Pids Nogales

God deserves all the glory for He is good

2010-05-06T09:40:00.000+08:00

God is good.

I thank God for the wonderful things that He has done in our lives. His blessings upon us far exceed what my heart could ever imagine.

God has blessed my two sons with unbelievable intellect. Our eldest son, Nathan, graduated with highest honors from the PSHS Main. This is on top of the awards he received from winning various academic contests (Economics, Chemistry, Physics). No one could imagine the joy that engulfed me and my wife as we witnessed the awarding of medals to Nathan. Nathan also passed the UPCAT and awarded the UP Oblation Scholarship for being one of the top fifty (50) passers of the UPCAT. He also passed the DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship. My wife and I are proud of our Nathan. I would say that our son’s wisdom is God-given. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally.” God is indeed generous to Nathan.

God also blessed our youngest son, Paul. He is the valedictorian of the Congress Elementary School (CES). He received about a dozen medals and a trophy for accomplishments such as Champion of Battle of the Brains in Caloocan City, Most Outstanding Elementary Pupil of Caloocan City, medals in MTAP Math Challenge (Individual and Team categories), Ovaltine Math Quiz Bee runner-up, Journalism, and Hekasi. On top of these, he also passed the entrance exam to the PSHS Main. Many CES teachers and parents congratulated us. My wife and I are thankful to God for entrusting to us these two gifted sons.

We pray that our two sons would use their gifts and talents for the glory of God who gave them all that they have. God deserves all the glory for He is good.

Andrew G. Tenefrancia - A Man of God

2009-04-24T07:59:00.002+08:00

1977. The year I obeyed the Gospel of Christ. Manila Science High School Living Circle. It was the ministry that brought the Gospel to Masci in the 70’s. The Living Circle Ministry is Pastor Tenefrancia’s legacy. I value it most because it changed my life. Through the Masci LC and later the UPLC, I grew in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Also, thru the LC Ministry, I learned to serve the Lord. Pastor Tene supported me and Pastor Egay Espinosa when we revived the V. Mapa LC. He also encouraged me and Pastor Lito Sese while we were serving at the EARIST LC. Ganun din sa Quirino High School LC kasama ko doon sila Ate Irene at Ate Aida. As a result, many students and teachers committed their lives to Christ. My brothers and sisters also came to know the Lord Jesus through the LC Ministry. This is Pastor Tenefrancia’s legacy that changed lives.

Pastor Tenefrancia also gave us the Grace Bible School or GBS. He was my professor in Counseling. At the GBS, I learned precious truths from the Word of God and deeper insights in Biblical Theology and God’s character and attributes. As a result, I came to adore God in a deeper way and to love Christ more and more. This is Pastor Tenefrancia’s legacy that taught me to love God and His Word.

Personally, Pastor Tenefrancia taught me many Christian principles. He taught me to love the lost. He taught me how to share the Gospel. I remember one summer in University of Baguio. There was an LC Conference. I had my practicum on how to share the Gospel. At first, he shared the Gospel to a student while I watch and listen. After that, he let me share the Gospel to another person while he listens and prays as I share. It was a lesson I treasured most.

Pastor Tenefrancia also encouraged me to finish college. I was taking up BS Math at UP Diliman during the day and also enrolled in subjects at the GBS Evening Bible School. It was tough having 16 units at Diliman during the day and 18 units at the Bible School at night. Pastor Tenefrancia advised me to finish first my BS Math because he said that it is my testimony to my parents. I followed him and it was a wise decision. He also counseled me on love, courtship, and marriage. Siya rin ang nagkasal sa amin ni Eva.

To me, Pastor is like a father. This year, I lost two fathers: my Dad in January and now Pastor Tenefrancia. Pastor is a gentle and wise father. He is humble. Walang yabang sa katawan. He played pingpong, volleyball and basketball with us. He shared his life with us.

Pastor Tenefrancia is a great man of God. Among pastors, naging standard na namin ni Eva si Pastor Tenefrancia. Whenever we attend other Christian churches, madalas sabihin naming malayo sila kay Pastor Tenefrancia. In wisdom, humility, concern, family example, and love for God, Pastor Tenefrancia is a cut above the rest. He is Christ-like in character.

I owe a lot to Pastor. And now, let me thank Ma’am Mary Jean, Valery, Sheri Ann and Charlene for sharing Pastor’s life with us. God bless you po. Thank God for Pastor.

Pidio Nogales
April 21, 2009

Storms

2007-08-14T09:06:00.000+08:00

The past few months has brought a series of storms in my life. Sunod-sunod na nagkasakit ang parents ko. Then last Sunday naman ay dinala namin ang panganay namin sa hospital.

Maraming gastos. Maraming worries. Medyo ubos na ang savings. Binubulabog ko na ang langit ng panalangin at panaghoy. But God is silent or maybe I cannot hear His still small voice.

I know God is working for my good while I am in pain. It has been said that our bodies are recuperating when we are asleep. Maybe I need to rest in the Lord and let Him heal everything that are hurting.

I remember in the Book of Esther. Mordecai was hurting because Haman has secured a decree from King Ahasuerus to allow Haman to destroy the Jews. Then one night, the King could not find sleep so he asked the chronicler to read some court manuscripts. The account on how Mordecai exposed an assassination attempt on his life was read. He was told that Mordecai has not been rewarded for this. So the King ordered Haman, the enemy of the Jews, to put on the King's robes on Mordecai and parade him as a man whom the King wishes to honor.

That started the chain of events that led to the salvation of Mordecai's people from extermination. It was deep in the night. There's nothing that could be possibly done at that time. Everyone was asleep. But God did not let the King sleep so that Mordecai's problems could be solved.

I believe God is at work both for the good of His people and for His glory.

Have you visited the Philippines?

2007-07-18T13:42:00.000+08:00

My Lakbayan grade is C. I haven't visited many places in my own country. Siguro in the next few years.

My Lakbayan grade is C!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

Happiness

2007-05-31T08:30:00.000+08:00

Happiness is an elusive goal for most people. I guess one can find it if he can find his purpose in life. It is not amassing wealth nor being comfortable nor luxurious. It is doing what you enjoy most and doing what you are purposed to do.

Like our household items, each is brought into the house for a purpose. For example an electric fan, you can use it as a display item to make your house more beautiful but it is never meant to function like that. The electric fan would be "happier" if you use it the way it is meant to be. Its manual would say it is an excellent fan.

Each denizen (star, human or planet) in the universe is created for a purpose. According to The Manual (The Bible), each is created to glorify God and enjoy His provision and goodness. With that in mind, happiness is not difficult find for it is nestled in seeking God's perfect plans. Read your Manual and know your purpose in life.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jer 29:11 (NIV)

Parents as Teachers

2007-05-18T11:24:00.000+08:00

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” -Proverbs 22:6,

My wife and I enjoy teaching our sons. Even this summer vacation, we continue to teach them new things, both practical and academic lessons.

Last weekend, I taught my 9-year son Paul how to ride a bike. Now he can do it on his own. My wife is a bit nervous whenever Paul navigates our street. I gave him some exposure on how to ride a bike on a main road and gave him pointers on the safety and respect for pedestrians and other vehicles.

We also teach them how to do household chores. That should give them idea on family responsibility.

Everyday we also teach them advanced lessons in Math. I am teaching our 13-year old son Nathan matrix operations and proving in geometry. In return he would explain to me the concepts on Biology that he learned during the day. My wife teaches Paul English and Grade 5 Math during the day. Every night I would teach Paul Algebra and problem solving techniques. In return Paul would tell me his discoveries while playing computer games during the day.

We also urge them to read the Bible. This year our target is finish reading the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation. We started with Genesis in January. Nathan is way ahead having finished the Book of Job last week. I am catching up having finished the Book of Esther last night. My wife is lagging behind and is still in I Kings (I think). Paul reads in his own pacing.

The Bible is the best source of life principles, godly attitudes and truths about God and life. It is more important than Math, Science and English. We teach our kids the Bible because we want them to make God their first priority.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10.

Voltaire and the Bible

2007-04-20T13:37:00.000+08:00

Voltaire [Francois Marie Arouet]
1694 - 1778
French Author/Philosopher

Francois Marie Arouet was born in Paris, France on November 21, 1694. He studied law but chose to devote his genius to literature. In 1717, his writings and satirical spoofs on French authorities entitled him to an 11-month “residence” in a “suite” in the famous Bastille prison. There he wrote a theatrical tragedy entitled, “Oepide” using the pen name VOLTAIRE.

He became successful in creating theatrical plays but his unbridled tongue led him to trouble once again. In 1726 he insulted a powerful nobleman and caused him to be exiled to England where he lived from 1726 to 1729. The freedom and religious tolerance he enjoyed in England impressed Voltaire and wished that the same environment pervades in his native land, France.

The French Philosopher was a bold advocate of basic freedoms we enjoy today:

1. Freedom of speech
2. Freedom of the press
3. Freedom of assembly
4. Freedom of religion

Voltaire is considered an intellectual giant in his time and one of the most famous French writers in history. His most famous philosophical book, Dictionnaire Philosophique, showed his aversion to Christianity and opposition to the Bible. Voltaire claimed that the Bible was a product of imagination and that Jesus had never existed but was invented by men who claimed that he is God.

Voltaire is well quoted for his famous sayings such as:

‘Common sense is not so common’
‘A witty saying proves nothing’
‘One hundred years from my day there will not be a Bible in the earth except one that is looked upon by an antiquarian curiosity seeker ’

Two hundred years have passed and we still have the Bible. It remains the bestseller of all time and translated in almost all human languages whether modern or archaic language. It is available in printed matter, CDs, cassettes, e-books, in html, MP3 and other formats beyond Voltaire's imagination.

