December 22nd, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
“And so it was that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.”
Luke 2:6
In God’s Providence there are no coincidences or accidents.
“And so it was that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.”
Luke 2:6
“The days were accomplished that she should be delivered.”
Here they were. . .hundreds of miles from home. . .in an overcrowded, “no-room-in-the-end” city. . .and the labor pains start. They were afraid this would happen when they left Nazareth headed to Bethlehem for the required census and taxation.
But, inwardly they’d hoped God would wait.
Wait until they’re at least back home in their own house. Wait until they were back with family and friends, who could assist them in their delivery and be there to rejoice with them when the Promised Child was born. Wait until Mary could give birth in her own bed and have others help her with the household chores.
But, it didn’t happen that way. Even as things so often don’t happen as we expected or inwardly desired.
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December 21st, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem—(because he was of the house and lineage of David)—to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.”
Luke 2:4-5
Although our sinful world can be quite oppressive at times, we must remember the Lord God is still in control and will use us/everything to accomplish His Will.
Taxes.
No one likes them. Especially when they’re excessive.
But, they’re a “necessary evil” intended to better our way of life—although, sadly, too often they’re used to line the pockets of greedy, unscrupulous politicians, special interest groups, contractors, etc.
Such was certainly the case in Joseph and Mary’s day.
King Herod the Great, one of Antipater’s two sons, was appointed by his father as governor of Judea and would rule there from 37 B.C.-4 A.D. Ironically, he was an Edomite (a descendant of Esau) by birth. So, that might explain why he was initially conscious of Jewish national and religious feelings and moved slowly on things like taxation, Hellenism, religion, etc. He even helped improve relationships with the Jews by preventing the Romans from raiding and defiling the Temple.
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December 21st, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
Finally, the Latest Hardin Ng Panalangin Collection, “Mahal Ka Ng Diyos” is Now Here!!!
The book that we have today is entitled “Mahal Ka Ng Diyos Kahapon, Ngayon, Bukas” written by Joey Umali. This book is basically a collection of Ptr. Joey Umali’s sermon in “Hardin ng Panalangin” which is being aired in 702 DZAS, Monday thru Saturdays. It is composed of forty four inspiring messages.
The book is divided into twelve main topics which covers all areas of our Christian life:
* Pangarap
* Pag-ibig
* Pagsunod
* Pananampalataya
* Pagmimisyon
* Pananalangin
* Pagiging Katiwala
* Digmaang Espirituwal
* Pamilya
* Kabutihan
* Pagpapasalamat
* Pagpapala
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December 21st, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with Grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man.”
Colossians 4:5-6
When we’re grafted into the sweet Rose of Sharon, His Fragrance should permeate everything we say and do.
No one needs to tell you when you’re near fragrant flowers. Their unique aroma has a way of filling our senses and making us want to draw near to them. . .drink in their beautiful colors with our eyes. . .caress their velvety petals in our hands. . .and breathe in deeply their one-of-a-kind fragrance.
Today’s Manna calls us to “walk in wisdom toward them that are without.” We know, without looking elsewhere, that this refers to those who are still in spiritual darkness, living in B.C. (“Before Christ”—Eph. 2:1-3). And, it takes Heavenly wisdom (James 4:13, 17-18) to know how to relate to them, ever-remembering that they are still spiritually dead, blind, deaf and dumb.
That’s why we are to “redeem (Grk. ‘exagorazo’—‘to buy up, ransom, rescue from loss, etc.’) the time”—for we never know if we’re have another opportunity to do so. Truly, our lives are as “a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away” (James 4:13-15). And, like a jet plane flying high overhead, leaving a vapor-trail behind, so are our lives. If we’ll invest them in God’s Kingdom by investing them in others’ lives, we need not fear if anything will remain when we’re gone (I Cor. 15:58; Rev. 14:13).
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December 19th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
“As you have, therefore, received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him—rooted and built up in Him and established in the Faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”
Colossians 2:6-7
After Christ comes to live within us, ours is a life of “Treasure-walking,” not treasure-hunting.
New life in Christ is a spiritual transplant, if you will, where we receive “a new heart and mind” (Ez. 18:31; 36:26; II Cor. 5:17; Phil. 2:5). And, we know these are Jesus’ Heart and Mind since He lives within us; therefore, the key is allowing Him to be Himself in us and surrendering control of our lives to Him.
