Hear No Evil

Ptr Ed Lapis Friday Message
DBD Dubai
09.Nov.18

Ecclessiastes 7:21

Don’t listen:

1.) Gossips (Proverbs 20:19)
- Wag dibdibin ang negative comments

2.) Ranters, Reklamador, Naggers (Numbers 11:1, Proverbs 21:19)

3.) Habitual Liars (Proverbs 12:22)

4.) Sweet Talkers (Proverbs 29:5, 26:28)

5.) Maliciuous Talks (Ephesians 4:31)

6.) Stressful Talks (Ephesians 4:29)
- May likas tayo kabaitan dahil kawangis tayo ng Diyos
- Don’t destroy the image of God in you that negates His holiness Stop stressful talks

7.) Discouraging Thoughts (Job 2:9), Luke, 10:40-42)
- Wag makinig sa mga nega, kontra sa mabuti mong iniisip
- Proverbs 4:23 - bantayan ang laman ng isip

Lessons:
* Kung ano ang hinahanap mo, matatagpuan mo (either it is positive or negative)
* Wag alamin ang iniisp ng maraming tao lalo at successful ka
* Don’t let lying words deceive you, unwise words blur your wisdom
* Don’t let poisonous words destroy your relationship, discouraging words weaken you
* Pakinggan ang sinasabi ng Diyos (Psalms 63:6),laging makipagniig sa Diyos
* Talk to shepherd, listen to the widsom, health & wellness, discover charity and serenity

7 Steps to a Peaceful Life

This is an encouraging video message from Pastor Ed Lapiz during our Friday Worship.

1.   Choose the people you agree with in: 
Marriage, friendship, partnership, association, church membership,
Avoid partnership with people you don't vibe with

2. Adjust to people you live with:
- live at peace to everyone
- adjust to your parents, siblings, spouse, in-laws, superior at work, neighbors,
   Proverbs 15:16, 25:24
- be companionable

3. Let people be especially if you have no stake in them

4. Accept condition that you must 
Philippians 4:12
Kung ano kalagayan ko, tinatanggap ko, adjust and do what it takes
Your character is important, you will accept your situation and pass through it with the least mistakes

5. Submit to in escapable authority
- Permanent authority e.g. Family
- Situational authority e.g. Captain in the seas etc
1 Peters 2:13-14
Eph. 6:5-9

6. Do not offend those who have power over you
- parents, corporate church
- situational power e.g. Waiter sa restaurant
Ecc. 10:20

7. Be kind to those under you but can undermine you
- Be nice
Eph. 6:9

Challenge:
Always thrive for peace
We need peace to excel, to be happy so we can move to glory to glory

Conclusion:
God is peace.
Do something because you will benefit to a peaceful life

Amazing Grace

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind but now I see.

Shout, shout for glory,

Shout, shout aloud for glory;

Brother, sister, mourner,

All shout glory hallelujah.

How do you define grace?

In the dictionary, it is the exercise of love, kindness, mercy, favor, disposition to benefit or serve another, favor bestowed or privilege conferred.

What do you feel when you hear the song, Amazing Grace?

The popular song was written by an English poet and clergyman John Newton which was published last 1779. The message is that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of the sins commit and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God. (from Wikipedia)

If you could see, the song was very old. Many decades have been passed and yet the message of the song is still alive and whenever it is heard, the soul of the listener is always healed. Truly it is not only a song but a great message of how good our God is. Our Lord used John Newton's life to show His Love through this great song.

How do you define grace when you apply it in your personal life?

In real life, we really don't deserve to be loved. We don't deserve to be accepted. We don't deserve to join our Creator because we are covered with so much sins.

But the grace of our Lord has been given thousand of years ago and can be given even today. He showed His Love for us by giving us the grace that we truly don't deserve. The Love that makes us brand new. The Love that gives a new meaning of life... a life that is unified to be with Him.

The grace of God showed how He truly loved us from the very beginning and He will love us today and tomorrow, without end date. We are cleansed by the blood of His Son Jesus Christ. We are renewed by the new life that He gave. We are now able to live by His grace and mercy.

Truly, His Grace is amazing!

The enemy will try push us to join in his defeat by putting guilt in our heart but then we have to conquer that because we have received the grace from God. We must live by His grace because God gave it freely without any conditions, no matter who you are, no matter what you have done. We just need to accept that amazing grace.