Many Voltaires have lived and died in our lifetime and expect more come. But I am sure that their combined brilliance and influence could not outshine the Bible of Christianity.

Choosing Leaders

2007-04-13T09:55:00.000+08:00

Election here in the Philippines is fast approaching. This time we are to choose senators, congressmen, mayors, vice mayors and other local officials. Pati pala party list. Many Christians churches have taken a hands off policy when it comes to choosing or electing leaders.

In the Old Testament, I read that God is definitely interested in who will lead a country or an empire. He chose Saul to be the first king of Israel and then rejected him when King Saul disobeyed God. God then anointed a shepherd, David, to replace the current King. Although everybody including David and Saul knew that the Shepherd will soon replace Saul, David did not dare to oust Saul because he is also God's annointed. David waited for God's perfect time-- the time for Saul to die. In view of this, many pastors teach that Christians or churches should not oust their pastors. Or that Christians should not support moves to oust the leader of a country. That is a godly principle.

But I also read in the Old Testament that God used people (many of them unbelievers) to oust leaders of countries or empires many times through wars or bloody upheavals. This is clearly God's intervention or call it punishment for the abuses done by leaders or empires.

The Christians' dilemna is that most of the candidates are not Christians. Whom to vote? I cannot offer a Solomonic advice. We can only pray that God will use these candidates to do His purposes.

This May 2007, Filipino Christians should exercise their right to vote. But first, seek God's will on whom to vote. Our vote may be God's way of intervening in the life of our nation. Or our ballots could be God's gavel to judge the abuses of the current administration. Whether our chosen candidates will win or not is not the ultimate goal. Our foremost aim is glorify God when we vote. We only hope that the winners will help in spreading the Gospel of Christ. Or at the least they would not hinder God's work through His churches.

More Blessings

2007-04-04T08:41:00.000+08:00

Ang sarap magmahal ng Panginoon. Ang daming blessings!

Thank God because my younger brother Elmer finished his MS Math at the Ateneo de Manila University under CHED scholarship. Graduation nila nung Sabado. I am also happy that he persevered to get the degree. Nakakatuwa rin kasi College Scholar pa rin ang panganay niya sa UPLB. I am sure that more blessings are in store for Elmer in the near future.

I also praise God for my eldest son's (Nathan) first year at Pisay. It was a tough year for him. He had to adjust to the pace and concurrent deadlines imposed by his teachers. We got his report card last Friday and we were pleasantly surprised that he is a DL with 1.26 average.

Thank God also for Amy, Elmer's wife, who sent money gifts to my sons for their outstanding performance in school. Amy now teaches Math in US.

One more blessing: Last Sunday I had the rare chance to preach in the Sunday Morning Worship Service at Faith Baptist Church. I admit I am not good at standing in front of people and making speeches. The real blessing is that there were three attenders who indicated their desire to trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. As Isaiah 55:11 said, "So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.(NASB)"

Thank God for His blessings.

God is really good.

God is Good to My Family

2007-03-28T10:20:00.000+08:00

Yesterday I attended the Recognition Program of Congress Elementary School in Caloocan City. My youngest son Emilio received seven medals including the First Honors for Grade III.

God has blessed Emilio this year. My 8-year old son won several awards in Metrobank-DepEd- MTAP Math Challenge highlighted by a second place in the individual Math contest at the Public Sector Level (Metro Manila Public Schools). His triumphs mean that he will get to buy some toys of his choice.

My wife and I are really thankful to God for blessing our son. The only wise God is the source of all wisdom. We made it a point to teach our children that it was God who gave them intellect and that it is but proper for them to use their talents for His glory.

God is good.

Ripples

2007-03-23T10:40:00.000+08:00

During the closing ceremony of our Management Workshop, each participant was given the following poem, entitled, RIPPLES.

Drop a pebble in the water: just a splash, and it is gone;
But there's half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea.
And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.

Drop a pebble in the water: in a minute you forget,
But there's little waves a-flowing, and there's ripples circling yet,
And those little waves a-flowing to agreat big wave have grown;
You've disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a stone.

Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute it is gone;
But there's half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on.
They keep spreading, spreading, spreading from the center as they go,
And there is no way to stop them, once you've started them to flow.

Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute you forget;
But there's little waves a-flowing, and there's ripple circling yet,
And perhaps in some sad heart a mighty wave of tears you've stirred,
And disturbed a life was happy ere you dropped that unkind word.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: just a flash and it is gone;
But there's half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave
Till you wouldn't believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: in a minute you forget;
But there's gladness still a-swelling, and there's joy circling yet,
And you've rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard
Over miles and miles of water just by dropping one kind word.

-author unknown

So there. Watch your word. As Proverb 25:11 say, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."

God is good... All the time.

Jabez Cards

2007-03-09T07:38:00.000+08:00

Our Management Workshop facilitator introduced us to Jabez cards. These cards contain phrases or sayings on one face and short explanation or exposition on the other face. By the way, Jabez is an Old Testament figure who made a short prayer to God and the Lord granted his request.

In 1 Chron 4:10, "Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, 'Oh that Thou would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast [territory], and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!' And God granted him that which he requested."

Most of the cards shown to us are self-centered. Some people are using Jabez cards as sort of magic or supernatural to get what they want in life. Well, that's a little bit far off and lifting a Bible verse out of context. But I read a couple of cards that are focused on God. One card says,

Front Face: "The Father knows you intimately."

Back: "He has already given you strategic opportunities, passions, interest, and capabilities. These are the starting points for how He will touch the world through you."

This is true. God has a plan for each one especially the Christians. He gave talents to each person to accomplish Divine plans in this world. To Christians, Christ added Grace Gifts so that they can glorify God and edify His Church.

I believe God has given me unique blend of talents and spiritual gifts. He has a plan for me. All I need to do is to live for Him and let Christ lead me. I believe that today is my chance to prepare for my time will come to be God's channel of blessings to others.

Ridiculous Socials

2007-02-23T08:00:00.000+08:00

We will have our National Planning Workshop next week in Butuan City. This is a great time to meet NSO field officials and hear their best practices. I always enjoy NPW except the socials. We are always made to do or perform ridiculous things. The usual fare is sing and dance and it is kind of boring. The more important reason is that I really do not enjoy dancing.

I hope that we could invent more creative or innovative ways to have socials. Games for one is a lot better alternative. Socials should have a relaxed atmosphere and not structured as a regular programme. The idea of this event is to talk with people and renew acquaintances. Let people relax and realease stress. Doing presentations is welcome unless the performers are enjoying what they do and are good in that area. But to watch performers who do not like what they do (as we usually do in NSO socials) is wasting time or worse having fun at their expense unless of course they are certified comedians. Minsan nga ako pa nahihiya kapag napapanood ko na talagang awkward ang performers. I know they were forced to do those things.

And now for the highlight: Imagine me mimicking Romy Mallari. Who?! Do I have a choice? Yes.

Perform or Pay P1,000. Funny? Not for me. A thousand pesos is a lot of money. Sakay ka na lang.

Daily Miracles: Can't You See God's Hands?

2007-02-13T07:20:00.000+08:00

This year, I am aiming to read the whole Bible again. My wife and eldest son are also trying their best to do the same. I already finished Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. Last night I finished reading Deuteronomy 3.

I enjoy reading God's Word. It is always fresh and I get new and clearer insights this time. God was extremely gracious and very patient with His people. He is doing miracles in their lives each day yet they fail to recognize and thank God for all of these. God gave them manna, quail meat, water in the desert each day: all very precious basic necessities. The Lord also made their clothes and sandals endure for many years. They have pillar of clouds as shade by day and pillar of fire as light and warmth at night. How could the Israelites grumble and be blind to all these great and wonderful expression of love and protection from God?

I'm sure I am no different from the Israelites. God has been gracious and doing great miracles everyday in my life. And yet I fail to notice them and neglect to thank God.

Lord forgive my blindness. Thank you for all the goodness and miracles you are doing each day in my life. Open my eyes that I may see all your goodness to me. Open my eyes that I may give thanks and praise that are due to you.

God Answers Prayers

2007-02-05T08:22:00.000+08:00

This is a testimony to how God answers prayers.

My 8-year old son Emilio joined MTAP grade 3 level this year. Every night for more than 2 months he would ask God to help him in the Math team and individual contests. The results came out last week that his Grade 3 team qualified for the Caloocan Division level oral contest. But no word on whether he qualified for the individual contest regional level and my son was a bit disappointed that he was not able to qualify for this. So it was my turn to ask God to answer my son's prayers. I prayed daily for Emilio's request for a week.

Then on Thursday, 2 days before the individual contest is slated to be held, Emilio came home at 6:30 pm that day overly excited. His teacher gave him a copy of the Deped Caloocan Memo that he is qualified to represent Caloocan in the the Grade 3 level of the MTAP individual regional contest.

Then on Saturday morning, February 3, Emilio woke up early and proceeded with his Mom to Stella Maris College in Cubao for the contest.

God answered my son's and my prayers. God is gracious.

Key to success

2007-02-01T16:25:00.000+08:00

It has been said that "You will only have significant success with something that is an obsession." I think that is true to some degree. The correct word is passion not obsession.

For years I have been following developments in the proofs on Unsolved Math Problems. I tried and continue to try to solve a few of those challenging problems. I tried the Goldbach conjecture and recently the problem on Perfect Numbers. The last problem says that there is no even Perfect Number. A perfect number is one that is equal to the sum of its proper divisors (excluding itself). I worked on this perhaps more than a thousand times but no success. It has become a passion and a past time.

