Love in Action By Sis. Lilia Agunod Cabatbat

Let me begin with a poem entitled: And God Said “No”

I asked God to take away my pride, and God said “no”

He said it was not for Him to take away, but for me to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole, and God said ”No”

He aid her spirit is whole, her body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience and God said “No”

He said that patience is a by-product of tribulation, it isn’t granted, it s earned.

I asked God to give me happiness and God said ”No”

He said he gives blessings, happiness is up to me

I asked God to spare me pain, and God said “No”

He said “Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to ME “

I asked God to make my spirit grow, and God said ”No”

He said I must grow on my own, but HE will prune me to make me fruitful.

I asked God if He loved me, and God said “Yes”

He gave me His only Son who died for me and I will be in heaven someday because I believe.
I asked God to help me love others, as much as He loves me, and God said, “AH, finally you got the idea.

It’s my prayer that we all get the idea of what God wants to develop in us that is to love others with our will, and not with just our emotions .God lavished His love on us, that He gave His Son Jesus to die for us, and it’s because of His love that we are all here learning on how to handle His word accurately

Matthew 5: 43 – 44

43. You have heard that it was said, You shall love you neighbor and hate your enemy. 44. But I say to you, love you enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.

In this passage there are 4 things that Jesus wants us to learn:

1. To love your enemies

2. To bless those who curse you

3. To do good to those who hate you

4. To pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.

Notice these are all action words therefore it requires an effort on our part. Let me ask you these 2 questions: 1. Do you think God is asking the impossible from us? 2. Is it possible for us then to love our enemies?

Let’s have a look at the meaning of love; unlike the English language it has only one word for love. But the Greeks interpreted love in 4 ways and use 4 words to describe which kind of love was meant:

1. ERROS – where erotic love come from, love that arise from infatuation, passion, sexual love. It is the love of man for a woman.

2. STORGE – brotherly/familial love, love between parent and child.

3. PHELEO – the love of deep affection and feelings towards those who are very near and very dear to ones heart.

4. AGAPE – is a sacrificial love that cares, gives, and works for another person’s good no matter how the person respond. It is a love that demonstrate kindness, benevolence and esteem even in the midst of stormy situation. It is a love more by choice; it refers to the will rather than emotion.

The devil can counterfeit everything we do, but love is the only thing he cannot imitate or counterfeit because it’s the only thing that the children of God are capable of loving people who have wronged us because we’ve received the love of God, as we freely received God’s love, freely we can give. Amen.

As per the testimony of a Nigerian witch who came to know the Lord, he says that the devil cannot even touch the children of God who walked in love.

Here is the definition of “enemies” from Oxford Dictionary:

ENEMIES – is a person or group actively opposing or hostile to another.

So our enemy is not only a person who has done great offense against you but it could be anyone who irritates you or opposes you or even hostile to you

In this decaying world we’re living in wherein people’s hearts are filled with self-centeredness, selfishness, bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness, the usual thing that people do is to love only whom they think is deserving for their love, cares, and attention .And Christians tend to fall on the same trap by doing the same thing .We also tend to avoid people who have wronged us and irritates us. We as children of God, recipient of His love and forgiveness we’re not supposed to conform with their ways, instead we’ve to rise up with God’s power and make the difference. I know it’s difficult to love people whose attitudes are unbearable but God has given us His Holy Spirit to empower us to love them the way He loves us. How are we then to show love to our enemies?

JESUS commands us to love our enemies by doing 3 things:

1. To bless them. What exactly does it mean to bless, Bless in Greek “EULOGEO” – to invoke divine favor upon, means speaking out loud with the mouth, only what is good and edifying. We are not just to think good things about our enemies, but to speak them openly.

2. To do good to them. “Do” in Greek is “PRASSO ” - to practice. That means we have to do it repeatedly. So for every opportunity that you can do good to your enemy just do it, though you know this person is doing to you evil, yet your focus is not in your hurt but, on the deception of your enemy’s soul. You should be the one initiating reconciliation though you’re not at fault.