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:1-2

May 2, 2011

Monday, 09:21pm

Talk to Him

Written on October 30, 2006

How can we talk to God? Does God hear our prayers? Is prayer effective?


If I have to ask, prayer is indeed very effective ! It is one of the most important acts of worship to God...it is the most necessary thing to do here on Earth. Even busy people pray... even a child can utter a simple prayer and even a dying person can also pray. It is the most important privilege thing that God had given to us. Because, through it... we are able to communicate with the Lord. Everyday, every hour, every minute and even every second, from a simple prayer can also grow to a deep prayer and you can feel that the presence of the Holy Spirit is talking to you.


But..does He really hear our prayer?


Yes of course! He is always listening to our prayers. How short or how long it would be...as long as it came from our heart, God is very close to us that He can also hear the beat of our heart even the sound of our breathing. His amazing power is immeasurable. Even our darkest secret can be heard if only we reveal it to the Lord with all our heart and for us to ask forgiveness.


It is not an extra option...it is not a choice...it is not a way to spare your free time...Make a prayer your habit because you just not pleases God... you are also enjoying because God is communicating to you.

Dreams

Written on October 20, 2006

What if God has given you the ability to see something that even a naked eye wouldn't see? What if you are able to do the things that you cannot do? What if your world suddenly changed and eventually you became one of the richest people here on Earth?


All these things only happen in dreams.. but sometimes you want that dream to happen in reality... that one day you will be able to get what you want.. not just in dreams but in your real life. In our dreams, we can reach even the fartest place on Earth and even in the whole universe... we can be able to get something in an instant. In dreams, we are exactly different.


But what if dreams do come true?


Well, we cannot say what will happen next in our lives. Sometimes we do realize that in our daily life, sometimes we used to think that it already happened. I guess most of us experience this. But still we are a bit confused and bewildered. Again... we still cannot tell what will happen next.


But one thing is for sure...


Dreams also have meanings...


It just not happened in our lives but it did reveal several times in the Bible. The perfect example for that is the experience of Joseph the Dreamer to his brothers and during his times in the land of Egypt. Another example for that is the dream of the King of Babylon who eventually consulted it to Daniel...


We must not take it for granted.. because God is also communicating through our dreams. He is telling something to us of what will happen in our future... of what other things that we must do. Maybe, we can have a vision... Only God knows everything. If we encounter this, don't ignore it... instead we must ask God why did it happen and we will realize that God is revealing something for us.


And sometimes... we also day dream... and if God allows... He will make that dream come true.. ^_^

Freedom

Written on October 25, 2006

Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom!


What does it mean to be free? Is it the total freedom from the antagonist of your life? Or is it the total happiness that you really want to have from the very beginning?


We have so many reasons of freedom. From different concepts of our lives, we are able to come up with the meaning of freedom. It may be freedom from obsession of something... freedom from depression... freedom from someone... Well, it's up to you where to place that word.


But there is more important concept of freedom.


It was the time when we got the eternal freedom from sin. Yes.. we still commit sins but we are not living into doing that thing. Because we are already free! We are free from the bondage of guilt, from the bondage of slavery... we are free from everything! That freedom comes only from the One Who died for us. Jesus Christ Who is Holy and Perfect reached out for us and gave us the freedom that even the most powerful president cannot give. Aren't you glad that you already have the freedom? If you are still not aware that you already have the freedom... check yourself.. maybe you still cannot leave something that is living in you. Whatever it is.. it is for you to find out. Ask for God to take that.. pray..pray..pray...

A Heart that Prepares for a Revival

Written on September 22, 2006

There's a phrase in the book by Gunter Krallmann entitled "Heart Preparation For Revival" and I was quite astounded to what I have read. It became an inspiration to me.

'Evangelism targets the salvation of non-Christians, revival focuses on the revitalisation of Christians. Evangelism is an ongoing human responsibility, revival a temporary divine visitation.'

I believe that there is a major difference between evangelism and revival. And from what I have read, I finally understood that evangelism is a work of Christian to spread the message of salvation to non-Christians. Revival, on the other hand is the work of Christian to stimulate the mind, heart and soul of the Christian to grow maturely by the Father's love. Sometimes it does require "re-invention" 'cause many of us, especially the Christians are very prone to do wrong in the sight of our Creator. What I want to emphasize to this is that, as we continue to live here on Earth, we have to realize that we are not living for this world but we are living here for the sake of Christ's Love for us and not for our own selfish desires.

