PASTOR'S

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• PASTOR'S

• C O R N E R

A R C H I V E
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By Ptr. Angel Cano

• 2009 Outlook

The ravaging global recession finally hit our
shores and violence is reappearing again in the
Middle East. The New Year is looking bleak for
so many people, for them, 2009 offers more bad
news and uncertainties.When our Lord Jesus
Christ came into this earth, the people at that
time were in a state of hopelessness, as if life
had nothing more to offer them. Jesus chose to
appear at such a time in mans history to change
the course of the future with the hope of
salvation by bridging the relationship between
man and our Heavenly Father.The ravaging global
recession finally hit our shores and violence is
reappearing again in the Middle East. The New
Year is looking bleak for so many people, for
them, 2009 offers more bad news and
uncertainties.When our Lord Jesus Christ came
into this earth, the people at that time were in
a state of hopelessness, as if life had nothing
more to offer them. Jesus chose to appear at such
a time in mans history to change the course of
the future with the hope of salvation by bridging
the relationship between man and our Heavenly
Father.Our time today may not be as dramatic as
those days, but 2009 should be equally exciting
for us in our service to God and his peopleThe
first thing that we have to bear in mind is our
preparedness as a church in the challenges that
we are going to face ahead. The New Year on the
outset is already a financial challenge for all
of us. Therefore, we need to really be wise in
the management of our finances. In our Dubai
churches, we have already discussed that we need
to carefully consider all our options, including
coming back together into one worship service if
necessary, as a contingency to tide over the
recession.
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2009 Outlook continuation
To all of us, we need our pastors to discuss with
the local church leadership and councils our
priorities in these times, and make sure that
expenditures are wisely assessed in the light of
our burgeoning needs not only in the Sub-Region
but in the Region and the world ministry. There
are surely ministry expenses that we can do away
with and even if our local finance is healthy,
there are churches badly hit by recession and to
substantiate our unity, let as hold hands
together in facing the challenges ahead. In
Dubai and in the UAE at large, the after effects
of the economic downturn is still to be played
out in the months ahead as well as the expected
series of changes that are going to take place
which the government will announce in the weeks
and months ahead.Secondly, being conscious of
those people who are going to be affected in
different ways, we must be active in how we can
minister and advise them to give people direction
and hope in these times. There will be those who
are going to lose jobs (as some are already
experiencing), demotions, forced leaves, etc.
Some are simply anxious about the prospects of
the future and are affected by the prevailing
conversations. Our pastors need to offer
counseling to as many as those who need it. Our
Pastor Aaron suggested that the local churches
can be proactive by having some kind of crisis
response means of preparedness. And in Dubai, we
encouraged our pastors to network on this regard,
by offering help, which may not necessarily be
monetary, but this needs to be done in a way that
our people can experience the genuine care of
their church community in their very time of
need. It is about time that the church of our
Lord Jesus Christ is the church as He intended it
to be and be there for his people. We also
encourage your local church to be more ready to
reach out not only to your members but to those
whom your members know to be in need of help,
outside the doors of our churches.Finally,
these will be times of great joy to us, as we
anticipate a great moving of God in our lives.
May our prayers for 2009 be a tremendous increase
of our yearning in our love for God and our
Savior Jesus Christ. We pray that 2009 will turn
out to be a year that will more than double the
joys and opportunities that 2008 offered us. May
the entire year be full of praise and glory from
our churches to the One and only precious Master
and Lord Jesus Christ who is forever be honored
and glorified.
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By Bro. Dennis Moncayo

• Faith that Works

In Hebrews chapter 11, we will find a long
account of the people in the Bible who has been
commended for their strong faith in God. These
faithful ancestors of ours whose life has
displayed a complete trust and reliance to God
would make us think and comprehend the life and
commitment they offered to God.Without faith,
it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 116).
This text reminds us that ONLY with a true and
sincere faith will make our lives be pleasing
with God. Some would have though of faith as
something like a force that give us a power and
we just have to tap into it by speaking faith
words and believe in those words, but nowhere in
the Bible will support this kind of belief. What
we will find in the Scripture is that every
reference to faith puts focus on believing in God
and glorifying Christ. We must understand that
true faith revolves around our relationship with
God through Jesus Christ, a relationship that is
vibrant and passionate toward our Creator. It
will require us to truly believe in Gods
character, and believe that God will fulfill his
promises even though we dont see those promises
not happening yet. We all can be assured that
when we are living a godly lifestyle, we can
confidently claim all the promises of God and be
assured that the faith that we have will be
accounted as righteousness in the eyes of
God!May our God be pleased in our lives as we
continue to establish a fully dependent life to
Him, a life with the kind of faith that He
requires from us towards Him no matter what
circumstances, obstacles and challenges that will
come our way.
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By Bro. Alex Labor

• Is God Indifferent
• to Human Suffering?