Romans 12:21 says “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. “

Proverbs 16:7 “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

Brothers/Sisters, for every “sandpaper” people you’ve been meeting every day, thank God for them because God is making us beautiful inside out, He is removing every rough edges of our character that we may grow and mature in His love and become more and more like His Son JESUS.

3. To pray for them. We are to pray for our enemies, tearing down every walls of lies and deception, pulling down every strongholds that exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ over their hearts and minds, taking captives of their thoughts in obedient to the Lordship of Christ. As we continue to bless them, do good to them and pray that the Lord will convict them, they may come into their senses and repent and they may will experience redemption of their souls, the results may well be a repentant sinner and a new brother and sister in the Lord. Hallelujah.

In conclusion

Matthew 5:48 “Therefore you shall be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

Perfect here doesn’t mean sinless but maturity in task and purpose. The word as here is not a note of equality but of likeness. So we who profess God to be our Father ought to be like Him who displays His love without discrimination. Just as He is, so we are. In order for us to conform to our Father’s likeness we’ve to renew our minds with His words and take every effort to apply it in our daily life, as God open doors and opportunity for us to put His words into action.

Here’s a story of a Baptist Pastor during the American Revolution, His name was Peter Miller who lived in Ephrata Pennsylvania and enjoyed the friendship of General George Washington. In Ephrata also lived Michael Wittman an evil minded person who did all he could to oppose and humiliate the Pastor. One day Michael Wittman was arrested for treason and sentenced to die. Peter Miller travelled 70 miles on foot to Philadelphia to plead for the life of the traitor. “No, Peter”, General Washington said, “I cannot grant you the life of your friend”. “My friend?” exclaimed the old Preacher, “he is the bitter enemy I have”. “What!” said General Washington, “you have walked 70 miles to save the life of an enemy, that puts the matter in different light, I will grant your pardon”, and he did. Peter Miller took Michael Wittman back home to Ephrata no longer an enemy but a friend.

Praise the Lord for the life of this Pastor who displays God’s unconditional love. I know the commandment to love is easier to embrace if you have not been offended by someone else, but what about if you have been evil spoken of, rejected, cheated or betrayed, will you choose to shine for JESUS by forgiving and loving that person anyway, and make the difference thus, giving glory to God or will you glorify the devil by stubbornly holding on to your bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness.

Mga kapatid, you’ve already been set free by the blood of JESUS, live your life in freedom knowing that you are the child of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Know your identity of who you are now in Christ, what you have and what you can do through HIM. Amen. In our workplaces how we deal with our colleagues, in our homes how we get along with our families, in the community we’re living, as Christ representative are we reflecting the clear image of JESUS, or are we reflecting to them a distorted image of our Lord because of the way we conduct our lives. I want us to reflect on this, and if there’s any hurts, resentments, bitterness and unforgiveness in our hearts that we’ve been holding for so long, that hinders the work of the Holy Spirit, let’s just repent and ask the Lord to forgive us and help us to let go of these things so that His Holy Spirit can move freely in us, to empower us to reach out those people around us who are hurting and who badly needed the love of God. Remember that God did not pour out His love on us for us only to enjoy but he wanted us to pass it on to the people regardless of who they are, whom JESUS died for.

Christmas Message from Pastor Edward Barcial

THE FULLNESS OF GOD

Luke 1:39-45 (NKJV)

Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, ⁴⁰ and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ⁴³ "But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ "For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. ⁴⁵ "Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord."

My family and I would like to greet all of you a Hallowed Christmas and a Joyful New Year!

The essence of Christmas should not come around only once a year. It is the time in our lives when God’s word comes to fulfillment. Like Elisabeth, we should be carrying in our hearts the things spoken to us by the Lord Himself. When Jesus comes to our lives, that word will become alive and we will be filled with the Holy Spirit, thus we will be complete and full of His love and power.