If we know that we are doing something wrong to someone, to something and even to our ownselves, we have to know that we need revival. It is not an easy work nor it is not that difficult. All God wanted for us is the purity of our hearts to repent our sins and turn back from it. We must realize that we died in our own body and we are born again from the Spirit of God Who created and loved us from the very beginning. Pray, pray pray. . . Even if sometimes we think that our prayers are not being answered, we have to know that there is a perfect reason why it didn't happen and something better will be done for us. All we have to do is to trust our One and Only God.

With the determination that comes from God and with the power of the Holy Spirit, you can also do what every people could do... Prepare your heart... Prepare your heart for Revival. And expect for the greater blessing to come. That promise didn't come from me but from the One who Created me.. and from the One Who created you...

Godbless us all! Revive and live with the power of God. All things are done according to God's plan and decision. (Eph.1:11) and if we know that God listens when we pray, we know that our prayers have already been aswered. (1 John 5:15) ^_^

Trial is a Blessing

Written on October 2, 2006

"On that day you will be glad, even if you have to go through many hard trials for a while." 1 Peter 1:6

This is one of the many great promises of God to us. We have to lengthen our faith and keep our trust in Him because nothing is impossible to Him. Trial can also be a blessing... because when we encounter this, we draw closer to God.

But how can we hold on to Him when it seems that everything is passing away? How can we continue to live on even if we think that there is no reason for us to live by? How can we overcome this hard test of God?

Have faith!


God did not allow us to suffer this kind of pain if we are not able to endure it. God knows how strong we are that even huge storm cannot make us not to draw close to Him.


During times of Noah, God said to him that he must warn the people to bring back to God or else they will die because of a huge storm. God told him to build a large boat for his family to live because He will send a huge storm to destroy the Earth. Because of Noah's faith in God, he built the ark even if people around him kept on mocking and making fun of him. The huge storm started. It lasted for forty days and forty nights. Because of Noah's faith, he and his family lived. All the people living on Earth, even plants and animals died because of the tremendous flood. Because of Noah's faith he experienced the blessings that even from his wildest dreams never existed. Because of Noah's faith he became closer and closer to God.


During times of tests, especially while suffering from the pain, we must remember that this is not a trial... but this is a "big" blessing from God. I know it's hard to think what I want to point out but this is great encouragement for everyone of us..


Trial is a blessing.


"Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire. And these trials will prove that your faith is worth much more than gold that can be destroyed. They will show that you will be given praise and honor and glory when Jesus Christ returns." I Peter 1:6-7


God bless us all! ^_^

When we learn how to appreciate small things

Written on October 12, 2006

What a great feeling to be successful! I know all of us are dreaming of becoming a successful person someday. The feelings wherein we are always happy because everything turns out to what we are expecting.


But success does not only measure the happiness of one person toward something. Success also comes when you are facing many difficulties and hardships in life. It is when you are able to continue your life without giving up and striving to move on from the failure that you have made. Yes, we are not perfect but we are not a failure. Nobody in this world was born to be a failure. We are here in this world to stand up from the things that we know is right and correcting from the mistakes that we've done. We must not say that we are not blessed because we always suffer from hard tests and problems... but we must be glad that we become stronger from the problems that we are encountering. Like what every body says, "There is a reason for everything." So, what we must do is to wait for that perfect plan for us. God has in store for each and everyone of us...(believe me).


Success does not also measure the experience of wealth and convenience. It does measure the perseverance of one person even from his or her difficult situation. Contentment is also a success. Being contented to what you have is a great sign that you are enjoying what God has given to you. If you are comfortable in this place, then why do you have to go other place and search for something that will satisfy your needs? Success comes when you realize that you can grow maturely in a way that God wants you to be. Going to somewhere, search for something better, find for greater opportunity.. well, those are not bad... Indeed, it is good that you want to explore for something which you do not experience yet.. but... and a BIG but... if you crave for that "thing" and be obsessed that you are thinking for your present life as a mess or something...well, that's not a success.. because you are being selfish. You still want to achieve for something which God has not given to you because He knows that you are already experiencing the blessing that He wanted you to have.