Christianity portrays God as an intelligent,
all-powerful being. And the Bible teaches that
God is love, and he who abides in love abides in
God (1 John 416). Yet natural catastrophes such
as hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes are often
labeled acts of God. This carries with it the
implication that mankinds Creator is personally
responsible and accountable for the loss of life,
material devastation and suffering that natural
catastrophes leave in their wake. The anguish
they cause leaves a lot of people very perplexed
about Gods attitude toward human suffering.It
is not that He is distant or uncaring. He simply
has conditions for intervening in such matters.
He is willing and eager to help. But first we
have to do our part. He made this very plain in
the Scriptures. Just before He was crucified,
Jesus looked down on the city in which He would
be put to death, understanding clearly what lay
ahead for Him. He also knew that in the
not-too-distant future Roman armies would attack
and devastate the city of Jerusalem. His love and
concern for the people of that city affected His
emotions so powerfully that He was moved to
tears.As he came near and saw the city, he
wept over it, saying, If you, even you, had only
recognized on this day the things that make for
peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.
Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your
enemies will set up ramparts around you and
surround you, and hem you in on every side. They
will crush you to the ground, you and your
children within you, and they will not leave
within you one stone upon another because you
did not recognize the time of your visitation
from God (Luke 1941-44).
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Is God continuation
For 3-1/2 years Jesus had crisscrossed the land
of Judea with a message of repentance and
renewal. Before Him, John the Baptist had called
for the same changes. Both were ignored by the
great majority of those who heard them. In the
end, both were killed for preaching a message
designed to repair the strained relationship
between God and the people to whom they
preached.Its important to recognize that God
is never unfeelingbut He is realistic. When the
majority of people in a nation ignore His
instructionsor worse, actively rebel against
themthe nation forfeits any protection and
personal intervention that God would so much like
to give.In the Book of Deuteronomy, God gave
the people of ancient Israel the opportunity to
representby their examplethe right type of
relationship that He wants all nations to have
with Him (Deuteronomy 45-10). He made a pact
with them that He would shield them from all
types of disasters, predictable and unpredictable
alike. But He also set conditions. They were
responsible for their part of the bargain. Notice
the essence of both what God expected and
promised. He told them If you follow my statutes
and keep my commandments and observe them
faithfully, I will give you your rains in their
season, and the land shall yield its produce, and
the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.
Your threshing shall overtake the vintage, and
the vintage shall overtake the sowing you shall
eat your bread to the full, and live securely in
your land. And I will grant peace in the land,
and you shall lie down, and no one shall make you
afraid I will remove dangerous animals from the
land, and no sword shall go through your land.
You shall give chase to your enemies, and they
shall fall before you by the sword. Five of you
shall give chase to a hundred, and a hundred of
you shall give chase to ten thousand your
enemies shall fall before you by the sword. I
will look with favor upon you and make you
fruitful and multiply you and I will maintain my
covenant with you. You shall eat old grain
long stored, and you shall have to clear out the
old to make way for the new. I will place my
dwelling in your midst, and I shall not abhor
you. And I will walk among you, and will be your
God, and you shall be my people (Leviticus
263-12) AMEN.
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By Ptr. Angel Cano

• GLOOM,
• What Gloom?

Last week as I was listening to the radio, the
discussion was about the recession in Japan 20
years ago. The economic expert was lending his
expertise on how the rest of the world needs to
learn some lessons and combat the global economic
downturn with all that it has got. The
alternative will be catastrophic as the Japanese
experience wherein the nation still suffers to
this day and never really able to shake off the
economic gloom with all the tools in hand and
advances in their society. Their dilemma will be
experienced by the rest of the world if the
nations will not deal with the current recession
as they should be. The radio host was appealing
for anyone to provide him with some good news
that may help give some slack to the current doom
and gloom.I thank God that for us, He provided
us with His word that is more than just good news
for everyone who may accept the message. Many
passages in the Scriptures are appropriate for
the condition of our world today. But one of my
favorite passages is found in John 1633 - I
have told you these things, so that in me you may
have peace. In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world. These
words were originally given by Jesus to his
disciples to encourage them that even though
terrible things may happen (his impending
crucifixion and death), he will come out
victorious and that for this, the disciples must
remain joyful in their lives. The Heavenly Father
will turn their grieving into rejoicing. The
worldwide slump has just started and we believe
that the worst is yet to come. Most of us will
not be spared and we will definitely feel the
pinch in varying degree. But we need to learn to
have the guts to be cheerful in these times of
trouble as God will take care of us and will turn
our predicament into opportunities. Trouble may
threaten us praise God ahead of time for His
solution God can turn a terrible threat to a
great blessing.Trust God that He has reserved
the best for each of us well into our future.
Cast all of your care on Him for He cares for
you.
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By Ptr. Andy Clamor