The name Elisabeth came from the Hebrew word Elisheba, אלישׁבע 'ĕlı̂ysheba‛ (el-ee-sheh'-ba) from the root words EL 'êl (ale) – Almighty God and SHABA shâba‛ (shaw-bah') - be complete. Elisabeth means “The completeness or fullness of God.” Hitchcock's Dictionary of Bible Names describes her name as “the oath, or fullness, of God.”

Col 2:9-10 (NKJV) says:

For in Him (Jesus Christ) dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; ¹⁰ and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Many long for Christmas to come around and expect material things to complete us. Sadly, every year most of us come out empty handed. Simply because we forget that only God will truly satisfy our hearts. We should be “pregnant” with the promise of God’s word and when the time is right, it will “leap” in our spirits and we, like Elisabeth, will be filled with the Holy Spirit.

As born-again believers, we have received Jesus in our hearts as Lord and Savior. God is truly among us. In Jesus dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. He is Emmanuel (God with us). There is no need to wait for the end of the year to experience completeness. We can right now and always enjoy the spirit of Christmas in our hearts year round. Just focus on the One who dwells within us and rest assured that we will be complete in Him!

God bless us all this Holiday Season of Love!

Ps Edward, Sis. Marlene, David John and Sally Joy

Christmas Greeting from Pastor Rene Nepomoceno

Dear All,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14

Year after year people throughout the earth go to the motion of celebrating, feasting, dancing and shopping during what we called Christmas season.

It is the season of love, of giving and of joy, as we religiously want to describe it!

But, sadly as the season is over we come to realize, love is so much wanting, people are back to their personal quest of material possession and grandeur at the expense of others. Giving is forgotten as most people rich and poor, scamper to get ahead of everyone else. And the elusiveness of the joy of Christmas becomes evident as everyone is mesmerized by the temporal pleasures offered by this world.

Unless mankind fully embrace the meaning of the coming of Christ on Christmas, the “peace” and the “favor” given by God will remain a religious abstract ideal.

Mankind need to understand “peace” by being one with Christ, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness - he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!”

Mankind need to understand the “favor” of God, by living to give favor and blessing to others in the same manner as Christ “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

May we who profess to believe in Christ be like Him to re-live the joyous day of Christmas to all the people that surround us!

A Blessed Christmas to one and all!

Bro. Rene

2010 WIN- Al Ain Family Day

Word International Ministries Al Ain held their 2010 Family Day at Green Mubazzarah last December 2, 2010.

The Things Above

THE THINGS ABOVE

Col 3:1-17

Col 3:1-17 (NKJV)

¹ If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

HOW TO SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE: PUT TO, PUT OFF, PUT ON

1. PUT TO DEATH THE FLESH (Through Obedience)

5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

The reason why we find it hard to focus on heaven is because we are still living for the fleshly desires of our body. The cure for this is to crucify the flesh by simply obeying the commands of the Lord. We don’t have strength to combat our earthly desires, but God gave us a will to choose to follow His commandments. Disobedience is the root of all our carnal tendencies. If you are struggling today in your walk with Christ, it is because you are obeying the lust of the flesh and not His will which results in being earthly-minded. Start obeying His word and slowly but surely your mind will be heavenly-minded.

2. PUT OFF THE OLD MAN OF DISCRIMINATION BY PUTTING ON THE NEW MAN OF EQUALITY

8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

Heaven is a place filled with people from every tribe, tongue and nation. There is equality in His kingdom. On this earth there is injustice, prejudice and discrimination. Deeming yourself more superior to your fellowman results in filthy language and lying, along with anger, wrath, malice, etc. If we deem each other as equal members in the body of Christ, we should not be speaking bad things against our neighbor. The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as you love yourself. You wouldn’t lie to yourself, would you now? You wouldn’t curse anyone because you consider the other person as yourself. Such is the character of heaven.

