tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89223054018710753642024-02-20T02:47:32.369-08:00GOD FASCINATES"This is what the LORD says: 'Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:23-24, NIV).Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-83644464415172859572015-04-01T03:08:00.000-07:002015-04-11T05:51:30.188-07:00The Holy Giver<span style="color: #20124d;">When we think of God as the Giver, we tend to consider always for the things He gave us. But, notice what Jesus pointed out in His prayer in John 17. Let's just take verses 1-2:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">"... Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him" (ESV).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">God the Father gave Jesus "authority over all flesh." And He gave special special people to His Son!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">In John 6:44-45, Jesus said:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophet, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The chosen ones given by the Father to the Son are the people drawn by God to Jesus. They are "taught by God" -- able to read and learn the Word. And as they received the inner call of God they come or have faith in the Son.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">And they received eternal life!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">What mercy! What grace! What love! What blessing and honor to be given to the Son!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">If God the Father did not give us to Jesus, or did not us draw us to Him, we will not come to Him. And He did not draw everyone to His Son. And not everyone will come to Him and believe to have eternal life.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Paul wrote, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessings in the heavenly places even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before, In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace with which he has blessed us in the Beloved" (Ephesians 1:3-6).</span>Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-25059248260187886982015-01-25T03:27:00.000-08:002015-04-01T03:08:46.225-07:00Divine Planter<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What could we learn from Psalm 1?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the opening verse, we read the first few words: "</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #073763;">Blessed is the man..." (ESV). Who is this "blessed" or "happy" man?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #073763;">Let's continue reading the verse, "... </span></span></span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"> the man</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="a" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"> who </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="1" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">walks not in </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="2" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="3" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">the way of sinners, nor </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="4" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">sits in </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="5" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">the seat of </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="6" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">scoffers..." And the man is really blessed, because verse 2 states:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">"... his </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="7" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">delight is in the law</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="b" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"> of the LORD, and on his </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="8" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">law he meditates day and night."</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">A man could be happy not just by avoiding sinners, but delighting in the law, instructions, proclamations, messages, or words of God. And why does he delight in His Word? </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">First, let's read verse 3, "</span></span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">He is like </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="9" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">a tree planted by </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="10" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="11" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">leaf does not wither. </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="12" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">In all that he does, he prospers." The man who is happy is "like a tree planted by streams of water..."</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">As we read also in Jeremiah 17:8, "</span></span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">Verse 7 clearly identified the "man" planted by streams of water: "</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="16" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">whose trust is the LORD."</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">If we trust in God, in the New Testament words, believe in Jesus or have faith in Him, we are happy. We are like "</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">a tree planted by water" or in Psalm 1:3, "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">a tree planted by </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="10" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">streams of water." A tree planted by streams of water "does not fear when heat comes..." A true believer also does not fear also when fiery trial comes.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">A tree planted by streams of water "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">is not anxious in the year of drought..." A true believer also is not anxious in the period of difficulty. When he believed in Jesus, he became a child of God (John 1:12) and he knew that his Heavenly Father will provide for his needs (Matthew 6:32-33).</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">Now, notice the comparison of God's Word with others. We read in Psalm 1:4, </span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">The wicked are not so, but are like </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="13" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">chaff that the wind drives away."</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">He who trusts in God or believes in Jesus is like "</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">a tree planted by </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="10" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">streams of water." But, the wicked "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">are like </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="13" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">chaff that the wind drives away." </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">Until now, we could find men who don't really believe Jesus -- who walk in the counsel of the wicked, who stand in the way of sinners, who sit in the seat of scoffers, who do not delight in the words of God. But, they will not continue on forever -- not because they will be reformed, as others teach. What we read, they "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">are like </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="13" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">chaff that the wind drives away." </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">Jesus Himself said, </span><span style="color: #073763;"><span class="versetext" id="mt7-21" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span class="WordsOfChrist"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="27"></a>"Not everyone who <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="28"></a>says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="29"></a>enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="30"></a>does the will of my Father who is in heaven.</span> </span><span class="versetext" id="mt7-22" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="WordsOfChrist">On that day <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="32"></a>many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="33"></a>prophesy in your name, and cast out demons <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="34"></a>in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'</span> </span><span class="versetext" id="mt7-23" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="WordsOfChrist">And then will I declare to them, 'I <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="36"></a>never knew you; <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="37"></a>depart from me, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="38"></a>you workers of lawlessness'" (Matthew 7:21-23).