• Purify Our Hearts

The word purity is very seldom we hear today,
people prefer to discuss anything else under the
sun except the word purity, and by chance we
hear the word - it may refer only to sexual
purity or in some religious preference. But
purity goes more beyond - it is a sincere desire
to do what is right before God, it is like
inviting our Lord to witness the things we are
going to do. Jesus said Blessed are the pure in
heart, for they will see God. - Matthew
58Satan is able to use sexual sin in a
devastating "one-two" punch in our lives. First,
we are tempted to move away from God's ideal,
into sin. After we sin, Satan then turns the
mirror on us to condemn and ridicule us. As your
pastor, my hope and prayer for you is that you
would step into the fullness of sexual healing
and fulfillment. That your desire to walk with
Jesus Christ, and to be used by Him, would not be
compromised because of hidden sin in your
life. Here are some advices that we need to
consider as a follower of our Lord Jesus - You
know your weaknesses, do not temp it.- We do
wrongs because we know we can. Man and woman of
God are spiritual. being, let them led by - -
Gods spirit rather than their own flesh.-
Trust Gods word better than our hearts.- Do
not mingle with people who lives in immorality,
avoid them.- Ask Gods forgiveness when you
fall and learn to forgive as well.- Do not
chase earthy pleasures and treasures, let us
desires the kingdom of God. Now we can see God as
we walk with Him
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By Sis. Hearty Vasquez

• Gods Recipe

If there is one virtue that is easier said than
done it is Humility talk about the word people
think you claim to have it, assert that you have
it, and then you dont have it at all. So lets
get this straight Im a prideful, arrogant,
self-serving person who doesnt have humility,
but Praise God! It did not stop there. Because
the truth is I am also someone for whom Jesus
Christ saw fit to die (1John22) who Jesus has
gifted extraordinarily and someone through whom
Jesus Christ promises to work on (Phil 413).
With this God qualifies me and you to talk about
a virtue very much essential in our walk with
Him.In John 13 Jesus modeled Humility to the
extent of washing the disciples feet. The act of
foot washing is considered as one of the
Christian sacraments. Its fundamental principle
behind is that spiritual and physical reality are
interconnected. An act embedded in the Fathers
love and the path to a true happiness. Let us be
aware and keep our guard because the world's
recipe turns you into a slave in the way they
treat you. A famous writer once said It was
pride that changed angels into devils it is
humility that makes men as angels. But remember
God's recipe makes you free, because you can
always draw upon his love and choose to serve
others. Practical ways to dispel Humility-
Give credit where credit is due. The prideful man
will take as much credit for a success as he
possibly can. The humble man seeks to shine the
light on all the other people and acknowledge
that no man rises on the strength of his effort
alone.- Do what is expected, but dont make a
big deal about it. Do something because youre
supposed to do it and do it with one audience and
that is God.- Perform service and charity
anonymously. Real charity is not self-seeking and
is done solely for the benefit of others. When
doing one keep it completely to yourself. Its a
tough test of true humility. - In Mic. 68
Gods clearly affirmed his requirement from His
people Mic. 68 And what does the LORD require
of you But to do justice, to love kindness, and
to walk HUMBLY with your God . Together let us
allow God to refine us that we may attain and
disperse humility in and out of our lives.
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By Bro. Dennis Moncayo

• A Life of Baptism

Last Friday, our guest speaker from Jebel Ali
Church, Pastor Joe Cabrales have talked about
seeds and planting. He spoke about the passage in
John 1224 that say, Unless a kernel of wheat
falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a
single seed. But if it dies, it produces many
seeds. I have always enjoyed listening and
talking about seeds and fruits principle. I
believed that as we apply this principle in our
lives, we would always see the benefits or
understand the result of what we are pursuing
through the fruits that it will produce. The
baptism of Jesus is like a plant producing so
many seeds, seeds that produce fruits. Jesus'
baptism makes possible our baptisms. His baptism
comes first, and then ours and His baptism
produces the multitude of baptisms over the
years. When we are baptized, we stepped into
Jesus baptism and into Jesus life. In the
Gospel of Mark, we can see how it connects
baptism and the life of Jesus. Mark starts his
story with Jesus baptism and then later on we
see that the rest of his days on earth displayed
the working out of his baptism. This is the
story of our baptisms as well. It may have
happened at a specific time and place but it also
marks the beginning of a life of baptism. After
our baptism, we have committed a shared
relationship with Christ as we bind our lives to
Him and commit to a way of life that gives life,
like Jesus did. Jesus is that single seed that
died, grew into a plant, and produced countless
seeds. We are those seeds of life! I pray that
we may all continue to live a life of baptism as
Jesus did and bear new life wherever we may be.
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By Joe Stowell

