Dear Sir/madam:
GREETINGS!
This letter is for those so-called Christians I read in my research about accusing Malachi 3:10 and worse accusing pastors and churches who encourage tithing's to their members so they will be blessed but these so called Christians accused our church of making a blackmail that if Christians won't give tithes then they will be curse cause they rob God....OF COURSE NOT CAUSE SINCE I GAVE TITHES IN 2006 I NEVER BEEN IN LACK UNTIL TODAY AS GOD SAID "TEST ME"..IN TITHING'S and WILL I NOT GIVE YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN HAVE....amen
When you say that blessings in the old covenant such as abundant herds and crops means not money the Holy spirit inspire me to tell you are very wrong. Abundance cannot be spent if it isn't be in a form of cash then how can you claim to say that God blessed you abundantly if that blessing cannot be used as it is not money as u mentioned earlier? A tithe is required by God to support the church because free giving can be a source of not giving although I'm not generalizing that will surely be the outcome. I knew many Christians don't give both tithes and offering cause it was me before or if I give, I'l give 1 cent but our church needs money to expand His Kingdom..Even pastors the bible says:"Should be blessed with double honor and pay as they preached God's word"..If i have One billion dollar during the time of my death in the bed, I will give all that money to my church/pastors/missionaries as my church will used that for world missions, church planting and many more and this is what paul said giving out of the abundance of the heart but tithing's is different because it is evidently bogus in the bible that you don't owned the 10% of your earning otherwise you will be a robber says the Lord and nobody says it but the Lord. In the new covenant, it was even mentioned that give to Caesar what was his and give to God what was His.. Now do you think that is Free gift from the term give to God what was His? of course not because that mandate indicate that God owns money from us and there is no other but the tithes and Love offering is different.It is from the abundance of the heart.. if you give 2 cents just to make it appear you gave from your heart better not to give cause that is hypocrisy only to show God that he/she gives..This is simple mathematics to analyzed sir. No ned to use names of people or character in the bible just to attacked Malachi 3:10 because that verse is God's spoken and be curse for those who don't give thats why many Christian are poor because they don't give tithes..its a fact..When I started giving tithes in 2006, Me and my family were never been in lack since today contrary when I wasn't giving tithes despite Christian already since 1987. This is my testimony to you sir whatever church you are..I begged you stop attacking Malachi 3:10
"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, There is FREEDOM"..
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
How To Praise God When Everythings Started Falling?
Why is it very easy to praise God when all things are going well with you? My second question is:"Why is it very difficult to praise God if all things are started falling?
Answer:
It is very easy to praise God in life if life is full of prosperity such as having nice & luxurious cars, Thousands & thousand or even a Million Dollars bank account; or having nice well & healthy Family and many influential friends.
But what about if all those things will be gone in a single minute then I doubt if the enthusiam of praising God will still be there with you still. These all has happened to job in the old testament because in a single minute Job is one of the richest man onearth perhapslike billgates but in a single minute Job lost all his wealth & everything and most the painful part was, He lost his precious children and had shameful deadly skin diseases and her wife told her to curse God & die but Job contested saying:" The gave and the Lord take it away so Let his Name be Praise!!! This is very absurd yet very touching & admirable faith of Job because on the back of the trial, the devil & God had a discussion that God said to the devil here is my servant job who is very faithful fromthe beginning, but satan said to God if you take all his belongings, He will no longer be faithful so the Lord was challenge and allowed the devil to have his way provided Job's life will not be touched.
Sometimes, we are also encountering these problems as God is also testing our faith whether we are really indeed faithful just as the "Gold is tested using fire to prove if that is real".
Going back to Job, at the end of his trial because job was faithful, God replaced all his dead children by giving her more children and God even made One of Job's daughter the most beautiful women in the land in his time (if compare to our time, His daughter is like the Miss Universe so to speak)..
Job waited for so long forGod to answer allhispleading and the most frusting eventin the bible was God was silent in 37 chapters just imagine its 37 chapters and sometimesin ourlife we already give up ifGod willnotanswere usin the second eventofpleading & prayers or chapter.
Tomake the story short, at the end, God gave Job all what he lost ten times of it so imagine if you were job who lost One million dollars & some other important issues like divorce, death in the family; being robbed; and many more pains in life, don't be discouraged because God wanted to blessed you ten times than what was lost.
And due to Gods's testings then afterwards God will bring it forth to you not 1 Million but already 10 million if for example One million was lost. God is using Job's life in the bible not because of him(job) but it was intended by God to happened in order for us to read and understand that the message is not for job but for you and me.
Real worship comes deeply if you are in deepest pain according to Rick Warren. I remember when I lost my dad in 2000 as awell as all the businesses, I felt it was the end of the world and I wantedto end it because I just cannot acceted it but now I am realizing that God is brining it backt ome little by little and one example is I never expected to get married to a very pretty & sensible women with good family & personal backgound compared to mine as my background or childhood memory is life the title:"Nightmare on ELM's Street."..
If you are hurt & discouraged, just remember that God is using it to transformed & Mature you in some areas of your life soyou won't end up getting destroyed and most of all after transforming you, but the beauty in having this painfulexperienced is He will give it back 10 times what was taken out from you but take note some verse in the bible says: God will returned it a hundredfold so its up to God and all you must do is simple "cast all your cares to GOD cause He cares for you"..