To sum it all up... let us be contented in what we have right now. Don't envy others because they have the blessing that you also wanted to have. God is a wise God. You will never know what will happen into your life... because God knows best. So, measure your success even from small things.. and you will learn how to appreciate everything... God bless us all!

Blessing, Gift, Happiness

Written on November 6, 2006

If you receive a blessing... expect more to come!


Blessing. Gift. Happiness.


These are the words that you always wanted to have. Well, most of us wanted all of these. Most of us are doing so many things just to have blessing that we want to have. We also want to receive gift and to be happy in the end. Sometimes in our own unconsious mind, we didn't realize that a simple thing could make a big blessing to someone. Sometimes, in our own selfish desire, we didn't realize that instead of having the happiness that we wanted for ourselves, loneliness comes to someone who is willing to give us the blessing that we want to have. Sometimes, we hurt people in a way that we want ourselves to gain happiness.


What is the true meaning of blessing?


Blessing is far different from luck. As Christian, we don't believe in luck. In an instance that we suddenly receive a good news, we don't say that, "I'm just lucky." But it is indeed a blessing from God. Blessing comes when we deserve to have it. Blessing comes when we learn how to persevere. Blessing comes when we realize that simple things from simple deed is indeed a blessing. Well, actually, everything is a blessing. You may not realize it... but like what I have said in my previous entry, even a trial could be a blessing.


When am I going to receive a gift?


When you hear the word gift, what comes first to your mind? Well, most of us will think that it is a material blessing. A cellphone from your mother, or a laptop given by your father. Wow! Those are gifts! And we usually receive gifts when we are celebrating for something. Whether it is a birthday, or maybe graduation day. Whatever celebration, we always desire to receive gift. But, when can I have it? Do we really need to wait for graduation or birthdays for us to receive something? You know, it may be odd to think, but for me, giving something to someone is like receiving a precious gift from someone. When we begin to give, we will realize that we are also learning to reaceive gift in a way that material things are not included.


And that is a gift of happiness.


People search so many things just to be happy. They spend a lot of money in order to gain happiness. When they'd reach their desired expectation, they still realize that they are not happy and in the end, they were not contented in what they have. Happiness do not measure the state of having "all" the blessings on Earth. Happiness is not to be searched... it is always found in a situation wherein we are contented in what we have. When we have a blessing and we want that blessing to be shared to someone... well, expect that happiness comes next. Happiness is not expected... it just goes on unexpectedly. I tell you... this is true.

Downside

Written on September 24, 2006

Ever had an experience of falling apart? A situation where everybody's eyes are looking downside at you. You have never done anything wrong at their side and one wrong move made a very big mistake to them. Ever had the situation of being persecuted?

I guess everybody encounters this kind of situation. A situation wherein you don't do know what to do if you have gone into doing something wrong which is not that big compared to someone who is used to doing that kind of thing. It may not be a big mistake but for the eyes of someone who is not used to see you doing that kind of thing, it will be very controversial to them.

Well of course I know you are hurt when someone persecuted you. We all have feelings to be hurt and we have no choice but to hide that pain in ourselves so that nobody will recognize how painful it is to you. We are hiding our feeling of being hurt and we let people perceive us a strong one.

We are all not perfect. As Christians, we are obliged to do good at the sight of the people and of course at the sight of God but sometimes in our human being, we do commit mistakes and be drawn in doing sins. We must imitate the works of Christ here on Earth. We must live a Christ-like image. We must be a reflector of Jesus Christ. But then, in our own selfish desire, sometimes we do commit sins and it will not be pleasing at the sight of God. And when we commit sins, people around us will easily notice it and they will mock at us… they will say something bad for us….they will persecute us. But one thing that makes us different from non-Christians.

It’s the ability to have the nature of asking forgiveness every time we commit sins. It’s like, we cannot sleep the whole night without asking forgiveness from our Father. All we have to do is to prepare our hearts in asking forgiveness….make it pure and pleasing to God. You know what? The greatest thing for that situation is that God is always ready to forgive us. He just wants us to ask for it, repent and turn away from the wrong thing that you’ve done. And in an instant, you are already forgiven! It’s because Jesus Christ paid all our sins in the Mount of Calvary two thousand years ago. The sins that we’ve done, the sin that we are doing and the sins that we are about to do. All those sins are already forgiven because of the blood of Jesus Christ. What a great Love! Our God really deserves to be praised.