• Only Jesus Satisfies

Jesus answered, Everyone who drinks this water
will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the
water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the
water I give him will become in him a spring of
water welling up to eternal life. John
412-14 Victor Krutko came to Moody Bible
Institute from Minsk, a town in Belarus. This
gifted, passionate pastor and I have become good
friends. Ill never forget an episode with him as
we were traveling through Belarus visiting some
of his work. God had used him to start a Bible
school and seminary in his home country, and his
influence had sparked the planting of more than
100 churches in the region. But the most special
moment of the trip came when we went to visit
Victors mom. Our trip to meet this dear woman
took us 40 miles outside of Minsk, down a rutted
track with weeds sprouting up in the middle of
the lane. Passing ramshackle shanties as we
entered this backwater village, we pulled up in
front of one of the shanties to be greeted by a
beaming, ruddy-faced woman in her late
70sVictors mother! With a babushka scarf
wrapped around her head, she bustled us inside
saying, Come in, come in!We picked our way
past the outhouse and through a meager garden. I
pointed out the pig to Victor, and he said, Oh
yes, she raises the pig in the summer and eats it
in the winter. The vegetables from the garden
were her only other means of sustenance. Inside
the two-room shanty was a kitchen featuring a
little table. A sheet divided the other room into
a bedroom and a sitting room. As Victors mom fed
us cucumbers and tomatoes for lunch, she couldnt
stop beaming. Initially, I thought that her
unbridled enthusiasm was because her boy, Victor,
had come home. But it soon became apparent that
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Only Jesus continuation
her contagious joy was not just about Victor but
also about another man in her life, Jesus! As
Victor translated, all she could talk about was
Jesushow much she loved Him, how much He loved
her, how much she couldnt wait to get to heaven
to see and be with Him. This woman, who had very
few material possessions, had all that she needed
because Jesus had clearly become a well of living
water flowing in her heart. This visit prompted a
reality check in my heart about how addicted we
are to the thought that having more in our
material world is where joy is found. Its not
that we dont want Jesus. Its just that we act
like Hes not enough. Were really glad to have
Jesus, but we feel that what we really need is a
spiffier set of golf clubs, a newer car, a bigger
home, or at the very least a new shirt or pair of
shoes. Its not that having those things is
necessarily wrong its just that believing that
they will satisfy is a wrong thought. Which
reminds me of another woman. When Jesus sat down
next to a Samaritan woman by a well, He initiated
a conversation by discussing a material need
Would you give me a drink? Then, lovingly, He
steered the conversation through territory that
explored the many ways that this woman had tried
to satisfy her own emptiness, including failed
relationships, illicit pleasures, and empty
religiosity. Then He made this staggering offer
If anyone comes to Him for satisfaction, they
will find their deepest needs and longings
met. So, how about you? Instead of seeking to
satisfy your life with stuff, will you turn your
heart to Jesus and receive His eternally
thirst-quenching, soul-satisfying gift of living
water? If so, you will experience the deep,
genuine joy that captured the heart of Victors
mom and the woman at the well. Try as you might,
you cant do any better than Jesus!
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By Ptr. Andy Clamor
We wonder how God chose His servant Abraham, many
scholars believes that there are more people in
Abrahams time better than him or we can say more
qualified to the plan of God but the question is
still the same, why He chose Abraham? Looking
closely to the life of Abraham we can find he has
that particular quality that God looks
for. Obedience to the call of God. When God
asked Abraham to follow Him, he packed up and
said Let us go now, and when God asked Abraham
to offer his only son to Him, he did not say let
us sit and discuss it but he responded with
obedience, for he knows that God is good and all
His plan is perfect. Many individuals failed
with regards to following the will of God. The
position in church of one person does not qualify
him as pleasing to the eyes of God, but God seeks
and sees the heart, its motives and content.
Talking about obedience to God are you qualified
or disqualified?
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By Bro. Alex Labor