3. PUT ON TENDER MERCIES & LOVE BY FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER

¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ¹⁴ But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

One Facebook Account is named: What Would You Do In Heaven? It says in its webpage:

Heaven is forgiveness. Being forgiven. And being able to forgive. Forgiveness brings peace. Forgiveness unites us and builds bridges where we once built walls. Forgiveness allows us to lay down our burdens, our guilt, our anger. When we finally find healing and wholeness, we find forgiveness as well. Forgiveness is heaven.

Heaven is a place whose inhabitant is people who has been forgiven and are forgiving. The Bible says:

Matt 6:14, 15 (NKJV)

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Unforgiveness will keep us out of heaven. Harboring ill-will and bitterness against our fellowman will keep our minds on the things on this earth, and we will only focus on our hurt pride, ego, and emotions. Forgiving our neighbors will give us a touch of heaven for this is the atmosphere of His kingdom.

Paul also says: Eph 4:32 (NKJV)

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.

Conclusion: 5 Things You Should Do To Have Heaven On Earth

¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

5 Things mentioned here that reflect the character of heaven:

1) PEACE

Peace in heaven - Luke 19:38

2) WORD OF CHRIST

Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Psalms 119:89

3) SINGING

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. ⁹ And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, Rev 5:8-9

4) HIS WILL BEING DONE IN HEAVEN

Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matt 6:10

5) THANKSGIVING

Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! Psalms 136:26 (NKJV)

And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, ¹⁷ saying: "We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come,
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. Rev 11:16-17 (NKJV)

C.S. Lewis, in his book, “Mere Christianity,” he wrote:

If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.

Let us therefore be heavenly minded so we could do more earthly good.

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Pastor Edward Vincent J. Barcial

Relevance by Pastor Rene Nepomoceno

WE BECOME IRRELEVANT!

· When we fail to know God better

· When we do not live the way we want people to live!

· When we ignore changes and reality

· When we refuse to listen

· When our values have been eroded

Ps Rene Nepomuceno on his talk about “RELEVANCE” last Nov 18, 2010 while visiting WIN- Al Ain. Ps Rene is our WIN - International Deputy Director and International Christian Education Coordinator and our WIN - Europe Overseer. He and his family is now based in London, UK.

Men at Work by Bro. Ruel Cabusas

Philippians 2 : 19 – 30

¹⁹ I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. ²⁰ I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. ²¹ For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. ²³ I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. ²⁴ And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. ²⁵ But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. ²⁶ For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. ²⁷ Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. ²⁹ So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, ³⁰ because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.

Introduction: (Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, "The Discipline of Service.")

Self-righteous service comes through human effort.

True service comes from a relationship with the divine Other deep inside.

Self-righteous service is impressed with the "big deal."

True service finds it almost impossible to distinguish the small from the large service.

Self-righteous service requires external rewards.

True service rests contented in “hiddenness”.

Self-righteous service is highly concerned about results.

True service is free of the need to calculate results.

Self-righteous service picks and chooses whom to serve.

True service is indiscriminate in its ministry.

Self-righteous service is affected by moods and whims.

True service ministers simply and faithfully because there is a need.

Self-righteous service is temporary.

True service is a life-style.

Self-righteous service is without sensitivity. It insists on meeting the need even when to do so would be destructive.

True service can withhold the service as freely as perform it.

Self-righteous service fractures community.

True service, on the other hand, builds community.

Historical Background:

• Author – Paul

• Purpose – To thank the Philippians for the gift they had sent Paul and to strengthen these believers by showing them that true joy comes from Jesus Christ alone.

• Date written – 61 AD from Rome during Paul’s imprisonment

The following are the narratives of Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus in the work of the Gospel and to their fellow workers.

1. Paul

- He has joy even he is prison (v 19)

- He loves his fellow worker (v 22)

- He is concern with the church even in sorrow (v 27)

2. Timothy

- He shows genuine concern to the church (v 20)

- He is supportive in the work of the Gospel (v 22)

3. Epaphroditus

- He is supportive to fellow worker (v 25)

- He risks his life for the ministry (v 30)

What kind of church is the Philippians?