Remember always that His answers is wiser than your prayers because many times int the bible God said: I will never Leave you nor Forsake you! In Mathew,Jesus said:"Look at the birds in the sky, they flew freely without wories & struggle, yet my fatherin heaven feeds them; then Jesus said: Why Worry what you should eat or drink or cloths to wear?"Are you not worth far more than birds? wow! it was so excitingt to hear that we are more than birds in the eyes of God and in Jeremiah 29:11 God again said:For I have plans for you, Plans to prosper you, not to harm you but to give you hope and a future...
When I became the Marketing Managerof One of manila's Top Group of realty in 2009, I told myself and to God and to mywife saying:"Is this real ora joke or a dream but it was real gosh! We cannot or never underestimate what God can do for our lives. if your suffering now, I believe God wants your attention cause He loves you more thanyou knowand wanted to bless you more than what you have at present...so just think that God is God and every impossible things in this world is possible for Him.. I mean everything!! Name it? everything yout think that are unsolvable is chicken is God's hand.... My advised to you is "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and never rely on what you think you know........keywords: TRust God! Love you all.....Gud Nyt http://rickpila.blogspot.com
Answer:
It is very easy to praise God in life if life is full of prosperity such as having nice & luxurious cars, Thousands & thousand or even a Million Dollars bank account; or having nice well & healthy Family and many influential friends.
But what about if all those things will be gone in a single minute then I doubt if the enthusiam of praising God will still be there with you still. These all has happened to job in the old testament because in a single minute Job is one of the richest man onearth perhapslike billgates but in a single minute Job lost all his wealth & everything and most the painful part was, He lost his precious children and had shameful deadly skin diseases and her wife told her to curse God & die but Job contested saying:" The gave and the Lord take it away so Let his Name be Praise!!! This is very absurd yet very touching & admirable faith of Job because on the back of the trial, the devil & God had a discussion that God said to the devil here is my servant job who is very faithful fromthe beginning, but satan said to God if you take all his belongings, He will no longer be faithful so the Lord was challenge and allowed the devil to have his way provided Job's life will not be touched.
Sometimes, we are also encountering these problems as God is also testing our faith whether we are really indeed faithful just as the "Gold is tested using fire to prove if that is real".
Going back to Job, at the end of his trial because job was faithful, God replaced all his dead children by giving her more children and God even made One of Job's daughter the most beautiful women in the land in his time (if compare to our time, His daughter is like the Miss Universe so to speak)..
Job waited for so long forGod to answer allhispleading and the most frusting eventin the bible was God was silent in 37 chapters just imagine its 37 chapters and sometimesin ourlife we already give up ifGod willnotanswere usin the second eventofpleading & prayers or chapter.
Tomake the story short, at the end, God gave Job all what he lost ten times of it so imagine if you were job who lost One million dollars & some other important issues like divorce, death in the family; being robbed; and many more pains in life, don't be discouraged because God wanted to blessed you ten times than what was lost.
And due to Gods's testings then afterwards God will bring it forth to you not 1 Million but already 10 million if for example One million was lost. God is using Job's life in the bible not because of him(job) but it was intended by God to happened in order for us to read and understand that the message is not for job but for you and me.
Real worship comes deeply if you are in deepest pain according to Rick Warren. I remember when I lost my dad in 2000 as awell as all the businesses, I felt it was the end of the world and I wantedto end it because I just cannot acceted it but now I am realizing that God is brining it backt ome little by little and one example is I never expected to get married to a very pretty & sensible women with good family & personal backgound compared to mine as my background or childhood memory is life the title:"Nightmare on ELM's Street."..
If you are hurt & discouraged, just remember that God is using it to transformed & Mature you in some areas of your life soyou won't end up getting destroyed and most of all after transforming you, but the beauty in having this painfulexperienced is He will give it back 10 times what was taken out from you but take note some verse in the bible says: God will returned it a hundredfold so its up to God and all you must do is simple "cast all your cares to GOD cause He cares for you"..
Remember always that His answers is wiser than your prayers because many times int the bible God said: I will never Leave you nor Forsake you! In Mathew,Jesus said:"Look at the birds in the sky, they flew freely without wories & struggle, yet my fatherin heaven feeds them; then Jesus said: Why Worry what you should eat or drink or cloths to wear?"Are you not worth far more than birds? wow! it was so excitingt to hear that we are more than birds in the eyes of God and in Jeremiah 29:11 God again said:For I have plans for you, Plans to prosper you, not to harm you but to give you hope and a future...
When I became the Marketing Managerof One of manila's Top Group of realty in 2009, I told myself and to God and to mywife saying:"Is this real ora joke or a dream but it was real gosh! We cannot or never underestimate what God can do for our lives. if your suffering now, I believe God wants your attention cause He loves you more thanyou knowand wanted to bless you more than what you have at present...so just think that God is God and every impossible things in this world is possible for Him.. I mean everything!! Name it? everything yout think that are unsolvable is chicken is God's hand.... My advised to you is "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and never rely on what you think you know........keywords: TRust God! Love you all.....Gud Nyt http://rickpila.blogspot.com
Monday, October 25, 2010
We Need to PERSEVERE in order to do the Will of God otherwise Salvation is impossible if we live a christian by name only
Why Many Christian won't make it to the end just as Christ said that we must accomplished His will on earth otherwise we won't be in heaven?