So, when someone mock at you… said something bad about you. Don’t be sad.. instead be happy because that someone notices how Jesus Christ lives in you. And make him realized that even though you have committed a sin, Jesus Christ could still be able to cleanse it…. Because God loves you so much. And you will not let the Devil conquer you instead you will conquer evil by the power of God that lives in you.

"I don’t care if they curse me, as long as You bless me.”
Psalm 109:28

Everyday

Written on October 18, 2006

"This is the day the Lord has made... I will rejoice and be glad in it."


What will you say if your friend from old days suddenly sees you and asked, "How are you?" or in tagalog, "Kamusta ka na?" Well, I know everyone of us will say the usual answer like, "Ok naman...katulad pa rin ng dati."


But that is not the right thing to say... instead we must answer them like this, "Ok na ok... much better than before." Because everyday is a new day for us. A new beginning. A new challenge... and a new blessing. Because our Lord changes us "everyday". Like the song:


Binabago Mo ako araw-araw
Binabago Mo ako araw-araw
Ngayon, bukas at kailanman,
Ang pag-ibig Mo ay laging tapat.


If Jesus' expression of love was sweet yesterday, well... today His love is much sweeter than yesterday. And because of that we tranform into a better individual because He is the reason why we change everyday. If you think that there were no changes of you from the past, look at yourself... maybe your presence is far from His presence... maybe you don't seek for His love and protection. So what will you do, pray, meditate and read His Word. And I tell you there's gotta be more than that.

Sing For His Love

Written on December 10, 2006

So I'll sing a love song to You...


When was the last time you've sung a song for the Lord? When was the time that you actually realized that you cannot live without worshiping and serving for His Kingdom? When was the time you have thought that even in the midst of trial, you can still praise His Name?


Sometimes I'm running out of words to say. Sometimes I do not know what I am writing. Sometimes numbness just came in my way and in the end, I do not know what I am writing. Because of so many things that are running through my mind, I really don't know what I was doing. Apostle Paul have written in the letter to the Romans that he is doing what he don't want to do and yet he is not doing what is the right thing to do. Paul, one of the faithful servants of God had actually written that thing and sometimes it made me think that he is not really that strong.. he just becomes stronger because of the strength that he received from God (Phil.4:13).


It's like a battle...


It's like a war...


But it is a battle and a war within our ownselves. We are struggling for the things that our own flesh wants to do and we are having a hard time to balance between what is wrong and what is right. We do not know what to do. We are hopeless. We are incapable. We are struggling from good and evil. And it's up to us if we want to fight or loose for that battle within our ownselves.


But one thing is for sure...


God made us stronger. Because of His mercy and grace, we are able to do what is right and we can fight against the evil. In our ownselves, we cannot do nothing. We are like a filthy rag that can easily be trampled. But the goodness of God is always within us. No matter how bad we are... no matter how incapable our ability may have... we can still face and fight the battle. We can stand still and sing for His glory...for His Kingdom...for His Name. We can sing of His Love Forever. ^_^

Lost

This is the topic that I discussed at Reflectors Unleashed held last October 19, 2008 at Lyceum Institute of Technology (Now Lyceum of the Philippines Laguna).

What comes first in your mind when you heard the word LOST? As a matter of fact, in our personal life, we don't want to talk about it. Because its all negative... failure, rejection, vanished... no longer in existence.

So what most people do is to think positive... They do what is the opposite... To gain something, to be succesful, to be able to go to the top... in short to find life (in their own knowledge)

But what does the Bible say in Matthew 10:39.

Unknowingly, when we are so much blessed, we never thank the One who gave that blessing. But when we are in the middle of problems, instead of leaning on to Him, we blame Him. Why? Because we focus more on how to gain life by our own. Because we thought we knew what's good for us.

God promised us in Jeremiah 29:11, and yet we rely on our own plan. Jesus said, "Those who lose their life for My sake will gain it."

Do we need to kill ourselves literally and say in our last word, "Lord this life is for You."

Not at all.

That's why it's called unleashed! You have to let go. You have to release something in order for you to lose your life and gain Christ. Let go of your own knowledge. Rely on His Word. Release all Your heart ache, your pain, your bitterness and be completely lost!