</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span class="versetext" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="WordsOfChrist"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span class="versetext" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="WordsOfChrist">As we read verse 5 of Psalm 1, "</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">Therefore the wicked </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="14" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="15" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">the congregation of the righteous."</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">While some would like us to entertain the idea, that there is no difference in the end whether we believe now Jesus, or not -- the Bible teaches differently. Verse 6 states, "...</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">for the LORD </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="16" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">knows </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="17" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish."</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">What would happen to those who are righteous -- those who have faith in Jesus, the true believers? We read in John 3:15-16:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span class="versetext" id="joh3-15" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="WordsOfChrist">"...that whoever believes <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="26"></a>in him <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="27"></a>may have eternal life. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">For</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"> </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="28" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">God so loved</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"> </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="29" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">the world,</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="i" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="30" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="31" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">perish but have eternal life."</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">While the believers will have eternal life, the unbelievers will perish -- not</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"> become penitent. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">However, we could learn in Psalm 1 not only the difference between the righteous and the wicked, but we could also ask, "Is it possible for the tree to grow by the streams of water?" Of course, not. Someone planted it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">When Jesus explained the "</span></span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">parable of the weeds of the field," He said:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span class="versetext" id="mt13-37" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="WordsOfChrist">"The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.</span> </span><span class="versetext" id="mt13-38" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="WordsOfChrist">The field is the world, and the good seed is <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="51"></a>the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="52"></a>the sons of the evil one,</span> </span><span class="versetext" id="mt13-39" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="WordsOfChrist">and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="53"></a>The harvest is <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="54"></a>the close of the age, and the reapers are angels.</span> </span><span class="versetext" id="mt13-40" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="WordsOfChrist">Just as the weeds <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="55"></a>are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="56"></a>the close of the age.</span> </span><span class="versetext" id="mt13-41" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="WordsOfChrist">The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="58"></a>causes of sin and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="59"></a>all law-breakers,</span> </span><span class="versetext" id="mt13-42" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="WordsOfChrist">and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="61"></a>there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.</span> </span><span class="versetext" id="mt13-43" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="WordsOfChrist">Then <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="62"></a>the righteous will shine like the sun <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="63"></a>in the kingdom of their Father. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="64"></a>He who has ears, let him hear" (Matthew 13:37-43).</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span class="versetext" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="WordsOfChrist"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span class="versetext" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="WordsOfChrist">Notice, "The one who sows... is the Son of Man" -- referring to Jesus, also the Son of God. This may not be a perfect analogy, but we could also believe that God Himself is the One who planted the tree by the streams of water, Faith or belief in Jesus does not grow in our hearts. It is also planted or given by God (Ephesians 2:18).</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span class="versetext" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="WordsOfChrist">And now we can really answer the question we asked earlier: Why does the blessed man -- one who have faith in Jesus -- delight in God's Word?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span class="versetext" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="WordsOfChrist">Because the kind of faith that God granted is not just a human decision or mental agreement to a certain fact. In 1 Peter 1:8, we read: "</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">Though you have not seen him, you love him. </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="22" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory."</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;">True believers really love Jesus. They rejoice in Him. And because they love Him above all things. They also love and rejoice in His Words above any human teaching. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">May God plant also that faith in our hearts.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: arial; line-height: 20px;"> </span>Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-22642029140624093142014-05-05T08:10:00.002-07:002015-01-24T03:16:56.518-08:00Did God Reveal His Son To You?<span style="background-color: white; color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">J</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">esus asked </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His disciples, "<span class="WordsOfChrist" style="line-height: 20px;">But who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:15, ESV).</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">"</span><span style="line-height: 20px;">Simon Peter replied," as we read in verse 16, </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">"'You are </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="24" style="line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="line-height: 20px;">the Christ, </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="25" style="line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="line-height: 20px;">the Son of </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="26" style="line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="line-height: 20px;">the living God.'" And notice very well the answer of Jesus in verse 17:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">"</span><span style="line-height: 20px;">Blessed are you, </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="28" style="line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="line-height: 20px;">Simon Bar-Jonah! For </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="29" style="line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="line-height: 20px;">flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="30" style="line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="line-height: 20px;">but my Father who is in heaven.</span><span style="line-height: 20px;">" </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 20px;">How did Peter know who Jesus really is?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 20px;">He was able to confess that Jesus was "the Christ, the Son of the Living God," because of the revelation of God the Father! He did not just learn it from the testimony of men. Nor he declared it, because he just opted to please Jesus. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 20px;">Peter was the recipient of God's grace of revelation. God has made known His Son to him. That's why he was blessed. Not everyone experienced that kind of revelation. It was not just to have head knowledge that Jesus is the Son of God, who came to save sinners in the world. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">It's knowing and believing that Jesus, the Son of God, came to suffer and die personally for you, a sinner, to grant you the joy of salvation! And, thus, love for Him would be kindled in your heart for what He did for you, like what Peter declared later in John 21:15, "</span>Yes, Lord; <span class="Highlight" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px;">you</span> know that I <span class="Highlight" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px;">love</span> <span class="Highlight" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px;">you</span>" (also in verses 16 and 17).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even the demons know and believe who Jesus is. We read in Luke 4:33-34, "<span class="versetext" id="lu4-33" style="display: inline; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="65"></a>in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, '</span><span class="versetext" id="lu4-34" style="display: inline; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ha! <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="b"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="66"></a>What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="67"></a>I know who you are -- <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="68"></a>the Holy One of God'" (also Mark 1:24 and James 2:19).</span></span></div>