Lately my 12-year old son Nathan shared this passion and texted (SMS) me last week that he has proven that there is no odd perfect number. I was ecstatic to say the least. So when I got home, my son eagerly shared his proof to me. His work looks perfect. But the next day, when I began to rehearse his proof in my mind, I noticed a small flaw.

I told my son that there is a little error in his proof. He realized his mistake. But I told him that his approach is better than those I tried before.

So now I continue to search for ways to prove the problem. This time I am not alone. Is this another way of bonding with my son?

Everybody wants to be important

2007-01-30T10:23:00.000+08:00

Everyday I meet and see all kinds of people. I notice that everyone wants to be important. This is true both in the Office where I work and in the Graduate School where I teach. People want other people to treat them with respect. I think everybody deserves to be treated that way.

God made each one and He made each person special. My family is precious to God. Every Christian is etched in God's heart. Each of my staff is important in God's eyes. Their abilities, skills, and talents are God-given. So I value them the way God loves them.

"But God demonstrated His own love towards us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us." -Romans 5:8

I'm Back

2007-01-30T09:50:00.000+08:00

I'm back. Back from Pyongyang. Pumunta ako doon bilang data processing consultant.

I thank God for His goodness. He is good to me and to my country. Freedom is God's gift. Spiritual freedom is God's special grace to His children.

Hoy mga kapatid sa Panginoon, gising! Marami ka bang reklamo? Gusto mo kuwentuhan kita ng mga nakita ko sa Pyongyang? Ako pagkagaling ko doon, ang una kong naibulalas: God is good. Thank God for my country.

I will try to resume my posts and write down my thoughts as frequent as possible.

Events in the Last Days (Illustration)

2006-05-12T07:25:00.000+08:00

When Will Jesus Christ Return?

2006-04-27T14:12:00.000+08:00

This is based on my personal study and quiet time notes. I have not made a thorough research on this topic so I would not be surprised if the readers may find my ideas questionable. Read on and post your comments so I can evaluate my ideas.

Q. When will Jesus Christ return?
A. The exact day and hour of His return is not known. "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no not the angels of heaven, but My Father only" (Matthew 24:36). His return is imminent and sure. "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the day" (I Thessalonians 5: 1,2). The following is the order of events related to coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

a. Jesus Christ will come to take with Him all Christians before the seven-year tribulation (called The Great Tribulation) (John 14:1-3; I Cor. 15:51-56; I Thes. 4:13-18). This is commonly referred to as the Rapture of the Church of Jesus Christ.

b. Then at the end of the Great Tribulation period, He will return with His saints to fight and defeat the beast and the false prophet (Rev 19:11-21). This is called as the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

c. After that, He will establish His millennial kingdom (Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ) on earth while Satan is bound in the bottomless pit for a thousand years (Rev 20:1-5).

d. At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will be loosed again and will deceive many people to rebel against Christ (Rebellion Against Jesus Christ). But the Lord Jesus will fight and defeat them.

e. After that, Satan will be cast into the lake of fire where the beast and the false prophet are. (Ruin of the Enemies of Christ)

f. Then all the nations will be judged (called the Great White Throne Judgment) and will give account to God for their deeds. Those who did not believe Christ and His gospel will be cast into the lake of fire. Those who believed the Son of God shall be with Him forever and ever (Rev 20:6-15). (The Day of Reckoning)

Q. What will happen in the Great Tribulation?
A. Since the Church of Christ has been removed from the earth, the work of Satan will go unhindered. Then the antichrist will begin his reign. It will last for about seven years (Daniel 9:27).

"Let no man deceive you by any means for that day shall not come, except there be a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God; or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming. Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved"
-2 Thes. 2:1-10

a. First, the antichrist will stand in the holy place (of the temple) and desecrate the temple as prophesied by Daniel the prophet (Mat 24:15).

b. And "then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened" (Mat 24:21-22). Because of the world's utter sinfulness, the Lord will send plagues upon plagues, and woes upon woes.

Q. What will happen after the seven-year tribulation period?
A. Events at the end of the seven-year tribulation:

a. At the end of the seven-year tribulation, Christ will return with His saints to the earth.

b. Then the antichrist and his allies shall make war with the Lord Jesus Christ. The antichrist, the false prophet and the nations that are allied with them shall be defeated (Rev 19:11-21).

c. And Christ will establish His kingdom upon the earth and He shall rule with a rod of iron for a thousand years (Rev 19:15; 20:1-6).

Q. What will happen during Christ's millenium reign?
A. Events in the Millennial Reign of Christ:

a. The saints in Christ will reign with the Lord Jesus during that thousand-year reign. "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them; and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and who had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years" (Rev 20:4). Because of the riegn of Christ, the millennium will be peaceful and prosperous.

b. At that time, the devil will be bound in the bottomless pit for a thousand years (Rev 20:1-3).

c. But at the end of the thousand-year-reign, "Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle; the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city; and fire came down from God out of heaven; and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever" (Rev 20:7-10).

We Have Victory Through Jesus Christ!

2006-04-04T12:39:00.000+08:00

Our enemy, Satan, is strong but not omnipotent. He is already defeated and his days are numbered. The Lord Jesus Christ defeated Satan at the Cross of Calvary. Christ's victory is also ours because we have identified ourselves with Christ through faith. The following are also lifted from my quiet time notes. I hope we will live victorious lives because our Lord Jesus Christ has given us the victory.

Q. Who is Satan?
A. Satan is the adversary of God and God's people. He is also called Lucifer, the son of the morning, the anointed covering cherub who rebelled against the Most High God. The Lord God revealed through Ezekiel the origin of this enemy:

"Thou hast been in Eden, the garden of God;
every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz,
and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper,
the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and the gold:
the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes
was prepared in thee in the day that thou was created.

Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so:
thou wast upon the holy mountain of God;
thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created,
till iniquity was found in thee.

By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee
with violence, and thou hast sinned:

Therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God:
and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub,
from the midst of the stones of fire.

Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty,
thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness:

I will cast thee to the ground,

I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee"

-Ezekiel 28:13-17

The nature of Lucifer's sin was revealed by Isaiah:
"How art thou fallen from heaven; O Lucifer, son of the morning!
how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

For thou hast said in thine heart,
I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:
I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation;
in the sides of the north:
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds:
I will be like the Most High.
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit"

-Isaiah 14:12-15

Satan is not just a product of myth or of man's imagination. He is a personal being and is existing in this world. His demons are the angels who have joined him in rebellion against the Almighty God.

Q. What is the work of Satan and his demons?
A. They oppose God and the Lord's work. Jesus rebuked Satan who is sifting Peter, "Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men" (Mat 16:23). The devil and his hosts are also active in deceiving the nations so that people may turn away from and turn against God (Rev 20:2-3). They hinder people from obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ. "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 Cor 4:3-4).

These fallen beings are also bringing opposition and temptations to God's people. Satan himself tempted Jesus Christ our Lord (Mat 4:1-11). These enemies of God are also setting up traps against the leaders of Christ's church (I Tim 3:7). They are opposing not only the shepherds of the church but also the sheep. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil; as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world" (I Pet 5:8-9).

Q. What is the destiny of Satan and his demons?
A. Jesus Christ defeated Satan and his demons at the cross of Calvary. "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die" (John 12:31-33). The apostle Paul also had the same glorious message, "Death is swallowed up in victory, O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Cor 15:57). Satan and his hordes, the defeated enemies of Jesus Christ, will be punished and lodged forever in the lake of fire. "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever" (Rev 20:10).

Q. What then is the importance of this truth to the Christian's life?
A. Because we have victory through the blood of the Lamb, we do not have to fear the enemies of God. "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world" (I John 4:4). However, we must not underestimate the enemy. Satan and his friends are very powerful. But God the Almighty has equipped us an Armor so that we can resist and overcome Satan and his demons.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armor of God,
that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God,
that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loines girt about with truth,
and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Above all, taking the shield of Faith,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit;
and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication
for all saints"

-Eph 6:10-18

The Believer's Baptism and The Lord's Supper

2006-03-27T07:29:00.000+08:00

I always enjoy seeing young believers follow the Lord in water baptism. Their public confession of their faith in Christ displays the power of the Gospel to save and change lives. I also enjoy participating in the Lord's Supper. It is the best time to remember Christ's sacrifice for our sins and the perfect time to worship Him because of His perfect love for us. The following are also lifted from my quiet time notes.

Q. What are the ordinances that a Christian church must observe?
A. The ordinances which believers are to observe until He comes are believer's baptism and the Lord's supper (Acts 19:1-6; 18:25-26).

Q. What is the believer's baptism?
A. The believer's baptism is the act of immersing (Mat 3:16; Mark 1:9-10) a Christian in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is performed after a person believed in Jesus Christ. It has, however, no supernatural effect on the believer. Baptism before conversion has no meaning (Acts 19:1-5).

Q. What is the basis of this practice?
A. Jesus commanded that all believers be baptized, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Mat 28:19-20).

Q. What is the meaning of the believer's baptism?
A. The believer’s baptism is a graphic illustration of the basic truths of Christian redemption. First, it reminds the believer that Christ died and was buried for the sins of the world and that Jesus resurrected from the grave to conquer the power of sin, which is death.