In addition, Jesus said:" Not all who calls me Lord can enter my kingdom but only those who has done the will of my father
Since my sufferings is not much based on a sin alone or being a habitual sinner like my past life, I finally realized that this is or was a test from God wether or not i will fade a way; but i won't because I remember the parable of the seeds where many planted to some places such as on the rocks; others on a fertilized soil and other on a good soil but on a very worst scenerio, at first, many christian believers received the word of Jesus with joy & overwhelming praises & shout for joy. It is very funny because these so called christians felt as if they are no longer stepping on the land but floating in the air due to overjoyed; but when the trials, Problems & testing comes, all their overjoyed feelings & experiences became like a sand melted in the seashore.
Others also where so empowered by the spritual insignts as well as wisdom & boldness but because of the worries in life such as money, luxuries & many more wordly desires & lust, they fade away and this is what Jesus portrayed using an illustration of a bird where a man planted his seed on the ground but were crammed or in the rocks but were eaten and snatch by the birds that passess by so be careful where you planted your seed cause it might be fade, crammed or be eatened by the birds that passess by and then you will be gone like chasing the wind. In other words, you better be careful how you built your foundation because a christian life is not a feeling based or insulated from problems or we call it a problem free life; it is a problem proof life.
Now what do I mean by that? What I mean is you need to develop the fruits of the Holy spirit such as what paul said in Galatians:"The fruit of the Spirit is Patience, Perseverance, Self-control, Peace, Joy, Love, Huminly & long suffering and so on. Its not easy, it takes time but you need to do your part. Just like a man going to the Gym, of course he already has his muscle but the question is He needs to make his muscle grow by constant practice and it takes discipline & perseverance as the famous saying goes:"No Pain NO Gain".. that is right!
What Im trying to point out that spiritual muscle can be build by always going to church and seek accountability partner to check you and most of all you need to read the bible everyday and pray most of the time and turn away from your sins and promise not to do it again. Breaking one of these will eventually breaking it all..it is just like trying to go for a three(3) hour exercise in a gym without eating & drinking water for one week will eventually take you to the hospital.
The series of becoming a true christian by not getting snatch by the devil needs obedience and patience & perseverance.. In my case, I really got frustrated in 2010 because what I worked for just fade away and not really all but my plans to go to USA and visit my mom and buy House & car has been thrown into the garbage then I cried out to God saying:"What have I done Lord? why did you allow these mess? but later I realized; I mean, Just recently, that the spirit of God took me into the verses in luke about the Testing & trials in order to make me stronger and matured christian and most of all, that test as stated in the bible is also to prove if I am a real or fake christian by saying" Gold is tested by fire to prove if it is real gold and therefore my trials must also be tested my Trials & Problems to prove also if my faith is real or not.. I admit that it is really painful but as I just said earlier, "No pain, No gain! or it tested my love for Jesus and figuring where I planted my seed. Remember, I felt happy now even though I wasnt able to do my personal plans but the most crucial and important to me is that I am still in the middle of God's will and growned up in my faith & relationship with Jesus because I passed the test or despite the pain, I didnt resored to revenged against God or go back to my pld life or start blaming people but I am still serving God in our church and I believe that God Promised me :"thru Job, after the testing, He will returned everything what was lost into hundred fold AND I am personally claiming it now to God In Jesus name that He will fullfill His promised to me that His Plans for me is not to harm me but to prosper me and give me a future..(Jeremiah 29:11) It makes me felt better that I realized that the seed I planted has not been cramed nor taken away by the birds in the air; meaning, I kept and fought the good fight of faith and God also said:"No ears, eyes nor thoughts can fathom what He has prepared for those who love HIM".. http://rickpila.blogspot.com
In addition, Jesus said:" Not all who calls me Lord can enter my kingdom but only those who has done the will of my father
Since my sufferings is not much based on a sin alone or being a habitual sinner like my past life, I finally realized that this is or was a test from God wether or not i will fade a way; but i won't because I remember the parable of the seeds where many planted to some places such as on the rocks; others on a fertilized soil and other on a good soil but on a very worst scenerio, at first, many christian believers received the word of Jesus with joy & overwhelming praises & shout for joy. It is very funny because these so called christians felt as if they are no longer stepping on the land but floating in the air due to overjoyed; but when the trials, Problems & testing comes, all their overjoyed feelings & experiences became like a sand melted in the seashore.
Others also where so empowered by the spritual insignts as well as wisdom & boldness but because of the worries in life such as money, luxuries & many more wordly desires & lust, they fade away and this is what Jesus portrayed using an illustration of a bird where a man planted his seed on the ground but were crammed or in the rocks but were eaten and snatch by the birds that passess by so be careful where you planted your seed cause it might be fade, crammed or be eatened by the birds that passess by and then you will be gone like chasing the wind. In other words, you better be careful how you built your foundation because a christian life is not a feeling based or insulated from problems or we call it a problem free life; it is a problem proof life.
Now what do I mean by that? What I mean is you need to develop the fruits of the Holy spirit such as what paul said in Galatians:"The fruit of the Spirit is Patience, Perseverance, Self-control, Peace, Joy, Love, Huminly & long suffering and so on. Its not easy, it takes time but you need to do your part. Just like a man going to the Gym, of course he already has his muscle but the question is He needs to make his muscle grow by constant practice and it takes discipline & perseverance as the famous saying goes:"No Pain NO Gain".. that is right!
What Im trying to point out that spiritual muscle can be build by always going to church and seek accountability partner to check you and most of all you need to read the bible everyday and pray most of the time and turn away from your sins and promise not to do it again. Breaking one of these will eventually breaking it all..it is just like trying to go for a three(3) hour exercise in a gym without eating & drinking water for one week will eventually take you to the hospital.
