameful lusts.” “God…gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.”

IF He did NOT give you up, or give you over to the sinful desire of your heart, to shameful lust, or to a depraved mind -- rather, “been justified through faith,” or He gave you His Spirit -– should you not really “REJOICE in the hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1-5)!?

Do You KNOW The GREATEST PLEASURE of God?

2007-04-24T04:11:00.000-07:00

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matt. 17:5).

God’s Word tells us that God finds pleasure “in those who fear Him” (Ps. 147:10-11). He finds pleasure in those who fulfill their vows to God (Eccl. 5:4-7). He finds pleasure in revealing Himself to the elect (Matt 11:25-27).

God finds pleasure in adopting us as his children (Eph. 1:4-6). He finds pleasure in giving us the Kingdom (Luke 12:32). And He finds pleasure in those who have “broken and contrite heart” (Ps. 51:16-17).

We could discover other ways in the Bible wherein God finds pleasure, but His Greatest Pleasure is in His Son – “with whom… (He is...) WELL PLEASED”!!

Do we always seek for God’s Greatest Pleasure? Are we always listening to Him!

WHY Find Pleasure IN GOD?

2007-04-24T04:07:00.000-07:00

God wants His children to enjoy the Greatest Pleasure. And we cannot find it apart from Him. So, we really need to pursue and seek Him -- not because of what He can give to us, but He Himself is our ultimate desire!

His Pleasure transcends all the pleasures we can enjoy in this world, or what are promoted in this world.

God's pleasure is eternal (Ps. 16:11). Other pleasures are just "for a short time" (Heb. 11:25).

God's pleasure makes us grow and abound. Other pleasures "choked" us (Luke 8:14).

God's pleasure exhorts us to "devote ourselves in doing what is good." Other pleasures "enslaved" us (Titus 3:3-8).

God's pleasure satisfies us overwhelmingly. Other pleasures frustrate or cause us to suffer disappointments (James 4:3).

God's pleasure brings salvation. Other pleasures will destroy us (2 Peter 2:9-14).

Should we not always seek God and rejoice in His Divine Presence -- savoring His Glorious Pleasure?

God Commanded Us To Enjoy The GREATEST PLEASURE!

2007-04-24T03:59:00.000-07:00

"Delight yourself in the LORD..." (Ps. 37:4.)

God's Word wants us to be happy! That's why we are even commanded to have the kind of joy that is unspeakable -- not just the fleeting and false kind of joy.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Phil. 4:4.)-- is not just a suggestion.

But we are indeed like a child who is told to play and build sand castle in the beach, but we prefer to play and make mud pies in the mud!

Yes, the greatest commandment, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind..." (Luke 10:27) is meant to point us on how we can experience the greatest enjoyment. "Rejoice IN THE LORD ALWAYS..." Rejoice in Him with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind!

Did He give you the faith you can have all your desires in your heart be realized in Him?

Did He give you His Spirit, so you can obey the greatest commandment and thus enjoy the everlasting pleasure?

If you do, then, you are one of those who are "filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy" (1 Peter 1:8)!!

God Wants His Children To ENJOY PLEASURE

2007-04-24T03:53:00.000-07:00

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Tim. 3:1-4).

Verse 4 states that there will be people who are “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”

Does it mean if we love God, we will NOT enjoy pleasure?

Do we have to choose between God and pleasure? If we choose God, we’ll have NO pleasure? And if we have pleasure, we’ll have “no God”?

Of course, it does NOT mean that way! There is SUPREME and EVERLASTING pleasure in God.

Note what the Psalmist declared, “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with ETERNAL PLEASURES at your right hand” (Ps. 16:11).

What is NOT promoted in 2 Timothy 3:4 are those who “enjoy the pleasures of sin” as we read in Hebrews 11:25 – not only it is “of sin,” but is also “for a short time.”

God wants His children to enjoy pleasure. And He wants them to enjoy it forevermore.

We can now start to enjoy it.

When God Committed "SUICIDE"

2007-04-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us... (John 1:14.)

When the "Word" -- who "was God" (verse 1) -- "became flesh," it was a suicidal act! For He could already suffer death. He could now absorb all the pains common to man.