It also shows that the believer is now identified with Christ in the Lord's death, burial, and resurrection. "Know ye not, that so many of us were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death. That like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4). This means that when Christ was crucified on the cross, we, by identification, were also crucified with Him. When Christ died and was buried, we, by identification, were also buried with Him. When Christ rose from the grave, we, by identification, were also risen from the dead. Baptism therefore shows that we are identified with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.

Secondly, the believer's baptism also portrays the proper outlook of the believer in life. A believer's decision to be baptized should mean that he is not anymore allowing sin to rule his life. "For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead died no more, death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God" (Romans 6:5-13).

Q. What is the Lord's Supper?
A. The Lord's Supper is a beautiful symbolic commemoration of the death of Christ. It is symbolic of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Paul says in I Cor. 11:23-26, "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed; took bread. And he had given thanks, he break it, and said, Take it; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come". The bread in the Lord's supper represents the body of Christ which was offered as sacrifice for our sins while the wine represents the blood of Christ as the ransom for our sins. The bread and wine are not the literal body and blood of Christ, respectively.

Q. What is the basis of this practice?
A. Jesus commanded the believers to conduct the Last Supper he had with the apostles in remembrance of Him. "And he took bread, and gave thanks, and break it, and gave unto them, saying, this is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you" (Luke 22:19-20). The believers should perform the Lord's supper as often as they could until Jesus returns to take the believers with Him (I Cor. 11:23-26).

Q. How should the Lord's supper be conducted?
A. The Lord's supper should be preceded always by a solemn self-examination. "Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body" (I Cor. 11: 27-29). Those who partake unworthily are in danger of God's judgment not that the bread and wine are supernatural but because they bring disgrace to the Holy God. This Christian ordinance must be preceded always by a solemn self- examination. The Christian church should observe this until Jesus returns to take His people with Him.

Poem: Together

2006-03-17T08:42:00.000+08:00

I wrote the following poem for Eva, who eventually became my wife. This was my marriage vow. Love is stronger when husbands and wives together serve the Lord with love. Love is more precious when it imitates the way Jesus loved us. Thirteen years has passed since I made this vow. In all those years we exerted efforts to serve God- TOGETHER, hence, the title.

Together

Together we will build a home
Where God is at the throne;
Together we will build our dreams
With true love as their beams.

Each day my love on you will dawn
The way He loved His own;
My life, my all belong to you,
My dreams and treasures, too.

I will lead you to my Master;
We will love Him ever.
Together we will sing His song;
We’ll serve Him all life long.

-pids
April 19, 1992.
Room 101, Fina White House Hotel
Kaduna, NIGERIA

The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail Against It!

2006-03-14T11:20:00.000+08:00

The following is a collection of my quiet time notes on the Church. The history of the Christian Church should be an interesting topic to research on. It is amazing that although the Church preaches salvation, the world repaid it with unspeakable resistance. It is also amusing that although some Christian churches are very small, divisions and petty quarrels continue to hound them.

The church of Christ is the most abused institution throughout the centuries. Rulers tried to annihilate it, false teachers tried to corrupt it. But Jesus said, "I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Mat 16:18).

Q. What is a Christian church?
A. A Christian church is an assembly or a congregation of believers in Jesus Christ in a locality (Col 4:15; I Cor 1:2). The Bible speaks of church referring not only to a group of Christian believers in a locality but also to all the born-again believers (Heb 12:23; I Cor 12:12-13). We call the assembly of believers in one locality a Local Church and to the congregation of all true believers in Jesus Christ as the Church of God. Today the phrase Local Church is also used to refer to a group of people meeting in a certain place believing on a set of Christian doctrines sometimes called a Statement of Faith. But it is observed that not all of them are true born-again believers. In many cases false teachers and unbelievers exist in these local churches (see Acts 20:29-30; I John 2:18-19). On the other hand, the Church of God consists only of true believers, "the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, which are written in heaven" (Heb 12:23). The same thought is also implied in I Cor 12:12-13.

Q. How was the Church established?
A. The church was established by Jesus Christ (Mat 16:15-19). It was born on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended on a group of disciples praying in the upper room (Acts 2:1-47). Since that day, the Holy Spirit causes the church to grow and as a result numerous small churches were established from Jerusalem, to Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.

Q. What is the organizational structure of the church?
A. Jesus Christ is the head and all believers are members of the church (Eph 5:23; I Cor 12:14-31). Some believers are called or chosen by the Holy Spirit to leadership positions. So we hear of pastors, deacons, evangelists, teachers, apostles, and prophets. They lead, feed, and oversee the flock of God. However, let us be reminded that they are not superior to other believers. They are also servants of God. In this connection, the apostle Peter warned the elders that they should not act "as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock" (I Pet 5:1-4). On the other hand, believers are commanded to submit to God-appointed elders (I Pet 5:5; 2 Thes 3:12-15).

Q. What are the objectives of the Church?
A. The church exists for the purpose of Christian fellowship, worship, and as God's witness of the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ to all world. During the time of the apostles, believers gather together for fellowship: "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42). Believers need a kind of fellowship different from what the world offers (I John 2:15-17; Eph 5:11-12). They need godly fellowship which the church must provide. This does not refer to religious ceremonies or formalities. The church should provide a fellowship that exhibits the love of Christ. "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:34-35). "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Heb 10:24-25).

Beside Christian fellowship, the church must worship Jesus Christ, its Lord and Savior. "And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead so that in everything he might have the supremacy" (Col 1:18). The church's aim is to make Christ the object of worship and adoration of all believers. "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Gal 1:14). "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil 2:9-11).

The church is also given the task of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to all the world. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and, lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world" (Mat 28:19-20). Since our God is the ruler of the universe, our aim is to saturate the world with the gospel of our King -- the Lord Jesus Christ. All the other activities are second priority. Witnessing, world missions, and discipleship are the bases of existence of the church. Let not the church's vision be narrowed to a certain province, region, or country. It is God's commandment to reach all nations with the message of salvation in Jesus Christ (Luke 24:47-48). These are the things that the Church must fulfill until Jesus Christ returns to establish His kingdom on earth.

The Lord also imparted spiritual gifts to believers in order to build up the members of His church (Eph 4:11-16; II Cor 10:8; 12:19). And while the church waits for the Lord's coming, she is also instructed to observe the ordinances instituted by Jesus Christ namely, baptism by immersion, and the Lord's supper. Baptism is part of spreading the gospel (Mat 28:19-20). It is not a prerequisite for salvation. It is an ordinance performed after a person has repented of his sins and received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. On the other hand, the Lord's Supper is done regularly to commemorate Jesus' sacrifice for our sins (Luke 22:19; I Cor 11:23-26).

Gain

2006-03-06T07:53:00.000+08:00

Do you deem it foolish,
to leave the things you love,
the dreams you hold so dear,
and give the wealth you have,

To gain eternal gold,
by clinging to the Lord?

Will you count it as loss,
to turn from worldly ways,
forsake sinful pleasures,
as throwing thrash away,

And live for Him who died
Each day in Him abide?

Is it insanity,
to give your last two mites,
your every ounce of strength,
your precious days and nights,

For Him who gave His all,
Who saved you from the fall?

-pids
November 3, 1988.
Kansai Kenshu Center
Osaka, Japan

GLORIFY GOD IN YOUR BODY

2006-03-01T08:52:00.000+08:00

This is also lifted from my quiet time notes. I admit in many instances I failed to glorify God. I'm still trying and by God's grace I believe I can live a life that glorifies God.

Q. How should a person live after receiving Jesus as his God and Savior?
A. A Christian should live in such a manner as to glorify his Savior and Lord for he now belongs to Christ. “Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's“ (I Cor 6:19,20). A Christian should glorify God even in the minutest detail of his life. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God" (I Cor 10:31-32). This implies that a Christian must glorify God even in the routine activities such as drinking or eating.

God also desires to mould our thinking patterns so that we will glorify Him even in our most private meditation. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1,2). What we think of is important to God. Even the things that preoccupy our minds must be pleasing to Him. “Finally, my brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil 4:8). All thoughts must bring glory to Christ so that in everything, Jesus will have preeminence: “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5).

Q. What are the things a Christian must shun away from in order to glorify Jesus Christ our Lord?
A. God commanded Christians to separate from all forms of religious apostasy and unbiblical compromise, and all sinful practices, worldly pleasures and ungodly association. The apostle Paul repeatedly admonished the believers not to have anything to do with false teachers. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:17-18). “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and stirrings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject, knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself” (Titus 3:9-11). We avoid not only false teachers and their teachings but also unhealthy compromises. “And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God“ (Romans 12:2). Second Corinthians 6:14-18 also conveys the same thought, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclear thing; and I will receive you, and I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty”.

The Bible also commands us not to have anything to do with sinful and worldly practices. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret” (I John 2:15-17). The Apostle John also warned us: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever" (I John 2:15-17). It means that we cannot enjoy the sinful pleasures that the world offers and the joy that heaven gives at the same time. In this case, we cannot have the best of both worlds - the world of lust and the world of holiness.

Q. How can we apply these truths in our lives?
A. One way is to avoid false teachers. We must not listen to those who teach contrary to what the Bible says - even to fellowship with them. Some say that this is narrow-mindedness or bigotry. Other people insist that we ought to be liberal-minded even in matters of faith. But the Word of God says otherwise. “But though me, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).

Another way to apply this doctrine of Biblical separation is in our manner of thinking. We must not allow ourselves to be molded into the world’s thinking. In many cases, the world is in conflict with the Bible (see I John 2:15-16). A Christian must choose only one guide to follow - The Bible. This doctrine does not only urge us to be separate from the worldly system but it also brings us closer to God, and encourages us to serve Him. "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are this. And let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from impurity. But in a great house these are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth, and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Tim 2:19-21). We are also commanded to have no company with a Christian who is deliberately disobeying God's Word (see 2 Thes 3:6,14-15).