The series of becoming a true christian by not getting snatch by the devil needs obedience and patience & perseverance.. In my case, I really got frustrated in 2010 because what I worked for just fade away and not really all but my plans to go to USA and visit my mom and buy House & car has been thrown into the garbage then I cried out to God saying:"What have I done Lord? why did you allow these mess? but later I realized; I mean, Just recently, that the spirit of God took me into the verses in luke about the Testing & trials in order to make me stronger and matured christian and most of all, that test as stated in the bible is also to prove if I am a real or fake christian by saying" Gold is tested by fire to prove if it is real gold and therefore my trials must also be tested my Trials & Problems to prove also if my faith is real or not.. I admit that it is really painful but as I just said earlier, "No pain, No gain! or it tested my love for Jesus and figuring where I planted my seed. Remember, I felt happy now even though I wasnt able to do my personal plans but the most crucial and important to me is that I am still in the middle of God's will and growned up in my faith & relationship with Jesus because I passed the test or despite the pain, I didnt resored to revenged against God or go back to my pld life or start blaming people but I am still serving God in our church and I believe that God Promised me :"thru Job, after the testing, He will returned everything what was lost into hundred fold AND I am personally claiming it now to God In Jesus name that He will fullfill His promised to me that His Plans for me is not to harm me but to prosper me and give me a future..(Jeremiah 29:11) It makes me felt better that I realized that the seed I planted has not been cramed nor taken away by the birds in the air; meaning, I kept and fought the good fight of faith and God also said:"No ears, eyes nor thoughts can fathom what He has prepared for those who love HIM".. http://rickpila.blogspot.com
Friday, October 1, 2010
Question: "Who am I in Christ?"
Question: "Who am I in Christ?"
Answer: According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” There are two Greek words which are translated “new” in the Bible. The first, neos, refers to something that has just been made, but there are already many others in existence just like it. The word translated “new” in this verse is the word kainos, which means “something just made which is unlike anything else in existence.” In Christ, we are made an entirely new creation, just as God created the heavens and the earth originally—He made them out of nothing, and so He does with us. He does not merely clean up our old selves; He makes an entirely new self. When we are in Christ, we are “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4 KJV). God Himself, in the person of His Holy Spirit, takes up residence in our hearts. We are in Christ and He is in us.
In Christ, we are regenerated, renewed, and born again, and this new creation is spiritually minded, whereas the old nature is carnally minded. The new nature fellowships with God, obeys His will, and is devoted to His service. These are actions the old nature is incapable of doing or even desiring to do. The old nature is dead to the things of the spirit and cannot revive itself. It is “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1) and can only be made alive by a supernatural awakening, which happens when we come to Christ and are indwelt by Him. Christ gives us a completely new and holy nature and an incorruptible life. Our old life, previously dead to God because of sin, is buried, and we are raised “to walk in newness of life” with Him (Romans 6:4).
If we belong to Christ, we are united to Him and no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:5-6); we are made alive with Him (Ephesians 2:5); we are conformed to His image (Romans 8:29); we are free from condemnation and walking not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1); and we are part of the body of Christ with other believers (Romans 12:5). The believer now possesses a new heart (Ezekiel 11:19) and has been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:3).
We might wonder why we so often do not live in the manner described, even though we have given our lives to Christ and are sure of our salvation. This is because our new natures are residing in our old fleshly bodies, and these two are at war with one another. The old nature is dead, but the new nature still has to battle the old “tent” in which it dwells. Evil and sin are still present, but the believer now sees them in a new perspective and they no longer control him as they once did. In Christ, we can now choose to resist sin, whereas the old nature could not. Now we have the choice to either feed the new nature through the Word, prayer, and obedience, or to feed the flesh by neglecting those things.
When we are in Christ, “we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (Romans 8:37) and can rejoice in our Savior, who makes all things possible (Philippians 4:13). In Christ we are loved, forgiven, and secure. In Christ we are adopted, justified, redeemed, reconciled, and chosen. In Christ we are victorious, filled with joy and peace, and granted true meaning in life. What a wonderful Savior is Christ!
Answer: According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” There are two Greek words which are translated “new” in the Bible. The first, neos, refers to something that has just been made, but there are already many others in existence just like it. The word translated “new” in this verse is the word kainos, which means “something just made which is unlike anything else in existence.” In Christ, we are made an entirely new creation, just as God created the heavens and the earth originally—He made them out of nothing, and so He does with us. He does not merely clean up our old selves; He makes an entirely new self. When we are in Christ, we are “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4 KJV). God Himself, in the person of His Holy Spirit, takes up residence in our hearts. We are in Christ and He is in us.
In Christ, we are regenerated, renewed, and born again, and this new creation is spiritually minded, whereas the old nature is carnally minded. The new nature fellowships with God, obeys His will, and is devoted to His service. These are actions the old nature is incapable of doing or even desiring to do. The old nature is dead to the things of the spirit and cannot revive itself. It is “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1) and can only be made alive by a supernatural awakening, which happens when we come to Christ and are indwelt by Him. Christ gives us a completely new and holy nature and an incorruptible life. Our old life, previously dead to God because of sin, is buried, and we are raised “to walk in newness of life” with Him (Romans 6:4).
If we belong to Christ, we are united to Him and no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:5-6); we are made alive with Him (Ephesians 2:5); we are conformed to His image (Romans 8:29); we are free from condemnation and walking not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1); and we are part of the body of Christ with other believers (Romans 12:5). The believer now possesses a new heart (Ezekiel 11:19) and has been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:3).