We heard many stories both fact and fiction how an individual would be willing to suffer death to save someone close to him. Yet, God offered His Life for those who are "far distanced" from Him, because of their sins.

"Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:7-8).

He performed that suicidal act for the elect, so they could enjoy a close relationship with Him -- through His Spirit, right now, He could also dwell with them.

Are you one of those who believe that the Sovereign God could do it for you?

Just A TASTE Of God’s Sovereignty…

2007-04-02T07:02:00.000-07:00

“The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases” (Prov. 21:1).

After I read the book FINDING GOD and CHOSEN BY GOD, I realized later that God was just introducing me to the glory of His Sovereignty! It was a “sweet taste” of one of His Divine Attributes.

God allowed me also to read the book OUR GOD IS AWESOME by Tony Evanns and many writings of John Piper, which continued to feed me with the precious truth of God’s absolute control over the smallest particle that exists in the material world – in fact, even the unseen thoughts or will of man (!) -- up to the raging storm and the course of human history!!

Indeed, God reigns Supreme not only over the material universe, but He has complete control even in the sovereign heart (will or thought) of a human king!

Now, I realize that God’s Word (the Bible) asserts, insists, emphasizes, promotes and declares the ABSOLUTE Sovereignty of God!

For example, Proverbs 16:9, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”

Another one, “Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails” (Prov. 19:21).

Be fascinated with His Sovereignty... the Bible offers the main course.

A Glimpse Of GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY

2007-04-01T15:42:00.000-07:00

God made me aware of the Glory of His Sovereignty when I started to read the book TRUSTING GOD by Jerry Bridges.

It was really comforting to learn that He is in complete and total control of EVERYTHING!

And it's truly assuring to put our trust in Him.

But God's Sovereignty was manifested to me in its Greater Grandeur after I read CHOSEN BY GOD, written by R. C. Sproul!!! Not only three times I read the book to really grasp the gem of it.

Afterwards, I really bowed down before His Sovereignty and was able to entrust not only my whole physical life to Him, but also the eternity ahead of me.

Being Overwhelmed With GOD'S GOODNESS...

2007-04-01T15:37:00.000-07:00

When I read the book FINDING GOD by Dr. Larry Crabb, I began to be overwhelmed with the Goodness of God.

My great desire to learn more about His Goodness and Greatness became like a fountain of water that bursted out!And my hunger to know Him grows... the more I become familiar with His Splendor and Excellence, the more I hunger to know His Goodness.

To know and become acquainted with the Goodness of God is more satisfying than to know the solution to our problems, to know how to make our life comfortable and easy, or to know whatever earthly knowledge we could boast...

The Supreme Goodness of God

2007-04-01T15:34:00.000-07:00

When I first realized that God is good -- not just because He favored me with good things, or because of the good things He is doing, but He is good because of WHO HE IS -- that He remains to be good regardless of what He allows to happen to me, or what is happening in the world, His Goodness does not diminish or increase by what will happen to me -- I was overwhelmed with awe of Him.

From then on, I wanted to become more familiar with Him -- I desire to know Him more.

Just like His Love, His Goodness is truly incomprehensible by our human mind.

We limit His Goodness if we try to define or measure by the good thing that we ordinarily experience. We need to allow His Word (the Bible) -- through His Spirit -- to display His Divine Goodness to us.

Only then that we can truly begin to see and appreciate how good He is!

GOD DOES NOT GIVE ONLY COMMANDMENT; HE GIVES OBEDIENCE

2007-04-01T15:23:00.000-07:00

God commanded us to repent but we read in my message at http://sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=88687, "...it is God who grants repentance (Acts. 5:31; 2 Tim. 2:25)."

There are those who pointed out that we need to endure to be saved, but "We fail to realize it is God who gives the endurance (Rom. 15:5)."

"We also struggle to be blameless, but we read in 1 Thess. 5:23-24, 'May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and HE WILL DO IT' (NIV, also Jude 24).

"Yes, we are directed by God to believe in His Son, to pray always, to know Him more, to forgive, etc. But He gives His Spirit to enable us to do them."

For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose" (Phil. 2:13).