CAN A CHRISTIAN LOSE HIS SALVATION?

2006-02-21T08:49:00.000+08:00

This is also taken from my quiet time notes. I hope the ideas are clear.

Q. Can a Christian lose his salvation?
A. A Christian cannot lose his salvation. First, because he is kept by the power of God. Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand." (John 10:27- 29). Believers in Christ are in God's hands and they are being protected by the Almighty One. Salvation is irrevocable on account of God's ability to keep a believer safe in His hands.

Secondly, salvation is secured forever because believers are children of God. When a person believes in Christ, he is given the privilege to be called a child of God. "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become sons of God, even to them that believe in His Name." (John 1:12). A child is always a child whatever happens. On the basis of this relationship, the Father cannot allow His children to be taken away from Him. When a child sins, the fellowship is broken, but the relationship remains the same. He remains a child. The Father's love for the prodigal son and the obedient son is the same. This love is shown when He reserved the best of heaven and earth for all of His children. "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:17). So salvation is secured on account of relationship with God.

Thirdly, salvation is secured on account of God's sovereignty. "All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out... And this is the Father's will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day." (John 6:37,39). He will lose none of His people.

Q. Does it mean that a Christian cannot lose his salvation even if he sins?
A. A Christian remains a Christian even if he commits sin. But God did not give Christians a license to sin. "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin. But yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid." (Romans 6:12-15).

A true Christian cannot live happily in sin all his life. However, Christians are not yet perfect. The truth is, believers also commit sin. "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." (I John 1:8-10). But when Christians sin, salvation is not lost. They remain as children of God. They can ask forgiveness from the merciful Father and be assured of genuine forgiveness.

There are those who call themselves Christians but they enjoy the pleasures of sin. They cheat in business. They deceive. They take advantage of other people. They love erotic movies, sensual literature, and live worldly lives. Probably, their Christianity is a farce. Though they attend church meetings, fellowships, and Christian activities regularly, we are not sure whether they are true believers. Maybe they are the ones described by Jude: "For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withered, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever" (Jude 4,12,13).

True christians, though they sometimes commit sin, do not rejoice in sin but strive to live in holiness: "But now being made free from sin, and became servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." (Romans 6:22).

Q. What then is the importance of knowing our eternal security?
A. It gives us hope and encourages us to trust God. John said, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." (I John 5:13). The assurance that we have eternal life also reminds us that God is faithful in keeping His promise. "For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." (2 Timothy 1:12). The apostle Paul also said, "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38,39). Jesus Himself assured us, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand." (John 10:27-29). Eternal security displays God's power to keep His promises and shows His faithfulness. In such God we place our hope and trust.

Your Grace Is Great

2006-02-13T08:36:00.000+08:00

No tongue can tell, nor lips may say,
My gratitude to God each day;
For his mercy and boundless grace
Has cleansed my heart without a trace.

‘Tis Jesus Christ who paid my debt
At Calvary: The price – His death.
Therefore to Him I give my praise,
My heart, my will, and all my days.

I thank you God. I thank you Lord.
The tongues of men can’t find a word
Nor phrase, nor rhyme to say my praise
For unto me You’ve shown Your grace.

So in my heart, O God who sees,
There read my thoughts, whose sum is this:
I’m grateful Lord, Your grace is great,
You cleansed my heart from sin, from hate.

-pids
June 20, 1990
Legaspi City.

HOW CAN A MAN BE SAVED?

2006-02-07T16:23:00.000+08:00

This is also from my quiet time notes. Enjoy reading.

Q. How can a man be saved?
A. Man has no power to save himself. So God provided the way for man to escape eternal punishment in hell. This salvation is received by repentance from sin and through personal faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:9,10).

Man then can be saved by making a decision to turn away from sin and its pleasures and by confessing faith in Jesus Christ. "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). "For God so loved the world that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

Q. Is salvation as simple as this?
A. God could have asked for a more difficult requirement but since He is interested in saving all men, He provided everything for man to be saved. All that man need to do is to repent from his sins and turn to God by simple faith in Christ. Therefore salvation is by God’s grace alone. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2: 8,9). Salvation is God’s gift. "For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Salvation is according to God’s mercy. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:5-7). The Bible emphasized that it is by God's grace alone. Salvation is never a collaboration between God and man. It is God's work through and through. And this gift of salvation is given to any man who trusts in Jesus Christ.

Q. What does "trusting in Jesus Christ" mean?
A. It is believing that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is the full payment for our sins, and that His resurrection from the grave after three days secured salvation for those who placed their faith on Him. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross has satisfied God because Jesus lived a holy life and that His righteousness (because He is God) has reached God's standard. "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God" (Romans 3:24,25).

His resurrection is our assurance that He is able to save us from the sting of death (I Corinthians 15: 13-26, 54-57). "But Jesus, because he continueth forever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7: 24,25).

The last element of trusting in Christ is giving Him lordship in our lives. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (John 10: 27, 28). “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your hearts that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are jsutified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” (Romans 10: 9,10). This means any decision we make, any thought, any action, desires, habits, and pursuits must be subject to His approval for He is Lord. Is there any habit which displeases Him? Is there any thought that is not giving glory to His holy name? Is there any action that is not in accordance with His Word? Is there any pursuit which is not focused on Him? Is there any desire which dislodges Christ from the lofty throne which He rightfully deserves? Is there any dream that will not give honor to Christ? If He is Lord then He must be the Master of every aspect of our lives.

Q. Is there any other way by which man can be saved apart from Jesus Christ?
A. Apart from Jesus Christ, it is not possible for any man to be saved "for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (I Timothy 2:5). Without Christ, man is hopeless. Man-made religion cannot bring man closer to God. The fact is, God hates man-made religions (Romans 1:21-23, 25). So apart from Christ, man is going to hell. "For the wages of sin is death. But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Salvation is through Jesus Christ alone. “Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s only begotten Son” (John 3:18). “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” (John 1: 12).

There Is Hope For Me

2006-02-01T07:03:00.000+08:00

I lived in sin and bound for hell,
My daily grief no man can tell.
But Jesus said, “I’ll set you fee.”
The Savior came to die for me.

So Jesus went to Calvary
To take away my misery;
As sacrifice up on the tree
The Savior spilled His blood for me.

He agonized and cried in grief
How God forsook Him like a thief;
And then He died for all to see.
The Savior gave His life for me.

They brought Him down, they buried Him
Because of me, my pride, my sin.
But there is hope for men like me
For Jesus rose and lives in me.

-pids
March 28, 1992.
UNDP Guest House Flat 2 Room 3
Lagos, NIGERIA

THE ORIGIN OF MAN

2006-01-30T07:39:00.000+08:00

Again, the following was gleaned from my quiet time notes.

Q. What is the origin of man?
A. "The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Gen. 2:7). This is the way God created the first man, Adam. The first woman was created in a different manner. "And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, closed up the flesh instead thereof. And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made He a woman, and brought her unto the man." (Gen. 2:21,22). The first woman was named Eve. The Bible says that God created man and woman. They are not the by-products of millions of years of evolution.

Man was also created in the image of God: "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them." (Gen. 1:26,27).

Q. What do we mean when we say that man was created in the image of God?
A. Of God's creation, only man was made in His likeness. This means that man, unlike animals and other creatures, was given with some attributes similar to God's such as intellect or reasoning, self-will, moral values, creativity, etc. Above all, God gave man the desire to seek the Lord (Acts 17:27). Paul also said, "That which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them." (Romans 1:19). Also, as God has authority over all things, man was also given the task of caring for and ruling over every living thing and plants. Man was also given the privilege to know God, have an intimate relationship with Him, and to be like Christ Who is the exact likeness of the invisible God.

Q. If man was created in the image of God, how can we explain the corruption that is so common in human society?
A. Adam's fall introduced sin into the world and the punishment that goes with it is corruption and death. The worse thing is that Adam's children and grandchildren inherited his sinful nature (Romans 5:12-19). The image of God in Adam is inherent in him and in every man but it was corrupted when he sinned. It was not removed when man sinned but it was marred by sin.

The sinful nature in man was not part of the image of God in man. It came about only after Adam's fall. Because of his sinful nature, man filled the world with corruption and every evil thing: "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient." (Romans 1:28). "None calleth for justice, nor any man pleadeth for truth... They conceive mischief" (Isaiah 59:4).

Q. What are the other results of man's sin?
A. The major effect of sin is that man was alienated from God. Because God is holy and man is sinful, man is driven away from God's presence. Man's privilege (before he fell) to have an intimate relationship with God was taken away because of sin. "Your iniquities have separated between you and your God; and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." (Isaiah 59:2).
Because of sin man is hopeless: "Therefore is judgement far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: We wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness. We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we have no eyes: We stumble at noonday as in the night; We are in desolate places as dead men. We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: We look for judgement, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us." (Isaiah 59:9-12)

Because man was hopeless, he sought to reach God by his own effort. This explains the proliferation of futile religions. "When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they become fools. And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things." (Romans 1:21-23,25).

Not only that. Man also corrupted every aspect of society. He perverted sex: "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves... For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet." (Romans 1:24, 26,27). That explains the emergence of homosexuality and the illnesses associated with their lifestyle that is the due reward of their perversion.

Sin was also the cause of crimes, prostitution, greed, murders, proliferation of war weapons, breakup of families, and every evil thought that men have conceived. "Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful." (Romans 1:29-31).