We might wonder why we so often do not live in the manner described, even though we have given our lives to Christ and are sure of our salvation. This is because our new natures are residing in our old fleshly bodies, and these two are at war with one another. The old nature is dead, but the new nature still has to battle the old “tent” in which it dwells. Evil and sin are still present, but the believer now sees them in a new perspective and they no longer control him as they once did. In Christ, we can now choose to resist sin, whereas the old nature could not. Now we have the choice to either feed the new nature through the Word, prayer, and obedience, or to feed the flesh by neglecting those things.
When we are in Christ, “we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (Romans 8:37) and can rejoice in our Savior, who makes all things possible (Philippians 4:13). In Christ we are loved, forgiven, and secure. In Christ we are adopted, justified, redeemed, reconciled, and chosen. In Christ we are victorious, filled with joy and peace, and granted true meaning in life. What a wonderful Savior is Christ!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Death is like a Thief in the Night (Part Two)
At my age in the Early 40's, we never know when are we going to die. we can die at the age of 50 or 60 or after one year or even tomorrow or later after 3 hours from now after reading this message as the bible says:" Death comes like a thief in the night & no one knows when that hour would come".. hence I remember my best friend in high school in Ateneo Geoffrey balanueco, when he got his heart attacked at the age of 38 and a friend also just call him "rolly" at the age of mid-40's when suddenly he got heart attacked when he was taking a bath due to excitement becoz of a big close deal in a realty sale then suddenly he died inside the bathroom. I shared the word for rolly two years before he died but his reply was "I don't need that as I am still young and I want to enjoy"..Yes, we can enjoy life but not to the extent of continuing living in sin. Sin is very enjoyable especially Immorality, Gossips, Slander, Adultery, Corruption Drunkenness & or drugs and many other more sins which are countless but it will not only destroy your Reputation & health but it can destroy your soul in hell and that is the most scary part for me and I don't know with you. It is very scary to die when we are living in sin without true repentance becoz hell is real according to the book of revelation and it says that if we don't repent then there will be consuming fire that is never ending in hell and you will be burning there forever (please check the story of Mary Baxter using the Google search engine of her vision of hell). If you try to imagine the heat of summer, you really cannot contain the heat and you will find ways to get away with it then how much more in hell where heat is just plain in a sense you will be burned alive and there is no end of the pain of burning. You can feel the pain of your flesh & body getting burned but you are not dying; How can you contain that pain.
I remember the story of the late bold star Ms Claudia Zobel in the late 80's when a cruel car accident hit her and she died upon arrival in the hospital and take note that it took place when she was heading into a night spot. I am not judging her but by using common sense, it's hard to repent when you will be killed on the spot thru accident or other means so life is very temporary and all you can do is you can enjoy by eating & drinking (Not wine) and be merry but for Christ sake avoid sins in all sorts; yes we aren't perfect, but by true repentance, John 1:9 says that" if we only confess our sins sincerely, God will cleanse us from all wrong doings so let us leave all the things that make us sin but let us strive hard to do what pleases God for life is too short. During Judgment day, God will not asked how many bank account you have nor how many people you preach or how great was your career on earth but God will simply ask you if you have the a relationship with Jesus as your savior & Lord and it shows how you live on earth if indeed you had a relationship with Jesus as the bible says:" My father's glory is seen in how much you bear fruits (characters) Character or fruits means is if your life has evidence of Faith, Self-control, Patience, Humility, Kindness, gentleness, long suffering or endurance & faith.
I remember the story of the late bold star Ms Claudia Zobel in the late 80's when a cruel car accident hit her and she died upon arrival in the hospital and take note that it took place when she was heading into a night spot. I am not judging her but by using common sense, it's hard to repent when you will be killed on the spot thru accident or other means so life is very temporary and all you can do is you can enjoy by eating & drinking (Not wine) and be merry but for Christ sake avoid sins in all sorts; yes we aren't perfect, but by true repentance, John 1:9 says that" if we only confess our sins sincerely, God will cleanse us from all wrong doings so let us leave all the things that make us sin but let us strive hard to do what pleases God for life is too short. During Judgment day, God will not asked how many bank account you have nor how many people you preach or how great was your career on earth but God will simply ask you if you have the a relationship with Jesus as your savior & Lord and it shows how you live on earth if indeed you had a relationship with Jesus as the bible says:" My father's glory is seen in how much you bear fruits (characters) Character or fruits means is if your life has evidence of Faith, Self-control, Patience, Humility, Kindness, gentleness, long suffering or endurance & faith.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Why do we need to FORGIVE those who offended us?
In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of the importance of Christians forgiving or showing mercy towards others. The Parable of the Prodigal Son Portrays a very Naughty & Rebellious child who ask His father his inheritance then squandered it like a game of chance; but at the end the son decided to go back and ask his dad to forgave him & let him feed the foods of his sherds or pigs so he can eat; but the Father instead runneth after him and HUG & Kissed him and said:" kill all the best and finest meat for my son was once death (by being disobedient) but now he is Found again and the father dressed him with a crown.
The Parable of the unforgiving servant are perhaps the best known instances of such teaching and practice of forgiveness which the servant asked forgiveness for his debt to his master but didnt forgave her own servant so when the Master knew it, then he finally threw him to jail saying:"you asked me forgiveness and I forgave you for your debts but you don't know how to forgive also others who indebted you"..