WHY SEEK For God?

2007-03-27T15:38:00.001-07:00

“Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval’" (John 6:26-27).

There is a general tendency for us to exert our effort and use our time to look for God to receive material or physical favors. Or, we pursue Him because we have experienced some earthly blessings before from Him and we desire to have more.

The Son of God tells us that it should not be our motivation why we should look for God. Rather, we should strive to look for Him, to seek Him, to find Him in order for us "to have Him" – the “food that endures to eternal life.” He is our Salvation, our Healing, our Provision, our Joy, our Victory, etc.

Only in Him that we will enjoy complete satisfaction and everlasting contentment!

Let’s invest our energy, time and resources finding Him in His Book, in our prayers, in every opportunity He has given us -- even in our pains.

Do You Know WHY The Gospel is GOOD?

2007-03-19T15:55:00.000-07:00

Why are we not so joyful, thrilled and excited when we heard the Gospel?

Because we are made to believe, or it is presented in such a way that the emphasis is on the GOOD things that will happen to us... that though we are sinners, Jesus Christ suffered and died to pay for all our sins, that God has forgiven us, that He restored us to His fellowship, etc. etc. Of course, that is good.

But the Gospel is really GOOD, because there is a God who is GOOD!!!

"How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
"'Your God reigns!'" (Isa. 52:7.)

If we are given the task to proclaim the Gospel, should we not proclaim and announce that there is a God who rules -- who is in charge and in control of everything? And this Good King saves, forgives, loves, blesses, extends grace, peace, joy, and every good thing to His people?

And this Sovereign Being who rules, because of His Great Love to the elect, sent His only Begotten Son to seek and save them?

Should we not emphasize more the GOODNESS of the Savior, not the good thing that will happen to the ones who will be saved?

God Does NOT Operate By CHANCE

2007-03-19T15:49:00.000-07:00

There are those who do not believe that our physical universe was not realized by chance. Unfortunately, they believe that spiritual creation was realized by chance!

They believe that God offer mankind the wonderful gift of salvation and if by chance anyone who wants to accept it, then he will experience rebirth.

Could we not believe that even our spiritual rebirth does not depend on chance?

We have the gift of salvation not because we happened to accept it. To those who experienced spiritual creation – those who experienced salvation – they did, because God does not just offer it to them. He gave it to them.

The Sovereign God determined before the foundation of the world those who would be conformed to the image of His Son – who would be saved! We accept the gift – not by chance – but God worked in us to will and to act – He influenced our own will – so we would accept His gift.

Three DESCRIPTIONS OF GOD...

2007-03-16T03:01:00.000-07:00

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess 5:16-18).

As we read those verses, we easily gear our mind on what we are supposed to do. But we can also learn that they described our Great God! The verses implied at least three descriptions of God.

"Be joyful always... " -- God is the Only Being we can experience joy at all times. There is no boring moment, if we are in Him.

"Pray continually..." -- He is always listening to us! We can speak to Him continually and He will not miss any word of what we are saying.

"Give thanks in all circumstances" -- we cannot accuse God of anything. He deserves and is worthy of our gratitude in all circumstances!

Do we "see" Him as He really is?

May He reveal more His Excellence to us, as we study and listen to His Word (the Bible).

Am Grateful That The Savior Is GOD

2007-03-12T16:09:00.000-07:00

No power in the universe prevented the Sovereign God from giving His Son to those whom He has chosen. “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all -- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies” (Rom. 8:32-33, NIV).

Since God gave His own Son to them, He also gave them repentance (Acts 5:31), faith or belief (Eph. 2:8; Phil. 1:29), a heart that will respond to the gospel (Acts 16:14; Ezek. 36:26), His Spirit of power and of love and of sound mind, fills their hearts with joy (Acts 14:17), etc. God will see to it that the elect will lack nothing to complete their salvation.

Yes, God’s people today, just like the ancient Israelites, received God’s deliverance – out of God’s Plan – His Will and Determination, God’s Accomplishment, God’s Mercy and for His Glory.

In the words of Paul, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast” (Eph 2:8-9, NIV).

Unfortunately, many understood that we are saved, not by our own works, but by our own choice, our own will or determination and even our own acceptance!