Q. What is the effect of sin on man?
A. Man died spiritually, and was alienated from God (Genesis 2:17). He was also cursed to die physically (Gen. 3:19). The physical death of man is a consequence of man's spiritual death. For man having fallen into sin became corrupt and this may have caused the human body to function improperly that became imperfect because of sin.

Man is spiritually dead because of sin and is destined to die physically according to the time set by the only wise God (Heb. 9:27). "There is a time to be born, and a time to die" (Eccl. 3:2). "As by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12). No one is exempted from the curse of sin: the rich and the poor, the wise and the fool, the free and the slave are all dead in sins and shall taste the physical death and eventually spend eternity in hell (Rev. 20:12-15).

Q. Is there anything man can do to escape from the curse of sin?
A. Man is unable by himself to remedy his lost condition and cannot reverse the destiny God has set for those who have sinned. Even our righteousness cannot atone for our sins. "But we are all as an unclean thing and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities" (Isaiah 64:6,7). "Not by works of righteousness which we have made..." (Titus 3:5).

Man is hopeless because of sin. There is nothing he can do to bring a ray of hope in his darkened world and gloomy destiny.

But thanks be to God for Jesus Christ who gave us freedom from the curse of sin! (Romans 6:22-23)

PSHS 2nd Screening Results

2006-01-24T07:15:00.000+08:00

I'm back from Bangkok. Good news. I thank God for letting my son pass the 2nd screening Philippine Science High School (PSHS) exams.

All in all 803 passed the 2nd screening exams. I tabulated the results by campus and for the Main Campus by school. Here are the results:

It is noticeable that roughly 10% of passers for the main campus come from the Ateneo de Manila University. Also, students from "good" private schools have better chances of passing the PSHS entrance exams.

There are a few reasons that might account for this:
1. Most parents enroll their gifted children in private schools
2. Some schools like ATENEO have Grade 7 which is a great advantage over private schools
3. Private school education is a lot better than public school system
4. Or PSHS entrance exams do not distinguish well enough the gifted children from those with good education. This is understandable because no exam is perfect.

Anyway, congratulations to all passers.

God is good... ALL the time.

Must God?

2006-01-13T06:55:00.000+08:00

Must God forever hide Eternity in Eternity
And leave me seeking His perfect will
Everytime, everyday?

Too many roads to choose from.
Where must I go?
What must I be?

He whom I love
Will lead
And guide me.
The Lord knows the way.

Must God forever keep perfect love in His heart
And let suffering engulf and threaten me.
Day in, day out?

Too many storms
To face and weather.
They tear my hope apart.

His Word is true:
God is love.
There's nothing
To worry about.

-pids
November 5, 1991

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

2006-01-09T08:12:00.000+08:00

Still on the subject of the Holy Spirit. He helps us to understand the Incomprehensible and equips and makes us worthy to serve the Perfect God. Here are my thoughts:

Q. How can we understand will of the incomprehensible God?
A. God, according to the unlimited riches of His grace, has "abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his His will, according to the good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself." (Eph. 1:7- 9). God also provided us the Holy Spirit who teaches us all things so we may know God (who is beyond human comprehension) and His perfect truths. The Holy Spirit then is our Divine Teacher (for He is God), who enables us to understand God's Holy Word, the Bible. By our own efforts we cannot understand the things of God "for they are spiritually discerned" (I Cor. 2:14). "But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God...Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (I Cor 2:10,12,13).

Q. The Holy Spirit enables us to understand the deep things of God. But how can we apply them in our lives and perfectly obey God's Word?
A. We, on our own cannot perfectly obey the Lord's commands. But the Holy Spirit empowers us to live the Christian life and guides us into all the truth so that we can do what is pleasing to God. "The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities." (Romans 8:26) He helps us in our weakness. He molds us so that we will be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. So now we are able to obey God through the Holy Spirit who is at work in us. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." (Phil. 2:13).

Q. Having known the Holy Spirit's work among us, what then should we do in order to allow Him to do God’s will in our lives?
A. It is our duty to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that God can accomplish His purposes through us. "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is in excess; but be filled with the Spirit." (Eph. 5:18). Any believer who is filled with the Holy Spirit is allowing the Holy Spirit to do mighty things in his life as He did in the lives of Stephen, Peter, Paul, and other great men of God. Being filled with the Holy Spirit means allowing Him full control of our lives-- desires, priorities, decisions, and actions. It is not only our duty but also our privilege for the Holy Spirit who dwells in us is Divine, God of very God, perfect, and holy. He chose to use us though we are unworthy vessels and dwelling places for such an honored Being.

Q. How can we know that we are filled with the Holy Spirit?
A. One thing common with Peter, Stephen, and other men of God who were filled with the Holy Spirit is that they "preached the Word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:31). Peter was not afraid to preach the gospel before the Jewish council (Acts 4:8-22). He was imprisoned for doing that. Stephen was also bold to declare the good news of salvation through Jesus before the Jewish religious leaders (Acts 6:9-7:60). He was murdered afterwards. The same is true with the other Spirit-filled believers (Acts 4:31).

The gifts of speaking in tongues and healing were manifested through Peter and Stephen but these gifts are not the sure signs of filling of the Holy Spirit. These signs were not manifested through the lives of other Spirit-filled believers (Acts 4:31). "Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?" (I Cor. 12:29,30). The obvious answer is no. Having spiritual gifts does not guarantee that a person is filled with the Holy Spirit. However, we can be sure that for those who are filled with the Holy Spirit, they exhibit an intense desire to study God's Word, to seek His will, to obey His commandments, and have the boldness to preach the gospel. Anyone who claims he is filled with the Holy Spirit and has no desire whatsoever to study and share God’s Word is not telling the truth.

Another Comforter

2006-01-03T08:11:00.000+08:00

The Holy Spirit is indeed the Great Comforter. He walks with us in troublous times. He shares our joys and griefs. Here's a poem on the Holy Spirit:

Another Comforter

My Jesus sent a Comforter,
He’s much like Him in every way;
In times of grief, in times of care,
He’s by my side day unto day.

Holy Spirit – the Comforter,
He guarantees I’ve been redeemed;
He is my Guide, Friend, and Teacher;
He’ll walk with me when path is dimmed.

My perfect Guide is leading me
To Godly path that Jesus took;
“Be like the Lord,” He urges me,
“Obey each day His holy Book.”

The Comforter is teaching me
That godly trail ends at His feet;
There happiness and endless glee
Shall fill my heart when Him I meet.

Spirit of truth, be my Teacher
That I may know His will for me;
Enlighten me guide me ever
That I may be what I should be.

-pidio.
April 18, 1992
Room 101, Fina White House Hotel
Kaduna, NIGERIA

HONOR THE HOLY SPIRIT

2005-12-28T08:20:00.000+08:00

I compiled my quiet time notes during my stay in Osaka. I was blessed by the study on God the Holy Spirit. Let me share this with you:

HONOR THE HOLY SPIRIT

Q. Who is the Holy Spirit?
A. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy Trinity (Matthew 28:19). He is not a mere force but is a divine person. He spoke to individuals (Acts 8:29) and has the power to make men speak in languages they have no knowledge of (Acts 2:4). He decides on His own and chooses men for His purpose (Acts 13:1-4). The Holy Spirit is also Divine and equal with God (Acts 5:3-9).

Q. How should we relate to the Holy Spirit?
A. The Holy Spirit is worthy of honor, worship, glory, obedience, and sacrifices which are due to God. We ought to respect, obey, and adore Him.

Q. What is the work of the Holy Spirit?
A. Just as the Holy Spirit caused Jesus the Son of God to be born in the flesh (Matthew 1:18), He also caused the church of the Lord Jesus to be born (Acts 2:1-47). The Holy Spirit also convicts "the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:7,8) and causes men to be born into the kingdom of God (John 3:5).

Q. How is His work related to man's salvation?
A. The Holy Spirit convicts men to repent of their sins and to live righteous lives upon hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ (John 16:8-14; Romans 10:16,17). So those who repeatedly reject the Holy Spirit's call to repentance are in effect guilty of committing blasphemy against the Holy Spirit because they deemed His work as foolishness (Luke 12:10). But those who turn away from their evil ways and believe the gospel will be saved. The Holy Spirit then regenerates them and makes them God's children (Titus 3:4-6; Romans 8:14-17).

When a man believes in Christ, the Holy Spirit baptizes him into the body of Christ (I Cor. 12:13) right at that moment, dwells within the believer (Romans 8:9-11), and seals the believer for the day of redemption (Eph. 1:13,14). The Holy Spirit himself is the guarantee of the believer's redemption and eternal salvation.

Q. How does the Holy Spirit work in the lives of the believers?
A. He guides and leads believers into all the truth. When we study God's Word and we seek the Lord's will for our lives, the Holy Spirit will teach us and point us to Jesus (John 16:14), who must be the center of our desires. When we commit sin or disobey God's Word, the Holy Spirit convicts us and leads us to repentance where God's forgiveness awaits us (I John 1:9). The Holy Spirit also helps us to pray according to the will of God (Romans 8:26,27).

Above all, He comforts us (John 14:16-18; 15:26; 16:7). In times of troubles, the Holy Spirit will not leave us without comfort. He is always there to comfort and to encourage us to continue walking in the truth. He cannot abandon us for He dwells within and is the guarantee that one glorious day God will bring us with Him so that where He is, there we shall also dwell (John 14:3). This is an event which is certain to happen because of the work of the Holy Spirit.