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<span class="versetext" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But God did not reveal to them that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who granted them salvation. So, they do not love Jesus. They tremble of fear! They know that the Holy God will pour out His wrath on the unrepentant.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Blessed, indeed, are those whom the Father revealed His Son to them. For they are able to really know Him and believe in Him. They experience what Peter wrote in 1 Peter 1:8, "</span><span style="line-height: 20px;">Though you have not seen him, you love him. </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="22" style="line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="line-height: 20px;">Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">What would also be your reply, if Jesus would ask you: "...</span><span style="line-height: 20px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">who do you say that I am?"?</span></span></div>
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Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-73194197902023236482013-01-31T23:20:00.000-08:002014-11-03T18:25:37.040-08:00The God Who Invites<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God does not only save, forgive, heal, protect, prosper, provide, create, comfort, love, avenge, punish, etc. He also invites!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We read in Isaiah 1:18, "Come now..."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said: "Come to me..." And we also read in Revelation 22:17:</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />"The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come.' And let the one who who hears say, 'Come'..."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And we read in Revelation 19:9, "...Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb."</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Why is it blessed to receive an invitation from God? Because if we come, as we read in Isaiah, "Come now, let us reason together... though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; thought they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool" -- He could cleanse us from all our sins!</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />In Matthew, Jesus said: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." If we come to Him, we will also enjoy rest for our soul -- rest from anxieties, fears, guilt, or sorrow.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />And in Revelation 22:17, we read:</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />"The Spirit and Bride say, 'Come.' ... let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price."</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />If we respond positively to His invitation, we could also experience complete satisfaction or contentment for free!</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Truly, "Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!" (Luke 14:15.) In our time, Jesus is also the Bread (John 6:35) that could provide us the blessing of an abundant, eternal life.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, not everyone would come to Him (see John 3:20). Jesus also told this parable:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="versetext" id="lu14-16" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="WordsOfChrist">"A man once <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8922305401871075364" name="19"></a>gave a great banquet and invited many.</span> </span><span class="versetext" id="lu14-17" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="WordsOfChrist">And at the time for the banquet he <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8922305401871075364" name="20"></a>sent his servant<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8922305401871075364" name="c"></a> to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'</span> </span><span class="versetext" id="lu14-18" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="WordsOfChrist">But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.'</span> </span><span class="versetext" id="lu14-19" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span class="WordsOfChrist">And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.'</span> </span><span class="versetext" id="lu14-20" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="WordsOfChrist">And another said, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8922305401871075364" name="21"></a>'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come'" (Luke 14:16-20).</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="versetext" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Men have various excuses why they don't come to God. It's our human tendency to refuse His invitation. That's why Jesus said, "</span><span class="WordsOfChrist" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8922305401871075364" name="62"></a>draws him..." (John 6:44) and also in verse 65, "...</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">In John 17, Jesus mentioned in His prayer about those persons whom the Father gave to Him (verses 2, 6, 9). </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 20px;">They are the "sheep" in John 10 and Jesus said in verse 29, "</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">My Father, </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8922305401871075364" name="47" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">who has given them to me,</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8922305401871075364" name="a" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8922305401871075364" name="48" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8922305401871075364" name="49" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">the Father's hand."</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And at His return, Jesus, as King of kings, would tell them:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Come, you </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8922305401871075364" name="45" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">who are blessed by my Father, </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8922305401871075364" name="46" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">inherit </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8922305401871075364" name="47" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">the kingdom </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8922305401871075364" name="48" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">prepared for you </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8922305401871075364" name="49" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">from the foundation of the world" (Matthew 25:34).</span></span><br />
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Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-14354090845808024982013-01-29T00:09:00.000-08:002013-01-29T00:19:16.049-08:00When You Perceive God<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Would you not stare at the stars in the heaven?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or admire the full moon shining in the night?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Would you not look up and attention be not given<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And let the brightness to pass from your sight?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever seen succession of speeding shooting stars?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Didn't your eyes follow them until they were gone?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Wow!" you could say, tho you're among the beggars<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a sight like that would fascinate everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blooming flowers, volcano spitting lava like fountain,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A dancing beautiful maiden, or cascading waterfall<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Would you turn away from watching or just close the curtain?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peculiar scene or whatever of beauty appeals to the eyes of all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Human will is wired to choose to see and admire what is