L - ive
O - utside
S - atan's
T - erritory

Satan's Territory is the world itself. Full of sins.. deception.

But God said that we are not be forever living in this world. Because our true world is not in here but with Jesus Christ who is in Heaven.

To God be the Glory!

I Asked

I wrote this short article when I was in college. I just want to re post it here and to share God's message as well. Enjoy reading..

-------------------------------------------------------------

I Asked

When I was a child, I was a bully.

I was happy when I see someone cry.

And then I saw a man.

He was staring straight at me.

I also stared at Him.

I asked,

"Who are You?"

He looked to me and said,

"I am your Lord, I love you and I want you to be with Me in Heaven."

I began to grow old.

I went to school.

I always cheat and lie.

And then I saw a man.

He was staring straight at me.

I asked,

"Why are You always here? I'm so bad and I don't need You. Who are You?"

He looked and said,

"I am your Lord. I died on the cross because of you and I want you to be with Me in Heaven."

I didn't believe what the man said.

I grew older.

I finished my studies.

I had the job that I want.

I still cheat and lie.

And then I saw the man who said He is a Lord.

I stared at Him.

I asked,

"Do you still love me even if I cheat and lie to others? I am a sinner and I don't deserve to be with You."

He looked and said,

"If you only believe and confess, you will realize that I still love you. I want you to be with Me in Heaven."

Time went by.

I started to build my own family.

But it didn't work out.

And then I saw the man who said He is a Lord.

I stared at Him.

I asked,

"You said you are Lord, You said that You love me but what did You do to me? My life became miserable."

He looked to me and said,

"You are suffering for the consequences that you have made. You are suffering because you do not believe that I love you and I want you to be with Me in Heaven."

I grew much older.

My body became weak.

I was pale.

I knew that my life would end soon.

But there is something missing that I want to find.

I saw the Lord standing in front of me.

I remembered all the things that I did. I was so naive to understand that every time I do something, He was always there for me. Even if I was on the peak of my triumph or on the edge of falling out, He was always there for me.

I stared at Him intently.

My eyes became wet.

He is my Lord.

He is my Savior.

He is the One I'm searching for so long even though I know that He is always there for me.

I stared at Him for the second time.

And said,

"Lord, I truly believe in You. I don't know how could I thank You for loving me so deeply. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and came back to life to save me. I accept You now as my personal Savior."

And I asked,

"Lord, would you forgive me for everything that I have done? I am so sorry."

And I sobbed.

He looked to me and said,

"That is My grace My child. Even if you sin, I will still love you. Even if you never did what I want you to do, only if you confess and promise that you will turn back from your sins, I will still love you."

He stretched his arms to me.

I saw his nail-pierced hands.

"My child, I now forgive you. From now on, you will be with me in Heaven."

My friend, would you still wait to grow old just to realize that there is Someone who will love you more than anyone here on Earth? Don't waste your life. Jesus loves you so much!

Understanding Change

This was the topic a while ago during the worship service in our church. It was delivered by one of the great servants of God and who is very anointed with His Holy Spirit. I was really delighted by God's message and I can't wait to share.

The whole message was really simple.

Change.

He elaborated this in the passage about the story of Zaccheus. I am sure that most of us know his story and how he radically changed from being a cheater into a believer and became a follower of Jesus Christ. He did not care what the people might say to him, he did not care about his status in life. He did not care whether he was a very small man. All he cared that time was to see Jesus, to confess that He sinful, to believe in Him and to follow Him.

And he made the right decision. Jesus knew him from the very start. Jesus did not care about his past but he cared for his heart. Jesus knew what's inside his heart that He even called him by his name and went to his house and shared food with him.

That very wonderful moment... Zaccheus changed.

In the message, the preacher elaborated also the types of change. If it is gradual, radical or crises change. Gradual change is a slow but continuous process of change while radical is a sudden change that happened almost in an instant and crises is the change wherein the growth sometimes go high and sometimes go down.

If I would ask you right now... what type of change happened to you?

You and God know the answer.

In our life there are many changes that happened. Sometimes we do not know that this is happening so fast that we don't want to end and sometimes it happens very seldom that we want more change. What I learn in this message is that change is inevitable and you have to be prepared for that. Whatever happens, God will be with you all through out. He will change you the way He changed Zaccheus only if you let Him to enter into your house.