- Looks out for their own interests (v 21)

- Could not give much help (v 30)

Let me conclude this message by these questions:

Are we like Paul who is joyful in spite of his condition?

Or are we like Paul who is supportive in the work of the Gospel?

Or are like Epaphroditus who is supportive to his fellow worker?

Or are like the Philippians who just look out on their own interests?

WIN-Al Ain Seeds of Hope

Bro. James (real name is Arun Giri) was born a Nepali Hindu but got born again in Christ. While in Malaysia, the Lord miraculously healed him there on his deathbed. Since then he became a strong witness & believer in Jesus. He has a wife named Laxmi Giri (also a believer) and both of them have six children, 3 of their own and 3 they adopted later. His own children are: Asmi (age 10), Joseph (8) & Ezekiel (6). The adopted children are Daniel (12), Suman (10) & Aris (8).

These are not legally/officially adopted by the courts or registered as such by the government, but it is recognized that they live in the home and he has assumed responsibility for them as their guardians.

James used to worked in Sheikh Palace with a security company in Schwaib and then later transferred to Dhaid and later in Al Ain. He came to the office of Chaplain Isaac of Oasis Hospital looking for a church to attend in Al Ain. Chaplain Isaac then referred him to Pastor Stan Rubesh, the chairman of T. E. A. M. (The Evangelical Alliance Missions) AP in Al Ain. Bro. James later joined the Nepali Outreach that Ps Stan started.

James showed spiritually maturity and became Ps Stan’s translator at the Labor Camp where they visit many Nepali workers. James went on to disciple his own workmates.

He recently went back home to Nepal to join his family as advised by Ps Stan that it would be better for him to be with them. Ps. Stan knew about the Seeds Of Hope (SOH) that we are trying to start in WIN – Al Ain and came to my office if whether we are interested in supporting at least James’ adopted children. The Church Council agreed to support James as our initial WIN – Al Ain local SOH project beneficiary. We are also in the process of supporting the WIN – UAE SOH National Programme through Sis. Coi Alea of WIN – Al Nahda that would benefit Filipino orphans through our Philippine Office.

Please pray for our local Seeds of Hope WIN – Al Ain overseer, Sis. Marlene and our dear Bro. James that the Lord will use this ministry to bless orphaned children around the world. Thank you so much for your prayerful support.

James 1:27 (NKJV)

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

May the Lord reward you richly as you give generously to the Lord’s work.

God bless!

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Pastor Edward Vincent J. Barcial

ON THE WINNER’S SIDE by: Bro. Teody Galit

Almost all of us have favorite games that we love to play or watch. Filipinos love sports passionately. In every game that we play our aim is to win, and every time our team is winning we feel so inspired to play even better to maintain our position on the winning side. Even those who are just rooting for his or her favorite team will become so emotional on the outcome of the performance of his or her team, whether they are on the winning side or on the losing side.

In our Christian lives each of us should aim to be always on the winning side in every battle in this world. The Lord wants every one of us to be a winner and not a loser. Today we will see what the Bible tells us that once we are in Christ we can be sure that we are on the winning side.

There are three Points that prove Christians are on the winner’s side (Romans 8:31-39)



Point # 1: NO ONE CAN BE AGAINST US



Romans 8:31-32 (NKJV)

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?



“Satan and all those under his power are always against every believer of Jesus; but Paul said that “if God is for us who can be against us?” This is how God value every believer. He did not spare His own Son and gave him up for us to be saved, how much more can he not protect us from every work of Satan? This is why Paul said, “who can be against us.” We often quote this verse, but do we really appreciate how God valued us? One good example that we failed to see what God has done to us is by our prayers. If God did not answer our prayers according to our own plans and schedules, most of the time we become upset and think that God is intentionally withholding the things that we are asking Him. Some people even say that they were neglected by God, which is completely wrong. God has given us the greatest gift, His only Son to die, for us to be saved. That is a wonderful thing to know how God works for our own good. If He can give His only son for us how much more can He not freely gave us everything? Do you think God will allow His ultimate sacrifice to be invalid by refusing to protect and guide every believer? Let us think about it.