• Prayer and the
• Christian Life

The theologian Francis Pieper correctly pointed
out the inseparable connection between the
Christian life and prayer, when he wrote As
soon as a Christian has been justified by faith
and thus becomes Gods child, he begins to
commune with God. The personal conversing of the
Christian with God is called prayer. You might
say it is our QT (quiet time) with the Lord. It
is altogether Scriptural to define prayer as the
conversation of the heart with God (Psalm 278),
whether the heart alone communes with God without
clothing the prayers in words of the mouth or
whether the mouth utters the prayer of the
heart.Prayer is the heart to heart talk a
Christian makes with God the Father, much like a
child talking to his earthly father. As a child
speaks humbly with his earthly father, so should
we also when we pray to our heavenly Father. We
should pray with a reverent and humble attitude
because this is the only way to approach Him. In
our earthly ways, we human beings seem to have a
built-in attitude that impels us to observe
obeisance when we meet or speak with people of
very high position. For most, the respectful
attitude comes because the office of that person
merits respect although not respecting the holder
of the office per se. For us Christians, we
should humble ourselves when we pray and afford
reverence to our God because His office and
kingship is mightier than any other office and
kingdom in this universe. Someone who made you
into what you are certainly deserves all the
respect you could offer.Our prayers should be
direct to the point for God knows what is in our
mind before you utter it. He just wants us to say
it. He wants us to ask him for blessings which
are in harmony with His will. And when we pray,
we should mean what we pray and have faith He
will answer our prayer, for James 16-8 warns
But let him ask in faith with no doubting, for
the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea
driven and tossed by the wind. For let no man
suppose that he will receive anything from the
Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all of
his ways.How long should we keep on praying?
We should persist in prayer until and unless we
have a good reason not to. We have to remember
that prayer is never rejected as long as w do not
cease to pray and we pray in faith and according
to the will of God. The chief failure of prayers
is when we cease praying.
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By Ptr. Andy Clamor
"...I also count all things loss for the
excellence of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus my
Lord..." Philippians 38
Why knowledge of Christ Jesus surpasses
everything according to Paul? What drives him to
pursue this knowledge that he testifies as the
Excellence of all knowledge. I believed Paul is
convinced of what he is saying because it
fulfills his understanding and proven it by his
experience. As Paul gaining ground in that
knowledge he is also encouraging Christians to
follow him on this pursuance so that they too
will be able to know and approved of what he
says. Here are some practical advices to
start a. Know Jesus personally. Do not depend
only on people to inform us about Him but we must
come to know Him personally through His words and
let us really dig what the writer says about
Him. b. Know Jesus intellectually. We need our
reasoning why we should believe on what the
writer says about Him, we need to use our own
mind and deal it with understanding and prove it
to us the truth of His claim c. Know Jesus
emotionally we wont be able to know Him unless
we learn to love Him. Intellect and emotion
always goes hand in hand when dealing of knowing
a person intimately d. Know Jesus
enthusiastically we should expect excitement,
happiness, joy and fulfillment in knowing Him
either in reading or hearing His words. Reading
suggestions a. When planning to read the Bible,
start with the four gospel books.b. Feel free
to ask some help from your pastors or leaders to
be able to fully understand or start your way to
reading the Bible.c. You can have devotion
anytime at anytime as long as you focus yourself
in talking and knowing God. d. You have to own
a Bible or have a devotional guide books to help
you in your quiet time. Now, let us all together
starts to know the Excellent Knowledge of our
Lord Jesus Christ our Lord
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By Ptr. Angel Cano

• Born to LOVE GOD

He showed us the mystery of his plan. It was in
keeping with what he wanted to do. It was what he
had planned through Christ. It will all come
about when history has been completed. God will
then bring together all things in heaven and on
earth under one ruler. The ruler is Christ. We
were also chosen to belong to him. God decided to
choose us long ago in keeping with his plan. He
works out everything to fit his plan and purpose.
We were the first to put our hope in Christ. We
were chosen to bring praise to his glory. EPH.
19-12 I want to share with you the beautiful
words of John Wesley as compiled by Philip S.
Watson And let it be observed, as this is the
end, so it is the whole and sole end, for which
every man upon the face of the earth, for which
every one of you, were brought into the world and
endued with a living soul. Remember! You are born
for nothing else. Your life is continued to you
upon earth for no other purpose than this, that
you may know, love and serve God on earth and
enjoy him to all eternity. Consider! You were not
created to please your senses, to gratify your
imagination, to gain money, or the praise of men
to seek happiness in any created good, in
anything under the sun. All this is walking in a
vain shadow it is leading a restless, miserable
life, in order to avoid a miserable eternity. On
the contrary, you were created for this and for
no other purpose, by seeking and finding
happinessin God on earth, to secure the glory
of God in heaven. Therefore let your heart
continually say, This one thing I do having
one thing in view, remembering why I was born,
and why I am continued in life I press on to
the mark. I aim at the one end of my begging,
God even at God in Christ reconciling the world
to himself. He shall be my God forever and ever,
and my guide even until death! I totally agree
with John Wesley (one of my heroes in faith), and
resolve to spend the rest of my life in the
joyful experience of Christ in me even in the
face of death. Knowing that dying and living only
serves the purpose of leading us to a higher
level of being close to our Heavenly Father. And
if so death may come, then spend eternity in His
presence.
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By Sis. Hearty Vasquez