Forgiveness is not easy but we have to do it because it is the commandments of God and if you won't forgive, you will be the loser in the sense that you become angry everyday and that will lead to so many miseries. Practically speaking, if you wont forgive,Anyone who has ever been victimized—and that includes survivors of crime, accidents, childhood abuse, political imprisonment, warfare, and so on—must decide whether or not to forgive the perpetrator. There can be no middle ground to this decision: either you decide to forgive the person who hurt you, or you hold on to bitterness and anger.
Holding on to bitterness and anger can cause problems of their own, so if you have ever been victimized, being able to forgive your victimizer is a crucial part of your healing.
I’ve seen individuals, for example, who have lost a family member because of a crime. The survivors’ anger and desire for revenge poison their entire beings. They so focus on what they’ve lost, and what they wanted the dead person to be, and do, for them, that they completely miss the opportunity they’ve been given to learn about real love.
Instead, they seem to believe that hatred, even to the point of capital punishment, will satisfy their thirst for vengeance and will somehow bring them healing.
So, with hardened hearts and stiff lips, they say, “I’ll never forgive.”
And the sad thing is that in wishing to send someone to hell they end up sending themselves there as well.
Forgiveness, however, can be a problem for many people simply because they are not clear about what forgiveness really is. All too often forgiveness gets confused with reconciliation, a larger process of which forgiveness is but one part.
Medically & Psychologically Speaking, Unforgiveness can create psychological and emotional stress, but it can take a toll on the body, too. In fact, the negative health effects of unforgiveness have been well-documented, with research showing a link between prolonged anger or resentment and a host of heightened medical risks. Because of the ways in which resentment and unforgiveness interact with the brain, the body’s reactions can lead to chronic—and sometimes serious—physical ailments. These chemical changes can tax the body during recovery, impeding progress in the alcohol or drug treatment program you’ve chosen. By dealing with unforgiveness in individualized therapy, you can help your body reestablish homeostasis, and heal emotional wounds that have led to drug or alcohol addiction.
The Negative Health Effects of Unforgiveness
Unforgiveness can take many forms, from emotional states such as grudge-holding, bitterness and resentment to subtler manifestations of unforgiveness such as irritability and stress. While more overt forms of anger tend to be short in duration, lingering unforgiveness can last for days or longer. When unforgiveness persists, the prolonged anger involved heightens a person’s medical risk. In fact, prolonged anger can make people 500% more likely to die before the age of 50.
Anger triggers the body’s “fight-or-flight” response, creating hyperarousal in the body in order to cope with a perceived crisis. The resulting stress on the body mimics amphetamine intake, raising blood pressure, speeding heartrate, and depressing the body’s immune response in order to focus on the threat of the moment. Over time, these responses cause negative health effects in the body, as these natural responses exist for too long when unforgiveness lingers. As a result, those harboring grudges experience increased risks of heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
Additionally, due to increased arousal and stress levels, many who experience prolonged resentment seek to self medicate through alcohol, drugs, tobacco or unhealthy eating patterns—which can lead to secondary health problems. Other negative health effects of anger can include headaches, digestive issues, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and high blood pressure. Many of these symptoms lead dependent individuals to self-medicate to eliminate stress or anxiety, often leading to drug or alcohol addiction.
The negative health effects of unforgiveness can also have negative effects on the brain. Studies have shown that even low-level resentment and anger tend to lower cognitive function and problem-solving capacity. Mental errors tend to increase, and alternate perspectives fall out of reach, making problems more difficult to solve. Additionally, unforgiveness can lead to negative mental health effects such as anxiety disorders, depression, and shame. Unforgiveness can also create a physiological and psychological “crash” into depression, once incidents of hyperarousal subside.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus repeatedly spoke of forgiveness, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 (NIV) “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV) “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25 (NIV) “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also.” Luke 6:27-29 (NIV) “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36 (NIV) “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37 (NIV)
Elsewhere, it is said, "Then Peter came and said to Him, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'" Matthew 18:21-22 (NAS)
Jesus asked for God's forgiveness of those who crucified him. "And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'" Luke 23: 34 (ESV) (Note: Some religions, such as the LDS church interpret this to be spoken toward the soldiers who nailed him to the cross, who truly did not know who Jesus was.)[17]
In his time, Jesus created controversy among the Pharisees, when he told people their sins were forgiven. "The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, 'Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?'" Luke 5:21 (NIV) See Atonement in Christianity and Repentance and Biblical law in Christianity.
The Christian statement on forgiveness is best demonstrated in the Gospel message itself, namely that God the Father, chose to forgive mankind not for their own merit, but by unmerited favor. Unlike other religions, a Christian's forgiveness is given because of Christ's sacrifice, and can not be deserved by any works done by the believer.[18] Out of the basis of this forgiveness, believers are motivated to forgive all debts without recompense because of their debt Christ forgave at His own expense.
The Parable of the unforgiving servant are perhaps the best known instances of such teaching and practice of forgiveness which the servant asked forgiveness for his debt to his master but didnt forgave her own servant so when the Master knew it, then he finally threw him to jail saying:"you asked me forgiveness and I forgave you for your debts but you don't know how to forgive also others who indebted you"..
Forgiveness is not easy but we have to do it because it is the commandments of God and if you won't forgive, you will be the loser in the sense that you become angry everyday and that will lead to so many miseries. Practically speaking, if you wont forgive,Anyone who has ever been victimized—and that includes survivors of crime, accidents, childhood abuse, political imprisonment, warfare, and so on—must decide whether or not to forgive the perpetrator. There can be no middle ground to this decision: either you decide to forgive the person who hurt you, or you hold on to bitterness and anger.