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eyes that could see prefer and glad to dwell on such scene<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What greater joy to see in His Word the One Who
created everything!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">None will turn away his heart from Him unless one is blinded by sin.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-44194688077585279192011-08-24T22:50:00.000-07:002011-08-24T23:02:10.206-07:00DIRECTING MY THOUGHTS IN THE RIGHT WAY<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" class="content"> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalms 139:23-24, ESV.)</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Before, that passage created discomfort in myself. Actually, I could not then honestly say, “Search me, O God, and know my heart!....”</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Though I believed that God knew my thought or what’s in my heart, yet I would not like for Him to try me and know my thoughts. For I knew that there were many offensive things not only in my ways, but even in my thoughts.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">But my attitude toward that passage had changed. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Now, I love to read it again and again. In fact, I want to include it in my prayer. It’s one of my new favorite passages in the Bible.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Why? Is it because there’s no longer offensive thought in my mind? </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Actually, my attitude toward that passage changed when I encountered various verses in the Scripture that extol God’s Sovereignty, even in the spiritual salvation of His people, like:</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">”The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will” (Proverbs 21:1, ESV).</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">”…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules” (Ezekiel 36:26-27).</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Because of the verses like the above, I am now confident that God could even lead my awry thoughts in the right way! I pray He would always examine what's in my heart, so He could cleanse it by the blood of His Son.</span></p> </div>Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-1591262969756201002010-12-14T20:53:00.000-08:002014-11-03T18:30:10.718-08:00COULD YOU "CIRCUMCISE" THE HEART?<link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CEFRENN%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><o:smarttagtype name="place" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype name="country-region" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} span.versetext {mso-style-name:versetext;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} </style> <br />
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God's Word declares:
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"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good? Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. Yet the LORD set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day. Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn" (Deut. 10:12-16, ESV).</div>
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Again, "Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn."</div>
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Of course, we could not "circumcise" our heart literally. But, could we just choose or decide to do it? Could we just exercise our so-called power of the human will and "be no longer stubborn"?</div>
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We also read Ezekiel 18:31, “<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="59"></a><span class="versetext">Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="60"></a>make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="61"></a>Why will you die, O house of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>?”</span></div>
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<span class="versetext"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span class="versetext">Could our so-called “freedom of choice” enable us to “make… a new heart and a new spirit” or “<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="57"></a>Repent and turn from all your transgressions” (verse 20)?</span></div>
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<span class="versetext"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span class="versetext">Could we just love God, or forsake our stubbornness, or repent just by the operation of the human will?</span></div>
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<span class="versetext"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span class="versetext">It’s easy to claim that we are able to do it. But consider God’s Word:</span></div>
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<span class="versetext"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span class="versetext">"This is the word of the LORD to <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="8"></a>Zerubbabel: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="9"></a>Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).</span></div>
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<span class="versetext"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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In Deuteronomy 30:6, we read:</div>
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"And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live."</div>
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We also read in Ezekiel 11:19-20, “<span class="versetext">And I will give them one heart, and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="36"></a>a new spirit I will put within them. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="37"></a>I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="38"></a>and give them a heart of flesh, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="39"></a>that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="40"></a>And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.”</span></div>
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<span class="versetext"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span class="versetext">And it was emphasized in Ezekiel 36:26-27:</span></div>
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<span class="versetext"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span class="versetext">“And I will give you a new heart, and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="58"></a>a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="62"></a>be careful to obey my rules.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="a"></a>”</span></div>
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<span class="versetext">Some claim that that promise is intended only for the physical Israelites. Unknowingly, they promote the “power of the human will," that they could just change their heart!</span></div>
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<span class="versetext"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span class="versetext">But even in the New Testament, God’s Word is clear:
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<span class="versetext"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span class="versetext">“But a Jew is one <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="42"></a>inwardly, and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="43"></a>circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="44"></a>His praise is not from man but from God” (Romans 2:29). Notice: “circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit” – not by any other means, but “by the Spirit.”</span></div>
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<span class="versetext">As we also read in Romans 8:8-14:</span></div>
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<span class="versetext"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span class="versetext">“Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. </span><span id="ro8-9">You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="17" name="17"></a>the Spirit of God dwells in you. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="18" name="18"></a>Anyone who does not have <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="19" name="19"></a>the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. </span><span id="ro8-10">But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness…<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="20"></a><sup><span style="display: none;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="21"></a></span> </sup>So then, brothers,<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="d" name="d"></a> we are debtors, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="22" name="22"></a>not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. </span><span id="ro8-13">For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="23" name="23"></a>put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. </span><span id="ro8-14">For all who are <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="24" name="24"></a>led by the Spirit of God are <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="25" name="25"></a>sons<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="e" name="e"></a> of God.”</span></div>