• Heartwarming Directive of GRACE

And what other nation is so great as to have
such righteous decrees and laws as this body of
laws I am setting before you today Deut. 48 Law
embodies and reflects the most fundamental rules
to uphold a person, family, community, society
and/or shaped a nation. Gods commandment was
given to the nation Israel to accomplish the same
objective. It is a documented instruction for
Gods people in response to His love and mercy.
The commandments are not offered in legal format,
but are transmitted in the style of plea to
obedience, grounded in the finest of His grace.
Each word speaks of the idea that obedience
brings blessing and life of disobedience brings
curses and death. Reaffirming the truth and
reality produces positive results of life
properly ordered under the God who call them to
animate acts of submission. Though, Christ is
the end of the law for righteousness to everyone
that believeth Rom 103-4. Know that nothing we
can do to impress God by doing the decrees
because Jesus Himself said Apart from me you can
do nothing. While there are those who say we
Christians are under no obligation to keep Gods
law. The crucial point is that once born again
and the Holy Spirit is in us we desire to keep
His commandments.For not only does a believer
have his legal standing before God changed by the
cross of Christ, but God will thoroughly
transformed the affections of our heart so that
we hunger and thirst for Gods righteousness and
delights in God. True Israels commandment has
much reference to them as Gods chosen people, yet
all may be applied to those who live under the
gospel like you and me. Our obedience as
individual cannot merit salvation but it is the
only evidence that we can be partakers of the
gift of God, which is eternal life through our
savior Jesus Christ. Considering the many
temptations we face everyday and how many times
we can be trapped. All the more we have great
need to keep our hearts and mind pure and
holy. Friends, seized each moment. How dreadful
it would be if we fail to recall the covenant of
the Lord our God. We must take heed lest at any
time we forget. Conscientious watchfulness is an
aid against our terrible memory. Remember the
true greatness of a person or a nation does not
consist in the greatness of his power or position
but it lies in the righteousness and
consistency of our reverence and obedience to God.
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18
By Ptr. Andy Clamor

• God of Love

for God is love, and God showed his love for
us by sending his only Son into the world, so
that we might have life through him. This is
what love is it is not that we have loved God,
but that he love us and sent his Son to be the
means by which our sins are forgiven. 1 John
48b-10
Someone say How can a God of love send anyone to
hell? If God is love I dont believe that he will
allow any person to perish in hell isnt it?
Many have asked already the same question while
trying to portray on how God of love will
decide but since they do not know him they will
use human reasoning, this shows the lack of
understanding about Gods love. In 1 John 48-10
shows that it is truly biblical when we say that
God is love, but love is not only his
attribute. It is also wrong to conclude when we
say Love is God implying that is the correct
definition of love. When we talked about God, we
can find more attributes of God. Here are the
primary attributes of God that we must know when
we talk about his love and his way to decide.a.
God is the god of Love. God shows how he loves
us by giving his Son Jesus Christ for the
forgiveness of our sin, this is the only way to
heaven.b. God is god of Justice. He hates sin
and without his forgiveness through his Son is a
clear condemnation to hell.c. God is the god of
Holiness. He will not allow unholiness to be part
of his kingdom, the only way we can be holy is to
have a relationship through Jesus Christ When our
Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross, he drew the
line of Gods love to humanity, the penalty of
death he carries. He drew the line of Gods
judgement to those who will not believe in him.
He drew the line of Gods holiness as a dividing
line between good and evil, right and wrong,
forgiven and un-forgiven. When we understand
Gods love it will also reminds us of his other
attributes and how he hates sin. Therefore, the
more relevant question is not how can a God of
love send anyone to hell? but How can a God of
love allow anyone to enter into heaven? By love
of God we are saved.
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19
By Bro. Dennis Moncayo

• The New You

It has been said that change is the only constant
in this world. This has become very evident
nowadays as people are somehow expected not to be
satisfied with who they are and with what they
have. Todays generation seems to be trapped in
a race of rapid change in order to achieve a
certain reward and a level of satisfaction that
they want to have. We can also notice that most
of the people today have become more and more
concerned with their physical appearance. The
booming industry of beauty cosmetics, designer
clothes, and physical development programs is a
proof that majority of the people today are
highly inclined to achieve physical or outward
change. More people have become constant
customers of beauty clinic, spas and fitness
classes just to ensure that they meet their
ultimate goal which is to feel good, look good
and be happy. Sadly, at the end of the day, most
people still do not find the reward of true
happiness that they are looking for, as they have
ignored or neglected the call for a change of
their inner being. In his second letter to the
Corinthians, we will notice that apostle Paul
talked about a different kind of transformation,
an inner change that transforms a persons heart
and character that can be only be found in Jesus
Christ. 2 Corinthians 517 states, If anyone is
in Christ, he is a new creation the old has
gone, the new has come! This reminds me of the
metaphor of a cocoon who has been transformed
into a beautiful butterfly after undergoing in
the cycle of metamorphosis the old is
completely gone and the new and beautiful life
has come! We are now in a society where
people are being offered with a bountiful of
choices and opportunities of change that promises
a rewarding return. May we all continually be
reminded that only a life that is fully
surrendered to Christ will give us a guarantee of
a new life that offers true peace and joy and a
reward that will last for eternity!
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20
By Ptr. Andy Clamor

