Who is the Father?

First of all, I want to thank all who gave comments to my blogs. I appreciate it. But please bear with me because I don't update regulary but I'm glad I just did now.. and I want to praise our Lord Jesus Christ for all His blessings!

Well, for us to know the truth about the mystery of God (I Tim. 3:16), let's not forget what is written on the Bible that God IS ONLY ONE (Isa. 43:10-11, 44:8, 45:5, 21, 46:9). In Philippians 2:6-8 says that God humbled himself and take the form of man. Who was He?? Of course, our Lord Jesus Christ! who was born under the law (Gal. 4:4).. and One of the great laws of God is to "love God above all things for He is a jealous God" (Deut 20:3-5). Since, Lord Jesus Christ was in the form of men while on earth, He gave respect and honor to the throne He left in Heaven (God the Father), which is also another example He left for us (humans) to give glory to God just what He did when He was in the flesh. So, let us not confused ourselves why He's calling God the Father (His position before He left His throne in heaven) because during His time on earth, He was just a man (like us) and was even called the Son of God. But these titles are only applicable to Him during His time on earth, when He ascended to heaven, He returned to His original position which God the Father (John 16:28). If we consider God the Son and God the Father as two beings then we became liars for what is written "there's ONLY ONE God in Heaven."

Actually, there's a perfect example written in the Bible, one of the disciples who wants to see the Father that our Lord Jesus Christ was always talking about. Please read on John 14:8-9, Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." But Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?" We can see clearly see here and understand that Jesus Christ is the Father for if not, He would't say the last line "How can you say, 'Show us the Father!" (meaning it's impossible what Philip is asking for) but instead He might reply like this.. "Philip, it's true that I have Father in heaven but you just wait a little while and soon you'll meet Him".

After reading this and still you don't understand, I urge you to pray to God and ask the knowledge and wisdom which He gives generously to all without finding fault. (James 1:5). God bless...

The Father & Son Mystery... who will know?

There are many religions in the world, and all of them have different doctrines. Some believe that there are three Gods in heaven, "the Father, Son and Holy Spirit", others say there are two, the "Father & Son". But what is the truth? If we are reading the Bible, we can read that there is only ONE GOD (Isa. 43:10-11, 44:8, 45:5, 21, 46:9), and nor will there be one after Him. You can't find any verse from the bible that says there are two Gods, or three Gods in heaven. There any many christian that don't understand the great mystery of God (1 Timothy 3:16). Why? What is the reason they can't understand? No matter how you explain to them they can't see the truth! Well, actually the answer is also written in the Bible. Remember what the Lord Jesus told on Luke 10:22, "No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." So it is very clear here that this is the reason why only few knows they mystery of God, who really He is. So no matter what one does if God will not reveal it to him/her, he/she can't understand it. So be thankful if God revealed it to you who He is.

MARY's mentioned in the Bible

Hi brother and sisters! It's been a while I was not able to update my blog but I glad I'm here again and I would like to share with you what I've learned from the church today. Do you know how many Marys mentioned in the Bible? Yes there are five names we can read from the New Testament.

Meet the 5 (FIVE) MARYs mentioned in the Bible.

1. MARY – mother of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Espoused to Joseph (Matthew 1:18)
Jesus birth fortold to her (Luke 1:26-38)

2. MARY of Bethany (Martha’s sister)

She was from Bethany, sister of Lazarus (John 11:1)
She was the one who anointed the Lord Jesus Christ before His burial.
(John 12:1-3, 11:1-2, Matt. 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9)

3. MARY Magdalene – seven demons cast out of her by the Lord Jesus.

Luke 8:1-12, Mark 16:9
John 20:16-18 – She saw the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

4. MARY – the mother of James; wife of Cleophas Alpheus

(John 19:25 Matthew 27:55-56, Mark 16:1, Luke 24:10)

5. MARY – mother of Mark (Acts 12:12)

Baptism in the name of JESUS CHRIST!