Holding on to bitterness and anger can cause problems of their own, so if you have ever been victimized, being able to forgive your victimizer is a crucial part of your healing.
I’ve seen individuals, for example, who have lost a family member because of a crime. The survivors’ anger and desire for revenge poison their entire beings. They so focus on what they’ve lost, and what they wanted the dead person to be, and do, for them, that they completely miss the opportunity they’ve been given to learn about real love.
Instead, they seem to believe that hatred, even to the point of capital punishment, will satisfy their thirst for vengeance and will somehow bring them healing.
So, with hardened hearts and stiff lips, they say, “I’ll never forgive.”
And the sad thing is that in wishing to send someone to hell they end up sending themselves there as well.
Forgiveness, however, can be a problem for many people simply because they are not clear about what forgiveness really is. All too often forgiveness gets confused with reconciliation, a larger process of which forgiveness is but one part.
Medically & Psychologically Speaking, Unforgiveness can create psychological and emotional stress, but it can take a toll on the body, too. In fact, the negative health effects of unforgiveness have been well-documented, with research showing a link between prolonged anger or resentment and a host of heightened medical risks. Because of the ways in which resentment and unforgiveness interact with the brain, the body’s reactions can lead to chronic—and sometimes serious—physical ailments. These chemical changes can tax the body during recovery, impeding progress in the alcohol or drug treatment program you’ve chosen. By dealing with unforgiveness in individualized therapy, you can help your body reestablish homeostasis, and heal emotional wounds that have led to drug or alcohol addiction.
The Negative Health Effects of Unforgiveness
Unforgiveness can take many forms, from emotional states such as grudge-holding, bitterness and resentment to subtler manifestations of unforgiveness such as irritability and stress. While more overt forms of anger tend to be short in duration, lingering unforgiveness can last for days or longer. When unforgiveness persists, the prolonged anger involved heightens a person’s medical risk. In fact, prolonged anger can make people 500% more likely to die before the age of 50.
Anger triggers the body’s “fight-or-flight” response, creating hyperarousal in the body in order to cope with a perceived crisis. The resulting stress on the body mimics amphetamine intake, raising blood pressure, speeding heartrate, and depressing the body’s immune response in order to focus on the threat of the moment. Over time, these responses cause negative health effects in the body, as these natural responses exist for too long when unforgiveness lingers. As a result, those harboring grudges experience increased risks of heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
Additionally, due to increased arousal and stress levels, many who experience prolonged resentment seek to self medicate through alcohol, drugs, tobacco or unhealthy eating patterns—which can lead to secondary health problems. Other negative health effects of anger can include headaches, digestive issues, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and high blood pressure. Many of these symptoms lead dependent individuals to self-medicate to eliminate stress or anxiety, often leading to drug or alcohol addiction.
The negative health effects of unforgiveness can also have negative effects on the brain. Studies have shown that even low-level resentment and anger tend to lower cognitive function and problem-solving capacity. Mental errors tend to increase, and alternate perspectives fall out of reach, making problems more difficult to solve. Additionally, unforgiveness can lead to negative mental health effects such as anxiety disorders, depression, and shame. Unforgiveness can also create a physiological and psychological “crash” into depression, once incidents of hyperarousal subside.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus repeatedly spoke of forgiveness, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 (NIV) “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV) “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25 (NIV) “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also.” Luke 6:27-29 (NIV) “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36 (NIV) “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37 (NIV)
Elsewhere, it is said, "Then Peter came and said to Him, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'" Matthew 18:21-22 (NAS)
Jesus asked for God's forgiveness of those who crucified him. "And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'" Luke 23: 34 (ESV) (Note: Some religions, such as the LDS church interpret this to be spoken toward the soldiers who nailed him to the cross, who truly did not know who Jesus was.)[17]
In his time, Jesus created controversy among the Pharisees, when he told people their sins were forgiven. "The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, 'Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?'" Luke 5:21 (NIV) See Atonement in Christianity and Repentance and Biblical law in Christianity.
The Christian statement on forgiveness is best demonstrated in the Gospel message itself, namely that God the Father, chose to forgive mankind not for their own merit, but by unmerited favor. Unlike other religions, a Christian's forgiveness is given because of Christ's sacrifice, and can not be deserved by any works done by the believer.[18] Out of the basis of this forgiveness, believers are motivated to forgive all debts without recompense because of their debt Christ forgave at His own expense.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Question: "Faith vs. fear -HOW TO FIGHT FEARS? what does the Bible say?"
Question: "Faith vs. fear - HOW TO FIGHT FEAR? what does the Bible say?"
By Rick M. Pila
ANSWER:
Faith and fear cannot exist together. Faith is described in Hebrews 11:1 as being "certain of what we do not see." It is an absolute belief that God is constantly working behind the scenes in every area of our lives, even when there is no tangible evidence to support that fact. On the other hand, fear, simply stated, is unbelief or weak belief. As unbelief gains the upper hand in our thoughts, fear takes hold of our emotions. Our deliverance from fear and worry is based on faith, which is the very opposite of unbelief. We need to understand that faith is not something that we can produce in ourselves. Faith is a gift, (Ephesians 2:8-9) and is described as a fruit (or characteristic) which is produced in our lives by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). The Christian's faith is a confident assurance in a God who loves us, who knows our thoughts and cares about our deepest needs. That faith continues to grow as we study the Bible and learn the attributes of His amazing character. The more we learn about God, the more we can see Him working in our lives and the stronger our faith grows.