We will truly value and rejoice in the gem of God’s grace, if we realize that our salvation is God’s own complete work, His own plan or will or choice and His mercy granted to us (Phil. 1:9; Eph. 2:8).

(Just proceed to http://sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=89529 to appreciate more that our Savior is God.)

Do You Find God SO APPEALING?

2007-03-09T15:47:00.000-08:00

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you” (Ps. 73:25).

How much do we long for God?

Are we so attracted to Him that we could also say, “And earth has nothing I desire besides You”?

We tend to gravitate to what this world has than to the One who created us!We desire more to have jobs, to have a family, to own a land, house, or car. In the church, we want to have more members, more income, or more ministries. In the family, we are pleased to have a very supportive spouse, obedient children, or tolerant parents.

Not all our desires are wrong, but do we find God MORE attractive, interesting, delightful than our friends, beliefs, ambitions, possessions, or even than our comfort?

Perhaps, we need to re-read the Bible. Study it with the thought that God is revealing Himself in its pages and learn more and really appreciate His Glorious Desirability!

God Saved His People For Eternity, Not Just For A Season

2007-03-05T02:22:00.000-08:00

Our own denomination was considered then by others as a "cult."

We believed then that we are saved by "grace" plus our obedience to the ten commandments. We believed also that Jesus paid all our sins in the past and we need to "qualify" ourselves, endure, overcome, etc. etc.

In short, God gave us salvation, but it is in our own human hands to keep it.

By God's mercy, there are now changes in our denomination and we are now accepted in the evangelical community.It is no longer dogmatic in many teachings and allow the members to have their own personal beliefs.

Now, I believe that God did not save me for a season. He did not adopt me as a son temporarily. He give me assurance that I will be in His Kingdom, not in my own imperfect human effort -- but in His Spirit, who will move me to follow Him -- not my own ways, or the ways of Satan.

Now, I believe every word of my Savior, Jesus Christ:

"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:28).

When He saved me, He gave me ETERNAL life -- NOT just temporary life -- eternal, no gaps in between, a continuous life that is eternal. He gave me a salvation not just for a season, but for ETERNITY!

For I believe that He will never leave nor forsake me -- His Spirit will always dwell in me to give me His assurance, His endurance, His strength, His guidance, His repentance, His fogiveness, His love, His comfort -- nothing will He withhold from me, for He had even given me His Son.

GOD IS MORE ATTRACTIVE THAN SIN

2007-02-27T04:33:00.000-08:00

God's attractiveness is beyond our imagination!

His Splendor, yes, His Glory will not even tempt us to desire for any other thing in this world. For He is more attractive than the most pleasurable sin. Then, why are we still attracted to commit sin? It's because we are ignorant, or not totally aware of God's Attraction.

But if God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," reveal or unfold His Glory to us "to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Cor 4:6) -- then, we could have at least a glimpse of His Magnificence and we would begin to become more attracted to Him -- not to sin.

So important indeed to become more and more acquainted with Him. What a wonderful thing to behold and be attracted to His Glory!

TRUSTING GOD by Jerry Bridges

2007-02-26T03:58:00.000-08:00

"...In order to trust God we must know Him in an intimate, personal way. David said in Psalm 9:10, 'Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.' To know God's name is to know Him in an intimate personal way."

WHY GOD FASCINATES

2007-02-22T13:18:00.000-08:00

God -- the Unique and Glorious Being -- who is promoted and exalted in the Bible will surely attract, fascinate and draw us to Himself, if we have just a glimpse of His Goodness and Greatness.

Proceed to (click).. http://www.sermoncentral.com/contributor_profile.asp?ContributorID=13866

TESTIMONY

2007-02-22T05:02:00.000-08:00

Before I was so interested to know what is going to happen in the future -- about prophecy -- but now I realize that it is more exciting and interesting to know and become more familiar with the One who ordains the future -- the God of the Bible!

It is more satisfying to know Him than to know the solution to our problems, or to know the way to make our life comfortable and easy.

And I believe that even the eternity ahead of us is not enough for us to fully grasp the glorious knowledge of His Splendor and Majesty.