• Joy of Being New

• So I advise you to live according to your new
  life in the Holy Spirit when the Holy Spirit
  controls our lives, he will produce this kind of
  fruit in us love, joy, peace, patience,
  kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
  and self-control. Galatians 516a and
  22-23aOne thing that can not be hidden among
  new believers is the inner joy they received. And
  this feeling varies from those with relationship
  with the Lord and those who dont have. In fact
  joy is one of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit that
  usually is evident in a believers life. While
  sorrow will come in a believers path, the Holy
  Spirit gives us inner joy and peace that nobody
  can take it away from us. For the source of every
  believers joy is experiencing God. We enjoy the
  love of God in us.
• Here are some ways to experience the joy of God
• Continuous reading of his Word will bring us more
  knowledge about Him and His love to us. It will
  fill our hearts by knowing we are becoming
  closer to Him each day, for every truth about Him
  is a foundation of our joy in Him
• Trusting God will set us free from all worries of
  life, maybe troubles may come our way but the
  assurance of Gods deliverance is always there
  for us to enjoy
• Leading and winning people to Christ is a
  celebration of joy, for the heaven rejoices for
  every soul that is saved
• Serving God in the church and in the community is
  a feet leaping experience that makes us dance for
  joy
• How far and how deep will we go with Jesus? Is
  our heart singing with joy for Him? Do our feet
  learn to dance in His footstep? Do our eyes
  delight in the songs of His Words? Do we play a
  part in the preparation of the ballroom for His
  coming? Do you love to dance with the Lord Jesus?
  If you do, then you are filled with the love and
  joy of God .
• Thank You Abba Father, we are Your sons and
  daughters, Rejoicing in You forever, You are our
  glory and joy Jami Smith

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21
By Ptr. Andy Clamor

• Our Attitude Shows Who We Are

The manner on how we relate to others will mirror
also on how we relate ourselves to God. When we
say that we know how to encourage, to help, to
love and accept others will reflect also our
understanding on how God encouraged, helping,
loving and accepting us. Our attitude towards
others is the same attitudes we have to our
God. Attitude reveals who we are a. It reveals
our theology (understanding about God) b. It
reveals our maturity as a Christian c. It
reveals our joy in His ministry The story of the
Pharisee and the Tax Collector in the book of
Luke 189-14 is an example of two types of
theology, of life and of service to God, by their
words and acts reflect who they are in
relationship to God and men. The Pharisee A
man of superiority in a way he approaches God
(seeing his rights to stand before God) in a way
he lives (as moral upright), in a way he do his
duty (his religiosity). He is good not only in
what he avoids to do (as the sinners do) but also
on what he performs (as the law required), he is
so much of himself that deny him to see the grace
and goodness of God, this is the classic mistakes
of every men when they thought they can come to
God by their righteousness. The way he approached
God confirms who he is for it shows his theology,
his life and his service. He goes there to shows
his credentials and saying Hey God! Im very
goodThe Tax CollectorFar from righteousness
this man stood afar without any intention to be
notice by men, he can not even look up in heaven
for there is nothing he can be proud of before
God, he beat his heart for that is the seat of
his sin. By his words and act shows his theology
(the need of God), his life (a sinner) and his
service (bow before God), what credentials he
shows to God? Nothing! He comes for a purpose of
long for God and his mercy, and Jesus says this
man went home justified.How about us? Are we
bragging our credentials before God or just
enjoying the reward of forgiveness and love?
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22
By Bro. Alex Labor