Picture this, if you will:
You get in a car with someone else to go somewhere. At first, you ride along quietly, enjoying the view and conversation. But, soon, you become discontent and start telling the driver how to drive, where to turn, etc. At first, this would simply be discourteous and rude; but, soon it’d become a point of contention.
Perhaps the driver is quite patient; yet, the time will come when he will stop the car, look at you and say, “I thought you wanted me to drive and said you wanted to go with me where I’m going. So, why do you keep telling me where you want to go? You don’t know where I’m going, so how can you know the way? If you’re going to go with me, you need to let me drive; otherwise, the journey’s going to be quite long and frustrating for us both.”
Although a trite illustration, the point is still valid: If we’ve truly “received Christ,” we should then “so walk in Him”—i.e., walking the “way” He would walk and going “where” He would go. To do otherwise will result in conflict and confusion. And, it will certainly leave one “rootless and restless” in the process.
Oh, dear Pilgrim, the only way we can “walk in Christ” is by being “rooted” in Him, which means being “grounded” in His Word. If we do not hide His Word in our hearts, how will we know how to not sin against Him (Ps. 119:11)? Likewise, it’ll be impossible for us to grow (“be built up”) in Him and be “established (Grk. ‘bebaioo’—‘to stabilize, make firm, be steadfast or sure, unwavering, etc.’) in the faith” apart from studying His Word (II Tim. 2:15).
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December 19th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
Most Common False Prophecies
In our world today, there are many false prophecies and false prophets. This part two of the Gifts of The Holy Spirit Series will tell you the most common false prophecies that until now many people get into being scammed. I hope this will also serve as a warning to every Christian out there to be very careful in examining prophecies. After all, Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14, that we are to weigh carefully the prophecies being spoken.
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December 18th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
“That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ—in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Colossians 2:2-3
How rich we are when we realize everything we need is found in Him.
“All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Who has not read of or watched movies of pirates and their hidden, buried treasures? Even now we see treasure hunters. . .with their faded, tattered maps. . .looking for those hidden gold bullion, where “X marked the spot”. . .and the great joy that erupted within them as they dug up the treasure chest and opened it.
Yet, instead of jumping up and down with glee like a one-legged, pegged-legged, patch-over-his-eye pirate, we go through life in a ho-hum way, though professing to have within us “God’s most precious Treasure in earthen vessels” (II Cor. 4:7).
Something’s wrong with this picture, dear Pilgrim!
Something’s definitely, desperately wrong!
And, what might that be?
Quite simply we either don’t realize it. . .understand it. . .or, worse, don’t have it!
When the Reality of the Resurrection and “Christ IN YOU, the Hope of Glory” (Col. 1:27) suddenly dawns on us, it changes us. Instead of some doctrinal creed, He is the living, delivering Christ! Instead of remembering what He did here on earth some 2,000 years ago, we are energized by what He’s doing in/through us right here and right now!
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December 18th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the Glory of this mystery among the Gentiles—which is Christ in you, the Hope of Glory.”
Colossians 1:27
“The Mystery revealed” (Eph. 1:7-14, 18-23) is now the Hope secured.
“Christ in you.”
That’s Paul’s recurring theme throughout his writings. And, what transformation would take place in our hearts and minds if this became a living Reality in all of our lives!
We know from God’s Word that Jesus was/is “the Word made flesh” (Jn. 1:14). Known as the Incarnation, this Mystery of God Himself coming to this earth and “making of Himself no reputation, but assuming the role of a servant” (Phil. 1:7) blows our mind. And, when we realize this same omniscient Son of God willingly “humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross” (Phil. 1:8), it causes us to fall down on our knees, bow our heads and whisper, “Thank You, Lord.”
Even then, those are gratitude for past, accomplished deeds.
Today’s Manna reminds us of what happened after the Lord Jesus did that and then returned Home via the Ascension.
He promised the disciples (and us) that He would not “leave them comfortless—i.e., as orphans—but would come to them” (Jn. 14:18). And, how would He come to them/us? Quite simply by “the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit” (Jn. 14:26). Hallelujah!!
Even then, we have difficulty understanding this because it’s “beyond us.”
But, when we realize the word “Holy” means “set apart” and “Spirit” means “life,” it dawns on us that this “set apart Life” is really Jesus Himself. And, that’s what Paul was talking about when he said “Christ IN YOU, the Hope of Glory.”
Think of it, dear Pilgrim:
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