The Name I Love

2005-12-22T06:53:00.000+08:00

There is a Name I love so much;
There is no name as great as such.
That Name is Great, and Wonderful;
There is no name as beautiful.

The Name I love is powerful:
It heals the sick and makes him whole;
It overcomes the pow'r of sin,
And frees the soul and makes it clean.

That Name I know is full of love:
His love for me is from above;
He loves me not for what I've done;
He showed His love by what He's done.

That dearest name is Jesus Christ;
He is the LORD, the First and Last.
I love His Name for He is True;
I'll serve Him well, yes through and through.

-pids
April 17, 1992. Good Friday
Room 101, Fina White House Hotel
Kaduna, NIGERIA

JESUS CHRIST THE HIGH PRIEST

2005-12-20T09:10:00.000+08:00

Jesus Christ is the Name I love. I wrote the following while in Osaka.

JESUS CHRIST THE HIGH PRIEST

Q. Where is Jesus Christ right now?
A. He has ascended to heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God.

Q. What do we mean when we say that Jesus is exalted at the right hand of God?
A. This means that Jesus Christ is given absolute power and glory. Jesus said, "ALL POWER is given unto Me in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28:18). He has "power over all flesh" to give eternal life to as many as the Father has given Him (John 17:3). He is also given glory-- divine, eternal, and holy glory. The Lord Jesus prayed in John 17:5, "And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was." This means that Jesus Christ deserves worship and honor. "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:9- 11).

Q. How is His ascension to heaven related to our salvation?
A.He is now in heaven in the presence of God for our sake (Heb. 9:24). He acts as our High Priest and Advocate to the Holy God.

Q. What is the meaning of Christ's Priesthood?
A. In the Old Testament times, God separated the Levites for the priesthood ministry. They are called priests so that they may intercede for God's people. Among the priests, there is one High Priest who annually comes into the most holy place of the temple to offer the blood of sacrifices of all the people (Heb. 9:25). "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices, which they offer year by year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." (Heb. 10:1,3,4). But when Jesus finished the work of redemption at Calvary, He took away the Old Testament practice and established the New Testament (Heb. 10:9). In the New Testament, believers are called priests unto God (I Pet. 2:9) and Jesus Christ is called the Great High Priest. "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus Christ the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." (Heb. 4:14,15). "But this man, because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Heb. 7:24,25). This means that we have an intercessor before God day and night. Christ, being our high priest, presents before God His finished work and holy sacrifice on the cross of Calvary.

Q. How does this truth (i.e., the truth that Christ is our High Priest) affect our daily lives?
A. In the Old Testament, the people are represented before God only once a year. But now we can "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb. 4:16). We can ask God for pardon anytime and be assured of receiving His forgiveness because of the work of Jesus Christ. We can cast unto Him our worries and find peace (Phil 4:6,7) through Jesus Christ. We can come to Him asking for strength and be given grace (2 Cor. 12:9) through Jesus Christ. Because Jesus took the nature of man, He became "a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor [help] them that are tempted." (Heb. 2:16-18). When we therefore pray, we are assured that Christ knows our needs and feelings for He tasted what it is to become a man. Therefore He can perfectly explain our petitions to the Father. "And having a high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised." (Heb. 10:21-23)

Q. What do we mean when we say that "Christ is our Advocate"?
A. Christians have been pardoned. But it does not mean that believers in Christ will not anymore commit sin. But "if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (I John 2:1). "Advocacy is that work of Jesus Christ for sinning believers which He carries on with the Father whereby, because of the eternal efficacy of Christ's sacrifice, He restores them to fellowship" (p.1343, Scoffield Reference Bible). "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9). Jesus Christ is our lawyer before God. If we commit sin, Jesus represents us before God the Father, not to justify our sins, but to present His finished work at Calvary. When Jesus died, He paid for the past, present, and future sins of those who trusted and will trust in Him. In this way the Father is satisfied and our sins are forgiven. But He is also just in that we suffer the earthly consequences of our deeds though we have been cleansed of our sins.

Q. How should this truth affect our lives?
A. The Apostle John's purpose for informing us that we have an Advocate with the Father is to persuade us to avoid sinning (I John 2:1). With this truth in mind, those who profess they know God will be more careful to keep His commandments (I John 2:3-6) and live in holiness. John's other purpose is to warn the believers of worldliness, which is destroying the Christian churches. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." (I John 2:15-17).

Poem for God: I Am A Wooden Barrel

2005-12-13T08:26:00.000+08:00

I Am A Wooden Barrel

I am a wooden barrel
In the Master’s palace;
Though rough and needing chisel,
He bought me for a price.

What could a wooden vessel
Be doing in this place?
Oh how I could serve Him well
Who chose me by His grace?

He plans the best for me,
And that I know full well;
He’ll use me for His glory,
As God’s wooden barrel.

-pids
May 17, 1992.
Room 101, Fina White House Hotel
Kaduna, NIGERIA

WHY DID JESUS DIE ON THE CROSS?

2005-12-12T16:19:00.000+08:00

This is one of my favorite topics.

WHY DID JESUS DIE ON THE CROSS?

Q. What happens when a sinner believes in Jesus Christ?

A. He receives God's free gift of everlasting life. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Q. How can believing in Jesus Christ give everlasting life to a sinner?

A. A sinner cannot come to God on account of his own righteousness for "we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind has taken us away." (Isaiah 64:6). But Jesus Christ provided redemption for men by dying on the cross and offering Himself as the payment for our sins (Matthew 20:28; Hebrews 9:26-28; Hebrews 10:9-12). So when we believe in Christ, Jesus' divine righteousness shall be "imputed [on us], if we believe in Him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered for our offenses, and was raised up again for our justification" (Romans 4:24-25). Therefore, having this divine righteousness, we can now come to God and "receive eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

Q. What is the meaning of Jesus' death on the cross?

A. Jesus' death on the cross is an offering to God. God is holy (I Peter 1:16) and He hates sin (Habakkuk 1:12,13; Hebrews 1:9). Because we sinned, God's wrath abides in us. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezek. 18:4,20) "...for the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). God demands that sinners must die. But even the death of a sinner cannot please God (Ezek. 18:32). However, Jesus' sacrifice is acceptable to God as the payment for sins because He is sinless and righteous (Heb. 4:15; I John 2:1,2).

And because Jesus is God, His death is applicable to every man who believes. "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:13,14). "But we see Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor: that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man" (Hebrews 2:9). "This Man [Jesus], because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:24,25).

Because of Jesus' sacrifice, God's wrath is appeased. God is no longer angry with those who trusted in Christ. The Lord’s death served as the peace offering and covering for man's sins: "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God" (Romans 3:24,25). "And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (I John 2:2).

Jesus died in the sinner’s place. "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor. 5:21). "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:5,6). His death is vicarious and substitutionary sacrifice.

Q. What is the guarantee that the sinner who believed in Jesus Christ will be with God in heaven?

A. Jesus' resurrection from the dead is the guarantee that all who placed their trust in Him shall be with Him in heaven. "But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified" (Hebrews 10:12-14). "But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you" (Romans 8:11; See also I Cor. 15:13-23). Jesus is indeed risen from the dead. His resurrection is physical resurrection. He said to His disciples "Why are you bothered? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when He had thus spoken, He showed them His hands and His feet." (Luke 24:38-40; John 20:25-28). It is not mere apparition nor hallucination of a few disheartened disciples. More than 500 believers have seen His glorified body and heard Him (I Cor. 15:6). He ate with them and talked with with them (John 15:5-22; Luke 24:41-48).

Q. What must I do knowing that He suffered and died for me?

A. Believe that He died in your place, bearing your sins on the cross, and receive Him as the Lord and God of your life. And you will be saved: "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9,10)

Q. How should I live knowing that He died for me?

A. Live to please Him. "And that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again" (2 Cor. 5:15). "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal. 2:20). Knowing that Jesus gave His life for us, we should not allow sin to take control of our lives. But rather yield ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness unto God (Romans 6:8-13).

The sum of first n positive integers

2005-12-05T08:42:00.000+08:00

The sum of first n positive integers

Σi represents the sum of first n positive integers, 1 + 2 + 3 + . . . + n,

Show that Σ i = n(n+1)/2

Step 1. By definition, Σi² = 1² + 2² + 3² + 4² + . . . + n² --> eq. (1)

Step 2. Also, Σ (i + 1)² = 2² + 3² + 4² + . . . + n² + (n+1)² --> eq. (2)

Step 3. If we take the difference: (2) – (1), Σ (i + 1)² - Σ i² we get,

= [2²+3²+4²+. . .+n²+(n+1)²] - [1²+2²+3²+4²+. . .+n²]

Step 4. Simplifying, we get Σ (i + 1)² - Σ i²= (n+1)² – 1²

Step 5. Expanding (i + 1)² and (n+1)² we get,

Σ(i²+2i+1) - Σi² = n²+2n+1–1

Step 6. Using Summation properties, we get
Σ i² + Σ 2i + Σ 1 - Σ i² = n² + 2n

Step 7. Simplifying both sides of the equation, we get,
2Σ i + n = n² + 2n

Step 8. Solving for Σ i , we get Σ i = n(n+1)/2

God is good... ALL the time.

IS JESUS CHRIST ONLY A MAN?

2005-11-25T11:16:00.000+08:00

I wrote this in 1988 in Osaka.

IS JESUS CHRIST ONLY A MAN?