Our Lord Jesus Christ stayed on earth for almost 33 years teaching His disciples about the Kingdom of God and how could we become one His children and inherit everlasting life. Jesus Christ suffered and died for us but was raised from the dead and before He ascended to Heaven, this is what He told to His apostles, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)

Now, let’s find out the fulfillment of this, when the day of the Pentecost came all the apostles are in one place and the Holy Spirit of God came all upon them and Peter which is also full of the Holy Spirit reminded the crowd what’s written on the Scriptures and Jesus crucifixion and resurrection and when the people understand those things, they asked what they should do and this was what Peter said, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Act 2:38). This is the fulfillment of Matthew 28:19. We can’t say that Peter contradicts God’s commandment for the keys of the kingdom of heaven was given to him (Matthew 16:18-19).

On the scriptures who were baptized in the name of JESUS CHRIST!

1. Acts 2:41 (three thousand)
2. Acts 8:12 -17 (Simon and others)
3. Acts 8:26-38 (eunuch)
4. Acts 9:17-18 (Saul)
5. Acts 10:1-48 (Cornelius and his household)
6. Acts 16:13-15 (Lydia and her household)
7. Acts 16:29-33 (jailer and his family)
8. Acts 18:8 (Crispus and his household)
9. Acts 19:1-7 (twelve believers at Corinth)

None from the Bible where you can read that the apostles baptized those who accept the word of God using “the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” but instead “in the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST” because that’s the name Jesus referring to in Matthew 28:19. I hope this clears the one of the most controversies topic in the Holy Scriptures, the true baptism.

Tithes and Offerings! The Purpose

Like any organizations or group, church also needs financial support from its members in order to grow, and that's where enters the tithes and offerings. We use those money to build and maintain chapels and buy instruments for the church. We also need to support dedicated missionaries and pastors with their basic necessities like food and clothing. We need to have also budgets for the church programs and activities. One more very important purpose of these is to help members who are less fortunate. Look what did first apostles did with their properties to help their brethren (Acts 2:45, 4:34-35). There are really many purpose of the material things that each member is willing to contribute in order for one church to grow and if we don't neglect these obligations we do help in building the kingdom of God on earth.

God knows everything about these that's why He said on Malachi 3:10, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house." He even challenge the believers as we continued to read it.. "Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

There's also big warning to those who plan to lie infront of God. Read the story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) who both died because they lie to God about about money. But great blessings awaits those who obey the word of God and do their obligations on tithes and offerings (Heb. 6:10).

Tithes Giving! From God or from men?

Every worship day, either it's Sunday or Saturday, member of the church (whatever church they belong) drop their tithes and offerings on their respective baskets (but honestly not everybody is giving). This act of giving to the church, where this came from? From men or from God? Well, as I always say, let the Bible speak. Open the Book of Malachi 3:8-10, it says, don't rub God but He said, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. So, we've proven that this is from God. Do you know that even Abraham and Jacob gave their tithes to God (Gen 14:19-20, Gen 28:20-22)? How about in new testament? What can we read? During the time of Jesus Christ on earth the Pharisees ask about paying taxes, read what Lord Jesus said to them on Luke 20:22-25; "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." So, if it's our obligation to give tax to the government, then we shouldn't forget our tithes to God.

You might ask what is the purpose of tithes and offerings, this will I answer on my next blog. Just always remember, Giving is an issue of the heart. You can give without love, but you cannot love without giving.

Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it!

Believer or non believer is always entitled to his/her opinion about his beliefs in life or about God but we should make sure that it’s always according to what is written on the Bible. There are many examples written by the apostles and done by the first disciples of Jesus Christ who first believe Him and His teachings during the time He was still in the flesh. He is from above (John 8:23) who came to earth (Phil. 2:6-8) and gave examples how we should live as Christians so we may inherit eternal life. God said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeded out of His mouth” (Matt. 4:4). So, what this mean? That we should search the scriptures to know His commandments (John 5:39), and learn from the parables and story of first believers. I believe that there are many things we could learn from reading it and should be applied in our daily lives. We shouldn’t depend with our own knowledge and understanding. Why? Because, there is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death (Prov. 16:25). It is not good enough that we say we believe in God, when infact we don’t follow His commandments. If we do this, we become liars. Remember, what God said on Matt. 7:21, “Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven…”, but blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it (Luke 11:28).