Point # 2: NO ONE CAN CHARGE US



Romans 8:33-34 (NKJV)

Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.



Since God did not spare His Son and gave Him to save us, do you think He can charge or accuse us? Or even let somebody to do the same to us. God is the one who justifies us; he gave us the right to stand with Him. And because He justifies us who can successfully charge or accuse someone whom God declared righteous? Nobody! He is the judge that declared us not guilty! Who will then dare to accuse us? Even Jesus will not condemn us because He was the one who died for our sins, He will not allow His death to be invalid if He condemns us. Instead He is risen and now sits on the right hand of God interceding for all of us. If God, who created everything, cannot put a charge on us, who can charge us now?

Four things that Jesus did and still doing for the believers not to be charge:

1. His death

2. His resurrection

3. His exalted position

4. His continuing intercession for us



Point # 3: NO ONE CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST



Romans 8:35-39 (NKJV)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.



On this last point Paul wanted us to realize the assurance that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. The list of things that Paul mentioned that can separate us from the love of Christ is not just theoretical. It is based on his own personal testimony and experiences. He survived and emerged triumphant when he faced all the things that he mentioned.

Paul quoted Psalms 44:22 to remind us that every believer who trusts God and faithful followers of Jesus must expect to face persecutions, even death, difficulties and sufferings. But in the end we will emerge victorious because we are more than conquerors because Jesus loves us.

For every believer, it is a rule and not an exemption to suffer because we are followers of Jesus. So instead of being separated from Christ by all the circumstances that Paul had mentioned it should always purify us and make our faith in Jesus stronger. Our goal is victory, with Jesus with us we are always on the winner’s side. Paul said that nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus Christ, even all the created things. Paul said that we are more than conquerors through Him who love us. God the creator of heaven and earth is on our side; what more can we ask for? Nothing!

So it is our choice which side we want to be on: on the winner’s side or on the loser’s side. I hope that we already made our decision and made the right choice.



CONCLUSION



Isaiah 50:9 (NKJV)

Surely the Lord GOD will help Me; Who is he who will condemn Me? Indeed they will all grow old like a garment; The moth will eat them up.



In every circumstance that we may face, our source of help should always come from the Lord. He should be our first choice and not the last option. God will cause everything to work together for good to accomplish His ultimate purpose for His children.

Suffering will still bring pain, loss, and sorrow. But under God’s control the outcome will always be for our own good. God always work in His own ways; and it is His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Let us continue to obey and put our trust on Him, and we can be sure that we are always on the winner’s side because He is always with us.

"TIME, TREASURE AND TALENT" (Things the Lord has Commanded Us To Give) (Exodus 35 : 1 – 19) By : Bro. Ruel Cabusas

1. TIME - Observe a Sabbath of rest (verses 1 – 3)

¹Moses assembled the whole Israelite community and said to them, "These are the things the LORD has commanded you to do: ² For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on it must be put to death. ³ Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day."

The Lord has commanded the Israelites to observe a Sabbath of rest. Sabbath means seventh day of the week and divinely set apart for rest and worship. Christians today have to observe this command also in order to have a day rest and to find time worshipping the Lord. Otherwise, we are like an ax that is always in use and is not being sharpened.

Illustration: One man challenged another to an all-day wood chopping contest. The challenger worked very hard, stopping only for a brief lunch break. The other man had a leisurely lunch and took several breaks during the day. At the end of the day, the challenger was surprised and annoyed to find that the other fellow had chopped substantially more wood than he had. "I don't get it," he said. "Every time I checked, you were taking a rest, yet you chopped more wood than I did." "But you didn't notice," said the winning woodsman, "that I was sharpening my ax when I sat down to rest." (L. S. Chafer, Grace.)