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<span class="versetext">It’s not by our human will or effort. Whatever “good” intention, decision, or action we have “cannot please God.” We always fall short of His perfect glorious standard.</span></div>
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<span class="versetext">If ever we love God, or we repent, or we have faith, or are saved, it’s because of His grace. That makes Ephesians 2:8 truly meaningful, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”</span></div>
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<span class="versetext"><span style="color: #000099; font-family: arial; font-size: 85%;">Or, in the words of Romans 9:16, “So then it depends not on human will or exertion,<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="b" name="b"></a> but on God, who has mercy.” Because of His mercy, God has caused us through His Spirit to repent, believe in Christ and be saved.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-60964702445847712652010-09-08T18:25:00.001-07:002010-09-08T18:27:37.768-07:00Why Others Are Perishing?<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;">While others claim that everyone is already saved,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;"> God's Word says there are those who are being saved</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;"> And those who are perishing (2 Cor 2:15).</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;"> But why some would perish, if God is loving?</span><br /> <br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;"> But God is not only loving, He is also Sovereign.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;"> He is also Holy, Just and a Righteous King.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;"> He can choose to unleash His wrath to the wicked</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;"> And to those He called His mercy be extended (Rom. 9:22-24).</span><br /> <br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;"> But isn't it that His Word could be heard by all?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;"> His written words are read by both the wise and the fool?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;"> Consider, however, when Paul was called:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;"> God's voice he heard and was so awed (Acts 9:4-6).</span><br /> <br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;"> To his companions it's just a sound they heard (verse 7).</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;"> Also at the cross two criminals heard Jesus prayed,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;"> "Father, forgive them..." (Luke 23:34.)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;"> One of the criminals hurled insults at him.</span><br /> <br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;"> "Jesus, remember me..." the other criminal said.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;"> For the message of the cross others could not heed.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;"> To those who are perishing, it's foolishness;</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;"> But to those being saved, it's Power in it's fullness (1 Cor. 1:18)!</span>Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-36722633056739075392010-08-29T18:21:00.000-07:002010-08-29T18:24:12.541-07:00GREATEST DISAPPOINTMENT<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Gain we sought</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">But lose we bought.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Laughter we expect</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">But sorrow we get.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">We work and save</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And properly behave;</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">So in the end we live</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">In joy we believe.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">But illness came</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">We could not tame.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Resources are drained</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">No one would lend.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">We want the job</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">High grades and love</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Peace, truth, health</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Friends, rewards and wealth.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Yet not one is realized</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Even it’s just disguised.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Indeed it’s painful</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">We suffer tho hopeful.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">But the greatest of them all</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">When you meet your Creator</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">You thought you did so well,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">But He said, “You evildoer!” (Matt. 7:23, NIV.)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">You believe repentance is possible</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">As others taught you before</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">But after He said, “I never knew you…”</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">“Away from me…!” He also told you.</span>Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-39063428236835217982009-11-27T22:22:00.000-08:002009-11-27T22:26:31.849-08:00Is God Able To Lead You To Repentance?<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" class="entry"> <p style="line-height: 150%;">Man’s words, “…All humanity is invited and enabled by the Spirit to experience a radical change of mind away from sinful egoistic self-centeredness and toward God and his love experienced in union with Jesus Christ.”</p> <p>Actually, those who are teaching that all humanity — according to them, every person in the world — are “enabled by they Spirit to experience a radical change of mind…” or to “repent” — are also saying that because of our human free will, others would also refuse to repent!</p> <p>Just think about if this is Biblical or even logical: God would enable a person to repent, yet he could still unable to do it. Where is “enabling” there?</p> <p>Besides, you cannot find a verse that shows God is enabling every person to repent!</p> <p>Should we not accept God’s Word and realize that “…God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” (Rom. 2:4, NIV.)</p> <p>Many, however, would prefer to extol the human free will and would be comfortable with the humanistic reasoning: God has enabled everyone to repent, yet others remain to be unable to do it!</p> <p>Could we not bow down before the Sovereign Will of God as we accept that He determines whom He wants to lead or grant repentance? And if He leads you to it, you’ll be able to really have it?</p> </div>Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-17159968480455688602009-07-20T16:39:00.000-07:002009-07-20T16:45:22.153-07:00Can You Call God, "Father"?<p><span style="color:#000066;">While others claim that everyone is the child of God, God’s Word declares in Romans 8:14-16:</span></p><p><br /><span style="color:#000066;">“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” {NKJV).</span></p><p><br /><span style="color:#000066;">Who are the “sons of God”?</span></p><p><br /><span style="color:#000066;">The Bible says, “…as many as are led by the Spirit of God.” You cannot find a sentence or phrase in the Bible which says, everyone in the world is led by or has received the Spirit of God.</span></p><p><br /><span style="color:#000066;">And we, who have received the Spirit, we are able to cry out “Abba, Father.”<br />We are able to call God as “Father” not because we have just an ideal physical father in this world.</span></p><p><br /><span style="color:#000066;">Wether we grow up without knowing any father, or we have an undesirable earthly father, we can still call God, “Father” — not just from our throat, not just from our lips, but even from the heart, because of His Spirit who enables us!