Be amazed and be changed by our Perfect God.

Perfect People

In times of confusion, in times of depression, in times of mistakes, most people say that we are not perfect. Yes this is very true.. From the very beginning, that our parents have sinned to God. That very moment, they became imperfect and will forever be imperfect. But because of the love that God showed to us, He, as a Perfect God, gave His Son just to cleanse our sins and for us to become righteous at the His sight. Since it is very impossible for an imperfect person to face a Perfect God, we were able to feel His presence because of a sinless human and who is a perfect Son. He is Jesus Christ.

While contemplating at His Words, I was also inspired by the message that God gave to me by hearing a song entitled, Perfect People. And with this, even if I am not perfect, I know there is Someone Who is Perfect enough to forgive me, to hug me and to show His love for me.

This is the lyrics of the song sung by a Christian artist, Natalie Grant:

Never let 'em see you when you're breaking
Never let 'em see you when you fall
That's how we live and that's how we try
Tell the world you've got it all together
Never let them see what's underneath
Cover it up with a crooked smile
But it only lasts for a little while

[CHORUS:]
There's no such thing as perfect people
There's no such thing as a perfect life
So come as you are, broken and scarred
Lift up your heart and be amazed
And be changed by a perfect God

Suddenly it's like a weight is lifted
When you hear the words that you are loved
He knows where you are and where you've been
And you never have to go there again

[CHORUS]

Who lived and died to give new life
To heal our imperfections
So look up and see love. Let grace be enough

[CHORUS]

By a perfect God [5x]

Be changed by a perfect God
Be changed




To God be the Glory forever!

What Happened When...

This is my fourth topic when I preached at our church (October 26, 2008)

What happened WHEN GOD ASKED instead of what GOD SAID?

John 4:21-24

INTRODUCTION

· We normally ask God to do something for us before we do something for Him.

· In reality, Christians’ most favorite part of the prayer is Supplication.

· Prayer is a two-way communication. And we have to realize that in return, God also speaks to us.

· But now, it’s now God’s turn to ask you something and if He asks you for something, how will you respond?

STORY OF A WEALTHY CHRISTIAN BUSINESSMAN

His life circles into three different parts:

· His Worship

· His Play

· His Work

But then, these three parts of his life suddenly mixed up:

· His play became his work

· His work became his worship

· His worship became his play

THEN GOD ASKED, “WHERE IS YOUR WORSHIP?

WHAT MOST CHRISTIANS KNOW ABOUT WORSHIP

· Singing, praising, clapping hands, dancing to the Lord (Ephesians. 5: 19)

· Praying, quiet time, devotion, reading Bible (Deuteronomy 17:19)

· Showing our reverence and gratitude to the Lord (Hebrews 12:28)

And when God asked the wealthy businessman he didn’t know how to respond.

WHEN GOD ASKED…

WHERE IS YOUR WORSHIP (John 4:21-22)

· “Hiding Inside the Closet” Worship (Isaiah 1:11-12)

· “So Near and Yet So Far” Worship (Isaiah 1:13)

· “Coming-In and Going-out” Worship (Isaiah 1:14)

WHAT GOD SAID…

HE WANTS A REAL WORSHIPPER (John 4:23-24)

· “Inside-out not Outside-In” Worshipper (1 Samuel 16:18)

· “Extravagant not Empty” Worshipper (Luke 7:37-38)

· “In Spirit and in Truth” Worshipper (John 4:24)

CONCLUSION

When you know and believe that you are a worshipper and you offer a true worship, God will definitely not ask, “Where is your worship?” instead God will say, “This is what I said from the beginning and I like it.”

Moving On

This is my topic when I first stood in front of the congregation:

MOVING ON

Hebrews 5:11-14

“To move on is to believe that you can really move on.”

MOVING ON – BITTER PAST, HURTFUL PRESENT, BETTER FUTURE

HISTORY OF HEBREWS

AUTHOR

- UNKNOWN. He is not PAUL

- very clear that he or she is trained rhetorically, familiar with Greek philosophy and very knowledgeable in study of scriptures

- derives the AUTHORITY not from himself but from conforming itself to the address of GOD Himself as expressed in the Scripture, in His Son and in the pattern of obedience, action and worship which Jesus lays down.

WHY IT WAS WRITTEN

- To warn Christians who were in danger of becoming lax in their commitment.