A growing faith is what we desire to have and what God desires to produce in us. But how, in day-to-day life, can we develop a faith that conquers our fears? The Bible says, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). The careful study of God's Word is of primary importance in developing a strong faith. God wants us to know Him and completely rely on His direction in our lives. It's through the hearing, reading and meditation in the Scriptures that we begin to experience a strong confident faith that excludes worry and fear. Spending time in prayer and quiet worship develops a relationship with our heavenly Father that sees us through even the darkest of nights. In the Psalms we see a picture of David, who, like us, experienced times of fear. Psalm 56:3 reveals his faith with these words, "When I am afraid, I will trust in you." Psalm 119 is filled with verses expressing the way in which David treasured God's Word: "I seek you with all my heart" (v. 10); "I meditate on your precepts" (v. 15); "I have hidden your word in my heart" (v. 11). These are revealing words which speak wisdom to us today.
God is kind and understanding toward our weaknesses, but He requires us to go forward in faith, and the Bible is clear that faith does not mature and strengthen without trials. Adversity is God's most effective tool to develop a strong faith. That pattern is evident in Scripture. God takes each one of us through fearful situations, and as we learn to obey God's Word and to allow it to saturate our thoughts, we find each trial becomes a stepping stone to a stronger and deeper faith. It gives us that ability to say, "He sustained me in the past, He'll carry me through today and He'll uphold me in the future!" God worked this way in David's life. When David volunteered to fight against Goliath, he spoke these words, "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (1Samuel 17:37). David knew the God who had sustained him through dangerous situations in the past. He had seen and experienced God's power and protection in his life and this developed within him a fearless faith.
The Word of God is rich with promises for us to take hold of and claim for ourselves. When we face financial trouble, Philippians 4:19 tells us "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." If we are anxious about a future decision, Psalm 32:8 reminds us that God will "instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you." In sickness we can remember that Romans 5:3 says "Tribulation works patience." If someone turns against us, we can be comforted by the words in Romans 8:31, "If God is for us who can be against us!" Throughout life we will continue to face various trials that would cause us fear, but God assures us that we can know a calm peace through every situation, "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding” which He has promised will “guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).
By Rick M. Pila
ANSWER:
Faith and fear cannot exist together. Faith is described in Hebrews 11:1 as being "certain of what we do not see." It is an absolute belief that God is constantly working behind the scenes in every area of our lives, even when there is no tangible evidence to support that fact. On the other hand, fear, simply stated, is unbelief or weak belief. As unbelief gains the upper hand in our thoughts, fear takes hold of our emotions. Our deliverance from fear and worry is based on faith, which is the very opposite of unbelief. We need to understand that faith is not something that we can produce in ourselves. Faith is a gift, (Ephesians 2:8-9) and is described as a fruit (or characteristic) which is produced in our lives by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). The Christian's faith is a confident assurance in a God who loves us, who knows our thoughts and cares about our deepest needs. That faith continues to grow as we study the Bible and learn the attributes of His amazing character. The more we learn about God, the more we can see Him working in our lives and the stronger our faith grows.
A growing faith is what we desire to have and what God desires to produce in us. But how, in day-to-day life, can we develop a faith that conquers our fears? The Bible says, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). The careful study of God's Word is of primary importance in developing a strong faith. God wants us to know Him and completely rely on His direction in our lives. It's through the hearing, reading and meditation in the Scriptures that we begin to experience a strong confident faith that excludes worry and fear. Spending time in prayer and quiet worship develops a relationship with our heavenly Father that sees us through even the darkest of nights. In the Psalms we see a picture of David, who, like us, experienced times of fear. Psalm 56:3 reveals his faith with these words, "When I am afraid, I will trust in you." Psalm 119 is filled with verses expressing the way in which David treasured God's Word: "I seek you with all my heart" (v. 10); "I meditate on your precepts" (v. 15); "I have hidden your word in my heart" (v. 11). These are revealing words which speak wisdom to us today.
God is kind and understanding toward our weaknesses, but He requires us to go forward in faith, and the Bible is clear that faith does not mature and strengthen without trials. Adversity is God's most effective tool to develop a strong faith. That pattern is evident in Scripture. God takes each one of us through fearful situations, and as we learn to obey God's Word and to allow it to saturate our thoughts, we find each trial becomes a stepping stone to a stronger and deeper faith. It gives us that ability to say, "He sustained me in the past, He'll carry me through today and He'll uphold me in the future!" God worked this way in David's life. When David volunteered to fight against Goliath, he spoke these words, "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (1Samuel 17:37). David knew the God who had sustained him through dangerous situations in the past. He had seen and experienced God's power and protection in his life and this developed within him a fearless faith.
The Word of God is rich with promises for us to take hold of and claim for ourselves. When we face financial trouble, Philippians 4:19 tells us "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." If we are anxious about a future decision, Psalm 32:8 reminds us that God will "instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you." In sickness we can remember that Romans 5:3 says "Tribulation works patience." If someone turns against us, we can be comforted by the words in Romans 8:31, "If God is for us who can be against us!" Throughout life we will continue to face various trials that would cause us fear, but God assures us that we can know a calm peace through every situation, "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding” which He has promised will “guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).
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