</span></p><p><br /><span style="color:#000066;">As we also read in Galatians 4:4-6:</span></p><p><br /><span style="color:#000066;">“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’”</span></p><p><br /><span style="color:#000066;">You may be able to call God, “Abba, Father” from the heart, not because you just decide, or you exercise your human will to do so. But God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your heart. And as God’s Word tells us in Romans 5:5:</span></p><p><br /><span style="color:#000066;">“…the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”</span></p><p><br /><span style="color:#000066;">God’s Spirit does not force us to say, “Father.” Through His Spirit, genuine love for Him blossoms in our hearts that we are able to affectionately call upon Him, “Abba,” or “Papa,” or “Daddy,” etc</span></p>Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-83530216679285458442009-06-07T02:56:00.000-07:002009-06-07T03:05:55.841-07:00Ninoy Aquino "Had Seen" God!!<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Ninoy Aquino, the Filipino Senator who is now regarded as a Philippine hero, had known God during his solitary confinement in the Martial Law days in the Philippines.</span><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/__sbeE6QXfs&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/__sbeE6QXfs&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-90603339875490805182009-05-06T23:12:00.000-07:002009-05-27T02:33:41.696-07:00My God, My God, WHY Have You Allowed Your Word To Be "Twisted"?<span style="color:#000099;">“Ignorant... unstable” twisted your Holy Word (2 Pet. 3:16)!</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Lord, why have You allowed it to be twisted?</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Isn’t it tho many plans are in our heart, </span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">It’s Your Sovereign purpose that prevails (Prov. 19:21)?</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Tho we make plans, it’s You Who determine our steps (Prov. 16:9).</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Even hearts’ desires and longings of a king, </span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">You direct wherever You please (Prov. 21:1).</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Yet, why allowed Your Word to be twisted?</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">You do what You please with the powers of heaven </span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">And the peoples of the earth (Dan. 4:35).</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">And those who walk in pride You are able to humble (Dan. 4:37).</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Yet, why allowed Your Word to be twisted?</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Tho Your Word declares, You chose us who believe (1 Thess. 1:4-5),</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">But why allowed others teach everyone are chosen?</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">You say believers are saved and justified (Rom. 1:16-17; 3:38).</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Why let others preach everyone is justified and will be saved?</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">You declare nothing is impossible with You (Luke 1:37).</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">But why let others imply it’s not possible for You</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">To create a new heart, a willingness that one may accept Your Gift?</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Why allowed Your Word to be twisted?</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Holy, Holy, Holy, are You, according to Your Word (Rev. 4:8 ).</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">So, Just are You in bringing wrath (Rom. 3:5) </span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">On those “who are self-seeking... who reject the truth…” (Rom. 2:8.)</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Why let others, as if, to say, You are Love, Love, and Love?</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">My God, my God, why have You .… ...? But …!</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Didn’t You allow even the Personal Word,</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Your Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to be crucified?!</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Truly,You work out “everything in conformity” with Your Will (Eph. 1:11).</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">And the Word that goes out from Your mouth,</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Will not return to You empty, </span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Will accomplish what You desire</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">And achieve the purpose for which You sent it (Isa. 55:11).</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Like Your Son, Your Literal Word triumphs </span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Over misinterpretations and mistakes!</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Forever it endures in spite of those who want to destroy it!</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">So grateful, Oh Lord, for the joy and peace Your Word gives!</span>Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-81772053542442299552009-03-03T22:30:00.000-08:002009-03-04T05:37:37.065-08:00MERCY Or "Foreknowledge"?<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" >Recently, I realized that someone "embraced" Arminianism, because she is "uncomfortable" with or could not just accept God's Word which says, "Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden" (Rom. 9:18, NIV). </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" >She opted to believe how Arminians define "foreknowlege" -- God gives His Spirit to those He has chosen to be saved, because He knows beforehand that they would accept His offer.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" >I just don't know if she is also aware that the Reformed view of predestination did NOT just start from Calvin, but you could also read it in the book, City of God by Augustine -- not only in the letters of Paul.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" >Anyway, last time, we had a brief encounter. I told her, "I have something for you. It's Titus 3:5-6..."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" >And I continued to recite it, "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His..." -- "foreknowledge?" I asked her.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" >She was nodding in approval. But I shook my head and slowly quoted God's Word, "... according to His mercy..."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" >Our conversation was stopped, however, because someone had called her attention and talked with her for other matters. She just told me that she would look up the verse later.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" >If I could have continued, not only I would finish quoting Titus 3:5-6, but I would also tell her about a good illustration of mercy in the New Testament: the Samaritan who had mercy on the victim of the robbers (Luke 10:30-37).</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" >The victim was "half-dead" -- unconscious -- and the Samaritan did not bother to ask, if he wanted to be helped. He just extended his mercy to him. And the victim had no ability to refuse the help of a Samaritan and prefer the assistance from a Jew. He did not have even the consciousness to ask for help.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" >We are victims of Satan -- spiritually dead -- totally helpless. Without the Spirit of God to enable us to draw near to Christ, we would not have any desire to follow Him. Even if we have the so-called freedom of the will, we could not exercise it for we are spiritually unconscious!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" >We read in Romans 8:6-8, "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" >Thus, if not for God's mercy, we would not or we are unable to receive His Spirit and be saved. It's by God's grace.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:100%;" >Could we not submit and bow down to the glorious weight of God's Word: "It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy" (Rom. 9:16)?<br /></span><br /> <a href="javascript:newwindow(63718)">Request Deletion</a>Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-77365270731995150772009-01-18T20:42:00.000-08:002009-01-18T21:00:16.091-08:00WHY Others Are Not Attracted To God?<span style="color:#000099;">It is a popular belief or teaching that others are not attracted to God, refuse to follow Him, or find more pleasure in sin than God, because of our so-called free will.<br /><br />And because of our human choice, others also believe that we are able to resist or disregard His Call.<br /><br />BUT, what did the Word of God say?<br /><br />Jesus Christ, the Son of God, told the Samaritan woman, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him..." (John 4:10, NKJV.)<br /><br />If we really knew Who Jesus is, our reaction or choice would not be to reject or refuse Him or what He is offering!<br /><br />Others reject God or refuse His Word because of their ignorance, or false or incomplete understanding of God. It is not just because of their choice.<br /><br />But if we really knew Him, our immediate reaction is to admire, adore and worship Him -- not because we are forced, but because we are attracted to Him.<br /></span>Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-25265791999245981992008-11-02T05:12:00.000-08:002008-11-02T05:28:17.547-08:00God SEPARATES...