- To refresh the commitment by exhorting readers (or the listeners)

- To encourage the believers to follow the example of Jesus, the High Priest Son of God who was a champion of FAITH.

PAST V. 11

1. COMPROMISE - to reveal or expose to an unauthorized person esp. in an enemy

- what went to your mind when you heard about SIN?

- LAWLESSNESS – Greek word, anomia meaning condition of being without law because of ignorance of it or because of violating it.

- simply means DISOBEDIENCE (it is a SIN)

- LUKE 14:16-24 (MAN giving the supper- Father, Servant- JESUS)

2. CHAINED - to obstruct or protect by a chain (tanikala)

- what are those chains in your life that obstructs you in growing?

- Fear,(1 JOHN 4:18) Deep Love for Something LUKE 12:15 (money, Work, Wealth, Knowledge - causes GREED), Lack of Forgiveness: COLOSIANS 3:13, Pride: PROVERBS 8:13

3. CONDEMNED - to declare guilty after weighing evidence

- ROMANS 2:1

- THE STORY OF THE BLOOD

Because of the bitter past that we have, we cannot move forward. We are stuck into doing things that do not please God. We are stuck in our bitter past. We still compromise into doing sins which in fact as a Christian, we should not. We are chained into something which in fact Jesus already unlocked it. And still, we always condemn ourselves and even other fault because we do not realize that God perfectly forgave us.

PRESENT V.12-13

1. STAGNANT leading to being A MEDIOCRE

- Satan is not just our enemy. We also have an enemy called AVERAGE.

- what is the advantage of staying in your comfort zone? How about the disadvantages?

- When fear covers our hearts, our desire to stay in our comfort zone.

- And if you never take risks, you will never achieve great things.

- THE STORY OF RUTH

2. INDECISIVE leading to being a CARBON COPY

- GALATIANS 6:4-5

- To copy other is to cheat yourself.

- People are born originals but most die copies.

- In this day of peer pressure, trends, we have to realize that we are custom-made by God. We are unique.

3. DEPRESSION leading to asking many QUESTIONS

- PSALM 10:14

- If you have the privilege to ask God, what would it be?

- We always start with WHY question.

- The most famous question is WHY ME GOD?

We Christians, instead eating solid food, we are stuck into drinking milk because we are filled with many negative thoughts in our minds… and when it starts in the mind, it will lead to action until we realize that we are not growing. We are still there (what place are you now) ten years, five years ago. It’s hard to think that we still drink milk which in fact we must be the one who will feed milk to others.

FUTURE V. 14

1. PREPARE - to be ready beforehand for some purpose

- by clinging to the Word of God, praying day & night, worshiping

- by eating the SOLID FOOD (not just eat or swallow…by chewing it)

- JOSHUA 1:8

2. CHANGE - change is an evidence of life

- JEREMIAH 7:5

- change your old lifestyle, your viewpoint

- why YOU? Because it only focuses on your own knowledge. But if we rely on His Word, we can absolutely change our viewpoint and lifestyle.

3. READY FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY

- PHILIPPIANS 3:12-14

- It is an ongoing process.

- Don’t ever say to yourself that you are spiritually matured.

- Even apostle Paul accepted that he had not yet arrived, yet he continually pressed toward the prize.

Moving on is an action. It’s not just a word that generated from your mind and then spilled out from your mouth. Moving requires something… and that is in your own decision. Moving on still rely on you. Even of God wanted you to move on, but your heart do not want to, it will be very impossible for you to change and move forward. It requires action and faith and in God. Really God can make you move but He still wants you to choose and rely on His plan.

WHAT HAPPENED WHEN YOU TOTALLY MOVED ON?

1. RENEWED STRENGTH - ISAIAH 30:15, ISAIAH 40:31

- retreat to advance

- wait upon the Lord

2. PURE HEART - Pure means - free from harshness or roughness

- free from guilt, in tune (like music.. it creates melody not noise)

- PSALM 51:10

3. NOTICEABLE TRANSITIONS

- COLDNESS TO BURNING DESIRE (EPH. 6:7)

- EMPTINESS TO FULLNESS (JOHN 10:10)

- READER TO LEADER (PSALM 11:6)

FAITH sees the INVISIBLE, believes the INCREDIBLE and receives the IMPOSSIBLE