• A Spirit-Filled Life

The command Be filled with the Spirit is the
same as Let the word of Christ dwell in you
richly. The idea is that if one is filled with
the Spirit, one will also be filled with the word
of God. In Ephesians 316-17 Paul writes, I pray
that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen
you with power through his Spirit in your inner
being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts
through faith. The person who is filled with the
Holy Spirit is the person in whom Jesus Christ
dwells as Lord. Such a person is one in whom the
word of Christ also dwells richly. Notice, the
Holy Spirit always points to and glorifies the
Lord Jesus Christ, never himself. He therefore
always enlightens us in the word of Christ so
that we are governed by Christ through his word.
We must understand the absolute centrality of the
word of God to govern us. If one is a
Spirit-filled Christian, then that filling will
manifest itself in certain ways. One cannot claim
to be Spirit-filled if this so-called filling has
no effects. Jesus himself attested to this fact
On the last and greatest day of the Feast,
Jesus stood and cried out in a loud voice, If
anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has
said, streams of living water will flow from
within him (John 737-38). And in verse 39 we
are clearly told that Jesus spoke these things
concerning the Holy Spirit. If we are drinking
from Christ, there must be some outflow of life
from us to bless other people. If there is no
outflow, it shows that we are not drinking from
Christ, and our claim of being Spirit-filled is
false. The Holy Spirit glorifies Christ as he
guides us to live according to the word of God.
The Holy Spirit convicts us, teaches us, and
causes us to remember Jesus words. So to be
filled with the Spirit is to be indwelt by Christ
and governed by his word. Being drunk with wine
results in ruin and destruction, but the effect
of continuously drinking from Christ is rivers of
living water that flow from us to bless others.
The Spirit-filled Christian will eat the word of
God in great hunger. He will be completely
attentive when the word of God is preached,
because he knows that it will strengthen him and
cause him to grow. And when he comes to church
and fellowships with others, he will speak the
word of God for the everlasting profit, not only
of himself, but of others. So listen to what
people say and you will know what is filling
their hearts. One who eats the word of God will
be filled with it, and will speak Gods words.
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth
speaks. As you drink Gods word, out of your
innermost being shall flow rivers of living water
to benefit all those around you.
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23
By Ptr. Andy Clamor

• Peace A Reward of Trust

Peace of mind it seems almost hard to find
today where wars are in many places, job security
is non-existent, and the moral heights of society
is deteriorating everyday. Yet Jesus promised
that each believer can experience true peace.
I am leaving you with a gift peace of mind
and heart. And the peace I give is not like the
peace the world gives. So dont be troubled and
afraid. John 1427 (NLT) Unfortunately, some
believer are so caught up in the box chasing
peace that they have forgotten that Jesus has
already gave it to them. They simply left the
gift unopened and thus living in a troubled
life. We cannot find peace outside the parameters
God has given us. One scholar of old times says
that, our heart will be restless and cannot find
peace until we found Gods love. For the peace
of God, go beyond the peace of this world.In
what ways I can open the gift of peace from
God? a. When we learn to give Jesus our burden
and allow Him to guide us. b. When we learn to
trust Him everyday. c. When we learn to walk
daily with the Holy Spirit. d. When we learn to
put God as our priority over all. As a
believer let us always be reminded that a reward
of peace is dependent on how we trust God of
which trust is based on how we know Him as what
the Bible says about Him.
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24
By Sis. Hearty Vasquez

• Joy our call

Jesus said These things I have spoken to you,
that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy
may be full. John 1511. Joy, an underlying
theme in the bible. A gift that comes from Christ
when we finally learn that we can't live a life
without His love and the passion to serve,
heartfelt service is a byproduct of our
commitment, crucial, shines and flow to the lives
around us.The joy of serving is the fuel that
drives and empowers the engine of our worshipping
hearts as God process and grows us, a sure
outcome of a relationship with Jesus in its
truest sense. The same can be attained thru
obedience to His word. Joy is our burning hope
that one day we will be with Jesus our savior in
Heaven and nothing no one can hurt us.True life
is full of ups and downs, in the world where
everything is unpredictable. One moment you are
going full steam ahead only to wake up confused,
angry, humiliated and discouraged. Then all of a
sudden, your Joy is gone. There are a host of
situations that can rob us of our joy, rest
assured justice will take its Divine course. But
again Jesus assures us when He said Take HEART I
have overcome the world. Look ahead and know
that our call is our reward and privilege in
itself. His concern is for us not to get
complacent and take our God ordained rights for
granted.Let us all be assured that we have the
following to look forward to Stored them up in
our hearts, minds, and lives, which is the only
way that they become eternal to us. 1. The
satisfaction of hearing Jesus says, Well done.
Matt. 2521,232. The privilege of meeting those
whom we influenced for Christ.3. Our assigned
position of service in eternity. Rev.2254. Our
eternal, undisturbed, complete intimacy with
Christ. Rom.829. 5. The capacity to show forth
the glory of Christ. A writer once said There
is joy in serving Jesus, Joy amid the darkest
night, for I've learned the wondrous secret that
I'm walking in His light.My brethren let it be
our prayer and desire that we may never become
experts in snatching defeat from the jaws of
victory thru our pride, lip service and arrogance
and conclude that life is not fair. Remember
Jesus said in Luke 10 I have given you authority
to tread on snakes and scorpions and over all the
power of the enemy and nothing will hurt you.
Yet do not rejoice that the spirits submit to
you, but rejoice that your names are written in
heaven." As we stand for Jesus let joy rise
high above our circumstances because He made us
heirs and recipient of His promise.
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