<span style="color:#000066;">Let’s review Genesis 1:4, “And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness” (NKJV).<br /><br />Notice the last part: “… God divided the light from the darkness.”<br /><br />Other translations render it, “God SEPARATED the light from the darkness” as we read also in the New International Version.<br /><br />God divides or separates. He does not mix the light with darkness.<br /><br />In the future, there will be also separation among the nations. Jesus Christ said:<br /><br />“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…’ Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels…’” (Matt 25:31-34, 41, NKJV.)<br /><br />There are those who teach that everyone will be saved. But according to God’s Word, He would say to those on His right hand, “Come…” but to those on the left hand, “Depart…”<br /><br />God attracts. For while the devil tried to “mix it up,” God separates.<br /><br />We read in Matthew 13:24-25, “Another parable He put forth to them, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.’”<br /><br />The devil is the "enemy" who sowed the tares among the wheat. Now, let’s continue to read:<br /><br />“But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' "He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?' "But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn" ' " (verses 26-30).<br /><br />God may allow this time the “tares” and the “wheat” – the righteous and the unrighteous” – the believers and the unbelievers – to “grow together.” But the day is coming when they will be separated. As we read in Malachi 3:18:<br /><br />“So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him” (NAS) – for, then, God will again separate the “light” from the “darkness.”</span>Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-14179696732715361862008-10-27T01:34:00.000-07:002008-10-27T02:17:27.420-07:00God Creates A NEW Heart<span style="font-size:100%;color:#000066;">A friend pointed out to me how to have a "healthy heart." According to him, "heal-thy-heart" could be achieved -- "if we heal our hearts from past wounds, insults, pains and forget about getting even & don't hold grudges..."</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#000066;">God, however, wants that we have not only a healthy heart, but a NEW heart.</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#000066;">We read in Ezekiel 18:311: "Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit" (NKJV).</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#000066;">And He Himself made this promise:</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezek. 36:26).</span><br /><span style="color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">(Unfortunately, there are those who believe and teach that that promise was only for the physical Israelites.)</span><br /><span style="color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">According to God's Word, what we need is a new heart -- I told my friend </span><span style="color:#000066;">-- a heart that God can open, so we can receive all His Words (not only those that we can conveniently obey), a heart that can receive God's revelation of Himself, not only those human perception about God, a heart that can really love God for it experiences the very love of God, in spite of whatever trial or difficulty that could happen, a kind of heart that look to God as its Supreme Joy, not just the fulfillment of one's human desire, a kind of heart that lasts for eternity, cherishing God's Word (not just the philosophy or convincing arguments of men) -- a kind of heart that David prayed for:</span><br /><span style="color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">"Create in me a clean heart, O God,</span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">And renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Ps 51:10).</span><br /><span style="color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">Not just for a healthy heart, but, just like David, let's long for and pray for a new and clean heart.</span><br /><span style="color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000066;"></span>Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-1357199684918830822008-08-30T15:50:00.000-07:002008-08-30T16:43:46.501-07:00God SATISFIES!<span style="color:#000066;">Would you hesitate to become attracted to something that satisfies you?</span><br /><span style="color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">An illegal drug even attracted many for it could provide an amount of satisfaction. </span><br /><span style="color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">But we read in God's Word:"Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,And for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness" (Ps. 107:8-9, NKJV).</span><br /><span style="color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">God SATISFIES the longing soul!!</span><br /><span style="color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">Only God can fill and satisfy the human heart He created. If He reveals to you that "He fills the hungry soul with goodness" and only He Who satisfies, nothing else will bring you contentment!</span><br /><span style="color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">But if we have just our own picture of God, we could even find Him boring or a burden. We could even entertain the thought that His Splendor could fail to attract our attention or to create interest in our heart! We could believe that His Supreme Goodness could just be disregarded. And His Wonders and Sovereign Grace could be rejected!</span><br /><span style="color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">Be acquainted with Him and experience His Supreme Satisfaction!</span>Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-48073921009171409692008-07-21T18:01:00.000-07:002008-07-21T18:13:31.564-07:00NOT ALL Are God's Children<span style="color:#000099;">Anyone could just claim that they are God’s children – even non-Bible believers could “believe” they are. </span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">But it’s a very different thing, if God Himself will call you His child. “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1, NKJV).</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">If God Himself will recognize us as His children, our tendency is to be attracted to Him! For we are made aware that He is our Father!</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Others claim that God has the same kind of love for everyone. They even teach that everyone in the world is a child of God. But God’s Word declares He has greater love for His own children. The New International Version translates the first part, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us…”! </span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">We read also in 1 John 3:10, that there are “children of God and the children of the devil…” – NOT ALL are included in His Holy Family. </span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">The Son of God told others, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do…” (John 8:42-44).</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">If we realize that He Himself has recognize us as His children and we experience His Great Loving Fatherly care, we will also embrace Him, as we see Him running toward us to welcome us! </span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Yes, we will choose to love Him – not because we choose Him to be our Father, but He has chosen us first to become His own children.<br /> </span>Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-7332018185898613642008-07-04T05:54:00.000-07:002008-07-04T05:59:14.872-07:00God A T T R A C T S ! !<span style="color:#000099;">Could you afford to reject God? Could you just set aside His Supreme Goodness?</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Would you be interested in something other than Him?</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">David, who had a glimpse of His Divine Beauty, declared:</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">"One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,To behold the beauty of the LORD,And to meditate in His temple" (Ps. 27:4, NAS).</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">"To behold the BEAUTY of the LORD"!!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Beauty attracts! It does not repulse! </span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">We do not tend to reject something beautiful! We do not close our eyes to it. We are drawn toward it! We gravitate closer and closer to it.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">If something beautiful that is created just out of nothing attracts us, how much more the BEAUTY that is there from all eternity and will go on for eternity!?</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">God's Beauty is unsurpassed. He who beholds Him will so admire Him and will be satisfied God Himself dwells in him.</span>Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-88853508227166717372008-06-18T15:24:00.000-07:002008-06-18T15:36:44.978-07:00SEE The GREAT IMPORTANCE Of BELIEVING In Christ<span style="color:#000099;">Because of the passage, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive" (1 Cor. 15:22, NKJV) -- there are those who teach and believe that "all" or everyone in the world are "in Christ"!