Q. Who is Jesus Christ?
A. Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary at Bethlehem and spent His early life in Nazareth. Hence, the title, Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 1: 1, 23). Jesus started preaching repentance toward God and performing miracles after He was baptized by John the Baptist (John 3: 13-17). Later He was crucified on the cross at Golgotha and was buried. After 3 days He rose again showing Himself to His disciples and was seen by more than 500 believers before He ascended to heaven (I Corinthians 15: 3-8).

Q. Is Jesus Christ just a man?
A. No. He is the Eternal God who became man. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:1,2,14). Paul testifies that “Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Philippians 2:6,7). While He lived as a man, He never ceased to be God. While on earth, He remained God and never lost His essential deity. But it must be also emphasized that He lived and put on the very nature of man (Philippians 2:7). He got tired and had to rest (Mark 4:38), was hungry (Mark 11:12) and died (I Cor 15:3). He is perfectly God (Titus 2:13) and perfectly man (Heb 4:15).

Q. Did Jesus Christ as a man have a sinful nature like us?
A. No. The sinful nature of man came as a result of Adam's transgression. Adam sinned and his descendants inherited his sinful nature (Romans 5:12). Any man with a human father has a sinful nature. But Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1: 18-23). Therefore He did not inherit Adam's sinful nature. He has a holy nature like that of the Holy Spirit's.

Q. Why did Jesus Christ come to earth?
A. He came in order that He might reveal God (John 17:6) and redeem sinful men (Mark 10:45; I Timothy 4:10; I John 2:2). “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Romans 5:8,9). He came because He loved men.

Q. What must I do knowing that He loves me so much?
A. Recognize your sinfulness and turn away from sins “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Believe that Christ's sacrifice on the cross is the full payment for your sins (Romans 3:24,25). Confess that He is your Lord: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation“ (Romans 10: 9,10). Doing these will mean that you are giving Jesus Christ full control of your life which He really deserves. “And that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Cor. 5: 15).

Who is God?

2005-11-21T09:33:00.000+08:00

I prepared this while in Osaka in 1988.

Q. Who is God ?

A. God is the One who exists by His own power, "without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life”. No one created Him; neither is He the product of any event nor of man's imagination. He created all things out of nothing both "that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principalities, or powers”. (Col. 1:16). His power is infinite and His dominion is boundless. He is actively present in the day to day affairs of the universe "upholding all things by the word of His power”. (Heb. 1:3).

Q. What is the name of God ?

A. God revealed His Name as Yahweh or Jehovah (Exodus 3:13-16). The name means "He that is" or "I Am" or the self-existent and eternal one. To avoid using this divine name (out of supposed reverence), a word meaning 'Lord' was substituted in public reading. English Bibles unfortunately follow the same practice. The following are the English translations of the personal intimate name of God:

YaHWeH: translated as LORD

ADON: translated as Lord

YaHWeH+ADON: translated as LORD GOD

There are also other Hebrew words translated as "GOD":

1. EL The powerful one. It means 'The Deity' meaning God in the distinctiveness of His divine nature.

2. ELOHIM Plural form of EL. It is not translated as gods but the God who completely possesses all the divine attributes. (Genesis 1:1,26-" Let US" :This suggests the Holy Trinity).

3. ADON This means 'Lord' or 'Master'. It describes God as 'Sovereign' or 'Lord' pointing to His divine authority and executive rule. This word is also used of man.

Compound Names of God

EL SHADDAY or EL SHADDAI

'Shaddai' probably means "mountain”. Mountain is used symbolically of changelessness and enduring strength contrasted to the helplessness of man. Genesis 17:1. This compound name means "The Almighty God”. It refers to God's boundless and infinite power. It implies that God has the power to accomplish that which He promised and planned to do. No one can hinder Him from doing whatever He desires because no power can stop Him. What does this name mean to you? He is able to protect you. He will perform His promises to you. You don't have to fear anything because He is almighty.

EL ELYON

Genesis 14:18. 'ELYON' means 'Highest'. 'EL ELYON' therefore means 'The Most High God’. It implies that God is the possessor of Heaven and Earth. God has the highest authority and exercises it both in heaven and in earth (Mt. 28:18). Does He exercise authority in your life?

EL ROI

Genesis 16:13. Hagar's experience. EL ROI means 'The God who sees’. God saw the affliction of Hagar. In the same way, He sees your afflictions. Are you facing problems, persecutions, and afflictions? God is EL ROI.

EL OLAM

Genesis 21:33. 'OLAM' has two uses:

a) Used of secret or hidden things.

b) Used of an indefinite time and age.

It therefore means "The everlasting God’. From everlasting to everlasting He is God (Psalm 90:2). He has no beginning or end, no father, no mother. In relation to His Word, His Word is Eternal. In relation to His love, His love for you is everlasting. Because He is eternal, He is able to give ETERNAL LIFE to those who trust in Him. Is He your EL OLAM?

EL BETHEL

It means "The God of Bethel”. Genesis 31:13.

'BETH' means 'House'. 'BETH-EL' means house of God.

Therefore, EL BETHEL means 'The God of the House of God’.

EL BETHEL hears those who pray in the house of God. 2 Chronicles 6:20-21). EL BETHEL hears all vows, requests, and petitions made in the house of God.

EL ELOHE YISRAEL. Genesis 33:20.

After God delivered Jacob from Esau's anger, Jacob built an altar in Shechem. He called it EL ELOHE YISRAEL. It means "GOD, the God of Israel”. This has special meaning to both Jacob (Israel) as a person and to Israel as a nation. He is the powerful God who is ever present with Jacob and the nation of Israel in times of struggles, problems, and dilemma. In the same manner, God is ever present with each Christian (in a personal way) and His Church in times of trials and difficulties and in times of rejoicing. He is a personal God.

Other Titles of God

The Holy One. The most centrally important title of all. Isaiah 10:17. A variation of this is the title 'The Holy One of Israel' (Isaiah 1:4). In Acts 2:27, Jesus is called the Holy One.

The Lord of Hosts. Describes God as the One great in power. Jeremiah 32:18-23.

Creator. Isaiah 40:28.

Judge. Genesis 18:25.

King. Jeremiah 10:7.

God of all flesh. Jeremiah 32:27.

Q. What is the Holy Trinity ?
A. It means One God eternally existing in three distinct persons (sometimes God is referred to as the Triune God) -- the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit, co-eternal in being, identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections.

Q. Is this taught in the Bible ?
A. Yes. The Bible teaches that there is only One true God (Deut. 6:4; Eph. 4:6; Ex. 34:14) and Him alone we must serve. But God's Word also declares that God exists in three distinct persons -- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

God the Father. God is revealed as the Father distinct from the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 6:9; John 15:26).
God the Son. The Holy Scriptures also teaches that the Son, Jesus Christ, is God and equal to the Father (John 10:30; John 14:7-9; John 17:5; Col. 2:9; Titus 2:13; Heb. 1:8; John 1:1-4; compare Rev 1:8 and Rev 22:13-16).

God the Holy Spirit. The Bible also teaches that the Holy Spirit is God (see Acts 5:3,4; Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:15- 17 compare with Jeremiah 31:33-34).

Q. What then is my duty to God ?

A. King Solomon summarized this for us: "Let us hear the conclusion of the matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:13,14). Jesus made this specific by saying, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent" (John 6:29). "He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:18).

Q. What is the responsibility of those who have believed on Him?

A. To love, serve, and worship Him. Jesus said, "The first of all the commandment is, Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." (Mark 12: 29-30). God deserves such love and devotion. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, encouraged believers in Christ to serve the Lord: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (I Cor. 15: 58). Above all, God is worthy of adoration: "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." (Rev. 4:11). "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing." (Rev. 5:12). Do you give God the love, service, and adoration that is due to Him?

Can I trust the Bible?

2005-11-19T08:45:00.000+08:00

I wrote the following while I was in Osaka sometime in 1988.

CAN I TRUST THE BIBLE?

Q. What is the supreme and final authority in faith and life?

A. The Bible.

Q. What is the Bible?

A. The Bible is the term applied to the collection of holy books which comprises the Old and New Testaments. It consists of 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books.

Q. Can I trust the Bible as my basis in life and practice?

A. Yes, because the Bible, the Word of God, is inerrant and verbally inspired of God in all its parts.

Q. What do we mean when we say that the Bible is inerrant and verbally inspired of God in all its parts?

A. The Bible does not contain errors. It is perfect and pure (Psalm 19:7-11; Psalm 119:140; Matthew 5:17-18; John 10:35; John 17:17). It is accurate in historical chronology and events related to science. Its author is God Himself who used human writers moved by the Holy Spirit to make His Word available to men (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21). The word "inspired" (theopneustos) in the original Greek language literally means "God-breathed". When the Bible claims to be inspired, we understand therefore, that it came from the mouth of God. It is God-breathed, inspired. God selected men who worked with Him in writing the scriptures. However, in this work, God is the author who gave the message, and the selected men are His writing instruments. God guided or inspired them so that the words written are the exact message God wanted recorded in the Bible.

Q. Is the Bible relevant today?

A. Yes. Though it was written centuries ago, it is still relevant today. The truths of the Bible still apply today because God, its author, does not change (Malachi 3:6). What the ancients have discovered about God in their time are still true today. Their experiences "were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4; I Cor 10:11).

Q. What then is my responsibility in relation to the Word of God?

A. Study it. "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein" (Joshua 1:8). Personal study of the Bible (some call it Quiet Time) is beneficial to every follower of Christ. The Bible is not just a great literature or an accurate history book. It is God's Word. Therein is contained God's will and purpose for every believer. We will profit most from the Bible if we obey its commands and apply its holy principles in our lives. If we do so, we will find God's promise to Joshua to be also true to our lives. "For then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."