2. TREASURE -Offer willingly from what you have (verses 4 – 9)

⁴ Moses said to the whole Israelite community, "This is what the LORD has commanded: ⁵ From what you have, take an offering for the LORD. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the LORD an offering of gold, silver and bronze; ⁶ blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ⁷ ram skins dyed red and hides of sea cows ^[a] ; acacia wood; ⁸ olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; ⁹ and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

The Israelites were commanded to offer willingly what they had. During that time, they were commanded by the Lord to build the Tabernacle or Tent of Meeting. At present, we can also contribute something for the furtherance of His Kingdom.

Illustration: J.L. Kraft, head of the Kraft Cheese Corporation, who had given approximately 25% of his enormous income to Christian causes for many years, said, "The only investment I ever made which has paid consistently increasing dividends is the money I have given to the Lord." J.D. Rockefeller said, "I never would have been able to tithe the first million dollars I ever made if I had not tithed my first salary, which was $1.50 per week." (W. A. Criswell, A Guidebook for Pastors, p. 154)

3. TALENT Offer your skills (verses 10 – 19)

¹⁰ "All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the LORD has commanded: ¹¹ the tabernacle with its tent and its covering, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases; ¹² the ark with its poles and the atonement cover and the curtain that shields it; ¹³ the table with its poles and all its articles and the bread of the Presence; ¹⁴ the lampstand that is for light with its accessories, lamps and oil for the light; ¹⁵ the altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; the curtain for the doorway at the entrance to the tabernacle; ¹⁶ the altar of burnt offering with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; the bronze basin with its stand; ¹⁷ the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard; ¹⁸ the tent pegs for the tabernacle and for the courtyard, and their ropes; ¹⁹ the woven garments worn for ministering in the sanctuary—both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests."

Israelites were also commanded to use their skills in building the Tabernacle. At that time, they can do and contribute a lot of things according their abilities. Same with us, we can also use our different skills and talents to glorify the Lord.

Illustration: In his book 70 X 7, The Freedom of Forgiveness, David Ugsberger tells of General William Booth, the founder of the salvation Army, who had lost his eyesight. His son Bramwell was given the difficult task of telling his father there would be no recovery. "Do you mean that I am blind?" the General asked. "I hear we must contemplate that," his son replied. The father continued,"I shall never see your face again?" "No, probably not in this world." "Bramwell," said General Booth, "I have done what I could for God and for His people with my eyes. Now I shall do what I can for God without my eyes." (David Ugsberger, 70 X 7, The Freedom of Forgiveness)

Whatever is done for God, without respect of its comparative character as related to other acts, is service, and only that is service. Service is, comprehensively speaking, doing the will of God. He is the object. All is for Him, for His sake, as unto the Lord, not as unto man. Hence, even the humblest act of humblest disciple acquires a certain divine quality by its being done with reference to Him. The supreme test of service is this: 'For whom am I doing this?' Much that we call service to Christ is not such at all....If we are doing this for Christ, we shall not care for human reward or even recognition. Our work must again be tested by three propositions: Is it work from God, as given us to do from Him; for God, as finding in Him its secret of power; and with God, as only a part of His work in which we engage as co-workers with Him." (A.T. Pierson wrote, The Truth)

In summary, the Lord has commanded us to observe a Sabbath of rest, offer something from what we have and glorify Him by using our talents and skills.

I hope we were enlightened by this message and were encouraged to give our best to the Lord. Let me end this by a poem from an unknown author:

Leftovers are such humble things,
We would not serve to a guest,
And yet we serve them to our Lord
Who deserve the very best
We give to Him leftover time,
Stray minutes here and there.
Leftover cash we give to Him,
Such few coins as we can spare.
We give our youth unto the world,
To hatred, lust and strife;
Then in declining years we give
To him the remnant of our life.

Thank you and God bless us all!