</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">But WHO are those "in Christ"?!</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">If we fail to grasp the meaning of that verse, we can easily agree that just like Adam, who did not believe God, we could also be in Christ! And so, we can fall into error that though we do not believe, we are also reconciled with Him, we are raised up with Him, we are justified, we are chosen, etc. </span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">There are many verses in the Scriptures, however, that emphasized the need for us to believe in Christ. For example, John 3:18 -- "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Notice the words, "... he who does NOT believe is CONDEMNED ALREADY"!</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Now, let's go back to 1 Corinthians 15 and understand verse 22 in the light of the whole chapter.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Who are those in Christ -- and that all of them would be made alive?</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">According to Paul in verse 11: "... so we preach and so you believed."</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Those "in Christ" as those who BELIEVED! They are those who are not condemned. They are reconciled with God. They are redeemed. They are raised up -- made alive -- with Him. They are chosen ones. They belonged to God. They are the spiritual children of God. They are guaranteed by God Himself that they would have their inheritance. They are those who really love God.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">May you also see the need and the worth of believing in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.</span>Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-71958286271317132812008-06-07T16:38:00.000-07:002008-06-07T17:26:42.375-07:00WHEN The Air Was "Gone"...<span style="color:#000099;">When I was gasping for breath and I could not even think of anything, for oxygen could no longer reach my brain -- God was not even in my consciousness -- it was a very fearful thing! (<a href="http://www.christianster.com/ctan/html/showsharing.php?sid=57003&authid=99269&m=6&d=5&y=2008">http://www.christianster.com/ctan/html/showsharing.php?sid=57003&authid=99269&m=6&d=5&y=2008</a>).</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">If you were helpless and hopeless and you could not even pray... and yet God gave you a joyful deliverance, only then you could have a better grasp of the meaning of the Grace of God.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Air began to fill again my lungs NOT because I was able to pray and ask God to save me. I was able to breathe again NOT because someone brought me to the doctor -- I was alone in the house. </span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">I was able to breathe again NOT because I just exercised the so-called power of the human will to choose to breathe! My brain or mind was UNable to function properly, just as my physical body was wrestling with pain!</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">But because of God's Grace -- He allowed me to taste the sweetness of air once again and to enjoy the sweetness of His Grace! </span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Whether we have life in this world, or our life is extended, or even blessed with eternal life -- it's because of His Mercy.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">We read in Romans 9:16, "So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy" (NAS).</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">The New International Version renders it, "It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy."</span>Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-60157596557676898332008-06-01T00:06:00.000-07:002008-06-03T05:45:36.156-07:00God COMPLETES<span style="color:#000099;">Some are teaching: “GOD SAYS HE WILL COMPLETE THE WORK HE HAS BEGUN IN US. YET SCRIPTURE ALSO INDICATES THAT SOME WILL NOT COOPERATE WITH HIM.”<br /><br />Indeed, there are those who will not cooperate with God. But they are not among those whom God has begun His spiritual work of redemption.<br /><br />Paul wrote:<br /><br />“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:4-6).<br /><br />When he stated, “… He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” – he was referring NOT to every human being, but to the believers – those who have “partnership in the gospel” – or as we read in verse 1, “To all the saints in Christ Jesus…”<br /><br />It is wrong to imply that God who began to work in the life of a person – enabling him to come to Jesus, granting him repentance and faith – will not enable him to cooperate with Him until the end. The Sovereign God is not subject to the so-called “ningas-cogon” mentality – that He is good only to start something, but cool off before finishing it.<br /><br />Besides, Paul wrote: “…BEING CONFIDENT of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…” He didn’t doubt. He was sure. He was confident.<br /><br />For the completion of God’s Work in the life of the believers does not rest in our own hands.<br /><br />Paul also wrote, "HE WILL KEEP YOU STRONG TO THE END, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful” (1 Cor. 1:8-9).<br /><br />We read further in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” And verse 4 states, “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”<br /><br />If God started to work in your life, will it be completed?<br /><br />Yes, for He is faithful. So, “…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Phil. 2:12-13).</span>Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-42359274257306903652008-05-14T20:21:00.000-07:002008-05-14T20:24:59.815-07:00WHY Would God Open YOUR Heart?<span style="color:#000066;">Let us read Acts 16:14, “One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message” – especially the last part, “The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message.”</span><br /><span style="color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">A Bible teacher, who exalts so much the human free will, told me through the email that though God opened the heart of Lydia and she responded to Paul’s message, it does not mean that whenever God opened the heart of others, they would also respond just like Lydia. </span><br /><span style="color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">As if he was saying, God could open our hearts, but, because we have the freedom of choice, we could still refuse to respond to the Gospel!</span><br /><span style="color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">The verse, however, makes me realize that though the tendency of our fallen nature is to respond negatively to God, because of His grace, He would open our hearts, so we could respond positively to Him. We could not boast that we respond to His message, because we just choose to. We respond to Him, because He has opened our hearts. </span><br /><span style="color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">We did not choose Him. He had chosen us. We called upon Him, because He had called us. We knew Him, because He first knew us and made Himself known to us. We loved Him, because He first loved us. </span><br /><span style="color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">And God would open our hearts in order for us to respond to Him – not to resist or reject Him.</span>Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922305401871075364.post-90797698148866815382008-04-08T14:17:00.000-07:002008-05-14T20:27:00.510-07:00God SEEKS And SAVES<span style="color:#000099;">We read in Luke 19:10, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."<br /><br />What a great comfort and encouragement to hear those words!<br /><br />Jesus Christ came to seek... He Himself is the One who is doing the seeking. We do the hiding (Gen. 3:8). What a very foolish thing we do -- hiding from the only One who could give us happiness and satisfaction.<br /><br />Whenever we hear His Words, "Where are you?" (Gen. 3:9) it does not mean that He does not know where we are. He knows exactly that we need His help, that apart from Him we have nowhere else to go.<br /><br />He is seeking for us to help -- to save us. And when He seeks He finds. We cannot hide from Him.<br /><br />Also, when He saves, He will surely save us. He will not just give us an option whether we choose to be saved, or not. Remember the story of the "Good Samaritan"? Did the Samaritan ever ask the victim whether he wanted his help? Yes, those who are lost are too helpless -- "half dead" -- to refuse.<br /><br />Besides, Jesus came to seek and to save those who are aware and know they are really lost -- they do not know where to go, too helpless to save themselves.<br /><br />God will not save those who believe that their good deeds, their good denomination, their good doctrines, their good choice, or whatever could save them.<br /><br />Have you ever heard His Voice, "Where are you?"<br /><br />Then, He was seeking to save you.<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color:#3333ff;"><br /></span><br /></span>Efrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10972880148038017706noreply@blogger.com1